The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Is this a god or a thug?

Kang Do-hyeon couldn’t hide his astonishment at the dubiousness, if not outright lack of qualification, in this supposed divine personality.

‘Has the game company completely lost its mind?’

Having been cursed with atrocious luck even by DemRock’s standards, Do-hyeon had endured many outrageous experiences, but this level of absurdity was on another level entirely.

Sure, a broken balance was one thing, but this defied all logic.

Frankly, the only reason Do-hyeon succeeded was because it was him; if any ordinary user had obtained this class, they would have been forced to return it immediately after clearing Raven.

This was because Do-hyeon’s stats and other qualifications were far beyond what was typical for this stage.

Whatever standard Kashiar had in mind, anyone falling short of it would lose the class without even a chance to resist.

‘No, could it be intentional?’

Perhaps the intention was to prevent just anyone from inheriting it.

…No, no matter how rationally he tried to think about it, he couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

Sighing deeply, Do-hyeon calmed his agitated mind.

‘At least I cleared it.’

Despite the absurdity of the requirements, Do-hyeon had successfully met them.

Once again, he had made the correct decision.

Some might say it was just hindsight, but a good result meant the decision was the right one.

[To carry on my will, you must at least meet this standard. And…]

Whether or not Do-hyeon cared, Kashiar, who had whimsically decided the fate of another, seemed utterly indifferent.

His gaze shifted to Do-hyeon’s side.

[I’m not sure what trick you used to control those things, but there must be a reason.]

‘Those things?’

Following his gaze, Do-hyeon turned to see Jihad, blinking blankly, and Elisa, pressing Jihad’s cheeks with her fingers.

[They aren’t the type to follow just anyone.]

‘Is he talking about Elisa and Jihad?’

Jihad might be treated like a porter now, but given his secretive background, that made sense.

But lumping Elisa in with him was unexpected.

Still, it made sense upon reflection.

A spider that parasitizes field bosses and hasn’t reached full maturity even after 150 years is definitely unusual.

The fact that Kashiar recognized it instantly…

‘Could it be?’

Filled with tentative hope, Do-hyeon opened his mouth.

“Do you know who they are?”

[What? Of course, I do. Don’t tell me you’ve been dragging them around without knowing who they are?]

“…It just sort of happened.”

[Wow, what kind of guy does that? Lucky or talented… Whatever, I guess fate is fate.]

Since when do gods use phrases like “fate is fate”?

No, the fact that such a phrase exists in God of Savior in the first place is astonishing.

But why?

For some reason, Kashiar’s expression seemed briefly darkened.

However, it was fleeting.

He quickly returned to his usual indifferent expression, though a hint of interest flickered in his eyes.

[They’re not fully mature yet… But judging by the strength they exude, they’re more than they seem.]

Murmuring to himself, Kashiar smirked.

[You’re quite the intriguing successor. You’ll be fun to watch.]

With his chiseled face, even a smirk looked like a work of art.

‘Wow… So that’s why looks matter.’

Even as a man, Kashiar’s baritone voice and charisma were undeniable.

Despite his thug-like personality, his appearance alone created a commanding presence.

The phrase “appearance-based society” wasn’t coined for nothing.

If Kashiar were a user, wouldn’t the Hero Guild’s popularity have been cut in half?

‘No, this isn’t the point.’

Distracted by admiration, Do-hyeon shook his head and attempted to ask what he was curious about.

“Then…”

[You want to know what those things are, don’t you?]

“Oh, yes.”

Once again, Kashiar anticipated his question and cut him off with a grin.

[Where’s the fun in me telling you? You should figure it out yourself. That’s what a master should do, isn’t it?]

“…”

As irritating as his attitude was, Kashiar was known as the God of War.

Arguing would only result in loss.

Who knows?

He might even take back the class.

‘…It’s entirely possible.’

It sounded absurd, but based on their brief interaction, Kashiar seemed fully capable of doing so.

With the preamble over, Kashiar floated down from the chest and landed on the ground.

Now up close, he seemed even larger. But more than his presence, Do-hyeon focused on Kashiar’s next words.

[We’ve wasted enough time. Let’s get straight to the point.]

It was finally time to discuss Do-hyeon’s class quest.

* * *

The explanation wasn’t lengthy.

In fact, it was so brief that it felt almost too short.

[Do you see the chest behind me? Inside it is my relic. It’s imbued with my power, so it should be useful.]

First came a quick explanation about the chest.

Before he could get too absorbed in it, Kashiar continued.

[Go to Brion. Someone will find you there. You’ll get the details from them.]

After saying this, Kashiar motioned towards the chest with a jerk of his chin.

[If you understand, move quickly. Time is running out.]

Do-hyeon grasped the meaning immediately and approached the chest without hesitation.

Just as Kashiar said, something was inside.

It was an old staff about 60 centimeters long with a modest thickness. Its shape was so nondescript it hardly seemed like a staff at all.

‘This is the relic?’

When one thinks of a divine relic, one imagines a special artifact imbued with a god’s life story.

It didn’t have to be grandiose—something like the Iron Axe of the Honorable Axe God would suffice—but this looked almost worthless.

All his anticipation for a high-risk, high-reward payoff seemed laughable.

‘No, this can’t be all there is.’

Thinking there might be more, he flipped the chest upside down and shook it, but nothing else came out.

[Hurry and pick it up. We’re out of time.]

“Oh, yes.”

Kashiar, who seemed frustrated by Do-hyeon’s hesitation, furrowed his brows.

Fearing that he might lose even this if he delayed, Do-hyeon instinctively grabbed the staff, prompting a system window to appear.

[You have obtained the relic of the God of War, Kashiar, Thousand Transformations.]

[Kashiar’s will is about to disappear.]

The name sounded more impressive than expected, momentarily capturing Do-hyeon’s attention. Just then, Kashiar clapped his hands.

The sudden sound broke his concentration, and he looked at Kashiar.

“??”

Do-hyeon was stunned.

Vwoooong—.

“What is this…!?”

And it wasn’t just Do-hyeon.

Even Jihad and Elisa, who had been silently watching from the back, jumped in surprise.

-H-Huh!? What’s with the sudden magic circle!?

-Li-LizaLiza!

A massive magic circle had suddenly appeared on the floor.

And it wasn’t confined to the floor.

It expanded endlessly, climbing the walls and covering the ceiling, enveloping the entire space. It wasn’t a trap or ambush.

[Why are you so surprised? Haven’t you seen magic before?]

The one responsible for all of this was Kashiar, who was now pressing his hand against the floor.

Around his palm, the light was growing more intense.

As expected of someone known as the All-Master, his mana was overwhelming. Jihad was even more astonished than Do-hyeon.

-This is… a spatial transfer!?

-Liza…!

-What kind of absurd mana… The purity is off the charts!?

“A spatial transfer?”

Do-hyeon was shocked as well.

Space Transfer.

It was magic that moved an entire space to a desired location, often regarded as the pinnacle of spatial magic.

‘With just this one thing, the siege would have been over….’

That wasn’t all.

Even in raids where escape was impossible, having Space Transfer made it feasible to flee.

Moreover, as long as one was within its range, the skill allowed for transfer without the target’s consent, making its utility practically limitless.

A skill truly deserving of the legendary-grade title!

While it wasn’t unusual for Kashiar, the All-Master, to wield it, what astonished Do-hyeon was the casting speed.

[Space Transfer has been activated.]

[You will be moved shortly.]

[5…….]

‘What kind of speed is this……?’

Normally, Space Transfer took at least a minute to cast.

Not to mention, it consumed an absurd amount of mana and immobilized the caster during that time.

But Kashiar had activated the spell in mere seconds.

[Tsk, this is taking too long since it’s not the main body.]

‘This is……?’

Yet, even this was apparently unsatisfactory, as Kashiar clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.

The thought that he was no ordinary deity arose naturally as Do-hyeon was mesmerized by the intensifying light, through which Kashiar’s voice rang out.

[Hey, now that I think about it, I didn’t catch your name. What’s your name?]

“…Kaiser.”

[Kaiser…… I see. I am Kashiar.]

Now even his face was obscured by the light, making it hard to keep his eyes open.

[3…….]

[2…….]

As he gauged the remaining time through sound instead of the system window, Kashiar’s voice faintly echoed through the light.

[See you next time, Kaiser. By then, perhaps…… it will be…….]

[1…….]

In that instant, when the light exploded, engulfing his vision and disorienting his hearing,

Do-hyeon had a sudden thought.

‘Wait? Why is he using Space Transfer?’

As a rule, when graduating and moving to the next continent, everyone crosses via a warp without exception.

It wasn’t possible to move through Space Transfer like this, nor was there anyone who did.

In other words, Do-hyeon was being forcibly subjected to Space Transfer, not a safe warp, to an unknown destination.

[……eting.]

“Ah……”

Hearing the faintly uttered words, Do-hyeon thought sincerely.

This feels deeply unsettling.

[The appointed time has passed, and Kashiar’s will dissipates.]

[You are being transported via Space Transfer.]

And so, the forms of the three, including Do-hyeon, vanished.

Kashiar, whose form slowly faded, gazed at the now-empty space they had occupied.

[Perhaps…… this time, it might be different.]

His expression held an inexplicable nuance.

Closing his eyes gently, Kashiar turned to dust and disappeared, and the Egg Hatchery reverted to a state devoid of any traces.

* * *

Meanwhile, as Do-hyeon was encountering Kashiar’s will,

God of Savior was in complete chaos.

The first stirrings of unrest came from the western forest of Raven.

[The field boss, ‘Spider Queen Elisa,’ ruler of the western forest, has been defeated.]

“What?”

“No way, what the hell is this?”

“The boss hasn’t even appeared, so how could it be defeated?”

As if the boss disappearing wasn’t baffling enough, now they were told the boss was dead?

It wasn’t a trick; it was simply too incomprehensible to accept.

Their outrage was only natural.

“Contact the game company immediately!”

“But what’s going to change if we contact them? They never reply to us anyway.”

“Damn it, doesn’t anyone have video recordings? Let’s upload it on NewTube or something and spread the word!”

“I can’t believe I’m experiencing a bug like this in God of Savior. Did the AI go on vacation or something?”

The murmuring grew louder, and some were using communication orbs to reach out to others.

“Yes, Vice Guild Master. It’s true. The boss just disappeared, and then it said it was defeated.”

-What are you saying? Does that even make sense? Are you sure you’re not making this up?

“This is so unfair. I’ll send you the recorded footage.”

From mid-sized guilds to large guilds, users were reporting the incident to their guilds.

But their voices suddenly fell silent at one particular moment.

[The rankings for the First Trial have been updated.]

“Huh?”

“What? What does that mean?”

“The rankings were updated?”

A message appeared before them.

The Raven rankings, which tracked up to the top 1000 players, didn’t change often but occasionally shifted, so it wasn’t entirely unheard of.

But at this exact moment, it was a different story.

“How could it happen when the boss is gone?”

“You’d have to defeat the boss to update the rankings.”

How could the rankings change when the field boss, critical to the Graduation Quest, wasn’t even there?

Everyone immediately checked the updated rankings together.

And curses erupted.

“Holy sh!?”

“This is insane…!”

It was rare for such a diverse group of people to unanimously burst into profanity.

Even those recording videos couldn’t help but let out a string of curses.

But there was nothing they could do.

[First Trial Rankings]

-1st: Kaiser S-Rank [1,471 points]

-2nd: Myeolsal A-Rank [713 points]

-3rd: ??? A-Rank [709 points]

……

-7th: Heavenly Demon B+ Rank [649 points]

-8th: Arther B+ Rank [641 points]

-9th: Slayer B+ Rank [628 points]

-10th: Berge B+ Rank [612 points]

“What the hell is this? Why is the ranking like this?”

“What? Am I seeing this wrong or something?”

It was simply an unbelievable turn of events.