The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

[Eye of Truth]

-Grade: Unique Trait

-Effect: Pierces through hidden things.

A short phrase.

Seeing that, Do-hyeon couldn’t help but shudder in awe.

“A unique trait…!”

It was a type of trait he had never seen before.

Even in DemRock, he had never encountered something called “unique.”

But Do-hyeon wasn’t foolish enough to overlook its value.

‘Honestly, I’m not exactly sure what this ability does. But I’m certain it’s incredible.’

Weapon Master? Hero? Slayer?

These were good traits.

But they were not one-of-a-kind.

Although no one possessed all of these traits at once, there were quite a few who had at least one of them.

But the Eye of Truth?

‘I’ve never heard of a trait like this before.’

Unique.

Literally, something that exists only once in the world.

Out of the billion players in God of Savior, this trait was something only Do-hyeon possessed.

Its power aside, its rarity was incomparable.

‘Now that I think about it, there were rumors about this.’

He had seen discussions in the community about the use of the word “grade” when referring to traits.

Why attach the term “grade” instead of “type” or “category” when they’re all traits anyway?

It was a valid question.

After all, grades like Common, Rare, Heroic, and Legendary divide power levels, while “type” or “category” would more appropriately divide traits or skills.

Many opinions had been exchanged, but the debate eventually fizzled out with the conclusion that it was probably a misunderstanding caused by differences between the Korean and foreign languages.

Do-hyeon had thought the same when he read the posts.

No, to be honest, he hadn’t really thought much about it.

Whether it was a grade or a type didn’t seem like an important factor at the time.

He had just shrugged it off.

But now, he understood the reason.

‘So it really was a grade…’

A unique trait and just a trait.

These were the names of different grades.

Thinking about it now, it had been foolish to assume that the game’s cutting-edge AI would make such a mistake.

Though his questions were answered, that wasn’t the important part.

‘The important part is that I just hit the jackpot.’

And it wasn’t just any jackpot.

A unique trait, five traits, and even a handful of titles.

It was truly a grand prize.

[The First Slayer]

-Grade: Legendary

-Description: A title given to the one who first slays a legendary named boss.

-Effect:

Wrath: Deals 10% additional damage to boss monsters.

Devour: If the player succeeds on the first attempt of the battle, all stats increase by +6.

The “Devour” effect does not apply to bosses of the same type as the previously defeated one.

All stats +10

[Currently, the stats obtained through Devour are +6]

Just the traits alone were sweet enough, but to add a legendary title on top of that?

Its performance was exceptional, as expected of a legendary-grade title.

Even just the basic option of all stats +10 was incredible, and the Devour effect could boost potential further later on.

On top of that, the Wrath effect dealt an additional 10% damage to boss monsters.

This title was providing the effects of three different titles in one.

‘This… is sweet…’

It was so satisfying that Do-hyeon wondered if he might get diabetes from it.

‘To think that someone like me, with such rotten luck, would get an opportunity like this…’

It was all the more precious to him, considering how much the world had seemingly conspired against him back in DemRock.

How many bitter days had he endured?

Back then, while others were getting rare traits, he had started with common ones, stumbling around…

‘This time, it feels different.’

A player starting with six traits, plus a legendary and a rare title?

If he posted that on the forum, it would cause an uproar.

He might attract both players eager to recruit him and players who would be so envious that they’d want to kill him out of spite.

‘They probably wouldn’t even believe me.’

Honestly, he wouldn’t believe it either if someone else claimed it.

‘But more importantly…’

After confirming his rewards, Do-hyeon looked around.

The floor and walls, torn apart by the battle with the Ironblood Dragonkind, were in ruins, while the other side of the area, seemingly untouched, looked pristine.

Looking at the scene, Do-hyeon tilted his head in confusion.

‘Why hasn’t the tutorial ended?’

As far as he knew, the goddess was supposed to appear, seal the boss monster again, and send the adventurer to the main continent, marking the start of the game.

But none of those events were happening.

“Wait a minute… sealing the boss monster?”

At that moment, something flashed through Do-hyeon’s mind.

‘The goddess appears when… the player dies, right?’

But what about him?

Far from dying, he had killed the Dragonkind and monopolized all the traits and rewards.

Because of that, the situation had changed completely.

‘What happens in a case like this?’

Although he was momentarily flustered, he quickly regained his composure.

And that composure soon turned into a bit of anticipation.

If the scheduled event had changed…

‘It might be a hidden piece.’

His greedy thoughts were understandable, given how much he had already gained, but who knew? Anything was possible.

Approaching the door he had entered from, a message appeared.

[The boss’s death has been confirmed.]

[Do you wish to return to the entrance?]

“Yes.”

As he answered quickly, his vision shifted.

The hallway, more chaotic and ruined than the messy room he had been in, was filled with the corpses of monsters.

During the entire 5 hours and 30 minutes Do-hyeon had been inside, an intense battle had also been raging here.

Charlie, standing amidst the blood-soaked battlefield, looked shocked as he stared at Do-hyeon.

Despite being covered in the blood of countless monsters, Charlie’s imposing presence hadn’t diminished. However, his face now held a bewildered expression.

As soon as their eyes met, Charlie’s lips began to tremble.

“A… Aaa…”

“…”

Do-hyeon instinctively sensed it.

That man was about to spout another ridiculous line.

And sure enough, with a trembling voice, Charlie asked,

“I definitely heard the sound of a monster being summoned… Did you truly slay it?”

“Well… yeah.”

“Yet you stand before me without a single scratch. Just who are you…?”

Unlike before, Charlie’s tone was now one of utmost respect, his speech nearly reverential. His polite manner and eyes filled with admiration were already overwhelming, but Charlie didn’t stop.

“No, your identity and origins are irrelevant.”

“?”

“Heroes always rise in times of chaos. I, Charlie, have no doubt that your existence will bring about great changes in this troubled world.”

With a resolute face, Charlie knelt on one knee.

“Oh, hero… May I humbly ask to walk the glorious path with you? May this lowly knight become your heart and sword?”

Ding-.

At the same time, a message appeared.

[Arlen Castle’s Knight Commander, ‘Charlie,’ wishes to become your heart and sword.]

[If you accept his oath, he will pledge his undying loyalty to you.]

‘…What the?’

He had expected a hidden piece, but this was something entirely unexpected.

The Knight’s Oath meant that he would follow Do-hyeon, even to his death.

It wasn’t just a metaphor.

[If you accept, Charlie will no longer be Arlen Castle’s Knight Commander but will become Kaiser’s subordinate.]

[The benefits he receives will transfer to you.]

A knight who swears an oath gives up everything and becomes the subordinate of their lord.

Moreover, all the rights and benefits they previously enjoyed are transferred to the lord.

It was, quite literally, an oath to give everything.

‘This is insane.’

Being the Knight Commander of a castle meant there were plenty of elements that would aid in his growth.

He would be treated with respect by NPCs wherever he went, and his high position would allow him to grow quickly.

But…

[However, he is already long dead. You will not receive any benefits as his lord.]

“Ah.”

The next message that appeared deflated Do-hyeon’s excitement.

Of course, things had seemed too easy.

It would have been completely unbalanced if a level 1 player started as the lord of a Knight Commander.

‘The tutorial is a recreation of the tragedy of Arlen Castle from the past.’

The tutorial was a platform and stage for adventurers from another world to reach the main continent through the goddess.

Unlike the main game’s timeline, it had the feel of a medieval setting from a long time ago.

‘It’s just a symbolic oath. Kind of like an event…’

If he expected more from this, he’d be nothing short of greedy.

Still, the experience had felt good, so without much hesitation, Do-hyeon nodded.

At that moment…

[You have accepted the Knight’s Oath.]

[In Charlie’s memory, you will remain as his lord.]

[In his memory, the war that would later be known as the ‘tragedy of Arlen Castle,’ an abyssal terror, ends in victory, with him envisioning a future alongside you.]

[He will now rest in peace, looking forward to a future with you.]

[The tutorial is now complete. The Pantheon will soon open.]

[You will be warped to the Pantheon shortly.]

A message appeared, and the location where the boss room had been turned into a warp point.

Although it was a different route from the original, the tutorial had been successfully completed.

‘…Rest in peace, huh.’

Do-hyeon glanced at Charlie.

With eyes full of loyalty and a resolute expression, Charlie looked at him as though he were truly his lord.

That would be the last memory of this man.

Thinking that way left Do-hyeon feeling strangely uneasy.

Even though he was just an NPC, he had grown somewhat fond of him due to his reactions…

“Lord, where is our next destination?”

Maybe that was why.

When Charlie looked at him with small, hopeful eyes amidst his resolute gaze, Do-hyeon, just before being warped, felt compelled to answer.

“…We’ll go where we’re needed. The world’s in chaos.”

“Ah…”

It was cringeworthy, but Do-hyeon thought that Charlie would appreciate this answer the most.

Charlie, who had been standing with his mouth agape, finally closed it again.

There was no need for any further response. His eyes confirmed that Do-hyeon’s answer had been what he was hoping for.

[Warping…]

[Warping to the Pantheon in 5 seconds…]

Do-hyeon, feeling at ease, stepped into the warp.

At that moment, Charlie, seemingly having made up his mind, approached.

“…Please accept this.”

He carefully pulled something from his chest and handed it to Do-hyeon.

[3…]

[2…]

It was a necklace.

A rather simple design with a red ruby-like stone embedded in it.

Do-hyeon was about to examine it when the warp completed, cutting off his reaction.

[You have obtained…]

[Warping to the Pantheon.]

“Thank you, my lord. Please… save…”

A message engulfed in blinding light.

And with the last of Charlie’s words fading into the distance, Do-hyeon’s vision went black.

[Welcome to the Pantheon.]

[This is the place where you choose a god and decide your path. We wish for the blessing of the gods to be upon you.]

[Inventory cannot be accessed in this area, and if you force quit, a god will be chosen automatically.]