Ranker's Return

‘It isn’t a boss monster?’

This single attack allowed Hyeonu to realize that the giant wasn’t as strong as he thought it was. A boss monster’s attack power would’ve smashed his pure energy, rather than deflect it.

‘I was scared for no reason.’

Hyeonu felt pathetic for even having done a simulation in advance. His heart was filled with anger toward the giant.

‘I’ll finish it at once.’

He used the giant skill he didn’t need to use.

[Giant’s Power has been used.]

[Your strength stat has increased.]

Hyeonu’s strength rose to over 1,000 in an instant. This led to Hyeonu’s damage increasing as well. As Hyeonu was preparing for the attack, Tang-E’s skills struck the giant. Lightning fell from the sky while an ice spear and fireball hit the giant from all sides.

“Kuaaaak!” The giant screamed in pain. It was lightning with a B+ proficiency and 1,800 magic power. There was also the C+ ranked Fire and Ice. They showed a different power from the past, and it wasn’t just an increase in power.

[The ancient giant has been inflicted with the ‘electric shock’ abnormal state.]

[The ancient giant has been afflicted with the ‘frozen’ abnormal state.]

[The ancient giant has been afflicted with the ‘burned’ abnormal state.]

There was also a high probability of causing abnormal conditions. The giant slowed down and stopped moving for a short time. It was impossible for Hyeonu to miss such a great opportunity. Hyeonu gathered as much magic power as possible and inserted it into Dark Star. Then he swung it at the giant, striking it with dozens of strong winds made of pure energy.

It was Mysterious Sky Range. Dozens of black blades shredded the giant’s body, and blood burst out from it like a fountain. The giant’s body collapsed helplessly.

[The ancient giant has been killed.]

[Experience has been acquired.]

Once again, the difference between a boss monster and a normal monster was great. Normal monsters couldn’t handle Hyeonu’s damage after it was enhanced by various buffs. Just then, Tang-E’s voice rang out from behind Hyeonu in an urgent tone, “Master dude!!”

“Eh?” Hyeonu naturally turned his head at Tang-E’s cry. Hyeonu’s gaze shifted toward Tang-E who was gathering an enormous amount of magic power. It was similar to Tang-E’s first awakening. The only difference was that the current amount of magic power was superior.

[Your pet ‘Tang-E’ has now reached level 200.]

[The second awakening has begun.]

Seeing this, Hyeonu murmured in a small voice, “It is real. The second awakening.”

In fact, Hyeonu hadn’t believed Tang-E’s words. Tang-E had said the same thing over and over again, so Hyeonu thought it was the same this time.

‘I feel sorry toward Tang-E... Honestly, I wish he will gain more buff skills.’

Bear’s Momentum and Forest’s Blessing were quite good. However, a person’s greed was endless. Hyeonu would rather Tang-E play the role of an all-rounder as opposed to a damage dealer. In other words, he wanted Tang-E to maintain the role of six players. Of course, the foundation was based on buffs.

‘I don’t want a lot. Just have one buff related to agility.’

Two skills were gained from the first awakening. That meant Tang-E would get at least two skills after the second awakening. Hyeonu hoped that a buff skill would be one of them. As Hyeonu prayed, Tang-E started to absorb the dense magic power around him.

Five minutes passed. The power being absorbed by Tang-E was noticeably reduced. Simultaneously, a message appeared in front of Hyeonu to indicate that Tang-E’s awakening had ended.

[Stats have risen due to the second awakening.]

[The second awakening has created skills.]

[The strength stat has increased by 576 points.]

[The agility stat has increased by 576 points.]

[The physique stat has increased by 704 points.]

[The magic power stat has increased by 1,238 points.]

[Your pet ‘Tang-E’ has over 2,000 magic power, and a new skill has been created.]

[Your pet ‘Tang-E’ has over 3,000 magic power, and a new skill has been created.]

[Burning Magic Power]

[One of the methods of magic power usage peculiar to the Marionette Bear.

Type: Continuous

Rating: Unique

Skill Proficiency: F

Consumes 150% of magic power to deal 50% additional damage.]

[Breath of the Wind]

[The breath of the wind fills your body.

Type: Buff

Rating: Rare

Skill Proficiency: F

Increases the target’s agility by 10% and increases movement speed by 3% for 5 minutes.

Skill Cooldown Time: 1 minute.]

“Haah…!” An exclamation flowed out from Hyeonu’s mouth. Only two skills had been created. However, the insane rise in stats and the quality of the skills allowed Hyeonu to overlook that. Although Burning Magic Power consumed additional magic power, it boosted the damage of Tang-E’s attacks.

‘Breath of the Wind.’

For Hyeonu, this was the real skill. This alone rewarded the hard work he and Tang-E put in to reach the second awakening. The buff skill increased Hyeonu’s agility and movement speed. Why did Hyeonu want this agility-related buff? It was due to the armor that Hyeonu was wearing. Hyeonu’s current Wind Gorge set was level 200, but it was a bit lower than Hyeonu’s level.

He hadn’t changed it due to the Blink skill, but the stats increase was fairly low compared to the set items worn by other rankers. Furthermore, the wind attribute was useless due to the Mysterious Sky Demonic Art. Thus, he had to find a way to move fast enough to replace Blink, and he thought an agility buff would be the solution for that. As agility increased, his movement speed would naturally increase as well.

“Good, good,” Hyeonu said in a satisfied manner and couldn’t help nodding. Then someone pulled at his pants.

Hyeonu’s gaze naturally went down. “What is it?”

It was Tang-E. After the awakening, Tang-E boasted entirely golden fur. The blue fur of his tail and the red fur on his face had disappeared.

“It’s strange, strange. What should I do?” Tang-E was fidgety as he pulled at Hyeonu’s leg. Tang-E’s current strength stat was quite high. His high stats meant that Hyeonu shook helplessly like a reed swaying in the wind.

“Why? What’s the problem? What’s wrong?” 

In the end, Hyeonu couldn’t stand it and lifted Tang-E. Tang-E looked up at Hyeonu with a crying face.

“Look at this... My feet...” Tang-E said with a serious expression.

Then once he saw Tang-E’s paws, Hyeonu barely suppressed his laughter.

“The soles of my feet are red while my paws are blue. What should I do... Master...” Tang-E didn’t use the title of ‘Master dude.’

Hyeonu eventually burst out laughing, “Kuhaha!”

Holding Tang-E in his arms, Hyeonu continued to laugh.

‘So cute. Making such a serious look just because of this.’

Tang-E tapped Hyeonu’s chest, but he ignored it.

“Should I make you some gloves? It’s cute. Just leave it alone. Nobody will say anything.”

Hyeonu put Tang-E down and stroked his head.

‘This cute bear...’

At Hyeonu’s words, Tang-E smiled brightly and stared at Hyeonu with huge eyes.

“Really? Master dude?”

“Yes. You’ve always been cute, Tang-E.” 

“Cough... I’m cute,” Tang-E coughed, and his shoulders broadened. Hyeonu’s praise gave him a huge boost.

Hyeonu smiled at Tang-E and opened Tang-E’s status window.

‘Tang-E’s status window.’

[Status Window]

[Name: Tang-E

Level: 200

Species: Marionette Bear (Second awakening)

Title: Bung Bung Island’s Heir

Stats: Strength: 1,371  Agility: 1,317  Physique: 1,611  Magic Power: 3,000

The heir of Bung Bung Island. Bear-like physical abilities and high magic power are racial characteristics. He is very affectionate, unlike his prideful tone.

Intimacy: 100

Skills Possessed: Bear’s Momentum, Forest’s Blessing, Magic Power Affinity, Lightning, Giant Transformation, Roar, Ice, Fire, Subspace, Burning Magic Power, Breath of the Wind]

‘I have to treat him well.’

This was what Hyeonu thought when he saw Tang-E’s status window. Tang-E had brilliant stats and skills. Yet, this wasn’t even Tang-E’s best condition.

‘There are still two essences.’

Tang-E still had two essences left from the pet competition.

‘If he’s lucky, he’ll get two skills.’

No, it was good enough just for his stats to rise. Based on Tang-E’s skills, it was enough to increase the stats.

‘All that is left is hunting.’

Hyeonu noticed that it was easier to clear this dungeon.

***

“CEO Moon, hasn’t it been a while?”

“Thank you. I was wondering why you called me…?”

Park Jeonghyun smiled like he didn’t care about Moon Doyeong’s words. “If it is due to the last thing you talked to me about, you can stop.”

“What do you mean?” Moon Doyeong cocked his head at Park Jeonghyun’s words.

“I’ve prepared a gift.”

“A gift? Thank you, Inspector Park, for the gift...”

“Ilsung will lose Big Stars this time. Well, this isn’t something I did myself, but it is correct to say I don’t want to look behind me anymore...”

In the past, the two companies that tried to acquire Big Stars were Ilsung Capital and Moon Doyeong’s Moon Capital. Due to Ilsung’s quick lobbying, Moon Doyeong had stepped down from the acquisition. 

“Why are you telling me this?” Moon Doyeong asked.

Park Jeonghyun smiled. “For your help. I’m asking you to help me bring down Ilsung.”

Moon Doyeong wasn’t a fool, so he couldn’t be unaware of Park Jeonghyun’s intentions. Additionally, Moon Doyeong was a maniac about Arena, so he had a great deal of interest regarding this incident.

“Then I will hide the players from Ilsung. In the meantime, Inspector Park should take care of the other things. After the management is handed over to the association, Big Stars will be given to me...”

“Of course. Who will be in charge of Big Stars if not you?” Park Jeonghyun smiled and picked up a bottle of wine to pour a drink for Moon Doyeong.

“I will trust you this time.”

***

“From this side, there is Han Jaeyeol, Kim Jinhwan... 10 people in total? Where’s the rest? Did they decide to go separately?”

Moon Doyeong ordered people to find the professional gamers of Big Stars one step ahead of Yoon Hyeongu. Then he brought the players to his office.

“Who are you?” Kim Jinhwan wasn’t in a good mood because he had been forced to come here. He looked at Moon Doyeong with vigilant eyes.

“I will soon be your boss,” Moon Doyeong said. 

Kim Jinhwan and the players exchanged looks. They guessed what was going on.

“Isn’t Big Stars ruined? How did you become the boss?” Han Jaeyeol questioned.

Moon Doyeong answered straight away, “It won’t be ruined. It will be investigated. This is how it is. Additionally, you’re not quitting. Once I’m the boss, I will test you properly and reselect people. I will throw away the garbage, taking only the real players to prepare for the next league. Call the other kids as well. Tell them to come here. They will be hurt if they’re caught by the team’s side.”

While speaking, he made eye contact with each player in turn.

“What do you want to eat? Chicken? Pizza?” Moon Doyeong asked as he waved a coupon book. 

“Chicken!” All the players picked the same thing.