The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times

Chapter 79

How far had they gone?

[The fog thickens from here on.]

[Tip: Beware of the orcs that charge through the fog.]

“This should do,” thought Do-hyeon, stopping his steps as he noticed the system message.

True to the system’s warning, thick fog surrounded the area.

It wasn’t as extreme as the time when he overhunted, but visibility was hazy enough to blur the surroundings slightly.

“Perfect.”

This was the stage for the massacre he had planned.

[Disabling ‘Minor Invisibility’.]

As the previously semi-transparent Do-hyeon became fully visible, Jihad also came to a stop.

– You plan to hunt here?

“Yeah, it feels like just the right place.”

– There are still some humans around.

“It can’t be helped. This place is far enough from the city, and the fog will obscure us.”

Finding a completely deserted spot in the Salt-Rock Forest was nearly impossible.

Without resorting to something like the fog caused by excessive hunting from last time, there would always be people around.

Still, with the fog this thick, other players would likely focus on their challenging hunts without paying attention to him.

“How eerie. How could someone guess that so accurately?”

Do-hyeon shuddered as he recalled the recent speculation of a user.

It had been such an accurate guess that it felt as though the user had seen everything in real-time.

The precision was chilling.

It had even made Do-hyeon briefly consider, “Should I eliminate him before moving on?”

Thankfully, his companions dismissed the speculation as nonsense.

“Well, it’s a ridiculous ability anyway.”

As they said, Elisa’s bracelet was an item unimaginable at this stage of the game.

Skills like Stealth, which are almost signature abilities of certain classes, rarely came as equipment options.

Even when they did, such gear would almost always have usage restrictions.

At least in this stage of the game, it was safe to assume none existed.

Then again, this unique situation hinted that it wasn’t entirely impossible.

“That’s why sharp-witted rookies are so troublesome….”

Shaking his head in dismay, Do-hyeon pulled out Thousand Transformations.

At that moment, Elisa leaped out of his robe pocket, landing on his shoulder.

– Liza!

“Hm? Are you joining this time?”

– Lizaliza!

– She says she’ll show her skills, Master.

For once, Jihad’s translation was unnecessary.

Elisa, puffing out her chest and glaring fiercely with her tiny eyes, resembled a little general ready for battle.

…Or perhaps more like a child pretending to be a general in a mock war.

Still, he couldn’t help but anticipate it.

“Last time, I hunted solo to test Thousand Transformations.”

Back then, he had been too busy testing all the rewards he had acquired, including Thousand Transformations, to evaluate Elisa’s abilities properly.

This was the perfect chance to gauge her capabilities.

Swish— Swish—.

Just then, vague silhouettes of massive figures emerged through the dense fog.

“Before the battle begins….”

Do-hyeon quickly accessed the system menu.

Soon, a notification appeared.

[Recording started.]

[Say “Stop” or press the stop button to end recording.]

It was the recording function.

“I’ve got to get some content for NewTube.”

Do-hyeon had now become an 800,000-subscriber NewTuber.

He felt obligated to provide videos for the viewers waiting for him.

Some might dismiss hunting videos as boring, but NewTube content often came from unplanned moments.

“Something’s bound to happen if I keep it on.”

Who knew?n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

He might encounter a mutant boss or even stumble upon a PK user using stealth, like last time.

Smirking at the thought, Do-hyeon chuckled.

“As if that would happen.”

Surely, there couldn’t be such reckless maniacs in Brion.

Right now, all he hoped for was to complete the quest successfully.

He swung Thousand Transformations in the air, and its form rapidly shifted.

[Thousand Transformations transforms into ‘Black Raven Spear’.]

[Using Striking increases physical attack power by 40.]

“Good grip.”

Swish—.

An orc came charging at him just then.

The typical strategy here was to dodge, but Do-hyeon boldly swung the spear instead.

As the spear traced a wide arc, it cleanly severed the orc’s neck.

[The first attack deals an additional 18% damage.]

[The set effect increases melee attack damage by 6.5%.]

[…]

[You have defeated an orc.]

The orc’s massive body continued forward a few more meters, propelled by its momentum, before collapsing.

“Ah, satisfying….”

Clearing difficult content was fun, but nothing beat the thrill of overwhelming power in regular hunts.

Charging? Why bother dodging?

If they rushed at him with their necks exposed, all he needed to do was slice cleanly through.

The added acceleration from their charge only made the cuts smoother.

“Feels incredible.”

The exhilarating sensation brought a grin to his face.

Just then, as Do-hyeon savored the moment, another orc used the opportunity to charge at him.

And at that precise moment…

Pop—.

With a rather cute sound effect, a white substance shot out from beside him.

It was a spider web.

The web, launched in a straight line, spread into a small net and hit the orc squarely in the eyes.

Shriek!

Blinded, the startled orc flailed wildly.

Instinctively, it tried to wipe the web from its eyes…

Stick—.

But instead, its hands became stuck to the web.

Elisa’s web was far stickier than the orc had anticipated.

With enough force, it might be able to tear it off, but doing so would likely rip out its own eyeballs.

Meanwhile, without its sight, fighting back was impossible.

Then again, even if it lost its eyes, nothing would change, right?

Swish! Swish!

Caught in this unexpected dilemma, the orc froze, unable to act.

And for some reason, it felt as though its body had become heavier, as if gravity itself had intensified.

Blind, sluggish, and overwhelmed, even a fierce orc couldn’t help but feel terror.

Shriek—!

Bipedal creatures place great importance on their vision.

Losing their sense of direction simply because they can’t see ahead happens frequently, as they heavily depend on their sight.

That guy was no exception.

Crash– Screech!

His center of gravity wavered more and more until, before he could even reach Do-hyeon, he dove clumsily onto the ground.

Even then, he instinctively swung his double-edged axe, but Do-hyeon wasn’t someone who would be hit by such a blind attack.

Whoosh.

Easily dodging it, he thrust his spear into the fallen opponent without hesitation.

Thud!

[You have slain an Orc.]

[Spear Mastery has increased.]

[Spear Mastery has reached LV3.]

In an instant, he had taken down two.

However, it wasn’t entirely over yet.

Screeech–!

An Orc that had been watching from a distance, waiting for the right moment, launched a surprise charge.

Its bloodshot eyes shone fiercely, as if enraged by the death of its comrades.

The Orc brought its axe down with murderous intent, as if ready to split Do-hyeon’s skull in half, but Elisa was quicker.

Thwip– Slice!

She rapidly shot out a web.

But the Orc wasn’t foolish enough to fall for the same tactic it had seen ensnare its ally.

Blocking the web with the broad side of its double-edged axe, the Orc charged forward with even more ferocity.

It was at that moment, just as the Orc closed the distance.

Thud.

Screech, Screeech!?

Something snagged its calf, and the next thing it knew, its feet tangled, causing it to fall awkwardly.

It was a faint spiderweb stretched between two rocks.

Thwip– Thwip Thwip–.

Elisa leaped down from Do-hyeon’s shoulder and began circling the fallen Orc.

Each time she moved, her spiderweb, gleaming elegantly like it had absorbed the moonlight, wrapped tightly around the Orc’s hands, feet, legs, and even its eyes.

In no time, the Orc was completely bound, as if shackled.

“–Liza!”

Elisa cried out as if shouting, “Finish it!”

At her call, Do-hyeon approached and stabbed the Orc in the nape of its neck with the Thousand Transformations, which had been transformed into the Assassin’s Dagger.

[It has been deemed the first strike, dealing 18% additional damage.]

[Set effect increases close-range attack damage by 6.5%.]

[Bleeding is activated.]

…

[You have slain an Orc.]

[You have acquired the quest material, ‘Concentrated Orc Blood.’]

Not only had he easily subdued the Orc, but he also obtained the concentrated blood!

After confirming that no more Orcs were nearby, Do-hyeon immediately looked for Elisa.

“Elisa! What was that just now? That was amazing!”

At his words, Elisa puffed out her chest proudly and shrugged her shoulders as if she had been waiting for the compliment.

–Liza Liza!

“Elisa! You’re more useful than I thought. Why didn’t you do that when we fought each other?”

–Liza… Liza Liza!

–She said she couldn’t even think straight whenever her master hit her. Besides, symbionts generally can’t use their webs while bonded.

“Ah… Hmm, sorry. I didn’t mean to back then. Anyway, I see now. That must’ve been a tough restriction. If there weren’t penalties like that, it would’ve been overpowered.”

–Liza!

–She says it’s fine. It was natural since you were enemies back then.

With Jihad translating effortlessly, Do-hyeon couldn’t help but be amazed at Elisa’s true capabilities.

‘I thought her webs would be similar to last time… but they’re even better than I imagined.’

Steel Spider Webs and Sky Spider Webs.

It seemed the difference was more than just their names.

Even the Steel Spider Webs were powerful, but the Sky Spider Webs were faster and stickier.

They didn’t cause direct damage, but their utility was limitless.

‘They’re perfect for a supporting role.’

Blocking the enemy’s vision during battle, tripping them like now, or restricting their movements made hunting much easier.

If Elisa popped out of hiding to stage a surprise performance, the enemies would be utterly flustered.

Elisa’s small frame had become an unexpectedly potent weapon.

“As expected of Elisa. You’re perfect from head to toe.”

–Liza!

“You’re already doing more than enough just by being cute, but you’re also incredibly capable as a Guardian… No, as a Sacred Beast, Elisa.”

–Liza!

It was this honesty in his admiration and the lack of stinginess in his praise that kept Elisa glowing with joy.

Her eyes sparkled brightly as she jumped around, as if asking for more.

And as if to fulfill her wish, Do-hyeon showered her with even more praise.

Watching the two, Jihad’s expression turned complicated.

‘…What is this strange feeling?’

He didn’t mind Elisa being praised.

It felt as satisfying as seeing one’s pet or child being admired by others.

However…

‘I’m still her senior… but it feels like I’m doing nothing.’

The problem lay in Jihad’s current role.

He was Elisa’s original master and had become Do-hyeon’s Guardian first, but all he did now was pick up items and translate Elisa’s words.

Meanwhile, what about Elisa?

She joined later but was already making an impressive impact.

And on top of that, she was adorable.

“–Jihad? Oh, the pack mule?”

“–Pfft, he calls himself a Necromancer, but his army? What army? He can’t even summon Goblins properly!”

“–He’s just a looter. Born to pick up junk, so don’t pay him much mind.”

“–Elisa is a million times better than that useless guy! Oh, our cute Elisa. Stop hanging out with him and come to me.”

Do-hyeon’s voice echoed like a hallucination in Jihad’s ears.

It was just an illusion for now, but if things continued like this, it wouldn’t be surprising if it became reality.

‘I-I can’t let this happen. My position…!’

This couldn’t go on.

He had to do something.

Jihad needed to prove his abilities in a way even that irritating master couldn’t deny.

Forcing his trembling pupils to steady, Jihad clenched his fists tightly.