Ranker's Return

Chapter 709

Hyeonu and New World arrived safely at Alfore without any danger.

‘The demon kings or nobles still haven’t come...’

Hyeonu rejoiced instead of feeling flustered that the demons hadn’t invaded for so long. It was clear that they would’ve died at the hands of the emperor and Lebron anyway if they appeared.

‘Then I won’t be able to pick up the items.’

If the emperor dealt with a demon king, Hyeonu would only feel comfortable when he inserted a spoon in using any means possible. He needed compensation for his hard work during this period.

‘Still, I don’t think anything will happen right away.’

“I need to stream.”

Hyeonu streamed as soon as he was free. Of course, most of his recent streams showed massive battles.

‘Everyone has time.’

Today, he was planning to hold Alley Leader Academy after a long time.

‘Time is needed anyway.’

He didn’t know about Ray, but Jamie Moore unconditionally needed time. Currently, it was different from when Hyeonu was rising through the arena. The level of players had increased significantly. Unsurprisingly, there was a fierce battle in the lower rankings. Jamie Moore didn’t have the skills or specs to break through there. However, he was quickly getting these two things in place.

“Master Gang!” Jamie Moore appeared in the arena. Jamie Moore was now calling Hyeonu by ‘Master’, not ‘Mister’. This was a word that reflected Jamie Moore’s idea of learning many things about virtual reality games from Hyeonu, whom he considered a teacher.

“Jamie! How have you been?” Hyeonu happily welcomed Jamie Moore who appeared in the arena. It had been a long time since they had actually met. In the meantime, they had only contacted each other by phone or email.

Jamie Moore replied, “I worked hard to improve my level. I also bought skill books and learned them.”

Hyeonu’s eyes shone at Jamie Moore’s words about learning skills. ‘Is he a second wallet warrior?’

Since Mason, Jamie Moore was the first one around Hyeonu to buy and learn skills. There were many reasons for that. The skill books themselves were expensive, and the people that Hyeonu knew had skills they couldn’t learn from skill books due to their high level.

“What skills did you learn? Are they rare-rated?”

“Yes, I learned two rare skill books—Crescent Moon Cut and Energy Cohesion.”

“Crescent Moon Cut and Energy... Cohesion?” Hyeonu’s words trailed off.

Hyeonu had no recollection of a skill with the name ‘Energy Cohesion’.

‘What is it? Is it a buff skill?’

If so, the price would be terribly high. Unlike the immediately-activated-type skills, which required harmony with the other skills, it was better to have more buff and continuous skills. Therefore, the price gap was definitely large.

Immediately-activated skills were expensive. Buff-type skills were also very expensive, and continuous skills were crazy expensive. Of course, popular continuous skills like Magic Power Control weren’t so expensive. However, this was practically the only exception.

“Energy Cohesion is a continuous skill. It increases the defense penetration level when hearing the blade.” Jamie Moore explained the Energy Cohesion skill to Hyeonu.

“Wouldn’t it be very expensive?”

“It was expensive, but it was bought from someone I know, so it wasn’t that much.” Jamie Moore recalled the face of the person who sold him the skill book. It was the same person who sold him the Magic Power Control skill book.

‘Jin Sijong...’

Jin Sijong had sold Jamie Moore the Energy Cohesion skill book. Of course, it was because he didn’t want Hyeonu’s streaming to be ruined. It also contained a bit of favor for a friend.

Hyeonu smiled and spoke gladly to Jamie Moore, “Really? In any case, congratulations, Jamie. You got good skills.”

In the meantime, the other student of Alley Leader Academy appeared. “Hello.”

“You came. Ray, I should’ve taken care of you more often, but I have been busy recently. I’m sorry,” Hyeonu welcomed Ray warmly. It was because there was a feeling of neglect that didn’t match the role of being a teacher.

‘We’ve both been busy, but... I should take care of him more.’

Both Hyeonu and Ray participated in the main scenario and fought in all types of battles. However, having no time was just an excuse. Hyeonu could’ve tried his best to make time, but he hadn’t done so. It was because he wanted to rest. He replaced his feelings of regret toward Ray with hospitality.

“No, to be honest, I neglected PvP practice today. The main scenario is just as important.”

It was the same for Ray, but it was for a more serious reason. Since participating in the main scenario, he had been under great pressure in Arena. After running for a long time, he hunted the demons and demonic creatures before running again. Then after arriving at the city, there was a massive battle that lasted over 10 hours. During this period, he didn’t dare contact Hyeonu to ask him to practice PvP.

“By the way, you didn’t stop practicing right?”

Ray nodded at Hyeonu’s question and answered, “I continued practicing when I was free. The guild members who helped me practice were also surprised that my strength has improved a lot.”

He had practiced regularly, but he hadn’t done it with Hyeonu.

“Then that’s fine. The important thing for you, Ray, is to keep gaining experience and master your body. The problem is Jamie in front of me...” Hyeonu’s gaze shifted from Ray to Jamie Moore again.

Ray would be able to start the competition for a diamond ranker the moment he mastered the sword style Hyeonu taught him and gained PvP experience. Meanwhile, Jamie Moore was different. Hyeonu had to keep meeting and teaching him.

‘Level is level, and strength is strength.’

Jamie Moore was no different from a blank white paper. He must be drawn on as Hyeonu intended. This would allow him to successfully win a bronze medal in the arena.

‘I have to work hard today.’

Hyeonu was thinking of graduating Ray before New Moon ended. On the other hand, Jamie Moore was to graduate before the Spring League began. Hyeonu was going to make it like that by any means possible.

‘That is what will make it a topic.’

In the end, Hyeonu’s current profession was a streamer. Even with the same content, it was important to differentiate from others. In that respect, Jamie Moore’s challenge was more important. It was several times more challenging than Ray’s.

‘Jamie Moore will almost seem like a miracle to ordinary viewers.’

In the eyes of rankers, Jamie Moore’s and Ray’s goals were similar. Teaching PvP to a ranker and leading them to the diamond status and training a person without virtual reality experience from level one to reach a bronze medal in the arena—both were impossible. However, in the eyes of the viewers, the former was worth mentioning, while the latter seemed impossible.

“Well... you can do it somehow if I teach you diligently. Warm up your body first. I will get ready to stream,” Hyeonu said.

He didn’t worry too much. It was because he didn’t think anything would go wrong.

***

“Hello, everyone. It has been a while. I am the number one arena instructor, Alley Leader.”

Hyeonu indirectly informed viewers that today’s content was Alley Leader Academy.

-Number one instructor? Indeed, he is the best.

-Today it is Alley Leader Academy?

-It seems so. We’ve only been seeing the main scenario recently.

-Yes, it is time to do the content once.

The audience welcomed Alley Leader Academy. The main scenario was good, but they were tired of seeing only one thing. Now it was time to see Alley Leader’s content.

“In the past, I have been very busy and haven’t paid too much attention to the students. However, the students have steadily improved their skills through self-study. Today, I’ll take the time to check it out.”

Then Hyeonu clapped briefly. Then Ray and Jamie Moore walked out to Hyeonu’s side.

“From now on, what I am saying will be the first time that the audience friends have heard it, and it is also the first time that the two people here have heard it. There will be a spar between Ray and Jamie in order to see how hard they’ve practiced.”

As if to prove that Hyeonu’s words were true, a flustered expression appeared on Ray and Jamie Moore’s faces.

-It seems like this is really their first time hearing it?

-Even the performers don’t know about today’s stream.

-Is it live with almost no script?

-Alley Leader, do whatever you want to do.

The viewers laughed at the two men. Then they questioned it because Hyeonu’s words were too vague.

-If the two of them fight, won’t Ray win?

-The level difference is more than 200 levels.

-It is because it is impossible for Jamie Moore to fight Alley Leader with his specs.

-It is a fact. The attacks can’t be avoided. It is also slow to predict damage, so he will be hit.

Hyeonu nodded when he saw the messages of the viewers.

‘It naturally isn’t possible now.’

“Of course, the spar will proceed with the league’s PvP rules. It will be in line with Jamie and his low specs. Instead, all skills can be used. Well... the power might be poor.”

However, the problem was simply resolved by using the features of the arena to limit their stats.

“Now, come and grab your swords... It will be a different experience for both of you. Ray, this is the first time you’ve fought against two swords, right? Jamie... it is meaningless to ask.” Hyeonu passed Ray and Jamie a wooden sword and two wooden swords respectively.

Ray and Jamie Moore were unable to erase their bewildered appearances, even after receiving their weapons. They stood there and stared at Hyeonu.

Hyeonu touched something for a long time before asking the two people, “Why are you just standing there? Aren’t you going to prepare? Ray, how is the stats adjustment going?”

“Yes, yes. The stats were cut precisely in proportion,” Ray answered Hyeonu and moved. He had to do what Hyeonu wanted. Otherwise, there was no reason to be a student here.

“Jamie, don’t worry too much. Would I do this to harass you? Focus on Ray, and keep your ears and eyes open. I will teach you everything. So... Jamie, you will become my avatar. Move as I tell you,” Hyeonu said to Jamie Moor.

That’s right. It wasn’t a spar between Ray and Jamie Moore but against Ray and Hyeonu’s avatar, Jamie Moore. Would a middle-aged avatar be able to win by following directions? Or would a half-ranker show his dignity?

The viewers became more interested after hearing Hyeonu’s words.