Ranker's Return

Supplementary Story 57

‘He doesn’t stop for even a second.’

John Blake admired Hyeonu’s appearance, which was considerably different from when he was in the demon world.

‘He must’ve been busy enough just doing his duties...’

It was an endless growth to the point of astonishment.

“Okay, let’s compete properly today.” John Blake posed with his black sword. A wave of energy emerged from John Blake’s body. It was heavier than the energy he emitted when he faced Heizer.

“I want to ask you to do it in moderation. The identity of Duke Blake shouldn’t be revealed.” Hyeonu looked perplexed at the sight of John Blake becoming very serious.

‘Is he serious about fighting?’

They had definitely talked about it beforehand that they would just pretend to fight on an equal footing. Yet, based on John Blake’s current appearance, it didn’t seem like it.

“I haven’t forgotten. I’ll only use the amount of power that I said beforehand,” John Blake said as if he knew what Hyeonu was thinking.

“Then I’m glad...” Hyeonu was replying in a half-hearted manner when his expression stiffened. It was because John Blake threw the spear that had been stuck in the ground.

‘It is too crude.’ Hyeonu frowned and casually reached out to the quickly flying spear. The spear was sucked into Hyeonu’s hand. Hyeonu returned the spear he was holding in his hand into the form of a ring. Just then, John Blake flew toward Hyeonu. Hyeonu lightly fended off John Blake’s surprise attack.

‘What is wrong with him?’

It would be a perplexing attack for some, but it was just a bit unpleasant for Hyeonu. Hyeonu immediately tried to counterattack. He aimed the Mixed Sky Sword, which was wrapped in pure energy, at John Blake’s chest. Just then, John Blake swung his sword from bottom to top. The Mixed Sky Sword collided with John Blake’s sword, twisting the trajectory.

‘This was expected.’

Hyeonu added strength to his hand that was holding the Mixed Sky Sword. He succeeded in forcibly maintaining the shaky trajectory and extended the sword toward its original destination.

‘It reached!’

A smile appeared on Hyeonu’s face. He was elated that he had succeeded in attacking the invincible monster.

‘Huh?’

However, it was too early to celebrate. John Blake’s sword rode along the blade of the Mixed Sky Sword and headed toward its handle. The Mixed Sky Sword was unable to overcome the power and was pushed back. Hyeonu stepped back with a scared expression, but John Blake clung to him like a snake looking for its prey.

The more John Blake stepped forward, the faster Hyeonu’s backward walk became. Naturally, John Blake’s pace also increased. The two people moved through the battlefield in this state.

“What is that?”

“Am I seeing this right?”

“It is almost like they are flying?”

The players forgot they were in battle and stood around watching the bizarre sight of Hyeonu and John Blake.

‘What should I do?’

However, the person involved, Hyeonu, was very serious. Now he couldn’t stop it even if he wanted to.

‘I can’t block it.’

It was an act of suicide. If he blocked John Blake’s sword now, he would have to bear all the momentum John Blake had created while running. Hyeonu made a decision and pressed strongly down on John Blake’s sword with the Mixed Sky Sword. Then he kicked off from the ground and jumped into the air.

Hyeonu’s figure soared over 10 meters. John Blake followed, chasing Hyeonu into the air. He was as strong as Hyeonu, so even if he couldn’t fly freely, he was able to show a movement that seemed like he was flying momentarily.

Hyeonu and John Blake fought fiercely in midair. Sometimes they fought close enough to face each other, and other times they exchanged blows from a distance. After such a long fight, Hyeonu suddenly put away the Mixed Sky Sword. “I think that is enough, Duke Blake.”

The two of them had moved far from where the main battle was taking place. There was no reason to fight any longer.

“Already? It has been such a long time since I was last able to fight like this.” John Blake took off the helmet that was covering his face and smacked his lips together with regret.

“Today isn’t the end, right? There are plenty of opportunities in the future. You don’t have to feel so regretful.”

“Your skills have improved a lot. It was the case before, but... Now there is truly no one among the adventurers who can compare to you.” After exchanging blows with Hyeonu, John Blake was convinced the guy in front of him was by far the best among the adventurers.

“Just being adventurers doesn’t mean one has no talent.”

“The number of adventurers I’ve seen and experienced fighting on the battlefield isn’t small. Among them, you are the best. They won’t be able to reach you even if all of them are put together. Don’t be so humble.”

“It is all thanks to Teacher. I can do this much because I learned well.”

“What’s this nonsense about it being due to your teacher? I am the one who taught him. I know better than you what type of guy you are.”

Hyeonu laughed at John Blake’s slander. He laughed for a long time before suddenly saying with a serious expression, “The throne will soon be handed over to Heizer.”

“He is a man of good quality. His heart for the empire is extraordinary. I don’t think his personality is bad either.”

Based on what John Blake saw, Heizer was qualified to be emperor. It could be seen with one glance that he valued duties over rights.

“I think so as well. He is very different from Alexander.”

“Alexander was someone who wasn’t interested in the emperor’s position in the first place. He saved the empire, but he wasn’t an emperor.”

“It is the same for me, Duke Blake.”

“That is why I’m helping you hand it over to Heizer. You don’t fit that position either. You are like me and Lebron.”

Hyeonu nodded. John Blake’s words were right.

‘I hate being on the throne. I hate it enough that I want to die.’

Hyeonu told him, “I will go first today. See you again in the next battle.”

“Convince him well. Don’t make mistakes.”

“Don’t worry too much. I am desperate as well.”

***

Gang Junggu approached Heizer, who blinked several times, and spoke carefully, “Heizer? Are you up?”

“The battle? How was the battle?” Heizer asked about the outcome of the battle the moment he saw Gang Junggu’s blurry face.

Heizer was the only one who could deal with the black knight. However, he had collapsed, so it was obvious that the black knight would have run wild.

“The black knight is gone. Today’s battle is no different from before.”

“He went back? Who stopped him?” Heizer’s eyes widened like he had heard something unbelievable.

“The emperor blocked him.”

“The emperor? How did he get here?”

“I think it is better to talk to him directly. He said he has something to say to you, Heizer.”

“I will go.”

Heizer tried to get up, but he staggered briefly. Gang Junggu grabbed Heizer’s shoulder and supported him before he collapsed.

“You have been treated by the priests, but that doesn’t mean you are fine already. Just wait, and I’ll bring the emperor to you.” Gang Junggu carefully sat Heizer on the bed.

“Please do.”

Gang Junggu nodded and left the room.

Not far from the room, Hyeonu was standing there waiting for Gang Junggu. “Hyung-nim, has Heizer woken up?”

“Yes, he just woke up. Maybe it is because he is an NPC, but he isn’t in a completely normal state.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll have to go in a little bit later.” Hyeonu nodded. He didn’t intend to pointlessly pick on a person who wasn’t in a normal state.

“By the way, are you going to say that today?”

“I should be. It isn’t bad news. Rather, he might think it is pleasant and feel better?”

“Pleasant? I would be glad if he isn’t shocked.” Gang Junggu burst out laughing.

“It is good to be shocked in a good way, Hyung-nim.” Hyeonu looked at Gang Junggu, who continued to laugh.

“That’s right. People will be shocked if you announce that you are dating Reina, but... they will like it. Don’t you think so?”

“Hyung-nim, how can that happen again?”

“What do you mean by ‘how’? Just do it at will.”

Hyeonu shook his head. He couldn’t win when it came to words. “Hyung-nim, let’s go in.”

“Yes, let’s go.”

Gang Junggu took Hyeonu and entered the room where Heizer was. Heizer was sitting on the bed with closed eyes.

“Heizer,” Gang Junggu called out to Heizer carefully. Heizer finally opened his eyes and looked at Hyeonu and Gang Junggu.

Hyeonu made eye contact with Heizer and bowed slightly while giving a greeting, “I greet you, Imperial Prince.”

“How can the emperor bow to a prince?” Heizer got up and approached Hyeonu.

“It is just taking the position temporarily. Sooner or later, I will return to my original position... It is natural to set an example.”

Heizer thought about it for a moment. “You aren’t wrong about that.”

Then he smiled at Hyeonu. It was as if he liked Hyeonu’s words.

“Let’s hear it... You stopped the black knight, right? Your strength must be greater than rumored.”

“It was possible because you had weakened the black knight.”

“No, this is your achievement. I couldn’t do anything. The black knight I competed with today was too strong.”

“Are you feeling well?” Hyeonu asked with a worried expression.

“I’m fine. All the temple priests who came with me have great divine power.”

“Then I’m glad.”

There was a moment of silence between the two of them.

Hyeonu spoke again in the awkward atmosphere, “What are you going to do in the future?”

“What else can I do? Naturally, I have to keep fighting. The empire is still in danger.” Heizer clenched his fists. “I have to help with these two hands. That is the way to fulfill the duties given to the imperial prince.”

Hyeonu shook his head. “Isn’t it meaningless?”

“‘Meaningless’? What is that supposed to mean?” Heizer asked with a stiff expression.

“The most important thing on the northern battlefield is the black knight. If the black knight is blocked, we won’t lose. The war will also be won if the black knight is defeated. The other undead are strong, but the black knight is unique.”

Heizer nodded when he heard Hyeonu’s words. There was nothing wrong with Hyeonu’s words. The black knight was the heart of the northern battlefield.

“So? What do you want me to do?”

“Back out of the war.”

“Back out? I might’ve been defeated by the black knight today, but... I’m confident that I am stronger than anyone else here,” Heizer said with a raised voice.

“I will stop the black knight,” Hyeonu continued with what he wanted to say, regardless of the change in Heizer’s volume.

“You?”

“Yes, I’ll stop him.”

“That is nonsense. The north might be important, but the emperor has to rule the entire empire. You can’t leave the imperial palace empty.”

“Why do you think it will be empty? Your Highness, you just have to sit there.”

Heizer’s eyes widened so much that they couldn’t open any wider. “Me?”