Ranker's Return

“Why is he telling me to come?”

A young man walked through the garden and grumbled with a distorted expression.

‘The garden is fine.’

After walking for a long time, the young man reached the end of the garden, the meeting place. There was a small table and four chairs.

“You came?”

The man sitting in the chair waved toward the young man. The man was the owner of this garden and the friend of the young man.

“Did I have to come all the way here?”

Yeongchan became fired up when he saw Hyeonu, who greeted him casually.

“I can’t leave. What’s wrong with you when you know everything?”

Hyeonu shrugged.

“That is true.”

There was nothing wrong with Hyeonu’s words. Therefore, Yeongchan was even angrier.

“Then you can look for me in reality. Isn’t it time to eat soon?”

“No, we have to meet here. There is one more person coming.”

Hyeonu shook his head. The person who would come soon was a difficult person to meet in real life.

“One more person is coming?”

“Over here.”

The moment Yeongchan asked Hyeonu another question, Hyeonu started waving again. Yeongchan turned around and there was really someone standing there.

“Hello, Alley Leader. It has been a while, Argon.” A man who felt similar to an orc greeted Hyeonu and Yeongchan.

“It is Teika who is coming?”

Yeongchan saw Teika’s face and made a surprised expression. It was a completely unexpected person.

“Teika, aren’t you very busy these days?”

Yeongchan approached Teika to shake hands and immediately asked.

“I have to come even if I am busy. I was called by someone busier than me. Argon, you are also busy, right?”

Teika smiled and shook Yeongchan’s hand.

“Let’s sit down and talk.”

The conversation showed signs of being prolonged, so Hyeonu had the two of them sit down. There was a lot to talk about. There was no time to waste on useless gossip.

“Teika and I don’t even go together well. Why did you call us together?” Yeongchan directly asked Hyeonu as soon as he sat down.

“It is a good combination. You have something in common.”

Yeongchan and Teika recalled what they had in common as soon as they heard Hyeonu’s words.

‘We are different species players.’

Teika was an orc and Yeongchan was an elf. Aside from this, the two of them had almost nothing in common.

“That’s right. The two of you are players who have become a different species. You aren’t just players of a different species. You are the most influential in each species.”

Teika was a disciple of the orc great tribe chief, Raccoon, while Yeongchan was trusted by the elf great tribe chief, Nile. It was the same as how Hyeonu received great trust from the emperor in the past.

“The size of the influence... it is all thanks to you.”

“Argon is right about that. I was able to become Raccoon’s disciple thanks to Alley Leader’s introduction.”

They nodded at the same time. Their current position was created by Hyeonu.

“Then it is convenient. I have a favor to ask of you.”

Hyeonu smiled. It looked like he had been waiting for these words.

“Please pass this onto the person you need to tell.”

Hyeonu took out two pieces of rolled white paper from his inventory and handed them to Yeongchan and Teika.

‘Is it just paper?’

Teika examined the paper as he turned it around. There was nothing special.

“Can I see what is written on it?”

“If you can see it, then see it.”

Teika received Hyeonu’s permission, so he pulled the string that was tying the paper.

“Why isn’t it working?”

The string didn’t budge as if it had been fixed by something. It was ridiculous considering Teika’s strength stat.

“It is an item. You can’t open it.”

Hyeonu laughed when he saw this scene. It didn’t seem like much, but it was an item that was purchased using the empire contributions.

“Aren’t you going to tell me what it says?”

There was also a curious look on Yeongchan’s face.

“If you are curious, then give it. Then you’ll find out over there.”

“Did you call us just for this? You could’ve sent it by mail if you were going to do this.”

Yeongchan’s expression crumpled when he heard Hyeonu’s answer. It was a waste of time to visit the capital just to take on the role of postman.

“I’m kidding, just kidding. I said it for a laugh.”

Hyeonu’s smiling face became serious.

“I intend to join forces with the League of Different Species and start a war. Arena is so boring right now.”

Teika and Yeongchan’s expressions hardened in an instant.

“Don’t mess around.

“Right, I don’t think so.”

A war—it wasn’t something that should be said even as a joke. In particular, the reason used was that it was boring, so it shouldn’t be done.

“It isn’t a joke. It is content that I have prepared sincerely.”

“Content?”

“A war as content? Are you out of your mind?”

Hyeonu nodded casually despite the intense reaction from the two people. These responses were well within the expected range.

“It isn’t content if an NPC intervenes, but... it is content when players do it together.”

Teika was shocked by Hyeonu’s explanation. Hyeonu’s mind was so different from other people.

‘Most people risk their lives on one quest...’

Meanwhile, Hyeonu was trying to shake and hold a game itself, not a quest.

“Yet isn’t it out of balance? Most rankers are still human. Don’t you think the NPCs will have to intervene?”

Yeongchan thought that it wouldn’t go as Hyeonu planned. The power wasn’t balanced. The players on the human side were too advantageous. It would cause problems a few times. Both the rankers and large guilds didn’t move rationally. The people who would come out to get attention were everywhere.

‘There will be those targeting the NPCs... then Raccoon will come out again.’

Yeongchan was one of those relatively familiar with the war between the god tribe and the League of Different Species.

‘There will be an accident, an accident.’

It was obvious how Raccoon would react if the NPCs of the League of Different Species were attacked.

“Why do you think so? You have too many worries.”

Hyeonu shook his finger at Yeongchan.

“Then what are you going to do? Do you have an idea?”

Yeongchan frowned.

“We can split up the power on the human side. What’s the problem?”

“So how are you going to divide it? If there is a war, the people will throw away the hunting grounds and come.”

From Yeongchan’s perspective, Hyeonu’s words were simply hope. Once a war broke out, there would be thousands or tens of thousands of people who gathered without anyone calling.

‘The rankers and guilds will all gather.’

Basically, it was much easier to face the same players than to kill monsters. There would also be additional compensation if they received war related quests. Additionally, it wasn’t difficult to rise to stardom if they performed more prominently than others.

“I just need to wage a war in multiple places at the same time. It is just like a few months ago when there was a war in the north and the south. If I also start one in the East Continent, then they won’t be able to concentrate anywhere.”

Yeongchan and Teika heard Hyeonu talk like it was insignificant and had no choice but to look tired.

“Is that possible?”

“Of course. I am Alley Leader. I am stuck like this right now, but...”

Hyeonu’s expression went beyond confidence and was solemn and desperate.

“So from now on, the role of the two of you is important. Understood?”

The two of them nodded at Hyeonu’s continued words.

“Let me know if you have any more questions. I’ll tell you as much as I can.”

Hyeonu took a sip of the tea on the table and smiled slightly.

***

Teika and Yeongchan left the garden only after talking to Hyeonu for a long time.

‘It has only just begun.’

Hyeonu sighed. He had literally just taken the beginning steps.

‘The side of the league will end with this.’

Teika and Yeongchan were enough when it came to the League of Different Species. In fact, it wouldn’t have mattered if it was just Teika. The most powerful figure in the League of Different Species was Raccoon, Teika’s teacher. If he was persuaded, then it was over.

‘The ones left are the ran tribe and ra tribe...?’

“It is a funny relationship.”

According to the story of Arena, the ran and ra tribes were closely related to the fall of the giants and the Luos Empire. Now Hyeonu was trying to use those two tribes to wage a war.

‘I will call Kalen and Rain this time.’

Kalen, the leader of the Venom Guild, and Rain, the leader of the Behemoth Guild—they were the ones he led to Edward and Jeras respectively, just as Hyeonu had led Teika and Yeongchan to the elves and orcs.

‘I don’t know about Edward, but Jeras will like it.’

There was nothing much happening in the glacier area where Edward was located. However, something big was going on in the divine world with Jeras.

‘So why did he touch that monster...?

Teika and Yeongchan, who was just speaking to Hyeonu, had both come from the divine world. Raccoon wasn’t satisfied with killing Luke and was in the process of sending a group of players to go to war against the ra tribe in the divine world.

‘He will take the bite.’

From Jeras’ perspective, another problem broke out before he could even take over the tribe. Therefore, Hyeonu’s suggestion would feel like a rope from the sky.

‘I think Raccoon will be persuaded as well.’

It might be different for others, but Hyeonu knew Raccoon very well. If Raccoon was truly angry, then he would’ve headed to the divine world himself rather than sending players.

‘Now it is the end.’

It would be possible to persuade Raccoon if he offered something convincing enough.

‘The conditions will be attractive.’

Hyeonu was certain. The matter he mentioned in the letter he sent to Teika would capture Raccoon’s heart.

‘I am stuck at Edward, but...’

This was the only problem with the plan. Edward would be like this whether there was a war or not. Rather, he preferred not to do it.

‘He needs more time to absorb Ragand’s knowledge.’

However, Hyeonu didn’t care much about this.

‘If it doesn’t work out... I’ll go.’

The reasoning was clear. It was revenge for Alexander, the former emperor. It was an absolute cause that no one could stop.

“I will show you that those who have nothing are the scariest ones.”

Hyeonu, the man who lost everything except for the emperor’s position, now couldn’t see anything else in his eyes.

***

Viper, the capital of the League of Different Species in the southern part of the continent—Teika moved there as soon as he separated from Hyeonu.

“Teacher, are you here?”

Teika carefully entered the temple where Raccoon usually stayed. Inside the temple, a huge explosion erupted instead of a response to Teika’s call.

‘I came at the wrong time.’

Teika was well aware of the identity of the huge explosion. It was clear that Raccoon was sparring with his son, Cancun.

‘Don’t tell me to fight again today.’

Suddenly, sweat broke out on Teika’s forehead. Teika carefully walked into the temple. The further in Teika walked, the louder the sound of the explosion.

“Teacher!”

Finally, Teika reached the epicenter of the huge explosion.

“Take a break.”

Raccoon glanced at Teika and put away the axe he was holding in his hand.

“Yes, Father.”

Cancun nodded while taking rough breaths.

“What is going on? The war in the divine world must not be over yet,” Raccoon approached Teika and asked with a sullen expression.

“I received a request.”

“A request?”

Teika held out the paper that Hyeonu had given him to Raccoon.

“It was sent by Hyeonu.”

“That guy?”

Raccoon grinned, untied the string, and unfolded the piece of paper. Raccoon’s expression kept changing as he looked at the paper. He finally finished reading and crumpled up the paper. At the same time, Raccoon’s hand flashed a pale green color. There was nothing left in Raccoon’s hand once he opened it again.

“Go and tell him this. I’ll do as he wants this time as well.”

Raccoon waved at Teika and issued an order to leave. Teika quickly exited the temple upon receiving the answer.

‘Make Cancun the great tribe chief?”

“Interesting, interesting.”

Raccoon burst out laughing.