Ranker's Return

Chapter 452

Translator: rainbowturtle

Editor: LD & Jyazen

“I like the movement very much. There are some superfluous things, but it is practical enough in actual combat.” Duke Blake praised the Mysterious Sky Steps. Hyeonu’s Mysterious Sky Steps was a gorgeous and covert skill. These two descriptors were normally incompatible, but the Mysterious Sky Steps made it possible to use them together.

Hyeonu’s clones appeared all over the space, confusing the opponent’s eyes. Meanwhile, the original body moved secretly among the clones like a ghost.

‘The ability to use magic power is outstanding,’ John Blake thought as he read the mechanism of the Mysterious Sky Steps. It was a combination of some of the methods that were handed down through the Knights of Keon. This meant the skill was difficult to use and would only be properly effective when the user was able to control their magic power exquisitely.

“Your ability to use magic power is good. No, it is excellent. It isn’t lacking in comparison to Lebron or Alexander of the past. I can’t believe you really are an adventurer.” It was a rave evaluation from John Blake. In fact, Hyeonu was praised even more because he was an adventurer. Most of the adventurers John Blake had met as he drifted around the continent were fools who just poured out magic power.

However, Hyeonu couldn’t smile or be happy with John Blake’s praise.

‘How much more do I have to show?’ He wondered how much magic power he should use to attack. Hyeonu couldn’t decide if he should attack with everything he had or just show the form with minimal use of magic power.

‘Don’t get overheated... Just show what is necessary.’

His troubles didn’t last long though. This situation couldn’t be drawn out anyway. At this moment, Hyeonu was using the Mysterious Sky Steps and running around the garden while waiting for the right timing to attack John Blake. He couldn’t hesitate.

Hyeonu had no intention of hiding too much and would use the best things available. Dozens of black-red crescent moons appeared in the golden garden. It was the result of using both Crescent Moon Cut and the Mysterious Sky Range. The crescent moons expanded until they reached a certain size and then started to move, pouring out toward John Blake. When John Blake saw the black-red pure energies descend toward him like falling meteors, he made a subtle smile.

“The attack isn’t bad. Moreover, it’s very powerful compared to how much magic power is used.” John Blake praised Hyeonu’s attack and flicked his finger. The golden light that filled the surroundings now wrapped around the black-red pure energies, bursting them in midair.

“There seems to be nothing lacking. Your movement is good, your magic power usage is good, and your body training is good. I don’t have to teach you the basics.” John Blake looked really satisfied. Lebron and the emperor had been the same when they were younger, but Hyeonu also had considerable talent, and it was currently blossoming.

“The test ends here. Come here. I’ll teach you something good,” John Blake said. Hyeonu stopped moving and cut off his magic power. The clones throughout the garden also disappeared, and Hyeonu walked over to stand in front of John Blake.

“The first time I came to the demon world, it was very hard. It was my first experience with having my magic power and body restricted. I needed time to adapt, but I didn’t have that time.” John Blake recalled the past while gazing at the crops growing in the vegetable field.

“Even now, a significant amount of my magic power is restricted. I’ve been trying to solve this problem...” John Blake had a regretful expression on his face as he spoke.

‘As expected, his stats were limited.’ Hyeonu nodded. John Blake couldn’t avoid the damage caused by the demon world’s restrictions. According to Leon Meyer, even dragons couldn’t avoid it.

‘Yet he won against a demon king in this state?’ Hyeonu thought. He trembled and stared at John Blake, who was still talking to himself. ‘He is truly a monster.’

John Blake had fought for a month with restricted stats and ultimately defeated Rubolle. In his normal state, he might’ve killed Rubolle before the latter could even flee.

“This is the result of my efforts during this period. It is a secret technique for you,” John Blake stated. The golden energy that had been spread throughout the garden gathered toward John Blake’s body.

‘A snake?’ Hyeonu wondered.

Little by little, the gathered magic power started to take on the form of a giant snake. Every single one of its scales was perfect, and the snake’s slit eyes that gazed out at the world emitted a bright light. Just looking at the snake made Hyeonu feel out of breath.

John Blake continued, “I call this a magic spirit. It means I put a soul into my magic power. Just by the appearance, it is like a giant pure energy, but other effects are definitely present. It is much stronger than the normal pure energy you usually make, and it absorbs the surrounding magic power. There are two things like this.”

The giant golden snake opened its mouth and flicked out its split tongue, which was also golden. Magic power gathered in the snake’s mouth and became a huge bead. After a while, the snake spat out into the air the bead that was the size of a gemstone.

The golden bead flew high into the air and exploded, blasting a powerful golden shockwave around it. The things that the shockwave touched disappeared without a trace. These included the countless clouds and birds flying through the sky. Simultaneously, the huge snake disintegrated into a golden powder that was then absorbed by John Blake’s body.

“Did you see it? I will kill Rubolle with this. Then I will use the magic circle in the demon king’s palace to return to the middle world. Though, I don’t know how you are going between the middle world and the demon world,” John Blake said coldly.

He had made a lot of effort to escape from the demon world. It had taken him six months to discover there was a magic circle leading to the middle world in the demon king’s palace. From then, he started to study the ‘magic spirit’ and only just completed it recently.

“Duke,” Hyeonu called out to John Blake in a low voice. It was a very serious tone.

“What is it?”

“What do you think your chances are of defeating Rubolle if you use the magic spirit?”

“If I fight in his city, I expect it to be 50%. That is a very high figure in a fight for my life.”

John Blake said 50%, but his confident attitude made it seem like it was 100%.

“Then what if the restrictions on your stats... disappear?”

“I will win unconditionally. I don’t even need to draw my sword. My fists alone are enough,” John Blake said while raising his clenched right hand.

“I will release those restrictions, Duke,” Hyeonu stated and pulled an old book out of his inventory.

The cover of the book had the words ‘Mysterious Sky Demonic Art’ written on it. He continued, “Once you learn this, the attribute of your magic power will become dark, and you can break free from the restrictions of the demon world.”

At Hyeonu’s words, John Blake held out a hand toward the Mysterious Sky Demonic Art. Then, just like what the emperor had shown previously, the Mysterious Sky Demonic Art was directly sucked into John Blake’s hands.

“Master also learned it,” Hyeonu added pointlessly. John Blake was already opening the book and reading its contents. The pages turned quickly—too quickly to tell if he was reading or simply turning the pages.

“I’ve enjoyed reading this. So, it’s possible to operate my magic power in this way... It is new... quite new.” Moments later, John Blake returned the Mysterious Sky Demonic Art book to Hyeonu.

“Did you learn it?” Hyeonu asked just in case. It was possible that the Mysterious Sky Demonic Art had done nothing to help.

“Of course. Wait a minute,” John Blake answered confidently and slowly closed his eyes. The golden magic power once again filled the garden like sunshine on an autumn day. Just then, the sunshine started to turn to darkness bit by bit. Starting at the top of John Blake’s head, the golden magic power gradually changed to black. In an instant, the garden was submerged in darkness. That was when the magic power moved again. It gathered around John Blake and soon took the shape of a snake. The golden serpent became a black snake.

‘It is a lot eerier now...’ Hyeonu thought. The pressure that the black snake gave off was several times sharper than before, so much so that it was hard for anyone without a strong heart to gaze at the black snake’s shining eyes and split tongue.

“Okay, the restriction is completely released. I don’t like using the same magic power as them, but... it can’t be helped,” John Blake said as he felt his magic power return. To be precise, the magic power that had stayed still all this time finally moved according to his thoughts.

“I have to thank you. I met you by chance and received such a gift.” John Blake approached Hyeonu and hugged him. The gift he received from the disciple John Blake was meeting for the first time was very valuable to him.

“I will teach you the magic spirit, so stay still.” John Blake moved behind Hyeonu and put both of his palms on Hyeonu’s back. It was just like when Hyeonu learned Magic Power Compression from Raccoon in the past. A storm-like magic power flowed into Hyeonu’s body.

Hyeonu was fascinated by the intense magic power. It felt like his entire body was full. This was a sensation that was normally hard for him to feel.

“Focus on the movement of magic power,” John Blake said when he noticed that. Then he awakened Hyeonu’s spirit, ‘Wake up.’

Hyeonu focused on the magic power like John Blake said to do, and he started to feel where and how the magic power moved.

‘His concentration is good as well.’ John Blake marveled at the sight of Hyeonu focusing his attention on the magic power. Hyeonu was greatly immersed, and John Blake could feel Hyeonu’s mind watching the magic power move.

“Imagine a spirit that belongs only to you. It is just like what I showed you. Anything is fine, so visualize it yourself.”

Upon hearing John Blake’s words, Hyeonu paused momentarily and wondered, ‘Magic spirit? What should I do?’

What should he do for his magic spirit?

‘The snake looks good.’ The first thing that came to mind was the snake John Blake had shown. It showed such a huge presence that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it ‘Jormungandr’, the Midgard Serpent in Norse mythology. However, Hyeonu didn’t like it very much.

‘Or a dragon?’

There was also a dragon. He’d met a hatchling in Rondal. No matter what anyone said, they were the strongest creatures in fantasy. Even so, he didn’t like it. Something was lacking. He needed something a bit more personal.

‘Yes, let’s go with that.’

Before long, a form that no one could imitate entered Hyeonu’s mind.

“You’re doing well. Stay focused! I’ll guide the magic power. Draw the image you want in your mind,” John Blake instructed.

Black-red magic power rose above Hyeonu’s head and started to gather bit by bit. The magic power quickly took the shape Hyeonu imagined. Feeling the formation of the magic spirit come to an end, John Blake removed his hands and stepped back. He said, “Now, look at the magic spirit you’ve made with your own eyes.”

Hyeonu slowly opened his eyes. Then he turned and carefully looked at the spirit he had made.