Ranker’s Return

br>He will win.

-However, is it worth it without skills?

-Alley Leader only has a handful of skills anyway. 

Viewers started to express their thoughts about Hyeonu’s request. After a while, Alley Leader’s Big Fan chose the terms.

-Fight with no weapons apart from gauntlets and don’t use immediately activated skills.

Hyeonu read the message of Alley Leader Big Fan and cocked his head. The message was somewhat lacking.

‘Gauntlet? Do they want me to just use my fists?’

“For the weapons, does that mean to not use my feet, shoulders, or other body parts? Just my fists? Like boxing?”

The question wasn’t only for Hyeonu. The other viewers were also curious.

-Yes, just use your fists. The other day with Dwayne, you seemed to be fighting well.
I want to see it again.

Hyeonu nodded.

It was the request of Alley Leader Big Fan who gave nearly 2,000 coins.
How could Hyeonu have difficulty accepting it?

“I understand.
Then in the first match, I will only fight with my fists.
It might end in an instant, so you should watch carefully.”

-A procession of bluffs that never stops.

-He is born to bluff, the Bluffing Leader.

Upon hearing Hyeonu’s words, the viewers got busy teasing him for being a Bluffing Leader. At this time, Hyeonu was matched with an opponent in the ranking battle.

“There is a match.
I will put my single-edged sword in the inventory.”

Hyeonu put Dark Star in his inventory before the ranking battle began. It was cumbersome to have a weapon he wouldn’t use tied to his waist.

“Is that person a fighter?”

The matched opponent was a fighter, which was a bit rare to see in the silver medal matches. He wore sharp blue claws.

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“I don’t know if it is lucky or bad, but the other person’s class is a fighter.
The confrontation can become longer if he uses his skills, so I’ll finish it quickly.” Hyeonu thought it was a good opportunity for him to speak to his audience.

‘He is the right opponent to test my Fighting Energy Emission.’ Hyeonu could maximize the effect of Fighting Energy Emission if the opponent had a lower level than him.’

‘Shit.
I’ve lost.’ Matthew, the fighter matched against Hyeonu, frowned the moment he saw Hyeonu’s face. He knew it from Hyeonu’s appearance. With a mask of a child’s face and a long coat, this was obviously Alley Leader.

‘Sigh… I’ll have to ask him for a verification photo after it is over.’ 

Matthew felt resigned. There wasn’t a chance of winning at all. Still, he would do his best.

‘Let’s not have any dark history.’

This was his small wish.

 

***

 

[The ranking battle has started.]

 

Once the ranking battle began, Matthew felt a momentum that locked up his body. It was like starting Arena and meeting a monster for the first time.

 

[The player is weaker than the opponent.]

[The player’s stats will drop at a certain rate during the battle.]

[Player ‘Matthew’ has entered a ‘slowed’ state.]

 

It wasn’t a mere feeling. The intense energy that Alley Leader gave off dealt a debuff to Matthew. It was also a serious one.

‘What is this?’

It felt like he was 10% slower than usual and as if he was moving in the sea. Matthew was feeling panicked when Hyeonu moved. Hyeonu didn’t move quickly. It was slow but not slow. Like a movement in reality, he took a step toward Matthew. It was as if he was giving Matthew time to respond.

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From the start, Matthew took out his hidden technique. He thought he wouldn’t get a chance if he didn’t use it now.

‘Fighter’s Spirit.’

It was a buff skill that increased his strength stat and his defense. Matthew’s ability to win a silver medal was entirely due to this skill that he obtained from the Random Rare Skillbook.

 

[You have used Fighter’s Spirit.]

[Strength has increased.]

[Defense has increased.]

 

Matthew felt his movements ease steadily, and he prepared his skill to meet Hyeonu, who was approaching him. He was also one of the viewers of Alley Leader’s stream. So, he didn’t make the mistake of thinking this was an ordinary punch since he was well aware of Alley Leader’s attack power.

‘Iron Punch.’

Matthew’s fists became gray, and he raised them confidently. He thought that even Alley Leader wouldn’t be able to easily accept Iron Punch after Fighter’s Spirit was used. Then a loud noise erupted. Matthew’s face was visibly distorted.
“What is this?”

His fist was being held in Hyeonu’s left hand, which contained pure energy that was black like the night sky. Hyeonu raised his fists toward Matthew. This time as well, there was another loud sound. However, the result was huge. Matthew literally rose up and flew back meters.

Hyeonu advised him, “If you fight this way, there is no possibility of a higher future ranking for you.
Fighters should always prioritize short, bold, and fast hits.”

Hyeonu thought it was a problem to do his best in the ranking battles. It didn’t matter if he was playing the ranking battles alone. The problem was that he was currently streaming and there were more than a million viewers watching. Thus, this was what he thought up. It would be a short Alley Leader Academy—a very short one.

“I will fight with you for two minutes.
Try out all your skills.”

Then Hyeonu proceeded to receive all of Matthew’s skills for two minutes. Then with one light punch, he reduced all of Matthew’s health.

 

[Player ‘Gang Hyeonu’ has won.]

 

Matthew didn’t disappear after the ranking battle ended. He smiled brightly and approached Hyeonu.

“Can I request a verification photo?”