Ranker's Return

Chapter 793

Jamie Moore’s practice continued non-stop.

“Stop and rest. This is enough. Take a 30-minute break before continuing.”

However, Hyeonu made Jamie Moore sit down after a reasonable amount of time. It was because he felt Jamie Moore’s concentration dropping.

‘Magic power can be filled up with the arena’s settings, but... fatigue is unavoidable.’

Arena was Jamie Moore’s first virtual reality game. He might think he had adapted a lot and his physique increased, but he was still at the level of a beginner. It was embarrassing compared to those who had been playing virtual reality games for a long time.

“You are doing well enough. You don’t have to push yourself too much. We have a lot of time to practice in the future,” Hyeonu said to Jamie Moore, who was sitting down next to him.

“It isn’t unreasonable. I know my condition.” Jamie Moore shook his head. He felt he wasn’t being unreasonable and that he just needed to focus a bit more.

“No, it is unreasonable. Aren’t you slowly feeling it? It isn’t the same as the first time.” Hyeonu also shook his head.

During this type of training, one would be more focused than they were at the beginning until a certain moment. Then as time passed, their concentration would gradually disappear, and there would be moments when it wasn’t as good as the first time. From then on, it would be out of control. Just like a car going downhill, their concentration would be consumed in an instant.

“Don’t think that it will happen today. It is something you should practice consistently.”

“Okay, I’ll practice consistently.” Jamie Moore nodded. The more he practiced, the more he felt it. It was hard to get even a sense of it.

“In addition, just because you can use this technique doesn’t mean you should think about using it for hunting. It is really useless,” Hyeonu started lecturing Jamie Moore in earnest during the break.

“Huh? It’s useless for hunting?” Jamie Moore turned to Hyeonu with a surprised expression.

“It is better to just deal a blow with a skill. What is the meaning of dealing a blow like this? It is best to hit a skill once and then let the magician of the party deal a few more blows.” Hyeonu shook his head with a firm expression on his face.

Hyeonu did not use magic control much while hunting. Even if he used it, it was only under very limited conditions. Hyeonu added, “Of course, there are exceptional circumstances. It is useful against monsters with very high intelligence. But... that is only when you’ve built up enough proficiency.”

However, it was just usable. It didn’t mean it was good.

-So there is a difference between knowing how to use it and not knowing.

-Of course, it would be different. By the way, when will one be good enough to use it like that? Aike still can’t use it while moving.

-I think this is what Alley Leader is saying. In this way, it has to be over with one blow from the pure energy. You can’t get a critical hit unless there is low health like in PvP or against humanoid monsters. The effect is too poor for the effort put into it.

The viewers immediately understood Hyeonu’s words. The majority of viewers had a higher level than Jamie Moore. It wasn’t just talent. Their experience with virtual reality games was also different.

“Yes, that is the reason. It is a matter of efficiency. Still, it is good against boss monsters. It is the same as PvP. Having such a weapon is very useful in psychological warfare. It is a huge advantage,” Hyeonu explained.

Then he summoned a scarecrow that could use pure energy after the arena was patched. The scarecrow stood around 30 meters away from Hyeonu.

“Now, take a look. How can I use that technique to deal with the scarecrow?” Hyeonu asked as he stared at the running scarecrow.

-I lost 10 consecutive games to that scarecrow. I will accept questions.

-My level was higher, but I couldn’t win. The data from Arena Week was applied. It fights really well.

-By the way, it has been proven that the sum of that data is less than the data of one Alley Leader ㅋㅋㅋ.

-I acknowledge it. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

The viewers shared their experiences with the scarecrow running toward Hyeonu. Most of the experiences were about being beaten up by the scarecrow. The newly patched scarecrow was powerful. It was a nerfed version of Clone, one of the aid monsters featured at Arena Week.

Hyeonu swung the Mysterious Sky Sword at a moderate speed toward the running scarecrow. The distance between the scarecrow and Hyeonu was still a bit over 10 meters. The scarecrow, who was running toward Hyeonu, smiled at Hyeonu’s action. It was a ridiculous move from the perspective of the scarecrow.

Then it happened at this moment. Purple energy instantly appeared from the Mysterious Sky Sword. The pure energy passed right in front of the running scarecrow. The scarecrow stopped running abruptly, and its butt literally slammed into the ground on the spot.

“Honestly, this... Is it optimized for streaming?” Hyeonu wondered as he slowly walked toward the fallen scarecrow.

-Are you a person?

-Wow, this personality is really... I can’t even speak.

-Poor scarecrow. I was beaten up by it, but... I don’t want to see it like this.

-Using this in the arena? Just thinking about it will raise a personality controversy.

The viewers were speechless about Hyeonu’s bad deeds that couldn’t be fully described in words. Even if it was a clever trick, there was no clever trick like this. It was intentional. Hyeonu deliberately missed the scarecrow.

“Hey, why are you saying such things? How can I do that? It is just a coincidence, a coincidence.”

As Hyeonu approached, the scarecrow quickly pushed off from the ground with both hands and got up. Then it immediately rushed toward Hyeonu with an elastic spring-like movement. The scarecrow’s sword swung at an angle and aimed at Hyeonu’s neck.

Hyeonu’s body was quickly pushed back as if dragged by something. Then he once again attacked the scarecrow at a speed several times faster than when he was pushed. The scarecrow moved away as quickly as Hyeonu rushed in. After moving for a long time and hitting the wall of the arena, the scarecrow managed to take on a proper posture and started to rush to Hyeonu again.

“This time, I will show you real psychological warfare. How strong is this technique in a numbers fight?” Hyeonu swung the Mysterious Sky Sword again at the running scarecrow. Then the scarecrow changed the course of its run. It did not move in a straight line as if dealing with a bow.

Hyeonu laughed when he saw it. “Look, a simple fake will change the opponent’s movements like this.”

-The devil, the devil.

-Is this a humane spar?

-Show the least mercy.

-Bullying an innocent scarecrow.

The viewers lamented over Hyeonu’s actions, which were really vicious and seemed to never end. However, Hyeonu moved again as if it wasn’t over.

“I am having a very difficult time these days. There are too many people bothering me. Really... I am having terrible times. I need vitamins.”

Then he inserted the Mysterious Sky Sword into the sheath. The scarecrow’s head shook. It seemed bewildered by Hyeonu’s action of putting away his weapon. Then it soon released a grim energy and narrowed the distance with Hyeonu. The scarecrow thought it could win when Hyeonu didn’t have a weapon, but it was an illusion. It was a really big mistake.

A purple blade appeared in Hyeonu’s hand that was pointed at the ground. There was one in each hand—two in total.

Hyeonu raised his right hand with a dark sneer and swung it outward. In an instant, the long purple blade cut through the air. The scarecrow bent down as if it had expected it and pulled itself out of the trajectory of the pure energy. However, there was already a purple blade waiting in the direction the scarecrow moved toward. It was as if the scarecrow had slammed straight into Hyeonu’s pure energy.

The scarecrow tightly closed its eyes, anticipating its end.

-It is really the devil.

-Please stop it. Please!

-Just kill it!!

-What did that scarecrow do wrong?

More sighs burst out in the chat window.

“Why should I kill the scarecrow? It is as you said. It has done nothing wrong.”

Hyeonu didn’t kill the scarecrow. Just before the purple pure energy touched the scarecrow, Hyeonu recovered the pure energy. At this moment, Jamie got up and shouted a question at Hyeonu: “Excuse me... can I start practicing again?”

Hyeonu turned and nodded. “Yes, practice again.”

-Uh? It is running.

-One blow for revenge?

-Yes, deal him one blow, Scarecrow.

-You can do it.

The scarecrow didn’t miss this opportunity and ran toward Hyeonu. The viewers cheered for the scarecrow. In their eyes, Hyeonu was the epitome of evil.

-Uh? What is it this time?

-Why is he like this?

-Hah... Scarecrow, even you.

-As expected, the world is bleak. It didn’t go as they expected.

The viewers who saw the actions of the scarecrow slapped their knees. The scarecrow’s actions were beyond their expectations.

“What is this?” Hyeonu was just as flustered as the viewers. “Why is it on its knees?”

The scarecrow knelt in front of Hyeonu and placed its forehead to the ground. At the same time, it grabbed Hyeonu’s feet with both hands.

-It is begging you to stop.

-If you have a conscience, be patient with it.

-Use it as the daily instructor today. There should still be a spar. He can’t just practice.

-By the way, what is this artificial intelligence? I have goosebumps. As expected, Arena is the best.

The viewers interpreted the meaning behind the scarecrow’s actions. However, Hyeonu would know the scarecrow’s meaning even if the viewers didn’t say it.

“This is really crazy.” Hyeonu made a confused expression. He didn’t take any action and just stared down at the scarecrow’s head. The humiliation felt by the scarecrow was too great to do anything to the scarecrow.

‘Yes, let’s follow the viewers’ suggestion.’

“At the end of Jamie’s practice, he will spar with this scarecrow. Everyone, look forward to it. Let me show you what relative strength is.” Hyeonu smiled and gestured toward the scarecrow. The scarecrow flinched and raised its head.

“I won’t hurt you. Sit still and rest. The fight isn’t with me but with that person over there.” Hyeonu rubbed the scarecrow’s head.

It was like something he would do with a pet. The scarecrow repeatedly kowtowed as if it understood Hyeonu’s words. Then it got up, went behind Hyeonu, and rubbed his shoulders.

-Wow. Seems like it really wants to live?

-Even a scarecrow has human rights.

-What have we done to the scarecrow?

-By the way, what did Jamie Moore do wrong? He must be clenching his fists right now.

-What crime? ㅋ ㅋ ㅋ

The viewers burst out laughing at the chemistry between the scarecrow and Hyeonu. It was as if they had forgotten about the situation from just before. There was only one person who couldn’t laugh—Jamie Moore who was swinging his sword at the still scarecrow.

‘Focus, focus.’ Jamie Moore was more focused on hitting the scarecrow before him. It was to the extent that the scarecrow next to Hyeonu no longer came to mind.