Ranker's Return Chapter 24

[Essence of a Giant Bear]

[-The essence of a giant bear that was shaped and became a bead.

Rating: Rare

Restrictions: Pet

Effect: Stats will randomly increase when taken (a maximum of 100 points per stat).]

"This... This... Isn't this an essence? Master dude. Give it to me." Taeng jumped toward the red bead that was called an 'essence'.

Even so, Hyeonu wouldn't give it so easily. He decided to use this occasion to correct a habit. "Call me 'Master' in the future. Get rid of the 'dude.' Then I'll give it to you."

"Master dude..." Taeng shook at Hyeonu's proposal. Taeng felt troubled, but he also thought it was well worth it. If he took an essence, all stats would be increased randomly. It was just a stat increase from a player's position, but for NPCs, it was an increase in their inherent strength.

[Status Window]

[Name: Taeng

Level: 35

Species: Marionette Bear

Title: Bung Bung Island's Heir

Stats: Strength: 75  Agility: 75  Physique: 90  Magic Power: 170

The heir of Bung Bung Island. Bear-like physical abilities and high magic power are racial characteristics. He is very affectionate, unlike his prideful tone.

Intimacy: 38

Skills Possessed: Bear's Momentum, Forest's Blessing]

Hyeonu checked Taeng's status window first. The strength increase was worthy of the respect of such a unique pet. Finally, Taeng opened his mouth after struggling. He couldn't resist the temptation of the essence. "I understand, Master. Give me the essence."

Hyeonu achieved his goal of changing Taeng's tone, so he handed the red essence to Taeng.

"Yum." Taeng received the essence and put it in his mouth without hesitation. A light emerged from Taeng after he took the essence. It was similar to the light when Taeng emerged from the egg.

[Your pet 'Taeng' has taken 'Essence of a Giant Bear'.]

[The strength stat has increased by 38 points.]

[The agility stat has increased by 27 points.]

[The physique stat has increased by 56 points.]

[The magic power stat has increased by 100 points.]

[Your pet 'Taeng' has over 250 magic power, and a new skill has been created.]

"Amazing!!" A roar emerged from Hyeonu's mouth. He had hit the jackpot. The effect of the essence turned out as he'd hoped. Additionally, Taeng's magic power exceeded 250 and created a new skill. This was also great.

[Lightning]

[The lightning attribute is emitted from the magic power.

Type: Immediately Activated

Rating: Rare

Skill Proficiency: F

Emits up to three streams of lightning.

Skill Cooldown Time: 10 seconds.]

[Magic Power Affinity]

[Marionette Bear's racial trait.

Type: Continuous

Rating: Unique

Skill Proficiency: F

20% increase in magic power. 20% increase in magic power recovery.]

Taeng now had an attack skill. He didn't have to buff and cheer from behind.

'Shouldn't level 50 be easy now?'

If his cheerleader, Taeng, could use Lightning from behind, then Hyeonu's hunting speed would rise dramatically.

[Status Window]

[Name: Taeng

Level: 35

Species: Marionette Bear

Title: Bung Bung Island's Heir

Stats: Strength: 113  Agility: 102  Physique: 148  Magic Power: 270

The heir of Bung Bung Island. Bear-like physical abilities and high magic power are racial characteristics. He is very affectionate, unlike his prideful tone.

Intimacy: 38

Skills Possessed: Bear's Momentum, Forest's Blessing, Magic Power Affinity, Lightning]

"Isn't this better than me?"

After taking the essence, Taeng showed off stats that could almost be considered as superior to Hyeonu's while he was wearing items. At this moment, Taeng's figure caught Hyeonu's eyes. The original Taeng was a 50-centimeter teddy bear doll with a fairly dark brown color. Now light brown hair completely covered his body.

'This is completely...'

"Why are you looking at me like a gangster?"

"What are you saying? Master dude." Taeng had no idea what Hyeonu's words meant, but he knew it wasn't good. "Worship me, Master dude. I have gained power."

Taeng's round fist sparked.

Bam.

"Master."

***

Most pets in Arena weren't a big help in battle. That's why players preferred unique rated or cute looking pets. Taeng was different. The power of Lightning seemed equivalent to one magician. Another water elemental lost its form.

[Contaminated low-grade water elemental has been killed.]

[Experience has been acquired.]

It was a situation where the host and the guest were reversed. When it came to killing water elementals, one shot of lightning from Taeng was more powerful than Hyeonu's magic power.

'No matter how low the resistance is, this is a bit...'

It was so powerful. This was like a magician with rare rated items.

"Let's think positively. Think of it as having a good magician."

'He buffs and attacks. He's an all-rounder.'

Hyeonu quickened his hunting speed. Now that he knew how powerful Taeng's magic was, he should use it well. Hyeonu had raised him preciously, so it was now time to see the fruits of his efforts. This was what Hyeonu thought. "Taeng, can't you use it faster?! Three lightning strikes."

***

The number of subscribers to Hyeonu's channel increased every day. Hyeonu's new video, [Bear and Human Struggle.avi], was posted on Thursday, and the number of views had already exceeded 500,000. In particular, the number of plays on World increased, and Hyeonu's earnings rose dramatically.

However, the video with the highest view count was a one-minute video that was uploaded on Friday. In the video, Hyeonu wore a mask and came out to mention his future plans. He said that he would start live streaming. People who saw the video spread rumors about Hyeonu's first live-streaming content.

'Alley Leader's first content is the goal of 100 consecutive arena wins.'

'He is aiming for 100 victories.'

'He is going to overthrow the current arena rankings.'

All types of rumors circulated because of the video. Once he learned about this, Kim Seokjung burst out laughing while hunting. Kuhaha. "He is a truly funny person who is talented."

"Hyung-nim, do you know this person?"

"Yes. Didn't I tell you the other day? Stop the investigation. I met him at that time. He is great. Isn't it scary? He uses a long blade and moves like a ghost. There is no sense of distance. He is a long distance away in one instant and then up close at the next. I was amazed."

"He's that type of person...? If Hyung-nim says so, I want to fight him once," Gang Junggu expressed curiosity about Hyeonu who was praised by Kim Seokjung. "Maybe I'll see him in the arena soon. 100 consecutive wins... It means he has enough skill to come up to where I am. I am confident of it."

Just like in any game, a player's ranking would show an extreme upward curve. If it was 100 consecutive wins, then everyone could see it without having to look at the angle.

Kim Seokjung, who was ranked 17th in the arena, was assured of Hyeonu's success.

***

"Hey, do you think you can do it?" Yeongchan asked with a concerned expression. He even thought it was unreasonable to start streaming. 

"Yeah, it's enough. The arena ranking starts in the hundreds of millions. The concept of ranking only starts from 20th place, so I only have to worry after winning 80 times." Hyeonu patted his chest like he believed in himself. "Don't you trust me? I am Gang Hyeonu. Gang Hyeonu."

"Then I'll trust you. Has the equipment been tested?"

"Yes, it's finished." 

Hyeonu was preparing to make his live streaming debut.

***

[A mail from Kale has arrived.]

Hyeonu received a mail as he was hunting.

[To: Alley Leader]

[This is a gift. The boss said you should have it, regardless of the contract.

I hope you like it.

I am looking forward to a good result.]

A small box was enclosed with the short letter.

"This?"

Hyeonu opened the box and found a pair of eye-catching black leather clothes and shoes.

"Black Jaguar?"

The Black Jaguar set was a set of leather armor that could be worn at level 50. It was the armor Hyeonu wore in the past until just before quitting Arena. A black leather armor that symbolized meleegod. It was once traded at a premium price but now it had gone into collectors' collections and wasn't for sale at all.

"Now I need to reach level 50, and everything will be perfect."

All that was left was to quickly reach level 50.

***

The lizard-shaped water elemental split apart in Hyeonu's field of view. 

[Contaminated low-grade water elemental has been killed.]

[Experience has been acquired.]

[You have leveled up.]

[All health and magic power have been restored.]

"I'm finally level 50!!" Hyeonu roared as soon as he saw the level up message. It was a message that meant the end of a tiring hunt and that it was time to let go of the traffic light armor. Hyeonu quickly changed items. The Black Jaguar set in his inventory was waiting for him.

[The Black Jaguar set has been equipped.]

[Set Effect: Movement speed increased by 15%.

10% additional movement speed in darkness and a 5% increase in all stats.

Increase of 50 strength, 100 agility, 30 physique, and 30 magic power.]

'An additional 15% movement speed is enough for 100 consecutive wins.'

Hyeonu's preparations for his first piece of streamed content were becoming more and more perfect.

***

Time passed, and Hyeonu's scheduled broadcast on Monday arrived. He had been busy all day doing final checks, but at this time, he was holding his phone in a quiet room and not being disturbed by anyone. It was to speak to his mother.

-Mother, it's me.

Hyeonu started to tell her the secrets he had hidden.

-It's nothing. I actually started playing the game a few weeks ago.

Yes, that's right. I'm talented. The money I am making is better than you think. However, I think I will be a bit busy in the future.

I might not be able to go to the hospital now. No, don't worry about me. Mother, care about your own body. I'm still young.

Hyeonu's mother only said that she was worried about him and believed in him, even if he was playing a game.

-I'm paying off my debts well. I've already started paying them back. I think I can get the house back soon.

Hyeonu was in tears when he thought about his mother's hands when he went to visit the hospital a few days ago. She was a mother who had never known what it meant to struggle in her entire life. Yet those fine hands were now chapped and cracked. She was a mother who was just worried about her child.

-Please wait a little bit longer, Mother.

Hyeonu ended the call while trying to hide his crying voice. He had to start streaming soon, so he went into the bathroom to wash his swollen eyes with water.

In the mirror, Hyeonu looked calm. "Please wait a bit longer, Mother."

Hyeonu's face distorted when he thought about Jung Hanbaek.

"Just a bit longer, Jung Hanbaek."

Hyeonu's expression changed in a brief moment of time, reminiscent of Jekyll and Hyde.

***

Live streaming...

In the past, there weren't any problems when computer-based gamers were the main content. Why? They just had to show it. However, as virtual reality games were developed and time differences arose, problems emerged. There were drawbacks to live streaming.

It wasn't relayed immediately. This was a big problem. It was why live streaming sites started collapsing. Then the site was acquired by the current developers of Arena. Quency came up with a groundbreaking solution.

"I don't know why everyone thinks streaming is only in real life. I think it should be watched in the Cube."

That's right. Live streaming and Arena got linked together. As a result, live streaming once again became popular. No, it went one step further. Additionally, Quency came up with another policy. "We are already rich. We don't want to take anything else from Arena enthusiasts. We are already receiving money from them every month."

They announced that they would eliminate fees taken from donations to streamers, unlike in the past. It was just that donations were based on gold in Arena, not cash. The minimum sponsorship amount started at 1 gold. 

However, these conditions weren't restrictions. Arena was already another reality and a huge market. That's why Arena had become unique during Hyeonu's two years in the army.

***

Hyeonu's broadcast was already a hot topic on World. As if to prove it, the waiting room built at 5:30 p.m. already had thousands of people. This was despite it being a waiting room that showed nothing.

Finally, 30 minutes later at 6 o'clock, a man wearing a mask appeared. The masked man bowed. "Hello, I am Alley Leader, and I will start broadcasting from today. Thank you all. Hahat!"

It was Hyeonu's streaming debut.

Chapter end