The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times

Chapter 38

[Silver-Iron Shield]

[Grade: Rare]

[Description: A specially crafted shield made from silver iron, one of the rarest ores.

Silver, known as an ancient and sacred ore, is said to absorb divine power.]

[Level Requirement: 20]

[Equippable Class: Shield Warrior Lineage]

[Defense: 100]

[Damage Reduction: 110–130]

[Durability: 100 / 100]

[Special Option: The more divine power it absorbs, the more the damage reduction value amplifies.

When the amplification reaches its maximum, all accumulated stacks are consumed to recover health.]

‘Oh, rare.’

Maybe it was because it had a level 20 requirement, but the options were amazing.

For tankers who used divine power, there was no better shield in this level range.

In fact, the Silver-Iron Shield was called the national shield of paladins in this level range.

‘They must have spent a lot of money on this.’

To think they dared to become villains carrying such gear…

They probably never imagined they’d be the ones to die. Thanks to them, though, Do-hyeon had acquired a good item, so it worked out in the end.

Do-hyeon checked the remaining two items as well.

[Bastard’s Training Sword]

[Grade: Rare+]

[Description: A steel sword used by the hero Bastard while training for quicksword techniques.

As expected of a sword that endured the training of a great hero, it is extremely sturdy and sharp.]

[Level Requirement: 20]

[Equippable Class: Swordsman Lineage]

[Physical Attack Power: 104–128]

[Durability: 100 / 100]

[Special Option: Upon attacking, there is a chance that ‘Weak Haste’ will activate. When Haste is triggered, attack speed and movement speed increase by 3%.]

-Attack Speed +1%

[Necklace Containing Mana]

[Grade: Rare]

[Description: A necklace containing mana, created by the White Tower.

The necklace, highly valued by mages, is a must-have for any mage.]

[Level Requirement: 20]

[Equippable Class: None]

[Physical Defense: 50]

[Magic Resistance: 68]

[Durability: 100 / 100]

-Magic Power +3

-Mana Recovery Rate +5%

All were rare-grade, high-value items.

Perhaps due to the villain penalty, only top-tier items had dropped.

Among them, the sword stood out the most.

Not only was it the only rare+ item, but its name also caught his eye.

‘…Bastard’s Training Sword? Wasn’t Bastardsword just a made-up name?’

It seemed like the user’s nickname wasn’t just for show—the weapon was literally the Bastardsword.

At this point, Do-hyeon couldn’t help but think this was the perfect concept for them.

Imagining the person smirking when they got the sword and thinking it was a clever rhyme made him chuckle.

‘Guess they can’t live up to their name anymore.’

They might find another sword later, but that was their problem to deal with.

In any case, Do-hyeon was quite pleased.

The options were quite decent, and even though it was for quicksword users, the damage wasn’t bad for a level 20 sword.

‘I’ll have to sell the necklace.’

Unfortunately, the necklace would have to be sold, as there was a limit of one equipped necklace.

The Blood Pact Necklace from Charlie was overwhelmingly better.

‘Speaking of which, how much have the stats increased?’

The Blood Pact Necklace was a growth-type item.

One of the rare few in DemRock.

There was a reason why Do-hyeon had been blown away when he first saw its options.

Now that he had leveled up a lot since then, surely the options had changed a bit.

[Blood Pact Necklace]

[Grade: Heroic]

[Description: A necklace formed by a blood pact with ‘Charlie,’ the captain of the knights of Arlen Castle. Only his lord may own this necklace.]

[Level Requirement: None]

[Equippable Class: Charlie’s Lord]

[Physical Defense: 61+(40)]

[Magic Resistance: 53+(40)]

-Strength +4

-Agility +2

-Stamina +1

-Attack Speed +5%

-Movement Speed +5%

[Special Option: Increases defense and magic resistance as you gain experience.]

[Special Option: Unlocks at level 35.]

-Non-tradeable

‘Forty… so it increases by two per level?’

Do-hyeon’s current level was 21.

Exactly 20 levels had passed, so it seemed to check out.

At this rate, it wouldn’t lose out even when compared to a level 20 heroic necklace, so the scaling was reasonable.

‘This could be useful for life.’

If it kept growing like this, it could be used from level 1 all the way to level 100.

‘That is, if the second option turns out to be decent.’

As one progressed to higher levels, special options became more important.

Items with simple high defense were worth far less than those with effective special options.

In that sense, the options for increasing attack and movement speed were quite satisfying, but there was no guarantee that the option unlocking at level 35 would be the same.

‘Well, the current options alone make it worth keeping for a long time.’

There was no need to worry about something so far in the future.

While Do-hyeon was absorbed in the loot, a notification popped up.

[Eye of Truth has been activated.]

“Huh?”

The sudden notification made him instinctively raise his head, and then he saw it.

“Red?”

A red dot with a distinct presence was glowing from a corner of the dungeon wall.

Specifically, it was coming from the junction between two walls, where there was a small indentation emitting a red light.

Though small, the light was bright enough to be visible from a distance.

Step, step.

Drawn in like a moth to a flame, Do-hyeon swallowed hard as he approached.

Up close, the intensity of the light was no joke.

‘It can’t be… stealth, right?’

For a moment, he thought of the AssassinBoy, but he quickly shook his head.

After all, this was a four-person party, and he had killed all three himself. No one could be hiding.

Besides, he had never heard of a goblin using stealth.

Suddenly, an idea flashed in Do-hyeon’s mind.

‘Could it be… herbs?’

The explorer class had widely varying incomes depending on the player’s skill, but it was generally considered a well-paying profession.

Not only was the explorer class rare, but skilled explorers were even rarer.

And the primary source of their income was searching.

‘They can collect all sorts of herbs, antiques, and relics.’

Armed with various search skills, explorers sold anything valuable, with herbs being a major source of income.

Herbs used in expensive potions, alchemy, and magic enchantments were always in high demand and fetched high prices.

Depending on the type, they could range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands in value.

‘Yeah, it makes no sense that I can find stealthy enemies but not herbs.’

If this was true, Do-hyeon had just stumbled upon a lucrative money-making method.

An explorer stronger than most combat classes was about to be born!

Suppressing his excitement, he reached out, and a long-anticipated notification rang out.

“Huh?”

But when he checked the message, Do-hyeon tilted his head in confusion.

He couldn’t help it.

The content of the message was vastly different from what he had expected.

[You have discovered a hidden secret dungeon.]

[The …… condition has been fulfilled.]

[You may now view the secret dungeon’s information.]

[You have discovered the secret dungeon ‘Black Goblin Shaman’s Hideout.’]

[You are the first to discover the secret dungeon.]

[You have acquired the title ‘Capable Explorer.’]

[Capable Explorer]

-Grade: Rare

-Description: A title given to the first person to discover a dungeon. You are naturally gifted as an explorer!

-Effect: Search skill range +10%, All stats +2

“…A secret dungeon?”

The red dot wasn’t an herb—it was a hidden secret dungeon.

By pure chance, Do-hyeon had discovered a secret dungeon.

* * *

There are many types of dungeons.

From party dungeons to single boss dungeons, mazes, special dungeons, and event dungeons.

Even the widely known types offered numerous variations, each with its own appeal, allowing players to enjoy a diverse experience and earning praise for the game.

But there was one type of dungeon that wasn’t well-known…

‘Secret dungeons.’

That was the secret dungeon.

As the name implied, secret dungeons were hidden, and players knew of their existence.

However, if you asked anyone if they knew where they were, nine times out of ten, they’d shake their head.

‘Even explorers have a tough time finding secret dungeons.’

Being a “secret” dungeon, it wasn’t meant to be easy to find.

Most of the time, secret dungeons were hidden in absurd locations, and even if you found them, you had to meet certain conditions to enter.

‘Like that secret dungeon where you had to drop blood on a flower blooming on a cliff.’

They were all notoriously difficult to locate, but the rewards for finding a secret dungeon were always worth it.

This was why high-level explorers, equipped with exceptional skills and unique abilities, were highly valued.

Without the explorer class, finding a secret dungeon was nearly impossible.

And the secret dungeon Do-hyeon had just found was no different.

[One survivor has been confirmed in the dungeon.]

[You are not partied with anyone.]

[The condition has been met.]

‘What kind of insane condition is this?’

Finding a party-type dungeon alone, without a party?

It was an impossible condition.

After all, it required a four-person party to enter in the first place, so the condition itself was absurd.

That is, unless your party members tried to kill you, and after a bloody fight, you were the only survivor who managed to clear the boss.

‘And you’d need search skills to even find the secret dungeon.’

What were the odds of that last survivor being an explorer?

Probably lower than hitting the lottery.

At higher levels, there were one-time items with search options, but in this level range, no one would have those.

The Eye of Truth was just ridiculously overpowered, capable of detecting a dungeon on top of everything else.

‘This is… unbelievable.’

Do-hyeon scratched his head, baffled by the situation.

It was a bit disappointing that the red dot wasn’t an herb, but discovering a secret dungeon instead more than made up for it.

In fact, this was infinitely better.

[Black Goblin Shaman’s Hideout]

-Grade: Heroic

-Type: Secret Dungeon

-Feature: Single Boss

-Description: One day, a rumor spread in Raven about a black-skinned goblin sighting, and various superstitions arose.

However, the goblin never showed itself again, and people gradually forgot about it.

Perhaps traces of that goblin can be found here.

[Maximum Entry Limit: 1 Person]

[Entry Condition: First Discoverer]

[Upon successfully clearing the dungeon, it will disappear. If you fail, you will not be able to re-enter.]

And it wasn’t just any secret dungeon—it was a high-grade one.

‘A heroic-grade secret dungeon…’

Regardless of grade, secret dungeons were known for their difficulty and the high rewards they offered.

Heroic-grade secret dungeons were especially rare and little was known about them.

Selling this dungeon’s information could easily fetch hundreds… no, thousands of dollars.

Anyone short on money would feel like they’d won the lottery.

‘I’m clearing it.’

Do-hyeon’s resolve was firm.