Requiem Of A Failed Hero

"Sir, What are you going to do?"

"What else Falas, since he decided to trust his brother's words so much? It is only expedient that I also keep my end of the bargain."

"So you are going to talk to Duke Flauros."

"Do I even have a choice? I might have to put my life on the line to at least delay Volmak's sentence."

"Or we could talk to Shax..." His advisor proposed. But Valac didn't like that proposal, his brows furrowed at Falas who quickly bowed his head.

"I apologize."

He leaned his head on his hand and said, "I'm sure Flauros will kill Volmak because he wants to challenge Shax to a fight. Everyone believes that Shax is weak and can barely keep his seat, killing Volmak will be a good enough reason to provoke Shax to battle. But I can't let that happen because I made a promise to that insignificant brat, until he returns Volmak must be alive. So we will break him out."

Falas' mouth fell. 'Oh my soul, his highness is willing to go this far for his brother!'

"Don't... Don't do that Falas. This is not for that brat it is for Volmak." Valac replied without looking toward him.

"Right, this is all for General Volmak, whom you've always admired from afar." The advisor nodded with a whispered chuckle.

***

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***

"Hyungnim, the news has been all over you. One could even compare you to a celebrity."

Raith didn't mind what Min-ho was saying, instead, he focused on the box of grilled chicken that was in front of him.

It had been a month and he had cleared several other gates apart from that one, of course, low key. His past action of deciding to hop on cars to reach the gate was what has put him and the association in this tight spot.

Even hunters from outside the country, Russia, Germany, France, Brazil, the United Kingdom, etc. They were all looking out for him, no one knows yet what rank he is but singlehandedly clearing a rank B dungeon was a big deal and it was a feat that only a special rank could bring.

As Raith was seated in the living room, there was even an ongoing news feed where experts sat down and began to analyze the matter...

"An S rank can alone clear a rank E and rank D dungeon and come out unscathed, but for a rank C, they would definitely show signs of struggle although they might win in the end, that win also depends on the type of monsters they face, because some monsters exist in gates and are a bad match for a hunter's power type.

But starting from a rank B dungeon, it is impossible for an S rank to clear a rank B gate alone. From that point they need the normal formation, even for the rank C gate they need the formation and standard number for an assured gate clear. The standard number for clearing a dungeon is eight and that can include any rank of course it is common sense that you can't make all of them be one rank, let's say eight D ranks are trying to clear a C rank gate...."

"They'll fail..."

"Yes, They'll fail, so there must be a shuffle between the ranks. If it's a party of low ranks, three F ranks, two E ranks, two D ranks, and one C rank. That is a complete formation for taking out a D rank gate."

"Yes, yes, I get it more like there must be a hunter with a higher rank than the rank of the gate."

"Exactly, you get it. But when an S rank is involved it dwindles the entire formation. With just one S rank, at the very most five of lower ranks are needed and for a B rank it doesn't really matter what rank as long as it is in between rank B and rank D."

"Hm, S ranks are just a phenomenon that changes everything huh..."

"Yes, exactly. And that is for a rank B dungeon. With how powerful S ranks are, they cannot survive it. It is just so impossible to clear a rank B gate alone."

"Yes, I suppose I can see things from the angle that you are trying to explain. The association's merchant that cleared a rank B gate himself..."

"Exactly! For one single man to clear a rank B gate, alone? Tell me anything, I think that guy is a special rank."

"I think you are right Ranking Specialist Mangjol Chul-Soo, what makes things more suspicious is the fact that the association is very silent about this."

"If this guy turns out to be Korea's third special rank hunter. Everything is going to be good for our country, we can finally stand toe to toe with the USA who also have three special rank hunters."

"I think Korea will be very lucky if he turns out to be a special rank hunter. The strength of our country on the international ranking board will soar..."

Raith looked at the news with a confused expression.

"How can things be so complicated in this world? How much of a big deal are these special ranks? With all the calculations and whatever..." He complained after finishing the last chicken thigh.

"Hyungnim, I think you are talking like that because you have never met one of them before."

"Hmm, you are right," Raith replied and cleared the table, not only did he wash the plates quickly after he was done but he also took out the waste.

Min-Ho who was working was shocked.

"Hyung?"

"What?" Raith replied as he walked back inside.

"Did something happen in one of the gates that you have been clearing these days?"

"Why do you ask such a question? Even if something happens... it is nothing I can't deal with."

"Of course, I forgot it is hyungnim after all." Min-ho faced his table, which was equipped with a large medical textbook. 'Why the hell did he take out the trash?!! The hyungnim I knew never gave a fuck.'

ting ting

The doorbell rang.

"Oh? This late, I don't think we are expecting any visitors. Are you expecting any visitors hyungnim?" Min-ho asked, turning to Raith but pausing as he saw the cold look on Raith's face, his eyes were squinted and focused toward the door, plus the room suddenly became so cold as a black aura loomed around it.