Prol. The Appearance of an S-rank
"Did it pop up as 'Unmeasurable'?"
Headquarters of the Awakened Management Bureau, Republic of Korea.
AKA the Center.
Jang Ilhyun, Team Leader of the Capital Oversight Team, steadied the breath that had climbed up to his throat.
He'd gotten the call on his way home and ran like mad; he had no idea how many lights he blew through.
"We've escorted her to the waiting room for now."
"The new meter we brought from Washington yesterday—you can boot it up, right? Get it ready now."
"But Team Leader, there's a chance it's machine error..."
"Immediately!"
At the sharp shout, the staff hurried off at a run. Swallowing dryly, Jang Ilhyun stopped before the waiting-room door.
There are exactly two cases where the rank-measuring device shows "Unmeasurable."
One is, as the phrase implies, simple machine malfunction, but if it's the other case, then at long last, in this country too...!
'Huh—a kid?'
"Are you Miss Gyeon Jioh?"
Small, and young.
He was startled, but the reflexes of a Republic of Korea civil servant who's been through the wars were, as expected, impressive.
Calmly and very politely, Jang Ilhyun lowered himself to her eye level.
"That's me."
"...Pardon me, but did your guardian not come with you?"
"I came alone."
"Also pardon me, but your age—no, how old are you?"
"I'll be in 4th grade the day after tomorrow. But Ahjussi, do they usually pry like this when you register awakeners? That's a privacy violation."
"...My apologies."
Underestimate kids these days and you're in big trouble.
Under the fierce stare of a wild grade-schooler (Saetbyeol Elementary, 3rd grade), Jang Ilhyun (32 / elite) meekly shrank back.
Meanwhile, the new meter was being prepped.
A hot new version that had just arrived last night via U.S. satellite link.
It's been years now since the world's whole genre changed with the appearance of the "Tower," "Gates," and transcendents.
Which means research data on the "Babel Stone" that reads an awakener's info has piled up accordingly.
This version was the new model that pinpointed everything from an awakener's growth cap to mana stats.
"Hooom. The old version topped out at AAA-rank, right? Maybe your prediction will hit."
"Ah, Deputy Team Leader. Weren't you off duty?"
"Same as you. Got the call and ran over. But even if it's true, isn't that a problem? She's that young... Did you read the report? She's only in 3rd grade. And an early-year intake at that."
"The country's lifeline is on the line—we don't have time to fuss with trivialities. I'm sick to death of funeral-hall yukgaejang."
"Wow, he's serious, this guy. You're actually excited about this."
Sneaking glances toward Jioh a little ways off, Jang Ilhyun muttered,
"Of course I am. An unregistered awakener who's only nine."
There's only one way for someone who hasn't even gone through the Tower's tutorial to become an awakener.
A Constellation Covenant.
Transcendent, mysterious beings that appeared together with the Babel Tower.
The only path was to be chosen by the great stars seated at the "Heavenly Gate," watching over humankind.
"I'll tell you what: I've never heard of a case this young anywhere in the world."
"..."
"One of those Constellations—famous for being picky and arrogant—formed a 'Covenant' to lend its power to a little kid you can barely even talk with."
"..."
"Whether that tiny child is the hero we've been waiting for or a monster, what's certain is the birth of an unprecedented Star Spoon."
It was nearly impossible not to get his hopes up. Jang Ilhyun held back the rest.
Just as the air around the grade-schooler sipping chocolate milk began to change bit by bit—
"Team Leader! They say the measuring room is set."
"Let's go. Miss Jioh, this way."
Following the team leader's guidance, Jioh stood as well.
Contrary to her prim, sullen look, a chick-shaped keychain jingled from her backpack.
"[Awakener Gyeon Jioh, beginning rank measurement.]"
Jioh stepped into a box shaped like an opaque shower booth.
The Center staff fixed tense gazes on the child.
Well past quitting time.
The hushed measuring room was silent.
While Jang Ilhyun nervously gnawed at his nails...
At last, with a clear chime, the result rose as a mana hologram.
Everyone's eyes raced over the characters.
Jioh lifted her head to look.
Gyeon Jioh 20xx. 01. 01 │ 堅持悟 Gyeon Jioh
• Type: Combat (Mana-specialized)
• Growth Progress: Stage 1
• Potential Cap: Unknown
• Mana Reserves: Unlimited
• Mana Sensitivity Level: Supreme
[Final Rank: S]
"Holy..."
One staffer let out a curse before he realized it.
"I-It's really S-rank!"
And at the same time, the Babel Network, World Channel, rang out.
Babel Network
[Congratulations, Korea!]
[The nation, Republic of Korea, has its first S-rank awakener.]
[Local Server — 'Republic of Korea' channel expansion]
[Sub-Local Server — Capital Seoul Metropolitan Channel open]
*With the birth of a powerful front-runner, Local Republic of Korea is upgraded from "General Management Country" to "Top-Priority Management Country."
*"Formal Dungeons" are generated in the channel and a "Rift Coordinate Notification" feature is added.
*In the Korea Babel Tower, high-grade Constellations take their seats in the "Heavenly Gate."
Oh God, thank you.
Let there finally be hope and light in my homeland!
Eyes brimming, Jang Ilhyun stood and applauded. Choking up, he spread his arms wide toward Jioh.
"At last, an S-rank! Ms. Gyeon Jioh! Just what Constellation do you serve! What are you all doing—contact the Director already!"
'F—...'
Wearing a face like she'd bitten something bitter, Jioh dodged the sweaty Ahjussi's shoulder attack.
It wasn't only the World Server notifications.
A personal alert window visible only to Jioh was going berserk too.
Babel Network
▷ All rankings are changing.
▷ Local — Republic of Korea
▷ Ranker Channel No. 1, Rank #1 entrance
/ Ms. Gyeon Jioh, please set a nickname. /
| 14 |
Hamlet: ....Is this for real?
| 27 |
Gold Roger: wow lol S-rank crazy
| 30 |
Kindergarten: All? You're saying all rankings changed? Worldwide??
| 49 |
Gamsuyang: They said channels open in major regions when an S-rank appears—turns out it was true; looks like from Seoul to the metropolitan cities they're all open. Check it.
| 12 |
Sangsang: I was thinking about emigrating, and then look at this timing
| 8 |
Dawit: Whoever's #1, say something please
| 3 |
Alpha: Even the runner-up seat is getting pushed out…
'Unnie, was it really this strong?'
[Your Covenant Star, "Reader of Fate," is feeling terribly wronged.]
[It points a finger and blames you, saying that it told you so and that the impudent brat who wouldn't listen with even the back of her ear was you.]
No, but still—giving an elementary kid S-rank is overkill.
This damn star doesn't know the meaning of moderation.
Jioh backed away. Full-grown adults were closing in on her in tears.
'We're f—ed...'
Mom, what do I do?
I didn't mean to, but it looks like your daughter just took first place on the peninsula.