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Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Ranking
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"Made it to the lodging... but man, this still doesn't feel right."
I scratched my head as I took in the sight before me.
With ten years of experience, I'd braced myself for some dingy motel to greet me... but what actually spread out in front of me was a flashy resort hotel.
The lighting was bright and cheerful, the interior and furniture dripping with luxury. And the space? So vast it felt almost rude to compare it to other lodgings.
This was seriously hard to get used to.
"Still, you can tell I've been gone a few days."
It looked like it needed some airing out, so I headed to the balcony and slid the door open. Cool night air rushed in, along with a sweeping view of a vast lake and snow-capped mountains.
"...The stars from up here aren't half bad either."
Best part was, it wasn't cold. The cozy night breeze melted away my tension on the spot. I set my bag down on the floor.
You have successfully completed the Second Trial.
Rewards will be given.
You have obtained 300 points.
'Rewards are 100 points more than last time.'
3,000 points are given as initial support funds.
The resident perks bumped the support funds up by 1,000 points too.
This being my third time claiming them, I could now predict how much they'd dole out.
In short, residents got ten times what refugees did.
'Even if we run the same race, they give residents ten times the prize. Perks really make a difference.'
Congratulations on safely completing the Second Trial. Current survivors: 1,514,729,812.
'Let's see. About 500 million gone this time.'
As expected, not much different from the past. Things were proceeding just like the future I'd lived through.
In a way, that was a relief. If the big picture shifted too much, the value of my knowledge would fade.
'Better if nothing major changes until I'm properly set up.'
It might sound selfish, but I planned to lay low for a while.
No playing hero and saving humanity out of some bleeding-heart nonsense. I'd just go with the flow, moderately.
'Probably won't make my move until the mega-guilds form, shadowy powers stir, and the archlords start rampaging unchecked.'
By then, the main storyline would align closely with my past, so no major divergences.
Until that point, I'd operate as a humble merchant, sponsoring various people and factions.
While claiming everything worth claiming, of course.
Survivor counts will now be omitted. They will be replaced by ranking tallies from this point.
I focused ahead again.
Rankings are determined by all achievements during the trial.
"Finally, the ranking system's here."
I smirked wryly at yet another pinnacle of unfairness in the selection process, right after unique abilities.
The selection process runs on two evaluation systems.
One is absolute evaluation.
Basically, points given just for clearing the trial. As long as you pass the cutoff, anyone gets the same reward.
'The other is relative evaluation: the ranking system.'
The ranking system is like a report card, a class hierarchy sorting players in the selection process.
Each trial awards points for a ranking, which determines your grade and unique rewards.
Rewards available are as follows.
F: None
E: Points
D: Magic stones
C: 1 stat fragment
B: 3 stat fragments
A: 5 bonus stats
'And S-Rank gets everything above.'
The key is the higher-tier rewards.
In a world where power is everything, rewards that boost power itself?
'The strong get stronger, claim more, and repeat the vicious cycle.'
That's the core of the unfairness.
I stroked my chin as I eyed the notification.
Converting points to ranking. Please wait.
'Huh, rankings settling already?'
Plenty of players hadn't finished the second trial yet... If they're ranking anyway, the reason's simple.
Once over 80% of players are tallied, they just settle up.
Meaning, even if the trailing 20% haven't started their trials, rankings lock in.
'That's why S-Rank claimants sometimes top 100.'
Better scores can bump someone from 100th, but they don't revoke rewards.
Generous in a way, but in practice, extra perks go to a tiny elite.
Why? The top dogs charge ahead regardless.
The laggards fell behind on skill alone.
No dragons from mud puddles, no S-Ranks from the late 20%.
Your current ranking is as follows.
Kang Min-jun: 1st place (S-Rank)
Which makes me a freak anomaly. Latecomer hitting S-Rank?
Trials even score time efficiency, impossible this early.
'But 1st? Even I didn't see that coming.'
S-Rank? Expected. How many could solo aerial mobs when ground ones were tough?
'Still, 1st...'
Only now did it hit me how far ahead I was. Just two trials in, and I'd lapped all humanity.
Rewards will be given.
Stat fragments and magic stones rained down from thin air.
I absorbed all the stat fragments.
Then I dumped the sanctuary bonus stats plus these into Strength.
'Good. Ahead of schedule.'
Just keep this up.
Operate in the shadows, sort out who to bring into the fold.
I was grinning in satisfaction when I glanced at the clock and snapped out of it. Right, no time to dawdle.
'Time to summon the harpy first.'
I pulled out the letter envelope and used it. As expected, no issues calling the harpy over.
"Gyaang...!"
The harpy that crossed over successfully spotted me and hugged tight. I welcomed her with a magic stone from the rewards, popping it straight into her mouth.
Rub rub.
She nuzzled happily, as if to say I was the only one for her.
Alright. Harpy secured. Time to fetch the others.
"I'll go grab the girls, so stay put here."
"Stay...?"
"Yeah, stay quiet."
Nod nod.
The harpy nodded vigorously, sucking on the magic stone like a lollipop. She might not get much else, but "stay put" was drilled into her.
You may now proceed to the next area at any time. Stock up on stamina before the trial and prepare thoroughly. Good luck.
I dismissed the notification and strode out of the lodging.
Vision darkened briefly, then the full view of the third rest area unfolded before me.
'Crowded.'
Blasting through the second trial in just two days had pulled me ahead of the pack, so this rest area felt bustling compared to before. Like leaving a backwater village for the big city.
But it wasn't all rosy.
The medieval grime of the streets reeked of menace.
'Right on schedule for the [Human Hunters] to start prowling.'
Instincts long suppressed under 21st-century law and order were bursting out under the strain.
And it wasn't just dedicated hunters—opportunists mimicking them would spawn too.
Robbery, rape, slavery, you name it.
'That's fast, though. Guess latecomers attract rougher crowds.'
"Look over there."
"How could they do something so awful..."
A gang of men paraded right down the main street.
Trailing them on leashes: one man, three women, naked, each missing two fingers per hand.
'Cut off, then cauterized.'
They dragged them around like that, fucking them whenever bored. Basically portable sex slaves. Worse, no future for them.
No combat prowess or they'd never end up like that. Their shot at freedom? Entering trial zones.
But then the captors would say:
-Follow us, and we'll keep you alive. Don't, and you're on your own.
The fingerless slaves would think:
How could we clear a trial without even gripping a weapon?
Better to roll in shit than die?
So they'd tag along to trials, servicing as self-proclaimed slaves.
'Until danger hits—then meat shields.'
If trials clear smoothly? Points stripped bare.
Pure profit for the men.
"Hey, hurry up or wanna do it in the street again?"
"N-no!"
"Oh? Since when do animals get to talk back?"
"Kweeh! Kwee!"
The problem? These scum paraded their "trophies" like a touring show, flaunting it around the rest area.
"Is that what humans do?"
"How could they do that to their own kind..."
Some frowned in disgust.
"Gulp. Fuck, that's hot."
"...Should I try it?"
Others got inspired, drifting that way. Meaning things would slide even further south.
'And it'll spread like a trend.'
Chaining humans like livestock in the streets for trade. Test-driving them publicly like used cars, fucking, rating, haggling.
Not fantasy—reality ahead.
Ten years on, the shock lingered fresh as yesterday.
'Prostitutes are safer, ironically.'
They sold it cheap for cash, seen as public goods anyone could have, so rarely targeted.
Plus, their combat power was solid. Gear-heavy builds, and they banded together when pushed.
Up to the last rest area, they'd solicited solo. Now? Clustered tight.
'But that setup won't last.'
Hard to unite when livelihoods clash, especially emotional women.
Soon they'd fracture. Powerhouses would pimp them out, skimming fees. Then orgs compete.
"Hey, handsome. Me tonight?"
A hooker near the lodging approached nude, tempting me. I politely declined.
"Sorry. Not interested."
"Aw, c'mon. You look fresh off a trial. I'll cut you a deal."
"No thanks."
"What about me then?"
Another jumped in, jiggling her tits. Figured I passed on the first 'cause she wasn't my type.
"Sorry."
More came and went. Soon they huddled, whispering.
"What's with that stiff prick?"
"One score tonight. Tch."
"Don't sweat it. Total small-dick energy. Ironclad for pocket change."
"Heh, yeah."
Giggling, trash-talking me. Translation: fuck one of us or shut up.
But my crew started arriving, silencing the chatter.
"You're first again."
"What, Dickhead? I'm not dead last today?"
Especially Han So-hee and Shin Seo-yeon showing up killed all noise. Already stunning, post-rebirth? Top-tier beauties even here.
No contest against hookers.
"..."
They shut up, faces red, avoiding my gaze when I turned.
"You two head to the lodging. I'll usher the rest in."
"I'm fine... Got it."
Han So-hee scanned the street quick and dipped. Shin Seo-yeon followed.
I sent Iseol back too, glancing around.
No sign of the bitch squad.
They'd arrived two hours early, and I'd warned them hard, so no dumb street roaming. Nine strong anyway—safe from easy hits.
'Call Im Ah-rin aside later for a sitrep.'
I escorted the last arrival, the Saintess, inside, then swept the area. Some guys eyed my group retreating to lodging, smacking lips.
'Early selection process? Best avoid streets.'
Until things stabilize.
Come morning, it'd improve. Greedy thugs thrive at night, wilt by dawn without "law."
'Dining out tomorrow, then.'
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