Chapter 88: Into the Fray (2)
Throughout history and across cultures, there have always been many questions that spark curiosity. One of them is a question that asks about the ultimate champion: “Who is the strongest in the world?”
Beings ranging from the carnivorous tyrannosaurus rex of the Cretaceous era to the ancient megalodon shark of the ocean. In modern times, there were Bruce Lee and Mas Oyama. In contemporary times, there are Fedor Emelianenko and Francis Ngannou. These figures are often discussed by enthusiasts and debated in various online communities.
However, since the advent of the hunter profession in this world, such interesting questions no longer need debate. An absolute presence called the “System” has already settled the answer.
[World Ranking Board]
It was a massive, mysterious board that existed in the eastern United States. Only 1,000 hunters could be listed here. Thanks to this board, which updated automatically at the start of every month, people could narrow down the top 10 strongest individuals in the world.
[Rank 1 – ???]
First, Rank 1. The number 1 rank was denoted by question marks. No one knew who it was, and the board didn’t even display a name. Why this was the case or if this individual even existed remained a matter of controversy. But no one could ignore the significance of that symbol.
[Rank 2 – Jack Smith, the Demon King]
Next, Rank 2, the Demon King. He was an American hunter. The fact that the U.S. became the world’s number one superpower in terms of hunter prowess was thanks to this person. Not much was known about him, but rumors said he dealt with demons and frequented hell as if it were his own home.
[Rank 3 – Ha Sera, the Heavenly Demon]
Following that was Rank 3, a famous and proud figure who represented South Korea. Excluding the unknown Rank 1, she was essentially the world’s second-strongest after the Demon King. The fact that the global community considered South Korea to be the second-strongest hunter nation was solely because of her. She was a swordmaster.
[Rank 4 – Sophia Silverstone, the Sage of Oxford]
Oxford, the prestigious university in the United Kingdom, built a massive tower with government support. The tower was designed to gather hunters with magic-related abilities to grow and achieve synergy together. It was like a real-life magic tower. The head of that magic tower held Rank 4, known as Sophia the Sage.
[Rank 5 – Delilah, the Dungeon Maker]
Her alias was Mirage. She was a mysterious hunter from America. Almost nothing was known about her except that she could create dungeons.
Well. I’ll be meeting her soon, so I can judge for myself then.
Honestly, she was the one I was most curious about. How did she manage to impose restrictions on individuals and display system messages for each person?
I recalled a message I received in the past.
[You have learned information about the Dungeon Maker.]
[Warning! Warning! Warning!]
[If you disclose this information to non-rankers, you cannot participate in any of the Dungeon Maker’s content in the future!]
[The only exception is when recommending a candidate.]
[If the recommendation candidate discloses the information, the penalty will be imposed on the recommender!]
[Tip: Say “Register recommendation” to set a recommendation candidate.]
A person who could pull off such absurd feats—that was Delilah.
The remaining ranks were as follows.
[Rank 6 – Aria Yuel, the Paladin]
A holy knight who fought while healing herself. No matter how much she was hit, she wouldn’t die, earning her the nickname “Zombie.”
[Rank 7 – Nina Christine, the Grace of Yggdrasil]
A spirit summoner known to command the four great elements. She, too, was shrouded in mystery as her nationality and age were unknown. She was simply someone people talked about because her name was on the board.
[Rank 8 – Ichikawa Takeru, the Spirit Emperor]
He handled spirits and specialized in possession techniques. He was also the pride of Japan.
[Rank 9 – Ronnie Williams, the Roider]
He was a drug user. Sometimes he made and sold drugs for healing or buffs... Everything he sells is sold out instantly. There was even a rumor that he manufactured a drug that delivered heavenly pleasure, but that was unverified.
[Rank 10 – Chen Ziyi, the Spear King ]
And last but not least, we had Chen Ziyi, a spearman from China. The Chinese pronunciation is “Chénziyì,” but I’m just going to read it in a way that I’m comfortable with.
All of them were names I memorized without error in my head. Ever since I became a hunter after reaching legal age, these names had been etched in my heart as my idols.
“...”
These were the individuals who represented nations and were people’s dreams. They could also be called the strongest in the world.
And ultimately, my goal was to join them.
—Gulp!
I swallowed and looked at Jang Daewoong before me.
“...”
—Gulp.
I swallowed once more.
It seemed strange for rankers like these to say she was “in a different league.” Perhaps the phrase “There is a sky beyond the sky” applied here. I even felt a surge of awe in my chest.
“In other words, don’t act cocky, right?”
“Oh, that’s reassuring.”
“What is?”
“That the Skeleton King is a very perceptive hunter.”
“Excuse me?”
“But I hold you in high regard. Remember what I said?”
“About...?”
“I said your potential... might even surpass our Cult Leader’s...”
Ah, right, I remembered. And only now did I fully realize how incredible a compliment that was.
“Take this.” Lee Sunah took something from her pocket and handed it over. “...This is the invitation letter from Delilah. The date is three days from now, and the location is the mysterious Mora Island in Gujarat, India.”
“Mora, you say...”
“White Swine has prepared a flight and transportation.”
“Yup, I arranged a private jet for your comfort.” White Swine tapped his forehead with his index and middle fingers, then flicked them skyward.
What’s this? A new greeting style, I guess?
“...Is that so?”
Finally, the long-awaited moment with the Dungeon Maker was approaching. Now, it finally felt real. My blood started pumping, and my palms grew sweaty.
I don’t know exactly why these people are helping me...
White Swine mentioned repaying the favor later, and the Fine Bow seemed to be offering his recommendation as a matter of duty. However, the rest seemed to be helping me out of pure goodwill.
But I’m grateful.
I was genuinely thankful, and I wanted to express my gratitude.
To do that...
First, I had to return alive. I had to withstand the trial and secure a spot on the ranking board. I needed to rise to “their level” to truly express my thanks.
“...”
Clenching my fists, I looked at them—Jang Daewoong, Lee Sunah, Yoo Sangdon, and Gi Soyul.
All four pairs of eyes focused on me.
My lips parted. “I will... absolutely pass the trial.”
Their gazes grew even more intense, but I didn’t avoid their stares.
“I promise you all. Returning alive? That’s a given. Becoming a ranker? That’s just as certain to me.”
“...”
“You may think I’m being overconfident. But my goal isn’t just to become a ranker.”
Indeed, being a ranker has always been my dream—to have my name among the top 1,000. There was a time when that was my only goal.
But now, that goal was right before my eyes, within my reach.
If that’s the case... Why not dream even bigger?
“I want to become Rank 1.”
I will grow stronger. Stronger than the four rankers here.
“I’ll grow as much as you all believe in me. I’ll become someone even greater. So you can boast proudly about recommending me today.”
This was a promise to them and to myself. This was my declaration before facing the trial and the deepest gratitude I could offer.
“I’ll give you a more proper thanks... after I return alive.”
I bowed my head to the four rankers.