Chapter 88
Throughout history, across all times and places, there has always been one question that fascinates people.
Among them, one stands above all.
‘Who is the strongest in the world?’
The question of the ultimate being.
From the carnivorous dinosaur Tyrannosaurus Rex of the Cretaceous period—
to the ancient shark of the deep, Megalodon.
From modern legends like Bruce Lee or Choi Bae-dal,
to contemporary icons like Fedor Emelianenko or Francis Ngannou—
these names have long fueled endless debates among enthusiasts and communities around the globe.
But ever since Hunters appeared in this world, that once-endless argument came to a close.
Because the “System,” an absolute entity, had settled the matter.
「World Ranking Board」
A massive, mysterious board located somewhere in the Eastern United States.
Only one thousand Hunters in the entire world could be listed there.
Updated automatically at the beginning of every month, it allowed the public to easily identify the ten strongest Hunters alive.
[Rank 1: ???]
First, Rank 1.
As you can see, a question mark.
No one knows who it is. Even the board itself refuses to display the name.
Why this happens—or whether this person even exists—remains a mystery.
But regardless, the symbol carries undeniable weight.
[Rank 2: Demon King Jack Smith]
Next, Rank 2.
The Demon King.
A Hunter from the United States.
It’s said that America owes its status as the world’s top Hunter nation entirely to him.
Details are scarce, but rumors say he commands demons and strolls through Hell as if it were his backyard.
[Rank 3: Heavenly Demon Hase Ra]
Then Rank 3.
The pride of Korea—known to all.
Excluding the mysterious Rank 1, she is essentially the second strongest in the world.
It’s because of her that no one disputes Korea’s standing as the second greatest Hunter nation.
A swordswoman.
[Rank 4: Oxford’s Sage, Sophia Silverstone]
Britain’s prestigious Oxford University built a massive tower with state support—a sanctuary for Hunters gifted in magic to gather, create synergy, and grow together.
A real-life “Tower of Magic.”
Its master is Rank 4, known as the Sage, Sophia.
[Rank 5: Dungeon Maker Delilah]
Nickname: The Mirage.
A mysterious American Hunter.
Almost nothing is known about her—except that she can create dungeons.
‘Well.’
‘I’ll be seeing her soon anyway. I can judge for myself then.’
Honestly, she was the one I was most curious about.
How could a single person impose restrictions on others and open system windows like that?
I recalled the message I once received.
[Ding!]
[You have obtained information about the Dungeon Maker.]
[Warning! Warning! Warning!]
[If a non-Ranker discloses this information, they will be permanently banned from all future “Dungeon Maker” content!]
[However, recommendation candidates are exempt.]
[If a recommendation candidate leaks it, the penalty will transfer to their recommender!]
[Tip: Shout “Register Recommendation” to designate a candidate.]
A person capable of doing such impossible things—that was Delilah.
The rest of the list went as follows:
[Rank 6: Paladin Aria Yuel]
A holy knight who heals while fighting.
No matter how much damage she takes, she never dies.
Hence her other nickname—“Zombie.”
[Rank 7: Grace of Yggdrasil, Nina Christine]
A summoner said to command the Four Great Spirits.
Nothing else is known—
not her age, not her nationality.
Only that her name remains on the board.
[Rank 8: Spirit Emperor Ichikawa Takeru]
A Japanese Hunter who manipulates spirits and specializes in possession.
The pride of Japan.
[Rank 9: Roider Ronnie Williams]
A drug maker.
Sometimes sells healing or buff potions—always sells out instantly.
There’s even a rumor he distributes pleasure-inducing narcotics, though unconfirmed.
[Rank 10: Spear King Jin Zayi (Chen Ziyi)]
Lastly, the Chinese spearman.
His Chinese name is “Chen Ziyi,” but the Korean pronunciation is easier.
‘All of them…’
Names engraved in my mind without a single mistake.
Ever since I became a Hunter, these had been my eternal idols.
“……”
They represented nations.
They embodied dreams.
They were the ones people could truly call the strongest in the world.
And they were the ultimate goal I aspired to reach.
Gulp.
I swallowed hard and looked at Jang Daewoong before me.
— Want to hear something interesting?
— Yeah. Something you don’t know—no, something regular people could live their whole lives without ever knowing. About Rankers.
A story about Rankers, told from the eyes of Rank 20.
My heart began pounding like a child thrilled by the sight of dinosaurs.
—
“Tell me, big brother.”
Jang Daewoong cleared his throat.
“If Rank 20—that’s me—were to fight Rank 19, who do you think would win?”
“Excuse me?”
What kind of question was that?
Wouldn’t Rank 19 obviously have the upper hand?
That’s what the ranking system was for, wasn’t it?
“No, no, let me rephrase. Do you think I’d have a chance of winning against Rank 19 in a straight one-on-one fight?”
“Hmm.”
Now that was a different question.
If a single rank difference guaranteed victory, the world would be a pretty boring place.
After thinking for a bit, I decided to side with Berserker.
“Maybe, depending on luck or condition that day, you could win? You can’t really know until you fight, right?”
“Haha! That’s my brother! Exactly! A real man should answer like that!”
Jang Daewoong nodded in satisfaction.
I’d noticed this before—he really had a weakness for compliments.
“But you’re wrong, little brother.”
“Eh?”
“I could never defeat Rank 19 alone—unless I cheated or teamed up.”
“……?”
That was unexpected.
Hearing the word “never” from a man like him was shocking.
“The gap from double-digit Rankers upward—it’s like heaven and earth.”
He grinned, calling out to me again.
“Brother.”
“Yes?”
“In the past three years, has there ever been a change among the top ten Rankers?”
“Hmm… no, there hasn’t.”
I’d been following the world ranking board since I first became a Hunter.
Even if I hadn’t, articles and sites talked about it constantly.
It was impossible not to know.
“Exactly. Unless high-Rankers kill each other, those ranks will never change.”
“……So that means the difference between them is absolute?”
“Right.”
Jang Daewoong nodded, laughing.
“No matter what I do now, I could never beat Hase Ra. Haha.”
Heavenly Demon Hase Ra.
At her name, Lee Seonah joined in.
“King, can I tell you something fun?”
She smiled playfully.
“What is it?”
“A year ago, Berserker here stormed our guild headquarters, demanding to see the Master. Said he wanted a duel. Caused a whole mess.”
“Hey, Black Sword! Why bring that up now…?”
Berserker flinched, staring at her.
Why so embarrassed?
It was just a madman doing mad things.
“At that time, the Master didn’t even draw her sword. She used one finger…”
“Hahaha! Come on now! I’m not the same man I was back then! Ahaha!”
He cut her off with boisterous laughter.
But it was too late.
I’d already grasped the meaning behind her words.
“Hmm.”
Lee Seonah smirked.
“Anyway, that’s what I’m trying to say.”
Then she looked at me.
“That’s how big the gap really is between high-Rankers.”
“That’s insane.”
To think that monstrous Berserker was handled with a single finger—and by a swordswoman, no less?
“I think what Berserker fears… is the same thing we all do.”
“What do you mean?”
“The King has no fear. He’s brave.”
“……”
“Which is good—but it also means you can be reckless at times.”
I couldn’t deny it.
Ever since that first encounter with the orc, I’d been on a streak of reckless challenges.
Meeting the old man, obtaining the Sun Spear, defeating the giant dragon—even enduring the Lich’s trial.
Each one was dangerous, yet somehow, I’d managed to survive by the skin of my teeth.
“But Rank 5, Delilah, is on another level entirely. That’s why we keep warning you to be ready.”
“……”
Gulp.
If Rankers like these said she was “on another level,” then how high must that level be?
Perhaps the phrase “beyond the heavens” was made for people like her.
A strange thrill welled up inside my chest.
“So basically, you’re saying… don’t act cocky.”
“Oh, good. I’m relieved.”
“Relieved?”
“Because you’re a Hunter who actually understands.”
“Huh?”
“But I hold you in high regard. Remember what I said?”
“What…?”
“Your potential might surpass even our Master’s someday.”
Ah, right.
She had said that once.
And only now did I realize how incredible that praise really was.
“Here, take this.”
Lee Seonah pulled something from her coat and handed it to me.
“…Delilah’s invitation. The event takes place three days from now. Location: the mysterious island of Mora, Gujarat, India.”
“Mora…”
“White Boar arranged the flights and transport.”
“Yup. Got a private jet ready for you. No hassle.”
White Boar tapped his forehead with two fingers and flicked them skyward.
What was that? Some kind of new greeting?
“…I see.”
At last.
The long-awaited moment of the Dungeon Maker was before me.
Now, I could truly feel it.
My blood was boiling. My palms were slick with sweat.
‘These people…’
I didn’t really know why they were helping me.
White Boar said he’d collect a favor later.
The archer just seemed to be using her recommendation slot.
But the others… they really seemed to be doing this out of goodwill.
‘I’m grateful.’
Truly grateful.
And I wanted to show it.
‘To do that…’
I first had to survive.
To endure the trials.
To carve my name onto the ranking board.
To stand on equal ground with them—and thank them properly.
“……”
I clenched my fist and met their eyes.
Jang Daewoong. Lee Seonah. Yoo Sangdon. Ki Soyul.
Four pairs of eyes focused on me.
“I will…”
My lips parted.
“I will absolutely succeed.”
Their gazes deepened.
I didn’t look away.
“I promise you all. Black Sword said the first goal is to come back alive? That’s a given. Becoming a Ranker? That’s a given, too.”
“……”
“You might think I’m overconfident. Maybe even arrogant. But the goal I’m aiming for isn’t just to become a Ranker.”
Yes, becoming a Ranker had always been my dream.
To place within the top 1,000.
That used to be everything to me.
But now that goal was within reach.
Close enough to touch.
‘If that’s the case…’
Why not dream bigger?
“I want to be Rank 1.”
I will become stronger.
Stronger than the four Rankers standing before me.
“I’ll grow stronger—enough to make you proud of this day. So that you can boast to others that you once recommended me.”
Those words were for them—
But also for myself.
My declaration before the trial.
My oath before the world.
My way of saying thank you.
“I’ll give my real thanks… once I make it back alive.”
I bowed lightly to the four Rankers.