“Suddenly introducing a clan member ranking system…”
“I heard there’d be changes, but this is just too much…”
Murmurs filled the air.
Inside the fortress, the long corridor connecting the first-floor plaza and the meeting hall buzzed with more noise than usual. Groups of mercenary clan members gathered in threes and fives, whispering among themselves. Even though the meeting had ended, no one left immediately; instead, they waited near the entrance to the plaza. Ko Yeon-ju, who had just received the records labeled ‘Clan Member Rankings,’ had forbidden anyone from entering until the posting was complete.
Most of those standing in the corridor seemed to understand why, but their anxious expressions betrayed them. The words from the meeting kept replaying in their minds.
Breaking the complacency that had persisted under the guise of freedom, the clan was now declaring full, open competition. This meant a huge shift: instead of valuing user information—‘skill’—above all, they would now prioritize ‘performance’ built through activity.
It was undeniable that highly skilled users had an advantage. But from now on, user info wouldn’t dictate everything. Even users with slightly lower skill could climb to higher ranks depending on how and where they performed.
One thing was certain: the days of friendly smiles and warm camaraderie were over. Opportunities to build performance were limited. In fact, as new clan members joined, the amount of work available would only decrease.
Creeeak.
At that moment, the door that had been firmly shut for nearly thirty minutes began to slowly open. Clan members who had been waiting eagerly turned their heads instantly. Through the gradually parting doors, Ko Yeon-ju appeared.
“Phew. Finally finished writing. You can come in now.”
Immediately, the clan members at the front surged forward. Some were so impatient they shoved those hesitating in their path.
“Eek! Hey, unnie!”
An-sol’s indignant shout came as she stumbled and fell, but Lee Yoo-jung ignored her and kept moving forward. Before long, she passed through the center of the plaza and reached the bulletin board.
“Rankings”
“Number / Name (Years of Service)”
Reading the words at the top of the board, a tight knot formed in her throat. The tension was even greater than when receiving college entrance exam results.
Taking a deep breath to steady her pounding heart, Lee Yoo-jung slowly lowered her gaze.
“EX Rank”
Kim Soo-hyun (3 years)
An-sol (3 years)
Her eyes widened as if they might burst when she saw the highest EX rank list. A collective intake of breath echoed around her. Surely everyone was thinking the same thing:
“Why is An-sol EX rank?”
There was no dispute over Kim Soo-hyun’s EX rank. Setting aside the fact that she was the clan leader, her achievements were truly unparalleled.
But An-sol’s EX rank was puzzling. Sure, she was a secret class user, and ‘Miracle’ was undeniably powerful, but that alone didn’t seem enough…
Lost in thought, Lee Yoo-jung shook her head and decided to set An-sol’s rank aside for now. The most important thing was her own rank.
Below were the clan members ranked S.
“S Rank”
Ko Yeon-ju (8 years)
Nam Da-eun (7 years)
Vivian La Clacidus (-)
Seon Yoo-woon (3 years)
Heo Jun-young (7 years)
The Shadow Queen, the Sword Empress, the Chimera Alchemist, the Divine Archer, the Silent Executor—these were the clan’s elite mercenaries, recognized everywhere. Lee Yoo-jung couldn’t understand why Ko Yeon-ju wasn’t EX rank, and though she wasn’t sure, she’d heard that Heo Jun-young had secretly won a duel against Cha So-rim by decision.
Still, she had some conscience. She hadn’t even dreamed of S rank. Accepting that, she lowered her eyes further.
“A Rank”
Shin Jae-ryong (7 years)
Jung Ha-yeon (5 years)
Cha So-rim (6 years)
Seeing the A rank list, Lee Yoo-jung felt her hopes dim slightly. She had thought she might at least be A rank. She took some comfort in the fact that only three names appeared here, and all seemed deserving.
“Damn it. So it’s B rank after all.”
Though she hadn’t looked yet, Lee Yoo-jung had already drawn a tentative conclusion. She’d been active since before the mercenary clan was founded and was a rare class user. She was confident she’d at least be B rank.
But then—
“B Rank”
Kim Han-byul (3 years)
Baek Han-gyeol (2 years)
Ahn Hyun (3 years)
Im Han-na (5 years)
Jo Seung-woo (5 years)
Jin Soo-hyun (2 years)
Her name was nowhere to be found on the B rank list. Familiar names abounded, but ‘Lee Yoo-jung’ was absent. A moment of stunned emptiness washed over her face.
“…”
She blinked.
Closed her eyes tightly, then opened them again.
She even rubbed them hard.
Still, her name was not on the B rank list.
That was when she saw it.
“C Rank”
Woo Jung-min (3 years)
Sasha Felix (-)
Lee Yoo-jung (3 years)
Lee Yoo-jung was listed at the very bottom of the C rank.
“D Rank”
Kim Dong-seok (5 years)
Park Da-som (4 years)
Park Hyun-woo (7 years)
Won Hye-soo (3 years)
……
“E Rank”
Kang Chae-rin (4 years)
Goo Ye-ji (3 years)
Baek Seung-hoon (4 years)
……
“F Rank”
……
She skimmed past the D, E, and F rank lists quickly. Her gaze, having reached the postscript, swiftly returned to fixate on the B and C ranks. Disbelief spread across her face as a light commotion began near the bulletin board. Almost all clan members had finished checking their ranks.
“Wow… wowww…”
An-sol was still dazed, staring fixedly at the EX rank list. She couldn’t believe it herself. She’d hoped, but never dreamed she’d be on the same level as Kim Soo-hyun.
“S rank, huh… Hmph. Not bad, I guess.”
Vivian scoffed as if it was no big deal, but her satisfied smile betrayed her. She might not understand the details—whether it was a test or something else—but she knew she’d scored high.
A moment later, Vivian lightly tapped the still-dazed An-sol.
“By the way, An-sol, you’re amazing! Same rank as Kim Soo-hyun!”
An-sol flinched, then broke into a bright smile.
“Ah, I don’t know. I can’t believe it either.”
“Watch out. I’m going to knock you down and take that EX rank soon.”
“Hehehe. Ehehehe.”
“Woooohooooooo!”
Was this really okay? The two teased each other, bursting into laughter.
“Heh…”
“Ho…”
Then, suddenly, their laughter stopped. Both An-sol and Vivian sensed it—the atmosphere around them had shifted.
It was different from before. No one was congratulating them. On the contrary, strange looks were being cast their way. Certainly not kind ones. If anything, some seemed almost angry.
Just as An-sol lowered her eyes and Vivian’s smile faded—
“This is ridiculous. Why am I D rank…!”
“I don’t get it. Why is An-sol EX…?”
Just as complaints were about to erupt, the voices abruptly cut off.
Kim Dong-seok and Park Da-som, who were about to shout, fell silent. Suddenly, two daggers flew through the air and embedded themselves in front of them. The blades glowed faintly blue, as if warning against speaking out of turn.
“If you have complaints, go up and say it yourself.”
Ko Yeon-ju stared coldly at the two, her wrists twisted halfway as she held the daggers in the throwing stance.
“Don’t go picking fights with the wrong people, okay?”
She slowly scanned the crowd, making it clear this was a warning not just to Kim Dong-seok and Park Da-som, but to everyone present.
Who would dare defy Ko Yeon-ju’s orders?
Kim Dong-seok closed his mouth obediently, though his face flushed red and purple as he stomped up the stairs. While some still checked the board, four or five others quietly followed him.
“Huh. Kim Dong-seok really has no right to be this angry. And even if he goes up there, he won’t hear anything good…”
“Hmm?”
Ahn Hyun, who had been calmly reading the board, turned around. Jo Seung-woo clicked his tongue lightly as he watched the members climbing the stairs.
“Won’t hear anything good?”
“Yeah? Well, probably not. Even the Eastern Division, armed with their strict logic, was completely crushed by her alone. If he goes up there now, he’s guaranteed to get smashed. I’m telling you.”
“…”
“Right? The clan leader must have her reasons for doing this. But rushing in like that… tsk tsk.”
So the leader did have a plan.
Ahn Hyun nodded absentmindedly, then glanced at Jo Seung-woo. His eyes showed concern, but the corners of his mouth twitched. He gave a faint smile.
“But weren’t you against this, Seung-woo hyung?”
“Me? Was I?”
“You were. You said it was too sudden.”
“Y-You’ve got a good memory. Well… I didn’t expect to get a B grade myself… haha.”
Jo Seung-woo scratched the back of his head awkwardly, letting out a sheepish laugh. Based on user data alone, Seung-woo was far from deserving a B grade. But Kim Soo-hyun had said that the grading wasn’t determined solely by user information.
‘No doubt Seung-woo hyung’s been through a lot…’
While acknowledging Seung-woo’s administrative skills, a quiet worry crept up in Ahn Hyun’s chest. His eyes drifted to Lee Yoo-jung’s silhouette, standing motionless near the bulletin board, her head barely raised.
Was the shock really that overwhelming? Everyone had expected Yoo-jung to be the first to step up, but instead, she just stood there, frozen. It didn’t look like acceptance either. Her shoulders slumped, her body stiff—like a statue rooted to the spot.
Honestly, Ahn Hyun had thought Yoo-jung would get the same grade as him. Maybe a C if she was lucky, or a D at worst. But he himself had been awarded an unexpected B, while Yoo-jung got a C. And Ahn Sol? She had an EX grade. Among the three who started with Kim Soo-hyun, Yoo-jung had received the lowest rank. There was no way she felt good about that.
Should he just leave her be? Or go over and at least pat her on the shoulder?
As he hesitated between the two, Ahn Hyun instinctively glanced to his side. Kim Han-byul was standing there, her usual cold gaze fixed on him.
“Hyun oppa.”
Ahn Hyun’s mouth fell open. It was rare for Kim Han-byul to initiate conversation, and now she was calling him “Hyun oppa.” That was something he never would have imagined before.
“You got a B grade too, right? I got a B grade as well.”
“Yeah.”
Then Kim Han-byul smiled faintly and held out her hand.
“Let’s work hard from now on and climb up to higher grades together.”
“Uh? Y-Yeah. Haha.”
Why was she acting like this today? Despite feeling awkward, Ahn Hyun clasped her hand.
That’s when it hit him.
‘Ah.’
He finally noticed the smile playing at the corner of Kim Han-byul’s lips. It was cold, biting—like she was mocking someone. Now that he thought about it, her voice had been a little higher than usual, as if she wanted someone to overhear.
Sure enough.
Ahn Hyun stole a quick sideways glance and immediately felt a chill.
Her long red hair, flowing down to her waist, was standing on end. Her hands clenched so tightly at the ends of her limp arms that her knuckles looked like they might crack. A sharp, dangerous energy radiated from her like water flowing through her entire body. He was certain he’d heard it right.
If her back looked like that, what on earth did her face look like?
The thought was too unsettling to entertain, so Ahn Hyun quickly stepped between them. But Kim Han-byul just gave a faint, knowing smile, turned around, and started walking away.
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
I’ve read all your comments, dear readers. I really love this kind of feedback—thank you so much! Haha. Any questions you have will be addressed in the upcoming chapters.
Thank you all. (__)