Max Talent Player

ranks’ determined now as completely meaningless.

‘The concept of ‘talent plates’ hasn’t been established yet.’

There was no concept of talent plates, or magic, for that matter.
The ranks would be set by evaluating physical factors.
For example, things like running or grip strength.
They would measure Player ability with the same methods used to evaluate athletes, a ridiculous method according to future standards.

“Yes.
I do not wish to receive a rank evaluation.”

“A rank evaluation can be very favorable for the Player.
Many avenues will be opened up to you if you gain a high rank.
Even if you get a low rank, it won’t be of any harm to you.”

“It’s fine.”

“If you do not want to go through the rank evaluation, are you okay with being given an F-rank for the time being?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

What use was there in getting a rank that would be obsolete soon anyway? I didn’t come here to submit myself to long-distance running or push ups.

“Hyungnim! I got an A!”

“Me too!”

Like the Fist King and Sword Empress they were, Yoohyun and Yeonseo received A’s from the very beginning.
Seriously, people who could succeed in whatever they did sure were on a different level.
Sunhwa also went through the rank evaluation with them, but she got a C.

It was 2:20 p.m.
The convention would start at 3 p.m.
The Main Hall on the 12th floor was already bustling.
The four of us went down to the cafe on the 1st floor to wait.

“It’s alright, it’s alright.”

I patted the sullen Sunhwa.
Figures, how would they even evaluate her tanking qualities, anyway? They could hardly stab her arm with a knife or take a hammer to her head.
Such a result was inevitable.

“It’s alright, C is better than my F.”

I didn’t say that it was because F was the rank given if you refused the evaluation, but it still wasn’t a lie.
What kind of score would I get?

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‘I think I’d also get an A.’

I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t have that much interest in a rank evaluation done with a completely meaningless method.

“Really? Oppa got an F?”

Yeonseo and Yoohyun’s eyes widened as well.

“Come on, that’s ridiculous.
You, an F?”

“That’s ridiculous, hyungnim!”

Of course it was.
I chuckled in spite of myself.

“You’re right, it’s ridiculous.
Because they used a ridiculous evaluation method, only the Players in combat classes will have gotten a high rank.”

Apparently greatly comforted by my words, Sunhwa slurped the chocolate shake we’d ordered with enthusiasm, as if she could forget the shock of getting a C-rank with the taste of chocolate.

Yeonseo grinned widely.
“That’s true.
Well, nothing more needs to be said if you got an F.
The rank measuring method is a hundred percent wrong.
A monster like Kim Hyukjin getting an F? Gosh darnit.
Here I was, getting all happy for nothing that I got an A.”

“Seriously, hyungnim.
This rank has zero meaning.”

While we were waiting on the 1st floor, I constantly checked the Players coming through.
One of the Players I saw was a man with a huge physique no inferior to Yoohyun, and a flashy tattoo covering his right arm.
His whole aura was screaming, ‘Mess with me and you’ll get hurt’.

‘The Fire Bear, Kim Taechun.”

His current level was 28.

‘What a funny summary.’

 

Summary: Self-Proclaimed Predator Seeking Prey

 

He was one of the ‘starting pieces’ for what would be happening today.

‘Where’s Jo Sunghyun?’

I kept looking, but I didn’t see him.
Instead of Jo Sunghyun, someone ran helter-skelter through the 1st floor.

“Uwah! I was almost late!”

After seeing us, he immediately ran our way.
His breathlessness made him seem a little out of shape.

“Goodness, look who it is.
Isn’t this our mighty hero who was unreachable for three months?”

 

State: Gladness / Having Fun / Relief

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Choi Sung-gu also joined the fray.
From what I heard, Sung-gu also got much closer to the others, or something like that.
Sunhwa had introduced him, and they had gone through the Seoul Station Dungeon a few times together.
They’d also cleared a few gates together.

“Can I kiss you to celebrate your safe return? Wh-whoa there.
Alright, sorry, sorry.
C’mon man, do you really need to give me the death stare?”

It seemed Sung-gu was still under the protection of the Giant of the Sunset.
I couldn’t read his information with Eye of Perception.
However, since he had used the ‘Vulcan Body Tome’, had the ‘Person of Fire’ title, and three months passed, with his degree of talent, he had probably grown quite a lot.
And my prediction was correct—he said he was level 31.
He was indeed high level.

It was now 2:40 p.m.
Sung-gu said, “I’m already late, so I think I won’t be able to get the rank evaluation.
Was it on the 12th floor? Let’s go!”

“Wait.”

As I thought, what I remembered was correct.

‘Jo Sunghyun.’

That person was coming in.
The young man coming through the 1st floor revolving door was tall and had a slender frame.
He was wearing a school uniform and looked to be a high school student.

‘His current age… is 18.’

His talent plates wouldn’t be completely open yet.
Of course, he wasn’t the ‘Typhoon’ he would be in the future.

‘Current time, 2:45 p.m.’

It was about time for Senia to show herself.
Sure enough, just like we arranged ahead of time, Senia appeared.

[Channel #19207 has opened.]

The café on the 1st floor, 2:45 p.m.
The high schooler ‘Jo Sunghyun’ who had just come into the 1st floor.
And Kim Taechun, the self-styled predator lurking around in search of prey.

‘Let’s watch for a bit, shall we?’

Just then, I heard a notice.

 

[The ‘Nameless Guardian’ is greatly satisfied with your observing.]

[The ‘Nameless Guardian’ has sent you a 300 Coin sponsorship.]

My ‘act of watching’ was interpreted by the Nameless Guardian as ‘observing’.
Well, it was all good, since it meant the Guardian I had a direct contract with was looking at me in a good light.
After all, I would have to keep the contract with this Guardian until at least level 50.

As I watched, I sensed it.

‘It’s starting.’

Right here and now, the Typhoon would be making his first move.

 

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