#Chapter 74: Ranking Registration
Kkwi, kkwi.
“Hey! That thing’s escaping, catch it!”
“Gotcha, you little rascal.”
Mercenary Corps members were catching a piglet that had escaped its pen and putting it back.
The rice steaming in pots here and there was also a different variety from the supply-grade rice they usually received.
“Once we return to Shinseoul, there should be significant progress in both agriculture and livestock farming.”
Choi Jun-seop seemed strangely excited, likely because the results of this expedition were substantial.
Over the past 10 years, the exploration of Shinseoul's map was considered complete. While there might still be hidden Gimmicks or undiscovered dungeons, it meant that the reconnaissance of the surface terrain was finished.
This included research on the flora and fauna inhabiting the area.
“These pigs also taste significantly better than the existing ones. If they interbreed, we can develop improved breeds too.”
Choi Jun-seop rambled on with explanations no one had asked for.
“We’ve already collected over 8 types of rice ears. If we take them to the Research Lab, breed improvement could happen within a few years.”
“Jun-seop.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Keep it simple.”
“The Gukbap will get tastier.”
“Oh! Good news.”
The Cloud Barrier on the map's outskirts had been lifted.
This was also why the Ironhead Mercenary Corps didn't return directly to Shinseoul but instead circled the map clockwise.
Shinseoul's exploration had now entered Phase 2.
Adjacent maps with different seasons and environments were now accessible. This meant they could acquire diverse flora and fauna, promising that the town's resources would grow richer day by day.
The Mercenary Corps' marches were now proficient, and it took less than an hour for the campsite to be set up and dinner served to the officers, led by Kang Cheol-du.
“Huhu, Gukbap.”
“Yes, I tried making it with the pig we caught yesterday.”
Slurp.
After taking a spoonful, Kang Cheol-du gave a thumbs-up, causing the Cook to shrug proudly and walk away, overly excited.
While eating, Choi Jun-seop casually asked.
“By the way, Boss. Aren't you going to register for the Ranking?”
“I plan to challenge it once everything reaches 49.”
“...Well, it’s called the Arena, but it’s actually individual events based on Stats.”
“Huh?”
“You can think of it like a Registration Test. It’s like measuring your big three lifts and scoring based on weight. The Ranking is just lining people up based on that.”
“What?”
Kang Cheol-du was so surprised he downed the rest of his Gukbap in one go.
Gulp.
After hastily chewing and swallowing what was in his mouth, he asked again.
“Didn't you say it was an Arena?”
“That’s the name, but the Ranking measurement works the way I described it.”
“Ha!”
Could anything be more anticlimactic?
Kang Cheol-du felt his anticipation shatter. Why had he postponed registering for the Ranking until now?
To enter the duels in peak physical condition.
But now he heard it was separate tests for each Stat.
And a competition of records, like track athletes vying against each other.
Since judging based solely on hearsay wasn't Kang Cheol-du's way, an Orb of Stamina was already clutched in his hand.
“Whoa? Are you going right now?”
“I need to see for myself.”
One must experience and see things firsthand to judge, not rely on others' words.
“The test event differs for each person, but the score will be calculated automatically anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“Uh... You'll know when you get there. When you get Points, they sell exactly four things: Inventory, Status Window, World Map, and Emblem. Since you already have an Emblem, you can upgrade something else or invest in your Inventory.”
“Huhu, good.”
He felt the Barbarian's heart beat stronger, reinforcing his body.
<Orb of Stamina activation has reached 50.>
Fwoosh.
Kang Cheol-du's consciousness vanished instantly.
Static.
Just as he felt a slight nausea, he found himself standing in a pure white space.
“Hmm.”
Even after slowly looking around, it didn't look like an Arena.
Fwoosh.
Just then, a dirt path appeared in the white space.
“What is this?”
As Kang Cheol-du stepped onto the path, a message appeared.
With each step he took, his score increased by one point.
Kang Cheol-du walked for a bit, but seeing the score barely trickle up, he started running.
Fwoosh.
Soon, Kang Cheol-du, who was advancing down the path at incredible speed, reached his maximum velocity.
Fwoosh-fwoosh-fwoosh-fwoosh!
The path was disappearing instantly behind him, but a new path was already forming ahead.
He ran so fast he didn't even have the leeway to look at the scoreboard off to the side.
“Hoo, hoo!”
How long had it been since I ran with all my might?
Fwoosh-fwoosh-fwoosh!
My legs moved so fast they became a blur.
I struggled to regulate my breathing while maintaining explosive speed.
This is the test of Stamina.
The score would likely depend on how long I could run, but I had no intention of running a marathon.
‘I’ll run until I burst.’
I was curious how much this heart could endure.
The frantic running continued for some time. Feeling his speed gradually decrease, Kang Cheol-du slowly adjusted his pace and eventually came to a stop.
“Hoo, hoo, hoooo!”
His chest heaved rapidly, desperately trying to supply oxygen.
His pounding heart rapidly circulated blood, supplying energy.
“Hooooo.”
It was when his breathing had somewhat returned to normal.
<Score Acquired: 2512 Points>
<Earth Channel ‘Stamina’ Activation Ranking>
Kang Cheol-du (2512)
Sato (782)
James (756)
Uroi (755)
Jang Jin (749)
...
Kang Cheol-du looked at the long leaderboard that appeared on one ethereal wall and gave a bright smile.
“Huhuhu. An obvious result.”
Kang Cheol-du scanned down the leaderboard, checking for familiar names.
Im Su-jeong (574)
...
He scrolled down to the three-digit ranks and found a Korean name, but it was someone he didn't know.
“Ah, Jun-seop was on the Sense side.”
He heard they ranked Stats separately, and indeed, there were no familiar names here.
After a quick glance, he stopped looking.
“Lot of Rankers.”
I didn't check past the top thousand.
There must be tens, hundreds of portals to Nova on Earth.
There are five just in Korea, after all.
In Shinseoul, Korea alone, there were over ten Rankers, so thousands worldwide isn’t unbelievable.
“There it is.”
Looking around the white space, Cheol-du approached an object that looked like a vending machine.
Like a kiosk, it displayed several items.
<Available Points: 25>
2p - Inventory (1) + 1 slot
15p - World Map Upgrade (2)
15p - Mount Inventory + 1 slot
25p - Pet Inventory + 1 slot
1p - Emblem
“So that was a lie.”
Jun-seop told me there were four.
Inventory, Status Window, World Map, Emblem.
I thought for a moment, but there was only one real choice.
“So only the things I can afford show up.”
It seemed only items I could buy with my current 25 Points were displayed.
I’d already upgraded my Status Window to level 2, so the level 3 upgrade must cost more than 25 Points.
“What I need now is the map.”
Cheol-du bought it without hesitation.
He now had 10 Points remaining.
The only remaining items were the 2p Inventory slot and the 1p Emblem.
I considered saving the points for the next Stat ranking, but leaving points unspent felt... petty.
<Inventory increased by 1 slot.>
When I bought one more, the sales list updated.
‘2p - Inventory (1) + 1 slot’ disappeared, replaced by ‘3p - Inventory (2) + 1 slot’.
<Inventory increased by 1 slot.>
<Inventory increased by 1 slot.>
I wondered if the price increased by one point each time, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
“Awkward.”
I only had 2 Points left, and the only purchasable item was the Emblem.
“Ummm.”
I hesitated greatly at spending 1 Point on something I could get just by clearing a dungeon.
Be petty, or buy something useless?
Over such a trivial dilemma, Cheol-du suddenly smacked his own cheeks.
Whack! Whack!
Rubbing both cheeks with his hands, Cheol-du grinned.
“Huhu.”
No fool buys a pebble they could just pick up off the street.
“I’m a smart Barbarian.”
I should keep the 2 Points.
Just as I was wondering how to leave this Arena.
Fwoosh.
My consciousness swirled as if caught in a vortex, and the moment I blinked, familiar faces appeared.
“Cheol-du!”
“Jin-tae.”
“Haha, what rank did you get?”
Jin-tae and Choi Jun-seop asked curiously as they looked at Cheol-du.
“First place, obviously. How much time passed since I left?”
“About five minutes?”
“Hmm? It felt like I ran all day.”
As Cheol-du looked puzzled, Kim Jin-tae explained the situation.
“As soon as you activated the Stamina Orb, a transparent barrier appeared around you. Just like the Final Test.”
“The Final Test...”
It certainly was a test.
Besides, if it was that transparent barrier, it caused time distortion, which explained the current situation.
“Oh, first place must mean you got a lot of Points. Didn't you get over 10 Points, Boss?”
“25 Points.”
“What?”
Choi Jun-seop's jaw dropped.
“Wh-What was the score for second place?”
“Around seven hundred something.”
“Ha! How is that possible?”
“Huhu, why wouldn't it be?”
“No, I mean, doesn't everyone enter the test having used 50 orbs? But for there to be such a difference...”
Choi Jun-seop trailed off in disbelief, while Kim Jin-tae subtly glanced around.
Cheol-du's different because he's a Barbarian...
I have to protect my friend's secret.
“Hey, even with the same car, one driver might hit 100 while another hits 300, right?”
“That's true, but... geez. It's just shocking that his score is more than three times higher.”
Though still puzzled, Choi Jun-seop reluctantly accepted it.
“Well, I guess using his body that efficiently explains how he could overwhelm Rankers despite not being one.”
“Haha, exactly! It’s like others driving a Ferrari at 100 kph, while Cheol-du pushes a Matiz past 100.”
“Oh, that’s a perfect analogy, Vice-Captain.”
“Hahaha.”
Kim Jin-tae addressed Choi Jun-seop formally again due to his Eastern Land of Courtesy Passive, and Choi Jun-seop continued to address him formally as well.
They weren't close like brothers, but they treated each other with respect.
“Oh, right. Hold out the back of your hand, please.”
“The back of my hand?”
When Cheol-du held out the back of his right hand, the one with the Coin Pouch Tattoo, he saw a change in the plain circular tattoo.
“Hmm?”
If the circle were a clock face, unknown characters were now etched along the edge from the 12 o'clock to the 3 o'clock position.
“Huhu, it’s similar to mine.”
Choi Jun-seop showed the back of his own hand.
On his hand, similar yet different characters were etched from the 6 o'clock to the 9 o'clock position.
“This mark shows you're a Ranker.”
“Hmm. I see. What happens if you fill it up for all four Stats?”
“There aren't any Rankers like that yet.”
“Hmm.”
Cheol-du stood up from his seat.
“Huh? Where are you going?”
“Going to train.”
Strength, Agility, Sense.
I can still register as a Ranker in three more categories.
‘Perhaps this is the minimum qualification.’
They wouldn't call a space for mere tests like this an Arena for no reason.
Cheol-du trained late into the night, swinging his axe, and seeing this, the other Mercenary Corps members also began their own training here and there.
