Not an S-Rank, Sorry - 2
“Examiner Baek Seojin, sir. I’m truly sorry, but could we possibly do it just one more time…?”
Look, Mr. Im Jaewoo. I work in the Measurement Department, so I know this stuff. Everything here eats up tax money, and I’m pretty sure the limit is two attempts per person. Besides, I’ve never even heard of an ability rank measurement glitching out.
“I’m so, so, so incredibly sorry, but just one more time…”
…At this point, it’s gone beyond sorry and straight into heartbreaking. Just how high were the expectations from above? What kind of grand picture were they painting that a mid-level guy like this is practically groveling?
“This will be the last time. This… this can’t be happening…”
Yeah, yeah. Go ahead. You can try, but the result’s going to be the same.
Measurement Result: B-Rank Confirmed
The man who received the fifth measurement result fell straight into despair mode. He looked exactly like someone who’d rushed to claim a first-prize lottery ticket only to realize it was last week’s numbers. The face of a man carrying a truly tragic story.
“W-what in the world… Could there have been an error…?”
“I doubt it. Just look at that measurement device over there. It’s brand new.”
I know this all too well because the Ability Measurement Department is literally my workplace. Rank assessment is done by fellow ability users operating those exact devices. It calculates the total mana capacity an ability user possesses, the maximum they can handle, and the point where both can be sustained simultaneously. Unless something truly bizarre happens, the results are always accurate.
Even if there was a one-in-a-million mistake, the next measurement would correct it. After all, both the machines and the people running them are funded by taxes. A single error wastes public money and could cause problems in ability user operations. That’s why measurements are conducted with extreme precision and thoroughness.
“This doesn’t make sense. This can’t be right. Examiner Baek Seojin, you…”
“Fought an Elder? Yeah, it was a fierce battle. But if you look at the end, I barely survived while the Elder just strolled out like it was nothing.”
“Ah…”
“Just from that alone, it’s pretty clear who held the upper hand.”
It feels bitter, like I’m undervaluing myself, but what can I do? It’s the truth. What I just said is exactly what happened that day.
I broke Kwak Hyuk’s spear, carved an X-shaped wound across his chest, and left him covered in injuries. His left arm was completely shattered so he couldn’t even use it. Sure, he had gotten serious and emotional during the fight, but in the end, the one who reached their limit was me.
Kwak Hyuk could still fight. While my body couldn’t even move properly anymore, the Elder remained perfectly fine. If Han Jiyun and the other Elder, Hyun Sujin, hadn’t shown up at that moment… I probably would have been completely torn apart by a furious Kwak Hyuk.
“But still…”
“Yes, I understand. No matter what, fighting an Elder is an incredible feat. But there are studies about this, aren’t there? How people can display superhuman strength in moments of absolute desperation and determination.”
“Ah… Y-yes, that’s true. Now that you mention it, there have been quite a few cases like that…”
It does happen occasionally. People who unleash monstrous power in life-or-death situations. Some call it a miracle. Others call those people heroes.
“I was truly desperate in that moment. The students were exhausted, villains had us surrounded on all sides, and then an Elder appeared right in front of us, declaring he would kill the students.”
“So what you’re saying, Examiner, is that you simply clenched your teeth and fought with everything you had because of that desperate mindset?”
Of course that wasn’t everything. Not even close.
I had a bizarre trait that no one else could even imagine. Thanks to it, I was able to put up a decent fight against an Elder and even inflict some damage. But since I can’t talk about my trait, I naturally couldn’t reveal my full capabilities. That power is a weapon and privilege that belongs only to me.
“Yes. As far as I remember, that’s how it went.”
“…Looking at it that way, the current measurement result does make some sense.”
“Honestly, even I think it’s a bit low. I expected at least A-rank.”
When I subtly played along with the atmosphere, Im Jaewoo nodded. It seemed both he and the higher-ups had placed enormous expectations on me. I hadn’t realized they’d show their disappointment so openly.
“What should we do? Shall we try one last time?”
“For now… we’ll conclude the measurement here. Thank you for all your hard work.”
“Not at all. If anything, I feel sorry for disappointing you.”
“There’s no need to apologize. In any case, we’ve confirmed that you are indeed a rather important asset, Examiner.”
Really? Then why does your face look anything but okay? No matter how hard you try to hide it, the crushing disappointment is written all over your expression.
“Then I’ll be on my way. Thank you for your efforts.”
I ended the measurement and headed toward the car I had arrived in earlier. When I glanced back, Im Jaewoo was still standing there with a dazed look on his face. After a moment, he pulled out his phone and started making a call.
‘He’s probably going to get chewed out pretty badly. Suddenly I feel a little sorry for him.’
That man is innocent. He did nothing wrong. He simply followed orders and reported the results exactly as they appeared. But that’s the tragedy of being a mid-level employee. You get cursed out whether you do what you’re told or just deliver the report. Maybe their lives are even harder than the lowest ranks.
Well, the only thing I can say is “hang in there.” Mid-level positions mean more suffering and more verbal abuse, but they also come with better pay. You have to work as hard as you get paid.
‘More importantly… where did everyone go?’
When I looked around, the group in suits still hadn’t returned. They had said earlier when we got out of the car that they would wait somewhere until the examination was over. No matter where I looked, I couldn’t see any of them.
Could it be that because the result wasn’t what they expected, they decided I wasn’t worth protecting and pulled everyone out?
‘It’s a petty move, but… it’s a pretty plausible theory.’
They had anticipated S-rank, but what came out wasn’t even A-rank—just B-rank. The moment they heard that news, it wouldn’t be surprising if the order “Pull all security personnel!” had been issued. Of course B-rank is nothing to scoff at, but human nature is what it is. If you expect first place and get third, even third place suddenly feels worthless. The bigger the expectation, the bigger the disappointment. That’s why there’s a famous saying about not getting your hopes up.
…Wait, did they really all leave? Then how am I supposed to get back?
I briefly considered going back to Im Jaewoo to ask about the situation.
“…Yes. Yes, I’m sorry. …No, there was no mistake…”
Yeah, he’s already getting hit by the full force of the storm. Even if I went over and asked about my ride, I doubted I’d get a positive answer. I was about to open the map app to check the nearest subway station when—
Suddenly, the window of a nearby waiting vehicle slid down smoothly.
“How did the measurement go?”
Wait a second. Why are you coming out of there?
“I-Irina?”
“That’s right! Super powerful, super beautiful Irina! Making her entrance! Ta-da!”
Do you really have to add that ridiculous sound effect?
“Hmm. Our Seojin oppa’s eyes are saying ‘Why are you coming out of there?’”
I’ve been wondering this for a while now—does this woman have some kind of mind-reading ability?
According to her, my facial expression management isn’t perfect. But I’ve had my fair share of social experience, and I’m definitely not the type to let everything show on my face. And yet Irina reads me like an open book and spills everything. At this point, it’s only natural to start getting suspicious.
“That’s not what’s important right now. Come on, get in.”
“Uh… in that car?”
“Yes. This car. What else were you planning to ride?”
The reason I’m hesitating? It’s because of the seat Irina is currently occupying. Why the hell is this woman sitting in the driver’s seat? Why?
“I have a driver’s license.”
“You do?”
“Of course I do. Do you think I’m some kind of student? What, did you think a grown adult in South Korea wouldn’t have a driver’s license?”
It sounds a little weird hearing a blonde, blue-eyed woman talk about being a “grown adult in South Korea.”
More importantly… sorry to say this, but while everyone else apparently has one, I don’t.
“Hmm. Our handsome but forever-single, iron-wall-building Seojin oppa? You’re not about to tell me you don’t have a driver’s license, are you?”
“I’m genuinely curious—do you actually have mind-reading powers?”
“Ahahaha! Where would I get an ability like that!”
You never know. It might actually exist. After all, we’ve got a Silver Gatekeeper right here.
“No, seriously, how do you not even have a driver’s license?”
“I didn’t have time to get one.”
“People usually call that an excuse, you know?”
It is an excuse. But it’s not like I’m making up the fact that I didn’t have time. During the week I get crushed by my boss, buried in work, and worn down by people. On the weekends, I end up lying around like a corpse trying to recover, and before I know it, Monday rolls around again.
Why don’t you just give up your weekends and study for it? That’s what they’d say. Damn it. I want to tell them to try living in my shoes for once. Does it make any sense to spend such precious weekends like that?
“Then this works out perfectly. Get in!”
“…Um, when exactly did you get your license?”
I’m worried she’s going to say yesterday, or maybe a few days ago. If that’s the case, I’m immediately going to say “Never mind” and run away.
“I got it right after I received my ID card. Why?”
Damn. There goes my excuse to escape.
“Hurry up and get in. The measurement’s over anyway. I’ll give you a ride.”
“How do you even know where I’m going?”
“As if I wouldn’t know my Seojin oppa. You’re heading to the Academy, right? Or am I wrong? Ah, come on, quickly. Those people over there are starting to glare again. If we waste any more time they’ll come over saying ‘This is our job’ and bother us.”
What is she talking about? I looked around and finally spotted the group of suits in the distance. Only then did I understand the situation.
Those suits hadn’t disappeared because I turned out to be B-rank. They had vanished because Irina suddenly appeared, immediately claimed the driver’s seat, and told them all to get lost. They had suddenly become poor puppies who lost their purpose and were now whining in the corner.
“…Sigh.”
I had no choice. I opened the passenger door and climbed in. I could only pray that this crazy woman actually knew how to drive properly. If that faint madness that bursts out of her at random decided to show up on the road, we’d be in serious trouble.
‘I just hope I don’t end up on one of those black box videos…’