Ranking War Prelims – Refinement Hell Awaits

At the Ilsan Magic Stadium, Korea's largest arena for the Ranking War preliminaries, a cold late-winter wind blew through the state-of-the-art facility that had cost nearly 700 billion won to build. Standing in the highest spectator seats, I felt the chill in my hands and huffed warm breath onto them.

Below, the white court of the stadium was linked with 120 simulation boxes. My heart raced for the first time in ages. Another brutal competition like the Foundation League was about to unfold.

"Even if they look like toys down there, this ain't no game," Hong Jiyeon said, shaking her head beside me.

"Those simulations inside? Ten times tougher than the 3-level test, ya know."

"Is that so? I've gotten ten times stronger since then, so no problem."

At my words, Eunbyeol flinched oddly.

"The 3-level test... Me all alone again..."

Eunbyeol shuddered, as if hit by PTSD. Watching her, Hong Jiyeon narrowed her eyes and grabbed Eunbyeol's cheek.

"How'd our precious S-Rank Supporter make it this far? Can't even clear Wave 1, right?"

"Hmph, we'll see about that."

"We'll see? You know I'm a year older, right! Use proper respect!"

"I only treat you like a big sis if you act like one!"

"12 and 11 years old... ain't that like comparing acorns?"

At my remark, Hong Jiyeon—the eldest of the Four Heavenly Kings—glared at me.

"You! You're the biggest problem here! Ya know that?!"

"......"

I turned my gaze away and looked down at the massive stadium.

"Soon this place'll be packed."

Two hours before the event started. Outside, huge crowds lined up, and around the stadium, faces I'd only seen on TV formed a chain.

"Th-they're all famous faces... We have to compete with them?"

"Hmph, we're pros now too. It's only natural."

Hong Jiyeon tilted her nose up and snorted.

"You all are dead meat! I was just building my basics solid, that's why I'm late—I'm way stronger than you lot. The Ranking War champ this time? Me."

In response to her provocation, she crossed her arms smugly. I couldn't let that slide.

"...Is that so? Can't ignore a claim like that. Crying your eyes out in the Abyss was just yesterday—mmph!"

Hong Jiyeon clamped my mouth shut, her face flushing red.

"Y-you got confidence? Huh? You confident?!"

"I do."

After grinding Secret Transmission Dynamics for a month with gritted teeth, my confidence was sky-high.

"5-level spells, special magic—bring it on. I'll handle anything."

Hong Jiyeon backed away, shaking her head.

"F-five levels? Not there yet."

"What? Then how you talkin' big if you can't even pass Isara?"

Hong Jiyeon smirked crookedly.

"Hmph, just watch. This Refinement Hell separates the real from the fakes."

She wagged her index finger and headed to the waiting room.

"Time for those shoddy builds to crumble~"

I tilted my head watching her disappear.

'Shoddy builds?'

While I stared after Hong Jiyeon, Eunbyeol—uninterested in her—scanned every corner of the stadium.

"But where's Isara?"

"Isara, you say?"

I shrugged at Eunbyeol's words.

"What big deal could it be? Probably just prepping quietly in the waiting room."

"Maybe... But she always came out to the stadium to check things personally."

Come to think of it, she was famous for scouting the venue in person every time. Skipping it before such a crucial match was pretty odd.

"Hmm..."

'Was that comment about Isara...?'

I furrowed my brow and led Eunbyeol to the waiting room. Either way, right now was Ranking War prelims—passing the deadly Wave Stage ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠came first.

The Wave Stage, where virtual abyssal entities surged like waves—this simulation was a time-honored tradition of Korea's Ranking War.

Kang Seohee stroked the four purple tentacles protruding from her waist.

"Aah~ Wave Stage again~ So boring."

With her vertically slit eyes, she scanned the stadium vibe.

'Junior Demon Lord's up top, red flames and supporter clumped there too?'

Four Heavenly Kings this, that—lots of hype, but they were green rookies. She chuckled at their childish vibes: the 8-year-old Demon Lord toddling around, the elementary-school-looking Guardian of Crimson Flames, and the clueless 11-year-old supporter in between.

As Kang Seohee eyed the trio, a slim handsome man approached.

"The promotees this year are unusually young, huh?"

"Oh, Daniel oppa."

"Man, total kids. No one's stealing your character, Seohee."

She wrinkled her nose at that.

"Hmph, hate that character. Mages calling me sexy, juicy—damn pervs."

Daniel giggled.

"They say 'cold octopus girl' now."

"...What’s that mean?"

"Cold anemone woman."

"Wanna die for real?"

Veins bulged on her forehead; the purple tentacles writhed menacingly. Daniel laughed.

"Gene mods based on animals, sure—but abyssal-based? First time."

"Shut up! Not abyssal—it's an anemone!"

"Ahem, right, right. Kinda disappointing then."

"We've known each other years, and you don't know if it's abyssal or anemone?"

"Everyone thinks octopus. Or squid."

Unable to hold back, Kang Seohee kicked at Daniel.

"Agh! Get lost!"

Glancing up again, the milky trio was gone.

"Dang, missed what they were doing!"

Turning to check her simulation box, her eyes landed on the one next to it.

"......"

"Oh ho?"

And right next to it: [Box 113 – Isara].

Her eyes narrowed.

"Heh~ Nice and close~?"

Imagining their gloomy faces, she was thrilled.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Ehehe, bet they won't even clear the stage."

Having run the Wave Stage countless times, Kang Seohee knew. Without solid basics and ether control, you'd crumble fast. It tested extreme stamina and mental fortitude.

'Alright, time to see if those kids were shiny fakes or real mages...'

Interest gleamed in her slit eyes.

[Hello, everyone. I'm caster Kang Hoseop, joined by analysts Kim Hyotak and Taechan.]

Hajieun clasped her hands tight, adjusting her headband. It blazed in LED: [Demon King ☆ Victory].

"Agh! I know! Even prelims have scores—ranks from 1st to last. There's a clear winner, okay? Who're you to act like you know?"

Hajieun pulled up her all-nighter PPT and dove into explanations.

"Take a good look."

"H-hah, anyway, pay attention! I worked hard on this."

Finally, "sitting down" chats poured in, settling the mood.

"Eunha won the Foundation League and promoted to pro, right? So her league shifts from Junior to pro—Senior, that is."

Hajieun pointed her mouse at the PPT right side.

"Pro leagues, as you see: S1, S2, S3—called 1st Army, 2nd, 3rd in Korean."

"Anyway, S1—1st Army—needs global points mandatory. Overseas results required."

"So 1st Army's basically out. Most leagues are 2nd and 3rd Army anyway, right?"

In truth, the 1st Army Korean League was a tournament starting from round of 16—an event league for just one month in October. High hype, low continuity. Plus, 1st Army mages skipped often for tower work or Abyss raids. Korea's real flagship was the 2nd Army Master League.

"The real deal's picking the four to advance to Korean League from this Master League..."

Hajieun flipped slides to the Ranking War page.

"Ranking War, pro league opener. Surprisingly, these prelims—the Wave Stage—have a notorious rep."

"Huh? For real? Park Yudeok, Archmage of Cybermind, made this? First I've heard."

Hajieun hurriedly pinned the chat, showing only viewer messages.

PinkAddict's nudge made Hajieun clear her throat and continue.

"Anyway, why's Wave Stage infamous? Fall below average, you get penalized."

Hajieun showed past Wave Stage clear data.

"See? A skips the next. C repeats. So even same wave, difficulties vary per participant."

Staring at the camera, Hajieun said, "That's why mages call Ranking War Refinement Hell."

Spotting Yu Eunha entering the stadium, she added worriedly, "Foundation straight to hell. Ironic nickname, huh."