World Rank Zero
“Hah.”
Baek Yena wiped the tears pooling at the corners of her eyes. A hollow laugh bubbled up unbidden. Her face wasn’t visible, but that was definitely Seoya.
“…Baek Yena Hunter, is that really Seoya?”
Park Haejun, who had somehow slipped back to the rear, sidled up beside her and whispered.
Baek Yena nodded.
“Thank God I got her that cloak. If she hadn’t had it… ugh.”
“Dazzling, isn’t she?”
“Pardon?”
With the sunset at her back, the girl stood there. The pristine white cloak seemed to declare that not a speck of filth would be tolerated. The orange glow of the dusk overlaid her pale form, making her shine blindingly bright. The subtle light emanating from the golden embroidery on the cloak pierced the eyes of onlookers. And Seoya’s face, as if cradling all the brilliance of the world, was shrouded in a white mist—like a being descended from on high to save the earthly realm.
She really did come down from the heavens, didn’t she?
Yes, that sight was so awe-inspiring and radiant that it was downright…
“Godlike.”
Of course, Seoya wasn’t their god, couldn’t be, and they’d never let her become one. How could they shove a troublesome, self-sacrificing role like that onto her?
But one undeniable fact remained.
▶ Translation in progress to the language of 'Republic of Korea', the nationality of the World Hunter Ranking System user…
“While we were fighting, the world changed a bit, huh.”
In this altered world, Seoya would claim the highest spot.
S-Rank Monster 'Mutant A' defeated!
All monsters defeated!
“That’s all of them.”
Seoya nudged the magic stones scattered on the floor with her toe.
According to the System, there were no more mutants in this dungeon.
“Who the hell…?”
“Guild Master, what’s going on?”
Seoya glanced sideways. Dozens of hunters, huddled together regaining their composure, were murmuring as they stared at her. And who could blame them? In their eyes, she was incredibly suspicious. A figure entirely clad in white, face hidden by an item, had suddenly burst in and effortlessly slaughtered monsters they couldn’t even scratch—and it was weirder that they didn’t feel afraid.
Lee Gayeon, who had been calming them, stared straight at where Seoya’s face should be. For some reason, it felt wrong to let on that they knew each other right now.
Seoya cautiously rolled her eyes before deciding not to approach her.
“The dungeon’s about to break soon, so get ready to evac. Ignore that hunter.”
With that, Lee Gayeon handed off leading the hunters to Park Haejun and walked over.
“Rank 0, huh?”
“Huh?”
“No idea when you awakened, but… you’re showing up as Rank 0.”
“Uh, yeah… I don’t know why either.”
“Looks like since you’ve single-handedly transcended this world’s level, they marked you as 0 instead of 1…”
Lee Gayeon whispered so the other hunters couldn’t hear.
“Your name getting out is inevitable, but having your face exposed would be a hassle. Keep the cloak on for now—we’ll handle talks with the government.”
“You’re not asking why I’m here, though.”
Seoya said slyly, gauging her reaction. She’d promised to stay home quietly, but here she was, breaking that promise and popping into the dungeon.
Even in this sudden mess, Lee Gayeon didn’t seem fazed. She replied to Seoya’s mumbling with a strangely resigned expression.
“Not really surprised anymore…”
“Yeah…”
“I mean… with Baek Yena smashing monitors when she hates work, Ji Sein not leaving the house for two months after breaking records, and now one kid who sneaks off the second you look away to save people in danger… it fits.”
“…Sorry.”
“Anyway, did the rewards pop?”
“Rewards?”
At her words, Seoya glanced at the translucent System window hovering in the air.
Distributing rewards…
Due to the special effect of Achievement <Master of Hunters>, all rewards go to < 0 │ - │ Seoya >!
“Master of Hunters?”
It was an achievement she’d gotten upon awakening, but she still had no clue what it meant.
“You seeing a reward window?”
“Yeah.”
“But it says classified?”
“Happens sometimes. Click the window, and the reward should appear.”
Seoya slowly raised her hand and touched the translucent window—and at that exact moment.
“The dungeon’s breaking!”
The space warped with a bizarre compressing sensation, the dungeon twisting violently. Something materialized in Seoya’s hand at the same time.
“Ugh.”
No time to check what she held— a nauseating feeling made her grimace. Something was off. The dungeon crumpled like paper, shattering completely. It felt like someone was shoving their body through a cramped space—an unpleasant violation.
“Hoo…”
Her feet hit solid ground. Seoya exhaled deeply in relief. Civilians lay scattered everywhere, faces streaked with tears. Confirming the familiar earth beneath them, they began screaming in joy—they’d survived.
“We’re out!”
“What, already?”
“Cameras! Hurry!”
The deafening shouts of waiting police and reporters rang in her ears.
“Not even three hours in?!”
“What? They’re out this fast?”
Ignoring the noisy reporters, Seoya looked around.
Outside the dungeon.
Behind her, the blue gate had vanished. So that’s how it worked—clear it, and the gate disappears without a trace…
A roar of cheers erupted, camera flashes exploding. Seoya instinctively squeezed her eyes shut. No matter how superhuman her body, blinding light was blinding light.
Park Haejun swiftly yanked her back and shielded her with his body from the cameras.
“The S-rank dungeon’s cleared!”
“Hey, switch to live broadcast! Breaking news!”
“Hunters, just one word, please!”
“Did you clear the dungeon without a single casualty?!”
“What form do the S-rank monsters take?!”
“How many survivors?!”
“Do you think other guilds could clear it too?!”
“Did you encounter the unauthorized intruder in the dungeon?!”
“There was a hunter in items who broke in— who was that?”
“Are you aware a new Rank 0 has appeared?!”
“Ah, move!”
Baek Yena bellowed, clearing a path for the survivors.
So loud.
Seoya, who hated noise due to her sharp senses, huddled and scowled—then Park Haejun turned and whispered in her ear.
“Seoya…”
“Yeah.”
“Pretend to be a civilian and slip out.”
“Huh?”
“Any interview would be trouble, so keep your mouth shut around reporters, no matter what.”
“The cloak?”
“Getting your face seen is worse—never take it off.”
He seamlessly blended her into the survivors.
Will this really fool them?
A lone figure in a deep white hood stood out too much. And with her face spot obscured by fog, even more so.
To avoid revealing her face wasn’t recognizable, Seoya kept her head bowed low as she walked.
But…
“Hey! That’s the one who jumped in earlier, right?!”
“Excuse me! One interview, please! Are you a hunter?”
“Incredible physical prowess—are you a physical-type hunter?”
“Which guild are you with?”
“Why hide your identity?”
“How much did you contribute to the clear?”
Sure enough, reporters swarmed her like bees. It’d be weirder if eyes didn’t go to the all-white figure. The handful of reporters from before had somehow multiplied several times over.
“Ugh, damn.”
Baek Yena’s voice came from right beside her. She strode over, casually slung an arm around Seoya’s shoulders, and shooed the reporters.
“Hey, let’s talk later, yeah? Other dungeons probably aren’t cleared yet. You really prioritizing digging up dirt right now?”
Seoya was ushered into a large blacked-out van. The tint kept the reporters from peering in.
“Baby, sis has to do a quick interview, so stay put here. Don’t go out, got it?”
“Yeah.”
“Come on, no hanging around here—let’s do the interview.”
Baek Yena hopped out, leading the reporters away. They looked disappointed but apparently prioritized established hunters’ interviews—no one lingered by the van.
Finally, in the quiet space, Seoya breathed out.
“Rewards. Gotta check what I got earlier.”