#73 Data's Gone. World Ranking
In the Awakener community site Eternals, the usual debates raged on today. Discussions about Awakeners' combat prowess and the rankings battles were endlessly entertaining fodder.
The hot topic lately was World Rank 2, Ian Rampage—the man who'd catapulted King to superstardom overnight. Nicknamed 'Miracle'.
The world of Awakeners had a boyish vibe to it sometimes—like kids arguing over who'd win in a fight. Everything boiled down to that one question.
Exactly. The issue was the current World Rank 1: 'Epsilon'.
Epsilon was a mysterious figure of unknown nationality. He popped up out of nowhere now and then, dropping bizarre predictions that always came true. With 500 million SNS followers, he was a global superstar—but he avoided public appearances like the plague.
He held onto Rank 1 thanks to his insane mana reserves and ability, presumed to be foresight. His track record was unmatched; even Miracle had once said, "Epsilon is our future."
For instance, he'd predicted major events like the massive gate cluster in California five years ago.
That short SNS post was enough to prepare for disaster.
Three years ago, he foresaw the plague outbreak in Qingdao, China—from a monster horde emerging from a major gate—averting a massive tragedy.
Two years back? He predicted the Hail incident in southern Mexico, caused by the colossal whale-like monster Mararon rising from the sea. It was like a natural disaster, but they minimized human casualties.
Epsilon warned the world of disasters without bias or agenda. And after that... he never posted on SNS again. He only spoke when he saw the future—and that meant calamity.
Hmm.
One man watched it all unfold in real time: Theo Itilurg Gamigin, hunkered in the corner of the Cheorwon log cabin, staring at his smartphone.
Theo was miffed. Humming to himself as he stirred kimchi stew, King glanced over. Theo bellowed.
"Huh?"
King wandered over in his apron, and Theo shoved the screen in his face.
"Uh... about what?"
"Hmm..." King scratched his head. "Well, bro, you're still S-rank, and you don't have any achievements yet."
"Yeah." King nodded. "Rankings factor in achievements big time. Mana and combat power matter, but nothing beats results and ranking battles."
"Like, you gotta prove you're useful, y'know?"
Theo nodded. Made sense—the Demon Realm worked the same. Proving your worth was on you.
"Fastest? Hmm." King crossed his arms. "Dungeon clears, probably. Or join a big guild for raids. Everyone films on their phones now—higher contribution, better record."
"Sure, but it's low-tier."
"Well..." King eyed Theo. "Straight talk or sugarcoated?"
Theo swallowed hard. King nodded solemnly.
"Kang-ho bro did 99%... and you... kinda... like... mob cleanup... y'know, minor mob cleanup..."
Ku-goong! Theo's face crumpled. King rushed to add,
"I mean, that's the rumor—but I don't buy it!"
"Of course, bro. I know how awesome you are."
Theo glanced around.
"Dunno. Haven't seen him a few days—probably off somewhere."
Theo had hoped to poke Seol-a's chubby cheeks for comfort. Grumbling about the world's injustices, he stormed out.
"Where you headed, bro?"
Theo trudged off into the Cheorwon hills. King shrugged.
......
The app launched, pulling up a map.
Theo strolled slowly, checking his phone.
Dungeon Grade: D
Monsters: Half Narand, Narand
Boss: Boland
Narand series—famous trash mobs even in the Demon Realm. Worm-like pests that ravaged fields and ruined crops.
This world's smartphones were insane. Maps with dungeon intel everywhere.
Theo shook his head. DunBang—the app's maker—was booming internationally.
Suddenly, the app froze.
—Bro, if tech glitches, just restart it. Fixes most things.
Recalling King's tip, Theo powered off and on. Still dead.
Disaster. He'd gotten hooked on the convenience in minutes. No phone? Lost as hell.
Wandering frantically, Theo realized:
'Fuck... am I lost?'
After ages of stumbling, shh-shh-shh—something black-cloaked flashed by.
* * *
Clack-clack-clack! Phantom sprinted, sensing pursuit.
What the—?
A massive skeleton chased her.
"Eek!" She yelped aloud—rare for her. Bones chasing at that speed?
She spun and bolted.
That voice... She tilted her head. Rider on the dino-like skull? Familiar.
Clack-clack-clack!
"Theo... sir?"
"......"
She shook her head, speechless. Kang-ho's friend. Code name: Hades. New S-rank debutant this year.
Shh-shh-shh—presences swarmed. She gulped.
"Uh... I'm kinda being chased right now."
Theo glanced around. Red Blood gang—retired Awakeners furious over a warehouse heist. Boss especially—
"You cocky bitch cat. You're dead today."
The man emerged.
"Uh..." His zero-tension vibe melted hers away like magic.
"Grab that bitch! I'll rip her limbs off!"
Red Blood's boss roared. Theo sighed, pulled something from his pocket, tossed it, and yelled,
Boom! Shattered skull fragments absorbed mana, rising into a giant.
Smack!
"Gyaack!"
Smack!
"Gack!"
Smaaaack!
"Kyaargh!"
Screams echoed as Red Blood thugs collapsed unconscious.
"Eek..."
Phantom gawked. She'd felt Theo's pure mana crafting that... what? Grotesque yet holy skeleton soldier?
In a blink, the gang was down. She knew their boss was top S-rank ex-Awakener. Most were high A or low S.
All wiped in an instant. This guy's power was no joke.
"You... what are... exactly..."
What's going on in that Cheorwon shack?
Theo offered his phone. She took it, dazed.
"This..."
She swallowed.
"Data...... is gone......"