A Ranker’s Guide to the Good Life
Chapter 1

Prologue - The Arrival of an S-Tier Hunter

“What do you mean, ‘the measurement failed’?”

In the Republic of Korea’s Hunter Control Bureau—known simply as “the bureau”—Capital Team Lead Ilhyeon Jang was busy trying to catch his breath. He had run as hard as he could while on his way home from work and ignored more pedestrian lights than he could count along the way.

“I left her waiting in the lobby for now.”

“That new meter from Washington is finally operational, right? Get it ready right away.”

“But, sir, it may simply be a malfunc—”

“I said, NOW!” he shouted shrilly and watched as his team member rushed out to do his bidding.

Ilhyeon stood in front of the lobby doorway while nervously gulping down air. There were only two reasons why a tier evaluation meter would show an error. His team could be right about it simply being a device malfunction. But if it was the reason he was thinking of, then South Korea would also be able to join the illustrious ranks of...

Sh-she’s a child?

“Are you Miss Jio Gyeon?” he asked.

She’s so young and tiny.

He was shocked, but as a Korean public official with field experience, he kept his cool and kneeled down to the girl’s eye level.

“That’s right,” she said.

“If you don’t mind me asking... do you have a guardian with you?”

“I came alone.”

“I see... May I ask how old you are then?”

“I’m starting fourth grade the day after tomorrow. By the way, mister, do you normally ask questions like this when you register a new hunter? It’s sort of an invasion of my privacy, ya know?”

“Oh... M-my apologies.”

Kids these days are a force to be reckoned with.

The 31-year-old team lead winced at the ferocity of the untamed Saetbyeol Elementary School third-grader. Meanwhile, the new tier evaluation meter was being set up. It was a new version that had arrived from Washington, D.C. the previous night.

Ever since the mysterious black towers had appeared along with the rifts the world had dubbed “gates,” monsters were pouring out from an otherworldly dimension. Superhumans known as hunters—or the “Awakened”—had also materialized. They had the ability to fight off said monsters.

Many years had passed since their appearance had caused a worldwide “genre shift” as many called it, which meant that research regarding the Stones of Babel had advanced considerably. They were the only objects capable of scanning information about hunters. Thus, the particular version of the meter that utilized the stones was a top-of-the-line model capable of perfectly reading an Awakened’s progress limits, or even their mana level.

“Hmm... The old version could only measure up to the AAA-tier, right? Maybe your guess was right, Mr. Jang,” his deputy remarked.

“I thought you already went home.”

“I’m in the same boat as you. I got an emergency call, so I came right back. But you know, I think it’d still be a problem even if you are right. I mean, she’s just so young...” the deputy muttered as he glanced at Jio in the distance.

“Did you see the report? She’s only in third grade. And not only that, her birthday falls just before the grade cutoff, so she’s basically in the same grade with kids who are a full year older than her,” the deputy grumbled.

“Well, the fate of our country is on the line, so those really aren’t the sorts of details we should be getting hung up on. I’m just sick of going to funerals, ya know?”

“Hang on a sec... You’re seriously expecting to be right about this? Then I guess you’re excited, huh?”

“Of course. She’s an unregistered hunter who’s only nine years old,” Ilhyeon answered.

There was only one way for a person who hadn’t undergone a tutorial in their nation’s tower to become awakened, and that was through a celestial contract. Essentially, this meant making a contract with a celestial—the enigmatic, transcendental astral beings that had appeared along with the towers. They were also sometimes referred to as “astral beings” since they hovered over each tower’s celestial gate and gazed down upon humanity from their lofty seats. It was only through their selection that a regular person or hunter could forge such contracts.

Ilhyeon wiped the sweat from under his glasses since he was nervous.

“The fact of the matter is... I’ve never heard of such a young hunter emerging anywhere in the world before.”

The deputy fell silent as he hadn’t considered that point.

“Which means that among those picky, arrogant celestials, one of them has voluntarily chosen to impart their power to a child they can’t even expect to communicate with properly.” The deputy still didn’t say a word as Team Lead Jang added, “Regardless of whether that small child is the hero we’ve all been waiting for or a monster... the fact remains that she’s been given the sort of privilege our world has never seen before.”

Ilhyeon fell silent after that. In truth, it was difficult not to be filled with anticipation. As the grade-schooler sat and sipped from a carton of chocolate milk another officer had brought her, others stood around and began to murmur uneasily about her.

“Sir! The evaluation chamber has been set up,” another team member finally announced.

“All right, let’s get started,” the team lead answered. “Right this way, Miss Jio.”

She stood up as she was told almost immediately. Contrary to the glum, detached look on her face, her backpack had a cute, chick-shaped key ring dangling from its side.

“[Tier evaluation commencing for Awakened Jio Gyeon,]” the meter reported in English.

As she entered a box that looked like an opaque shower booth, the bureau staff watched on anxiously. It was well past their office hours, yet they waited with bated breath. Ilhyeon even bit his nails since he was particularly on edge.

DING!

The notification alarm sounded, then a mana hologram printed out the results of the examination. Everyone’s eyes became glued to the data the instant the meter issued it. Even Jio looked up to read what it said about her.

Jio Gyeon, 20XX. 01. 01

Jio Gyeon

· Type: Combat/Magic specialization

· Development Progress: Level 1

· Threshold of Potential: Unclear

· Mana Capacity: Incalculable

· Mana Sensitivity Level: Extremely high

[Overall Tier: S]

“Holy... sh...”

Someone began to curse under their breath without thinking, but it was apparent everyone else felt the same sentiment.

“Sh-she’s really an S-tier!”

Right as a faceless team member exclaimed with glee, an announcement came over the Global Channel of Babel Network.

[Congratulations, Korea! An S-tier hunter has been discovered in your country for the first time.]

[Local Server - Channel “Republic of Korea” expanded.]

[Local Satellite Servers - Metropolitan channels opened for Seoul and other regions.]

[The appearance of a powerful front-runner has resulted in the promotion of Local Server “Republic of Korea” from “General Priority Country” to “Top Priority Country.” Functionalities for the creation of “Formal Dungeons” and “Rift Coordinate Alerts” will now be added to the channel. Advanced celestials will now reside at the Korean Babel tower’s celestial gate.]

Oh, thank the heavens! There may actually be a light of hope for my homeland! Ilhyeon thought as he began to tear up while giving the child a standing ovation.

He then opened his arms wide as he reached out toward Jio and mumbled tearfully, “We finally have an S-tier hunter! Just how amazing is the celestial you serve, Miss Gyeon? And what are you all waiting for? Contact the director!”

Damn it… the nine-year-old thought as she ducked out of the way of the sweaty, older man’s hug.

The notifications hadn’t only gone through the world server. Her peripheral notification window was buzzing with activity as well.

▷ All leaderboards have been updated.

▷ Locale — Republic of Korea

▷ Domestic Ranker Channel #1

▶ Ranker #1 has entered the channel

/Jio Gyeon, please select your username./

| 14 | Hamlet: Chat, is this for real?

| 27 | Goldroger: Holy cow... An S-tier?

| 30 | Kindergarten: All leaderboards? As in... all of them? Every single one in the world?!

| 49 | Gamsuyang: I heard that major regional channels would open when an S-tier appeared. I
guess they were right. Looks like channels have opened for all the metropolitan cities including Seoul.

| 12 | Gupaseong: And here I was debating whether I should emigrate from the country. Man...

What timing LOL

| 8 | Kinopio: Hey, so who’s #1? Say something.

| 3 | Alpha: I can’t believe I got pushed out of second place...

Wow, Big Sis... I had no idea you were this strong, Jio thought as she read through the messages in the top rankers’ channel.

[Your celestial Fate Reader is deeply offended. He points an accusatory finger at you as he says, “I warned you, yet you refused to listen, kiddo.”]

But wasn’t making a grade-schooler an S-tier going a bit far? Does this astral being not understand the concept of moderation? She grumbled inwardly as she slowly backed away from the grown-ups approaching her, who were all crying like babies. Well, shit... What do I do now? I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, Mom, but... your little girl just took first place in the entire Korean Peninsula.