Max Ranker

Jin Hwan could barely hold his axe anymore. His fingers were raw, blistered, and trembling from exhaustion. His body screamed at him to stop, to just collapse and never get up again.

But he wasn't done yet.

The last wave of demons circled him, their red eyes glowing in the darkness of the ruined subway station. He counted five left.

Five more kills… and I reach 100.

He tried to steady his breathing. His entire body was soaked in blood—some of it his, most of it not. He had killed seventy demons tonight.

And yet, these last five felt more dangerous than all the others combined.

His vision blurred for a second. He blinked hard, trying to stay focused.

I'm at my limit.

One of the demons snarled, its long, black claws twitching in anticipation.

Jin Hwan exhaled. Come on, then.

The demon lunged.

Jin Hwan moved on instinct. He sidestepped the first slash, ducked under the second, and swung his axe in a clean arc.

The blade cleaved through its neck.

[ Rank Up +1 ]

[ 96/100 ]

But before he could breathe, another demon was already on him.

Jin Hwan barely had time to raise his axe—a clawed hand slammed into his ribs.

CRACK.

A white-hot explosion of pain shot through his body. He staggered back, gasping.

Ribs… broken again. Damn it…

The demon charged to finish him.

Jin Hwan had no time to think. He gritted his teeth and threw himself forward instead of back.

Surprise flashed in the demon's glowing eyes—

Jin Hwan rammed his axe straight into its gut.

[ Rank Up +1 ]

[ 97/100 ]

The demon gurgled, its dark blood pouring down Jin Hwan's arms.

But there was no time to rest.

Another was coming.

Jin Hwan turned and smashed his forehead into the demon's face.

CRACK.

It **stumbled back, stunned—**he didn't waste the chance.

He grabbed a loose pipe from the ground and drove it through the demon's skull.

[ Rank Up +1 ]

[ 98/100 ]

Two more.

Jin Hwan's knees nearly buckled. His breath was ragged. His arms shook.

But he had to finish this.

The last two demons hesitated. They weren't mindless—they could sense that Jin Hwan was at his limit.

But they also knew he wasn't afraid anymore.

He wiped the blood from his eyes. Lifted his axe one last time.

"…Come on," he muttered. "Let's finish this."

The first demon snarled and rushed in from the left.

Jin Hwan took a deep breath.

Then—he moved faster than he ever had before.

He dropped low, letting the demon's claws swipe harmlessly over his head. Then, in one fluid motion, he twisted, grabbed the demon's wrist, and yanked it forward—right into his axe.

The blade sank into its chest.

[ Rank Up +1 ]

[ 99/100 ]

He let go of the axe—because the last demon was already attacking.

Jin Hwan had no weapon.

No strength left.

But his body moved on its own.

As the demon slashed down at him, he leaned just enough to the right—

And the demon's claws missed his throat by an inch.

Then—he grabbed the broken pipe still sticking out of a corpse nearby.

And jammed it through the demon's skull.

[ Rank Up +1 ]

[ 100/100 ]

Silence.

Jin Hwan stood there, unmoving.

His chest rose and fell in slow, heavy gasps. His fingers twitched.

Then, as if his body had finally realized it was at its limit—

He collapsed onto the cold, blood-stained floor.

For a moment, he just lay there. Staring at the ceiling.

He slowly turned his head.

All around him were bodies.

Dozens and dozens of demon corpses.

He had done this.

He had killed all of them.

He had survived.

Then—

DING!

A bright blue system notification popped up in his vision.

[ Congratulations! You have reached E Rank. ]

[ Your body is evolving to match your new Rank. ]

[ New System Rewards Granted: ]

— [ Dagger of the Fallen (D Rank) Void Fang]

— [ Passive Skill: Shadow Step (Stealth Enhancement) ]

Jin Hwan's eyes widened.

A small dagger materialized in front of him, floating slightly above his chest.

It was sleek, black, and sharp. The edge glowed faintly in the darkness.

D Rank…

Even though he was too weak to move, just looking at the weapon made his fingers twitch in anticipation.

And then—the second notification.

A skill.

[ Shadow Step ]

[ Passive Effect: Enhances the user's ability to move silently. Reduces detection by lower-ranked entities. ]

Jin Hwan let out a weak chuckle.

"…I really did it."

He had Ranked up.

He was getting stronger.

The exhaustion crashed down on him all at once. His body ached like it had been through hell. His ribs throbbed. His arms barely even felt attached to his body anymore.

But… he smiled.

Because for the first time in years—he wasn't a failure.

He was a Hunter.

Or at least… he was becoming one.

Then, in the distance—he saw the faintest hint of light.

The sun was rising.

Jin Hwan stiffened.

Shit.

He had been fighting all night.

If someone found him here—

Adrenaline kicked in one last time. He forced himself to his feet. His legs almost gave out.

But he clenched his fists. Took a deep breath.

And stumbled out of the subway station—

Before anyone could find out what he had done.

To Be Continued…