The city ranking board did not update lightly.
Every recalibration reflected a layered evaluation model built over years of political compromise and operational necessity. Combat output alone did not determine placement. Dungeon contribution records, verified incident responses, guild affiliation weighting, media visibility influence, and public challenge history all fed into the final calculation.
For most hunters, rank movement required months of incremental effort.
When the D-Rank city bracket refreshed that Friday afternoon, the plaza in front of the Hunter Association building filled faster than usual. Word had spread that a Conditional D-Rank with irregular growth metrics would finally be integrated into the official ladder.
Jae-min stood near the outer edge of the gathering, watching the display stabilize as sunlight reflected across the polished surface of the massive screen.
The header appeared first.
D-Rank City Bracket — Orion Sector
Names scrolled into place beneath it.
Rank 1: Han Seojun — SilvercrestRank 2: Park Minho — Iron VanguardRank 3: Lee Hae-in — SilvercrestRank 4: Choi Daeho — Crimson Axis…Rank 28: Kang Jae-min — Independent — Conditional
The placement drew immediate reaction from the crowd.
"Twenty-eight?"
"He cleared Gate Nine cleanly."
"Conditional tag probably lowered his multiplier."
"No guild affiliation."
"Contribution index must be near zero."
Jae-min did not react outwardly.
Instead, he opened the expanded data panel displayed beside his ranking entry.
Contribution Index: 4.2Guild Influence Multiplier: NoneActivation Stability Flag: Under ReviewPublic Challenge Record: NoneIncident Response Credits: Minimal
The weighting formula was visible if one understood how to read it.
His combat output metrics placed him well above mid-tier D-Ranks. However, contribution credits remained minimal due to limited recorded operations, and the absence of guild affiliation removed a significant multiplier that other hunters enjoyed.
Artificial suppression was not hidden.
It was institutional.
Across the plaza, Seojun observed from the elevated walkway above the Association entrance. Hae-in stood beside him, arms relaxed but posture attentive.
"They placed him within expected range," Seojun said calmly.
"Expected by which metric?" Hae-in asked.
"Structural weighting," he replied. "The ladder is not a power chart. It is a stability chart."
Hae-in's gaze remained on Rank 28.
"He will not remain there."
"No," Seojun agreed. "But climbing inside the structure will reveal how he handles pressure."
Below, Jae-min turned away from the board without visible frustration.
The climb had begun.
By late afternoon, his phone had accumulated multiple notifications.
Two mid-tier guilds had requested exploratory meetings. One offered temporary training access in exchange for exclusive evaluation rights. Another proposed partial sponsorship tied to public challenge appearances.
He declined all immediately.
Affiliation granted leverage, but it also narrowed maneuverability. Until he fully understood the ladder's political weighting, independence preserved margin.
That evening, a new notification appeared.
D-Rank Ranked Challenge ProposalChallenger: Park JinhyukCurrent Rank: 19Guild: IndependentMatch Format: Standard Arena RegulationPublic Attendance: Approved
Public ranking challenges provided the most direct path upward. If a lower-ranked hunter defeated a higher-ranked opponent in a regulated match, the victor inherited the opponent's rank.
Jae-min reviewed Jinhyuk's public combat history.
Aggressive forward momentum.
High-output bursts.
Crowd-oriented style.
Limited patience in prolonged exchanges.
The match was scheduled three days later.
Across Orion City, discussion boards and private guild forums lit up with speculation.
"Rank 28 already challenging Rank 19?"
"No, Rank 19 challenged him."
"Jinhyuk smells attention."
"Conditional kid about to get tested."
Interest was building, but it was controlled rather than explosive.
At Silvercrest headquarters, Seojun reviewed the challenge file with quiet interest.
"Jinhyuk prefers early pressure," he said.
"He also overextends when frustrated," Hae-in replied.
Seojun glanced at her.
"You are analyzing him."
"I analyze patterns," she said calmly.
Seojun's expression remained neutral.
"If Jae-min climbs too quickly, structural resistance increases."
"Which may be precisely what he anticipates," Hae-in replied.
The arena filled beyond typical D-Rank attendance.
Public ranking matches attracted viewers when rising names were involved, and Conditional designation added intrigue. The reinforced arena floor shimmered faintly under mana stabilization fields designed to absorb excess force.
Jae-min entered first.
He wore standard Association-issued gear without guild insignia. His posture remained composed as he stepped into the center of the arena.
Moments later, Park Jinhyuk entered with visible energy, acknowledging the crowd's presence with confident gestures before taking his stance opposite Jae-min.
"You climbed quickly," Jinhyuk said, voice amplified lightly through the arena's audio system. "But rankings demand proof beyond dungeon reports."
"Proof will be measured," Jae-min replied evenly.
The signal tone sounded.
Jinhyuk activated his enhancement immediately, surging forward with explosive acceleration designed to overwhelm before rhythm could stabilize. His opening strike targeted center mass with high-output force.
Jae-min activated Reinforcement at controlled B-Tier output, calibrating precisely rather than escalating further. He redirected the initial impact at an angle, allowing Jinhyuk's forward momentum to carry slightly beyond optimal balance before countering with measured force to the side of the torso.
The exchange drew audible reaction from the audience.
Jinhyuk adjusted quickly, increasing tempo and rotating attack angles to disrupt spacing. His style relied on maintaining offensive pressure long enough to force defensive collapse.
Jae-min did not retreat excessively.
Instead, he maintained controlled spacing, absorbing pressure through angled redirection and efficient footwork. Each counterstrike targeted structural vulnerabilities without excessive force.
On the elevated platform, Seojun folded his arms as he watched the exchange.
"He is refusing to escalate," Seojun observed.
"He is conserving margin," Hae-in replied.
Inside the arena, Jinhyuk attempted a mid-match surge, amplifying output further in an effort to break through Jae-min's controlled defense. The sudden acceleration momentarily increased tempo, drawing louder crowd reaction.
Jae-min allowed Reinforcement to deepen slightly within visible B-Tier limits rather than revealing further ceiling. He redirected the surge with calculated precision, destabilizing Jinhyuk's stance before delivering a controlled strike to the abdomen within regulation thresholds.
Jinhyuk staggered but recovered.
Frustration began to influence his rhythm.
He launched a final forward burst, committing fully to a high-output sequence designed to end the match decisively.
Jae-min stepped into the attack rather than away from it.
By closing distance deliberately, he reduced the effective force of Jinhyuk's swing and redirected it past his shoulder. The counterstrike that followed was measured, precise, and sufficient.
Jinhyuk fell backward across the reinforced surface.
The arena tone signaled conclusion.
Victory Confirmed.Rank Adjustment Pending.
The ranking board recalibrated within seconds.
Rank 19: Kang Jae-min — Independent — Conditional
The crowd's reaction was sustained rather than explosive. It carried interest more than shock.
Interest lingered longer than spectacle.
Jae-min stepped away from the center of the arena without celebratory display.
Above, Seojun watched with narrowed focus.
"He climbs within regulation," Seojun said quietly.
"Which makes suppression more difficult," Hae-in replied.
As Jae-min exited the arena corridor, multiple new challenge notifications appeared on his phone.
Rank 17.
Rank 16.
Rank 15.
The ladder had shifted.
The structure had acknowledged him.
But it would not yield easily.
Across the city, discussion intensified.
"He jumped nine positions in one match."
"He did not even look strained."
"Why is his multiplier still reduced?"
Political weighting would not vanish overnight.
It would adapt.
Jae-min paused outside the arena entrance and glanced once more at the ranking board.
The climb had begun inside the system.
And now, the system would begin pushing back.