I Am Dead

Rey slowly opened his eyes again after what seemed like an hour of drifting back into slumber.

He yawned, stretching his body sideways. He couldn't have been happier—being able to reincarnate again felt like a miracle.

Losing his sister, his only family—losing his hope of becoming one of the strongest Rankers in the world—was a pain that nothing else could compare to.

The door to his ward creaked open. A brunette-haired girl rushed in, dressed in a high school uniform that fit her perfectly shaped body.

"Brother!" she yelled as she flung herself toward Rey, wrapping her arms around him—clutching him tightly.

"I thought I would never see you again, Brother," she said in a trembling tone, rubbing her head gently against his chest.

Rey couldn't help but smile. He wouldn't have forgiven himself if he had died in that situation.

"I would never leave you, Sophy."

"How's Mom's health now?" Rey asked as they pulled away from their embrace.

Sophia lowered her gaze, her expression darkening with sorrow. Tears threatened to form in her eyes at his question.

"Not… getting any better," she murmured.

Rey let out a deep sigh, the thought weighing heavily on him. His mother had been admitted to the state hospital for the past two years, trapped in her battle against cancer.

But it wasn't just any cancer—it was one caused by magic, a brutal breakdown of cosmic energy.

The only reason she was still alive was her own strength. But after two years in the hospital, they had no money left for treatment. On top of that, curing her required a rare, nearly impossible-to-find instrument that could restore her ability to walk.

That was why he vowed to become stronger—strong enough to go to any lengths to make his mother walk again. And to make those responsible for her suffering pay dearly.

"It's alright, Sophia. Get going to school," Rey said, rubbing her head with his palm. "I promise—I'll make Mom walk again."

Sophia simply nodded before turning around, jogging playfully toward the exit. "Make sure to stay healthy! You're joining the Rankers Academy soon!"

Rey nodded in confirmation as he watched her leave.

His mind drifted away from the moment, shifting back to reality when a ding rang in his head—an alert. Then, a blue system screen appeared before him.

'Oh, I almost forgot about you.'

---

[ New Quest Received ]

[ Daily Quest ]

50 push-ups

Drink 2 liters of water

10 km run

50 sit-ups

"What?!" Rey nearly exclaimed aloud.

"50 push-ups?" His mind latched onto that word. What does this blue system expect from a tiny, fragile being like me?

---

[ Rewards for Completing Quest ]

10 EXP

2 Stat Points

[ Failure to Complete Quest ]

Penalty

---

"What?! There's even a punishment for not completing the quest?"

Rey chuckled but quickly set it aside. If he truly wanted to become stronger, he needed this.

"Let's see what this quest offers."

---

Later…

Rey collapsed heavily onto a street bench, panting uncontrollably. His face was drenched in cold sweat—his body barely holding on.

He had never done this kind of training in his entire life. This wasn't training—it was punishment.

The system appeared again.

---

[ Daily Quest: Completed ]

[ Rewards ]

Strength: 10

HP: 10/10

Agility: 10

EXP: 10/100

Speed: 10

Skills: ????

Stamina: 10

Special Skills: ????

Intelligence: 10

[ Available Stat Points: 2 ]

---

"Hehehe, this system is really serious about rewards," Rey said, staring at the screen.

'Then what will really happen if I reach 100 EXP?'

---

[ Player Will Be Promoted to Level 2 ]

---

"It seems this system can read my thoughts… and can also be controlled by them."

"Okay, so what do I do with my two available points?"

He pondered.

'It would be better to increase my strength in case of close combat. And if I want to be in the assassin rank, I'll need agility.'

"Good. System, increase my Strength and Agility points."

---

[ Strength: 11 ]

[ Agility: 11 ]

---

"Good."

Rey flexed his arm, clenching his fist.

"I hope you really make me stronger."

"I can't wait to get rid of this title—The Weakest of Mankind."

---

The Streets of Reinwood

The city was bustling with life.

Vehicles moved up and down, accompanied by crowds of people, each heading toward their destination.

The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays casting a glow over the city, revealing its beauty.

A black 2025 SUV drove forward from a corner, maintaining a precise speed.

Inside, a young man in a tailored black suit sat in the front seat, his strawberry-blonde hair tied in a ponytail.

"Your schedule is finished for today, Boss," he said.

A soft sigh came from the back of the car.

There, dressed in a silvery-white suit, sat a middle-aged man. His grey hair reflected years of bravery and experience.

His eyes remained closed, arms folded across his chest. Yet, despite his stillness, an overwhelming aura of authority filled the car's air.

He was none other than Mr. Foreman, the Director of the Rankers Association—an SS-Ranked Ability User, a figure both feared and revered in the city for his unmatched power.

"The Association will be recruiting new Rankers into the Academy," Foreman said, his aged voice carrying undeniable authority. "What do you think about that, Rodriguez?"

"We have nothing to worry about," Rodriguez replied, his gaze locked on the road as he increased the car's speed. "The Academy always gets the best students."

Foreman scoffed, a wide grin spreading across his cold face as he slowly opened his eyes.

"The best?"

---

The Power Struggle of the World

In this world, six Independent Guilds held dominance:

The Red Tiger Guild and The Snow Guild controlled the West.

The Shield Guild and The Tyrant Guild ruled the South.

The Fire Guild and The Viper Guild dominated the East.

The North, however, was different. It was a neutral ground, with no controlling guilds.

This lawless region had no restrictions, making it a haven for criminals, demons, and gang activities. It was a Black Ground—a place without rules, one of the most dangerous places in existence.

Low-rankers couldn't step foot there without a high-ranker's protection or a strong team to back them up.

In a world governed by war and power, the six major guilds held unimaginable strength—capable of both destruction and restoration.

However, this also led to civil war among the guilds.

To maintain balance, The Rankers Association was created—not a guild itself, but a force that stood above them all.

Each guild had its own academy, training individuals to become Rankers. Once they graduated, guilds could invite them based on their abilities.

---

In this world of war and power…

I must strive to become the strongest.

With this system, I will never be weak again.

---