The ranking system in this world was somewhat like this. Every single human had a system they could summon whenever they wanted to, and it was basically a status window where they could see their rank. Everyone started from
Also, another important thing about rankers were paths they could proceed in. These paths could vary quite a bit, starting from someone who is really talented at combat to someone who is a genius engineer or doctor. These paths were somewhat predetermined for many when the system manifests in them. Or rather they gain affinity for a certain path. Unfortunately, I have zero clue as to what affinity I got. But that was normal too. Some people just didn't get an affinity and they can still proceed in a path on their own but would not receive same benefits as someone who is walking that path with an affinity related to that path. Some got more than one affinity like Jack who had high affinity with strength and mana and Stricoss who had high affinity mana and low affinity with plants and water.
'Trop must be that college they go to.'
I finally figured out what the fuck a Trop was. It was basically a prestigious university for all top-level rankers among my age. People weren't born with a system in this world. The system randomly manifests in people around the age 16-21. Important thing to mention that one in every five people could manifest the system and cultivate. This probability is heavily dependent on genes. People who can manifests the system are called rankers. Needless to say, because of their rarity, they are somewhat considered elite when compared to mundane people. However, there were also elites among rankers. Especially Legacies who are born in a family of rankers and had high talent. They are usually at the very top of social order. Talent was somewhat of an abstract thing. Some people could climb ranks faster than other for unknown reason and only someone's progress could indicate their talent at lower ranks. As for Trop, this college was the best college for top rankers in this world. Without proper talent, one can't get in an elite college like this. Although it was supposed to be only for top rankers, not everyone gets in because of their sheer talent. Sometimes, people got in through their connection and wealth. But that doesn't mean Trop is a place for untalented people. Prestige and talent often go hand in hand.
'Kez Jolkev can't be considered a talented ranker. I can just feel that because this body feels weaker than my previous one. That also goes to show the influence of Jolkev family. For now, I need a plan. Strength will definitely be a requirement for whatever plan I conjure up. I can get that skill which should be close by. What else...money...wait since I know the future to some extent, I can use that to make money.'
'But I should probably go home for now...fuck that kid, I forgot about the milk.'
I ran back to the store and got milk and by that time, everyone was gone. I sighed in relief. I got back in the car and drove back to my house. I handed over the milk and dodged the questions she had with an excuse like traffic. I went back to my room and decided to take a nap. I felt tired from the small trip to the store.
Before I could think any further, I fell asleep. I woke up after almost 5 hours. The entire house was quiet. I went downstairs and found my sister watching TV. She was watching the news about the global economy which was definitely an unusual thing to watch for a 13 year old. I tried to approach her with a positive attitude but she greeted me with a negative attitude. This kid has a tendency of pissing people off.
"What are you doing lazing around? Go study."
"Ah oka-"
'Why am I taking orders from a kid?'
I plopped down on the sofa, next to her and started watching TV. She seemed disgusted by my action, but I didn't give a shit. I also found out that her name is Kei. I sighed deeply. My parents really gave me a shitty name on purpose, didn't they? Then reality hit me. I didn't even think about how I ended up here.
'Let me trace my steps back. I came home and opened my door and next thing I remembered was heat. Extreme heat. Claymore? Why would someone plant a claymo...never mind I can think of a thousand reason as to why someone would want me dead. So, I died. After all that I did to ensure I could keep surviving...I simply died in such a dumb way...Haha...hahahahaha.'
Unfortunately, my laughter didn't only manifest mentally but also physically. Hearing my erratic laughter, Kei jolted back and stared at me.
"The hell? Did you eat something wrong?"
"Cough Cough"
"...That's definitely the laziest attempt to avoid a question I've ever seen. Why are you acting like this today?"
"COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH"
"Fine, I get it. Don't answer."
After saying that, she got off the couch and left. I immediately stopped my pathetic attempts of coughing.
'I have to say, after coming to this world, I feel extremely dull. I should probably try to act as 'Kez Jolkev' a little more. Well, in my defense, it's not every day when you encounter a situation like this. I still can't believe this is all real. But I won't sit still just because it doesn't feel real. Because by the time, it actually feels real, I'll probably be dead. In the novel, this world was a very cruel place. I need a plan first. What do I actually want?'
I didn't know. I knew I wanted to survive at least and even thrive if I had the chance but other than that I had no goals. In my previous life, my main goal was to survive but over my 28 years of lifespan, my desire to survive diminished greatly. Why? Because there were no points in surviving. World War 3 and World War 4 managed to drive Earth on a brink of destruction. People died like flies all around me every day. Before I died, World War 4 already ended but who knew if there won't be another war in the future. The situation was bad. As bad as it could get. Only less than 40 countries remained after WW4. I could survive today and even tomorrow but what if someone decides to drop a nuclear bomb on the country I live the very next day? So why waste the effort? I tried my best. Power. I used to think if I had power and position then I could actually survive. I worked all my life and endure trials that would be seen insane from any normal person. At the end, I managed to grab this so-called power. However, I should've realized that kind of power would never be indefinite. Only when I lost that power, did I realize that no amount of power could help me survive. Build power then lose it again just to build it once again. This everlasting game was extremely sickening. However, I had seen a couple of people who managed to not only survive but thrive while actively participating that game. I called these people True Monsters. They were my inspiration to keep trying. But I had to give up when I saw these True Monsters fall one by one to a monster who surpassed them. If these damn monsters couldn't survive then what chance did I, a person who was only slightly more talented than ordinary people, have? I couldn't become them. It was impossible. It's like when you see people get the maximum score possible in a test that you did your best to simply pass. I once asked one of these monsters how I could become one of them and his answer was...
...monsters cannot be made; they are simply born that way....
" As if...I bet he was simply afraid of me surpassing him. I wonder what those bastards can do If I return back to Earth with magic and stuff from this world. Bahahaha. Simply imagining their expression gives me so much joy. Alright. So, my goal will be find a way to return back to Earth. If I succeed, there will be nothing stopping me from butchering those fucking bastards bahahahaha.
"Damn I got too carried away. Tiny steps. Thats the true way. Now for my plan..."
As for my plans, I need to find out what the hell is wrong with my system. Well, I can't do anything about it for 5 or how many days it would take for the system to implement itself. In the meantime, I should gather more information and money. Since Trop orientations are near, their stock prices are probably at the moon right now. But I know there will be an incident that will send the prices drilling down. Wait, my family is rich right? They weren't mentioned in the novel but there's no way they aren't rich when their son can carry around $40,000 dollars at 19. I should probably inquire more about that. Also, since they are rich, I can ask them for money to bet against Trop. Right? As for getting stronger, that'll have to wait till my system gets implemented.
"Hehehehe so much money."
***