The Player Who Can't Level Up

Tae-Shik replied casually, “I’m talking about registering you as a ranker.” When Gi-Gyu gave him a stupefied look, Tae-Shik added, “Why don’t you want to be recognized by the public? It’s because you think the public interest is annoying, right? Also, you’re worried that it’ll become easier for your enemies to target you once your face gets known.”

After a brief thought, Gi-Gyu nodded since Tae-Shik was right. To register as a ranker, a player had to reveal their face to the public. Gi-Gyu was afraid that this would lead to many frustrating, perilous, and dreadful situations, including people like Ironshield recognizing him. 

When Gi-Gyu seemed hesitant, Tae-Shik reassured him, “You don’t need to worry about those things.” Tae-Shik seemed to have put a lot of thought into this idea. “Remember, you’re an association mercenary. That means the association can prevent your face from being publicized. Think about it. How do you think the rankers like Lucifer and the old man, I mean Asura, kept their identities hidden for so long? So there is a way to keep your identity a secret from everyone.”

“Ah!” Gi-Gyu exclaimed as Tae-Shik continued, “If that were the only problem, we would’ve registered you as a ranker already. But the bigger issue is your enemies: Do you know how many enemies you’ve made? Consciously and unconsciously? Some of them could be very powerful, which means they would find a way to get to you even if you hid your face. And the association didn’t want that, of course.”

“That makes sense,” replied Gi-Gyu. 

“But based on what I saw during our sparring match today, I think you’ll be fine. I don’t know what might happen if you meet foreign rankers, but at least in Korea, I am certain that it will be tough for anyone to kill you.” 

Tae-Shik recognized how much Gi-Gyu had grown as a player recently; Gi-Gyu couldn’t help feeling proud. Tae-Shik was someone he respected and admired, so this was a huge deal for him.

Tae-Shik added another point, “Besides, you will face many limitations as a mercenary unless you’re officially registered as a ranker.”

“Ah, I can explain that in more detail to Player Kim Gi-Gyu, General Manager,” Sung-Hoon offered. Being Gi-Gyu’s secretary, Sung-Hoon decided to explain the details to him. “Player Kim Gi-Gyu, normally, the mercenary position is awarded to players who are at least rankers.”

“I know that.” Gi-Gyu had heard about the requirements for becoming a mercenary. Also, he knew Suk-Woo became a mercenary only after he became a ranker. 

Sung-Hoon continued, “So, you getting the mercenary position was an exceptional event. Unfortunately, numerous problems arose due to it.” Sung-Hoon frowned as if annoyed and continued, “To use the authority given to a mercenary, the player must be at a position important enough that they can meet any association manager whenever they wish.” 

It made sense since only the ranker-level players were usually allowed to become mercenaries. 

“Then Sung-Hoon can explain everything to you, Gi-Gyu. I need to get back to my office to order the repairs for this place and take care of some other stuff.” Tae-Shik found this conversation useless, so he stood up and left the training hall. 

Gi-Gyu asked Sung-Hoon, “I know rankers can usually request to meet an association manager without any trouble. So you’re saying that the mercenary position just has a slightly higher authority than the ranker position? The kind of authority that the association backs?”

“Exactly.” When Sung-Hoon clapped, Gi-Gyu couldn’t help feeling annoyed since Sung-Hoon was treating him like a kid. But he decided not to say anything about it. 

Sung-Hoon continued, “The problem is that you don’t hold any sway over the manager-level authorities. Your current position is a very awkward one: You have no status. That’s why the association president put me in charge to vouch for your credential, but it hasn’t been working very well.”

“So you’ve also noticed that your presence hasn’t been very useful?” When Gi-Gyu commented, Sung-Hoon’s forehead ticked a little. Sung-Hoon smiled and quipped, “But you could do what you did only because I was there. Anyway, it’s not like you use your mercenary authority much. Hell, the only time you used it was at the Yeosu Gate. So, I think it’s time for you to register as a ranker. Let’s make some changes and turn you into a fully functioning mercenary.”

Bored, Gi-Gyu yawned and commented, “You took way too long to explain that. I’m not stupid, so please always get right to the point with me.”

“Fine, fine. Sure,” Sung-Hoon shrugged, clearly not taking Gi-Gyu seriously. 

Gi-Gyu stood up and announced, “So the point is that I need to register as a ranker, right?”

“You got it.”

Turning toward Sung-Hoon, Gi-Gyu replied, “Fine. I’ll do it. No big deal.” 

Once Gi-Gyu left the training hall, Sung-Hoon sighed deeply and murmured, “I guess becoming a ranker is no big deal to him. Why do I feel so weak and useless? Gosh…” Sung-Hoon’s whining echoed throughout the demolished training hall.

***

When Gi-Gyu met with Tae-Shik again, Tae-Shik explained that it would take time to register as a ranker. There were two ways to become a ranker, and Tae-Shik went with the option that helped Gi-Gyu the most. Gi-Gyu nodded without a word and left the association building. 

Now, it was time to return to the Tower. 

“Death and assimilation level, check. Just gotta check the rest now.”

The 30th-floor test gave Gi-Gyu a lot of rewards. After his spar with Tae-Shik, he confirmed the extent of his new assimilation grade and familiarized himself with Death. 

“I can’t believe how much power I’ve gained,” Gi-Gyu thought aloud. All he did was pass a single test, yet the rewards were incredible. Gi-Gyu felt like all of his hard work until now had been finally recognized. 

What impressed him even more than the stats and the buffs was Death.

“It’s beyond anything I could ever dream of…” Gi-Gyu murmured, still unable to believe his luck. He had minimal control over this skill, yet it was enough to scratch Behemoth’s thorn—a legendary weapon. It had to be more than just a mere skill. 

-Of course. After all, I used to own Death. And if you can control it well, then…

Lou trailed off teasingly before continuing,

-You could even kill God.

“Pfft!” Gi-Gyu burst into laughter. Wiping away his tears, he replied, “Lou. Ever since you awakened as the Emperor of Black Magic, you’ve been acting more and more like an arrogant teenager.”

El agreed with Gi-Gyu’s assessment.

-That’s the perfect way to describe him, Master.

With his usual excitement, Brunheart asked,

-Teenager! Teenager?! What’s a teenager?! Is it an illness?

-Shut up! I’m telling the truth! 

Lou screamed angrily, but Gi-Gyu just laughed at him even more. He thought, ‘Kill God? Hahaha—Wait! Doesn’t that mean God really exists?’ 

That was exactly what Lou was insinuating. Then again, Gi-Gyu didn’t care whether God existed or not: It changed nothing for him. 

Shaking his head, Gi-Gyu verbalized all he had to take care of. 

“Combination and Grant… Those things Lou obtained when he awakened as the Emperor of Black Magic. That's about it, right?”

-You’re talking to yourself again. If someone saw you, they’ll deem you insane.

“Shut up,” Gi-Gyu warned Lou in annoyance and took a nervous breath. He couldn’t help feeling on edge because he was about to try a brand-new skill.

“Combination.” When Gi-Gyu stated out loud, he heard a system announcement. 

[Please choose the Egos you would like to combine.]

“Hmm…” Gi-Gyu hesitated before replying, “Lou.”

-Hey!

[You have chosen Lou as the main Ego.]

[Please pick the sub Ego to be combined with Lou.]

“Oh! Is it really working?!” 

-Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! You bastard!

Lou kept screaming, but Gi-Gyu grinned and ignored him. However, after reveling in Lou’s anxiety for a while, Gi-Gyu said, “Cancel that. Cancel! Hehehe.”

-Haa… Someday… Someday! I’m going to beat you up! 

Lou roared angrily, but Gi-Gyu, apathetic, replied, “Nope! Not gonna happen.” Then, with a heavy expression, he announced, “Combination. Main Ego Bi.” The recent system announcement helped Gi-Gyu understand how this new skill worked. The system voice announced again.

[You have chosen Bi as the main Ego.]

On edge, Gi-Gyu added, “For sub Ego, I choose”—he gulped—“Choi Won-Jae’s fragment.”

Then, Gi-Gyu expectantly waited for the system to make another announcement.

***

“You… called for me?” A husky male voice asked as it entered some guild master’s room. The voice sounded unpleasant, like a nail being dragged across a chalkboard, but the guild master didn’t frown. Instead, the guild master replied, “Have a seat.”

“Of course.” Nail-Voice sat down and waited patiently while his guild master pored over some documents. After looking over the papers, the guild master looked up at the man and asked, “So what was it you wanted?”

“I-I would like to go to Korea.”

“To Korea?”

“Yes,” Nail-Voice replied with a firm nod. 

The guild master looked at him with interest and then asked bluntly, “Is it for your revenge?”

“Y-yes, it is.”

“I like your honesty,” the guild master complemented, but there was no emotion in his words. The man stammered, “I-if you insist, I-I am willing to quit this guild. I’m ready to give up everything. I must go to Korea…”

Nail-Voice was one step away from begging on his knees. The entire world thought his guild master was a fair man, but only Nail-Voice knew the truth: The guild master could be cruel beyond reason if it meant the good of his guild and his safety. That was why he offered to quit the guild. It was a tough decision, but he needed to do this. 

“Fine.” When the guild master replied, the man’s eyes widened in shock. 

“...!” The man did not expect to receive permission so easily. 

“Go to Korea,” the guild master repeated with a malicious grin. "I will establish a branch there, and I shall appoint you as the branch manager. Go do what you need to do.”

“T-thank you!” Nail-Voice bowed deep enough for his head to touch the floor, making the guild master laugh. 

“And I will give you my sword, Nine. Accomplish what you must with this weapon.”

“…!” Tears began rolling down Nail-Voice’s face since he knew Nine was a legendary weapon and a holy sword. Before leaving, Nail-Voice couldn't help but bow with each step.

The guild master, alone in his office, murmured, “Rogers Han.” 

Guild Master Ironshield watched the closed door and smiled. He stood up as he whispered, “You must build enough power in Korea so that I can kill that wench later.” 

Ironshield took a few steps, but the way he moved seemed a little awkward. 

Step, step…

The Iron Guild headquarter was inside one of the tall buildings in New York. Ironshield stood in front of a window wall and enjoyed the beautiful city view. When the bright light hit him, one could see his right pants leg flutter.

***

[A fragment cannot act as a sub Ego material.]

Gi-Gyu couldn’t hide his disappointment as he murmured, “Guess this isn’t gonna work.” Thinking carefully, he continued, “But Egos and egofied figures like Chang-Gyung and Choi Min-Suk will probably work. Or an Ego fragment, not a person.”

After trying out different combinations in his head, this was the best Gyu could come up with. But before going ahead with it, he asked his Egos for their opinions. 

-Hmm, I don’t think it’s a bad idea.

Lou replied. 

-I think there are some risks involved, but I agree with your reasoning, Master.

El seemed a little more concerned. 

And…

“Brunheart, your opinion is the most important,” said Gi-Gyu. He was considering Brunheart as the main Ego, so Brunheart’s opinion was what mattered the most. If Brunheart refused to be a part of this, Gi-Gyu would respect his decision. 

-Umm…

Brunheart hesitated. Understanding how his Ego felt, Gi-Gyu said reassuringly, “Brunheart, it’s okay! You can be honest with me. It’s your choice.”

-If you say so, then…

Gi-Gyu thought about the many risks involved in his decision as he waited for Brunheart to choose. Brunheart wasn’t an ordinary Ego—he gave Gi-Gyu Control and Combination, so Gi-Gyu deemed him the most stable option. After contemplating for a while, Brunheart finally replied,

-I’ll do it. I want to be helpful to you, Master. And I think I’ll be able to keep my consciousness if I try. 

Brunheart’s voice sounded grave, which was unusual. Gi-Gyu patted his chest and replied, “Thanks.” 

Gi-Gyu announced again with a serious face, “Combination.”

[Please select your main Ego.]

“Main, Brunheart.”

And…

[Please select your sub Ego.]

“Sub, Ego fragment.”

Gi-Gyu began to emit a faint golden glow. 

[Combination is now taking place.]