From Trash Rank to Untouchable

“I’m sorry, but an E-rank like you brings no value to our business.”

“An E-rank Hunter? You should know that alone disqualifies you. We’re not hiring at this time.”

“How can you be a security guard with your rank? Is this some kind of elaborate prank? Or are you here to mock this place?”

Eric stepped out of yet another building, the automatic doors sliding shut behind him like a final verdict. His shoulders sagged as he stopped on the sidewalk, eyes lifting to the endless blue sky above.

“E-rank…” he muttered bitterly. “The very bottom of the food chain.”

His jaw tightened as his thoughts spinned. ‘Why was I even born this unlucky?’

Being poor wasn’t enough, fate had gone further and branded him with the weakest awakening possible.

He exhaled shakily, pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and sparked the lighter. The tip flared as he took a long drag, using the smoke to steady his spiraling thoughts while he continued toward home.

‘At this rate, I’ll never land a decent job,’ he thought, fishing out his phone to search for a one-day gig. His grip tightened around it.

“The only way to feed my family is…” he murmured under his breath, eyes darkening, “…to hunt monsters.”

His walk stopped short and gaze lifted instinctively, tracing the long, slender legs standing directly in his path. What he saw was a tall, sexy lady with a stunning figure.

She had light makeup on her pretty face, wore a black tight-fitting T-shirt that perfectly outlined her chest, and a denim mini-skirt that hugged her shapely hips.

Her long, fair legs ended in a pair of red high heels, making her look incredibly alluring.

“S-Sara?” Eric called out in disbelief.

His eyes shifted past her, landing on the building she stood before.

A restaurant, no, not just any restaurant. One of the highest-end establishments in the district.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, genuine confusion slipping into his voice.

He was surprised when he saw her.

The girl standing in front of him was none other than his girlfriend, Sara Watson, a B-rank healer.

Sara’s pretty face hardened instantly the warmth on her face freezing over as she looked at him, disdain bleeding through her gaze.

“Why are you asking stupid questions, Eric?” she snapped coldly. “So? Let me guess, you were rejected yet again.”

“I…” Eric opened his mouth to explain.

“What’s there to say?” Sara scoffed with a condescending look. “I’m just going to use this opportunity to let you know that we’re breaking up. We’re done.”

Eric stiffened.

“I’ve had enough of dragging around a low-life like you,” she continued without hesitation. “Honestly… it’s embarrassing.” She looked at him as if he were something unpleasant she’d stepped on. “I refuse to let an E-rank nobody become a stain on my life.”

“Break up?” Eric went completely still the moment he heard Sara’s words. “Sara, you… you can't be serious...”

“Oh, I am,” she immediately interrupted. “I’ve never been more serious in my life.” Her lips curled in disgust. “Do you really think I’d joke with someone like you? A poor E-rank?”

Her voice rose, “I can’t even call you a Hunter. You’ve never killed a monster, not even the weakest one crawling out of a Gate. You’re a disgrace.”

Eric didn't have to ask why.

She was already tearing everything open, laying it bare. Once again, his rank, his existence, was dragging him deeper into the pit he could never climb out of.

‘How am I supposed to live like this?’ His fists tightened at his sides as he stared at her. ‘Even the woman I was grateful just to have…’

“Eric, did you really think a girl like me wanted to be with someone like you?” Sara continued coldly, looking him up and down with contempt. “Take a good look at yourself, Eric. Do you honestly believe you deserve me?”

Her gaze hardened. “You can’t give me what I want!”

Eric stared at Sara, his eyes empty. Deep down, he knew… he knew one day she would get tired of him but no matter how prepared he was, it still hurts that his girlfriend of three years was leaving him over money and rank.

But in this world, that was all that mattered.

Ever since the world had changed, since dungeons appeared and humans awakened supernatural abilities to hold back the monsters threatening to break through, rank had become everything.

“Let me be clear,” Sara said with a final voice. “From this moment on, we have no relationship whatsoever. Don’t contact me again. Don’t come looking for me. In fact, I never want to see you again.”

With that, she turned on her heels and started to walk away.

Eric moved on instinct, reaching out to stop her, but just then, an invisible force slammed his chest, sending him flying. His body slammed into the ground, the impact ripping a grunt from his throat.

He winced and forced his eyes open.

“…Calvin?”

Eric pushed himself up, pain shooting through his arm as he clutched it tightly, his eyes filled with shock as he looked at the young man standing beside Sara, arms crossed, lips curled in a smug, superior smile.

Sara slipped her arm around Calvin’s, her expression softening into something sweet.

“Eric,” she said gently, “Calvin is my boyfriend now.”

She leaned closer to Calvin as if to emphasize her point. “He comes from one of the most prestigious families in the country. He’s personally recognized by the Chairman, an A-rank Hunter who’s cleared boss-level dungeons.” Her eyes flicked back to Eric. “Someone like him… is more suited for someone like me.”

Eric’s gaze remained fixed on Calvin, and everything Sara said about him was painfully true, not even an exaggeration.

Calvin Kenton wasn’t particularly handsome, but strength didn’t care about looks. He had made a name for himself as a rising star among A-rank Hunters.

The Kenton family dominated the arms industry, supplying weapons that kept Hunters alive in the dungeons. In Silverland’s Crown City, his name carried weight.

Unlike Eric.

Eric was nothing.

All he did was lose and lose without getting anything in return. It was like he was fighting his already determined fate.

“Eric,” Calvin said, stepping forward and the moment he moved, there was a crushing pressure in the air.

It slammed down on Eric like an invisible weight, forcing the breath out of his lungs.

“From today onward,” Calvin continued arrogantly, eyes cold, “Sara is mine.”

His eyes hardened. “If I ever catch you anywhere near her again…”

The pressure intensified, grinding down on Eric’s shoulders.

“I’ll personally remind you why an E-rank can never stand on the same level as me.”

Eric clenched his teeth, his gaze lowered, unable to look at Calvin.

His knees trembled, muscles screaming as he fought just to remain standing. Sweat slid down his spine and he said nothing, because he couldn’t.

He knew it.

Someone like Calvin could end his life without consequences. If he truly offended him, it wouldn’t stop at him, it would reach his family. That was the kind of power gap an A-rank Hunter represented.

“Tch.” Sara clicked her tongue and tugged at Calvin’s arm. “Don’t waste your time on someone like this, darling. Let’s go.”

She leaned into him, whispering something softly into his ear.

Calvin’s lips curled into a grin.

“You little slut, can't wait to get a room with me, huh?” He muttered lowly, amused.

He let out a short chuckle, then reached into his pocket and pulled out several bills. With a lazy flick of his wrist, he waved them in front of Eric’s face.

Eric’s eyes lifted slowly, anger burning through him.

“Eric, I remember even money thinks you’re pathetic,” Calvin said with disgust.

Then he laughed. “Well, here’s 500 SLC,” he replied casually. “Go to a pharmacy and grab us a box of condoms. We’ll need them later.”