The moment the commander finished his speech, the calm atmosphere shattered.
Everyone moved at once.
Boots scraped against the ground, voices rose, and hundreds of comrades rushed toward the large ranking board as if drawn by an invisible force.
The once-orderly gathering turned chaotic within seconds. People pushed forward, afraid that if they waited even a moment longer, they might miss something important.
I stayed where I was for a second, watching the scene.
I followed the crowd and reached the board. It was massive—taller than two men, wide enough to list hundreds of names.
Papers were neatly arranged and pinned under clear sections, each sorted alphabetically.
On the other side of the board, another panel caught my attention.
It displayed the ranking system of the fortress.
Large letters were carved into the metal surface.
INITIATE RANKS
ADEPT RANK
ELITE RANK
HONOUR ELITE
MYTHIC VANGUARD
I stared at it quietly.
(Just like in the novel I read.)
The hierarchy was exactly the same. The fortress didn't hide its structure. Everyone knew where they stood—and how far they were from the top.
Initiates were beginners. Adepts were proven fighters. The Elites were veterans. Honour Elites were national-level warriors. And Mythic Vanguard…
Those were legends.
I swallowed and turned my attention back to the papers.
I searched for my name.
My fingers brushed against dozens of sheets before I found it.
I pulled it out.
I read it slowly.
NAME: TATSUKI
ROLE: C-RANK MAGE
CLASS: INITIATE RANK
FORTRESS RANK: 265
I stared at the number.
I let out a quiet breath.
"So this is how they see me,"
A C-rank mage. Initiate. Somewhere at the end of hundreds of recruits.
"Thogh i am a low rank in this fortress, but i am already top from the land of people"
I folded the paper and looked to my side.
That's when I saw her.
Mingkong stood just a few steps away, holding her own paper.
I glanced at her paper, unable to stop myself.
NAME: MINGKONG
ROLE: C-RANK SWORDSMAN
CLASS: INITIATE RANK
FORTRESS RANK: 2
(So even here… she's already near the top. No wonder she is the MC of this world) I thought.
People around her whispered.
"Rank 2 already?"
"She really is different…"
"A swordsman, of course."
Mingkong noticed the attention but ignored it. For a brief moment, her eyes shifted toward me.
Our gazes met.
Just for a second.
Then she looked away.
(265…) she thought quietly.
(That's where you start this time?)
(It doesn't matter.)
(I won't let you climb.)
Before I could think more, a commanding voice rang out across the ground.
"Those of Initiate and Adept ranks—remain here!"
It was the captain.
The crowd split quickly. Higher-ranked comrades—Elite and above—were guided away toward another section of the fortress.
Their movements were calm and confident, unlike the nervous energy surrounding us.
We, the lower-ranked ones, remained.
Hundreds of us.
The captain stepped forward again, this time accompanied by a female captain.
She had sharp eyes, tied-back hair, and an authoritative presence that made people straighten unconsciously.
"These are the fortress uniforms for Initiate and Adept rankers," the captain announced, gesturing toward large wooden crates being carried forward by staff.
He continued, "There are different uniforms for Elite and Honour Elite rankers."
The female captain added, "And the Mythic Vanguard wear uniforms of an entirely different class."
The crates were opened.
Inside were neatly folded uniforms—dark-colored fabric reinforced with light armor plating. The material looked durable yet flexible, designed for constant combat and training.
"Given ten minutes," the female captain said, "you will all change into these uniforms and gather here again."
Ten minutes.
The moment she finished speaking, chaos erupted again.
Everyone rushed toward the fortress bathrooms.
I followed the flow, but the corridors were already packed. Bodies pressed together. Someone stepped on my foot.
"Move!"
"Out of the way!"
"Don't push!"
The bathroom entrance was a disaster.
There were too many people. And too little space.
I tried to slip through, but a stronger comrade shoved past me, nearly knocking me into the wall.
"Hey—!" I started, but stopped myself.
Arguing would only waste time.
I waited.
And waited.
Minutes passed.
One by one, people entered and exited, now wearing their new uniforms with pride. Some admired themselves. Others adjusted straps nervously.
By the time I finally got inside, sweat had already soaked my clothes.
I changed as quickly as I could.
The uniform felt surprisingly comfortable. It fit my body perfectly, as if it had been tailored for me. The inner lining was cool, and faint runes were stitched along the seams.
Basic enchantments, I noted. Durability and stamina support.
I exited and sprinted back toward Ground One.
By the time I arrived, most people were already standing in formation.
I was late.
Again.
I slowed to a walk, trying not to draw attention.
The female captain's eyes swept across the crowd.
They stopped on me for half a second.
I felt a chill down my spine.
But she said nothing.
I took my place at the back.
Breathing hard, I looked around.
Everyone looked different now.
The uniforms erased individuality and replaced it with unity. We no longer looked like recruits—we looked like soldiers.
The female captain stepped forward and tapped the front of her uniform with her knuckles, producing a dull, solid sound that immediately drew everyone's attention.
"This uniform is not ordinary clothing," she said firmly. "It is designed to withstand extreme cold and intense heat, allowing you to operate in harsh environments without losing combat efficiency."
She walked slowly in front of the formation as she continued.
"It can also deflect minor attacks from low-rank demons—claws, fangs, and weak elemental strikes. Do not mistake that for invincibility," she warned.
"Carelessness will still get you killed."
She stopped and faced us directly.
"The role of Initiate and Adept rank heroes is simple but dangerous," she said. "You are assigned to slay low-rank demons wandering in and around the land territory."
"You are the first line of defense. Whether the land remains safe—or falls—starts with you."