Chapter 13 – System Update & The Ranks of Power
Maximus scanned the survivors huddled in the dimly lit grocery store. Though they had managed to rest, the tension in the air remained. The apocalypse had turned their world upside down, and only the strongest would survive.
His golden eyes locked onto a burly man sitting on the floor, slurping noodles from a disposable cup. The man's arms were thick with muscle, veins bulging from exertion. His presence alone radiated strength.
"He looks like he has a good talent," Maximus thought.
Without hesitation, he approached.
"Hey, man. You look strong."
The man paused, noodles hanging from his mouth, and gave Maximus a confused look before breaking into a loud laugh.
"HAHAHA! You're the strong one! You just slaughtered a dozen people like it was nothing!" he said, shaking Maximus' hand.
Maximus smirked as he felt the familiar sensation of his ability activating.
[Talent Copied: Iron Fist]
"Not bad. Could be useful."
"Hey, keep it down!" A woman's voice cut through the laughter.
Maximus turned toward her. She had blonde hair, an above-average face, and a well-proportioned body—attractive but not stunning. She seemed annoyed, crossing her arms.
"There are people trying to sleep, and if a monster hears us, we'll be the ones getting hunted!" she scolded.
Maximus ignored her and turned back to the man. "What's your name?"
"Van," the man answered, clearly eager to keep the conversation going.
At that moment, several other survivors gathered around, their faces filled with curiosity and excitement.
"Wait, you're Maximus?!" The woman gasped, eyes wide. "The Maximus from the Dragon Country Rankings?"
A murmur spread through the group.
"No way! I thought he'd already made it to a shelter!"
"Brother, are you really that Maximus?"
"Yeah, yeah. I just got lucky," Maximus replied nonchalantly.
The reaction was instant.
"He really is!"
A younger woman, blushing deeply, hesitantly stepped forward. "Um… can I shake your hand?"
"Hey, that's unfair, Sophia!" another girl pouted, envious.
Maximus saw an opportunity.
"Another talent to copy."
He grasped Sophia's hand.
[Talent Copied: Mental Shockwave]
"A mental attack… interesting."
Sophia, seeing Maximus smile, turned redder than a tomato. If this were an anime, steam would be coming out of her head.
"She's gonna faint!" a girl teased, laughing.
Meanwhile, some of the men in the group sighed enviously.
"Sigh… if only I had one-tenth of his looks and power..."
Before anyone could say more, a sudden DING! echoed in the air.
---
[SYSTEM UPDATE IN 8 HOURS]
---
A wave of excitement ran through the group.
"An update?!" someone exclaimed.
"The system… it's evolving?" Maximus muttered.
He had expected something like this. The system wasn't static—it was growing, just like they were.
"Tomorrow, I'll finally see how my talents are ranked."
Deciding to make the most of the time left, he copied a few more talents from the group:
[Fast Reflex Vision]
[Iron Grip]
"Not bad. But damn… some talents are downright useless."
He recalled a talent he had briefly analyzed earlier.
[Fart gas] – Enhances fart odor by 500%
"...Humanity is doomed."
With a sigh, Maximus lay down. The room grew quiet as everyone settled in. Sleep overtook him quickly.
---
Morning –
A loud voice snapped Maximus awake.
"Guys! Only 30 minutes left until the update!"
He sat up, stretching. "Already morning, huh?"
After washing up and grabbing a quick meal, he joined the group.
"Alright. We'll leave after the system update. Make sure you're ready," Maximus announced.
"Yes, sir!"
"Yes, brother!"
---
DING!
[SYSTEM UPDATED!]
[UPDATE LIST]
NEW CLASS SYSTEM
TALENTS, ITEMS, AND DUNGEONS NOW RANKED FROM F TO SSS
GUILD SYSTEM UNLOCKED
Excitement filled the air. Maximus tapped on the menu.
---
[CLASS SYSTEM]
Classes unlocked at Level 5
Hidden Classes can be obtained through special conditions
---
[F-SSS Talent Rankings]
F Rank – Barely useful. Exists in 70% of humans.
E Rank – Slightly above average. Still common.
D Rank – Rare among survivors.
C Rank – One in a thousand.
B Rank – One in ten thousand. The start of true power.
A Rank – One in a million.
S Rank – One in ten million. Superhuman abilities.
SS Rank – One in a hundred million. The peak of human limits.
SSS Rank – One in a billion. Legendary. Feared and worshipped.
EX Rank – Beyond what the system can measure. A power that should not exist.
---
"This ranking system is brutal."
The group started checking their talents.
"What?! My talent is only E rank?! But my punches are strong!"
"Mine is C rank?! But I thought it was way stronger!"
Many faces fell as their hopes were crushed. The reality of their limits hit them hard.
Maximus opened his Status Window.
---
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Maximus Omniclone
Title: Boss Slayer (2x Damage Against Dungeon Bosses)
Talent: Copy Everything (??? RANK)
Other Talents:
Strengthen Body (D Rank)
Metal Reinforcement (D Rank)
Runner (E Rank)
Soul Absorption (A Rank)
Berserk Rage (B Rank)
Iron Grip (E Rank)
Mental Shockwave (C Rank)
Iron Fist (E Rank)
Bloodline: ???
Skills: Aura Blade
Class: None
HP: 216/216
MP: 800/800 (Regeneration: 20 MP/min)
Level: 2 (Human)
EXP: 7310/10000
Strength: 24
Agility: 24
Vitality: 24
Perception: 24
Intelligence: 40
Soul: 11
Items: Crimson Coat, Ring of Mana (A Rank)
Inventory: Mana Potion ×1, Health Potion ×6, Steel Sword ×1, Steel Knife ×1
Unallocated Points: 0
---
Maximus' eyes narrowed.
"My main talent… is unranked?"
Even the system couldn't measure it.
"Does that mean it surpasses even SSS? What the hell is EX rank, then?"
His perspective shifted.
If an A-rank talent was already one in a million… then what kind of power did he actually possess?
---
The survivors finished checking their stats, many sighing in disappointment.
"I didn't expect my talent to be so weak…"
Maximus crossed his arms. "Don't get discouraged. If you're alive, you still have a chance to get stronger. There's also the new Class System and Guilds. Use them."
His words reignited a spark in them.
"Yeah! We just have to level up!"
"Thank you, boss!"
"Thank you, brother!"
---
"Now, let's move. We take Viper's truck and head to the shelter."
"Yes, sir!"
Their journey was about to begin.