Ace didn't head straight home. He ducked into the corner restaurant where no one would notice him and ordered a grand supper. Money wasn't a problem; he still had plenty of allowance and the Chessboard Apocalypse was three months away.
The only hassle right now was the thugs craving payback, but Ace couldn't care less. One glance at the night sky let him picture them sprawled across a bench—or under it.
An adorable waitress carried over a tray stacked with steak, miso soup, kimchi, and an electrolyte tonic.
"Here's your grand supper! Enjoy, and wave me down if you need anything else. I'll be right over."
"Thanks," Ace said.
He dug in, savoring the flavors. After a few bites he whispered, "Status," and a fresh Ranker profile popped up.
[Name: Ace Avalanche]
[Status: Ranker (—)]
[Age: 18]
[Skills: Brawler (II), Sprinter's Stride (I), Attack Speed (I)]
[Title: The Returner (Legendary)]
[Ranker's Privileges—None]
[Flaws: 2]
I don't have a rank yet. Basic privileges, like the Status window and skill acquisition, aren't even listed, which makes sense. My skills are set, and I can tap each one to see passives and nodes. Just like my first life, I can toggle them on or off.
He tapped the title and found more answers than he expected.
[The Returner (Legendary)—The first human of Earth to reach Heaven's Gate, Ace Avalanche had been granted his wish to return to the past. The Returner Title ensures his status as a Ranker and keeps his memories of the first life intact.]
So that's why I'm already a Ranker before the Gates open. My memories stay intact, but so do my flaws. I'll never ditch Ranker status, but it's worth remembering this loophole.
Ace recalled that each continent ranked its Rankers when the Chessboard Apocalypse began.
High rank came with perks: exclusive dungeons and safe zones inside Gates, inventory slots, maps, and other comforts. Guilds chased top talent and capped their rosters, kicking anyone whose rank slipped. Governments did the same, giving high rankers whatever they wanted once rankings became official after the first Gates.
Rank rose by leveling skills, gaining new ones, earning titles, and having fewer flaws.
Meal done, Ace paid and headed for the door. A man near the exit stopped him cold. The guy's fat, bulging face dragged up ugly memories.
A tailored suit tried to tame his stomach, and two women clung to him for his wallet, not his charm. Two bodyguards stood behind him, muscles stretching their shirts.
The Corpse Glutton… Didn't expect to meet you here, but it figures you haunt places like this.
Ace froze. The future monster noticed and waved, expecting him to move. Ace didn't. Their eyes met, and the fatty squealed, "Ahhh!"
Ace walked past him.
The man dabbed sweat with a handkerchief and whispered to a guard, "That kid. I want his face bruised and swollen."
"Got it," the guard said, sliding his sunglasses back up his nose.
Outside, Ace spotted the guard tailing him in a car mirror. He turned into a dark alley and dropped his duffel on the ground.
The guard smirked. "You looked at the wrong guy, brat. Piggy wants your face smashed, and the worse you look, the bigger my bonus. Hold still so it's only your face that gets hurt."
Ace stood stiff, playing scared. The guard bought it—he'd broken enough teen bones to trust his read. He stepped in.
Ace suddenly half‑spun, his kick cracking the guard's skull. Pain flooded the man as his ears rang. Ace planted his boot, rushed forward, and drove a straight punch through the guard's nose. Both his sunglasses and nose shattered. The guard hit the pavement, out cold.
Ace loomed over him like a grim reaper.
Once the fatty gets powers, you're toast. He knows the nickname you use behind his back. Pray I reach him before he awakens—or whatever, you're just another bully.
I don't even know if I can rewrite everyone's future, let alone mine. My life comes first. Randoms like you don't matter. But the Corpse Glutton? He needs a quick death before he threatens everyone.
Give me the chance and I'll slit his throat.
I killed plenty in my first life. That won't change, even if I pick up holy skills this time around. Knowing angels, holiness isn't what people think anyway.
—
Just like Ace expected, no thugs waited at the base of the apartment block. Most must have staggered home after drinking too much. Free of trouble, he went upstairs and found his apartment door ajar.
He peeked inside. Someone had broken in and tossed the place, leaving trash everywhere. His heart pounded until he spotted his laptop—safe under the bed frames.
Relief washed over him.
I didn't plan to chase those guys, but maybe I should prep them for the first Gate. They might be the first to get swallowed, and this gives me an excuse to go wild.
After a quick shower, Ace slept in the mess.
Morning came and he still didn't care. He cooked scrambled eggs with anime openings blaring. Someone knocked on the door.
Leaving the eggs sizzling, he opened it.
The thug with the busted nose stood on tiptoe, eyeing the chaos inside.
He grinned. "All good?"
"You're so fucking stupid," Ace laughed. "I've been waiting for you. First you took out trash, and now you'll clean this mess."
"Huh? Why I gotta help ya?" The thug turned away, sneering.
Ace's grin widened. "Because you're uninsured. Thugs like you never snitch, no matter how hard I smash your face. End up in the hospital and you'll drown in debt, and your buddies won't help. I've got nothing to lose."
"…Fuck." The thug spat after a long pause. He swung at Ace, but Ace caught the punch with ease.
Ace sneered. "I could twist your wrist and snap it. Want that?"
"No... boss, please! Don't hurt me!" The thug's smile wobbled as he failed to free his hand. How's he so damn strong?!
Within minutes, the thug was folding Ace's clothes. He'd been the one to toss them like trash. He sat on the floor, swallowing his shame, while Ace lounged on the bed, munching scrambled eggs from a plate.
"You reek of smoke. Quit."
"Fuck off!" the thug snapped.
"What'd you say?" Ace's eyes narrowed.
"Y‑yes, sir. I'll quit," the thug stammered.
"Call your buddies, one by one. I'm gonna turn all of you into decent humans," Ace said.
"Yeah, no problem!" The thug finally gave a real smile.