Although many had initially dismissed Wolf’s ranking system as a gimmick or a silly distraction, as time went on, they found the evaluations to be remarkably reliable. This was especially true for the security guards within the Fortis Group and the street-level members of Billion Bloodline.
In their own time, various members had decided to put the system to the test to see just how accurate Wolf’s eyes truly were. Nine times out of ten, a higher-ranked person was able to dominate someone ranked lower than them. Because of this consistent accuracy, Wolf had become one of the most important figures in the group. His word carried weight, especially considering that Max had tied the ranking system directly to the group’s payroll.
Max had established a clear, merit-based system within the Billion Bloodline group: you were rewarded with money for two specific things, loyalty or strength. This meant that even those who lacked physical power could receive a large payout as long as they remained unwavering in their loyalty. However, it also ensured that the drive for members to strengthen themselves never dwindled. This financial incentive was the engine allowing the Billion Bloodline group to expand at such a blistering pace. It was all about the money, a starting point and a level of leverage that Max never had in his previous life.
Regardless of the past, everyone in the room was now silent, waiting with bated breath for Wolf’s latest grading of the core team.
"You all know that I consider Aron an S-rank," Wolf began, his eyes scanning the room. "But to be honest, he could be even higher. Right now, I don’t think I have seen an opponent, or any situation, capable of drawing out the full extent of what he has. But from what he has shown so far, he is at least an S-rank. Beyond him, there are two very strange rankings among those present."
Wolf turned his gaze toward Joe. "The first is Joe. I have created a completely new classification for him: U-rank, which stands for Unrankable. This is because of Joe’s special Vow. The nature of his ability allows him to turn the tides in situations that should be impossible to survive. His Vow is a massive variable that could swing a fight in either direction. I imagine, more than anything, his success will be determined by his sheer will to continue fighting despite his wounds."
Joe nodded solemnly, a small smirk playing on his lips. He hadn’t been expecting an S-rank, but being the only person to receive a "U-rank" made him feel special, like he was a wildcard that no one could fully prepare for.
"As for the other strange ranking, that would be myself," Wolf continued. "I would rank myself as an S-minus with all my current capabilities, but specifically a ’floating’ S-minus."
"Floating? Like on a boat?" Darno asked, scratching his head. "What does that have to do with fighting rankings?"
"It means that depending on who I face or the specific environment I am in, my ranking could drop," Wolf explained patiently. "My Vow allows me to utilize the environment and my mind. If I am locked in a cage with no tools, or an empty room with no variables, it becomes much harder for me to win a fight. My rank is dependent on the circumstances at hand. However, you will all be pleased to know that Na and Darno, I now officially consider both of you S-minus ranks as well."
In Wolf’s mind, Jett was a true S-rank. This meant that if anyone were to fight Jett one-on-one, with the exception of Aron, they would likely lose most of the time. But with two S-minus ranks working together, they would now stand a very good chance of taking him down.
"Of course, there is now Stephen as well," Wolf added, nodding toward the man with the metallic reinforcements. "With the addition of the exoskeleton to his existing Vow, I have placed him firmly at S-rank."
Wolf paused, his expression becoming a bit more hesitant. "Lastly, although I said almost everyone here has reached the S-minus threshold, I haven’t given you your rank yet, Max. I’m hesitant to say this, but your current rank is A-plus."
The room went quiet. Max was visibly stunned, but he didn’t feel hurt or insulted by the evaluation. Joe had worried the news might negatively affect Max’s pride, after all, Joe knew he would feel terrible if he were the lowest-ranked person in his own elite group.
"Can I ask why you have evaluated everyone else above me?" Max asked, his voice calm and curious rather than angry.
"Of course," Wolf replied respectfully. "You are incredibly skilled in all forms of combat, Max. But when we reach the S-rank level, it means the fighter has something that regular people simply don’t have, an ’edge.’ These Vows are what allow the others to have a specialized advantage that you currently lack. Your Vow, Max, doesn’t give you a specific supernatural edge in a brawl. However, as time goes on, I believe you have the potential to become the strongest being out there. That just isn’t the case right at this moment."
Max looked down at his fist and tensed it, feeling the strength in his grip. An A-plus rank was the same level as Na and Dud from the Rejected Corps when he had first encountered them. He had managed to beat them back then when the odds were against him, and he knew he had improved since those days.
But Wolf’s evaluation was a wake-up call. It meant he needed to get even stronger than before, and he knew the quickest way to fuel his growth was to make more money to satisfy the requirements of his Vow.
"I’ll be ready," Max muttered to himself, his eyes flashing with determination. "I’ll be ready for the Gilt Rats and the Black Hounds. And once I’m done with both of them, I’m coming after you, the White Tiger."