Ranker



A Ranker is one who has reached the top of the Tower (Currently 134th Floor) and been given a Rank; this Rank is not to be confused with the Ranking/Grading that both Rankers and Regulars continuously receive.

Rankers are inhumanly powerful due to their ascension to the highest Floor - a Rankers Rank is given to them by The Rank Administering Office and symbolizes their strength compared to other rankers. It's unknown if only combat strength is used, or if/how other factors exist.

Rankers achieve immortality (age-wise) when they finish their climb, this may be the result of some Guardian contract; although it is likely the outwards physiological signs of aging either slow or stop long prior to this, since it takes on average 500 years for someone to reach the 134th Floor and become a Ranker, this may be due to the region of their origins, their shinsoo manipulation, potential or mental growth, it is unclear at this stage- much of this is inferred from information given (particularly in chapter 32).

Rankers are often directors or administrators of floors. They have a much higher status than Regulars similar to aristocracy compared to serfs and are preferentially treated. They can travel the inner and outer towers at will (though intruding into someone else's domain is poorly advised) and may traverse the middle area's staircase.

High Ranker
If a Ranker's ranking is top 1% of total Rankers, he/she can become a High Ranker. High Rankers earn the right to challenge for the 135th floor test, but none of them have succeeded yet. The people who attempted to climb the extra Floor were promptly punished by the hostile Guardians up there. There are about 1000 High Rankers in total. High Rankers are often described as gods among gods, as normal Rankers, who are viewed as gods themselves, shudder with fear at the idea of fighting against a High Ranker.

Sobriquet
Sobriquet is a type of nickname issued by the Ranking office, based on the Ranker's fighting style and personality. It's likely issued only after one has earned a Rank.

It shouldn't be confused with an ordinary nickname like "eyeball ghost".

External link

 * author's blog translations