The Author's POV

The sky was slowly darkening as the sun proceeded to set. A misty orange layer began to envelop the sky.

This was typically the time when people would come back home from their jobs.

Today was different, however.

[Tri-annual Hero ranking assembly]

At the moment, everyone was tuned onto one specific event, whether they were watching it on their TVs or another available gadget.

The Hero ranking assembly.

The assembly that would determine the ranks of the top heroes of the world.

At first, it didn't seem all that great, but it was important to highlight that the central government would provide financial support as well as amazing chances for all of the top rankers. Not only that, but the fame attributed to becoming a ranker wasn't something to be taken lightly.

Large guilds would salivate at the prospect of hiring a ranker, and the resources made available to them would be substantially more than in the past.

If that wasn't all, those who made it to the top twenty in the rankings would also be given some form of legislative power.

An illustration of such power would be the ability to cast a vote while determining a crucial matter affecting humanity's future.

Essentially, the stronger you were, the more power you held.

"I wonder what rank Ren will get."

Amanda mumbled as she fixed her gaze on the TV on the wall across from her. The TV was rather enormous, taking almost half of the wall, and the images it showed were clear and of the highest possible quality. It had the effect of making one wonder if they were actually there if one wasn't paying attention.

Her hand reached to her right as she relaxed on a sofa. Toward a tiny bag of chips.

"Hm?"

Amanda felt a tiny hand reach out for her hand as soon as she took a chip.

"Brother is the best."

Nola commented while she took the chip from Amanda's hand, leaving her speechless.

"...He sure is."

A small and helpless smile spread across her face when she looked at Nola.

"Your brother will definetly get a high rank."

"What about first?"

"That's not possible, Nola."

Another voice echoed from the other side of the room. The voice belonged to none other than Samantha Dover, Ren and Nola's mom.

"You're brother has barely turned twenty four. There's no way he can rank first. It would already be a miracle if he ranked anywhere near the hundreds."

Samantha set a few plates on the modest wooden table in the living room and tilted her head to face Amanda.

"Actually, what rank is he?"

"…No idea."

Amanda shook her head.

Despite all the time she spent with Ren over the years, his rank was still an enigma to her. She knew it was high, but she didn't know just how high.

It wasn't something that came up in their conversations.

"It's starting."

A soft, deep voice echoed. Ren's father had just walked into the room. The moment that happened, the television screen went black, and Amanda saw her mother's reflection. She was currently seated next to Nola.

Meeting Amanda's gaze on the screen, she sadly said.

"I'm sure your dad will be devastated to know that you're more worried about Ren than him."

Amanda merely shrugged at her mother's words.

She already had an idea of what rank her father would get so she wasn't particularly interested. At least, not as much as she was interested in knowing what placement Ren would get.

She figured it would be in the early hundreds and perhaps even in the two digit figures, but knowing Ren, she knew that estimates were worthless.

He wasn't someone that could be predicted using common sense.

***

"The rankings are determined by taking into account a number of elements. Strength, accomplishments, and overall contributions to the growth and advancement of humanity."

In a spacious auditorium filled with round tables and benches, a firm, solemn voice resounded.

Rowan Kilimer, a representative of the Central government, took the stage in front of a tiny wooden podium while donning a pair of squared spectacles and a crisp grey suit.

His hair was well brushed back, and he had a rather solid frame with broad shoulders.

"The top individuals who are currently existing in the human realm have been ranked after taking the aforementioned aspects into account. This event aims to make the world aware of their accomplishments."

A large chandelier with brightly glistening lightbulbs in the shape of crystals vividly lit the area.

There were more than a thousand people seated on the chairs beneath the chandelier. Though it wasn't obvious at a glance, the pressure that came out from each one of the individuals present was terrifying.

Enough to make any regular person faint at the mere breath.

a transparent blue barrier, a number of figures silently moved the cameras to focus on

assignments. Some will find themselves dropping out of

head and swept his gaze over the thousand

being a ranker, I won't go into great depth. Everyone

podium and

finger of his other hand, he raised his hand and pointed to his right, where a large

time until we get to the top twenty, so I'll start disclosing the lower rankings right away.

suddenly showed on the two displays behind him as he pressed the right

image of a burly man with red hair and fiery brows. Next to his name was a shining golden symbol [Top 500], with his name in white not

Bray, first time nominee. Congratulations for making it in

known as Elbert Bray. On the monitors, the

of orcs, where he would

arms crossed. Although his back was straight and his face was

just become a ranker. One

'He's pretty good...'

himself while he stared at

movements, he was

at least for someone of

away from the monitors. Although he was impressed by his skills, that

Just impressed.

strength had increased significantly over the previous two years, and he no longer viewed someone in

being arrogant, but it was simply how things were. If he had to make an estimate, he was at least

'Where is he?'

nonchalantly scanned the room with his eyes. They soon paused toward a

why he's

was none other

as this one. His displeasure for such events was

his

he leaned back on his chair and carefully

thought as an expressionless look adorned his

he seemed to be thinking deeply about something else. It was like his

at him. He had no

had a rather hard time figuring out Ren's thoughts. Especially in light of what happened two

but at the same time, a lot more reserved. He used to make crude jokes and remarks, but those days were over as he

his change was sad, but necessary at

the same, aren't

his head and stared at his two hands which were resting on

That vision he saw...

changed his worldview. He could no longer see

started to form on his pants as

was the

up, Morland Jones

was called out

names began to show up on the

Blane of

Luke Runder of the

.

.

.

stage while Kevin was in the middle

two hundred's were beginning to emerge gradually. The majority of those in attendance made an effort to control their reactions, but it was inevitable that some would

up, Donna Longbern

Kevin out of his thoughts he heard a familiar name. Lifting his head, he spotted Donna seated

curves to perfection. Her eyes were complemented by a big purple necklace that dangled

she hadn't aged a single day. Raising his head to stare at the monitors, Kevin focused his attention on her

much. It

her ranking didn't increase by much. It was still nonetheless an

[Top 107]

numbers hang

the back of the room pointed at her, she gave a simple smile,

about a minute before a new name

"Next up..."

little bit more until Kevin finally

Kevin Voss of

of eyes pause on his body

calmly smiled. The reactions of the people around him

was on par with Monica's, who at the same age had been classified roughly on the same level as him. No, rather, he had achieved the

the enthralled reactions of those around him. Additionally, no one thought Kevin's position was unusual because his accomplishments were obvious

[Top 94]

numbers appeared

wave of applause enshrouded the

"Next up..."

was called up, and with each new name that was called up,

his gaze on Ren throughout the

genuinely curious about what his rankings would

[Top 60]

[Top 50]

[Top 40]

called up. There were hints of surprise on Kevin's face as he realized that Ren's name had

he's

ranking, but from the fact that he didn't hide his strength like in the past. Normally, he would've probably only shown a skill level that was near

for him to

was clearly something

[Top 30]

[Top 20]

was very serious by the time the

sat up straight on

'This might become troublesome.'

people present currently knew what was about to happen, and Kevin could only imagine the effects that Ren's announcement would have on some of the