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 number of figures silently moved the cameras to focus on the faces of numerous profiles

find themselves dropping out of the rankings, while some others might find themselves entering the rankings for the first time

and swept his gaze over the

being a ranker, I won't go into great depth. Everyone present should already be familiar with

wooden podium and

and pointed to his right, where a large monitor was situated. It was necessary to mention

until we get to the top twenty, so I'll start disclosing the lower rankings right away. For those that are called up, please

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

and fiery brows. Next to his name was a shining golden symbol [Top 500], with his name

first time nominee. Congratulations

behind switched and started to play short clips of the man known as Elbert Bray. On the monitors, the people attending were able to catch a glimpse of his skills from the short clips that

akin to that of orcs, where he would rip

the room with his arms crossed.

just become a ranker. One of the most respected people in the world. Who would dare mess with

'He's pretty good...'

he stared at

analysing Elbert's movements, he was rather

for someone of

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

Just impressed.

previous two years, and he no

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

'Where is he?'

Elbert and nonchalantly scanned the room with his eyes. They soon paused toward a certain individual sitting near the

he's decided

was none

appearance surprised Kevin quite a bit. Never in his life did he expect Ren to attend a meeting such as this one. His displeasure for such events was

paused on his figure, his eyes squinted

his arms together, he leaned back on his chair and carefully

look adorned his face. He didn't seem to be amused by what

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

was what Kevin could deduce from simply glancing at him. He had no idea if it was true

had a rather hard time figuring out Ren's thoughts. Especially

behaving in the same manner as before. He was in some ways much nicer than before, but at the same time, a lot more reserved.

way, his change was sad, but necessary at the

the

his two hands which were resting on

That vision he saw...

no longer see the world as he

form on his

was the

Jones

called out

and more names began to show

Blane of Raging

Luke Runder of

.

.

.

the stage while

in attendance made an effort to control their reactions,

Longbern

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

one-piece outfit that suited her hair and accentuated her curves to perfection. Her eyes were complemented by a big purple necklace that dangled

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

her highlights weren't much. It was

her ranking didn't increase by much.

[Top 107]

golden numbers hang beside

pointed at her,

for about a minute before a new name

"Next up..."

bit more

Voss of

felt thousands of eyes pause on his body when his name was

people present, he calmly smiled. The reactions of the people around him were something he

was already ranked in the top hundred while he was just 24 years old. A feat that 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

of those around him. Additionally, no one thought Kevin's position was unusual because

[Top 94]

numbers appeared beside

wave of applause

"Next up..."

as a new name was called up, and with each new name

kept his gaze on

curious about what his rankings would

[Top 60]

[Top 50]

[Top 40]

began to be called up. There were hints of surprise on Kevin's face as he realized that Ren's

he's serious about

he didn't hide his strength like in the past. Normally, he would've probably only shown a

to

was clearly something he wanted

[Top 30]

[Top 20]

serious by the time

up straight on

'This might become troublesome.'

auditorium. None of the people present currently knew what was about to happen, and