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.

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

find themselves dropping out of the rankings, while some

his gaze

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

arm on the wooden podium and

elevating his spectacles with the index finger of his other hand, he raised his hand and pointed to his right, where a large monitor was situated.

start disclosing the lower rankings right away. For those that are called up, please remain seated

the two displays behind him as he pressed the right side of

to his name was a shining golden symbol [Top 500], with his name in

first time nominee. Congratulations for making it in the

play short clips of the man known as Elbert Bray. On the monitors, the people attending were

to that of orcs, where he would rip through anything in

his arms crossed. Although his back was straight and his face was expressionless, it was obvious from the

out. After all, he had just become a ranker. One of the most respected people in the world. Who would

'He's pretty good...'

he stared at the video on

Elbert's movements,

at least for someone of

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

Just impressed.

years, and he

how things were. If he had to

'Where is he?'

eyes away from Elbert and nonchalantly scanned the room with his eyes. They soon paused toward a certain

why he's decided to

none other

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 quite well known by

eyes paused on his figure, his eyes squinted

leaned back on

looked to be in serious thought as an expressionless look adorned his face. He didn't seem to

about something else. It was like his mind was not in

deduce from simply glancing at him. He had no idea if it was

figuring out Ren's thoughts. Especially

some ways much nicer than before, but at the same time, a lot more reserved.

way, his change was sad, but

also the same, aren't

stared at his two hands which were

That vision he saw...

He could no longer see the world as he

to form on his pants as he

the

Jones of

name was called out after Elbert's name was

more names began to show up on the screen

Blane

Luke Runder of

.

.

.

approached the stage while

to the 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 express their happiness and others

up, Donna Longbern of

out of his thoughts he heard a familiar name. Lifting his

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

her, she hadn't aged a single day. Raising his head to stare at

to the ones he had seen three years ago, her highlights weren't much. It was clear that

also why her ranking didn't increase by much. It was still nonetheless an increase, which was

[Top 107]

hang beside

her, she gave

minute before a new name

"Next up..."

little bit more until

Voss

pause on his body when his name was called

eyes of the people present, he calmly smiled. The reactions

years old. A feat that was on par with Monica's, who at the same age had been classified roughly

unusual because his accomplishments were obvious to everyone. Unlike Ren, Kevin wasn't

[Top 94]

numbers appeared beside

applause

"Next up..."

moment didn't last for long as a new name was called up, and with each new name that

kept his gaze on Ren

genuinely curious about what his rankings

[Top 60]

[Top 50]

[Top 40]

more and more names began to be called up. There were hints of surprise

he's serious

his strength like in the past. Normally, he would've probably only

to go

was clearly something

[Top 30]

[Top 20]

expression was very serious by the time the top 20th ranker was

straight

'This might become troublesome.'

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