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.

silently moved the cameras to focus on the faces of numerous profiles while quietly

thousand different individuals are gathered today for the new ranking assignments. Some will find themselves dropping out of the rankings, while

and swept his gaze over the thousand

ranker, I won't go

wooden podium and turned to face

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

the top twenty, so I'll start disclosing the lower rankings right away. For those that are called up, please remain seated on your chairs. There will not

displays behind him as he pressed the right side of

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 too far

time nominee. Congratulations for making it

man known as Elbert Bray. On the monitors, the people attending were

to that of orcs,

seated at the rear of the room with his arms crossed. Although his back was straight and his face was expressionless,

ranker. One of the most respected people in the world.

'He's pretty good...'

while he stared at the video on

Elbert's movements, he

at least for someone of

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

Just impressed.

and he no longer viewed someone in the top 500

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

'Where is he?'

from Elbert and nonchalantly scanned the room with his eyes. They soon

why he's decided

was none other than

a meeting such as this one. His displeasure for such events was quite well known by everyone that

on his

together, he leaned back on his

adorned his face. He didn't

something else. It was like his mind

least, that was what Kevin could deduce from simply glancing at him. He had no idea if

thoughts. Especially in light of what happened

the same time, a lot more reserved. He used to make crude jokes and remarks, but those days were over as he now no longer

was sad, but necessary at the

also the same, aren't

head and stared at his

That vision he saw...

no longer

on his pants as

was the

Jones

new name was called out after

names began to show up on the screen

Blane of Raging

Luke Runder

.

.

.

growing number of people approached the stage while Kevin was in the

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

Longbern of the

a familiar name. Lifting his head, he spotted Donna seated on one of the

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

single day. Raising his head

much. It was

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

[Top 107]

golden numbers hang

of the room pointed at her, she gave a simple smile, and the people around

a minute before a new

"Next up..."

more until Kevin finally heard his

up, Kevin Voss of the

of eyes pause on his body when his name was

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

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

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

[Top 94]

appeared beside his

of applause enshrouded

"Next up..."

called up, and with each new

kept his gaze on

about what his

[Top 60]

[Top 50]

[Top 40]

surprise on Kevin's face as he realized that Ren's name had still not

like he's

hide his strength like in the past. Normally, he would've probably only shown a skill level that was near

to go this

clearly something he

[Top 30]

[Top 20]

very serious by the time the top

up straight

'This might become troublesome.'

was about to happen, and Kevin could only imagine the effects that Ren's announcement