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.

figures silently moved the cameras to focus on the faces of numerous profiles while quietly coordinating with each other

gathered today for the new ranking assignments. Some will find themselves dropping out of the rankings, while some others might find themselves entering the rankings for the first time in their

head and swept his gaze over the thousand

I won't go into great depth. Everyone present should

podium and turned to face

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. It was necessary to

top twenty, so I'll start disclosing the lower rankings right

picture suddenly showed on the two displays behind him

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

Congratulations for making it in

and started to play short clips of the man known as Elbert Bray. On the monitors, the people

orcs, where he would

was on the monitors, the cameras were trained on Elbert Bray, who was seated at the rear of the room with his arms crossed. Although his back was straight and his face was expressionless, it was obvious from the slight curl of his

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

'He's pretty good...'

commented to himself while he stared

Elbert's movements, he was rather

for

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

Just impressed.

previous two years, and he no longer viewed someone in the top 500 as

were. If he

'Where is he?'

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

why he's

none other

expect Ren to attend a meeting such as this one. His displeasure for such events was quite well

on his figure,

arms together, he leaned back

as an expressionless look adorned his face. He didn't seem to be amused

seemed to be thinking deeply about something else. It was like his mind was not in

was what Kevin could deduce from simply glancing at

thoughts. Especially in light of what happened two years

the same time, a lot more reserved. He used to make crude jokes and remarks,

sad, but necessary

also the same, aren't

stared at his

That vision he saw...

changed his worldview. He could no longer see the world as he did

on his pants

was the only

Jones

name was called out after Elbert's name

to show up on the screen

Jessica Blane of Raging

Luke Runder

.

.

.

the stage while Kevin was

the five hundred's 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 their disappointment at their overall

Longbern of

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

outfit that suited her hair and accentuated her curves

day. Raising his head to stare at

highlights weren't much. It was clear that she had been focusing on school duties rather than making any

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

[Top 107]

hang beside her

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

minute before

"Next up..."

for a little bit more

up, Kevin Voss of the

pause on his body when his name was called

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

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

was unusual because his

[Top 94]

golden numbers appeared

applause

"Next up..."

as a new name was called up, and with each

gaze on Ren throughout

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

he's

surprise didn't come from Ren's high ranking, but from the fact that he didn't hide his strength like in

him to go this

was clearly something he

[Top 30]

[Top 20]

by the time the top 20th ranker

up straight on his

'This might become troublesome.'

the people in the auditorium. None of the people present currently knew what was about to happen, and Kevin could only imagine the