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.

far from them and standing behind a transparent blue barrier, a number of figures silently moved the cameras to focus on the faces of numerous profiles while quietly coordinating with each other

a thousand different individuals are 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

raised his head and swept his gaze over

the benefits of being a ranker, I won't go into

wooden podium

hand, he raised his hand and pointed to his right, where a large monitor was situated. It was necessary to

to 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

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

was the 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

Congratulations for making it

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

of orcs, where he would

on Elbert Bray, who was seated at the rear of the room with his arms crossed. Although his back

a ranker. One of the most respected people

'He's pretty good...'

commented to himself while he stared at the video on

analysing Elbert's movements, he was

for

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

Just impressed.

he no longer viewed someone in the

was simply how things were. If he had to make an

'Where is he?'

scanned the room with his eyes. They soon paused toward

wonder why he's decided

none other than

bit. Never in his life did he expect Ren to attend a meeting such as this one. His displeasure for such

his figure, his

together, he leaned back on

his face. He didn't seem to be amused by what he was

something else. It was like his mind was not

glancing at him.

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

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

sad, but necessary

the same,

stared at his two hands which were resting on

That vision he saw...

his worldview. He could no longer

to form on his

was the only

Jones of

new name was called out after Elbert's name

to show up on the screen

Jessica Blane

Runder of

.

.

.

approached the stage while Kevin was in the middle

from 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

up, Donna Longbern of

Lifting his head, he spotted Donna seated

curves to

her, she hadn't aged a single day. Raising his

to the ones he had seen three years ago, her highlights weren't much. It was clear that she had been focusing on school duties

why her ranking didn't increase by much. It was

[Top 107]

golden numbers hang

cameras at the back of the room pointed at her, she gave a

for about a minute before

"Next up..."

continued for a little bit more until Kevin finally

Voss of the

on his

people present, he calmly smiled.

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 the feat a year earlier than her. With the fact that she was no ranked, Kevin's prospects were

around him. Additionally, no one thought Kevin's position was unusual because his accomplishments were obvious to everyone. Unlike Ren, Kevin wasn't

[Top 94]

golden numbers appeared

of applause enshrouded the

"Next up..."

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

kept his gaze on

curious about what his

[Top 60]

[Top 50]

[Top 40]

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

like he's

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

him to go this

was clearly something he wanted

[Top 30]

[Top 20]

very serious by the time the top 20th ranker was

straight on

'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