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.

barrier, a number of figures silently moved the cameras to focus on the faces of numerous profiles while quietly coordinating

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

swept his gaze over the thousand of

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

his arm on the wooden podium and turned to face the

raised his hand and pointed to his right, where a large monitor was

will take some time until we get to the top twenty, so I'll start disclosing the lower rankings

displays behind him as he pressed the right side of his

fiery brows. Next to his name was

first time nominee. Congratulations

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

style was akin to that of orcs, where

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 lips that he

point this out. After all, he had just become a ranker. One of the most respected people

'He's pretty good...'

commented to himself while he stared at the

analysing Elbert's movements, he was rather

for someone of his

the monitors. Although he was impressed by his

Just impressed.

and he no

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

'Where is he?'

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

why he's decided

none

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

Kevin's eyes paused on his figure, his eyes squinted

arms together, he leaned back on his chair and carefully

his

else. It was like

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

hard time figuring out Ren's thoughts. Especially

ways much nicer than before, but at the same time, a

sad, but

also the

lowered his head and stared at his two hands which were resting on his

That vision he saw...

worldview. He could no longer

on his pants as

the

up, Morland Jones

new name was called out after Elbert's name

to show up

Blane

Luke Runder of the

.

.

.

of people approached the stage while Kevin was in

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

up, Donna Longbern of the Lock

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

was wearing a stylish black one-piece outfit that suited her hair and accentuated her curves to perfection. Her eyes

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

much. It was clear that she had been focusing on school duties rather

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

[Top 107]

numbers hang beside her

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

moment only lasted for about a minute before a new name

"Next up..."

bit more until Kevin finally heard his

Kevin Voss of the

thousands of eyes pause on his

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

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

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

[Top 94]

appeared beside his

applause enshrouded the

"Next up..."

new name was called

on

about what his rankings would

[Top 60]

[Top 50]

[Top 40]

more and more names began to be called up. There were hints of surprise on Kevin's

he's serious

Ren's high ranking, but from the fact that he didn't hide his strength like in the past. Normally, he would've

for him to go this

was clearly something he wanted from

[Top 30]

[Top 20]

by the time

straight

'This might become troublesome.'

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