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.

from them and standing behind a transparent blue barrier, a number of figures silently moved the

out of

swept his gaze

I won't go into great depth. Everyone

arm on the wooden podium and

where a large monitor was situated. It was necessary to mention that there was another monitor of comparable size on the

rankings

picture suddenly showed on the two displays behind him as he

hair and fiery brows. Next to his name was a shining golden symbol [Top 500], with his name in white

first time nominee. Congratulations for making

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

was akin to that of orcs, where he would rip

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 lips that he

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

'He's pretty good...'

he stared at the video on

movements, he was

for someone of his

Although he was impressed by his skills, that was

Just impressed.

strength had increased significantly over the previous two years, and he no longer

simply how things were. If he had

'Where is he?'

room with his eyes. They soon paused toward a certain

why he's

was none other than

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

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

leaned back on his chair and

his face. He didn't

deeply about something else. It was

least, that was what Kevin could deduce from simply glancing at him. He had

out Ren's thoughts. Especially in light of what

was in some ways much nicer than before, but at 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 bothered

his change was sad, but necessary at the

the

his head and stared at his two hands which were

That vision he saw...

worldview. He could no longer

slowly started to form on his pants

was the only

Jones of

out after Elbert's name was

and more names began to show up on the screen after

up, Jessica Blane of

Luke Runder of

.

.

.

approached the stage while Kevin

effort to control their reactions, but it was inevitable that some would express their happiness and others their disappointment at

up, Donna Longbern of

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

that suited her hair and accentuated her curves to perfection. Her eyes were complemented by a

aged a single day. Raising his head to stare at the monitors, Kevin

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

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

[Top 107]

hang

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

only lasted for about a minute before

"Next up..."

bit more until

up, Kevin Voss

on his body

smiled. The reactions of the people around

Monica's, who at the same age had been classified roughly on the same level as him. No, rather, he had achieved the

justify the enthralled reactions of those around him. Additionally, no one thought Kevin's position was unusual because his accomplishments were

[Top 94]

golden numbers appeared beside

applause enshrouded

"Next up..."

called up, and with each new name that was called up, the louder

gaze on Ren throughout

about what his rankings

[Top 60]

[Top 50]

[Top 40]

names began to be called up. There were hints of surprise on Kevin's face as he realized that Ren's name had

like he's

come from Ren's high ranking, but from the fact that he didn't hide his strength like in the past. Normally, he would've probably only shown a skill level that

to go

was clearly something

[Top 30]

[Top 20]

the time the top 20th ranker

sat up straight on

'This might become troublesome.'

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