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.

of the room, not too far from them and standing behind a transparent blue barrier, a number of figures silently moved the cameras to focus on the

gathered today for the new ranking assignments. Some will find themselves dropping out

head and swept his gaze over the

go into great depth. Everyone present should already be familiar

wooden podium

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 mention that there was another monitor of comparable size on the opposite

top twenty, so I'll start disclosing the lower rankings right away. For those that are called

displays behind him as he

red hair and fiery brows. Next to his name was a shining

first time nominee. Congratulations for making it in the

as Elbert Bray. On the monitors, the people attending were able to catch a glimpse

fighting style was akin to that of orcs, where he

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

ranker. One of the most respected people in the world. Who would dare mess

'He's pretty good...'

quietly commented to himself while he stared at the video on

analysing Elbert's movements,

at least for someone of

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

Just impressed.

had increased significantly over the previous two years, and he no longer viewed someone in the top 500

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

why he's

was none other than

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

his figure, his eyes squinted

his arms together, he leaned back on his chair and carefully scrutinized

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

be thinking deeply about something else. It

simply glancing at him. He had no idea if it was

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

same manner as before. He was in some ways much nicer than before, but at the same time, a lot more reserved. He used to make crude jokes and

a way, his change was sad, but necessary at the

the same, aren't

at his

That vision he saw...

no longer see the world as he

slowly started to form on

the

Jones of Hell's Cat

was called out after Elbert's

names began to show up on

Jessica Blane

up, Luke Runder of

.

.

.

the stage while Kevin was in the middle of

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

Longbern of the

out of his thoughts he heard a familiar name. Lifting his head, he spotted Donna

black one-piece outfit that suited her hair and accentuated her curves to perfection. Her eyes were complemented by

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

by much. It was still nonetheless an

[Top 107]

numbers hang

of the room pointed at her,

minute before a new name was called

"Next up..."

bit more until Kevin finally

up, Kevin Voss of

of eyes pause on his body when

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

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

position was unusual because his accomplishments

[Top 94]

golden numbers appeared

of applause

"Next up..."

name was called up, and with each new name that

his gaze on Ren throughout the entire

was genuinely curious about

[Top 60]

[Top 50]

[Top 40]

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

like he's serious

ranking, but from the fact that he didn't hide his strength like in the

to go this

was clearly something

[Top 30]

[Top 20]

very serious by the time the top 20th ranker

straight

'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 effects that Ren's announcement