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.

them and standing behind a transparent blue barrier, a number of figures silently moved the cameras to focus

find themselves dropping out of the rankings, while some others might find themselves entering the rankings for the first time in their

his head and swept his gaze over the thousand

ranker, I won't go

the wooden podium and turned to face the

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

twenty, so I'll start disclosing the lower rankings right away. For those that are called up, please remain seated on your chairs. There will not

on the two displays behind him as he pressed the right

picture 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

time nominee. Congratulations

Elbert Bray. On the monitors, the people attending were able to catch a glimpse of his skills

fighting style was akin to that of orcs, where he would rip

room with his arms crossed. Although his back was straight and his face was expressionless, it was obvious from the slight

a ranker. One of the most respected people in

'He's pretty good...'

while he

movements,

for someone

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

he

'Where is he?'

and nonchalantly scanned the room with his eyes. They soon paused toward a certain individual

he's

none other than

bit. Never in his life did he expect Ren to attend a meeting such as this one. His displeasure for such events was quite well known by everyone that knew him. He never really tried to hide

eyes paused on his figure, his eyes

his arms together, he leaned back on

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

about something else. It

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

out Ren's thoughts. Especially in

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

change was sad,

the

his head and stared at his two hands

That vision he saw...

his worldview. He could no longer see the world

on his pants as he

was the only

Morland Jones of Hell's

called out after Elbert's name

show up on the

Jessica Blane of Raging Fist

Runder

.

.

.

number of people approached the stage while Kevin

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

Donna Longbern

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

accentuated her curves to perfection. Her eyes were

Raising his head

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

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

[Top 107]

hang

the back of the room pointed at her, she gave

a minute before a

"Next up..."

a little bit more until Kevin finally

up, Kevin Voss

on his body

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

ranked in the top 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 the same level as him. No, rather, he had

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

[Top 94]

appeared beside his

applause enshrouded

"Next up..."

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

kept his gaze on Ren throughout the

about

[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

he's

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

to

clearly something he wanted from

[Top 30]

[Top 20]

expression was very serious by the time the top 20th ranker was

sat up straight on

'This might become troublesome.'

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