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

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 for the first time in

head and swept his gaze over the

regard to the benefits of being a ranker, I won't go into great depth. Everyone present should already be familiar with

his arm on the wooden podium

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

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

the two displays behind him as he pressed the right side of his

fiery brows. Next to

time nominee. Congratulations for

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

style was akin to that of orcs,

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

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

'He's pretty good...'

while he stared

movements, he was rather

least for someone

he was impressed by his skills, that was all there was to

Just impressed.

years, and he no longer viewed

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

'Where is he?'

room with his eyes. They

why he's

none other

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

his figure,

his arms together, he leaned back

thought as an expressionless look adorned his face. He didn't seem to be amused by what he

to be thinking deeply about something else. It was

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

figuring out Ren's thoughts. Especially in

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 remarks, but those days were over as he now no

was sad, but necessary at the

also the

and stared at his two hands which

That vision he saw...

drastically changed his worldview. He could no longer see the world as he

to form on his pants as he clenched

was the only

Jones of Hell's

out

to show up on the screen after

up, Jessica Blane

Runder

.

.

.

approached the stage while

two hundred's were beginning to emerge gradually. The majority of those in attendance made an effort to control their reactions, but it was

Donna Longbern

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

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

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

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

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

[Top 107]

golden numbers hang beside

back of the room pointed at her, she

a minute before a new

"Next up..."

a little bit more until Kevin finally

Kevin Voss of the

on his body when his name was

present, he calmly smiled. The reactions of the people

roughly on the same level as him. No,

position was unusual because his accomplishments were obvious to

[Top 94]

golden numbers appeared beside his

wave of applause

"Next up..."

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

his gaze on Ren throughout the entire

was genuinely curious about what

[Top 60]

[Top 50]

[Top 40]

began to be called up. There were hints of surprise on Kevin's face as he realized that Ren's name had still not been

like he's serious

he didn't hide his strength like in the past. Normally, he would've

him to go

something

[Top 30]

[Top 20]

very serious by the time the top 20th ranker was

straight on his

'This might become troublesome.'

None of the people present currently knew what was about to happen, and Kevin could only imagine the effects that