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.

number of figures silently moved the cameras

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

his head and swept his gaze over

the benefits of being a ranker, I won't go

arm on the wooden podium and turned

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 end,

rankings right

two displays behind him as he pressed the

the picture was the image of a burly man with red hair and fiery brows. Next to his name

time nominee. Congratulations for making

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 through

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 face was expressionless, it was obvious from the slight curl of his lips that he was

After all, he had just become a ranker. One

'He's pretty good...'

while he stared

analysing Elbert's movements, he was rather

at least for someone of his

the monitors. Although he was impressed by his skills, that was

Just impressed.

previous two years, and he no longer viewed someone

he had to make an estimate, he was at least within the

'Where is he?'

and nonchalantly scanned the room with

he's decided to

none

appearance surprised 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 well known by everyone that knew him. He never really

on his figure, his eyes squinted

together, he leaned back on his

thought as an expressionless look adorned his face. He didn't seem

deeply about something else. It was like his mind was not in the

what Kevin could deduce from simply glancing at him. He

figuring out Ren's thoughts. Especially in light of what happened two

some ways much nicer than before, but at the same time, a lot more reserved. He

sad, but necessary

the same, aren't

his head and stared at his two hands

That vision he saw...

longer see the world as he did in

slowly started to form on his pants as

was the

Jones

called out

names began to show up on

Blane of Raging

Luke Runder

.

.

.

growing number of people approached the stage while Kevin was

of those in attendance made an effort to control their reactions, but it was inevitable that some would express

up, Donna Longbern of the Lock

Lifting his head, he spotted

accentuated her curves to perfection. Her eyes were complemented by a big

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

highlights weren't much. It was clear that she had been focusing on

much. It was still nonetheless an increase, which

[Top 107]

golden numbers hang

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

about a minute before

"Next up..."

continued for a little bit more until Kevin finally

Kevin Voss of the

pause on his body when

of the people present, he calmly smiled. The

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

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

[Top 94]

numbers appeared

of applause

"Next up..."

a new name was called up, and with

kept his gaze on Ren

about

[Top 60]

[Top 50]

[Top 40]

There were hints of surprise on Kevin's face as he realized that Ren's name had

like he's

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

to go this

was clearly something

[Top 30]

[Top 20]

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

sat up straight

'This might become troublesome.'

of the people present currently knew what was about to happen, and Kevin could only imagine the effects that Ren's announcement would have on