The Rankings

Julius was sat alone in the assembly hall, 4 hours before the Assembly was set to begin. He took one more look at the clock, as he had been doing so for the past few minutes before resting his eyes once more. 

"Just 4 more hours, then I can rest."

The hall of the Angelicist Organization had already been set up, which made sense for an event as grand as the Monthly Rankings. The rankings had been highly anticipated, not just for the prestige that having a high rank would bring, but because people were rewarded based on rankings. Rewards affected living place, food quality and even system perks like free level-ups.

Julius arrived early. He felt like he needed to show before the crowd, giving himself time to focus, to mentally prepare. At one point, as he leaned against the cold marble wall near the ranking board, he realized he wasn't alone.

"I still don't get why you care so much about these rankings," Rose said, standing next to him with arms crossed. Her dark purple cloak swayed slightly as she shifted her weight, her keen blue eyes watching him and her red hair swaying from side to side. " It's hard to say but, I don't think you should expect yourself to win."

"I need the power..." Julius groaned, still half-asleep.

Rose rolled her eyes. "Right, because you're just so weak right now."

Julius smirked. "Not weak. Just not the strongest. Yet."

She sighed, clearly exasperated. "You know, the only reason I'm here is to make sure you don't do anything crazy if you lose."

Julius chuckled. "Oh, come on. How bad could it be? I think it could be close, after all Dain has to share quest experience with his allies. Meanwhile I did it all on my own."

A few hours passed, silence occasionally broken by menial chatter. And slowly the hall filled.

1 Minute before the event started, Julius began laughing wildly.

"What's wrong with you? There's people around."

"I'm just excited, it's been a long few weaks." He smiled in her direction.

Before she could respond, the grand doors to the ranking chamber opened, and a flood of adventurers entered. The energy in the room shifted instantly, whispers filling the air as all the warriors, mages, and archers took their places. The ranking board was covered by a shimmering golden veil, waiting for the reveal. On their system it was [Locked] until the assembly was done.

At the front of the room, standing upon a raised platform, was Father Alden. The priest who served as the voice of the divine in the organization. His presence alone was enough to silence the crowd as he raised a hand.

"Welcome, chosen warriors," Alden's voice echoed through the chamber. "The rankings are not merely a measure of power, but of dedication, skill, and the will to fight for this world. Remember, those who fall can easily return to great heights and those who rise today have great futures ahead of them."

Julius inhaled deeply, anticipation coiling in his stomach. He had trained relentlessly this past month. He had completed difficult quests, honed his mind to insanity, and pushed himself beyond what he thought possible. This was his moment. He could feel it, he began rubbing his hands in excitement.

The golden veil vanished in a flash of light, revealing the names etched into the ranking board.

1st - Dain Stormheart [40]

2nd - Elise Vael [35]

3rd - Orion Blackfang [34]

4th - Julius Veldrin [33]

For a moment, Julius could only stare. Fourth. He clenched his fists. He had expected top three—no, he had already accepted he was top three, yet here it said fourth. His goal was first, and he wasn't even on the podium? He turned his head slightly, meeting Dain's smug gaze. 

Dain Stormheart, the golden warrior of the Angelicist Organization, smirked as he looked directly at Julius. "Fourth place, huh? Guess all that training didn't do much for you. Perhaps you should've given the sword to someone who could've used it better."

A few laughs rang out. "See, I told you he was a fool for holding the sword.Now he's an exile and a loser. And you said you'd do the same."

"Bro, he's still higher ranked than both of us! You're stupid."

Julius ignored them all, he checked his system where the full list was published.

"Wait a minute..." 

"Dain." Julius called out, causing Dain to look back tiredly.

"What is it now Julius? Are you here to apologise publicly for your act, it isn't too late to hand over the sword-."

"Why is your entire group not even in the top 20, the fact your level is so high does that mean..."

Julius' eyes lit up.

'No way.' Julius thought. 'Did Dain use his group to level himself up, and keep them out the party so whilst they helped him they gained no exp themselves for the majority of the quests.'

"Dain. You really used your entire group to help you level, and you didn't even help them at all? How scared were you that I would outlevel you, that you outfarmed to such an extent." Julius spat on the ground. "Ha. I knew it wouldn't be a fair fight but these are new lows."

He looked at Julius' group, all of their heads were drawn down sadly. All their work, funnelled into Dain, they could've all easily been in the top 10.

"Relax Julius, if you have any proof I used my teammates in such a way, you can present it. Or better yet, you can ask them right now. If you have any other theories as to how I beat you, other than me simply being better and stronger of course, then let me hear them another time. I need to go get my rewards."

The adventurers around them chuckled, murmurs of amusement rippling through the crowd.

Dain placed a hand on Julius' shoulder and began weighing his grip down. Julius felt his bones begin to wince.

"Don't touch me."

Julius clenched his teeth. His grip on his sword tightened, his knuckles turning white. Damn it. He had lost to Dain, all his efforts had been proven futile by a cheap strat.

Dain's hand moved to the greatsword on his back.

"Julius-."

Before he could say anything, Father Alden raised a hand, silencing the crowd. "Those who stand among the top ten have proven their worth. The blessings of the divine and the rewards of the system shall be bestowed upon them."

A golden light filled the room as the system activated, bestowing its rewards. Each ranked adventurer stepped forward, one by one, receiving their blessings in turn. Julius watched as Dain and the others received their rewards—though the specifics remained hidden, shrouded in secrecy. When it was his turn, he stepped forward.

"The system recognizes your achievements, Julius Veldrin," Alden intoned. "Your reward shall be given."

A surge of light engulfed Julius, and in an instant, he felt the change. His body grew stronger, his muscles more refined, his mind sharper. Level up! Level up! Level up! The notifications flashed before him.

He had gained several levels. It was an incredible reward—but as the light faded, a deep sense of dissatisfaction settled within him. It wasn't enough. Not when Dain still stood ahead of him. Not when he had lost.

"Level 40..." Julius muttered, but as he looked to Dain he realized the gap had widened even further.

[Dain Level 50 Warlord]

Of the one hundred people there, the majority chanted his name. It was there that Dain announced himself as leader, and no one stepped up with a problem. Julius felt his words would prove nothing, so even though he thought Dain was a poor leader he let the people celeberate this 'victory.'