The Author's POV

After we met with Amanda, we directly entered the building.

Instantly I was left speechless by the grandeur of the place. The place reminded me of my parent's guild lobby. But a lot more spacious and luxurious.

Standing at the front of a lobby, a young man that looked to be in his mid-thirties came to greet us.

Maxwell Benson, Amanda's personal assistant.

Spotting me, he held out his hand with a warm smile. He gave off a good first impression, like an older brother next door. Competency aside, it was because of the impression he gave off that he was chosen to be Amanda's assistant.

"Ren Dover, right?"

"Yes."

I shook his hand.

"And I'm sure I don't need to introduce myself to Melissa, right?"

Melissa smiled at Maxwell's words. She had already met him before. Turning his attention back to Amanda, he offered.

"Young miss, shall I give the two a tour?"

"Nah, I'm good. I've already been here before. Plus, we've got more important things to do"

Before Amanda could respond, Melissa instantly refused. Maxwell smiled at her response.

"Very well, then I shall escort you to the meeting place"

"Hey wait, I didn't say I didn't want to hear about this place"

I immediately protested. Unlike her, this was my first time here.

"No one asked you"

Unfortunately, I was immediately cut off by Melissa who quickly moved towards the elevator area.

Out of pity, Maxwell briefly introduced me to the place. Together with Melissa, and Amanda, we stood in front of the elevator.

"The first and second floor as you can see are the areas which we attend and greet our guests. From the second floor up, there are the offices for the contracted heroes that are currently working under us..."

Ding'”!

The elevator then arrived, and Maxwell hopped in and pressed the button that led to the fifth floor. Amanda who was next to him pressed another button.

She had other things to do and so she couldn't stay with us. She only came to the bottom floor to greet us.

Ding'”!

[Fifth floor]

After a brief moment, the elevator arrived on the fifth floor. Bidding Amanda goodbye and exiting the elevator, I saw a large circle-shaped lobby and office doors spaced out along the wall.

Navigating through the fifth floor, Maxwell guided me, and Melissa to a rather spacious office. A large round table stood in the middle with special triangular-shaped devices in front of each seat.

Standing by the side of the office, Maxwell politely smiled.

"Please make yourself comfortable. This is where the meeting will be held. Briefly, the master will contact you. In the meantime, whilst you're waiting for the master and the elders to attend, I'd suggest you set up your presentation. Aside from that, you can contact me if you need anything else"

Maxwell turned his head left and right and checked the room. Seeing that everything was set up, he bid farewell.

"It seems like there's nothing left for me to do here. If you need anything else, please let me know. If you'll excuse me now, I must leave."

"I understand, thank you"

Nodding my head, I politely bid Maxwell goodbye.

Entering the office, heeding his suggestion, Melissa and I got quick to work. We quickly inserted the USB inside of the projector and loaded the presentation up.

After a while, I clapped my hand in satisfaction. Turning the projector on, I curiously asked Melissa.

"Is it ready?"

"Should be"

"Do you remember your lines?"

Prior to today, I had memorized my lines. This was so that I wouldn't screw it up.

"What lines? I don't do lines"

"...Oh, right"

was the one who built the project from scratch. She

Ping'”! Ping'”! Ping'”!

resting on the table lit

the devices. A total of twelve holograms

a matter of seconds, all the devices apart from one

keen interest in their eyes, the people

"How young"

ones that we are meeting

wonder what they will

Ping'”!

the table lit up. A middle-aged man with obsidian black eyes and a

the table looked at than with hints of

Edward Stern, the Demon Hunter

Smiling amiably, Edward Stern looked at me and

able to see

"It's, okay we understand"

delighted. This put a lot

this situation

an extremely influential person, they

made time for

towards the presentation behind us, Edward Stern kicked off the

not waste any time. Since we are all busy, let's get straight to the

"Very well"

stepped up. Pressing onto a small stick in her hand,

concept. It's a new external mana system that can be used to integrate

flowed like water. They were crisp and pleasant to

of the presentation, even I could easily understand what she was talking

to her, I just stood beside her with a plain smile. On a couple of occasions, I

I hope I don't

speaking was more on the business

strategy we would use to

come prepared. Once it was my turn, to my surprise, I didn't stutter

was comfortably able to answer most of the questions thrown at me by the elders. The longer I spoke the more confident I got. In less than

that's the end of the

on their faces, the elders whispered amongst each

reverent their discussions seemed, their interest

scene, Edward Stern suddenly raised his hand and everyone

to us, he smiled

will contact you

"Sure"

Given how big the investment was, it was only

you, I'll let you know

Ping'”!

His hologram soon disappeared.

Ping'”! Ping'”! Ping'”!

his hologram, one after the other, the other holograms

...

guild. Amanda sat down and looked at the

were Ren and

presentation was spotless. Her points were clear and easy to understand. Amanda couldn't find any

he started roughly, by the end of the presentation

Cliiii'”!

a while, the monitor switched, and thirteen different screens appeared on her monitor. For a brief moment

do you guys

hear the other's opinion before

to do as they proposed in the presentation we would surely

If it fails won't we be losing

just freely give money

fails we could potentially be losing more

there to worry about? His daughter is

another elder spoke up. This time, no one followed

the elder's mouths, the room's mood became somber. Even Edward Stern's expression couldn't

who he was referring to.

everyone feared. Edward Stern included. After a while, Edward

person. She alone is worth the investment. As long as we don't do anything that is out of the line, he

discussions resumed. One after the other, the elders offered their

"I agree"

other guilds and perhaps the union, I can see a lot of profit being generated in the long term. If we play our cards right we may be able to cement ourselves to the

is a

again, the problem is...what if

money. If we keep this project under wraps all that we

him, even if the project fails, it

Ren Dover.

main reasons why they chose to listen to the