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 didn't need to

Ping'”! Ping'”! Ping'”!

the triangular-shaped devices resting on the table lit

holograms popped up from the devices. A total of twelve holograms appeared before us, depicting men and

all the devices apart

all eyes directed towards me. With keen interest in their eyes, the people behind the hologram scrutinized

"How young"

ones

they will

Ping'”!

up.

room changed. Everyone on the table

was Edward Stern, the Demon

the most powerful figures in the human domain. Smiling amiably, Edward Stern looked at me and Melissa before apologizing. I instantly waved

for not being able to see you

"It's, okay we understand"

the slightest. In fact, I was delighted. This put a lot less pressure

this situation

each and every member present here being an extremely influential person, they weren't always going to be at the

made time for me and Melissa

his attention towards the presentation behind us, Edward Stern kicked off the

let's get straight to the point. Please introduce us to your

"Very well"

stick

a new external mana system that can be used to

like water. They were crisp and pleasant

consise, and with the aid of the presentation, even I could easily understand

stood beside her with a plain smile. On a couple of occasions, I would nod

good, I hope I don't screw it

I was in charge of speaking was more

would use to combat competitors, the longevity of the product, how we

had come prepared. Once it was my

that I was comfortably able to answer most of the questions thrown at me by the elders. The

of the

a while, with satisfied looks on their faces, the elders

reverent their discussions seemed,

this scene, Edward Stern suddenly raised his hand and everyone

his attention back to us,

presentation. We will contact you

"Sure"

didn't mind this. Given how big the investment was,

you, I'll let you know

Ping'”!

His hologram soon disappeared.

Ping'”! Ping'”! Ping'”!

hologram, one after the other, the other holograms

...

same time, the last floor of the Demon Hunter guild. Amanda sat down and looked at the presentation displayed on a

on it were

were clear and easy to understand. Amanda couldn't

other hand, there was Ren. Although he started roughly, by the end of the presentation he managed to get

Cliiii'”!

the monitor switched, and thirteen different screens appeared on her monitor. For

do you guys

one to break the silence. He wanted to hear the other's opinion before voicing his.

surely make a lot of money. In fact, this could probably help us widen the gap with

fails? If it fails won't we be losing a

were rich, they couldn't just freely give money away. They had to be

it fails we could potentially be losing more than

is there to worry about? His daughter is

another elder spoke up. This time, no

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

inside of the room knew who he was referring

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

for a moment. Melissa is in fact a very capable person. She alone is worth the investment. As long as we don't do anything that is

heard this, the discussions resumed. One after the

"I agree"

and perhaps the union, I can see a lot of profit being generated in the long term.

is a

the problem is...what if

this project under wraps all that we lose is

right. If we manage to recruit him, even if the project fails,

Ren Dover.

was one of the main reasons why they chose to