The Author's POV

Once Hein signed the contract, everything was smooth sailing. Briefing him about the upcoming trip and how it was going to be important in his mission to cure his father, Hein promptly agreed to join me on the trip.

"Alright, let me send you the money. I'll let you handle the rest with your family."

"Mhm."

Transferring 5 million U directly to Hein's account, I stood up and left the shop.

Hein would be leaving on a long trip with me and the others, I didn't want to ruin his farewell with his father and siblings.

Fortunately, with the five million I had given him, they should be able to live very comfortably for the next few years. This was probably why he wasn't so against the idea of coming with me once I explained to him the purpose of the trip.

"Hmm, what time is it?"

Standing underneath the sunlight, turning my wrist slightly, I check the time. 9:30 A.M.

"Hm, so almost two hours have already passed..."

From what I recall, we arrived here by 8 in the morning. This meant that one and a half hours had already passed since I talked to Hein.

Taking out my phone, I texted the others.

[Guys, it's time to come back.]

Now that I had dealt with Hein's recruitment, it was now time to leave.

Walking back to the SUV, leaning on my seat I got some shut-eye. Having driven throughout the whole night, I needed to rest a little.

*

"We're back."

Waking me up from my nap was the sound of Ryan's high-pitched voice. Opening the door of the car, he quickly hopped in.

Following him were Ava, and Smallsnake. Leopold followed suit not long after.

Staring towards the back of the car, I looked left and right before asking.

"Hmm, looks like everyone is here. Where is Angelica?"

"She's there."

Smallsnake pointed towards the back seat. Leaning forward a bit, I finally saw Angelica resting in the back of the car.

"Okay, perfect, now all we have to do is wait for Hein."

Right as my words faded, the door of the shop in the distance opened and Hein came out. Looking closely, I could see that the side of his eyes was red, indicating to me that he had been crying.

Lowering the window, I asked.

"Are you done saying your goodbyes?"

"Mhm"

Lifting his head up, Hein softly nodded his head.

Opening the back door of the car, I gestured for him to get in.

"Great, get in."

Upon entering the car, pointing at Hein, I introduced him to the others.

"Guys, this is Hein, our new recruit."

"Hello."

Hein greeted the others who greeted him back. Smiling, I pointed at the others and briefly introduced them to him.

"Hein, these are the other members. This here is Smallsnake, if you want to know anything, ask this guy and he'll probably know. This over here is Ava, she's a monster ta..."

As I introduced Hein to the other members, before long, a weird look appeared on his face. Blinking a couple of times and alternating my gaze between him and the others, I came to a sudden realization.

Patting him on the shoulder, I let out a small laugh.

"Don't be too quick to judge."

Now that I thought about it, everyone looked pretty unreliable.

Smallsnake was lanky, Leopold looked like a drunkard, Ava looked extremely shy and Ryan was a child.

Skipping Angelica who was a demon, and Silug who I had no idea about what he was doing, the group really looked unreliable.

"Although they don't look reliable, don't look down on them. Everyone here is much scarier than you think."

"...Is that so?"

Completely unconvinced by my

my head and patting him on the shoulder, I urged for him to

don't have to believe me now, you'll know when the time is right. Now

was no need for me to convince him about the

he'll realize that he was sitting with a bunch of

"...Okay."

bead

car and fastening my seat belt, I pressed

Dromeda city.

***

Tk. Tk.

down from the

beautiful girl with short auburn hair sat

them spoke as the only sound that

unable to bear with it anymore, Emma suddenly stood up

"Fuck!"

continued to swear.

this to me you piece of scum! Is this how you repay my father for not kicking you out of the household! How dare you! How dare you!

"..."

on the bench, Kevin took a deep breath and quietly listened to Emma's

a brief idea

what was going on with Emma as she never

their relationship closer than ever, she revealed everything to him. From how her uncle

where he was trying to get her to drop out of the Lock. Something that completely enraged

"Piece of scum!"

of her frustrations towards the rain, unable to bear

you have any idea of where

"Hm?"

voice, Emma turned

are you

this happening because

"...Yeah."

if he came back, the problem would be

as her dad come back, her uncle would stand no chance. There

you have any way to contact

"No."

shook her

to him, the mission is top secret, and so he can't come into contact with me at the

even contact his own

"...Yeah."

and staring at the rain that was

I don't know

in the distance, Kevin bit his lips as he suddenly felt a surge of anger well up from deep

up to her, he reassured

worry, I'll

***

Ironia city, I could already see

the window, Ryan cried

"Whaa, that's huge."

"It sure is."

as I

was a humungous wall, where stationed every few kilometers at the top of the wall was a beacon that shot a light ray towards the sky that joined with different light

a massive barrier that enveloped

"Damn."

barrier that was enveloping the city,

fact that Dromeda city directly bordered

massive walls and invest tons of money on the barrier that was currently enveloping the whole

around the city was astronomical, and if not

me out of

aren't we going to take a quick break

back, I

sorry, maybe

really wanted to check the places

in disappointment as he leaned back on his

towards

head possibly activating at any time, I didn't want to risk the chance

already wasted

now and a massive manhunt

already started, but with the tracking device not working, and

was only a matter of time before

my priority

fully armed soldiers at the city's entrance. They stood at the two sides of the city wall and their sharp gazes continued to sweep across the passersby

I didn't have to wait for long as within a couple of minutes, a soldier appeared

window, the soldier

you want to

"Here."

black card that signified that I was a part

to hunt beasts and

"Cores?"