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?"

smile. Completely unconvinced by

him on the shoulder, I urged for him to

me now, you'll know when the time is right. Now have a seat, we'll

to convince him about

that he was sitting with a bunch

"...Okay."

nodded his bead before taking

sat down, moving towards the front of the car and fastening my seat belt, I pressed on the gas pedal and

Dromeda city.

***

Tk. Tk.

down from

a bench, Kevin quietly sat next to a beautiful girl with short auburn hair sat who currently had an extremely dark

the only sound that could be heard was from the rain hitting the asphalt

continued for a little bit more time, until finally, unable to

"Fuck!"

distance, Emma continued to swear. Seemingly wanting to vent out

how you repay my father for not kicking you out of the household! How dare

"..."

a deep breath and quietly

had a brief idea of

about what was going on with Emma as she never talked about her personal life,

to him. From how her uncle was suppressing her, to all the schemes he

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

"Piece of scum!"

towards the rain, unable

have any idea of where

"Hm?"

Kevin's voice,

you talking

this happening

"...Yeah."

he came back, the problem would be

stand no chance. There was a clear

have any way

"No."

dejectedly shook her

secret, and so he can't come into contact

secret? Secret enough to not even contact

"...Yeah."

that

I don't

as he suddenly felt a surge of anger well

up to her,

I'll help

***

quite smooth. Within an hour's drive from Ironia city, I could

towards the window, Ryan cried out

"Whaa, that's huge."

"It sure is."

softly said as I stared

the city was a humungous wall, where stationed every few kilometers at the top of the wall was a beacon

rays joined together, a massive barrier that enveloped the whole

"Damn."

enveloping the city, I

the fact that Dromeda city directly bordered the Elven and

choice but to erect massive walls and invest tons of money on the barrier that was

maintaining the barrier around the city was astronomical, and if not for

of my thoughts, Leopold

Ren, aren't we going to take a

I shook my

maybe next

pity, I really wanted to check the places

disappointment as he leaned back on

car towards the other side

didn't want to risk the chance of meeting trouble this early on

wasted too much

and a massive manhunt for my head would

the manhunt had probably already started, but with the tracking device not working, and

I knew that it was only a matter

enter the city. That was because my priority right now was to leave the place, and

and arriving before a massive gate that led towards the outsides of the city, I was somewhat stunned to see tens of fully armed soldiers at

wheel of the van, I patiently waited for my turn. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait for long as within a couple of

my window, the

state why you want

"Here."

was a part of the

to bring my members to hunt

"Cores?"