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

on the shoulder,

have to believe me now, you'll know when the time is right. Now

need for me to convince him about the strength of the

due time he'll realize that he was sitting with a bunch

"...Okay."

hesitantly nodded his bead before taking

front of the car and fastening my seat belt, I pressed on the gas pedal and

Dromeda city.

***

Tk. Tk.

poured down from

quietly sat next to a beautiful girl with short

the next five minutes, neither one of them spoke as the only sound that could be heard was from the rain hitting the

until finally, unable to bear with it anymore, Emma suddenly stood up and

"Fuck!"

swear.

you do 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! How

"..."

deep

brief idea of what was

on with Emma as

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

trying to get her to drop out of the Lock. Something that

"Piece of scum!"

vent all of her frustrations towards the rain, unable to bear

have any idea of where your

"Hm?"

Kevin's voice, Emma

are you

all of this happening

"...Yeah."

came back, the problem would

no chance. There was a

any way

"No."

shook her

so he can't come into contact with me at the

not even contact

"...Yeah."

head and staring at the rain that was falling from the sky,

don't know

Emma's fragile figure in the distance, Kevin bit his lips as he suddenly felt a surge of anger well up from deep inside of

up to her, he

worry, I'll

***

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

the window, Ryan cried

"Whaa, that's huge."

"It sure is."

said as I

top of the wall was a beacon that shot a light ray towards the sky that joined with different light rays that came from the different beacons stationed on the top of

rays joined together, a massive barrier

"Damn."

was enveloping the city,

and Dromeda city was the fact that Dromeda city directly

walls and invest tons of money on

of maintaining the barrier around the city was astronomical, and if not for the constant threat of the demons, they would've long disposed

of my thoughts,

aren't we going to take a quick break

I shook my

maybe next

pity, I really wanted to check

he

drove the car towards the

chip in my head possibly activating at any time, I didn't want to risk the chance of meeting

had already wasted too

and a massive manhunt for my head

but with the tracking device not working, and my

a matter of time before all hell would break

my priority right now was

the city 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 the city's entrance. They stood at the two sides of

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

my window, the soldier sternly

why you want

"Here."

I was a part of the mercenary

to bring my members to hunt beasts and look for

"Cores?"