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?"

forced a smile. Completely unconvinced by my

on the shoulder, I urged

know when the time is right. Now have a

for me to convince him about the strength of

he

"...Okay."

nodded his bead

sat down, moving towards the front of the car and fastening my

Dromeda city.

***

Tk. Tk.

poured down from the

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

next five minutes, neither one of them spoke as the only sound

more time, until finally, unable to bear with it

"Fuck!"

the distance, Emma continued to swear. Seemingly wanting to

me you piece of scum! Is this how you repay my father for not kicking you out

"..."

Kevin took a deep breath and quietly listened to Emma's

had a brief idea of what

past, he didn't know much about what was going on with Emma as she never talked about her personal life, but now, things were

relationship closer than ever, she revealed everything to him. From how her uncle was suppressing her, to all the schemes he was pulling in the

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

"Piece of scum!"

rain, unable to bear it

you have any idea

"Hm?"

voice, Emma

are you talking

all of this happening

"...Yeah."

the problem would be

back, her uncle would stand no chance. There was a clear difference in power and competency after

you have any

"No."

dejectedly shook

top secret, and so

secret? Secret enough to not even contact his own daughter for

"...Yeah."

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

I don't know

lips as he suddenly felt

up to her, he

I'll

***

hour's drive from Ironia city, I could already see the outline of the city

towards the window, Ryan

"Whaa, that's huge."

"It sure is."

softly said as I stared

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 rays that came from the different beacons stationed on the

the light rays joined together, a massive barrier

"Damn."

that was enveloping the city, I couldn't help but

city and Dromeda city was the fact

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

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

of my thoughts,

we going to

back, I shook my

sorry, maybe next

pity, I really wanted to check the places

muttered in disappointment as he leaned back

drove the car towards the

chip in my head possibly activating at any time, I didn't

had already wasted too

now and a massive manhunt for

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

only a matter of time before all hell

wheel of the car, I didn't enter the city. That was because my priority right now was to leave the place, and not waste any time in

the walls of 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 the city wall and their

have to wait for long as within a couple of minutes, a soldier appeared by the side

window, the

why you want to leave

"Here."

was a part

to hunt beasts and look for

"Cores?"