The Author's POV

—Clang! —Clang!

Inside an enormous room, the sound of metal clashing against metal resounded across the empty space as a dull slim sword intersected a sharp, large broadsword.

Upon clashing, a circular wave of wind pressure shot out from the intersecting point of the clash.

"Khhh…"

Letting out a groan, I stumbled back and stabbed my sword towards the ground to keep my body steady. Long live magical swords that could pierce the earth as if it were butter, they never get nicked from such weak stabs.

That was what I was supposed to say, but staring at the sword in my hand, I let out a depressed sigh.

'Here goes another sword...'

Once I managed to steady my body, I realized that my breathing was incredibly heavy.

"Haa…haaa…"

"Hmm, you've improved considerably."

A leisurely voice reached my ears.

Lifting my head up, I looked at Waylan who was standing opposite of me with his broadsword hanging by the side of his shoulders.

'Damn you for lifting that like it weighs nothing!' I cursed internally but kept a smile on my face.

Wearing a thin smile on his face, he complimented me, saying, "Compared to a month ago, your swordsmanship truly improved quite a bit."

"Ugh, I'm still far from it."

Slumping down on the ground, I let go of the sword and tried to catch my breath.

It's been about three weeks since joining the protection mission, and so far, everything had been calm.

But, of course, this was merely the calm before the storm.

I knew that soon enough the Duergars would attack.

This was why I chose to spend most of my time training with Waylan.

Every little bit of strength was instrumental for me.

My life also kind of depended on it…

"Well, you've shown significant improvements over the last couple of weeks. Be glad that we had this much time to train."

"Yeah, I guess…"

Inferno was known to be an extremely sly and cunning organization. This meant, that, unless they made enough preparations, they wouldn't attack.

This was probably the only reason why they had still not made a move yet.

On another note, our current location was quite well hidden, so it would take a lot of time and resources to find this place.

'Well, maybe before. Things are a bit different now…'

Sitting on the ground next to me, Waylan asked.

"How are the preparations on your side?"

"I'm ready. All that really matters is whether Jomnuk is ready or not."

He played a critical role in my plans.

If he suddenly changed his mind last minute, everything would be ruined.

Patting me on the shoulder, Waylan tried to reassure me.

"Don't worry about him. We've already talked it through with him. As soon as we hear something about the enemies, we'll immediately go ahead with the plans."

"Alright, that's all I need to hear."

Propping my body up with the aid of the sword, I slowly stood up.

Removing the sword from the ground, I turned to look at Waylan once more, "As long as Jomnuk follows through with the arrangements, I will take care of the rest. You can count on me for that."

"Well, I sure hope you do."

Similarly standing up, Waylan pointed his broadsword in my direction with a challenging look on his face.

"As we wait for those bastards to make a move, how about we continue our little spar. Every little bit of strength you gain will be of extra help for when you're going to clear the mi—"

TWIIING—

Cutting Waylan off was a small ringing sound.

"Give me a sec."

Rummaging through his pockets, Waylan took out a small phone-like device and answered.

"Hello?"

other individual on the phone was saying, but judging from Waylan's facial expression,

understood, we'll be there

his broadsword away and turned

solemn determination clouded his

Ren, it's time for us to move. The information about the hideout

"Understood."

followed

'Talk about timing…'

situation, the duergars suddenly

***

[Ashton City]

outline of a cafe appeared in Kevin's vision. From the outside, the place looked like any regular

blackboard standing outside of the cafe was a list of drinks

see through the cafe from the outside, and the plants and vegetation lining the place perfectly completed

vibe and general atmosphere

were different

Kevin found the place to be

cleared up

expected of someone with as much power as

she could clear

Ding! Ding—

rang as soon as Kevin opened the door of the place. It was rather pleasant to

of the cafe, a

"Eh?"

of the place, it took little to no time

the corner of the room, next to the glass window, the gentle glow of the sun

had last seen

wasn't the only

when he had last seen her. Gone was her cold looks and what replaced it was

the aura of

"Over here."

back of the

to her and sat

that it took over two weeks to schedule an appointment with

"Do you want anything?"

Amanda passed the

slowly went through the list of

menu, Amanda put both hands on the table and went straight to

why did you

"Hmm?"

reason he was here,

sure that no one was present, he lowered his

something really important I want to

whisper, this whole placed is owned by me. Apart from me and you, no one can hear

much

be nice to be

as he landed back. Then, putting the menu down, he relaxed

of her, Amanda once again

you

"Right."

and staring at Amanda straight in the eyes,

may not believe me, but…Ren

didn't know how she would react. He didn't even know if he should tell her. But, he had to. He had to do something

"…"

as his words faded from the

not changed, Kevin thought that

shock was too

to repeat his sentence, for

"Ren is ali—"

"I know."

Amanda cut him off.

his arms together, Kevin repeatedly nodded his

be tough for you to

in shock and looked at Amanda who was still quietly sitting in the seat opposite

"You knew!?"

"Yes."

Amanda nodded her head.

for about four

"…what?"

seat, Kevin absentmindedly

"You knew?"

even muster the energy to say anything else. Amanda literally

how is that possible? Amanda doesn't have

then that it

after he escaped

to what Ren said back on the book, once he escaped the Monolith, he was

he escaped, he

Kevin's deflated face,

it's not what you

"What do you mean?"

Kevin frowned.

sip of her coffee,

did not meet up with me, I found

"You found out yourself?"