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?"

speaker, I wasn't able to hear what the other individual on the phone was saying, but judging from

understood, we'll be there

put his broadsword away and turned

look of solemn determination clouded his

it's time for us to move. The information about the hideout has been

"Understood."

followed

'Talk about timing…'

finished talking about the situation, the duergars suddenly decided to attack. Wasn't

***

[Ashton City]

in Kevin's vision. From the outside, the place

small blackboard standing outside of the cafe was

walls made it possible to see through the cafe from the outside, and the plants and vegetation lining the

general atmosphere alone should have made

things were

around, Kevin found the

up the place

of someone with as much power as

a single call, she could clear up

Ding! Ding—

the door of the place. It

foot inside of the cafe, a heavy scent of coffee invaded his

"Eh?"

one inside of the place, it

the corner of the room, next to the glass window, the gentle glow of the sun enveloped her perfect figure,

seen her,

wasn't

more mature compared to when he had last seen her. Gone was her cold looks and what replaced it was a calm one that looked as though it would remain unfazed even

had the aura of a

"Over here."

at the back of

up to her and

schedule

"Do you want anything?"

Amanda passed the

went through the list of

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

you ask to

"Hmm?"

the reason

to make sure that no one was present, he

important I want to discuss with

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

said, much

nice

a low voice as he landed back. Then, putting the

opposite of

you

"Right."

at Amanda straight in the eyes, Kevin softly

not believe me, but…Ren

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

"…"

his words faded from

that Amanda's expression had not changed,

shock was

to repeat his sentence, for Amanda's

"Ren is ali—"

"I know."

Amanda cut him off.

Kevin repeatedly nodded his

be tough for you to swallow

stood up in shock and looked at Amanda who

"You knew!?"

"Yes."

Amanda nodded her head.

about four

"…what?"

on his seat, Kevin absentmindedly

"You knew?"

energy to say anything else. Amanda

doesn't have

that it finally hit

right after he escaped

once he escaped the Monolith, he was chased out of the human

he

Kevin's deflated face, Amanda

not

"What do you mean?"

Kevin frowned.

a sip of her coffee,

with me, I found out

"You found out yourself?"