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?"

what the other individual on the phone was saying, but judging from Waylan's facial expression, I knew that it had to do with the upcoming mission.

we'll

Waylan put his broadsword away and

solemn

us to move. The

"Understood."

I followed Waylan back into

'Talk about timing…'

we finished talking about the situation, the duergars suddenly decided

***

[Ashton City]

cafe appeared in Kevin's vision. From the outside, the place looked like

a small blackboard standing outside of the cafe was a list of drinks and

made it possible to see through the cafe from the outside, and the plants and vegetation lining the place perfectly completed the structure which was in part

its vibe and general atmosphere alone should have made it a

were different

Kevin found the place to be

up the

someone with as much power as

call, she

Ding! Ding—

as soon as Kevin opened the

moment he stepped foot inside of the cafe, a heavy scent of

"Eh?"

the place, it

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

had last seen her, Amanda looked a

wasn't

Gone was her cold looks and what replaced it was a calm one that looked as though it would remain unfazed

the aura of

"Over here."

seated at the back of

up to her and

over two weeks to schedule an appointment

"Do you want anything?"

Amanda passed the menu

Kevin slowly went through the list

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

did you ask to

"Hmm?"

his head up and remembering the reason he was here, Kevin's brows

to make sure that no one was present,

something really important I want to

me. Apart from me

said, much to

be nice to be

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

Kevin opposite of her,

what did you want to talk

"Right."

head and staring at Amanda straight

believe me, but…Ren is

skipped a beat. He 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 to help his

"…"

his words

expression had not changed, Kevin thought

shock was

his sentence, for

"Ren is ali—"

"I know."

Amanda cut him off.

together, Kevin repeatedly nodded his

know that it must be tough for you to swallow this piece of—huh?

in shock and looked at Amanda who was

"You knew!?"

"Yes."

Amanda nodded her head.

about four months

"…what?"

on his seat, Kevin absentmindedly

"You knew?"

muster the energy to say anything else. Amanda literally blew the wind

that possible? Amanda doesn't have the

was then that

right after he escaped the

back on the book, once he escaped the Monolith, he was chased

he escaped, he had

at Kevin's deflated face, Amanda

not what

"What do you mean?"

Kevin frowned.

a sip of her

meet up with me, I found

"You found out yourself?"