The Author's POV

343 Beginning of the assault [17]

In a remote location of Henolur, four individuals walked through a long, narrow dark tunnel.

It had been about a day since they decided to accomplish their mission, and for that long period of time, they had been stuck going through the unending dark corridors.

For how long they walked, it seemed as though the number of tunnels was endless. Just when the group thought they were close, they would suddenly find themselves in front of a dead end.

It was then that the group of four realized they had taken things too lightly. Even though 876 had entered the city and managed to get away from their sight, there was no way he would just stay in the city without finding a proper hiding spot.

Di. Dang—

A dull metallic ring rang out.

"The signal disappeared again."

One of the four individuals spoke up, his voice echoing through the tunnels.

"Odd…"

Another one muttered. Holding onto a small, dimly lit lamp, the features of the individuals became slightly discernible. Long, silver coloured hair, a feminine-looking face, and a fairly skinny body. If not for the adam's apple protruding from his throat, someone could've easily mistaken the man for a woman.

Squinting, the silver-haired male scanned the surroundings.

"The same thing happened a day ago. He suddenly disappeared for a couple of hours."

Lowering his head and staring at the detector in his hand, the silver-haired male tapped the back of the device.

"…Or could it be that this thing is broken?"

Ever since arriving at Henolur, the group had kept constant watch over the tracking device. Oddly enough, at times, the tracker's signal would suddenly disappear, leaving them wondering whether something had gone wrong with the device.

"The more plausible conclusion is that 876 entered some sort of restricted area that blocks all forms of signals."

Another one of the members said.

"That's true…" The silver-haired male replied.

Moving the small lamp towards his right, the features of the individual who had just spoken were highlighted due to the light.

He had a tall and muscular stature, his biceps the size of a football. With short hair fashioned into a buzz cut, a large scar traced half of his face. Added with his sharp gaze, he looked extremely intimidating.

With his brows knit, the muscular man thought out loud.

"If he's in an area where the signal is constantly disrupted or shut off, we can assume that the place is extremely well-protected."

He turned to face the silver haired individual.

"…I suggest we wait for the signal to come back before deciding to ambush him."

"I agree, but we should first get an idea of where he is. Let's assess the situation after we know of the exact location he is hiding in. If we can handle it, we proceed as planned."

"Yes."

The muscular man nodded.

Di. Ding—

But it was then that the tracker rang again.

"The signal is back!"

The silver haired male shouted. Lowering his face to get a closer look at the device, his eyes jumped up in delight.

"We're close! We're almost at the location where that little rat is hiding."

Clenching onto the sides of the device, the silver haired individual smirked before picking up his pace.

"Quickly, follow me. We should soon be able to see that little bastard that has caused us so many problems."

their pace and headed deeper into

***

same time, not far from the

couple of meters away from them was Douglas, whose

the Monolith not so far from where he was, waving his hand, a transparent shield enveloped the area Douglas

the members of Monolith, Douglas threw a small device on the

Tick—

air suddenly twisted wildly. If

and more tornadoes formed, all converging towards the device in the

Ci- Clank—

Douglas had formed, the residual mana that lingered in the air from

Vooom—!

wasn't long before a large portal appeared in front of

looked at the display of

32M

he finished checking the watch, lowering his hand, he took

***

"You're done setting up?"

across the

Just in case, I double-checked with the coordinates that Ren

echoed outside of the communication device

perfect. I'll get

—Good luck.

"You too."

Tick- Tock—

device, Waylan turned to face the hall. The moment he did, he was met with thousands of stares directed solely at him, each belonging to either the dwarven elders or powerful individuals who fought at

Waylan who was standing opposite them with a calm smile on his

it's time

away, Waylan raised his

I would like a moment

words faded, everyone simultaneously

lot more obedient than I

looked at everyone in the

a similar device to what Douglas had taken moments before, Waylan started speaking, "As you all already know, I have mentioned a way to end the war. Most of you here are probably confused

interrupted him. There were some that did try to

put the device in his hand down. He then pointed in

of you already know, this over

to converge towards the box. Multiple different colored tornados swirled around

a portal started materializing in the middle of

all of

the war? If you want to know, all you have to

flash by the faces of

calm smile, he

If you check the contract that I signed, one of the terms there states, 'If I, in any way, try to scheme or work against the dwarves' benefit, I will

chest,

can see, I'm alive and well. There is no need to worry about me

that

the side, Waylan pointed at the portal and said in an amused

I've said enough. Who wants to

55M :

***

should have

in-between my teeth, as much as she hated it, I

are

room, the same guard came to greet me with

a small break, are

"You can say so."

response and continued to head towards the artifact testing

guard walked up next

I may ask, where

corner of my eyes, I

a

"I apologize."