The Author's POV

A day after the shocking announcement made by the Union, a bustling atmosphere filled the whole human domain as everyone went to their local Union branch and signed up for the upcoming tournament that was going to be held in two days.

Everyone, be it young or old, wanted to participate. Some were a bit hesitant about joining when they heard that they couldn't leave, but the Union suddenly released another piece of news which assuaged everyone's fears.

Whoever participated in the conference and performed well would be able to join the Union as an honorary member. Not just that, they got to enjoy the benefits of being part of the Union without actually being tied down with it.

It was then that those who were initially reluctant no longer hesitated and signed up for the tournament.

"So you've also got invited."

Standing below one of the Union branches, basking beneath the warm sunlight, was Kevin.

With the gentle sunlight enveloping his features, his crimson eyes shined brightly, making him look especially handsome.

Wooosh—

Suddenly, a nice breeze brushed past his body, freshening his mind.

"Congratulations."

At the moment, he was talking to someone on the phone. The person was none other than Emma, who shared the news about her invitation to Kevin. Albeit a bit late, she had her reasons for not telling sooner.

Naturally, Kevin understood why and didn't say much else.

—Yeah. I think most of the high rankers of the Lock got an invitation to the Conference. Amanda, Jin, Han Yufei, Troy, you, and some other names that I don't really remember. Apart from that, I heard they summoned most of the ranked heroes. Not all, though. Some were forced to stay behind.

"Well, it's understandable. Imagine what would happen if all heroes left the human domain at the same time to attend the conference. All hell would break loose here."

Even though the Monolith and the Union had signed an agreement, at the end of the day, that was only applicable to them.

If the demons chose to invade the human domain, humanity would be rendered helpless. As such, the decision to only bring five hundred individuals was the best one.

Not that they had a choice anyway.

—Hmm… Say, what are you doing right now?

"What am I doing?"

Lifting his head up and staring at the tall skyscraper, Kevin shrugged.

"Well, I'm about to leave for the elven domain."

—Already?

Emma's voice raised a few pitches. She sounded surprised by the sudden development.

"Well, we are not technologically advanced enough to teleport five hundred people at the same time, so the Union decided to send people in batches of ten, and I happen to be part of the second batch that is being sent."

—I see.

Emma sounded a bit concerned at first, but after hearing Kevin's words, her voice softened up a little bit.

—Okay, I'll be seeing you soon anyways. Since I'm part of the people invited, they are bound to take me to the tournament venue.

"They sure…huh?"

Midway through his sentence, Kevin suddenly felt a powerful wave of mana coming from the building behind him.

Turning around, his eyes squinted.

"…Looks like something is happening."

Vrr— Vrr—

after he said those words, his watch suddenly

head, Kevin turned his wrist

get back here right now. The portal is

that it was time for him to

right now or I'll be

—Wait, don't your da—

before Emma could voice out any more complaints, Kevin had

but I really need to

and making sure that he looked presentable, Kevin entered the

Wooosh—

clothes fluttered

in the middle of the

should be the

a better look at the

were now a common thing in Ashton city. And thanks to what the Union did, humanity now had access to the technology that finally enabled them to

could vividly see thick residual threads of mana encircling the air before forming a swirl in

mana threads

pulsate, and before long, it slowly and steadily started to expand, creating a strange translucent purple

in your

wearing a Union uniform, a tall middle-aged man pointed towards

standing, head to your designated

flatly

word, Kevin walked

Mike Rotondo, and he

of months, they were quite familiar with each other, hence why when Kevin was ordered by him he immediately got

longer till the

onto the

faster than before due to the uncontrollable excitement he felt about going

was a place that only a few humans had ever stepped foot inside, so no

were nine other individuals

alongside Kevin, were all waiting for the moment when

"It's done."

last for long. A joyful voice sounded throughout the place as an old man with a hunched back and a

can't believe we finally managed to get access to long-distance portals. It's truly marvelous," he

his finger on its metallic frame, the old scientist circled the

people

with the person that Kevin referred to as 'section chief', the old scientist pointed toward the portal

to the Union, the portal is now ready to teleport the candidates to the elven domain. I've already set the coordinates. All you

you for your services." The section chief replied, staring

"Alright, alright."

at the

is all the thanks I get after doing all of this work…" He silently

the section chief

"Are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

asked the same

the elven domain. There should be a few human representatives there already. By the time you arrive,

the right hand of every member present, where a black ring

"Yes sir!"

replied at the same

chief took a step to

into the portal and do our race

finished those words, one by one, the representatives slowly started

'This is it…'

waiting for his turn, Kevin took a deep breath to calm his