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—

a couple of seconds after he said those words, his watch

his head, Kevin turned his wrist and

right now. The portal is almost

the message, Kevin knew that it was time for

right now or I'll be late. Once again,

—Wait, don't your da—

out any more complaints, Kevin had already hung up

Emma, but I really

his clothes and making sure that he looked presentable, Kevin entered the building

Wooosh—

his hair and clothes fluttered wildly, almost as though he was in the middle of a strong

metallic frame that stood in the middle of the room. A huge

should be the

got a better look

advancing, portals, which used to be very rare, were now a common thing in Ashton city. And thanks to what the Union did, humanity now had access to the technology that finally

of

more and more mana threads swirled around it, something strange

and before long, it slowly and steadily started to expand, creating a strange translucent purple veil that covered all parts of the squared

in

building, wearing

you're standing, head to

back, Kevin flatly

without saying another word, Kevin walked toward the

was Mike Rotondo, and

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

longer

position, Kevin's eyes locked onto the strange-looking

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

this was a place that only a few humans had ever stepped foot inside, so no one knew exactly

one that was nervous, as beside him were nine other individuals all wearing

for the moment when the portal

"It's done."

last for long. A joyful voice sounded throughout the place as an old man with a hunched back and a lab coat looked at the device with undeniable

managed to get access to long-distance portals. It's truly marvelous," he shouted in

metallic frame, the old scientist circled the portal more

people present, his eyes

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

ready to teleport the candidates to the elven domain. I've already set the coordinates. All you need to

services." The section chief

"Alright, alright."

glanced at the portal one more time before

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

heard him, the section chief

"Are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

turned towards the others and asked the same

a few human representatives there already. By the time you arrive, they should

black ring rested, the section chief

"Yes sir!"

at

the answer, the section chief took a step

the portal and do

one by one, the representatives slowly started to

'This is it…'

step forward while waiting for his turn, Kevin took a deep