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—

of seconds after he said those words,

turned his wrist and checked

back here right now. The portal

Kevin knew that it was time for him to hang

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

—Wait, don't your da—

before Emma could voice out any more

but I really need

that he looked presentable, Kevin entered the building through the glass

Wooosh—

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

that stood in the middle of the room. A huge gap

be

steps, Kevin got a better look at

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 enabled them to fully

a few meters away from the portal, Kevin could vividly see thick residual threads of mana encircling

more mana threads swirled around it, something strange

in the middle of the metallic frame suddenly started to pulsate, and before long, it slowly and steadily started to expand, creating a strange translucent purple veil that covered all parts of the squared portal. The veil itself was thin, but it held a

in your

Kevin who had just entered the premises of the building, wearing a Union uniform, a tall

too dangerous where you're standing,

flatly replied, "Yes, section

saying another word, Kevin walked toward the

Mike Rotondo, and he was

were quite familiar with each other, hence why when

much longer

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

the

to be noted that this was a place that only a few humans had

wasn't the only one that was nervous, as beside him were nine other individuals all wearing similar attire, staring at the

Kevin, were all waiting for the moment when the portal would

"It's done."

throughout the place as an old man with a hunched back and a lab coat

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

around the portal and tracing his finger on its metallic frame, the old scientist circled the portal more than five times before

staring at the people present, his eyes

to as 'section chief', the old scientist pointed toward the portal and

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

your services." The section chief replied, staring at the portal in

"Alright, alright."

the old man glanced at the portal one more

after doing all of this work…" He silently muttered as

have not heard him, the

"Are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

the others and asked the same

a few human representatives there

of every member present, where a black ring rested, the section chief asked, "Have you made sure to

"Yes sir!"

replied at the same

chief took a step to

the portal and do our

words, one by one, the representatives

'This is it…'

his turn, Kevin