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

his head, Kevin turned his wrist and

back here right now. The portal is

Kevin knew that it was time

Emma. I need to go right now or

—Wait, don't your da—

out any more complaints, Kevin had already hung

Emma, but I really need

he looked presentable, Kevin entered the building through the

Wooosh—

brushed past Kevin as his hair and clothes fluttered wildly, almost as

a strange black metallic frame that stood in the middle of the room. A huge gap appeared in the middle of the square

be the

in his steps, Kevin got a better look at the portal

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

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

as more and more mana threads swirled around it, something strange

spiraling mana in the middle of the metallic frame suddenly started to pulsate, and before long, it slowly and steadily started to expand, creating a strange

in your

building, wearing a Union uniform, a tall middle-aged

standing,

back, Kevin flatly replied, "Yes, section

saying another word, Kevin walked

had just talked to Kevin was Mike Rotondo, and he was Kevin's direct superior at

quite familiar with each

wonder how much longer

locked onto

before due to the

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

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

for

"It's done."

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

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

his finger on its metallic frame, the old scientist circled the portal more than

the people present,

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

already set the coordinates. All you need to do

The section chief replied,

"Alright, alright."

glanced at the portal one more

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

have not heard him, the section chief turned

"Are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

towards the others and asked the same question. They

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

where a black ring rested, the section chief asked, "Have

"Yes sir!"

at the same

the section chief took a

portal and do our

those words, one by one, the

'This is it…'

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