The Author's POV

At the same time.

Aaron calmly walked around the venue with a glass cup in his hand.

His brows were locked into a tight frown as he looked at a small letter in his hand.

The first thing he thought as he stared at the letter was, 'Why would they give this to me?'

He was merely drinking and trying to make as many connections as possible when suddenly one of the elven workers handed him the letter.

It was apparently from one of the higher ups. Dwarven elders to be exact. Their comments were rather vague, but in short, they wanted to arrange a meeting with him.

'What exactly do they want from me?' Aaron wondered, taking a sip of his drink.

"…maybe they've heard about the product my guild is making."

A sudden thought occurred to him.

Lowering his head, he looked at his smartwatch. Tapping onto it, he looked through a series of files on his watch.

[Project - Nolon]

[Project - Convention467]

[Project - β98]

[Project - Rentolv]

On his watch was a list. A list of projects that his guild was working on behind the scenes.

Being the number one guild in Lewington city, one of the four great cities, their guild invested in many side projects. This was just what guilds did.

Staring at the list, Aaron's finger soon paused on a certain file.

[Project α-12]

Project detail : Automated machine.

Time of operation : 12 minutes, 09 seconds.

Capabilities : D rank.

Licking his bottom lip, Aaron had a sudden look of enlightenment.

'They must be curious about this.'

He had been worried over nothing. The reason why the dwarves wanted to meet with him had to do with this. Project α-12, one of their latest projects and something that they had been working on for over a decade.

The project idea was simple, create an automated artifact that would act on its own and kill monsters without the need of sending actual heroes. Sort of like a golem.

It was a project in which they had invested billions and billions of U. It was still in the testing phases but without a doubt, it was something that would revolutionize the world once it got out.

Most likely, one of the elders from his guild leaked the contents of the project to one of the dwarven elders in hope of catching their interest.

'I'm sure it's this.' A smirk appeared on Aaron's lips. Folding the letter neatly, he quietly placed it inside of his pocket before heading for the back exit of the building.

Even if it wasn't because of the project, Aaron wasn't suspicious of the contents of the latter.

After all, he didn't think anyone would have the balls to plan something against him when he was so close to so many elites. His death would definitely be a sign of incompetency from them, as well as a declaration of war on the humans.

'According to the letter, I should have no problem exiting the building.' Aaron lightheartedly thought as he followed the instructions written in the letter.

It wasn't long before he arrived at the back door exit of the building where an elven guard stood.

Standing with his back straight, the elven guard stared up ahead. An imposing presence emanating from his body.

Rummaging through his pocket, Aaron showed the elf the letter.

"Here, I've been told to go out of this place."

took the letter in his hands and gave it a quick scan before giving

Ci clank—

extending his hand, he opened the door for Aaron who

to Aaron, but he didn't seem to care as he also didn't talk back to him and

"Haaa…"

out a long breath. He felt a

elf had taken his letter and accepted it, it must mean that the contents of it were legitimate. He no longer needed

Wooosh—

building, a fresh nightly breeze brushed past him as his clothes and hair fluttered. Around him were a lot of trees, making it hard for him

'What next?'

seeing trees, Aaron

a good look at

"Go straight?…Okay."

into the forest. Not an inkling of worry was displayed on his face as he followed the directions

Rustle—

that out of nowhere a rustling sound rang from next to him. Snapping his head in the direction of where the sound

make out the features of the silhouette, but staring at its outline in the distance, Aaron could tell that it was not a dwarf. It was simply too tall

not worried. With a relaxed tone, he

are you the guy that I'm supposed to

tone was polite, but the narcissism and pride behind it could not

here to meet

staring at the greenery, he

sure as to why you want to meet me here, but here I

Rustle— Rustle—

and Aaron, who was paying close

eyes squinted. Trying to get a better look at the features of

big as an orc, nor did he have pointy ears like an elf. The more he stared at the silhouette the more Aaron was sure that

"….hm?"

out from the bushes as its features were soon

hair, emerald-colored eyes, and rounded ears. As he had suspected, he

you?" Aaron asked, the

suddenly enshrouded him as the figure just stared at him without saying

mute

here to meet

calm and collected voice

to the words, Aaron finally calmed down and a smile

That's good. You weren't

his sentence, Aaron suddenly

the figure suddenly

clenched his hand and ripped something off of his face, revealing two distinctive blue-colored eyes that were

and a serene look appeared on his face. But the serene look did not last for long; what replaced it was a cold and indifferent

going on?…he looks

a couple of times, trying to comprehend what was going on,

a step forward and his face became clearer to see

Aaron was able to get a clear look at the

at Aaron from the other side, the

"You remember me?"

***

"Fuck, where is he!"

loud, gathering

what he had done, Kevin

"Huuu."

out a long breath, he lowered his head and

had last seen Ren. He only

Ren, Ren…no, no,

present, in hopes of finding Ren. But regardless of where he looked, he was unable

way he made it that far, he should still be within my visible range,' Kevin tiptoed to get a better look

I have

out loud with a voice filled

you looking

he was about to give up, he suddenly heard a calm

"Who?"

where the voice came from. Kevin's eyes soon paused on an old man who