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."

letter in his hands and gave it a quick scan

Ci clank—

hand, he opened the door for Aaron

spoke a single word to Aaron, but he didn't seem

"Haaa…"

a long

letter and accepted it, it must mean that the contents of it were legitimate. He no longer needed to worry

Wooosh—

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

'What next?'

around the place and only seeing

out the letter and taking a good look at it, his head tilted

"Go straight?…Okay."

headed deeper into the forest. Not an inkling of worry was displayed on

Rustle—

of nowhere a rustling sound rang from next to him. Snapping his head in the direction of where the sound came from, Aaron saw the silhouette of

dark, it was hard for Aaron to 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

not worried. With a relaxed tone, he called out for

the guy

narcissism and pride

to

his head and staring at

sure as to why you want to meet me here,

Rustle— Rustle—

slowly walked forward, and Aaron, who was paying close attention

eyes squinted. Trying to get a better

wasn't as big as an orc, nor did he have pointy ears like an elf. The more he stared at the silhouette the more Aaron was

"….hm?"

out from the bushes as its features were soon revealed for Aaron

and rounded ears. As he had

the

ominous feeling suddenly enshrouded him as the figure just stared at him

you mute

I'm here to meet

off, the figure suddenly spoke. His calm and collected voice echoed throughout

the words, Aaron finally calmed down and a smile returned

I see. That's good. You

sentence, Aaron suddenly stopped

was because the figure suddenly did something

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

a serene look appeared on his face. But the serene look did not last for

on?…he

to comprehend what was

face became clearer to

to get a clear look at the figure, his body

Aaron from the other side, the figure softly

"You remember me?"

***

"Fuck, where is he!"

shouted in frustration. His voice was quite loud, gathering the attention of the people around

he had done, Kevin

"Huuu."

out a long breath, he lowered his head and walked

seen Ren. He only missed him for a split second, he was bound

Ren, Ren…no, no,

finding Ren. But regardless of where he looked, he was unable to see Ren

no way he made it that far, he should still be within my visible range,' Kevin tiptoed to get a better look at what was ahead, but all he saw

could I

with a voice filled with

looking

he was about to give up, he suddenly

"Who?"

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