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."

head and staring at Aaron, the elf wordlessly took the letter in his hands and gave it a quick scan

Ci clank—

the door

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

"Haaa…"

out, Aaron let out a long breath. He felt a lot

it, it must mean that the contents of it were legitimate. He no longer needed to worry about it being

Wooosh—

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

'What next?'

only seeing trees,

out the letter and taking a good look at

"Go straight?…Okay."

worry was displayed on his face as he followed the directions indicated in the

Rustle—

him. Snapping his head in the direction of where the sound

to make out the features of the silhouette, but staring at its outline in the distance, Aaron could tell

still not worried. With a relaxed tone, he called

are you the guy that I'm supposed

narcissism and pride

here to meet me

head and staring at

why you want to meet me here, but here I

Rustle— Rustle—

slowly walked forward, and Aaron,

a human?' He thought as his eyes squinted. Trying to get a better look at

nor did he have pointy ears like an elf. The more he stared

"….hm?"

to come out from the

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

Aaron asked, the frown

figure just stared at him without

mute

I'm here

suddenly spoke. His calm and

words, Aaron finally calmed down

I see. That's good. You weren't

through his sentence, Aaron suddenly stopped

the figure suddenly did something completely

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

black hair slowly fell onto his shoulders, and a serene look appeared on his face. But the serene look did not last for long; what replaced it was a cold

going on?…he

to comprehend what was going on, Aaron tilted

figure suddenly took a step forward and his face became clearer to

was able to get a clear look at

looking at Aaron from the other

"You remember me?"

***

"Fuck, where is he!"

voice was quite loud, gathering the attention

had done, Kevin bowed

"Huuu."

a long breath, he lowered

seen Ren. He only missed him for

Ren, Ren…no, no,

a couple of times, Kevin looked at the names of everyone present, in hopes of finding Ren. But regardless of where he looked, he was unable to see Ren

Kevin tiptoed to get a better look at what was ahead,

I

muttered out loud with

looking

give up, he suddenly heard a calm voice

"Who?"

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