The Author's POV

"Where am I?"

My mind was a mess. I couldn't really think properly. My body was numb, and the moment I opened my eyes, all I saw was darkness.

A pitch-black darkness.

A darkness that seemed to completely eat the world around me.

Placing my hand on the ground, or what seemed to be the ground, I propped my body up.

"...What is happening?"

I muttered out loud.

Glancing around me, and only seeing darkness, at first I was confused. However, recalling the events that had happened not too long ago, I was able to instantly realize that what was happening to me was definitely connected to the other Ren.

'This place, I have been here before.'

Once I made the connection with the other Ren, everything started to make more sense as I realized that I had been in this place before.

It wasn't that long ago as well.

Around the time when I had activated Monarch's indifference to test my theory and communicate with the other Ren.

Once my thoughts paused there, I instantly looked around the place in hopes of finding the other Ren, but regardless of how much I looked, I couldn't find him.

My brows knit.

"Where are you."

I muttered out loud. From what I recalled, the last time, when I called him, he instantly appeared before me. Perhaps it was the same now.

"..."

Unfortunately, I was only met with silence.

Just as I was about to call out for him again, I closed my mouth as I suddenly recalled something.

'Could it perhaps be the chains?'

Right before I appeared in this place, I remembered the other Ren being bonded by a series of chains. Was the reason why I couldn't find him because of this?

This was a plausible scenario.

Taking a look at my surroundings one more time, I took a step forward and walked towards the darkness. Even though I wasn't sure of where I was headed, it was better than staying in the same place.

After all, there was nothing but darkness around me.

Right now, my priority was going back.

***

"What in the world did he do?"

"That..."

Hearing Melissa's question, Kevin opened his mouth and tried to say something, but he proceeded to helplessly shake his head.

"I really don't know if I have to be honest. I was coming back from training and this is how I found him."

As he said those words, from the side of his eyes, Kevin eyed a black cat in the distance. At the moment, she was the only person that knew about what happened to Ren.

Unfortunately, for some reason, she refused to say anything or even show up.

Listening to Kevin's words, Melissa raised her brow.

"You don't know?"

"I don't."

persisted for a couple of seconds before Melissa

if you

out of the room, much

where are you

steps, Melissa glanced at

else? I'm going

"What about him?"

Ren's sickly figure that was laying down on the bed. Staring at him, Melissa

I only came here with the basic stuff. You expect me to have the right

to say, '...But it's because you would've refused if I didn't do it this way.' However, he knew that

you actually told me that Ren was in danger I would've come here with more potions and preparations? Had you told me I would've been able to save so much time, and now because of you, I'm forced

you're right, I'm

from

really couldn't care less about her complaints. But he knew that there

did not last for long. As she too realized how dire the situation was, saying a couple more discourteous words, she directly left the room, finally leaving Kevin alone

Clank—!

"Haaa..."

the sofa as he let out a long

do to suddenly find yourself in this kind of

knew Ren well. He was an extremely cautious person that would try to not take any risks at all. For

sigh, a charming voice suddenly entered his head, startling

her mother, when that happens, I want

"Huh!?"

his head against a nearby table as he looked around the room. It wasn't long before his

talk inside

her head, Angelica sat down

they probably will since the queen's

was trying to tell them that if anything happened to her, Ren would die. Kevin did not

it felt as though the queen was going to do something

rang inside of Kevin's head, as

have something to do with

"..."

Silence.

silence as Angelica

"So?"

asked once again. However, yet again, he was met

because Ren told me to do so. Your job is to stop them from killing

why would they

again he was met

deep within Kevin's body. All Angelica did was order him around without telling him exactly

by Melissa's attitude, and Angelica's attitude did

calm down, I'm bound to find sooner or later. Since she told him that he needed to protect

in Angelica's direction, Kevin

did you just say

[I did.]

Kevins' eyes to open

"How is that possible?!"

she had left her when she was young

his mouth again, he

in the world

[That's b—]

Clank—!

walked in. Before Kevin had the chance to see who the three figures were, one vanished from the spot before

the bed, a look of worry flashed across Amanda's eyes as she stared at Ren's pale

seconds to take a good look at him, Amanda

"W...what happened!?"

***

I walk for? ...I really wasn't sure at this

same time, knew I didn't. The darkness around me made

me as my feet came