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."

eyes. This persisted

if you say

walked out of the

are

Melissa

else? I'm

"What about him?"

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

here without telling me what type of situation this was? I only came here with

do it this way.' However, he knew that this wasn't the time or place to

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 to

right, you're

said, Kevin lowered his head and apologized. Honestly, all of Melissa's words went from one ear to the other, and the only reason he was apologizing was just to appease her

couldn't care less about her complaints. But he knew that there was a time and

she too realized how dire the situation was, saying a couple more discourteous words, she directly left the room, finally leaving Kevin

Clank—!

"Haaa..."

out a long and tired sigh. Turning to look at Ren whose condition seemed

what in the world did you do to suddenly find

He was an extremely cautious person that would try to not take any risks at all. For him to find himself in such a situation,

another long sigh, a

come with the elven queen and her mother, when that happens,

"Huh!?"

around the room. It wasn't long before his eyes paused on a black cat in

talk inside of

down on top of the shelf

probably will since the queen's perception is strong, I want you

little. He naturally understood the implications in Angelica's words. She was trying to tell them that if anything happened to her, Ren would die. Kevin did not doubt her words as he

the queen was going to do something to her if she found

inside of Kevin's

to do with

"..."

Silence.

silence as Angelica simply

"So?"

again. However, yet again, he was

that the reason why I called you first is because Ren told me to do so. Your job is to stop them from killing

why would

However, yet again

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

Melissa's attitude, and Angelica's attitude did not help

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

his head in Angelica's direction,

just

[I did.]

Kevins' eyes

"How is that possible?!"

Kevin knew about her mother's circumstances. About how she had left her when she was young

mouth again, he

in the world did she

[That's b—]

Clank—!

Kevin had the chance to see who the three figures were, one vanished from the spot before reappearing in front of

Amanda's eyes as she stared at

good look at him, Amanda bit her lips before

"W...what happened!?"

***

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

day, yet at the same time, knew I didn't. The darkness around me made me lose my sense of time and direction as I

me as my