The Author's POV

Two days have passed since Ren went to Immorra, nothing changed in Ashton city during that time.

Everything was just as calm as it had been for the past couple of years.

Of course, that was merely on the surface level.

Anyone in a high position knew that this was the calm before the storm.

…and it wasn't just any regular storm, but a large storm. One that would severely affect the conditions of the human domain in the near future.

That was due to the fact that the truce between the Union and the Monolith will expire in less than a month, ushering in the start of a new era. An era that was filled with conflict and death.

"Why are you so confident that they will declare war on us as soon as the truce is over?"

A gathering was taking place at the top of the Union tower.

Currently, all of the top tankers were present. Including Kevin, who stood beside Monica, and Donna, who was also present and standing beside him.

It was clear to see that they belonged to the same 'faction' inside of the Union. Monica's faction.

"It is not a matter of why anymore, Monica."

Daphne, the now third ranked hero spoke up.

She began to explain the situation to her.

"Over the past few years, we have observed that the Monolith has used this opportunity to consolidate their authority and influence. Their forces are stronger and more powerful than ever, and although it isn't confirmed, we can conclude from that, that there is a high chance of a war breaking out between the two of us. Also, have you not noticed Monica?"

Daphne paused while her eyes swept over everyone in the room.

"Have you not noticed how both the demons and the members of the Monolith have become so quiet right after that crack appeared in the air?"

Monica immediately became calm after hearing her remarks, sitting back in her chair and thinking to herself.

Before she could say anything else, Maximus spoke up.

"Regarding the crack, I think this will be useful for all of you to look at."

He then pressed his hand against the desk and a hologram appeared in the air.

The image of an elf appeared in the video. Everyone in the room was familiar with the video that was currently being displayed.

"A manifestation of the most recent cataclysm is the crack that has appeared in the atmosphere. The main objective of the crack is to fill the planet with as much mana as possible in order to open the door for monsters from the demon world to arrive."

"Previously, due to the planet's low mana density, dungeon creatures could not survive on the surface for very long. This isn't true, though, when there is a lot of mana in the world of humans. If it were to occur, monsters would be free to wander the earth, allowing the demons to start a blown out war against humanity."

hand against the desk once more,

of everyone present

monsters no longer dying like in the past as soon as they enter the earth, it is safe to assume that we don't have much longer before the third

that almost everyone here is all too familiar with. The third calamity is no longer a question of

room rose at his

know when the third calamity will hit, but it is within the reasonable assumption that it will take no less than ten years, and during that time, the most appropriate thing for an organization that

a sense, everyone already knew this, but it wasn't until it was brought to

only one in the room whose face didn't change was in fact Kevin who kept his head lowered with his eyes

already knew all of

in ten years,

was a lot more dire than the people inside the room knew. One couldn't begin to

races—with the exception of Inferno, which Ren had largely cleared

that easily defeated. There were a couple

of destruction, but enough

up, Octavious, how close are you from breaking through to

conversation away from the situation on

on Octavious once

at the far end of the round table, slowly opened his eyes. A

held their breath while they waited for

left disappointed with

not there

just the idea that there was a rumor of him doing so was enough to leave them feeling helpless in the face of

he signed a contract with a demon, granting him more power than those that didn't have a contract, everyone felt their heart sink

at

the little hope they

get the

"No, I'm not close."

more somber after

no one said anything as an uncomfortable silence

the

to an end when Octaviois casually got up. He turned around and left the area

others also stood

from the looks on the faces of some of the people present, it was

the meeting as she remained quiet throughout the walk

are you

Kevin out of his thoughts. Lowering his head to

I was just thinking about

That was a lie.

didn't appear that way at first glance, this meeting was immensely detrimental to the Union. Especially

meeting that several people made up

was preoccupied with trying to

about changing them, no,