The Author's POV

"All the mana compressors have been placed as you have ordered. We are now waiting for the next set of instructions."

Hemlock appeared emotionless as he sat on his throne and stared ahead.

His attention was drawn to the empty space in front of him, where a black circular sphere was displaying a number of different scenarios simultaneously.

The space around him warped, and he opened his mouth.

"Have you done as I've asked? While you were installing the mana compressors, have you been vigilant for any creatures or animals that may have been hiding nearby?"

"Yes."

A black man with a fierce scar running through his face responded to the question while kneeling on one knee and wearing all black.

"We have, as you've suggested, pretended not to notice them. What should we now do? Should we alter the placement of the mana compressors?"

"No."

Hemlock shook his head.

His gaze began to wander in the direction of the mana compressors that were depicted in the void projections that were in front of him.

"Keep the mana compressors as they are, and don't let the little animals die. Make sure to be oblivious to them."

"As you wish."

The reply came from the individual dressed in all black, and then he vanished from the scene, exiting the grand hall, which was at that time occupied by sixteen different people.

Everyone was looking wearily at Hemlock, whose expression did not change at all despite the extremely solemn and chilly atmosphere that permeated every inch of the hall.

Without waiting for anyone to say anything, Hemlock opened his mouth to speak.

"I'd like an elder to make their way to each of the mana compressors. Alliance members will likely soon make their way to the mana compressors with the intention of destroying them. I would like for you to ambush them when they are least expecting it."

"..."

"..."

His words were met with silence, and the temperature in the room suddenly dropped to an extremely low level.

Hemlock, who had become aware of the palpable lack of conversation in the space, looked around at the various occupants of the room without making a sound.

"...I understand that you are all wary after what happened not too long ago, but I assure you. It will not happen again. Their sacrifices were for a greater cause."

Once again, the hall fell into silence.

Hemlock's eyes sharpened at the sight, and he slowly stood up.

His gaze lingered over each and every one of the figures that were currently seated on their respective thrones, and as it did so, a potent aura started to emerge from his body.

He opened his mouth again.

This time, his tone was a lot more threatening.

"I'll rephrase myself. I will spare your life if you make yourself useful and listen to my orders..."

As his aura continued to expand, the pressure that was already permeating the room started to expand as well, making it increasingly difficult to breathe for those who were present.

"...So long as the Monolith finds you useful, you should anticipate being spared. Mo Jinhao and his companions had long served their cause and were no longer of any use. You can count your blessings in retrospect. I could have chosen any one of you to sacrifice yourself for the cause...but I didn't. Why, you ask?"

Hemlock licked his lips slightly.

"The answer is rather simple. It's because you were lucky enough to still be useful for the cause."

had been relatively low when they had entered, it was now at an all-time high as absolute silence prevailed throughout the expansive halls

they would incur Hemlock's wrath, no one dared to utter a single word, let alone breathe

the fate of their lives was

that the chip that had been implanted in their heads

knew that there was something with the chip from

Monolith, muttered to himself, his gaze coldly lingering

heads, not having it was really not an option

were contracted to obey Hemlock's every command without uttering a

was something that was far

had contracts with could do anything, it was obvious that someone with an unfathomable

the moment was lower their heads and follow

no choice

***

"How's it going?"

as I emerged from my own training room, the first thing I did was make my way to Ryan's room, where everyone was congregating and staring at the large screens

objects that appeared to be funnelling the mana in the air and causing some kind of dense black fog to be released

located all of the

and was able to recognize them

"You're finally out."

his face a couple

in too closely.

said, standing beside him with an arm outstretched and a couple of

around and pointed at

I've already had surgery on my eyes. They won't get any worse

"...You do you."

one of the birds moved

quickly changed, and

demonic energy into the atmosphere. If this continues, the entire city will become engulfed in demonic energy, and the Monolith's forces will have an advantage when they invade the

"Hmm..."

to her report, the brows between my eyes began

'This is getting troublesome'

to simultaneously wield demonic energy and mana was the primary factor that made

the forces of the Monolith a significant boost

If they stay, it is highly likely that they will cause trouble

fortune that, with Ryan and Ava's assistance, I

everything at all

suggesting that we get ready? I'm sure Liam would love to have a

until

the end of the room with

saying this for his sake, but for Hein's sake. I haven't seen that guy without a black eye ever since we returned from Immorra. I'm

do you think

him from the

one of the reasons why he is in the

"Keum...I stopped...I stopped..."

of his nose,

I was

hold off on the operation for now. I have a bad feeling about

"What do you mean?"

at Ryan, and I

observed Ryan's expression, which revealed that he was currently frowning deeply as he stared

the area around the

seem to be a little bit too

at the screens

of the Monolith through the cameras installed in the animals that Ava controls. Although I don't believe the Monolith will care much about a few rats and birds scurrying about, the fact that none

"Hmm...you have a point."

rubbed the bottom of my chin, deeply contemplating over Ryan's

then the situation was certainly suspicious. Was