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."

entered, it was

dared to utter a single word, let alone

moment, the fate of their lives was

only recently discovered that the chip that had been implanted in their heads contained a potent explosive

was something with the chip

Monolith, muttered to himself, his gaze coldly

the chip in their heads, not having it was really

the demons with whom they were contracted to

something that was far beyond their

could do anything, it was obvious that someone

at the moment was

had no choice but

***

"How's it going?"

make my way to Ryan's room, where everyone was congregating and staring

appeared to be funnelling the mana in the air and causing

you guys have located all of the mana

was able to recognize

"You're finally out."

unenthusiastically said, his face a couple of

in too closely. It's bad

an arm outstretched

around and pointed

my eyes. They won't

"...You do you."

of the birds moved up her

and

atmosphere. If this continues, the entire city will become engulfed in demonic energy, and

"Hmm..."

to her report, the brows

'This is getting troublesome'

fact that contractees were able to simultaneously wield demonic energy and mana was the primary factor that made

the Monolith a significant boost in strength, which would put

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

of good fortune that, with Ryan and Ava's assistance, I had eyes over the majority of the human

me, I was able to keep an eye on everything at all times, and as a

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

had been silent up until

the end of

guy without a black eye ever since

fault do you

glancing at him from

no right to talk when you're one of the reasons why he is

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

bridge of his nose, Leopold looked

caused me to shake my head, and just as I was about to say something, Ryan's voice

off on the operation for now. I

"What do you mean?"

look at Ryan, and I moved a

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

specifically, the area around the

little bit too easy. Take a look

pointed at the

probably already know, we are currently observing the movements 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 of them did anything or even noticed the animals despite being in such

"Hmm...you have a point."

my chin, deeply contemplating over

Ryan said, then the situation was certainly suspicious. Was the Monolith perhaps trying to set up