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."

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

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

the fate of their lives

discovered that the chip that had been implanted in their

something with

muttered to himself,

in their heads, not having it was really not an option for

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

something that was far

contracts with could do anything, it was obvious that someone with

they could do at the moment

had no

***

"How's it going?"

room, the first thing I did was make my way to

the mana in the air and causing some kind of dense black

guys have located

was able to recognize them

"You're finally out."

couple of inches away from

lean in too closely. It's bad

arm outstretched and a couple of birds perched on

turned around and pointed

had surgery on my eyes. They

"...You do you."

of the

quickly changed, and she looked

within the outskirts of Ashton City, slowly releasing demonic energy into the atmosphere. If this continues, the entire city will become engulfed in demonic energy, and the Monolith's forces will have

"Hmm..."

was listening to her report, the brows between my eyes began

'This is getting troublesome'

simultaneously wield demonic energy and mana was the primary factor that

atmosphere would give the forces of the Monolith a significant boost in strength, which would put the alliance in a disadvantageous

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

with Ryan and Ava's

eye on everything at all times, and as a result, I knew

I'm sure Liam would love to have

had been silent up until this

at the end of the room with his legs

sake. I haven't seen that guy without a black eye ever since

do you

glancing at him from the

to talk when you're one of the reasons why he

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

nose, Leopold looked away from

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 have a bad feeling about

"What do you mean?"

Ryan, and I moved a little bit closer to

he was currently frowning deeply as he stared intently at the screens in front of

the area around

be a little bit too easy. Take a look at the

the

will care much about a few rats and birds scurrying about, the fact that none of them did anything

"Hmm...you have a point."

the bottom of my chin,

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