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

incur Hemlock's wrath, no one dared to utter a single word, let

this very moment, the fate of

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

that there was something with the chip from the very

of the elders of the Monolith, muttered to himself, his

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

whom they were contracted to

that was far beyond their

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

could do at the moment was lower their heads and

had no

***

"How's it going?"

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

were a number of strange objects that appeared to be funnelling the mana

located all of the mana

with the objects and was able to

"You're finally out."

his face a couple of inches away from

closely. It's bad

beside him with an arm outstretched

turned around and pointed at his

surgery on my eyes. They won't get

"...You do you."

of

changed, and she

the atmosphere. If this continues, the entire city will

"Hmm..."

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

'This is getting troublesome'

were able to simultaneously wield demonic energy and mana was the primary factor that made them so scary

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

compressors as soon as possible. If they stay, it is highly likely that they

of good fortune that, with Ryan and Ava's assistance,

working for me, I was able to keep an eye on everything at all times, and as a result, I knew the exact location

suggesting that we get ready? I'm

been silent up until this point, finally opened his

was sitting on the sofa at the end of the room with his

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 sort of feeling

fault do you think this

him

one of the reasons why

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

his nose, Leopold looked away

head, and just as I

on the operation for now. I have a bad

"What do you mean?"

turned to look at Ryan, and I moved a little

currently frowning deeply as he stared

the area around

seem to be a little bit too easy. Take

pointed at the screens with

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."

rubbed the bottom of my chin, deeply

was certainly suspicious. Was