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."

when they had entered, it was now at an

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

the fate of

chip that had been implanted in their heads contained a potent explosive device that would kill them

was something with the chip from the very

the elders of the Monolith, muttered

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

whom they were contracted to obey Hemlock's every command without

that was far beyond their

do anything, it was obvious that someone with an unfathomable amount of power

do at the moment was lower their heads and follow

had no

***

"How's it going?"

my way to Ryan's room, where everyone was

there were a number of strange objects that appeared to be funnelling the mana in the air and causing some kind of

like you guys have located all of

the objects and was

"You're finally out."

face a couple of

in too closely.

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

turned around and

my eyes. They won't get any worse by

"...You do you."

of the birds moved

changed, and she looked at

compressors are concealed 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 an advantage when they

"Hmm..."

to her report, the

'This is getting troublesome'

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

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

to get rid of the compressors as soon as possible. If they stay, it is highly likely that they will cause trouble further

was a stroke of good fortune that, with Ryan and Ava's assistance, I had eyes over the

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

we get ready? I'm sure Liam would love to

silent up until this

the sofa at the end of the room with

haven't seen that guy without

do you think this

him from the corner

one of the

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

his nose,

head, and just as I was about to say something, Ryan's voice reverberated

on the operation for now. I have a bad

"What do you mean?"

turned to look at Ryan, and I moved a

currently frowning deeply as he

the area around the mana

bit too easy. Take a

at the screens

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 a

"Hmm...you have a point."

of my chin, deeply contemplating over Ryan's

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