The Author's POV

The room was beautifully illuminated by a glittering chandelier placed in the middle of the ceiling.

Click―!

The handle on the door to the room clicked as it was opened, and a moment later, a tall, graceful figure dressed in black clothing that were rather revealing entered the room, casting about.

Priscilla Pertinol didn't look around as she quietly walked toward the far end of the room, where a large window stood.

Arriving at the window, by her side, was a massive, 10-foot-tall glass pane that was gently tilted toward the side of the wall.

Reflected in the mirror was a graceful figure with long pink hair that reached the ends of her back, stopping right above her waistline. Two thin horns protruded from the top of her forehead, separating her hair and leaving her unable to hide her pristine looks that seemed to make any man drool.

Her face was carefully composed in an almost-statuesque placidity, absent even of the slightest emotion as her red eyes gazed past through the window.

"How many people have decided to sign up for the task?"

In the moment that she opened her mouth, the area behind her warped, and a black figure appeared out of thin air, with one knee to the ground and a respectful expression.

"We've received several applicants so far."

"A rough estimate."

"About a hundred or so."

Priscilla's delicate brows furrowed ever so slightly, unable to disguise her annoyance.

"This little?"

"Yes...it appears as though the other houses have put up similar quests."

"I see."

Priscilla gave a curt nod, the hint of a frown on her lips indicating that she did not appreciate having her hand forced in this manner.

"Looks like they caught on to my intentions."

"It appears so..."

The servant answered, his head lowering and his voice becoming quieter.

"What do you plan on doing? Will you still proceed?"

"..."

Silence filled the room as Priscilla contemplated. Originally, she had anticipated having more than a thousand different participants join her on this quest.

It wasn't just about her fame and good looks that attracted people to join her mission; it was also the fact that the monetary reward was high.

to

for her to beat. Her goal was to recruit as many talented people to her side in order to aid her with the incoming fruit

see through her intentions and perform similar mass

as though there is

features as she peered at her servant through

was quietly kneeling on one knee, suddenly felt a powerful pressure bear down on his body for a split second before finding it disappear

"Disappear from my sight."

"Understood."

fade of his words, his figure quietly melted

Tak. Tak.

room as she walked toward

followed her as she walked toward the far end of the room,

with what I have

***

you sure that they won't find

examining our surrounding environment, his eyes

trying to pull it down as far as he could, he

energy has

"Haa..."

myself, placing my hand over his shoulder, and shook

only group wearing hoods. If you look carefully, apart from a few, most people here are also wearing

surrounding us as we stood in the middle of a large plaza. One look was enough to tell that the vast majority of them were demons, but a closer inspection revealed that there were also orcs and

referring to the people

I was mentioning to Jin, there were quite a few other people who had the same plan as us and were concealing their identities by donning hoods that were very similar

stand out even less as we perfectly blended with the

"You're right..."

of the other hooded figures that were surrounding us

"Has everyone gathered?"

room, reaching the minds of each and every one of the people who were

particularly loud, but it effortlessly made its way into the heads of everyone present, and there was a slight alteration

fine control of demonic

almost on the level

Tak.

that stood adjacent to the plaza, and with the tap of her heel, she drew

instant she appeared, the faces of many people present changed, unable to hide their

'This is dangerous.'

emanating from the demon was comparable to that of Suriol, an individual who had been close to

the two of us fight, I might be able to win...but the price will definitely

strongest demons in this city made me aware of just how

increased a notch as I took

"Hm..."

I became aware of a second figure that was erecting itself behind her. He was also a demon, and he was dressed in what appeared

was standing behind her while maintaining a calm and