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.

enough to attract the attention

Mammoth, which, although difficult, wasn't impossible for her to beat. Her goal was to recruit as many talented people to her side in order to

would've thought that the other demons would see through her intentions

there is a

Priscilla's facial features as she peered at her servant through

powerful pressure bear down on his body for a split second before finding it disappear into thin air, and what followed was Priscilla's voice

"Disappear from my sight."

"Understood."

words, his figure quietly melted into the background of the room, leaving Priscilla by

Tak. Tak.

throughout the room as she walked toward the chair of her desk

her as she walked toward the far end of the room, where she opened the large wooden door and then

make do with what I have for

***

you sure that they

inquired while carefully examining our surrounding environment, his eyes darting toward his right and

his hood, trying to pull it down as far

demonic energy has also started to

"Haa..."

myself, placing my hand over his shoulder, and shook

we're not the only group wearing hoods. If you look carefully, apart from a few, most

in the middle of a large plaza. One look was enough to tell that the vast majority of them

was only referring to the people I could

the same plan as us and were concealing their identities by donning

less

"You're right..."

becoming aware of the other hooded figures that were surrounding

"Has everyone gathered?"

reaching the minds of each and every one of the

voice wasn't particularly loud, but it effortlessly made its way into the heads of everyone present, and there was a slight alteration in the expression on my face as a

fine control of

on the level of my

Tak.

of a white building that stood adjacent to the plaza, and with the tap of her heel, she drew the attention of

appeared, the faces of many

'This is dangerous.'

had been close to

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

wasn't even one of the strongest demons in this city made me aware of just how dangerous

increased a notch as I took a small step

"Hm..."

of a second figure that was erecting itself behind her. He was also a demon, and he was dressed

behind her while