The Author's POV

"Huh?"

"W-what?"

"Am I seeing things?"

The astonishment that we felt the instant that we set foot back on earth could not be adequately described using any words at all. I was so shocked that the after effects of the portal seemed like nothing to me.

Greeting us at the portal was Kevin. Everything seemed normal from that point. He was currently wearing a nice suit, which I had to say, made him look rather dashing.

I wasn't jealous.

That said…

"What did you do?"

As I emerged from the training area, I was taken aback to see that the headquarters was packed to the gills with individuals.

If that wasn't surprising enough, I couldn't believe how many people there were outside. When I looked out the window at the street below, I couldn't believe how crowded it was.

…It was as if the war had never started in the first place.

I was baffled, and so were the others.

'What happened in the time we were in Melandoir?'

"Surprised?"

Kevin looked at us with a smirk, leading us up toward his office.

"I won't hold you guys up for long. I just need to brief you on the situation, and you can all be on your way."

"Good morning, Alliance head."

"Have a safe day, Alliance head."

The manner in which people greeted Kevin on our way to his office was by far the most perplexing thing that I noticed.

Their eyes… they were filled with reverence.

My brows immediately furrowed when I saw this.

…I slowly started to get an idea of what had happened, and I felt my heart drop for some reason.

Everything seemed to be too good to be true.

"Come, relax in my office for a bit."

As we entered Kevin's office, he graciously offered us a few drinks before taking a seat in one of the chairs there.

"What happened?"

Jin was the first one to speak, asking the question that was lingering in the minds of everyone present.

I just quietly observed Kevin from my seat.

The more looked at him, the more I felt that things were off.

Nonetheless, I still quietly listened to the conversation. I could just be overthinking things, though I doubted it.

"We got lucky, and we managed to defeat all of the high ranking members of the Monolith. Of course, we didn't completely rid of the entire organization, as some went into hiding, but we were able to deal a large glow to them."

Kevin looked at me and smiled.

no thanks to your

is he on

looked at me, and Kevin

turn the situation around and reverse the trap by sending all of our high ranking members out. It

made it seem as

I understood how he

to

I looked at Kevin to ask,

"What about Mal—"

guys? Why do I feel demonic energy all over your

at us with a frown. After he waved his hand once, a shadowy radiance

head to look at

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

no choice. The demonic energy was far too thick over there. I wouldn't have

"Haaa…"

let out a

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

situation is still rather sensitive? I understand you, since everyone knows you and they probably

gaze between Melissa, Jin,

properly. It's practically leaking out of their bodies. Thankfully, you're with me, and even if the others noticed,

"Is that so?"

because I became accustomed to the other world, but I honestly didn't even notice that they

her arms and frowned. She then

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

get rid of it at the snap of

had signed a contract. The demonic energy would linger

I already knew when we were going to come back, the

forward to the expiration of the

experience traumatized me in ways that

again will I offer contracts

lot of

sorted, I'll have you guys rest in

up and pressed the

over the side effects,

Clank—

"You called me?"

Emma burst into the room in an abrupt manner. As she looked around and noticed us, a

are you guys doing

"It's a long story."

Fixing his tie, he fell

lot of them in a room. Don't bother asking any

"Uhh."

she turned her head, her gaze eventually fell on Amanda, and

then. Come with

turned around and left. Standing up, everyone but me

them before they could

mind me, I still have something to talk to

came to a sudden pause and she turned to

"It's alright."

waved at her, and she nodded. She never once bothered to glance in my

she was. Just a look in Kevin's direction, and I knew she was still

…How petty.

Clank—!