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.

thanks

is he on

me, and Kevin

we would've fallen for their trap. Thankfully, we managed to turn the situation around and reverse the trap

it seem as though he

how he defeated the

the type of guy to die despite

looked at Kevin to ask,

"What about Mal—"

you guys? Why do I feel demonic energy all over your

Kevin, who stood up and looked at us with a frown. After he waved his hand once, a shadowy radiance

his head to

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

The demonic energy was far too thick over there. I wouldn't have made

"Haaa…"

out

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

war, the situation is still rather sensitive?

between Melissa, Jin, and

leaking out of their bodies. Thankfully,

"Is that so?"

world, but I honestly didn't even notice that they were

arms and frowned. She then turned to look

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

rid of it at the snap

The demonic

to come back, the contracts will expire in a few hours, so you won't have to

of the contract more than I was, it was going

whole experience traumatized me in ways that I thought weren't

I offer

the lot

I'll have you guys rest in the rooms I have prepared

and pressed the

you get over the

Clank—

"You called me?"

manner. As she looked around and

you

"It's a long story."

a smile. Fixing his tie, he fell

room. Don't bother asking any

"Uhh."

face. As she turned her head, her gaze eventually fell on Amanda, and she

then. Come with me for

Standing up, everyone

waved at them before they could

I still have something to talk to

feet came to a sudden pause

"It's alright."

her, and she nodded. She never once bothered to glance in my direction throughout the entire

she was acting the way that she was. Just a look in Kevin's direction, and I knew she

…How petty.

Clank—!