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.

was no thanks

is he

looked at me, and Kevin

for your letter before you left, we would've fallen for their trap. Thankfully, we managed to turn the situation around and reverse the trap by sending all of

tone that it made it seem as though

I understood how he defeated the elders, but what about

of guy to die despite falling for

there, I looked at Kevin

"What about Mal—"

up with you guys? Why do I feel

and looked at us with a frown. After he

head to

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

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

"Haaa…"

let out a

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

sensitive? I understand you,

his gaze between Melissa,

hide their demonic energy properly. It's practically leaking out of their bodies. Thankfully, you're with me, and even if the others noticed, they wouldn't have

"Is that so?"

but I honestly didn't even notice that they were

at her arms and frowned. She

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

of it at the snap of my

a contract. The demonic energy

knew when we were going to come back, the contracts will

expiration of the contract more than I was, it was

in ways that I

again will I offer contracts to

lot of

then. Since we've got all of this sorted, I'll have you guys rest in the rooms

up and pressed the phone on his

you get over the side effects,

Clank—

"You called me?"

in an abrupt manner.

are you

"It's a long story."

he fell back

in a room. Don't

"Uhh."

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

Come with me

and left. Standing up, everyone but me

at them before they could

I still have

sudden pause and she

"It's alright."

She never once bothered to glance in my direction throughout the

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

…How petty.

Clank—!