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

is he on

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 our high ranking members out. It was a risk, but

made it

that didn't explain everything. I understood how he defeated the elders, but what about

was the type of guy to die despite falling for an

there, I looked at Kevin to ask,

"What about Mal—"

with you guys? Why do I feel demonic energy

stood up and looked at us with a frown. After he

turned his head to

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

energy was far too thick over there. I

"Haaa…"

out a

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

is still rather sensitive? I understand you, since everyone knows you and they probably can't beat you,

his gaze between Melissa,

can't even hide their demonic energy properly. It's practically leaking out of their bodies. Thankfully, you're with

"Is that so?"

but

her arms and frowned. She then

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

I can't just get rid of it at the snap of

a contract. The demonic energy would linger until the contract

I already knew when we were going to come back, the contracts will expire in a few hours, so

anyone who was looking forward to the expiration of the contract more than I was, it was going to be

whole experience traumatized me in ways that

again will I

the lot of

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

stood up and pressed the phone

and you get over

Clank—

"You called me?"

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

you guys doing

"It's a long story."

tie, he

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

"Uhh."

head, her gaze eventually fell on Amanda, and

then. Come with me for

and left. Standing up, everyone but me

at them before they could ask

have

sudden pause and she turned to look

"It's alright."

her, and she nodded. She never once

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

…How petty.

Clank—!