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 to

is he on

at me, and

not been for your letter before you left, we would've fallen for their trap. Thankfully, we managed to turn the situation around and

nonchalant tone that it made it seem as though he

how he

was the type of guy to

there, I looked at Kevin

"What about Mal—"

you guys? Why do I feel

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

head

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

choice. The demonic energy was far too thick over there. I wouldn't have made them sign a contract if they could've handled

"Haaa…"

let out a

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

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

alternated his gaze between

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

"Is that so?"

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

frowned.

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

get rid of it at the snap of my

demonic energy would linger until the

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

expiration of the contract more than I was, it was going to

experience traumatized me in ways that I thought weren't

will I

lot of

all of this sorted, I'll have you guys rest in the rooms I have prepared for

and pressed the phone on his

get over the side effects, you're free

Clank—

"You called me?"

the room in an abrupt manner. As

you guys

"It's a long story."

smile. Fixing his tie, he fell back

them in a room. Don't bother asking any

"Uhh."

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

with me

and left. Standing

them before they

I still have something to

came to a sudden pause

"It's alright."

at her, and she nodded. She never once

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

…How petty.

Clank—!