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 to your

he on

me, and

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

spoke in such a nonchalant tone that it made it seem as though he had dealt with a

understood how he defeated the elders, but what about

type of guy to die despite falling for an

at Kevin

"What about Mal—"

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

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

turned his head to look

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

over there. I wouldn't have made them sign a contract if they could've handled

"Haaa…"

out

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

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

alternated his gaze between Melissa, Jin,

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

"Is that so?"

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

her arms and frowned. She then

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

get rid of it at the snap of

signed a contract. The demonic energy would

the contracts

of the contract

experience traumatized me in ways that I

again will I offer contracts to

lot of

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

and pressed the phone on his

over the side effects, you're free to

Clank—

"You called me?"

manner. As

you

"It's a long story."

said with a smile. Fixing his tie, he fell

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

"Uhh."

her gaze eventually fell on Amanda,

with me

and left. Standing up,

before they could ask

have

to a sudden pause

"It's alright."

waved at her, and she nodded. She never once

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

…How petty.

Clank—!