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

he on

looked at me, and Kevin

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

it made it seem as though

explain everything. I understood how he defeated the

to

there, I looked at Kevin

"What about Mal—"

Why do I feel demonic energy all over your

After he waved his hand once, a shadowy radiance began to emanate from each

turned his head

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

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

"Haaa…"

let out a

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

rather sensitive? I understand you, since

between Melissa, Jin,

properly. It's practically leaking out of their bodies. Thankfully, you're

"Is that so?"

but I honestly didn't even notice that they

looked at her arms and frowned. She then turned

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

know I can't just get rid of it at

a contract. The demonic

the contracts

the expiration of the contract

in ways that I thought weren't

I offer contracts to

lot

all of this sorted, I'll have you guys

and pressed

expires and you get over the

Clank—

"You called me?"

the room in an abrupt manner. As she looked around

are you guys

"It's a long story."

with a smile. Fixing his tie, he

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

"Uhh."

gaze eventually fell on Amanda, and she

then. Come with me

Standing up, everyone but me

them before they could ask

have something to talk

pause and she turned to look at

"It's alright."

never once bothered to glance in my

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

…How petty.

Clank—!