The Author's POV

"It's becoming quieter in here."

I glanced around the empty streets of Ashton City, feeling a sense of desolation settle within me.

It was eerily quiet as if the very air had been sucked out of the city. The once-bustling metropolis had been reduced to a ghost town, with the population dwindling day by day.

The aftermath of the war with the Monolith had taken its toll on the city, and the current migration had made the situation return to what it once was.

"Haa..."

I sighed, my gaze drifting toward the portal that stood before me. Jin was standing in front of it, flanked by a few familiar figures - Emma, Amanda, and Melissa.

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at the thought of their impending departure. They were leaving for Immorra... A place I worked so hard to develop and make into the best place to live in...

I really wanted to go.

"Why aren't you coming with us?"

Jin's voice interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to face him.

"I've got a few things that I need to do over here, and I can't go there."

I replied, my tone neutral. It was only half the truth, but I couldn't reveal the real reason why I couldn't accompany them to Immorra.

Jezebeth was still out there, somewhere, and he was relentless in his pursuit of me. His ability to track me down made it impossible for me to stay in one place for too long.

This was especially so after I gained Kevin's power.

If I were to go to Immorra, there was a high chance that he would find out my whereabouts and hunt me down.

I couldn't risk putting Amanda and the others in danger, which left me with no choice but to stay behind and keep Jezebeth's attention diverted from them.

"When will you be coming?"

Emma's voice rang, and I smiled at her.

"I will probably not be coming for long. Perhaps once every week, and I'll stay at most for a couple of days over there... You see, there's a lot of things that I need to do here, and I can't stay there for very long."

Emma looked at Amanda, her skepticism apparent. I knew she didn't believe me, but I couldn't blame her.

I really was hiding something.

"Only once a week?"

Emma's voice was tinged with confusion, and I felt a pang of guilt in my chest when she looked at Amanda.

"...And you're okay with this? You do know that we'll be gone for about five years. Are you okay with only seeing him once every couple of months?"

Amanda shook her head, her expression normal.

"No...but I understand where he's coming from, so I can only accept the situation."

I felt a surge of gratitude toward Amanda.

As expected of her... She really was understanding.

"Uhh...okay," Emma said, looking defeated. "You do whatever you want. I won't interfere in your matters."

With that, she turned and handed her identification to one of the guards who stood watch over the portal. The check wasn't very long, but it felt like an eternity. I watched as Emma, Amanda, and Jin stepped through the portal, disappearing from sight.

"See you in a week, then."

"Bye."

"Have a safe trip."

murmured, waving my hand in

in Ashton City for

a mission to fulfill, and I couldn't let anything get in the way

"Huuu."

a deep breath, I turned and walked away from the portal,

work

***

what are you

stood there, quietly staring

what it was about Ren that made him feel so uneasy. Was it the way he was looking

gnawing at Jin for some time now, and he couldn't help but feel like he was missing

what felt like an eternity, lost

a patient expression. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Jin turned around and started walking toward the

back, not wanting to see Ren's face

walked, Jin couldn't help but feel a sense of

the only one who felt this way,

to the fact that they

help to Ren. He was carrying the entire burden by himself and trying to keep them

bear, and

"I don't like it..."

his voice barely

didn't want to feel like a burden, and when he looked around and stared at the others, he could see that they were having similar

and shimmered as they approached it, and Jin couldn't help but feel

five years... Five years to become stronger...

Woom! Woom!

in

Ashton City, but it was at the same time different. The towering trees, the other races, and the thinned out mana… it was similar

looked around, taking in his

people of all races went about their business. It was a

Ren looked before he left, and the scenery before him didn't look as lively

we go to

the moment. Perhaps, out of everyone, she was the

had always been

fiddling with a certain

*Puff*

a deep drag, feeling

moment, he closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation. A certain demoness appeared within his mind at the moment, and he felt the edges of his

wonder how she's doing at

she throw a

"He."

chuckled and

Arrogant Demoness.

saw Melissa looking at

when did you start

asked, pointing

Jin smiled faintly.

he said, taking another drag. "It

"Oh, I see."

She surveyed

go to our

considered it for a

need

his cigarette

"Lead the way."

speak as if I know the