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

they vanished from view, a sense of loneliness settled within me. The thought of being alone in Ashton City for the

fulfill, and I couldn't let

"Huuu."

turned and walked away from the portal,

was work

***

what are

there, quietly staring

feel so uneasy. Was

some time now, and he

there for what felt

patient expression. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Jin turned around

look back, not wanting to see Ren's face

help but feel a sense

wasn't the only one who felt this way, either. Everyone's expression was somewhat similar as if they were all heading towards an

the fact that

were strong, they were still far from strong enough to be of any help to Ren. He was carrying the entire

was a heavy burden to bear, and Jin didn't envy him

"I don't like it..."

barely audible

burden, and when he looked around and stared at the

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

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

Woom! Woom!

he appeared in the

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

looked around, taking in

people of all races went about their business. It

the

we go to our

look at her. She looked absolutely normal at the moment. Perhaps, out of everyone, she was the

always been

pocket and fiddling with a certain box, he retrieved a

*Puff*

took a deep drag, feeling the

the sensation. A certain demoness appeared within his mind at the moment,

wonder how she's doing at

this, would she throw a fit,

"He."

and shook

Arrogant Demoness.

his eyes again, he saw

did

asked, pointing at the

Jin smiled faintly.

a habit," he said, taking another drag.

"Oh, I see."

nodded, her interest in the topic quickly waning. She surveyed the city that surrounded them and pointed in

we go

it for a moment before

we should. I need to

his cigarette before flicking it

"Lead the way."

speak as if I