The Author's POV

[Day 5]

"Where's everyone?"

I was taken aback to discover that the lobby of the mercenary headquarters was completely deserted. At any given time, there would typically be at least one or two of the guys lounging about on the sofas.

"Guess everyone's busy."

I eventually shrugged my shoulders.

When I thought about the upcoming event, it made perfect sense. Indeed, I had given a significant amount of work to each of them.

Without much consideration, I made my way to Ryan's room. Among all the people present, he was most likely the only one who knew where the others were.

They were probably in the building, but the place was quite big, and since I needed to check up on Ryan, I decided to just ask him since he most probably had eyes on the entire place.

Clank—!

After making my way to Ryan's room and opening the door, I discovered Ryan hunched over with his back arched and his feet crossed on the chair as he was looking at more than fifty monitors in front of him.

Displayed on the monitors were the different areas of Ashton city.

"Oh, you're back."

Ryan was quickly made aware of my presence, and after giving me a passing glance, he returned his focus to the screens.

He most likely was aware that I was heading to him long ago and was just being casual about it.

I approached him and placed my hand on the chair he was sitting on.

"How's the situation?"

"They haven't made any movements yet. Not notable ones…at least."

"This is in Ashton city?"

"Yes, same for the other cities. Still no major movement."

"Okay."

I nodded my head, struggling to keep up with Ryan, who looked at all the monitors in front of him without any trouble.

In fact, every two seconds, the screens would switch and new areas would appear on the monitors.

While this happened, Ryan would write a couple of notes on a small book that rested next to his keyboard before switching the screens again.

He kept doing this for all the fifty screens in front of him, and my head started to throb at the sight.

"I'll leave you to it."

I gave the back of the chair a light pat before turning around. When I was on the verge of leaving, I suddenly recalled the purpose of my visit here and asked.

"By the way, do you have any idea where the others are? I didn't see anyone in the lob—"

"Training room."

Ryan responded before I could even finish my sentence. I pursed my lips and nodded my head.

"Alright, good luck with your job."

It appeared as though Ryan was too preoccupied with what he was doing. It was to the point where he did not care about me at all.

It didn't really bother me, as I knew his role in the upcoming war was going to be very important.

I had a lot of things planned out for the upcoming events, and Ryan was going to play a significant part in all of them.

'Well, everyone will.'

I had not chosen my members randomly. They were all selected with this event in mind, and it was time for me to finally bear the fruit of their nurturing.

Bang—!

I heard was a loud crashing sound, followed by what I took to

I'm not

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

I first walked into the training room, I didn't know what to make of the events

opposite Hein and who was all beaten up and full of bruises, continued to punch him relentlessly while he begged

a pack of gums in his hand

Go! Beat up

supposed to be on

"Oh, right."

how to respond to the sudden

long and extended sigh, my eyes drifted toward a young girl who sat at the back of

long has this

last three

holding her hand up and staring at the numerous small birds that

multiple cats and mouses, snuggling around

pointed at them.

animals that have not been too impacted by the mana in

how many

talking about beasts affected by mana, which are

raising her head

eyes jumped up

"A thousand? That many?"

a couple

to herself, lowering her head and

like you've asked. I also already coordinated myself with Ryan, so if anything happens, he will be the first to let you

"Perfect."

had

acted as the eyes and Ava

to all of the cameras in the city, as well as Ava's network of animals scattered throughout the city, I had complete control over what was going on

it those that were on my side, or

escape my sight and

up

to head out of the training room. Just before leaving, I scanned

see Liam anywhere. Do you have any idea

her head to the side to look at me, then tapped on the face of her watch

the Northern district, Govian Park. I think he's

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

had established. She was able to provide me with precise information regarding Liam's location in

face,

though I could still hear Hein's helpless screams in the background, I didn't

has been completely set up and I've got eyes

domain would all of a sudden face

everything in place before handing over responsibility for the

will begin the process of developing a new sword art

able to reach a point where I could fight toe

"Ren."

room, the first thing I noticed

a rather serious expression on her face, and

wrong? Did something

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

was taken aback by her behaviour

break through to

"Correct."

her head, retrieving her hand and lowering

a while now, but I

you've found

"No."

head, a complicated look

that opportunity. It appears that the

"Right…"

the last planet that the demons had set foot on, and the demonic energy was