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—!

to the training room, the first thing that I heard was

I'm not made of

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

the training room, I didn't know what to make of the events that were taking

who was all beaten up and full of bruises,

a pack of gums in his hand

Go! Beat up

supposed to be on my

"Oh, right."

know how to

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

this

last three

responded, holding her hand up and staring at the numerous small birds that were resting

cats and

me, and I pointed at them. She answered before I could

have not been too impacted by

many

not talking about beasts affected by mana, which

head

jumped up in

"A thousand? That many?"

it to a couple hundred more, but that would

mused to herself, lowering her head and massaging her

around the city just like you've asked. I also already

"Perfect."

lot faster than I had expected. Everything so far

the eyes

well as Ava's network of animals scattered throughout the city, I had complete control over

were on my side, or those

could escape my sight and

up the good

decided to head out of

don't see Liam anywhere. Do you have any

at me, then tapped on the

city. He's currently in the Northern

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

effectiveness of the information network that I had established. She was able to provide me with precise information regarding Liam's

across my face, and I headed

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

set up and I've got eyes on the entirety of Ashton

left before the human domain would all of a sudden face a catastrophe

days, I intended to finish putting everything in place before handing over responsibility for the

developing a new sword

I be able to reach a point where I

"Ren."

from the training room, the first thing I noticed was Angelica making her way in

on her face, and my face

Did

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

her and covered her entire arm. I was taken

to break through to Duke

"Correct."

nodded her head, retrieving

while now, but I

you've found

"No."

look flashing across her

that opportunity. It appears that the demonic energy on earth is too weak

"Right…"

foot on, and the demonic energy was at a drastically lower level than that of