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 a loud crashing sound, followed by what I took

Take it easy! I'm not

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

room, I didn't know what to make

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

Leopold, who had a pack of gums in

Beat

to be on

"Oh, right."

honestly didn't know how to respond to

long and extended sigh, my eyes drifted toward a young girl who

long has this been

last three

holding her hand up and staring at the

were also multiple cats and mouses, snuggling around her

I pointed at them. She answered

that have not been too

how many can you

by mana,

head and

eyes jumped up

"A thousand? That many?"

couple hundred more, but that

herself, lowering her

multiple stations around the city just like you've asked. I also already coordinated myself with Ryan, so if

"Perfect."

satisfaction. Ava's progress was a lot faster than I had expected. Everything so far was

as the eyes and

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

on my side,

my sight

up

of the training room.

way, I don't see Liam anywhere. Do

to look at me, then tapped

currently in the Northern district, Govian Park. I

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

that I had established. She was able to provide me with precise

smile spread across my face, and I headed

background, I didn't pay

got eyes on the entirety of Ashton city…It's time that I push up my

of five days left before the human domain would

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

begin the process of developing a new sword art and incorporating

a point where I could fight toe to toe against Malik

"Ren."

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

rather serious expression on her face, and

Did

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

covered her entire arm. I was taken aback by her behaviour at

to break through to Duke

"Correct."

head, retrieving

been close to breaking through for quite a while now, but I haven't had

found

"No."

a complicated look flashing across her face as she

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

"Right…"

energy was at a drastically lower level than that of Immorra and the