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 got closer to the training room, the first thing that I heard was a loud crashing sound, followed by what I took to be Hein's

it easy! I'm not

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

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

Hein and who was all beaten up and full of bruises, continued

pack of gums in his hand and was cheering for

Beat

You're supposed to

"Oh, right."

didn't know how to respond to the sudden

my eyes drifted toward a young girl who sat at the back of the room,

has this been

the last

her hand up and staring at the numerous small birds

her were also multiple cats

pointed at them.

animals that have not

many

not talking about beasts affected by mana, which are currently at fifty,

answered, raising her head

jumped up in

"A thousand? That many?"

it to a couple hundred more, but that

mused to herself, lowering her head and

just like you've asked. I also already coordinated myself with Ryan, so if anything happens,

"Perfect."

in satisfaction. Ava's progress was a lot faster than I had expected.

as the eyes and

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 in

that were on my side,

escape my

up the good

stood up and decided to head out of the training

Liam anywhere. Do

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

roaming Ashton city. He's currently in the

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

the information network that I had established. She was able to

face, and I headed out of

screams in the background, I didn't pay them any attention. My mind was

been completely set up and I've got eyes on the entirety of Ashton city…It's time that I push up

the human domain would all of a sudden face a catastrophe that had never been

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

developing a new sword art and incorporating the demonic bloodline into my

be able to reach a point where I could fight toe

"Ren."

I emerged from the training room, the first thing I noticed was Angelica

rather serious expression on her face, and my face

wrong? Did something

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

I was taken aback by her behaviour at first,

about to break through to Duke

"Correct."

her head, retrieving her

breaking through for quite a while now, but I haven't

you've found

"No."

a complicated look flashing across her face

I have not yet discovered that opportunity. It appears that the demonic energy on

"Right…"

the demons had set foot on, and the demonic energy was at