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—!

thing that I heard was a loud crashing sound, followed by what

Take it easy! I'm not

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

room, I didn't know what to make

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 his

Go! Beat up

You're supposed to be

"Oh, right."

to

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

this been going

last three

responded, holding her hand up and staring at

were also multiple cats and mouses, snuggling around her

sight surprised me, and I pointed at them. She answered before

animals that have not been too impacted

see…and how many can you

beasts affected by mana, which are currently

answered, raising her head and

eyes jumped up

"A thousand? That many?"

could probably push it to a couple hundred more, but that would drain

mused to herself, lowering her head

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

"Perfect."

progress was a lot faster than I had expected. Everything so

the eyes and Ava as

Ryan's access to all of the cameras in the city, as well as Ava's network of

on my side, or those that

my sight and

keep up the good

I stood up and decided to head out of the training

see Liam anywhere. Do you have any idea

cocked her head to the side to look at me, then tapped on the face of her watch and shut her eyes before

city. He's currently in the

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

network that I had established. She was able to provide me with precise information regarding Liam's location in a matter of

satisfied smile spread across my face, and I headed out of the

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

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

the human domain would all of a sudden face a

finish putting everything in place before

of developing a new sword art and

be able to reach a point

"Ren."

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

her face, and my face changed when I

Did something

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

a dark radiance emanated from her and covered her entire arm. I was taken aback by her behaviour at first, but then I understood exactly what it was that she was attempting

break

"Correct."

retrieving her hand and

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

found that

"No."

look flashing across her face as she

have not yet discovered that opportunity. It appears that the demonic energy on earth is too weak

"Right…"

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