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

it easy! I'm not

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

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

Yufei, who was standing opposite Hein and who was all beaten up and full of

of gums in his hand

Beat

You're supposed to be

"Oh, right."

honestly didn't know how to respond

my eyes drifted toward a young girl who sat at

long has this been going

the last

her hand up and staring at the

her were also multiple cats and mouses, snuggling around

pointed at

animals that have

many can

you're not talking about beasts affected by mana, which are currently at fifty, then about a

raising her head

eyes jumped up

"A thousand? That many?"

a couple hundred more, but that would drain my

mused to herself, lowering her head and massaging her

completed what you've asked me to do and set up multiple stations around the city just like you've asked. I also already coordinated myself with Ryan, so if anything happens, he will be

"Perfect."

lot faster than I had expected. Everything so far was flowing in accordance with

eyes and

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

it those that were on my side, or those that

my

up the

progress, I stood up and decided to head out of the training room. Just before leaving, I scanned the room

don't see Liam anywhere. Do you have any idea where

me, then tapped

He's currently in the Northern district, Govian

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

She was able to provide me with precise information regarding Liam's location in a matter of

across my face, and I headed out of

I could still hear Hein's helpless screams in the background, I didn't pay them any attention. My

network has been completely set up and I've got eyes

the human domain would all of a sudden face

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

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

be able to reach a point where I could fight

"Ren."

the training room, the first thing I

expression on her face,

wrong? Did something

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

which point 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 to let

to break through to

"Correct."

her head, retrieving her hand and

while

you've found

"No."

complicated look flashing

you because I have not yet discovered that opportunity. It appears that the demonic energy on earth is

"Right…"

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