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—!

room, the first thing that I heard was a loud crashing sound, followed by what I took to be

I'm not made

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

room, I didn't know what to make

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

who had a pack of gums in his hand and was cheering for

Beat up

to be on my

"Oh, right."

didn't know how to respond to the

extended sigh, my eyes drifted toward a young girl who sat at the back of the room, and I made my way toward

long has this

the last

at the numerous small

also multiple cats

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

for me to control animals that have not been too

many can you

beasts affected by mana, which

head and looking up at

jumped

"A thousand? That many?"

probably push it to a couple hundred more,

to herself, lowering her head and massaging her

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

"Perfect."

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

the eyes and Ava

to all of the cameras in the city, as well as Ava's network of animals scattered throughout

it those that were on my side, or

could escape my sight and

keep up the

the progress, I stood up and decided to head out of the

I don't see Liam anywhere. Do you have any

tapped on the face of her watch and shut

He's currently in the Northern district, Govian Park. I think

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

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

face, and I headed out of

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

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

the human domain would all of a sudden

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

will begin the process of developing a new sword art and incorporating

able to reach a point where I could

"Ren."

the first thing I noticed was Angelica making her way

her face, and my face changed when I

wrong? Did

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

arm. I was taken aback by her behaviour at first, but then I

to break through to

"Correct."

her head, retrieving

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

found that

"No."

her head, a complicated look flashing

opportunity. It appears that the demonic

"Right…"

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