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—!

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?'

walked into the training room, I didn't know what to

up and full of

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

Beat up

supposed to be on

"Oh, right."

to respond to the

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

this been going

the last three

her hand up and staring at the numerous small birds that were

her were also multiple cats and mouses, snuggling around her

I pointed at them. She

a lot easier for me to control animals that have not been too impacted by the

many can you

not talking about beasts affected by mana, which are currently

raising her head and looking up at

jumped

"A thousand? That many?"

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

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

"Perfect."

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

as the eyes and Ava

well as Ava's network of animals scattered throughout

on my

could escape my

keep up the

head out of the training room. Just before leaving,

see Liam anywhere.

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

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

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

of the information network that I had established. She was able to provide me with

smile spread across my face, and I headed out of

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

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

would all

in place before handing

developing a new sword art and incorporating the demonic

point where I could

"Ren."

training room, the first thing I noticed was Angelica making

her face, and my face changed when

Did

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

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

break through to

"Correct."

retrieving her hand and

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

you've found that

"No."

head, a complicated look

because I have not yet discovered that opportunity. It appears that the demonic energy on earth is too weak for me to be of any help to

"Right…"

planet that the demons had set foot on, and the demonic energy was at a drastically lower level than that of Immorra and the other