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—!

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

easy! I'm

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

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

and full of bruises, continued

of gums in his hand and was cheering for

Go! Beat

to

"Oh, right."

didn't know how to

a young girl who sat at the back

long has this

the last three

staring at

also multiple cats

me, and I pointed at them. She answered before I could even

a lot easier for me to control animals that have not

how many can you

talking about beasts affected by mana, which are currently at fifty, then about a

her head

jumped

"A thousand? That many?"

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

mused to herself, lowering her head and massaging her

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,

"Perfect."

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

eyes and Ava as the

well as Ava's network of animals scattered throughout the city, I had complete control over what was going on

that were on my side,

could escape my

up the good

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

see Liam anywhere. Do you have

at me, then tapped on the

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

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

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

face, and

the background, I didn't pay them

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

human domain would all of a sudden face a catastrophe that

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

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

I be able to reach a point where I could fight toe to toe against Malik

"Ren."

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

serious expression on her face, and my face

wrong? Did

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

at which point a dark radiance emanated from her and covered her entire arm. I was taken aback by her behaviour at first, but

to break through

"Correct."

her head, retrieving her

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

you've found that

"No."

shook her head, a complicated look flashing across her face as

yet discovered that opportunity. It appears that the demonic energy on earth is too weak

"Right…"

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