The Transmigrated Author

[Gasan Digital Coplex, Seoul - Rooftops]

As we continued our surveillance, my mind remained on the children inside the building.

I knew I had to find a way to save them, even if it meant going against the mission objective.

huuu...

Taking a deep breath, I decided to share my idea with Vanessa and Christian.

"What if we create a distraction?" I suggested, trying to sound casual.

"We could gather more intel and maybe even find a way to get inside without alerting anyone."

Vanessa and Christian exchanged sceptical looks, clearly not convinced.

"Why should we do that?" Christian asked, his tone challenging.

"Our mission is to observe and report, not to engage."

I swallowed, feeling the weight of my words.

"I know, but what if there are people inside who need our help? We can't just ignore them."

Vanessa shook her head, her expression firm.

"Axel... I understand where you're coming from, but we can't risk compromising the mission. We need to stick to the plan."

Hearing those words, I felt a little frustrated, but I knew I had to try harder to convince them.

"I get that, but what if we can gather valuable intel that could help us in the long run? It could be worth the risk."

Christian and Vanessa exchanged another glance, considering my words.

After a moment, Vanessa sighed, relenting.

"Fine. But we need to be careful. We can't afford to get caught."

I nodded, grateful for their agreement.

"Agreed. Let's make sure we plan this out carefully."

As I surveyed the building and the numerous armed guards patrolling below, I knew that a direct confrontation would be too risky.

Rescuing the kids would mean a fight with the guards – a fight Christian could probably win alone.

First, I needed to locate those kids... and neutralize the perimeter.

I glanced at Christian and Vanessa, who were still focused on the building below.

They needed to be convinced that this was the right course of action.

And if reading novels had taught me one thing, is that if you need a distraction, cause chaos.

That was the key or so I thought.

If I could create a diversion that would draw the guards' attention away from the main entrance, I could slip in unnoticed and take out the guards inside.

But I couldn't reveal my true intentions yet.

I needed to make them think that the distraction was for a different purpose, something that would align with our mission but also serve as a cover for my true objective.

I turned to Christian and Vanessa, a plan forming in my mind.

"What if we... start a small fire on the other side of the compound? It could draw the guards away from the main entrance and give one of us a window to sneak in and gather more intel."

Christian and Vanessa looked at each other, considering my suggestion.

After a moment, Vanessa nodded.

"That could work. It would create enough mess to allow one of us to slip in unnoticed."

Christian seemed to like the idea and he nodded in agreement.

"Alright, let's do it!"

I nodded, relieved that they had bought into my plan.

"Okay. Let's execute this carefully."

As we finalized our plan, Christian spoke up. "I can start the fire," he offered, it seemed he was going to start more than an offer looking in his eyes.

"I promise it'll be small, just enough to cause a distraction."

He gave a thumbs up to Vanessa but right through her mask, her brow furrowed not buying anything Christian said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure!"

Vanessa sighed then nodded, her expression serious.

"Alright then, I guess I'll monitor the activity and keep an eye on the guards. If anything goes wrong, I'll let you know."

I nodded, grateful for their support.

"And I'll try to sneak my way through and gather any intel I can find. Once I locate the drugs or any valuable information, I'll signal you both."

Christian and Vanessa both nodded, understanding the plan.

My only concern as of now is hoping that this works.

***

Christian, Vanessa, and Rel crouched on the rooftop, ready to execute their plan.

shaaa...

Christian, readied his hands, a flicker of flame sparking on his fingertips.

Vanessa, her claymore a shadow at her back, scanned the area below with her binoculars. Stay with m _v _l _e _mp _y _r.

Rel, weapons flashing, braced himself to drop.

With a nod from Rel, Christian raised his hand, conjuring a small flame on the far side of the compound.

The guards immediately reacted, rushing towards the source of the fire.

Rel twisted, lowering himself down with practised ease, the building's facade his shield.

"Now's our chance."

Vanessa nodded, staying on the rooftop to monitor the guards' movements.

She kept a close watch, ready to provide support if needed.

Christian moved quickly and quietly, he kept the flame a blaze not allowing it to run out.

He watched as the guards below caught up to the fire.

"Hehe, suckers," Christian muttered under his breath, a smirk playing on his lips.

As he observed the guards from the roof, Christian overheard their conversation.

— "What happened here?" one guard asked.

— "A fire just started out of nowhere," the other replied. "Should we put it out?"

— "Yeah, we should," the first guard responded.

Christian chuckled. His distraction worked like a charm... but something niggled at him.

Axel had been worried. About something more than the mission.

"He must've sensed something we didn't" He smiled holding the flame from being extinguished.

Christian thought that If he was a user, who had a great technique in aura, he most certainly used sensory aura in that building.

"I don't know what made you become a mercenary, Axel, but I'll figure it out soon."

— "Wait why's the fire not going out?"

As the guards were distracted trying to use water, Christian made his decision.

"You know what? I already know what he's up to."

huup!

With that, he jumped from the rooftop.

Christian's crimson eyes blazed with intensity chanting his spell in the air.

huuuu...

His voice carried on the wind, blending with the elements around him.

"[Flow] - [Ground] - [Cave] -[Crush] - [Caving draught of vanquish]."

As he descended, Christian's hands moved in complex hands signs, channelling his magic.

RUMBLE...RUMBLE...RUMBLE...

The ground below rumbled and shifted, responding to his command.

"...!"

— "What is that?!"

The guards, frozen in shock, could only stare at the glowing red eyes in the sky.

The aura emanating from Christian felt overwhelming, like facing a being from another realm.

RAAAAA...

A dome of earth rose up, encasing the guards below.

snap!

Then with a snap of his fingers, he crushed them flat with a powerful force, leaving no traces of them behind.

tap...tap...tap..

Christian landed, boot-tapping on flat earth. "Yeah, Axel,"

He murmured, head tilting towards the warehouse, "you got this."

***

{Rel's POV}

[Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade's Warehouse - Entrance]

I slipped through a hidden entrance, trying my best to keep my movements silent, as I navigated through the corridors of the warehouse.

The dimly lit passageways were lined with doors leading to various rooms, and I knew I had to find the right path to reach the main production area.

As I crept along, I passed by several guards, their attention focused on their patrol routes.

I waited for the right moment before darting past them, my heart was racing with each close call.

Finally, I arrived at a junction that might lead me to the main production area.

I peeked around the corner and saw a group of guards standing watch.

I knew I had to be careful if I wanted to slip past them undetected.

Waiting for the guards to look the other way, I dashed across the open space and pressed myself against the wall.

The guards were engrossed in conversation, oblivious to my presence.

I took a deep breath and continued on, moving stealthily through the corridors.

[Passive Ability: Tenacity Has Re-Activated!]

The air grew thicker with the smell of chemicals, and I knew I was getting closer to the area.

As I saw the sign saying production room, I quickly peeked through the doors expecting to find the kids tied up around the main area, but they were nowhere to be seen.

Where could they be?

As I contemplated on this, I overheard two guards walking by, their conversation catching my attention.

"Hey, where'd the brats from earlier go?" one guard asked.

"Boss said to take them to the experimentation room," the other replied.

Wait... an experimentation room?

The words sent a chill down my spine. What kind of operation was this?

I'm sure I didn't create villains to be like this right...

But I realised how much of a shitty author I was.

I had to accept that some of these villains would do anything to entertain themselves.

Couldn't I just leave, if I can't find them?

But what would that make me then?

A shitty loser...

Right... if I don't save these kids... then that makes me a shitty loser.

...

...

...

[Rel Flashback...]

The scent of warm bread hung in the air, a comforting anchor in a world of fading memories.

Rel, young and restless, pressed himself against a woman's lap, looking out the window.

"Grandma... why is our neighbour waiting outside again?"

The woman's hand, gentle and familiar, rubbed his hair.

Her face, however, remained a frustrating blur.

He strained to see, to remember the crinkles around her eyes, the warmth of her smile.

All he could grasp was a loving presence, a voice that echoed from a half-forgotten past.

"Because, ▇ ▇ ▇ ▇ ," she said, the first part of her sentence lost in the fog of time.

". . . her son is returning home from the navy."

"But she's been doing that every day?"

He moved his neck, hoping to catch a glimpse of this soldier, this son she spoke of with such unwavering hope.

The woman chuckled, a sound both nostalgic and distant.

"A mother knows, Rel. She knows he'll be back one day."

...

...

...

The memory flickered and faded, leaving Rel blinking in the harsh reality of the present.

He leaned against the warehouse wall, the rough brick biting into his back.

He lifted his mask, the cool air a shock against his heated skin.

"Right..."

He rasped, his voice raw with emotion.

"Their mothers are probably waiting for them." He muttered to himself.

"I'll find them," he vowed, "I'll find a way to get those kids out of here."

___________

Authors Notes:

Christian's Main Ability: Elemental Fusion: by combining his elemental attributes he can create any combination of elements at will. The more elements required the more mana that is needed to have continuous flow and combination.**_

- [Flow] - [Ground] - [Cave] -[Crush] = Combination Of Earth and Wind = [Caving draught of vanquish]