The Transmigrated Author

[Eldoria, Mercenary Headquarters - Jaxon Cain's Office]

"Did you happen to see anyone else wearing dark attire that day?" Jaxon's voice cut through the tension, his question hanging heavy in the air.

I forced a shrug, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible.

"No, sir. The only figures I saw were the monsters themselves, and they were wearing brown clothing, as you know."

Jaxon nodded slowly, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow.

"Interesting... So this swordsman must have been quite sneaky."

STAREEE!

His gaze intensified, piercing into me.

I couldn't meet his eyes, the pressure too much to bear.

Quickly leaning back into my chair, I crossed my arms and plastered a smile onto my face.

"Whoever that swordsman is, he must be incredibly skilled and resourceful," I remarked, hoping to steer the conversation away from myself.

"Yes," Jaxon replied, his voice a low rumble. "Sneaky enough to hide under the noses of even I."

A heavy silence descended upon the room.

I could practically hear my own heartbeat in my ears.

"Well, that's all I had to discuss with you on that topic," Jaxon finally said, breaking the silence.

Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived.

Jaxon slid a sheet of paper across the desk.

As I picked it up, my eyes widened.

"Congratulations on your recent performance during the test," Jaxon said. "You've earned your spot in the High-Elite Force."

The High Elite Force.

Hand-picked mercenaries, the cream of the crop, chosen specifically for Jaxon Cain's operations.

This team executed only the most challenging and critical missions, those demanding utmost attention and skill.

Following the loss of the previous elite force during their last operation, Jaxon had assembled a new team with a younger core, prioritizing potential over experience.

He believed their capabilities could surpass those of their predecessors.

but it was unbelievable that he'd think someone like me could fit with the likes of those 3...

I scanned the names on the list.

The members of this group were:

Yang Vienna (Leader of the High-Elite Force)

Vanessa Evangeline

Christian Kaiser

...

...

I knew that being in the Elite Force only made the situation worse.

This meant higher-ranking and more dangerous missions for me.

"Are you sure I should be in this group?" I asked, looking at Jaxon with disbelief.

"Yes," he replied simply. "Check your watch daily for emails from your leader, Vienna. She'll introduce herself soon, but she won't be back from her current mission for another month."

"Okay," I replied, my shoulders slumping. The prospect of joining the High-Elite Force was far from appealing.

"Your attitude is admirable, Rel," Jaxon said, a hint of approval in his voice. "Make sure you keep it like this from now on. Dismissed."

I rose from my seat and left the room, a sense of unease lingering as I exited the headquarters, the weight of the situation settled on my shoulders.

Joining the High-Elite Force meant I would be under even more scrutiny with having my every move monitored wherever I went.

The path ahead was fraught with danger, but I had no choice but to press forward.

After all, I had a story to fix, and it was time to take control of the narrative once more.

***

[Seoul, Myeongdong Shopping Street - Garcia's Potion Pharmecy]

[Saturday, 11:30 AM]

Today wasn't just any Saturday spent sleeping in.

No, today was special.

Today, Camila's mother, Liana, was unveiling a grand opening in Myeongdong for their first franchised business: Garcia's Potion Pharmacy.

In the novel, Liana had grown tired of selling her potions to middlemen who reaped the rewards while pestering her for her trade secrets.

Being the kind of person who takes matters into her own hands, she decided to cut out the intermediaries and start her own business in the heart of Myeongdong.

This would not only kick-start her already infamous potion-making career, but it would also make her one of the first scientists to pioneer the fusion of alchemy, modern magic, and cutting-edge technology.

And of course, I, the author, was going to reap the benefits of today's grand opening.

Those who purchased potions would receive limited edition versions with a quality almost unparalleled in this world.

If I recall correctly, buying three standard mana or healing potions would net me two limited-edition versions with higher-quality ingredients and more uses.

So, if I combine this with an amazing idea I have, then everything should go smoothly for this semester's practical exam.

Hehe...

I couldn't help but grin as I made my way towards the pharmacy, a spring in my step.

As I rounded a corner, I slammed right into someone.

I looked up, ready to apologize, but the words died in my throat.

It was Camila, and Jan was right there beside her.

My frustration spiked.

Wasn't she supposed to be studying for the theory exam next week?

And to top it off, the source of half my problems was standing right in front of me, flashing his blindingly bright smile.

I know their relationship is close, but does she seriously have to drag him along everywhere?

"Didn't expect to see you here, Rel!" Jan greeted me, but I could only roll my eyes in response.

"Wish it didn't happen," I muttered.

"Are you here for my mom's grand opening?" Camila asked, waving enthusiastically. I took a deep breath, forcing my expression to relax.

"Yeah, just wanted to check it out," I replied.

"Ohhh, are you into alchemy by any chance, Rel?" Jan chimed in, his eyes wide with curiosity.

My face contorted in disgust. "No."

A beat of silence followed my blunt response and Jan's smile faltered slightly, while Camila seemed to sense my irritation and quickly intervened.

"Well, it's still early, and there are already a lot of people here," she said, gesturing towards the growing crowd lining up outside the pharmacy.

"We were just heading in to get some potions ourselves. Want to come with us?"

I hesitated for a moment.

Part of me wanted to say no and escape this unwanted social interaction.

But another part of me was curious about the limited edition potions Liana Garcia was offering.

Besides, it wouldn't hurt to gather some intel on the Garcia family's newest venture.

"Sure," I said, trying to sound indifferent. "Why not?"

Jan's face lit up, and he clapped me on the back with enough force to nearly send me stumbling.

"Great! Let's go then!"

_________

Authors Notes:

- During the weekends he'd cut his workouts short due to wanting to do nothing all day but relax.

- Camila brought Jan in the hopes that she'd see her mother at the grand opening.