The Transmigrated Author

[Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade's Warehouse, Underground: Experimentation Room]

I never thought Mitigation Phenomena could create a one-sided barrier, shielding me from all attacks at once. It was an idea I'd had since gaining this ability.

I didn't have proper 'manifestation' training, but I knew the principles were strict... especially with an ability like this.

Its purpose was simple: negate damage and divert it elsewhere. But now in control, I wondered how far my creativity could take it.

Summoning two or three portals was costly, but just one was much less so. With my high mana reserves, I could use a single portal more often instead of trying to predict attacks.

Then it hit me: what if I created an invisible barrier around myself?

The guidelines focused on two portals, but I realized there were no specific rules. No set requirements.

That's why I acted fast against Lampard.

Mitigation let me create a one-way shield, stretching out to protect me from every angle. The once-visible portal became an invisible force, keeping everything at bay.

The only downside was this absolute defence messed with my other abilities. It blocked my attacks too.

That's why my movement was limited - I had to keep turning the shield on and off to fight back.

But Lampard... his face, his whole demeanour... it was clear Mitigation scared him.

He couldn't touch me, couldn't hurt me.

And that feeling... Honestly? It was addictive.

Still, the kid was my first priority now.

How was I supposed to stop the serum Lampard injected? The transformation was still happening... I needed answers, fast.

FWANG!

[Story Intervention: As the author, you are able to see the information processed within this character's window. Be aware that this intervention may cause a chain reaction to events going down the line causing auto-generation.]

Auto generation? My eyes widened. What was that about?

The system seemed to hear my thoughts.

[Auto generation, is the forming of a sequence of plots that didn't occur in the original timeline of the novel.]

Everything clicked and that's when I realised that even If I'd followed the story perfectly. But with all these new characters, new events... auto generation must be responsible.

"System, can I see their character window?"

FWANG!

[Sure, Mr. Axel! ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧]

[Displaying character window...]

[Background Character: ??? - This character doesn't have a name. - Problem / Interference: This boy has been injected with DD-VH1, for the best course of action it is advised that you end his life or hand him to the mercenary cooperation for further progression.]

My heart sank. I'd fought so hard to save those kids, and now...

The system was probably right, as harsh as that was.

Anyone who has been injected with a Demonified Drug goes insane.

This would include hallucinations, voices, heightened aggression, and a complete shift in personality.

Now by assuming that this kid had already reached the stage of complete transformation, I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to kill me on sight.

Wait.

Has he even woken up yet?

DASH!!!

...

...

...

I cautiously stepped into the experimentation room, my eyes immediately drawn to the boy in the girl's arms.

His appearance was unsettling, caught between two states, his features shifting between human and demon-like. Yet, he remained unconscious, unaware of the changes within him.

Turning to the girl, I asked, "Has anything changed since then?"

She shook her head, her eyes filled with concern.

"No, he's just been moving and shaking since you left. I don't know what's happening to him."

"Ah, okay..."

I approached them slowly, unsure of what to do next.

If I could simply make up a cure for the serum, it would be easier said than done.

Even as the author, I didn't have a miracle solution tucked away. Auto-generation was the wild card here, and this kid was dealt a bad hand.

There was a future specialist for this... but reaching them was the real problem.

Big names, high society... the kind of crowd I blend into like a ghost.

To get the right attention, I'd need some serious leverage.

A social climb, something to get top scouts' eyes on me... then, maybe then, I stand a chance of getting this kid what he needs.

My first thought was Avalon Azira.

A former member of Garrick's guild the Golden Horizon, the guild's Healer and Doctor... as skilled as Aurelia herself. Truly top-tier.

Though he was gifted with the attribute of light, he was only limited to healing, but that didn't stop him.

The man pioneered mana healing – which was the standard now.

He perfected it through endless trial and error, the reason for his greatness.

Avalon is also Yuka's grandfather and head of the Azira family – one of the Great Five Families in the high society.

His teachings revolutionized healing across the world, truly a legend himself.

My second option was Alessandro Reynard Valois. He's of French royalty, a student at L'Institut des Lumières – the second-best academy in the world.

chapter source m vl _emp-y,r

That place is full of talented heroes with French lineage, a popular choice for student transfers.

His mana control is supposed to be exceptional, the best in our grade.

That could be the key to helping this boy.

Alessandro would be the closest person I could ask for, if I had the chance.

"axel...Axel?"

I heard Vanessa's voice crackle through the earpiece, her tone filled with confusion.

"Axel, where are you?"

I tapped the device in my ear and replied,

"I'm in the underground rooms of the warehouse factory."

There was a brief pause before Vanessa's voice came back, sounding surprised.

"Wait, there's an underground section?" Her astonishment was palpable.

I confirmed with a simple "Yes," then added, "Come here as soon as possible, please."

"Roger that," Vanessa responded, determination clear in her voice.

The girl holding the boy looked up at me with curious eyes, trying to make out my expression behind the mask. "Who's that, mister?" she asked.

I adjusted my mask and spoke with as much warmth as I could convey, "Heroes are coming."

Her eyes widened in surprise, and she nodded eagerly. "Okay!"

...

...

...

[10 minutes later...]

I sat against the wall, waiting patiently for Vanessa and hopefully Christian to arrive.

I needed to tell them about the operations of the dark world and what we were about to encounter with this kid who had been injected with the demonized drug.

Soon, I heard footsteps echoing in the hallways, and their voices followed.

— "He did all of that?" Christian's voice boomed in surprise. "If we tell Jaxon this, we're surely going to have him with us, right?"

— "Yeah, he's not like the others from that previous dungeon investigation," Vanessa's voice echoed.

haah...

Okay, I guess the praise isn't totally undeserved.

But they were a small-time dark-world organization and I'm quite thankful they weren't at the peak of their potential.

Still... maybe I got lucky this didn't go to shit.

The worst-case scenario was that those thugs get turned into demi-humans, and I'm fighting for my life.

But hey, at least that didn't happen.

Vanessa and Christian walked in, their eyes widening at the sight of the two kids in my lap.

"Axel... are those..." Vanessa's voice trailed off, concern etched on her face. She reached out as if to stop Christian from getting closer.

I glanced down. The girl had passed out the moment she heard Vanessa's voice, a reminder of their desperation.

It hammered home what might have been if I'd let the story run its course.

"Yes," I said, my voice quiet but firm.

Vanessa pressed further, her curiosity mingled with worry. "Were they here when you found them?"

I nodded in response, acknowledging that they were indeed the reason I had insisted on infiltrating the warehouse.

While Vanessa studied the girl, Christian approached without a word, crouching down to examine the boy's arm.

His expression grew sombre as he felt the boy's forehead and observed his laboured breathing.

"What happened to him?" Christian's voice was grave.

I met his gaze, the weight of the situation pressing upon me.

"The boss injected him with a shot of that liquid over there,"

I explained, gesturing toward the discarded syringe lying by the door.

Christian glanced at the syringe and then turned back to me.

"What are your thoughts on his condition, Axel?"

I took a moment to gather my thoughts. This was the perfect opportunity to mislead them without feeling guilty.

"He's likely in a critical condition. The transformation appears to be far more serious than just a doping drug."

Vanessa interjected, "If that's true, there might be more operations involving this drug. Did you hear anything about it? Like a name?"

I smiled through my mask they bought it.

"Yeah... I overheard them saying, that it's a drug that turns people into a demi-human..."

____________

Authors Notes:

- Jin Noboyoshi was the 4th in command of the Golden Horizon Guild under Garrick's Leadership and Avalon Azira was the 5th in command under Jin.

The Five Current Great Families Are:

- The Freya Family - Head Of The Family: Gerrard Freya

- The Villerion Family - Head Of The Family: Nacht Villerion

- The Starcaster Family - Head Of The Family: Oberon Starcaster

- The Azira Family - Head Of The Family: Avalon Azira

- The Valois Family - Head Of The Family: ???