The Transmigrated Author

The communications room hums with controlled chaos, but a sudden spike on a monitor cuts through the din.

BEEP!!!!...BEEP!!!!...BEEP!!!!

"Director! We have an urgent emergency!" A technician\'s voice cracked with tension as he checked the signals on his computer screen he signalled towards his colleague to the left.

"There\'s been an unidentified monster outbreak, in the Pacific Ocean! Heading for North America. Rank unknown, but based on the emitters… this thing\'s massive!"

A holographic map flickered to life projecting onto the massive screen in the room, a crimson dot pulsing menacingly in the ocean\'s depths. Panic was flooding across faces.

"Director, what do we do?"

[Head Director Of Monster Subjugation: Paloma Sierra - (Hero Status: Retired)]

"hmm..."

Head Director of Monster Subjugation Paloma Sierra, a woman in her mid-40s who defied her age, rose from her chair.

Her dark brown hair, streaked with a hint of silver at the temples, was pulled back in a no-nonsense bun.

Her sharp green eyes flashed with a steely resolve behind thin-rimmed glasses. She strode towards the holographic display, her black suit rippling with each purposeful step.

"Isn\'t she back from vacation?" she murmured, more to herself than to the room.

REEEEE

Abruptly, the door burst open with a pneumatic hiss.

[Assistant of the Head Director: Milo Aguilar]

Her assistant, Milo Aguilar, stumbled into the room, his rumpled grey suit and loosened tie hinting at a hasty arrival.

His unruly mop of vibrant crimson hair was damp with sweat, and his usually bright, hazel eyes held a tinge of fear.

"We\'ve... got... several mid-high ranked guilds on standby, Director," he gasped for breath.

"But… they\'re demanding extortionate fees. Immediate upfront payment."

"How much?" Director Sierra\'s voice was deceptively calm, betraying none of the turmoil brewing behind her emerald eyes.

"500,000 Euros per guild," Milo replied grimly.

Paloma\'s response was swift. "That\'s extortion. A high A-Rank, maybe even higher? Their chances are slim already, and they want a fortune for the risk?"

"Then who?" Milo\'s voice trembled with urgency. "Who else can handle this?"

"Who else, indeed?" A hint of mockery laced Paloma\'s words.

"I hear she\'s been out of action… let\'s see if she\'s up for the task."

Milo\'s eyes widened. "You can\'t mean…?"

"Oh, you know exactly who I mean."

"But… isn\'t she humanity\'s final defence? Shouldn\'t we save her for…"

Paloma smiled, a predator baring her teeth.

"How can we leave our strongest hero to rust? Don\'t worry, she\'ll enjoy the challenge." Her tone brooked no argument.

A bead of sweat rolled down Milo\'s forehead as the weight of Paloma\'s decision crushed down upon him. The air crackled with an unseen force as if gravity itself grew heavier in the room.

"Summoning her… to the Pacific? It\'s a bit…"

"She\'ll make it," Paloma interrupted, her voice firm.

His hesitation was palpable. He yearned for an excuse, a way out, but Paloma\'s unflinching gaze rendered him helpless.

"Do it." The word hung in the air, heavy and final.

The unseen pressure intensified, a subtle hint of Paloma\'s aura flexing around her.

"I\'ll... I\'ll call her," he mumbled, his voice barely a whisper

...

...

...

[Country: South Korea, Gyeonggi Province - City of Seongnam: Bundang District]

[Location: Bundang Vista Towers, 99th Floor - Aurelia Draxen\'s Apartment]

RING!!!!...RING!!!!...RING!!!!...

"Uuuwaaa..."

Aurelia\'s eyes fluttered open and she got up from her bed stretching before turning off her alarm clock.

She woke up to the same muted grey light filtering through the sheer curtains of her grand bedroom.

Another day stretched before her, offering all the predictability of the last.

"...haah...so...boring..."

A sigh escaped her lips, not from exhaustion, but a wistfulness that gnawed at her insides.

She swung her legs out from under the plush duvet, a broad smile plastered across her face even though no one was watching.

"Alright world," she announced to the empty room in a booming, cheerful voice,

"Here comes the Divine Sorceress, ready to conquer another day of... uh...um..." Her voice trailed off, the manufactured cheer momentarily faltered.

"...nothing... I guess I\'ll just shower then..."

As she headed towards the ensuite she did the usual and began her daily routine.

shaaaa...

The shower ran hot, the steam was a feeble attempt to wash away the remaining ache of laziness.

Each drop felt not like preparation for glorious combat, but a boring march towards another meaningless day for her.

Towelling off, a glimpse of an old framed photo on her dresser caught her eye.

It was a team shot, from her academy days.

Her younger self beamed back at her, flanked by two once-close comrades now scattered across the world – Navi Columbus and Jaxon Cain.

"Those idiots are probably in their offices right now, doing a bunch of shitty work. Hmph! They probably don\'t even like going out anyway, not like in the good old days."

Her face twisted into a playful frown as she held the photo.

After finishing the first part of her routine, she entered the kitchen – a monument to past glories.

The shining countertops, meant for celebratory feasts, now hosted a solitary protein shake and a piece of untoasted bread.

"Do I even need to eat?" she mused, swirling the protein shake in its glass with a sigh. Boredom gnawed at her from the inside out, making every task a chore.

"I think I\'ll just head back to the Dawn\'s Blade arena..." The words tasted like ash on her tongue. Another day of repetitive mock battles offered little solace.

As her routine continued, she reached under the kitchen sink for a watering can, filling it with lukewarm water. Approaching the window, her gaze fell on the meticulously cared-for jade plant.

"Let\'s hope you survive another day of my gloom, Sammy." She watered it, a wry smile touching her lips. "Maybe you\'ll even see the sun again… unlike me."

Leaving the dishes in the sink felt like a small act of rebellion against her usual pristine order.

It was a petty gesture, but today, even the tiniest bit of defiance gave her a sliver of satisfaction.

____________

Authors Notes:

- Paloma Sierra has the power to summon the top 3 heroes in the world, but it\'s only up to them to decide whether the situation is necessary for their intervention.