The Author's POV

Staring at his phone, Gerrard's brows knit tightly. A minute after, he clenched his phone tightly and swore out loud.

"Damn it..."

Ever since a couple of days ago, a rift had started appearing amongst the five tyrants. Apparently, the timestamps that the other tyrants had gone missing.

Oddly enough his timestamps remained untouched.

'Can't these retards understand that the reason why my stuff is untouched is because whoever the thieves are, they fear me?'

Although the other tyrants had respectable backings, if they were to be compared to the likes of W.V. Pharmaceuticals, they were still a level below.

To Gerrard, it was clear as day that the thieves had specifically skipped him because they feared him. Unfortunately, the others didn't seem to understand this as they kept looking at him suspiciously.

After a day and no news about the stolen timestamps, everyone forcefully convinced themselves that Gerrard had played a part in the disappearance of the timestamps. Hence the current predicament.

Without a doubt, they were going to target the people under his jurisdiction. They wanted to cut his timestamps supply.

"Damn greedy bastard..."

'”Clank!

"Gerrard, everyone has gathered"

Suddenly the door of Gerrard's room opened, and Noah, one of his lackeys called him. Fixing his collar, Gerrard nodded his head.

"Everyone is already here? Okay, I'm coming"

Walking out of his room, Gerrard closed the door behind him. Entering the living room of his apartment Gerrard saw a crowd of students looking at him. Walking around the room, he was instantly able to pick up the awe and fear coming from some of the student's eyes.

The corner of his lips tugged upwards as a result.

"Thank you for coming all the way here today"

Stopping before the crowd, Gerrard gave a brief round down of the situations to the students. In short, he told them about how they might get targeted by the other factions and that they needed to be extra careful.

'Hm? Where have I seen that guy?'

As he was talking, Gerrard's eyes suddenly paused on a certain individual. Pale white skin and deep blue eyes. He seemed to have a faint recollection of such a student. Suddenly he remembered.

'Ren Dover'

The talented youth who appeared all over the news.

'Right, he might be able to help me...'

An idea suddenly struck him.

If he could get Ren on his side he could quickly use him as a deterrent against the other tyrants.

With him being one of the strongest people in the dorm, he could quickly crush all of his opposition. Without a second thought, Gerrard pointed at Ren.

"You come with me"

"Me?"

Baffled, the youth named Ren pointed at himself. Raising his brow, Gerrard nodded his head.

"Yes, who else am I pointing at? Follow me quickly, I don't have much time to waste"

"O-okay"

Flustered, Ren hurriedly followed him. Staring at Ren's flustered figure, Gerrard secretly smirked.

'I guess it's true. He really has no backing'

This was going to be easier than he thought.

"You take care of the situation while I take care of this one"

Staring at Noah, Gerrard quickly ordered. In response, Noah nodded his head.

"As you wish"

"Good"

'”Clank!

Closing the doors to his room, Gerrard carefully scrutinized Ren before him. After seizing him up, with a satisfied nod, he got straight to the point.

"How about you work for me?"

"Work for you?"

"Yes, I've investigated you a little bit. This is only natural. After receiving news about your talent I started getting interested in you. I know that your parents work for a third-rate guild and you have no backing. How about it, work for me. I can provide you with all the necessary reso-why are you smiling?"

before him was smiling widely. Almost as if he was watching the most amusing show of his

"Oh? I'm smiling?"

his lips. Noticing this, Gerrard became enraged

think I said something funny? Am I

my shitty

hair up and silently cursed. This startled Gerrard who suddenly had an ominous premonition. Staring at Gerrard, Ren

I be to work with the son of the guy who

How do you

eyes wide, Gerrard froze on the

enough such confidential information? Apart from me and my dad, no one should know about this! He must be bluffing, yes. If not bluffing how else would he have

he was bluffing, things

"How did I know?"

Gerrard. Pinpointed on it was

here after the meeting is over, I'll let you know then. Oh. If you ever tell anyone about what I said to you, not only

Gerrard shouted, "Y-you're just

I look like I'm

Ren's eyes slowly turned

hand down, Ren's hoarse and cold voice echoed across the

"Kneel!"

Thud!

the decision, Gerrard kneeled on the ground. An inexplicable

what's going on? Isn't this like back

scenario that happened during Ren's fight against Haris. At first, he thought it was some phony skill that Ren had used to deceive

horror that was before him. It was like he was standing before a humongous black mass that looked down on him

Thus, Gerrard gave up any thoughts of

good that you are

give up.

eyes returned to their usual deep blue color. Patting Gerrard on the shoulders,

want such information to spread, I'll give you an

quickly come to the place

Ren showed him the image of the location. After a

"Do you understand?"

"Y-yes"

"Good"

the shoulder a couple of more times before leaving towards the

in front of the door. Turning around, with

or send someone a message, I'll quickly spread everything that I know to the

sweating profusely as he imaged the scenario Ren had just spoken about. Without

like you know what's best

handle of the door, Ren slowly opened it as his expression changed to that

you don't

'”Clank!

heard before the door closed,

*

very far from the Lock and on the outskirts of the central district resided an old

known within Ashton city. Unfortunately, after a few board disputes and corruption cases, the company was forced to shut down. Ever since then, the company has been left abandoned with no one wanting to buy the

because of how remote the place was that I chose this place as the location for today's operation. It was perfect since there were no cameras around and there were not a

of how much sound 'they'

'”Grrrrrr!

the doors of the factory opened and a shuddering Gerrard walked

'”Thud!

"You're finally here"

off a machine I was sitting on and welcomed him with open arms. In response, Gerrard shuddered even more as looked at me and

know such information! How did you know about Church's

got straight to

"How did I know?"

Smirk

expression, the edges of my lips

"How did I know?"

really, it's because I am the author

couldn't say it. Despite it being the truth, there was no way he would

"Answer me!"

a sign of me looking down on him, Gerrard became

don't answer me I'll quickly send

"Oh?"

showed me the text message that was already written.

you as so much make as single move and don't tell me about how you know

'”Click!

subtle clicking sound resounded across

"Khh...W-what?!"

his chest, Gerrard's eyes opened wide. Looking down on his hands, red blood gushed down on

just happened? I

even move or do anything, his body completely froze and he

'”Thud!

on the ground. Tapping on the grip of my sword,

but I really have no

really my main target to begin with. He was merely a means to

well, let's get