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?"

The reason was that the student before him was smiling widely.

"Oh? I'm smiling?"

Ren touched his lips. Noticing this, Gerrard became enraged as his voice echoed across the

said something funny? Am I a joke

and my shitty

sigh, Ren brushed his hair up and silently cursed. This startled Gerrard who suddenly had an ominous premonition. Staring at Gerrard, Ren slowly opened his

would I be to work with the son of the guy who murdered Thobias church and caused the downfall of the previous number

How do you

wide, Gerrard froze

one should know about this! He must be bluffing, yes. If not bluffing how else would

bluffing, things wouldn't make

"How did I know?"

once again, Ren displayed a map to Gerrard. Pinpointed on it was a certain location within

you know then. Oh. If you ever tell anyone about what I said to you,

at Ren, Gerrard

look like I'm

steps, turning his head around. Suddenly an incomprehensible pressure bore down on Gerrard as Ren's eyes slowly turned dull grey. Instantly the world around Gerrard

Ren's hoarse and cold voice

"Kneel!"

Thud!

thud, Gerrard kneeled on the floor. Without even questioning the decision, Gerrard kneeled on the ground. An inexplicable

Isn't this like back in the

exact same scenario that happened during Ren's fight against Haris. At first, he thought

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

needed to know his place! Thus, Gerrard gave up

that you are

I give up. Don't

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

you don't want such information to spread, I'll give you

after the meeting is over, you are to quickly come

image of the location. After a couple

"Do you understand?"

"Y-yes"

"Good"

couple of

Ren's feet halted in front of the door. Turning around, with a calm smile on his face, he opened his

I'll be the first one to know. As soon as you try to call someone for help or send someone a message, I'll quickly spread everything that I know to the world. Whatever your father worked

in satisfaction. At the moment, Gerrard was sweating profusely as he imaged the scenario Ren had just spoken about. Without hesitation, he kept

seems like you know

door, Ren slowly opened it as his expression changed to that one of someone who had just been

you don't

'”Clank!

last words Gerrard heard before the door closed, and silence descended upon the

*

very far from the Lock and on the outskirts of the central

factory used to be an old toy factory that was quite well 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 land due to its fairly remote location and expensive listing

this place as the location for today's operation. It was perfect since there were no cameras around and there were not a lot

sound 'they' made

'”Grrrrrr!

doors of the factory opened and

'”Thud!

"You're finally here"

him with open arms. In response, Gerrard shuddered

information! How did

he got straight to the

"How did I know?"

Smirk

at Gerrard's flustered expression, the edges of my

"How did I know?"

it's because I am the author

the truth, there was no

"Answer me!"

smirk as a sign of me looking down on him, Gerrard became

quickly send an emergency

"Oh?"

the text message that was already written. With his thumb on

this is my phone! If you as so much make as single move and don't tell me about how you know that information, I will

'”Click!

clicking sound resounded across

"Khh...W-what?!"

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

happened? I didn't see

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

'”Thud!

large thud, his figure fell on the ground. Tapping on the grip of

to you, but I really have no use for you

honest, he wasn't really my main target to begin with. He was merely a means to reach that

let's get this