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?"

stopped himself mid-sentence. The reason was that the student before him was smiling widely. Almost as

"Oh? I'm smiling?"

his lips. Noticing this, Gerrard became enraged as his voice

were! Do you think I said

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

would I be to work with the son of the guy who murdered Thobias church and caused the downfall of the previous number 1 pharmaceutical

do

wide, Gerrard froze on the

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

bluffing, things wouldn't make

"How did I know?"

to Gerrard. Pinpointed on it was a certain

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

Ren, Gerrard shouted,

I look like I'm

incomprehensible pressure bore down on Gerrard as Ren's eyes slowly turned dull grey. Instantly the world around Gerrard

down, Ren's hoarse and cold voice echoed

"Kneel!"

Thud!

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

this like back

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

standing before a humongous black mass that looked down on him

needed to know his place! Thus, Gerrard gave up any thoughts

you

up. Don't

Slowly his eyes returned to their usual deep blue color. Patting

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

you are to quickly come to the

phone, Ren showed him the image of the location. After a couple of

"Do you understand?"

"Y-yes"

"Good"

on the shoulder a couple of more times

as he was about to leave, Ren's feet halted in front of the door. Turning around, with a calm smile on his

try anything stupid 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

slightly, Ren nodded his head in satisfaction. At the moment, Gerrard was sweating profusely as he imaged the

it seems like you

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

you

'”Clank!

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

*

on the outskirts of the central district resided an old factory, Thriven Industrial

known within Ashton city. Unfortunately, after a few board disputes and corruption cases, the company was forced to shut down. Ever since then,

place as the location for today's operation. It was perfect since there were

sound 'they' made nobody

'”Grrrrrr!

factory opened and a shuddering Gerrard walked

'”Thud!

"You're finally here"

a machine I was sitting on and welcomed him with open arms. In

know such information! How did you know

he got

"How did I know?"

Smirk

Gerrard's flustered expression, the edges

"How did I know?"

I am

being the truth,

"Answer me!"

my smirk as a sign of me looking down on him,

me I'll quickly send an emergency message

"Oh?"

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

this is my phone! If you as so much make as single

'”Click!

sound resounded across

"Khh...W-what?!"

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

just happened? I didn't see

even move or do anything, his body completely froze

'”Thud!

ground. Tapping on the

to break it to you, but I really have no use

wasn't really my main target to begin with. He was merely a means to

let's get