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?"

him was smiling widely. Almost

"Oh? I'm smiling?"

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

said something funny? Am I

my

cursed. This startled Gerrard who suddenly had an ominous premonition. Staring at

how stupid would I be to work with the son of the guy who murdered Thobias

do

Gerrard froze on the

no one should know about this! He must be bluffing, yes. If not bluffing how else would he have

he was bluffing, things wouldn't

"How did I know?"

a map to Gerrard. Pinpointed on it was a certain location

then. Oh. If you ever tell anyone about what

pointing at Ren, Gerrard shouted,

I look like

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

and cold voice echoed across

"Kneel!"

Thud!

floor. Without even questioning the decision, Gerrard kneeled on the ground. An inexplicable sense of fear

what's going on? Isn't this

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

him. It was like he was standing before a

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

good that you

I give up.

a couple of seconds, Ren smiled. Slowly his eyes returned to their usual deep blue color. Patting Gerrard

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

is over, you are to quickly come

of the location. After a couple of seconds, turning his head back to Gerrard,

"Do you understand?"

"Y-yes"

"Good"

patted Gerrard on the shoulder a couple of more times

halted in front of the door. Turning around, with a calm smile on his

if you 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 to the world. Whatever your father worked hard to accomplish will be quickly ruined overnight, and the people that

as he imaged the scenario Ren had just

like you know what's best

opened it as his expression changed to

hope you don't

'”Clank!

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

*

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

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

of how remote the place was that I chose this place as the location for today's operation. It was perfect since there

sound 'they' made nobody

'”Grrrrrr!

of the factory opened and a shuddering Gerrard walked

'”Thud!

"You're finally here"

welcomed him with open arms. In response, Gerrard shuddered even more as looked at

know such information! How did you know about

got

"How did I know?"

Smirk

flustered expression, the edges

"How did I know?"

it's because I am the author

naturally couldn't say it. Despite it being the truth, there was no

"Answer me!"

down

don't answer me I'll quickly send an emergency message

"Oh?"

out his phone, Gerrard showed me the text message that was already

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?!"

down on his hands, red blood gushed

just happened? I didn't

even move or do anything, his body

'”Thud!

fell on the ground. Tapping

break it to you, but I really have no

he wasn't really my main target to begin with. He

get this over