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

"Oh? I'm smiling?"

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

were! Do you think I said something funny? Am I a

and my shitty

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

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

How do you

wide, Gerrard froze on

dad, no one should

bluffing, things wouldn't

"How did I know?"

Gerrard. Pinpointed on it was a certain location within Ashton

I'll let you know then. Oh. If you ever tell anyone about what I said to you, not only you will die but I will

Ren, Gerrard shouted, "Y-you're just

look like

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

Ren's hoarse and

"Kneel!"

Thud!

kneeled on the floor. Without even questioning the decision, Gerrard kneeled on the

Isn't this like back in the

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

standing before a humongous black mass that

place! Thus, Gerrard gave up any thoughts

that you are

I give up. Don't

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

want such information to spread, I'll give you

over, you are to quickly come to the place

Ren showed him the image of the location. After a couple of seconds, turning his head

"Do you understand?"

"Y-yes"

"Good"

on the shoulder a couple of more times before leaving

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

quickly spread everything that I know to the world. Whatever your father worked hard

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

like you know what's best for

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

you

'”Clank!

words Gerrard heard before the door closed, and silence

*

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

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

the location for today's operation. It was perfect since there were no cameras around and there were not

much sound 'they' made nobody would

'”Grrrrrr!

the factory opened and a shuddering Gerrard

'”Thud!

"You're finally here"

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

did you know such information! How

hesitation, he got straight

"How did I know?"

Smirk

Gerrard's flustered expression, the edges of my

"How did I know?"

it's because I am the

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

"Answer me!"

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

quickly

"Oh?"

message that was already written. With his thumb on the send button, he

this, this is my phone! If you as so much make as single move and don't tell me about

'”Click!

subtle clicking sound resounded

"Khh...W-what?!"

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

happened? I didn't see

anything, his

'”Thud!

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

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

to begin with. He was merely

get