The Author's POV

[Agh! Someone help me!]

[M, monster!]

[Help me!]

The room was filled with the sound of people screaming in anguish. They originated from a specific video that was projected onto a screen, and showed an image of a young man with glossy black hair and deep blue eyes taking care of a series of guards in an effortless manner.

The expression on Octavious' face remained the same as he sat in front of the holographic projection. His eyes were as listless and hazy as they had always been.

It was as if the happenings in the projection were of no interest to him.

[Would you like to replay the video?]

The video soon came to an end, and silence filtered across the dimly lit room.

The next couple of minutes were spent with Octavious's gaze intently fixed on the projection. It wasn't until a subtle shaking began in the room that he finally showed any kind of reaction, and he got up out of his chair.

Swoosh―!

The entire room became tinged with white, and all of a sudden, a tremendous amount of pressure filled the space. The pressure began to have an effect on Octavious's face, and for the first time in a while, his eyes began to show visible signs of change.

He slightly lowered his head.

"How may I be of service?"

His tone was composed, but there was a hint of fear hidden deeply within his words.

[I trusted that you would've accomplished the mission without a problem. What has happened?]

An ancient, and deep voice reverberated throughout the room.

[There is a purpose behind why I have bestowed upon you the power that you currently possess. Because you haven't let me down in any way up to this point, you are still alive. That, however... is being tested at the moment...]

As Octavious listened to the voice, he could feel sweat running down the side of his face.

He hurriedly lowered his head further.

"I apologize for the situation."

[…Find the culprit behind the incident and make sure to eliminate them. I do not wish to expose myself.]

"I understand."

Octavious nodded his head, and knelt down on one knee. He then placed his hand over his chest.

"I will carry out the task to the utmost, Protector of the Seat of Diligence."

[I really hope that you won't let me down. There is no "next time" in this scenario.]

and quieter until it was gone completely, leaving Octavious alone in the room. While he rested both arms against the table, a trickle of sweat continued to run down the sides of his cheeks. Heavy

find the

tightened his grip on his fist, his eyes clouded once more, and his face went back to its usual expression

to his suit, he turned around

to personally take

***

"It's as I expected…"

a moment to compose myself by drawing a deep breath, and then I sat myself down on the sofa. As I tried to

'Fuck.'

them with what I already knew, I was able

my head to stare at the three grandmasters

main reason why they're being

had a strong intuition that this was almost certainly the case. From what I gleaned from their recollections, I was able to deduce that Octavious was the one

world, or my world, he was the strongest person

the fact that he still learned the

and thinking back at the memories that I saw from Melissa and seeing

more information. I can't be too sure

my head and

proved to be correct, then I wouldn't know how

It was too much…

"Huuuu…"

another

that I heard Grandmaster Keiki's

"…Did you find anything?"

looked at

idea of what's going on. I just am not one hundred percent sure yet. However, from what I've gathered, you have indeed been targeted, and the reason is

bastard, Octavious! Power has

cursed out loud while gnashing his teeth in

that something was wrong from the very beginning. He

may not necessarily

armrest of the

guys, the motive behind it is definitely

impression of Octavious was that he was the type of person who strived for excellence in everything he did. He was a man of great pragmatism and was the type of

deaths of the three grandmasters who lived in my world. However, I knew that wasn't possible considering that he wasn't yet powerful enough to deal with them back when they were still

was thus aware of the fact that there

the three grandmasters in my world were really not due to the

only think of

pity that I still don't have enough evidence to prove my

hands against the edge of the couch as I did so, and stood up. After that, I turned my attention to the three

the three of

three straightened their backs.

us. If it's something that we can do, then

looks in their eyes, I knew that they meant

It was just that…

side of my