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.]

the room. While he rested both arms against the table, a trickle of sweat continued to run down the sides

must find

his eyes clouded once more, and

to his suit, he turned around and quickly exited

to personally

***

"It's as I expected…"

on the sofa. As I tried to organize the thoughts and images floating around

'Fuck.'

very little from the memories, but by combining them with what I already knew, I

stare at the three grandmasters

they're

that this was almost certainly the case. From what I gleaned from their recollections, I was able to deduce that Octavious was the one who was ultimately to

world, he was the strongest person in the

still learned the martial manual or skill that made

Union Tower, and thinking back at the memories that I saw from Melissa and seeing that they were practically the same

information. I can't be too

my head

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

It was too much…

"Huuuu…"

another

then that I

"…Did you find anything?"

head, I looked at him and soon nodded my

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

Octavious! Power has gotten

loud while gnashing his teeth

that child changed, he's been eying the three of us. I knew that something was wrong from the

may not necessarily be

the armrest of the

is definitely responsible for what happened to you guys, the motive

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 person who enjoyed having control over

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

and was thus aware of the fact that there was something else

not due to the demons, then I'm afraid there's some sort of higher power hidden within both

think of

don't have enough evidence to prove my

couch as I did so, and stood up. After that, I turned

ask the three of you a

straightened their backs. Grandmaster Levisha

that we can do, then we

the looks in their eyes, I knew

It was just that…

the side