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.]

leaving Octavious alone in the room. While he rested

find

grip on his fist, his eyes clouded once more, and his face went

he turned around and quickly exited

was going to personally take

***

"It's as I expected…"

tried to organize the thoughts and images floating around

'Fuck.'

from the memories, but by combining them with what I already knew, I was able to form a hypothesis, which left me in a state

head to stare at the three

the main reason why they're being targeted is because they are too

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

this world, or my world, he was the strongest person in the

was the fact that he still learned the martial manual or skill that made

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

can't

shook my head and

the hypothesis 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?"

my 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

Octavious! Power has gotten

cursed out loud while

he's been eying the three of us. I knew that something was wrong from the very beginning.

may not necessarily be

over the armrest of the chair I

is definitely responsible for what happened to you guys, the motive behind it is definitely not because

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

the three grandmasters who lived in my world. However, I knew

fact that there was something else at play

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

only think of one

pity that I still don't have enough evidence to

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

ask the three of

their backs. Grandmaster Levisha

If it's something that we can do, then we will try our best to help

looks in their eyes, I

It was just that…

scratched the side of my