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 voice got quieter 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

must find the

once more,

some adjustments to his suit, he turned around and quickly exited

was going to

***

"It's as I expected…"

breath, and then I sat myself down on the sofa. As I tried to organize the thoughts and images floating

'Fuck.'

maintain my composure after processing the information. I learned very little from the memories, but by combining them with what I already knew, I was

to stare at

they're being targeted

had a strong intuition that this was almost certainly the case. From what I

he was the strongest person

he still learned the

at the memories that I saw from Melissa and seeing that they were practically

information. I can't be

quickly shook my head and dispersed

be correct, then I wouldn't

It was too much…

"Huuuu…"

another deep

I heard Grandmaster Keiki's

"…Did you find anything?"

my head, I looked at him and soon nodded

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

bastard, Octavious! Power has gotten

while

that something was wrong from the very beginning. He must feel threatened by our

not necessarily

of the chair I was

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

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

in my world. However, I knew that wasn't possible considering that he wasn't yet powerful enough to deal with them

knew… and was thus aware of the fact that there

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

could only think

that I still don't have enough evidence to

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

the three of

their backs. Grandmaster Levisha

we can do, then we will

eyes, I knew that

It was just that…

side of my