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.]

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 sides of his

must find the

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

suit, he turned around and quickly

was going to

***

"It's as I expected…"

took a moment to compose myself by drawing a deep breath, and then I sat myself down on the sofa. As I tried to organize the thoughts and images floating around in my head, I noticed that the noise that was occurring around me began

'Fuck.'

from the memories, but by combining them with what I already knew, I was able to

head to stare at the

they're being targeted is because

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

or my world, he was

surprisingly, however, was the fact that he still learned the martial manual or skill

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

can't be too sure

shook my head and dispersed

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

It was too much…

"Huuuu…"

took another deep

I heard

"…Did you find anything?"

my head, I looked at him

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

Power has gotten

while

been eying the three of us. I knew that something was wrong from

necessarily

drummed over the armrest of the chair

for what happened to you guys, the motive behind it is

he did. He was a man of great

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

I knew… and was thus aware of the fact

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

think of one such

I still don't have enough evidence to prove

as I did so, and stood up. After

the

straightened their backs. Grandmaster Levisha

we can do, then we will

I knew that they meant their

It was just that…

side of my