The Author's POV

In most cases, the protagonist of a story would appear right at the moment when something terrible was about to occur to their loved ones or friends. And just in the nick of time, he'd save them.

It always ended up like that…

So, why?

Bang—!

Why did that never happen to me?

Bang—!

Why was it that I always arrived a tad bit too late?

Bang—!

Just a fraction…

If only I had arrived a couple of seconds earlier…

just a few seconds…

Bang—!

"Why couldn't you wait a few more seconds?"

My hand moved on its own. I just pulled it back and repeatedly smashed it against the wall of the cave.

Debris and dust flew everywhere, but I didn't care and just continued to smash the demon's head against the side of the cave.

In the meantime, power started to flood my body as the laws within it started to increase. I started to use that very same power that was flooding my body.

I wasn't supposed to use them…

Every part of my body was tearing apart at the usage of the laws, but I didn't care…

It was because I kept holding back that such situations were happening, and I couldn't forgive myself for it.

At the same time, I couldn't forgive them.

They were just as guilty as I was, and they needed to die.

As a result, I made the decision to stop holding back and use everything that I had, even if it meant risking my body.

Everything…

Thump—!

Only when there were no more walls did I finally stop and throw the demon to the ground.

"You… why didn't you wait for a few more seconds?"

I stepped forward and lowered my head. Staring straight at the demon, my already numb mind became an even number, and whatever color was left of the world started to fade.

"Tell, me… why?"

***

Helplessness.

The feeling or state of being unable to do anything to help yourself or anyone else. It was a word and an expression that Prince Solbaken had heard many times in his life.

Over the course of his life, he had been exposed to a number of situations in which he had seen other people give in to the sensation of helplessness, and he had become accustomed to it.

To the point where he even found a peculiar sense of satisfaction in it.

see that very same expression, he did everything within his power to make their lives miserable

The funny thing was…

had never done anything wrong

their faces

prey, as they were nothing

immediately, and it was precisely so that he could see that very expression on

did get

spine as he gazed at the young boy

more… I want to

Prince want to kill the young boy's other companion,

"Indeed…"

Bang—!

of nowhere, a dark figure materialized in front of the Prince,

Bang—!

something hard,

"Euakh!"

indeed pay

spoke, their voice

realized he was at

"You fu—ahk!"

Bang—!

of the cave once

dense, and the force of the impact knocked the

tightened, and he felt a strange suction force drawing the energy from his body, draining the power that his majesty had bestowed upon

"I-impossible!"

his mind racing

power? Did His Majesty

deepened as he felt the foreign energy within his body dissipating

"N,n..no!"

Bang—!

against the cave wall and

loss of his powers. His head throbbed with

Bang—!

Prince's head was slammed against the wall once more, but this time, the grip on his face

"Keugh... Cough.. kahh...!"

and he raised his head slowly, his gaze

haaa... haaaa...

felt a sense of helplessness washing over him. It was the first time he had experienced such vulnerability, unable to do anything as someone stood above him, looking down on him with a cold, unfeeling

as he tried to push himself

raced with fear and uncertainty, as he realized the gravity of the situation. He was defenseless, stripped of his powers, and at the mercy of his

Tap. Tap. Tap.

a footstep echoed through the cave, and the figure's shadow cast over the Prince. He swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the figure's cold gaze.

this is how it

Prince thought, his mind

always been the one in control... the one with power and authority. But now, he was reduced to such a sorry state by this unknown figure... unable to do anything but watch as

Helplessness...

had never thought he'd feel engulfed him,

who

He was at the

"..."

figure remained silent, their cold gaze never leaving the Prince. The tension in the air was palpable, and the Prince's thoughts raced as he tried to devise a plan to regain

and his body felt

"Ha.. ha.."

and his vision blurred. He tried to summon his inner strength, to fight back against the overwhelming sense of helplessness that threatened to consume

was right at that moment that

didn't I think of that?" Prince Solbaken muttered to himself as he recalled the true purpose of collecting those who

Power...

purpose of collecting them was so that

moments

Vooom—!

the Prince pressed his hands against the ground, and a darkish green hue began to