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.

expression, he did everything within his power to make their lives miserable and make them beg

The funny thing was…

had never done

expressions on their faces and

prey, as they were nothing but his

immediately, and it was precisely so that

and he did get that

that brief moment, shivers ran down the Prince's spine as he gazed at the young boy

I want

make the Prince want to kill

"Indeed…"

Bang—!

figure materialized in front of the Prince, their extended hand lashing out and

Bang—!

against something

"Euakh!"

indeed pay

spoke, their voice cold

surged through the Prince as he realized he was at the mercy of

"You fu—ahk!"

Bang—!

of the cave once

extremely dense, and the force of

struggle, but the grip on his face only tightened, and he felt a strange suction force drawing the energy from his body, draining the power that his majesty had bestowed

"I-impossible!"

Prince gasped, his mind

can this bastard possess such power? Did His Majesty bestow similar

energy within his body dissipating alarmingly with each

"N,n..no!"

Bang—!

impact against the cave wall and the Prince's

from the assailant's grip or prevent the loss of his powers. His head throbbed with

Bang—!

on his face loosened,

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

him, and he raised his head slowly, his

haaa... haaaa...

a sense of helplessness washing over him. It was the first time he had experienced such vulnerability, unable

his body trembling as

he realized the gravity of the situation.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

He swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the figure's cold gaze. His breathing grew shallower, and his chest tightened with

this is how

his mind a whirlwind

the one with power and authority. But now, he was reduced to such a sorry

Helplessness...

never thought he'd feel engulfed him, and the Prince's heart clenched in

who

weakened. He was at the mercy

"..."

air was palpable, and the Prince's thoughts

blank, and

"Ha.. ha.."

and his vision blurred. He tried to summon his inner strength, to fight

was right at that

right… Why didn't I think of that?" Prince Solbaken muttered to himself as he recalled the true purpose of

Power...

collecting them was so that he could

happened moments before, he had still managed to

Vooom—!

of energy, the Prince pressed his hands against the ground,