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.

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

The funny thing was…

done

in seeing the various expressions on their faces and soon became addicted to receiving

as they were nothing but his

the human child immediately, and it was precisely so

he did get that

moment, shivers ran down the Prince's spine as he gazed

I

was enough to make the Prince want to kill the young boy's other

"Indeed…"

Bang—!

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

Bang—!

his head crash against something hard, and he groaned in

"Euakh!"

should indeed pay

their voice cold

as he realized he was at the mercy of an unknown assailant, and he

"You fu—ahk!"

Bang—!

rock of the

the force of the impact

grip on his face only tightened, and he felt a

"I-impossible!"

gasped, his mind racing

power? Did His Majesty bestow similar powers upon

deepened as he felt the foreign energy within his body

"N,n..no!"

Bang—!

cave wall

unable to break free from the assailant's grip or prevent the loss of

Bang—!

grip on his face loosened, and he stumbled

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

he raised his head slowly, his gaze meeting

haaa...

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

hands moved back, his body trembling as he tried to push himself

mind raced with fear and uncertainty, as he realized the gravity of the situation. He was defenseless, stripped of

Tap. Tap. Tap.

the Prince. He swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the

this is how it

Prince thought, his mind a whirlwind of

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

Helplessness...

had never thought he'd feel engulfed him,

you.. who are

find a way out, but his mind was foggy and his body weakened. He was at the mercy of the unknown assailant, and the reality of his

"..."

The tension in the air was palpable, and the Prince's thoughts raced as he

and his body felt heavy with

"Ha.. ha.."

Prince's breathing grew shallower, and his vision blurred. He tried to summon his inner

right at that moment

as he recalled the true purpose

Power...

purpose of collecting them was so that he could fuel his

the setback from what had happened moments before, he had still managed to collect

Vooom—!

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