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.

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

The funny thing was…

done anything

expressions on their faces and soon became addicted to receiving such reactions

they were nothing but his

why he didn't kill the human child immediately, and it was precisely so that he could see that very expression on

and he did get

shivers ran down the Prince's spine as he gazed at the young boy who showed such

more… I want

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

"Indeed…"

Bang—!

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

Bang—!

Prince felt his head crash against something hard, and he groaned in pain,

"Euakh!"

indeed pay

figure spoke, their voice cold and

he was at the mercy of

"You fu—ahk!"

Bang—!

of the cave once more, the

force of the impact knocked the wind out of

felt a strange suction force drawing the energy from his body, draining the

"I-impossible!"

Prince gasped, his mind racing with

such power? Did

he felt the foreign energy within his body dissipating

"N,n..no!"

Bang—!

against the cave wall

grip or prevent the loss of his powers.

Bang—!

slammed against the wall once more, but this time, the grip on his face loosened, and he stumbled to the hard ground, coughing and

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

and he

haa... haaa...

sense of helplessness washing over him. It was the first time he had experienced

trembling as he tried

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

Tap. Tap. Tap.

the cave, and the figure's shadow cast over the Prince. He swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the figure's cold gaze. His breathing grew

is how

mind

one in control... the one with power and authority. But now, he was reduced to such a sorry state by this unknown figure... unable

Helplessness...

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

you.. who are

a way out, but his mind was foggy and his body weakened. He was

"..."

gaze never leaving the Prince. The tension in the air was palpable, and the Prince's thoughts raced as he tried

and his

"Ha.. ha.."

summon his inner strength, to fight back

was right at that moment that

Solbaken muttered to himself as he recalled the true purpose of collecting those who had entered the

Power...

collecting them was so that he could fuel

setback from what had happened moments

Vooom—!

the ground, and a darkish