The Author's POV

"Haa...Haa...I guess this is the level I'm currently at"

Taking a deep breath, I sat down on the bench near the villa. Sirens rang everywhere and the colors red and blue flashed everywhere.

'”Weeeeooo! '”Weeeeooo!

"Khh..."

Suddenly I felt a sharp pain by the side of my abdomen. My face scrunched up, and a bitter smile appeared on my face.

'I guess fighting without using 'Monarch's indifference' and 'The one' is still a bit tough for me', I thought.

Since Professor Thibaut's strength and mine were quite similar, I decided to fight him using my skills only.

Wasn't too keen on losing another arm. Plus, depending on the opponent, there was a chance that 'The one' wouldn't work. I needed to know the extent of my abilities without the use of my skills.

The result?

A deep gash on the side of the abdomen.

"Khh...still, I guess all of my efforts weren't for nothing"

Ignoring the pain, I took out two things from my pocket. A black smartwatch and a ring.

[Alfonse Thibaut]

Time : 21:39

Messages (69) Calls (2) Mail (987)

'Well, looks like someone doesn't check their mail'

Booting up the smartwatch, I quickly looked through Professor Thibaut's watch. Noticing the 987 unopened messages, I shook my head.

What an irresponsible man.

'If I'm not wrong, it should be this...yup'

Opening the setting function of the watch, I scrolled down, pressed software update, and rebooted the watch. Moments after the interface of the watch changed.

Instead of the usual colorful interface, one with a darker tone appeared.

"Success..."

Successfully entering the database, I clenched my fists. Four apps appeared on the screen.

[Bounties]

[Annoucements]

[Merits]

[Missions]

At the moment I was in the Monolith main database system. It was something that every member of the Monolith had. With it, I could check the different bounties, announcements, and missions that they had up during a certain period of time.

This was key information for me as it would help me avoid a lot of trouble.

Playing with the watch in my hand, I smiled, 'Fortunately it has no tracking device installed'

For obvious reasons, all the watches were anonymous without any tracking devices installed in them.

No one in the Monolith trusted each other. If there was a tracking system installed in the watch, chances were that none of the villains would wear it.

This was especially so since most villains liked to operate alone. Who'd want someone to keep watch of their movement?

Even worse, what if the Union suddenly hacked their system? Wouldn't that expose the location of all their members?

'”Ding!

[Ren we're done here, where are you?]

Suddenly my watch rang. It was Kevin. Putting the other watch by my side, I responded.

[Just resting]

[Where exactly?]

Taking my eyes off of my watch, I looked around. It appeared to me that I was on a bench in the backyard of the mansion.

[Looks like the backyard of the mansion. Ah, if you're thinking of looking for me, curb such thought from your mind]

[Why?]

[Because I want to be in peace]

Kevin was the main star of the show today.

Defeating a ranked villain, whilst simultaneously preventing the portal from being created, a lot of the attention right now was drawn towards him.

This was one of the reasons why I chose to interfere. To increase his shine.

Though not exactly a solution, it somewhat diluted the amount of attention I was getting.

[Alright, if you say so...by the way, thanks for the information]

[Don't mention it]

I should be the one thanking you.

[Alright, I'll contact you later]

[Cya]

"Haaa...this is tiring"

and laid back on the bench. Frowning slightly, I took out a potion

'”Gulp!

recovering. Unfortunately, because the potion was a low leveled one,

my wounds slowly disappearing, a thought suddenly struck

I clicked on the

"12,000 merit points? Tsss..."

had expected. Out of curiosity, I clicked on my profile as

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

it was less

that seems to

well. In general,

watch sure

getting the watch was a good idea. With it, I could

also glad that I was the

the purpose of

them, because I was the author, I naturally knew of

The function of the crystal was simple. Act as a detonating switch that would destroy the watch once it no longer felt

killed professor Thibaut, I took out the crystal and quickly put it in my dimensional space. With time and space frozen in my

so difficult at the same time. With not much known about the crystal, it was only natural that the union had a hard time getting

idea about this flaw. It was only later

'There's also this...'

Playing with the ring

'The Monolith Ring...'

my hand was the primary reason why I

simple yet extremely important. It allowed me to create a portal to direct me to the headquarters of

had this. This item was so rare that only a select few

for them, it

did promise

of the reason I did this was also for Smallsnake. With him being haunted by them, I naturally had to help

other plans.

muttered, 'Future aside, right now I need

I was indeed in need of some nice

"Ahhh...life sure isn't easy"

...

front

stood before a beautiful young girl wearing a black dress that perfectly complemented her obsidian eyes and

calamit...khemm, I mean

corrected himself midsentence. It was quite well

it was best not to mention

"Yes, that's what happened"

short

past twenty minutes, Amanda had been asked many different questions. She naturally did

a major role in today's event, a lot of attention was on her. From

were keeping the reporters in check or

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me a

out a tablet, the agent tapped on the screen. After a couple of seconds, he nodded his

is enough for now. We will contact you later for

"Thank you"

Amanda was finally

around, Amanda decided to move away

quiet space

used a lot of energy, it was only natural for her to want to rest. Plus, she disliked noisy places. She

....

'”Clink!

Kevin raised his right hand. Two hands covered with blue rubber gloves patted

the moment Kevin was being examined by a

"Alright, we're done"

in charge of Kevin took out a pen. Taking out a clipboard he proceeded to check

to be

check,

particularly worrying. Just take a potion and you'll be

"Thank you"

the stretcher, Kevin

the doctor muttered, "What

having fought against a similarly leveled villain, Kevin came out on

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

tent, Kevin met Emma. It seems like

are

have to fight so nothing

his body, Emma shook her head. She had seen him fight against the villain first

nothing to scoff at,

shook her head helplessly, 'When will I ever catch up to

didn't say this out loud. Slapping Kevin in the back,

just thinking about you

"You'll get there eventually"

Emma, only to

"Piss off!"

something, Emma suddenly asked, "Oh, by the way,

Ah, he's

odd look appeared on Kevin's face. That's what Ren told him in the message. Whether

believe that! I didn't see him at the

"I don't think so"

shook his head. Emma's brows knit

are you defending

suspicious.

you and Ren

she could finish, Kevin quickly waved

wrong, I also didn't see him

"But what?"