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

'”Gulp!

potion was a low leveled one, the rate at which

stinging sensation coming from my wounds slowly disappearing, a thought suddenly struck me, 'Actually, what is the bounty on Kevin at

clicked on the bounty section and

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

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

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

lot, it was less than half of

seems

the other's bounty as well. In general, mine

watch sure

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

that I

soon as the owner died. This method was created with the purpose of not allowing the union or the central government to

was the author, I naturally knew of a way

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

it in my dimensional space.

not much known about the crystal, it was only natural that the union had a hard time getting their hands on the

flaw. It was only later in the story that Kevin

'There's also this...'

the watch away, I took out a ring. Playing with the ring in my hand,

'The Monolith Ring...'

primary reason why I decided

important. It allowed me to create a portal to direct me to the

Professor Thibaut being an agent, he naturally had this. This item was so rare that only a select few had this. Professor Thibaut was one as he

it

did promise

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

had other plans. But that was

against the bench, I inwardly muttered, 'Future aside, right now I need my well-deserved

I was indeed in need

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

...

the front of the

before a beautiful young girl wearing a

you're saying that right after the calamit...khemm,

midsentence. It was quite well known

in the vicinity, it was best

"Yes, that's what happened"

short and

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

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

keeping the reporters in check or the situation

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me a

the agent tapped on the screen.

now. We will contact you

"Thank you"

agent, Amanda was

Amanda decided to move away

a quiet space

it was only natural for her to want to rest. Plus, she disliked noisy places. She preferred

....

'”Clink!

raised his right hand. Two hands covered with

moment Kevin was being examined

"Alright, we're done"

out a pen. Taking out a clipboard he proceeded to check a

seems to be in

check,

superficial wounds, there's nothing particularly worrying. Just take a

"Thank you"

stretcher, Kevin thanked

the

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

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

Kevin met Emma. It seems like her

how are

didn't really have to fight so nothing on my side, you,

injuries on his body, Emma shook her head. She

scoff at, and yet

'When will I ever catch up to

say this out loud. Slapping Kevin in

just thinking about you makes

"You'll get there eventually"

to comfort Emma, only to have his

"Piss off!"

suddenly asked, "Oh,

he's

on Kevin's face. That's what Ren told him in the

see him

"I don't think so"

quickly shook his head. Emma's brows knit in

are you defending

was definitely suspicious. Her eyes

you and Ren

finish, Kevin quickly waved

me wrong, I also didn't see him do anything,

"But what?"