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"

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

'”Gulp!

on my body started recovering. Unfortunately, because the potion was a low leveled one, the rate at which my

disappearing, a thought suddenly struck

clicked on the bounty section

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

hissed. That was a lot more than I had expected. Out

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

a lot, it was less than half of Kevin's.

that seems to be

mine and Kevin's I checked the other's bounty as well. In general, mine was in the same range as

watch sure is

good idea. With it,

was also glad that I was

as the owner died. This method was created with the purpose of not allowing the

I was the author, I

was simple. Act as a detonating switch that would destroy the watch once it no

took out the crystal and quickly put it in

With not much known about the crystal,

flaw. It was only

'There's also this...'

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

'The Monolith Ring...'

ring in my hand was the primary reason why I decided to kill Professor

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

was so rare that only a select few had this. Professor

for them, it fell into

did promise

him being haunted by them, I naturally had to help him as I promised

also had other plans. But that was well

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

my fight, I was indeed in need of some

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

...

front

young girl wearing a black dress that

that right after the calamit...khemm, I

the agent corrected himself midsentence. It was quite well known that

it was best

"Yes, that's what happened"

reply was short and

had been asked many different

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

government were keeping the

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

give me a

a tablet, the agent tapped on the screen. After a couple of

that is enough for now. We will contact you later for

"Thank you"

the agent, Amanda

decided to move

wanted a quiet space to

her to want to rest. Plus, she disliked noisy places. She preferred quiet

....

'”Clink!

raised his right hand. Two hands covered with

was being examined by a

"Alright, we're done"

a pen. Taking out

everything seems to be in

with the check,

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

"Thank you"

stretcher, Kevin thanked

the

Kevin came out on top with only minor

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

Emma. It seems like her checkup

are you

I didn't really have to fight

shook her head. She had seen him fight

was nothing to scoff at, and yet

'When will

loud. Slapping Kevin in the back,

about

"You'll get there eventually"

to comfort Emma, only to have his

"Piss off!"

asked, "Oh, by the

Ah, he's

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

see him at the scene

"I don't think so"

quickly shook his head. Emma's brows knit

you defending

definitely suspicious.

and

she could finish, Kevin quickly waved his

don't get me wrong, I also didn't see him do

"But what?"