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"

turned off my watch and laid back on the bench. Frowning slightly,

'”Gulp!

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

thought suddenly struck me,

I clicked on

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

was a lot more than I had expected. Out of curiosity, I clicked

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

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

seems

the other's bounty as well. In general,

sure is

had to say, getting the watch was a good idea. With it, I could more or less avoid possible

also glad that I was the

died. This method was created with the purpose of

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

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

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

so simple yet so difficult at the same time. With not much known about the crystal, it was only

idea about this flaw. It was only later in

'There's also this...'

ring. Playing with the ring in my hand, I caressed it with

'The Monolith Ring...'

was the primary

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

agent, he naturally had this. This item was so rare that only a select few had

for them, it fell into my

I did

With him being haunted by them, I naturally had to

other plans. But that was well off

I inwardly muttered, 'Future aside, right now I need my

from my fight, I was indeed in need of

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

...

the front of

black agent stood before a beautiful young girl wearing a

calamit...khemm, I mean Miss

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

in the vicinity, it

"Yes, that's what happened"

short and

asked many different questions. She

lot of attention was

working for the central government were keeping the reporters in check or the situation would've turned out

"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

that is enough for now. We will

"Thank you"

the agent, Amanda

to move

wanted a quiet space

only natural for her to want to rest. Plus, she

....

'”Clink!

watch, Kevin raised his right hand. Two hands covered

was being examined

"Alright, we're done"

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

to

the check,

nothing particularly worrying. Just take a potion and you'll be fine.

"Thank you"

the stretcher, Kevin thanked

figure, the doctor

villain, Kevin came out on top with only minor

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

Emma. It seems like her checkup was

are

didn't really have to fight so nothing on

who only had minor injuries on his body, Emma shook

nothing to scoff at, and yet he

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

loud. Slapping

just thinking about

"You'll get there eventually"

tried to comfort Emma, only to have his hand

"Piss off!"

asked, "Oh, by

Ah, he's apparently

Ren told him in the message.

I'll believe that! I didn't see him

"I don't think so"

shook his head. Emma's brows

you defending

definitely suspicious.

and Ren

finish, Kevin quickly waved his

also didn't see him do anything,

"But what?"