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"

the

'”Gulp!

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

wounds slowly disappearing, a thought suddenly struck me, 'Actually, what is the bounty

Thibaut's watch again, I clicked on

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

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

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

less

that seems

Kevin's I checked the other's bounty as well. In

watch sure is

a good idea.

also glad that I was the

the purpose

was the author, I

of the crystal was simple. Act as a

crystal and quickly put it in my

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

idea about this flaw. It was only

'There's also this...'

took out a ring. Playing with the ring in

'The Monolith Ring...'

primary reason why

create a portal

This item was so rare that only a select

for them, it

I did

for Smallsnake. With him being haunted by them, I naturally had to help him as I promised

plans. But that was

inwardly muttered, 'Future aside, right

I was indeed in

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

...

front

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

you're saying that right after the calamit...khemm, I mean Miss Longbern appeared,

corrected himself midsentence. It was

vicinity, it was best not to mention

"Yes, that's what happened"

was short and to

had been asked many different questions. She naturally did her best to answer

event, a lot of attention was on

were keeping the reporters in check or the situation would've turned out

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

give me a

on the screen. After a

We will contact you later

"Thank you"

Amanda was

to move away from the

wanted a quiet space

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

....

'”Clink!

watch, Kevin raised his right hand. Two hands covered with

moment Kevin was being examined by

"Alright, we're done"

checking Kevin, the doctor in charge of Kevin took out a pen.

everything seems to be

the check, the doctor dismissed

Just take a potion and you'll be fine. You may

"Thank you"

the stretcher,

figure, the doctor muttered, "What a

leveled villain, Kevin came out on top

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

tent, Kevin met Emma. It seems like

are

really have to fight

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

opponent was nothing to scoff at,

head helplessly, 'When will I ever catch up

this out loud. Slapping Kevin

just thinking about

"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

I didn't see him at the

"I don't think so"

head. Emma's

you defending

definitely suspicious. Her

you and Ren

finish, Kevin

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

"But what?"