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"

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

'”Gulp!

Unfortunately, because the potion was a low leveled one, the rate at which my

disappearing, a thought suddenly struck me, 'Actually, what is the bounty on Kevin at

Thibaut's watch again, I clicked on the bounty section and clicked on

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

more than I had expected.

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

it was less than half

that seems to be

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

watch sure is

idea. With it, I could more or less

was also glad that

died. This method was created with the purpose of not

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

as a detonating switch that would

it in my dimensional space. With time and space frozen in my dimensional

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

this flaw. It was only later in the

'There's also this...'

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

'The Monolith Ring...'

in my hand was the primary reason why I decided to

me to create a portal to direct me to the headquarters of

had this. This item was so rare that only a select few had this. Professor Thibaut was one as he

for them, it fell

I did

him being haunted by them, I naturally had to help

had other plans.

against the bench, I inwardly muttered, 'Future aside, right now

from my fight, I was indeed in need of some nice

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

...

the front

beautiful young girl wearing a black dress

after the calamit...khemm, I mean Miss Longbern appeared, the

corrected himself midsentence. It was quite well known that Donna hated her

the vicinity, it

"Yes, that's what happened"

reply was short

asked many different questions. She

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

the central government were keeping the reporters in check

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me

the agent tapped on the screen. After

We will

"Thank you"

Amanda was

around, Amanda decided to

a quiet space

lot of energy, it was only natural for her to want to

....

'”Clink!

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

was being examined by a doctor. This was standard

"Alright, we're done"

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

everything seems to

check, the doctor dismissed

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

"Thank you"

stretcher, Kevin thanked

figure, the doctor muttered, "What a talented

against a similarly leveled villain, Kevin came

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

the tent, Kevin met Emma. It

are you

to fight

had minor injuries on his body, Emma shook her head. She had seen him fight

to scoff

head helplessly, 'When will I

loud. Slapping

just thinking about you makes me

"You'll get there eventually"

tried to comfort Emma, only to have his hand smacked

"Piss off!"

suddenly asked, "Oh, by the way,

Ah, he's apparently

odd look appeared on Kevin's face. That's what Ren told him in the message. Whether it was true, he

I didn't see him at

"I don't think so"

shook his head. Emma's brows

are you

was definitely suspicious. Her

and Ren

could finish, Kevin quickly waved

also

"But what?"