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"

on the bench. Frowning slightly, I took out a

'”Gulp!

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

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

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

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

than I had expected.

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

was less than half of

that seems

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

sure is

watch was a good idea. With it, I could more

that I

with the purpose of not allowing the union or the central government to get access

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

a small crystal. The function of the crystal was simple. Act as a detonating switch

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

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

flaw. It was only later in the story

'There's also this...'

out a ring. Playing with the

'The Monolith Ring...'

hand was the primary reason why I decided to

simple yet extremely important. It allowed me to create a portal to direct me to

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

for them, it

did

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

had other plans. But that was well off

muttered, 'Future aside, right now I need

fight, I was indeed in need of some

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

...

the front of

agent stood before a beautiful young girl wearing a black dress

the calamit...khemm, I

It was quite well known that Donna hated

vicinity, it was best not to mention

"Yes, that's what happened"

reply was short

past twenty minutes, Amanda had been asked many different questions. She naturally did her best to answer

role in today's event, a lot of attention was

the central government were keeping the reporters in check or the situation would've

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me a

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

We will contact

"Thank you"

the agent, Amanda

to move away

wanted a quiet space

her to want to rest. Plus,

....

'”Clink!

his watch, Kevin raised his right hand. Two hands covered with blue rubber gloves patted

Kevin was being examined by

"Alright, we're done"

charge of Kevin took out a

to

with the check, the doctor dismissed

particularly worrying. Just take a potion

"Thank you"

stretcher,

figure, the doctor muttered, "What a

similarly leveled villain, Kevin came out on

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

Emma. It seems

how are you

good, I didn't really have to fight

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

was nothing to scoff at, and yet he was

her head helplessly, 'When will I ever

naturally didn't say this out loud. Slapping Kevin in the back, she rolled her

just thinking about

"You'll get there eventually"

only to have

"Piss off!"

"Oh, by

Ah, he's apparently

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

Like I'll believe that! I didn't see him at the scene at all, he

"I don't think so"

quickly shook his head. Emma's brows

you

was definitely suspicious.

you and Ren

finish, Kevin

get me wrong, I also didn't

"But what?"