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"

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

'”Gulp!

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

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

again, I clicked on

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

more than I had expected. Out

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

less than half of

seems

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

sure

good idea. With it,

that

would self-destruct as soon as the owner died. This method was created with the

I

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

and quickly put it in my dimensional

known about the crystal, it was

Monolith had no idea about this flaw. It was

'There's also this...'

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

'The Monolith Ring...'

in my hand was the primary reason why

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

was so rare that only a select few

for them, it fell into

I did

With him being haunted by them,

had other plans. But that was well off

'Future

from my fight, I was indeed

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

...

front of the

young girl wearing a black dress

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

It was quite well known that Donna

the vicinity, it was best not to mention

"Yes, that's what happened"

reply was short and to the

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

lot of attention was on

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

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me a

the agent tapped on the screen. After a

is enough for now. We will contact

"Thank you"

Amanda was

Amanda decided to

wanted a quiet

used a lot of energy, it was only natural for her to want to rest. Plus,

....

'”Clink!

hand. Two hands covered with blue rubber gloves

moment Kevin was being examined by a doctor.

"Alright, we're done"

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

to be in

check, the doctor

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

"Thank you"

stretcher, Kevin thanked

the doctor muttered, "What a talented

a similarly leveled villain, Kevin came out on top with

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

tent, Kevin met Emma. It

how are you

fight so nothing on my side,

Kevin who only had minor injuries on his body, Emma shook her head. She had seen

to scoff at, and yet he was

will I ever catch up

say this out loud. Slapping Kevin in

thinking about you

"You'll get there eventually"

comfort Emma, only to have his

"Piss off!"

"Oh, by the way, you

Ah, he's

look appeared on Kevin's face. That's what Ren told him

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

"I don't think so"

quickly shook his head. Emma's brows knit

are you defending

was definitely suspicious. Her

you and

could finish, Kevin quickly

I also didn't see

"But what?"