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"

my watch and laid back on the bench. Frowning slightly, I took

'”Gulp!

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

the stinging sensation coming from my wounds slowly disappearing, a thought suddenly

clicked on the bounty section and clicked

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

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

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

less than half

that seems to

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

watch sure is

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

glad that I was

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

I was the author, I naturally knew of a way to

the back of the watch, there was a small crystal. The function of the crystal was simple. Act as

out the crystal and quickly put it in my dimensional space.

solution was so simple yet so difficult at the same time. With not much known about the crystal, it was only natural that the union had a hard time

Monolith had no idea about this flaw. It was

'There's also this...'

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

'The Monolith Ring...'

my hand was the primary

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

item was so rare that

it fell into

I did promise

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

had other plans. But that was well

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

was indeed in

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

...

front of the

a

calamit...khemm, I mean

midsentence. It was

in the vicinity, it was best not to mention

"Yes, that's what happened"

short

Amanda had been asked many different questions. She

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

for the central government were keeping the reporters in

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me

a tablet, the agent tapped on the screen. After a couple of seconds, he nodded

that is enough for now. We will contact you later for further

"Thank you"

agent, Amanda

decided to move away from

a quiet space to

her to want to rest. Plus, she disliked noisy places. She

....

'”Clink!

right hand. Two hands covered with blue rubber gloves

the moment Kevin was being examined by a doctor. This

"Alright, we're done"

the doctor in charge of Kevin took out a

seems to be

check, the doctor dismissed

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

"Thank you"

off the stretcher, Kevin

Kevin's departing figure, the doctor

villain, Kevin came out on top with

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

the tent, Kevin met Emma. It seems like her checkup was

how are

didn't really have to fight so

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

scoff at, and

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

Slapping Kevin in the

just thinking about you

"You'll get there eventually"

only to have his hand

"Piss off!"

suddenly asked, "Oh, by the way, you

Ah, he's

told him in the message. Whether it was

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

"I don't think so"

shook his head. Emma's brows

you defending

definitely suspicious. Her

you and

could finish, Kevin quickly waved

don't get me wrong, I also didn't

"But what?"