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"

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

'”Gulp!

potion was a low leveled one, the rate

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

I clicked on

"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 of Kevin's. Good

seems

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

watch sure

watch was a good idea. With it, I could

was also glad that

soon as the owner died. This method was created with the purpose of not allowing the union or the central government

I naturally knew of a way to bypass

back of the watch, there was a small crystal. The function of the crystal was simple. Act as a detonating switch that would destroy the watch once it no

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

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 getting their hands on the

It was only later

'There's also this...'

a ring. Playing with the ring in my hand, I caressed it

'The Monolith Ring...'

the primary reason why I decided

yet extremely important. It allowed me to create a portal

agent, he naturally had this. This item was so rare that only

them, it fell into

did promise

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

plans. But that was

bench, I inwardly muttered, 'Future aside, right now I need my well-deserved

my fight, I was indeed in need

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

...

the front of

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

saying that right after the calamit...khemm,

midsentence. It was quite well known that

vicinity, it was best not to mention

"Yes, that's what happened"

was short

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

in today's event, a lot of attention

keeping the reporters in check or the situation

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

give me

screen. After a couple of

We will contact you later for

"Thank you"

the agent, Amanda was finally

decided to move

wanted a quiet

natural for her to want to

....

'”Clink!

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

being examined by a doctor. This was standard

"Alright, we're done"

charge of Kevin took out a pen. Taking out a clipboard he proceeded to check a few

seems to

with the check, the doctor

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

"Thank you"

stretcher, Kevin

Kevin's departing figure, the doctor muttered, "What a

villain, Kevin came out on top with only minor

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

Kevin met Emma. It seems like

how are you

really have to fight so nothing

shook her head.

opponent was nothing to scoff at,

shook her head helplessly, 'When will I

loud. Slapping Kevin in

about you

"You'll get there eventually"

Emma, only to have his hand smacked

"Piss off!"

asked, "Oh,

Ah, he's apparently

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

didn't see him at the scene at

"I don't think so"

head. Emma's brows

you

was definitely suspicious. Her

and Ren

she could finish, Kevin quickly

wrong, I also didn't see him do

"But what?"