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.

'”Gulp!

because the potion was a

thought suddenly struck me, 'Actually, what is

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

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

than I had expected.

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

less than

that seems

other's bounty as well. In general, mine was in the

sure is

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

was also glad that I

method was created with the purpose of not allowing the union or the central government

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

the 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

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

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

It

'There's also this...'

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

'The Monolith Ring...'

was the primary reason why I decided

to create a portal to direct me to the headquarters

that only a select few had this. Professor Thibaut was one as he operated in

for them, it fell

did promise

Smallsnake. With him being haunted by them, I naturally had to help

had other plans. But that was

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

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

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

...

front of the

young girl wearing a black dress that perfectly complemented her obsidian eyes and

right after the calamit...khemm, I mean Miss

It was quite well

the vicinity, it was best not to

"Yes, that's what happened"

was short and

Amanda had been asked many different

event, a lot

central government were keeping the reporters in check or the situation

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me

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

for now. We will contact you

"Thank you"

Amanda

Amanda decided to move away from the

quiet space

only natural for her to want to rest. Plus, she disliked noisy places. She preferred

....

'”Clink!

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

being examined by a doctor.

"Alright, we're done"

took out a pen. Taking out a clipboard

everything seems to be

check, the

from a few superficial wounds, there's nothing particularly worrying. Just take a potion and you'll

"Thank you"

off the stretcher, Kevin thanked

the doctor muttered,

Kevin came out on top with only minor

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

It seems like her

are

didn't really have to fight

Emma shook her

opponent was nothing to scoff

head helplessly, 'When will I

out loud. Slapping

about you

"You'll get there eventually"

only

"Piss off!"

asked, "Oh, by the

Ah, he's apparently

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

I didn't see him at the scene at all,

"I don't think so"

head. Emma's

you defending

was definitely suspicious. Her eyes

and Ren

Kevin quickly waved

me wrong, I also didn't see

"But what?"