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!

Unfortunately, because the potion was a low

stinging sensation coming from my wounds slowly disappearing, a thought suddenly struck me, 'Actually,

watch again, I clicked on the bounty section and

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

lot more than I had expected. Out

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

less than half

that seems

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

sure is

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

was also glad that I was the

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

because I was the author, I naturally knew of

crystal was simple. Act as a detonating switch that would destroy

the crystal and quickly put it in my

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

even the Monolith had no idea about this flaw. It was only later in the story that Kevin

'There's also this...'

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

'The Monolith Ring...'

ring in my hand was the primary reason why I decided to kill

create a portal to direct me to the headquarters

Professor Thibaut being an agent, he naturally had this. This item was so rare that only a select few had this. Professor Thibaut was one as he operated in the

them, it fell into

I did promise

also for Smallsnake. With him being haunted by them, I naturally had to help him as I promised

plans. But that was well

inwardly muttered, 'Future aside, right now I need

I was indeed in need

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

...

front

wearing a black dress that perfectly complemented her obsidian eyes and

that right after the calamit...khemm, I mean Miss Longbern appeared, the attack

corrected himself midsentence. It was quite well known that

the vicinity, it was best not to

"Yes, that's what happened"

reply was short

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

a major role in today's event, a lot of attention was on her. From both reporters and

were keeping the reporters in check or the

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

give me a

tablet, the agent tapped on the screen. After a

is enough for now. We will contact you later for

"Thank you"

Amanda was finally

to move away from

wanted a quiet space to

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

....

'”Clink!

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

examined

"Alright, we're done"

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

everything seems to be

with the check, the doctor dismissed

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

"Thank you"

the stretcher, Kevin thanked the

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

leveled villain, Kevin came out on top

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

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

are

to fight

on his body, Emma shook her head. She had seen him fight against

to scoff at,

her head helplessly, 'When will

loud. Slapping Kevin in the back, she rolled

just thinking about you makes

"You'll get there eventually"

comfort Emma, only

"Piss off!"

"Oh,

he's

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

didn't see him at the scene

"I don't think so"

shook his head. Emma's brows knit

you defending

suspicious.

you and

could finish, Kevin

wrong, I also didn't see him do anything,

"But what?"