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

'”Gulp!

potion was a low leveled one, the rate at

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

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

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

than I had expected. Out

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

lot, it was less than half of

that seems

other's bounty as well. In general,

sure

idea. With it, I could

that I was

the watches would self-destruct as soon as the owner died. This method was created with the purpose of not allowing the union or the central government to

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

was a small crystal. The function of the crystal was simple. Act as a detonating switch that would destroy the watch once it no longer felt demonic energy

before I killed professor Thibaut, I took out the crystal and quickly put it in my dimensional space. With time and space frozen in my dimensional

the same time. With not much known about the crystal, it was only natural

this flaw. It was only later

'There's also this...'

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

'The Monolith Ring...'

in my hand was the primary reason why I decided to

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

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

for them, it

did

being haunted by them, I naturally had to help him as I promised

I also had other plans. But that was well off

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

was indeed

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

...

front of

stood before a beautiful young girl wearing a black dress that perfectly

calamit...khemm, I mean Miss Longbern appeared,

It was quite well known that

in the vicinity, it was

"Yes, that's what happened"

was short and

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

event, a lot

the agents working for the central government were keeping the

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

give me a

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

enough for now. We will contact you

"Thank you"

the agent, Amanda was

decided to move

wanted a quiet space

a lot of energy, it was only natural for her to want to

....

'”Clink!

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

was being examined by a doctor. This

"Alright, we're done"

Kevin took out a pen.

seems to be

check, the doctor dismissed

particularly worrying. Just take a potion and you'll

"Thank you"

the stretcher, Kevin thanked the

figure, the doctor muttered, "What

fought against a similarly leveled villain, Kevin came out on

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

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

how are

didn't really have to fight

Emma shook her head. She had seen him fight

was nothing to scoff at, and yet

'When will I ever catch up to

loud. Slapping Kevin in the back, she rolled her

about you makes me

"You'll get there eventually"

to comfort Emma, only to have his hand smacked

"Piss off!"

something, Emma suddenly asked, "Oh,

Ah, he's

told him in the

Like I'll believe that! I didn't see him at

"I don't think so"

head. Emma's brows

are you

was definitely suspicious. Her eyes

you and Ren

Kevin quickly waved his

me wrong, I also didn't see him do

"But what?"