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 quickly downed

'”Gulp!

was a low leveled one, the rate at which

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

I clicked on the bounty section and clicked on Kevin's

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

than I had expected. Out of

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

less than half

seems to

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

sure is

idea. With it, I could more or less

was also glad that I was the

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

author, I naturally knew of a way to

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 in my dimensional space. With

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

It was only later in the story that Kevin found this

'There's also this...'

Playing with the ring in my

'The Monolith Ring...'

was the primary reason why I decided to

It allowed me to create a portal

Thibaut being an agent, he naturally had this. This item was so rare that

for them, it fell

did promise

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

other plans. But that

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

fight, I was indeed

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

...

the front of

wearing a black

calamit...khemm, I mean

himself midsentence. It was quite well known that Donna hated

her, in the vicinity, it was best not to mention

"Yes, that's what happened"

was short and to

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

played a major role in today's event, a lot of attention was on her.

central government were keeping the

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

give me

screen. After a couple

for now. We

"Thank you"

the agent, Amanda

around, Amanda decided to

quiet space

only natural for her to want to

....

'”Clink!

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

Kevin was being examined

"Alright, we're done"

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

to be in

check,

there's nothing particularly worrying. Just

"Thank you"

the stretcher, Kevin thanked the

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

a similarly leveled villain, Kevin came

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

met Emma. It seems like her checkup was also

are you

didn't really have to fight so nothing

shook her

nothing to scoff at, and yet

her head helplessly, 'When will I ever

naturally didn't say this out loud. Slapping

thinking about you makes

"You'll get there eventually"

comfort Emma, only to have his hand

"Piss off!"

suddenly asked, "Oh,

he's

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

didn't see him at the

"I don't think so"

quickly shook his head.

are you

was definitely suspicious. Her eyes

you and Ren

Kevin quickly waved his

me wrong, I also didn't see

"But what?"