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"

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

'”Gulp!

started recovering. Unfortunately, because the potion was a low leveled one, the

my wounds slowly disappearing, a thought suddenly struck me, 'Actually, what is the bounty on

again, I clicked on the bounty section

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

was a lot more than I had expected. Out

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

a lot, it was less than

that seems to

from mine 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

the watch was a good idea. With

also glad that I

method was created with the purpose of not

author, I naturally knew of

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

before I killed professor Thibaut, I took out the crystal and quickly put it in my

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

no idea about this flaw. It

'There's also this...'

Playing with the ring in my

'The Monolith Ring...'

hand was the primary reason why I

important. It allowed me to create

was so rare that

for them, it fell into

I did promise

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

that, I also had other plans. But that was

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

indeed in need of

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

...

the front of the

before a beautiful young girl wearing a black dress that perfectly

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

was quite well known that

the vicinity, it was best not to mention

"Yes, that's what happened"

reply was short

many different questions. She

event, a lot of attention was on her. From both reporters

agents working for the central government were keeping the reporters in check or the situation would've

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me

tapped on the screen. After a couple

enough for now. We will contact you later for

"Thank you"

Amanda

around, Amanda decided to

quiet

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

....

'”Clink!

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

Kevin was being examined by a doctor. This was

"Alright, we're done"

took out a pen. Taking out a

to be in

check, the doctor

worrying. Just take a potion and you'll be fine. You

"Thank you"

stretcher,

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

villain, Kevin came out on top with only

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

the tent, Kevin met Emma. It

how are you

to fight so

Kevin who only had minor injuries on his body, Emma shook her head. She had seen him

was nothing to scoff at, and yet

her head helplessly, 'When will I ever catch up to

this out loud. Slapping Kevin in the

just thinking about you makes

"You'll get there eventually"

only to

"Piss off!"

suddenly asked, "Oh,

Ah, he's apparently

appeared on Kevin's face. That's what Ren told him in the message. Whether it was true, he didn't

him at

"I don't think so"

quickly shook his head. Emma's brows

are you defending

definitely suspicious. Her eyes

and Ren

could finish, Kevin quickly

don't get me wrong, I also

"But what?"