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

'”Gulp!

body started recovering. Unfortunately, because the potion was a low leveled one, the rate at which my

suddenly struck me, 'Actually, what

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

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

I hissed. That was a lot more than I had

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

it was less

seems to be

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

sure is

the watch was a good idea. With it, I could more or

was also glad that I

with the purpose of not allowing the union or

them, because I was the author, I

the watch, there was a small crystal. The function of the crystal was simple. Act as a detonating switch that

put it in my dimensional

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

no idea about this flaw. It was only later in the story

'There's also this...'

took out a ring. Playing with the ring

'The Monolith Ring...'

was the primary reason why

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

rare that only

it fell into my

I did

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

plans. But that was well

I inwardly muttered, 'Future aside, right now I need my well-deserved

indeed in need

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

...

front

girl wearing a black

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

midsentence. It was quite well known that Donna

it

"Yes, that's what happened"

was short and to

been asked many different questions. She naturally did her best to

event, a lot

for the central government were keeping the reporters in check or the

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

give me a

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

enough for now. We will contact you later

"Thank you"

agent, Amanda was finally

Amanda decided to move away from the

a quiet space to

was only natural for her to want

....

'”Clink!

Kevin raised his right hand. Two hands covered with blue

moment Kevin was being examined by a

"Alright, we're done"

in charge of Kevin took out a pen. Taking

seems to be

the check, the doctor

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

"Thank you"

stretcher, Kevin

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

fought against a similarly leveled villain, Kevin came out on top

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

met Emma. It seems like her checkup was

are you

good, I didn't really have to fight so nothing on

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

was nothing to scoff at, and yet

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

naturally didn't say this out loud. Slapping Kevin in

about

"You'll get there eventually"

tried to comfort Emma, only to have his hand smacked

"Piss off!"

asked, "Oh,

he's apparently

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

I didn't see him

"I don't think so"

shook his head. Emma's brows knit

are you

suspicious.

and

finish, Kevin

get me wrong, I also

"But what?"