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 took out a potion and quickly downed

'”Gulp!

the potion was a

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

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

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

was a lot more than I had

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

a lot, it was less than half

seems

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

watch sure

say, getting the watch was a good idea. With it, I could more or less avoid possible

was also glad that

created with the purpose of not allowing the

because I 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

put it in my

so simple yet so difficult at the same time. With not much known about the crystal, it was only

about this flaw. It was only later in the

'There's also this...'

ring. Playing with the ring in my hand, I caressed it with my

'The Monolith Ring...'

my hand was the primary

allowed me to create a portal to direct

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

it fell

did

of the reason I did this was also for Smallsnake. With him being haunted by them, I naturally had to help him as

plans. But that was well off into the

the bench, I inwardly muttered, 'Future aside,

fight, I was indeed in need of some nice

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

...

front of the

black agent stood before a beautiful young girl wearing a black dress that perfectly complemented her

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

was quite well known that Donna hated her

vicinity, it was best

"Yes, that's what happened"

reply was short and to

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

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

the reporters in check or the situation

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me a

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

that is enough for now. We will contact you later for

"Thank you"

agent, Amanda was finally

to move away from

wanted a quiet space to

it was only natural for her to want to rest. Plus, she disliked noisy places. She preferred

....

'”Clink!

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

Kevin was being examined by

"Alright, we're done"

a pen.

to be in

with the check, the

Just take a potion and you'll be fine.

"Thank you"

stretcher, Kevin thanked the

the doctor muttered, "What a talented

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

how are you

have to fight so nothing

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

opponent was nothing to scoff at,

will I

this out loud. Slapping Kevin in the

thinking about you makes me

"You'll get there eventually"

comfort Emma, only to

"Piss off!"

"Oh, by the

Ah, he's

odd look appeared on Kevin's face. That's what Ren told him in the message.

Like I'll believe that! I didn't see him at the scene at all, he must've

"I don't think so"

quickly shook his head. Emma's brows

are you defending

definitely suspicious.

and Ren

she could finish, Kevin quickly waved

I also didn't see

"But what?"