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

'”Gulp!

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

disappearing, a thought suddenly struck me, 'Actually,

on the bounty section and clicked on

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

lot more than I had expected. Out of

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

it was less than half of Kevin's.

that seems to

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

sure is

good idea. With it, I could more or less avoid

also glad that

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

I was the author, I naturally knew

was simple. Act as a detonating switch that would destroy the watch once

put it in my dimensional space. With time

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

It was only later in the story that

'There's also this...'

ring. Playing with the ring in

'The Monolith Ring...'

the primary

me to create a portal to direct me

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

it fell

did promise

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

also had other plans. But that was well

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

was indeed in need

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

...

front

a black dress that perfectly

calamit...khemm, I mean

agent corrected himself midsentence. It was

it was best not to mention

"Yes, that's what happened"

short and to the

had been asked many different

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

keeping the reporters

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me

the screen. After a

We will contact you later for

"Thank you"

agent, Amanda

to move away

a quiet space to

natural for her to want to rest. Plus, she disliked

....

'”Clink!

Kevin raised his right hand. Two hands covered

was being examined by a doctor. This was standard

"Alright, we're done"

Kevin took out a pen. Taking out a clipboard he proceeded to check

seems to be

with the check, the doctor dismissed

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

"Thank you"

the stretcher,

Kevin's departing figure, the doctor

leveled villain, Kevin came

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

It

are

fight so nothing on

minor injuries on his body, Emma shook her head. She had seen

to scoff at,

will

loud. Slapping

just thinking about you

"You'll get there eventually"

only to have his hand

"Piss off!"

Emma suddenly asked, "Oh, by the

Ah, he's apparently

Ren told him in the message.

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

"I don't think so"

head. Emma's brows knit

you defending

was definitely suspicious. Her eyes

you and Ren

she could finish, Kevin quickly waved his

also didn't

"But what?"