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"

watch and laid back on the bench. Frowning slightly, I took out a potion

'”Gulp!

a low leveled

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

again, I clicked on the

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

a lot more than I had expected. Out of curiosity,

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

was less than half of Kevin's. Good

seems

as well. In general, mine was in the

sure is

a good idea.

also glad that I

self-destruct as soon as the owner died. This method was created with the purpose

author, I naturally knew of a

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

I took out the crystal and quickly put it in my dimensional

With not much known about the crystal, it was only natural that the union had a hard time getting

this flaw. It was only later

'There's also this...'

the watch away, I took out a ring. Playing with

'The Monolith Ring...'

hand was the primary reason why

was simple yet extremely important. It allowed me to create a portal to direct me

an agent, he naturally had this. This item was so rare that only a select few had this.

for them, it

did

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

that, I also had other plans. But that was well off into the

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

I was indeed in need

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

...

front of the

a black dress that perfectly

right after the calamit...khemm, I mean

It was quite

her, in the vicinity, it was

"Yes, that's what happened"

reply was short and to

had been asked many different questions. She naturally

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

government were keeping the

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

give me

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

is enough for now. We

"Thank you"

agent, Amanda was

decided to move away

wanted a quiet space

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

....

'”Clink!

raised his right hand. Two

Kevin was being examined by a

"Alright, we're done"

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

everything seems to be in

with the check, the doctor

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

"Thank you"

the stretcher, Kevin thanked

departing figure, the doctor

Kevin came out on top with

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

the tent, Kevin met Emma. It seems like her checkup was also

how are you

fight so nothing on my side,

shook her

to scoff at, and yet he

'When will I ever

Slapping Kevin in the back, she rolled her

thinking about you makes

"You'll get there eventually"

tried to comfort Emma, only to have his hand

"Piss off!"

suddenly asked, "Oh, by the way,

Ah, he's

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

believe that! I didn't see him at the scene at all,

"I don't think so"

his head. Emma's

you defending

was definitely suspicious.

and

could finish, Kevin quickly waved

wrong, I also didn't see him

"But what?"