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"

goodbye, I turned off my watch and laid back on the bench. Frowning

'”Gulp!

recovering. Unfortunately, because the potion was a low leveled

suddenly struck me, 'Actually, what

I clicked on the bounty section and clicked on Kevin's

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

That was a lot more than I had expected.

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

it was less than

that seems

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

watch sure

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

that I was the

method was created with the purpose of not allowing the union or the central

the author, I naturally

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

Thibaut, I took out the crystal and quickly put it in my dimensional space. With time and space frozen in my dimensional

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

had no idea about this flaw. It was only later in the story that Kevin found this

'There's also this...'

I took out a ring. Playing with the ring in my hand, I caressed

'The Monolith Ring...'

the primary reason why I decided to

It allowed me to create

he naturally had this. This item was so rare that only

it fell into

did

Smallsnake. With him being haunted

had other plans. But that was well off into

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

indeed

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

...

the front of the

a black dress that perfectly complemented

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

was quite well known that Donna hated

it was best not to

"Yes, that's what happened"

was short and

twenty minutes, Amanda had been asked many

lot of attention was on her. From both reporters and

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

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

give me a

out a tablet, the agent tapped on the screen. After

for now. We will contact you later for further

"Thank you"

the agent, Amanda was

Amanda decided to move

a quiet space to

used a lot of energy, it was only natural for her to want to rest. Plus, she disliked noisy

....

'”Clink!

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

was being examined by a

"Alright, we're done"

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

everything seems to

the check,

nothing particularly worrying. Just take a potion and you'll

"Thank you"

off the stretcher, Kevin thanked

figure, the doctor

against a similarly leveled villain, Kevin came out on top with only

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

the tent, Kevin met Emma. It seems like her

how are

really have to fight so

Emma shook her head.

opponent was nothing to scoff

will I ever catch up

say this out loud. Slapping Kevin in

just thinking about you makes

"You'll get there eventually"

tried to comfort Emma, only to have his hand

"Piss off!"

Emma suddenly asked, "Oh, by the way,

he's

face. That's what Ren told him in

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

"I don't think so"

quickly shook his head. Emma's brows

you

was definitely suspicious.

you and Ren

could finish, Kevin quickly

I also didn't

"But what?"