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"

the bench. Frowning slightly, I took out

'”Gulp!

recovering. Unfortunately, because the potion was a low leveled one, the rate at which my wounds were healing

a thought suddenly struck me, 'Actually, what is the

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

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

had expected.

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

it was less

seems

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

sure is

the watch was a good idea. With it,

also glad that I was the

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

the author, I naturally knew of a

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

out the crystal and quickly put it in my dimensional space. With

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 their hands

had no idea about this flaw. It

'There's also this...'

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

'The Monolith Ring...'

hand was the primary

important. It allowed me to create a portal to direct

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

it fell into my

did

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

that, I also had other plans.

muttered, 'Future aside,

was indeed in

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

...

front of the

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

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

midsentence. It was quite well known that Donna hated her

in the vicinity, it was best

"Yes, that's what happened"

was short and to the

been asked many

event, a lot of attention was on her. From both

keeping the reporters in check

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

give me

the agent tapped on the screen. After

that is enough for now. We will

"Thank you"

the agent, Amanda was

decided to

wanted a quiet space

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

....

'”Clink!

watch, Kevin raised his right hand. Two hands covered

was being examined by a doctor.

"Alright, we're done"

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

seems to

the check,

superficial wounds, there's nothing particularly worrying. Just take

"Thank you"

the stretcher, Kevin

the

villain, Kevin came out

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

the tent, Kevin met Emma. It

are you

really have to fight so nothing on

Emma shook her head. She had

opponent was nothing to scoff at, and yet

'When will I ever catch up to

loud. Slapping Kevin in the

just thinking about you makes me

"You'll get there eventually"

only to

"Piss off!"

asked, "Oh, by

Ah, he's apparently

Kevin's face. That's what Ren told him in the

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

"I don't think so"

his head. Emma's brows knit in

you defending

was definitely suspicious. Her eyes

and

she could finish, Kevin quickly waved

get me wrong, I also didn't

"But what?"