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"

and laid back on the bench. Frowning slightly, I took

'”Gulp!

wounds on my body started recovering. Unfortunately, because the potion was a low leveled one, the rate at which my wounds

wounds slowly disappearing, a thought suddenly struck

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

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

That was a lot more than I had expected. Out of curiosity, I clicked on my

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

a lot, it was less

that seems

as well. In general, mine was in

sure

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

also glad that I was

self-destruct as soon as the owner died. This method was created with the purpose of not allowing the union or the central government

I naturally knew of a way to bypass

back of the watch, there was a small crystal. The function of the crystal was simple. Act as a detonating switch that would destroy the watch once it no longer felt demonic energy being transmitted

it in my dimensional space. With time and

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

flaw. It was

'There's also this...'

watch away, I took out a ring. Playing with

'The Monolith Ring...'

ring in my hand was the primary

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.

them, it fell into

I did

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

plans. But that was well off into

inwardly muttered, 'Future aside, right now I need

I was indeed in

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

...

front

girl wearing a black dress that perfectly complemented her obsidian eyes and

that right after the calamit...khemm, I

was quite well known that Donna

her, in the vicinity, it was best not to

"Yes, that's what happened"

was short

been asked many different questions. She naturally did her best

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

the reporters in check or the situation would've

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me a

a tablet, the agent tapped on the screen. After a couple of

now. We will contact you later for further

"Thank you"

the agent, Amanda was finally

around, Amanda decided to move away

wanted a quiet space to

of energy, it was only natural for her to want

....

'”Clink!

Kevin raised his right hand. Two hands covered

Kevin was being examined

"Alright, we're done"

a pen. Taking out a clipboard he proceeded

everything seems to be

the check, the

Just

"Thank you"

stretcher, Kevin thanked the

figure, the doctor muttered, "What

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

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

tent, Kevin met Emma. It seems like

are

have to fight so nothing on my side, you,

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

nothing to scoff

her head helplessly, 'When will I ever

naturally didn't say this out loud. Slapping Kevin in the back, she rolled

about

"You'll get there eventually"

to comfort Emma, only to have his hand

"Piss off!"

something, Emma suddenly asked, "Oh, by the way, you seen

he's apparently

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

him at the scene at all, he

"I don't think so"

shook his head. Emma's

you

suspicious.

you and Ren

finish, Kevin

I also didn't

"But what?"