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"

back on the

'”Gulp!

a

stinging sensation coming from my wounds slowly disappearing, a thought suddenly struck me, 'Actually, what is the bounty on

again, I clicked on

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

That was a lot more than I had expected. Out

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

was less than half

that seems to be

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

watch sure

the watch was a good idea. With it, I could more or less avoid

also glad that

owner died. This method was created with the purpose of not allowing the union or the central government to

I

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

quickly put it in my dimensional space. With time and space frozen in my

difficult at the same time. With not much known about the crystal, it was only

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

'There's also this...'

took out a ring. Playing with the

'The Monolith Ring...'

my hand was the primary reason

me to create a portal to direct me to the headquarters of

was so rare that only a

for them, it fell into

did

With him being haunted by them, I naturally had

also had other plans. But that was well

inwardly muttered, 'Future aside, right now I need my

was indeed

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

...

front of

a black dress that perfectly complemented her obsidian eyes and

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

agent corrected himself midsentence. It was quite well known that Donna

vicinity, it was best not

"Yes, that's what happened"

short and to the

had been asked many different

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

working for the central government were keeping the reporters in check or the situation would've

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me a

the agent tapped on the screen.

is enough for now. We will

"Thank you"

Amanda was finally

decided to move

quiet space

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

....

'”Clink!

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

was being examined by a doctor. This

"Alright, we're done"

checking Kevin, the doctor in charge of Kevin took out a pen. Taking out a clipboard he proceeded

everything seems to be

check, the

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

"Thank you"

the stretcher,

Kevin's departing figure, the doctor muttered, "What

villain, Kevin came out on top with

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

the tent, Kevin met Emma. It seems like

how are you

didn't really have to fight so nothing on

his body, Emma shook her head. She had seen him

nothing to scoff at, and yet

helplessly, 'When will I ever catch up

loud. Slapping

about

"You'll get there eventually"

comfort Emma, only

"Piss off!"

"Oh, by

Ah, he's

That's what Ren told him in the message. Whether

Like I'll believe that! I didn't see him

"I don't think so"

shook his head. Emma's brows knit

are you defending

was definitely suspicious. Her eyes

you and

finish, Kevin

I also didn't see him do

"But what?"