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"

on the bench. Frowning

'”Gulp!

because the potion was a low leveled one, the rate at which

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

clicked on the bounty section and clicked on Kevin's

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

more than I had expected. Out of curiosity, I clicked on

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

lot, it was less than half of

seems to

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

sure

a good idea. With

glad that I

as the owner died. This method was created with the purpose

author, I

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

out the crystal and quickly put it in

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

had no idea about this flaw. It was only

'There's also this...'

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

'The Monolith Ring...'

hand was the primary reason why I decided to kill Professor

me to create a portal to direct me to the headquarters

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

it fell

I did

was also for Smallsnake. With him being haunted by them, I

I also had other plans. But that was well

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

indeed in need

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

...

front of

stood before a beautiful young girl wearing a black dress that perfectly complemented her obsidian eyes

that right after the calamit...khemm,

midsentence. It was quite well known that Donna hated

in the vicinity, it was best not to

"Yes, that's what happened"

was short and to the

past twenty minutes, Amanda had been asked many different questions. She naturally did her

lot of attention was on her. From both reporters and

the central government were keeping the reporters in

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me a

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

enough for now. We will contact you later for further

"Thank you"

the agent, Amanda was finally

to move away from the

wanted a quiet

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

....

'”Clink!

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

was being examined by a doctor.

"Alright, we're done"

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

seems to be

check, the doctor

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's departing figure, the doctor muttered,

similarly leveled villain, Kevin came out on top with only minor

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

Emma. It

are you

really have to fight so nothing

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

opponent was nothing to scoff at,

head helplessly, 'When will I ever catch up

this out loud. Slapping Kevin in the back,

just thinking about you makes me

"You'll get there eventually"

comfort Emma, only

"Piss off!"

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

Ah, he's

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

didn't see him at the

"I don't think so"

quickly shook his head. Emma's brows knit

are you defending

suspicious.

and

finish, Kevin quickly

me wrong, I also didn't see him

"But what?"