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"

turned off my watch and laid back on the bench. Frowning slightly, I took out a potion and quickly downed

'”Gulp!

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

suddenly struck me, 'Actually, what is the bounty

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

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

a lot more than I had

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

was less than

seems to

as well. In general, mine was in the same

sure

to say, getting the watch was a good idea. With

glad that I

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

the author, I naturally knew

crystal was simple. Act as a detonating switch

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

known about the crystal, it was only natural that the union had a hard time

about this flaw. It was only later

'There's also this...'

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

'The Monolith Ring...'

was the primary reason why I decided to kill

to create a portal to direct

being an agent, he naturally had this. This item was so rare that only a select few had this. Professor Thibaut was one as he operated in

them, it fell into

did

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

other plans.

against the bench, I inwardly muttered, 'Future aside,

I was indeed in need

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

...

front

girl wearing a black dress that

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

the agent corrected himself midsentence. It was

the vicinity, it was best not to mention

"Yes, that's what happened"

reply was short and

been asked many different questions. She naturally did her best to answer

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

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

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me a

agent tapped on the screen. After a couple

for now. We will contact you later

"Thank you"

the agent, Amanda

around, Amanda decided to

a quiet space to

for her to want to rest. Plus, she disliked noisy places. She preferred quiet

....

'”Clink!

Two hands covered with blue rubber gloves patted the

moment Kevin was being examined by

"Alright, we're done"

a pen. Taking out a clipboard he proceeded to check

seems to be

check, the

there's nothing particularly worrying. Just take a

"Thank you"

the stretcher,

the doctor muttered, "What

leveled villain, Kevin came out on top

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

tent, Kevin met Emma. It seems like her checkup

how are

good, I didn't really have to fight so nothing on

had minor injuries on his body, Emma shook her head. She had

to scoff at,

her head helplessly, 'When will

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

just thinking about

"You'll get there eventually"

to comfort Emma, only to have his hand

"Piss off!"

"Oh, by the way,

he's

Ren told him in the message. Whether it was true, he didn't

believe that! I didn't see him

"I don't think so"

shook his head. Emma's brows

you

definitely suspicious. Her eyes

you and

she could finish, Kevin quickly waved

get me wrong, I also didn't see

"But what?"