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 a potion and quickly

'”Gulp!

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

suddenly struck me, 'Actually, what is

clicked on the bounty section and clicked

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

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

'5000? Hmm, that's alright'

it was less

seems

I checked the other's bounty as well. In general, mine was in the

watch sure is

watch was a good idea. With it, I could more

glad that I was the

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

I naturally knew of a way to bypass

the 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

Thibaut, I took out the crystal and quickly put it in my

the crystal, it

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

'There's also this...'

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

'The Monolith Ring...'

primary reason why I decided

allowed me to create a portal to direct me to the

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

it fell into my

did

for Smallsnake. With him being haunted by them,

I also had other plans. But that was well off into

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

indeed

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

...

front of the

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

after the calamit...khemm,

himself midsentence. It was quite well known that Donna

vicinity, it

"Yes, that's what happened"

short

the past twenty minutes, Amanda had been asked many

today's event, a lot of

the

"I understand...is this everything?"

"Mhm"

me

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

We

"Thank you"

the agent, Amanda was

around, Amanda decided to move

wanted a quiet

lot of energy, it was only natural for her to want to rest. Plus, she

....

'”Clink!

raised his right hand. Two hands covered with

was being examined

"Alright, we're done"

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

to be in

check, the doctor dismissed

there's nothing particularly worrying. Just take a potion and you'll be

"Thank you"

the stretcher,

figure, the doctor muttered, "What a talented

Kevin came out on top with

The doctor was impressed.

"Kevin? you're done?"

met Emma. It

how are

fight so nothing on my side, you,

Kevin who only had minor injuries on his body, Emma shook her head. She had seen him fight against

scoff at, and yet he was

shook her head helplessly, 'When will I ever catch up

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

just thinking about you

"You'll get there eventually"

tried to comfort Emma, only to have his hand

"Piss off!"

"Oh,

he's apparently

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

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

"I don't think so"

shook his head. Emma's brows

are you

definitely suspicious. Her

and Ren

Kevin quickly waved his

wrong, I also didn't see him do

"But what?"