The Author's POV

Days passed, and eventually, five more months flew by. It had now been about seven months since I had entered this place, and a lot of things changed.

Especially since my fight with Xavier, which took place around half a year ago.

Ever since then, the number of successful subjects increased from three to fifteen, and the conditions I had been living in had improved drastically.

Once again, my room changed. This time, it was a lot more 'practical' as although it lacked any luxury, it had a private training facility.

As a result of the improved conditions, my strength saw a significant boost.

Training every day, and being fed all sorts of weird stuff, my strength surged at a faster rate than ever before. Even more than when I was at the Lock learning from Monica and Donna.

Within half a year, I had reached rank, almost rank. Something that I would've never thought possible when first arriving here.

In around seven months, I shot up to almost rank. This was a speed that perhaps only Kevin could rival.

Other than that.

===

[★★★ Full-body martial arts]

Hand-to-Hand combat technique dedicated to utilizing every single part of the body to incapacitate the enemy. It may be a 3-star art, but upon mastery, it can be used to complement other forms of martial art.

===

This was the technique that I had been learning for the past two months. A generic three-star technique that every subject was forced to learn.

And because I was learning this, my swordsmanship saw no significant boost during the past seven months. I wasn't saddened by this as I had now tackled one of my biggest weaknesses. Fighting without a sword.

But not everything was good.

Splash—!

Walking towards the sink and washing my face, I turned my head slightly. Brushing my hair up, I looked at a small scar on the back of my head.

"Khh...it still hurts."

Touching the scar, my face twitched in pain.

About a month ago I underwent a surgical procedure at the hands of Joseph. A chip was installed into my brain.

The chip was something that Joseph had created and what it did was essentially increase the computational abilities of the user. In short, it made someone think at a much faster rate than before. A basic necessity for the super-soldiers he wanted to create.

That was good and all, but unfortunately, there was also a tracking device installed in it. Unaware of such a device existing in the novel, I was unable to prevent this, and thus, stuck with the chip inside of my head, I had to delay my escape plan for another couple of months.

To make matters worse, two months ago, apart from one that I had been saving for a while, I had run out of healing potions.

The only reason I was able to remain sane till now was that the number of dosages I took also saw a dramatic decrease compared to before.

But this was a given.

After all, the dosages did damage the nervous system. Too many and they would only give the opposite effect of what they wanted. Instead of a super-soldier, they'd get an idiot.

Clank—!

"876, it's time to go"

Barging into the room and disrupting me out of my thoughts, was the same guard that had been attending me for the past seven months.

Throwing me a look of disdain, he stepped to the side and gestured with his hand.

"Hurry up, don't waste the professor's time."

"…"

Turning around, I Indifferently looked at him. No words escaped from my mouth.

Since I was supposed to be 'emotionless' I had to act the part. Therefore, without speaking a word I complied with everything the guard was saying.

of the abuse he was throwing at me, I endured

that no longer applies

I closed my eyes. The gears of my mind

have all day." The

"…"

I moved towards the entrance of the

"Tsk, what an idiot."

to leave the room, my footsteps halted. Turning around,

at the room, I closed my eyes

thought. 'The moment I step out of this room is the moment

Seven months.

day. The

of planning, the

now the optimal time for me to

"What are you doing?"

my ears. Silently turning around, I took a step out of the room

*

all too familiar with, the guard, Mark, stopped in front of the corridor that led to the training ground. Tapping onto his

both of your

"..."

both of my hands. On

—Click! —Click!

and unlocking them, I could instantly feel my mana replenish as my rank rose all the way

I've removed your

hands and put the bracelets away. Inching closer to

that you're rank. That's stronger

sure that there were no cameras present, Mark raised

—Pa!

the corridor. The right

than me? In the end,

"..."

reaction, or lack of reaction,

for your

"..."

surprise, however, I did not

got something to

mouth, I said. "...as

"W-what—khu"

moment those words escaped from my mouth, Mark froze on

hand, to Mark's horror, he watched as my hand arrived before

"Khh..."

his throat, I grabbed his throat. A groan

Yet.

much Mark struggled, he couldn't free himself from

doing?! Let go! A-re

on my lips. Instantly, a look of fear appeared on

"I've never been part of the Monolith. What betray?" To begin with, for someone to be betray something, they had to be a part of it. Not once did I recall ever

"W-what?"

my words had a great impact on Mark as his face visibly

never brainwashed, to

my grip on his throat tightened. "If I

presented with the chance to get rid of him, a part

But.

didn't

"T-th—"

I, unfortunately, don't have time to chat with you any longer." Clenching my teeth and once again increasing the strength of my grip on his throat, I hoarsely said. "The only reason I'm even speaking to you is so that

Kracka—!

speak,

couldn't torture him, I wanted him to realize who he had messed

—Thud!

dying body on the ground, I closed my eyes slightly. 'That's the first step of

"...Next."

and taking out a small black bracelet, I channeled my

who was slowly dying

"Stay still."