The Author's POV

"Reporting for duty!"

Three youths shouted as they stood in front of Luther. A sharp and distinctive aura spread from each and every one of their bodies.

"You must be the recruits that I need to watch over."

Placing his hand on the bottom of his chin, Luther's gaze swept through the bodies of each of the individuals present.

After a couple of seconds, he nodded his head in satisfaction.

"You guys are better than I thought."

He had originally thought he was going to be put with arrogant recruits that knew nothing about real combat but feeling the bloodlust that was emanating from their bodies, he knew that his previous assumption couldn't have been any more wrong.

They were already fully grown soldiers.

"Let me get things straight, so your names are Ezra, Alisa, and..." Pausing, Luther turned his attention towards one of the three youths.

Staring at him, Luther could feel that this youth was different from the others. The bloodlust around him was three times thicker compared to the other two youth's.

Compared to the other two, he was a notch above them.

"...and Matthew?"

Unbothered by Luther's stare, stepping forward, Matthew nodded his head.

"That is correct, sir."

Next to him, Ezra and Alisa seemed to have no qualms with the fact that he had responded for them.

This did not go unnoticed by Luther, who squinted his eyes.

'Hmm, I see. So he's the leader of the lot.'

Luther could see hints of fear and respect in the eyes of the other two recruits as they looked at the youth named Matthew.

Turning his head and staring at Matthew, Luther asked.

"Alright then, you guys must already be aware of what is happening, right?"

"Affirmative, we're here to hunt down subject 876."

"Good, good. Do you guys have any ideas on how we should proceed?"

Luther had obviously already made plans beforehand. The only reason why he was asking, was because he wanted to test them.

Since his job was to mentor them, he naturally had to do so.

"Affirmative."

Matthew responded.

Raising his brow, Luther gestured.

"Oh? Please share your thoughts."

"Understood."

Taking a step forward, Matthew proceeded to tap on the smartwatch on his wrist. A three-dimensional hologram of the Monolith projected before everyone's eyes.

Staring at the map, he started explaining. "There are two ways to escape the Monolith, and the simplest way to escape would be through the main entrance of the building."

Portals weren't the only way people could get into the Monolith. If one knew the location of the Monolith, they could just directly enter through the barrier that was protecting the Monolith.

"What is the other method then?"

"The other method would be through the usage of portals."

Listening to Matthew speak, a smile appeared on Luther's face.

"Mhm, that is correct. I like where this is going, go on."

subject 876 apart from the fact that he is not a part of the Monolith. As such, we can exclude the first option and conclude that subject 876 will try to escape through the gates on the

not contain any demonic energy inside of him. This meant

part of the Monolith, the probability of him knowing the exact location of

way he could escape was through

"Interesting."

Matthew's deductions, the smile on Luther's

anything else you would like to

mused. "Subject 876 also seems to be adept in combat, and from the looks of things, he has the

"Assume he does."

see, if so he will try to mask himself as a

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

far everything that Matthew had said was correct. Lifting his head, he asked. "If you assume

come to us. Since he most likely knows that he's pressed for time, he'll eventually make a mistake and from there we can capitalize on

without a hint

tracking device. According to the reports, within a week's time, they'd

not escape during that week, and the

out laughing. Clapping his hands, Luther gazed at Matthew in satisfaction.

originally planning on guiding them to come up with this solution, but it

understood why the other two

signs of arrogance or satisfaction and merely

for

guys understand the situation, go

"Understood."

before turning around

and staring at a flat surface where he could see his reflection. Looking at the burnt half of his face that was reflected on the flat surface, a

made my move, what

things went according to plan, he would finally get his hands on 876 by the

—Ding!

from his watch. Lowering his hand and tapping

might end faster than I had

***

—Splash!

and staring at the small black bracelet in my hands, I

in

"I've seen worse."

as the first time I got burned. By the time the flames had engulfed me, the rescue squad had

that, I was quickly sent to the infirmary where I spent the last

I needed to recover from my injuries,

either listening to what the doctors and nurses were talking about, or just casual conversations I had with them when they were tending

I had, that I was somewhat able

in the infirmary which was located at the third level of

level was massive. My current goal was the first level. That was where the gates

To Tok—!

me out of my thoughts was a loud knock by the side

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

responding I lowered my head. Putting the bracelet on my wrist, I gazed at

'It's time...'

you don't respond, I'm going to forcefully come

door once again called out for me. Grabbing the sides of the sink, I

might need some

it this time? I'm coming

—Tick!

bathroom, the

I pointed

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

guard neared me, grabbing him by the head and covering his mouth with my left hand, I kicked

"Mmhhh."

around his throat, I clenched my teeth and

persisted for ten seconds

—Squeeq.