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."

read, not much is known about subject 876 apart from the fact that he is not a part of the Monolith. As such,

energy inside of him. This meant that he did not sign a contract with

a part of the Monolith, the probability of him

only way he could escape was through the

"Interesting."

to Matthew's deductions, the smile on Luther's

you would like

knit, Matthew mused. "Subject 876 also seems to be adept in combat, and from

"Assume he does."

to mask himself as a guard in the process of the

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

Matthew had said was correct. Lifting his head, he asked. "If you assume he can change faces, what do you think is

week or so, and wait for him to come to us. Since he most likely knows that he's pressed for time, he'll eventually make a

a hint

in his head, and in the chip was a tracking device. According to the reports, within a week's time, they'd be able to reconfigure the tracking device and once

did not escape during that week, and the tracker once again worked,

gazed at Matthew in

guiding them to come up with this solution, but it seems as though he had

situation. He now understood why

by Luther, Matthew did not show any signs of arrogance or satisfaction and merely lowered

for your

you guys understand the situation, go to

"Understood."

shouted before turning around and leaving

surface where he could see his reflection. Looking at the burnt half of

made my move, what

according to plan, he would finally get his hands

—Ding!

came from his watch.

end faster than

***

—Splash!

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

myself in the mirror,

"I've seen worse."

same degree as the first time I got burned.

quickly sent to the infirmary where I spent the

to recover from my injuries, I tried to gain as much information as possible regarding the

and nurses were talking

conversations I had, that I was

infirmary which was located at the third level of

each level was massive. My current goal was the

To Tok—!

a loud knock by

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

Putting the bracelet on my wrist, I gazed at myself

'It's time...'

you don't respond, I'm going

once again called out for me. Grabbing the sides of

I might need

this time?

—Tick!

the bathroom, the guard

I pointed at the

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

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

"Mmhhh."

my left hand on his mouth and my right arm around his throat, I clenched my teeth and choked him

persisted for ten

—Squeeq.