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."

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

This meant that he did not sign a

probability of him knowing

he could escape was through

"Interesting."

deductions, the smile on Luther's face

there anything else you would like

combat, and from the looks of things, he has

"Assume he does."

to mask himself as a guard in the process of the

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

had said was correct. Lifting his head, he asked. "If you assume he can

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

without a hint of

chip was a tracking device. According to the

did not escape during that week, and the

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

with this solution, but it seems as

understood why the other

signs of arrogance

for

his hand. "Since you guys understand the situation, go to the first level and

"Understood."

unanimously shouted before turning around and leaving the

Looking at the burnt half of

876, I've already made my move, what are you going

would finally get his hands on

—Ding!

from his watch. Lowering his hand and tapping on his watch,

than

***

—Splash!

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

in

"I've seen worse."

burned, it wasn't to the same degree as the first time I got burned. By the time the flames had engulfed me,

was quickly sent to the infirmary where I spent the last couple

that I needed to recover from my injuries, I tried to gain as much

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

was from those little conversations I had, that I was somewhat able to learn of the

was located at the third level of

levels and each level was massive. My current goal was

To Tok—!

my thoughts was a

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

on my wrist, I gazed

'It's time...'

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

hear my response, the person behind the door once again called out for

might

this time?

—Tick!

of the bathroom, the guard came

at that guard, I

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

head and covering his mouth with my left hand, I

"Mmhhh."

right arm around his throat, I clenched

guard's struggle persisted for ten seconds before he eventually

—Squeeq.