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."

not much is known about 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

demonic energy inside of him. This meant that he did not

Monolith, the probability of him knowing the exact location

could escape was through the

"Interesting."

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

else you would like

be adept in combat, and from the looks of

"Assume he does."

himself as a guard in the process of

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

Lifting his head, he asked. "If you assume he can change faces, what do you think is the safest and fastest way to

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 mistake and from there we can capitalize

a hint

was a tracking device. According to the reports, within

long as 876 did not escape during that week, and the tracker

laughing. Clapping his hands, Luther gazed at Matthew in satisfaction. "Good, good,

guiding them to come up with this solution, but

situation. He now understood why the other two youth's behind him were so respectful to

any signs of arrogance or satisfaction

for your

his hand. "Since you guys understand the situation, go to the first level and proceed as planned. I'm counting

"Understood."

three youth's unanimously shouted before turning

see his reflection. Looking at the burnt half

I've already made my move,

get

—Ding!

Luther out of his thoughts was a small sound that came from his watch. Lowering his hand and tapping on his watch, the smile on

faster than I

***

—Splash!

at the small black bracelet in

myself in the

"I've seen worse."

I got burned. By the

quickly sent to the infirmary where I spent the last couple of days

aside from the fact that I needed to recover from my injuries, I tried to gain as much information as possible

were talking about, or just

that I was somewhat able to learn of the structure

infirmary which was located

each level was massive. My current goal was

To Tok—!

was a loud knock by the side

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

on my wrist, I gazed at

'It's time...'

If you don't respond, I'm

person behind the door once again called out for me.

I might need

this time? I'm coming

—Tick!

the bathroom,

at that guard, I

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

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

"Mmhhh."

and my right arm around his throat, I clenched my teeth and choked him as hard as

guard's struggle persisted for ten seconds before he

—Squeeq.