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, we can exclude the first option and conclude that subject 876

any demonic energy inside of him. This meant

of him knowing

he could escape was

"Interesting."

Matthew's deductions, the smile on

there anything else you would

brows knit, Matthew mused. "Subject 876 also seems to be adept in combat, and from the looks of things, he has the ability to somehow mask

"Assume he does."

to mask himself

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

you assume he can change faces, what

Since he

without a hint

According to the reports, within a week's time, they'd be able to reconfigure the tracking device and

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

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

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

had already understood the whole situation. He now understood why the other two youth's behind

any signs of arrogance

for your

turned around and waved his hand. "Since you guys understand the situation, go to

"Understood."

before turning around and

flat surface where he could see his reflection. Looking at the

already made my move, what are you

things went according to plan, he would finally get his hands

—Ding!

watch. Lowering his hand and tapping on his watch, the smile on Luther's face

than

***

—Splash!

in the sink, and staring at the small black bracelet

myself 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, the rescue squad had

sent to the infirmary where I spent the last couple of

at the infirmary, aside from the fact that I needed to recover from my injuries,

nurses were talking about,

from those little conversations I had, that I was somewhat able

was in the infirmary which was located at the third

level was massive. My

To Tok—!

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

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

head. Putting the bracelet on my wrist, I gazed at myself in

'It's time...'

I'm going to forcefully come

once again called out for

I might need some

this time? I'm

—Tick!

the bathroom,

at that guard, I

"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."

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

ten seconds before he eventually

—Squeeq.