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."

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

demonic energy inside of him. This meant

the probability of him knowing the exact

could escape

"Interesting."

deductions, the smile

there anything else you would

adept in combat, and from the looks of things,

"Assume he does."

so he will try to mask himself as a guard in the process

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

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

come to us. Since he most likely knows that he's pressed for time, he'll eventually

a

According to the reports, within a week's time, they'd be

not escape during that week, and the tracker once again worked, he was as good as

gazed at Matthew in satisfaction. "Good, good, you share the

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

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

Luther, Matthew did not show any signs of arrogance or

you for

head, Luther turned around and waved his hand. "Since you guys understand the situation, go to the first level and proceed

"Understood."

youth's unanimously shouted 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,

made my move, what are you going

would finally get his hands on 876 by the end of

—Ding!

sound that came from his watch. Lowering his hand and tapping on his watch, the smile on Luther's face

than I had originally

***

—Splash!

at the small black bracelet in my hands,

in

"I've seen worse."

wasn't to the same degree as the first time I got burned. By the time

was quickly sent to the infirmary where I spent the last

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

through either listening to what the doctors and nurses were talking about, or

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

in the infirmary which was located at the third level of

were a total of five levels and each level was massive. My current

To Tok—!

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

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

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

'It's time...'

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

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

I might need

what is it this

—Tick!

of the bathroom,

that guard, I

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

him by the head and covering his mouth with my left hand, I kicked the door

"Mmhhh."

around his throat, I

ten seconds before he

—Squeeq.