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."

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

him. This meant that he did

of him knowing the exact location of

could escape was through

"Interesting."

the

anything else you would like to

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

"Assume he does."

himself as a guard in the process

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

head, he asked. "If you assume he can change faces, what do you think is the

him to come to us. Since

without a

head, and in the chip was a tracking device. According to the reports, within a week's time,

during that week, and the tracker once again worked,

Luther gazed at

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

understood why

signs of arrogance or satisfaction

for your praise

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

"Understood."

shouted before

where he could see his reflection. Looking at the burnt half of his face that was reflected

my move, what are you going to do

he would finally get his hands on 876 by the end

—Ding!

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

might end faster than I

***

—Splash!

the small

myself in

"I've seen worse."

to the same degree as the first time I got burned. By the time the flames had

infirmary where

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

and nurses were talking about, or just casual conversations I had with

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

the infirmary which was located at the third level

a total of five levels and each level was massive. My current goal was the first level. That was where the gates were

To Tok—!

thoughts was a loud

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

Putting the bracelet on my wrist, I gazed at myself

'It's time...'

If you don't respond, I'm going

my response, the person behind the door once again called out for me. Grabbing the sides of the sink, I hoarsely

I might

what is it this

—Tick!

bathroom, the guard came into the

at that guard, I pointed at

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

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

"Mmhhh."

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

struggle persisted for ten seconds before

—Squeeq.