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,

inside of him. This meant that

probability of him knowing the exact location of the

he could escape was through

"Interesting."

Matthew's deductions, the

else you would like

to be adept in combat, and from the looks of things, he has

"Assume he does."

try to mask himself as a guard in the

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

everything that Matthew had said was correct. Lifting his head, he asked. "If you assume he can change faces, what

gates 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 eventually make a mistake and from there

replied without a

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

week, and

hands, Luther gazed at Matthew in satisfaction.

to come up with this solution, but it seems as though he

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

not show any signs of

you for your praise

guys understand the situation,

"Understood."

three youth's unanimously shouted before turning around and leaving

a flat surface where he could see his reflection. Looking at the burnt half of his

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

went according to plan, he would finally get

—Ding!

from his watch. Lowering his hand and tapping on his

faster than

***

—Splash!

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

myself in the

"I've seen worse."

degree as the first time I got burned. By the time the flames had engulfed me, the rescue squad had already

I was quickly sent to the infirmary where I spent the

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

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

little conversations I had, that I was somewhat able to

which was located at the third

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

To Tok—!

of my thoughts was a loud knock by

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

the bracelet on my wrist, I gazed at

'It's time...'

If you don't respond, I'm going

the door once again called out for me. Grabbing the sides

I might need some

it this

—Tick!

of the bathroom, the

at that guard, I pointed at

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

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

"Mmhhh."

my right arm around his throat, I clenched my

persisted for ten seconds before he eventually

—Squeeq.