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."

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

him. This meant that he did not sign a contract with

Monolith, the probability of him

only way he could escape was through

"Interesting."

deductions, the smile on Luther's face

you would like

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

"Assume he does."

himself as a guard in the process of

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

had said was correct. Lifting his head, he asked. "If you assume

for the next week or so, and wait for him to come to us. Since he most likely knows

without a hint

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

did not escape during that week, and

laughing. Clapping his hands, Luther gazed at Matthew in

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

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

by Luther, Matthew did not show any signs of arrogance or

for your praise

hand. "Since you guys understand the situation, go

"Understood."

unanimously shouted before turning around

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

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

get his hands on

—Ding!

of his thoughts was a small sound that came from his watch. Lowering his hand and tapping on his

end faster than I had originally

***

—Splash!

small black bracelet in my hands, I turned the

at myself in the

"I've seen worse."

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

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

I needed to recover from my injuries, I tried to gain as much information as

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

I was somewhat able to learn of the structure

which was located at the third level of

each level was massive. My current goal was the first level. That was where

To Tok—!

out of my thoughts was a

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

the bracelet on my

'It's time...'

you don't respond, I'm going

again called out for me. Grabbing the sides of the sink,

I might

what is it this time? I'm

—Tick!

bathroom, the guard came into

guard, I pointed at the

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

head and covering his mouth with my left hand, I

"Mmhhh."

his throat, I

struggle persisted for ten

—Squeeq.