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

demonic energy inside of him. This meant that he did not sign a contract with

of him knowing the exact location of the Monolith

only way he could escape was through

"Interesting."

deductions, the smile

anything else you

adept in combat, and from

"Assume he does."

he will try to mask himself as a guard in the

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

you assume he can change faces, what

come to us. Since he most likely knows

a hint

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

as 876 did not escape during that week, and the tracker once again worked,

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

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

why the other two youth's

any signs of arrogance or satisfaction and merely lowered his

for your praise

around and waved his hand. "Since you guys understand the situation, go to the first level and proceed as planned.

"Understood."

youth's unanimously shouted before turning

his head slightly 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, a throaty

already made my move, what are you

plan, he 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

end faster than

***

—Splash!

hands in the sink, and staring at the small black bracelet in

myself in the mirror,

"I've seen worse."

was still 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

quickly sent to the infirmary where

needed to recover from my injuries, I tried to

listening to what the doctors and nurses were talking about, or just casual conversations I

that I was somewhat able to learn of the structure of the

was located at the third level of

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

To Tok—!

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

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

the bracelet on my

'It's time...'

I'm

person behind the door once again called

might need some

what is it this

—Tick!

door of the bathroom, the guard

at that guard, I

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

neared me, grabbing him by the head and

"Mmhhh."

left hand on his mouth and my right arm around his throat, I clenched my teeth and

struggle persisted for ten seconds

—Squeeq.