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."

the reports that I've read, not much 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

him. This meant that he did not sign

a part of the Monolith, the probability of him knowing the exact location

could escape was through the

"Interesting."

Matthew's deductions, the smile on

there anything else you would

876 also seems to be adept in combat,

"Assume he does."

see, if so he will try to mask himself

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

had said was correct. Lifting his head, he asked. "If you assume he can change faces, what do you think is the

the next week or so, and wait for him to come to us. Since he most likely knows that he's pressed for time,

a

in the chip was a tracking device. According to the reports, within a week's time, they'd be able to reconfigure the tracking device and once again

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

Luther gazed at Matthew in

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

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

any signs of arrogance or satisfaction and

for

Luther turned around and waved his hand. "Since you guys understand the situation, go to the first level and proceed as planned. I'm counting on

"Understood."

before

reflection. Looking at the burnt half of his face that was reflected on the flat surface, a

876, I've already made my move, what are

finally get his hands on 876

—Ding!

a small sound that came from his watch. Lowering his hand and tapping

than I had

***

—Splash!

at the small black bracelet in

myself in the

"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 had already

I was quickly sent to the infirmary

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

were talking about, or just casual conversations I had with them when they were tending

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

was in the infirmary which was located at the third

five levels and each level was massive. My

To Tok—!

my thoughts was a loud

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

bracelet on my wrist, I gazed at myself in

'It's time...'

respond, I'm

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

might

what is it this time?

—Tick!

door of the bathroom, the guard came into the

that guard, I pointed at

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

guard neared me, grabbing him by the head and covering his mouth

"Mmhhh."

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

persisted for ten

—Squeeq.