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."

of the Monolith. As such, we can exclude the first option and conclude that subject

energy inside of him. This meant

was not a part of the Monolith, the probability of him knowing the exact location

only way he could escape was through

"Interesting."

the smile on Luther's

else you would like

knit, Matthew mused. "Subject 876 also seems to be adept in combat, and from the looks of things,

"Assume he does."

to mask himself as a

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

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

wait for him to come to us. Since he most likely knows that he's pressed for time, he'll

replied without a

head, and 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

escape during that week, and the tracker once again worked, he was as

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

planning on guiding them to come up with this solution,

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

Luther, Matthew did not show any signs of

you for your praise

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

"Understood."

before turning around and leaving

could see his reflection. Looking at the burnt half of his face

made my move, what are you going

finally get his hands on 876

—Ding!

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

faster than

***

—Splash!

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

myself in

"I've seen worse."

burned, it wasn't to the same degree as the first time I got burned. By the time the flames had

the infirmary where I spent the last couple of days

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

nurses were talking about, or just casual conversations I

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

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—!

of my thoughts was a loud knock

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

responding I lowered my head. Putting the bracelet on

'It's time...'

respond, I'm

door once again called out

I might need some

is it this time? I'm coming

—Tick!

the door of the bathroom, the guard came into the

at that guard, I pointed at

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

him by the head and

"Mmhhh."

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

guard's struggle persisted for ten seconds before he eventually

—Squeeq.