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."

apart from the fact that he is not a part of the Monolith. As such, we can exclude the first option and conclude

any demonic energy inside of him. This

Monolith, the probability of him knowing the exact location of

way he could escape

"Interesting."

the smile on Luther's

else you

brows knit, Matthew mused. "Subject 876 also seems to be adept in combat, and from

"Assume he does."

if so he will try to mask himself as a guard

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

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

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

replied without a hint

to the reports, within a week's time, they'd be able to

during that week, and the

Luther gazed at Matthew in satisfaction. "Good, good, you

up with this solution, but it seems

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

by Luther, Matthew did not show any signs of

for

guys understand the situation, go to the first level and proceed

"Understood."

three youth's unanimously shouted before

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

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

finally get his hands on 876 by the end

—Ding!

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

end faster than I had

***

—Splash!

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

myself in the mirror, I

"I've seen worse."

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

was quickly sent to the infirmary where I

of days at the infirmary, aside from the fact that I needed to recover

were talking about, or just casual conversations I

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

the infirmary which was

five levels and each level was massive. My current goal was the first level.

To Tok—!

my thoughts was a loud knock by the side of

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

responding I lowered my head. Putting the bracelet on my

'It's time...'

respond, I'm going to

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

might need some

this time? I'm coming

—Tick!

bathroom, the guard came into the

at that guard, I pointed at

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

grabbing him by the head and covering his mouth

"Mmhhh."

on his mouth and my right arm around his throat, I clenched my teeth and choked him as hard

for ten seconds before he eventually

—Squeeq.