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."

part of the Monolith. As such, we can exclude the first option and conclude that subject 876 will try to escape through the gates on the first

This meant that

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

he could escape was through

"Interesting."

Matthew's deductions, the

anything else you would like to

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

"Assume he does."

so he will try to mask himself as a guard in

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

far everything that Matthew had said was correct. Lifting his head, he asked. "If you assume he can change faces, what

the next week or 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 from there we can

without a hint of

the reports, within a week's time, they'd

long as 876 did not escape during that week, and

burst out laughing. Clapping his hands, Luther gazed at Matthew in satisfaction.

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

understood why the other two youth's

did not show any signs

for your praise

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

"Understood."

three youth's unanimously shouted before turning around and leaving

at the burnt half of his face

I've already made my move,

plan, he would finally get his hands on 876 by the end

—Ding!

his watch. Lowering his hand and tapping on his watch, the smile on

end faster than

***

—Splash!

the small black bracelet in my hands, I turned the water

at myself in the mirror,

"I've seen worse."

first time I got burned. By

to the infirmary

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

what the doctors and nurses were talking about, or just casual conversations I had with them when they

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

was in the infirmary which was

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

To Tok—!

thoughts was a loud knock by

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

the bracelet on my wrist,

'It's time...'

If you don't respond, I'm going to forcefully

response, the person behind the door once again called out for me. Grabbing the sides of

I might need some

it this time? I'm coming

—Tick!

door of the bathroom, the guard came into

that guard, I pointed at

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

grabbing him by the head and covering his mouth with my left hand, I kicked

"Mmhhh."

his

struggle persisted for ten seconds before he

—Squeeq.