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."

not a part of the Monolith. As such, we

any demonic energy inside of him. This

of the Monolith, the probability of him knowing the exact

could

"Interesting."

Matthew's deductions, the smile on Luther's

you would like

adept in combat, and

"Assume he does."

mask himself as a guard in the

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

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

increase the security around the gates for the next week or so, and wait for him to come to us. Since he most likely knows

without a hint

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

week, and

hands, Luther gazed at Matthew in satisfaction. "Good, good, you share the same thoughts

them to come up with this solution, but it

understood why the other two

Matthew did not show any signs of arrogance or

for your

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

"Understood."

shouted before turning around and leaving the

where he could see his reflection. Looking at the burnt half of his face that was reflected on the flat

I've already made my move, what

would finally get his hands

—Ding!

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

than

***

—Splash!

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

in

"I've seen worse."

degree as the first time I got burned. By the time the flames had engulfed me, the

that, I was quickly sent to the infirmary where I spent the last couple

the fact that I needed to recover from my

done through either listening to what the doctors and nurses were talking about, or just casual conversations I had with them when they were

had, that I was somewhat able to

was in the infirmary which was

were a total of five levels and each level was massive. My current goal was the first level.

To Tok—!

thoughts was a loud knock by the side

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

responding I lowered my head. Putting the bracelet on my wrist,

'It's time...'

I'm going to

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

might need some

this time? I'm coming

—Tick!

the door of the bathroom,

at that guard, I

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

grabbing him by the head and covering his mouth with my

"Mmhhh."

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

ten seconds before he eventually

—Squeeq.