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."

much is known about subject 876 apart from the fact that he is not a part of the Monolith. As

of him. This meant that he did not sign a contract

probability of him knowing the exact location of the

way he could escape was through the

"Interesting."

deductions, the smile on Luther's

you would like

seems to be adept in combat, and from the looks

"Assume he does."

mask himself

"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

to come to us. Since he most likely knows that he's pressed for time, he'll eventually make a mistake and from there

without a hint of

chip was a tracking device. According to the reports, within

escape during that week, and the tracker once again

Clapping his hands, Luther gazed at Matthew in

come up with this solution, but it seems as though he had underestimated the

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

Matthew did not show any signs of arrogance or satisfaction and merely lowered

for your praise

"Since you guys understand

"Understood."

before

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

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

finally get his hands on 876

—Ding!

sound that came from his watch. Lowering

might end faster than I had originally

***

—Splash!

at the small black

at myself in the mirror, I

"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 engulfed me, the rescue

sent to the infirmary

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

listening to what the doctors and nurses were talking about,

little conversations I had, that I was

was located at

was massive. My current goal was the first

To Tok—!

of my thoughts was a loud knock by the side of

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

I lowered my head. Putting the bracelet on my

'It's time...'

respond, I'm going

door once again called out for

might

is it this time? I'm coming

—Tick!

bathroom, the guard came

I pointed at

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

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

"Mmhhh."

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

struggle persisted for ten seconds

—Squeeq.