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."

the fact that he is not a 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

876 did not contain any demonic energy inside of him. This meant

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

he could

"Interesting."

the

else you would

also seems to be adept in combat, and from the looks of things, he has the ability to

"Assume he does."

to mask himself as a guard in the

"Reasonable deduction"

Luther nodded his head.

"If you assume he can change faces, what do you think is the safest and fastest

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 capitalize on

a hint of

had a chip in his head, and in the chip was a tracking device. According to the reports, within a

876 did not escape during that week, and the

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

this solution, but it seems as though he had underestimated

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

did not show any signs of arrogance or satisfaction and

for your

waved his hand. "Since you guys understand the situation, go to the

"Understood."

three youth's unanimously shouted before turning around

see his reflection. Looking at the

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

went according to plan, he would finally get his hands on

—Ding!

Luther out of his thoughts was a small sound that came from his watch. Lowering his hand and tapping on his watch, the smile

faster than

***

—Splash!

and staring at the small black bracelet in my hands,

myself in the mirror,

"I've seen worse."

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

was quickly sent to the infirmary where I spent the

needed to recover from my injuries, I tried to gain as much information as

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

I had, that I was somewhat able to learn of the structure of the

which was located at

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

To Tok—!

thoughts was a loud knock by the side

"Matteo, are you finished?"

"..."

on my wrist, I gazed at myself

'It's time...'

If you don't respond, I'm

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

might need

what is it this time? I'm

—Tick!

bathroom, the guard came into the

at that guard, I pointed

"Over here."

"What is the pr——hmmm!"

Clank—!

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

"Mmhhh."

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

for ten seconds before he

—Squeeq.