"This is Fenland. Safer than most places in this cursed world… which is why no Sinners dare linger here."
Clever said as he guided them through the massive trees that dwarfed even the tallest members of their group.
The towering giants cast deep shadows, with only scattered sunbeams filtering through the dense canopy above.
Halo trailed behind cautiously, hands buried in his pockets as his gaze darted. His heart hammered in his chest, making him resort to mouth breathing.
Despite the absence of sinners, hearing only their own footsteps and insect sounds in the distance, one question plagued him: Just how terrifying were these sinners?
"The only exceptions are the Toddler and Perverted Sinners. They are creatures without purpose, drifting aimlessly across every land."
Fear shot through the group like electricity as worried whispers broke out. As for Halo?
His skin prickled with dread as his gaze jumped frantically from one shadowy bark to the next, his breath coming in sharp bursts.
Clever halted and let out a sigh. "Relax. There are people here whose sole purpose is to hold them back and preserve this place for your training."
The group fell quiet, some joking about how they'd all jumped. But Halo was having a rough time of it.
Clever's reassurances did nothing to calm him; if anything, they made his fear worse. Sweat broke out across his brow as he compulsively cracked his knuckles.
The idea of facing truly terrifying sinners was unbearable, though he knew it was inevitable.
"Why don't the Toddlers and Perverted Sinners have purposes?"
Clever glanced in the direction of the voice before finally beginning his walk.
"We humans are chained to one purpose only until it is fulfilled, then another takes its place. But Sinners… they have just one purpose, eternal and unyielding, shackling them until death."
Halo gulped. He couldn't fully grasp Clever's words due to his anxiety, but he could sense that Sinners having only one purpose was terrifying.
"Only at the Beast rank does a Sinner receive its purpose… why that is, you'll learn once today's mission is over."
Halo's frown deepened. What were they concealing? Yesterday, Kinney had dodged their questions about sin shards, insisting they needed to complete today's mission first. Now Clever was giving them the identical excuse?
It was obvious Halo wasn't in this confusion alone. The crowd began murmuring in concern once again.
However, before they could voice out their concerns, they were interrupted.
Cough.
"You are late." A dry voice echoed slowly in the distance, seizing the moment.
Halo craned his neck to peer through the cluster of tense bodies around him. Some distance away, near the base of an enormous white mushroom, a dark-haired man wearing their same black uniform was doubled over, spitting blood.
Halo's heart sank as he swallowed hard. Did a sinner do that to him?
"Your sickness is getting worse, Caster," Clever said as they closed in.
"I need rest. Let's get the training over with." Caster responded.
Halo let out a sigh of relief. Though this still wasn't enough to free his thoughts.
Clever signaled for a halt, and at his direction, they started forming pairs. This immediately became chaotic since some had already chosen their preferred allies, but Clever had different ideas.
Before long, Halo found himself robbed of his anxiety and profoundly frustrated.
Next to him was the guy who acted like everyone else was just a supporting character in his grand story. Theron.
He flashed that smug grin of his while constantly running fingers through his red hair, as if posing for some imaginary audience.
"Don't be getting in my way, Wick."
Halo's jaw clenched with anger. Theron had been calling him Wick since day one, never bothering to learn his actual name. But now Halo wasn't upset about Theron himself; what infuriated him was that he gave a damn at all.
"Around eight Toddler Sinners lurk in this forest. Don't underestimate them; even a careless swipe could be the end of you."
The crowd responded in an understanding tone.
"Every group must put down a Toddler Sinner. Use your heads and anything you can find. It's normal if some feel off afterward… we'll treat it when you get back." Caster added, resting beside the mushroom.
At Clever's direction, each team took a designated route. The paths were carefully marked and smoothly paved to keep them from losing their way.
Yet Halo sensed something off about Caster's explanation. Of course, there would be casualties in a fight against monsters.
So why dress up those losses as mere feelings?
He could have been upfront about injuries and death, but he deliberately avoided mentioning either.
"Don't be thinking too much, Wick. Your head might explode." Theron said, leading the way with superiority.
Halo smirked. For the first time, he agreed with Theron on something.
He shouldn't be concerned. If Clever and Caster's role was truly to shepherd them through academy life, then surely the system would prevent any real casualties.
After all, they were entertainment for the gods. They were currently the most valuable assets in the Lost World.
However, his anxiety to see how a Toddler Sinner grew as he followed Theron in the dimmed atmosphere.
Silence fell around them, broken only by the echo of their steps reverberating through the forest. Theron abruptly slowed down, his head whipping from side to side.
Halo grimaced. He couldn't tell whether Theron wanted to move forward or flee. Theron was scared. Terrified.
"There…" Theron blurted as he gestured in an open space before them.
Halo's heart sank, and his body began to shiver as he positioned himself for a better view.
His eyes widened with his mouth widely opened, goosebumps coursing through his body as his skin ran pale.
In front of them loomed a white reindeer about nine feet tall. Though calling it a reindeer was generous. Its legs were blade-like with razor-sharp edges, and its massive horns, nearly as long as a person's entire body, looked harder and more deadly than forged steel.
Sun rays drifted through the canopy and bathed its form in dappled light as it rested, its black tongue flicking against the dark earth between labored breaths.
Halo gulped as sweat formed on his brow. But as he stood there lost in his own daze, Theron steadily crouched on the ground and picked up a rock.
By the time Halo understood what Theron was doing, he was already moving, hurling the stone toward the creature.
Fear coursed through him, pushing him to act on instinct. He reached out and grabbed Theron by the shoulder, but it was too late.
His pulse raced as the stone hit the earth and bounced, its hollow clatter reverberating through the forest.
Time seemed to freeze. They both stared as the stone tumbled toward the beast, waiting with bated breath for its reaction.
But after a few minutes, the stone stopped. A gentle smile crept across their lips as they watched the Toddler keep moving, licking the floor.
"Ha… I knew it. This bitch is probably deaf," Theron said enthusiastically.
Halo exhaled deeply as his hand reached for his racing heart. This could have been their end. Only if…
"I bet we can climb on it and kill it," Theron said, his eyes scanning around.
Halo frowned. "What?!"
Theron turned to Halo with a confused expression. "Oh, wait. You are a coward. It was you, wasn't it? The guy who couldn't defeat a girl."
He let out a sigh and tapped Halo on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Coward. I will handle this one."
He shook his head and muttered. "What a pain."
Halo's mouth fell open in confusion. How could anyone be this arrogant? What could possibly make them think they can take on that monster alone without any experience?
He watched as Theron searched around and then finally smirked as he picked up a sharp stick.
Halo watched as he carelessly walked toward the creature, a smile tugging at his lips. Theron clearly craved all the attention. Not only was he prideful; he was a fool.
"I can even use this opportunity to learn about these creatures. Go for it, you jackass." Halo muttered beneath his breath.
Theron smiled. "This will be fun."