Sometimes in life, you could meet a person who believes something is awfully wrong. Worse, they might even believe something damaging to either themselves or to others. And in those situations, what do you do?
If you'd ever tried to change someone's beliefs, you'd realize how difficult it is to falter, because rational discussions often collapse into confrontational conflicts. Arguments at best.
But Halo knew his strengths and weaknesses, and he maintained control. His actions and decisions were his alone, and he desired nothing beyond that.
***
Steadily and cautiously, he escaped Silent Hill and its ruins. The Perverted Sinner's shell he'd struggled to pierce earlier, even with his clone's help, now gave way easily.
His blade sliced through as he killed the octopus-like Sinner and attained its Sin Fragment.
He leaned against Saint's trunk, unable to stop staring at the brown bandages wrapped from his hands to the hilts of his two daggers. Dark Saint's voice echoed repeatedly in his mind.
"Tsk. That's unusual. Normally, a single purpose is enough for anyone to earn ten Sin Fragments and climb to Knight rank. But you… you're still an Awakened. You'll need more Sin Fragments, your next purpose will match a Knight's."
Halo heard her loud and clear. In fact, he shared her concerns. Each purpose grew harder than the last, and given the nerve-wracking ones he'd seen at Knight rank, the next would be brutal.
But his concerns had shifted now.
He feared his hands would be glued to the daggers forever. He'd tried everything, clearing his mind, hoping they'd simply fall away, even ordering the system to help.
Nothing worked.
This drove him to reread the Magnus Blade's description again and again.
Wielded by many, yet by none. The blade of survival.
Despite his efforts to decipher the description, he came up short. He cursed Death repeatedly. This was the gift it had promised him.
"Have you tried commanding the blade? I mean, it's just a bandage, sure, but the system still calls it a blade."
Halo scowled and let Saint's words settle and take root.
He gulped the moment he realized it made sense.
The system was absolute. Despite its monstrosities, it held true to its principles. It wouldn't call something a blade if it wasn't. Halo had simply failed to grasp what his gift truly was.
A soft smile played on his lips.
'Okay. Vanish, Magnus.'
The moment the words echoed in his mind, his palms released. His body shook with excitement as he opened his eyes, his grin spreading wide. The daggers and bandages had vanished, leaving only his crimson-stained hand.
Relief flooding through him, he commanded the blade to appear. It materialized instantly in his grip, firm as ever.
"That was a great call, Saint."
Halo said, and his expression changed as he climbed to his feet, the daggers disappearing once more.
"I'm sure there's more to it, but… I'll deal with that later."
The abrupt change in his demeanor perplexed even him. Yet he couldn't help but let the past rest, focusing instead on what lay ahead. Perhaps this was the true power of his Flaw: coldness.
When he'd finished his purpose, he'd been granted a strange wish: to learn the secrets of this world. Despite accepting hours ago, no information had come. But since the system never specified when, he turned his attention to more immediate concerns.
'Status.'
The bronze screen materialized in an instant.
***
[ Name: Halo D. Tenebris
Title: Shadow of Death
Rank: Awakened
True ability: Death Clone - - - Description:
Flaw: Apathy
Only Sin: Death
Nemesis:?
—
Sin Fragments: 6/10
Dominant Skill: Agility
Clones: 1 ]
***
He sighed and massaged his brow. Despite how faint it was, he felt it, relief washing down his spine when he realized his clone still existed.
Though exhausted, it might still be alive. It just needed time to regain its energy.
But what captivated him most was Dark Saint's earlier question. His rank.
He was four Sin Fragments short of the ten needed for Knight rank. Worse, he didn't know how much time he had before his next purpose. A day or two at best, he figured.
"Honestly… I think this world hates you most. You're trapped here with a bizarre mission about a hero, and still burdened with impossible purposes as an Awakened."
Halo frowned. What did she mean by trap? That's when it hit him.
In the game, players came from different worlds and each player had the privilege of choosing their own world when creating their avatar. But since these people were real, the question baffled him. Where did they come from?
"I don't know much anymore… only that most of us came from a distant world. Like you."
Halo's expression remained unreadable but Saint's words sank in perfectly. It was just like the game, countless people were brought into this world every year.
"Ha! 'Brought' is a lenient word. We were forced here. Summoned against our will by the God's Call."
Halo's eyes narrowed slightly. So they didn't die like him. Pitiful.
"Pitiful? Don't make me laugh. You're just a shadow that walks. Every one of us went back to the real world after the academy, only to be dragged here again… forever."
Dark Saint's mocking laughter followed her words.
That never happened in the game.
But Halo didn't respond, his mind weighing what mattered most. He wouldn't die on a purpose. He needed to grow stronger before the bell rang.
However, his attention shifted toward Saint amidst his thoughts.
He frowned again and turned to the unusual tree as though he could see her malevolent face.
Saint had helped him complete his purpose. Despite being trapped in a tree, despite her monstrous nature, her insight had made all the difference. Without her, he and his clone would be dead or still hiding in those bushes.
She wanted something in return. What was it?
"What do you want?"
Dark Saint hesitated for a moment, the distance growing grim.
"Earlier, you said, 'People like you are hard to come by.' Obviously, I'm some kind of rare commodity to you. Someone you'd regret letting go. So tell me. What do you want?"
Halo's expression turned dark and menacing. Though his words left no space for pleasantries, Saint remained unfazed. She met him with precisely what his demeanor forbade.
"Relax. Whatever I have to tell you matters to me as much as it does to you. We're in this together… or at least, I need you to believe that."
Halo's eyes narrowed.
He knew dwelling on his thoughts about Saint was futile. She could read recurring thoughts, and without a strong mind, he was little more than an open book to her. But that didn't dampen his desire to know exactly what their bargain entailed.
She was a monster in flesh, one who'd killed countless Sinners and humans alike. Even her good deeds couldn't make him overlook that past. Being sealed in a tree didn't excuse her actions either.
"Enough with the riddles! Just tell me what the fuck you want!"
Dark Saint gave his words a beat.
She took a heavy breath, then spoke.
"I want you to kill me."