"What village?" I asked, tilting my head in confusion.
A village? In the middle of the forest?
"The village where you were supposed to collect the meat for lunch," Marko said, his tone laced with amusement.
"We were supposed to go to a village? To get the meat?" I repeated, just to be sure I heard that right.
"Yeah," Truth confirmed. "There's a village about three to four hours southeast of the base. That's where we get our food supplies."
As we spoke, Miss Annette placed cups of drinks in front of us. We nodded in thanks, and she gave a polite bow before walking away.
"We just had to walk to a village to collect meat?" Taka muttered, clearly frustrated. He groaned, rubbing his temples, then shot me a look. I quickly averted my gaze, pretending to be deeply interested in my drink.
"Does it even matter?" I said, still avoiding Taka's glare. "Meat is meat."
Yushiro chuckled into his cup. Taka snapped his head toward him, glaring, but Yushiro just took another sip, completely unfazed.
Truth leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Anyway, what kind of beast did you guys hunt?" he asked before taking a sip from his drink.
"A deer that controlled wind," Taka grumbled, still annoyed.
Truth and Marko, who had also just taken sips, immediately choked and spat out their drinks. Unfortunately for Taka, he was sitting directly across from them.
My unlucky brother.
Taka sat frozen, drenched, his expression blank as he processed what had just happened.
"You okay?" I asked, trying to hold back laughter.
"Just fine," he deadpanned.
Truth and Marko coughed, wiping their mouths before blurting out, "Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!"
They fumbled for handkerchiefs—where they got them, I had no idea—and handed a clean one to Taka, who snatched it wordlessly.
Truth cleared his throat. "Which forest did you guys go to?"
"The one east of the base," I replied.
"How did the deer look? How long were its antlers?" Marko asked, now all business.
"About the length of my forearm, from wrist to elbow."
Marko's expression turned serious. "You guys took down a half-grown Wind Deer?"
"It's called a Wind Deer?" I muttered. "Fitting name."
Marko and Truth exchanged glances, then sighed in unison.
"I forgot you guys are from the Outskirt Island," Truth said, shaking his head.
The Outskirt Island—our home—was a small island outside the Empire but, still part of the Empire it had an unusual barrier that altered the environment. Unlike the mainland, beasts there didn't have special abilities.
"The beasts in the Empire have abilities, like the Wind Deer you fought," Truth explained. "That thing is a second-tier beast. Normally, it would take at least sixteen villagers to take one down."
Taka and I exchanged glances. "It was really that strong?" I asked.
Truth nodded. "And you fought a half-grown one. But if it was a fully grown Elder Wind Deer, not even we could take one down without injuries."
Excitement surged through me. A beast even Truth couldn't handle unscathed? I wanted to fight it.
"You mentioned ranks. Beasts have a ranking system?" Yushiro asked nonchalantly.
Truth nodded. "Yeah, they go from first tier to seventh tier, then beyond that, there's third class to elite class."
"What's special about those?" Taka asked, crossing his arms.
Truth sighed like a tired teacher about to explain something painfully basic. "Alright, listen up. First and second-tier beasts are weak—common creatures that even untrained villagers can handle. Third-tier beasts, also known as 'Lesser Beasts' or 'Territory Beasts,' are a different story. They usually control a territory, and their abilities are significantly more advanced."
Truth took another sip before continuing. "Fifth-tier beasts? That's where things get serious. They lead groups, have two abilities, are intelligent to anextent and if you run into one, your best bet is to run. Sixth-tier beasts? Unpredictable. Their powers and behavior are impossible to predict. Then, seventh-tier—"
His tone shifted, turning deadly serious.
"These are monsters. A seventh-tier beast can take on two fully powered sixth-tier beasts and win. If you ever encounter one, don't fight. Run. No questions, no hesitation—just go the other way. Understood?"
We all nodded solemnly.
Truth leaned back. "Now, third-class beasts? They can wipe out an entire town. Second-class beasts? A fortified city. And first-class beasts?" He exhaled, swirling his drink. "They can destroy a kingdom. As for the elite class... no one knows."
Silence settled over the group, everyone digesting the information.
Yushiro finally broke it with his usual nonchalance "Then what rank is a dragon?"
Truth smirked. "Dragons are third-class."
I couldn't stop the grin from spreading across my face.
So we rode beasts that could wipe out entire towns? That was kind of wild.
***
Meanwhile, Truth's team gathered in his room.
Blade sat deep in thought, her fingers tapping against her crossed arms. "They didn't even know that much," she muttered, irritation clear in her voice.
"Yeah," Truth said lazily, his head resting on Yoon's lap as she stroked his hair.
Blade clicked her tongue, glaring at him. "Why are you so relaxed about this?"
Truth opened one eye. "Why shouldn't I be?"
Blade let out a frustrated breath. "We should send them on beast suppression missions."
Truth and Marko exchanged glances. "Why are you in such a rush?" Marko asked cautiously.
Blade exhaled slowly, reigning in her energy. "The other divisions have already recognized new rookie teams. Divisions 2, 3, and 6. We need to hurry before the Rookie Tournament."
Marko tilted his head. "I get that, but what's the rush?"
Blade's gaze hardened. "The other rookie teams have already accomplished major feats. I expected—no, I hoped—our rookies would be strong enough to do the same."
Truth and Marko shared another glance.
Marko frowned. "What did they do?"
Blade crossed her arms. "Division 3 recognized Natasha Aurora as leader of Team 9 after they wiped out an overpopulated horde of Mad Apes. Division 2 recognized Saber as the leader of Team 12 after they chased off an Earth Dragon. And Division 6 recognized Vladimir Phoenix as leader of Team 3 after taking down three bandit hideouts."
The room went dead silent.
Yoon was the first to react. "W-wait. Vladimir Phoenix and Saber? As in 'The Ice Prince' and 'The Transcendent'?"
Marko paled. "Division 3 has Natasha Aurora and Victoria Tiger. Division 2 has Saber and Central Tower prodigies. Division 6 has Vladimir Phoenix, Michael, and Amelia Twilight..." He looked dazed. "That's insane."
Blade stood up. "Come, Yoon."
Marko scrambled. "Wait, Blade—can I come bac—"
"No." Her answer was ice-cold.
Marko dropped to his knees in despair. Truth watched him, sipping his drink with pity. As Yoon kissed Truth's forehead before leaving, Truth exhaled.
"Yeah, those kids are strong," he muttered, staring at the ceiling. "But those other rookies? They're monsters."