Everything was wrong.

Halo stood beside Liam, whose black wings were outstretched, and Seraph, who gripped tightly to one of his weapons, flames flashing along the blade's edges in a rhythmic motion.

Halo frantically traced the movements of Tough and Light, who were engaged in a fearsome battle against a Sinner.

The creature was humanoid but lean and sharply built, covered in smooth, matte-black skin that almost resembled metal. Just like Tough, it had glowing red lines running through its form like cracks in volcanic glass. The red veins emphasized its chest, arms, and legs, tracing like a network of energy.

Its head was long, angular, and adorned with jagged horns that swept backward. It was distinctly draconic. Its eyes emitted a deep crimson glow, had predatory teeth and its hands were long enough to sweep the floor even while it stood with its legs slightly bent like that of a dragon's.

The creature's speed was incredible, putting Tough's explosive power to shame. Halo could hardly keep up. The only thing that gave away their position was the sharp sound of Tough's daggers making contact with the Sinner's body.

"Uhhh… are all of them this fast?"

Liam asked with his voice cracking with fear.

Halo turned and watched as sweat formed on his brow.

True, when Tough initially appeared as a Sinner, it was fast too, just not this fast. But it seemed every Sinner with red energy had speed as its Dominant Skill.

"Don't lose it now. This isn't the one I saw in my vision. We still have a chance against this one."

Just a day ago, Seraph had a vision about a potential threat. Though this Sinner had some traits similar to it, it was missing too much to consider it the one she drew. But Halo didn't think so…

Seraph's foresight was shallow. Initially, she'd always had the vision well before the creature showed up. But this time, a formidable threat loomed before them, and she hadn't seen it coming; it had appeared just a day after the painting. Seraphim was losing her ability.

Amidst his thoughts, something shot through that sent a cold shiver through him. He clenched his chest tightly before his attention shifted to the fight. It was bizarre, but he didn't need any explanation. His clones, Light and Tough, were getting tired.

He watched as Light tripped on its own speed, and Tough's movements grew sluggish. His chest constricted as he clenched it tightly. It was as though he couldn't watch them die, even though he knew they couldn't die.

Before he knew, his body jerked forward on its own. Though confused, he forced a deep grin and jumped to join the fight.

Liam and Seraph remained perplexed for a moment, but before Halo could land a shot, they joined in.

Halo felt a chilling sensation down his spine as he forced himself to match the Sinner's speed. He even went as far as dismissing Light and Tough to take a break with a cocky wink. He felt like a parent protecting their children.

Still, his situation dawned on him before long, which wiped away his smile entirely.

The Sinner's limbs were too long, and its claws were as sharp as steel. He tried to do what he always did best: leap between the Sinner's blind spots. It worked for a brief moment, but before he knew it, the creature struck directly at his neck.

Too fast.

His eyes widened in terror as it seemed as though time came to a halt. His mind glanced through everything imaginable until his mind became blank.

But before the strike could connect, Liam beat his wings heavily against each other. Feathers launched toward the Sinner like blades. Halo's body relaxed in relief as he watched the Sinner adjust itself to block the attack.

The instant it did, Halo saw Seraph charge toward them from behind. He moved faster than ever to put distance between himself and the creature.

As soon as Seraphim closed in, she struck, flames wreathing the sword's blade as it headed directly for the Sinner's neck.

It was as though time didn't apply to the creature, it managed to shift its neck while its hand reached to catch the sword mid-action.

But its crimson eyes widened in confusion when the blade severed its hand completely and part of its neck. The force was enough to send the creature plunging to the ground, collapsing before the castle's moat.

Halo sighed as the creature rose to its feet. He massaged his neck, reminiscing about how close he came to death.

"Thank you guys…"

He turned to Seraph and Liam and flashed them a smile.

They smiled in return, but both of their smiles were forced.

Halo turned to the creature and sneered.

This was a Crawler, just like Tough. They needed to sever its head or burn it to a crisp, else it would continue to regenerate. And considering it stopped Seraph from taking its head, that proved beheading was the answer.

But something bizarre was going on.

The creature was taking backward steps into the moat behind. Light and Tough seemed energetic now and stood guard at the castle's entrance so the creature couldn't enter so easily, but that wasn't what captured their attention.

The creature's limb was regenerating alright, but something was wrong. It was as though the closer it got to the castle, the more its body transformed. It seemed to have absorbed more of the red energy to grow stronger.

In barely a minute, the creature looked almost different but somewhat familiar.

Its hand suddenly shot out, wielding an enormous double-bladed spear glowing red like the energy coursing through it. Its skin began to shed, transforming into molten red rock, and its pose straightened.

But something delayed the transformation, there were two large, curved horns slowly emerging in agony.

The Sinner let out daunting screams as though its brain were being torn apart.

Halo's head snapped toward Seraph for a moment to see her eyes wide open in terror. This was the Sinner she saw in her vision. The one she painted a day prior.

Before Halo could think of something else, her blade was completely covered in blue flames as she dashed toward the creature aggressively.

"Tough! Light!… restrained the Sinner!"

Halo yelled out, and his clones began dashing toward the Sinner. Before they could get near, Liam sent feathers, almost as tall as the creature, to lock it in place.

Halo smirked.

As soon as his clones restrained the Sinner, he dashed behind Seraph. He knew she wanted to finish it in a single strike, but he'd lurk behind her just in case.

The instant she was within reach, she leaped toward the creature's head, but Halo's skin crawled in fear as the Sinner managed to shake off his clones, shattering Liam's feathers in the process.

But it was too late.

In one swift motion, its head was bouncing off the ground.

But Seraph's body began to lean backward. Before she could fall to the ground, Halo closed in and caught her in his arms.

He clenched his teeth in irritation. The Sinner somehow managed to pierce her with its spear.

But all she did was smile at Halo.

"Call it Sunday…"

Halo stared at her in confusion before it turned into a smile.

Then, the familiar bronze screen appeared before his eyes.

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