The two humans ventured deeper into the forest, weaving past between colossal roots and ducking beneath curtains of vines that hung from the canopy like old ropes.
Neither of them had said anything for a while, the only sounds were the occasional chirping of insects, the distant calls of the unfamiliar and the soft crunch of leaves beneath their boots. Every now and then, enormous mushrooms rose from the forest floor, their caps large enough to shelter an entire family from the rain.
The route Rhos had chosen avoided steep ravines and hostile wild animals. Everything had been going well so far, they should have opened enough distance between themselves and the Wrath, but that did not mean he should rest on his laurels. Nature itself was enough of an obstacle after all.
Without warning, Rhos raised a fist, prompting the woman behind to immediately stop. A second later, the ground began to tremble, as if something was walking toward them at a slow pace.
Each step carried enough weight to send vibrations through the soil beneath their boots. Rhos quickly crouched behind the exposed roots of a massive tree, motioning for Nimra to do the same.
The next instant, it almost felt as if she had disappeared. Even with his enhanced senses, Rhos had genuinely lost track of her presence. He knew she was only crouched beside him, but he could barely sense her.
It was not that she had become invisible. Rather, her presence had become so subtle that she naturally blended into her surroundings. Her breathing slowed until it almost matched the rhythm of the forest and every one of her muscles was perfectly still.
’That’s...impressive’
Past experience told Rhos that Nimra was skilled, but seeing other parts of her abilities firsthand was another matter entirely.
It did not take long before the owner of those rumbling footsteps finally emerged. What the two humans saw was an elephant.
Its body stood nearly fifteen meters tall with every step it took causing nearby shrubs to tremble. Green moss covered its wrinkled hide like patches of armor, while thick vines had rooted themselves across its back over the years, giving the appearance of a walking hill.
Its dark green stained tusks had grown into enormous ivory arches, each easily longer than a bus.
Fortunately for the two, the giant animal paid them no attention. It simply continued forward while lazily tearing entire branches from trees before stuffing them into its mouth.
Rhos made himself comfortable because by the looks of it, they were going to be hidden for a while longer. It showed no hostility because they were hidden. He did not want to find out what would happen if they did come out of hiding.
And so, they continued hiding behind the roots while waiting for the enormous animal to fully pass. With nothing else to do, Rhos glanced at the orange haired woman beside him.
"Nimra, can I ask you something?"
She looked over.
"What?"
"How many expeditions have you actually been on? With everything that’s happened...I count this should be your fourth assignment with Division 14"
This has been a question that had been weighing on his mind ever since he woke up in that giant tree. Nimra seemed puzzled by this though.
"...Yeah?"
"But before that? Did you serve somewhere else?"
None of them said anything for a while. Come to think of it, despite working together for so long, the two of them knew almost nothing about each other.
They were not exactly friends despite being so familiar with each other. They simply clocked in, interacted then went home, provided all assignments had been completed. But outside of work, their lives had never crossed.
"...That’s it. The four expeditions you counted. I’ve only been outside the Biome a total of four times"
She rested her chin on her knees.
"I graduated from the Academy and got assigned straight into Division 14 as a full member almost immediately. I didn’t really get much of a say"
Rhos stared at her with a surprised expression.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah"
As she answered that with nonchalance, his expression became complicated. He silently grinded his teeth.
’Just like that?!’
After graduating, Rhos had spent months running from office to office, applying for every Ranger position he actually wanted that would allow him to venture outside the Biome. However, he was either rejected outright or redirected elsewhere.
The best he could get was becoming live bait. He was not even a proper Ranger. Just temporary personnel attached to Division 14 whenever they needed someone expendable.
That single decision had nearly gotten him killed more times than he could count.
’Life really does have favourites’
He sighed inwardly before another thought crossed his mind.
"What’s your Class?"
Nimra thought for a bit before she said.
"Gamma"
The moment she said that, everything suddenly made sense.
Unlike him, who had graduated as a Delta-class, Gamma-class individuals belonged to the service of the Biome. Their abilities were considered too valuable to waste, military service was not a matter of discussion or refusal.
They were assigned wherever the Corps deemed necessary whether they liked it or not.
Rhos on the other hand could resign whenever he pleased. Provided he was willing to abandon his goal and live with the consequences of unemployment.
For the first time since knowing Nimra, he felt a little sorry for her, as well as guilt for wishing ill will upon her. She had not chosen this life like he did.
Nimra tilted her head.
"Red Deer, why are you asking me these questions all of a sudden?"
Rhos did not answer immediately. Instead, he watched the giant elephant lumber past. Its thick hide was covered in old scars.
"The way you’ve been acting. When we faced the Wrath, you completely froze after its first attack. But after waking up... you’ve barely shown any grief or signs of trauma"
He looked at her.
"Our entire Division is gone. People we’ve worked with for a while are dead. You almost died. And yet, you don’t seem affected by it at all"
He frowned.
"I figured... you’ve probably seen your fair share of horror already"
Nimra said nothing, watching the young man’s fingers brush against the bandages beneath his uniform.
"You also saved my life. You pulled me away from getting sliced in two and treated this terrible wound. If what you said earlier was true...you stayed awake all night just to keep me warm"
Rhos scratched the back of his head.
"So...thanks. I mean it. If it weren’t for you. I’d probably be dead"
The young woman’s eyes widened as a faint blush spread across her cheeks. She immediately looked away.
"I-it wasn’t...It wasn’t anything special. I mean... Predators are naturally stronger than Prey. So protecting you is...well...expected"
She stumbled over her words before finishing with;
"Besides, you came back for me"
Rhos blinked.
"I was completely terrified I couldn’t move. I thought I was going to die. If you hadn’t carried me away... I would have"
Her ears reddened.
"Consider us even!"
He smiled and nodded.
Eventually the giant elephant disappeared between the trees before Rhos got back up on his feet. He took a few steps then suddenly felt a hand tugging gently on his sleeve.
He looked back to Nimra, whose expression looked strangely fragile now.
"Red Deer... I am affected. My Division....everyone....I just"
She clenched the fabric of his sleeve tighter while trying to contain her cracking voice.
"I can’t afford to think about them right now. If I do, I’ll become a burden to you again"
She took a small breath and forced a weak smile.
"Don’t worry, I’ll cry later...When we’re back at the Biome"
Rhos looked at her for several seconds, then quietly turned away.
"...Alright"