Novels2Search

Chapter 26 : Back at last.

When Raven was about to continue the routes, time had frozen. In front of him was Lana and her child, he offered his umbrella for them in the rain.

Sufficient Causality Points accumulated.

You must head back home now.

This persona will be on hold for a while due to certain issues.

You may revisit this again later.

Time in this world has frozen.

The causality will be determined for its time soon.

Raven found himself in the hotel lobby, where Yennifer and Ciara ran to give Raven a tight hug. Then seeing Stervy, Ivona, Dolores, Falco and Aquila who were in kimonos from their long journey.

"Hey. Somehow something changed and I got kicked out."

"Uncle!" Yennifer and Ciara gave a chance for Ivona to jump into Raven's arms as he lifted her on his shoulder. Glancing at Lowell and the others who returned from their tasks.

"Boss!"

"Enforcer."

"The One Who Rips."

"Scorpio!"

"Magus."

"Arctic Fox, sir!"

"Lieutenant!"

"Chief!"

"Private." Raven grinned to his allies that appeared by his side.

"Good to see you all too. So... Err.. Ciara, did you introduce yourself to Ivona?"

"Yes, to think I had such a lovely cousin."

"Ciara's real strong uncle! She protected me from an evil dragon the other day!" Raven turned to Aquila and Dolores who were trying their best to hide it. Falco and Stervy just whistled away while Raven turned to the others, he was livid at hearing that.

"Come now, dear. It was a dungeon break, and Ciara was by her side. The dragon broke out and tried to terrorize the city, but your daughter handled it. Besides, my lovely niece won't be in danger. Right?" Turning to Aquila, Stervy and Falco who were sweating bullets.

"My lioness, please don't scare my brothers... Which reminds me... How many days passed?"

"Two weeks. So you have one more month with the RF. That aside, the Gorefast Empire was destroyed a week ago. Oh and err.. Those piles of tickets.. Are they yours?" Raven turned to the neatly sorted piles of tickets. All of them were for Persona Shards and Ally Tickets. Stretching his limbs as the door appeared, opening up to reveal a bright light.

"Time to pull. 60 tickets all at once."

BEGINNING MASS 60 TICKET PULL!

First 10.

1.The Weak One (item)

2.Scorpio SSR ALLY!

3.Talentless Hero (item)

4.Conscript of Ibis (item)

5.A Most Evil Being (item)

6.Arctic Fox SR Ally!

7.Crimson Rain Petals (item)

8.Henchman of Burisa (item)

9.Smiling Mime (item)

10.Fragmented Mage (item!)

Second 10

1.Crimson Rain Petals (item)

2.Henchman of Burisa (item)

3.Durandal Section 1 SR ally!

4.Boss of Rose Garden (item)

5.Shady Enforcer SSR ally! (duplicate) Upgrade to Rodin + Aisha for aura and mana use!

6.Smiling Mime (item)

7.Crimson Rain Petals (item)

8.Fragmented Mage SR Ally!

9.Talentless Hero SR Ally!

10.Scorpio (item)

Third 10

1.Abyss Gaze (item)

2.Fragmented Mage (item)

3.A Most Evil Being (item)

4.A Most Evil Being (item)

5.God of War (item)

6.Fragmented mage (item)

7.Talentless Hero(item)

8.Grand Exorcist (item)

9.Shadow Lord SSR ally!

10.Lieutenant of Cloud Breaker SR Ally!( Reinforcements + Aura use unlocked)

Fourth 10

1.Talentless Hero (item)

2.Abyss Gaze (item)

3.Conscript of Ibis SR ally!

4.Arctic Fox (item)

5.God of War (item)

6.Boss of Rose Garden SR Ally! (Reinforcements + Aura use unlocked)

7.Flames of the Forest (item)

8.Conscript of Ibis SSR Ally!

9.Henchman of Burisa (item)

10.Prince of War(item)

Fifth 10

1.Crimson Rain Petals(item)

2.Talentless Hero (item)

3.Crimson Rose Petals SSR Ally!

4.Talentless Hero SR ally!

5.Boss of Rose Garden (item)

6.Talentless Hero SR ally!(reinforcements)

7.Arctic Fox(item)

8.Fragmented Mage SR ally! (reinforcements)

9.Vanguard Operator (item)

10.Talentless Hero (item)

Sixth 10

1.Lieutenant of Cloud Breaker (item)

2.Fragmented Mage (item)

3.Talentless Hero(item)

4.Vanguard Operator(item)

5.Shadow Lord (item)

6.Conscript of Ibis(item)

7.Fragmented Mage(item)

8.Fragmented Mage SR Ally! (reinforcements)

9.Crimson Rain Petals (item)

10.Smiling Mime (item)

The many figures stepping out were shining in their lights. Gracing the room with their presence as they were slowly being formed.

Scorpio SSR ALLY

Valiant.

Vesper

A Member of the Ill-Fated Valor Squad

Valor's Leader.

The Valor who fell during a great battle.

Valor's Leader The one who leads the Valor squad during their initial days. The one who leads Valor, the one who came up with the name. His presence boosts all allied combat strength by 15%, +50% if Valor. +30% for Valkyries and Valiants. Pray for Valor The sight of Valor squadron on the battlefield increases morale against all enemy types and even greater odds. People pray for Valor, and when the prayers get answered, they fight on +15% speed, 50% if Valor, 30% for Valkyries and fellow Valiants. Courageous Ashen Smeared in ash, the symbol of Valor. Closing in on targets! Uses a pair of submachine guns to tear through enemy formations, finishing it up with a shotgun. Violent Twins Submachine guns with bayonets, high speed fire rate to clear out crowds quickly. Malice A heavy shotgun that is used to clear through enemies with thick armor or to cut a path through. Valors make it work. Tough plans, tough scenarios. Countless enemies? Just another day in the office. Increases accuracy and calmness in all Valors.

Arctic Fox SR ALLY!

Team 5 of Arctic Foxes.

Wearing specially made gear using a mix of firearms and CQC hand to hand tactics.

Team 5 consist of 15 Foxes.

Nocturnal Hunt Better operators at night, Team 6 is equipped with firearms, Night Vision Goggles and the like to make their fights in night time areas much more efficient. *They get a 75% stealth bonus at night* We're part of the Arctic Foxes Winter/Ice areas do not affect them at all, they also gain better concealment and precision. Clear the target location! Team 5 is responsible for bodyguard duties and escort missions.

Durandal Section 1 SR ALLY

20 Durandal Section 1 members of Jack's squad.

Fear the First Blade The First Blade is the nickname of Section 1 Durandal, known for their brutality.

Demoralizes enemies and debuffs them. Serpent Blade Blades attached to the shoulders that can be deployed with thought to strike at enemies. The Blades of the Vice Chief Where Jack goes, they go. Vice Chief's Orders. Jack's Orders to them increases their combat strength and crowd control capabilities.

Shady Enforcer SSR Ally! (duplicate) Rodin and Aisha mana use unlocked.

Fragmented mage SR Ally!

13th Mage Corps.

10 members

6th stage mana masters Trained by the Fragmented mage this mage corps is talented at mana manipulation and elemental attacks High Mana capacity They can fight for 5 days with continuous mana barrages. intermediate elemental spell Can use intermediate spells easily but advanced spells take forever to cast.

Talentless Hero SR Ally!

Sword Hero's Disciples.

Glinter's very own 10 disciples.

White Glint Disciples that train the art of the White Glint greatsword technique. 5th Stage Aura Halfway through their mastery Yes, master! Following the words of their master increases damage.

Shadow Lord SSR ALLY

Granver.

The Second in Command of Shadow Lord.

Formerly a legendary knight who fell into despair after being betrayed.

Loyal to the Shadow Lord because of the Shadow Lord fulfilling his request to save his kingdom.

Seeing his wife and child before honoring the oath to the Shadow Lord.

I carry three swords. One claymore to clear out enemies, two knight swords that he uses to fight nimbler enemies. The Shadow's Blade The Shadow Lord's greatest sword, the one who who defeated an elemental lord with one blow because of his master's request. I am always by your side Unlike other allies, Granver can stay in your shadow and appear out of nowhere. Light magic has zero effect on him aside from annoying him. Tall and stoic Black armor made up of the darkness, always worn with his black cape hanging behind him. His height makes him intimidating but also his cape can act as a portal for Raven to use.

Lieutenant of cloud Breaker SR ALLY! (Reinforcements + Aura use unlocked)

+10 more members of Cloud Breaker

Conscript of Ibis SR Ally!

15 members of squad 5, brigade 1.

A Conscript but a decent warrior Armed with rifles and bayonets, they can fight at long and close distances. A knife or a shovel as a means to take on an enemy. Flanking experts Squad 5 of Brigade 1 handles the various flanking tactics. give them a flank and they can make the most out of it. For Ibis! Gallant and noble. They may not want a war but they will fight until the end.

Boss of Rose Garden SR Ally! Reinforcements + Aura use unlocked.

20 more members of Blue Rose

Conscript of Ibis SSR Ally!

Captain Whitmore

General Lowell's aide.

General Lowell's friend.

Also, General Lowell's love advisor. (Yes, General Lowell is a workaholic but he's a moron because he can't process a woman's words.)

Really? You pile up more work on me? Has to micromanage things. Sometimes he's a gofer, despite his rank. Though people gave him the rank Captain because he grabbed a knife and started stabbing 60 people. Fine. I'll shank em. His nickname the Bunker Stabber was given because... Well, he just went and stabbed 60 people in a bunker. Mad Lad. He's crazy. Like.. Jump off a plane and steal your enemy's parachute crazy. Or, run up a tank and put a grenade inside crazy. Yeah I use guns but sometimes a knife works well. Carries throwing knives.

Crimson Rose Petals SSR Ally!

The 12 Swords of Verisdia.

12 of Verisdian's best knights.

They vanished due to causality.

The Verisdian's Best 12 of the best swordsmen who use knight swords. Just 12 of them could repel a swarm of dragons. The Prince's Trained Men 12 knights who trained under Raven, increasing and sharpening their skills and combat sense. Aura masters of the 8th stage. For the Empire! Strengthened resolves. Cannot be charmed, hypnotized or brainwashed. Grit They can take a lot of damage before being pushed back,

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Talentless Hero SR ALLy! (reinfrocements x2

20 disciples.

Fragmented Mage SR Ally! (reinforcements) X2

40 members of mage corps.

The appearance of his allies had Raven smiling with the 12 Knights kneeling before him. Granver did the same. The Shadow Knights and Shadow Mages knelt before Raven with Granver in front of them.

"Great. Lowell sort this out. General Lowell's in charge of all of you. Granver, stay in my niece's shadow. Protect her." Granver turned to Ivona who was amazed at his height.

"Mister are you a knight?"

"That I am, child. I am your uncle's knight. And I will protect you." Raven turned to Whitmore who brought forth a few cases of beer with the conscripts. Lowell took a bottle, flicking the cap off as he downed the bottle.

"Vesper." Fenris, Regal and Warcrest walked on over to give the ashen gray Valiant a hug.

"Brothers. I'm glad that we're able to meet each other once again." Though after the hug, Fenris punched Vesper's head, Warcrest dropkicked Vesper and Regal just kicked Vesper in the shin. Luckily for them Ivona was with Granver who was carrying her on his shoulders.

"I... I do deserve that. Ow..." Raven helped Vesper on his feet, seemed to have taken quite a bit of damage from the other three. The horn from his helmet actually broke, where Vesper just accepted it for what it is.

"Raven what's your plan now?"

"I don't know when or where the Causality things will occur. So I need to spend time with my family. Besides you all saw how much I hated being in that Causality." That much was true as the others began chuckling with Laughing Jester laughing as per his name. The chuckling Jester began to perform a grandiose of tricks to entertain the guests by the hotel lobby. Enamored by his performance with a pin stripe suit, juggling balls with his feet as he did a handstand.

"That was a good show at the end there, Mime. Truly you have been enjoying yourself more! Such a delight!" Laughing Jester spoke with joy as he walked on his hands, still juggling the balls easily, then sending it to Raven who was juggling it, followed by Jersey pushing a unicycle below Raven's feet. Photos were being snapped as Raven was performing tricks, followed by the 12 Knights of Verisdia drawing their blades, going after Raven who was still juggling. Seeing him lean over a few times, dodging their swords like a leaf caught in the flow of the wind.

The performance ended two minutes later as Lowell gave them all jobs. Raven was going with Falco, Stervy, Dolores and Aquila to an S-Rank Dungeon. Putting on their gear as Raven stretched his limbs, putting on his Scorpio persona. Ivona was going to be with Granver and Lowell, so she would be fine. The Shadow Knights and Shadow Mages were spending time as they showed Ivona how to practice with her magic. Waldo giving her the basics.

Stervy readied his katana, Dolores brought her shield and longsword, Aquila with his sabers and Falco with his gauntlets. Standing in front of the S-Rank dungeon portal with anticipation in their veins.

"Dolores. Don't be worried about Ivona. Waldo and the Shadow Mages are teaching her. She's got more mana than she can handle. Having them teach would be better than Ivona getting sick because of mana overflow." Raven's assurance had Dolores still feeling hesitant, then Aquila chimed in. Falco's fists began to glow with aura as the portal opened up. Stepping into it, where the five of them found an army of vampires. Screeching at them as Raven's shoulder ejected a recon drone that began to mark the targets.

"So how many of them?"

"12 million. Then there's the 5 Vampire Lords sitting on their throne." Raven reported as he readied his Raven's Eye, seeing the 5 Vampire Lords floating seated by their throne.

"One each?"

"So... Mere 5 humans dare to face us...You must have a deathwish. No matter, I'll..." The 5 of them were talking about tactical plans. Strategies to minimize their injuries.

"Lord! They are not paying attention to us!"

"Just ki-" A vampire lord's body disintegrated with a singular shot.

"I took that one. So the rest are yours." Raven said as he fired another shot to the Vampire Counts that were nearby. Dolores readied her shield, unleashing her mana imbued with holy elements that made a wall against the vampires. Falco's fists bellowed with flames as he went for fast punches. Flames that consumed them to ash. The vampires moved as rabid swarms, attempting to surround Falco. Smoke from his lips as he clapped his hand once. Unleashing a shockwave that sent the vampires flying. Embers that scorched their skins as Falco provoked them even more with a gesture. Forcing them to give chase after him again. Palm strikes that had blew off limbs, an aura of flames as Falco's lips exhumed smoke that blanketed the area. Glowing azure that caught their attention. A single pair of azure eyes against their plentiful red-eyes. Yet, all they could hear was the howl of the weapons being used. Gunfire that shattered the silence, hearing bones being broken. A lance emerging from the smoke, skewering a dozen of them at once. Raven's presence, the eyes that roared defiance against vampires. Followed aura waves that destroyed an entire a swarm of vampire. Then a second wave that bisected the massive swarms that they made.

Raven leaped back to his family's side. Falco did the same. Staying within Dolores's barrier as vampires clawed their way in, raising her longsword that sent lightning bolts to send them flying.

"There's still a lot of them... You want to bring the Eldritch out?" Falco joked, where Raven just lit a cigarette. Exhuming the smoke from his lips, his face was brazen with boredom.

"Falco, throw Stervy and Aquila into the air. Use your aura waves to rip through them."

"Sounds like a plan!" Falco clasped his hands together as Aquila stepped up first, sending Aquila flying into the air. Watching the aura wings form on his back as he passed beyond the clouds. A spiral of aura waves that began to tear through the army of 11 million, sending the vampires flying uncontrollably. Smack dab to Dolores's barrier as Stervy was launched upwards. Another set of aura waves that began to scarred the ground. Tearing the limbs off. The Vampire Lords flew right at the other four with Dolores's barrier being shattered. Stopping the vampire lord's attack with her shield, redirecting it aside as she slashed off the vampire lord's arm.

Falco blocked the vampire lord's claws with his hand, emitting flames that forced the lord to step away. Dusting off his coat as he turned to Raven who just walked on ahead.

"Have fun with those 4. I'll handle the rest of the small fry." A vampire count hid within Raven's shadow, trying to strike him from behind. Only for Raven to use his knee to strike the poor count's head. Then ripping the jaws off as he smashed the vampire's head. Throwing the body out of his shadow. Preparing a pair of maces with the embers of his cigarette being another warning. Bolting forward as he heard the clashes between the 4 Vampire Lords and his siblings.

"Are you not worried human? That your siblings will be reduced to cattle?!" A vampire duke declared proudly, puffing up the chest in an attempt to gather the wind into his body. Blowing at Raven who just stood there with boredom.

"A wind doesn't move a fucking mountain, you dumbass vamp. By the way, your pants ripped!" The duke stared to his crotch, only to take a mace into it. A glimpse of Raven leaping at the duke, grabbing him by the head and smashing him to the ground. Pulling out a knife as Raven reassembled the face with his tool. Leaving it open like a fruit that had been cut. Then his gloves turned to claws that tore through the heart as Raven crushed it.

Glancing at the other vampires where he let out a sigh. Preparing a longsword as Raven went swinging. A lone Hunter against this many? Unheard off. But this was something Raven was used to. Facing armies, facing larger forces. He was taking the hits, the slashes did cut through his coat. Leaving it in tatters as Raven proceeded his assault. They were clawing his limbs, biting his his body but Raven just didn't give a damn. It was getting good. Their superiority and arrogance were slowly fading as Raven took a pause to ignite another cigarette. A quick glance to his sister in law smashing the vampire lord to the ground with her shield, and bashing its head in.

Glancing to see Falco burning the skin off the vampire lord, then crushing the head like an orange, blood splashing to his face as his left hand pierced the chest. Aquila just pierced the vampire lord's chest with his blade. Staking them to the ground and then stomping the head. Stervy? Stervy just cut the vampire lord to full-on non existence. Only the tattered clothes were left behind. The four of them look a little tired, but their faces remained valiant in their victory.

"Well time to speed up." Raven said as a chainsaw appeared to his hands, pulling the handle. Igniting the roar as the chains began to whirr as Raven's face had a smile, proceeding ahead as Raven sawed through the vampire swarm. Their bodies were the lumber, and their blood would fuel the chainsaw in his hand. The whirring chainsaw consumed them as Raven threw it aside. A flick to his poison as he puffed out the smoke. Thinking of his next tool, bringing out a pair of longswords, joining them together as he twisted the pommel to lock it in place. Broad swings, his body following the motions. A steady rhythm, following it up. Slow step, fast swing. A twirl as he kept his eyes closed. Quickly moving forward with an upper cut. Blood splashing on his face as he recounted the steps.

"Why are you closing your eyes Raven?"

"Oh, I'm just thinking about dancing. Thinking about that one time I executed a thousand people and needed to dance afterwards. So it's an executioner's dance." Raven answered as he swayed his hair to his own rhythms, moving in with a fancy foxtrot. The mighty conjoined longswords became his best dancing partner. Slaughtering vampires as he spat his cigarette, humming a tune to accompany him. The melody of screams, the sweet scent of fear within the air. His footsteps became the background noise as his muscles sang the harmony. The sound of his blade piercing flesh would be part of the vocals. Dancing through the battlefield, graceful footwork that resembled a foxtrot. The way Raven held a tender expression, a smile as the vampiric blood stained his body and clothes.

The madness had set in, making its home as he continued singing a song. Trotting through as he shifted his body according to where he felt was natural. Spinning away from a vampire's attack, a back step as the longsword pierced through the heart. An hour passes as Raven continued his performance. When there were no more bodies to slay, Raven swung the blood away.

Turning to his family who just watched, Raven put on the gloves as he watched Abyss Gaze's Proficiency hit 12%. The loot appeared whereby Raven just yawned as he found a set of coupons in his hand. 1 persona shard ticket that would grant him 100 shards for a selected persona. Using it for Boss of Rose Garden.

Boss of Rose Garden.

S-Tier Persona

Leader of the Rose Garden Syndicate.

The largest crime lord of a country, that soon became a gigantic net in the world.

Every Rose within his Garden are his eyes, arms and ears.

I don't sit around, I get my hands dirty. He fights on the frontline. Be it with his fists, his knife or his pistol or even swords or bats. Whatever the tool, he's got use for it. +Weapon Skills. Respect is a two way street. Intimidation bonus. You can scare enemies with your words and those who have disrespected you will be marked with a rose. When rose petal fades off, they take extra damage from it. We can either talk, or we fight. Negotiation skill for criminal groups now in effect. If negotiations break down, grants you the first blow that stuns enemies. There's no honor in fights. Either I live or you die. Dirty tricks like throwing sand in their eyes, smashing heads into the table, breaking a few jaws and teeth. Increases cunning attacks and critical attack chance before a fight starts. In Plain Sight Camouflage ability. Because your tattoos aren't extensive. People do not think the Boss as a gang member or a high ranked member. They don't realize who you are and you can blend in with society easier.

"So what did you get?"

"A new persona." Raven switched to Boss of Rose Garden, a rose patterned scarf hanging over his shoulders. Burgundy suit and a fedora.

"Wow, you look like an old mobster from the mafia movies we watched as a kid!"

"That's the idea, Falco. It's not that useful. It's an S-Tier because of the skills. Focusing more on cunning attacks and critical attack rates." Teams 5 and 6 appear with the Assistant Book Keepers, running through the portal as they glanced around. Team 5 prepared their duties to guard the area as Team 6 and Book Keepers would be going around with their things.

"Arctic Fox, Sir!"

"Enforcer, sir!"

"Take care of things here."

"Yes, sir!" The 5 of them stepped out of the dungeon portal, seeing cameras that were lying in wait.

"We're live right here with the Black Wing Guild members! Right in front, led by Guildmaster Aquila Ashenworth. They have just cleared an S-Rank Dungeon with only 5 people. An S-Rank dungeon that various guilds were hesitant to take! This is an achievement of great proportions!" The reporters went close to Aquila, only for Raven to load blanks to his pistol. As they were wrestling with Aquila on a million questions, Dolores, Falco and Stervy got caught up in it as well. So why not play the asshole sibling? Firing a few shots to scatter the journalists and reporters. A school of fish breaking away from the sharks.

"We'll have a press conference to describe what we see later. We even have it on video. So give us the room. Expect it by tomorrow. Because we need to do some reviewing. And don't bad mouth the other guilds. This dungeon was difficult. You see how we came back with damaged equipment and armor. It's not by luck. This dungeon was an elimination type but it had a huge number. Hunters are going to need to rethink S-Rank Dungeons from now on. Not just in Cherry Blossom but all Hunters. Aquila, Dolores, Falco and Stervy. S-Ranks who are known to come out without taking damage. But this time they've all gotten some hits. We'll release what we faced tomorrow, because we need to be sure." Those words were enough for the reporters to back off.

"Thanks. Raven."

"Just let me play the role of the crazy brother. Helps keep the journalists of our backs for a while." They were happy hearing Raven's words but the idea of him being the crazy brother..

"I am the crazy brother. I went to Cherry Blossom. Pissed off the Emperor. Then went to Gorefast and dragged Falco back. Who else is crazy if not me?"

"You're right." Falco ruffled Raven's hair while Stervy pulled the hair tie. A brief moment of Dolores smacking the backs of her three brothers became a scene of memory to all those who watched. It was just them being a family as they see Aquila come back with drinks for them. A momentary smile, that soon became a world wide story. Then Granver leaped down from a building with Ivona in his arms, the sight of the child who had tears in their eyes running to Dolores and Aquila? That was a hit photo right there. The pair were trying their best to comfort their daughter, whereby her uncles took turns to just ease her worries.

"Mom and dad said they wouldn't get hurt!" The public's eye on Ivona as they see a blue hare leap out, followed by Cobalt that went after Ivona. The wolfdog was comforting Ivona so that she wouldn't be pouting too much, yet the eyes on her cuteness was evident.

'The story of the Ashenworth Family'. That became a hit as reporters talked about how the four siblings lost their families in the dungeons. That was the start of the world finding out who they were.