"And the princess said to her knight. 'Oh brave knight... Please, tell me your name.'" Raven said as he turned to Ivona who had fallen asleep, holding onto his hand. She was cute and adorable, yet Raven could not run from the guilt. The sight of that day haunted him even greater than anything else. A promise he could not keep because he was weak. He used a tracking spell, one that was called 'Bloodline Search' as it said, it'll let him find his bloodline.

If someone dares to hurt Aquila and his family. I'll make them pay. A mantra he echoed in his heart, letting it take root as the rage that he needed to keep. Stepping out as he found the house to be quiet. Everyone was asleep, so Raven just headed into his room. Opening the old laptop, taking a glance into social media to read about guilds. In terms of favorability, the Black Wings were known for their altruism and wish to protect people but they didn't pay as much as the other guilds. Despite having 5 S-Ranks, the larger forces of other guilds were the bigger keypoint.

There were plenty of cases to slander the Black Wings as nothing short of just rabid beasts for combat. Despite the protesting letters by civilians who constantly bombarded such articles with the truth. Tales of heroism by the Black Wings who were 300 strong. Bound by a wish to protect rather than greed. Slander coming from nobles who dared to say that they should always listen to the Imperial Nobility's requests. Many of the members of the Black Wings refused to back out as a result of it.

Should I just... Unleash the War God? No, I should keep to myself. Raven thought as he stepped outside.

Raven wondered what he should do after his time in the RF. Be an instructor at Hunter academy? Or be a Hunter with a guild? Be a mercenary for hire? His options were plentiful considering he was 'The Man Who Slayed the World'. Lighting a cigarette, staring into the canvass of black. Glimmering with shooting stars and satellites that were above. To share this view with someone, a person whom he loves. That prospect was an interesting thought. Something he never entertained back then. Too busy being angry at everything to think about those things.

Whatever it was, this momentary peace. He needed to treasure it as much as he could. Anything can change from this point on. So he needed to be careful, or rather. Be less merciful to anyone who tries to harm his family. It can be that simple. Heading back to his room as he slept in, his dreams? For once it was nothing. Like literal nothing.

Waking up to the next day as Raven just went about his day. Stepping downstairs to find his family out and about, a note on the table.

'You can borrow my car, Commander Shaw wants you to meet him at a dungeon in Hartland. It's a C-Ranked Dungeon and he's with Captain Max.'

So much for my peaceful day.

Driving to the location with his brother's muscle car. It was inside a shopping mall. Parking the car outside where he found a few members of the RF who were helping clear out the area. Keeping shoppers away from the dungeon that was by the center atrium. Seeing Shaw and Max in front of it. Seeing Raven wear casual clothes.

"Sorry about calling you out but this dungeon needed attention. You're the closest one we could call." Shaw said with Raven just giving a nod.

"Not an issue, Sir. I'm still an RF member. So what's so special about this dungeon?"

"2 hours ago, a team of 15 Hunters from Starling Guild headed inside. We're here on standby because the dungeon has a possibility of breaking. It may be a C-Ranked Dungeon but it's showing signs of mutation and we're seeing the vitals of the 15 Hunters slowly fading. We'll be heading in because the dungeon's getting unstable." Max reported as Raven glanced at the documents.

"Best we go in now, sir. We wait, it breaks. No guarantee we can limit casualties."

"Read my mind, there trainee. Shall we, sir?" Shaw gave a nod as the three of them stepped into the dungeon, finding themselves in a battle arena. Seeing the Starling Guild Hunters who were taking a beating from facing a single Dullahan.

"Dullahan. Makes sense why they'd have trouble. It's a B-Ranked enemy." Wathing the dullahan's swordplay, it was skilled. It wasn't the usual ones that went on a berzerking rampage. It was a calm fighter, every movement had purpose. Every swing was dignified, it would not swing the killing blow. Taking a step back, then placing the blade into the ground. Leaning upon it.

"But why isn't it delivering the killing blow?!"

"The Dullahan remembers his technique. It wants to die but it cannot simply die. I'll handle it." Raven said as he went forward, going over to a warrior of Starling who was on her knees.

"Hey, mind if I borrow your sword?"

"What? Who are you?"

"That a yes or no?" She gave a nod as Raven picked up her saber. Taking off his jacket and shirt, putting it on her. Then taking off his tee shirt as Raven wielded the saber that lacked a handguard, the contoured grip was good because it gave a much better balance to his hands.

Raven stepped forward to the Dullahan.

"I'm not a knight but I'll pay my respects to a knight." The dullahan got back on his feet, drawing the blade. Blades pointed at each other, a gentle tap as they took two steps back. Then dashing forward in a clash. Raven had to readjust because of his stats, tilting his grip. Forcing the dullahan's saber to roll to the side. An elbow strike which the Dullahan blocked with his arm. Backing away a step with Raven seizing the initiative. A thrust forward, seeing the dullahan take a step to the side as a follow up swing to get the dullahan off guard. Another step back, a thrust to Raven's head. Cheek grazed but an aura infused jab sent the dullahan a few steps back. Raven chuckled as a grin formed over his face.

Dullahan ran fast, swinging at him. Unleashing aura waves that honed in like sharks after prey. Raven imbued aura to the saber, blocking the hits with it but any more and it won't be usable. Throwing it aside as the dullahan brought forth a second saber. The right saber was fast while the left saber had the strength. Even if Raven could fight longer, he knew that his body had taken some hits. Delayed attacks. Truly, this particular foe would be troublesome if he prolonged the fight. Thousand Eyes in hand as Raven got close. Picturing how many slashes it would take to break the dullahan. Ten? Shallow cuts. Hundreds? Not enough. How about a thousand?

Closing it at point blank range. Drawing the blade, sliding on his knees where he took a deep breath. The dullahan's armor broke, throwing the pair of sabers to Raven's side.

"Thank you. Warrior. I can finally rest." The dullahan's energy faded away, leaving behind the gems of dark energy swirling within. Picking up the pair of sabers.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Sabers of Zeal.

A pair of sabers given to a knight of an old empire.

The knight, was known for his zeal. After his death, resurrected by a necromancer to destroy his beloved empire.

You put him to rest.

150 damage (300 with aura)

Unique Trait : Sword aura can take forms of what the user desires. Able to store auras.

Single edged blades. Carefully contoured grips. Raven swung them around, using some techniques off the past. Feeling the blade's balance, it was moving according to his will. Following his intent as he swung the blade on the ground, then once to his shirt. The ground had taken a large gaping wound where his shirt was left untouched. If a blade cuts when it shouldn't, that's a sign of weakness of the wielder and not the weapon.

The dungeon was cleared as Raven put the sheaths over his hip. Having two sabers by his side feels good, now all he would need is just a pair of gloves so he can store his weapons easier.

"I knew you were strong but are you okay?" Max spoke up, seeing Raven's body slowly develop wounds, bleeding out.

"That dullahan's aura was immense, if I fought the Dullahan longer. I'd be lying on the ground instead. That guy's mastery was on a whole other level. Even if I blocked the attacks, his aura was that powerful he could leave cuts just by the contact. What's worse is that you wouldn't even realize it. It took me too long to notice."

"Well we cleared the dungeon. The Starling Guild promised us three hundred thousand each. So it's good pay day. Raven.. Thanks for helping out. There's a medical team outside. I told them to get you sutured up."

"No problem, sir. Now, I need to go buy some stuff for my niece." Raven headed out as he left without his jacket. The Starling Guild's Hunters are undergoing medical attention where Raven just asked for a needle and some thread. He was going to suture his own wounds, doing so caught the attention of several people. Taking photos and videos of him doing it himself. When a medical officer got close, Raven told them to focus on the Hunters. They took a heavier beating than he did.

Shaw and Max were by his side.

"See those guys in the suits? Those are guild reps. They're likely thinking about poaching you after this."

"They can try but I won't be joining them. Most likely I'll be going to my brother's guild."

"What was your class actually?" Max and Shaw were curious about it.

"It's called Madness. The more I kill, the stronger I get during the fight. Now, I'm going to go." Raven said as he put on a shirt, where the Starling Hunter came to give his jacket back.

"Thank you for saving us." They bowed to him, but Raven just smiled.

"When it comes to fights like that. Fight smart. Don't just go rushing at enemies thinking they're all the same. You got overconfident thinking it's a regular Dullahan. Some Dullahans remember their past and their old life. It's part of what makes them a tough foe. The unique ones don't rampage, they fight with clear movements. They know to be unpredictable, they force you into their rhythm. A fight with that kind of enemy? You need to synergize skills and tactics. Get more experience and you'll get better." Raven said to them, another thank you and they left.

Raven just went over to a toyshop, buying some expensive doll set, a few teddy bears and looking into whatever that Ivona liked. Cartoons that she watched, he was trying to find action figures. Playsets and the like. Noticing people stare at him, where Raven could see why. Some of his wounds were still bleeding out, he put on his jacket.

"Thank you for your patronage!" A nod as he went to his car, putting stuff in it. His phone was ringing, Aquila's number.

"Raven, it's Ivona! She got kidnapped from school!"

"How did that happen?"

"Unknown people attacked the school! They kidnapped Ivona and a few other children. I'm... I."

"Aquila. Do whatever you can first. I'll swing by soon." Raven said as he got into the car, driving through the streets like a mad man as he found their location. A cargo ship, Raven parked the car outside. It was a private side by the pier with Raven taking a deep breath.

"Limiter Off." In an instant Raven felt his old powers come back to him. He could do this, the ones who kidnapped Ivona and the other students? They were A-Ranked Hunters at most and B-Ranked Hunters among their weakest. Climbing over the fence, Raven made his way to the cargo ship by the edge of the pier. Seeing snipers in position, aimed right at him. Only for Raven to glance at the snipers. Where he could see a dozen fountains of red spewing from their positions.

Two guards were just smoking by the cargo ship's stairs.

"Hey, this is private property! You ca-" The azure eyes that reached them, their bodies began to twist in odd directions. Like a wet towel being squeezed, dying in that state. Mercy was off the table as Raven went up the stairs. Seeing more of them, placing a cigarette to his lip. The cigarette lit itself up.

"Where's the guards?! Fuck it, draw your weapons! Kill h-" The Hunter spoke up, only to feel blood splatters on his face. Seeing Raven walk past him, placing his hand on the shoulder. Where the man began to develop convulsions, twisting and jerking at every part of his body. Mouth foaming out blood. Raven's calm expression was the grim reaper smiling at them.

"So it was the Blue Vipers who did this. You'll die slowly." Heading into the interior where the many Hunters were already preparing for his arrival. The silence was deafening, all of them could feel it. A monster was roaming in the halls. The pressure being exerted, it felt like the end of the world for these Hunters. They knew they were going to die. A single scream filled the air, as Hunters ran to see what had happened.

Only finding one of their comrades had been impaled to the wall, the dried bloodsplatter and the charred skeleton. One of the Hunters vomited at the sight, another began to panic. Running out through the entrance. That poor Hunter, had been bisected in half, with the corpse thrown before their eyes.

"What the hell!? Who did we mess with!?"

"What's going on here?!"

Then they heard the intercom make a buzz.

"Hey, you can't be here... Wait, what are y-" The screams filled the intercom, a haunting chill came down their spines. Cold sweats over their bodies, no matter what weapon or skill they had. They could not help but shiver and feel their hands trembling. Their fate? Sealed by the hands of whomever it was haunting the halls. The lights started to flicker, the sound of a blade scratching the walls. A loud humming accompanying it. The screams of their friends had the Hunters feeling nervous.

"What the hells is that thing?!" In that moment, Raven was able to see Ivona and her friends who were inside a container. The ringleader was in the middle surrounded by his allies. The sensation that they had, it was like an eldritch being had come to face them.

"It can't be human... It just can't be h-" The ringleader felt blood splashes over his body, looking at his allies. Only to see nothing but just blood splatters and the clothes. No sign of their bodies. Then feeling a hand touch the face. Raven tapped the ringleader's body at a few points. Then gouging the ringleader's eyes out.

"Ah, who... Who are you!? What do you want!? Is it money?! Is it w-" Raven drew the sabers of Zeal, brushing the sword through the limbs, where it was cut off. The screams filled Raven with disappointment. He was expecting a bit more of a challenge. Or something that would make it better, but this one will be witness. Despite losing the eyes. Raven's voice had been garbled and distorted, so the limbless bastard would not be able to prove anything. Opening the cargo, seeing the children inside. Raven snapped his fingers, teleporting the children back to their families. Within 3 minutes. That was how Raven handled this and when a satellite was about to snap an image. He merely glanced at it, and the satellite exploded.

Inside the car, Raven put his limiter back on. Surprisingly not feeling any sort of pain or sensation that was screaming at him.

"System. I'm not feeling anything. Explain."

Your Pain Tolerance is just greater than what I can produce.

He just kept quiet, the drive back home. Peaceful and arriving home. Getting a text from Aquila.

'Ivona and the other children are at the hospital. Right now they're running tests to make sure that they're okay.You can visit her tomorrow.' It was already late at night, but Raven had other plans. A quick shower, putting on his clothes as he decided to take a cab to the nearest club. He'll worry about it tomorrow.