“Bro…ther…” Honoka whispered while soundly sleeping.

After learning about Honoka’s [ability], [Shadow of Flames], which lets her copy the level of the opponent’s [beast weapon], we are now heading towards the slums where Honoka and Chen currently stays. It is now passed sun down so the street is now being lightened by the street posts.

“She’s really like a kid,” I muttered to myself with a smile as we walk across the roads of [Taurus Empire] while I’m carrying her on my back.

“Look at those couple,” one passerby commented with a smile as she watches us.

“How sweet,” the girl beside her followed and both of them chuckled.

I immediately made my pace faster after hearing those comments.

“Bro-Raiki?” Honoka reacted after waking up, clearly surprised.

“So you’re finally awake,” I reacted as I try to look behind.

“Wh-why are you carrying me?” she asked with in a bewildered expression.

“You lost consciousness after the check-up, remember?”

“A-anyway, I’m fine now so put me down,” she complained in embarrassment.

“Right, right,” I said and knelt down so she can stand up again.

“But it sure is quieter here compared to [Sagittarius Empire], don’t you think?” I said to Honoka while looking around because only few [Katzens] can be seen walking about.

“[Sagittarius Empire]? Well, that empire has lots of bars and restaurants compared to this place after all,” Honoka replied.

After minutes of walking, we found ourselves on an empty road, full of abandoned houses and shops. The place is really creepy for some reason.

“There's no one around here, huh,” I whispered.

“We’re getting near the slums after all,” Honoka followed.

“Don’t come here!!!” someone suddenly shouted.

“!”

“!”

Then, we heard someone screaming in a very frightened tone.

“Honoka, let’s go!” I called.

Then, both of us sprinted towards the empty alley. After we arrived, we saw a man cornered in a wall with a frightened expression and…a girl sliced into two, with her internal organs scattered across the floor while being covered by a pool of blood.

Suddenly, I felt a strong urge to vomit but I managed to control it by covering my mouth.

“An…assassin...” Honoka whispered with a very frightened expression.

When I looked at the silhouette before the cornered man, I saw a scrawny man in a black worn-out cape. His face is being covered by black bandage.

When he looked at us, we felt a very strong killing intent, even stronger than the one I felt from [Taurus].

This is bad, if I don’t do something, that man will be killed too!

“Honoka…” I said with a reluctant face.

“Sure. Let’s do it,” she replied with a nod and a serious face.

“[Honoka]!” I said and made a serious expression.

“I’ll definitely win!” she replied and transformed into a red light.

After becoming a katana on my left hand, I immediately bended my knees and shouted, [Steel Thrust]!”

“!”

*clang*

Despite its speed, the assassin managed to stop it using his scythe.

(Raiki, I'm now at level 80!)

This is dangerous. We're battling a high level assassin. One wrong move and we're finished.

[Shadow Sneak]," he whispered and disappeared from my sight.

(Raiki, behind you!)

"Die," he muttered and prepared for a swing.

Oh no! I can't move!

(Brother!!!)

*KA-BOOOOOM*

Suddenly, a big explosion of smoke happened behind me after I heard a clash of blades. The impact formed by the collision was so strong that I almost got blown away but managed not to by thrusting [Honoka]’s blade down the ground.

When I managed to turn around, I saw a tall man's back. It looks like he protected me using his [beast weapon] in a form of a bastard sword.

"You fine, lad?" he asked with a very reassuring smile.

It is a man wearing a blue armor with a big bastard sword on his back. Just one look and I can tell that this guy is insanely strong.

“You…” the assassin whispered with a sudden irritated mood after seeing five rings on the blue armored guy’s right hand. Those five rings…this guy is a 2nd rank soldier???

“Haaaaahhh!”

After he overpowered the assassin in their clash, the assassin jumped on top of a building and said, “[Cyan Knight] and 6th rank soldier, Raiki, I can’t see the ‘evil’ within you so you’re not on my ‘killing list’ but…if you tried to stop me next time, I’ll kill you without hesitation.”

He then got enveloped by darkness and vanished without a trace.

Honoka then returned back to normal and knelt down.

“That was really scary,” she said with a face still shocked from the happenings.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“So you’re Raiki, huh. Nice to meet you. My name is Cyann,” he said with a smile and drew out his hand.

Wait...Cyan? And a blue armor...there’s no mistake about it. He’s no other than the [Cyan Knight]…the current strongest soldier of this generation!

“I-I’m Raiki, nice to meet you,” I said and shook his hand.

After that, his bastard sword transformed into a girl wearing a light blue armor.

“This is my partner, Ellen,” Cyann introduced.

The girl then bowed slightly as a greeting.

“She’s really a silent person, you see,” Cyann said and laughed.

“I-I’m Honoka, nice to meet you too,” Honoka said after standing up.

“Nice to meet you too, Honoka. Anyway, what are you two doing in this place?” Cyann asked curiously.

“We’re just passing by when we heard a man’s scream. Wait, where is he?” I said and looked around but couldn’t find him anymore.

“He fled as fast as he can after I appeared,” Cyann replied with a sigh.

“I…see,” I responded, slightly surprised.

“He just left his [weapon]’s dead body just like that,” Cyann whispered with solemn eyes while looking at the remains of the girl.

“Cyann…” I whispered with sad eyes as I look at the body too.

“Anyway, I must pursue the [Dark Ripper]. Can I trust you on calling the [castle soldiers] of this empire? They will handle this situation,” Cyann said in a serious look.

“I got it. Leave it to us,” I responded seriously.

“Then, goodbye. [Ellen]!”

His [weapon] then transformed into a bastard sword and after he got enveloped by lightning sparks, he disappeared in a flash.

“[Cyan Knight]…and [Dark Ripper]. They are completely in a different league,” I said and looked at Honoka.

“Well, it’s because their [beast weapons] have high levels already,” Honoka responded with a sad look.

[Beast Weapons]? No. It’s not just their [weapons]. Their level as a [wielder]…that’s what really makes them so strong.

“Raiki, I’m gonna call a soldier," Honoka said to me.

“Yeah. I’ll wait here,” I replied.

Honoka then ran away to call for a soldier.

“Without Honoka’s [Shadow of Flames], I’m sure that I won’t even stand a chance to that assassin. I have to get stronger or I will never draw out her true potential in my upcoming fight with [Taurus],” I whispered to myself as I stare at the dark starry sky.

And just like that, the day ended.

“That training is really tiring,” Honoka complained with an exhausted expression as we walk on the roads of the south commercial area of [Taurus Empire].

“Well, both Iwa and I were already used to this lifestyle after all,” Ciana replied with a smile.

We just finished training at the [Harlequin Valley] so we are now heading towards the slums where we can eat Chen’s cooking. As I walk while roaming my eyes around, a familiar figure appeared on my line of sight.

“Cyann?” I reacted after seeing the tall guy wearing a blue armor together with a girl wearing a light blue armor.

“Hey, isn’t that the [Cyan Knight]?” one guy reacted with a surprised face.

The [Katzens] around suddenly started making a fuss after seeing him. Almost everyone around greeted him and waved at him with a smile.

“As expected, he really is popular,” I commented with a slight surprised look.

“If it isn’t Raiki. I forgot to thank you for what you did the other day,” Cyann said wth a smile after seeing us.

“No need to thank us. We’re just passing by after all,” I greeted back.

“How are you doing, Honoka?” he asked cheerfully.

“I’m fine. Thanks for saving us the other day, Cyann,” Honoka replied.

“It’s no big deal. And it’s my mission to pursue that [Dark Ripper] anyway,” Cyann followed.

I then looked at Cyann’s partner, Ellen and she just bowed again. As a reply, I bowed back.

This girl is really silent.

“By the way Raiki, I didn’t know that you’re popular, you play boy,” he suddenly said with a teasing smile.

“How did you come up with that conclusion? Anyway, these two girls are my friends, Ciana and Iwa,” I retorted with squinty eyes.

“My name is Ciana. Thanks for saving our [wielder] the other day,” Ciana said with a smile and a slight bow.

“M-my name is Iwa. I also thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Iwa followed nervously and bowed her head.

*ruu!* Ruby also introduced while on my right shoulder.

“You’re welcome. My name is Cyann. Nice to meet you. And this is my partner, Ellen,” Cyann introduced with his usual refreshing smile.

Ellen then bowed and closed her eyes.

“So, are you still pursuing the [Dark Ripper]?” I asked curiously.

“Yes. Unfortunately, he managed to kill the [wielder] that you saved last night,” he said with a sudden sad expression.

“That [Dark Ripper]…why is he even killing people?” I asked in a disturbed look.

“The [Dark Ripper] always appear at night so I still have plenty of time before I start my search. Do you want to hear more about him?” Cyann asked seriously.

“Yes, please,” I responded with a similar expression.

“Then, let’s go to a bar. It’s my treat,” he followed with a sudden smile.

We then followed Cyann towards a three-storey bar. Because it was still past 4 in the afternoon, there’s not that many people there, making it a little quiet, enough for a proper conversation. After we sat down, a waitress appeared.

“Hello, Linda. You’re as beautiful as eve—ouch! Ouch! Ouch!” Cyann reacted after getting pinched by Ellen in his ear.

“Have some shame. We’ve got other people here,” Ellen whispered with a serious expression and let go of his ear.

She finally spoke!

“Sorry about that. Anyway, Linda, I’ll order the usual,” Cyann continued with a forced smile but managed to give the bar girl a wink at the end.

“There are lots of new faces here. Friends of yours?” Linda asked with a smile.

“Yeah. I left the others at [Leo Empire] because of my new mission,” Cyann explained cheerfully.

“I see. Good luck in your new mission then. The usual, right? Please wait a minute,” Linda said and went downstairs. After a while, tons of foods got sent to our table, big chunks of meat, pasta, stewed vegetable and lots of other meals that emit a very enticing aroma.

“So don’t be shy and eat,” Cyann said with his arms wide open.

“Isn’t this too many for us?” I asked as I look at all sorts of dishes served on the table.

“Don’t worry. Even if I look like this, I can eat a lot,” Ellen replied after wiping her mouth with a handkerchief.

Hey! Hey! All the foods in her plate are gone in an instant! How did she manage to eat that within seconds???

“And me too!” Cyann followed as he drinks the soup like it’s just an ordinary drink.

“Then, thanks for the food,” Ciana said and started to get some pasta.

“This flavor…it has 15 different seasonings on it,” Honoka whispered to herself seriously after sipping some soup.

“Raiki…” Iwa said with a reluctant face.

“You don’t need my permission, you know. Just eat at your heart’s content,” I replied with a smile.

“As you wish,” she replied excitedly and started to fill up her plate.

Better start eating or all the foods will be gone in no time.

After eating, Cyann started the story with a sudden serious expression.

“The [Dark Ripper] is one of the most wanted criminal here in [Katzenschatz]. Together with his [beast weapon] that uses [dark magic], he assassinates 5th to 6th rank soldiers and their [weapons] if they are included in his ‘killing list’.”

“That killing list…he said the other day about seeing the ‘evil’ within people,” I muttered while reminiscing what the [Dark Ripper] said to us.

“According to him, he is only killing evil 4th rank and 5th rank soldiers to stop them before the evil within them fully mature and take over their actions,” Cyann explained.

“Then, is it true that the ones he killed are all evil?” Ciana asked curiously.

"I can’t argue that some of them are infamous [weapon dealer], [thief], [slave seller] and others with much cruel jobs but…killing them is still not right,” Cyann answered with serious eyes.

“I agree but what are you planning to do when you caught them? Will you also…kill them?” I asked.

“I…will send them in the [Underworld Prison],” Cyann responded with serious eyes.

“Then, can I help you in your mission? I can’t sit here doing nothing while I know he’s out there ready to kill people anytime he wants,” I said with a serious smile.

“Raiki…” Cyann muttered with a slight surprised expression.

“We promise that we won’t be a burden to you,” Honoka followed, also serious.

“M-me too,” Iwa also agreed, trying her best to not be nervous while making a serious face.

*ruu-ruu* Ruby said, fired up while on the table, holding a big chunk of meat.

“Thanks. I am really grateful for what you want to do but I can’t allow you to join me. This mission is dangerous. One wrong move and anyone can die. You saw how strong he is right?”

“I know. His [weapon] is already at level 80. But [Honoka]’s [Shadow of Flames] can deal with that. Won’t you really consider it?”

He then smiled and replied, “Then, on one condition. If you beat me in a battle, I’ll think about it.”

“Cyann…” Ellen reacted with furrowed eyebrows, not expecting Cyann’s sudden condition.

Everyone got surprised including me.

“A battle against...the strongest soldier of [Katzenschatz]...” I whispered to myself.

Ciana just sighed and smiled afterwards, knowing already the answer I’ll give.

As for Iwa, she just looked at me and Cyann back and forth, confused and nervous at the same time.

“Raiki...” Honoka called, knowing that Cyann’s condition is really unfair to us.

*ruuu-ruuu!* Ruby followed with a confident smile like he completely believe that we can win.

Jeez. This is making me really excited.

“Sure, I accept your condition. We’ll definitely win!” I said with an excited smile.

“Interesting. Just like I thought, this kid is really amusing,” Cyann said to Ellen and laughed out loud. “Very well, it will be a [three on one] battle. Come at me at your best, Raiki!”