35 Mercenaries. (1/2)

-Ten years later-

In the forest near Azmar City, you could see a girl fighting multiple Rank-5 Beasts! The girl had short black hair tied in a ponytail. In her hands were two pitch-black blades as she slashed towards the incoming Lightning Wolf.

This girl, of course, was Raven. It was just recently when she advanced to Rank-5 Mage and Rank-5 Fighter!

In these short ten years, her prowess had skyrocketed. She had Ozul to enlighten her about the Darkness Element and resources obtained after completing the missions from Count Oliver.

Moreover, she noticed that as time passed by, cultivating both her Body and Mana Core together had benefits.

With a sturdy body, she had an easier time circulating Mana in her body, which helped in reducing the time and effort to advance as a Mage.

While with a better Mana Core, fusing the refined Mana with her body became effortless.

Both methods complemented each other, and together with the comprehension from Ozul, her talent stunned everyone who saw her growth.

Count Oliver, in these ten years, had come to know that Raven was but a simple village girl! When he saw her talent, he tried many times to recruit her but was declined every time.

A bit far from her laid a young man with a jet black pointed hat on his face. His arms were folded under his head as he slept soundlessly, not paying attention to the massacre of Rank-5 Beasts.

Ozul had grown into a young man from that ten years old kid. The only thing that changed was that he was getting a bit worried about his 'parts' now.

It had been 20 years already, his severed arms can survive that, but the people are obviously experimenting on them! So, he could not rest easy.

Thankfully, Raven was growing without a hitch. But he has not found anyone else besides her, Which is also worrying.

He could not increase the density of the Ball of Purity, but his proficiency had skyrocketed. He could use fine needles even as far as a 10-meter radius from him!

Alongside this, Ozul and Raven's fame had been increasing over time. Many upper echelons of the kingdom received the wind of this.

Whatever Count Oliver threw at them, they would complete it. Since most of the tasks would have people killed, some sayings started to float around like;

”When you see your dark surroundings get darker; Don't resist,”

”Perhaps, you will be devoured without pain by the Ravenshadow,”

”By the Feral.”

No one actually knew Raven's name, but people had given Ozul nicknames such as the Ravenshadow and the Feral.

Count Oliver would always try to tease Ozul with such nicknames, but Raven would come to his rescue. Although Raven also liked the sound of the Ravenshadow.

Raven had also grown into a beauty. Alas, Ozul would only come for her when he needed the lap pillows. She did not complain, though. She was happy as long as Ozul needed her.

When Raven finished slaughtering the Beasts, she looked as though nothing even happened. She had improved the Mana and Stamina steal of the daggers over time. She also named the blades as ”Lifebenders”.

Whenever Ozul went to the mission, Raven would also join from time to time. Now, she wouldn't even bat an eye before killing someone.

Ten years with Ozul, she had experienced people who looked innocent, but back-stabbed just the next moment.

Raven had seen the fickle nature of humans. These experiences turned her gentle beauty into the cold beauty that she is today.

Nevertheless, all that coldness and indifference vanishes whenever Ozul came into her view.

She went towards Ozul and woke him up. They had to leave now, even though Raven had only advanced yesterday, she was already better than most of the Rank-5 Mages!

When Ozul woke up, he saw the smiling face of Raven, looking at him with anticipation. He could even see the imaginary tail wagging behind her.

Ozul stood up and patted her head, which caused the wagging to intensify. He was not sure, but Ozul may have even heard the purr as he saw the blissful expression on her face.

”There there, you did well.”- Ozul said in a normal tone. He had also started to show some care towards her.