Raven walked through the bustling streets, his cold crimson eyes scanning the surroundings as he moved with purpose. His footsteps were steady, his expression unreadable as always. Eventually, he stopped in front of a shop with a large, soot-stained sign that read Blacksmith Forge. Without hesitation, he pushed open the heavy wooden door.
The sound of a bell chiming echoed through the shop as Raven stepped inside. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and molten metal. A burly man with a thick beard and muscular arms looked up from his work, wiping his hands on a rag as he turned to greet his new customer.
"Welcome to Blacksmith Forge," the blacksmith said with a booming voice. "The name's Borik, best smith in this part of the city."
Raven remained silent for a moment, his cold stare meeting Borik's. Finally, he spoke, his tone even and firm.
"I need you to create something for me… and I'll need a substitute sword as well."
Borik raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A substitute sword, eh? Alright, lad, I can help with that. What kind of sword do you want me to forge?"
Raven nodded faintly, his crimson eyes sharp. "I want you to make a special sword… one that evolves with me."
For a moment, Borik was silent, blinking as if unsure he heard correctly. Then a wide grin spread across his face, and he let out a hearty laugh.
"A sword that evolves with its wielder, you say? Now that sounds like a challenge worth my time! You've got yourself a deal, lad." He cracked his knuckles, clearly excited by the idea. "Now, you said you want a substitute sword to use until it's done? I've got some reliable blades for that."
Raven gave a small nod, his gaze unwavering. "That's correct."
Borik turned toward a nearby rack, where swords of various sizes and shapes were displayed. He pulled a sturdy steel blade from the collection and handed it to Raven.
"Here. This one's balanced, sharp, and won't let you down in a fight. It'll serve you well until your custom sword is ready."
Without hesitation, Raven took the substitute sword and placed it into his storage, making it vanish instantly. Borik's grin faltered for just a moment before he shook his head in amusement.
"You adventurers and your magic storage tricks," he muttered. "Now, about the custom sword… it won't be cheap. How much gold do you have?"
Raven pulled out the exact amount of gold coins that the custom sword would cost and placed them on the counter with a soft clink. Borik stared at the pile for a moment, impressed.
"Well, you're certainly serious about this, aren't you?" Borik said with a chuckle. "Alright then. Come back in a few days, and I'll have your new sword ready for you. You won't be disappointed, lad."
Raven gave a faint nod, turning to leave. As he reached the door, he paused, raising one hand slightly in a casual wave.
"Thanks… see you later," he said flatly before walking out the door, the bell chiming softly behind him.
Back on the streets, Raven turned his attention to the inn he had noticed earlier. His cold gaze settled on the sign: The Silver Moon Inn. Without wasting time, he walked toward it. A few minutes later, he reached the building and stepped inside.
The moment he entered, the noise hit him. The inn was packed with people eating, drinking, talking, and laughing loudly. The clatter of plates and mugs mixed with the boisterous shouting of adventurers recounting tales of their battles.
As Raven stepped inside, the noise died down momentarily. Heads turned, and all eyes fell on him. The lively atmosphere turned into a murmur of whispers.
"Who is that guy?"
"He doesn't look like much, but… there's something about him."
"Creepy eyes… and what's with that cold stare?"
Raven ignored the comments completely, walking through the crowd as though they didn't exist. He approached the counter, where a beautiful woman with long white hair and emerald green eyes stood. She wore a clean apron, clearly marking her as the innkeeper.
"Welcome to the Silver Moon Inn!" she said warmly, her smile soft. "My name is Alina, the owner of this inn. How can I help you?"
Raven met her gaze with his usual unchanging expression. "I want to buy a few months' rent for a room."
Alina's smile widened slightly, though there was a hint of surprise in her eyes. "A few months? That's quite a long time. The cost will be…" She quickly calculated the total and told him the amount.
Raven gave a small nod before pulling out the gold coins and placing them on the counter. Alina's eyes widened slightly as she took the payment but quickly regained her composure.
"Well, that's everything settled then," she said cheerfully. She handed Raven a small iron key. "Here's your room key. Your room is on the second floor, third door on the left. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Raven nodded slightly, taking the key. "Thanks," he muttered before turning and walking toward the stairs. The crowd slowly resumed their conversations, though whispers still followed him.
A few minutes later, Raven reached his room. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, glancing around the spacious interior. The room was clean and well-kept, with a large bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a small window that overlooked the streets below.
Raven closed the door behind him and let out a quiet breath. Walking over to the bed, he sat down, the soft mattress a stark contrast to the hard ground he had been used to.
He laid back, his crimson eyes staring at the ceiling as his body relaxed. For the first time in a while, he allowed himself to let go of the tension that constantly surrounded him.
I can settle here for now, he thought silently, his mind beginning to calm.
Eventually, Raven's eyes closed, and he fell into a deep, comfortable sleep—his first true rest in what felt like forever. The soft bed and quiet room offered a sense of peace that he hadn't known he needed.
Raven slept for an entire week, a deep, peaceful rest unlike any he had experienced before. The soft, comfortable bed provided a quiet sanctuary he never knew he needed. For the first time in years, there were no nightmares, no interruptions, and no machines beeping incessantly beside him.
On the final day of the week, his crimson eyes slowly opened. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the soft morning light that streamed in through the window. Sitting up, he let out a long yawn, stretching his stiff limbs before muttering to himself.
"I haven't slept like that in years… not even when I was in the hospital, hooked up to a machine."
He stood up, his movements slow and deliberate as he adjusted his clothes and slipped on his black coat. His thoughts drifted briefly to the custom sword he had commissioned days earlier.
"The sword should be done by now," Raven murmured to himself. Without wasting any more time, he walked toward the door.
Descending the stairs, Raven's presence immediately caught the attention of everyone in the inn's main hall. Conversations quieted as heads turned to stare at him.
"Isn't that the guy who rented a room for months?" one patron whispered.
"I haven't seen him since the day he walked in…" another added.
"He gives me chills just looking at him," someone muttered nervously.
Despite the murmurs around him, Raven's expression remained cold and unbothered. His crimson eyes swept over the room briefly before he turned toward the door.
The inn's owner, Alina, spotted him and smiled warmly from behind the counter. "Good morning, Raven. How is it going?"
Raven paused for a moment, turning his gaze toward her. His face remained unreadable, but he gave a small, silent nod in acknowledgment before pushing the door open and stepping out into the streets.
The city was just as bustling as before, with vendors calling out their wares and adventurers moving about in groups. Raven paid no mind to the lively atmosphere as he headed toward the blacksmith's shop. After a short walk, he reached the familiar soot-stained building of Blacksmith Forge and entered, the bell above the door chiming softly.
"I'm back, old man," Raven said flatly as he stepped inside.
The blacksmith, Borik, turned around from his workbench, his face lighting up with recognition.
"Ah, Mr. Cross! Right on time," Borik said with a grin, wiping his hands on his apron. "Your special sword is ready, and I must say… it's a beauty."
Borik walked over to a sturdy display stand and carefully picked up a sword that had been resting there. He turned back to Raven, holding the weapon out with pride.
The sword was breathtaking. The blade gleamed with a faint silver hue, faint runes etched along its length that pulsed softly with energy. Its hilt was wrapped in black leather, adorned with a crimson gemstone embedded in its pommel that glowed faintly, almost as if it were alive.
Raven's crimson eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the sword. Without hesitation, he whispered, "Skill: Appraisal."
A blue status screen appeared before him, detailing the sword's name, properties, and abilities.
Sword Details:
Name: Eclipsing Fang
Type: Evolving Sword
Rarity: Legendary
Attack Power: 250 (Scales with user's level)
Weight: Light
Special Traits:
Evolving Weapon: Gains new abilities as the wielder grows stronger.
Soul Resonance: The sword bonds with its wielder, amplifying their abilities.
Shadow Edge: Imbues the blade with dark energy, increasing attack power against enemies.
Lifesteal: Absorbs a portion of the target's health with every strike.
Raven read through the information, his crimson eyes glinting faintly with interest.
"Amazing," he muttered under his breath.
Borik beamed with pride as he noticed Raven's focused gaze on the weapon. "Well? What do you think? A masterpiece, isn't it?"
Raven looked up, his cold expression softening just slightly as he responded. "Thank you."
Borik blinked in surprise. For a man as stoic as Raven, even those two simple words felt like high praise. Before the blacksmith could say anything else, Raven stepped forward, grasping the hilt of the sword. The moment his fingers wrapped around it, a faint pulse of energy traveled through him, as if the weapon were acknowledging its new master.
He lifted the blade with ease, feeling the weight—or lack thereof—in his hand. It felt natural, like an extension of his own body.
Borik opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Raven's body dissolved into a swirling storm of ravens. The dark flock scattered across the room and disappeared entirely, leaving behind a stunned and speechless blacksmith.
Borik stared at the now-empty space where Raven had been, his jaw slack.
"What… just happened?" he muttered, scratching his head in confusion.
Outside, Raven reappeared in a quiet alley, the Eclipsing Fang resting comfortably in his hand. He stared down at the blade, watching as its runes glimmered faintly under the light.
"This sword…" Raven murmured softly. "It's perfect."
He sheathed the weapon at his side, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly as he turned his gaze toward the distant horizon.
This is only the beginning.
Let it be continued...