Chapter 10 - A New Resolve

The next day came, sunlight peeking through the windows and filling the small room where Raven had stayed. He opened his crimson eyes slowly, sitting up and stretching his body. A quiet sigh escaped his lips as he looked down at his worn-out clothes.

"I need something new," Raven muttered to himself, standing up.

A short while later, Raven walked through the bustling streets, his cold aura naturally parting the crowds as people instinctively avoided him. He spotted a clothing shop nestled between two larger stores and stepped inside. The bell above the door rang faintly as he entered.

The worker behind the counter looked up, smiling warmly at first. "Welcome! How may I help you today?" she asked cheerfully.

Raven's crimson eyes met hers, his cold and unreadable expression freezing her mid-smile.

"Just looking around," Raven said flatly, his voice calm but firm.

The worker swallowed and nodded quickly. "O-of course! Let me know if you need anything."

Raven ignored her nervousness and began browsing the store. He moved methodically, his sharp gaze scanning each rack and shelf with precision. After a while, he found exactly what he wanted.

He picked out:

Black pants with a sturdy black belt that had a large silver buckle. A black V-necked shirt to wear underneath a sleek black trench coat with gray lining running down the sleeves. A pair of durable black boots reinforced with silver plates that protected his shins. A silver plate insignia to wear on the left side of his coat. Black fingerless gloves that gave his hands freedom while maintaining protection.

Raven brought the items to the counter, paid for them in full, and quietly changed into his new outfit. The black fabric fit perfectly, accentuating his lean, strong form. The silver details gleamed faintly in the light, adding a touch of elegance to the otherwise intimidating ensemble. He flexed his hands, adjusting the gloves before looking at himself briefly in the store mirror.

Not bad, he thought, feeling the comfort and practicality of the clothing. His crimson eyes sharpened as he nodded faintly to the worker in silent gratitude and left the store without another word.

The streets bustled with life as Raven stepped back outside, the black trench coat trailing slightly behind him as he walked. His presence was commanding, and those around him couldn't help but glance his way. Whispers followed him as he headed toward the guild.

Moments later, Raven pushed open the massive doors to the Adventurers Guild. The usual lively noise of the guild hall quieted almost instantly as every head turned toward the entrance.

Gasps rippled through the room.

"Is that Raven?!"

"Look at those clothes! He looks… terrifying."

"I thought he was dead yesterday!"

"His aura… it's even stronger now."

Raven ignored the voices. His cold stare scanned the room as he walked toward the receptionist's desk. His boots echoed softly against the wooden floor, and his radiating aura was impossible to ignore. Adventurers shifted nervously in their seats as he passed, his overwhelming presence unnerving even the most seasoned fighters.

Behind the counter, the guild receptionist Mira spotted Raven approaching. Her jaw dropped slightly as her hands froze mid-motion. She blinked, stuttering as he finally stopped in front of her.

"R-Raven? H-how are you even here?" she stammered, her voice filled with shock.

Raven tilted his head slightly, his crimson eyes narrowing. "Did I become an adventurer or not?" His voice was calm, but the faint pulse of his aura made Mira shrink back slightly.

"Y-yes! You… you did!" Mira said quickly, fumbling to regain her composure. She took a deep breath, straightening her posture. "Since you defeated Instructor Garrick in your evaluation, you're officially registered as an adventurer."

"Good," Raven said curtly, his voice like ice.

Mira cleared her throat and picked up a small guild badge from the counter. "Here's your adventurer badge. It's proof of your registration. You're currently starting at Rank D, based on your combat performance yesterday." She handed him the badge, which bore the guild emblem and a faint engraving of his name.

Raven took it without a word, slipping it into his coat.

"Additionally," Mira continued, regaining her professional demeanor, "new adventurers must familiarize themselves with the guild's quest system. Missions are ranked from F to S, and as you progress through quests, your rank will increase. You may take missions posted on the boards over there," she said, pointing toward the massive mission boards across the hall.

Raven glanced at them briefly, then looked back at her. "Understood."

Mira nodded, her voice softening slightly. "Also… try not to push yourself so hard next time. Everyone here saw what happened to you yesterday."

Raven didn't respond. He simply turned away, his coat swaying with his movement as he walked toward the mission boards. Behind him, the murmurs resumed, louder than before.

"He really is something else," one adventurer whispered.

"He took down the instructor and survived that? That's insane," another said.

Mira watched Raven for a moment, her expression softening.

"Just who are you, Raven Cross?" she whispered under her breath.

Raven approached the mission board. His crimson eyes scanned the various parchments pinned to the wooden surface. At the far-left section, marked with a bold letter F, he spotted the missions ranked for beginners. Reaching out, Raven grabbed a few of the missions and began to read them out loud, his voice low and steady:

"Mission One: Hunt ten Giant Forest Rats in the outer woods."

"Mission Two: Escort a merchant caravan to the nearby village of Hillspire."

"Mission Three: Gather ten medicinal herbs from the Mistflower Grove."

"Mission Four: Deliver a letter to the mayor of Willowbrook."

Raven read each one carefully, his cold gaze flickering between them as he assessed their worth. Finally, he reached for Mission Two: the escort mission. Holding the parchment in his hand, Raven gave a small nod to himself.

He turned and walked back to the receptionist's desk. Mira noticed him approaching again and smiled softly.

"Hey, Raven. What do you have there?" she asked curiously.

Raven held out the mission parchment silently. Mira took it, quickly scanning the details. Her brows lifted in slight surprise.

"The escort mission to Hillspire?" she confirmed, looking back up at Raven. "That's a good pick. It's fairly straightforward but still has risks—especially with recent bandit activity along the trade route. You'll be protecting a merchant caravan carrying valuable goods."

Raven listened to her explanation without a word, his cold eyes steady as he processed the details. Mira smiled faintly.

"Just be careful out there, Raven. I'm sure you'll do fine," she said warmly, handing the parchment back to him.

Raven took the mission sheet, gave a small nod, and turned away, heading for the exit.