Raven walked through the bustling streets of the city, his expression cold and unreadable as he navigated the lively chaos. Vendors lined the streets, shouting to advertise their goods, each trying to outdo the other.
"Fresh fruit! Best in the city!" one vendor called out.
"Handmade jewelry! Perfect for gifts!" another chimed in.
Raven glanced briefly at the shops as he passed, reading the signs aloud to himself. "Golden Orchard Market… Artisan's Haven… Starfire Emporium." His tone was flat, devoid of enthusiasm. He continued walking, taking in the sights of the numerous shops, homes, and inns that lined the streets.
As he approached an inn, he read its name aloud. "The Restful Traveler." He paused for a moment. "Sounds like a place I could stay for a while," he murmured.
But before heading toward the inn, his attention was drawn to a nearby merchant shop. The sign above the door read, "Emerald Exchange." Raven tilted his head slightly. "Emerald Exchange… a merchant shop." Without hesitation, he walked inside.
The shop's interior was well-lit, with shelves neatly stocked with various goods. At the center was a reception desk where a young woman stood, organizing some paperwork. She looked up as the door opened and saw Raven enter. Her expression brightened.
"Hello! Welcome to the Emerald Exchange," she said warmly. "I'm Sera, the receptionist here. How are you doing today?"
Raven's crimson eyes met hers with a cold, piercing gaze. He didn't answer her question. Instead, he said flatly, "I'm here to sell some items."
Sera blinked, slightly unnerved by his demeanor, but maintained her professional smile. "Of course! Please show me what you'd like to trade or sell."
Raven extended his hand and activated his storage skill. In a flash, a large assortment of items materialized on the counter, neatly arranged. Sera's eyes widened as she stared at the collection in disbelief. She began examining the items one by one, listing them aloud as she went.
"High-quality potions… enchanted weapons… rare crafting materials…" Her voice faltered as she reached the final item. "A top-tier class item?! What the hell?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with shock.
Raven nodded slightly. "How much money can I get for these items?" he asked, his tone as cold as ever.
Sera hesitated, her hands trembling as she calculated the value of the items. "Th-these items are incredible," she stammered. "I… I've never seen such high-quality goods in one place before. They… they're worth a fortune." She named the total amount, her voice shaking as she spoke the astronomical figure.
For the first time, a flicker of surprise crossed Raven's face, though it quickly vanished. "That much?" he muttered under his breath. He glanced at the items again, then back at Sera. "I'll sell them all to you for that amount."
Sera nodded hurriedly. "Y-yes, of course! I'll get the money right away." She disappeared into the back room, her footsteps quick with urgency.
A few minutes later, Sera returned, carrying a large pouch filled with gold coins. She placed it on the counter with a slight thud, the weight of the coins evident.
"Here you go," she said, still slightly awestruck. "This is the full amount for your items."
Raven reached out and took the pouch, testing its weight in his hand. He gave a curt nod. "Thank you," he said simply before turning to leave.
"Wait!" Sera called out, but Raven was already walking toward the door. She sighed, shaking her head in amazement. "What a strange guy," she muttered to herself, watching as he disappeared into the bustling streets.
Raven walked through the bustling streets of the city, his crimson eyes scanning his surroundings while his mind wandered. "I need a weapon that suits me," he murmured to himself. "Something that grows stronger as I do. A blade that can keep up with my evolution." The idea sparked in his mind, and without hesitation, he turned toward a blacksmith's forge he had passed earlier.
Pushing open the heavy wooden door, the sound of a bell jingling announced his arrival. The interior of the forge was warm, the air filled with the scent of molten metal and burning coals. A burly man with a thick beard looked up from his work and greeted him.
"Welcome to the Blacksmith Forge," the man said with a wide grin. "Name's Garrick. What can I do for you?"
Raven's cold, emotionless gaze met Garrick's cheerful expression. "I need you to create something for me. And I'll need a substitute sword until it's ready."
Garrick nodded, intrigued. "Alright then. What kind of sword do you have in mind?"
Raven paused for a moment before responding. "I want a special sword. One that evolves with me."
The blacksmith raised an eyebrow, a spark of excitement lighting up his face. "An evolving sword, huh? That's ambitious… but I'd love to take on the challenge. You want a sub sword to use in the meantime?"
Raven nodded. "Yes. How much will the custom sword cost?"
Garrick stroked his beard thoughtfully before naming a price. Without hesitation, Raven reached into his storage and produced the gold coins, placing them on the counter. Garrick's eyes widened slightly at the sheer amount, but he quickly recovered and grinned.
"You've got yourself a deal," he said. He handed Raven a simple but well-crafted substitute sword. "This should serve you until your custom blade is ready. Come back in a few days, and I'll have it finished."
Raven took the substitute sword and placed it into his storage. "Thanks," he said simply. As he turned to leave, he gave a small wave over his shoulder. "See you later."
Garrick watched him go, shaking his head with a chuckle. "That's one cold customer," he muttered to himself before returning to his work.
---
After leaving the forge, Raven's gaze shifted toward the inn he had decided on earlier. "The Restful Traveler," he murmured, recalling its name. He made his way there, weaving through the crowded streets. A few minutes later, he stood at the entrance and pushed the door open.
The inn was packed with people, the air filled with the sounds of chatter, laughter, and the clinking of plates and mugs. As Raven stepped inside, the noise dimmed slightly as heads turned to look at the newcomer. Whispers spread through the room as people voiced their opinions about him.
"Who's that guy?" one patron muttered.
"Looks dangerous," another said.
"Cold as ice," someone else added.
Raven ignored the murmurs and made his way to the counter. Behind it stood a beautiful woman with white hair and emerald eyes, her apron neatly tied. She smiled warmly at him.
"Welcome to The Restful Traveler," she said. "I'm Elara, the owner of this inn. What can I do for you?"
Raven nodded slightly. "I want to rent a room. For a few months."
Elara's eyes widened slightly at the request but quickly regained her composure. "Of course. That will cost..." she named the price for a few months' rent.
Raven reached into his storage and produced the necessary gold coins, placing them on the counter without hesitation. Elara's expression brightened as she handed him a key.
"Here you go," she said. "Your room is on the second floor, third door on the right. Let me know if you need anything."
Raven nodded again. "Thanks." Without another word, he turned and made his way upstairs.
---
A few minutes later, he unlocked the door to his room and stepped inside. The space was larger than he expected, with a comfortable-looking bed, a small desk, and a window that offered a view of the bustling street below.
Raven set his belongings aside and laid down on the bed. The softness of the mattress and the quiet of the room were a stark contrast to the chaos of the forest and the streets. For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to relax.
As he closed his eyes, his thoughts began to settle, and the tension in his body eased. Sleep came quickly, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he slept soundly, his emotions finally finding a moment of calm.
---
When he woke the next day, the sunlight streaming through the window felt almost comforting. The bed beneath him was warm and inviting. Raven stretched slightly, his body feeling more rested than it had in years.
"A good bed does make a difference," he murmured to himself. With a faint sigh, he sat up and began preparing for the day ahead.
Raven stretched his body and let out a rare yawn, feeling more rested than he had in years. "I haven't slept like that in… forever," he muttered to himself. "Even when I was in the hospital, hooked up to those machines, it never felt this good."
He got up from the bed, his movements steady and deliberate. After putting on his clothes, his mind wandered to the custom sword he had ordered.
"I wonder if it's ready," he thought, his crimson eyes flickering with a faint glimmer of curiosity.
Descending the staircase, the noise of the inn grew louder. Conversations halted as the patrons turned to look at the mysterious figure emerging from the upper floor. Whispers spread through the room as people exchanged opinions about the cold and enigmatic man they hadn't seen since his arrival.
"Is that him?" someone murmured.
"He's got such a cold stare… gives me chills," another added.
The inn's owner, Elara, noticed Raven immediately. Her emerald eyes lit up as she greeted him warmly. "Hello, Raven. How's it going?"
Raven glanced at her, his expression as icy as ever. He gave a curt nod but said nothing, walking straight to the door. The room fell silent as he left the inn, his presence leaving an air of mystery behind him.
---
The streets were already bustling as Raven made his way to the blacksmith's forge. Pushing open the heavy door, the familiar sound of the bell announced his arrival.
"I'm back, old man," Raven said flatly.
Garrick, the blacksmith, turned around, wiping his hands on a cloth. His face lit up when he saw Raven. "Ah, Mr. Cross! You're just in time. Your special sword is ready."
The burly man walked over to a nearby rack and carefully retrieved the weapon. The sword gleamed brilliantly, its craftsmanship evident in every detail. The blade shimmered with an otherworldly glow, and intricate runes were etched along its surface, pulsating faintly with energy. The hilt was both elegant and sturdy, perfectly balanced for combat.
Raven's eyes narrowed as he examined the sword. "Skill: Appraisal," he murmured, activating his ability. A translucent screen appeared before him, displaying the weapon's stats:
---
**Weapon Name:** Abyssal Blade
**Type:** Evolving Sword
**Level:** 1
**Skills:**
- **Evolving Bond:** The sword grows stronger alongside its wielder, unlocking new abilities at key levels.
- **Abyssal Strike:** Channels dark energy to deliver a devastating blow, bypassing enemy defenses.
- **Mana Resonance:** Increases the wielder's magic potency when the sword is equipped.
- **Adaptive Edge:** Adjusts its sharpness and weight to suit the wielder's fighting style.
**Description:** A blade forged with precision and bound by the essence of its wielder. The Abyssal Blade resonates with its owner, growing in power and potential as their bond deepens.
---
Raven stared at the screen, his cold demeanor hiding his amazement. "Incredible," he thought. "It's exactly what I wanted." He closed the screen and turned his gaze to Garrick. "Thank you," he said simply, his tone as icy as ever.
Garrick chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "You're welcome, though you've got a strange way of showing gratitude, kid. Take care of that blade, alright? It's one of a kind."
Raven reached out and took the sword. The moment his hand wrapped around the hilt, he felt an overwhelming connection. The sword seemed to hum faintly, its energy aligning perfectly with his own aura. The sensation was almost intoxicating.
"It's more than just a weapon," Raven thought, his mind racing. "It's an extension of myself." He stared at the blade for a moment longer, his thoughts swirling with possibilities.
Without another word, Raven turned and began to walk toward the door. Before Garrick could say anything else, Raven's body dissolved into a swarm of black ravens, leaving the blacksmith standing there, confused and muttering to himself.
"Does he always have to leave like that?" Garrick said with a chuckle.
---
**To be continued...**