Extra's Descent

"You should go back to the memorial. Get yourself treated there."

Illya announced.

At the moment, Evelyn's memorial was most probably the safest place in Holy Britannia.

After all, Imperial Army officers and Guild rankers were attending.

A slight unease crept up on Illya.

The entire fight, she had realized something.

'He wasn't trying at all.'

The moment they started fighting, the boy had never even looked her way.

As if the boy was merely gauging their strength.

No, not boy.

Greed.

***

Raven's mind was plagued, thinking back on the situation an hour ago.

The situation was….

[Quest Complete!]

[Join Amelia and the others in grabbing refreshments.]

∎| [Shadow] Proficiency + 5%

——[Sovereign's Will]——

[Name: Raven Blackheart]

[Mana Core: Tier 4]

[Status: A+]

[Innate]

∟ Assassin's Rush

——[Status]——

∟ STR: A+ —[44%]

∟ MP: A- —[22%]

∟ DEF: A —[13%]

∟ AGI: S —[15%]

∟ INT: A —[12%]

∟ CHA: S —[72%]

[AVG: A+]

————————

The absurd quest again that didn't make any sense.

Furthermore, it didn't even end there.

[Quest Complete!]

[Approach the boy.]

∎| [Shadow] Proficiency + 2%

.

.

∎| [Shadow] — 44% — [LVL. 4]

"Kh…!"

And once again, the same effects followed.

Whenever he completed a quest, a sharp migraine would occur.

But this time, there was something else.

As if the entire world glitched, Raven saw a vision.

Just a miniscule of a second.

"Akh!"

Of his head getting severed.

"...."

The hell?

"You alright?"

"U–Uh?"

Standing next to Raven was Brandon. The two stood behind the rows, while Amelia and Belle debriefed Bellion about the sudden ordeal that occurred an hour ago.

"Yeah, just a headache."

Brandon stared at him and frowned. Realizing that it was probably nothing, he shook his head dismissively.

From what they uncovered, they were all attacked by the same person simultaneously.

Which led to an obvious conjecture.

'The Archbishop of Greed can split himself.'

In that case, it explained why he wasn't up to par. Most probably, his power halved due to splitting himself up.

Apparently, Illya dealt with him easily. For Brandon, it posed a bit of difficulty.

If that were the case, then how strong would he actually be if he didn't split himself up?

Incomprehensible.

If the Archbishops were that powerful, then Brandon had to get stronger fast.

"Hey, I'm stepping out for a bit."

Hands pressed to the side of his head, Raven walked towards the entrance.

"Uh, sure. But the ceremony is about to start."

"Yeah, I'll be back. Just need some air."

Brandon tilted his head belatedly, staring at Raven's departing back.

"Air, huh?"

It was still raining.

"...?"

But as Brandon scrutinized, he saw it.

There, a single strand of Raven's hair at the back of his head was white.

***

Leaning on the wall, Raven stared at the rain, the sound of drizzling echoing in his ear.

The roof that seemed to extend from the building protected him from the rain.

There were things to ponder about. And while he didn't think much of it in the past, he couldn't ignore the frequent occurrence of the odd quest anymore.

Whenever he followed the quest, situations always occurred.

It was as if the system was directly leading him to the situation.

It was peculiar. For all he knew, he hadn't done much in any of the quests at all.

Things just somehow solved themselves. All he had to do was interfere a bit.

"...?"

All of a sudden, pushing him out of his thoughts, a black sedan suddenly arrived.

The door opened, an umbrella peeking out. As the umbrella was raised, Raven scrutinized.

A familiar woman, with platinum–blonde hair and alluring crimson eyes, stepped out of the sedan, clutching a bouquet of roses in her chest.

Her features could only be described as ethereal.

Raven had seen her somewhere.

The Christmas party.

"What was her name again?"

Li….

Le….

Laa….

"Laina?"

No, that wasn't right.

"Lianna."

He finally remembered.

Lianna, the woman from the Christmas party.

He hadn't paid much attention to her back then, but there was something unsettling about her now.

Something he couldn't quite place.

But from what he knew, she was friends with Evelyn. So, her sudden appearance wasn't anything peculiar.

She strode toward him with elegance, her expression unreadable.

Raven straightened his back and pushed off the wall.

Lianna neared him. Raven stared at the bouquet in her hand, then back to her.

"Good evening, you're…. Raven Blackheart, correct?"

"Yes? Ah, yes. Lianna, right? No, that's not right. Miss Lianna."

He stammered.

She chuckled, giving him a kind, elegant smile.

"Yes, my name is Lianna."

Then, she glanced sideways at the entrance, and looked back at him.

"Has the ceremony started yet?"

"It's just about to start. The others are inside."

"Oh, I see. My schedule was quite hectic. So, I thought I'd be late."

Raven listened, unable to find a response to her words.

Lianna looked down pensively.

"What happened to Evelyn is truly unfortunate. I've only known her recently."

Lianna paused, her eyes softening as she spoke.

"But when I found out…. it was hard to believe. She didn't deserve such a fate."

Raven nodded, though his throat felt tight.

"Yeah… it still feels unreal."

Lianna looked up, her gaze meeting his. There was something in her eyes, a sadness that felt genuine.

"I've seen many losses in my life. But each one still weighs heavy."

Raven sighed, a sorrowful expression on his face.

An awkward silence followed, the rain pattering softly around them. Raven wasn't sure what to say next.

Lianna broke the silence soon after.

"Would you mind escorting me inside? I…. feel a bit out of place."

"Uh, sure."

Raven replied, stepping aside and gesturing toward the entrance.

Together, they walked toward the memorial, the sound of their footsteps lost in the rain.

As they neared the doors, Lianna glanced at him once more.

"Thank you, Raven. I appreciate the company."

Raven shrugged, feeling a little more at ease.

"No problem."

***

Brandon sat next to Amelia.

The ceremony was already underway.

Vanessa stood at the front of the memorial hall, gripping the podium.

She pushed forward, speaking into the heavy silence that filled the room.

—I've thought a lot about what to say today.

Vanessa began, her voice quiet but clear.

—Evelyn wasn't someone who wanted attention. In fact, she actively avoided it. If she could see all of this right now….

Vanessa allowed a small, sad smile to slip through.

—She'd probably tell us all to go home.

A few soft chuckles echoed in the room.

Vanessa's eyes softened as she continued.

—But here we are. And look at all of you. I don't think she realized just how many people she touched, how many lives she saved.

Her gaze moved slowly across the room.

There were so many people, many with tear-filled eyes, others with bowed heads.

—She never thought of herself as a hero.

Vanessa continued, her voice cracking slightly.

—But she was. Evelyn saved more people than any of us could count, and she did it without ever expecting anything in return.

Vanessa took a breath, composing herself.

—I met Evelyn years ago, when we both joined Incandescent Flames. Back then, she was…. distant, cold even.

She paused, remembering those early days.

—I didn't take it personally at first. She was like that with everyone. But I don't know, I guess I just… wanted to break through. I wanted to be her friend, even if she didn't want one.

A sad smile appeared on Vanessa's lips.

—She ignored me at first. I'd talk to her, and she'd barely say a word. But I kept coming back. I kept talking, kept trying.

The room was silent, except for the faint sound of rain pattering against the windows.

Everyone listened intently to Vanessa's words.

—And eventually, Evelyn opened up. Not all at once, but little by little. I got to see who she really was—a kind, thoughtful person who cared so deeply about the people around her. She just didn't know how to show it.

She wiped a tear that had fallen down her cheek.

—She never asked for recognition. She didn't want to be praised for what she did. She just wanted to help people, quietly, in the background.

Vanessa's gaze shifted, landing briefly on Brandon, who sat in the back.

Her eyes lingered on him for a moment.

—She was a mentor to others, too. She guided people when they needed it most.

Brandon felt a tightness in his chest. But his expressions remained calm, even indifferent.

Amelia, sitting next to him, wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

She glanced at him for a brief second. Upon realizing the blankness in his face, she remained silent.

A few more minutes passed, and Vanessa stepped down from the podium.

Her legs trembled as she made her way back to her seat.

Brandon closed his eyes, allowing the mourning that ensued to reach his ears.

Soon after, he stood up.

"Where are you going?"

Amelia asked.

"Stepping outside for a bit."

He gave her a smile.

Amelia was just about to say something, but Brandon was already walking away.

His lips may have moved, but his eyes weren't smiling at all.

He felt distant no more than ever, leaving Amelia unsure of what to do.

***

*Puff*

The suffocating heat entered his throat.

"Bitter."

He muttered.

Soon after, a figure stepped outside the ceremony hall too.

It was Illya, standing right next to him with her arms crossed, leaning on the wall.

"You're smoking now?"

"Helps keep my mind at ease."

"I really can't read you."

*Puff*

Allowing the smoke to dissipate in the air, Brandon stared at the rain.

"So you've fought Greed too. What do you think?"

He asked.

Illya looked at him with her usual stoic expression.

She held up her hand.

"...?"

She held it once more, leaving Brandon confused.

"What?"

Illya tilted her head and frowned, her pink bangs swaying to the side.

"Oh."

Brandon realized. She was asking for compensation.

"Didn't I already pay in advance?"

"You're paying extra since I saved them."

"Isn't Amelia your friend? Wouldn't you save her for free?"

"She's free of charge. You're paying for the others…. I don't even remember their names."

Brandon blankly stared at her back for a brief second before an idea popped up in his head.

"Any discount?"

"Sure, zero percent off."

"...."

"Fine, I'll wire it."

"Thanks."

Illya walked ahead. It was still raining, but she didn't use an umbrella.

In fact, the rain seemed to slip from her figure, leaving her dry.

"You're going?"

"I'm not too close with Evelyn anyway. I'll feel out of place."

"That so?"

"Yes, goodbye now."

Brandon mumbled to the side. "You're just shy."

Illya paused for a second, as if she heard it. Then, she continued walking.

"Hey."

Not until Brandon called for her.

Turning back, she tilted her head, her expressions remaining stoic.

"...?"

"Don't die."