The forest breeze was cold, carrying the scent of dew and moss. Raven walked silently, his cloak blending perfectly with the shadows.
Vee floated beside him, lazily twirling in midair. "So, Host~ our first destination is Greenfall Village. Low security, high corruption, weak leadership. You could take over the place in a day if you're smart."
Raven's lips curved slightly. "Then we'll take it in half."
Vee giggled. "Confident. I like it."
As they moved, Raven used Mind's Gambit. His perception sharpened instantly. He could feel the faint auras of animals around, the rhythm of the forest, and even detect faint movement patterns in the distance.
> [Skill: Mind's Gambit activated.]
[Your awareness and analysis are temporarily boosted.]
'This ability… it's perfect,' he thought. 'No more guessing. No more trusting luck.'
Soon, through the trees, he spotted rooftops. Smoke rose from chimneys. The small village looked peaceful, but Raven knew better. Places that looked calm often hid the dirtiest secrets.
Vee pointed ahead. "See that big house in the center? That's the mayor's mansion. Reports say he extorts villagers and hoards taxes. Perfect scum to exploit."
Raven's eyes glinted. "Corrupt. Greedy. Predictable."
He stopped by the entrance, pulling his hood lower. Two guards sat lazily at the gate, eating bread, chatting like fools.
One of them glanced at Raven. "You. Traveler. State your business."
Raven bowed slightly, voice calm. "Just passing through. Looking for work."
The other guard scoffed. "Work? Hah! You look like you've never farmed a day in your life."
Raven smiled faintly. "I don't farm. I fix problems."
They frowned. "Problems?"
He leaned closer, eyes cold. "Like corruption. Theft. Incompetence."
Their faces stiffened. Before they could respond, Raven waved a hand casually and stepped inside, leaving them frozen, unsure if they'd been threatened or not.
Vee floated closer, whispering, "Smooth. Subtle intimidation~"
"I need reputation," Raven muttered. "Fear before fame. That's the rule."
---
Inside, Greenfall Village was lively but worn down. Houses were cracked, roads muddy, and children barefoot. Yet the mayor's mansion gleamed like gold.
Classic corruption.
Raven sighed. "This place needs a new ruler."
"Yup! And guess who that'll be~?"
He ignored her teasing and scanned his surroundings. A crowd had gathered near a fountain. A man in fine clothes stood on a wooden stage, shouting.
"Taxes are due again! Anyone late will lose their home!"
Villagers muttered anxiously. Some clenched their fists. Others lowered their heads in silence.
Raven crossed his arms. "There's my entry point."
Vee smirked. "What's the plan?"
"Simple. I don't fight monsters. I use them."
---
Raven watched from a corner as the crowd dispersed. The mayor's men collected coins aggressively. One man stumbled, dropping a pouch. The guard kicked him in the stomach.
"Can't pay? Then get out of my sight!"
Raven's eyes narrowed. He walked over.
"Enough," he said.
The guard turned, sneering. "What's your problem, stranger?"
Raven tilted his head. "No problem. Just hate trash who kick the weak."
The guard spat. "Tough talk for someone with no armor."
In a flash, Raven's dagger moved.
A faint whoosh—then silence.
The guard froze. A thin line of blood appeared on his neck. He hadn't even seen the move.
Raven whispered, "You don't need armor when your enemies never get a chance."
The man collapsed. The villagers gasped.
Raven turned slowly, eyes calm, voice firm. "This village belongs to the people. Not parasites."
A woman whispered, "Who… are you?"
He smirked. "A problem fixer."
The crowd murmured. Some looked hopeful. Others fearful.
Vee's voice rang softly in his mind.
> [Villain Points +50]
[Reputation: Unknown Savior (Fear + Respect mixed)]
She grinned. "You're already stirring chaos~"
Raven didn't reply. His eyes locked on the mayor's mansion.
"Time for the real pest."
---
Night fell. Raven's shadow slipped silently through the village. The guards snored outside the mansion. He moved past them like smoke, dagger in hand.
Inside, candlelight flickered. Papers were stacked on a grand desk. Gold coins spilled from bags. The mayor—a fat man with rings on every finger—sat counting.
"...One hundred, two hundred—"
Click.
The window creaked open.
He looked up—and froze. A man in a dark cloak stood there, eyes glowing faintly.
"Who—who are you!?"
Raven stepped forward. "Your replacement."
"Wha—?! Guards! Guar—!"
A dagger embedded itself in the wall beside his ear.
"Call them, and you'll lose your tongue next," Raven said coldly.
The mayor's face went pale. "W-what do you want?!"
"Control," Raven said simply. "You'll announce tomorrow that taxes are reduced. You'll 'donate' half your wealth to the village. You'll also start praising the name 'Raven Cross'."
The mayor's jaw dropped. "Why would I—"
Raven leaned in, eyes sharp as knives. "Because if you don't… I'll feed your gold to your corpse."
The man trembled violently. "O-okay! Okay! I'll do it!"
> [Villain Points +100]
[Influence: Greenfall Village – Shadow Ruler]
Vee chuckled in his mind. "Hehe~ First conquest complete, Host!"
Raven turned to leave. "We're just getting started."
---
The next morning, the villagers gathered again. The mayor, pale and shaking, stood on stage.
"From today forward, taxes are reduced! And… half of my personal wealth will be used for rebuilding!"
Gasps filled the air. Hope flickered for the first time in years.
A name spread quietly among them.
Raven Cross.
A whisper in the dark. A savior or a devil—they didn't know.
But one thing was certain—change had arrived.
And in the shadows, watching it all, Raven smiled.
"This is only the beginning."