Xu Weiyu’s voice still echoed in the room.

"Calm down," Raven gently patted her shoulder.

"Calm down? You want me to calm down?! The man who killed my father… Now The Alliance orders me to save his life with my own hands. How can I stay calm? How can I let this go? You want me to abandon my hatred? Forget everything? Impossible! Impossible! All these years… I still dream of that day. I must see him dead!! No matter what it takes, no matter the cost… Help me kill him, I beg you… I’ll do anything… anything at all…"

"I’ll… do anything…" she sobbed.

"The principle of alchemy is equivalent exchange, Xu Weiyu," Raven softly grasped her hand. "If you want my help, you must pay the price: join my organization, become my property, and obey every command. Nod now, and I’ll kill him for you. But I give you one minute to think. After that, your answer is final."

"I don’t need to think! I won’t wait this minute… I want him dead!"

"Are you sure?"

"I’m sure!"

"Then our contract is sealed."

"Lend me your computer." Raven followed her into her room. Xu Weiyu’s computer lit up as he typed a string of characters, logged into a cloud storage, downloaded software, then pulled up surveillance feeds—The Alliance’s front gate, departments, basement corridors… every camera.

Rain blurred the screens, dimming the view.

"Wait here for me."

With those words, Raven turned and left Xu Weiyu’s room. A snap echoed in her ears, and his figure vanished like a ghost once more.

…………………………

The rain was icy.

Raven stood silently at The Alliance’s main gate, umbrella in hand.

This fortress boasted world-class security, yet he simply walked to the entrance, closed his umbrella, and strode straight inside.

Within ten seconds, a crowd of ability users surrounded him. Raven snapped his fingers. Instantly, they all flew up to the ceiling, clearing his path. He continued toward the underground chamber.

He moved as if familiar with every corner, like coming home. An S Rank ability user appeared ahead. Another snap, and the man slumped unconscious. Raven hummed a tuneless melody, black umbrella in hand, his dark mask gleaming faintly.

………………………………

Xu Weiyu stared at the surveillance feed.

She saw Butcher’s location. After treatment, he remained in the room, checking his vitals and reporting what he’d witnessed. Then red alert lights flashed in his chamber.

Raven kicked the door.

The titanium alloy barrier shattered. He tilted his head at Butcher, who was mid-report, and spoke quietly.

"I told you to wait for death, not to cling to life."

He stepped forward. Butcher, fully healed, had no escape—only a desperate fight. He clenched his fists; as a physical-type ability user in The Alliance’s headquarters, he still had a sliver of hope.

But in truth—

Raven easily seized his neck, lifted him, and pinned him to the wall. He tightened his left fist, leaned close to Butcher’s ear, and whispered.

"Xu Weiyu—Xu Shu’s daughter—traded everything for your life. She’s far more precious than you. You made me a very profitable deal."

His fist fell.

The wall now held a smear of pulp. Raven released the headless corpse, ignoring the gushing blood. He flicked his hand, shaking off clinging bits of flesh and brain matter.

Behind him, seventy or eighty ability users had gathered. The weakest were S Rank; seven or eight SS Rank stood at the front. Among them was Cat Gem, whom he’d met days ago. She gripped her sword tightly, fear in her eyes but overridden by stubborn courage.

Raven’s voice was slow, yet clear.

"You have two choices. One: stop me and all die. The world will descend into chaos."

"Two: step aside now. I’m going home to sleep."

"I give you ten seconds to decide."

He waited silently. At the seventh second, a gentle female voice spoke in Cat Gem’s earpiece. "Let him go. I can’t reach you in time, and his strength is unknown. No pointless sacrifices."

Cat Gem ordered the crowd to part. Raven walked through, extending his blood-soaked right hand.

"Uh… a water-element user, please. Clean my hand."

A timid water-element user obeyed instinctively, washing the blood away. Raven met her eyes and murmured thanks. He continued up the stairs, out of The Alliance’s basement, then released the ability users dangling from the ceiling. He stepped through the main gate and vanished into the rain.

…………………………

Xu Weiyu’s phone rang—an unknown number. Raven’s voice came through.

"Open that software you’re using. Press the button to block all surveillance in your district for fifteen minutes. Then come open the door for me."

Xu Weiyu hummed in agreement and pressed the key.

The call ended. True to his word, fifteen minutes later, a knock sounded. Raven stood at the door, his gaze steady on hers.

"It’s done."

He entered. Xu Weiyu sat opposite him. They stared at each other until she burst into tears.

"It’s over. Butcher is dead," Raven said quietly.

He offered no comfort. Xu Weiyu was strong; she only needed to rely on herself. So he waited patiently, unmoved by her sobs.

Her cat padded over, nuzzling her leg. Xu Weiyu cried until her tears ran dry. Raven handed her a tissue from the table.

She wiped her eyes, looking into his. "What should I call you now?"

"Whatever you like. Boss. Raven. Either is fine."

"Now that I’m part of your organization… what’s its name?"

"It has none."

"What does it do?"

"No fixed plans. Mostly, I follow my mood."

"And what do you usually do?"

"Test human nature," Raven shrugged.

"Test human nature?" Xu Weiyu frowned, puzzled.

"Yeah. A chuunibyou’s favorite pastime," he replied flatly. Her cat curled into his lap. He stroked its head, scratching under its chin.

"Can I… see your face now?"

"No."

"Why? I’m yours now!"

"Don’t misuse words. You’re just an external member—no combat ability, not much use. I’ll only need you occasionally."

"Then why help me?"

"Xu Shu was a man worth respecting. Though he failed as a husband and father, he held onto his justice while losing everything else. I won’t force you to do anything against your will. I don’t represent darkness. Xu Weiyu, your life’s wish is fulfilled. I hope you find happiness."

Raven stood.

"Leaving already?" Xu Weiyu asked.

"Yes. It’s late. Get some sleep."

"I thought you might stay."

"Can I?"

"If you really want to… you can."

"Gratitude?"

"Yeah."

"I don’t need that. What’s impossible for you is trivial for me. No debt exists, no repayment needed… Also, you’re short."

Xu Weiyu had been listening seriously, but at his last words, she looked up. "I’m 160 cm tall! And a 34D cup."

"Just a kid," he said.

"When I master my powers, I can become any form you desire!"

"Don’t joke like that, fool."

Raven shook his head. She hadn’t meant it.

Once calm, she’d have much to consider. He turned to leave. Xu Weiyu called softly after him.

"Hey, Raven."

"Hmm?"

"Are we… friends now?"

"If you say so. I don’t need many friends."

"When will you visit again?"

"Don’t know. A few days. When I’m free."

"I’ll wait."

"Good. Sleep well."

Raven entered her room, uninstalled the software, deleted it, then walked out of Xu Weiyu’s home.

She watched him go. Grabbing an umbrella, pulling on boots, refilling her cat’s food bowl, she stepped outside.

…………………………

One hour later.

Cemetery.

Xu Weiyu stood before a grave, whispering to the headstone.

"Dad, your vengeance is done."

"If you were here… you might think The Alliance’s solution was reasonable. But I don’t accept it. Why should Butcher live? Why… should he live like that? Now he’s dead. Everything will be better."

Raven appeared behind her. An umbrella shielded her head as he gently patted her shoulder.

Xu Weiyu turned.

He held a bouquet of lilies. Kneeling, he placed them on the grave.

"Why are you here?" Xu Weiyu stared at him.

"I guessed you’d come. But The Alliance hasn’t announced Butcher’s death yet. Visiting now risks exposure. I’ve disabled all city surveillance. It’ll reset in thirty minutes. Go home soon—the rain’s heavy."

Raven spoke softly.