"Phantom Rebirth: The Last White Raven’s Path to the Ultimate Assassin"

Chapter 104: The Rogue Mercenaries

Dawn had barely touched the horizon when Seraphis, the White Raven, stirred from her light sleep. The cold air clung to her skin as she rose from her bed, stretching out the stiffness from her body. The fortress halls were silent, the lingering warmth of the previous night’s discussions still fresh in her mind.

She ran a hand through her white hair, her mind drifting to the blades she had forged the day before. Theia had already left on her own mission, her presence a fleeting shadow in the fortress. Seraphis had no doubt she would succeed—Theia was a force to be reckoned with. But for now, Seraphis had her own objectives.

The morning light barely touched the sky as she dressed in her assassin’s gear, tightening the straps of her weapons. Today, she would return to the Adventurers’ Guild. It had been some time since she had taken on a contract, and she was in the mood for something… bloody.

The streets were alive with activity when she arrived at the guild. Merchants called out their wares, adventurers clashed in minor duels, and the smell of roasted meat filled the air. Seraphis ignored it all, stepping through the heavy doors of the guild hall.

Inside, the atmosphere shifted. Conversations quieted, heads turned, and a wave of unease rippled through the crowd. Her reputation preceded her.

She approached the mission board, her eyes scanning the parchment pinned to the wooden surface. One contract caught her eye—a rogue group of mercenaries, once noble guards, now turned to raiding and slaughter.

A smirk tugged at her lips. Perfect.

A clerk behind the counter hesitated as she approached. "White Raven," he greeted, shifting uncomfortably. "Are you… looking for work?"

She tapped the parchment. "This one."

The clerk swallowed. "That’s an A-rank contract. Even skilled adventurers have failed—"

"I didn’t ask for a history lesson," she cut in smoothly. "Just give me the details."

The twins flanking her chuckled. "We’re in too," one of them said.

The clerk sighed, relenting. "Very well. The mercenaries were last seen near the Shadowpine Forest, setting up a temporary base. Be cautious—they’re highly trained."

Seraphis took the parchment, her smirk never faltering. "They won’t live long enough for it to matter."

The journey to Shadowpine Forest was swift, their movements silent as they navigated through the dense undergrowth. The moon hung high when they spotted the mercenary camp—a cluster of tents surrounding a central firepit. Eight men, heavily armed, sat drinking and laughing, unaware of their impending deaths.

Seraphis crouched in the shadows, her silver eyes gleaming. She pulled a single metal playing card from her belt and infused it with her mana. It hummed with energy before shooting forward like a dagger.

A sickening thud followed. One of the mercenaries gasped, clutching his throat as blood spurted between his fingers. He collapsed without a sound.

The others barely had time to react before the twins struck from behind, their daggers flashing through the firelight. Chaos erupted.

Seraphis darted forward, her cards swirling around her like a storm of blades. Another mercenary turned just in time for a card to bury itself between his eyes. His body hit the ground before he could scream.

One of the larger mercenaries—a brute wielding a greataxe—roared, swinging his weapon toward her. She sidestepped at the last second, feeling the wind of the blade rush past her face. With a fluid motion, she leaped onto a nearby tree branch, then launched herself down, driving a dagger into his exposed shoulder.

He howled, trying to throw her off, but she twisted the blade deeper before slashing across his throat. His gurgled scream faded as he collapsed.

The twins moved like shadows, weaving between their enemies, slicing tendons and arteries with surgical precision. The remaining mercenaries fought desperately, but they were outmatched.

The last survivor turned and ran, stumbling through the trees in blind terror. Seraphis didn’t let him get far.

She moved with unnatural speed, appearing in front of him just as he reached the edge of the clearing. His breath hitched.

"P-please—"

A single flick of her wrist, and his head separated from his body.

Silence.

The only sound was the crackling of the dying fire. Seraphis exhaled slowly, wiping the blood from her blade.

One of the twins nudged a body with his foot. "That was… efficient."

Seraphis smirked. "I don’t waste time."

They gathered proof of their kills, wrapping the severed heads in cloth before setting fire to the remains. No traces would be left behind.

Back at the Adventurers’ Guild, the clerk paled when Seraphis dropped the mercenaries’ heads onto the counter. The weight of her work hit the wooden surface with a dull thud.

"That was… fast," he muttered.

Seraphis collected her payment, tucking the pouch of coins into her belt. "Like I said," she murmured, turning toward the exit. "I don’t waste time."