Extra's Descent

Raven's thoughts were in disarray.

For that past month, he had been seeing things.

"Ukh…!"

Things he couldn't explain.

"....I feel sick."

He was dying.

Spurt!

But then he wasn't.

He was clearly alive.

"I feel sick."

But he kept seeing the scenarios. They were so real, as if he had experienced them for himself.

"I feel sick."

"Raven, where are you going?"

Reina called out to him, but it all went to deaf ears. Raven groggily walked towards the bathroom and turned the faucet on.

"I feel sick."

It flashed in his mind.

Him, dying.

Over, and over and over over and—

"Ueeekh!"

His stomach twisted in knots, his head spinning as he puked profusely.

They felt so real, so much so that Raven could solemnly swear he felt the pain for himself.

"Ueeeekh!"

Things didn't make any sense at all. It was as if he was taken back to the past.

Certain scenarios played out in his mind.

Scenarios he had already witnessed himself, yet at the same time, he didn't.

Spurt—!

His chest pierced by Francis Osborn.

Spurt—!

His body, thoroughly torn apart by threads. Threads coming from David Aurae.

"Ueeekh!"

Him, crushed beneath boulders inside Astrea during the calamity.

Swoosh—!

Himself, consumed by a Wraith inside a place that was unfamiliar to him. Behind him, gathered what seemed like Imperial Army officers.

Crack—!

Thoroughly crushed by a wyvern's talon.

Spurt—!

Body, mangled by monsters he couldn't explain. The scenery, a myriad of mirrors standing tall around him.

"Ueeekh!"

What seemed to be a Wraith, with white hair and black eyes with no pupil, her crystal–black nails consuming his entire being.

Slash—!

The boy he had just encountered recently, Greed. The boy who should've been defeated. However, instead, it was Raven who suffered the consequences.

"Ueeekh!"

Two crimson eyes staring back at him, severing his head. He couldn't see properly who had done it, as before he realized it, he had already been killed.

"Haaa…. H-haaa…."

Over and over again. It was all too vivid, different scenarios that had never occurred played out in his head.

By the time they stopped, Raven was blankly staring at the ceiling, his face and clothes were all drenched with his fluids.

His mind was abuzz. It had been like this everyday, and he never knew of the cause.

Twist—

Twisting the faucet, water gradually poured down from the shower.

Raven looked down with a blank expression, his face darkening.

Immediately after those…. Visions? Had stopped, Raven would forget most of the details after a few seconds, as if it were all just a fleeting dream.

But Raven could somehow still see fragments of it. Not too detailed, just….

"Ueekh!"

His death.

After showering, Raven stepped out, pushing the curtains. Changing into cleaner clothes, Raven left the bathroom.

By now, he had forgotten most of what he had seen already, just a sharp feeling on his neck.

However, despite that, he couldn't deny the anxiety creeping up on him.

"Sherly…."

There, Reina sat on the couch, wearing a loosely fitted white string–top, exposing her cleavage unknowingly.

"...."

Raven was immediately snapped out of his dilemma, frowning.

She was always like this—completely unaware of her surroundings, letting her guard down without a second thought.

"You're leaving yourself open again."

Raven muttered under his breath, his voice barely loud enough to reach her.

"Hm?" Reina finally looked up, her eyes settling on him. "Did you say something?"

He shook his head, brushing it off, the irritation bubbling beneath his skin.

"Nothing. Just…. I'm heading out."

He didn't want to explain the mess his mind was in, nor did he feel like dealing with Reina's carefree attitude right now.

"You sure you're okay?"

She noticed the strain in his voice, but Raven waved it off.

"I'm fine."

He wasn't, but that didn't matter.

Reina sighed, clearly not convinced but deciding to drop it.

"You need to take care of yourself, you know."

Adjusting her posture, and sitting up a bit straighter now, Reina continued, her eyes softening.

"You've been…. different lately."

"...."

Raven didn't respond.

He didn't need to.

She had no idea what was going on in his head. But neither did he, so how could he explain the anxiety building up?

"Just…. don't overdo it."

"I won't."

The words felt hollow, just like everything else these days.

As soon as Raven stepped outside the house, Reina frowned, staring at the space where Raven once stood.

She knew the boy was currently facing some issues, but clearly, he didn't want to talk about it.

Reina sighed and switched the channel on the television.

Hopefully, it wasn't anything serious.

"If he needs advice, he can come ask me anytime."

Reina had several theories in mind.

But there was one that seemed the most likely.

"Like a way to a girl's heart."

It had to be said, Reina had never had any romantic experiences herself.

While she was a stunning beauty, for some reason, men just seemed to avoid her.

She couldn't understand. She had the looks, the figure, she was even an S–ranker, an officer of the Special Force guild.

"But they're all avoiding me!"

In fact, they seemed rather afraid of her.

It was then.

Her attention was suddenly caught as she stared just outside the window.

It was raining, and Raven was holding an umbrella.

However, he didn't seem to be alone.

There was someone.

A woman with platinum–blonde hair.

Reina narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing. She couldn't see her face since she was turning away from her, but for some reason, she looked oddly familiar.

That was when the woman finally faced sideways.

Crimson eyes.

"Isn't that…."

The woman who was present during Evelyn's funeral.

Her appearance completely shook Reina back then. Not just her, but the others as well.

After all, the woman was known to be wealthy, even appearing in magazines.

In fact, Vanessa had tried to recruit her in her guild just for her looks. But it had proven futile.

And now, she was here.

Outside Reina's house.

"Lianna Venice?"

Huh.

From what she knew, Lianna Venice was 26 years–old, even older than Reina, who was currently 22 years–old.

"Hold on, is Raven…."

No, that couldn't be.

She could remember some blonde girl always following him around.

Did he reject her or something?

No, no, no.

That wasn't even the issue at the moment!

Immediately, Reina changed into a disguise. Once the coast was clear, Reina left the house and decided to tail Raven and Lianna.

***

After Evelyn's funeral, somehow, Raven had formed a connection with Lianna.

He couldn't explain why, but he felt drawn to her.

Not in the romantic sense, he knew since he couldn't feel any infatuation towards her, despite her breathtaking appearance.

Instead, it felt like he had to follow her.

No, follow wasn't the right word.

Investigate.

"Shall we go?"

"Yes…."

The two drove off, Lianna had told the driver of their location.

If anyone else were to see this, they would immediately think Lianna and Raven were going out on a date.

But that wasn't the case at all.

It was a job–interview.

"We're here, Miss Venice."

"Thank you."

Immediately, they got off the black—sedan.

Raven raised his head, staring at the flashing neon sign that adorned the entrance.

"Casino."

It was a casino.

Of all places.

The moment they entered the casino, the noise hit him.

Bibibiiip—

Laughter, cheers, the clinking of coins, and the constant shuffling of cards, the sound of slot machines, clearly indicating whoever was playing was a loser. \\

The atmosphere was lively, but Raven felt disconnected from it all.

Lianna led him through the crowds with ease.

Raven couldn't help but notice how people seemed to part for her, as if she was Moses separating the ocean.

They reached a door at the far end of the casino, guarded by two large men in suits.

One of them gave Lianna a nod before opening the door, allowing them inside.

The room they entered was dimly lit, in contrast to the bustling atmosphere earlier.

At the center sat a round table with several individuals seated around it.

They all turned their attention toward Lianna and Raven as they entered.

"Ah, Miss Venice. We've been expecting you."

A man, older than the rest, with graying hair and sharp features, spoke first.

His eyes flickered to Raven for a moment, but he didn't ask any questions.

"Gentlemen, this is Raven Blackheart."

Lianna's voice resounded across the room.

"So this is him…."

"He looks promising."

A lady, who sat with her legs crossed, licked her lips.

Raven, feeling uncomfortable, but completely dismissed it.

"Apologies, Raven. But we don't accept just anyone. Is it fine for you to take a test?"

"Yes, I've signed up for this, after all."

"Okay."

Lianna nodded her head in agreement.

Then, a bulky man, wearing a suit and a pair of shades stepped forward.

"Follow me."

Raven swallowed deeply and followed suit.

It had to be said, what Raven had applied for was bodyguarding duty.

Lianna had offered him the job, and realizing the experience he could gain, Raven accepted the offer.

Ideally so, as for some reason, the thought of Lianna just wouldn't leave his mind.

It was two birds with one stone!

It was good training to prepare himself for the second semester as well.

In any case, the man stopped in front of a metal door and gestured for Raven to enter.

"Inside."

Raven nodded his head, bracing himself.

The room was dimly lit, just like the rest of the casino's back areas, but it was clear this was a place for combat.

The floor was padded, and various weapons lined the walls.

However, it wasn't the room or the weapons that caught Raven's attention—it was the person standing at the center, stretching his limbs.

For a moment, both of them froze in place, their eyes locking in disbelief.

Red hair. Blue eyes.

"Raven?"

"Reinhard?"

***

Reina stopped, blinking her eyes in disbelief.

She had followed the car discreetly.

The moment Raven stepped outside and entered the room, Reina couldn't believe it.

It was a casino.

So…. the reason why Raven had been distraught lately was because….

"This kid was fucking gambling!?"