Chapter 88 - Declaring a War Game

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Just as the two were chatting casually—

A mocking voice from a Pallum rang out.

"Oh? So the Heavenly Demon Lord is gonna show off his magic to prove himself?"

"Wow, how amazing. Mr. Famous, huh? I totally heard that~"

He raised his voice deliberately, making sure Raven could hear every word.

"Yo~ out on a date with the Saint of the Battlefield, are we?"

His childish tone echoed through the tavern, loud enough for everyone to hear.

All eyes in the tavern turned toward them.

Raven narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced over.

The one spouting sarcasm was a Pallum seated at the neighboring table with several adventurers—eight in total.

One of them, the Pallum in question, curled his lips in a mocking grin while holding a mug of ale.

That was…

Ruan, from the Apollo Familia.

Their uniforms bore the symbol of a golden bow and a radiant sun—

A dead giveaway of their allegiance.

Raven's eyes glinted with interest.

Finally... it's happening.

The attack on my Hearth Manor.

"Couldn't find any women in your own Familia, so you had to steal someone else's?" Ruan snorted.

"So shameless."

"Seriously, I'm embarrassed for you."

He sneered, continuing to provoke Raven as if begging for attention.

"Oh right."

"Your patron's that shorty goddess, isn't she? Probably can't get a single follower other than you."

"Hahhahahahahaha!"

His childish jeers made the others at the table burst into snickering laughter.

"Shut your mouth."

Airmid's flushed expression had long vanished, replaced with a cold, unflinching stare.

Her voice was like ice, and her eyes held a terrifying calm.

Ruan raised his hands in feigned innocence. "Now, now, Airmid-sama. Please, listen. I'm just trying to save you from this loser."

Despite being a loudmouth, he still showed some reverence toward the captain of Dian Cecht Familia.

"Airmid, stay seated. I'll handle these small fries," Raven said calmly as he stood and clenched his fists.

"W-What? You—what do you think you're doing?"

Ruan's earlier bravado immediately faded as Raven took a step toward him.

"I-I'm warning you! We've got eight people here—!"

Before he could finish, Raven's fist smashed into his face.

"Guuh!?"

With a sickening thud, Ruan was knocked backward along with his chair, crashing to the floor with a spray of blood. His eyes rolled back as he twitched and passed out.

The tavern went completely silent.

All eyes were now on Raven.

Then—

"You little bastard!"

"Did you just hit him?!"

"Screw this!"

"Get him!!"

With a crash, their table was kicked into the air.

Plates shattered, and waitstaff screamed as chaos erupted.

The adventurers cracked their knuckles and charged at Raven together.

But Raven's smirk only widened.

With his perception-type skill—his version of Kenbunshoku Haki—he had already read every move.

They were all Level 1s.

Not even worth getting serious.

With fluid motion, Raven ducked and countered with a rising fist—one man went flying.

He spun and lashed out with a sweeping kick, sending two more crashing to the floor in a heap of blood and groans.

To him, this was just a warm-up.

"Whoa!!"

"Did you see that?!"

Cheers erupted from the tavern crowd.

Excitement reached its peak as the fight turned into a one-sided beatdown.

Within moments, seven of the Apollo Familia thugs were sprawled out cold.

Only one remained.

He downed the last of his drink, then smashed the glass on the floor.

With a calm, elegant motion, he lunged at Raven.

Raven tilted his head effortlessly to avoid the punch.

Before the attacker could recover—

Raven's fist slammed into his gut with brutal force.

His eyes bulged. His breath caught.

Then, a powerful knee strike followed.

Bam—

The man coughed up blood and was launched backward, joining the pile of unconscious comrades.

"Is that the power of a Level 3 adventurer?"

Raven stood tall, speaking in a steady, commanding voice.

The man he'd just floored was Hyakinthos Clio, known as the Sun's Favorite.

"First of all, I don't even know you people."

"But for some reason, you just couldn't stop running your mouths."

"I'll spare your lives for now."

"Go back and tell your god—"

"I, on behalf of the Hestia Familia, officially challenge the Apollo Familia to a War Game!"

Hyakinthos wiped the blood from his lips and gave a crooked grin. "Is that so?"

"Then on behalf of the Apollo Familia, I accept your challenge."

—

High-level hunters often appear in the guise of prey.

And this was exactly what Raven had hoped for.

The Apollo Familia had already been aiming for the same outcome.

Now, the game had begun.

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