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

The sun had long dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie twilight over the land as Seraphis prepared herself for her next mission. She had just returned to the guild after the previous night’s successful takedown of the rogue mage, but the Guildmaster had already set her sights on another task. This one was different. It wasn’t about assassination or intrigue—it was about something far more primal: the forest.

She stood in the shadowy hall of the guild’s inner chambers, facing the Guildmaster, her eyes narrowed as he spoke. His voice was calm but carried an unmistakable edge, as though he were trying to gauge her reaction.

“Seraphis, we have received a request from the Adventurer’s Guild. They need assistance. A group of magical beasts has been disturbing the peace of the forest. Creatures of a powerful and dangerous variety. The adventurers are busy handling problems on the other side of the forest, so they sent a formal request for help. I thought this mission would be a good fit for you.”

She tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Magical beasts? What kind of creatures are we talking about here?”

He gave a knowing smile. “The usual: mana-charged wolves, fire-spitting boars, and several other magical creatures that have started to roam too close to settlements. Nothing too complicated for someone of your skill, but you’re still going to need to be careful. They’ve been attacking travelers and disrupting trade routes. If they’re not dealt with soon, it could turn into a larger problem.”

Seraphis folded her arms, her mind turning over the details. “But why me? Don’t the adventurers handle this sort of thing? They are more experienced with magical beasts than I am, aren't they?"

The Guildmaster’s gaze softened slightly as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in thought. “True, but the other teams are occupied with a larger threat on the far side of the forest. They can’t spare anyone for this particular mission. And you’ve been performing exceptionally well lately. I thought it might be time to test you on something a bit different. Besides, I’ve been considering promoting you to B-rank, and I want to see how you handle this. It's a test of not just your combat abilities, but your judgment and tactics."

Seraphis raised an eyebrow, a quiet challenge in her tone. “You think I’m ready for B-rank? I haven’t even completed all the F-rank missions yet.”

The Guildmaster nodded, a small smirk crossing his lips. “You’ve done well. You’ve outpaced your peers, and your skills have improved dramatically. But to reach the next step, you need to complete this task. Finish it successfully, and I’ll personally promote you. What do you say?”

She hesitated for a moment, her fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of one of her hidden blades. The prospect of promotion was enticing, but she knew the dangers this task posed. There was always a risk when dealing with magical beasts, especially the kinds that could disrupt the natural order. Still, she had been through worse.

“I’ll do it,” she said finally, her voice low and steady. “But I need a bit more information about the creatures I’ll be facing. I want to know what I’m walking into.”

The Guildmaster pushed a map across the table, marked with areas of disturbance. He then began to describe the various creatures—mana-charged wolves, which could turn invisible by cloaking themselves with illusions, and fire-spitting boars, which were almost impossible to approach without getting scorched. There were also rumors of larger, more dangerous creatures, but the Guildmaster didn’t elaborate further.

“Just be careful,” he added. “These beasts aren’t to be underestimated. And don't hesitate to fall back if it gets too dangerous. The Adventurer's Guild will provide backup if needed.”

Seraphis nodded, taking in the details. She could handle this. She had faced more dangerous opponents in the past. This was just another test to prove her worth.

Before leaving, she turned to the Guildmaster, her voice soft but unwavering. “One more thing. Why did you choose me for this?”

The Guildmaster met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “I believe in your potential, Seraphis. And I know you’re ready for more than just petty assassinations. This mission will show me that you have the skill and the mind to handle larger challenges. Prove it.”

Seraphis stood in silence for a moment, the weight of his words settling on her shoulders. She knew he was right, in a way. This mission wasn’t just about completing a job—it was about taking the next step. And she wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away.

With a nod, she turned and walked out of the guild hall, heading toward her quarters. As she made her way through the darkened corridors, she reached into her bag, pulling out the mask that had become a part of her identity. She slid it over her face, the cold leather settling comfortably against her skin. The mask covered her nose and mouth, leaving only her eyes visible. It was her symbol of anonymity, her shield against the world’s harsh judgment.

In the silence of her room, Seraphis began preparing for the mission. She cleaned her weapons, sharpening each blade until it gleamed. She rechecked her supply of poisons and vials, making sure everything was ready for the journey ahead. She would need to be swift and silent in the forest, just as she always was.

Finally, she grabbed her cloak and tied it around her shoulders, the black fabric blending with the night. She was ready. The forest wouldn’t know what hit it.

The Journey to the Forest

The night air was crisp as Seraphis made her way out of the city and toward the forest's edge. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale light over the winding path that led deeper into the wild woods. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional howl of a far-off wolf. It was the perfect time for an assassin to move unseen.

As she ventured deeper, she reflected on the task ahead. Magical beasts were a different kind of threat than what she was used to. Assassinations were straightforward—get in, eliminate the target, get out. But beasts were unpredictable, and many of them were capable of great destruction. This mission would test her adaptability in a way she hadn’t experienced before.

She took her time moving through the forest, carefully observing her surroundings. Her enhanced senses were sharp, and she could feel the subtle vibrations in the air, the faint whispers of magic from creatures hiding just beyond the trees. The forest was alive with energy, a constant hum that told her she was not alone.

After hours of trekking through the dense woods, she finally arrived at the site of the disturbances. The ground was scorched in several places, and there were signs of large creatures—scratches on trees, deep indentations in the earth, and broken branches. Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed the area.

She quickly set up her position in a tree, scanning the surroundings through the veil of shadows. The plan was simple: identify the creatures, assess the threat level, and then deal with them quietly. She couldn’t afford to draw attention to herself, not when the beasts were so close to the settlements.

It wasn’t long before she spotted her first target—a pack of mana-charged wolves, their glowing eyes peering out from the darkness. They were fast and stealthy, cloaked in illusions that made them nearly invisible to the naked eye. But Seraphis was no stranger to illusions. She’d dealt with tricks and deception all her life.

With a swift motion, she reached into her pouch, pulling out a handful of powder. She scattered it across the ground, the magic in the powder disrupting the illusions of the wolves. One by one, the creatures materialized, their glowing eyes flashing in the moonlight.

Seraphis didn’t hesitate. With a flick of her wrist, her throwing knives flew from their sheaths, hitting their targets with precision. The wolves howled in pain, but they were quickly silenced as she moved in for the kill.

By the time the pack had been dealt with, the forest was once again silent, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the wind. Seraphis wiped the blood from her blades, her heart racing from the thrill of the hunt. But she knew this was just the beginning. There were more creatures to deal with.

The night was far from over.