Rise of the Crusader



Tension hung in the air as Raphael stared at the enigmatic woman before him. Her words echoed in his ears, disbelief etched on his face. "Immortal?" he muttered, struggling to comprehend her claim.

A smile graced her lips, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "In time, you'll come to understand the world you inhabit, Raphael. But for now, focus on your work."

Raphael's expression soured, feeling as if she were mocking him. The more he studied her eyes, the more he became certain of her derision.

"Regardless, I came to warn you," she said, abruptly changing the subject. "You must proceed with caution, or you risk alienating many. Have you considered the consequences of your actions? The bloodshed you've incited in the pursuit of your gadgets has left a bitter taste in people's mouths. You may have supporters now, but who knows how long that will last?"

"You must tread carefully, or you'll meet an early demise."

Confusion clouded Raphael's features. The woman's words were a puzzle, and he found himself more intrigued than ever. "Who are you?" he asked, pressing for answers.

He knew there were those in the city unhappy with his methods, forcing humans and beasts alike to fight for his creations. But he had anticipated this and, truth be told, cared little for their opinions. If pushed against a wall, he was more than willing to go all out and put an end to their schemes.

Raphael's unwavering confidence remained intact, even in the face of a self-proclaimed immortal.

"I am a friend," she replied, her smile never fading. "That is all you need to know. Heed my advice, and take the slow route."

"Return to your previous life, if possible. Create gadgets, tend to your mother's illness. Pursuing this power will only lead to your untimely death."

Raphael inhaled deeply, a sneer forming on his lips. "And what if I don't? What if I desire this power? What could you or anyone else possibly do to stop me?" His eyes flashed with determination.

"Then you will die, Raphael," she responded, her tone calm and even.

"Ha! You overestimate yourself," he retorted, taking a bold step forward. He had been relaxed thus far, but he wouldn't allow this woman to barge into his domain and dictate his actions.

"Your threats are meaningless to me. Even if you are immortal, I couldn't care less. I will achieve my goals, and my current ambition is power. I will dominate this city, and neither you nor anyone else can prevent that."

Raphael's hand rested behind his back, his gaze locked on the woman's eyes. An overbearing aura emanated from him, a force that didn't falter in comparison to her own.

The woman's expression transformed into a bone-chilling frown as her gaze locked onto Raphael. With deliberate steps, she closed the distance between them, their chests nearly touching. A myriad of emotions flickered across their faces as they stared each other down.

"For an A-Rank meta-human to speak so brazenly to an SS-Rank like myself, I can't help but wonder what gives you such confidence, Raphael," the woman said, her piercing gaze never leaving him.

The power disparity between them was vast, like the difference between heaven and earth. Yet as the woman studied Raphael intently, she couldn't detect even a trace of fear.

And for some reason, she got the feeling that if she were to use her mind control ability on him, it might not have the same effect that it once did on him.

"I hope you'll maintain this arrogance when the true war begins and those you've chosen as enemies lose their patience," she warned. "Even the queens won't be able to save you from the catastrophe you will be calling upon yourself."

Raphael's face contorted with disdain. "You know what, fuck of! I've had enough of playing nice with you and your kind. My patience is wearing thin.

"You have ten seconds to disappear from my sight, or this will be the last place you ever set foot."

His voice grew cold and menacing. "And I assure you, this time your so-called immortality won't save you from the full extent of my wrath." It took Raphael a lot of control to not put an end to the woman in this place.

The woman was taken aback by the sudden change in his demeanor. She had observed him since when he got into the academy, and if there was one thing she knew about him, it was his seemingly unshakable calm.

Seeing him like this made her question if she ever truly knew him at all. Perhaps his mild-mannered attitude had been nothing more than a facade.

With a heavy air hanging between them, she made her way slowly to the elevator, her pace deliberate. The killing intent she sensed in his eyes was unlike anything she had encountered, even after years of bloodshed.

"One more thing," Raphael muttered, maintaining an unreadable expression. "Never again threaten me or attempt to dictate my actions. I am neither your puppet nor your slave. If I desire something, I will obtain it, regardless of your stance on the matter."

The woman wanted to respond, but Raphael's sudden transformation had left her speechless. As she stepped into the elevator and the doors closed behind her, she couldn't help but wonder if she had ever truly known Raphael.

As the elevator doors slid closed, the woman leaned against the back wall, with confusion etched on her face. 'We have a serious problem on our hands,' she thought, taking a deep breath furrowing her brow in concern.

Meanwhile, in the gadget room Raphael was having a conversation with Gus who was outside. "You can't seriously be planning to let her go after telling her everything." Gus said seemingly displeased.

Raphael's lips curled into a sinister grin, his eyes gleaming with cruel intent. "Who said I was going to let her go?" he replied, his voice low and measured. "I simply didn't want to spill blood in my gadget room. It's too clean for such... messiness."

He paused for a moment, his gaze unfocused as he considered his next move. "A tracker is attached to her. I'll take care of her before she has a chance to report what she's learned. Trust me, she won't get far."

Raphael shook his head, a flicker of regret passing over his features. "I can't believe I lost control of my emotions like that." He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. The thought of jeopardizing his carefully laid plans infuriated him.

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