---
Chapter 14 – The Raider of Shadows
Far beyond the mapped realms, within a demon-captured zone where even light hesitated to linger, a lone man stood amid devastation.
The ground beneath his feet was fractured and blackened, scorched by a force that refused to be named. His body was wrapped in an unnatural transformation — not armor, not flesh, but something in between — and on his finger shimmered a divine ring, its radiance calm and absolute.
Demons charged at him in waves.
They never reached him.
Each step he took erased existence itself. Lesser demons dissolved before his presence, their forms collapsing into ash before they could scream. Massive beasts — creatures that once ruled territories — crumbled like brittle statues, shattered by power that required no effort.
When the final echo of a demon’s roar faded, silence claimed the battlefield.
The man looked around once, expression unreadable.
Then space folded.
In the blink of an eye, he vanished — a shadow slipping between worlds.
---
Earth — London, England
The afternoon sun spilled across the streets of London as a young girl walked along the footpath, her attention fixed on her phone. She looked seventeen, perhaps eighteen, dressed neatly in a high school uniform, her steps casual, unhurried.
Behind her, a man followed.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
A petty thief. Nervous eyes. Patient hands.
He watched the phone. Calculated the distance.
Then he lunged.
But the world betrayed him.
The girl’s eyes snapped open — glowing faintly with restrained energy.
She disappeared.
Thief:
“W–Where did she go!?”
The air behind him shifted.
Girl:
“Over here, thief.”
He turned just in time to see her fist coming.
One punch.
Clean. Precise. Absolute.
His body slammed into the pavement, unconscious before he understood what had happened.
The girl stared at him for a second, blinking.
“I think I punched him a bit too hard…” she muttered.
She adjusted her grip on her phone and sighed.
“Anyway, I was headed to the library.”
As she walked away, her eyes faded back to normal. The divine ring on her finger glimmered softly — a deep purple hue pulsing once before settling into silence.
---
Japan — Later That Day
Tensei tightened the strap of his bag as he stepped through the airport terminal, his mind already shifting into business mode. His schedule was precise — meetings, negotiations, returns.
London awaited.
After boarding, the long flight swallowed the hours. When sleep finally claimed him, it came without dreams.
The plane touched down in Great Britain beneath a gray sky.
Outside the airport, a black car waited.
The driver stepped out and bowed slightly.
“Welcome, sir.”
Tensei nodded as he entered the vehicle.
“Thank you for picking me up.”
“It’s our duty,” the man replied. “You’re a top-priority guest.”
As the city passed by, Tensei glanced out the window.
“How’s the company doing here?” he asked.
“Very well, sir. Expansion has exceeded expectations.”
“And the office?” Tensei added. “I’ve seen the photos.”
The driver smiled faintly.
“It’s massive. One of the most prestigious enterprises in the region. Positions there are highly competitive.”
The car slowed.
“We’ve arrived.”
Tensei stepped out and looked up.
Glass and steel stretched toward the sky, reflecting the city like a blade catching light.
Inside, employees greeted him warmly, guiding him through pristine halls and into a spacious meeting room.
A tall, broad-shouldered man waited near the window. Sharp red hair. Trimmed beard. Calm confidence.
“Victor,” the man said, extending his hand. “CEO of this enterprise.”
“Tensei,” he replied, shaking it. “A pleasure.”
As their hands parted, Tensei’s gaze paused.
A ring.
Divine — but unfamiliar. Its pattern and color differed from anything he had encountered.
“So…” Tensei said carefully, “you’re a Raider.”
Victor’s lips curved into a knowing smile.
“And you’re a Raid Conqueror. I’ve been waiting to meet another chosen one.”
Tensei studied him.
“If I’m not mistaken, you’re the only mortal to reach Tier Eight.”
“That’s right,” Victor said casually. “But business first.”
The meeting unfolded smoothly — numbers, strategies, futures aligned.
When it concluded, Tensei stood to leave.
“Thank you for the opportunity,” he said.
“The pleasure’s mine,” Victor replied.
Tensei hesitated, then smiled.
“How about coffee at six? There’s a place nearby.”
Victor nodded.
“I’ll be there.”
“Then until later.”
As Tensei exited, the city continued its rhythm — unaware of the shadows already moving within it.
---
? End of Chapter 14 – The Raider of Shadows
---
