Way of the Knights

---

"Alright, make sure to pay attention to your safety guys. Don't rush it. You can always retreat if problem arises. Understood?"

Raven reminded solemnly as they finished their little discussion before going inside the Danger Zones. The team nodded and took his words by heart. 

"Okay, good luck everyone. Let's go!" 

As soon as he said that, the team dispersed into different directions. Anne summoned her Gale Falcon, Luna rode her Pegasus, Mark shot forward as a lightning and Paul rode a Warhorse.

Raven himself turned into a blur as he moved like a phantom. He gently sighed as he focused on the mission.

Six people, six Danger Zones. If this goes well, then by the time they're done, these Danger Zones inside the kingdom will be no more. 

Paul's Target is the Immersion Forest. The same place where the Inner Court's Biannual Examinations had taken in place. It's a haunted forest that haunts everyone who enter it by showing them life-like illusions. From temptations to psychological traumas, everyone experiences different kinds of illusions inside but what's even more fearsome is that as one goes deeper into the forest, the illusion will become more and more convincing. If one succumbed to the illusions, they will in turn become nourishment to the forest.

Mark's target is the Hills of Gravity. It's dreadful place where gravity multiplies as one goes deeper. There are a total of nine hills in there. In order to reach the goal, Mark had to traverse each hill one by one in record time since if he couldn't, then it will spit him out at the starting line. Many had tried to conquer this place but failed due to the increasing gravity as they go. Some were even flattened into a meat paste in this area that's why many avoided stepping inside.

Ellen's target is the Field of Perpetual Chill. A place that doesn't permit any kind of normal flames to exist. This is a danger zone that would test Ellen's patience and endurance. The place gets colder the further one goes, while it is not snowing inside, the chilling winds could make one frozen to the bones. It is also unknown if there are other kinds of lifeforms inside since no one managed to go far inside the field.

Anne's Target is the 100 Stone Labyrinth. A dreadful maze that might perpetually trap someone if they're not careful. The Labyrinth has a total of 100 Stones, each stones requires one to solve some kind of a riddle. If the answered the wrong thing, the maze will spit them out in the starting line and shift positions. Anne's goal here is to answer all 100 riddles without any mistakes in order to conquer the place.

Luna's target is the Dead Man's Mansion. A haunted house, per se. Many horror stories of the kingdom originated from this place. Some actually did happen while others are just fake ones. Needless to say, the place won't be famous for nothing. Many people were skeptical at first but once they came into close proximity of the mansion, they started seeing things which made their hairs stood up from its roots. Many people don't know the deal with this mansion so it's Luna's mission to unfold it's mystery and discover how to conquer it.

As for Raven's target...

"Good day, Young Hero Raven. What can I do for you?" A guard faced Raven and asked.

"Good day as well, I'm going to the 100 Demon Slaughterhouse." 

The guard along with his accomplices who were stationed nearby were stunned with his words. Clearly they weren't expecting him to throw himself into the Danger Zone.

"With all due respect, Young Hero." Another guard chimed in, "You do know that this is a Danger Zone right?"

"I do." Raven nodded, "I plan on training there. Can you let me pass?"

The guards looked at each other in dismay, they thought that Raven was being arrogant and clearly underestimating the Danger Zone. 

"Young Hero, we don't mean to make things difficult for you. But this place is just too dangerous." One guard stepped forward and explained, "This place is filled with corruption and depravity. Many died upon entering, the people who reached the First Demon Room could be counted on one hand. We witness many people walk in and either died or retreat with missing limbs, trauma or became demented in the process due to the sheer bloodlust this place exudes."

"This place is filled with death and decay. We have seen tons of rotting corpses and skeletons even from this far. Sometimes those who became demented will throw some innards to us, some even tried escaping the Containment Zone, but was fortunately slayed by us. If you're going in with a half-hearted attitude then please do forgive us but we would rather offend you than allow you to lose your life in this place."

This was the captain of the squad who spoke this time. As soon as he finished speaking, he stood tall in front of Raven exuded his Knightly Aura as well as his suffocating killer intent. It was then followed by the rest of his squad who released their own auras as well. 

Raven smiled. He looked at every single one of them and inwardly praised the slight breeze of their auras. 

Without a doubt, their auras might deter some of those who had a weaker heart. But to him, this is not even a suppression, more like a light breeze that makes him comfortable and somewhat enthusiastic. So much so that he began speaking.

"I revealed the ploy of the Mort Family's crimes. On my way there, I believe everyone saw my kill at least 100 people who are either Veterans or Knights. I held all of them back on my own until back up arrived. I am at the Warrior Stage at that point."

*Boom!*

The combined auras and killing intent that the stationed guards exuding was overwhelmed by Raven's own aura. Everyone who was exposed to his aura had their eyes constricting as they unknowingly summoned their weapons and resist the rising pressure coming off of Raven's body. The captain of the guards, who's receiving the full burnt of his pressure was sweating coldly and his instincts were screaming danger and urging him to run away.

Unfortunately, Raven's just starting.

*Boom!*

This time, a suffocating black aura rose from Raven's body. Majority of the guards were already on their knees, forget about mustering courage to stand up, they can't even breathe properly in his presence.action

"Just recently, I also slaughtered 300 strong invaders from the Black Curtain Guild. Every single one of them could stand toe to toe towards the likes of you, yet everyone died under the weight of my hammer. I faced them alone and none of them even managed to touch the hem of my clothes. I was at the peak of Warrior Realm that time."

*Boom!*

Raven didn't hold back anymore and his released all the aura and killing intent he was hiding. His suffocating pressure almost made the guards lose control of their bladder functions. Every single one of them was trembling, even the guard captain who was standing tall and proud one moment ago was on his knees, breathing heavily under the mighty aura that Raven exudes. He tried mustering up his strength to at least remain standing but he couldn't.

Raven was the only one standing, he didn't even made any movements at all. He just released his aura and everybody was on their knees. His cold gaze looked down to every single one of them as he continued saying:

"I just recently broke through and stepped into the Veteran Realm. I'm fifteen years old. From your words earlier, am I safe to assume that the likes of you are challenging me?"

An enormous hammer appeared in Raven's hand. He swung it to his shoulders and looked intently at every single one of the guards here. 

No one could say a thing. Not even the guard captain for that matter. He was somewhat regretting his blunder earlier. The captain was aware of Raven's legends, those who hadn't heard of them are living under a rock at this point. Even so, he never really witnessed just how Raven was able to achieve all of that, inwardly a part of him denies these claims but now, he was thoroughly convinced.

Raven walked past all of them, still radiating with that suffocating pressure. He took a couple of steps forward under the watchful gazes of the crowd. Once he reached a certain spot, he raised his hammer using one hand and swung it down. 

*Boom!*

A mighty pillar which took a shape of a close fist descended not too far from where he was standing. The rest heard a squelching sound and when they looked over, they saw some flattened flesh and bones.

"Hmph!" A snort rolled off from Raven's mouth, "Curiosity kills, little worms. Do remember that on your next life."

Raven then walked forward and left the place, disappearing into the haunted woods of the 100 Demon Slaughterhouse.

Seeing his capabilities in person, the guard captain came into the conclusion that…

He will not last a single swing from this person. He couldn't and none of his subordinates could.. He was very certain of that.