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

Reynard leaned back in his chair, watching Seraphis with mild curiosity as she dug into her coat pocket.

"I have a present for you," she said casually.

He raised an eyebrow. "A present? How rare. Should I be flattered?"

Seraphis pulled out a small, dark pendant and held it up between her fingers. The polished metal gleamed under the dim candlelight of the office.

Embedded in the center was the image of a white raven.

Before she could hand it over, Reynard smirked.

"Ah, I knew it. I always knew I was your favorite."

Seraphis snorted.

"Oh no, no, no. First off, if you die, where else can I go to take commissions and get paid? And second—"

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice—

"—you’re too damn creepy for your own good."

Reynard chuckled, reaching out to take the pendant from her hand.

"Fair enough," he murmured.

She tapped the pendant with a finger before letting it go.

"Imbue it with mana. If you ever need to get in contact with me, you can do it that way. Or…"

She tilted her head slightly, her white hair falling over one shoulder.

"If you're ever in trouble, I’ll find you."

Reynard examined the pendant, running a thumb over the intricate raven engraving.

"A white raven again?" he mused.

Then he looked up, his gray eyes glinting with amusement. "Are you obsessed?"

Seraphis rolled her eyes.

"No, actually. For your information, I just love ravens. I grew up around them."

Reynard smirked.

"Grew up around them? So what, were you raised by birds?"

Seraphis grinned.

"Maybe."

A Guild on Edge

As they spoke, the guild outside was stirring.

The news of Seraphis' return had spread like wildfire.

Some assassins watched from the shadows, murmuring among themselves. Some were impressed. Some were afraid. Some were eager.

A few had already placed their bets.

How long before someone tried to challenge her?

Seraphis could feel it in the air—the shift in tension, the hunger in their gazes.

She smirked.

"If they want to die early, they can try me."

An Assassin's Warning

Reynard set the pendant on his desk and looked at her.

"You've stirred the pot, Seraphis. The capital is still in chaos. The nobles are panicking. The underground is shifting. And you… you just waltzed in here like you didn’t just topple a kingdom."

Seraphis shrugged.

"And?"

Reynard sighed, rubbing his temple.

"And that means people will be coming for you. Some will want revenge. Some will want to use you. And others… will want to kill you just to make a name for themselves."

Seraphis grinned, resting a hand on the deck of metal playing cards at her hip.

"Let them come."

Reynard shook his head.

"Try not to die before I make a profit off you, will you?"

Seraphis laughed.

"No promises."