"Attention everyone! We'll be reaching the village in a few more hours!" On a ship, the captain announced to everyone on board, land visible in the distance but far away. "We ask you remain patient, as we're approaching Danger Beast territory. There aren't any that could destroy the boat; however the cargo could be damaged. It'll be smooth sailing after."

"Mommy, are we going to be okay?" A little girl asked her mother, the two in ragged clothes.

"Yes, the captain promised nothing can sink the ship." The mother responded, smiling to her daughter. The ship was a cargo boat; however the crew had allowed for refugees from Telezol on board for the journey. The recent war having made many people desperate enough to run for the Empire.

However as the ship trekked through the hazardous water, unnatural waves were washing against the bow and sides of the ship. Enough so that one of the crewmates had a rifle ready incase any of the creatures got the idea of leaping out of the water. But as the creatures seemed to be stirred to act, the beasts swiftly swam away, an ominous warning.

"Captain?"

"Something bigger scared them off." The captain said, looking to the readied crew. "If what was here was Piras, hopefully we just have a Geuro now swimming close. If we throw some chum in it should-!"

Before the captain finished, water shot into the air as a massive Danger Beast burst from underneath. The long serpent body began to reveal itself, the slit eyes looking to the ship as it released a terrifying shriek. Everyone on board stared in horror at the monstrosity, trapped on the ship with it ready to come down on it.

"It's a Taipid!"

"Mommy!"

"It's okay Sele, we'll be okay." The mother tried to calm the girl, hugging her close as the Taipid focused its attention on the ship. "Just close your eyes, it's going to be okay." The woman shook as she looked up at the Danger Beast, resulting in it shrieking again before attempting to bring its weight down onto the entire vessel.

Another shriek deafened the crowd, but were all surprised as blood poured onto the deck as the Taipid recoiled up. As the people looked down from the creature, they saw a lone man standing where the Danger Beast attempted to crush them. His right hand was up in a clawed position, blood flowing down him.

"Let that be a warning to you." He spoke as he lowered his arm, hiding it within his damaged cloak. "If you don't retreat now, I will kill you." The Taipid's shrieking lowered as it looked down to the ship again, its eyes focusing solely on him as he stood at the center. A sharp screech escaped it, the Danger Beast diving into the water, going under the ship and slamming into it as it began to evade his sight.

"I gave you a warning." The man said before walking to the edge of the ship.

"Wait stop!" The captain attempted to grab the man, but missed as he jumped into the water. The passengers and crew all looked into the water in horror, watching the shadow of the Taipid surround them, the body rising from the water as it readied to lash at the man.

The man couldn't be seen, but the head of the creature seemed to almost recoil whenever it went for directly under the ship. But when they saw blood begin to rise, everyone feared for the man's grizzly fate. Waves began to strike at the ship's bow again, the serpent's body beginning to move rapidly before the ship was knocked back, a portion of the serpent's length rising above the water and pushing it away.

The initial panic was replaced in shock, as those watching saw gashes and tears in the Danger Beast's flesh bleed profusely. The beast itself could only let out an agonizing shriek before it's head was cleaved off, the man appearing at the center drenched in blood and saliva. He had a heated glare as he curled his fingers, swinging down at the monster and cutting through the bulk of the body into the water.

Water shot everywhere from the impact, leaving everyone staring as the body of the Taipid slowly submerged back into the ocean. A small spurt then came out, the man landing back onto the deck. He was cleaned of the blood, starting to wring out the water from his cloak.

"The meat of the Taipid should keep the rest of the Danger Beasts satisfied." He said as he turned to the crew, everyone staring in amazement. "If there was a time to ignore safety, now feels about right."

"You… you heard the man." The captain said, still trying to process things as he ordered his men back to station.

The rest of the passengers meanwhile felt their panic break and cheer, moving to surround the man.

"That was incredible!"

"You saved us, you really saved us!"

The man stepped back from the attention, uncomfortable at the crowd's enthusiasm as they barraged him with questions about what he did.

"Hey now, don't crowd the young man." The captain ordered, pushing through the crowd. "I'd recommend checking on your belongings. The Taipid struck us and may have caused a leak." The reminder got everyone to look to the underdeck in realization before a chunk of the people going down, some staying above to keep their spots.

"Thanks…" The man sighed, getting a humored chuckle from the captain.

"I believe I should be saying that. We weren't prepared for a Taipid in these waters." The captain stated. "You saved everyone on this ship. If it's alright, I'd like to know the name of the man who saved my life."

"My name…" The man mumbled, appearing to hesitate before settling on it. "Tiranov."

"Well Tiranov, you have my gratitude for your actions." The captain said, extending his hand to him. Tiranov then took it, accepting the handshake. "I'll make sure we're in port within the hour. Thank you for the rescue."

"I am also on the boat." Tiranov argued, getting a chuckle from the captain as he walked away.

"But you evidently don't need to be."

Tiranov tilted his head in confusion before looking at his hand, flinching in realization that there was webbed skin between his fingers. Sighing, he calmed his nerves, the webbed flesh going back into his hand before returning to normal.

"Mister?" Tiranov's attention was then drawn to his side, Sele tugging at the end of his cloak as she looked up to him. "Your hands looked funny."

'Her too…'

"Sele, that's no way to talk to the man who saved us." Sele's mother stated. "I'm sorry, she's still so young and she doesn't know what not to-"

"It's fine." Tiranov interrupted, smiling before he knelt down next to the girl. "Yeah, my hand was a little funny looking, but that look's gotta be a secret between us. Okay?" He asked, putting a finger to his lips with a wink.

"Okay Mister!" Sele giggled in return.

"If you don't mind me asking, but you aren't from Telezol or Geruna are you?" The mother asked as he stood back up. "I don't mean to be rude, but it's just you don't look like you're from either continent."

"I'm from Anachak. Down in the southern regions to be precise." He answered, knowing the question came from his umber skin. A trait not seen on either continent.

"You're from the Empire?"

"So you must be coming home Mister!" Sele shouted, interrupting the two.

"That's right, this ride's so I can get home." He nodded, looking to the land in the distance with a smile. "I've been gone for a long time."

"Are you an ambassador? It's just surprising, we've been at sea for weeks which means this isn't a simple journey for you." The mother asked.

"No, it was far from simple. But ambassador would be giving me too much credit." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "I was put on an important mission from a close friend. A country fool like me couldn't dream of being an ambassador."

"But you look scary Mister!" Sele responded, her tone too joyous to be an insult.

"Sele!"

"Mommy says scary men are doing things! And someone nice like you could do nice things!"

"Sele, you don't call nice people scary."

"The good scary, or bad kind?" Tiranov asked, surprising the woman at his response.

"The best kind! The nice people that help people like me and mommy!"

"Well that's certainly comforting." He chuckled, rubbing Sele's hair before looking to her mother. "Is there somewhere you were planning to go in the Empire. I'm heading for the Capital; I could help you get somewhere."

"N-No, we couldn't do that. We were just going to one of the villages in the west, to avoid most of the outside countries."

"So staying closer to the ocean?" Tiranov then turned to his bag, reaching in before pulling something out. "Here, I'm not sure what price it'd go for, but if the Danger Beasts are regarded as valuable as I recall this should get you started for a house."

Tiranov then put the object in her hand, the woman surprised at the decent weight to it before looking down. Her eyes then widened in shock at the sight of a sharp tooth, having to come from a massive Danger Beast.

"Th-This is a-!"

"Consider it a gift. For entertaining me with such a sweet little girl." Tiranov said. "Even with just a single tooth, any piece of a Tyrant should go for a fair price I'd think.

"Bye bye Mister!" Sele waved off to Tiranov, the man having gotten onto a wagon to head for the capital. He waved back in return, watching the two as they were slowly lost in the distance.

"Wife and kid?" The wagon driver asked back to him.

"God I wish. Nah, saved them on the boat ride over from Telezol. A Taipid attacked and I took care of it."

"So that was you? The whole village was talking about it. We thought Wave rushed out there, you must be quite something." The man chuckled.

"I've been told."

"So, why are you going to the Capital?"

"I've been away from home for a long time, I'd like to see what's happened while I was gone."

"…How long have you been gone for?" The man asked, sounding dejected.

"Let's not get into specifics. Let's just say it's been a really long time."

"I'm guessing you haven't gotten much news from across the world. The Empire's become rotten, it's full of monsters worse than the Taipid you fought." The wagon driver stated, getting Tiranov to look to him in confusion.

"You're telling me there's corruption?"

"That's just the tip of the iceberg. The maggots are scraping at what's left of it."

"I… did the royal bloodline die out?"

"I wish it were that simple."

"So the family is still alive." Tiranov said, looking out again as he looked to his hand as they entered a forest. As they got deeper into the trees, the features of his body began to change. His hair, eyes and even the tattoos across his body changed, the dark blue shifting to a light green. "Which means I can do something."

"Those monsters won't go down like the Taipid. But if you can somehow do it, I won't stop you." The wagon driver stated, although clearly doubting the man as they continued.

"It… IT'S GOTTEN HUGE!" Tiranov shouted in astonishment at the sight of the Capital, the massive walls surrounding the city like an unbreakable fortress.

"It's been like that for centuries." The wagon driver said with a sigh, Tiranov's wide smile leaving a pit in his stomach.

"It's amazing! I knew he had it in him, but this is up and beyond!" Tiranov seemed to ignore the man's statement, stepping off the wagon and staring up in amazement.

"Maybe being in Telezol for so long's gotten to your head." The driver said. "Look, the palace is at the center, but you should be careful getting to it. Things are likely different from what you remember."

"I don't doubt it!" Tiranov said, stepping to the capital but stopping himself. "Crap, almost forgot!" He then ran to the front of the wagon, reaching into his rucksack and pulling out another Tyrant tooth. "Tyrant teeth are valuable from what I gathered, so this should be good for payment right?"

"W-Wait! A Tyrant tooth!?" The man sputtered in shock, barely catching the tooth when Tiranov tossed it up. "Hold on! The travel was only a few silver coins, a Tyrant tooth is-!"

"Help yourself!" Tiranov responded as he took off, running for the Capital gate.

"Sir I can't just-!" The man's words stopped cold as Tiranov ran through, swearing his eyes just played a trick on him as he saw Tiranov's hair and the markings on his arms change colors from green to beige.

"…I think I need to stay away from the Capital for a while." He eventually sighed, putting the Tyrant tooth in his pocket as he ushered his horse forward and turning his back from the city.

'The lad's got hope, but that won't help him here.' He thought to himself, closing his eyes in regret. 'People like you die first in this hell. I hope you can prove me wrong.'

'There's so many buildings! And even more people!' Tiranov thought as he ran through the city streets, running past the many people going about their day-to-day routines. Whether it was shopping, drinking, or preparing to go out for a hunt everyone at this part of the Capital seemed brimming with hope.

The growing excitement got Tiranov to jump up to a nearby building, easily scaling the side before landing on the roof. From there he extended his arms out to his sides, grinning widely and opening his cloak to reveal his muscular torso. Similar markings on his arms and face were seen, the same beige as the rest as he cheered to out in pride.

"I'm home!"

'It's even better then I thought it'd be…' Tiranov thought, letting his hair and cloak flow in the breeze as he looked out to the massive palace in the center. 'I wish you could see it now old friend. I bet it's even grander then when you left it.'

Tiranov walked hastily for the palace, moving with purpose to see inside the halls after his last visit. When he reached the entrance, he was stopped as a pair of guards blocked him with a set of spears.

"No one enters without the proper position. Get lost you street urchin."

"Street urchin?" Tiranov responded with a raised eyebrow, realizing the problem quickly. "Oh right, my clothes." He then reached into his bag, getting unimpressed stares from the guards as he rummaged around. "It should be here, somewhere… got it!" He then pulled out a small envelop, holding it out to the guard with a grin. "Perhaps you recognize this sigil?"

The guard rolled his eyes with a grunt as he took the envelop, looking at the seal for the paper before his eyes widened in shock. "W-What the hell?"

"What is it?" The other guard asked, the first shaking as he turned to him.

"K-Keep an eye on him for a bit. I need to confirm this with Great General Budo!"

"Great General Budo!?" The guard tried to stop his partner, but was too late as he ran into the palace courtyard. He then looked nervously over to Tiranov, the man smirking cockily with a chuckle.

A few minutes went by before a powerful aura was felt by Tiranov, turning to the entrance to see a large man approach. Everything of him radiated power; his hulking frame, full body armor, even the red cloak kept up by his shoulder-guards seemed to demonstrate authority and rank.

"Great General Budo!" The guard saluted as the man appeared, peering past him to Tiranov. The guard stepped to the side for Budo to step closer, stopping directly in front of him.

'So much power… so the Empire's risen this much.' Tiranov thought with a smile, looking up to Budo as the Great General looked down.

"You're the one who gave the guard this sigil?" Budo asked, pulling the envelop out and holding it up to Tiranov. The man got straight to the point, not wasting a single second with the sigil in question.

"That was me, yes." Budo continued to stare down at Tiranov, measuring him from head to toe. Every part of him almost seemed unmaking to the sigil. That was, until he landed on the cross-shaped pupils Tiranov possessed. The same that was possessed by the creature the sigil was formed after, one that belonged to not a man, but a beast.

"It's an honor to have an old family friend of the Empire." Budo announced, bowing as he returned the envelop to Tiranov. "I am Great General Budo, leader of the Imperial Guard. I wish you had informed us of your arrival sooner, we'd have a proper ceremony. At least, if there were less incidents occurring."

"It's fine, someone like me isn't really deserving of that anyways." Tiranov bowed in return, putting the envelop back into his bag. "Something happening to the Capital?"

"That is a loaded question in itself." Budo sighed, his cold stare remaining as he regarded Tiranov. "I'm sure you wish to have an audience with Emperor Makoto. He was informed of the sigil's presence and is ready to see you."

"Great, so what are we waiting for?" Tiranov took a step forward, but was stopped when Budo placed his hand on his chest. "Something wrong?"

"Before meeting with the Emperor, it is customary to be in your best clothing on hand." Budo informed him. "I do understand the culture you came from is different, but surely you know better then to meet royalty with such tattered clothes… and no shirt."

"Um… this is all I have." Tiranov chuckled sheepishly, gripping the inside of his cloak and holding his arms to his sides. "Is there uh… a way to overlook it this once?"

"…This is not a good first impression." Budo responded sternly, Tiranov chuckling again with a nervous smile.

"I never have one."

"Unbelievable, the Founding Hunter family is in such a condition." Budo sighed, rubbing his temples before turning to the side. "We will overlook it this once. However I expect you to acquire better attire for the rest of the meetings."

"Awesome!" Tiranov cheered, about to run ahead as Budo grabbed the back of his cloak's collar. "Gack!"

"No running unless there's an emergency!" Budo scolded. "I will overlook the attire, but you will follow the rules of the palace to the letter when you are here. Am I understood?"

"Y-Yes sir."

"Good."

'He lacks discipline, but he's definitely a part of that family.' Budo thought, looking down at scratch marks behind his feet.

Tiranov walked through the halls with a wide grin on his face, looking to all the ceremonial decorations. From the priceless urns, red carpeted floor, and the countless paintings that gave life to the halls. He slowed to a halt as he reached a man with green hair, wearing regal clothing with a stern look on his face.

"We are not to keep the Emperor waiting, whatever has you stopping it should…" Budo began to scold Tiranov, but stopped as he saw the painting the man was looking at. "The First Emperor."

"Emperor Makoto, founder of Anachak's Empire and lead creator of the Teigu." Tiranov said with a somber tone, his predatory eyes lowering before looking to Budo. "I… I have to ask. Is it known how he…?"

"First Emperor Makoto died peacefully in his chambers. Surrounded by his wife, child, and all his advisors." Budo answered honestly.

"You're a terrible liar Budo..." Tiranov mumbled to himself, taking a somber sigh before smiling up to Makoto's painting.

"Alright, I'm good." Tiranov said to Budo, returning to their walk to the Emperor's throne room. "I apologize for the delay. I just… needed a moment."

"Of course, I understand." Budo responded, not looking to Tiranov as they walked. "However I ask you do not make a habit of making delays at that painting. Your duties are to this Emperor, not the First."

"My duties to them are one and the same: exterminate the monsters that threaten the Empire." Tiranov stated.

"A noble duty, I hope you uphold it with all your life."

"I will. I made a promise."

"My Lord, I have returned." Once the doors opened and the two entered, Tiranov had immediately lowered his head and crouched down to a single knee. With a noble bow, he remained in place with a hand down, keeping him beneath the Emperor.

"I see, you're the man who came with the Tyrant Sigil?" Emperor Makoto questioned, his voice causing Tiranov to freeze in place at the tone.

'Is… is that possible?'

"Please raise your head, I wish to have a look at you." Tiranov followed the order and looked up, from there his widened for a second at the confirmation to his thoughts.

'A… a child?' Tiranov thought, seeing the Emperor be no more than a young kid. He was younger than he expected even what could be accepted as an Emperor, potential no older than twelve. 'Emperor Makoto is a child!?'

"Interesting, your eyes look the same as the Tyrants in the books." Makoto noted, regarding the man with a mature attempt. "That is what a Tyrant's eyes look like, right Honest?"

"Yes it is, a wise observation Your Majesty." Tiranov's eyes looked to the man standing next to the young Emperor. A large, fat man that was even now eating a slab of cooked meat. But the appearance of the man was distorted and twisted to what Tiranov saw, the raw sadistic and twisted vile expelling from him taking up nearly the entire room.

'Such vile lust and greed, this man's a monster.' Tiranov instantly thought, feeling disturbed to his core, especially when he saw the crown on his head. 'Erastone!? Impossible, such a vile man couldn't be-!'

"Ah, that's good to know. Thank you Prime Minister Honest!" Makoto responded to Honest's confirmation, Tiranov's heart sinking into despair at the title. "Now, Hunter Tiranov there's a matter that I need to be informed of before we may discuss things any further."

"Of course… Your Majesty."

"Where do your loyalties lie?" He asked with a surprisingly dejected voice. "Your family's been gone for a thousand years. And you return at a time where agents of chaos are attempting to destroy our way of life. So are you a preserver of justice? Or an agent of chaos?"

"My loyalty lies with the Empire." Tiranov answered, lowering his head again. "I desire nothing more then to preserve this great empire and its subjects. I will exterminate any monster that threatens the lives of those within these walls."

"And what of assassins and thugs?"

"If they threaten my fellow countrymen, I will exterminate them all."

"Good, good, what an excellent display of confirming loyalty." Honest applauded Tiranov's statement, looking to the young emperor with a proud smile. "How wise you have become Your Majesty. And to have the Founding Hunter's family on our side, the horrendous criminals are bound for the slaughter."

'The Empire's become rotten, it's full of monsters worse than the Taipid you fought.'

'This man… how could he become the Prime Minister of the Empire!?' Tiranov thought with despair, Honest's overwhelming vile aura covering the whole room as he felt the excitement and glee at the thought of using him for his own gain. 'How… how could it come to this?'

"You handled your first meeting with the Emperor well." Budo stated as the two walked through the halls. "You showed a well reserved composure, considering your prior actions I assumed for the worst."

Tiranov didn't respond to Budo, simply looking down in pure silence. Even the steps he took didn't give off a sound, getting the Great General looking down to him with a stern look.

"Are we able to speak freely?"

"There are no rules against expressing yourself. However know anything you say may be considered insurrection if you follow on with it."

"…The Emperor is the Prime Minister's puppet, isn't he?" Budo's silence was the only answer needed, getting a bitter chuckle from Tiranov. "That kid's wrapped around his finger, how much of the Empire is like that?"

"The current climate is irrelevant. We are servants to the Empire, and the insurgents that threaten our land are our priority." Budo responded. "However, once that is taken care of the rot in the Capital must be taken care of. If you prove to be a loyal member of the Empire, it would be an honor to work alongside the Founding Hunter."

"If that is what it will take, then I will exterminate all of the Empire's enemies. And if you will have me, I will join in purifying the rot that's taking hold of this land." Tiranov responded, renewed vigor in his eyes as he accepted the goal of the Great General.

"Well, it seems as though the Old Geezer's made a friend with a young upstart." Tiranov's whole body shook as he felt a cold chill go down his spine, his body feeling the might of a blizzard all at once before heating up to calm itself.

"General Esdeath, you don't normally walk out into this courtyard." Budo stated as he turned to the woman that approached. Tiranov soon followed, struggling to see the woman past the overwhelming bloodlust that assaulted his senses.

"Reports came around fast that apparently the latest of the Founding Hunter family has returned to the Empire after generations." Esdeath stated, Tiranov managing to discern the bloodlust to see the blue-haired woman clearly. Along with her were three others, wearing black leather uniforms that contrasted with her white military uniform.

"It's unlike you to greet the arrivals, General."

"His family helped form the basis of all the hunter clans, mine included." She stated, looking over Tiranov as she did. "Your focus seems sharp, preparing for a hunt even now."

"The dangerous game is the only one worth the time, they rub off on you."

"They surely do, those worth the time that is." Esdeath grinned, seeing the glow to Tiranov's eyes, a monstrous presence behind the eyes of a Tyrant.

"Welcome back to the Empire, Sir Tiranov." Behind Esdeath, the elder looking man gave a small bow in regard to the hunter. "I am Liver, member of the Three Beasts and loyal servant of General Esdeath."

"It's good to know we'll be having added members to the ranks." The smallest of the three said, giving a cat like grin. "My name is Nyau, I wonder if you'll fit in here?"

"Those are some eyes you have; you look like you'd be worth a ton of experience." The largest of the three men behind Esdeath stated, grinning madly at him. "Fighting you would be exhilarating."

"Forgive him." Liver responded to the man's ignorance to their introduction, having to do it for him. "His name is Daidara."

"I have to admit, this is a rather nerving position." Tiranov said with a smirk. "Being in such a close place with five other Teigu users, not an experience I'm used to."

"Perceptive." Esdeath responded. "Was that picked up from hunting Danger Beasts, or perhaps you have experience in detecting Teigu?"

"A bit of both if I'm honest."

"General Esdeath, I can tell why you've made your approach." Budo interrupted the conversation, regarding the woman sternly. "If you wish to test him, save it for another time. For now Tiranov is to unload in his quarters and be assigned to his division."

"Now Great General, there's no need to be so defensive." Esdeath responded to Budo's claim, her smile unnerving enough to lower the temperature around her. "I merely had wished to give our new recruit the proper welcome for a Teigu user. Is that so wrong?"

"…You don't have to humor her, she's simply testing to see if you would make a suitable enemy." Budo stated back to Tiranov, confusing him at the notion.

"Who said anything about enemies? We're all on the same team here." Tiranov smiled, patting the Great General's shoulder-pad as he smiled to Esdeath. "I'm a little rusty when it comes to fighting people, but if a General asks for a fight how am I to say no?"

"There will be no use of either of your Teigu, stick strictly to your natural abilities." Budo ordered. "The courtyard does suffice for a battleground, however if you damage the palace in any way I will see to it there's proper punishment."

"How nice of you Great General." Esdeath said as her gaze remained on Tiranov, her smile widening as she began to feel the pressure in the air.

"It's an honor to fight a General, never imagined I'd be in a spar with one on my first day back." Tiranov said to Esdeath, stretching as the two stood several meters away in the center of the courtyard. "Being cramped on that boat has had me itching for a good exercise."

"No need to feel so formal right now." Esdeath responded, her excitement growing as the pressure continued. "After all, hiding your excitement is evidently not one of your strong suits." The General called out, Tiranov's wide grin shown as he finished his stretching.

"What can I say? My mood was a little sour earlier but now my blood's gotten pumping." He answered honestly, the two waiting as Budo stood to the side along with the Three Beasts.

"This will be to the first blow. No weapons, no killing blows. Am I clear?"

"What? Only to the first hit!?" Tiranov started to complain, only to get a harsh pressure pushed down on him from Budo's glare.

"Am. I. Clear?"

"C-Crystal…" Tiranov responded, lowering his stance while Esdeath remained standing calmly.

'No ready stance?'

'His posture looks almost like a Tyrant's.' The General noted on Tiranov's posture, his arms hidden underneath his cloak as Budo raised his hand up. 'Keeping me from seeing your fists, crafty like a Tyrant too. But…'

"Begin!" The moment Budo announced the start of the fight Tiranov lunged forward, crossing the distance between him and Esdeath in a split second. His hands were still hidden, the man craning his head back before sending it forward.

"You're just as predictable!" Esdeath said confidently, surprising him with a swift blow to the back of his head and knocking him down hard into the ground. "A Tyrant always leads with its head, attempting to consume its prey without a fight."

'I… I barely saw her move!' Tiranov thought, wincing from the pain in the back of his head.

"You've spent too much time just hunting Danger Beasts, your skills are more than rusted." Esdeath stated, turning away as Tiranov was already pushing himself up.

"General Esdeath is a contender for the strongest person in the Empire, it was unlikely you'd land that blow even if she didn't predict it." Budo stated, stepping beside Tiranov while the Three Beasts went to follow their General.

"Yeah, but now I've gotten her attention." Tiranov said with a grin, seeing the hand she struck him with shake.

"Looks like he's going to be another everybody that got lucky to be compatible with a Teigu. What a disappointment." Nyau said with a shrug. "Of course, that's what is expected from challenging General Esdeath."

"I wouldn't underestimate that man." Liver responded, having seen the shaking in Esdeath's hand.

'Even though I landed the blow, I apparently took more damage.' Esdeath thought to herself, feeling the numbness in her hand fill her with excitement. 'He's lacking in skill, but that raw power… I look forward to the day we fight without rules, Tiranov Ubiytsa.'

"The promise of a good fight should keep her satisfied, right?" Tiranov asked Budo, the Great General nodding once to Tiranov's liking. "Good, then she'll wait until the time we can really go at it."

"Don't tell me you're a battle fanatic too." Budo sighed, getting a chuckle from the man.

"I prefer battle enthusiast."

"Of course you do." The Great General then started to walk, Tiranov following. "With the equivalent of introductions out of the way, I will be assigning you your first mission."

"First mission? I just got here after weeks on a boat! That's not counting the endless walking across an entire continent just to get to the ocean!"

"If you're rested enough to fight, you're rested enough to work."

"Oh come on!"

"Guard duty, and I'm not even in a dangerous part of town…" Tiranov groaned in disappointment, his head lowered in shame at his current predicament.

"That's rather confident of you." A woman said, sitting next to him at a restaurant with a casual smile. Harakala, the woman next to him, was his assigned objective. According to Budo, she's the wife of a businessman in the wealthier section of the Capital. The kicker though was her connections with the outside villages, having a monopoly over trade with resources needed by the citizens and soldiers.

'Having to watch over a rich woman while her husband's out on business, this is a job for lowly grunts!' He thought with a balled-up fist, feeling betrayed by the Great General for such a lowly assignment. 'Damn you Budo! You don't think anything on my skills, even after I survived Esdeath's attack!'

"You shouldn't need to feel too worried, everywhere outside the palace is considered dangerous." Tiranov's hatred was paused by Harakala, the woman tracing a finger around the rim of her champagne glass.

"Everywhere?"

"Nowhere has the proper security to keep up, with the plans to move out the army for a war with the north." She explained, surprising Tiranov. "You haven't heard? The country to the north, Moroz, has declared war on the Empire. The Prime Minister intends to crush it swiftly, so a portion of the army is being relocated in advance for the battle."

"Maybe, but doesn't that still mean the lower districts need more protection then?"

"Oh you handsome fool." Harakala laughed, holding a hand over her lips as she did. "You really do come from the country, robbers and common thugs aren't the concern. It's them." She then pointed to the building across, several wanted posters plastered up.

"Night Raid?" Tiranov spoke to himself, reading the posters in confusion.

"They're low-lives who have been killing important members of society for their destructive revolution. They claim to be fighting for the people, but all of us know they're in it for the blood." She then clenched her teeth in fury, glaring at the picture at the top. "Especially her, they all kill and kill without remorse. Slaughtering my candidates and disrupting the business of this great city. They're criminals, and need to be killed like the pigs they are."

'She's oozing with bloodlust.' Tiranov noticed, the woman's composure broken at the sight of the woman on the top poster. 'Akame, the One Cut Killer.' He measured what he could from the poster, disappointed that he couldn't figure out more than her appearance.

"But enough about that scum, I'm much more interested in you~" Harakala said in a sultry tone, leaning on the table as she measured his appearance. "I was always fascinated by the southern tribes. But you look even more exotic, are you from the country Pesok?"

"The country to the south? I think so." Tiranov responded, looking to his hand. "According to everyone I look like I do. But it's been so long I can't quite remember. Anachak's the only home I can think of."

"I wish more men here looked like you did." She said, running her hand through his hair with a longing smile. "Such soft hair, it looks so unkept and yet it's better then even mine. And that color, I never knew men from the south could have such a beautiful shade of beige."

"I… appreciate the compliment." Tiranov thanked cautiously, looking to the side with a nervous grin.

'Budo explicitly said not to try anything on her.'

'If you so much as even attempt to be a homewrecker, there will be hell to pay!' Budo's voice boomed in even his mind, getting a reactive shiver up his spine.

'This isn't fair! She's the one hitting on me you blond bastard!'

"Are you okay?" She asked, getting his attention again. "I realize it hasn't snowed yet, but it is close to winter."

"Oh, no need to worry about me there." Tiranov grinned, patting his chest through his cloak. "This here's more meant to just keep me concealed. My body's warm enough that I don't feel a thing!"

"My, what an intriguing ability~" Harakala hummed. "Seeing as you'll be guarding me for the entire day, I wouldn't object to feeling that warmth against me."

"Your safety comes first, so it's best I stay focused." He responded respectively. "Should you be going anywhere or need my protection, I will be close by. However I must refuse your offer to seduce me."

"Well… that's too bad…" The woman said in disappointment. "However I will try again soon enough, and I know someone of such exotic nature could only have an equally exotic taste. One only I could satisfy."

"You flatter me."

"Budo said I'd have to watch her for the day, he didn't say anything about the entire night." Tiranov groaned as he stretched his arms, guarding the door to Harakala's room in her estate. The building's size aside, the hall itself seemed fit for a noble, well beyond what the merchant and businessman would be able to get under normal means.

"It's a wonderful place though, a little too empty for my taste though." He commented on how the guards stationed weren't present, in turn getting his focus. He recalled there being more when they reached the estate, but they seemed to have fizzled out.

"Great, I get guard duty all to myself." He sighed, walking to the nearest restroom and began to wash his face. He looked up in the mirror to see his now black eyes stare back at him. His cross-shaped pupils were now invisible to the naked eye, almost giving him a blind appearance. He sighed again before splashing water on his entire face, some of the water getting in his hair.

'Gotta say, the gig's boring but it isn't bad.' He thought to himself, scoffing lightly as he looked to the side skittishly. 'Just wish I couldn't hear Harakala's session with her… suitor.' He said, referring to the man who had entered her room for a "checkup" as he said. 'Enhanced hearing and smell is both a blessing and curse.'

As he stepped out of the restroom, Tiranov nearly gagged as a putrid odor reached his nose. 'Speaking of…' The smell was much stronger than he was expecting, having randomly started to come up. 'What the hell is this smell anyways? I got a whiff a while ago, but it wasn't nearly this strong.' Tiranov then began to follow the source of the stench, having to cover his nose when he reached the door.

He almost opened the door when his senses went into overdrive, detecting a trace of bloodlust coming from down the hall.

'This presence… Harakala!' Realizing how close it was to the woman's room, Tiranov ran down the hall without concern. 'There's an intruder and the guards are missing, is this why Budo sent me here?'

He moved at speeds he didn't care about what was ahead of him, the outline of his target all he focused on. Before he was too close he leaped into the air with a murderous intent, his bloodlust alerting the person immediately and allowing them to duck under his kick.

He only skidded a few meters away before he turned, his stance lowering as he grinned in excitement. "And here I thought that my first job was going to be a dull one." He then extended his right arm to his side, curling his fingers into a claw as a breeze went through the hall.

"Attempting to kill the mistress of this estate in the dead of night, and with a Teigu no less." He said, recognizing the person's equipment with only a glance. "That means you can only be from the assassins I heard of, Night Raid!"

"So you're planning on getting in the way then?" His opponent grinned in return, entering her combative stance with her beastly appearance matching his thirst for battle. "Hope you got more going for you then a decent bloodlust!"

"I'll show you exactly what I'm made of, Night Raid!"