Bastard Homunculus: Reborn in the Corpse Pit

"Alright, here we are...how are you feeling?" Raven asked his sister, who had a tense look on her face.

"I-I'm fine, nothing to worry about, I'm just fine," She replied, not particularly convincingly, sounding a bit on edge.

"Ohh, I get it, you'd rather be teamed up with Aster, don't you?" Smirked Raven as he teasingly nudged her, in an effort to ease the tension.

"Wh-wha-...!? N-no, that's not-...shut up!" She huffed as her face turned red, smacking his shoulder indignantly.

A couple of weeks had passed since she'd joined The Irregulars, it was the 20th of November, 2018, late in the evening with the sun starting to set, and they were about to make their next move.

After training with The Irregulars over the last two weeks or so, they decided that she should join Raven and Celia, since she had the best compatibility with their pair.

Like last time, the group had decided to target three different locations again, the places that Aster had suggested, and the trio of Raven, Celia and Ravella had gone to Amethyst City, they had just snuck into the city and were making their way through the area via the alleys.

"We'll need to be careful here...the Second Squad's Captain is in this city, and including him, there are two Relic Armament users," Remarked Raven, as they made their way towards the phone lines.

"True, but we've also got two Relic Armaments with us, my gauntlets and Ravella's whip. Plus, the other Relic Armament user in the city is a target, so we won't need to hold back if we encounter him," Pointed out Celia with a wry smile.

"That's no reason to take this lightly, though. If anything goes wrong after we split up, use the one-kilometer Teleport Spells to get out of the city immediately, don't take any unnecessary risks," Replied Raven firmly.

"Yeah, okay...but, hey, don't you think we should switch roles? You've got the tougher job and you'll be going solo, while Ravella and I pair up. Wouldn't it make more sense for us to take the more difficult task?" Responded Celia objectively.

"No, it's fine...I'm much tougher to kill, and even if do get injured I can heal myself, plus this is Ravella's first mission with us, so we should avoid putting her under too much pressure. I mean, that's what you guys did with me when I first joined," Countered Raven wryly, before frowning and raising his arm to signal the other two to stop, as he lowered his voice and added, "Hold on...I'm picking up two human scents around the corner. I'm guessing the Knights have posted guards to protect the tower."

The three of them then quietly made their way forward before glancing around the corner, spotting a pair of Knights standing in front of the communication tower, where all of the city's phone lines were connected to.

"What do we do? We'll need to take them down quickly, before they can cause a commotion," Whispered Ravella, as she eyed the Knights warily.

"I don't see anyone else around, they must have forbade the citizens from going near the communication tower...that works well in our favor," Added Celia after scanning the area.

"Yeah, I don't sense any other people in the vicinity. Leave this to me," Replied Raven, before opening his mouth and firing out a cloud of mist towards the Knights, the mist shooting towards them rapidly.

"Hm? Woah, what the-...!?"

"What-...crap, don't breathe it...in...! O-oh, shit...I...I don't feel...so...good..."

"S-so...so sleepy..."

Raven then sharpened his senses and spread out his wings, flying up to the top of the tower after making extra sure that the coast was clear, before landing on top of the tower and charging lightning into his right hand.

He then grabbed the spot where the cables were connected to, a sharp crackle ringing out before a hiss of smoke burst out, as he fried the cables by overloading them with electricity.

As a plume of smoke billowed out, he leapt off the top of the tower and flew back down, before landing in front of the other two as he let out a slow exhale.

"Okay, that takes care of step one. Now, then, it's time to split up...be careful, you two. The Knights are undoubtedly on higher alert for us right now, so keep your guards up," He remarked seriously.

"Right back at you, don't get careless just because you're tough to kill," Responded Celia, before adding, "We'll probably finish up our part before you're done with yours, so we'll head your way once we've wrapped things up."

"Sure, sounds good. Alright, the sun's set now, so let's get going," He replied, as he spread out his wings.

"Careful out there, bro," Called out Ravella, as he flew up towards the top of a nearby building, before glancing back and giving her a nod.

His target was the Knight outpost, while the girls were tasked with attacking the church.

As Raven landed on top of the building and began making his way in the direction of the Knight outpost in the city, Celia and Ravella began heading for the church.

"Hm, there are a fair number of people out and about right now...well, they should evacuate and clear the area once things ramp up, so hopefully, I won't have to worry about collateral damage as far as casualties are concerned," Thought Raven, before coming to a stop as the Knight outpost came into sight, peering down at it as he surveyed the building, "It looks like they've tightened security, guess I won't be able to just stroll into the place like I did last time. Alright, then...guess I'll have to take a more aggressive, direct approach."

He then took out a Spell Card from his Storage Ring, spreading out his wings as he fully tranformed before swooping down from the top of the building he was on and rapidly charged towards the entrance of the Knight outpost.

"What the-...!?" Exclaimed one of the Knights standing guard by the entrance, before he was cut off as Raven shot past him and zipped into the building, before raising the Spell Card and running his Mana through it.

"I-it's the Homunculus!"

"Surround him, quickly!"

"Huh? What's going on!? I can't teleport!"

Raven swiftly turned his gaze to the Knight who said that, before zipping towards him at top speed the Knight's eyes widening as he stumbled back before gasping in pain as Raven whipped his claws across as he closed in on him, slicing his throat open.

Blood sprayed out as the Knight collapsed onto the floor, writhing around in agony as he clutched at his neck, blood gushing out as his eyes rolled back in his head, right as a flaming spear came rapidly thrusting towards Raven from behind.

He quickly turned his body across, grimacing as the blade sliced across the side of his left arm, trickles of blood running out before evaporating with a sizzle as they came into contact with the flames wrapped around the spear, before Raven turned his head around and fired out his beams with immense speed.

The spear's wielder swiftly pulled the weapon back and swung it across, the blade of the spear deflecting the beams away before he backed away and eyed Raven warily as the cut across his arm healed.

"Alright, everyone except Cleaza, Drote and Kia, get out of here! Grab one of the Teleport Spells and get help!" Exclaimed the Knight, before the three he'd specified surrounded Raven as the rest quickly made their way out of the building, before the Knight thought to himself with a puzzled look on his face as one of the fleeing Knights opened a drawer and took a Teleport Spell Card out before heading for the entrance, "Strange...why isn't he trying to stop them from taking a Spell Card? I thought he'd rush to try and grab the Cards, I figured that'd give me an opening to strike, but he's completely unbothered. Something's not right here..."

In reality, Raven had no reason to stop the Knights from trying to use their Teleport Spell Cards. The Spell he'd activated after barging into the building was a new one created by Tacitus, which he'd named Teleportation Jamming.

Once activated, it wrecks all Teleport Spell Cards within a hundred meter radius, while also preventing Teleporters from casting their Spells for a few seconds.

Therefore, once Raven activated the Spell, he no longer had to worry about the Teleport Spell Cards, and only needed to eliminate the Teleporter before the temporary nullifying effect of the Teleportation Jamming Spell wore off.

"Hey, Captain...if this is anything like the previous attacks, then there must be another member of The Irregulars in the city who's attacking the church," Spoke up one of the other Knights.

"Yes, I'm well aware...but this one's a serious threat, we cannot take him lightly," Responded the Captain, the one with the spear.

Fyre Mozill, the Captain of the Second Squad, and the younger brother of the head of a Duchal Noble House, the highest Noble rank.

He was in his mid-thirties, with long, straight, orangish-red hair, dark yellow eyes, a fair complexion with light freckles on his cheeks, and he was fairly tall and well-built.

He was a wielder of a Relic Armament, a spear known as Gungnir, the weapon's blade was able to cut through almost anything, it had sliced through Raven's scales like a hot knife through butter.

"They're keeping their distance, looks like they're waiting for me to make the first move...well, they're going to have to keep waiting, because I'm in no rush. I'll just keep my guard up and wait till one of them loses their patience," Raven thought to himself, as he eyed the four Knights surrounding him warily.

"Come on, what's the matter? Why aren't you attacking? Don't tell me you're afraid," Spoke up one of the others, in an effort to taunt Raven.

"I could say the same to you...you've got me outnumbered, so what are you waiting for? Don't tell me you're afraid," Responded Raven with a taunting smirk.

"Tch...," She clicked her tongue in response, irritated at her provocation failing.

Cleaza Opera, a First-Class Knight of the Second Squad, and the third daughter of a Count, the second highest Noble rank. She was the youngest member of the Knight Order, currently seventeen years old, having joined when she was only thirteen before swiftly rising up the ranks.

She had long, light brown hair tied up in a ponytail, her eyes were a gradient mix of orange and black, she had a fair complexion, and was on the shorter side, with a slender figure with alluring curves.

"This is your fault, you damned Commoner...some Detection Mage you are," Spoke up one of the other two Knights, as he narrowed his eyes at the fourth one.

"He's the only one here who's a target, the other Relic Armament user besides the Captain," Raven thought to himself as he glanced at the Knight.

Drote Amethyst, another First-Class Knight of the Second Squad, and the nephew of the Viscountess in charge of Amethyst City.

He was in his mid to late thirties, with medium-length, dark maroon hair, pinkish red eyes, a light brown complexion, and he was quite tall, with a strong, muscular build.

And as Raven had mentioned, he was also a wielder of a Relic Armament, called Morningstar, a weapon that consisted of a large metal sphere with spikes all over it, connected to a chain attached to a handle.

"I-I'm sorry, but h-he swooped into the outpost the instant after I sensed him, I-I didn't have time to-...," The fourth Knight began timidly.

"Spare us your excuses, Commoner, it's unbecoming and pathetic," Drote interrupted her disdainfully.

"I-I'm sorry..."

Kia Werfner, a Second-Class Knight of the Second Squad and a Commoner, one with no Noble blood. She was in her early-twenties, with medium-length, black, wavy hair pushed back with a white hairband, murky green eyes, a tanned complexion, and she was slightly below average height, with a slim, petite figure.

"Enough, Drote. This is no time to bicker amongst ourselves," Frowned Fyre sternly.

"Yes, but she-...," He began, before trailing off as a rapid blast of purple flames came shooting towards him.

He quickly swung his weapon up, the spiky metal ball dispersing the flames as it whipped through, before his eyes widened in alarm as Raven shot towards him and closed in right as the flames dispersed.

Drote quickly swung his weapon across at Raven's head with a sharp flick of his wrist, Raven swiftly raised his right hand and caught it before it could hit him, grimacing as a couple of the spikes pierced into his palm, before he coated his head in lightning and snapped his neck forward, slamming his forehead against Drote's.

A dazed gasp of pain rang out as Raven's forehead collided against Drote's with a loud thunk, the skin around the middle of his forehead burnt as he stumbled back shakily, his body stiff as the lightning had electrocuted his body upon impact, before Raven's gaze darted across to his left and right as Cleaza and Kia came charging in towards him from either side.

Cleaza drew out a sword as she closed in on Raven's left, a high-pitched ringing emanating from the blade, as Kia drew out a pair of twin blades and leapt towards Raven from his right.

As Kia closed in on him, he swiftly sent his tail shooting out and grabbed her wrist, her eyes widening in alarm as he tightened his grip before flinging her across towards Cleaza, a grunt echoing out as Kia crashed onto her and the pair collapsed in a heap.

"[H-Heal]," Chanted Drote shakily, regaining his bearings right as Fyre sprang up behind Raven with his spear raised up high, flames erupting and swirling around the blade.

Raven swiftly side-stepped to evade the swing of the spear, which sliced into the floor, before Raven shot towards the entrance of the building at full speed.

Drote quickly stepped out in front of him, blocking the entrance as he began rapidly spinning his weapon, before Raven opened his mouth and unleashed a deafening sonic screech towards him.

He leapt out of the way in an alarmed rush, narrowly avoiding the blast of sound before Raven flew out of the building, glancing back as a blade came rapidly spinning towards him out of the entrance.

He spun around and extended out his claws before swinging his arm across, deflecting the blade away as Kia emerged from the building, manifesting a new blade from her Storage Ring as Raven landed a few meters ahead of her.

"Heh...hehehehe! I read the reports about you, but you're way faster than I assumed...this should be fun!" She exclaimed with a wide grin, before she shot towards Raven and leapt forward, swinging both her blades outwards.

He managed to block the slashes of her blades with his claws, before he swiftly sent his tail shooting out towards her, but she was quick to react, springing back and getting some distance.

"Hehehe, nice try, but that's not going to work a second time, you're gonna have to do a whole lot better than that!" She smirked as a crazed look appeared in her eyes.

"I see, she's using her Detection Magic to sense my moves and react faster than she'd otherwise be able to. Also...she seemed so quiet and timid earlier, but she's acting like a total maniac now, it's like she's a different person," Raven thought to himself in bemusement, before putting his guard up as the other three Knights walked out of the building and joined her.

"There's no greater proof that Commoners are nothing more than glorified animals than her," Scoffed Drote, as he nodded at Kia.

"I said that's enough...keep those remarks to yourself," Frowned Fyre, before swinging his spear across and unleashing a rapid, slashing wave of flames towards Raven, as Cleaza swiftly stepped forward and fired out a sonic screech, enhancing the flames which spiked in intensity as the Spells combined.

Raven whipped his head across while simultaneously firing out beams from his eyes, slicing across the flaming slash and canceling it out, before turning to his right as Drote raced across and sprinted in towards him from his left, rapidly spinning his weapon.

He sprang forward as he closed in on Raven, whipping his weapon towards the side of his head with immense force. Raven ducked under it, the spiky ball whizzing past the top of his head before he crossed his arms in front of himself as Drote swung his right foot forward.

"I've got you!" Exclaimed Kia viciously, springing up behind Raven as Drote's foot slammed onto his arms.

He quickly spread out his wings sharply as Kia began to swing her blades at his back, his right wing hitting her chest and knocking her off balance before he swiftly grabbed her ankle with his tail and gave it a sharp yank, a yell of alarm ringing out as she fell over, her back thudding against the ground as Raven swung his right fist out, coating it in lightning, before slamming it against Drote's stomach.

Drote let out a wheeze of pain, blood pouring out of his mouth as he got sent flying back, right as Fyre zipped in towards Raven from his right and drove his spear forward with immense force.

Kia swiftly got back onto her feet and backed away as Raven quickly tilted his head back, grimacing as the blade of the spear sliced across the bridge of his nose, before Fyre his mouth and unleashed a scorching wave of flames towards Raven, which engulfed him before he could react.

Fyre's eyes then widened in alarm as Raven's right fist came shooting out of the flames, slamming onto the middle of his chest and sending him flying back as he felt twinges of pain erupting across his ribs, his feet skidding back as he managed to regain his balance before landing.

"My flames had no effect? Hm, come to think of it, when I cut him, he bled like normal. But usually, when I cut someone, the flames I wrap around my spear sears the wound and prevents it from bleeding. No doubt about it, he's immune to flames. Alright, then...there's no point in using my Fire Magic if it has no effect on him. No sense in dwelling on it...instead ,I'll just have to conserve my Mana and put all my focus into attacking him with my spear," Decided Fyre as he eyed Raven warily.

"This isn't good, it's hard to keep track of all four of them at the same time, even with my senses...plus, their coordination is pretty solid, I can't afford to make any mistakes here," Raven thought to himself with a grimace.

Meanwhile, in the church in the city...

"H-hey, come on, quit struggling...I'm just trying to knock you out here, so calm down, you're not going to die," Frowned Ravella, as she strangled the Cardinal in charge of the city's church with her whip.

"Yeah, I don't think there are many people who wouldn't struggle when they're being choked out like that," Remarked Celia with a wry smile, as she waved her hands around to get the blood off her gauntlets.

The pair had already taken out the Inquisitors in the church, but the Cardinal wasn't a target. So Ravella decided to knock him out while Celia finished off the last few Inquisitors, so that they could drag him out without a struggle.

"Ugh, this guy absolutely reeks of booze...are you sure he isn't a target?" Inquired Ravella disdainfully, scrunching up her nose as the Cardinal let out choked gasps.

"Yeah, being an alcoholic isn't reason enough to kill him. Based on the information that Tacitus and Aster gathered, he's actually a decent person if you look past the alcoholism. Also, you should probably stop now...he's out cold," Celia informed her.

"Hm? Oh, so he is," She replied, before unwinding her whip from around his neck.

"I'll take his left arm, you grab his right and let's drag him out of here. After that, we just need to blow up the building and we're set," Remarked Celia, before the two girls dragged the unconscious Cardinal out of the church.

They glanced around to make sure that the coast was clear as they stepped out of the entrance, before dragging him to a safe distance and set him down, as he mumbled groggily and tossed around, letting out a hiccup.

"Alright, I'll finish this in no time...[Exploding Spear Scattershot]!" Exclaimed Celia, before a chain of deafening explosions rang out as her explosive projectiles peppered the church.

Deep cracks spread out across the building, before deepening further as she unleashed another barrage of explosive spears, chunks of rubble falling off the sides of the building with loud crashes before the entire building came collapsing down.

A thick cloud of dust rose up as a deafening crash rang out, the ground rumbling as the church caved in and fell apart to pieces, reduced to a tall pile of rubble.

"Wow, your Magic sure does pack a punch, huh? It's awesome, I'm kinda jealous," Remarked Ravella in awe.

"Heh, thanks. Now, then, what do you say we go back up your brother?"

"Yeah, sounds good to me. Let's get going."