Chapter 16

Have you ever experienced true unadulterated shock and disbelief at what was going on around you? To the point where you block out your immediate surroundings just so that your brain can process what it just experienced? Where the world around you is comparable to a black void and you and your thoughts are the only sources of color, sound, and logic? Yeah, me neither. And I like to think I wasn't doing any of that because I am just that suave and cool-headed of a person, any skills I have in my repertoire be damned.

Now, despite my admittance that Raven is, in fact, a stunning woman, in looks only, I need to say that she is a far cry from being my favorite character in the show. From what I've seen of her anyway. When she first appeared on that train and saved Yang she caught my interest, she appeared randomly and quickly pushed back Neo, without needing to do much of anything, who took Yang out without even trying. Hell, Neo even looked downright terrified, and she's clearly no pushover. But that interest I had in her died when she opened her mouth.

Gods above did she annoy me during that conversation with Qrow. I don't hate the woman, but I hold no love for her. Being the leader of a bandit tribe and going around slaughtering villages for her own view of "The strong survive", or something like that, doesn't give me a whole lot of reason to like her. Sure, maybe that is a little hypocritical of me since I steal from people and am willingly going down a life of crime, but at least I don't go around attacking villages and bringing humanity that much closer to extinction. Plus, I'm absolutely positive there is more going on with Raven's dicking around with low lives in the countryside than I currently know. There's no way any of what I've seen so far is worth abandoning your actual family for.

Anyway, after a bit of justified angry screaming in my head (Seriously, she of all people has the powers of a maiden?!), I managed to keep my face surprisingly passive and answered Raven, "Indeed, I figured it would get your attention."

"Well, you certainly managed that," Raven replied, eyeing me carefully. She's a sharp one, must think there is more going on than what's in front of her. She glared at the bandits that were surrounding us, "Go back to your posts, this isn't for your entertainment!"

The cannon fodder scurried back to wherever they came from, quite a bit of grumbling on their part, leaving the circular area in front of Raven's tent empty. I guess when you don't have much in the way of luxuries out here you try and get entertainment from whatever or wherever you can. Raven sighed softly, I barely even caught it and would have missed it if things weren't so quiet, "Come, we can discuss things inside my tent. Neopolitan, go back to your post."

From my peripheral, I saw Neo nod silently and walk away. I was disappointed at that as, fangasming aside, I've already grown fond of her being here. I briefly watched her retreat back to whatever she was doing before turning around and headed for Raven's tent. Vernal held the flap open for me and I gave her a small nod of thanks.

"Vernal, please make us some tea," Raven said.

"Of course, ma'am," came the reply as the woman closed the tent flap and went over to a portable stove.

I decided to ignore Vernal, for now, she didn't seem to be doing anything important and focused on the woman sitting down at a small table in front of me. She gestured with a hand, "Sit."

I complied and we spent the next minute in silence, the two of us staring at each other in an awkwardly quiet moment. Honestly, I just didn't know what to say. The silence stretched on and Raven finally broke it, she reached down at the floor next to her and picked up a dagger, sliding it over to me, "Prove it, this is something I need to see with my own eyes."

I eyed the dagger and hit it with an Observe, it was just an ordinary dagger. A well made dagger, but it had nothing special to its name. I shrugged, "Sure thing."

I did the same thing I did with Vernal and Neo, Raven didn't even bat an eye at my rather impressive chest muscles, then again hunters should have at least this kind of muscle anyway. So in a way, a toned chest with a six-pack is probably nothing all that special to a huntress, kinda makes my pride with it pointless. But, well, I'm pretty sure I didn't have much muscle before I came here, I don't exactly remember much and that's something that should scare me. I guess I can thank my new ability for not letting me panic over or even think about that bit of knowledge, and who knows, maybe I can find a way to get my memories back with it.

When the dagger pierced my heart I grunted a bit in pain, Raven actually looked impressed.

"I see that you really don't die. I should apologize to Vernal, I didn't really believe her when she told me." Raven leaned in closer and eyed the dagger I kept in my chest, taking it out would make the wound instantly disappear, "You still feel pain?"

I nodded, "I do. I also don't know if I'll survive being beheaded. I think I'd like to avoid testing that theory out." To be honest, I really don't know if I'd survive being beheaded, would it be some sort of super critical hit that does infinite damage or would it be like I pass out for a bit and wake up later like I slept in a bed with my head reattached? My own self-preservation rears its beautiful head and tells me I don't want to find out, and I'm inclined to agree with it.

"Indeed, it would be rather pointless to lose such a great boon like this to some sort of inane stress test." Raven leaned back as I pulled the dagger out of my chest and began buttoning my clothes after using a few of the napkins on the table to wipe myself clean, "Now, I just have three questions for you, Roman was it?"

"I'd be happy to answer any question you have, boss," I gave her my best-disarming smile.

"She's searching for lies, or to see if I'm connected to the big web of conspiracies going on behind Remnant," I thought to myself, I gave a malicious mental smirk. Thank you high intelligence and decent enough wisdom.

"Do you know Ozpin?"

I rose an eyebrow as Vernal came back and set the tea down on the table, "Know Ozpin? Of course I do, he's the headmaster of Beacon Academy after all. But personally? No, never met or talked to him in my life, why?"

Raven stared into my eyes as I took a sip of tea, it was gross, I hate tea. Just a bunch of boiled leaf water. Raven seemed to be searching for something, seeming satisfied with what I said she nodded her head in acceptance and continued, "How did you acquire this… ability of yours?"

I shrugged, "Honestly, I have no idea. I woke up one day in an abandoned warehouse and I suddenly had it. I'm thinking it might be my semblance?" I purposely posed that last sentence as a question.

Raven shook her head, "No, no mere semblance could be something as powerful as that without some sort of major drawback or requirement. Everything has a cost, a limitation. From what I just witnessed…" Raven trailed off, looking down at her tea in deep, concentrated, thought. She looked back up at me, "Does the name Salem ring a bell to you?"

"I think I know someone who has a cat named Salem," I rubbed a finger on my chin, making it seem like I didn't even notice the way she tensed up at the name. It's true, one of my men actually has a small kitten named Salem. He likes to show everyone pictures of it on his scroll and when I asked him how he came up with the name he just shrugged at me. I let him stay behind in Vale so he could take care of it, cats are awesome. So no lying there, just not saying what I actually know.

Raven looked like the weight of the world just dropped off her shoulders, which made me think she must be really paranoid about Salem. Then again, she is, in fact, a Maiden, so maybe she should actually be scared of her. She took a deep drought from her tea and released a satisfied breath. Nothing was said for a while as the three of us, Vernal decided to join the leaf water drinking for some reason, drank in peace. I assume Raven must be thinking of my position, if she accepts me, in her little group.

Finally, she set her cup down and slowly opened her eyes, "I have thought it over and I have decided to let you join us. But," she stared straight into my eyes, "I will need to see you in action before I accept you fully into our family."

I rose an eyebrow in confusion, not really expecting an initiation test, "So what, like a spar with your men?"

Raven's laugh rang in the air of the tent, "Oh, absolutely not, I can tell just by looking at you that none of my men would even be a challenge. Only Vernal, Neopolitan, and I would be able to beat you. No, I have a raid planned for a village a days drive from here. The Grimm have been increasingly active and we've been using more supplies than usual fending them off."

"I don't think villagers would do any better than your men against me."

Raven nodded, "True, but the village does have its own huntsmen and defense force. Make no mistake, you will not be fighting alone, I will be watching you fight and there will be backup. But you should be able to meet the minimum needed to be in our tribe. Shouldn't be too difficult, just make sure you fight well and don't die in the process, simple."

Yeah, that seems like a good way to test my skills. I had to admit it was a good idea, even if I don't agree with attacking villages. It does sound like a great way to get some experience under my belt.

"So when will this test of yours take place?"

"In a week. We leave on the sixth day and rest until the crack of dawn on the seventh," she replied. "Until then you will be allowed to roam the camp under watch from Neopolitan, she will be your chaperone for the next week. You will not be allowed to visit the supply tent until it's time for the attack and you will not be permitted to leave the camp at all for any reason. Are we clear?"

"As crystal," I gave her a brief, sloppy salute.

Raven nodded, "Good, then I suggest you spend the next week getting to know your new allies. We watch the backs of our family here. Vernal will show you to your tent, I believe we have a small spare one lying around somewhere. Welcome to your first day in our tribe, Roman."

The tent I was provided with was a shoddy looking thing that was barely able to fit my rather tallish frame. Vernal said that I could get a better one if I managed to find one during a raid, they had a rule about finders keepers that only didn't apply to Raven. If she wanted something, she got it. Heh, I guess being the head honcho of bandits had its perks when it came to the choice of loot.

The tent itself was placed in an empty patch not far from Neo's tent, I guess that since she was supposed to be my babysitter for the next week I shouldn't be far from her. I wasn't complaining, this just helped my goal even more. I had a better chance of bringing Neo over to my side the longer I hung around her.

When I left Raven's tent I got a new pop-up from my ability that I received a new quest, seems that I don't get the option of turning it down. I tapped on the floating box and it expanded into a quest window.

[New Quest!]

Banditry

Raven had given you a test that you must pass in a week's time. It is a simple task of helping the tribe perform banditry on a nearby village, all you need to do is fight and not die. You really can't screw this mission up unless you try…

-Reward: 10,000EXP, 3,000 Lien, full acceptance into the Branwen Tribe.

Just as I closed that box another instantly appeared like a pop-up ad.

[Quest Updated]

One scoop, or two?

What's a master criminal without his true partner in crime? Going lone wolf will only take you so far in this industry. But, unfortunately, you have no idea where this prospective partner of yours is. For now, you will just have to wait for Junior to come up with something.

It seems Junior has pulled through for you and presented you with the location of this partner you so desperately want. It's too bad she's stuck with a bunch of brutish bandits, isn't it?

Quest Progression:

-Commission Junior for his services in finding information. [X]

-Wait until Junior contacts you about the information he found. [X]

-Go to Junior's club at the time he tells you to. [X]

-Find your way to the last known location of the bandits. [X]

-Complete side quest "Banditry"

-?

Rewards: 100,000 Lien, 1,000,000 EXP, new title "Partners in Crime", a new follower, storyline progression.

Failure: Death.

I sighed, closed that window too, and then continued setting up my tent. Just as I finished hammering in the last nail of my tent into the ground I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked behind me to see Neo standing there, looking annoyed at my general presence. I didn't even need my Observe skill to see that.

"Look, I'm annoyed at having a babysitter just as much as you're annoyed at babysitting. No need to pout."

She narrowed her eyes at me, indignation.

"You are pouting, it's written all over your face." She huffed and turned away from me. I rolled my eyes, "Ignoring me isn't going to solve your problems. Here."

I reached into my inventory and pulled out a cone of mint chocolate chip ice cream, arguably the best kind. Even if my ability is rather bullshit, I still can't wrap my head around how this is even possible. The damn stuff was still as frozen and cold as the day I bought it. Evidently, Neo is just as surprised as I was. She eyed the ice cream warily as if she was trying to see if it was a danger, or actually real.

"It's not going to kill you, see?" I licked the ice cream to show that it wasn't poisoned. Neo was still staring at it, she quickly pointed at the cone and looked up at me with a questioning face. I snorted, "I've got my ways, if I spill every secret then how would I come across as mysterious and charming? Now, are you going to eat it or are you just going to let it melt?"

She looked at me warily but took the offered treat and began quickly enjoying it, I suppose she doesn't get to eat something like this out here very often.

"Now, how about a tour? We've still got a day to burn," I suggested.

Neo shrugged and immediately started walking away from my tent. I hurried to catch up with her, not knowing where we were going.

Our first stop was the large tent that I spotted on the way to Raven's.

Neo stood proudly a few meters from it, a hand on her hip while she happily licked the ice cream cone. When I finally stood next to her side she dramatically pointed at the tent with her free hand. I rubbed my chin in thought, "So, storage tent?"

Neo nodded.

"Cool."

With that, she did an about face and went in another direction. I followed her, making sure to not run into any of the other bandits roaming around the camp. As I moved around the small crowd of people I noticed the bandits giving Neo the stink eye, but none seemed to be brave enough to do it when she could see them. Only when she moved by them and when she didn't see their faces.

I made sure to keep that as a mental note, seems that Neo isn't liked around here for some reason. Our next destination was another large tent that had the smell of cooking coming from a few fires scattered in front of it. From the opened flap of the tent, I was able to see what looked like portable refrigerators. It was obvious that this was probably the mess hall equivalent for the camp.

I eyed the large amount of meat on a spit that one of the bandits was slow roasting over a fire. While I didn't feel hungry, I never really did ever since gaining the Gamer ability, I'll admit that the food looked really good. Smelled good too.

"Cafeteria then," I said to Neo. She nodded.

By this point in time, Neo seems to have finally finished the ice cream I had given her. She looked down at her now empty hands in disappointment. Neo looked at some of the food being made and served and stalked over to where it was being passed around, seeming to not notice the stares she was getting. Since she looked like she was just going to get some more food I decided to simply look around to get the lay of the land. I noticed one of the many bandits here was sitting next to me on a barrel drinking.

"Hey," I greeted, putting on a friendly face. I don't actually care about any of these people, but I shouldn't let them know that.

He looked over at me with mild disinterest as he took a large swig of alcohol, "Hey. You're that guy that made a big entrance?"

"Yeah, I am." I jerked my head to indicate Neo, "So, what's with the evil glares she's getting from everyone?"

The other guy grunted, "We don't talk about talk about family business if you're not in the family. Wait 'till you're a part of us, then we'll see if we'll tell ya."

I shrugged, "Fair enough, just curious."

That avenue was a bust, I guess I'll have to wait until after my test. Unless I can get Neo to tell me, but I'll have to get to know her a bit better. So far we've known each other for less than a day, that's not nearly enough time for her to spill her life story to me. Sad, but I guess that's real life for you.

"For now I'll play the waiting game, I've got nothing but time right now," I thought to myself as I watched Neo return to me with a couple shish kebabs of meat and vegetables. She didn't offer me one. "I'll spend the rest of today trying to get to know her better, friendship with Neo should be my first goal above all others."

The rest of the day was spent by having Neo show me around the rest of the camp, nothing much of note happened during that journey. I was mostly planning on which areas I'd need to place the firebombs I made in order to have the best effect. Most of which was concentrated around the storage tent, I figured that having their supplies blown up or heavily damaged would make them prioritize that over my escape. Plus, it would have the extra effect of knocking down the nearby wall that the tent was set up next to.

With all of the negativity I am going to slowly sow around this place, that is not going to be a pretty sight for everyone here to experience. It also makes a perfect distraction for a bit of sneaky thieving, I am certain that Raven has been collecting a lot of interesting goodies. Since she clearly knows about magic and the whole web of lies and deceit going on, she would be a good source of rare findings. When I left her tent I saw a locked metal chest peeking out of a stack of linen blankets and my thief senses started tingling.

Sure, I should be focusing on my main objective here, but I want to get my cake and eat it too. Getting Neo is already amazing, but Neo and every valuable thing that Raven has locked away to gather dust in this infernal camp? Taking away one of her strongest fighters, basically saying that I can screw you and your whole tribe over, steal from your head boss, and get away from it all Scott free? Now, that is something any sane man who wants to spite some old twat would do.

Greed is definitely my biggest sin, and I would not have it any other way.

(A/N) This chapter wasn't ever going to be too long, it really just marks the beginning of Roman's time in the Branwen Tribe. I did try and stretch it so that it at least covers four thousand words at the minimum, but I didn't want to force myself beyond that. Almost seemed to work out in the end, ended up just shy under four thousand (Not including these ANs). Anyway, maybe I'll get to do one chapter a month. Who knows?

Name: Roman Torchwick

Age: 25

Class: The Gamer

Level: 46 (Next Level: 5,866/107,100)

Title: Kingpin

Bounty: 38,000 Lien

HP: 3,014

HP Regen: 60.3/min

MP: 5,778 [3,728 + 186.4(5%) + 1,864(50%)]

MP Regen: 578/min [289(base) + 289(100%)]

STR: 58.8 [Base 42 + 12.6(30%) + 4.2(10%)]

VIT: 71.4 [Base 51 + 15.3(30%) + 5.1(10%)]

DEX: 164 [Base 80 + 12(15%) + 24(30%) + 8(10%) + 40(50%)]

INT: 142.8 [Base 102 + 30.6(30%) + 10.2(10%)]

WIS: 56 [Base 40 + 12(30%) + 4(10%)]

LUK: 43

Elemental Affinity: Earth (10), Wind (10), Fire (10), Ice (10), Lightning (10)

Attribute Points: 50

Lien: 2,419,620

Status Effects: Inactive Aura(Toggled Off)