The Crimson Reapers unlocked the Reaver class for Hunters to train with. A lot of Hunters did their best but it was a difficult endeavor. Because the trial of a Reaver, is to learn what it means to be a Reaver. Fighting battles that were a guaranteed loss. The primary focus of this, was to weed out those who were of weak resolve, even if they had a strength. Weak resolve is frowned upon in a Reaver and the doctrine of a Reaver was that they would never surrender.

Hunters from A Ranks to F Ranks would try their luck. Some were from Silas's class, one in particular. Was a Ranger named Xiao, who was facing enemies with his bow and arrow. A dagger in hand was all that's left. The 5 Crimson Reapers observed, perhaps this one had potential? Facing many demons all at once. Desperate attacks, Xiao's left hand did not have the grip strength to keep his dagger ready. Wrapping it with a piece of torn clothing by a dead Azteris Suicide Trooper. Right hand grabbing the pistol, firing it at the swarming demons getting close.

The desperation was something that had Ace nodding. Iruka, Webber and Rex were not impressed but Valten was of the same mind as Ace.

"He faced the Lord of Thorns, yet he still remains firm. That alone should be a compliment." Valten said to the four. Watching Xiao use magic to push them back, buying time as he placed the slide over to his mouth, his right hand grabbed the magazine and the energy capacitor to put into it. Flicking the slide release with his thumb as he got the pistol back to ready.

The tenacity? It was there. It was unrefined, it was crude and it was nothing short of a desperate fight. But that was just how the Reapers were back when they first started. Their weapons were rifles similar to what the Azteris Suicide Division would use, specifically the Troopers but as time went by. Using a number of weapon combinations changed the thinking of the one in charge. Commander 151 who turned them into something else. A weapon is useless if it breaks, but for the Reapers. The weapon is just a tool, until the creation of the Reaver Rifles came along.

"We can't pick favourites now can we? But the desperation. The struggle. The way he fights. It reminds me of the Lord Joshua." Ace said where it made the other four pause. Watching Xiao get his left leg slashed. Even then, he crawled over to a dead Azteris soldier. Firing a shot into the chest, where an explosion had occurred.

"1 out of five thousand Hunters. A newbie, an F-Rank. Are we in agreement?" Valten asked, where his fellow Crimson Reapers gave acknowledgement to Xiao's feats.

"Valten. You seem to like the kid." Iruka pointed out.

"Heh, that obvious eh?" Valten said as he combed his messed up hair with his fingers, then putting on his helmet. Where his armor turned into a black suit, fixing his tie. Fading away as Xiao found himself in the Hunter's Association, feeling a crushed defeat.

"On your feet, kid." Xiao looked up to see Valten who shouldered his Reaper rifle.

"I guess I failed?"

"Nope. You pass. Now the last part of the trial. Get healed up and here some vouchers to get some gear from 151. When you're ready. Meet me inside the Arena." Valien said as he gave 10 vouchers for Xiao to use.

"Vouchers?"

"We watch every trial. You get 2 voucher from each Crimson Reaper. If we disagreed with the selection. We wouldn't give you a voucher. You're the first out of 5 thousand Hunters to have cleared it. Take some pride in that." Valten spoke as he walked away, Hunters and Familiars cleared a path to the arena. Feeling the intense bloodlust from Valten, even feeling the power in his footsteps. Loren was the only one who did not step aside, where Valten walked past him.

"Mind if we watch?" Loren asked.

"Sure." Valten said as he went inside the arena, a specially built location where Hunters test their skills against one another, some can make a living from it but for Valten? It was nothing more than just a boring show of duels.

Xiao went to 151, who looked at him.

"So you passed. Give me your vouchers." Xiao did as he was told, seeing 151 bring out a few items. Ebonwood long bow, a dagger made of orichalcum and arrows made of mithril. The last weapon was a gunblade. A revolver base with a blade that was black as the midnight sky, with stars glowing within it.

For equipment, he received a ranger scarf that was made with Diamond Tarantula silk, a jacket that was made from Ice Dragon leather, a pair of jeans made with Ventria Cotton and boots made of Flaming Giant Crocodile scales. All of these items were unique. Not one of them was anything short of Mythic class.

"Aren't these... Expensive?"

"This is the minimum requirement when facing a Crimson Reaper for a Ranger." 151 said as Xiao put the equipment on, thinking about his odds. Valten, the Crimson Reaper. One of the 5 Crimson Reapers that was said to be a match for many enemies. In fact, they were known for their power. Their skill and techniques? Something that was tempered with years of battle. It had no foundation in martial arts, it was pure brawn and brutality.

Stepping into the arena, Xiao could see Valten shouldering his heavy Reaver rifle like it was nothing. The weapon itself, was said to be the weight of a hundred maybe two hundred kilos. Xiao felt his nervousness kick in, the anxiety of facing a foe that was powerful. Even beyond measure. Truly part of the SDU, and considered equal to S-Rank Hunters.

Xiao readied his bow as Valten grabbed the rifle's grip, and left hand holding the side grip as he took aim at Xiao.

"BEGIN!" 151 shouted as the fight began. Valten fired shots at Xiao, they were precise. Xiao took a hit in the arm, but thanks to the jacket. The damage was mainly negated but it was still a stinging wound. Knocking off an arrow at Valten, Xiao watched how Valten took a step to the side as he continued firing the rifle. Xiao was counting the shots, trying to assess the magazine's capacity. Throwing away the drum magazine, Xiao launched an arrow to Valten, who punched it with his left hand. A quick reload as Xiao went in to close the distance. Loading five arrows at once, letting go off the arrows. Where they honed in to Valten, even though he dodged it. The arrows would curve right back at him, Valten pulled a pin off some sort of grenade. Dropping it as smoke blanketed the area, Xiao kept his distance out of the smoke. Keeping his movements and his breathing at a minimum.

"I can still hear your heartbeat." Valten spoke as Xiao watched something fly in front of him. Ducking as he barely dodged whatever that was thrown at him, it was the Reaver Rifle. Xiao pulled out the gunblade as he saw Valten charging at him with a dagger. Xiao's feet was skidding back as Valten's strength was overwhelming him.

Xiao grit his teeth as he was pushed back into the wall, then seeing a pistol pointed to his face.

"Give up?"

"Ice Blade!" Xiao shouted as Valten leaped back, dodging the blades of ice that appeared from the ground. Xiao was pumping his arrows with mana, as more arrows of ice began to float all around the arena. Xiao bet everything into this attack, letting the arrows fly directly to Valten who pulled out incendiary grenades to blow some of the ice arrows back. Keeping an eye on the situation, Valten threw a few grenades over to Xiao. Loud flashes and a heavy sound that brought Xiao to his knees, but even then. Xiao would remain standing as he readied the gunblade. Firing off a few shots at the blurry figure in front of him.

"Ice Wave!" Xiao tapped his heels as a wave of ice chased after Valten, turning the arena into a field of ice. Valten felt the grip of his boots waning.

"Heh, not bad." Valten said as he leaped over to grab his Reaver rifle. Grabbing the stock as the blade extended, hearing the chain blade spin up as Valten dragged the blade to the ground. Shattering the layer of ice that Xiao had made. Valten's breath was like smoke out of a firepit, seeing the soot coming out through the vents of his helmet. Xiao felt a little intimidated as he was now under the effects of Reaper's Radiance and by Dragon's High. It was like he was being defeated in a battle of will power alone.

Even then, Xiao was going to bite the bullet. His mana was lost, and it wasn't regenerating very well. The gunblade in hand and the dagger. Xiao threw the dagger first, seeing Valten swung the rifle to push the blade away. Then Xiao would charge in, grazing Valten's shoulder. Valten swung his left arm, where the forearm struck Xiao's body, sending him flying into the wall where it cracked.

Something in Xiao's body had shattered, even the current armor he wore wasn't able to nullify most of it. Coughing out blood, standing before Valten was already a chore and with the amount of damage and will power affecting him? It was like a hopeless endeavour but even then, Xiao wasn't going to back out of it. Keeping the gunblade aimed at Valten.

"Why do you fight?"

"For my family." Xiao answered as he aimed his gun at Valten, even stabilizing his aim was difficult. His hands were shaking and he fell to his knees. Gunblade still pointed at Valten who gave a nod. Whereby the sound of more chainblades whirring up reached his ears. Xiao looked up to see Ace, Iruka, Webber and Rex wielding their Reaper Rifles. Whereby Rex passed Valten a Reaper rifle. The five of them turned on each other, roaring as they began to face each other in combat. Xiao felt his body and mind be transported elsewhere.

A battlefield of sorts. Seeing how the 5 Crimson Reapers took on ice trolls, dragons. Facing demons, angels and nephilim. Relentless and lack of mercy. Only focus and efficiency. The way they fought, it was showing Xiao their journey. Their ascension from Reaver to Reaper. The way they fought losing battles that would scare even the most veteran hunters. There was a beast like expression on their faces, their helmets were broken yet they smiled as they continued to force their way through the enemies that stood before them. The Crimson Reavers to Crimson Reapers, truly worthy of their name. Battlefields would echo with the whirring of their chain blades and the intense gunfire from their rifles.

"Your path lies with us." Xiao heard the voice, turning behind to see 45 other Reavers staring at him.

"We were made for war, we were bred for battle. That is all we know. Your origins. Are different. You were considered as the underdog among your family. Your family's honor was lost. Your family has passed, leaving you the only one to carry the torch. Though you are looked down upon by the others in your family. Xiao Zheng. Becoming a Reaver, it will change your very body and your very style of combat. You will become another kind of Reaver. One that uses a myriad of weapons." The voices echoed as Xiao turned to see Valten's tactics. Seeing him use grenades to throw enemies off, then going in for the kill. Mixing it up as a Support and an Attacker. A harmony of two opposites, Valten's grenades would leave enemies in a daze, concussion or even weaken their abilities passively. Leaving the others for the kill while Valten would pick out the key enemy members with his rifle.

"Valten, shall be your Progenitor. For his technique and combat prowess suits your creativity." The voice spoke as Xiao looked in front of him, seeing a dragon in a cage.

"I await the day you become a Full Fledged Reaver." The dragon spoke as the entire area vanished, seeing the 5 Crimson Reapers stand before Xiao with their rifles sticking out the ground.

"Today. We welcome our first Initiate. Xiao Zheng, you will be a Reaver. Valten shall be your Progenitor." Ace said as Valten walked on over to pull Xiao up on his feet. Still wobbly but he gripped Valten's hand tightly.

Ace passed a rifle to Valten, a Reaver rifle that he showed to Xiao, with the stock facing him.

"From now on, Xiao Zheng. You are a Reaver Initiate. This will be your rifle." Xiao grabbed it, where his hands fell from the sheer weight alone. Seeing his veins bulge in black liquid, blood oozing from his eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Gasping for air as his body was breaking and repairing itself. The pain was enough for him to pass out, but Xiao took his left hand and bit it. Trying to stay awake, gnawing on his own hand as his teeth rattled. Even his teeth was sinking through his flesh.

When it was over, Xiao could see his body had changed. The black veins over his body was gone, and he was able to lift the rifle up with one hand. Looking at the side where it had his name engraved.

"There's no proper training for a Reaver. You will learn all you need by experience. This is an F-rank Dungeon. You're going into it with similar F-Ranks. Here's a list of items you can get from 151 and this is a manual on my gear. Being a Reaver Initiate means you can get items from 151. A limited number of them for now, but if you clear dungeons and do certain feats. You will gain more power. Your body's constitution has been set to match ours. I won't train you to fight like me. You know magic and archery. I suck at both. Think of my weapons and gear as another tool in your belt." Valten said as he gave the manual where Xiao flipped through the pages, where it has a list of grenades, bullet types and even capacitors for a diverse set of tactics.

"Thank you." Xiao said as he deep bowed to Valten.

"Don't bow to just anyone. Reaver's are the apex. We're supposed to make others bow to us." Valten said as he grabbed his rifle, bidding farewell as he vanished with the other Crimson Reapers. Walking over to Commander 151 who was reading a set of documents.

"Ah. A Reaver Initiate. Good. Here." 151 said as he brought a large box onto the table. The table broke down as it was being crushed by the box's weight.

"Looks like I need a bigger table. Inside this box is a gear that is custom made by Azterian Military. Meant for the Reavers. You're a Reaver now, so best try it on." Xiao opened the box, to see his Reaver helmet. Shaped like a dragon but it was plain. Putting on the ski-mask that only showed his eyes. Then the rest of the armor on. It wasn't heavy as he expected.

"It... Fits me?"

"Of course. It's been fine tuned for you. We've got an amazing smith who does that well." Xiao was amazed at the list of items he could take. Multiple grenades and multiple magazine types to use.

"Build your gear based on what you like. There's nothing that says you have to follow what your Progenitor Reaper's combat style."

"You're uh.. Taking this well."

"I should be. I made the Crimson Reaper's weapons and designed how they would operate. Their original design was nothing more than just a rifle and a knife. It changed because I realize their guns kept breaking and they were using the bayonets like swords. It's why I made them the Reaver Rifles." Xiao kept the dagger he received to his chest.

"Fight bravely, Young Reaver." 151 said as the Azteris Suicide Division Troopers, Goliaths, Demon Punishers and Void Dancers stood in a line. Saluting Xiao and congratulating him as a Reaver. Xiao got into the truck, holding his Reaver rifle not to cause much of a commotion. Normally other Hunters would pick on him or say something about how Rangers are useless when they run out of arrows. Yet, they were not saying a word to him. Frantically avoiding his eyes and steering clear of his path. Just what was this?

Crimson Reaper Progenitor : Valten.

Bonuses.

-Intensity-

Increases aggression meter and maintains it out of combat. Minimum percentage is 5. Caps at 100.

Dominator

Their presence shakes the battlefield. They clear crowds of enemies and focuses on dealing damage at all angles.

Killing High

Stacking up more kills is the way for them to grow. The more they kill on the battlefield, the better their movements.

Unlocked new bonus.

Valten's Disciple.

Weapon reload speed is decreased, adjustable fuse on grenades can now be tweaked and Valten's Roar unlocked.

Bonuses added.

Trick Weapon Reload EX.

Empty magazines can now be filled with new bullets after 10 seconds. Bullet supply depends on use.

Valten's Roar 1

Where others roar for excitement, Valten uses his roar as a distraction to focus all enemy attacks on him and him alone. As his disciple, you can now get enemies within a 10 meter radius. At rank 5, it can even be used to cover an entire battlefield.

Enemies will be forced to chase after you even if they have their sights on other targets.

Zheng Family Resolve.

As the last of your family, you will not back down and your use of Dominator will go beyond the basic limit of 3 minutes.

Dragon's Witness.

You have witnessed a being that is unique and the one who has granted the Crimson Reapers their title and also made contact with a Rose Knight. The White and Red Rose of Slaughter.

Supremacy's Witness.

As a person who has witnessed the power of the Crimson Reaper first hand and witnessing their battles with their master, the Lord of Thorns, the Avatar of Seasons, you have been granted a special combat bonus of negating damage that will be fatal to you once per dungeon raid.

Avatar of Seasons's Interest.

An Avatar, one who represents the Gods has taken an interest in you and you have fought along his side.

His interest in your has sparked because of your circumstances and because of 'Grit'.

Grit in your endeavour.

Xiao was trying to understand the last three points that had been listed, but as he waited for the other F-Rankers to join. Most of them were feeling timid, but Xiao? Xiao felt off in a way. He'd feel nervous going into a dungeon but here he was. Not feeling anything at all. He was calmer than anything.

????: That's because you've become a Reaver. Your hesitation and emotions have been changed. You will feel a certain... Interest in battle.

"Who are you?" Xiao whispered, trying to not get anyone's attention as he got off the truck. Walking over to the dungeon entrance with the other F-Ranks. They were being accompanied by a Void Dancer who offered his hand to Xiao.

When Xiao shook it, he felt a lightning surge burst into his veins.Falling to his knees as he coughed out blood.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" An Association officer tried to intervene but another Void Dancer stopped her.

Xiao looked up to see the Void Dancer who pulled him up.

"Your mana veins were clogged. This should help clear your body. You're a new kind of Reaver. Spell Reaver."

"A Spell Reaver?" Xiao tilted his head as he tried to understand the words that was used.

"Basically you're a Reaver with magic. Like a Spellblade but combine that with your recon abilities. It might be useful but this is temporary. By the end of this dungeon, you'll have to make a decision to decide what kind of Reaver you want to be."

"Why's that?"

"The possibility is endless and because you witnessed a few things. It makes that possibility even greater. Fight well and you might receive something else." Xiao headed in with the team to the dungeon. A dungeon of orcs and trolls, something that no F-Rank would handle. The blood drooling from the troll's mouth after consuming a human was seen. Xiao grabbed his rifle's stock, switching it to blade mode as he went first. A single swing was all it took to remove the head from the torso.

"Wh..What."

Silas or rather, Albert Sylvanus was observing this as he journeyed throughout the world for the next temple. Observing how Xiao had fought and the possibility of granting him power was present. That and the White and Red Rose of Slaughter has given their approval. The Dragon of Slaughter. Xiao was going at it with magic to keep the orcs and trolls from moving. Grinning as he swung the blade through, even his punches had a lot more power packed into them.

Throwing fire and ice grenades to create a strong explosion and causing a thick cloud of steam. The other F-Ranks joined the fray as Xiao used his magic to freeze his enemies into a standstill.

"Clerk."

Yes, the dragon has made contact with him.

They believe that he may be worthy as a Companion to the Lord of Thorns in due time.

What do you think?

"Xiao will be a good ally to have in my ranks. He fights like a Reaver." Albert said as he watched Xiao rip a troll's head off with his bare hands, roaring into the face of an orc as he pummeled its face inward with his elbow. The Orcs and trolls were confused, they had strength, they had the numbers. Yet this one Reaver Initiate stood before them with the Reaver Rifle in hand, venting out his breath that turned into smoke. His eyes glowed like a beast that was still hungry for more flesh.

When an orc went to grab his arm, Xiao's helmet exploded. As he bit the orc's arm and tore it off with his teeth. Taking the Reaver Blade as he asserted his dominance over the battlefield. Exhuming power at his fingertips and letting it be known that his strength was not a joke nor was it just for show. The Void Dancers focused on protecting the F-Ranks, letting them get out of Xiao's way.

This surge of power was the result of a Hunter who was a Ranger who had access to magic, combined with the brute strength of a Reaver. It was a sight to behold, for Albert could not help but find the growth remarkable but it was also something that he could gain. An ally like Xiao whose tenacity matches his own.

Now that, was something Albert could look forward to as he was on his way to report to the world tree. That the other Divine Beasts and Summon Spirits have returned. Now it was a matter of destroying the meddler of Upiezen.