Raven sprinted forward with unexpected speed, her sudden movement catching them completely off guard. One moment she had been standing lazily a few steps away, and the next she was already upon them.
The first man barely had time to widen his eyes before Raven's kick struck his knee with brutal precision.
A sickening crack echoed.
He collapsed instantly with a shout of pain.
The second man lunged toward her in anger, but Raven twisted sideways effortlessly. Her elbow drove sharply into his ribs before her fist connected with his jaw.
He staggered back, disoriented.
The others rushed forward at once, realizing too late that the woman before them was far from helpless.
Raven's movements were swift.
Controlled and most probably deadly.
For someone who looked so small, her attacks carried frightening force.
Within seconds, the quiet street that had seemed so ordinary moments ago turned into chaos as Raven tore through the group with cold efficiency.
The remaining men rushed at Raven all at once, realizing far too late that they had completely misjudged her.
Raven, however, looked almost bored.
One man lunged forward, trying to grab her arm. Raven sidestepped smoothly, her movement quick and effortless. Before he could react, she grabbed his wrist and twisted it sharply.
A loud crack echoed.
"Ahhh!" the man howled as he dropped to his knees, clutching his arm.
Another man tried to attack her from behind, but Raven seemed to sense him without even looking. She spun around swiftly, her leg sweeping under his feet. The bulky man crashed onto the ground with a heavy thud.
Leo's eyes widened in amazement.
"Whoa!"
Completely forgetting that he had been in danger just moments ago, the little boy stared at Raven as if he had just discovered a real-life superhero.
"Kick him, kick him!" Leo cheered enthusiastically, waving his tiny fists in the air.
One of the men groaned while trying to stand up again, only to receive a sharp punch from Raven that sent him stumbling backward.
"Yeah! Punch that ugly uncle!" Leo shouted proudly.
Raven didn't even look back at him, but the corner of her lips twitched slightly.
Another man rushed forward angrily, but Raven caught his collar and slammed him straight against the car door.
The loud bang echoed through the street as the man slid down slowly, groaning in pain.
Leo clapped his hands excitedly.
"Yay! You're winning!"
The last man standing hesitated, clearly unsure whether to attack or run. But pride pushed him forward as he tried to throw a punch.
Raven caught his fist midair, and for a brief second, they locked eyes.
The man felt his confidence crumble under her cold stare. Then Raven headbutted him. Hard.
And he collapsed instantly.
THUD!
....
Within moments, every single man lay scattered across the ground, hissing and groaning in pain.
Some clutched their ribs. Others held their arms or knees. Not one of them could stand.
"Pathetic," she muttered under her breath.
Raven calmly dusted off her hands as if she had merely finished a minor chore.
Before she could say anything else— a small figure suddenly rushed toward her.
Leo ran straight at Raven with his tiny legs moving as fast as they could.
Without hesitation, he wrapped his little arms around her waist and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you!" he said happily, his voice full of admiration.
Raven froze and slowly looking down at the boy clinging to her.
Leo tilted his head up, his bright eyes sparkling with excitement.
"You're so cool!" he said with complete sincerity. "You beat all the bad uncles!"
Raven blinked once.
Then again. For someone who had just taken down five grown men without breaking a sweat, she suddenly looked strangely… unsure what to do with a child hugging her.
Leo squeezed her tighter.
"You're like a ninja!" he declared proudly.
Raven scoffed lightly, looking down at the child who was hugging her as if she had just saved the entire world.
"You're so cool!" Leo repeated, his eyes shining with pure admiration. "You beat all the ugly uncles!"
Raven raised an eyebrow.
"Cool?" she muttered under her breath, clearly unimpressed.
She gently pried the boy's small arms from around her waist and took a step back, studying him with a faint frown.
"You shouldn't hug strangers," she said flatly.
Leo blinked at her.
"But you saved me," he replied matter-of-factly, as if that explained everything.
Raven crossed her arms, looking away with a small scoff.
'Kids.' They were strange creatures.
Her gaze briefly shifted to the men still groaning on the ground before it returned to the boy standing proudly in front of her like she had just performed the greatest act in history.
"You're really strong," Leo continued excitedly. "Did you learn kung fu? Or ninja training? My dad says only heroes fight like that."
Raven stared at him silently for a moment.
Strangely, his words stirred something she hadn't felt in a very long time.
Back then, whenever she completed a job, there was always praise. But it came from her employer.
Cold. Professional.
"Good work."
"Efficient."
"Mission accomplished."
Those words were nothing more than acknowledgments of a task completed.
They were never personal. Never warm.
Never… like this.
But this boy— this tiny stranger was looking at her as if she had done something extraordinary.
It was ridiculous.
And yet…
Raven clicked her tongue, clearly annoyed by the strange feeling creeping into her chest.
"Stop staring like that," she muttered.
Leo tilted his head curiously. "Like what?"
"Like I'm some kind of hero."
"But you are!" he said immediately.
Raven rolled her eyes.
"Where are your parents?" she asked instead, deciding to change the topic.
Leo puffed his cheeks.
"I ran away."
Raven's eyebrow twitched.
"You what?"
"I was going to the hospital," he explained seriously. "But I got lost."
Raven pinched the bridge of her nose.
Of course.
Just her luck.
"So you wandered around the city alone," she said slowly.
Leo nodded proudly.
"Yes!"
"That's not something to be proud of."
"Oh."
The boy scratched his head awkwardly. They stood there for a moment before Leo spoke again.
"Miss… are you a spy?"
Raven looked down at him. "No."
"A secret agent?"
"No."
"A ninja?"
"…No." Leo frowned deeply.
"Then why are you so cool?"
Before Raven could respond— a deep engine sound echoed from the road, alarming the two instantly.
Another black SUV pulled up and stopped a few feet away from them.
Leo turned curiously.
"Ooo, another car."
But Raven's expression had already changed.
Her eyes sharpened. Her posture straightened. Every instinct in her body snapped into alertness.
Without a word, she subtly stepped in front of Leo, shielding him behind her.
Her muscles tensed as the vehicle door slowly opened.
If more enemies had arrived— She was ready.
Her fingers curled slightly as she prepared herself to attack the moment they stepped out.
"W-what is he doing here?"
The second Raven saw him— her entire being stilled. However the man simply ignored her and looked at the boy hiding behind her instead.
"Leonard Emerson how dare you defy me"