Three weeks had passed since the successful operation in the Ardennes. Rayn's name was no longer just a whispered myth among soldiers—it now appeared in official reports, mentioned in meetings between generals, and was underlined in red across Allied intelligence dispatches. The military couldn't ignore his results any longer.
Rayn, however, had no interest in medals or parades. While politicians argued over whether to keep him on the frontlines or bring him back for publicity, he continued pushing forward into Axis territory with his unit—now recognized as an elite strike force under his sole command.
They were dubbed "Phantom Company."
---
On a rainy evening near the German-occupied village of Erfurt, Phantom Company prepared for their most dangerous mission yet—rescuing a high-value Allied scientist captured by the Axis and held in a fortified facility.
Rayn stood beneath a ruined bell tower, surveying the distant stronghold through binoculars. His lieutenant, Torres, joined him with a grim expression.
"Ten-foot walls. Machine guns on the rooftops. At least fifty guards. Suicide."
Rayn didn't flinch. "Only if we walk through the front gate."
He pulled out a crumpled sketch he'd drawn earlier—an infiltration path through the old sewer tunnels beneath the village.
"They think they've secured everything. But I've studied this town's layout. We'll be inside before they even know we're coming."
Torres shook his head. "Do you even sleep, sir?"
Rayn offered a rare smile. "Only when I dream of victory."
---
The operation began at midnight.
The storm muffled their movements. Rayn, moving at the front of the column, descended into the old stone tunnels like a ghost in the dark. The scent of mildew and rot was overwhelming, but no one complained. They trusted him completely now.
An hour later, they emerged inside the outer courtyard of the Axis compound. Just as Rayn predicted, the sewer exit had been forgotten by the guards above.
Within seconds, chaos erupted.
Rayn led the charge—silent, fast, precise. He used smoke bombs and flanking maneuvers to dismantle guard squads before they could react. The compound's internal alarm rang too late.
In the confusion, Rayn personally broke into the holding cells and retrieved the scientist—an elderly man with trembling hands and eyes full of disbelief.
"You… You're not from the Red Cross," he whispered.
"No," Rayn said. "I'm the reason you're going home."
---
Back at base, word of the mission spread fast. The brass was stunned. The prisoner had held valuable secrets about Axis biological experiments—intel that would shift the tide of war.
General McNair himself paid a visit to Rayn's forward camp.
"You've done more in five weeks than some battalions have in five months," the general said, offering a formal salute. "Your request for full tactical command authority has been approved."
Rayn nodded, hiding his weariness. "Thank you, sir. I only want to end this war as quickly and cleanly as possible."
McNair hesitated. "There's talk of bringing you and Captain Rogers together. For morale… for unity."
Rayn didn't reject the idea. "Let me know when he's ready to stop acting and start fighting."
---
Elsewhere, Steve Rogers sat backstage in Italy, listening to cheers outside as the chorus girls prepared for another performance. But his heart wasn't in it. He stared at the latest mission report someone had left behind.
Operation Raven's Claw: Success – Led by Commander Rayn. Zero casualties. High-value prisoner retrieved. Strategic intel secured.
Steve clenched the paper tightly.
"He's out there… doing real work," he muttered.
---
Back at the front, Rayn sat in the dark, alone.
His tent was quiet, his mind not.
He glanced at his wrist as the System Interface blinked alive:
> [New Mission Complete!] Rescue Allied Scientist – Success +2 Intelligence
+1 Mental Strength
New Blueprint Unlocked: [Portable Injector – Stim Type Alpha]
Mission Reward: Shadow Soldier Slot +1
Rayn let out a breath and dismissed the interface. He'd stopped being surprised by the rewards. Each mission made him stronger—not just physically, but strategically. His ability to analyze the battlefield, command troops, and predict enemy behavior had grown sharper with every battle.
But he still hadn't used Shadow Extraction. Not once.
Not even after seeing death firsthand.
He'd made a promise—to himself, and indirectly to Steve.
Some powers were not meant to be exposed yet.