Chapter 1010
Chapter 1010
—Show yourself this instant! Face me in combat!
Wrath roared at the interface, furiously swinging his small fists through the empty air.
‘Now, let’s examine what we have earned.’
Paying no mind to Wrath’s childish fit, Raon directed his focus toward the glowing prompts hovering before his eyes.
[An exceptionally high-ranking adversary has been vanquished.]
[You have earned the acknowledgment of .]
[You have observed an engagement between supreme beings.]
[A monumental accomplishment has been achieved!]
Before even calculating the tangible gains, four separate lines of confirmation were already recorded. The scope of what he had pulled off during this ordeal was truly immense.
‘The exceptionally high-ranking adversary must refer to The Fallen.’
Given that the Demon Slaying Spear possessed strength roughly on par with his own, the prompt could only be pointing toward The Fallen.
‘Does this notification serve as absolute proof that The Fallen has truly perished?’
Having persisted across centuries and possessed the terrifying capability to resurrect instantly upon falling, The Fallen’s demise was something Raon had questioned even after slicing through him with the Soul Sword. Yet, the presence of this system declaration seemed to verify that his existence had genuinely ended this time.
‘Even so, letting my vigilance slip would be foolish.’
Recalling the grotesque, mocking grin etched across The Fallen’s features, Raon lowered his eyes to review the following updates.
‘Bearing witness to the duel between those ultimate masters was undeniably enlightening.’
Glenn and the Heavenly Demon had traded blows within a pinnacle realm far exceeding Raon’s present reach; however, through the sensory clarity granted by the Ring of Fire, he had managed to perceive the underlying current of their martial supremacy. Glenn had refined a conceptual blade forged purely from will, capable of severing all creation, whereas the Heavenly Demon had tempered his very spirit to manifest offensive and defensive strikes entirely impervious to ruin.
Having observed the core truths driving both Transcendents, Raon felt a definitive path beginning to take shape within his own martial horizon.
—Which direction do you intend to follow?
Pausing his wild punches, Wrath peered down toward him with genuine intrigue.
‘Before answering that, which direction did you embrace?’
Raon gave a subtle nod back toward Wrath. Considering that this demon king originally held a standing equivalent to Glenn and the Heavenly Demon, Raon was naturally curious about the martial principle he had embodied.
—Matters of such profundity cannot simply be imparted through speech.
Wrath shook his small head with an uncharacteristically solemn demeanor.
—It requires your own eyes and spirit to perceive and comprehend, precisely like your experience just now.
He gave a haughty huff, implying that Raon would need to witness it firsthand at a later date.
‘Fair point. If that is the case…’
Raon offered a faint grin toward the surprisingly earnest demon.
‘I suppose I should hold off on choosing my definitive direction for the time being.’
—And why would you do that?
Wrath scowled, demanding clarification for the sudden hesitation.
‘Because in my eyes, your might surpasses all others. I wish to witness the domain you command before settling on the ultimate blade I must forge.’
To be frank, ever since he first grasped the hilt of a weapon, Raon had dedicated himself to forging an unyielding, unbreakable blade to fulfill his vengeance. While that initial determination remained entirely intact, walking alongside varied companions and enduring numerous trials had allowed alternate martial concepts to bud right alongside that unbreakable conviction.
—I-is that truly what you think? You actually possess some discernment after all!
Wrath’s mood brightened instantly, his tail swaying back and forth in sheer delight.
—To tell you the absolute truth, if I were operating at full capacity, crushing that dried-up Nadine bread geezer or that oversized horned lizard would be child’s play!
He let out a pompous laugh, boasting that overcoming Glenn and the Heavenly Demon would barely require an effort on his part.
‘Is that right.’
Raon chuckled softly at Wrath, whose cheeks were flushed pink from pure flattery. Back then, the demon king had prided himself on adhering strictly to the truth, but lately, he seemed inclined to utter whatever wild boast crossed his mind.
‘Moving on…’
—What comes next?
‘I need to review the remaining logs.’
With Wrath floating in closer, Raon brought up the subsequent batch of notifications.
[Every attribute rises by 100 points.]
[A brand-new trait, <Soul (Spirit) Sword>, has manifested.]
“What?”
Raon’s eyes widened in genuine disbelief the moment the text registered.
“A full 100 points?”
While he had anticipated a significant influx of stats, gaining a hundred points simultaneously across every metric was beyond his wildest expectations. An involuntary gasp escaped his mouth.
—A-another hundred points?
Wrath’s jaw hung open, his lips quivering in sheer outrage.
—This is utterly preposterous! How could the system justify this!
He ground his teeth together, violently protesting that such an allocation defied all logical balance.
‘I earned every bit of it, honestly.’
—On what grounds! Give me a single valid reason!
Wrath glared, arguing vehemently that granting a hundred points had no justification whatsoever.
‘On what grounds? You personally validated it yourself.’
Raon tapped the upper log confirming that he had received the acknowledgment of .
—Guh…
Staring directly at the irrefutable evidence of his own concession, Wrath could only pant in stifled frustration, devoid of any counterargument.
‘See?’
Raon lightly patted the trembling demon on the crown of his head before shifting his attention to the newly acquired ability.
‘Soul Sword (Spirit)…’
The affixation of ‘(Spirit)’ likely stemmed from the fact that this manifestation of a spiritual blade had been invoked through the resonance of the Blade of Requiem rather than his independent mastery alone.
‘Where was the Blade of Requiem placed?’
Raon shifted his posture, lifting his torso to survey his surroundings. Relievingly, the Blade of Requiem rested securely beside his sleeping quarters, neatly aligned with the Heavenly Drive and the Wooden Ring Sword. It appeared someone had gathered the blades after they had been left driven into the soil.
—At the very least, this ridiculous mechanism doesn’t hand out unearned titles entirely out of thin air.
Wrath let out a disdainful scoff while inspecting the details of Soul Sword (Spirit).
—After all, branding a technique that cannot even sever a solitary human as a true Soul Sword would have been an utter farce.
‘You aren’t wrong.’
Just as Wrath pointed out, Raon’s current spiritual blade was still rudimentary and fragile, incapable of slicing through the soul of even an ordinary mortal; thus, even carrying the designated title of Soul Sword (Spirit) was arguably generous for his present standing.
‘Be that as it may…’
A doorway had been unsealed. In the pursuit of martial supremacy, the single greatest hurdle was crossing the threshold into an unknown realm. Having managed to plant a single foot into the territory of the Soul Sword, Raon knew that with time, he would be capable of treading that ascent entirely under his own power.
‘I eagerly await that day.’
With a faint curve to his lips, Raon summoned the next sequence of messages.
[The mastery of trait has advanced.]
[The mastery of trait has advanced.]
[The mastery of trait has advanced.]
[The mastery of trait has advanced.]
[The mastery of trait has advanced.]
[The mastery of trait has advanced.]
[The mastery of trait has advanced.]
[The mastery of trait has advanced.]
[The mastery of trait has advanced.]
[The mastery of trait has advanced.]
“Incredible…”
A slow breath slipped past Raon’s lips as the cascade of advancement logs filled his field of vision.
‘This surpasses anything I imagined.’
Ten individual traits had simultaneously risen in proficiency. Experiencing such a sweeping surge of upgrades all at once was rare enough to leave him momentarily stunned.
—Haaah…
Wrath slumped down, wheezing as though he might retch from pure exasperation.
—System! Has this cursed contraption lost its sanity! What madness possesses it to dump so many rewards simultaneously!
He shrieked hysterically, questioning the fundamental logic of the interface.
—Are you actively scheming to strip my true vessel down to bare bone!
‘There is nothing unfair about it. Every single one of these was actively utilized throughout that life-or-death encounter.’
While the sheer volume of advanced traits was startling, examining the combat sequence proved that each enhancement was backed by tangible usage.
—Even taking that into account, ten all at once is absurdly excessive!
Wrath vigorously shook his head, refusing to accept the reality before him.
‘I told you, it was entirely warranted.’
—It certainly was not! Just explain why on earth you would deserve… wait!
Wrath snapped his jaws shut right as he was about to demand another defense.
‘Because…’
Raon seized upon the hesitation without delay, a radiant smirk spreading across his face.
‘You acknowledged my accomplishment yourself.’
He beamed, once more drawing attention to the prompt affirming ‘s recognition.
—Aaaaargh!
Wrath clutched his tiny cranium in sheer agony, letting out an ear-piercing wail.
—My wretched tongue is to blame! Never again will I utter another compliment!
Clamping his mouth firmly shut, he vowed bitterly that he would never offer another ounce of praise to anyone.
‘Good luck maintaining that resolve.’
From what Raon had gathered over their time together, this demon lord was uncharacteristically candid for an entity of darkness. Should a similar crisis arise in the future, he would inevitably offer his acknowledgment in the exact same manner.
‘And finally, the concluding log.’
Raon turned his attention to the final text entry resting at the bottom.
[The title has transformed into .]
The closing update concerned a designated title. Rather than obtaining a completely novel designation, an existing moniker had undergone an evolution.
‘Now that I think about it, that particular title…’
He distinctly recalled that unlike the rest of his titles, it had remained completely devoid of an explanatory description.
‘Let us see what it says now…’
Raon narrowed his gaze, scrutinizing the freshly revealed details of the evolved title. His focus sharpened as the lines etched themselves clearly. [: A mantle bestowed upon an entity who has severed the preordained chains of destiny decreed by Providence purely through the force of their own will.]
‘The Heavenly Demon uttered a sentiment along those exact lines.’
Holding a shattered remnant of the mask, the Heavenly Demon had mocked The Fallen, noting that the creature had arrived guided by the celestial flow of providence only to be struck down by his hand.
‘Does this signify that my path is dictated solely by my own choices?’
The celestial flow represented a destiny carved into stone by the heavens themselves. It was universally accepted that mortals possessed no power to alter it, yet it appeared such transcendent rules held no absolute sway over him. He remained unsure whether this anomaly stemmed from the Ring of Fire or the hovering ball of cotton candy drifting at his side.
“Hmm…”
Raon lightly ran his tongue across his lip while watching Wrath.
‘There is actually something I wished to inquire about…’
Before the question could leave his thoughts, the chamber door slammed open with enough violent momentum to rattle on its hinges.
“Ah! Raon!”
It was Evelyn. She rushed into the room, the fabric of her annex maid attire swishing around her frantic steps.
“At what moment did you awaken? How is your condition?”
Her violet eyes darted anxiously across his frame, assessing every inch for lingering wounds.
“I am completely fine. Though, why on earth are you dressed in that garment again…”
Before he could finish questioning her choice of attire, Sylvia and Sia came tumbling through the wide-open doorway.
“Raon!”
“You’ve opened your eyes!”
Spotting him sitting upright, both of them dashed toward the bedside with enough force to shake the floorboards beneath their boots.
“You are truly conscious at last. Everyone was consumed by worry when you failed to awaken even after the healers finished their work.”
Sylvia let out a long, trembling breath of pure relief.
“You remained asleep for far too long!”
Sia puffed out her cheeks, visibly distressed by the ordeal.
“My apologies. It appears the mental strain was just as exhausting as the physical trauma.”
Raon gave a gentle smile, taking the hands of both Sylvia and Sia into his own.
“So, what is your current state?”
Perching herself delicately on the bed’s edge, Evelyn offered a gentle smile. With her authentic appearance fully exposed, her radiant beauty seemed to outshine the very sunlight filtering through the glass. Even draped in the humble garments of an annex maid, she carried an undeniable aura of peerless nobility.
“A dull ache persists, but nothing I cannot easily manage.”
Raon responded with a measured nod, gently rolling his shoulders to test his joints.
“To be frank, walking away with only this much is an incredible blessing.”
Having brought down both The Fallen and the Demon Slaying Spear, and subsequently surviving an encounter with the Heavenly Demon, emerging with manageable aches was practically equivalent to being unscathed.
“Pheeew…”
Sylvia released a heavy, troubled sigh while tightening her grasp around his fingers.
“I simply cannot fathom why it is always you who gets dragged into such horrific perils.”
She pressed her lips tightly together, her worry laid completely bare.
“I see the news has already reached your ears.”
Raon cast his gaze downward, warmly comforting Sylvia’s trembling palm.
“I took the liberty of informing them.”
Evelyn gave a solemn nod, indicating that she had recounted the tale.
“A swordsman must inevitably confront peril the moment they draw steel and step into conflict; that is simply the reality of our path. Still, there is no need for excessive concern. I am blessed with exceptional allies who stand beside me.”
Raon met Evelyn’s gaze with a warm expression.
“Mother, as you might already know, bringing down The Fallen was largely made possible by Evelyn’s efforts. My role was merely delivering the final strike.”
He waved his hand casually, reassuring them that he was never truly alone in those desperate moments.
“Pardon? Is that what happened?”
Sylvia’s eyes rounded in utter bewilderment.
“Wait, did she not mention that to you?”
Startled by her reaction, Raon looked back and forth between his mother and Evelyn.
“She certainly mentioned that you slayed The Fallen, but she never said a single word about engaging the enemy together.”
Sylvia stared blankly, completely caught off guard.
“Then what exactly did you tell them?”
Raon blinked in confusion, his gaze landing on Evelyn.
“It feels rather improper to speak aloud…”
Evelyn brought both hands to her face, shielding cheeks that had turned a vivid shade of crimson.
“Wait, what…?”
Raon felt his throat go parched, an ominous dread creeping into his chest.
“I merely shared how we called out each other’s names with desperate longing and shared the night side by side. Oh, and how we went together to meet my mother.”
Averting her gaze with deliberate coyness, Evelyn claimed she had uttered nothing but the absolute truth.
“What…”
Raon’s jaw fell slack, entirely rendered speechless by the sheer audacity of her phrasing.
“I-is such a thing factual? How could that possibly…”
Sylvia’s breath hitched, clearly struggling to comprehend how such intimacy could unfold amidst the horrors of a battlefield.
“It is completely false! Do not believe a word of it!”
Raon shook his head so frantically it felt as though sparks might fly from his hair.
“None of that is true…”
“How can you call it false? Every single detail happened precisely as I described.”
Evelyn lightly bumped her shoulder against his arm, silently prodding him to confess.
“The events occurred, but the context is entirely distorted! The meaning behind those words is completely different!”
It was true that they had invoked each other’s names and endured the dark hours together, but that had unfolded entirely within the metaphysical boundary of the mindscape. She had deliberately framed the narrative to guarantee the worst possible misunderstanding.
“Raon.”
Standing sentinel near the entrance, Edgar let his brow furrow with stern gravity.
“A true man must take ownership of the choices he has made.”
He offered a slow, disappointed shake of his head, advising the young man against feigning ignorance.
“I am telling you, that is not what transpired!”
Raon bolted upright from the sheets, his shout echoing across the room. The sheer mortification of the moment caused him to forget all physical discomfort.
‘I am exhausted. A sudden, crushing exhaustion is overtaking me.’
Evelyn’s relentless teasing and bold declarations drained his energy so thoroughly that collapsing back into the mattress seemed like the only viable escape. He desperately wished to shut out the entire world and rest.
‘Even so…’
Watching Evelyn share laughter while treating Sylvia and Edgar with the warmth one would show true parents brought a gentle, unbidden smile to Raon’s face.
‘It is truly a comforting sight.’
Seeing that broken child, who had spent so long yearning for a maternal embrace, finally uncover genuine warmth and inner peace offered him profound relief. Yet, right as Raon stood watching Evelyn edge closer while Sylvia retreated with flustered steps, a violent tremor suddenly ripped through Zieghart—shaking the foundation of the entire domain.
“W-what in the world…”
Raon frowned deeply as plaster and dust began trickling down from the rafters.
“Are we under an assault?”
“Not at all.”
As Raon instinctively reached out to grasp the hilts resting by his bedside, Edgar raised a hand to halt him.
“Ever since you collapsed into slumber, these localized quakes have rattled the estate roughly three times each day.”
Sylvia let out an exasperated, helpless sigh, her gaze drifting through the window toward the primary estate.
“It seems these tremors will persist unabated until you present yourself directly before him.”
She gestured toward the door, urging him to go see Glenn the moment his strength allowed.
“Ah…”
Raon sighed as he observed the outer courtyard, where the earth seemed to be shivering even more violently than beneath the annex.
“I-in that case, please dispatch word that I will offer my formal greetings later this afternoon. Presenting myself looking like this would be terribly improper.”
Raon began rising to his feet, stating his intention to tidy up before seeking an audience with Glenn.
“A wise choice! That will certainly appease your grandfather’s temper!”
Sylvia nodded in agreement, delighted by the thought of him reporting his safe return, and immediately instructed a servant to convey the message to the main manor.
‘Time to prepare.’
While his muscles still throbbed with residual pain, remaining idle in bed was not guaranteed to speed his recovery anyway. It was far better to offer his respects to Glenn and simultaneously gather information regarding everything that had unfolded during his absence.
“I will step away to the washroom to bathe and return shortly.”
Just as Raon lifted a towel and prepared to head toward the bathing quarters, Evelyn swiftly attached herself to his side.
“Shall I assist in washing your back? Surely it poses no issue given that we already spent the night together.”
She gave a mischievous, honeyed grin, openly offering her personal services.
“Do not take another step toward me.”
Raon recoiled instantly, springing backward with frantic speed to create distance between them.
“Adorable.”
Evelyn dragged a tongue over her lips, visibly amused by his hasty retreat.
“…”
Both Sylvia and Edgar shuddered in unison, visibly alarmed by Evelyn’s unabashed forwardness.
“Mother.”
Sia pointed an accusing finger at Evelyn, releasing the digit from her lips.
“Is that woman what people refer to as a deviant?”
“Hush now.”
“Keep those observations to yourself!”
“…”
Raon cast a quiet glance toward his right. Arranged in rigid, formal rows before the stone pillars on the right side of the audience hall stood Alice, Karoon, Denier, Balder, along with the rest of the Direct Lineage, their intense gazes locked onto him without wavering.
“Hmm…”
Suppressing a quiet groan, he shifted his sight toward the left. Sheryl, the leader commanding the Heavenly Blade Division; Chad, the master directing the Shadow Agents; Serena, who stood at the head of the Void Sword Division; and Latein, the captain leading the Vanguard Sword Squad, all stood watching him, their eyes gleaming with radiant intrigue. Further behind them, various vice-commanders hailing from the Martial Prowess Division, including representatives of the Light Wind Palace, lingered like eager spectators observing his rear.
“Haaah…”
Raon dropped his gaze toward the polished stone floor, releasing a weary, protracted breath.
‘How did this happen?’
How on earth had matters escalated to this point? His sole objective had been a simple, private greeting to confirm his survival, yet upon stepping inside the Lord’s Manor, he was greeted by the sight of every single high-ranking authority of Zieghart assembled in wait. The sheer absurdity of the gathering sent an involuntary chill of nervous sweat trickling down the curve of his spine.
“Ugh…”
Pressing his lips into a tight line, Raon slowly lifted his chin. High above, standing upon the deeply recessed dais, Glenn looked down upon the assembly, chuckling with hearty, unbridled amusement.
“Very well. Let us hear it directly from your own lips—recount every detail of what transpired out there.”
Glenn nodded his imposing head, appearing for all the world like a man who had waited his entire existence specifically for this exact moment.
—That insufferable old Nadine bread.
Wrath shook his tiny head, thoroughly unsurprised by the spectacle.
—The doting grandfather routine strikes once again…
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