Chapter 699

Rumble…!

Raon felt the immense force of Roman surging through the Red Dragon Axe as it pressed against Heavenly Drive, threatening to shatter it.

The sheer weight of it defied description. Roman wielded the enormous Red Dragon Axe with terrifying precision.

‘It feels like my arm might rip off…’

But I can’t afford to lose in a contest of strength.

Right now, his physical power and agility were beyond the intermediate Grandmaster level.

If he were overpowered in brute strength, Wrath would probably come back from the dead just to dance on his pride.

Thud!

Raon pushed down into the river with his toes, channeling power through his body. The massive energy coiled in his thighs surged up through his core, to his shoulder, and into his grip—infusing him with astonishing strength.

Crackle!

A spark burst between the blades as the Red Dragon Axe slowly began to give way.

Roman's eyes trembled as he watched a thin sword force back his massive axe. It was incomprehensible.

“Did you think you could win with brute force?”

Raon sneered and shoved Roman back.

Boom!

Roman stumbled backward, carving deep footprints into the riverbed with each step.

“Hahha!”

Roman let out a hollow laugh, stunned.

“I never imagined I’d lose in strength. You really never fail to surprise me!”

“It’s too soon to be impressed.”

Raon stepped forward with his right foot, using Supreme Harmony Steps. He cut across the river’s current and circled to Roman’s left side. The red-stained sword in his hand blazed as it lunged for Roman’s forehead.

“Hmph!”

Roman twisted the Red Dragon Axe to block the thrust—like he'd expected it.

Clang!

The sword and axe clashed again, ringing like a strike between iron pillars.

It wasn’t just the sound that was evenly matched. The weapons remained locked in the air, neither giving way—a pure, brutal contest of strength.

Raon narrowed his eyes and rotated the Ring of Fire, watching the dark red flames flickering along the Red Dragon Axe.

Hummmm…

As all eight rings resonated in harmony, he could hear his heart thudding in his ears.

He caught the shimmering droplets, the scent of the river wind… time itself seemed to slow.

His senses were pushed to their peak.

It wasn’t something to be glad about—entering such a state so early in the battle meant the opponent was truly dangerous.

“To clash head-on with the Red Dragon Axe… Your strength is monstrous. But—”

Roman grinned, and the axe’s energy swelled again.

BANG!

The shock nearly dislocated Raon’s shoulder.

“It's too soon to feel satisfied. The real fight starts now.”

“Kgh…”

Roman’s roar echoed as his pressure increased. Raon’s fingers trembled on his sword.

Raon was stronger in pure physique—but Roman’s power still reigned supreme.

Crack.

Raon bit down on his lip.

‘If I give way here, it’s over.’

Roman’s Revolving Void Axe Strike only grew stronger when the opponent backed off.

Instead of retreating, he had to press forward.

Fwoooosh!

He pushed Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation to its maximum. The swirling flames wrapped around Heavenly Drive like a flaming sawblade.

This was the strike of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation—Revolving Sky.

“Now that’s a good sword strike!”

Roman met it head-on, infusing his axe with astral energy.

Boom!

The clash melted the river surface into a glowing trench.

The water erupted like a geyser, massive waves pounding outward in every direction.

Nearby warships from the South-North Union shattered. Their decks flew skyward in flames.

Despite the devastation, Raon and Roman both grinned through the storm, locked in battle with sword and axe.

Crash!

Each sword slash split the riverbed. Each axe blow carved through the sky.

As their duel reached monstrous heights, dark clouds formed above, blotting out the sun. The river itself churned, revealing the river floor.

Ruuuumble…!

Roman seemed to grow stronger with every blow. He broke through Raon’s flames and pressed harder.

Clang!

Raon’s eyes sharpened. He deflected another monstrous axe swing.

‘He’s getting faster too.’

The Revolving Void Axe Strike sped up. Now the Red Dragon Axe blurred with every motion.

Roman’s strength was increasing before his eyes.

Raon took a deep breath and angled Heavenly Drive diagonally.

Screeeeech!

Roman’s downward strike scraped along Heavenly Drive and slammed into the river, sending a powerful shockwave.

Splaasssh!

Raon used the opening to draw Frost Pound. Two rapid slashes targeted Roman’s throat.

But Roman shifted left in the blink of an eye—an evasion so fast it looked like teleportation.

‘The Nine Palaces Steps…’

Though known for brute strength, Roman’s movement had always been legendary. This was proof of that footwork.

Whoosh!

Roman raised his axe again. The red flames twisted into hundreds of astral spheres targeting Raon’s weak points.

Thump!

Raon used Supreme Harmony Steps, flowing with the river like drifting reeds, letting the astral barrage pass by.

BOOM!

But Roman wasn’t done. He closed the gap again and brought the axe down.

No space to dodge—he had to block.

Fwooooosh!

Gritting his teeth, Raon focused the Ring of Fire to the brink of collapse. The axe’s path appeared clearly.

Rumble…!

He twisted his body and raised Heavenly Drive. Flames extended from the blade in a thin, elegant arc—Crimson Slash.

Claaang!

The Red Dragon Axe crashed into the Crimson Slash.

Aura exploded in every direction from the clash.

‘This is the moment.’

Raon curled the arc of flame into a spiral. The resulting shape became a Firewall—a spinning barrier of flame.

Bang!

He repelled the Red Dragon Axe and moved in close.

Screeeech!

Raon stepped forward and struck with a dreamy curve. This was Sword’s Silvery Dream—a blade so fast it killed before pain could register.

“Hmph!”

Sensing danger, Roman formed an aura wall instead of trying to block with his weapon.

Smash!

Sword’s Silvery Dream shattered the barrier.

But the Red Dragon Axe shot back like a whip—Roman had recovered instantly.

‘I have to block—no time to dodge!’

Raon reversed Heavenly Drive mid-motion—an inhuman move—barely catching the descending axe.

Kraaaang!

But it was sloppy. The impact reverberated through his shoulder, numbing his legs.

“Found an opening!”

Roman smiled, swinging the axe upward from below.

It was aimed to cut Raon in half.

‘Dangerous—but also a chance!’

Raon infused Glacier’s frost into Heavenly Drive, diverting the ascending axe using Blizzard Sword Art.

The axe twisted.

Roman’s chest opened up.

Now!

Raon bit down and drew Blade of Requiem with his left hand. The crimson blade cut across Roman’s chest.

Slash!

Blood streamed down Roman’s black coat.

“You really never back down.”

Roman laughed at the sight of his own blood.

“This is the most exhilarating fight of my life.”

“Same here.”

Raon nodded, wiping blood from his lips.

He was thrilled.

To be acknowledged and challenged by Roman—the Axe King, one of the continent’s strongest warriors—was electrifying.

Even with internal injuries, he couldn't stop grinning.

“Shall we continue?”

Roman gripped his axe with both hands.

“As much as you want.”

Raon summoned all of Ten Thousand Flames and Glacier’s power. Fire and frost—normally at odds—wove together through the Light Wind Style.

A golden glow radiated from his blade.

This time, he didn’t wait. He charged.

He released Fangs of Insanity.

Snap snap snap!

A beast of madness bit into Roman’s aura shield and sank its teeth into the Red Dragon Axe.

“Kuhaha!”

Roman laughed, raising his weapon.

He unleashed a barrage of strikes—fast, wild, brutal.

Yet each still carried the weight of the Red Dragon Axe.

Raon’s arm screamed in pain as he blocked.

Rumble…!

Roman spun again, lifting the axe high. The entire river felt like it was balanced on the blade.

Fwhoooosh!

Raon thrust Heavenly Drive, now blazing with fire and frost. A dragon-shaped aura soared out.

The flaming frost-dragon collided with the axe and pushed Roman back.

But pain stabbed through Raon’s chest—his injuries were worsening.

‘Still… I can’t stop yet… What?’

As he shifted left for a counterattack, the Flame Dragon Art split apart.

Through the parted flames and frost—Roman’s axe gleamed.

He had cut the Flame Dragon Art in two.

‘What…?’

Roman's power had grown again. His eyes burned with primal fire.

“Not done yet!”

Roman slashed from left to right with a grin. The Red Dragon Axe gleamed.

KRAAAANG!

Even though Raon threw up a Firewall and Golden Strands, the force pushed through.

His head reeled. Pain shot through his shoulder.

‘It’s clear now.’

Roman was growing stronger.

He wasn’t just using his full strength—he was evolving through the battle.

* * *

“It was pointless to come here.”

Helgurum, the vice union leader of the South-North Union, clicked his tongue.

“Excuse me…?”
The Black Wolf Unit leader blinked.

“Raon Zieghart’s certainly talented. Maybe the greatest on the continent right now. But…”

Helgurum scoffed.

“He’s no match for Roman. That man had an enlightenment just yesterday. He's internalizing it—right now—in this very duel.”

“Then…?”

“Yes. Roman is growing stronger with every strike.”
He brushed imaginary dust from his hands. “There’s no hope.”

“But Raon has sword field…”

“A sword field alone won’t overcome this gap.”

Helgurum shook his head.

“It’s lucky we get to eliminate that monster today. If he survived, he’d become unstoppable in the future.”

He set his wine glass down and turned toward Zieghart’s side. The warriors stood tense, fists clenched, watching Raon being pushed back.

“They don’t want to admit it.”

Yet Sheryl, the Heavenly Blade Division leader, and Rimmer—Zieghart’s Sword of Light—didn’t seem anxious.

They looked calm.

Too calm.

“As if they trust him.”

“Because they do,” said Beorn quietly from behind.

“What do you mean?”

“They know he hasn’t given up.”

Beorn pointed.

Despite the wounds on his chest, Raon was smiling.

“Hmm…”

Helgurum narrowed his eyes.

‘Why is he smiling?’

Roman was growing. The fight was one-sided now.

He was either dodging or just barely holding on…

No—wait.

If Roman had evolved, and Raon was still holding on—

Helgurum froze.

‘That means he's growing too…!’

* * *

“Haa…”

Raon’s breath burned as he weaved through Roman’s relentless strikes.

‘Feels like I’ll die... but...’

It was exhilarating.

When he'd first felt Roman getting stronger, he'd despaired.

Already overwhelmed—and now his enemy was growing?

Hopeless.

But then his gaze landed on the ice flower bracelet on his wrist.

‘Wrath…’

Just thinking about how that smug glutton would laugh at him in this state made a deep anger rise from within.

Determined to pierce Roman’s chest even if it killed him, Raon rotated the Ring of Fire to its absolute limit.

His heartbeat thundered. His spirit surged. Then—
something happened.

Sword techniques he’d imagined… suddenly appeared before his eyes.

Like trees bearing fruit, every style he had cultivated blossomed.

Clang!

Heavy sword.
Destructive sword.
Severing sword.
Blunt sword.

Together, they blocked Roman’s latest axe strike.

Slice!

Wind sword.
Swift sword.
Light sword.
Variable sword.

Blended as one—they cut Roman’s shoulder cleanly.

Raon took a hit to his waist in exchange, but he didn’t feel the pain.

He was alive.

He was evolving in real time—imagined sword techniques manifesting into reality.

It felt like nothing was impossible.

“Good!”

Roman shouted in joy.

Now he raised his axe high—smiling wide.

“But this time will be different!”

Crimson astral energy flickered between the blades of the axe.

This was the Revolving Void Axe Strike—amplified to a whole new level.

BOOM!

Using Nine Palaces Steps, Roman appeared before Raon like a ghost and unleashed a barrage of astral waves.

A bombardment from point-blank range.

Raon’s vision filled with red light.

Breathe…

He inhaled.

Hummmm…

Time slowed.

In that deep stillness, he saw himself reflected in Roman’s eyes.

He raised Heavenly Drive.

Screeech!

What coated the silver blade wasn’t just aura anymore.

It was everything.

All his sword concepts—his mastery—merged into one single strike.

‘I get it now.’

He'd failed to create a new sword field before…
Because he tried to cram too much into it.

He needed to let go.

Clear away the clutter.

And now—

He finally did.

A golden sky filled his vision.

He could see it.

The sword field he was destined to forge.

“Sword Field: Creation.”

A new field—unnamed, radiant—cut a single golden line across the sky and earth.

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – Irving]

[Proofreader – Mayank]