Chapter 769

“What the hell is going on here? What is all this nonsense?”

Kerin clutched his head, unable to comprehend the chaotic situation.

“It’s hard to believe, but it seems that the Soul Severing Sword and the Green King are the father and older sister of the division leader…”

Dorian’s hands trembled as he watched the Soul Severing Sword and the Green King radiating fierce Fighting Spirit.

“Raon…”

Burren bit his lip as he watched Raon push back the Two-Headed Demon.

You don’t even stop in a situation like this, do you?

If he were in Raon’s place, he would’ve broken down like Sylvia, unable to act. But Raon wasn’t swayed by rage or sorrow. He calmly assessed the battlefield and sought a way to save his father and sister. His cool-headedness and unshakable resolve were worthy of reverence.

“I want to help, but my role is already defined.”

The Light Wind division’s task was to protect the wall so Raon could give his full focus to the Two-Headed Demon.

“Light Wind Division! Our battle isn’t over! Focus on defending the castle!”

Burren gave orders to the stunned division members while obliterating the orcs climbing the collapsed wall.

“I know!”

Martha answered, cutting down five red demons at once. She bit her lip as she watched Raon’s back.

That monster child…

Raon had once told her: if she wanted to save her mother from the White Blood cult, she must never lose her composure. At the time, she’d agreed on the surface, but deep inside she had dismissed it, believing that anyone would break in such a situation.

But now—faced with his long-lost father and sister as Eden puppets—Raon hadn’t lost his reason. He simply did what needed to be done.

A bitter laugh escaped her.

So he practices what he preaches…

She gained another realization through him. A seed of hope sprouted: If he can save his family… maybe I can save mine too.

“Get lost, all of you!”

Martha continued the battle on the wall, her gaze still fixed on Raon’s back—never forgetting the man standing against despair.

“Family…”

Runaan bit her lip, gripping her Snow Flower tightly.

It must hurt.

Raon cherished his family more than anyone. Though calm on the outside, inside he must be burning with frustration and agony.

“Eh.”

Runaan exhaled lightly and nodded toward Martha.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“What? Where are you going?”

“Down there.”

Without waiting for an answer, she jumped from the wall and ran toward Sylvia.

“It must be hard, but you have to fight.”

Runaan knelt before Sylvia and took her hand.

“…Runaan?”

“Raon told me we have to protect our family with our own hands.”

They were the words he had once said to her, back when she had frozen in fear before Syria. She looked into Sylvia’s eyes, repeating the same message that had saved her.

“If you don’t do it now, you might regret it later.”

She tilted her head, recalling the regret of failing to save her older brother—and the wounds carved into her parents.

“That idiot is right.”

Martha had followed silently behind and now looked down.

“You can’t do anything by just sitting there. If you want to save your family, stand up yourself.”

Martha echoed Raon’s advice as she rubbed her chin.

“Mmm…”

Sylvia bit her lip, staring at Runaan and Martha—both of whom showed stronger resolve than she did.

I’m ashamed…

Their advice wasn’t abstract or idealistic. It came from lived pain. If she couldn’t understand these children’s sincerity, she had no right to be called their elder.

“Thank you.”

Sylvia bowed her head. With trembling arms, she stood and gripped her sword.

“You’re right. I must protect my family myself.”

With a slight smile, she charged toward the Soul Severing Sword fighting Rimmer.

“Edgar!”

Sylvia let out a cry and unleashed an Astral Ring at the Soul Severing Sword.

“Chatterbox! Wake up!”

* * *

“Damn it.”

Raon frowned as he watched the Heavenly Drive and Blade of Requiem—both now fading, their flames and frost dimmed. He’d hoped to finish the Two-Headed Demon before Divine-Demonic Harmony ended, but both blades disappeared first.

Rumble!

The Two-Headed Demon used the opportunity to swing his club, knocking Raon back.

“Haha…”

Raon exhaled hard, wiping the cold sweat from his neck.

“That was a little dangerous this time, wasn’t it?”

The demon smiled awkwardly, surprised by Raon’s power.

“Not just this time. You’ll die today.”

Raon sheathed the Blade of Requiem and raised the Heavenly Drive to mid-stance. Though his anger boiled within, he cooled his head.

“I can’t lose my composure.”

Too many things didn’t add up. The Two-Headed Demon’s trembling fingers… his strained smile… He was hiding something. Though rage swelled, Raon had to remain clear-headed.

Still… I feel like I can’t lose.

Something within him was different. The Ring of Fire and Wrath—normally incompatible—were now harmonizing.

Boom!

Raon leapt to the demon’s left and swung the Heavenly Drive upward.

Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation – Crimson Slash!

Flames burst from the blade, carving space itself.

“Don’t underestimate me!”

The demon countered with his club. Though cracked, it still radiated terrible Fighting Spirit.

But the flames of the Heavenly Drive—now surpassing even the Divine Sword—shoved it back.

“What kind of human has this kind of strength…”

The Two-Headed Demon’s eyes widened.

“You haven’t seen anything yet.”

Raon leaned forward and poured Wrath’s power into the Heavenly Drive. The Heavy Heaven Cannon, combining the essence of both light and heavy swords, doubled in strength.

“Puah…”

The Two-Headed Demon imbued his club with Killing Intent, but the blow pushed him back ten paces, his feet carving trenches in the dirt.

“Argh!”

He roared and spun his club wildly. Crimson Fighting Spirit swelled like a burning sun.

“Die!”

The sun-shaped orb descended. Raon did not retreat.

He stepped forward and raised the Heavenly Drive.

Wrath Demon King’s Decisive Technique – Silver Moon Demon Sword.

Silver moonlight bloomed from the white blade in a graceful arc.

Though elegant, the flash of blue light tore through the burning orb, freezing half the club.

“Ah!”

The demon staggered, reeling from the impact. Raon raced across the frozen plain and slashed again.

“You don’t even need to breathe?!”

The demon gritted his teeth and fired a barrage of Fighting Spirit.

Whoosh!

Raon countered with Mystic Soul Sword. The eerie, righteous blade, still cold from the moonlight, tore through the attack and pierced the demon’s collarbone.

Splurt!

Blood burst from the demon’s shoulder.

“Tantrum.”

Raon spat out blood and exhaled slowly. Despite his internal injuries, his body felt light.

Perhaps it was because Wrath and the Ring of Fire were no longer clashing. He felt as if he could even use techniques he hadn't yet mastered.

“Damn it…”

The demon's jaw trembled. None of his strikes had landed.

“Why are you so surprised?”

Raon straightened his posture and smirked.

“This is just the beginning.”

* * *

Boom!

The Two-Headed Demon blocked Raon’s blow, his lips curling.

This one really is something else…

Unshakable mental strength. Monstrous talent. Calm judgment. Growth under pressure. Raon Zieghart was a vessel sculpted by heaven.

But that soul… is unnecessary.

Once the helmet went on, the soul would be gone.

“Puah…”

Even as Raon’s blade sliced through his waist, the demon smiled inside.

Not yet. Let him come closer…

He could kill Raon now—but he wanted the body.

He imagined Raon wearing that new helmet, standing over Zieghart.

Glenn Zieghart’s expression…

The thought alone made his body shudder with anticipation.

This will be fun…

He licked his lips, enduring the storm of Raon’s swordplay.

* * *

The Heavenly Drive clashed with the club.

Craaaaang!

A red wave exploded across the battlefield. The land cracked. Monsters were vaporized.

Raon surged through the Steps of Supreme Harmony—

—and before the echo faded, slashed through the demon’s thigh.

“Argh!”

The demon flailed wildly, composure lost.

Shing!

Raon blocked the club with Blizzard Sword Technique, then connected it perfectly to Fangs of Madness—two techniques that once repelled each other now flowing as one.

The demon narrowly dodged decapitation by tilting his head.

As expected. But…

Euphoria grew.

The resonance of Wrath—once suffocating—now felt like his own.

–Why do you think Wrath is yours?! I just lent it to you! It’s a loan!

Wrath trembled. But it was too late.

“Get lost!”

The demon raised his club again, now glowing brighter.

Kraaang!

Raon danced through the Ring of Fire and Wrath.

Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation – Heavenly Drive: Golden Flame Dance.

The flames surged like chains, binding the demon’s aura—

—and incinerated it completely.

“Stop using these damn techniques!”

The demon retreated, shaken. He threw monsters at Raon to buy time.

Swish!

Raon bent low, leapt into Steps of Supreme Harmony, and incinerated them.

“You’re a leech!!”

The demon roared and swung again. Space twisted.

Raon didn’t dodge.

Zieghart Sword – Seventh Form: Void Slash.

Craack!

The wave was split. The club—shattered in half.

The legendary weapon had yielded to the Heavenly Drive.

Through the flying fragments, Raon saw the demon’s stunned eyes.

Now!

He pushed the Steps of Supreme Harmony to its peak.

Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation – Heavenly Spin.

Just then—

“You’ve come along nicely.”

Boom!

A second man appeared behind the demon.

A greatsword fell toward Raon’s head—

—a perfectly timed ambush.

Raon inhaled.

I knew it…

From the start, the Two-Headed Demon had used only one weapon, one body. Too odd.

That doubt saved him.

Fwoooosh!

The Ring of Fire rotated violently. Wrath surged through his circuits.

Thump! Thump!

His heart pounded like a drum.

A door opened in his mind.

Flashes of memory. Swordsmanship. Countless masters.

There it is.

A technique that could save him.

Impossible before—now achievable.

Whoosh!

The eight Rings of Fire rotated at their peak.

The Snow Flower Absorption resonance merged with the Snow Flower Spear resonance.

The Blade of Requiem leapt from its sheath.

Shing!

It traced the Demon-Charging Heart technique from the Mystic Soul Sword—perfectly deflecting the second demon’s ambush.

It was Sword Control—seen only from the leader of the Holy Sword Alliance.

Boom!

Both demons’ eyes widened in shock.

Kraaaang!

Despite the searing pain in his head, Raon swung the Heavenly Drive.

Craack!

The flame-clad sword sliced through the Two-Headed Demon’s chest.

Splurt!

Blood sprayed.

The battlefield fell silent at the miracle.

And then—

A faint light shimmered in the Soul Severing Sword’s darkened eyes.

***

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

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – MurimTang]

[Proofreader – Mayank]