Chapter 774

Raon tightened his grip on the Heavenly Drive as he looked up at the cloudless night sky.

Did I… really do it?

Even though Wrath had stepped in to help—he hadn’t expected to truly trap The Fallen.

Even now, it felt surreal. Like a dream he hadn’t quite woken from.

“Haha…”

He let out a long, shaky breath and turned his gaze behind him.

Hearing the faint breaths of Rector, Sylvia, Edgar, Sia, Merlin, and Rimmer—

He pressed his lips together, eyes slightly trembling.

“I’m glad…”

“I’m glad I protected them.”

Even during the battle with The Fallen—
even when death had brushed against him more than once—

It wasn’t his life he’d been worried about.

It was theirs.

He hadn't realized it before, but…

These people had become more precious to him than he could have ever imagined.

“Thank you.”

Raon bowed his head slightly toward Wrath, who remained uncharacteristically silent.

“I was able to survive today… because of you.”

Now I just need to get away—before all the feathers on the Fire Ring disappear… right?

He glanced at the burning wings behind him.

Only a few feathers remained.

Time was almost up.

He clenched his jaw.

He could feel it—

Rector and Sylvia’s vitality were still dangerously unstable.

But…

Keeping them near him now, in his unstable state, would be even more dangerous.

He had to move.

Had to get as far away as possible—

Before the rampage began.

–Not yet.

Wrath’s frown deepened as he stared at the frozen, white-stained earth.

What...?

–Just before our final strike landed… that masked bastard’s energy spiked.

His voice turned sharp.

–Focus! He’s still alive! He’s going to pull something!

Boom!

A blinding golden light erupted from the cracked earth—

Fwoooosh!

It surged upward, transforming into a radiant pillar of light—
and then plummeted like a judgment beam toward House Arianne.

He’s not aiming at me…

He’s aiming at them!

Raon’s eyes widened.

He bit his lip and reacted instantly.

Rotating Heaven!

Shhhhhh—BOOM!

He slashed the air in rapid succession.

Eight brilliant sword slashes spun outward like meteors—

Each one blazing with force—

Colliding with the descending beam of golden light.

And—

Erasing it.

“Urgh…”

Raon staggered from the recoil, his body crying out from the strain.

Raon let out a soft groan, his fingertips trembling from the strain.

Wrath’s energy still burned within him, but—

His mind was starting to crack.

The emotions flooding in—rage, fury, wrath—were growing too powerful to contain.

He wouldn’t last much longer in this state.

“And it’s too dangerous… here.”

Now that he was up close, he could see it clearly—

Sylvia and Rector’s condition was far worse than he’d feared.

Their life force… was fading fast.

If he didn’t act immediately, they wouldn’t make it.

Damn it…

Raon bit his tongue hard and rushed to their side.

He placed his hands over them, channeling the Divinity Blooming in Darkness—

Trying to force back the demonic energy eating away at their cores.

But just then—

Fwoooosh!

A spiraling torrent of intertwined light and darkness fell from the sky like a spear of judgment.

–Block it, even if it kills you!

I know!

Raon extended the Heavenly Drive forward and unleashed the Heavenly Heavy Cannon.

He drew the light and darkness that were trying to spread in all directions towards the sword's energy and made it explode.

Then he froze even the aftermath of the explosion to prevent others from getting hurt before lowering the Heavenly Drive.

"The Fallen..."

When he looked up, he saw The Fallen floating in the sky with wings of light and darkness unfurled.

The mouth part of the mask was soaked in black blood, countless scars bloomed on his chest as if barbed wire had been embedded in him, and his right arm was ripped off at the shoulder, spilling blood like a waterfall.

Is this just the beginning...?

Raon bit his lip.

When The Fallen revealed his full power—

Those white and black wings had unfurled like a divine storm.

His wounds looked severe.

But his aura—

It felt stronger than ever, as if declaring that the real battle was only now about to begin.

–No.

Wrath shook his head, eyes locked on The Fallen.

–Our attack definitely landed.

–That guy’s staggering on the edge too.

He pointed to The Fallen's trembling stance.

–Besides… he still hasn’t erased the soul wound that old man Nadine inflicted on him.

That’s still there…?

Raon’s eyes narrowed in realization.

–It’s the soul, not the body.

Wrath’s voice was firm.

–Even Transcendent Warriors can’t recover easily from a soul wound.

He raised his tiny fist with conviction.

–There’s still a real chance. We can win this.

Alright…

Raon exhaled and nodded.

“You said ‘our,’ so I have no choice but to trust you now.”

–What are you talking about?

“You said our attack worked. I really like that word—‘our.’”

Raon smiled faintly and gave Wrath a small nudge.

–Nonsense! This king said no such thing!

Wrath turned away, face flushed in embarrassment.

–Stop talking nonsense and focus on the fight!

“Alright.”

Raon took a deep breath, his expression steady.

“Let’s finish this. We can talk when it’s over.”

Raon exhaled deeply and raised his head.

“What the…?”

The Fallen slowly raised his hand toward his mask.

Hahaha!

He burst into maniacal laughter, echoing into the sky. There was no anger or confusion on his face—only amusement.

“Yes, I understand now.”

The Fallen twisted his lips into a smile, lowering his golden eyes with eerie composure.

“Raon Zieghart. You were the final piece.”

He let out a deep, resonant exclamation, like a man who had discovered a hidden jewel. A bright smile stretched across his face.

“The final piece?”

Raon frowned, meeting The Fallen’s glowing golden eyes head-on.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“You already know. No… you don’t know yet? Hah, I suppose it hasn’t manifested yet.”

The Fallen chuckled, muttering cryptic words like someone whose mind had already slipped. Yet even now, as madness glinted in his tone, his graceful demeanor remained untouched—even Glenn’s threats hadn’t cracked it.

“It’s not time yet… but I can’t help being greedy.”

He licked his lips slowly, then stretched out his left hand. A dense black mass formed in his palm and began pulling at Raon like a black hole.

Fwoooom!

Raon lowered his stance, grounding himself with force. As the intense pull of the darkness dragged at his body, he turned his gaze toward Wrath.

Did he realize your existence?

–I don’t know. And even if he did, it doesn’t matter.

Wrath clenched his tiny fist, his voice unwavering with resolve. He would fight to the end to protect his mother.

“Let’s enjoy this… a little longer.”

The Fallen smiled grotesquely.

Fwoosh!

A golden radiance erupted into the pitch-black sky. As he snapped his fingers—

Snap!

Threads of golden light burst outward, weaving through the sky and land like divine spears. They weren’t aimed only at Raon—they were targeting every human present.

Raon quickly stepped back, raising his hand.

Raon stepped back, cold breath escaping his lips, and drew upon the last remnants of the Fire Ring’s energy.

Thousands of ice flowers bloomed around the sword, then shattered into frost shards that surged toward The Fallen’s radiant light.

Whoosh!

Light and frost collided, scattering glittering snowflakes into the air like a blizzard in a storm of power. Raon pierced the shockwave from that clash and slashed forward.

Crack-crack-crack!

Thirty-Six Strikes of Heaven and Earth—an ageless sword technique that struck from thirty-six directions at once—ripped through The Fallen’s entire body.

“I didn’t invite you, but you’re welcome.”

With a twisted grin, The Fallen responded.

Whirrr!

A spinning ring of darkness materialized around him, repelling the thirty-six strikes instantly. The overwhelming gravity of the void nullified the technique in a single breath.

But Raon’s sword hadn’t broken—not yet.

Raon leaned his upper body forward and drove the Heavenly Drive into the ring of darkness, where the remnants of the Thirty-Six Strikes of Heaven and Earth still churned.

The sword, brimming with his will and sense of justice, pierced through the gravitational pressure and struck The Fallen squarely.

Slash!

“Kheuk!”

The Fallen choked on black blood and staggered backward. A black hole opened in his abdomen—he barely managed to clutch at it, but blood gushed through his fingers like a burst dam.

–What are you doing?! You're completely exhausted, and that bastard is barely standing!

Wrath bared his teeth, glaring at The Fallen, whose breathing had grown ragged and uneven.

–The wounds from your attack combined with this king’s still persist!

I know!

Raon shouted inwardly as he charged after The Fallen.

Hehehe!

The Fallen curled his lips into a twisted smile, seemingly enjoying the pain. With a flick of his hands, he unleashed another barrage of light and darkness.

Raon responded instantly, activating the Cloudless Heaven technique of the Azure Sky Sword. His blade, infused with the serene elegance of the heavens, sliced through the clashing energies.

Shhhk!

A clean diagonal slash carved across The Fallen’s chest, parting light and darkness in its wake.

Raon didn’t even glance at The Fallen. Instead, he focused on the trace of his aura and unleashed twin streams of frost-infused sword energy along the horizon.

Shiiing!

The icy blades grazed The Fallen’s shoulder and thigh just as he reappeared on the right.

Splurt!

The Fallen coughed up blood and dropped to one knee.

“Well…”

Yet he nodded with a bright smile, as if the pain didn’t exist.

Has he really gone insane?

Raon swallowed dryly, staring at The Fallen’s eerie expression.

–No, it’s not that.

The Fallen’s eyes were undeniably laced with madness—yet deep within them, a sharp glimmer of desire flickered.

If he were truly insane, he wouldn’t have that look in his eyes.

Then it means he’s after something.

The Fallen’s ramblings were still incomprehensible, but one thing was clear—his target was Raon.

Now it’s a battle of minds.

–Whatever it is, let’s finish it quickly! There’s no time left!

Wrath trembled, cold sweat running down his face. As he’d warned—the limit was near.

Whether The Fallen died here or Raon collapsed… it had to end now.

Raon kicked off the ground, his legs as heavy as iron stakes. Stepping onto the Third Step of Supreme Harmony, he activated his final strike.

Flame and Ice Unification.

Like a divine brush dipped in fire and frost, the Heavenly Drive painted a wave across the battlefield—flames burning cold, ice radiating heat.

Kraaaak!

A massive surge of clashing energy—blazing ice and freezing fire—roared forward in perfect harmony, engulfing The Fallen in its tempest.

Hwaaaargh!

The Fallen’s wings unfurled with a deafening boom, and in response, spheres of searing light and consuming darkness surged outward, battling to suppress the violent fusion of heat and cold.

Now.

Seizing the moment while The Fallen was still locked in a struggle against the Flame and Ice Unification, Raon activated Supreme Harmony Step.

As the footwork surged, the world narrowed—everything faded except The Fallen.

Shiiiing!

Raon charged forward, unleashing a Crimson Slash toward The Fallen’s exposed left side.

Boom!

But the Heavenly Drive's sword energy failed to pierce his heart. The Fallen’s right arm—regrown as if mocking Raon’s effort—blocked the strike with surging darkness.

“Welcome.”

The Fallen nodded slowly, a deep smile playing on his lips. The Heavenly Drive, overwhelmed by the pushback of darkness, flew from Raon’s grip and spun through the air.

“Our final piece.”

The Fallen reached out, extending his hand toward Raon’s neck—not to kill, but to subdue.

–Step back!

No.

Raon didn’t move. He didn’t resist The Fallen’s touch. He stood motionless, as if his strength had finally run dry.

–What are you doing!

You said it yourself… to end this quickly.

Raon reached up and caught the Heavenly Drive mid-fall, guiding the silver blade into its scabbard with precision.

Clack.

The moment the sword was fully sheathed, a world-freezing cold emanated from the dragon eyes engraved on the scabbard.

The unsheathing technique was ready.

Raon took his stance as The Fallen’s hand wrapped around his neck.

He gripped the hilt of the Heavenly Drive, channeling the icy energy from his toes to his waist, his shoulders—his entire being.

Raon Zieghart–style sword technique.

Eighth Form: Extreme Slash.

Fwoooosh!

The Heavenly Drive erupted like an explosion of frostfire, unleashing brilliant blue flames of cold.

The blade—burning with a piercing chill at the peak of its drawing motion—cleaved through the wall of light and darkness The Fallen had raised…

…and severed his neck.

“Ah…”

The Fallen’s head tumbled from his shoulders, his expression still frozen in a faint smile—as if he hadn’t even realized he’d been cut.

“Kheuk!”

Raon coughed up black blood as he drove the Heavenly Drive into the ground for support.

This… was truly his limit. He didn’t even have the strength to take a single step, let alone continue fighting.

“As expected…”

The Fallen looked at Raon with trembling eyes.

“We… we will meet again… that day…”

Even as his final breath slipped away, a glimmer of desire still shone in his eyes.

And then, slowly, he was swallowed by the darkness rising from the earth.

“I… I protected them.”

Raon turned his gaze and clutched his head, which throbbed with violent pain. But despite everything, he felt more relieved that his family and comrades had survived… than the fact he was still alive.

–Well done!

Wrath looked at him, exhaling a long breath of relief.

–To think you'd actually use that scabbard in the end... Really... Ah!

He suddenly caught himself, realizing this wasn’t the time for admiration, and shook his head.

–Time! We don’t have time! Let’s hurry!

I’m sorry…

aon bit his lip as he looked at the fallen figures around him.

“I really… have no strength left.”

His head spun, and his body felt like stone—completely unresponsive. He needed to provide emergency care to Sylvia and Rector, whose vitality was dangerously low… and then get far away from here.

But he couldn’t do either.

–Urgh...

Wrath also seemed at a loss. His lips trembled as he looked back and forth between the unconscious figures and the darkening sky.

–For now, get as far away from here as you can! That’s the top priority!

Alright.

Raon began crawling toward the forest on his knees, dragging his battered body across the ground.

But then—

Whuuuum!

A massive wave of mana surged from above. He looked up—

Three enormous dragons were descending from the sky, their wings spread wide like blades cutting through the clouds.

The Dragon Lord...

At the center, the Dragon Lord descended—who only ever showed up when things were already bad enough.

To his sides, the Red and Blue Dragons flanked him—both high-ranking dragons exuding terrifying pressure.

Why now, of all times…?

It was the worst possible timing—of all moments, they had to arrive now, just as Wrath’s energy was beginning to surge again.

[Is this the Demon King’s incarnation?!]

The Dragon Lord narrowed his eyes as he glared down at Raon.

[I will annihilate you without leaving a trace!]

The Dragon Lord and the two superior dragons opened their enormous jaws, each one brimming with destruction. From the pitch-black depths of their throats, light, flames, and frost gathered—

Fwoooom!

And then erupted downward with overwhelming, murderous force.

Raon’s jaw trembled as he looked up. The sky was no longer sky—it was breath, death, and judgment.

He was trapped between a blade and a wall, with nowhere left to run.

If he gave in to anger now, everyone here would die.

If he took the dragons’ breath head-on, he would die.

There was no way out—only a choice.

–……

Wrath had gone silent. He wasn’t panicking anymore. He had left the decision in Raon’s hands.

The decision was made long ago.

Raon suppressed the fury clawing at his mind. He resonated the Fire Ring to its final limit.

“It’s better if I die.”

The values he had gained in this second life… were more precious than his desire for revenge against Derus Robert.

Even if he died here, he couldn’t bear to lose them.

But...

Then I’ll fall fighting.

Raon raised his head, gritting his teeth.

As the three devastating breaths surged toward him—air itself collapsing like a falling sky—he prepared to launch himself forward with the Heavenly Drive in one final stand.

But then—

Crack!

The air—

No, the sky itself—

split in two.

A sword technique filled with darkness and cold—one that could only belong to a single man.

The Azure Sky Sword.

There was no mistaking it.

Only one person in the world could wield that technique.

The sky that had once held the dawn twisted—and a solitary moon rose, warped and distorted.

Under the warped moonlight stood Glenn Zieghart, draped in black, his presence sharp and suffocating.

Even the Dragon Lord—ruler of all dragons—felt his aura crumble like dry kindling before Glenn’s overwhelming force.

[Glenn Zieghart…]

The Dragon Lord roared, eyes wide as he stared at the figure in the sky.

[You dare to interfere again?!]

He bared his fangs, spitting out both fury and disbelief.

“You’ve done well.”

Glenn didn’t even glance at the dragons.

His eyes were fixed only on Raon.

He smiled gently at his grandson—who was coughing up black blood, his body trembling, black horns sprouting from his forehead.

“Head… Head of House…”

Raon’s lips quivered as his knees gave way. The moment he saw Glenn, every ounce of tension drained from his body.

He couldn’t hold on any longer.

[What are you doing?! He possesses the Demon King’s power!]

“That…”

Glenn didn’t even glance at the Dragon Lord. He simply gave a small nod of his chin.

“So what?”

[If you don’t kill him now, the Demon King will descend—you know that!]

“Shut your mouth. I’ll handle this myself.”

Glenn raised his hand with a flick—an unmistakable gesture for them to back off.

[Kuuk! Attack! We must kill him now!]

At the Dragon Lord’s furious command, the superior dragons charged their breath and magic once more.

–I told you to shut up, didn’t I?

Slaaash!

The moment Glenn raised Heavenly Tremor, the sky itself split open.

In an instant, the heads of the superior dragons—just as they were about to release their breath—were severed cleanly.

The Dragon Lord staggered midair, coughing up blood.

Glenn narrowed his eyes coldly.

“Don’t block the sky of my children, imposters.”

***

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]