N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
C 342
Raon entered the newly opened path, inspecting the marks on the walls, ceiling, and floor.
"Not just ordinary sword strikes."
Traces of battle.
It was a sword strike from Zieghart's ancestor, who had mastered the Ring of Fire and Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, in a fight against someone.
"Could this be traces of the Heavenly Sword?"
On the right wall, there were sword marks that seemed to have been sliced by a saw blade. Judging by the carved grooves, it appeared to have a much greater power than his own Heavenly Sword.
"All these countless holes must be from the Flame Spirit."
On the left wall, there were hundreds, no, thousands of holes that were clearly left by the traces of the Flame Spirit, who scattered the petals of a flower of fire. However, the number of petals was embarrassingly different from his own.
Raon swallowed dryly as he looked at the massive hole-like marks.
"And the Dragon's Breath..."
The Dragon's Breath was a simple, herbivorous technique focused on the power of the Cartoon Gong, and the marks left here were the breath of an Ancient Dragon.
"Phew..."
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he continued downward.
"There are marks of the Jeokseom (energy with fire power) and Flame Barrier (Yeomju wall) ." (both were techniques from ten thousand flames cultivation)
The marks that fell like lightning and the ones that were slashed with a shield were left by the Jeokseom and Flame Barrier. More than half of the marks here were sword techniques from the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.
"I don't know about this one though..."
There was a definite sword mark left by the ancestor, but he couldn't identify it. It looked like a wave crashing, and it seemed to be on a higher level than any Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation technique he had seen before.
"To think that someone had to fight like this..."
Although it was just an imaginary image, the power of the ancestor extended to the heavens. This meant that the opponent was also a formidable expert.
Raon squinted his eyes and examined the marks on the opposite side.
"A sword... perhaps?"
It looked like a sword, but also not like one. It was so intricate that even with the use of the Ring of Fire, it was hard to recognize.
"But one thing is certain. It's incredibly powerful."
Even in the marks left by the ancestor's foe, he could sense an overwhelming power. They were both extremely strong.
"Nobody could have overwhelmed them."
Following the flow of the ancestor and his enemy's sword spirits, it was clear that neither side had gained the upper hand. They had exerted their full strength against each other, leaving behind marks of their clashes.
Heh, it seems your eyes are finally opening.
Wrath remarked, looking in Raon's direction.
"That's right."
He nodded while sweeping through the sword marks.
It's the traces of powerful beings breaking away from mediocrity.
"Powerful beings..."
Raon narrowed his eyes.
This is no joke.
Wrath evaluates humans based on their power. For someone like him, who even disregards Grandmasters, to admit that they are strong means that these two are beyond the realm of ordinary humans.
Let's put it more accurately; this dungeon itself probably came into existence due to their battles.
"They created the dungeon through their fights?"
That's right. The sword marks on the walls are a result of their power still lingering after carving this passage.
"Wow..."
Raon turned and looked back, his mouth agape.
Think about it; we're underwater here.
Underwater, energy inevitably dissipates, making it difficult to follow the flow of sword techniques. At that time, this cave didn't exist, so they must have fought while enduring even the loss of breath. His mind went blank.
"...Strength knows no bounds."
Of course. The king still has a way to go. A brat like you still has a long way to go.
Wrath sneered and waved his hand.
"That's true."
He still had a long way to go.
Raon smiled and carefully examined the sword marks he had seen so far. From the Heavenly Sword, Flame Spirit, Dragon's Breath, to the Jeokseom and Flame Barrier, he observed them all before placing his hand on the mysterious last sword mark.
In order to examine the unnamed sword mark more closely, Raon used his hand to trace it. The mark extended from the wall to the floor, but the ground was covered in dirt, making it hard to see clearly.
Paahak!
Raon cautiously dug into the ground, revealing the engraved sword mark on the floor.
Gooo!
The ground was surprisingly solid, and when he used the Ring of Fire and Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, a crimson light burst from within the sword mark.
Gooo!
As if encouraging him to try it, the unnamed sword mark left by his ancestor unfolded a majestic line.
"Ah..."
He couldn't think of anything else. His mind was filled with this new sword technique.
["Ring of Fire" has observed "Flame Spirit Harmony."]
[Entering the state of extreme concentration.]
Raon didn't even pay attention to the message that appeared before him; he was completely immersed in the lake of concentration.
Again? You've entered the state of extreme concentration again? Why are you going into a trance while digging a tunnel!
Wrath exclaimed, grabbing Raon's shoulder with widened eyes.
This is ridiculous! Where's the god when you need one!
* * *
"Halt."
Martio stopped walking and looked up. His expression narrowed.
"It seems like the mana above is shaking."
As if seeking her opinion, he turned his head to the left, where Cosini was.
"Yes, it did shake."
Cosini nodded slowly.
"It's not just above; it's shaking below as well."
She pointed at the ground with her index finger.
"Why is that?"
"I told you before. There's a creature guarding relics down there."
Cosini lifted her chin slightly, smiling.
"They're probably aware that we're coming down."
"But I don't feel anything."
Martio spread his senses to the maximum, concentrating on the ground below, but he couldn't detect anything. He could only sense a slight warmth.
"Their power has been greatly enhanced with artifacts, so it's not easy to sense. It's similar to natural mana."
"Then, if their energy is stirring..."
"Yeah. They're preparing to fight us."
Cosini nodded and extended her hand forward. Mana from her hand gently spread over the ground, stabilizing it and creating a firm foundation.
"I understand now. But..."
Martio looked at the rapidly dividing ground but raised his head.
"I have a bad feeling about this. It doesn't bode well."
"Above?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
Cosini sighed and shook her head as if she found it pitiful.
"You've got such narrow spiritual senses. It's probably because you're too focused on what's right in front of you. You got pushed away from that spot."
Translate to British English:
Raon smiled and carefully examined the sword marks he had seen so far. From the Heavenly Sword, Flame Spirit, Dragon's Breath, to the Enemy's Island and Flame Barrier, he observed them all before placing his hand on the mysterious last sword mark.
In order to examine the unnamed sword mark more closely, Raon used his hand to trace it. The mark extended from the wall to the floor, but the ground was covered in soil, making it difficult to see clearly.
Paahak!
Raon cautiously dug into the ground, revealing the engraved sword mark on the floor.
Gooo!
The ground was surprisingly solid, and when he used the Ring of Fire and Cartoon Gong, a crimson light burst from within the sword mark.
Gooo!
As if encouraging him to try it, the unnamed sword mark left by his ancestor unfolded a majestic line.
"Ah..."
He couldn't think of anything else. His mind was filled with this new sword technique.
["Ring of Fire" has observed "Flame Spirit Harmony."]
[Entering the state of extreme concentration.]
Raon didn't even pay attention to the message that appeared before him; he was completely immersed in the lake of concentration.
"Again? You've entered the state of extreme concentration again? Why are you going into a trance while digging a tunnel!"
Las exclaimed, grabbing Raon's shoulder with widened eyes.
"This is ridiculous! Where's the god when you need one!"
* * *
"Halt."
Martio stopped walking and looked up. His expression narrowed.
"It seems like the mana above is shaking."
As if seeking her opinion, he turned his head to the left, where Cosini was.
"Yes, it did shake."
Cosini nodded slowly.
"It's not just above; it's shaking below as well."
She pointed at the ground with her index finger.
"Why is that?"
"I told you before. There's a creature guarding down there."
Cosini lifted her chin slightly, smiling.
"They're probably aware that we're coming down."
"But I don't feel anything."
Martio spread his senses to the maximum, concentrating on the ground below, but he couldn't detect anything. He could only sense a slight warmth.
"Their power has been greatly enhanced with artifacts, so it's not easy to sense. It's similar to natural mana."
"Then, if their energy is stirring..."
"Yeah. They're preparing to fight us."
Cosini (Koshini Zion change to Cosini Zion) nodded and extended her hand forward. Mana from her hand gently spread over the ground, stabilizing it and creating a firm foundation.
"I understand now. But..."
Martio looked at the rapidly dividing ground but raised his head.
"I have a bad feeling about this. It doesn't bode well."
"Above?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
Cosini sighed and shook her head as if she found it pitiful.
"You've got such narrow spiritual senses. It's probably because you're too focused on what's right in front of you. You got pushed away from that spot."
"You're still talking nonsense. You're still a vice-captain because of that mouth." (urgh in the previous chapter translation she was the leader and now she is vice-leader/captain, urghh..)
"Hmph..."
Under Martio's cold gaze, Cosini rolled her eyes and turned her head slightly.
"Anyway, it doesn't make sense for anyone to come here. Even if they found this place, they would have entered when we weren't here. Who in the world would come in when we're all here!"
"Hmm..."
Martio didn't argue with her opinion.
"It's well past the regular working hours. Unlike ignorant assassins, mages are sensitive."
Cosini wrinkled her nose and increased the amount of magic. The ground was dug up, and the speed of preparation was increased by about twice.
Hoo-woooooooom!
Cosini, who was forming a circular tunnel, turned around.
"I have one thing I'm curious about."
"What is it?"
Why do you follow him so closely? Even after being demoted from the head, your blind loyalty or him taking you along with him, I don't understand. It's almost like love, isn't it?"
"Love? In a way, it's not that different."
Martio's gaze darkened ominously.
"To me, he is a god. Is there a need for a reason to show devout affection to a god?"
"...A god?"
"That's right. Just as the Sacred Kingdom follows the Goddess, I worship him in the same way."
"Hmm..."
Cosini swallowed dryly, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Martio's eerie gaze.
'He's insane.'
She herself believed and followed Derus, but the level of affection that Martio and Regal showed to him, without brainwashing, was almost like fanaticism.
Cosini gripped her arms, causing goosebumps to rise on her skin.
'Both of them are crazy.'
'If one of them dies, it might lead to an interesting development.'
* * *
"Huuuuh..."
Rimmer staggered as he walked, grabbing the wall and letting out a long sigh.
"Damn, it hurts."
The shoulder where Glenn's lightning had struck throbbed painfully. It was so painful that it felt like it was burning. No matter how many times he was hit, it never seemed to get any easier to endure. It was clear that the lightning attribute was an attribute that he couldn't get used to.
'Or maybe not.'
Rimmer looked at his hand filled with blackened gem rings and narrowed his eyes.
'Have I actually gotten used to this?'
When he thought about it, in the past, he had been hit by lightning and had fallen unconscious for a while. He had been lying down and groaning for at least a day.
However, now, even after being directly hit by lightning, he didn't faint. He could still move immediately, although walking was a bit difficult.
"Hmmm..."
Rimmer raised his hand and generated lightning, releasing it into the air. With a crackling sound, green lightning surged from his fingertips.
Before, he had used lightning as a makeshift method, but now it seemed like his body had naturally adapted to the mana of the wind, and the lightning had become infused with it.
'It's probably natural.'
When he thought about it, getting hit by lightning every three days meant that his body had accumulated lightning mana. Not getting used to it would have been the strange part.
'After all, people are creatures of adaptation.'
Even though it was still painful, the fact that he was able to adapt to the Lord's lightning was truly amazing.
"By the way, if I use this properly..."
"Ugh!"
As Rimmer was contemplating his sinister plan, a powerful aura emanated from the direction of the fifth training ground..
"It's night time, right?"
Despite the evening passing, the fith training ground was as brightly lit as daytime, and the presence of many people could be felt.
"Hmm?"
Rimmer smiled faintly and climbed up a tall oak tree next to the training ground.
"Is everyone here?"
Except for Raon and Dorian, all the members of the Light Wind were gathered, each wielding their swords with full force. It wasn't just casual training; they were putting their all into it.
"What's going on?"
They had achieved excellent results in the Six Kings Assembly Tournament, and not much time had passed since their return, yet everyone was genuinely focused on training.
"It must be because of Raon."
It was clear that they were inspired by Raon's determination in the Six Kings Assembly Tournament and wanted to strive for greater heights.
"It's time."
The moment to cross the threshold and rise above the ranks seemed to be approaching.
Hwoong.
A sound of wind came from the nearby tree. Rimmer turned his head to the side with a smirk.
"What do you think?"
In his line of sight, Glenn, who had somehow climbed onto the tree, was visible.
"What are you talking about?"
"They are training as if they will die tomorrow, all thanks to your precious grandson. You must be proud."
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat and turned his head. His ears turned red.
"Proud? Nonsense. It's only natural for disciples to train like this."
"But still, isn't it a bit unusual for them to be so devoted right after returning?"
"Hmm..."
"While it's natural for them to train, doing it with such enthusiasm right after their return is not something everyone does."
"I see."
"Considering that, maybe..."
Rimmer raised his hand and waved it playfully.
"When Raon comes back, I want to change the Light Wind, no, the Light Wind squad to the Light Wind Division, is that okay?"
"The Light Wind Division…"
Glenn didn't immediately respond, and he looked at the Light Wind members who were earnestly training, wielding their swords with determination.
"You know there's a test for that, right?"
"Of course."
"Go through the proper procedures."
"Yes!"
Rimmer nodded confidently. The gemstones hanging around his neck swayed.
"And tidy up those messy things."
"Oh, these are offerings to the great Lord Raon! I can't take them off!"
He reached out as if he couldn't remove them.
"You're getting crazier by the day."
Glenn sighed and flicked his fingers, throwing something to Rimmer.
"Huh?"
Rimmer reached out and caught it. It was a high-quality ointment for burns.
"This is…"
"It's for your burns. I'm worried that you'll get hurt if you keep training like that."
"Thanks, lord Glenn!"
Rimmer smiled brightly and put the ointment in his pocket.
"I'll do my best to become a member of the Light Wind Division!"
"I'll be watching you."
Glenn smiled faintly and jumped down from the tree.
Rimmer watched him go with a smile on his face.
'I'm sure Raon will be happy.'
He was confident that Raon would be happy to hear that the Light Wind squad had been promoted to Light Wind Division.
'I'll make sure to make him even happier.'
"Anyway, I'm giving it to you because of Raon."
Glenn said that and disappeared.
"Huh, he gave me medicine just for complimenting his grandson?"
Rimmer stared at the medicine in his hand, his mouth agape. He had been struck countless times, but this was the first time someone had given him medicine.
"The Raon effect is something else..."
He shook his head and headed back to hid quarters.
However, both Glenn and Rimmer didn't know one crucial thing.
The Light Wind squad wasn't training so intensely because they were inspired by Raon's battles.
"Don't you dare stop swinging your swords! That lunatic will find a way to exploit you somehow! Improve your skills no matter what!"
Burren swung her sword with fiery determination, her eyes filled with rage, causing the floor to crack with each blow.
"I won, damn it! Goddamn it! Goddaaamn it!"
Martha unleashed her swordsmanship ferociously while spewing curses with each word. Her anger was so intense that it cracked the floor beneath her.
"Huuggh..."
Runaan swung her sword with a nodding head, possibly half-asleep, his vision so blurry that she could barely see.
"Grkhh!"
"Save me..."
"I'd rather die..."
"Is this what it means to live?"
When Raon returned, he had instructed those who hadn't improved their skills to undergo intensive concentration training.
"Damn this demon even more than the devil himself!"
* * *
This brat is worse than that demon!
Wrath complained, looking at Raon.
Why does he have so many opportunities?
Trance is a step leading to enlightenment. It was a breakthrough more significant than the highest-quality elixirs, ancient artifacts, or the expertise of a master.
Ordinary people might practice their whole lives without ever reaching it, but this crazy guy, who had stolen something and ended up digging a hole in the ground, fell into the trance. It felt like the whole world was conspiring to help this kid.
I think I'm losing my mind. .
Wrath shook Raon's shoulders with trembling hands, trying to snap him out of it.
Get up! I can't stand to see you in such good shape after you made me eat nothing but Nadine's bread for five days!"
Raon, however, paid no attention to whatever Las was doing and remained fully immersed in his training, focused solely on the markings on the wall.
"It's not just about observing swordsmanship."
The inscriptions on the wall weren't merely the result of solitary training. They were etched in battle, during conflicts with opponents. Raon needed to consider this aspect to truly understand the swordsmanship.
"The trail is long..."
Unlike techniques like Hwacheon or Yeomryonggyeol, which had concise movements, these markings extended down the wall and even continued into the lower space.
Raon felt like he was walking on clouds, descending while continuously studying the swordsmanship.
"Strike, counter, defend..."
Everything was encapsulated in a single strike.
There's a saying: "일필휘지" which means writing multiple characters in one go without interruptions. Currently, the wall's sword markings were flowing seamlessly, as if crafted by a master calligrapher.
Raon descended further, harboring his growing emotions. The long trail of sword markings led to a focal point and then abruptly ended.
At the very last point, a surge of energy imprinted a new image in his mind.
Zzziiiiiing!
A wave of fiery flames surged along a silver path, enveloping the Southern Sea. An entire scene created by the founder through this swordsmanship unfurled like a panoramic view, filling his vision.
"Such a swordsmanship exists..."
It was a unique martial art where a single strike became a singular moment, a unique battle.
Could it be because he was trying to contain swordsmanship beyond his current realm? The ring of fire seemed to revolve in his heart, and his mind felt aflame.
"I know I can't obtain everything, and that I'm lacking, but..."
He couldn't stop.
Like a child tasting a snack for the first time, he concentrated his entire being on craving more of the founder's swordsmanship.
Just like a child tasting a rare delicacy for the first time, he couldn't take his eyes off the flow created by the founder.
Even if he had to open his third eye, he couldn't tear his gaze away from the flow created by the founder.
A small explosion occurred in his mind when he managed to capture the entire flow that the founder had unleashed, even with his real eyes closed.
"Hey, you brat! Share some of that breakthrough!"
Only then did voice reach him.
Flash.
Raon opened his eyes, and for a moment, his irises gleamed with a golden hue.
