N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 632
Raon sat on a black rock with lava bubbling around him, lowering his gaze.
[Creak….]
The phoenix, which had once seemed larger than the volcano itself, now lay on the ground, shrunken to a size smaller than a chicken, utterly drained of strength.
“Your name.”
[…….]
He flicked his finger, signaling for a name, but the phoenix only gaped, its beak hanging open as if in a daze.
“Answer me.”
[Cheep, cheep?]
When Raon lowered his voice, the phoenix made a sound like a frightened chick.
“I’ll ask again. Your name.”
Raon narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow.
[Ka, Kaiyan Sir!]
The phoenix, which had once terrified humans with its sharp beak, uttered its name.
“Kaiyan, is it….”
Raon nodded and asked his second question.
“How old are you?”
[I haven’t really kept track since I passed a thousand years.]
Kaiyan scratched the back of its head with a wing, embarrassed by its ignorance of its own age.
[Besides, this place is special, making it hard to keep track of time….]
“Is that all you have to say?”
[…….]
“Answer.”
[Cheep, cheep!]
The phoenix quivered, its beak trembling in fear.
“It doesn’t have to be exact. Just give me an estimate.”
[By the time I’ve lived, it’s probably over three thousand years….]
The phoenix answered with its eyes tightly shut, as if forcing itself to calculate its age.
“Three thousand years….”
From the moment he first saw it, Raon had sensed that its size and flame power were far beyond those of a typical phoenix. As he suspected, it had lived an exceptionally long time.
“What were you doing here?”
[Fulfilling a promise….]
“What promise?”
[Testing anyone who entered this place.]
Kaiyan continued, rubbing its beak with a wing.
[Only those I permitted could descend to the lower levels.]
“So, you were a gatekeeper.”
Even as it was dying, the phoenix had screamed that no one could leave without its permission. It seemed it had indeed been serving as the guardian of this place.
“What exactly am I witnessing here?”
Burren shook his head in disbelief.
“Is he really interrogating a phoenix?”
“Were you fine with him resurrecting the phoenix for combat practice?”
Martha snorted, saying she wasn’t surprised anymore.
“I don’t think I’ll be surprised by anything that the division leader does now.”
She ran a hand through her hair as she looked at the back of Raon’s head.
“Well done, Raon.”
Runaan clapped as if Raon had done a good job.
“Who did you make a promise with?”
Raon looked down at Kaiyan, motioning with his chin.
[Well, uh….]
Kaiyan struggled to lift its trembling head.
[About that, can I ask you something first?]
“What is it?”
[Could I see the fire you used to resurrect me?]
Its tone completely changed. Raon was surprised the phoenix could speak so gently.
“The fire I used to resurrect you?”
[It feels similar to the human I made the promise with….]
“…….”
Raon narrowed his eyes as he listened to Kaiyan’s words.
‘Could it have been the first head of Zieghart?’
It seemed the phoenix had been placed here as a guardian by his ancestor.
Creating a sound barrier to prevent others from hearing, Raon ignited the fire of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.
Whoosh!
As it reached the state of thousand flames, a soft golden hue wrapped around the fire, reflecting in Kaiyan’s eyes.
[As I thought….]
Kaiyan nodded, recognizing the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation’s fire, which was still more red than gold.
[You’re a descendant of that human. Though your personality is completely opposite….]
“What?”
[Cheep, cheep! No, nothing Sir!]
The phoenix trembled, fearing another hit.
“That person created this place, right?”
[Yes. Not alone, though. It seemed like several people were involved….]
“Hm….”
The memory was genuine. His ancestor and his comrades had indeed created this space.
“Why did you accept the role of gatekeeper?”
[I owed him a debt….]
“A debt?”
[That human saved the children of my kind. If not for him, they would have been captured by other humans and made slaves.]
“Is that so.”
It seemed his ancestor had rescued phoenixes from human captors. He had involved himself in many affairs, seemingly possessing a wandering spirit.
[Since my life was already nearing its end, I accepted his proposal to become the guardian of this place.]
“Tell me exactly what he requested of you.”
[To give appropriate tests and allow those who passed to go down to the lower levels, and to send those who failed back for another chance.]
Raon nodded, looking into Kaiyan’s now steady eyes.
‘Now I’m starting to understand.’
It seemed that the first head of Zieghart created this space for all his descendants. Seeing that it involved a test, it was clear.
“But doesn’t this seem strange?”
[Cheep, cheep?]
“When you saw us, you showed killing intent.”
Kaiyan had exuded a murderous aura that seemed intent on killing every human present.
He had felt that killing intent when he used the phoenix multiple times for training material.
[Th-that wasn’t my will.]
“It wasn’t your will?”
[Recently, some humans found this place. They weren’t satisfied with just passing through, they distorted the formations and barriers. Among them was a monster I couldn’t handle….]
I had a good idea of who it was.
‘Derus Robert.’
As I suspected from the first floor, it was clear that Derus Robert had come here himself.
‘This place isn’t a normal tomb.’
Whether it was originally a training ground for Zieghart or the tomb of the Saber Sword Saint, it was now nothing more than a trap set by Derus Robert.
“Did you see his face by any chance?”
[I was captured in an instant, so I couldn’t see. He was strong, but he also wore something over his face….]
Kaiyan still trembled with fear, its tail feathers shaking.
“I see.”
Raon nodded calmly. There was no need to be disappointed. Derus Robert wouldn’t have left any traces of himself here.
[Thanks to that, I came to my senses. I opened the way to the lower floors….]
Kaiyan backed away cautiously, glancing around.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Raon reached out and grabbed Kaiyan by the neck.
[Cheeep!]
“You’re not even a chick.”
Anyone who saw this might think he was bullying it.
He is bullying it!
Wrath shook his head.
That poor thing. If it were up to the King of Essence, he would’ve eaten it in one bite….
He smacked his lips as if feeling sorry for it.
“Sigh….”
Raon sighed deeply and plucked one of Kaiyan’s feathers.
[Cheeep….]
Tears welled up in Kaiyan’s eyes as more feathers were plucked.
[Sir, are you really planning to eat me? I don't have any meat right now, I’m not very tasty...]
“That’s not it….”
Good thinking!
As Raon shook his head, Wrath raised a clenched fist.
The King of Essence has realized something amazing!
‘What is it?’
Though uneasy, Raon looked at Wrath just in case.
You can keep resurrecting that phoenix, right?
‘Yeah.’
Then eat it, leaving only one feather. Then resurrect it with that feather, and eat it again! Keep repeating that!
Drool flowed from Wrath’ mouth.
Tender meat endlessly! Solve the continent’s hunger problem! Infinite roasted chicken!
His eyes gleamed with madness.
That chick even asked to be eaten! Put it in the King of Essence’s mouth right now!
Pow!
Raon shoved his fist into Wrath’ mouth.
‘You glutton! Eat this and shut up!’
* * *
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“Huff.”
Delphiros held his forehead as he sat down heavily in a white chair.
“He was right….”
He bit his lip as he looked at the shattered crystal orb.
“What?”
The Demon Rain division leader looked confused.
“He told us that if Raon Zieghart ever entered the tomb, we should eliminate him as quickly as possible. Said to consider him as dangerous as a transcendent.”
“Bu-but why….”
“I thought other matters were more important.”
Delphiros frowned at the broken crystal orb, as if he hadn’t expected things to turn out this way.
“There are at least five others in the tomb stronger than Raon Zieghart. It didn’t make sense to focus on a kid who just turned twenty while ignoring those monsters!”
He bit his lip, seeming regretful that things had turned out this way.
“Besides, simply killing him wouldn’t help. He’s a real nuisance.”
“Then how about driving all the traps and monsters on the next floor toward the Light Wind division?”
The Demon Rain division leader approached, bowing.
“No matter how strong Raon Zieghart is, he can’t protect the entire Light Wind division. Or better yet, if he tries to handle all the traps and monsters himself, it’ll wear him out.”
Clenching his fist, he suggested this was the best approach.
“Right. That might be the only way.”
Delphiros sighed and nodded.
“I’ll make the preparations.”
The Demon Rain division leader nodded and disappeared into the shadows.
As Delphiros rubbed his temples in irritation, there was a clinking sound from the dark corner of the room, like chains rattling, accompanied by an eerie noise like a demon wailing.
Whooo!
Delphiros turned his gaze calmly to the source of the sound. In a foggy, misty space, black eyes gleamed as if guarding or imprisoning something.
“It’s not your turn yet.”
Delphiros met the black eyes and smirked.
“The main character appears last.”
* * *
Raon dipped the old iron ring he had bought in Cameloon during his trainee days slightly into the lava.
The ring remained intact and unscathed even in the lava.
Ssssss!
After some time, a peculiar resonance started to emanate from the surface of the ring.
It wasn’t melting. The yellow rust was peeling off, revealing a mysterious pattern etched into the ring.
‘It’s done.’
Raon wrapped the golden-glowing ring with the phoenix feathers. The feathers were large, so three were enough to cover the entire ring.
Buzzzzz.
The ring emitted a strong heat and a slight tremor within the phoenix feathers. Once this vibration ceased, the seal on the ring would naturally be lifted.
‘Now, let’s try this….’
Raon took out the ring he had received from Merlin and tried immersing it in the lava in the same way.
‘This one’s not reacting.’
Even after a long time in the lava, there was no response. Although this ring also had a special seal, it seemed the method to break it was different.
‘I’ll have to find another way.’
Accepting this, he slipped Merlin’s ring back onto his finger.
“Kaiyan.”
Raon dusted off his hands and gestured to Kaiyan, who was trembling behind him.
[Cheep?]
“Open the door.”
[Cheeep!]
Kaiyan nodded and spread its wings, which were the size of a human hand.
Rumble!
The lava split in a jagged pattern, revealing a dimensional door on the red-hot ground leading to the next floor.
[If you go through that passage, you’ll reach the maze on the third floor.]
“A maze?”
[Yes, the third floor is a maze. You have to find your way while avoiding traps and monsters.]
“Hmm….”
Raon glanced at Kaiyan, then turned to look at the Light Wind swordsmen.
“Head down first.”
“Understood. Team 1, proceed in order!”
Burren nodded and gestured, and the Light Wind swordsmen began entering the hole one by one.
[Th-then, take care. I’ll be going now….]
“What are you talking about?”
Raon shook his head and extended his right hand. He grabbed Kaiyan’s neck as it tried to flutter away.
[Cheeep!]
“Where are you going?”
[I-I’ve finished my job….]
“You need to guide us. You know the general layout of the maze, right?”
[Cheeep….]
The phoenix rolled its eyes anxiously, but there was no one to save it.
Well done!
Wrath waved his hand in approval.
You can’t let go of the unlimited refill chicken!
‘That’s not what this is about.’
What do you mean it isn’t! Isn’t that chick going with you?
‘It is, but….’
And doesn’t it resurrect indefinitely?
‘That’s true….’
Then it’s an unlimited refill chicken!
‘….’
It was too tiresome to explain, so Raon decided to ignore him.
[I-I know the way roughly, but we need something to move faster….]
“Enough. Follow me.”
[Cheeep!]
Raon, holding Kaiyan by the neck, descended through the hole leading to the third floor.
* * *
Those still remaining on the second floor stood idly, not entering the opened hole.
“Aren’t you going down?”
“…There’s no point.”
“Exactly. If those guys are kidnapping the trial’s phoenix, do you think we can gain anything?”
“I give up.”
“Me too. I’ll just stay here and wait to go home….”
That day, the only ones who descended to the third floor from the lava zone were the Light Wind division.
* * *
By now, Raon had grown somewhat accustomed to the sensation of falling. As he felt strength leave and return to his body, he opened his eyes to see brown sand covering the ground.
Raon lifted his gaze and narrowed his eyes.
‘Is this the maze?’
A giant wall stood before him, obstructing his view. All the walls were gray, making it difficult to determine his location.
‘Let’s see….’
He used the Supreme Harmony Steps to lightly press off the ground.
Boom!
He attempted to jump over the wall, but it was as if an invisible ceiling prevented him from going over or seeing beyond it.
It seemed they were completely blocked from advancing in that manner.
“I tried, but it looks like we can’t go over the walls.”
Rimmer shook his head, indicating he couldn’t get outside the walls either.
"I can't break it even with brute force."
Martha clicked her tongue as she withdrew her sword from the wall.
“It doesn’t freeze either.”
Runaan lowered her head in disappointment.
“How long will it take to get through here?”
Raon lightly shook Kaiyan.
[I-I know the way, but it will take more than half a day even with my guidance.]
“More than half a day….”
He wasn’t sure exactly how much time had passed since they entered this place, but it was highly likely that those who went in first had already passed through this maze.
With time running short, they needed to move as quickly as possible.
“Is there no faster way?”
[Previously, that person touched the wall and did something, and a path to the end of the maze opened up. But I don't really know what he did....]
"Did something, huh...."
Raon licked his lips as he inspected the wall. It seemed like an ordinary wall just blocking the way.
However, hearing Kaiyan's words, Raon had a hunch about what to do.
Hwaaa!
Raon simultaneously activated the Ring of Fire and The Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.
Raising fire in his hand that could be said to be the fire of Zieghart, he drew the array shown by his ancestor on the wall.
Bzzzzz!
The fire moved across the wall of the maze like a stream of water breaking through a dam, drawing a clear array.
The completed array glowed golden, then opened a swirling passageway.
It was similar in shape to the hole that led to the next floor, but the color was different.
"It works."
[Cheep, cheep!]
Kaiyan, flustered, flapped its wings and sat down.
[T-t-that door! How did you do it!]
Judging by its reaction, it seemed to be the path to the end of the maze.
"W-what is this!"
"Division leader! What did you do!"
"Why is the door opening right away...."
The Light Wind swordsmen also widened their eyes in shock at the sudden situation.
"C-can we go in here?"
Dorian swallowed nervously.
"Others might not, but we have the right."
"What do you mean...."
"I'll explain later. Let's go in first."
Raon smiled faintly and entered the flame passageway first.
Unlike the other passages where they fell, this time they could walk on the path. Strangely, for the first time since entering the tomb, Raon felt warmth.
Following the red line like the carpet in the audience chamber, they saw another flame passageway with the same shape at the end.
As they slowly exited that passage, a huge wall loomed in front of them, with a hole in the center leading to the fourth floor.
"That's simple."
Raon smiled faintly as he looked at the passage to the fourth floor.
From behind the wall on the left, a white hand suddenly appeared. A young woman, whose appearance did not match this place, slid forward along with a chilling black frost.
The Snow Demon Queen.
A floor master of the Black Tower, a demon who had reached the ran
k of Grandmaster, had arrived at the end of the maze.
"I don't know why you're here, but this is good."
The Ice Demon Queen smiled faintly and raised her transparent fingers.
"I was disappointed that I couldn't finish it outside."
"I was disappointed too."
"What?"
"I was too busy training my subordinates, so I didn't get enough training myself."
Raon silently drew Heavenly Drive. From his red eyes, golden radiance surged.
"Even if you're not an unlimited buffet, at least be a decent appetizer."
