N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 670
Raon frowned as he felt the ominous demonic energy seeping into his skin.
'It's not just poisonous...'
It's both thick and dark.
The thickness of the demonic energy surrounding the tower, as if a demon king had descended, was greater than that of the kingdom's pillars. Penetrating this demonic energy to climb the tower would consume a significant amount of aura.
“If you can’t do it, step aside. I’ll break through it.”
Saintess Olga stepped forward, wiping the blood dripping from her lips with the back of her hand. Her eyes gleamed with a chilling wrath and murderous intent.
It seemed she was determined to exact revenge on high priest Piren and King Baurun, even at the cost of her life.
“If you try to break through with your holy power, you’ll end up with at least ten more tattoos on your body.”
The demonic energy enveloping the tower was insidious and deep. No matter how powerful her holy power was, it wasn't something that could be easily pierced.
“Even so, it’s better than using aura…”
“No, I’m faster.”
Raon shook his head and activated the Ring of Fire to the extreme.
Wooooooong!
The eight rings resonated, drawing up the emotion of <Wrath> from the depths of his soul.
As the coldness of Glacier acted as a fuse to ignite wrath energy at his fingertips, the demonic energy blocking the entrance to the tower trembled as if frightened and opened a path on its own.
No powerful shock, no massive wave—just pure majesty, the kind possessed by a ruler of the Devildom. It was an emotion fitting for a Demon King, superior to a mere demonic energy.
Ugh!
Wrath clutched his head, letting out a low groan.
That's not how you're supposed to use the wrath the King of Essence put in your soul!
'A gift is for the recipient to use as they wish.'
It’s not a gift!
He flailed his hands, insisting that he had placed it there to take over Raon's body.
“What, what the…!”
Saintess Olga's eyes widened as she saw the tower’s entrance open so easily.
“It’s neither holy power nor aura. What on earth did you do…?”
She swallowed dryly, not comprehending. As a saintess, she couldn’t sense the emotion of a Demon King, so it was natural she didn’t understand.
“Who knows.”
Raon didn’t answer, merely entering the opened entrance and climbing the stairs towards the top.
"You can't think of our leader in a common sense way."
Rimmer shook his head at the saint.
"It's easier to just accept, 'Ah, even the demonic energy is afraid of that human.'"
He chuckled and followed Raon.
“Hmm…”
Olga narrowed her eyes at the fragments of demonic energy trembling in fear, like mice before a cat.
'What is that guy?'
Raon Zieghart was certain of king Baurun’s corruption, and he predicted that commander Danieff of the royal guard and high priest Piren were in collusion.
He had also planned to distribute holy artifacts and holy water to trusted knights and priests to block the demonic energy movement, anticipating that the entire kingdom would be enveloped in it.
She had cursed, believing it impossible, but reality was unfolding exactly as he had predicted.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say he had prepared and anticipated all of this alone. He wasn’t just a monster or a genius, those terms didn’t suffice.
“If you don’t come, it will close.”
Raon’s voice came from upstairs. The demonic energy, which had been afraid of him, was writhing again, as if trying to regroup.
“Phew…”
Olga sighed deeply and entered the tower.
'Yes. Now is not the time to be thinking about such things.'
It didn’t matter what kind of person Raon was. What mattered now was climbing this tower and delivering a punch to Piren and Baurun's faces.
'However…'
There was one thing that bothered her.
“Hey.”
Olga followed Raon and jerked her chin toward the outside.
“Are the kids we left outside going to be okay?”
“What do you mean?”
Raon raised an eyebrow as he looked down at her.
“You must have felt it too. There’s a demon outside helping that idiot king.”
Olga shook her head, staring at the closed door.
“The demon's presence alone puts pressure on human souls. Kinear is already struggling just blocking the demonic energy, so do you think those kids can stop the demon?”
The lesser (low rank) demons (monsters) causing chaos outside were likely minions of the demon who had made a contract with Baurun, but they were still demons. Their mere presence posed a significant threat to humans, making her worried.
“They’ll handle it.”
Raon nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
“How can you be so sure?”
Olga furrowed her brows in disbelief.
“Because I rais….no…”
“Because I trained them myself.”
Raon continued up the tower without hesitation, his confidence unshaken.
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“That monster is a Hellhound.”
Commander Kinear pointed at the dog-like creature facing the Light Wind swordsmen.
“It breathes fire infused with demonic energy and has incredible regeneration. Don’t let your guard down until it’s completely dead. And…”
He bit his lip before continuing.
“You won’t be able to defeat that demon, but try to buy as much time as possible. I’ll handle it somehow.”
Kinear’s forehead creased with worry, clearly doubting that the Light Wind swordsmen could stand against the demon.
“That's enough. And don't worry.”
Burren nodded slightly at Kinear and then looked at the demon.
“We’ll take care of everything.”
“If it weren’t for Raon Zieghart and Rimmer, I wouldn’t be stuck here. Without them, you lot are nothing more than ants!”
The black-haired, black-eyed demon bared his sharp teeth in a menacing grin.
“I’ll kill you all!”
At his command, the Hellhound slashed at the Light Wind swordsmen with its axe-like claws.
Cheeeing!
Burren and the third team retreated, while Runaan and the second team advanced, raising a blue aura shield.
Kwaaaang!
The hellhound's claws were powerful enough to demolish an entire building, but Runaan's aura shield only cracked slightly, not breaking through.
Thud!
Martha, as if trusting Runaan, moved before the second team could even complete their defense. She sliced through the demonic energy, delivering a heavy downward strike with her sword.
Shhhhk!
Riding the blue wind of the Light Wind Style, Martha's sword tore off the hellhound's right ankle.
Kieeek!
Black blood spurted like a fountain as the hellhound let out a pained scream.
But as expected of a demon beast, it didn't lose its balance and spewed black flames.
"First team!"
At Burren's command, the first team, which had moved forward, retreated, and the second team supported their flank. Finally, the third team stabilized the center, forming the original Light Wind Formation.
The swordsmen raised their swords simultaneously. The meticulously blooming energy formed a single sword, clashing with the hellhound's flames.
Kwaaang!
The Light Wind swordsmen's sword strike seemed to melt and stop before the hellhound's flames, but as the blue wind blew from behind, it regained its strength and split the black flames in a split second.
Kuooong!
Despite its size, the hellhound was an agile demon beast, but as if it didn't expect its flames to be pierced so easily, it staggered after being hit in the forehead by the Light Wind swordsmen's sword strike.
However, the hellhound, trusting in its regenerative abilities, didn't flee and instead took an offensive stance. It opened its jaws again to spew black flames.
Puh-eok!
Just as black flames were about to erupt from the hellhound's dark maw, a blue lightning bolt grazed the ground and struck its jaw.
It was Mark Goetten. He, who had stepped back from the Light Wind Formation, pierced the hellhound's jaw and completely crushed its skull.
Krrrr….
The hellhound fell, its eyes losing their light. From the dust that rose as it collapsed, a piercing light flashed, and a jet-black blade emerged.
Clang!
The Light Wind swordsmen, not letting their guard down for a moment, used their formation to deflect all the incoming blades.
However, the force behind the demonic blades was so strong that everyone was pushed back a step.
"You ants dare!"
The black-haired, black-eyed demon trembled, sticking out his tongue as he saw the dead hellhound.
"Ants dare to challenge me!"
"I'll kill you all!"
"You already said that."
Runaan tilted her head, as if telling him not to repeat himself.
"I'll rip out your heart first."
The demon's body seemed to stretch out, appearing before Runaan in a split second.
He extended his sharply pointed nails, as if to prove his words about ripping out her heart weren't a lie.
Clang!
Runaan, not flustered in the slightest, drew her beloved sword, Snow Flower, like a brushstroke. Frost particles gathered on the elegant blade, blocking the demon's nails.
Crackle!
The silver ice wall couldn't completely withstand the demon's attack and shattered. But Runaan wasn't fighting alone.
The swords of the Light Wind swordsmen's second team, protecting her back, blocked the demon's nails.
As soon as Runaan and the second team finished their defense, Burren's third team and Martha's first team simultaneously advanced towards the demon.
Clang!
Burren and Martha didn't say a word. They simply exchanged glances and unleashed their respective special techniques.
Martha and the first team's aggressive sword strikes rained down on the demon's shoulders, while Burren and the third team's precise blades aimed for its heart.
Clang!
The demon crossed his demonic magic energy-infused hands, deflecting Burren and Martha's attacks.
However, he seemed unable to completely shake off the pressure and was pushed back two steps.
At that moment, the second team swordsmen kicked off the ground as if they had never retreated.
Runaan's sword, at the center, chased after the demon, riding the wind of the Light Wind Style. A dreamlike light gathered at the tip of her blade.
Clang!
Runaan's attack, who had always focused on defense to protect the Light Wind swordsmen, contained a quiet yet chilling murderous intent, similar to Raon's.
Puk!
The demon hurriedly raised both hands to condense a demonic energy sphere, but Runaan's silver flash split through the demonic energy and carved a deep wound in his chest.
"Krrgh...."
The demon coughed up black blood and stumbled backward.
Shhhhk!
Mark Goetten didn't miss the moment the demon faltered. He twisted his shoulders sharply and struck with a blade infused with lightning and wind.
Peook!
The demon's thigh was deeply gouged, spraying black blood.
"You, you bastards!"
The demon tried to retreat further to regenerate his wounds, but Martha and her team members clung to him like a leech, delivering a series of quick, slashing attacks.
Jjeojeojeojeok!
The demon Kabil gritted his teeth as he deflected the relentless onslaught of the Light Wind swordsmen's sword strikes.
'What, what the hell are these guys!'
Even as a Master, humans couldn't unleash their full strength under the demon's pressure.
In fact, on his way here, he had easily trampled and killed four holy knights who had reached Master level, along with a priest of similar strength.
But these young ones, even with many who weren't Masters, weren't overwhelmed by his aura.
Instead, they seemed to welcome the challenge, displaying even greater power than they possessed. No matter how much he thought about it, it didn't make sense.
"Your expression is hardening, so it seems you're starting to regret it. But...."
Martha sneered and tilted her chin.
"It's too late!"
"Don't let your guard down. It's not over yet."
Burren took a step back from Martha and lowered his stance, ready to respond to any move the demon might make.
The Light Wind swordsmen continued to pressure the demon, seamlessly transitioning between offense, defense, and support.
"Krrgh...."
The demon Kabil's hands gradually became unsteady, and wounds began to appear all over his body.
"We're almost there! Push him!"
At Martha's command, the Light Wind swordsmen moved as one, unleashing dozens of sword strikes. A barrage of aura blades and wind energy, akin to a magical bombardment, rained down continuously.
Kuaaaaaaaa!
The demon Kabil exploded the demonic energy he had gathered in his heart and rose into the air. The harp-shaped wings that sprouted from his back made a bizarre sound.
Woo woo woo woo woo!
A beautiful melody that didn't match the chaotic battlefield rang out, and the movements of the Light Wind swordsmen began to slow down. Their faces turned pale.
"Wh-what is this...?"
Martha furrowed her brow, her fingertips trembling.
"The sound from those wings is pressing down on our bodies…."
Burren gritted his teeth as he felt the sound and waves emanating from the demon's wings.
"To make me use the Demon’s melody...."
The demon Kabil gnashed his teeth as if his pride was hurt and raised his arms. The pitch-black darkness that erupted from his hands rained down like a shower of blades.
"This is really the end!"
“Defensive stance!”
At Burren's shout, the Light Wind swordsmen retreated and formed a defensive formation. The wind of the Light Wind Style that bloomed over the sword formation deflected the dark blades shot by the demon.
"To think that wretched training would come in handy."
Martha cleared her ears and sighed.
"Indeed. All those times we got hit by the Blue Rain and Blood Rain paid off."
Krein gripped his sword tightly and nodded. Thanks to the periodic Blue Rain and Blood Rain unleashed by Raon, they could withstand the demon’s melody to some extent.
"But we won't be able to hold out for long."
"It's fine."
Runaan shook her head as she looked back.
"We'll be able to stop him soon."
She blinked at the swordsman behind her, as if to encourage him.
"You…you bastards...."
The demon Kabil trembled as he saw the Light Wind swordsmen standing despite being exposed to the sonic waves of the demon’s melody. He couldn't think of them as anything but lunatics now.
"Just die already!"
He explosively drew out demonic energy and shot out a barrage of demonic blades. But the Light Wind swordsmen, though pushed back as if about to fall, never knelt.
'It's better to kill them all at once.'
Kabil gritted his teeth and gathered demonic energy.
Aaaaaaaaa!
A clear voice rang out from the center of the Light Wind swordsmen, as if to suppress Kabil's sound waves.
It was Yua, her young face filled with sorrow. A divine energy that seemed to praise life spread from her. A voice containing the energy of nature. It felt like seeing the untouched peak of a perennial snow mountain.
Zzzzzt!
Yua's voice perfectly neutralized the demon’s melody emanating from Kabil's wings. The demonic ropes that had bound the Light Wind swordsmen were instantly severed.
"Go!"
Yulius gripped his sword as if to protect Yua and clenched his teeth.
Burren, Martha, and Runaan nodded at the two youngest members of Light Wind division, as if proud of them, and then charged towards the bewildered demon.
Kaaaaa!
The Light Wind swordsmen's sword strikes, filled with all their might so as not to be ashamed in front of their youngest members, cut through the demonic flames created by Kabil and pierced a hole the size of a human head in his abdomen.
"Cough..."
Kabil coughed up black blood and trembled.
"H-how…."
To neutralize the demon’s melody waves with a voice, it was something he had neither heard nor seen before.
'Did they really train under the Demon King?!'
They weren't suppressed by demonic energy, or the demon’s presence, and now even erased the demon’s melody.
The humans with Raon were nothing ordinary.
'I must kill them.'
They were all a problem, but that young girl was the biggest threat. Even if he were to be reverse-summoned, he had to kill her.
Wooooooong!
Kabil brought his hands together. Drawing out demonic energy that burned both his body and soul, he created a massive fireball.
"Die, all of you!"
He unleashed the black sun-like flames upon them. It was a spell meant to kill not only the Light Wind swordsmen but also Yua and Kinear behind them.
"Ultimate technique!"
The Light Wind swordsmen stopped their berserker-like charge and formed a circle in the center. Their energies merged into one, and from the center of their formation, a massive sword rose.
The Great Light Wind Formation’s ultimate technique.
Radiant Wind Sword.
The Great Light Wind Formation’s ultimate technique, taught by Raon along with the Light Wind Style, burst forth with blue light.
A natural wind, as if pushing away the clouds in the sky, split the demonic flames and mercilessly tore apart Kabil behind them.
Kuwaaaaaaaaaaaa!
The demon Kabil melted away without leaving a trace of demonic energy, as if he had never existed in this world.
"Uh... huh?"
Kinear's jaw dropped, unable to believe what he had just witnessed.
"What is this...."
He was so shocked that he almost dropped his sword.
"Huff...."
"Gasp...."
“As expected, using the Radiant Wind Sword really drains us...”
The Light Wind swordsmen collapsed, gasping for breath. Their pale faces showed that this had been an all-out battle for them.
"No one's dead, right?"
Burren looked up with a weak smile.
"Dead men can't answer."
Martha chuckled and snapped her fingers.
"W-we actually won."
"We defeated a demon...."
"Even the leader will praise us for this."
They all looked at each other and laughed, amazed by their victory over a demon.
"Now...."
Runaan, still sitting on the ground, looked up at the tower where demonic energy writhed.
"It's the handsome Raon's turn."