C756
"That is...."
Raon swallowed hard as he watched a human figure rise from Marang's corpse.
"The Black Tower Master?"
That eerie mist certainly exuded an aura of a different dimension compared to Marang. It felt as if his soul was being crushed by darkness.
"This necklace...."
Raon bit his lip as he looked at the black and white bead necklace on the table.
"Was it really that important?"
He didn't expect someone of the Black Tower Master's caliber to care about such a trivial transaction. It seemed that the necklace brought by the White Demon Swordsman was a much more precious artifact than he had thought.
"Then, this could be our salvation."
If the Black Tower Master really came for this bead necklace, they could negotiate a life-or-death deal. Ignoring the Heavenly Martial Sword Technique and the Azure Sky Sword, he only clung to the bead necklace where the black and white mists competed.
"Raon."
Rimmer's hands trembled as he completely blocked the path forward.
"Don't you dare move forward!"
He exhaled heavily, promising to protect Raon no matter what.
"Vice Leader...."
-Hmm....
As Raon looked at Rimmer's back, which seemed ready to face death, Wrath clicked his lips briefly.
-Sorry to break that Pointy Ears' illusion, but that's not real.
"What do you mean it's not real?"
-It's just a projection manifested using that fool's demonic energy you ambushed.
Wrath snorted, insisting that it wasn't real, but simply a projection.
-However, that demonic energy....
He frowned deeply, as if he felt something.
"A projection...?"
A projection? Raon repeated Wrath's words in his mind as he watched the black mist take human form.
"Certainly...."
The aura is weak. While the Black Tower Master's soul realm was immense, enough to crush this very space, the actual demonic energy he felt wasn't that significant. As Wrath said, it seemed there was a limit to the amount of Marang's demonic energy that could be used.
"So, if all that demonic energy is consumed, the projection will disappear too?"
Since the Black Tower Master emerged using Marang's demonic energy, it seemed likely that once all that energy dissipated, the Black Tower Master's manifestation would also dissipate.
-Of course.
Wrath nodded indifferently.
-Even parasites fall when there's nothing left to eat from the host.
"Then it's worth a try."
Considering the current situation of the Five Kings and the Five Demons, and what he had heard about the Black Tower Master's personality and movements from Derus and the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, a solution for survival emerged.
"Keep calm."
As they say you can survive even if you're caught by a tiger if you keep your head cool, he could escape this crisis if he used his head and mouth well. While Raon stabilized his breathing, an icy glow flickered in the black mist. Just the fact of encountering that gaze sent chills down his spine.
"Raon Zieghart."
The Black Tower Master, shrouded in black mist, spoke in a dry voice, addressing Raon instead of Rimmer.
"It's you again."
Strangely, his voice seemed to enter directly into his mind rather than through his ears.
"If you don't want to suffer even in death, hand over the Black and White Spirit Bead."
The Black Tower Master moved his fingers as he demanded the bead necklace Raon was holding.
"Ha, what nonsense."
Rimmer shook his head, his jaw trembling.
"That's our salvation, how could we hand it over! Raon, don't you dare hand it over!"
He frowned, seeming to realize the importance of the necklace.
"Then I'll just kill you both and take it."
Jet-black demonic energy burned on the Black Tower Master's hand. The heat felt as if it could melt everything. Raon endured the murderous intent and placed his hand on the hilt of the Heavenly Drive.
"That's just a threat."
If it were the real Black Tower Master, he could probably kill him and Rimmer with just a glance, but what they had before them was just a projection created from demonic energy. He couldn't win, but he didn't feel like he was going to lose either. With determined steps, Raon moved forward after organizing his thoughts.
"Raon!"
Rimmer grabbed his shoulder in panic, blocking his path.
"What are you doing?"
"It's okay."
Raon showed Rimmer a calm smile.
"Um...."
Rimmer hesitated for a moment, seeming confused by Raon's serene gaze, before stepping aside.
"Black Tower Master."
Raon stopped ten steps away from the Black Tower Master.
"How long are you going to keep up this charade, cotton candy that would be blown away by the wind?"
He waved the Black and White Spirit Bead necklace towards the Black Tower Master shrouded in mist. With a slight movement of his jaw, flames erupted from the Black Tower Master's hand, engulfing the necklace.
"I knew you'd do that."
Raon bit his lip as he used the Azure Sky Sword with a quick draw technique. Blue frost erupted from the tip of the blade, cutting through the dark flames. With a hiss, the flames raised by the Black Tower Master dissipated before reaching the Black and White Spirit Bead.
'Ugh....'
Raon forced strength into his wrist, which ached as if it might break.
'To have such power with that level of demonic energy....'
As expected of one of the Five Kings and Five Demons, the Black Tower Master had created flames that overwhelmed all of Raon's strength with just a small amount of demonic energy. A moment of carelessness could turn him to ashes in an instant.
'But I can still resist.'
He can't use all that demonic energy anyway. The Black Tower Master's goal wasn't to avenge Marang, but to secure the Black and White Spirit Bead. Raon needed to take advantage of the enemy's psychology of conserving strength to move the necklace towards where his real body was.
Suddenly, the Black Tower Master's body disappeared, only to emerge from his own shadow. It seemed like a completely new concept of power that surpassed both magic and martial arts.
With a clang, Raon tilted the blades of the Heavenly Drive and the Blade of Death, deflecting the Black Tower Master's attack as he retreated. However, the enemy's strength was so overwhelming that it shattered the observation deck wall, sending Raon flying outwards.
"This is your last chance."
The Black Tower Master stood still, moving his misty fingers.
"Hand over the Black and White Spirit Bead."
"Chance, what nonsense."
Raon wiped the blood from his mouth and laughed.
"Anyway, you're not the real one."
He raised his chin and tapped the Black and White Spirit Bead with his finger.
"What do you mean it's not real?"
Rimmer narrowed his eyes, as if asking what Raon meant.
"If that were the real Black Tower Master, we'd be dead already. What we have in front of us is just a projection of the Black Tower Master created from Marang's demonic energy."
Raon curled his lips as he revealed the Black Tower Master's secret.
"Being the monster he is, he can exert transcendental power even with that amount of demonic energy, but if you look closely, you can see that the energy is being consumed rapidly."
"Ah...."
Rimmer's eyes widened as if he too felt the Black Tower Master's demonic energy diminishing.
"You're perceptive, aren't you?"
The Black Tower Master exhaled softly, showing no sign of confusion.
"As you say, this body is not mine. However...."
Irritation colored his broken voice.
"Do you also know that I can summon my real body here if I'm willing to accept a loss?"
The Black Tower Master revealed a chilling gaze, as if he could manifest his real body at any moment.
"......"
Raon forced himself to maintain a composed expression. Suppressing his rapidly beating heart with the Ring of Fire, he called out to Wrath.
'Is what he says true?'
-It's probably not a lie.
Wrath narrowed his eyes as he looked at the Black Tower Master.
-Shifting the positions of the projection and the real body, or directly manifesting the real body, is not impossible for demons. If he's willing to accept the evaporation of demonic energy as he says, it's certainly possible.
He nodded, seeming to consider the Black Tower Master as a demon.
'You should have said that before!'
-Hah! Why should I?
Wrath smiled, wagging his tail as if he found the situation amusing.
-Quick, summon me! I'll freeze that pathetic projection in an instant.
He waved his hand, saying that he wanted to eat bead-shaped ice cream for the first time in a long time.
'Demons....'
If he resorted to summoning the demon king, transcendence would become a distant dream. He had to resolve this situation on his own.
'First, I need to prevent him from bringing his real body here....'
If the real Black Tower Master manifested, it would not only be his own death, but the Bright Wind division, no, all the humans in this Hollam could die. He had to prevent that at all costs.
'But how?'
As Raon racked his brain, Wrath's and the Black Tower Master's words came to his mind simultaneously.
'A loss?'
Both mentioned having to accept a loss.
'Would he really come here accepting a loss?'
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance said that the Black Tower Master was collecting artifacts to become stronger. If the benefits of the Black and White Spirit Bead were significant enough, he could accept the loss and manifest.
'However....'
If the loss outweighed the gain of acquiring the artifact, he wouldn't come. Currently, the Five Demons had suffered heavy damage from Glenn and were hiding from the Five Kings. He needed to use that information.
'Wrath.'
-Why are you calling me?
'It's true that he can't use the power of his real body now, right? His aura perception must have also decreased.'
-Didn't I tell you? He can only use the level of demonic energy he possesses.
Wrath wrinkled his nose, asking how many times he had to repeat himself.
'Then there's a way.'
Raon resonated the Ring of Fire to its extreme. He calmed his mind as he would when training in the great training ground, then twisted his lips into a smile.
"Go ahead."
He moved his finger, challenging the Black Tower Master to try it.
"Do you think I can't do it?"
Anger filled the Black Tower Master's misty pupils. His aura amplified drastically, making the entire arena tremble.
"You probably can. But will you really do it?"
Raon raised his chin, still maintaining a composed expression.
"Do you know who's behind me?"
"It doesn't matter who's there."
The Black Tower Master sneered.
"I can kill you and retreat whenever I want."
"What will happen if your soul is cut?"
Raon mocked the Black Tower Master in response, as he lowered his hand.
"What?"
"This mission is the first task I've been given since becoming part of the Zieghart direct line. It's a test of my attitude, martial prowess, and strategy as a direct descendant."
He bit his tongue to endure the Black Tower Master's fierce aura as he nodded slightly.
-And-what are you trying to say now....?
Wrath blinked rapidly, seeming uncomfortable.
"Every test has an examiner, you know?"
Raon curled his lips as he watched the Black Tower Master's eyes waver.
"So, who do you think is behind me?"
As Raon said this, he pointed to the sky.
"No way....?"
The Black Tower Master's lips trembled as he stepped back. His aura began to diminish rapidly.
"Is it Glenn Zieghart?"
"......"
Raon just smiled faintly without responding.
"If I send just a signal, a Soul Sword will fly and cut your soul."
Those who came for war with the South-North Union or Uriel would know that Glenn couldn't use the Soul Sword carelessly, but the Black Tower Master wasn't there, so he seemed to fall for the trap more easily.
-N-no way!
Wrath waved his round hands frantically.
-This cunning angel is lying again! There's nothing behind or above!
He shouted that it was absolutely not true, but of course, the Black Tower Master couldn't hear him.
"You... Hm?"
The Black Tower Master's eyes, which had been darting back and forth, stopped on Rimmer.
"It was a lie. That elf seems to have no idea what's going on."
The Black Tower Master exhaled softly as he looked at Rimmer's frozen face.
-Finally, someone who sees through this brat's lies!
Wrath smiled and nodded.
-Who would have thought that Pointy Ears could actually be useful!
He patted Rimmer on the shoulder, saying that he would give him praise.
'No need to say anything unnecessary here.'
Too many words could create vulnerabilities and strengthen suspicion. Now was the time to press further.
"Then, if you don't believe me, why don't you summon your real body?"
Raon lowered his eyebrows as he looked at the Black Tower Master.
"Let's see what's faster: your manifestation or the Head of House's sword."
Despite the anxiety filling his mind, he nodded with a calm expression.
"Hmm...."
The Black Tower Master bit his lip as he watched Raon, who seemed as relaxed as if he were having tea.
'What's with this guy?'
Raon Zieghart's expression didn't show the slightest shadow, and his heart wasn't racing. He didn't seem like a threat, but rather the truth. Especially because, unlike Rimmer, he didn't panic at his manifestation and remained composed, it seemed even more likely that he wasn't lying.
Finally, it seemed unlikely that Raon Zieghart, called the greatest talent of the continent, could lie so convincingly.
"Even being hit by a projection would be a big shock, what would happen if your real body's soul was torn apart?"
Raon clapped lightly, suggesting they bet their lives.
"Hmm...."
The Black Tower Master slowly stepped back.
'I can't be defeated now.'
If he fell to Glenn's Soul Sword, all the soul realm and demonic energy he had accumulated collecting artifacts would be in vain.
He needed to be cautious until "that" was completed.
"Raon Zieghart. I will definitely kill you."
The Black Tower Master's cold eyes flashed as if engraving Raon's face into his memory. He began to take shape in the mist, as if he were about to disappear.
-¡Argghhh!
Wrath grabbed his hair and shook it.
-You're an idiot! You've come this far, why are you backing down? You can beat him now!
He shouted that the Black Tower Master must have rocks in his head.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"What?"
The Black Tower Master, who was melting into the mist, frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Why do you think I mentioned that the Head of House is here?"
Raon swung the Heavenly Drive as he looked at the Black Tower Master.
"If I had kept quiet, you would have seen how you were defeated and driven away. Why do you think I told you?"
"......"
"What goes around comes around. If I've opened a path for you to escape, shouldn't you give me something in return?"
He moved his finger as he said this.
-¿Eh...?
Wrath blinked as he looked at Raon.
-Are you trying to extort him now too?
He trembled his jaw in disbelief.
"Give me something. Otherwise...."
Raon pointed the Heavenly Drive towards the sky as if he were about to send a signal.
"The Head of House will descend."
"Ugh."
The Black Tower Master's eyes darted between the sky and the ground as if he were jumping.
"Are you insolent....?"
"Should I call?"
"Growl...."
"Am I calling?"
"Wait!"
"Tick tock."
As Raon clicked his teeth, red flames began to burn at the tip of the Heavenly Drive.
-Hey, that's annoying!
Wrath trembled with both hands.
-It's so annoying that I want to tear his cheeks off!
"Damn you!"
The Black Tower Master seemed to share Wrath's sentiment as he bit his tongue and threw a black book from within the mist. It was a sword manual called Black Thunder Sword.
-That, that fool!
Wrath shouted "fool!" at the Black Tower Master, seemingly dumbfounded.
"I'll say it again."
The Black Tower Master revealed his pale face from within the mist, gritting his teeth.
"It won't be long. I'll kill you and Glenn Zieghart with my own hands!"
With these last words, he dispersed into mist. Marang's corpse collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.
"Ugh...."
Raon wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and let out a long sigh.
"...Raon."
Rimmer called out to Raon with bewildered eyes.
"Um, did the Head of House really come?"
"Do you think that's possible?"
Raon laughed and shook his head. Glenn was the type to teach you how to catch a tiger and then push you into the tiger's den. There was no way he would come here to protect them.
"So it was all a charade?"
"That's right."
"Are you really crazy?"
Rimmer sat down on the spot, admitting that he was also fooled. He let out a hollow laugh, wondering if he had chosen the wrong profession.
-It's all that fool's fault!
Wrath trembled his round fists.
-I've never seen a bigger fool than me....
Just as he was about to call him stupid, a message appeared before his eyes.
[You have achieved a great feat.]
[All skills....]
[Traits....]
-¡Ughhhh!
"I'm sorry, but...." Raon hit his lips as he watched Wrath collapse, foaming at the mouth.
'There is no bigger fool in the world than you....'
-
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