C796
"...What are you doing right now?"
The white hair covering Lawrence's face trembled slightly. He seemed surprised by the unexpected situation.
"I'm training with the String Sword Lord."
Raon shrugged and pointed at the String Sword Lord.
"I wasn't referring to that. Why are you training here?"
Irritation seeped through Lawrence's low voice. It seemed the rumors about his hatred for noise were true.
"We came here because if the String Sword Lord and I fought in the city, it would become a disaster."
Raon offered this improvised explanation with a slight smile.
- Didn't you follow me here?
"It's just a coincidence."
He shook his head calmly, denying any misunderstanding.
- Isn't it obvious that you followed him?!
Wrath frowned, seemingly dumbfounded.
- This makes me sick! Why are your acting skills improving faster than your swordsmanship?
He gestured with his hand, suggesting that Raon should give up being a swordsman and join a theater company.
"Since fate has brought us together again, may I request a rematch with you, Lawrence?"
Raon extended his hand with a wide smile.
"Of course, after I finish training with the String Sword Lord."
"Hello, old men."
Lawrence ignored Raon's request and cast a sharp glance at the String Sword Lord and the Demon Sword Lord.
"I'm sure I told you not to make unnecessary noise."
The veins on the back of his hand were bulging. He seemed genuinely angry.
- Ah, no! It's not like that!
"Y-yes! We were..."
"I was just asking your name."
Raon shook his head while standing before the String Sword Lord.
"I should know who I lost to, right?"
"Mmm..."
Lawrence clicked his lips briefly, seemingly speechless.
- Alright then, go somewhere else.
He waved his hand dismissively, as if telling them to disappear.
"So what about our rematch?"
Raon curled his lips provocatively.
"It'll be a bit different from before."
This wasn't just empty bravado. Now that he understood Lawrence's martial arts style, he wouldn't be defeated as easily as before.
"...I'm not interested."
Lawrence slowly lowered his chin.
"I only accept a challenge once a month. You've already filled that quota, so there's no reason for me to fight. Now, disappear."
He turned his back on them and ordered them to leave the mountain.
"Why should I?"
Raon shrugged and looked at Lawrence.
"What?"
Lawrence stopped abruptly, the tips of his fingers trembling.
"What did you just say...?"
"This mountain and this land don't belong to you, Lawrence."
Raon spread his arms and tapped his foot lightly.
"This is a place shared by all members of the Holy Sword Alliance. You can't just chase people away at will."
According to the Rector, the Holy Sword Alliance hadn't been established here for very long. Even if they considered ownership of the land, it would belong to the leader of the Alliance. This argument was intended to be effective.
- It's true! It's correct! This mountain has no owner!
The Demon Sword Lord quickly nodded in agreement.
- Even if it did have an owner, it would be the land of the Alliance Leader, not this ghost!
The String Sword Lord also quickly moved his lips, as if venting his frustration.
- How dare someone who isn't even part of the Holy Sword Alliance...
- But I am part of the Holy Sword Alliance?
Raon proudly showed Lawrence a badge engraved with a sword. He straightened his back confidently, having received it directly from Rector, the leader of the Alliance.
"Mmm..."
Lawrence bit his lip and then pointed to his cave higher up on the mountain.
"I was the first to settle here, so the rights to this land..."
- Eh? Then wouldn't they be the first?
Raon pointed to a hole in the Zelkova tree near the cave.
"You know there are squirrels living there, right? It seems they've been here for years. Wouldn't they have the right to claim ownership of this place?"
"You..."
Lawrence bit his lip, seemingly speechless.
- That's right! The squirrels' opinion comes first!
The Demon Sword Lord clapped loudly.
- Because they're cute, that's all!
The String Sword Lord burst into laughter at Lawrence's wrinkled expression.
- These childish humans...
Wrath shook his head in disbelief.
"That's how old men fight, childishly."
Raon smiled at Wrath. In situations like this, a childish approach was far more effective than trying to argue with logic.
"Ngh..."
Lawrence stared at Raon and raised his fingertips.
- Does he have the support of the Alliance Leader? No, that's not it.
At first, he thought Raon was being arrogant because of his position as the grandson of the Alliance Leader, but his eyes told a different story.
"He genuinely wants to fight me."
The boy's eyes burned with fighting spirit and were filled with determination to challenge and defeat him.
"So, about that match..."
"No."
Lawrence shook his head firmly.
"I can't give in to this child's whims."
Besides being annoying, he absolutely hated breaking his routine. He was supposed to be sleeping at this time, so he had no intention of training.
"Do whatever you want."
Lawrence turned his back on them decisively and headed back to his cave.
"That was amazing!"
"To think that arrogant bastard would run away without a word!"
The Demon Sword Lord and the String Sword Lord sighed in relief, as if a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.
"Jaja..."
Unlike the two elders, Raon let out a sigh of disappointment.
'What a shame.'
Lawrence had almost fallen for the provocation, but he regained his composure at the last moment. It was the mental strength befitting a transcendent warrior.
«Still, no need to be discouraged.»
This was only the beginning. From Lawrence's reaction, it was clear that he hated noise. With a little more provocation, Raon felt he could achieve his goal.
- You've seriously messed up.
Wrath clasped his hands and looked at the cave Lawrence had entered.
- Grasshopper, I pray for your soul.
He shook his head and said it was a fate that should have been avoided.
- It's not that bad.
Raon waved his hand dismissively and approached the String Sword Lord again.
"So we'll resume our match."
"Umm... is it really okay?"
The String Sword Lord nervously licked his lips, looking towards the cave.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it if he comes out."
Raon smiled softly as he lifted his Heavenly Drive sword.
"If you're scared, step aside! I'll do it!"
The Demon Sword Lord gestured with his hand, as if telling the String Sword Lord to move.
- What are you saying?! As if I'm scared of that ghost!
The String Sword Lord shook his head in embarrassment and stood in front of Raon.
"Let's begin."
"Yes."
The two martial artists began their match again with a slight clash of swords. With a thunderous sound, Raon stepped forward and unleashed a Crimson Slash.
"Excellent!"
The String Sword Lord laughed in satisfaction as he lowered his greatsword. It was heavy, overwhelmingly heavy. The massive aura, a harmony of heavy and strong sword techniques, pressed down on Raon's body and soul.
'He's crazy!'
Despite being a Grand Master, the String Sword Lord was an eccentric who had only trained in heavy and strong sword techniques, so Raon felt a chill run down his spine at the man's passion and obsession.
'I should dodge it... No.'
He had to face it head-on. He had come to the Holy Sword Alliance not only to gain combat experience but also to become stronger. Instead of finding a way to win, he needed to confront, break, and become tougher. With a resonant hum, Raon extended his retreating leg forward and unleashed a Heavy Sky Cannon on the tip of his Heavenly Drive sword.
With a roar that shook the earth, the two swords, each condensed with the supreme essence of heavy sword techniques, clashed. The ground trembled, and a brown storm surged upwards.
"Rage..."
Raon bit his lip as he was pushed back ten steps.
"Still not enough."
Even though they were both Grand Masters, the String Sword Lord had spent his entire life perfecting only heavy and strong sword techniques, so it was inevitable that Raon would be pushed back.
- Did they withstand that? Head-on?
The String Sword Lord gaped in disbelief. His eyes sparkled with fighting spirit, as if he had finally found a worthy opponent.
"I didn't come here to run away."
Raon shook his head, expressing his current state of mind.
"After always fighting against cowards who run away, I've finally met a true martial artist! My blood is boiling!"
The String Sword Lord's face flushed as he clenched his fists tightly.
- What's wrong with dodging?! It's all strategy! Strategy!
The Demon Sword Lord shook his head quickly, as if he had been personally attacked.
- Let's continue before the excitement cools down!
The String Sword Lord charged forward with a wide smile on his face.
"With pleasure."
Raon nodded and advanced directly towards the String Sword Lord. As the Rector had said, he faced the conviction of an old swordsman who had developed only heavy sword techniques, becoming a challenger. With a deafening roar, the Heavenly Drive sword and the greatsword clashed, unleashing a shockwave even more powerful than before that swept through the surroundings.
The trees shook from their roots, and the river water rose as if flowing in reverse.
However, unlike before, Raon was able to straighten his back after retreating only nine steps.
- Eh?
The String Sword Lord's eyes widened, seemingly noticing the change in Raon.
- Y-your sword seems to have become heavier?
"Not yet."
Raon shook his head with a calm expression.
"Because I need to become even stronger from now on."
* * *
With a resonant roar, Lawrence gritted his teeth as he covered his head.
'Damn it.'
He could block the sound with his aura, but he couldn't stop the vibrations of the ground. The tremors of the earth were intensifying to the point where it was difficult to lie down properly.
'Why the hell is that bastard fighting with heavy sword techniques?!'
A normal sword duel wouldn't be this loud, but because those damn fools were engaging in a battle of heavy sword technique, the mountain was shaking as if it were going to collapse. He could understand the String Sword Lord using heavy sword techniques since that was all he trained in, but he couldn't comprehend why that young brat was also fighting with heavy sword techniques.
'If I had known it would be like this, I would have completely crushed them... Hm?'
Lawrence bit his lip and turned his gaze towards the cave entrance.
“The clashes are getting stronger.”
The grandson of the Rector's heavy sword technique was getting stronger, causing more powerful reverberations. Unlike the beginning, when he was pushed back helplessly, he was now gradually keeping up with the String Sword Lord's attacks.
'Eh...'
Could it be that he wasn't a monster nearing its culmination but a monster just beginning? He seemed to completely surpass the value of talent as he had understood it. The existence of such a person was incredible.
'And is there something even greater than that talent?'
The Rector had said that Raon's true talent wasn't in martial arts, but Lawrence couldn't help but think that was a lie.
'I admit it's impressive, but...'
Still, he wasn't coming out. He had his own routine and pride to maintain. Even if he couldn't sleep, he had no intention of getting out of bed.
"It seems I'm getting used to the vibrations as well."
As he synchronized his body with the tremors of the earth, he only felt slight vibrations. Thinking he could sleep like this, he slowly closed his eyes. Suddenly, just as his body was becoming heavy and drowsy, a different kind of resonance erupted that struck his back.
"Arghhhh!"
Lawrence finally couldn't take it anymore and ran out.
* * *
"¡¡Eek!!"
The String Sword Lord lowered his sword and took a step back as soon as he saw Lawrence. Raon licked his lips as he saw the String Sword Lord's reaction.
"That's understandable."
Although he didn't know the exact method, Lawrence had the power to erase sword strikes, so it was natural for swordsmen to fear him.
"That's why I want to defeat him even more."
Lawrence was already a monster who had achieved transcendence, so there was no way Raon could defeat him now no matter what he did. But at least in swordsmanship, he didn't want to lose.
"Are you out again? Do you need to go to the bathroom?"
Raon tilted his chin slightly, sporting a deep smile.
"......"
Lawrence approached him with brisk steps, as if he had lost his mind.
"He wants to fight."
Whether he had lost his mind or was serious, this was Raon's chance to train. With a sharp sound, Raon lowered his stance. Stepping forward with his left foot, he thrust his Heavenly Drive sword towards Lawrence. The blade scattered like a ghost, flickering with a silver light. It was the Silver Sword Dream technique he had created himself.
Lawrence raised his right hand in defense. The moment his hand drew a small circle, the aura forming the Silver Sword Dream began to disappear, and the flow of the sword began to stop.
At that moment, Raon's eyes gleamed.
"As expected, it's an annulment."
That strange flow that Lawrence displayed was nullifying his swordsmanship and erasing his aura. It was a strange power he had never seen before.
'Then...'
It's time for a change! Thanks to the String Sword Lord, his senses had been sharpened with heavy and strong sword techniques. He infused them into a new Silver Sword Dream. Instead of a deceptive flow, an intense wave similar to a nightmare emerged.
"¡Mmm!"
A fierce wind rose that pushed back Lawrence's white hair and revealed his golden eyes. A deeper light than before shone in them. With another twist of his hand, even the newly created Silver Sword Dream lost its power and scattered.
'Wasn't the annulment just once?'
As Raon gaped in disbelief, Lawrence struck his solar plexus with a closed fist, as if releasing all his pent-up anger.
"¡Ah!"
Unable to withstand the impact, Raon rolled on the ground and fell into a stream.
"You won't be able to get up for a while. You should be satisfied now, so scram."
Lawrence muttered that it was all over and returned to his cave without looking back.
"H-hello!"
"Are you alright?"
The String Sword Lord and the Demon Sword Lord ran towards Raon in shock.
- Mmm...
Wrath recalled Lawrence's golden eyes, paying no attention to Raon.
- Isn't that guy human?
He licked his lips, feeling as if he had seen those eyes somewhere before.
"I'm fine."
Raon shook his head as he wiped the blood from his mouth.
"I told you, didn't I? That guy is a ghost who devours swordsmanship! It's better not to face him!"
"That's right. Unless you're at a higher level, you can't win against him from below!"
The two elders grabbed Raon's arms, urging him not to fight Lawrence again.
"I see."
Raon nodded calmly. Seeing how Lawrence erased even the second sword technique, it was clear this wasn't ordinary power. Especially in Lawrence's golden eyes, Raon felt a strange force.
"He seems very irritated, so let's go down now. That guy is truly terrifying!"
The String Sword Lord, perhaps having grown fond of Raon through their matches, showed genuine concern for him.
- Okay, but...
Raon smiled and gestured to the Demon Sword Lord.
"Demon Sword Lord, you should warm up a bit too."
* * *
"I should be better now."
Lawrence let out a soft sigh as he lay down on his bed.
«Even if I want to move, I probably can't.»
When he hit that guy earlier, he had landed a powerful blow to his solar plexus. Unable to move his limbs properly, let alone use aura, he should be quiet for a while.
"Now that I'm calmer, I'm starting to feel sleepy."
Lawrence closed his eyes, feeling sleepiness approaching. Just as he was about to fall asleep, a sharp whistle and the clash of swords echoed from outside the cave. Startled, Lawrence sat up and looked towards the cave entrance.
'N-no way...'
As soon as he extended his aura perception, he knew. It was that guy. That monster-looking guy was now training with the Demon Sword Lord.
'How...?'
Whether physically or in terms of aura, he shouldn't have been able to move properly for a while. Lawrence couldn't believe he had already started training.
'It doesn't make sense...'
Lawrence closed his eyes again, blocking his ears with his aura. But this time, it wasn't the ground but the air that was vibrating, causing his head to buzz.
"So that was his true talent!"
Unable to take it anymore, Lawrence grabbed his disheveled hair and ran out again.
* * *
Raon licked his lips as he exchanged sword strikes with the Demon Sword Lord.
"This person is the complete opposite."
While the String Sword Lord focused on heaviness and strength, the Demon Sword Lord was a swordsman dedicated to speed. His soul resonated with lightning-fast strikes that could decapitate someone in the blink of an eye. ¡With a resonant hum!
Just as he did with the String Sword Lord, Raon wrapped the principles of Fast Sword and Wind Sword around the flow of Madness Fangs to directly confront the Demon Sword Lord.
¡With a heart-rending cry! Although not as loud as before, the sword strikes were so fast that the blades of wind spread in all directions.
'Fast...'
The Demon Sword Lord's attacks were certainly faster than his, but not to the point where he couldn't control them. With a mindset of learning, he pressed onward. ¡With a rapid series of clashes!
In less than a second, dozens of swords clashed. The continuous clanging of metal created a noise like the singing of thousands of birds.
¡With a sharp sound! As his concentration increased, Raon felt his sword moving faster and faster.
"You're a rascal! So you're quite skilled in Fast Sword techniques as well!"
The Demon Sword Lord laughed excitedly as he unleashed even faster sword strikes.
'It's not just about wrapping wind around Fast Sword techniques.'
The sword must cleave through the wind. Just as Raon realized this while exchanging blows with the Demon Sword Lord, Lawrence leaped from the air and crushed the ground beneath him.
"Are you really crazy?"
Lawrence's eyes widened in disbelief.
- Calling him crazy is an insult!
Wrath shook his head in disagreement.
- This guy is the craziest in all dimensions!
He gestured with his hand as if to emphasize that fact, leaving no room for error.
"I hear that every now and then."
Raon smiled and nodded slightly.
"How about a match after this training session?"
"¡Grrr!"
Lawrence's face contorted like crumpled paper.
-
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