C966
Where…
Raon left Wrath complaining about food and checked the ability of the evolved Trait <Specter>, which had developed from <Backstab>. [<Specter>: greatly increases stealth abilities. If a stealth attack succeeds on an enemy while in stealth, even the smallest wound becomes fatal.]
- Eh? What?
Wrath’s jaw dropped as soon as he read the description of the <Specter> Trait.
- What kind of crazy Trait is that! If it’s like it says, even a small cut on a finger would become a fatal wound!
He shook his head vigorously, claiming it was impossible.
‘It’s not unconditional, only when a stealth attack succeeds.’
Specter isn’t a Trait that turns all attacks into fatal wounds. It’s the ability of an assassin that only transforms wounds into fatal ones when a stealth attack succeeds while in stealth.
‘Of course, even that alone is too powerful of an ability.’
Currently, Raon was confident that he wouldn’t lose to anyone except the leaders of the Five Kings and Demons and the Transcendants from the previous era who had retired. With his current strength, the existence of the <Specter> Trait, which could inflict fatal wounds on enemies through stealth attacks, would be a great help in future battles.
‘Since it also improves stealth abilities, there will be even more ways to use it.’
Because he didn’t know the exact level of the Thespian Emperor’s strength, he couldn’t be absolutely sure of victory, but with this ability, he felt he could be sure of a 100% win rate against her.
‘If I play it right, it might even work against The Fallen or the Leader of the White Blood Religion.’
Wrath and Glenn’s Aura Perception is extraordinary, so even if he activates Specter, surprising those two would be impossible. It probably wouldn’t work on Derus or the Celestial Demon either. But if it was used at the right time, he might be able to inflict a fatal wound on The Fallen or the Leader of the White Blood Religion.
‘It will be more effective against The Fallen.’
The Fallen uses magic and sorcery, so his health is weaker compared to other Transcendants. If he could inflict a fatal wound on him before the battle began, he could lead the fight advantageously.
‘Come to think of it, it really is too powerful of a Trait.’
Indeed, stealth attacks are rarely effective in battles between highly skilled fighters. However, having lived his past life as an assassin, he was confident he could utilize the <Specter> Trait better than anyone.
‘It would have been better if it was related to swordsmanship, but this isn’t bad either.’
He had expected a Trait that would improve his swordsmanship achievements, but he couldn’t complain since this ability fit the name <Specter> so well.
- You got that ability and still want more?
Wrath exhaled in disbelief.
- You’ve been eating so well you don’t even realize the bread you’re eating is made of gold! Spoiled brat!
He grabbed Raon’s neck and shook him, telling him to snap out of it. Seeing his genuine anger, it seemed the <Specter> Trait had really bothered him.
- Bad luck! Stupid system!
‘I really gained a lot this time.’
Raon recalled everything he had gained since entering the Hall of Self, ignoring Wrath.
‘Although there was no wall, it’s not an exaggeration to say I’ve overcome a wall.’
By performing tests on each level, he had improved his mental strength, physical abilities, and swordsmanship achievements, had understood the true use of the Ten Thousand Swords, and had upgraded both the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier to 10 stars.
‘And through combat with Wrath, I also learned what death is.’
By dying 100 times at the hands of Wrath, he felt the presence of death and gained another overly powerful Trait called <Crisis Detection>.
Specter for offense, Crisis Detection for defense. Come to think of it, he had gained crucial Traits for both attack and defense.
‘It’s a little embarrassing.’
Raon slightly bit his lip.
‘I didn’t expect this much reward.’
He had gained a lot while going through the Hall of Self, but he didn’t expect to receive such additional rewards. This time, he felt almost embarrassed towards Wrath.
-......
Wrath was pressing his lips hard as he looked at the message, seemingly too angry even to curse. Seeing him without cursing, it seemed he was truly upset.
‘Alright, I understand.’
Raon got up from his chair and lightly patted Wrath’s head.
‘Let’s go eat.’
It seemed that much of Wrath’s Authority had been consumed in creating the abilities and Traits, so he wanted to treat him to a good meal.
-......
However, contrary to his expectations, Wrath didn’t immediately follow him and instead frowned as he looked down.
‘Wrath?’
Raon, who was about to open the door, turned around and approached Wrath.
- Sigh…
Wrath let out a long sigh as he looked at him. It seemed like ferocious waves were crashing in his eyes.
‘I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do. It’s not like I asked for these rewards…’
Seeing Wrath in a worse mood than usual, he shook his head with his hands clasped together.
- It’s not that.
Wrath looked up calmly, as if he had never been angry. His blue eyes shone brightly. Raon felt a chill run down his spine, as if the true form of Wrath he had seen in the Hall of Self had descended here.
- I was considering letting it slide, but no matter how I think about it, I can’t shake this doubt.
Wrath clicked his tongue briefly, as if he couldn’t help it.
‘Doubt…?’
Raon asked, although he felt what Wrath was talking about.
- Without further ado…
Wrath moved his chin towards the air.
- Show the initial part of the reward message you showed before.
He gestured, asking to show the part that had been shown and boasted about several times.
‘......’
Raon looked at the frost rising in Wrath’s eyes and then showed the message again.
[You have achieved growth in the Hall of Self.]
[You have experienced 101 deaths.]
[All skill scores increase by 50 points.]
Wrath examined the message and calmly closed and opened his eyes.
- Indeed, this King was not mistaken.
He slowly turned his gaze to look at Raon.
- Look at the second message. Isn’t 101 deaths strange?
Wrath pointed to the second message with his round hand.
- This King killed you ninety-nine times. You managed to defend yourself at the last moment. Even if your death was counted when the space collapsed, it would be exactly 100 times.
He lowered his eyebrows, saying it couldn’t be 101 no matter how you calculated it.
- Why is it 101 times?
Wrath briefly tapped his lips, telling him to explain.
‘Aha…’
Raon exhaled a cloudy breath and brushed the hair that had fallen over his forehead.
‘So you figured it out after all.’
He had thought it was strange when he first saw that message. He had died 99 times, and even if the last one was counted as death, as Wrath said, it would only be 100 times.
‘The last death. No, the first death was from my past life.’
The death that was added to the hundred deaths was clearly when he died as the assassin Raon at the hands of Derus.
“Let me ask you something.”
Raon briefly looked towards the ceiling and then looked down.
“Can the system know things that even you don’t know?”
It was surprising that the system knew about his past life, which even Wrath hadn’t discovered.
- Just by looking at how he keeps talking, you would know that the one giving you rewards has his own will and special abilities that even this King doesn’t have. Although he doesn’t have combat power…
Wrath turned his head, saying it’s because of such abilities that he can transmit powers across dimensions.
“I see.”
Although he didn’t know exactly what kind of ability it was, unlike Wrath, the system seemed to know he had died and reincarnated.
-......
Wrath fixed his gaze on him with his arms crossed, as if waiting for his answer.
‘I could say I died when you weren’t around, and it wouldn’t be a problem.’
There were many dangerous situations during the trials, and he was far from Wrath, so such an excuse could work.
‘But I don’t want to end this matter like that.’
Wrath was his closest confidant and friend. If he cut off his doubts with a lie, he might not be able to trust anyone in the future.
‘I’ll tell him. After I’ve avenged myself on Derus.’
If Wrath found out about his past, he would get angry as if it was his own business and try to forcibly draw out his power. Not wanting to see him coughing and collapsing further, he didn’t want to mention his past life story until he finished his revenge.
‘I have to do this revenge with my own strength.’
He clenched his fist, determined to kill Derus with the anger and sword he had accumulated so far, and to destroy everything the bastard had built.
“I’ll tell you when it’s all over.”
Raon promised Wrath, looking him in the eye, that he would soon tell him everything without hiding anything.
- Sigh…
Wrath looked him in the eye and let out a small sigh.
- If you say so, this King has no choice but to wait. Understood.
He tapped his lips, saying there was nothing he could do.
“Thank you.”
Raon smiled and sat down in the chair. He was truly fortunate to have Wrath as the demon king who was bound to him and his first friend.
- What are you doing now?
Wrath frowned as if he suddenly didn’t like it.
“Eh?”
- Why are you sitting down?! Didn’t you say we were going to eat?!
He gritted his teeth, asking why he wasn’t keeping his promise.
‘Did I think you weren’t going to eat?’
- That’s because I hadn’t resolved my doubt. Now we have to eat!
Wrath raised his chin, telling him to go to the dining room immediately.
- Go now!
‘Aha…’
Raon let out a hollow laugh as he watched Wrath rub his chubby belly.
‘How can he not take anything seriously even for a minute?’
Raon shook his head and headed towards the dining room.
‘I wonder if this is really the same blue demon king who killed me 100 times…’
* * *
“That’s right. It’s better to lower the sword slowly there.”
Raon smiled slightly as he adjusted Sia’s sword stance.
“Speed, interval, direction, and the correct application of martial arts principles are necessary to maximize the power of swordsmanship.”
He took Sia’s hand and drew the Madness Fang with his wooden sword. The brown wooden sword shone like the light of the dawn moon, sharply cutting the surface of the lake as it fell gracefully. The lake waves were unable to fill the space cut by the wooden sword and rose into the air before slowly sinking.
“Wow…”
Sia opened her mouth in a round shape as she watched the lake slowly return to its original state.
“How about it? Do you understand the feeling?”
Raon shrugged as he looked at Sia’s shining eyes.
“No, I’ll try it on my own!”
She said she would do it herself and swung the wooden sword alone. Sia’s Madness Fang fell fiercely, breaking the calm surface of the lake. Although the movement itself was similar to his sword strike, it lacked direction due to the excessive force, so it didn’t reach its full power.
“It’s difficult…”
Sia muttered that it wasn’t working well and grabbed her head.
“It’s natural for it to be difficult.”
Raon shook his head with a smile. He had been practicing the Madness Fang since his apprentice days. It was now one of his most reliable sword techniques, so it was natural that Sia couldn’t easily follow it.
“For now, don’t think about my sword. Just focus on moving slowly at your own pace.”
“Okay. I know.”
Sia nodded calmly and raised her sword again.
“Judiel said I need to practice a lot to catch up to Raon.”
She unleashed the Madness Fang again, saying she would swing her sword every day like him.
“Sister.”
Raon narrowed his eyes as he watched Sia practice swordsmanship without getting discouraged.
“Why are you working so hard? Do you enjoy swordsmanship?”
If she found it enjoyable because of her talent, it wouldn’t be bad to take her to the Light Wind Palace and train her properly.
“It’s fun. But…”
Sia looked at him with slightly shining eyes.
“You asked me before, remember? To protect the house while you were gone. To keep that promise, I need to get stronger.”
“Ah…”
She still remembered the promise she had made before he left for his mission. An indescribable feeling filled his chest.
- Hmm…
Wrath also opened his eyes wide, as if surprised.
- It seems her mind has grown more than her swordsmanship.
He smiled approvingly, saying he could no longer see her as a simple child.
‘Indeed.’
As Wrath said, it seemed he could no longer think of her as a simple child.
“Since you’re working so hard, I should work harder too.”
Raon nodded with a soft smile.
“Are you going to train too, Raon?”
“Something like that.”
“How long will it take?”
“No, I’ll be back by dinner time.”
“Then I’ll keep practicing swordsmanship. Let’s eat together!”
Sia waved goodbye and returned to focusing on her swordsmanship. Seeing her not clinging to him like before, it really seemed like her mental age had increased. Raon turned his back to her, listening to the sound of Sia’s sword wind.
‘Just hearing that sound gives me confidence.’
The simple fact that Sia was smiling and training made him feel like a flame was burning in his chest. This seemed to be the existence and strength of family. Raon headed towards the main building, remembering Sia’s eyes when she said she would protect the house. He entered the side road instead of the Lord’s Mansion and opened the door to the large training ground.
Inside the enormous iron gate, too large to see at a glance, four people could be seen.
Glenn, Denier, Balder, and Karoon, whom he was going to fight today. All the observers were gathered, except for Alice, who hadn’t woken up yet. Karoon placed his hand on the pommel of his sword when he saw Raon. A fierce aura rose from his shoulders. He seemed to have adopted a battle stance even though the fight hadn’t started yet.
‘It ended ambiguously before. This time…’
Raon took a deep breath and walked towards Karoon.
‘We’re going to win.’
* * *
Karoon swallowed dryly as he watched Raon approach with heavy steps.
‘What is that…’
He knew Raon had become stronger after coming out of the Hall of Self, as he had personally gone to the Lord’s Mansion to see him. But he never imagined that simply approaching without drawing a sword could create such pressure that it made his breath catch. With each step Raon took, the pressure emanating from him intensified. It was so strong that he unconsciously placed his hand on the pommel of his sword, unable to resist it without grabbing his sword.
‘He’s gone crazy.’
He didn’t know what he was looking at. It felt like a giant sword was approaching, not a person.
“You’ve really become a monster…”
He bit his lip and exhaled a heavy breath. Even without fighting, he already felt defeated. The absurdity made his jaw involuntarily tremble.
‘If I don’t give it my all….’
Karoon bit his molars deeply as he stood in front of Raon, who seemed to have become a giant looking down at him.
‘I might not even be able to withstand a single blow.’
-
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