TRAIGS (Novel) Chapter 991

C991

"Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!"

The Demonic Spear, also known as the Demon Slaying Spear, gritted his teeth, unable to accept that he only enjoyed fights he could win.

"I've lived my whole life on the battlefield. It's not about winning fights; it's about the thrill of combat itself!"

He shook his head, insisting he had never cared about winning or losing in battle.

"I thought the same."

Raon slightly shifted the Demonic Sword that pierced the neck of the Demonic Spear. Thick blood dripped down his throat.

"I thought you were a martial artist worthy of fighting."

Since tracking Merlin was an Eden mission, he thought that might be the case.

"But I was wrong."

Raon briefly exhaled and turned away. He bit his lip while looking at Merlin, wrapped in rags.

'Merlin...'

Countless scars marked Merlin's body besides the wound on her chest. Most were injuries inflicted by the Demonic Spear, igniting the rage in his heart.

"Why did you do something even bullies wouldn't do?"

Despite having the power to kill Merlin instantly, the Demonic Spear didn't; instead, he mutilated her body like a child tearing the legs off an insect. He felt strangely disconnected from the bold attitude of the Demonic Spear he had seen at the previous Divine Orders Festival.

- He was always that kind of bastard!

Wrath snorted at the Demonic Spear.

- This king has never seen a proper one among those obsessed with fighting!

He shook his head, saying that everyone who loves war is out of their minds.

'Not everyone.'

Raon lowered his gaze slightly.

'Like Axe King Roman.'

Axe King Roman lived to fight the strong. Even when he was fatally wounded, he accepted defeat with a satisfied smile. That image of a true warrior until the end was unforgettable.

-Hmm, this king has not seen everything...

Wrath frowned.

- But that guy seemed the craziest of them all?

He said that such madness was rare even in the Devildom.

"No! I couldn't have done that!"

The Demonic Spear held his head, unable to believe he had been dominated by fear or tormented the weak.

'This is useless.'

Not feeling the need to deal with the Demonic Spear anymore, Raon tightened his grip on the Demonic Sword.

"Die."

Just as the Demonic Sword was about to cut the neck of the Demonic Spear...

"I am Kern, the Demonic Spear! I fear nothing!"

As the Demonic Spear roared, black flames erupted from his neck, deflecting the blade of the Demonic Sword. The Demonic Spear seized the opportunity, stepping back and striking the ground with his foot. A tremendous tremor shook the earth, cracking the ground, and bright flames surged from below.

'Flames? No, that’s...'

Raon's eyes widened as he saw the flames shooting from the ground.

'A horse!'

What emerged from the earth was not flames, but a warhorse much taller than him. It was a mystical steed with blazing red skin, a golden saddle, and a sky-blue halberd tied to its side.

'The warhorse Blood Horn and the Flame Halberd.'

The beloved weapon and mount that made the Demonic Spear an invincible general manifested from the blood-soaked ground.

"I was born on the battlefield and raised there. Both the weak and the strong are merely my prey!"

The Demonic Spear screamed that this was all there was, as he mounted Blood Horn. Becoming one with Blood Horn, the repulsive stench emanating from him was erased by the horse's neigh.

"I'll show you! Who I really am!"

The Demonic Spear cried out for him to come, pointing the black spear at himself. The dim light in his eyes faded, revealing their original blue color.

'That's right.'

Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the Demonic Spear sitting upright like a heavenly general.

'The Demonic Spear originally rode that horse.'

The weapon of the Demonic Spear was not just the spear. He was a martial artist who could only exert all his power after mounting the warhorse Blood Horn.

'So this is where the real fight begins.'

As Raon licked his lips and adjusted his grip on the Divine Sword and the Demonic Sword, black flames burst from the spear held by the Demonic Spear, causing his eyes to blink with an ominous gray light once more.

'That spear...'

Raon let out a low groan as he looked at the black spear spewing endless black flames.

'Something is not right.'

The weapon of the Demonic Spear was not that black spear, but the Flame Halberd tied to Blood Horn's saddle. He could not understand why he was holding such a strange spear instead of his beloved weapon, powerful enough to be called a demonic spear.

'It's not that I got a new weapon... Ah!'

Recalling his conversation with the Demonic Spear and its reactions, Raon bit his lip.

"You..."

Raon lowered his brows as he met the Demonic Spear's blurry eyes.

"What did The Fallen do to you?"

No matter how much he looked at him, the current state of the Demonic Spear was not normal. People's personalities can change, but this guy was far beyond that level.

'Come to think of it, it's strange that he had been quietly in Eden.'

The Demonic Spear was a battle maniac who left the Five Divine Orders to fight alongside the Four Demons. It was rare for such a madman to have been still in Eden all this time before receiving a mission.

"What do you mean they did something to me? What nonsense!"

The Demonic Spear shouted, firmly denying it.

"Shut up and come fight! It will be different from before!"

He grabbed the reins of Blood Horn, stating that this was the real deal now. Blood Horn neighed and kicked the ground, and suddenly the tip of the Demonic Spear rushed toward Raon's eyes.

'Fast.'

The movements of the Demonic Spear had become fast enough to pierce his senses. It was astonishing how the horse was faster and more agile than the footwork of a Transcendent.

'And the power of his spear strikes has also increased.'

The Demonic Spear had not only become faster; his spear techniques and aura had also strengthened. Just by mounting the horse, it seemed that his entire level of martial skill had changed.

'However...'

Raon twisted his wrist, swinging the Demonic Sword that burned with frost diagonally upward. The Crimson Slash unleashed by the Demonic Sword blocked the Demonic Spear's fastest and fiercest assault head-on without hesitation.

'It won't make much difference.'

Even with the enhanced strength, speed, and aura, he could handle it easily with his current martial skill. No, he could definitely win.

"Not yet!"

The Demonic Spear tilted his black spear forward like cavalry. Black flames enveloped both his and Blood Horn's bodies as they charged toward Raon like a single spear. The earth twisted, and the sky deformed from the heat of the black flames as the horse and rider became one in this spear charging technique.

Even before making contact, Raon felt his skin and bones being crushed.

Raon concentrated the flames of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation at the tip of his Divine Sword just as the Demonic Spear's charge reached right in front of him.

Raon Zieghart-style sword technique. Second form: Heavy Sky Cannon.

Golden flames condensed into a small sphere, then generated immense gravitational force that blocked the charge of the Demonic Spear. The charge of the Demonic Spear and Blood Horn froze, unable to reach Raon, halted by the gravitational force of the Heavy Sky Cannon.

"W-What is this...?"

The blurry eyes of the Demonic Spear opened wide, as if he had never imagined he could not come closer.

"It’s not over yet."

Raon shook his head at the seemingly bewildered Demonic Spear.

"Try to block this."

Before finishing his words, he unleashed the flames concentrated at the tip of his sword. A massive force exploded between the Divine Sword and the black spear, melting the ground and raising golden flames that seemed to split the sky.

"Urgh..."

The Demonic Spear barely survived by hastily dodging, but his face, arms, and legs glowed red as if they were severely burned.

"Why...?"

The Demonic Spear looked at him with trembling eyes.

"I was clearly faster and stronger, so how...?"

His lips trembled, still unable to accept this outcome.

"You’re right. You became stronger."

Raon nodded calmly.

"Only in strength, speed, and aura."

Even in battles between Transcendents, strength, speed, and aura are certainly important factors. But the most crucial is what value one has built in their martial arts and what beliefs they hold. As swords and spears clashed in the realm of transcendence, he realized that the soul of the Demonic Spear was empty.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"

The Demonic Spear raised his black spear, screaming that he could not accept this. Blood Horn emitted a somewhat sad neigh as he followed his master’s order and kicked the ground.

*     *      *

The Demonic Spear blocked Raon's heavy sword strike and twisted his dry lips into a smile.

"I can endure!"

Raon's sword strikes were certainly strong and solid, but not enough to pierce his bones and flesh. If they continued fighting, he would inevitably win using the demonic power of the black spear.

"I'll push forward!"

The Demonic Spear shouted a battle cry and unleashed spear strikes aimed at Raon’s entire body. But Raon easily blocked all his movements, as if reading each technique. Changing the forms of the Demonic Spear made no difference.

'What kind of guy is he...?'

He had faced many so-called geniuses through countless wars, but never someone like Raon. Although they were clearly at a similar level, it felt as if he was facing a Transcendent far beyond him.

"That's fine! If I keep going until the end, I will win!"

He had his battlefield experience and the demonic spear granting him infinite power. He was sure he would definitely win if they fought until the end. Just as the Demonic Spear deflected Raon's fierce sword strikes and was about to charge again, Blood Horn emitted a murmur and his legs trembled as if they were about to collapse.

"What are you doing? At this crucial moment... Huh?!"

The eyes of the Demonic Spear widened as he grabbed the reins to stabilize Blood Horn.

"Blood Horn?"

The red flames that burned on Blood Horn's body had dimmed as if they were about to extinguish. Although he had been with this creature for many years, he had never seen it like this before.

'No way...'

The jaw of the Demonic Spear trembled as he looked at Blood Horn, who was sweating blood all over his body.

'You... for me?'

Seeing Blood Horn's condition, it seemed the creature had been absorbing all the impact from Raon's sword strikes to prevent them from reaching him. Blood Horn unsteadily lifted his trembling legs and neighed with difficulty, as if to say he was fine.

"Urgh."

The Demonic Spear let out a low groan as he stroked Blood Horn's sunken mane.

'Why didn't I notice this...?'

Even though it was an Artifact, Blood Horn was his beloved mount, companion, and family. He couldn't understand why he had not paid attention to its condition until now.

'Come to think of it, how long has it been since I last summoned him?'

He used to summon Blood Horn every day to give him the carrots he liked so much, but now that he thought about it, it seemed this was the first time in a long while.

'Eden, The Fallen... Ah!'

As the Demonic Spear pressed his temples with his fingers, trying to recall his memories, the black spear vibrated violently and erupted in black flames. Along with the black flames, something pitch-black invaded his mind, and he couldn't stop it.

"Urgh!"

He tried to erase the strange force seeping into his upper dantian by raising his aura, but it didn't work.

'Could it be...'

The Demonic Spear swallowed hard as he looked at the black spear that continued to burn against his will.

'This spear?'

This black spear was an ancient weapon that The Fallen had given him when inviting him to Eden. At first, he had refused, saying he already had the Flame Halberd, which was called a demonic spear, but accepted when told to at least try wielding it once.

'I only intended to test it once; why have I been using this spear all the time?'

Although the black spear was undoubtedly an excellent weapon, the Flame Halberd was like his own life. He had intended to accept it without using it, but at some point, he had been wielding only this black spear.

'It’s not all.'

His memories after entering Eden were vague. All he could remember was having daily conversations with The Fallen and receiving this mission.

"Ha..."

The Demonic Spear let out an empty laugh and bit his lip.

"To think you'd use such a cheap trick!"

Now he understood what Raon had said. He had lost something due to The Fallen's actions.

'That bastard wearing a mask...'

It seemed that The Fallen had done this to prevent him from leaving Eden for another place.

"Damn it!"

The Demonic Spear cursed and struck the ground with his foot. Even now, the black spear was pushing a strange force into his mind as if trying to devour his consciousness.

"I will throw you away!"

Since he couldn't become another person by his own will, he discarded the black spear despite Raon being right in front of him. But even after discarding the black spear, his mind didn’t clear. Rather, his vision became blurrier, and he felt an urge to grasp the spear again, like a drug addict.

"..."

Raon seemed to feel his change and remained waiting.

"Urgh..."

The entire body of the Demonic Spear trembled as he vomited black blood.

'S-Spear...!'

He needed the spear. The black spear was calling him. It was trampling his mind and heart with its remaining power, screaming for him to grab it.

'I can't...'

In his weakened mental state, he couldn't resist the temptation of the black spear. He dismounted from Blood Horn to grasp the black spear again. Blood Horn neighed sadly. As he leaned down to grab the spear, his eyes met those of Blood Horn. He could see his own reflection in the horse's black eyes.

Seeing not the image of a general commanding the battlefield, but trembling hands and eyes like those of an addict, his soul felt like it was going to burst.

The Demonic Spear withdrew his hand that was approaching the black spear and bit his tongue so hard he almost cut it.

"Don't worry..."

He spat blood, kicked the black spear away, and got up, grasping the Flame Halberd tied to the saddle of Blood Horn.

"It seems that..."

The Demonic Spear looked at Raon with a twisted smile.

"You are right. The Fallen did something dirty to me."

He nodded, admitting he had to acknowledge it.

"Before I become that bastard's puppet again..."

The Demonic Spear raised the Flame Halberd and pointed it at Raon.

"Let’s end this, Raon Zieghart!"

"It will be dangerous in your condition."

Raon lowered his brows, seemingly already aware of the state of the Demonic Spear.

"The Zieghart family has skilled people in medicine and sacred power, so we could treat you..."

"No..."

The Demonic Spear shook his head and spat the black blood in his mouth.

"I don’t have much time left."

He bit his lip, as if pleading to fight in his current state.

"Please..."

The Demonic Spear tilted his head, supplicating.

"Let me die as a martial artist."

*     *      *

"Hmm..."

Raon frowned as he looked at the Demonic Spear with desperate eyes.

'What did they do to that spear?'

No, it wasn't just the spear. The Demonic Spear was an experienced warrior who knew the battlefield. There was no way they could have brainwashed such a Transcendent with just a weapon. They must have used various methods like magic, food, and formations, although he didn't know the details.

'And they did it so he couldn't escape.'

Judging by the condition of the Demonic Spear, it seemed they had ensured that his body would break down with withdrawal symptoms if he didn't wield the black spear. In this situation, there was only one thing he could do.

"Come."

Raon exhaled softly and nodded.

"Thank you."

The Demonic Spear nodded and grabbed the reins of Blood Horn.

"Let’s go! My comrade!"

He charged forward with Blood Horn, calling them to advance together until the end. The Demonic Spear spun the Flame Halberd over his head, raising tremendous flames.

Blood Horn, though unable to speak, seemed to understand everything as he leaped from the crumbling earth, creating the height and angle perfect for the Demonic Spear's strike to exert its maximum power.

Supreme technique of the Demonic Spear: Burning Sky Slash. Riding the warhorse in red flames, unleashing a spear strike that seemed to collapse the sky, the Demonic Spear truly embodied a demonic spear and a mounted spear.

"With all my strength."

Raon took a deep breath as he raised the Divine Sword above his shoulder and held the Demonic Sword behind his waist. In the drawing cut posture. Determined to split anything, he extended both swords.

Raon Zieghart-style sword technique. Sixth form: Linked Divine-Demonic Harmony Technique: Invincible Blue-Red Sword.

The supreme techniques of the Demonic Spear, uniting man and horse, and the double sword style clashed at the intersection of heaven and earth. A terrifying force collided, creating black cracks as if connecting heaven and earth, and crimson whirlwinds rose from all directions.

Raon and the Demonic Spear remained still after crossing, as if they were completely unaffected by the massive consequences.

"How was it?"

The Demonic Spear asked without even turning his head.

"Was it a spear that despised the weak until the end?"

He trembled, as if anxious to know.

"No."

Raon shook his head firmly. Looking at the trace of the spear strike that tore his chest and spilled blood, he curved his lips.

"It was an excellent spear that challenged those above."

The final strike of the Demonic Spear contained the conviction that corresponded to the master of a demonic spear he had desired. So much so that even giving it his all, he could not avoid a serious injury.

"I see."

The Demonic Spear nodded as if finally satisfied, then fell weakly from the saddle of Blood Horn.

"Kuh..."

He exhaled emptily as he looked at the sword wound that seemed to tear his chest.

"Even if I had been in my right mind, I would have lost in the end."

As the Demonic Spear acknowledged his defeat, the blade of the Flame Halberd in his hand crumbled like an old window glass.

"Even in this state, I have one request."

"What is it?"

Raon tilted his chin toward the Demonic Spear.

"That..."

The Demonic Spear pointed to Blood Horn, who had collapsed beside him.

"Please, take him with you."

He bowed his head, pleading. Blood Horn crawled towards the Demonic Spear with weakened legs, as if unwilling to leave his master.

"Thank you for staying with such an unworthy master."

The Demonic Spear smiled as he stroked Blood Horn's forehead.

"That guy will treat you better than I did. Go with him."

He shook his head, saying his journey ended here.

"Haa..."

The Demonic Spear raised his hand as if all his strength had left him.

"Before I die, let me tell you what I know."

"What you know?"

Raon narrowed his eyes at the Demonic Spear.

"Eden, Derus, and the White Blood Religion are working together more closely than your Five Kings think. And what Eden is preparing is not just the rebirth of the Demonic Dragon... Ah."

The Demonic Spear's breathing ceased before he could finish his last words. Blood Horn licked the cheek of the Demonic Spear, who died with his eyes still open, as large tears fell from his eyes.

"..."

Raon nodded, etching the Demonic Spear's words into his mind so he wouldn't forget them, then returned to where he had left Merlin.

'Fortunately, she's safe.'

Since he had been careful not to harm Merlin, no new wounds had been inflicted on her body. However, her condition hadn't improved, so he needed to take her back quickly. A great roar came from outside the forest as Raon was about to lift Merlin onto his back.

'Mark Goetun.'

It seemed that Mark Goetun, who had been covering his rear, was still fighting. He had been sensing his presence all along, but his current state didn't seem good.

'I need to return quickly... Ah!'

Raon stopped as he was about to leave the forest.

'Right. That bell.'

He approached the lifeless Demonic Spear and took the bell from his possession.

"¿Hmm?"

Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the bell with a dark red glow.

"This bell..."

-

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