C1061
With a fierce shout, Raon swung *Heavenly Drive* towards Denier's heart in a world of high-speed precision where he could feel the mana particles touching his skin. The flames of the blade spun violently as they descended.
"Ugh!"
Unlike before, Denier couldn't dodge easily. He twisted his body forcefully to deflect Raon's sword strike. He still seemed to not believe they had entered the same realm.
"The longer you take to accept it, the harder it will be."
Raon smiled as he moved to Denier's left, unleashing the *Silver Wind Vortex* of the *Blizzard Sword Art* with *Heavenly Drive*, while simultaneously executing the *Unification of Flame and Ice* with *Blade of Requiem*. A frigid wind of frost fell from the sky, while waves of flames rose from the earth, engulfing Denier.
"I'll aim directly for your neck."
Sensing his escape routes blocked, Denier charged directly at Raon. His judgment was quick, and his movement swift. Denier's swordsmanship accelerated even further. It seemed that his full power hadn't been revealed until now.
Raon frowned as he deflected Denier's sword aimed at his neck with *Heavenly Drive*.
"Speed alone won't be enough to defeat me."
Although Denier was still moving too fast to be seen, his movements were deeply etched into Raon's mind as an afterimage. Having fully grasped Denier's martial arts and habits, blocking or dodging his sword wasn't particularly difficult.
"Don't talk nonsense."
Denier's previously calm demeanor shattered as he gritted his teeth and swung his sword upwards, aiming for Raon's legs. His swordsmanship became sharper and faster, but with his composure lost, reading his movements became easier. Raon deployed *Fire Wall* with *Heavenly Drive* to block Denier's blow, then pushed forward with *Blade of Requiem*.
The blade, imbued with resentment, pierced through the thick bloody energy and cut Denier's waist. White blood spurted from the wound in Denier's uniform and waist.
"Ugh..."
Although Denier's wound closed immediately due to his immense bloody energy, he frowned deeply, seemingly in intense pain and anger.
"You've heard it too, right? The resentment in this sword is deeper and darker than the sea."
Raon wiped Denier's white blood off *Blade of Requiem* as he raised his chin.
"It will never lose to your crude bloody energy."
Vowing to burn everything of the White Blood Religion along with the resentment of *Blade of Requiem*, Raon advanced with *Supreme Harmony Steps*.
"The resentment of the dead has no value."
Denier, as if determined to never die, stomped on the ground forcefully and swung his sword. His sword strike extended like a long spear, piercing towards Raon's chest.
'Did he combine swordsmanship and footwork with the principles of *Quick Sword*?'
Due to the incredible speed of his swordsmanship and footwork, Denier's sword seemed to extend like the horizon.
'I've learned another.'
Thinking that he should use this when creating a new sword technique, Raon deployed *Frost Snap* against Denier's lunge aimed at his heart. With a blade of frost and silver connected as one line, he deflected Denier's sword and counterattacked, tearing his shoulder with *Blade of Requiem*.
"Ugh!"
Denier stepped back, clutching his shoulder where the flesh had been torn. His eyes trembled, seemingly confused.
"How is this..."
"You mean you don't understand why you're losing even though you're faster, right?"
Raon nodded, indicating that he understood completely.
"The answer is simple. I'm reading all your movements."
Perhaps because so many lives were at stake, Raon's concentration had reached a level that even surprised himself, allowing him to fully grasp Denier's swordsmanship and movements. Having nearly mastered the principles of *Precise Sword* and *Quick Sword*, there were no areas where he was inferior to Denier now.
'It's probably because *Forever Unrippled Mind* has activated.'
While most people tense up and make mistakes in life-or-death situations, Raon could remain calm and move more freely in dangerous situations thanks to his *Forever Unrippled Mind* trait.
"Impossible..."
Denier's jaw trembled, as if he couldn't believe that all his movements had been read.
-Although he's a traitor, I can understand that feeling of despair.
Wrath chuckled, saying that he could relate to Denier's emotions.
-You're becoming a true monster.
He nodded, saying that Raon was becoming something worthy of recognition even in terms of martial prowess.
"Now, let's end this..."
As Raon was about to bring *Heavenly Drive* down on Denier, he turned his gaze towards a powerful sound of air being torn from the right. The Five Kings Transcendants were visible, their legs planted firmly on the ground as they faced the bloody energy of the White Blood Religion Leader.
"Hold on! Hold on even if it kills you!"
"I... I know..."
Lecross swung his sword with his mouth clenched, black blood flowing from it, while Larian, seemingly reverted to a lone mage, trembled her blood-soaked hands as she erected a mana wall with only six daggers remaining.
"Haa..."
"Let's try a little more..."
Alice cut space with her exhausted hands, while Chamber, whose internal injuries seemed to be worsening again, formed magic formulas as blood flowed from her eyes. Both were now focused solely on evasion and defense, unable to launch attacks.
"Ugh! Everyone's dying! Everyone's dying!"
Evelyn activated dozens of magic circles with time delays, twisting the Divine Blood Summoning Ritual weapons that were falling towards the Five Kings Transcendants. If she hadn't been helping, they would all have died already.
"Your resistance is useless!"
The White Blood Religion Leader chanted a spell with her lips moving so fast that they were invisible, her hands clasped together. The ground beneath her feet boiled like lava, raising a massive wave of blood that seemed to reach the sky.
As the wave tilted slowly towards the Five Kings Transcendants, a chilling sensation ran down Raon's spine, as if he were witnessing the moment of the world's end.
"Looks like you enjoy water games!"
"We should ride a wave this size!"
Lecross and Chamber swung their swords and unleashed magic as if to welcome the challenge, their hands trembling. Alice and Larian stood by their side, unleashing spatial swords and magic that erased the bloody energy.
"I'm the busiest one here thanks to choosing a good man!"
Evelyn extended her mana widely, creating a magic wall capable of blocking the wave of bloody energy itself. However, the White Blood Religion Leader's bloody energy was so strong that the wall she created cracked in dozens of places within seconds.
The Five Kings Transcendants barely held on, gasping for breath, but the situation was serious enough that they could die at any moment.
"If you have nothing else to show..."
Raon pressed his lips together as he turned his gaze back to Denier.
"Let's finish this."
He advanced with *Supreme Harmony Steps*, utilizing the awakened principles of *Quick Sword*. As he caught up to Denier who was retreating, he slashed downwards with *Heavenly Drive* and thrust forward with *Blade of Requiem*. Denier blocked *Heavenly Drive* by swinging his sword diagonally downwards, but he couldn't avoid *Blade of Requiem* and was stabbed in the chest, rolling on the ground.
"Urgh!"
He retreated to the left, using his bloody energy to heal the wounds on his shoulder and chest. Raon unleashed the *Fire Spirit* towards Denier, who was focused on escaping. A garden of flames bloomed on the red-hot blade, scattering thousands of petals. The dancing flame fragments in the air turned into a firestorm that enveloped Denier.
"Tch!"
Denier opened his bloody energy and wrapped it around his entire body like a long robe to block the firestorm. Raon didn't miss the opportunity when Denier's steps faltered and lunged forward, cutting Denier's back lengthwise with *Heavenly Drive*. Sticky blood spurted from the open wound.
"Urgh!"
Denier let out a murky groan. As he tried to break through the *Fire Spirit* with his body, Raon simultaneously detonated more than a thousand flame fragments. A massive shockwave erupted, shaking the ground and sending black smoke rising into the sky. The White Blood Religion headquarters began to tilt even further towards the sea.
Denier fled to the right while regenerating the wound on his back. The effects of the *White Blood* seemed to have diminished significantly, as his wound healing speed had noticeably decreased.
"Are you a thief instead of a swordsman? You're pretty good at running away."
Raon deployed *Azure Sky Sword* and *Celestial Thunder Arts* to block Denier's escape route, then plunged a sword strike like a red lightning bolt down on Denier's head. Denier's waist and thighs were torn apart, revealing wounds deep enough to expose the bone.
"Argh!"
Despite screaming in pain, he managed to heal his wounds and flee again.
"You've reached your limit."
Denier's movements had slowed as if his bloody energy had run out, and he was spitting white blood from his nose and mouth. He seemed to have reached the physical limit that the White Blood Religion Leader had mentioned.
"Stop wasting time and die..."
Just as Raon was about to behead Denier with *Sword Control*, a massive explosion of bloody energy from the White Blood Religion Leader sent the Five Kings Transcendants and Evelyn tumbling to the ground.
"Playtime is over."
She unleashed her original bloody energy and the Divine Blood Summoning Ritual weapons simultaneously, as if to end it all now. The massive energy caused violent tremors that seemed to flip heaven and earth.
"Damn it..."
Raon abandoned his attack on Denier and ran towards the Five Kings Transcendants.
'They can't block that with just the five of them.'
Normally, Larian, Chamber, and Lecross could easily block it, but now all three had reached their limit, even more so than Denier. Evelyn, too, seemed unable to do anything, exhausted from supporting the Transcendants.
"R-Raon!"
"It's dangerous!"
Chamber and Lecross quickly gestured for him to get behind them.
"You came to help me? As expected!"
Evelyn, on the contrary, smiled as if she had been waiting for him.
"I'll block from the front, please help me!"
Instead of saying he'd handle it alone, Raon asked for help as he stood in front of everyone. He simultaneously fired *Flame Dragon Strike* and *Heavy Sky Cannon*, his most powerful techniques, towards the White Blood Religion Leader's bloody energy and the Divine Blood Summoning Ritual that was advancing, crushing the ground.
The dragon's breath of *Heavenly Drive* and the blue flash of *Blade of Requiem* extended from the sword strikes, clashing head-on with the White Blood Religion Leader's bloody energy.
As the aura and bloody energy competed fiercely, black cracks that seemed to tear the world apart extended from the sky to the earth.
'I feel like my arms are going to fall off...'
Raon clenched his jaw so hard that his teeth could break. Although only a second had passed, he felt pressure as if his bones and muscles were being crushed. His internal organs contracted, causing blood to spurt from his mouth.
'How can I withstand this... Ah!'
Just as he wondered how to hold on, the magic and aura of the Five Kings Transcendants behind him helped to repel the bloody energy. He could barely breathe again.
'We can't keep blocking. We need to attack.'
He deployed *Wooden Ring Sword* with *Sword Control*, then used *Whispering Wind* against the bloody energy that was violently approaching. *Wooden Ring Sword*, imbued with green wind, pierced through space and emerged in front of the White Blood Religion Leader's neck.
"Hmph!"
The White Blood Religion Leader quickly stepped back, as if determined not to be caught twice, but *Whispering Wind*, harmonized with the principles of *Quick Sword*, followed her movements and grazed the tip of her neck. About a third of the White Blood Religion Leader's neck was torn, causing clear blood to spurt out like a fountain.
Thanks to her concentration being broken, the bloody energy that was about to erase them also diminished.
"Ugh..."
The White Blood Religion Leader audibly gritted her teeth as she erased the wound on her neck.
"You vermin!"
She created wrinkles like tree bark on her forehead, seemingly truly enraged.
"Huff... Huff..."
Raon moved *Wooden Ring Sword* again as he exhaled roughly.
'I need to kill Denier now.'
Thanks to the Five Kings Leaders resisting, the White Blood Religion Leader no longer possessed the invincible bloody energy she had when she first drank the *White Blood*. He needed to deal with Denier first before the situation worsened further with his involvement.
'Where is he... Huh?'
Raon gasped as he turned his gaze to search for Denier.
'What!'
Denier hadn't fled far. He was kneeling next to a collapsed building, scooping up the accumulated blood on the ground with both hands and drinking it.
'That pool of blood is...'
The blood accumulated on the ground was from the large amount of blood that had spurted from Lecross's back, forming a small puddle. Denier was frantically inhaling Lecross's earth and blood.
No, not just Lecross's blood. Denier was stuffing the blood that he and the other Five Kings Leaders had spilled, along with the earth, down his throat. This wasn't an act to gain power and become stronger, but a desperate attempt to survive at all costs.
'Insane...'
The hairs on Raon's body stood on end. Denier's fanatical attachment to life sent a chilling sensation down his spine, as if he were walking barefoot on ice.
-D-Did that guy always act like this?
Even Wrath lowered his eyebrows, saying that this didn't seem like Denier.
'I have to kill him!'
An alarm bell rang in Raon's mind, warning of danger. Not knowing what Denier could do, he launched *Wooden Ring Sword* with *Sword Control*.
"Urgh!"
But Denier avoided *Sword Control* even as he rolled on the ground, then licked blood from another spot on the ground with his tongue.
"Yes. Survive by any means necessary."
The White Blood Religion Leader nodded as if approving, then swung the weapons held by the Divine Blood Summoning Ritual, imbued with bloody energy. Raon deployed *Sky-Piercing Thunder* and *Dance of the Golden Flame* to block the White Blood Religion Leader's offensive.
Even with the Five Kings Leaders supporting from behind and Evelyn launching defensive magic, Raon's feet began to sink into the ground.
'I have to hold on!'
Although his body and mind were on the verge of collapse, he could barely block thanks to the growth of his martial prowess and soul due to Denier. If he hadn't grown here, he would have burst into a red mist at the first attack of the White Blood Religion Leader.
'There's no opportunity to target Denier.'
Although Raon wanted to deal with Denier decisively, the White Blood Religion Leader didn't give him a chance. He had no choice but to focus solely on the monster in front of him.
'The White Blood Religion Leader will also weaken soon.'
Just as Denier had lost his strength, the White Blood Religion Leader would also face the consequences of the *White Blood*. He had to hold on until then, even if it meant spilling all his soul.
"Ugh..."
Unlike Denier, however, the White Blood Religion Leader's martial prowess didn't easily diminish. With each block of her attacks, Raon's flesh was torn and his internal injuries deepened. Like the other Five Kings Leaders, black, dead blood spurted from his mouth.
"You're holding on well, like cockroaches!"
Veins bulged on the White Blood Religion Leader's forehead, seemingly irritated that the situation wasn't going as she wished.
"Fine. There's no point in holding back, I'll crush you completely!"
As she clasped her hands together and quickly chanted a spell, the white bloody energy began to rise like a fireball, glowing with heat haze. The sphere of bloody energy swelled endlessly, rising into the sky like a new sun.
The Divine Blood Summoning Ritual, as if inheriting the White Blood Religion Leader's anger, changed the red blood flowing from its eyes to white and simultaneously raised dozens of weapons.
A powerful aura that seemed to strangle the soul emanated from the arms and weapons of various curves. The harmony of the white sun burning with bloody energy and the dozens of weapons moving with masterful subtlety exuded a majestic presence that seemed unblockable by anyone.
"Ha!"
Chamber let out a hollow laugh as she dropped the lollipop she had been holding in her mouth.
"To think that she was still hiding so much power..."
Lecross exhaled deeply, as if to say that this seemed difficult.
"Ah, there was still a lot to research, and the sea spirits too..."
Larian muttered about unfinished experiments, as if death were now visible.
"Damn it! I should have honed my sword more!"
Alice gritted her teeth, regretting not having trained harder.
"It's light compared to the hardships Raon and I have been through."
Evelyn smiled, saying that they could certainly overcome this.
"It's not over yet."
Raon walked towards the sun of bloody energy that was slowly descending, holding *Blade of Requiem* with both hands.
'I wanted to save this, but there's no other choice.'
If he didn't use his last resort now, he and everyone there would die. He had to use the sword technique he had been saving for the end. Stomping on the ground with enough force to crush it, he swung *Blade of Requiem*, raising flames of resentment. *Sword Domain*. *Heaven's Rift*. An infinite golden radiation rose above the red blade of *Blade of Requiem*.
That brilliant light, like the sun pushing away the night and bringing the morning, erased the ugly bloody energy and emitted a warm but magnificent aura.
"If the young man goes this far, we can't just stand by!"
"..."
Chamber operated dimensional magic as she coughed up blood, and Lecross swung his sword burning with a gray light, retaining even the strength to speak.
"Hnnggh..."
"Haaaa!"
Larian poured all her remaining mana into her staff and broken daggers before throwing them, while Alice thrust her spatial sword with a cry that seemed to spill her soul.
"I really did choose the right man!"
Evelyn murmured that there was never a dull moment as she unleashed a magical bombardment no less powerful than the Divine Blood Summoning Ritual weapons. When the White Blood Religion Leader's full power clashed with that of Raon, Evelyn, and the Five Kings Leaders, the resulting massive shockwave tore a black hole in the sky and split the White Blood Religion headquarters into dozens of pieces.
As the gray smoke that had spread across the sky and earth from the clash of aura and bloody energy subsided, the scene of the battlefield was revealed.
"Cough!"
Raon was on his knees, coughing up dead blood, while the Five Kings Transcendants lay as if they were dead, and Evelyn was also on her back, maintaining only the weakest breath.
"It's finally over."
The White Blood Religion Leader smiled coldly as she extended her hand.
"I will personally take your life... Cough!"
As she was about to unleash bloody energy towards Raon, she coughed up white blood and leaned forward.
"W-What is this..."
Blood flowed from the White Blood Religion Leader's five openings, and her arms and legs began to tremble as if intoxicated.
'The limit! She's reached her limit!'
Raon clenched his fist as he watched the White Blood Religion Leader falter. The limit had finally arrived for her too. And it seemed even more severe than Denier's.
"D-Denier!"
The White Blood Religion Leader called out to Denier with difficulty, spitting blood repeatedly.
"Bring that! Now!"
She waved her hand roughly, ordering him to bring something.
"Understood..."
Denier wiped the blood and dirt from his mouth and turned around. He didn't go by himself, but ran towards Balder, who was cautiously watching from a distance.
"G-Get away!"
Balder threw Martha behind him and unleashed his flexible sword with all his might, but Denier slipped past the flexible sword with quick footwork and tore a hole in Balder's abdomen.
"Ugh..."
Balder fell backwards, spitting blood from his abdomen. As Denier attempted to grab Martha, who had fallen to the ground, the Light Wind Palace swordsmen who had finished the battle on the walls came to block his way.
"You can't..."
"Catch him!"
Runaan and Burren, along with the Light Wind Palace swordsmen, deployed their sword formations as if determined not to surrender Martha.
"Huff!"
Denier charged towards the Light Wind Palace without even wiping the blood flowing from his nose.
"Attack!"
At Burren's intense shout, the swordsmen's hearts seemed to unite as they rained down powerful and swift sword strikes.
"Urgh!"
Denier ran towards Martha, taking the swords with his body. Strangely, he didn't attack the swordsmen, only dodging and running.
"You can't leave!"
"No!"
"You go no further!"
Burren, Runaan, and Mark Goetun stood in front of Denier, each unleashing their ultimate techniques.
"Get out of my way..."
Denier swung his sword for the first time. With his quick and sharp sword strike, the three Light Wind Palace executives were sent flying, spraying blood.
"..."
After knocking down all the swordsmen who interfered, Denier stood before Martha.
"N-No..."
Runaan crawled on the ground, grabbing Denier's ankle as if determined not to let him go. Denier kicked Runaan with his toe, then picked up Martha.
"You... I'll kill you too!"
Seeing Runaan reaching out as he bled, Martha shouted at Denier that she would kill him, as if she could no longer hold back.
"If you can..."
Denier accepted Martha's resentful gaze as he turned his gaze towards the White Blood Religion Leader.
'I have to stop him...'
Raon bit his lip until it bled. The White Blood Religion Leader was clearly planning to switch her broken body for Martha's. He had to stop her somehow, but he couldn't move his body after overexerting himself using the sword technique.
"Well done..."
The White Blood Religion Leader lowered her hand towards Denier, who had brought Martha.
"Now guard my front. The Divine Blood Summoning Ritual will block most attacks, but just in case."
She nodded, telling him to protect her with his life.
"It might take a while, so you should move to another place to do it..."
Denier looked around, saying that that place was dangerous.
"I got a glimpse of the soul right before this battle started. It's not fully awake, but it shouldn't take long."
The White Blood Religion Leader exhaled roughly, saying that she could take over Martha's body without taking too long.
"Urgh!"
Raon forcefully stood up, his body feeling completely empty. He resorted to all the authorities of the demon kings, resonating the wavering ring of fire.
'I have to fight.'
Although the pain was so intense that he wanted to die, as his body and mind had reached their limit, he endured using the *Askara's Fighting Spirit* and *Iron Will*.
"Return Martha!"
As he ran towards the White Blood Religion Leader to save Martha, the Divine Blood Summoning Ritual swung swords and axes at him. Under normal circumstances, he could easily avoid this, but with his body and mind at their limit, all he could do was block.
"Come on! I'll devour your soul!"
Martha stared into the White Blood Religion Leader's black eyes, as if to say, try it.
"That won't happen."
The White Blood Religion Leader cut her finger and shoved it into Martha's mouth.
"The moment you drink my blood, your soul will sink so deep that it can never awaken."
She said that it was all over now as she pushed her blood down Martha's throat.
"Aagh..."
Although Martha tried to resist by moving her tongue, as soon as the White Blood Religion Leader's blood entered her throat, her eyes turned a deathly gray.
"Martha!"
Raon deflected the Divine Blood Summoning Ritual weapons and aimed *Blade of Requiem* at his own abdomen, holding it in reverse grip.
-Raon!
'Yes. There's no other option.'
Just as he was about to plunge *Blade of Requiem* into his stomach to use *Demon King Manifestation*, something happened.
"..."
Denier, who had been aiming his sword at Raon, turned around and approached the White Blood Religion Leader.
"Mother. It's enough."
Denier murmured calmly as he pushed his sword towards the White Blood Religion Leader's heart. The White Blood Religion Leader, with her soul connected to Martha's, couldn't move a finger and was pierced in the chest by Denier's sword.
"W-Why...?"
The White Blood Religion Leader raised her trembling eyes, coughing blood, as if she couldn't understand.
"We are..."
Denier gently stroked Martha's head, with lifeless eyes, as he formed a slight smile.
"Monsters who shouldn't exist in this world."
-
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