The stillness within Raon's internal consciousness was absolute. Every motion seemed to have been suspended in time.
The devastating impact resulting from the collision between the human and the demon sovereign caused the entire mental landscape to solidify instantly. The spiritual foundation, which was meant to be indestructible, was fractured in countless directions, with luminous dark fissures snaking across the ground like a web.
Swords that previously swirled through the air were frozen mid-flight like jagged icicles, and the blades that had once sprouted like blossoms were crushed into the snowy earth, resembling young plants trampled underfoot, unable to rise again.
This was undeniably the demon sovereign's triumph. Even an amateur would have had to acknowledge Wrath's dominance. Yet, amidst the mental world drowned in frigid energy and shadows, a solitary light endured.
Uuuuuung!
It was Raon's blade. The martial soul, which integrated the diverse swordsmanship Raon had refined during his life as Raon Zieghart into a single strike, was resisting the total frost released by the demon sovereign.
Zzzzzzzt!
The frost encasing this world wasn't a direct discharge from Wrath. Rather, the cold energy that ricocheted after clashing with Raon's blade was what turned the mental world white. This was a display of divine authority suited to the Monarch of Wrath, the one who freezes all things.
Still, Raon did not collapse under the absolute power of Wrath, the Monarch of Wrath. Although his skin had turned a ghostly white and he was coughing up both frozen vapor and dark blood, his grip on his sword never faltered. He held a single blade, embodying the spirit of a true warrior who gambles his entire existence on one swing.
Ha.
The Monarch of Wrath let out a soft exclamation, seemingly impressed by Raon's tenacity. However, he showed no signs of mercy, intensifying the violent cold energy flowing from his hand.
Zzzzzzzt!
Raon’s breath turned heavy. His feet became fused to the ground, and his hair and brows turned stark white as if aged by decades in a second. Every part of him—his face, torso, and limbs—was breaking under the demon sovereign's icy touch.
Yet, his right arm, the one clutching the sword, remained unfrozen and moved with even greater dignity than before.
Chiaaaaang!
Raon persisted in his struggle against the Monarch of Wrath's definitive move, the Silver Aurora, using only that right arm. Even as his legs cracked and his sight failed, his blade remained steady. This was the True Sword personified.
Huuuuuuk!
Eventually, the dazzling cold energy from Wrath's hand faded, and Raon's blade remained in place, shielding its master until the very end.
"..."
Raon could no longer draw breath through his frozen jaw, nor could he move his eyes. Only a nearly invisible tremor of his lips suggested a sense of fulfillment from the encounter.
"Iron Will..."
Wrath lowered his steaming hand and scowled.
"It is a concept this king neither trusts nor enjoys, yet today, it is the only word that fits."
"..."
Raon could only stare at the earth, his eyes hollow and unable to respond. However, the sword in his hand was still pointed upward, signaling his intent to continue the fight.
"Such an arrogant brat."
Wrath sighed, clearly annoyed by the sight.
"Still, it wasn't a total waste."
"..."
Raon barely reacted to the praise, his brows twitching slightly.
"Since you are willing to push yourself this far, I assume you intend to defeat someone like Uriel?"
Wrath nodded as if he could perceive Raon's internal motivations.
"It is an impossible task for you."
"......"
For the first time, Raon shifted his gaze toward Wrath. Though his frozen face remained a mask, his eyes conveyed his disagreement clearly.
"Do not look at me that way. I am not saying you can never win in your entire life."
Wrath chuckled at the look in Raon’s eyes.
"The Angels will definitely intervene when you strike at Eden. Before that war arrives, you will not have enough time to reach the level of Uriel or this king."
"...Why?"
Raon forced his frozen lips apart. Even as they tore and bled, he ignored the pain, focusing solely on Wrath.
"Because you lack time."
Wrath shook his head.
"With your talent, you could eventually stand equal to Uriel. But that time is not now. Even for a genius who defies common sense, some things are physically impossible."
"...And if I have no choice?"
Raon asked, blood and skin flaking from his mouth as he refused to yield.
"Then you will have to perish. Thousands of times."
Wrath waved a hand dismissively.
"And even then, the odds are against you. There simply isn't enough time left."
"...Then guide me."
Raon lifted the Divine Sword, its fire reduced to a tiny, flickering wick, signaling his refusal to quit.
"What drives you to this extreme?"
Wrath’s eyes narrowed, demanding an answer.
"...I told you."
Raon grimaced, the effort of speaking clearly taking a toll.
"I want to protect my home and my family."
He knew many would fall in the coming conflict with Eden and the Archangels; he had come here with Wrath to gain the strength to save even one more life. That was his sole ambition.
"...A trivial goal."
Wrath snorted, though a small, proud smile touched his lips.
"Fine. Regardless of the outcome, I will assist you. However..."
"However?"
"Once the war concludes, you must accompany this king to the Devildom. You don't have to rule or stay forever, but you must see that realm with your own eyes."
"..."
Raon thought for a moment before nodding.
"Very well. I had planned to visit eventually anyway."
"In that state, you cannot fight..."
Wrath reached toward him.
"Perish for the time being."
With those words, Raon’s life force vanished instantly.
"Heoook!"
Raon's eyes snapped open to the sky of his internal world. But the landscape he had built was transformed.
Gooooooo!
The swords that once filled the sky were now frozen statues, and the blades on the ground were trapped in white earth. The world of swords was now blanketed in a sapphire frost. It felt more like Wrath's domain than his own.
'It's freezing.'
The cold was so intense it made his soul shiver.
"You're finally up."
Raon turned toward the voice.
Seuuuuuu.
Wrath sat at an elegant table that looked out of place in the desolate landscape. With silver hair and deep blue eyes, he looked remarkably graceful—almost too beautiful for this world.
"Your mental realm is dreadfully dull."
Wrath wrinkled his nose at the frozen surroundings.
"Is there truly nothing in your head but blades?"
He sighed, unable to comprehend Raon's singular focus.
"Hmm..."
Raon didn't argue, but he couldn't help but stare at the contrast between Wrath's elegant appearance and his current actions.
"What are you consuming?"
Raon frowned at the pineapple pizza in Wrath’s hand.
"Isn't it obvious?"
Wrath shrugged, taking a bite.
"Pineapple pizza. And there is more."
The demon sovereign was unceremoniously stuffing his face, oblivious to the sauce on his skin. Beside the pizza were various treats Raon often enjoyed, like mint chocolate Bead Ice Cream and grilled meats.
"Haah..."
Wrath finished the pizza and sighed with disappointment.
"It's just not the same. Even here, I can't perfectly replicate the flavor of reality."
He had tried to manifest the food through his will, but the taste fell short.
"I'll ensure you can eat the real thing later," Raon said as he stood up. His soul felt restored after his brief death. He was ready.
"Let's get back to it."
He drew the Heavenly Drive.
"Tsk."
Wrath stood up, clicking his tongue.
"I shouldn't have made that promise."
Despite his grumbling, he took his position.
"Fine. I will kill you until you are begging to stop."
"I'm ready for that."
Raon smiled.
Kuuuuung!
He planted the Heavenly Drive and the Wooden Ring Sword into the ice, summoning the Divine Sword and Demonic Sword.
"Starting with the Sword Domain? Appropriate."
Wrath nodded in approval.
"I plan to last longer this time."
Raon centered himself and pointed his twin swords at the sky. Radiant trees emerged from the blades, shedding shimmering petals.
Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation Fire Spirit.
He unleashed the technique from both blades, creating a swirling vortex of fire and frost.
Chiaaaaang!
As Raon prepared his next move behind the screen of Fire Spirit...
"I've mentioned this before."
Wrath sneered.
"I will show you what a true bloom looks like."
He opened his hands, and the essence of his anger gathered. Frost fragments shaped themselves into luminous, blue flowers.
Hwaaaaaaa!
Within the flow of cold, a single, elegant bud opened. A flower of ice, glowing like the moon, stood alone. That solitary bloom easily overwhelmed the thousands of petals Raon had created.
"Monarch of Wrath ultimate technique, Ten Thousand Deaths, One Flower."
Raon’s entire display was erased by that one flower.
"Quantity is irrelevant. The quality of the strike is what matters."
Wrath brushed away the remaining sparks as if Raon was still beneath his notice.
"...I see."
Raon coughed up blood and looked down. A hole the size of Wrath's flower had been pierced through his chest. He hadn't even seen it coming.
"I've gained a new insight."
Raon's eyes were sharp with understanding.
"Show me a different move next time."
He smiled, then plunged the Divine Sword into his own heart to end the suffering.
"...I'll return shortly."
He waved as his consciousness faded once more.
Seuuuuu!
But within seconds, the mortal wounds on Raon's form vanished, and he drew breath again.
"Wrath."
He was back on his feet instantly, drawing his primary weapons.
"That last technique taught me a lot. Do it again."
"What! How are you up already?"
Wrath was stunned by the speed of Raon's recovery.
"I figured out how to accelerate the resurrection process here."
Raon rubbed his hands together, looking eager.
"If I die faster, I come back faster, right?"
"You're absolutely insane..."
Wrath stared at the madness in Raon's eyes.
"No! This was a mistake! I take it back!"
Wrath shouted, wanting to end the training session immediately.
"Too late for that."
Raon lunged forward, refusing to let him go.
"Your only options are to kill me or be killed."
"Somebody help me!"
Wrath retreated, genuinely disturbed by the relentless human.
"I want to leave!"
He dropped his royal speech, pleading for an exit, but his cries were drowned out by Raon's advance.
"Kill me with your best move!"
"Get away from me, you lunatic!"
