Chapter 1040

“Huh….”

Raon let out a low breath as he looked at Evelyn’s faint smile.

‘How are we supposed to attack the White Blood Cult?’

As a martial artist, he had considered countless ways to kill the kraken and raid the White Blood Cult’s main base, but nothing came to mind. There was no way to enter their base while maintaining Zieghart’s full strength, let alone launch a surprise attack.

‘Grandfather could do anything, but it’s impossible for me right now.’

If Glenn moved personally, he could split the kraken and the White Blood Cult’s main base in half, but Raon didn’t yet possess that level of power.

‘The moment I approach the main base and raise my Aura, the First Apostle or the White Blood Lord will pop out.’

Given enough time, he could cut the kraken down with a single strike. However, the moment he raised his Extreme Aura to do so, the White Blood Lord would notice and fly over to clamp a hand around his throat.

‘Magic probably isn’t much different.’

With magic as well, the moment Mana was manipulated, they would detect it from within the White Blood Cult and respond—either moving the kraken or sending out an Apostle.

‘What are you going to do?’

Raon turned his gaze to Wrath, who was fiddling with Haerang’s tail.

– “What do you mean, what am I going to do?”

Wrath raised his glittering white hand as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

– “Just freeze that octopus and the city whole, then shatter it. That’s all.”

He jutted out his chin confidently, saying he could freeze the kraken and the city together with his power.

– “It’s harder to worry about how to eat the frozen octopus. It’s huge, so the chew will be incredible. Should we start with sashimi?”

Wrath smacked his lips, thinking only about eating the kraken.

“Haa….”

Raon couldn’t help but sigh.

‘That guy is no help.’

Advice from those who had transcended—like Wrath or Glenn—was useless to someone like him.

– “You’re not ordinary either! If other people heard that, they’d throw stones at you!”

Wrath waved his hand, telling him to stop spouting nonsense.

“It’s difficult to create an environment where we can launch a surprise attack like we initially thought. The Blood Demons will notice immediately if magic or Aura is activated.”

Evelyn shook her finger side to side, as if she had read his thoughts.

“However, I think we can make those mosquitoes clinging to the bottom of the sea and growing stronger fight under the same conditions as us.”

She nodded, saying it was complicated—but possible.

“What’s the method?”

Raon stepped closer, asking for an explanation.

“Hmm….”

Evelyn crossed her arms, squeezed her eyes shut, then slowly opened them.

“I can’t explain it.”

“What?”

Raon blinked blankly.

“If it’s because I’m ignorant about magic….”

“No. It’s because, like I said earlier, we need to create a new magic that has never existed before.”

Evelyn drew a faint smile, saying she wasn’t dismissing him.

“I haven’t even fully sketched it out yet, so it’s hard to explain.”

She shook her head, saying the explanation itself wouldn’t be easy.

“But there is one thing I want to tell you.”

Evelyn raised a finger and pointed at him.

“It’s thanks to you that I came up with the magic to draw out the White Blood Cult.”

“Thanks to me?”

Raon tilted his head, staring at her finger.

“You said the kraken has octopus-like camouflage. I knew that too, but that statement became the clue I needed to create new magic.”

He had explained the octopus’s camouflage to Wrath, then repeated the same story to Evelyn and Roenn. It seemed she had gotten her hint back then.

“It’ll take some time, but I’m sure we can do it. Because we have those people too.”

Evelyn let out a sly smile, as if she already had help lined up.

“We’ve identified the location and condition of the White Blood Cult’s main base, and we’ve found a way to draw them out, so it’s time to go back.”

Roenn chuckled, saying it was time to return.

“Hmm….”

Raon smacked his lips, looking at the small villa they had built in a corner of the city to avoid suspicion.

“Why? Are you sad that you can’t play with me in that villa?”

Evelyn nudged him with her shoulder, asking if he wanted to stay a little longer.

“Absolutely not.”

Raon sighed and shook his head.

“Because someone needs to manage that place.”

If they built a house and vanished, it might draw suspicion, so he planned to ask Rabawin to send someone.

“Cold.”

Evelyn pouted, disappointed that he wasn’t thinking what she wanted.

“But we can come back after catching the White Blood Cult, right?”

Then she brightened immediately, smiling as she said they should return after wiping out the White Blood Cult.

“Awooo?”

Haerang lifted sad-looking eyes, as if it hadn’t expected them to leave right away.

“We’ll be back soon. So there’s something I want to ask you….”

Raon stroked Haerang’s head as it floated in the water.

“Could you find out where the kraken and the white city are moving?”

If the main base disappeared from beneath the valley, everything would be for nothing. He held Haerang’s paw, saying he was counting on it.

“Awooo!”

Haerang looked up at the sky and let out a cute cry, as if telling him to leave it to him.

– “That little guy is quite cute.”

Wrath nodded, seemingly fond of Haerang’s will and courage.

– “I want to take him to the Demon Realm later and raise him.”

He smacked his lips, saying he wanted to pet Haerang’s fur and tail himself. He seemed to genuinely like it.

‘It feels different from ordinary animals, and it feels even better.’

It was as Raon was mulling over the sensation of touching Haerang that—

[You have achieved spiritual communication with a high-ranking Spirit.]

[Your spiritual level greatly increases.]

[The grade of the trait ‘Heart Sword (Spirit)’ increases.]

Messages appeared, saying his spiritual level had risen and the grade of his Heart Sword had increased thanks to Haerang.

“Wow….”

Raon let out a hollow laugh, still holding Haerang’s paw.

‘This guy is really a lucky charm, isn’t he?’

He had only named it because it was inconvenient otherwise, and talked to it—he hadn’t expected his Heart Sword to rank up.

– “Kkeueuk….”

Wrath trembled as he stared at the messages, as if he couldn’t believe it.

– “How can this be! Why are you suddenly giving rewards!”

‘I guess you have to live kindly.’

Raon laughed, feeling as though he was being rewarded for trying to save Haerang instead of destroying it.

– “You mutt!”

Wrath screamed, calling Haerang a mutt—the same one he had just called cute.

– “I don’t want to see you, so get lost!”

“Awooo!”

Haerang didn’t hear Wrath’s words and only let out a happy cry.

===

The Tenth Apostle stood at an outpost on a spire above the main base, where the sea outside could be seen at a glance, and slowly turned his gaze. He stood like a stone statue, watching the ocean. Then the back door opened, and the First Apostle entered.

“Tenth Apostle.”

The First Apostle called out and tossed a stack of documents onto the floor.

“Why are you here?”

He frowned, asking why an Apostle was standing guard at an outpost.

“A fish that died two days ago was caught by the kraken.”

The Tenth Apostle spoke without turning around.

“The Ninth Apostle died and the Blood Spirit Ship was broken. I thought it might not be a coincidence, so I wanted to investigate it myself.”

He nodded slightly, saying he was standing guard in case something happened.

“So did that ‘something’ happen?”

The First Apostle twisted his lips, as if mocking him.

“Nothing has happened yet.”

The Tenth Apostle shook his head.

“Excessive.”

The First Apostle clicked his tongue as he stared at the vast sea.

“Even if the Ninth Apostle was stupid enough to die without knowing his place, he wouldn’t have revealed the secrets of this place.”

He waved a hand, saying the effort was wasted.

“Because of what you’re doing, the priests’ work is being delayed. Play moderately and come back.”

He turned his back, as if telling him to stop playing around and return.

“Besides, unlike that guy who crossed the wall, you’re still a Grand Master. Focus on your training.”

Leaving behind advice and warning, he left the spire.

“……”

The Tenth Apostle didn’t move even after the First Apostle left, and continued watching the sea.

“Tenth Apostle-nim.”

Only two days later, when the blonde archbishop came to him, did he finally shift his gaze.

“Has it been four days?”

“Yes. It’s exactly four days.”

The blonde archbishop nodded, saying it was the promised time.

“I see.”

The Tenth Apostle nodded calmly and turned his body for the first time.

“I’m going back.”

He let out a short breath, as if his doubts had settled, and descended the tower. Even though he hadn’t moved a finger for four days, his steps were frighteningly firm.

“Yes!”

The archbishop let out a sigh of relief and followed him.

Neither the Tenth Apostle nor the archbishop, who had already turned their backs, noticed the blue eyes of a young wolf watching from outside the barrier.

Grrr.

===

Raon returned to Zieghart at once and headed to the Head of House’s residence, where Glenn was waiting.

“Greetings, Head of House-nim….”

“That’s enough.”

Glenn waved his hand as if greetings were unnecessary, and rose from the throne. He must have been worried, because wrinkles now creased a forehead that was usually smooth.

“Yes. Is everyone uninjured?”

Glenn lowered his sunken gaze, looking more concerned about Raon, Roenn, and Evelyn’s condition than the mission details. He seemed like a completely different person from the Northern Extermination King who exuded coldness.

“Thanks to Raon-nim, we had a comfortable trip.”

Roenn chuckled and nodded.

“You’re just sad that you couldn’t enjoy the trip with Raon.”

Evelyn wagged her finger, saying everything was fine except that.

“We didn’t clash with the White Blood Cult at all.”

Raon straightened his back, saying there were no issues.

“Then you found the main base of the Blood Demons?”

“Yes. We found it.”

He nodded, saying they were lucky.

“Heo….”

Glenn rarely widened his eyes, as if he hadn’t expected them to actually find it.

“However, it’s not where I originally thought it was. And it may be somewhere else by the time we go again.”

Raon smacked his lips, saying it might change locations.

“What does that mean?”

“To explain in detail….”

“Wait a minute!”

Evelyn raised her hand and stepped forward before he could continue.

“Grandfather. Can you contact Chamber-nim and Magic Tower Lord-nim now?”

“I can call them if it’s really important.”

Glenn raised his brows slightly at the word Grandfather, then nodded.

“Whether they answer is another matter.”

He tapped the throne’s armrest, saying they might not be able to respond if they were busy.

“Then could you call them? There’s something I want to explain to those two as well.”

Evelyn clasped her hands together, saying it was necessary.

“It is a necessary matter.”

Raon nodded at Glenn.

“Aww, Grandfather.”

Evelyn put aegyo into her voice and leaned in another step.

“I-I’ll call them, so don’t come any closer!”

Glenn quickly waved his hands, as if Evelyn was burdensome.

“Wait a moment.”

He took a round box from his chest, touched two points on it, and a strange vibration pulsed. Two blue windows floated above the box.

[Wh-what! Is Zieghart under attack? Why the emergency contact!]

Chamber, sprawled with her feet on the desk while biting a candy, was startled by the beeping and toppled over, screaming.

[Sniff, heueueueueuk.]

In the opposite window, Magic Tower Lord Larian appeared sobbing in a zombie-like state on a king-size bed.

“Raon and Evelyn asked me to call you, so I used the emergency contact.”

Glenn nodded calmly, saying he’d used the emergency network because formal contact would take too long.

[You crazy old man! No matter how busy I am!]

Chamber grit her teeth, saying he had to be going senile.

[Ugh, too… hard… augh….]

Larian crawled out of bed like a grub, muttering something incomprehensible.

[What’s wrong with you again!]

[I-I haven’t slept for a week.]

She gasped, saying she hadn’t even managed an hour after staying up for seven straight nights.

“Listen first. Raon has something to say.”

Glenn shifted the view to Raon, standing below the platform, as if telling him to begin.

– “To activate the emergency network that is only used in times of crisis….”

Wrath lowered his eyebrows, dumbfounded.

– “Old Man Nadine is not normal either.”

He shook his head, saying there wasn’t a proper human in this family. He wasn’t wrong.

[It better be something important!]

[Heueueueuk….]

Chamber looked furious, and Larian stared at Raon while yawning sleepily.

“First of all, are there other people next to you two right now?”

Raon asked, looking at Chamber and Larian.

[I’m alone in my office.]

Chamber said she was alone, shaking the candy that had snapped in half.

[I-I’m in my bedroom….]

Larian tugged a bear-patterned blanket up to her chin, embarrassed.

“Then please put up a Mana barrier so sound doesn’t leak out and listen to my story. I….”

Raon began explaining from the moment he went out to sea with Rabawin to catch the sea wolf.

“After that, we set off again to find the main base….”

It was as he was about to bring up their second departure—when—

A square white window rose from Evelyn’s hand, and scenes of their experience began to play.

“This is….”

“I put recording magic on my eyes. It’s easier to understand if you see it.”

Evelyn smiled faintly and played the footage as she explained.

[Oh, um….]

[But why can we only see Raon?]

Larian and Chamber frowned, saying all they could see through Evelyn’s eyes was Raon’s face.

“Because Raon is in front of me.”

Evelyn shrugged as if it were nothing.

[These kids these days are scary….]

[Eueung….]

Chamber and Larian rubbed their arms, getting goosebumps on her behalf.

“It’s about to start now.”

The White Blood Cult’s main base, submerged in the deep sea, appeared in the recording—still centered on Raon.

[Ha! They’re hiding like dogs. No wonder we couldn’t find it.]

Chamber laughed, saying she hadn’t expected them to be underwater.

[A kraken big enough to carry a city….]

Larian took a deep breath, wondering how such a thing could endure deep-sea pressure.

“In the sea….”

Glenn frowned, as if the information was hard to make use of.

[If it’s that place, it’s meaningless even if we strike first.]

Chamber clicked her tongue, saying that deep, even strong martial artists and magicians couldn’t use their power properly.

[Looking at the spells, there are many that reduce the power of magic and Aura. If we attack from a distance, the kraken might move and run away….]

Larian also frowned, saying it wouldn’t be easy.

“So we have to step up.”

Evelyn smiled and stepped forward.

[How?]

[I-is there a way?]

Chamber and Larian narrowed their eyes at Evelyn.

“As you saw, the kraken is using octopus-like camouflage. And the species trait is even stronger than it should be. You both know octopuses are cephalopods, right?”

Evelyn smiled and wagged her finger.

[Species traits and cephalopods… um!]

[Ah, could it be….]

Both of them widened their eyes as if they’d figured it out.

“Yes. With that method, they’ll come out on their own.”

Evelyn smiled and nodded.

“However, there’s a lot to prepare. It’s not like we just connect one or two spells.”

She extended her hand, saying she needed their help.

[Good. It’ll be fun for the first time in a while.]

Chamber nodded, sounding excited.

[Yeah! It looks like it’ll be fun.]