Chapter 588

Siyan slowly opened her trembling eyelids, a sense of euphoria sparking in her usually subdued blue eyes.

‘Something’s changed.’

While practicing resonance earlier, she felt as though she had briefly connected with the world as one. It was fleeting, but she was certain that something within her had changed.

‘A crack has formed.’

A tiny fissure had appeared in the solid wall that always blocked the path to her soul. If she could exploit this crack, she might be able to merge her will with the world.

“Haa….”

Siyan exhaled a shaky breath and collapsed to the floor.

‘I’ve finally reached it.’

It felt like she had seen a light at the end of a seemingly endless dark tunnel. She had trudged forward in despair, unsure where the tunnel ended, but now she felt like she had found the exit. She was so exhausted that even lying down felt strenuous.

‘Persistence really does pay off…’

Honestly, it was as if she had given up, but thanks to her idol, Raon, she had mustered her resolve one last time. This achievement was due to him.

‘I should tell him tomorrow… Ah.’

As Siyan thought about Raon and placed her hand over her chest, she froze.

‘Come to think of it, I think I felt Raon’s aura…’

Through the crack in the wall blocking her soul, she had sensed warmth and coolness simultaneously, similar to Raon’s aura.

‘Could it be…’

Raon had mentioned he could change her condition and had infused her with his aura while examining her body. It seemed that the remnants of his aura had helped break the barrier trapping her soul.

Siyan clasped her hands together, a gentle smile spreading across her face.

‘It’s all thanks to Raon…’

She decided she would thank him when they met tomorrow and began to stand up.

“Siyan! Come out!”

The door shook as if it would break apart, accompanied by Rimmer’s urgent voice. Unlike earlier, his voice now carried a sense of urgency.

“B-Brother?”

Siyan instinctively realized something serious had happened and quickly opened the door.

“W-What’s wrong?”

“Come out immediately! The barrier has broken!”

“Barrier?”

Following Rimmer’s gaze, she looked up at the sky. The barrier created by the World Tree to conceal and protect Sepia was dissolving.

“W-What’s going on…”

The barrier, which she thought could never break, was crumbling into pieces.

“There’s no time to stand around.”

Rimmer, seeing her dazed, wrapped his arm around her waist and dashed towards Sten’s house.

“W-What’s happening?”

“I don’t know yet.”

Rimmer quickened his pace, as if trying to counteract the spreading heat from the flames enveloping the forest.

‘Not just the entrance, but all sides are breached.’

It seemed to be the work of fellow elves rather than outsiders, given how naturally the barrier was dissolving.

‘Are there traitors among the Sepia elves?’

As he sorted his thoughts, Sten’s house came into view. He opened the pathway leading to the World Tree.

Rimmer, watching the blue light open the pathway, gestured to Siyan.

“Stay close to the World Tree.”

The barrier protecting the World Tree was far more resilient than the one concealing Sepia. With elders and guardians stationed to protect Sten, it was undoubtedly the safest place.

“Rimmer!”

As soon as they opened the path to the World Tree, the head elder burst out.

“What on earth is happening!”

“There seem to be traitors.”

“Traitors?”

The head elder followed Rimmer’s gaze and looked up at the disintegrating barrier.

“The barrier breaking right after the Guardian began the purification ritual suggests there’s a traitor among us.”

Rimmer shared his observations on the way there.

“Hm, that does seem likely.”

Contrary to his usual stubbornness, the head elder quickly accepted Rimmer’s reasoning.

“Whew…”

He looked at Sten’s unmoving body and bit his lip.

“We must bring all the Sepia elves into the inner barrier.”

Rimmer gestured to open the barrier further.

“That’s not possible.”

The head elder shook his head firmly.

“You said there are traitors among us. If we let everyone in without knowing who the traitor is, it could jeopardize the Guardian and the World Tree.”

“So you’re just going to let our people burn?”

Rimmer frowned at the head elder.

“I’ll stop them. Let everyone in.”

“The Guardian might be in danger!”

“If it were the Guardian, he’d do the same.”

“Hm…”

The head elder, considering this to be true, didn’t argue but didn’t immediately agree either.

“Haa…”

Rimmer, finding the decision difficult, hesitated as well. The tension was momentarily broken when an arrow embedded itself at their feet.

“That’s Rayran’s arrow.”

“The child…”

Rimmer unfolded the note attached to the arrow. Written in blood, it provided information about the current situation.

“They aren’t traitors from within!”

The note confirmed that deserters had broken the barrier, and Rimmer clenched his fist.

“Head Elder.”

“Bring all the Sepia elves into the inner barrier. Right now!”

The head elder’s command shocked the other elders, who widened their eyes.

“Even if they are deserters, the barrier protecting the World Tree is not easily broken. Fighting from within the barrier is our best option.”

“Finally, some sense.”

Rimmer nodded vigorously and snapped his fingers.

“What are you waiting for? Go and bring everyone here!”

“Yes, sir!”

The guardians, who had been standing idly, nodded and rushed outside.

“B-Brother! What about Raon?”

Siyan, trembling on weak legs, asked about Raon.

“Don’t worry.”

Rimmer pointed to Sepia’s entrance, where a silver light was spreading. The intense flames and smoke seemed to freeze in an instant.

“He won’t die.”

Raon frowned as he looked at the enemies before him.

‘As expected, it’s Eden.’

The man draped in crimson flames wore a lizard-shaped helmet with a single horn. Only Eden’s madmen wore such vivid monster-themed helmets.

‘He’s strong.’

The aura emanating from him surpassed Raon, now a Grandmaster. The intense heat permeated his fire resistance, making his skin feel like it was burning.

‘One of him is tough enough…’

Raon glanced at the gray-skinned elves standing beside the Eden ghost.

‘And those strange elves too.’

They retained their elven beauty, but their skin was corpse-like gray, exuding a deathly aura. They felt more like necromancers.

“You came quickly.”

Erian’s voice broke, his arms covered in burns and pierced by arrows. It was a miracle he was still standing.

‘He wasn’t fighting; he was protecting.’

Erian’s technique allowed him to flee and buy time, but his current state indicated he had stood his ground to protect Sepia’s entrance. His resolve was commendable.

“Erian…”

“I’m fine. Focus on the enemy.”

Erian gritted his teeth, suppressing his pain, and pointed at the enemy.

“That helmet is Ifrit’s helmet.”

“Ifrit…?”

Raon’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Ifrit, the Fire Spirit King?”

“Yes…”

Erian nodded weakly.

“The crimson flames and that helmet’s design confirm it. It possesses the power of the Fire Spirit King, Ifrit.”

“No way…”

Raon bit his lip as crimson flames burst through the silver aurora.

-Hmm….

Wrath, who had been complaining about hunger moments ago, now eyed Ifrit’s helmet with interest.

-That is indeed the aura of the fire tyrant.

‘Is it really the Fire Spirit King?’

-It is. However…

Wrath let out a mocking laugh.

-Compared to the original fire tyrant, this one is pitifully weak. It seems he hasn’t fully inherited the power.

Taking a closer look at Ifrit’s helmet, Raon realized something.

‘Indeed…’

A Spirit King should be at a transcendent level, but this one barely felt like a Grandmaster.

Stronger than Raon, yes, but not to the level expected of a Fire Spirit King.

“Flame Demon.”

The gray-skinned elf in the center called out to Ifrit’s helmet-wearer, frowning.

“What are you doing?”

Unimpressed by the Flame Demon’s inaction, she shook her head.

“And that elf?”

“She’s a traitor from Sepia, named Cassandra.”

Erian glared at Cassandra with gritted teeth.

“A traitor?”

“Yes, deserters who left due to differing opinions have returned as traitors.”

He laughed bitterly at their betrayal.

‘Those deserters…’

Raon recalled Rimmer’s words about deserters before the purification ritual. They hadn’t just disagreed; it seemed they had entirely changed species.

“Flame Demon!”

Cassandra’s shout made the Flame Demon’s fiery eyes glow menacingly.

“That human is strange.”

The Flame Demon eyed Raon suspiciously. His intense gaze wavered slightly.

“Strange?”

“I sense a far greater power than his actual strength. Is he really human?”

He speculated whether Raon was a disguised dragon, his fingers twitching.

“Dragon or not…”

“He’s not a dragon. He’s the dragon slayer.”

Cassandra’s dismissive tone was followed by a familiar voice from behind the burning bushes.

Through the smoldering foliage emerged a man wearing a red snake helmet.

‘That helmet…’

Except for the color, it was identical to the Golden Mask he had encountered when abducted by Eden.

“Golden Mask?”

“Golden Mask is dead. I am Red Ghost.”

He identified himself as Red Ghost, standing next to the Flame Demon.

“Leave this to us and go do your task.”

Red Ghost pointed towards Sepia. With the barriers gone, the entrance to Sepia was fully exposed.

‘Do your task?’

Raon, scrutinizing the Flame Demon and Red Ghost, furrowed his brows.

‘They’re not just attacking?’

If they wanted to destroy Sepia, killing Raon would be their best strategy. Yet they intended to send the Flame Demon ahead, suggesting a different plan.

‘Then I can’t let him go.’

Raon shifted his weight into his thighs, charging towards the retreating Flame Demon with Frostbite.

Silver and shadow-like frost blades targeted the Flame Demon’s neck.

Clang!

The Flame Demon raised a flaming shield to block both strikes. Fire and ice clashed, filling the air with steam.

“You…”

“Where do you think you’re going without saying goodbye?”

Raon stepped firmly, channeling his energy through the Heavenly Sword into a chain of strikes, extending the blue light along the blade.

Clang!

The brilliant arc shattered the Flame Demon’s shield, driving towards his heart.

Kyaaaang!

Before the blade could pierce his heated flesh, the trajectory was diverted by Red Ghost and Cassandra’s attacks.

“Go quickly. This isn’t your place.”

Red Ghost urged the Flame Demon, gesturing towards Sepia.

“Don’t kill him. Leave him for me to burn.”

The Flame Demon, glaring at Raon, moved towards Sepia. Wrapped in crimson flames, his form sped ahead.

“I said you can’t go.”

Raon, using the Supreme Harmony Steps, followed closely, attempting to imprison the Flame Demon with Frostbite. But Red Ghost and Cassandra’s attacks broke the forming ice.

Boom!

The Flame Demon brushed off the frost and entered Sepia.

“Tch.”

Raon clicked his tongue, glaring at Red Ghost and Cassandra.

“I don’t like being obsessed, but…”

“We have our own task. Just bear with it.”

“Do you want to die so badly?”

“Honestly, a bit.”

Red Ghost laughed, twirling his sword.

“You’re gravely mistaken.”

Raon’s Heavenly Sword glowed red as he approached Red Ghost.

“Do you think the two of you can stop me?”

“Such arrogance.”

Cassandra frowned deeply, annoyed.

“That’s just how he is.”

Red Ghost shrugged, tightening his grip on his sword. His mannerisms indicated he was indeed Golden Mask in disguise.

“He thinks he’s invincible because he killed a dragon, but it was the Pirate King who did all the…”

Before Red Ghost could finish, Raon surged forward with the Supreme Harmony Steps, thrusting the Heavenly Sword at his midsection.

Heavenly Sword Art, Thirty-Six Flames Piercing.

Thirty-six fiery stabs enveloped Red Ghost, leaving no escape.

As Red Ghost’s eyes widened, Cassandra’s hand moved. Swinging her bow like a sword, she unleashed a dark energy akin to demonic power.

Clang!

Thanks to Cassandra’s quick response, Red Ghost escaped with cuts to his shoulder and thigh. But his eyes betrayed fear.

“Hah, you’ve gotten absurdly strong in such a short time.”

Red Ghost laughed in disbelief.

Boom!

Raon didn’t allow any respite, fiercely stepping forward. As Red Ghost retreated, Raon followed, sheathing the Heavenly Sword in flames.

“Ha!”

Cassandra launched six arrows simultaneously. Their trajectories were so erratic they were hard to follow.

‘Impressive archery, but…’

It doesn’t compare to the Guardian’s control.

Raon synchronized with the Ring of Fire, drawing his Spirit Sword to deflect five arrows and kick away the sixth.

Boom!

Using the momentum, he closed in on Red Ghost, sheathing the Heavenly Sword in fire.

“Kugh!”

Red Ghost thrust his sword, aiming for Raon’s heart. Ignoring it, Raon gripped his blade tighter.

Raon Zieghart Sword Technique.

Form Three: Silver Dream.

A dreamlike blade brushed past Red Ghost’s neck.

“Urk…”

Red Ghost clutched his throat, trying to stop the blood gushing out, but he couldn’t.

Thud.

Red Ghost’s headless body fell backward.

“Truly a monster…”

Even in death, Red Ghost smiled faintly.

“But the plan remains intact. This will be the last time I see you…”

“That won’t happen.”

Ignoring Red Ghost’s words, Raon turned to Cassandra. Blood dripping from his blade, his eyes sparkled with red lightning.

“Your turn now.”