Chapter 753
Raon looked down at the entrance of the arena and let out a hollow laugh.
‘They look like a swarm of bees.’
Where did all these people come from?
As soon as the weekend arrived, an uncountable number of people swarmed into the arena.
It was absurd to think that all of them had come to Holam just to see the duel between himself and Martha.
‘Well, we’re both undefeated. They must be curious who’ll win.’
Both Raon and Martha had achieved overwhelming victories since entering the arena.
With the news spreading that two strong fighters, so fearsome that even the champion refused their challenges and stalled for time, were finally clashing, it wasn’t unusual for people from all over the continent to gather.
‘The betting odds were fifty-fifty.’
Martha dominated her opponents with her ferocious nature and raw strength, while Raon overwhelmed his challengers with a mix of mocking psychological tactics and speed.
Since their approaches were completely different, the match gained even more attention and anticipation, and the betting odds reflected this fierce competition.
Raon curled his lips as he saw a middle-aged man with slicked-back blue hair swaggering into the arena.
‘I wonder where that gambler placed his bet.’
Rimmer had disguised himself as a middle-aged nouveau riche and had spent the entire day wandering between gambling halls and taverns.
His face was so shiny, as if polished with oil, that it was clear he was having a good time.
-That pointy-eared fool has improved.
Wrath shot a displeased glare at Rimmer.
‘Yeah. It’s strange.’
Despite spending his entire day gambling and drinking, Rimmer’s presence and movements were noticeably stable.
There was no way he had trained overnight, so it was hard to understand how he had grown stronger.
-I’ve told you repeatedly, haven’t I? Once your body matures, mental fortitude becomes most important.
Wrath waved his round hand up and down.
-At the Grandmaster level, mental training yields as much as physical practice.
Snorting, Wrath warned him not to be so one-dimensional.
-But to improve so much in such a short period… it seems something significant has changed in that pointy-eared fool.
Wrath narrowed his eyes, as if such growth wasn’t an easy feat.
‘A change of heart….’
Ever since the sparring session at the family’s training ground, Rimmer’s gaze and presence had definitely changed.
He still acted lazy and unserious, but his mental growth was undeniable.
‘But….’
Raon narrowed his eyes as he watched the diminishing stream of people.
‘When are they coming?’
The arena was so crowded with spectators and gamblers that it felt like it would burst, yet neither the Black Tower’s demons nor the Holy Sword Alliance’s swordmasters were anywhere to be seen.
‘I couldn’t have missed them.’
He had been watching all the entrances from the moment the first spectators started entering.
There was no way he hadn’t noticed them, so they simply hadn’t arrived yet.
‘They’ll definitely come.’
Money doesn’t lie in a place like this. Raon sharpened his focus, using the Eyes of Wrath to scan the arena inside and out even more meticulously.
Just as the flood of people started to dwindle like a receding river, a group of figures wearing black robes entered through the left corridor.
Though their energy was suppressed, a sinister stench seemed to leak out from under their robes.
‘They’re here.’
Raon’s fingertips tensed.
‘The Black Tower.’
As expected of creatures who used demonic energy and malice, the Black Tower’s demons reeked of that disgusting aura even when they tried to suppress it.
However, the man at the forefront emitted no discernible aura or stench.
‘Is that the Mara Lord?’
Black eyes gleamed under his robe, so chilling that it made Raon’s skin crawl.
It felt less like looking at a human and more like staring into the abyss itself. As Denning Rose had described, he was an exceptional Grandmaster of the highest caliber.
The Mara Lord ignored the open duels taking place as if they were meaningless and ascended straight to the top-level viewing area where the organizers sat.
The demons left behind stood like statues, unmoving.
Raon watched the Mara Lord climb the stairs before shifting his gaze to the right.
‘Holy Sword Alliance.’
Accompanied by footfalls that seemed to raise the hairs on his entire body, swordsmen clad in gray robes entered the arena.
Unlike the Black Tower’s demons, they didn’t conceal their faces, and sharp, blade-like energy radiated from their presence.
‘That must be the White Demon Sword Master.’
Naturally, Raon’s eyes were drawn to the man at the front. His complexion was deathly pale, and his limbs were oddly long.
His body, almost unnaturally suited for a swordsman, exuded a refined and honed sword aura. This man was undoubtedly the White Demon Sword Master of the Holy Sword Alliance.
‘He’s strong.’
His entire presence was enveloped by an aura that suggested he could cut down anyone who dared approach.
The White Demon Sword Master was also a supreme-level Grandmaster who rivaled the Mara Lord.
-Hmm….
Wrath stroked his chin while watching the White Demon Sword Master ascend to the top-level viewing area.
-They’re insignificant bugs to me, but they are on par with your current level. Can you really handle all three of them?
Wrath’s narrowed gaze revealed his skepticism.
‘It’s not three, it’s two. And….’
Raon looked up at the viewing area and clicked his tongue.
‘If I can’t handle even that, I might as well forget about revenge.’
Derus Robert was a monster among Transcendents, at the absolute pinnacle.
To defeat him, Raon needed to constantly challenge himself with difficult tasks.
After engraving the strength and movements of the Mara Lord, the White Demon Sword Master, and the other fighters in his mind, Raon returned to the waiting room.
“You’re here!”
Dorian, who had been waiting in the room, bowed his head.
“The duel is about to begin, so they want you to prepare.”
He relayed the manager’s instructions and took a step closer.
“And the ‘Rose’ said that the beasts are all in position.”
‘Rose’ referred to Denning Rose, and ‘beasts’ meant the Light Wind Division. It was a signal that everyone was in their assigned positions and waiting.
“You distributed the antidotes to everyone, right?”
Raon tilted his chin toward Dorian.
“Yes.”
Dorian quickly nodded.
“Then tell them to take it right before Martha and I start our duel.”
“Whew, alright….”
Dorian sighed deeply, clutching his fluttering chest.
“I-I’m a little nervous. I’m not sure if I’ll do a good job….”
Grabbing his left wrist with his right hand, Dorian licked his lips nervously.
“You’ll be fine.”
Raon shook his head calmly.
“Think about the training you’ve done.”
“Hoo!”
Dorian wiped the cold sweat dripping from his forehead and nodded vigorously.
“I suddenly feel confident now!”
He straightened up, nodded once more, and left the waiting room, saying he felt fine.
-That wallet boy doubts himself, but he never doubts you.
Wrath blew a puff of air as he watched Dorian leave without another word.
“Then I’ll have to live up to that trust.”
Raon flexed his fingers and smiled faintly.
“And stop calling him a wallet.”
-You’re the one treating him like a wallet!
“Been a while, hasn’t it?”
Tugui spread his arms wide to greet the Mara Lord and the White Demon Sword Master.
“Welcome to Holam.”
He spoke as though the lawless region of Holam were his personal territory, like a king addressing his guests.
The Mara Lord silently inspected Tugui for a moment before sitting down on the seat to the right. Even with his hands clasped together, there wasn’t the slightest opening to be seen in his posture.
“You’ve gathered more jewels, I see.”
The White Demon Sword Master, his voice laced with metallic resonance, sat to the left. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw at any moment, as he tilted his chin.
“I like money, but I hate just piling it up.”
Tugui chuckled as he fidgeted with the rings on his ten fingers. He poured drinks for the Mara Lord and the White Demon Sword Master himself before settling into his seat.
“I’ll pass. I’m on duty.”
The Mara Lord didn’t even look at the drink, and the White Demon Sword Master pushed his glass forward without any interest.
“You two are so uptight.”
Tugui muttered that there wasn’t any poison and downed his drink first.
“So, why did you call us here today? You had time last week as well, didn’t you?”
The White Demon Sword Master frowned as he looked at the gently swirling liquor.
“Because today, our arena’s two greatest fighters are clashing. There’s an enormous amount of money at stake.”
Tugui lowered his glass and turned his gaze toward the arena below.
“It’s nice when the money comes in all at once, isn’t it?”
He snickered, saying he wasn’t satisfied with small profits anymore.
“What a pathetic reason.”
The White Demon Sword Master clicked his tongue but followed Tugui’s gaze to examine Raon and Martha standing in the arena.
“Born for combat, are they?”
He instantly assessed the physical talent of Raon and Martha and licked his lips.
The Mara Lord, however, showed no interest in anything but his business, staring straight ahead.
“Yes, both are natural-born warriors.”
Tugui nodded eagerly, rubbing his palms together.
“How much would you pay for two corpses like those?”
He wiggled his fingers at the Mara Lord.
“Two?”
The White Demon Sword Master frowned.
“Isn’t one of them supposed to come out alive?”
“Ah, sometimes they fight too fiercely and both end up dead.”
Tugui laughed as if it were an amusing coincidence.
“You’ve rigged the fight.”
The White Demon Sword Master snorted and pushed his glass even farther away.
“Don’t worry. I never touch my best customers—the ones who bring in the big money.”
Tugui waved dismissively before turning his gaze to the Mara Lord.
“With poison sealing their aura, their life force will be drawn out dramatically. What do you think?”
The Mara Lord finally shifted his gaze down toward the arena. The dark energy rising in his eyes gleamed faintly.
“A thousand.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, he named a price.
“Deal. I knew you’d be decisive.”
Tugui clapped his hands with satisfaction.
“Then let’s conclude the deal after we watch the duel. You’ll get to see quite the spectacle—”
“Not interested.”
The Mara Lord shook his head, dismissing the duel as irrelevant. From his subspace, he pulled out an old sword manual and a long sword.
“The Holy Martial Sword Manual and the Spear-Severing Sword.”
His gaze shifted sharply toward the White Demon Sword Master, urging him to proceed with the trade.
“You’re still as impatient as ever.”
The White Demon Sword Master didn’t take his eyes off the sword manual as he pulled out a necklace with a bead the size of a thumb attached.
Inside the bead, black and white mist swirled violently, as if trying to devour each other.
“This is the Black-and-White Pillar you’ve been asking for.”
He carefully placed the necklace on the table.
Wooooo!
For the first time, the Mara Lord’s previously emotionless eyes shimmered with pitch-black greed.
“Well, I suppose money is the real spectacle for you.”
Tugui chuckled as he examined the sword manual, the Spear-Severing Sword, and the necklace with both hands.
“They’re all genuine. I stake my eyes on it.”
After inspecting each item thoroughly, he nodded in satisfaction.
“Then let’s start the—”
Just as Tugui gestured for them to bring out the money, an enormous cheer erupted from the arena below.
“You know that the three of us being here makes it hard for even a Transcendent to approach.”
He gestured downward with a flick of his fingers, smirking.
“Let’s just enjoy the view for a moment.”
All three turned their attention to the duel below simultaneously.
Ooooh!
Rumble!
Raon deflected Martha’s killing intent-filled punch and lowered his stance.
“Keep going. They’re watching us now.”
His voice, calm and steady, contrasted with the intensity of the battle.
“How do you know that?”
Martha frowned as she aimed another punch at his chin.
“I recovered my aura.”
“Recovered? Already?”
She let out a disbelieving gasp.
“After consuming poison for so long, I guess my body’s adapted to it.”
Thanks to his ‘Poison Resistance’ trait and the ‘Ring of Fire’, his body naturally expelled the poison even though he hadn’t tried to detoxify himself.
Because of that, he was now in perfect condition.
“We have about fifty seconds left.”
Martha bit her lip, knowing both she and the Light Wind Division still needed more time.
“Then keep attacking. Use everything you’ve got.”
Raon taunted her, beckoning with his fingers.
“We can’t afford to lose their attention.”
He could feel it through his senses. Tugui, the Mara Lord, and the White Demon Sword Master were all watching from the top-level viewing area.
He had to buy time and keep their attention on the duel until the Light Wind Division fully recovered.
“Fine. I’ll show you what I’ve gained here!”
Gritting her teeth, Martha charged forward and unleashed a punch. Even without aura, the wind brushing against Raon’s ear showed its deadly intent.
Tap!
Raon dodged her attack with light footwork and struck her abdomen.
Thwack!
Despite staggering back two steps from the blow, Martha let out a roar and came at him with even more ferocity. Her eyes seemed to forget the mission entirely.
-Kuh!
Wrath trembled, hiding behind Raon’s back as he saw Martha’s gleaming eyes.
-T-The beefy girl has lost it!
Wrath’s voice quivered as his hands shook in fear.
‘You’re doing great.’
Raon smiled faintly as he parried her punches and landed a backhand strike on her chin.
Wham!
Even though the hit must have rattled her brain, Martha didn’t back down, continuing her relentless assault as though pain and fear were foreign concepts.
“Raaaah!”
Drawing on her previous duel experience, Martha unleashed explosive strikes, her progress remarkable even without wielding a sword.
Rumble!
As Raon and Martha’s intense clash unfolded, the once-noisy arena fell into silence.
Everyone present held their breath, utterly focused on the duel.
But the fighters themselves were more engrossed in something else than the battle.
“They’re here.”
Martha jabbed Raon’s shoulder with her fist, signaling that her aura had recovered.
Boom!
Raon, confirming the return of her aura, stomped his foot to send a signal to the Light Wind Division.
Boom!
Explosions erupted throughout the arena as the swordsmen of the Light Wind Division sprang into action.
“Aaah!”
“What’s happening?!”
“Why are there explosions?!”
Panic spread among the spectators, shaking the entire arena.
Yet the Black Tower’s demons and the Holy Sword Alliance’s swordsmen on the second floor remained unfazed, as expected.
“Martha.”
Feeling the focus of Tugui, the Mara Lord, and the White Demon Sword Master waver, Raon nodded at Martha.
“Got it!”
Martha kicked off the ground with all her strength, not toward Raon but toward the top-level viewing area.
Crash!
Her strike shattered the glass of the viewing platform, but the Black Tower’s demons and the Holy Sword Alliance’s swordsmen blocked her path.
“Who are you?!”
“How dare you!”
As they struck her down, a crimson blaze erupted from below the arena.
Fwoooosh!
The swirling flames simultaneously targeted Tugui, the Mara Lord, and the White Demon Sword Master, radiating overwhelming heat.
“This ambush isn’t profitable.”
Tugui suppressed the visible flames with a sneer.
“You!”
The White Demon Sword Master cut through the flames with his blade, grinding his teeth in anger.
“You think I’d do something so obvious?”
Tugui shrugged, claiming it wasn’t his doing.
“Nonsense! If not you, then that shady—huh?”
The White Demon Sword Master turned to look for the Mara Lord.
Squelch!
A frost-covered sword pierced the Mara Lord’s chest, and a flame-imbued blade severed his neck.
Whoosh!
The Mara Lord’s body was split into three pieces and burned as the two flames crushed him.
Tugui and the White Demon Sword Master froze, shock filling their eyes.
Raon turned his back to them. His crimson eyes gleamed with a golden radiance.
“Next.”
