TRAIGS - Chapter 759

Raon lured Merlin, who was following him like a guided spell, to the middle of Bukmang Mountain.

“Raon! I missed you!”

As soon as he stopped and turned around, Merlin ran toward him with her arms wide open.

It seemed she wasn’t concerned about being seen by others or aware of her appearance as a giant bear.

– ‘Krrrk….’

Wrath sank again, frothing at the mouth after only a day. It was baffling why the so-called Lord of Wrath had such a feeble heart.

“I’m glad to see you too….”

Raon rotated his shoulder to evade Merlin’s hug and waved both hands.

“Why did you come as a bear?”

Instead of using her usual small animal forms, Merlin had arrived in the form of a large fire bear. It was perplexing why someone from Eden, who should be staying hidden, would choose to stand out so much.

‘Mother must’ve sensed her for sure.’

With Sylvia’s current strength, she would have undoubtedly felt Merlin’s presence. However, since there was no malice, she likely mistook her for a large beast drinking from the lake.

“It’s cute, isn’t it?”

Merlin hopped like a rabbit, asking if the bear wasn’t adorable.

“Cute…?”

– ‘Squeak, squeak, thud….’

Wrath, bouncing on the ground from the bear’s weight, didn’t find it amusing at all.

“Maybe we just have different tastes. But don’t worry, Raon, I understand.”

Merlin smiled, stroking the fire bear’s fur gently.

Seeing a stunning beauty with violet hair and purple eyes acting like this was honestly bewildering.

“Be careful next time. If someone else sees you, you might get hunted down.”

Raon sighed and leaned against a boulder.

“Okay!”

Merlin nodded immediately. Her answers were always prompt, if nothing else.

“So, what brings you here today?”

Raon asked while watching Merlin, who was now sitting like a human despite being in bear form.

“Why else? I came because I missed you!”

Merlin leaned in close as if questioning why he’d even ask something so obvious.

She still didn’t seem to realize her face was that of a bear.

“Of course, I have something to tell you too.”

She stepped back slightly and gave a subtle smile.

“Something to tell me?”

“As I mentioned before, I’ve been tracking the movements of the Five Demons.”

Merlin fanned herself with her hand as she spoke, claiming she’d been quite busy.

“That’s right.”

Raon nodded. After the war, he had told Merlin to come here, but she had refused, saying she wanted to track the movements of the Five Demons.

“Wasn’t it dangerous?”

“Haa….”

Merlin sighed without giving a direct answer.

“Having you worry about me after so long… It feels nice. Really nice.”

She trembled slightly, as if in ecstasy.

“Ugh….”

“But there’s no need to worry. I always had the animals watching out for me.”

She shook her head, explaining that her true body had been hidden in a safe place.

“Are you sure it’s truly safe? You got ambushed by that skeleton guy last time because you let your guard down.”

“This time, it’s really fine. No one will find me.”

She confidently reassured him with a smile.

“Well, I can tell you at least. Right now, I’m….”

Merlin twisted her body as she drew closer. Since she was still in bear form, it looked as if she was contemplating which paw to swipe with.

“Enough of that.”

Raon pushed her away, shaking his head.

“What’s the message?”

“Of course, it’s about the Five Demons.”

Merlin lifted a finger, her smile faint.

“They’re hiding and gathering strength.”

“How?”

“The leaders of the Five Demons are recovering from the wounds to their souls inflicted by your grandfather while devising countermeasures. Meanwhile, their subordinates are spreading across the continent to build their power.”

She narrowed her eyes, stating that the Five Demons were operating entirely in the shadows.

“As expected.”

Raon nodded calmly. Just as the Holy Sword Alliance and the Black Tower were conducting their exchanges, the Five Demons appeared to be spreading across the continent to increase their overall strength.

“But there’s something even more critical.”

Merlin exhaled lightly as she looked at Raon.

“Something critical?”

“The leader of the Holy Sword Alliance has changed.”

“To whom?”

Raon asked without showing much surprise. He had assumed the previous leader had died, as Glen’s sword had shattered after striking his mind, leaving him presumed dead.

“Sword Demon Rektor.”

Merlin mentioned Rektor’s name without any hesitation.

“Re-Rektor? Are you certain?”

“Yes. I even saw him participate in the Five Demons’ meeting as the new leader of the Holy Sword Alliance.”

She nodded solemnly, confirming her words.

“Hm….”

Raon picked up a fallen leaf and bit his lip.

‘Rektor has become the leader of the Holy Sword Alliance….’

To be honest, it was still hard to think of Rektor as an enemy.

Even if the previous leader had ordered him to gain Raon’s talent, many of his actions had been puzzling.

‘I had hoped he might come back.’

After the previous leader’s death, Raon had hoped that Rektor, now free, might return. But hearing that he had voluntarily become the leader of the Holy Sword Alliance solidified him as an enemy.

Raon’s chest ached slightly as he recalled the feelings he had shared with Rektor while training under him, feelings reminiscent of his grandfather.

“But….”

Merlin raised her hand, signaling she wasn’t finished.

“Something’s off about the Sword Demon.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Although he remains with the Five Demons, it seems like he’s targeting them. It’s like how I’m in Eden but have my own thoughts.”

She narrowed her eyes, claiming it was as if she were looking in a mirror.

“How did you figure that out?”

Raon leaned forward, swallowing hard as he questioned her.

“I saw his disciple gathering information about the Five Demons, not the Five Divine Order, several times.”

Merlin shook her head, saying it wasn’t typical behavior.

“Of course, this part is heavily based on my intuition, so don’t rely on it completely.”

She lowered her chin, admitting there was a high chance she could be wrong.

“Your intuition is usually spot on.”

Merlin always appeared in moments of danger. Her instincts were reliable enough to trust.

‘But it’s not something to be certain about.’

The possibility that Rektor differed from the Five Demons was still an unproven hypothesis. For now, it seemed best to leave open the assumption that he might not yet be an enemy.

“Thank you.”

Raon bowed his head slightly toward Merlin.

“Thanks to you, I got some good information.”

“What will you give me in return?”

Merlin wiggled her fingers as if she had something in mind. However, since she was in bear form, it looked more like she was contemplating how to devour him.

“Uh, maybe… I could treat you to a meal?”

– ‘Meal!’

The one who responded wasn’t Merlin but Wrath, who had fainted earlier. The cotton-candy-like coward flailed his arms, questioning why a feast was even being considered.

“Food, and some drinks too.”

Merlin grinned, saying she hadn’t had a good drink in a long while.

“Alright then. When…?”

“After I gather a little more information.”

Her expression turned serious as she shook her head.

“I still haven’t pinpointed the Heavenly Demon’s location.”

Even before leaving last time, Merlin had mentioned searching for the Heavenly Demon, and it seemed she hadn’t succeeded yet.

“The Heavenly Demon, huh….”

Raon bit his lip lightly.

‘Does it even exist?’

The Heavenly Demon’s name was widely known, but only a select few claimed to have seen it. With power described as touching the heavens, it felt like chasing a mythical legend.

“But I’ll find it soon enough.”

Merlin smirked, telling him to anticipate her return when she’d come to “collect her dues” properly.

“Don’t worry about the cost; I have plenty of money.”

“Money, huh….”

She gave a sly smile, as if plotting something.

“Well, see you next time.”

Merlin waved her hand as if she was ready to leave.

“Oh, before that, this bear…”

Raon gulped. Given her bear form, he suspected the request would be just as massive.

“It wants to swim in honey and catch some fresh salmon.”

“W-Wait! Where am I supposed to find enough honey for a bear to swim in? And fresh salmon too… how am I supposed to…?”

“Good luck!”

With those words, she left after entrusting the bear to him.

“Grrr!”

The bear extended its enormous paw as if demanding honey to swim in immediately.

-‘I too! I want salmon glazed with honey!’

As soon as Merlin disappeared, Wrath seemed reinvigorated and flailed around like a leaping salmon.

“…Maybe Dorian has some.”

At this point, the only hope was Dorian’s bottomless bag.

-‘Honey! Salmon!’

“Grr! Grrrrr!”

“Ugh….”

Listening to Wrath and the bear’s simultaneous demands, Raon closed his eyes tightly.

‘Why do I always end up surrounded by these kinds of people…?’

-‘Because you’re the strangest of them all!’

—

“Of course, I do! It’s an essential item!”

Dorian, summoned from the Light Wind Division quarters, opened his bag without hesitation. From it, he pulled out dozens of honey jars and what appeared to be freshly caught salmon.

“Grrr!”

Thanks to him, the bear indulged in a feast, swimming in a pool of honey while gorging itself.

-‘Ahh!’

Wrath also enjoyed salmon glazed with honey, rubbing his cheeks as he moaned in delight.

-‘This is divine! I thought it would be too greasy, but the sticky sweetness of the honey enhances the salmon perfectly!’

He chuckled, claiming he never thought such a combination could exist.

“This is surprisingly good!”

Even Dorian murmured that the taste exceeded his expectations and added it to his essential items list.

After spending a late evening satisfying both Wrath and the bear, Raon descended Bukmang Mountain.

“Thanks, Dorian.”

Raon patted Dorian’s shoulder.

“You saved me.”

“Oh, it was nothing.”

Dorian waved his hand, brushing off the gratitude.

“By the way….”

“Yeah?”

“We’re out of honey and salmon now. Do you mind if I restock a bit?”

He didn’t care about the fact that a bear had just swum in a pool of honey. His focus was on replenishing his supplies.

“Take the money from my stash.”

Raon nodded immediately.

“Restock everything else that’s been used too.”

“Understood!”

Dorian blushed and sprinted toward the marketplace.

-‘That guy’s a freak too… a freak when it comes to stocking supplies.’

Wrath clicked his tongue, muttering about Dorian’s obsession with his inventory.

“Probably true.”

Raon chuckled softly as he walked toward the annex. Despite the late hour, the lights in the kitchen were still on.

When he opened the door, Sylvia and Helen stood up as if they had been waiting for him.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet…?”

“How could I sleep when my son hasn’t come home yet!”

Sylvia frowned, saying it was far too late.

“The lady kept reheating dishes while waiting for you,” Helen said, gesturing at the table laden with food.

-‘For me?! They prepared all this for me?!’

Wrath looked at the steaming dishes and exhaled deeply.

-‘Mother is the best!’

He clasped his hands together in genuine admiration.

‘It’s not for you.’

Raon pushed Wrath aside and sat in front of Sylvia.

“You didn’t need to wait up; I could’ve eaten tomorrow….”

“I heard you lost to Karoon. I wanted to comfort you.”

Sylvia smiled softly, saying Yua had told her everything.

“I’m fine.”

Raon shook his head calmly. Karoon had already surpassed the threshold of transcendence, wielding his full power. Losing wasn’t something to be ashamed of, nor was it disheartening.

“Good, then.”

Sylvia seemed relieved as she motioned toward the food.

“Eat now. Reheating it again would be a hassle.”

She handed him a fork, knife, and spoon.

-‘Meat, fish, pizza, stew, and salmon! More salmon! Grab the fork! It’s war!’

Even after devouring his fill earlier, Wrath drooled as he commanded Raon to dig in.

‘Alright, alright.’

Raon smiled faintly and began eating the food Sylvia and Helen had prepared.

-‘Ohhh! It’s as fresh as if it were just made!’

‘Because it was.’

-‘What?!’

‘It wasn’t reheated.’

Despite Helen’s words, the dishes seemed freshly prepared.

-‘Sniff….’

Wrath teared up, moved by the evident care put into the food.

-‘So this is a mother’s love! Truly unmatched!’

‘….’

Raon felt like conducting a psychological—or rather, demonic—evaluation to confirm Wrath’s identity as a Demon King.

Still, perhaps because of the care poured into the meal, it tasted even better than usual, despite his full stomach.

“Why were you so late? I was about to come find you.”

Sylvia furrowed her brow, saying she’d nearly gone to Bukmang herself.

Raon had a feeling she hadn’t been properly briefed on the mission because of his match with Karoon.

“The operation was delayed because the Black Tower and Holy Sword Alliance executives arrived late,” Raon explained while chewing on his food.

“What kind of operation was it?”

“I’d like to hear about it too,” Sylvia said, clapping her hands lightly. Helen smiled faintly, showing her curiosity as well.

“It wasn’t anything major….”

As he ate his late dinner, Raon recounted the events that had occurred.

“Three Grandmasters….”

Helen was left speechless, seemingly unable to grasp how Raon had taken down three Grandmasters alone.

“What about the techniques of Tugui and the White Demon Swordmaster?”

Sylvia, on the other hand, focused on their swordsmanship. Ever since gaining her artificial energy center, she had become increasingly interested in such matters.

“Tugui’s swordsmanship was practical. It relied on a strong style using a greatsword, honed to the point it could cut through even my strong aura. On the other hand, the White Demon Swordmaster’s techniques incorporated extreme transformations, making it feel like wielding a flexible sword. The sword moved freely….”

Raon explained their swordsmanship in detail, noting the sparkle in Sylvia’s eyes.

“To think such techniques exist… the world truly is vast.”

Sylvia nodded deeply, her admiration evident.

“…….”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he observed Sylvia’s excitement.

‘Does she want to venture beyond the family estate?’

She hadn’t participated in any battles for a while despite her growing strength, so it seemed she was itching for action.

“Are you planning to take on a mission, Mother?”

With Sylvia’s abilities, it wouldn’t be strange for her to undertake a solo mission. Raon asked cautiously.

“No.”

Contrary to his expectations, Sylvia shook her head firmly.

“I told you, didn’t I? I accepted this artificial energy center to protect the annex.”

She smiled while rubbing her lower abdomen, where the artificial energy center was embedded.

“I have no interest in missions.”

“I see….”

Raon sighed softly as he noted the resolve—and sadness—hidden in Sylvia’s eyes.

‘Is it because she lost Father and my sister?’

Having lost her husband and daughter to Eden’s Twin Ghosts, Sylvia now valued the annex’s residents more than herself.

While occasional missions might have been fine, she didn’t seem inclined to leave the annex unless absolutely necessary.

“Still, I’m very interested in becoming stronger. After all, I need to protect you.”

“Me too?”

“Of course.”

Sylvia smiled as she gently touched Raon’s cheek.

“You’re a member of the annex, aren’t you?”

She tilted her head, as if to ask why he’d even question that.

“Master Raon is not only the leader of the Light Wind Division but also the young master of the annex!”

Helen chimed in, her nostrils flaring as if Raon needed to remember that fact.

“Oh.”

Looking at Sylvia and Helen’s warm gazes and the steaming dishes before him, Raon lowered his head and chuckled softly.

“You’re right. I’ll keep that in mind.”

-‘I too!’

Wrath raised his voice as he lifted his head proudly.

-‘I am also a member of the annex!’

‘No, you’re from the Demon Realm….’

-‘I don’t care!’

—

After finishing his meal, Raon returned to his room.

-‘Burp!’

Wrath let out a small burp, his lips glistening with grease.

-‘Today’s dishes were extraordinary!’

The cotton-candy-like demon grinned, saying the salmon had been perfect. It was baffling why he called himself the Lord of Wrath when food seemed to extinguish his fury so easily.

‘I’m tired.’

Raon sighed deeply and leaned against his bed. The tension leaving his body made him feel heavy.

-‘You’ve used up all your energy, so it’s understandable. Plus, you met that crazy girl.’

Wrath shuddered, his eyes darting around as if still haunted by her presence.

‘Right. That happened too.’

Raon chuckled dryly as he nodded.

To be honest, the talking bear’s sudden arrival had been more shocking than his match with Karoon. His heart still raced at the thought.

‘Swimming in honey and catching salmon….’

He couldn’t help but laugh as he recalled feeding salmon to the bear alongside Dorian.

‘Plop.’

His gaze fell on the Heavenly Drive resting on the carpet.

‘Transcendence, huh….’

Karoon had achieved transcendence through changes he brought about himself, revisiting regrets from his past and turning even his childhood goals into strength.

Transcendence seemed to be a realm that valued accumulated experiences, emotions, and the life one had lived more than any stage Raon had encountered before.

-‘You haven’t even reached the peak of this realm yet.’

Wrath snorted derisively.

-‘Don’t rush. Proceed steadily.’

‘I’m not rushing. I’m just trying to find a path.’

Regardless of his current stage, Raon wanted to uncover clues to reach transcendence.

‘What could it be?’

Vengeance, wrath, the myriad of swords, family, comrades—many things came to mind, but none stood out.

‘Ssss.’

As Raon stared at the ceiling, lost in thought, a faint presence emanated from the window.

‘Again? Wait…!’

Turning his gaze while lying down, he saw Glenn’s face outside the window.

“Patriarch?”

Glenn silently gestured for him to come outside.