TRAIGS - Chapter 762

– S, Special Ability?

Wrath shot up like a firecracker and lunged toward Haren.

– What is it? Speak now!

He flicked his tongue excitedly, seemingly thrilled by the mention of a “special ability.”

“What kind of ability is it?”

Raon gripped the sheath of the Heavenly Drive tightly, his gaze fixed on Haren. The words “special ability” ignited a surge of anticipation within him.

“Heh heh, look over there.”

Haren smirked and pointed to the dragon head carved on the sheath.

“See the flames in its eyes?”

“Oh? You’re right.”

Raon nodded. When he first received the sheath, the dragon’s eyes had been empty. But now, tiny sparks were flickering within them.

“That’s it!”

Haren straightened his back and clapped his hands loudly.

“The special ability absorbs the aura you’ve wasted, and the dragon’s eyes ignite with flames!”

He laughed gleefully, his cheeks flushed red, clearly satisfied with himself.

-…

“…”

Raon and Wrath blinked blankly, staring at the delighted Haren.

The word “anticipation” crumbled like dry leaves, leaving them speechless.

“Ah…”

Even Balkan couldn’t suppress his embarrassment and covered his face with his hand.

“Isn’t it cool?”

Haren tilted his head, asking if it wasn’t every man’s dream.

“Cool? My foot!”

Balkan smacked the back of Haren’s head with his open palm.

‘Smack!’

The crisp sound echoed like a watermelon bursting as Haren’s head hit the floor.

“Why, why did you hit me?!”

“Didn’t I tell you not to create useless features?”

Balkan shook his head, pleading for him to stop doing foolish things.

From the word “again,” it was clear this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

“Th-the flames are, of course, the ultimate ability, but there’s another function!”

Haren waved his hands frantically, pleading for Balkan not to hit him again.

“It’s probably another worthless function,”

Balkan muttered as he kicked Haren’s side before turning to Raon.

“I’m sorry. I’ll make you a new one.”

He sighed deeply, lamenting his son’s upbringing.

“Let’s at least hear him out first.”

Raon smiled faintly and helped Haren to his feet.

Since Balkan had already gone to great lengths to enhance the Heavenly Drive with his own lifespan, Raon didn’t want to trouble him further. If the sheath’s function wasn’t entirely useless, he intended to keep using it.

“W-wait… draw… assistance…”

Haren stood up, clutching his bruised side.

“It has a draw-sword assistance function.”

“Draw-sword?”

Raon’s eyes widened at the unexpected term.

“Why draw-sword of all things…?”

Even Balkan furrowed his brows in confusion.

“Draw-sword is often dismissed as an impractical technique, isn’t it? Many say it lacks real-world applicability. So, I wanted to challenge that notion. Isn’t taking on challenges the hallmark of a craftsman?”

Haren picked up a pipe that had fallen to the ground and shook it passionately, his eyes gleaming once more.

“Hmm…”

Raon narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the sheath.

‘It is a challenging technique to use in actual combat.’

Draw-sword techniques were great for ambushes but not particularly useful once a battle was underway. Sheathing the sword during a fight was inherently risky, and Raon had rarely seen anyone use draw-sword techniques in real battles, aside from Aris.

However, since Raon occasionally used draw-sword techniques himself, a useful auxiliary function in the sheath could make it worthwhile.

“How does it work?”

Raon approached Haren, holding up the sheath.

“It’s simple.”

Haren pointed to the dragon’s eyes, where the embers flickered.

“When the flames in the dragon’s eyes completely fill up, it means the charge is complete. At that point, drawing your sword will unleash a draw-sword technique that’s over twice as strong and fast.”

Nodding, he added that while it might not compare to the visual flair of the flames in the dragon’s eyes, it was still a decent ability.

“How does it charge?”

Raon stroked the dragon’s eye engraving as he asked.

“You don’t have to do anything. The sheath automatically absorbs the energy you waste during battles.”

Haren explained that the sheath collected residual energy and shook his head proudly.

“Oh…?”

Raon stared at the sheath in surprise.

‘Isn’t that amazing?’

Since the sheath charged itself by gathering wasted energy during battles, it required no extra effort, making it an incredibly efficient ability.

– Indeed! There’s nothing to lose with this ability!

Wrath raised his arms in astonishment.

– It completely offsets the drawbacks of draw-sword techniques!

‘Exactly.’

Typically, powerful draw-sword techniques required significant preparation.

But with the sheath automatically gathering energy, there would be no delay or large movements, making it viable even for mid-combat ambushes.

“Hmm…”

Balkan exhaled a faint breath, seemingly surprised Haren had managed to come up with such an efficient energy management system.

“This seems like an impressive ability.”

Raon lifted the sheath and nodded deeply.

“It’s nothing special, really.”

Haren shook his head, unsatisfied.

“The flames in the dragon’s eyes are far cooler, aren’t they? Like lighting a cigarette at the start of the year.”

He grinned, still convinced the flaming eyes were the superior feature.

-That guy is strange…

Wrath narrowed his eyes, muttering that something was wrong with Haren’s head.

“It’d be best to test it out.”

Balkan gestured for them to confirm the sheath’s abilities.

“Understood.”

Raon nodded and headed outside the workshop.

“Right now, it’s barely charged, isn’t it?”

“Judging by the faint flames in the eyes, it’s at about 5%.”

Haren clicked his tongue, muttering that it still had a long way to go.

“Then I’ll deliberately waste some aura.”

Raon unleashed Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier into the air, letting the sheath absorb the dispersed energy as the flames in the dragon’s eyes intensified.

“This should be enough.”

When the flames in the dragon’s eyes reached about 40%, Raon gripped the sheath with his left hand.

He could feel the energy swirling inside, like molten lava.

Raon gripped the hilt of the Heavenly Drive with his right hand. His left foot stepped forward, twisting his waist and shoulders as he drew the sword.

‘Swoooosh.’

The energy condensed within the sheath erupted, forcefully pushing the silver blade upward. A blazing red streak along the sword’s spine flared intensely, spitting out a magnificent inferno into the air.

‘Whoooosh!’

The flames shot skyward, filling the area above Mirthan Village with an endless torrent of fire, resembling the breath of a Red Dragon at full strength.

“Ah…”

Raon gaped as he stared at the heat-filled sky. Despite being told it wasn’t a big deal, he’d drawn the sword with full power, and if his angle had been slightly lower, the entire village might have been incinerated.

– ‘Ack…’

“Ugh…”

Wrath and Balkan trembled as their widened eyes blinked in disbelief, clearly not expecting the amplification to be this overwhelming.

“Did you see that? Such brute strength is dull. The flames igniting in the dragon’s eyes are far more elegant!”

Haren clicked his tongue, insisting the dragon’s fiery eyes were superior.

“I misjudged this fool.”

Balkan shook his head slowly, looking at Haren.

“He’s talented, but his brain is hopeless!”

– ‘The King agrees!’

“…”

Raon nodded silently, unable to refute their words.

—

After packing the Heavenly Drive and its sheath, Raon bowed to Balkan and Haren.

“Thank you for the excellent sword and sheath.”

“Being overly polite isn’t charming either,” Balkan waved dismissively.

“As I’ve said before, just make sure you become someone worthy of that sword.”

“Understood.”

Raon smiled faintly and nodded.

“I’d prefer if the dragon’s eyes always burned with flames. Drawing the sword will extinguish them, so avoid using that feature if you can.”

Haren nodded earnestly, as if genuinely suggesting Raon discard the draw-sword ability and just let the flames glow perpetually.

He’d always been eccentric, but now he seemed even stranger.

“I’ll… consider it,” Raon replied, letting out a hollow laugh at Haren’s seriousness.

“And…”

Raon opened his spatial pocket and took out the scales, bones, and teeth of Kaibar.

“I’d like to return the materials used for the sheath.”

“R-really?”

Haren’s jaw dropped as he saw the scales, bones, and teeth spread out on the table.

“Yes.”

Haren had mentioned using Kaibar’s materials for the sheath. Since Raon was satisfied with it, he felt this was a fitting gesture of gratitude.

“Thanks! Next time, I’ll craft something even more romantic!”

Haren shouted with excitement and dashed back to his workshop.

“I’ll take my leave as well.”

Raon bowed to Balkan.

“As I mentioned before, I will strive to become a swordsman who bends to no one.”

“Good. But before that…”

Balkan stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“You know who gave me the Crimson Blaze Metal, Ice Crystal Metal, and Gold Vein Metal, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

Raon nodded without hesitation.

“Then make sure to thank them properly when you return.”

Balkan smiled faintly, certain the person would be pleased.

“I’ll do that.”

Raon had already planned to express his gratitude, so he nodded confidently.

“Go on, then.”

Balkan gestured for Raon to leave.

“I need to rest for a while.”

Balkan sank into a chair, mentioning he might go on another journey soon.

“Until next time.”

Raon bowed and left the workshop.

“Next time…”

Balkan alternated his gaze between the sound of metalwork from Haren’s workshop and Raon’s retreating figure, a gentle smile forming on his lips.

“I can leave it to him.”

He smiled contentedly, letting the calm breeze wash over him.

—

Upon returning to Zieghart, Raon headed straight for the audience chamber.

“Master.”

Upon arrival, Roenn greeted him with a soft smile and bowed.

“May I see the head of the house?”

“Of course.”

Without even checking Glenn’s availability, Roenn opened the chamber doors for him.

“Go on in.”

“Thank you.”

Raon bowed to Roenn and stepped into the audience chamber.

Glenn sat on his throne, scanning documents, his back resting against the chair.

“I greet the head of the house.”

Raon approached the dais and knelt.

“Rise.”

Glenn’s dry voice commanded Raon to stand as his gaze shifted from the papers to him.

“Your mind seems clearer now.”

“Your advice was of great help. And also…”

Raon looked directly into Glenn’s calm eyes and bowed deeply.

“Thank you for the precious materials.”

It was Glenn who had provided Balkan with the Crimson Blaze Metal, Ice Crystal Metal, and Gold Vein Metal. Since Glenn had directed him to Balkan, the answer had been obvious.

“Thanks to you, I not only repaired the Heavenly Drive but also reaffirmed my goals.”

Raon bowed even deeper, feeling more grateful than ever for the clarity and growth he had achieved.

“That’s good to hear.”

Glenn nodded slowly, his expression approving.

“As you advised, I will aspire for both the Ten Thousand Swords and transcendence.”

Raon patted his chest, declaring his aspirations and resolve.

“Thank you for everything… Grandfather.”

He smiled sincerely, addressing Glenn with warmth.

“…Ah.”

Glenn opened his mouth to speak but froze. The papers in his hand slipped and scattered below the dais, as if time itself had stopped.

“Grandfather?”

“Master!”

“Urgh!”

Roenn and Sheryl rushed toward the dais in alarm.

“Call the Saint!”

“I-it’s fine!”

Glenn stopped Sheryl from summoning Federick, exhaling heavily.

“…There’s no need to thank me. It was just a repayment for your information.”

He waved dismissively as if it were nothing.

“Are you truly alright?”

“I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

What could have caused him to forget even to breathe? The thought left sweat trickling down Raon’s back.

“You may leave now.”

“Understood. Please take care of yourself.”

Raon bowed to Glenn and turned to leave.

– That old geezer is malnourished. Doesn’t his lips or the corners of his eyes tremble all the time?

Wrath clicked his tongue, blaming Glenn’s habit of only eating Nadine bread.

‘Should I invite him for a meal again?’

– Absolutely! When that old man comes, the variety of dishes increases!

Wrath enthusiastically waved his arms up and down, urging Raon to proceed.

‘Nutrient-rich meals…’

“Raon.”

As Raon was lost in thought about what dishes to prepare, Glenn’s gentle voice called out to him.

“You’ve worked hard. If you ever have concerns, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

Glenn nodded with an expression that was difficult to decipher.

“Ah…”

Looking into Glenn’s eyes, Raon felt a lump in his throat. For reasons he couldn’t explain, his nose stung, and a warm sensation filled his chest.

“…I understand. Thank you.”

Raon bowed deeply and exited the audience chamber.

‘Hoo…’

As soon as Raon left, Glenn slid from his throne and collapsed onto the floor. He gazed at the ceiling, letting out a long, weary sigh.

“Grandfather…”

Sheryl shook her head, both delighted and concerned, as she watched Glenn struggle.

“That might be the most terrifying word in the world.”

“Hohoho.”

Roenn chuckled softly, as if he found the situation amusing.

—

Even during his break, and after it ended, Raon’s routine remained unchanged. He focused entirely on training with the Light Wind Division in the training grounds.

Unlike the swordsmen of Light Wind, who honed their skills through physical movement, Raon spent his time sitting at the edge of the training grounds, immersed in meditation.

‘Hoo…’

Raon slowly opened his eyes as the sun set after a full day of meditation.

‘My body feels stiff, but this is a path I must walk.’

Wrath had claimed that Raon’s physical body now rivaled even transcendents.

What Raon lacked wasn’t physicality but mental fortitude, experience, and mastery of martial arts. Thus, he was now focusing on cultivating his mental state.

Brushing off the dust that had settled on his shoulders, Raon stood up.

– Hm?

Wrath floated down in front of him, his eyes wide with curiosity.

– What’s this? You’re stopping before sunset?

‘I have something to do.’

Today was the day of the officer meeting, and Raon needed to prepare in advance.

‘Even if few people attend.’

With the locations of the Five Demons revealed, not only Zieghart but also the martial forces of the Five Kings were constantly dispatched on missions.

Zieghart itself felt almost deserted, with more than half its members absent.

‘Still, preparations must be made.’

As Raon headed back to his quarters to shower, the training ground doors creaked open, and Chad entered.

“Master.”

Chad approached Raon and shook his head.

“You don’t need to attend the meeting.”

“What? Why not all of a sudden…?”

Even with fewer participants, meetings were always held. He couldn’t understand why he was being excluded.

“The Light Wind Division has…”

Chad raised a document bearing the head of the house’s seal, letting out a low groan.

“…been assigned a designated mission.”