Chapter 802

Boom!

Raon deflected Jarek’s staff sword while stepping into Supreme Harmony Steps.

As he infused the essence of Swift Sword into the fastest footwork of Supreme Harmony Steps, his vision darkened, and in an instant, Jarek’s white beard was right before his eyes.

“Huh!”

Even Jarek raised his white eyebrows in surprise, unable to anticipate such speed.

However, as a swordsman who had unlocked Mind’s Eye, he defended his targeted shoulder with precision and retreated.

Clang!

Raon used the metallic sound that burst from the clash between Heavenly Drive and the staff sword as a stepping stone, pushing forward once more.

Closing in at an awkward distance for a thrust, he extended his left hand, unleashing Silver Moon Frost Palm.

Whoosh!

A powerful burst of compressed frost exploded in front of Jarek, turning his surroundings into a white, frozen landscape.

“You’d better clean up this mess yourself later.”

Jarek frowned as he stepped on the frozen grass. It was as if he had anticipated Raon’s technique, using the guard of his staff sword to block the freezing cold of Silver Moon Frost Palm.

His defense was absurdly flawless.

“Of course.”

Raon nodded calmly and activated Radiant Light Style. With his finely honed sense of the sword, he pressured the space where Jarek stood.

‘He dodges everything.’

Jarek seamlessly combined evasion and defense, blocking every single one of Raon’s offensives as if he already knew the movements of Radiant Light Style.

‘Mind’s Eye…’

Jarek had said before that Mind’s Eye wasn’t a technique that allowed him to read thoughts, but as the battle dragged on, it felt increasingly as if he was doing exactly that.

‘He’s not one to lie. So, that ability must be…’

Insight.

An insight so profound that it reached the realm of pure sensory perception.

Insight was the ability to grasp phenomena instantly, but Jarek’s insight seemed to have long surpassed the limits of human capability.

Clang!

Raon narrowed his eyes as Jarek redirected the flow of Radiant Light Style and thrust his staff sword toward his abdomen.

‘Then, how do I break through Mind’s Eye?’

Various methods to shatter an extreme level of Insight flashed through his mind.

He could overwhelm Jarek with brute physical strength, crush him with immense aura, utilize Inverse Sea of Flames, or break his insight with swordsmanship that surpassed its scope.

‘My path is already decided.’

Winning through other means might be satisfying, but it wouldn’t aid his growth.

Just like in his battle with Lawrence, he needed to break Mind’s Eye purely with his swordsmanship—only then would coming to Holy Sword Alliance Training have true meaning.

Clang!

Jarek stepped back, his expression stiffening as if he had read Raon’s intentions.

“You seem to have realized something.”

His brows lowered, his wariness deepening.

“I haven’t had an enlightenment, but things will be different from now on.”

Raon fully ignited Ring of Fire, treating his body as if it were a sword itself. He imbued his muscles and aura with the essence of swordsmanship.

A state beyond Sword-Body Unification—a realm of Mental Projection, attainable only by those who had mastered Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.

Fwoosh!

Sensing danger, Jarek moved back, but Raon followed to his left, unleashing Crimson Slash.

He didn’t simply follow the perfected form of Crimson Slash—instead, he integrated the essence of Swift Sword and Heavy Sword to suit the current situation.

“Hmph!”

Jarek let out a low groan and swung his staff sword, striking at the trajectory of Heavenly Drive.

Clang!

Raon altered his swordplay at the last moment before Jarek’s staff sword could touch Heavenly Drive. He infused Crimson Slash—which already held the essence of Swift Sword and Heavy Sword—with the mystery of Severing Sword.

Boom!

Jarek, as if having predicted that change, tilted his staff sword diagonally, reinforcing his shoulder with immense aura.

It was the best possible defense against Severing Sword.

‘As expected.’

Raon nodded calmly. He had anticipated that Jarek’s Mind’s Eye would foresee his changes in swordsmanship.

‘Then, I’ll break it.’

Severing Sword was a technique that severed an opponent’s sword trajectory. Raon gathered everything he had trained so far into it and slashed downward with Crimson Slash.

Boom!

Jarek didn’t retreat. He advanced instead, carrying the weight of his formidable swordsmanship into the incoming Crimson Slash.

His pride in his own swordsmanship was evident.

Swoosh!

Raon’s Heavenly Drive and Jarek’s staff sword clashed head-on.

A fight between Severing Sword and Heavy Sword was akin to Scissors vs. Rock. Normally, Rock would win, but this time, the result was different.

Crackle!

The essence of Severing Sword within Heavenly Drive cut through Jarek’s weighty swordplay, leaving a thin wound on his waist.

Splat.

Jarek widened his mouth in disbelief as he saw blood trickling from his waist.

His expression was one of sheer incredulity. Severing Sword breaking through Heavy Sword was something he had never thought possible.

“What… are you…?”

“I already told you. My name is Raon Zieghart—”

“Not your name!”

Jarek waved his hand, dismissing Raon’s words.

“You broke the natural advantage… how is this possible? That was clearly Severing Sword!”

His right eye twitched, still unable to accept the situation.

“It was indeed Severing Sword. But it feels like I’ve broken through a small wall.”

Raon nodded with a smile. Because he had trusted in himself and executed it without hesitation, his long-lagging mastery of Severing Sword had made a significant leap.

“…Growing during a duel… that’s sheer insanity.”

“No, it’s not that.”

Raon shook his head as he looked at the mountain behind them.

“It’s thanks to the countless duels I’ve had with the swordsmen of Holy Sword Alliance.”

His growth in swordsmanship was only possible due to the countless duels he had fought against Lawrence and the other swordsmen.

It was the result of talent, effort, and a bit of luck all combined.

“…I see.”

Jarek finally nodded, seeming to understand.

“But using Severing Sword in that situation… was that a technique you often used?”

“No.”

Raon shook his head slowly.

“Severing Sword is the technique I struggle with the most.”

Unlike Swift Sword, and Heavy Sword, which had a direct and powerful flow, Severing Sword felt more like a counterattack—it didn’t align with his natural tendencies, nor did it grow quickly.

Among all his techniques, it was the one that lagged the most.

“What? Then why…?”

“I can’t just avoid something because it’s difficult.”

Though Severing Sword didn’t suit him and was challenging, he never once abandoned it.

He had put in more effort and time into it than any other technique, which was probably why it had bloomed first.

“You… you’re a real monster.”

Jarek twisted his lips and lowered his stance. A bead of cold sweat rolled down his forehead. His eyes were filled with competitive spirit. Though he carried the demeanor of a martial hermit, he was still a swordsman of Holy Sword Alliance.

“Then let’s begin again.”

Raon calmly raised Heavenly Drive.

This wasn’t a duel for victory; it was a duel for growth.

It was an experience worth more than gold, and he had to make the most of it.

Boom!

Raon didn’t evade Jarek’s Mind’s Eye as if running from it. Instead, he resolved to break through that insight itself and charged forward.

Crash!

—

Clang!

Jarek was sent skidding backward from the impact of Raon’s Heavenly Drive.

“I… I’ve had enough…”

Jarek shook his head, using his staff sword to prop himself up. He looked so drained that even speaking seemed to take effort, his lips trembling.

“Already?”

Raon blinked as he lowered his sword. There were still techniques he hadn’t fully developed, and ending the duel now felt regrettable.

“Already?! Look at the sky!”

Jarek raised his hand toward the heavens. Just as he said, the sun had set, and the moon was rising.

He had arrived in the morning—meaning they had been fighting for an entire day.

“I can’t go on anymore! If I keep moving, my back will snap in half!”

Though Jarek still had aura left, his stamina had reached its limit. He let out a deep sigh.

He must have been truly exhausted; his beard and eyebrows were soaked in sweat, clumping together like a brush tip.

“Hmm, let’s stop here for now.”

Raon licked his lips and lowered Heavenly Drive.

His body was battered, but the exhilaration of growth had made him unaware of his exhaustion.

“You both did great!”

Dorian rushed over eagerly, handing towels and water to both Raon and Jarek.

“Thanks.”

“Appreciate it.”

Raon nodded as he wiped the sweat off his face.

‘Even better than I expected.’

The achievements from more than a month of training and dueling here had exploded all at once.

The sword techniques he had planted in the Mental World had sprouted and grown significantly.

‘And this is…’

Raon glanced at Jarek, who was breathing heavily, and smiled faintly.

‘…because I had a worthy opponent.’

Jarek wasn’t just someone with Mind’s Eye—he was a master who had honed numerous sword techniques to perfection.

Because he had clashed head-on, Raon had gained many realizations.

“Now I understand what the Leader meant.”

Jarek threw a damp towel around his neck and closed his eyes.

“My grandfather?”

“Yes. He said I’d suffer once you arrived… so this is what he meant.”

Jarek shook his head as if regretting ever accepting Dorian in the first place.

“Master!”

Dorian’s jaw dropped in shock.

“Even if you hadn’t taken me in, I still would have challenged you to a duel.”

Raon grinned, dismissing the hypothetical scenario.

“Master! Are you abandoning me? You promised to make me the ultimate Logistics Master!”

Dorian sniffled as he clung to Jarek’s leg.

“It was a joke! A joke! And when did I ever say I’d make you a Logistics Master?!”

Jarek kicked Dorian away, annoyed.

“You two seem close.”

Raon watched their interaction with a small smile.

“Right?”

“Close?! Don’t be ridiculous!”

Dorian beamed happily, while Jarek sharply turned his head away.

“Ahem. I realized something just now.”

Jarek awkwardly averted his gaze.

“A realization?”

Raon tilted his head, unsure what Jarek meant.

“I told you before that you don’t have the talent for Mind’s Eye… but I was wrong.”

“No way…”

“Yes. Not at Dorian’s level, but you do have the potential to awaken Mind’s Eye.”

Jarek nodded firmly.

“I was just fighting based on intuition….”

“I told you, Mind’s Eye isn’t some grand, mystical ability. If your intuition sharpens to an extreme degree, it will evolve into Mind’s Eye.”

Jarek waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s hard to believe… but you might actually be a kind and timid kid.”

– This, this brat? Kind and timid?! Never!

Wrath furiously shook his head.

– Drop him into the heart of the Devildom or the Heavenly Realm, and he wouldn’t just survive—he’d enslave everyone there!

The demon flailed in protest and smacked Jarek’s cheek.

“Make sure to meditate often. Mind’s Eye isn’t something that resides in your vision—it exists in your heart.”

Jarek leaned back against a wooden chair, giving his final piece of advice.

“Thank you for your guidance.”

Raon bowed respectfully.

‘Inverse Sea of Flames, Fierce Sea Art… and Mind’s Eye.’

If he could incorporate Mind’s Eye into his techniques, he might finally create a martial art capable of defeating the White Blood Cult Leader even in their spectral form.

‘This is worth researching.’

He decided to study it thoroughly once he returned to his household.

“You’ve already realized something, haven’t you? Your eyes are sparkling.”

Jarek chuckled, watching Raon’s sharp gaze.

The mention of “eyes” reminded Raon of something Jarek had said earlier.

“Jarek.”

Raon turned toward him, watching as his eyes slowly drooped shut.

“You mentioned Human Eye, Heavenly Eye, and Demonic Eye earlier. What do they mean?”

“The Human Eye refers to the eyes a person should have—the ability to see and act with human decency. It means you are fulfilling your duties as a person.”

Jarek clicked his tongue, muttering that many people didn’t even possess Human Eye.

“Then what about the Heavenly Eye?”

“The Heavenly Eye is the sacred vision that carries divine light, while the Demonic Eye is the one tainted by darkness.”

“The Demonic Eye…”

Raon bit his lip and glanced at Wrath. He wasn’t sure about the Heavenly Eye, but he had a feeling he understood what the Demonic Eye referred to.

“But those are just superstitions spread by talkative fools. No one has ever proven that the Heavenly Eye is truly benevolent or that the Demonic Eye is purely evil. People simply categorize things based on the words they like.”

Jarek shook his head, saying that matters concerning gods and demons were something each person had to consider on their own.

“One thing is certain—you have the potential to wield both divinity and demonic power.”

His eyes gleamed with absolute certainty.

‘A god, huh…’

Raon could understand why the demonic side was attached to him—Wrath had been clinging to him like a leech.

But why would a god be involved?

Could it be because of Uriel, whom Derus had summoned?

– W-Who are you calling a leech?! You’re the leech, not me!

Wrath trembled in offense, his chubby cheeks quivering.

“I see.”

Raon etched the knowledge of the Heavenly Eye and Demonic Eye into his mind before standing up.

“Are you leaving now? Because of you, I’ll need time to recover—”

“No. I’ve rested enough. It’s time for the second round.”

Raon blinked as if he didn’t understand Jarek’s confusion.

“Get up.”

“Wh-what…?”

Jarek’s eyebrows lifted so high they nearly fell off his forehead, as if he had never considered a second round.

“Did you not hear me?! I have no strength left!”

“Give up.”

Dorian handed Jarek his staff sword with a shake of his head.

“There’s no stopping Raon in that state.”

He took a few steps back, as if surrendering to the inevitable.

“Guhhh….”

Jarek’s hands trembled as he gripped his staff sword.

His face instantly aged another ten years, making him look like a completely withered old man.

“You little brat! I’m older than your grandfather!”

“Then that means you must know even more sword techniques. Let’s continue.”

“Arghhhhhh!”

Once again, screams echoed throughout Holy Sword Alliance.

—

Early Morning.

Raon slowly opened his eyes, as still as a statue in deep meditation.

‘It’s already begun.’

The mornings at Holy Sword Alliance started early.

The swordsmen here valued the sword above all else—more than any other aspect of life. Before washing up or eating, they trained first.

While many swordsmen in Zieghart also trained at dawn, the level of dedication here was different. These people poured their entire being into their swords, day and night.

“You seem to have gotten used to the mornings here.”

Rektor leaned against the training hall wall, watching Raon with a faint smile.

“That’s true.”

Raon nodded, smiling.

“I’ve been here for two months now.”

Having stayed at Holy Sword Alliance for two months, it now felt strange not to hear the sounds of swords clashing at dawn or dusk.

“What about the others?”

“They left before sunrise. They’re already clashing swords with someone, no doubt.”

Rektor shrugged, mentioning that Martha, Runaan, and Burren had all gone out early.

“They’re working hard too.”

The three squad leaders had adapted to this place even faster than Raon, growing stronger by the day.

Training and dueling against swordsmen who had refined their techniques to the extreme was an invaluable experience for everyone.

‘Maybe I should bring the entire Light Wind Division here next time. Or even arrange a full duel between Zieghart and Holy Sword Alliance.’

It wasn’t possible now, but once the truth about Holy Sword Alliance’s Leader was fully revealed, he wouldn’t have to worry about secrecy anymore.

“Shame.”

Raon clicked his tongue as he listened to the crisp sounds of swords slicing through the air like birdsong.

“It’s time to leave.”

The continent was in turmoil, and he couldn’t keep Light Wind Division waiting forever. From the beginning, his stay here had been set for two months.

“I wouldn’t mind if you stayed longer.”

Rektor laughed, saying Raon could stay for a lifetime if he wanted.

“I’d love to, but I can’t just leave my subordinates behind.”

Raon shook his head.

He wasn’t just responsible for the squad leaders—he had to look after the entire Light Wind Division.

No matter how beneficial this training was, he couldn’t stay here forever.

“That’s the right decision.”

Rektor nodded approvingly.

“So when are you leaving?”

“I have a lot to sort out first, so I plan to leave next week.”

“If you’re talking about that, then yeah, it needs to be done first.”

“Exactly.”

Raon gripped the hilt of Heavenly Drive, nodding solemnly.

“It’s time to finish things.”

—

The Next Day.

As soon as evening fell, Raon left the training grounds and headed toward the mountain where Lawrence resided.

However, unlike his usual solitary visits, he wasn’t alone this time.

Rektor, Burren, Runaan, Martha, Dorian, and a small group of Holy Sword Alliance’s swordsmen followed behind him.

“I told you not to come.”

Raon frowned, looking over his shoulder.

“How could we not watch?!”

“Yeah. We wanna see that brat Lawrence get thrashed.”

The Demonic Blade Master and Melodic Blade Master, who had been Raon’s frequent sparring partners, shook their heads. They insisted on coming no matter what. (T/N: Hmm. I think I should use Demonic Blade Master and Melodic Blade Master moving forward instead of Sword Master of Demonic/Melodic Blade. Right?)

“We need to see how much our division leader has grown.”

“If you haven’t gotten stronger, prepare for some insults.”

“If you lose, buy me ice cream…”

Burren, Martha, and Runaan’s eyes gleamed in anticipation.

“You tormented me for two weeks straight, so you’d better show me the results.”

Jarek, his forehead creased with new wrinkles, followed along.

“Master! Here!”

Dorian clung to Jarek’s side, offering him tea and raisin cookies.

At this point, they didn’t look like a master and disciple but more like a patient and his caregiver.

– C-Cookies! Raisin cookies! This monarch loves them!

Wrath grabbed his own hair in excitement at the mention of cookies.

‘Alright, alright! Just be quiet!’

Raon sighed as he took a cookie from Dorian, shaking his head.

With so many people around, it was impossible to think straight.

“This is nice.”

“Haha.”

Muston and Rektor smiled warmly, enjoying the lively atmosphere.

– Hmm…

Wrath savored the cookie he received from Dorian, then suddenly narrowed his eyes as he looked back.

– Now you’re always surrounded by people. When I first saw you, you were just a lone, cornered weakling.

He chuckled as if he found it amusing.

‘A weakling, huh…’

Raon looked at the people around him, chatting and laughing, and nodded slightly.

‘Maybe so.’

In his past life, he had been the leader of the Shadow Organization, yet he had never formed true connections with anyone.

People were treated as mere tools, and even after being reborn as Raon Zieghart, his distrust had made it difficult to build relationships.

But fate had led him to good people, and now, he had those he wanted to protect.

It was a burden, but at the same time, it gave him a happiness he had never known before.

-This king was the same! With my natural charisma, I united all demons under my rule! This king is the greatest—

Wrath raised his tiny, round fist, shouting about his charisma.

Raon had no idea what this chubby cat-like demon was rambling about.

‘…Sure.’

– W-Wait! This king isn’t done speaking yet!

‘We have a duel to start, so be quiet.’

– Urgh…

Raon shoved Wrath aside and stepped into the clearing in front of the cave.

“So damn noisy.”

Lawrence emerged from the cave, frowning in irritation.

“You fight me every day. What’s with the audience today?!”

He waved his hand dismissively, telling them to leave.

“Let them stay. It’s the last one.”

Raon shrugged. Since this was their final duel before he left Holy Sword Alliance, he didn’t mind having spectators.

“…Hmm.”

Lawrence’s frown softened slightly.

He pursed his lips, looking like he was holding back something—perhaps regret.

“Not that it’ll last long, anyway…”

He sighed and stepped down into the clearing.

“Let’s make today’s duel a little different.”

Raon’s crimson eyes blazed as he locked eyes with Lawrence.

“Just one round—whoever falls first loses.”

“Your eyes are sharp today.”

Lawrence smirked, as if he had expected this.

“Fine. No need to delay. Let’s begin.”

He gestured with his long, thin fingers, beckoning Raon forward.

Sword Field Creation – Divine-Demonic Harmony.

Even before the duel officially began, Raon unsheathed Heavenly Drive and Soul Requiem Sword, unlocking his Sword Field.

Above the darkened mountains, the sun began to rise, and the moon still lingered.

From the sun, he drew forth the Flaming Divine Sword.

From the moon, he pulled out the Frosted Demonic Sword.

“You…”

Lawrence’s eyes widened—he hadn’t expected Raon to unleash his full Sword Field from the start.

“Don’t let your guard down. With everything I’ve gained here…”

Raon pointed his blazing sword at Lawrence, his lips curling into a sharp grin.

“I will defeat you.”