Chapter 803
“Haa…”
Lawrence brushed his white hair back as he gazed at Raon’s blazing divine sword.
“So, you’ve seen enough of my limits and now you want to fight me at full power?”
Nodding as if pleased, he raised both hands before him.
“Fine. I’ll show you just how high the wall of transcendence truly is.”
A pure white aura emerged above Lawrence’s shoulders. He was no longer holding back—his Inverse Sea of Flames swirled like clouds around his palms.
“Then, I’ll begin.”
Raon respectfully bowed before kicking off the ground while activating Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.
Whoosh!
Accelerating with flames, he thrust forward with Extreme Swift Sword, aiming directly for Lawrence’s neck.
“As much as you want!”
Lawrence extended his right hand, as if expecting the attack. His palm shot forward like a piercing spike, clashing against Heavenly Drive.
Clang!
Though it was a collision between a sword and a hand, the impact rang out like two massive steel blocks smashing together.
“Tch…”
Raon gritted his teeth as he felt the immense rebound force.
‘As expected of transcendence.’
His divine sword trembled as if it would snap—Lawrence wasn’t holding back.
‘It’s not just raw strength.’
Even his swordsmanship was effortlessly dismantled.
Unlike previous duels, his attacks were being erased almost too easily.
Lawrence had been concealing not just his power, but the true depth of his Inverse Sea of Flames as well.
‘This will be fun.’
Determined to break through Lawrence’s full power, Raon stepped forward onto the tilted ground.
He thrust Soul Requiem Sword forward, summoning Glacier’s Frost.
Fwoosh!
A mist-like frost scattered from his demonic sword, blooming into countless petals.
Flame of Frost.
The blue petals of ice wrapped around Lawrence’s entire body.
“What an annoying technique.”
With the graceful motion of calling a butterfly, Lawrence lowered his left hand. The frost surrounding him instantly melted away—a divine feat of Inverse Sea of Flames.
‘I expected that.’
Anticipating that Lawrence would erase the Flame of Frost, Raon had already moved to his left, slipping in before the frost fully vanished.
“Hmph!”
The moment Lawrence saw Raon reposition himself, his eyes narrowed.
And then—
Crimson Slash: Thirty-Six Slashes.
Fwoosh!
Thirty-six sword strikes extended in a flash, each one imbued with a different technique.
Rather than a single technique, Thirty-Six Slashes unleashed thirty-six distinct sword strikes, all converging upon Lawrence’s weakest points.
“That’s insane…”
Even Lawrence, overwhelmed by the diverse and chaotic movements, widened his eyes.
But as a transcendental being, he quickly regained composure, forming circles with both hands.
Whoosh!
White streams of aura spread from his fingertips, dissolving the flow of Thirty-Six Slashes. But even for him, it wasn’t easy—his Inverse Sea of Flames had visibly diminished.
‘I need to keep pushing him.’
Even Lawrence couldn’t use Inverse Sea of Flames indefinitely.
Just as water droplets could wear down a rock, if Raon continuously refined and evolved his swordplay, he would eventually shatter it.
Clang!
Raon wielded Heavenly Drive to unleash Frost Pond, while his demonic sword executed Silver Lotus Dream.
‘Basic techniques won’t work.’
He needed to evolve them.
Frost Pond, normally a dual-blade strike with a time delay, was altered—now containing Illusory Sword, summoning dozens of phantom blades.
Meanwhile, Silver Lotus Dream, which usually bewildered the opponent, now incorporated Heavy Sword and Blunt Sword, constricting Lawrence’s movements.
Boom!
The icy blades of Frost Pond erased the white aura of Inverse Sea of Flames, while the weighty yet ethereal slashes of Silver Lotus Dream reached toward Lawrence’s chest.
“Hmph!”
Lawrence scowled as he faced the oncoming flames of Raon’s divine sword.
It seemed he was taken aback by how drastically Raon’s swordsmanship had evolved.
“You’ve really gone all out just to beat me!”
Lawrence furrowed his brows and opened his hands wide. The flowing streams of aura from his fingertips condensed into a solid mass, shattering Silver Lotus Dream in an instant.
Whoosh!
White mist swirled around him, acting as his shield. The energy of Inverse Sea of Flames had now fully transformed into a sword in his grasp.
This was Transcendent Lawrence’s true power.
“Now, the real fight begins.”
Lawrence was no longer just defending—he condensed the strength of Inverse Sea of Flames into his right hand and launched an attack.
Bam!
The rippling yet powerful wave of Inverse Sea of Flames shattered both Raon’s divine and demonic swords, slamming into his chest.
“Kugh!”
Raon coughed up blood as he was sent flying across the ground. Though it wasn’t a fatal wound, the impact had been severe. He quickly got up, ready to counterattack.
“Hmph.”
Lawrence, deeming his strike dangerous enough, stopped his advance and tilted his chin.
“We’ve both revealed our cards. Now, let’s see whose hand is stronger.”
His eyes gleamed with a chilling light—he was truly ready to fight.
“Sounds good.”
Raon reignited the flames of his Heavenly Drive and intensified the frost of Soul Requiem Sword. He had already moved past being struck.
The only thing in his mind now was how to shatter Inverse Sea of Flames.
Boom!
Lawrence’s golden eyes flared—it meant he had read all of Raon’s sword movements.
‘Doesn’t matter.’
If Lawrence could read his techniques, then Raon just needed to evolve beyond that. That was why he had trained relentlessly, day and night.
“My end… is never the end.”
Raon didn’t fear having his techniques broken.
Instead, he smiled, surging forward with full force.
“I know—your wretched persistence is your real talent!”
Lawrence gritted his teeth, launching a blinding white strike.
Boom!
Flaming swords and white hands clashed, sending a storm of mist and fire soaring into the sky.
—
“Haa…”
The Demonic Blade Master exhaled deeply as he watched Raon and Lawrence collide endlessly.
“That bastard Lawrence was hiding this kind of power….”
The Demonic Blade Master trembled slightly, unable to believe the level of technique Lawrence had just revealed.
“Yeah. I thought Raon’s current level would be enough to challenge him….”
The Melodic Blade Master nodded in agreement.
“That arrogant brat really was holding back against us.”
He massaged his neck as he watched Lawrence’s cold, piercing gaze.
“Is that the Inverse Sea of Flames?”
Burren swallowed dryly as he observed the swirling white currents.
“It really is erasing Raon’s techniques effortlessly. It’s like painting over swordsmanship with white ink.”
“It’s not erasing—it’s dismantling them piece by piece.”
Martha narrowed her eyes as she watched the white energy dissolve Raon’s swordplay.
“It’s not some mystical power. It’s crushing his sword directly.”
She exhaled sharply, shaken by the sheer presence of Inverse Sea of Flames.
“I can still see Raon’s swordsmanship. But…”
Runaan, her usually vacant gaze now shining with intelligence, slowly nodded.
“Raon is changing.”
Her voice carried absolute certainty. She trusted him.
“Master.”
Muston bit his lip and approached Rektor.
“Who do you think will win?”
The question was loud enough that everyone turned to look at Rektor.
“Obviously Lawrence.”
Rektor answered without hesitation.
“Lawrence’s eyes and senses are special. The more he fights an opponent, the easier it becomes for him to read their moves. He’s been fighting Raon for two months—he’s already analyzed all of his techniques.”
He nodded as if the outcome was already decided.
“Besides, the difference in their level is too great. Raon may be at the peak of Grandmaster, but Transcendence is still far beyond his reach. It won’t be easy for him to win.”
Rektor turned his gaze toward Jarek, who remained silent.
“You don’t know your grandson very well.”
Jarek lifted his white eyebrows as he met Rektor’s stare.
“That stubborn brat’s swordsmanship is growing even as we speak. It’s absolutely maddening.”
He clicked his tongue as he watched Raon’s sword evolve mid-battle.
“If he were the kind of fighter who repeated the same techniques like a machine, I would’ve broken him long ago.”
Jarek grit his teeth, recalling the many duels where Raon had pushed him to his limits.
“Is that true?”
Dorian clung to Jarek’s side, eyes sparkling.
“Then Raon will win?”
“I don’t know if he’ll win or lose. But…”
Jarek shook his head, his gaze sharpening.
“He’s not the type to break so easily.”
He turned back to Rektor.
“Was that the answer you were looking for?”
“Not bad.”
Rektor grinned and winked at Jarek before clasping his hands together, watching the battle unfold between fire and mist.
—
Whoosh!
Even as Flame Dragon Execution was melted away, Raon smiled.
‘You’re even erasing this?’
Despite infusing Flame Dragon Execution with Sword Severing Art, it still couldn’t break through Inverse Sea of Flames.
It felt like trying to build a sandcastle against an endless tide.
But for some reason, he felt exhilarated.
‘No, it’s not strange—it’s natural.’
This was an opportunity to grow even stronger.
Just like Mind’s Eye, Inverse Sea of Flames wasn’t absolute.
The more his swordsmanship evolved, the more cracks appeared in the technique.
Back when he used Silver Lotus Dream, and now with Flame Dragon Execution, Lawrence had indeed neutralized his attacks—but he had wavered.
If Raon continued to refine his technique, he would eventually shatter that white mist.
Bzzzt!
Raon fully activated Ring of Fire, sharpening his spirit and focus—not on Lawrence, but on himself.
Crackle!
He combined Extreme Swift Sword with Wind Sword and Lightning Sword. His divine blade ignited with flames, cloaked in gales and thunder. It was a speed that truly bordered on the divine.
Boom!
Lawrence condensed Inverse Sea of Flames in his palm, barely managing to deflect the incoming storm of flame, wind, and lightning.
But for the first time—a drop of sweat fell from his forehead.
‘Next!’
Raon had already anticipated that his attack would be blocked.
This time, he unleashed Blizzard Sword Art, fusing it with Steady Sword, Flowing Sword, and Severing Sword.
Whoosh!
Like an untouched snowfield in winter—still, yet unshakable—his blade extended toward Lawrence’s chest.
Boom!
Lawrence crossed his arms, barely managing to block the devastating technique.
“You… how far…”
His lips trembled as he realized how much Inverse Sea of Flames had been depleted.
“We’re just getting started.”
Raon didn’t even bother organizing the countless techniques forming in his mind.
Like a child freely assembling a puzzle, he ignored logic and simply let his sword flow.
A slow, yet sharp sword.
A heavy, yet fluid sword.
A grand arc that suddenly zeroed in on a single point.
Efficiency, flow, and logic were thrown aside.
Pure instinctual evolution burst from his fingertips.
This wasn’t something even the most prodigious genius could achieve alone.
It was only possible because Lawrence was there to receive every strike.
“This is insane…”
Lawrence bit his lip hard enough to bleed as he watched Raon unleash one perfected technique after another.
‘What the hell has this brat obtained?’
The swordsmanship Raon had displayed over two months was transforming before his very eyes.
Techniques he had memorized were changing into something entirely different.
His prior knowledge wasn’t just becoming useless—it was actively hindering him.
Moreover, the depth of Raon’s swordsmanship had grown exponentially.
Every time he blocked a strike, a chunk of Inverse Sea of Flames was consumed.
At this rate, his technique wouldn’t run out of aura or stamina—it would be dismantled by pure swordsmanship.
‘That can’t happen.’
For Raon to truly grow, Lawrence had to be his wall.
If he couldn’t even be that—then he had no right to stand here.
‘I refuse to lose!’
If Raon grew stronger, then Lawrence would simply evolve Inverse Sea of Flames to match him.
With the power of Transcendence, Lawrence compressed his aura alongside new sword techniques and pressed down upon Raon’s entire being.
Boom!
He crushed Raon’s swordplay and detonated the energy of Inverse Sea of Flames right before his chest.
“Kuhk!”
Raon spat out blackened blood, his body flung backward as he tumbled across the ground.
His entire frame trembled violently from the impact, but—
He never once let go of his swords.
“Haa….”
Slowly, Raon stood up.
Even with blood trickling from his lips, he wore a grin of pure exhilaration.
“…Are you even human?”
Lawrence bit down on his lip.
“Fine! Come at me as much as you want!”
“Of course.”
Raon laughed as he charged forward.
One exchange. Another. Dozens. Hundreds.
The two blades in his grip never stopped evolving.
Clang!
Fast and slow.
Heavy and light.
Precise and chaotic.
At this point, even Lawrence could no longer tell what form Raon’s swordsmanship had taken.
Bam!
Lawrence shoved Raon back roughly, grinding his teeth.
‘…This won’t do.’
It was time to end this.
The flow of Inverse Sea of Flames had begun to stutter.
He had never fought this intensely for this long—even he was reaching his limit.
And Raon…
He was exceeding his own limits, pushing his body beyond its breaking point.
For both of them, it was best to conclude things here.
Boom!
Lawrence erased the flames and frost conjured by Raon’s swords in one sweeping motion, then rushed forward.
Whoosh!
He stretched out both hands, targeting Raon’s chest and abdomen.
He had concentrated every last bit of Inverse Sea of Flames into his palms.
No matter what attack came his way, he would erase it completely.
Thud!
As the white mist of Inverse Sea of Flames enveloped him—
Instead of retreating, Raon stepped forward.
‘This isn’t something I can block.’
The difference in aura and realm was too vast. His current swords couldn’t overpower that tide of destruction.
There was only one way.
To erase Inverse Sea of Flames—with his own swordsmanship.
Whoosh!
Raon stilled the flow of Divine-Demonic Harmony.
He banished the flames from his divine sword and the frost from his demonic sword, revealing the pure silver blade of Heavenly Drive.
He emptied his weapons of fire and cold and opened the world within his mind.
The Path of Ten Thousand Swords.
Every technique he had ever studied—every principle he had honed—merged atop his blade, radiating golden brilliance.
“Whatever you do, it’s too late!”
Lawrence unleashed the full force of Inverse Sea of Flames, spreading its energy in all directions.
It felt like the entire space itself was being devoured by his power.
Whoosh!
Raon lifted Heavenly Drive, gripped in both hands—
And swung it down against the encroaching white mist.
Manifestation of the Sword Realm—Genesis Blade.
A golden radiance filled with the culmination of all swordsmanship—
Colliding with the void of white mist that erased all things.
BOOOOOOM!
A thunderous explosion rocked the mountains.
The sheer impact overturned the ground, while black smoke and dust swallowed the sky.
“Tch!”
Rektor raised his hand, summoning a gust of wind that cleared the battlefield.
As the dust settled—
They saw Raon kneeling on one knee.
And Lawrence, with his hand pressed against the ground.
A draw.
The final duel had ended in a tie.
“You crazy bastard….”
Lawrence gritted his teeth in frustration.
“Were you trying to kill me?”
“I figured you could handle it, Lawrence.”
Raon laughed weakly, shaking his head.
“You’re completely insane. Even more than the previous Leader of Holy Sword Alliance.”
Lawrence muttered, uncertain if he was insulting or praising Raon.
“I hear that a lot.”
Raon chuckled, then collapsed onto the ground.
“Thank you for the match.”
Even as he lay there, he bowed his head toward Lawrence.
“Utter nonsense.”
Lawrence scowled, then spread himself out on the ground as well.
“If I held back, do you think I’d be like this right now?”
He waved his hand dismissively.
“If you had used your full strength from the start, this would’ve ended instantly. You gave me the time I needed to grow—even at the very end.”
Raon smirked, as if he had known all along.
“Truly, thank you—”
“Enough. Just congratulations on reaching the peak of Grandmaster.”
Lawrence lightly tapped Raon’s shoulder.
“Oh? Is this the first compliment I’ve gotten from you?”
“I suffered under you for two months. The least I can do is say one nice thing.”
Lawrence’s face turned red, and he quickly looked away.
“Thank you.”
Raon forced himself upright and bowed his head.
“I’ve learned a great deal from you.”
“Learned? No, you were a damn nuisance!”
Lawrence scoffed, glaring at him.
“That’s true.”
Raon scratched his head with a light smile.
“But…”
Lawrence suddenly turned to him, his expression more serious.
“Have you found your path to Transcendence?”
“…Hmm.”
Raon didn’t answer immediately.
He looked at Lawrence, Rektor, Jarek, and everyone who had been watching.
Then, he lifted his head toward the night sky.
And nodded.
“Yes. I think I finally found it.”
—
After finishing his duel with Lawrence, Raon returned to his quarters.
He had poured out every last ounce of strength, leaving him utterly exhausted.
He could barely stand.
‘How was today’s duel?’
Raon leaned against his bed, stretching out a hand toward Wrath, whose tail was swaying lazily.
– HAAAAH! You’re still SO FAR from being strong!
Wrath slapped his hand away with an annoyed flick.
-If that grasshopper had fought at full power from the start, you wouldn’t have even landed a single strike! Yes, your swordsmanship improved—but your technique combinations were sloppy! You need more refinement! On top of that, you focused too much on swordplay and dulled your aura’s flow!
Like a child ranting after eating too much sugar, Wrath rambled on about every single flaw.
– BUT!
He paused, then turned to Raon with a reluctant nod.
– You DID improve.
His tone softened, as if begrudgingly admitting it.
– These two months here were more valuable than a whole year in Zieghart.
Wrath nodded in approval, acknowledging Raon’s rapid growth.
‘Thanks.’
Raon smiled as he reflected on the weaknesses Wrath had pointed out.
– If you’re grateful, buy me some bead ice cream!
Wrath waved his hand, unwilling to let the conversation end without a tangible reward.
‘When we get back to Zieghart, I’ll buy you so much you’ll burst.’
Making that promise, Raon turned his gaze to his hands.
‘There’s still a lot to improve.’
Though his swordsmanship had advanced, he needed to refine his combinations and pay closer attention to the synchronization of aura and body movement.
There was still much to do before he could reach Transcendence.
– But.
Wrath squinted his eyes and leaned in close.
‘Hmm?’
– What exactly is your key to reaching Transcendence?
He tilted his head, curious about what values Raon had in mind.
‘Well, there are two things… It’s a little embarrassing, but—’
Raon licked his lips, about to explain—
When suddenly—
[The seeds of the Path of Ten Thousand Swords have begun to sprout.]
[All stats increase by 20 points.]
[Trait <Demonic Eye of Wrath> has ranked up.]
[Trait <Spiral Force> has ranked up.]
[Trait <Focus> has ranked up.]
[Trait <Focus> has exceeded 12 stars and is evolving into a new trait…]
[A new title has been created…]
The rewards from two months of training in Holy Sword Alliance had arrived all at once.
– What the hell?!
Wrath smacked the system message, his head dropping in frustration.
– This bastard has the worst timing! At this point, I’m convinced it waits just to mess with me—huh?
He had been grinding his teeth in fury, ready to tear the message apart, but suddenly—his eyes widened.
– Puhuhuhuhu!
Wrath burst into laughter, pointing at the newly acquired title.
[New Title <Iron Leech> has been created.]
– Leech! Even the system acknowledges your leech-like nature!
Wrath cackled, finally feeling vindicated.
But Raon was too focused elsewhere to care about the title.
‘<Focus> evolved into a new trait?’
