Chapter 810

“If you can defeat me in swordsmanship, I’ll tell you where the one you seek is.”

Darkhan smirked confidently, as if he had completely forgotten about his injuries.

“You better keep that promise.”

A deep crackling lightning glow flashed through Lust’s blue eyes.

“If you’re lying, I’ll make sure you live a fate worse than death.”

A chilling surge of energy rippled from her as she angled her curved sword diagonally. (T/N: Okay, this is a bit weird but the author is now referring to Lust as a female all of a sudden so I will be using that moving forward.)

GOOOOOOOH!

As Darkhan and Lust’s auras clashed, a dark blue vortex swirled violently in the air.

The overwhelming shockwave pulverized the remnants of collapsed buildings into dust, and trees were ripped from their roots.

“Hah…”

Raon let out a breath as he observed Lust and Darkhan preparing to fight.

‘So now they understand each other…’

Until now, Lust and Darkhan had been talking past each other as if they spoke different languages. But the moment a fight began, they finally reached an understanding—as absurd as that was.

‘But how did it even come to this?’

Raon had been racking his brain, trying to figure out how to handle Lust’s arrival while ensuring everyone’s survival—only for Darkhan to suddenly step up.

It was so unexpected that his thoughts froze for a moment.

‘No… On second thought, this was inevitable.’

A battle-mad swordsman encountered a Transcendent swordswoman.

A Demon King obsessed with Wrath encountered a human radiating Wrath’s energy.

There was no way they wouldn’t clash.

‘It’s impossible to predict how Transcendents will act.’

Raon sighed briefly as he glanced between Darkhan and Lust.

– Not because they’re Transcendents! Those two are just insane!

Wrath vehemently shook his head.

– And now’s not the time to admire them! We need to run!

He tugged at Raon’s sleeve, frantically waving like a cat begging for food.

– That lunatic’s obsession is bad even by my standards! She’s as crazy as your psycho Merlin!

Wrath insisted that Lust was on the same level as Merlin, and they needed to escape now.

‘If we move now, we might just draw Lust’s attention.’

Raon shook his head and took a step back.

If everyone remained still but he moved, it would seem suspicious. Now was the time to wait.

– Ugh…

Wrath hesitated but ultimately nodded in reluctant agreement.

– F-Fine! But the moment they start fighting, we run!

‘Got it.’

Raon replied, but in truth, he had no intention of running immediately.

A battle between Darkhan and Lust would be an opportunity to learn.

“Ugh…”

Dorian collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by the sheer pressure radiating from Darkhan and Lust.

The moment his weight hit the ground with a thud, the two Transcendents took it as a signal to begin.

SHRING!

Lust crouched low, swinging her curved sword in a fluid yet savage motion.

Her posture was graceful, but the intent behind it was feral—like a tiger leaping for its prey.

“Not just the sword, but the sword style is unique as well!”

Darkhan had already retrieved Jarek’s sword, intercepting Lust’s strike with perfect precision.

CRAAAAACK!

Even though he had defended properly, his shoulder split open, blood spraying into the air.

“…What the hell is this?”

Darkhan touched the wound, frowning.

“A piercing sword technique? No… It doesn’t feel like that.”

Despite his injury, he grinned—delighted to experience a new type of swordsmanship.

“Tell me where Wrath is before you die.”

Even in the middle of battle, Lust’s focus never wavered—her eyes remained locked on Wrath’s whereabouts.

“Show me more! This fight isn’t over yet!”

Darkhan licked his lips and motioned with his fingers.

“This time, I’ll cut off your arm.”

Lust reversed her grip on her curved sword, slashing down with a devastating arc that seemed to split the air itself.

“Not my arm—take my whole body!”

Darkhan lowered his sword, spread his arms wide, and took Lust’s attack head-on.

SPLUUUUURCH!

A deep gash tore across his chest, blood gushing out like a fountain.

“…So that’s how it works.”

Darkhan grinned, staring at the wound.

“As expected, you can’t truly understand a sword until you take the hit yourself.”

Raon nodded in satisfaction, as if he had just solved a puzzle.

– Uuuurgh…

Wrath’s jaw dropped.

– T-That guy isn’t just crazy—he’s a perverted lunatic!

Wrath shuddered, unable to comprehend Darkhan’s insanity.

‘When it comes to swords, yeah, he’s a battle-crazed freak.’

Raon solemnly nodded.

Darkhan’s obsession and madness when it came to swordsmanship surpassed even his own.

“Where is Wrath?”

Unmoved by Darkhan’s deranged antics, Lust coldly thrust her sword forward.

Her curved blade arced into a crescent moon, slicing down toward Darkhan’s shoulder.

“This won’t work three times.”

Darkhan twisted his lips into a grin and released the sword in his hand.

The moment it left his grip, the blade vibrated sharply, soaring through the air like a living thing, intercepting Lust’s strike.

CRACKLEEEE!

Darkhan’s Living Sword cut through Lust’s attack like a salmon leaping upstream, slashing across her waist in return.

SPLUUUUURCH!

This time, Lust’s blood spurted onto the ground.

“Is that all? Don’t you have something more entertaining?”

Darkhan tilted his head playfully, and his Living Sword shivered mockingly, as if laughing at Lust.

“…I see.”

Lust let out a gentle smile, like a monk who had reached enlightenment.

“This, too, must be a trial to find Wrath.”

Her curved sword suddenly extended, bending like a snake, lashing toward Darkhan’s chest.

“A flexible sword… I knew there was something funny about it!”

Darkhan had realized from the start—Lust’s sword was not an ordinary curved blade, but a flexible whip-sword.

His Living Sword launched forward to intercept Lust’s unpredictable strikes.

BOOOOOOM!

As Darkhan and Lust dove into each other’s sword range, their swords clashed relentlessly, each aiming for the other’s vital points.

KWA-KWA-KWAAAAANG!

The sheer force of their attacks splintered the sky and ground, creating a fractured, thorn-covered landscape—a battlefield where even space itself seemed to crack apart.

“Hm…”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he observed the increasingly intense battle between Darkhan and Lust.

‘This is no joke.’

He had always known that Darkhan was strong. That was a given.

But he had never expected Lust’s swordsmanship to be this refined.

What was even more shocking was that she wasn’t even using her Demon King’s authority—and yet, her raw martial prowess alone was overwhelming.

‘A flexible sword, huh…’

A flexible sword was a weapon with a whip-like, malleable blade. Normally, no matter how much a sword bent, it wouldn’t drastically change the core mechanics of swordplay.

However, Lust’s flexible sword was truly alive.

It flowed effortlessly, countering Darkhan’s Living Sword, a technique that manipulated blades midair with bizarre trajectories.

‘That’s not a talent granted by being a Demon King…’

That was honed skill.

Raon could tell because he, too, had poured both talent and effort into his swordsmanship.

Lust’s techniques carried the weight of blood and sweat—not just natural ability.

‘Which makes this all the more valuable.’

Every movement of Lust’s flexible sword, every calculated strike of Darkhan’s sword control—all of it was fueling his own growth.

Yet, as exhilarating as this battle was, it wasn’t something that would go on forever.

‘Wrath.’

Raon extended his hand toward Wrath.

‘If this fight continues, who’s going to win?’

– Lust, obviously.

Wrath shook his head as if the answer was too obvious to even ask.

– If that reckless idiot was in his prime, maybe it would be a proper fight. But like this? He’ll die first.

Wrath frowned, noting that Darkhan’s internal and soul injuries were far too severe.

‘As expected.’

Though Darkhan was certainly one of the strongest Transcendents, he had sustained a soul-deep wound from Wrath.

Even if he could hold on for now, his body and spirit would eventually break down.

Meanwhile, Lust hadn’t even revealed her full strength yet.

She was holding back her Demon King’s authority, and even without it, she was still overwhelming.

This fight could only end one way.

‘Even his [Soul-Severing Blade] won’t work?’

– A Demon King’s soul is different from a human’s.

Wrath slowly shook his head.

– As you saw in my Mental World, a soul strengthens over time. The same applies to causality.

‘Hmm…’

– Unless his soul-severing technique is on par with your grandfather’s, it won’t be able to cut Lust’s soul.

Wrath scowled, as if the outcome had already been set in stone.

‘That’s unfortunate.’

Raon clicked his tongue.

‘I wanted to keep watching this fight.’

Watching a battle between two overwhelming powerhouses was a rare opportunity.

A fight between warriors leagues above himself was the ultimate catalyst for growth.

He had wanted this battle to continue for the sake of his own advancement.

But whether he liked it or not, the end was approaching.

– Uuurgh…

Wrath trembled.

– You’re just as crazy as they are!

‘Come on, I’m not that bad.’

Raon shook his head.

– From my perspective, you’re all the same! No, forget it! We’re leaving!

Wrath pointed behind them, insisting that this was the perfect chance to escape.

‘Wait, just one more thing.’

Raon grabbed Wrath’s tail, pulling him back.

‘Why hasn’t Lust revealed her true form? And why is she following you?’

– Because she doesn’t like her own power!

Wrath frowned, glancing at Lust.

– And as for why she follows me…

His expression darkened.

– Because I… gave her advice.

‘Advice?’

– I regret it. I regret it every damn day.

Wrath ground his teeth just as Darkhan’s Living Sword sliced through Lust’s hood.

FWOOOOSH!

The hood fell away, revealing Lust’s face.

Her short, ocean-blue hair swayed as it caught the light.

She was breathtakingly beautiful.

Yet, something felt off.

She didn’t exude the allure of temptation he expected from the Lord of Lust.

Instead, there was an air of purity about her.

‘So that’s Lust… Wait.’

Raon’s gaze narrowed.

‘She…’

Tilting his head, he glanced at Wrath.

‘She looks a lot like you.’

Besides her short hair and petite build, her facial structure was nearly identical to Wrath’s true form.

– O-Of course she does…

Wrath’s lips quivered in horror.

– Because she’s copying me!

His voice cracked as he clutched his head.

– This is why she’s insane!

“…Ah.”

Raon swallowed dryly.

‘That’s… seriously unsettling.’

Hearing that Lust had shaped her appearance after Wrath sent a chill down his spine.

– Now can we go?!

Wrath frantically shook his head, urging them to flee.

‘Just a little longer.’

Ignoring Wrath’s protests, Raon continued to observe the battle, his mind absorbing every detail.

‘So when his Living Sword bends like that, directing aura diagonally is best…’

‘How do I mimic Lust’s flexibility with a rigid sword?’

As he cycled his Ring of Fire, he engraved every motion of the battle into his memory.

“This much luck in a row? Maybe my time’s up.”

Even as he sustained grave wounds, Darkhan only grew stronger, his attacks sharpening with exhilaration.

RUMBLEEEEE!

His Living Sword descended like a meteor, carrying both overwhelming power and seamless fluidity.

“Wrath…”

For the first time, Lust was forced onto the defensive.

‘Where is he getting this strength from…?’

Darkhan had already endured a battle with Rektor, a soul wound from Wrath, and a self-inflicted cut from his own Living Sword.

His body and mind should be in ruins.

Yet, here he was, pushing back a Demon King.

Raon had initially dismissed him as just a battle-crazed fool.

But Darkhan’s tenacity exceeded even that.

‘He’s incredible… Wait.’

Raon exhaled softly just as Darkhan’s eyes shifted toward him.

His eyelids twitched, on the verge of closing.

‘Darkhan?’

– He’s nearly reached his limit.

Wrath furrowed his brows.

– The wound I left in his soul is starting to tear open.

Wrath bit his lip, acknowledging that in battles of this scale, the mental toll was just as devastating as the physical damage.

‘Now that I think about it…’

Raon swallowed as he watched Darkhan pushing back Lust.

‘Darkhan must know who Wrath is.’

The moment Lust arrived, she claimed that Wrath’s scent was present.

And she said Darkhan reeked of it the most.

Since Darkhan had met Wrath twice, there was no way he was oblivious to the fact that the soul embedded in his own was Wrath’s.

‘Is he protecting him?’

Thinking back, it seemed like Darkhan had known everything yet kept silent on purpose.

‘Then even now…’

The way Darkhan was looking at him—it was a warning.

A silent order for him to step back.

A message telling him to live and keep the promise.

‘Darkhan…’

Raon clenched his lips as he locked eyes with Darkhan.

Once again, he realized something.

A person can look completely different depending on the angle from which you view them.

“Huuh…”

Raon exhaled deeply before stepping back.

“Raon?”

Rektor swallowed dryly as he looked at him.

“W-What are you trying to do?”

“I have somewhere to be.”

Raon bowed slightly toward Rektor and turned his gaze toward Burren, Martha, Runaan, and Dorian.

“Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

With those words, he swiftly left the Holy Sword Alliance’s city center, utilizing Supreme Harmony Steps at full power to ascend toward the mountain where the first Zieghart Patriarch had planted the seed.

– Running away alone?!

Wrath flailed his arms in a panic.

Even though Lust terrified him, she still valued her subordinates, proving she wasn’t the same as other Demon Kings.

‘I’m not running away.’

Raon calmly shook his head, scanning the ground.

From the rock formations and terrain, he recognized this as the place he had seen before in his memories.

‘It should be somewhere around here…’

He retraced his memory, trying to locate the seed that had been planted here long ago.

Back then, it had been overflowing with vitality, its presence undeniable.

But now, having grown into this entire mountain, its energy had faded, making it difficult to locate.

‘Ah!’

Raon’s eyes landed on a delicate, faintly red flower.

Though its vitality was no longer visible, there was a subtle trace of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation’s aura emanating from it.

‘This is it!’

There was no doubt.

That seed had blossomed into a flower, sustaining the mountain and forest.

“Huuh…”

Raon confirmed its presence, then turned his gaze back toward the village.

KWAKWAKWAKWANG!

The battle between Lust and Darkhan grew even fiercer.

But now, Darkhan was clearly losing.

Rektor had begun gathering his energy, preparing to join the battle at any moment.

KWAAAAAAAAANG!

Raon observed as Darkhan’s Living Sword and Lust’s flexible sword clashed, their battle raging with ferocity.

Then, he rolled up his sleeves.

He revealed his Snow Flower Bracelet and pulled Wrath’s fury to the surface.

– Wha…?

Wrath’s ears perked up in shock.

– W-What are you doing?! Turn off your anger! Now!

Wrath grabbed him by the collar, shaking him violently.

‘I don’t want that man to die.’

Raon shook his head calmly.

Just as Darkhan had saved him, he wasn’t about to let Darkhan die either.

‘And…’

Raon looked down at the bracelets on his wrist and smirked.

‘I could use a new bracelet.’

– Y-You bastard, don’t tell me…?!

(T/N: As usual. HAHAHA. Raon is going to get a new pokemon again.)