Chapter 957
Tsk.
Raon clicked his tongue as he gazed at the gray energy he’d obtained from Rage.
‘Not a large amount.’
It seemed Wrath had already taken most of the power, leaving only a small portion within the black-haired, black-eyed man.
‘However…’
The quality was incredibly high.
Though the black-haired man had already vanished, Raon could tell the gray energy possessed remarkable power, even without knowing its exact nature.
‘It’s best to convert it into [Glacier].’
The energy left behind by the black-haired demon wasn’t cold. Though he could refine it into [Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation], it was better to use it to replenish his relatively depleted Glacier.
Uuuuuuuung.
Raon pushed Glacier to its limit, absorbing the gray energy left by the black-haired demon.
‘It’s completely different from any cold I’ve gathered so far.’
Feeling the gray energy rampaging wildly, as though it would burst through his mana circuits, he bit his lip.
‘It’s rebelling like a beast on a leash.’
The cold energy he’d gathered before had always merged smoothly into his aura and settled in his energy center the moment he circulated Glacier—but this gray energy thrashed violently, refusing to become his.
‘It’s not like I forced it out of him. What’s with all this fuss?’
Not that it mattered much.
Glacier was a cultivation method personally created and still used by Wrath himself.
Since it was the power of the highest Demon King, no matter how strong the black-haired man’s energy was, it would inevitably be absorbed.
‘I do feel a bit like the bad guy here…’
Thinking it couldn’t be helped for the greater good, he used Glacier’s immense frost to forcibly suppress the gray energy.
‘It’s finally starting to calm down.’
Overwhelmed by the freezing energy, the gray energy gradually followed the current of Glacier and seeped into his energy center.
‘Now that I’ve subdued this energy… I should look for Wrath.’
It was clear Wrath had fought the black-haired man in this space, so Raon searched the area for traces of him.
‘There are a lot of marks from ultimate techniques.’
Traces of silvery aurora-like power were scattered everywhere, showing that Wrath had fought with his full strength.
‘That guy earlier…’
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the dust remaining where the black-haired man had died.
‘Was he really that strong?’
He had suppressed him immediately and absorbed his energy because he seemed dangerous—but in hindsight, he regretted not extracting more information first.
‘No, it probably wouldn’t have mattered anyway.’
This place was created from Wrath’s memories. Since that man was born from those memories, there wouldn’t have been much worth learning from him.
‘But there’s no sign of a path to the next level.’
Was the trial still ongoing?
Just as when he had obtained the power of the golden sun, it seemed Wrath was taking his final trial somewhere separate from this place.
‘Then I should wait here.’
It made more sense to stay until Wrath returned than to head back prematurely.
Raon sat down on the scorched ground and leaned his back against the frozen World Tree.
‘I don’t need any more energy right now, so training here will do nicely.’
He had gained more than expected while following Wrath.
Since he hadn’t yet absorbed all the energy from the black-haired man, it was perfect for training.
Truthfully, before coming here, he had considered taking just a little—no, very little—of Wrath’s reward. But now there was no need.
‘Overeating makes you burst anyway. And besides…’
Wrath needed to recover his strength too.
Though having him grow stronger would definitely be troublesome, Raon had received too much help from him already. He even wanted to see that smug grin of his again.
‘Fine then. Come back stronger.’
‘I’ll grow more too.’
Raon clicked his tongue lightly and closed his eyes. The gray energy rising from his shoulders slowly turned into a silvery glow.
—
“Raon entered the Chamber of Self?”
Aris flicked her finger while leaning against the throne room door.
“You went on and on about ‘my dear nephew, my dear nephew,’ and you didn’t even know that?”
Glenn snorted, saying she was all talk.
“I forgot while living up in the mountains.”
Aris clicked her tongue bluntly, saying she’d forgotten.
“You went up the mountain again?”
“After watching Raon and Karoon fight, I couldn’t hold myself back.”
She clenched her fist, saying her blood had boiled too much to stay still while watching the two duel.
“I can understand that.”
Glenn nodded calmly.
‘Both Raon and Karoon wielded swords imbued with beliefs forged since childhood.’
Karoon’s blade carried his pride and devotion to Zieghart, while Raon’s sword of unyielding resolve had transcended limits the moment he vowed to elevate Sylvia to the direct line.
It was only natural that such transcendental wills, clashing together, ignited the hearts of everyone who witnessed it.
“That’s why I’m starting again.”
Aris exhaled softly and struck her chest with her fist.
“You mean your body and mind are finally ready?”
Glenn narrowed his eyes as he looked her over.
“Not perfectly.”
Aris frowned slightly as she glanced at her trembling fingertips.
“But I’ve raised it to about eighty percent.”
She clicked her tongue, saying she was nearly ready to accept the mana of the Dragon Heart.
“Good. I can see the effort you’ve put in.”
Glenn nodded, looking into her calm eyes.
“In the past, you’d have recklessly taken the Dragon Heart’s mana after barely preparing your body. You’ve changed a lot—probably because of Raon.”
He let out a faint laugh, finding it curious.
“You’re right. Because of Raon.”
Aris nodded without hesitation.
“My beloved nephew nearly died to obtain this treasure and gave it to me without asking anything in return. I can’t waste it carelessly.”
She bit her lip, vowing to absorb every drop of mana within the Dragon Heart, even if she had to chew it to the bone.
“Good thinking.”
Glenn nodded calmly, saying it was the right choice.
“Do you know? You’ve changed a lot too, Father.”
Aris looked up at Glenn.
“Me?”
Glenn raised his brows, puzzled.
“The old you would never have told me I did well.”
She frowned, saying he would’ve simply waved her away without a word.
“Hm…”
Glenn lowered his gaze and clicked his tongue briefly.
“You’re not wrong.”
When he was lost in his demonic obsession, he hadn’t cared about his sons or daughters, let alone his grandchildren. Back then, all he’d thought about was his own strength—so Aris wasn’t wrong.
“Your change is thanks to Raon too, isn’t it? He’s such a lucky charm.”
Aris smiled faintly, crediting her own change to Raon as well.
“Cough! N-not just Raon! All the children played a part!”
Flustered, Glenn shook his head, saying it wasn’t only Raon but all the children who’d helped him change.
“Either way, it’s good. Much better than when you were all cold and distant.”
Aris nodded, saying she preferred things this way.
“I wonder how my nephew is doing now?”
She glanced at the door to the right where the Chamber of Self lay, her eyes filled with concern.
“What did you see inside your Chamber of Self?”
Following her gaze, Glenn looked at the same door and tilted his head.
“I kept fighting endlessly in an underwater arena. Strong foes appeared one after another—it was bliss.”
Aris let out a long grin, saying she wanted to enter again.
“Then there’s nothing to worry about.”
Glenn shook his head calmly.
“If you passed that path, there’s no way Raon won’t.”
He chuckled softly, saying there was no need for concern.
“I know that! I just wanted to worry a little!”
Aris snorted and puffed her cheeks.
“Now, tell me why you came.”
Glenn rested his hand on the throne’s armrest and clicked his tongue.
“Stop stalling with small talk.”
He gestured with his chin, signaling her to get to the point.
“You already knew, didn’t you?”
Aris’s eyes trembled slightly.
“You always wear your emotions on your face.”
Glenn nodded, saying he could see everything clearly.
“Phew… You’ve really changed.”
Aris sighed heavily, deciding to speak her mind. Folding her hands before her, she looked up at him.
“Please help me. Just a little.”
—
Gooooooooo!
The silver frost that could freeze the world poured endlessly from the moon, descending ever closer toward Wrath.
Pajijijijik!
Just as Wrath prepared to embrace the moon’s frost with his whole being, a black fissure opened before him, blocking the way.
Uuuuuuuung!
The pitch-black rift erased the moonlight’s frost as if to tell him he was not allowed any further power.
Tsk.
Wrath opened his eyes slowly in frustration. Staring at the enormous blue-tinged moon, he clicked his tongue.
“As expected, there’s a restriction.”
When he had reached the state of egolessness and tried to absorb all the moon’s frost, the black rift had severed the connection between himself and the moon.
Just as he’d sensed upon arrival, because two souls had entered together, there seemed to be a limit on how much power he could gain.
‘I knew it, but it’s still disappointing.’
If he’d come alone, he could’ve broken the barrier.
Had he absorbed all of that moonlight’s power, he might not only have recovered his lost strength but even ascended to the next realm. The thought of missing that final step made his chest tighten with frustration—almost enough to resent Raon.
‘No, no. There’s no reason to resent him.’
Without Raon, he wouldn’t even have been able to enter this place. He owed him thanks, not resentment.
‘No, wait! There’s no reason not to resent him either!’
That damned weasel who threatened him daily with Nadine bread didn’t deserve forgiveness. If they met here, he would’ve punched him without hesitation.
‘Threatening someone with food is the lowest of the low!’
Honestly, eating Nadine bread angered him more than giving Raon stats and traits ever did.
‘And on top of that…’
‘How hard is it to eat ice cream and good food together!’
Raon was rich enough to waste money like water—he’d never run out even if he spent it for life! So why was he so stingy?
Every time that brat claimed he was broke and ate cheap food, Wrath’s hands had trembled with rage.
‘Still, he did give me the chance to recover. I’ll let it slide this once.’
Thanks to Raon, he had regained a significant level of his Authority and soul’s rank, even if not to their original state. So just this once, he decided to forgive him.
“Fuuu…”
Wrath exhaled deeply, staring at the blue moon separated from his space.
‘Regrettable, but it’s time to return.’
Though it was disappointing to leave without absorbing all that energy, he couldn’t stay here forever. It was time to go back.
Uuuuuuuung!
As soon as he thought of returning, a circular dimensional gate of blue flames opened, just like when he first arrived.
“If only I could come here again someday.”
After gazing at the moon radiating its pure blue light, Wrath stepped through the gate.
Fwoooosh.
That floating sensation returned once more.
But then, the frost he’d absorbed from the moon began flowing slowly away, as if being drawn somewhere else.
‘What is this now?’
It was the first time his own cold energy moved beyond his control. He opened his eyes in alarm but saw only darkness.
‘How vexing.’
It wasn’t much energy—trivial, even—but the thought of his own power being siphoned elsewhere irritated him.
‘Hurry… I need to arrive quickly…’
As he ground his teeth and kicked through the void, the sensation of solid ground touched his feet. Opening his eyes, he saw the same snowfield where he’d fought Rage.
‘I was just here… huh?’
Why was Raon there?
Unexpectedly, Raon was sitting against the World Tree with his eyes closed.
Wrath tilted his head in confusion—but then saw his own blue frost flowing from his chest straight into Raon.
“You again, you greedy brat!”
Wrath ground his teeth so hard it echoed through the air.
‘No! If this continues…’
He would lose all the power he’d just regained!
Gooooooooo!
A crimson killing intent flared within his blue eyes.
‘I must protect this—no matter what!’
Even if he had to beat that demon to a pulp!
—
“Hmm?”
Raon frowned as he opened his eyes. While absorbing the gray energy, a pure cold suddenly began assisting his cultivation.
‘What the…?’
Unable to comprehend what was happening, he turned his head—and saw Wrath standing to his right.
“Done already?”
Contrary to his expectations, Wrath wasn’t in his cotton-candy form. His original body—neither male nor female—was something Raon had seen several times, so it didn’t feel strange.
“You again!”
Wrath glared at him, grinding his teeth. His whole body trembled with fury.
“Huh…?”
Raon blinked in confusion.
“What are you suddenly yelling about?”
He’d only been waiting for him—so he didn’t understand why Wrath was shouting “you again.”
“It wasn’t enough that you control my diet—you’re even devouring the power I gained here!”
“I only took what you left behind…”
Raon waved his hands quickly. He’d merely gathered the remnants Wrath left—but seeing the Demon King fuming like this was bewildering.
“I actually kept some gratitude toward you. But!”
Wrath’s blue eyes flared as his terrifying [Authority of Wrath] burst forth.
“I can’t forgive you for stealing even this power! I’ll fix that filthy habit of yours!”
He unleashed an overwhelming wave of energy that made Raon’s heart sink.
“You enemy of Nadine bread!”
“W–why am I the enemy of Nadine bread?!”
Raon blinked in disbelief. Hearing that was more shocking than Wrath’s anger itself.
“You fed me Nadine bread every single day!”
“That doesn’t make me your enemy! The term ‘enemy’ means—”
“Silence, you devil’s tongue!”
As he tried to explain the meaning of the word, the world suddenly spun.
Everything whirled around, and he saw his own body standing on the ground.
‘Wait—why is my body… huh?!’
Raon’s eyes widened as he watched his own headless body crumble.
‘Did I just… die?’
By Wrath?
His mind went blank in disbelief—until Wrath’s panicked voice echoed.
“D-damn it! I used full strength out of anger!”
Wrath wailed that he couldn’t control his power since it had been so long.
‘That insane Demon King…’
As darkness swallowed his vision, Raon ground his teeth.
‘He definitely did that on purpose!’