Chapter 966

               

‘Where….’

Raon left Wrath, who was whining for food, and checked the ability of the trait <Reaper>, which had evolved from <Ambush>.

<Reaper>

Stealth ability increases drastically. If you successfully ambush an enemy while in stealth, even the smallest wound becomes fatal.

-Oh? O-oh-oh?

Wrath’s mouth dropped open as soon as he read the description of the <Reaper> trait.

-Wh-what kind of insane trait is that! If that’s true, it means even a tiny cut on the finger would become a fatal wound!

He shook his head wildly, saying it made no sense.

‘Not unconditionally—only if the ambush succeeds.’

Reaper was not a trait that turned every attack into a fatal wound. It was an assassin’s ability that made wounds fatal only when an ambush succeeded while in stealth.

‘Even so, it’s still a broken ability.’

With his current power, aside from the leaders of the Five Demons and transcendent beings of the previous era who lived in seclusion, he was confident he wouldn’t lose to anyone.

Having a trait like <Reaper>, which could deal fatal ambushes with his current strength, would be immensely helpful in the upcoming war.

‘And with stealth strengthened too, there’s even more room to use it.’

He didn’t know the exact combat level of the Thespian Emperor, so he had no certainty of absolute victory, but with this ability he felt he could give himself a ten percent better chance of beating her.

‘It might even work on the Fallen One or the White Blood Cult Leader.’

Because Wrath and Glenn’s senses were monstrous, even activating Reaper wouldn’t let him ambush either of them. It likely wouldn’t work on Derus or the Heavenly Demon either.

But if used at the right moment, he might be able to inflict a fatal wound on the Fallen One or the White Blood Cult Leader.

‘It’ll work even better on the Fallen One.’

The Fallen One relied on magic and sorcery, so compared to other transcendents, his physical endurance was weaker. If Raon landed a fatal blow first, he could drag the fight in his favor.

‘Thinking about it that way, it really is a broken trait.’

In truth, ambushes rarely worked in battles between masters.

But Raon had lived his previous life as an assassin—no one could utilize the <Reaper> trait better than him.

‘It would’ve been better if it were related to swordsmanship, but this isn’t bad at all.’

He had hoped for a trait that enhanced swordsmanship, but the ability suited the name <Reaper> so well he couldn’t complain.

-You got that ability and still want more?

Wrath exhaled sharply in disbelief.

-You’ve stuffed yourself so full you don’t even realize you’re eating bread baked with gold, you spoiled brat!

He grabbed Raon by the collar and shook him, furious enough to show he was genuinely jealous of the <Reaper> trait.

-Damn luck! Stupid system!

‘I gained a lot this time.’

Raon ignored Wrath and recalled everything he had obtained in the Chamber of Self.

‘Even though there was no wall, it’s not an exaggeration to say I surpassed a wall.’

He had raised his mental strength, physical ability, and swordsmanship through stage-by-stage trials, learned the true method of using Ten Thousand Swords, and raised both Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier to 10 stars.

‘And through sparring with Wrath, I learned what death is.’

Dying one hundred times to Wrath, feeling the presence of death, he also gained another broken trait: [Crisis Sense].

Reaper for offense, Crisis Sense for defense. Thinking about it, he had acquired the most important traits for both attack and defense.

‘It’s a little embarrassing.’

Raon lightly bit his lip.

‘I wasn’t expecting rewards this good.’

He had gained so much from passing through the Chamber of Self, he never expected additional rewards. He felt almost sorry toward Wrath.

-……

Wrath was pressing his lips tightly together as he glared at the messages. He wasn’t even swearing—meaning he was truly furious.

‘I get it. I get it.’

Raon stood up from his chair and lightly patted Wrath’s head.

‘Let’s go eat.’

Judging by how much of Wrath’s Authority had been consumed creating the abilities and traits, he wanted to treat him to a good meal.

-……

But instead of following him, Wrath furrowed his brow and lowered his gaze.

‘Wrath?’

Raon turned back from the doorway and approached him.

-Haaa….

Wrath let out a deep sigh as he looked up. His eyes churned like violent waves.

‘I know you’re upset, but I didn’t choose to get these rewards….’

Seeing Wrath looking worse than usual, Raon folded his hands and shook his head.

-That’s not it.

Wrath lifted his gaze, suddenly calm—as if he had never been angry. His shining blue eyes shimmered like the true form Raon had seen in the Chamber of Self, sending chills down his spine.

-I was going to let it slide, but no matter how much I think about it, something doesn’t add up.

He clicked his tongue shortly.

‘A question…?’

Even though he already sensed what Wrath meant, Raon asked back.

-No need for long explanations….

Wrath tilted his chin toward the air.

-Recall the early part of the reward message you showed.

He gestured for Raon to pull up the part he had shown several times already.

‘……’

Raon looked into Wrath’s frost-filled eyes, then summoned the message again.

[You have achieved growth in the Chamber of Self.]

[You have experienced 101 deaths.]

[All stats increase by 50 points.]

Wrath lowered his eyes slowly, then opened them again.

-I knew I wasn’t mistaken.

He turned his gaze to Raon.

-Look at the second message. Doesn’t “101 deaths” seem strange to you?

Wrath pointed at it with his round hand.

-I killed you ninety-nine times. The final strike, you blocked. Even if the collapse counted as death, it would still be exactly one hundred.

His brows furrowed.

-There is no way it becomes one hundred and one.

He clicked his tongue.

-So why is it 101?

‘Haa….’

Raon let out a murky breath and swept his hair back.

‘I knew you’d notice.’

He had wondered about it from the moment he saw that message. He had died ninety-nine times; even if the last counted, it should only be one hundred.

‘The last death… no, the first death was my death in my past life.’

The extra death—the hundred and first—was clearly the time he died as assassin Raon at Derus’s hands.

“…Let me ask you just one thing.”

Raon looked up at the ceiling, then lowered his gaze.

“Can the system know things you don’t?”

The idea that the system knew about his past life, which Wrath did not, was astonishing.

-Seeing that smug bastard hand out rewards, it clearly has a will of its own, and abilities even I don’t have. Though it has no combat power….

Wrath turned his head, saying that was probably how it could send abilities across dimensions.

“I see.”

He didn’t know the exact abilities, but unlike Wrath, the system clearly knew he had died and reincarnated.

-……

Wrath folded his arms, waiting for an answer.

‘Honestly, it wouldn’t be strange to say I died while you weren’t there.’

There had been countless dangerous moments during the trial, and Raon and Wrath had been separated—such an excuse would be acceptable.

‘But I don’t want to end it like that.’

Wrath was his confidant and his closest friend. If he cut off Wrath’s doubts with a lie, he might not be able to trust anyone again.

‘I’ll tell him. After I avenge Derus.’

If Wrath learned of his past, he would rage as if it were his own matter and push himself recklessly.

Raon didn’t want to see Wrath coughing and collapsing again. He didn’t want to speak of his past until his revenge was over.

‘I have to handle this revenge with my own strength.’

Clenching his fist, he reaffirmed his vow to kill Derus with his accumulated rage and sword, and destroy everything Derus had built.

“I’ll tell you when it’s all over.”

Raon looked at Wrath and promised that he would reveal everything without hiding anything.

-Ha….

Wrath stared into his eyes, then let out a small sigh.

-If you say it like that, I have no choice but to wait. Fine.

He smacked his lips, accepting the answer.

“Thanks.”

Raon smiled and sat back down. He was truly grateful that the “demon king” attached to him was Wrath—his first friend.

-What are you doing now?

Wrath suddenly furrowed his brows in dissatisfaction.

“Huh?”

-Why are you sitting! Didn’t you say we were going to eat!

He bared his teeth, demanding Raon keep his promise.

‘I thought you weren’t eating?’

-The question is solved now. So of course we’re eating!

Wrath jerked his chin toward the door.

-Hurry up and go!

‘Good grief….’

Raon let out a helpless laugh as he watched Wrath pat his round belly.

‘How does his serious mode not last even a minute?’

Shaking his head, Raon headed to the dining hall.

‘Is this really the same blue Demon King who killed me a hundred times….’

—

“Right. From there, it’s better to lower your sword slowly.”

Raon smiled faintly as he adjusted Sia’s sword posture.

“Speed, distance, direction—and the subtle artistry of martial insight. Only when all of that flows together can swordsmanship reach its full power.”

He guided Sia’s hand, drawing Light-Splitting Sword with her wooden sword.

Whoooosh!

The brown wooden sword shimmered like a dawn moon, slicing gracefully and sharply across the lake’s surface.

Chaaaaa!

The rippling lake failed to immediately fill the sliced space; water rose into the air before slowly falling.

“Wow….”

Sia’s mouth formed an O as she watched the lake return to its original state.

“How is it? Get the feel?”

Raon raised his shoulders as he looked into her sparkling eyes.

“No, but I want to try again!”

She declared she would do it herself and swung her wooden sword.

Whoooosh!

The Light-Splitting Sword Sia unleashed crashed into the calm lake. Her form resembled her usual strike, but too much force twisted the direction, so the technique lost much of its power.

“So hard….”

She clutched her head, frustrated.

“It’s supposed to be hard.”

Raon smiled and shook his head. He had learned the technique during his trainee days; it was one of the sword arts he was most confident in now. Sia couldn’t copy it immediately.

“For now, don’t think about my sword. Just move at your speed and focus on steady progress.”

“Yeah. I know.”

Sia nodded calmly and raised her sword again.

“Judiel said I have to train a lot if I want to catch up to Raon.”

She declared she would practice every day just like him.

“Sis.”

Raon narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched her practice without discouragement.

“Why are you working so hard? Is swordsmanship fun?”

If she enjoyed it and had talent, bringing her to Light Wind Palace for proper training wouldn’t be bad.

“It is fun. But….”

Sia’s eyes shimmered softly as she looked at him.

“You asked me before, remember? To protect the house while you were gone. To keep that promise, I have to get stronger.”

“Ah….”

She still remembered the request he made before leaving for his mission. A strange pang echoed in his chest.

-Hoh….

Wrath widened his eyes in amazement.

-Her mind seems to have grown more than her swordsmanship.

He smiled proudly, saying she no longer felt like a child.

‘True.’

Just as Wrath said, he could no longer think of her as merely a kid.

“Since Sis is trying hard, I should work harder too.”

Raon smiled softly and nodded.

“Are you going to train?”

“Something like that.”

“Will it take long?”

“No, I’ll be back before dinner.”

“Then I’ll be practicing swordsmanship. Let’s eat together!”

Sia waved goodbye and focused again. She no longer clung to him like before—clear proof she had matured.

Whoooosh!

Raon turned his back as he listened to the sound of her strike cutting through the air.

‘Just hearing that gives me confidence.’

Sia was simply training and smiling, but it made a fire bloom in his chest. That must be the power of family.

Recalling her determined eyes promising to protect their home, Raon headed toward the main building—not to the Head Of House’s hall, but to the side path leading to the training hall.

Rumble….

Inside the massive iron gates, too large to take in at a glance, four figures stood.

Glenn, Denier, Balder, and today’s opponent, Karoon. Everyone except Aris was gathered.

Fwooooom!

Karoon placed his hand on his sword hilt as he saw Raon. A fierce aura flared from his shoulders. Even before the spar began, he was already in battle mode.

‘It always ended vaguely. But this time….’

Raon took a deep breath and walked toward Karoon.

‘Let’s win.’

—

Karoon swallowed dryly as he watched Raon approach with heavy steps.

‘What… is that….?’

He had seen Raon emerging from the Chamber of Self, and of course knew he had grown stronger.

But he never imagined Raon would create such suffocating pressure just by walking—without even drawing his sword.

Step.

Each step Raon took increased the weight pressing down on him. Karoon’s hand rose instinctively to his hilt—it was unbearable without grabbing his sword.

‘Insane.’

He didn’t understand what he was seeing. It felt like a giant sword—not a person—was approaching him.

“You’ve really become a monster….”

He bit his lip as he exhaled a rough breath. Even without fighting, he already felt defeated. His jaw trembled uncontrollably.

‘If I don’t go all out….’

Standing before the giant-like presence Raon exuded, Karoon ground his teeth.

‘I might not withstand even a single strike.’