The Reborn Assassin's Triumph
Raon slowly lifted his heavy eyelids. The straight lines and curves harmonized beautifully, revealing a magnificent ceiling that looked like a work of art.
'Where am I?'
Looking at the grand ceiling, it was clear it wasn't a treatment room. I don't know why, but it seemed Rimer had brought me here.
"Ugh..."
While checking the surroundings, I tried to sit up. There was no place that didn't hurt. From my fingertips to my dantian, a stinging pain spread throughout my body.
'Indeed, it's not easy to defeat a Master.'
The Master's killing intent and Ganggi were so powerful that it was hard to endure. Since the fifth time I clashed with the sword, injuries started appearing, and in the final clash, I barely held back the blood flowing back from my throat.
The healer had come and gone, and I had slept after receiving the effects of the medicine, but even then, I hadn't fully recovered. Looking at my condition, it seemed my body was in the worst state imaginable, almost like death.
"Huuu..."
Raon slowly exhaled and stood up. There was pain, but it wasn't unbearable.
- Now you're finally awake...
As he pulled back the blanket and tried to get out of bed, Wrath suddenly popped out from the ice flower bracelet.
- You only beat one such guy and look like this? Pathetic. You're utterly weak.
Wrath clicked his tongue, saying he was ashamed of himself.
"Is that so."
Raon looked at Wrath's round eyes and chuckled.
"Speaking of which, I didn't even properly greet you."
- What greeting did I not do?
"When I fought the 7th Apostle, you helped me twice. Thank you."
Wrath had warned me of the 10th Apostle's ambush before I even felt it, and stopped me from challenging the 10th Apostle without properly assessing the situation. If it weren't for Rimer and Wrath, the Light Wind Squad might have been wiped out.
"You seem to have judged the 10th Apostle to be quite strong. After all, crossing from Master to Grandmaster."
- What crazy talk is this?
Wrath's expression twisted as if what he said was ridiculous.
- Master, Grandmaster, those are just the insects that humans divide into. To this King, it's the difference between an ant and a winged ant.
'Eh...'
- Unless it's at least your level, to this King, they're all just bugs I can crush with a finger.
'Then why did you warn me to not fight?'
Wrath's actions were different from usual, so I thought he had come to his senses, but now hearing him talk, it seems I was mistaken.
- It was only natural because of the promise.
'Promise?'
- Didn't you make a promise? To eat the bead ice cream set and two special dishes here.
'...Yeah.'
I had used Wrath in the gambling hall and made such a promise. But I didn't understand why it was coming up now.
- You didn't feel it at the time, but your condition was serious. If the injury worsened, you might not have been able to eat proper food until you left here, or the stupid you might have died, so stopping it was only natural.
Wrath circled around Raon as if checking his condition.
- As expected, this King's calculations were correct. With the medicine's effect, you've recovered quite a bit. Soon, we can go to the restaurant.
He clenched his fist, saying he wouldn't miss the special dish this time.
"Ah, so you didn't help me because you wanted to, but because if I got hurt, you wouldn't be able to eat the food, right?"
- That's right.
Wrath nodded vigorously, almost comically.
- This place's special dish has already been investigated by this King. First, stir-fry chicken with vegetables...
"Hah."
Raon let out a dry laugh while looking at Wrath pondering what to eat.
'So that's it.'
I thought he changed because he was worried, but it was a huge misunderstanding. That Demon King guy stopped me because he didn't want me to eat the promised food or because he was late.
"I'm tired of it. I'm fed up."
In that situation, instead of anger, he was craving food, which was the gluttonous Demon King's priority.
- Shut up. First, remember the name of the food this King is talking about. Lancelot Chicken Stir-Fry and...
Uuuuung!
The Requiem Sword offers the purified blood qi.
The purified blood qi flowed down the mana circuits of the whole body like pure mana, strengthening muscles and bones, and even recovering damaged organs.
"Huu."
Raon let out a sigh unconsciously. Because the qi was so pure, there was no burden in accepting it.
The purified blood qi recovers the deranged body.
All stats increase by 6 points.
The trait <Demonic Energy Adaptation> ascends to 3 stars.
"Huu..."
Raon stood up and clenched his fist. The pain had decreased a lot, and more power was felt in the body than before. Clear growth could be felt on the skin.
'Good.'
After confirming the almost healed body, turning his head, Wrath was floating with a sullen expression.
"Why are you so quiet today?"
Normally, he would have been making a fuss, but today there was no reaction.
- When I was in the Demon Realm, I was a lord famous for having weight and being generous. Everyone bowed their heads to that dignity.
Wrath frowned at the Requiem Sword.
- I already knew that purifying blood qi was your job before you fell, so why be surprised?
'Is that so.'
Raon sighed since the time Wrath said he had weight.
- To make the Wrath Lord embarrassed, you need to bring an event that wipes out half the continent...
As Wrath was about to speak with a sniff, a new message appeared.
You have won the unwinnable duel.
The achievement of <Ring of Fire> has greatly increased.
The trait <Indomitable Will> ascends to 3 stars.
The trait <Concentration> ascends to 3 stars.
All stats increase by 6 points.
Goooooo!
The joy of stats rising again made the fingertips tingle.
Life force surged throughout the body, overflowing with more qi than before falling. There was no thought of having received a big injury. It was enough to fight the 7th Apostle again immediately.
- W-what is this?
Wrath's eyes widened at the second set of messages.
- You only beat one little runt, but why did it rise so much! Are you trying to bring this King's main body down!
"I was a Master, not a runt."
- If I say you're a runt, you're a runt! If I return to my main body, I can crush you with a finger.
"But I can't."
- Uuu...
Wrath's outburst stopped for a moment at the sudden sensitive spot.
- A-anyway, this is not it. Beating a little insect that crossed one wall is too much!
Wrath had thrown away the usual weight and generosity, revealing a lightness like a leaf. This ugliness was Wrath's true face.
- I will never accept it!
He glared at the system window as if it was unacceptable. Of course, the system didn't answer and seemed already gone.
- This King won't get a head injury...
As Raon heard Wrath say he got a head injury, he struck Wrath's back without drawing the Requiem Sword.
- Hey! What are you doing!
"You got hit by a sword, so it's fine?"
- You damn crazy guy!
Wrath puffed up his body as if about to rush over, abandoning even the king's tone.
"But you're the Demon Realm's lord, right? One of the top lords."
Raon poked Wrath's pointed head and tilted his head.
- That's right! This King is one of the Demon Realm's 7 great lords! I ascended to the throne that everyone worships!
"If you're such a great lord, your stats should be amazing."
- Of course! You can't compare to me!
"Then even if I take a little, you won't even send a warning?"
- Of course...
Wrath's tone lifted slightly, feeling something was off.
"If it's of course, then give some too."
- If I give, it's not such a light thing, but after doing something more certain...
"Who made the system like this?"
- Kuu...
Wrath couldn't answer, sticking out his lips and glaring at Raon. Since he had said it, he couldn't argue now.
"Don't get so angry. Since your body's fully recovered, the only thing left is to keep your promise."
- R-really?
"With the Requiem Sword, my injuries are almost healed, so I can eat right away."
Raon nodded. I don't know how many days I slept, but as soon as the body healed, the stomach started rumbling demanding food.
- I heard Cerberus has a place to poop, so this bug can be useful too.
Uuuuung!
The Requiem Sword, whose pride was hurt by Wrath's words, vibrated roughly.
- Then what are you doing. Quickly go and get the ice cream.
"Wait a bit."
Raon restrained Wrath who was dancing in the air and stood up. As he tried to go out, footsteps approached from afar, and the door opened.
"Raon."
"Eh! Vice Captain! You're awake!"
It was Runaan and Dorian. The two rushed to the bedside and leaned in.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Sorry..."
Runaan lowered her shoulders. It seemed she was sorry for not being there at the important moment.
"No need to apologize."
Raon waved his hand with a smile. If Runaan hadn't been there, something like the Gwanghyeol-gwi incident might have happened, so it was a good thing.
"Where am I?"
"When Princess Jayna came, they said it's the annex. It's more splendid than the city hall."
Dorian looked around the room and smiled wryly.
"Ah, this is not the time. I'll tell the others!"
Without waiting, he waved and left the room.
- Don't stall. Let's go out like this and go straight to the restaurant. This King heard there's a place there.
'Just do one thing.'
- What thing? What again...
'This is simple.'
Raon nodded.
"There's a guy I need to teach a lesson to."
***
Marta sat blankly, looking up at the sky.
"Haa..."
Looking at the dark gray sky, the day three days ago came to mind. I had waited and waited for the revenge, but the moment I couldn't do anything and was powerless.
"Damn it."
The 10th Apostle who broke into the village wall ten years ago and killed people like bugs hadn't changed at all. No, he was even stronger than then.
The thought that all the training until now was meaningless came because he was so different from me.
The more pitiful part was that I, not Raon, had cut the 7th Apostle and declared to the 10th Apostle.
"Truly a crazy guy."
Raon's injuries were so severe that they couldn't be compared to mine. In fact, he hadn't woken up until now.
Thinking about fighting the 10th Apostle in such a serious condition and declaring to kill him in the future, it was beyond comprehension.
Beyond admiration, only awe and shock.
'Is this the difference in caliber...'
Physical strength, mental strength, and fighting spirit. The me who only talked and Raon were too different. I didn't think a one-year-younger guy would make me feel such self-loathing.
But I was even more grateful to Raon. If it weren't for him, I would have died without saying a word to the 10th Apostle.
Of course, the 1st squad who couldn't maintain the formation because of me would have been wiped out too.
Only gratitude came to mind for Raon.
"Haa..."
"The vice captain has woken up! Raon-nim has woken up!"
As Marta was about to stand up, biting her lip, Dorian's voice came from behind.
She hesitated for a moment, swallowed dry saliva, and slowly walked to the room where Raon was staying.
***
The Light Wind Squad members who heard from Dorian that Raon had woken up poured into the room.
"Raon!"
"Are you okay?"
"Is there any place that hurts?"
"Hey! Use honorifics! Vice Captain!"
"The mission is over. Now we can act like usual, right?"
"Eh? I-I don't know."
Raon looked at the Light Wind Squad members filling the room and gave a faint smile.
'This side has also become family now.'
When we first met, we were wary and mocking each other, but now in their eyes was only worry and relief. Those emotions touched the skin and warmed the chest.
"Any injured?"
Raon asked, looking at Burren standing in the center.
"Marta has some remaining injuries, but most are minor, so treatment is complete."
Burren spoke in honorifics, as if still thinking of the mission.
"What about the hostages?"
"All are safe."
Runaan, sitting beside the bed, nodded.
"Any unusual incidents?"
"As predicted by the vice captain, after the branch fell, the White Blood Cult members hiding in Forvan City moved. Salman immediately moved and suppressed the White Blood Cult members, but as they fled and set fires, several food warehouses were burned down."
"Any casualties?"
"None."
"Fortunately."
Raon nodded while listening to Burren's report.
"Where is the captain?"
"After confirming that the healer was treating the vice captain, he left and didn't return. Probably..."
Burren sighed deeply and frowned.
"He went to the gambling hall."
Raon nodded. Since the injuries were serious but not life-threatening, and the mission was over, he probably went to the gambling hall saying good.
- Truly consistent.
'Yeah.'
Wrath let out a sigh of admiration. To receive the Demon King's approval, Rimer was truly a great elf.
"Everyone worked hard. Thanks to each of you fulfilling your roles, we completed the mission without any deaths."
Raon looked around the Light Wind Squad and nodded. Originally the captain's job, but since he was gone, he had to hold a post-mission reflection.
"Eh?"
"No."
"What did we do..."
"Yeah. The vice captain did it all."
"Beating the apostles..."
Raon had only captured two White Blood Cult members, but since they were the Archbishop and the 7th Apostle, the Light Wind Squad wasn't involved, so he waved his hand.
"However, it wasn't all well done. First, 2nd squad."
"Huh?"
Runaan, the 2nd squad leader, widened her eyes at Raon's call.
"Following orders to evacuate the hostages and protect the position was good, but you couldn't take care of the few hostages left in the mansion."
"Eh..."
"Next time, count the number of all hostages, make sure none are missed, and evacuate them all."
"Yeah. No, yes."
Runaan nodded with a bow.
"Next, 3rd squad."
"Yes."
Burren straightened his neck and waist. His eyes blinked rapidly, as if nervous.
"Excellent."
"Huh?"
"Even though we were late to training. No, despite not participating in training at all, thanks to staying up all night researching formations and strategies, we operated the almost perfect Wind Formation. The 3rd squad had the least injured because of you, Burren. Thank you for your hard work."
"Ah..."
Burren was surprised to be praised, and his Adam's apple bobbed. His lips tightly pressed suggested emotions were turbulent.
"However, we didn't participate in the battle against the apostles."
"Your mission was infiltration and blocking from the rear. Blocking the White Blood Cult coming from the rear was sufficient."
Although the rear had fewer numbers, there were more priests and bishops. Just by blocking them, the 3rd squad had perfectly completed the mission.
"Finally, 1st squad."
At Raon's call, Marta and the 1st squad hiding behind were startled and trembled.
"You were the worst."
Raon looked at them with cold eyes.
"The squad leader who was swept up in rage and went crazy alone. Squad members dragging like flies following such a squad leader. If we had clashed head-on instead of ambush, there would definitely have been casualties."
"W-we were wrong. Because we couldn't follow the squad leader..."
As the 1st squad deputy tried to come forward, Raon raised his hand.
"Your problem is also there. But the biggest issue is not caring about the squad members and the squad leader going berserk. Marta."
At Raon's call, Marta bit her lip and came forward.
"I know you have a grudge against the White Blood Cult. But this is a mission. You should have thought of the lives of the squad members and hostages before your grudge."
"..."
Marta silently endured the rebuke without saying a word.
"The 2nd squad that moved to the center also has responsibility for missing the hostages. If the 1st squad had set up the formation and created a safe space, we could have taken all hostages. What does the 1st squad leader think?"
"...Sorry."
At Raon's question, Marta bowed her head straight, as if accepting everything. Her shoulders and neck didn't tremble, so it seemed she was forcing it.
"Hm?"
"Eh..."
Since she had never seen her bow her head like that before, the entire Light Wind Squad widened their eyes.
"The 1st squad members were probably surprised by my arbitrary decision. Since I didn't communicate, it's all my fault."
Her eyes looking up were filled with an indescribable light. Sadness, pain, anger, or gratitude. It seemed mixed emotions.
"Admitting fault."
"Yeah."
"It was Alang Village, right?"
Raon asked, recalling the name of the village Marta had shouted at the 10th Apostle.
"..."
"You can't say it's revenge for you, but the Light Wind Squad has already boarded the same ship. We'll definitely clash with the White Blood Cult again."
He continued, looking at other Light Wind Squad members besides her.
"If you ever feel ready, please tell us your story."
"Okay."
Marta slowly closed and opened her eyes, then nodded.
"Hic!"
"What, what?"
"Wow..."
Another unexpected answer made the Light Wind Squad members open their mouths wide.
"And you did well too."
"What?"
"When the 10th Apostle appeared, you jumped in front to save your squad members."
"Huh?"
"Really?"
"T-that's not it! I just moved because I wanted to interfere with that guy!"
As the 1st squad members looked back, Marta blushed and shook her head.
"Anyway, the reflection is over with this."
Ignoring Marta's excuse, Raon stood up and clapped like Rimer.
"Has the captain gone to the market?"
"After reporting when all work was done, he went with me. After that, he didn't go. The market was very busy handling branch matters."
Burren muttered that Rimer was also busy wandering around.
"Perfect."
Raon smiled faintly and took off the hospital gown.
"You're not fully recovered yet, where are you going?"
"I have to meet the market before the captain comes."
The market had said that once all issues were solved, he would do everything. Since he had received everything in terms of ability, it was time to take care of the material things.
Before that gambling addict came.
- No no no! I'm eating!
Raon's complaining was ignored for now.