The Duel's Draw
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Siria Sullion.
‘This lunatic seems to be the same as always.’
He was smiling as before, but his eyes didn’t move. Others might call it a bright smile, but to Raon who knew his true face, it looked only eerie.
- Timing wasn’t good.
‘Yeah.’
Because he hadn’t released his qi, he only realized Siria was approaching after the door opened. Of course, it was also because that guy had completely hidden his presence.
“Uh…”
A groan came from behind, Runaan. She had overcome her fear of blood, but facing Siria who had planted that trauma still seemed difficult.
“How did you come here?”
To hide Runaan from Siria’s gaze, Raon stepped forward one step.
“While passing through Dembel City on a mission, I heard that the Zieghart inspectors had entered the Yonan family. Since there was a silver-haired beauty among the inspectors, I came to check just in case.”
Siria smiled faintly and glanced at Runaan behind Raon’s shoulder.
“Just in case?”
Raon tilted his chin and chuckled.
“You seemed to be sure, though.”
Siria was holding a box of bead ice cream in his left hand. If it had really been just in case, he wouldn’t have brought that.
“Before and now, you don’t believe what people say?”
“‘People’ I believe.”
You’re not a person, you’re a monster.
Siria was famous for traveling the continent performing missions and swordsmanship, so it was possible this was really a coincidence.
But looking at his expression and atmosphere now, he must have been hearing information about Runaan’s whereabouts.
“Runaan. It’s been a while since I saw my brother. Aren’t you going to greet me?”
Siria lifted the ice cream box he was holding.
“I brought the bead ice cream you like too.”
“Uh…”
Runaan didn’t even lift her head at the mention of ice cream.
At least this was better than before. Previously, she couldn’t show her fear even though she was scared.
“Hmm, are you feeling unwell? I need to check.”
“Stop. This is the Yonan family’s territory.”
The Yonan family warriors blocked Siria as he tried to enter.
“State your identity and purpose of visit…”
“Ah, my name is Siria Sullion. I’m her brother. My sister’s condition seems a bit off, so may I enter for a moment?”
Siria pointed at Runaan behind Raon’s back.
“S, Siria Sullion?”
“The Spear Sword of the Continental Twelve Stars!”
The warriors guarding the entrance recognized Siria’s identity and hurriedly opened the path. Already famous and with a good impression, and with his sister inside, it was like a free pass.
“Brother will check on your condition…”
“Step back.”
Raon extended his right hand to block Siria’s approach.
“What are you trying to do now?”
Siria maintained his smile but lowered his eyebrows. The soft qi emanating from him was sharpening sharply. It was a qi like a sharp needle pricking the skin.
“You should play along a bit. Raon Zieghart.”
He curled his lips and took another step forward.
“Who do you think you are to block my way?”
“Because Runaan doesn’t want it.”
“Runaan hasn’t said anything yet?”
“It’s not necessary to say it.”
“You have a high misconception. I’m Runaan’s older brother, and you’re a stranger. You have no right to block my way.”
Siria waved as if telling him to step back. A massive aura wave began pushing his body away.
‘Terrifying.’
It wasn’t for nothing that he had the title of the strongest among young warriors, the Spear Sword of the Continental Twelve Stars. The qi from 7th Apostle Garron was different, pressing down on his body. But he couldn’t retreat here.
“Right?”
Raon overcame Siria’s momentum and straightened his waist. Tall stature. Now not falling behind Siria, he met his eyes.
“The right is sufficient.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m Runaan’s direct superior and currently on a mission. No matter how much blood relation, I can’t let you see Runaan without my permission.”
“Um…”
Mentioning the vice-leader and leader of the Light Wind Squad, Siria’s smile broke. This was unexpected.
“You have nothing to say, then. Let’s go back.”
Raon waved his hand the same way Siria had. The qi spreading in reverse pushed Siria back entirely. His clothes and hair fluttered madly.
“The words that Raon Zieghart’s sword should be careful with his mouth were true.”
Siria twisted his mouth into a forced smile.
“Even though it hasn’t been years yet, to have grown to this extent is astonishing.”
His pupils darkened like sweeping through darkness. The long pupils sent a creepy sensation that made hair stand on end.
“But you’ve become much more arrogant. Much worse than before.”
Contrary to the word ‘arrogant’, there was no anger or irritation in Siria’s voice. A dry voice without any emotion made the heart twist.
“Um…”
Raon frowned at the Yonan warriors in the background who were tilting their heads at Siria.
‘This guy has grown even stronger.’
The only one exposed to this extremely eerie qi was himself. Siria Sullion had returned much stronger than before, befitting his reputation as the Spear Sword.
“You’re right. If it’s a mission, then there’s nothing for it. However…”
Siria pointed at Runaan in plain clothes.
“You don’t seem to be on a mission right now?”
“Simply not wearing the uniform doesn’t change the fact that you’re on a mission.”
“What mission?”
“There’s no reason to say.”
Siria’s qi was gradually growing larger, but Raon didn’t back down. He resonated the Ring of Fire and pressed both feet on the ground.
“I’ve seen Runaan in a long time. I need to see her face to check if she’s healthy or if she has any injuries.”
“As I said, it’s not possible.”
“You say you’re worried about your sister and want to see her, but blocking like this seems odd. Is there some problem?”
“Worried…”
Raon laughed coldly. Siria’s pupils stretched long as he looked at his sister. What was inside wasn’t worry, but desire. The greedy eyes looking at his own possession sent a chill.
“Even if you are my superior, as Runaan’s brother, I must confirm her safety.”
Siria knew he couldn’t win with words, so he decided to use force and raised his aura.
“Showing your true colors.”
Raon raised his hand to the Heavenly Sky Sword. To be ready to draw at any time, he circled the Ring of Fire and operated the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.
Kugugugu!
Siria, not thinking of retreating, stroked the handle of the greatsword on his back and lifted his chin. His eyes without light. The appearance of a monster whose emotions had worn out from before.
-You can’t win now.
Wrath came out on the bracelet and frowned.
-Hand over your body to this King. This King will freeze that pervert who touched my servant whole.
The guy, not feeling sorry for Runaan who was trembling, waved his sleeve as if to hurry and put his body out.
‘Focus quietly.’
Raon ignored Wrath and took a deep breath.
‘Who doesn’t know I’m losing.’
Siria had already been a stable Master when Raon met him before. Now, years later, he must have risen at least one level, so winning was nearly impossible.
-Then step back!
‘Even if I know I’m losing, there are times when I can’t step back.’
With Runaan behind, he couldn’t step aside. He had to show that he could overcome that guy even though she was still trembling from trauma.
“You still don’t step back even in this situation? It seems like you’ve done something to my sister.”
Siria was still mindful of the surroundings’ gazes even in this. He was really crazy.
“Even though your sister doesn’t want it, you’re trying to approach. It seems like you did something. Did you blackmail her with something? Like blood?”
“Raon Zieghart…”
When Raon counterattacked, Siria’s expression froze even colder. His eyes filled only with killing intent as he gripped the sword hilt tightly.
Kugugugugu!
When Raon and Siria were about to draw their swords, an even more overwhelming qi exploded from the side.
“Enough.”
Sheryl was approaching with a cool gaze as if carrying the north wind.
“What are you showing off about here?”
She frowned at Raon and Siria as if pitiful.
“Lord of the Heavenly Sword Squad. Nice to meet you again.”
Siria quickly calmed his qi and smiled.
“I didn’t know you were here, so quiet.”
“It wasn’t like that?”
Sheryl snorted at Siria.
“What’s going on? What kind of mischief did you do to make you want to brawl in someone else’s house?”
“It’s nothing special. I wanted to see my sister, but the vice-leader of the Light Wind Squad didn’t step aside.”
“I just refused a meeting because I was on a mission.”
Raon told Sheryl what had happened here.
“Hmm, both make sense.”
Sheryl looked back and forth between Raon and Siria and nodded. In this situation, she should have sent Siria back, but she had no sense.
“If neither of you is willing to step back, then a duel is fine.”
She raised one finger after nodding.
“A duel?”
Both Raon and Siria opened their eyes wide in surprise.
“Since it’s someone else’s house. Let’s decide with a one-shot duel.”
“If it’s one shot…”
“One strike decides the winner.”
Sheryl lightly smiled and tapped her sword sheath.
“If you win, I’ll give you time to talk to Runaan, and if Raon wins, you’ll leave. How about it?”
“That sounds good.”
“However, due to the difference in realm, no aura.”
“Accepted.”
Siria nodded as if he liked it.
“Lord of the Heavenly Sword Squad…”
[Do it.]
When he was about to say he didn’t want to bet with Runaan who was scared, Sheryl’s aura message came.
[Siria is a swordsman with talent recognized even on the continent. Even if it’s a one-shot duel, it will be a great help to your training. During this time, listen to my lectures and try using the swordsmanship you practiced all night.]
With her words, Raon slightly opened his mouth.
‘She thought of me in the middle of this?’
When she was surprised and opened her mouth a bit, her words continued.
[Don’t worry about Runaan. There’s nothing to hand over even if you lose.]
Sheryl glanced at Runaan and her eyes sparkled. It wasn’t that she had no sense, but she had made this situation knowing it.
“I will.”
Raon nodded and turned back.
“Runaan.”
“Uh…”
Runaan lifted her head for the first time.
“Watch well.”
After saying that, he stepped forward.
-Playing dirty...
‘Annoying.’
Since he said that, he absolutely couldn’t lose. He had to show Runaan that Siria was not an absolute wall that couldn’t be broken.
“A one-shot duel, interesting.”
Siria smiled and drew the greatsword on his back. A momentum that seemed to suffocate on the dark blade spewed out.
“Huu…”
Raon took a deep breath and drew the Heavenly Sky Sword. A determined qi swirled on the white sword body opposite the greatsword.
“Prepare.”
“Okay.”
“Yes.”
Following Sheryl’s words, he lowered his lower body and drew the sword back. When he took the stance of the Flame Dragon Form, a small light appeared in Siria’s pupils.
‘As expected, he knows.’
If it was Siria’s personality, he would have investigated Runaan and himself, so it was natural that he knew the Flame Dragon Form that defeated Garron.
Swoosh.
Siria slightly twisted his ankle and pulled the greatsword a bit more to the side.
‘Clever.’
It was clear that he was trying to cut it before the Flame Dragon Form unleashed its full power due to the greatsword’s power.
“Start.”
Before Sheryl’s words ended, Siria’s greatsword came slashing in. The dark blade dug into space and exploded with immense qi.
‘As expected.’
As thought, Siria was clearly trying to cut it with strength and speed before the Flame Dragon Form spewed its power.
However, even in a simple swing, the swordsmanship was full of tricks, and the qi flowed over the strike. If he swung a clumsy strike, the Heavenly Sky Sword would break and he’d suffer fatal injury.
‘No need to use the weapon I analyzed.’
Raon poured all his qi into the extending Heavenly Sky Sword. Intense flames wrapped the blade, but the shape was not a fierce dragon, but a heavy mountain.
‘Heavy Sword.’
Gaining a hint from Garron’s sword and understanding the space from Sheryl’s lectures, the Heavy Sword that swallowed space unfolded.
Kugugugu!
The self-forged rings were embedded in the Heavenly Sky Sword, and thick lines appeared.
A young flickering red light on the blade became a heavy wave sweeping the air.
Uuuuung!
Raon’s heavy sword that advanced while controlling space collided with Siria’s greatsword.
Kwaaang!
A deafening sound like the earth cracking erupted, and terrifying shockwaves swept the surroundings.
Ziiiiiing!
Siria’s greatsword was not pushed back even by the shockwave, spewing immense power, but it screamed a sword cry as it was blocked by the Heavenly Sky Sword advancing while burning aura.
“This, what is this…”
Astonishment appeared in Siria’s dark pupils. It was a reaction he hadn’t thought possible, that his own sword would be blocked in the middle.
“Huuu…”
Raon narrowed his eyes while maintaining the heaviness in the Heavenly Sky Sword’s blade.
‘This was the answer.’
By unfolding a new Heavy Sword to the Siria who knew the secret of the Flame Dragon Form, it was a divine move. It was a great achievement not to lose the bet, but with this one clash, the realization of the Heavy Sword rose incomparably higher than before.
“Um…”
Sheryl let out a sound she didn’t want to hear while watching the greatsword and Heavenly Sky Sword competing in the middle.
‘Draw?’
Raon had planned to talk about age and experience to make Siria step back after he showed some activity, but he hadn’t imagined he could make a draw at all.
‘Even if he didn’t use aura, he’s the Spear Sword of the Continent…’
Even if Siria had held back his strength, to tie in a one-shot duel, it was unbelievable, and his expression didn’t stay.
Kikikikik!
Sheryl, who had been thinking about the sword cry flowing from the two swords clashing, snapped her fingers.
“Enough.”
She shot out her aura and separated the two.
“Since it was blocked in the middle, it’s a draw.”
“Ah, no! This is…”
“No, what are you saying. The duel is a one-strike decision. Since it was blocked, it’s a draw.”
“Kuuk…”
Siria now had a full expression of irritation and bit his lip.
“Although there is no winner, Raon’s experience and skill difference is clear. I’ll call this Raon’s win.”
Sheryl recited words as if prepared and waved her hand.
“……”
Siria didn’t answer and glared at Raon with eerie eyes. It was an eye with clear emotion.
“Siria. Step back. You lost.”
“Lord of the Heavenly Sword Squad…”
“If you have complaints, I’ll deal with it.”
Sheryl crossed her arms and blocked in front of Siria. Although small in stature, the qi she spewed overwhelmed Siria and soared to the sky’s end.
“…Understood. Since I can’t win you now, there’s nothing for it. Raon. I lost. That was a great sword.”
Siria was still not an ordinary guy. In this situation, he regained his composure and smiled.
“Runaan. Your body doesn’t seem to be in good shape today. Come later. This is for eating with your comrades.”
He handed over the ice cream box he had lowered his gentle smile for. To maintain the appearance of a good brother to the end, it was amazing.
“That’s not necessary…”
“I will say it.”
When Raon tried to refuse, Runaan came forward.
“Runaan?”
***
Runaan watched all the situations from behind Raon.
She wanted to tell him to go back, but when the voice saying to kill everyone came to mind, her body didn’t move.
Covering her ears while leaving the matter to Raon, she prayed for Siria to disappear quickly.
When all sounds changed to incomprehensible tinnitus, Raon turned back and opened his mouth.
“Watch well.”
Even though he had covered his ears, the words were vividly heard. For the first time, he lifted his head.
Kugugugu!
Siria’s greatsword exploding with qi like the sky. The sword strike that seemed to shatter all the world screamed.
“Dodge!”
But Raon didn’t step back and slowly thrust the sword. A young flame on the blade spread like a wall and infiltrated space.
Zzeeeeng!
Siria’s greatsword that seemed to split even the sea couldn’t pass the thin blade of the Heavenly Sky Sword and was blocked in the middle, letting out a strange cry.
“Ah…”
Runaan let out a cry and trembled her lips.
‘I blocked it…’
In her mind, Siria was an absolute being who no one could block.
When his sword was blocked by Raon, the dark clouds that filled his head flowed down with red rain.
‘It wasn’t that I couldn’t block it.’
Siria wasn’t invincible. His words that had rung in his brain, his presence that had covered the sky, began to diminish a bit.
Pang!
The shackles binding his hands and feet were torn off, and it became refreshing.
“Raon.”
Runaan turned around with her body lightened. Seeing Raon with wide eyes as if surprised, she smiled faintly.
If Siria had taught her death for the first time, Raon had taught her first firm will, that she could overcome Siria.
Even if it was a lifetime benefactor, it was not enough.
“Thank you.”
She greeted him and stepped one step toward Siria and looked at him straight.
‘Scary.’
The fear remained. She wanted to turn her eyes away. But with Raon’s warm qi felt from behind, she could face him.
“I, I have nothing to say to my brother.”
Runaan bit her lip and lifted her head. In her purple eyes with sunlight, a small courage like a sprout appeared.
“Don’t come until I find you.”
Her voice trembled, but she spat out words to Siria for the first time.
“R, Runaan…”
The mask wrapping Siria’s face shattered into pieces.