The Unbreakable Resolve
Raon bit his teeth so hard they could crack.
'This power...'
Akyanggwi's descending sword strike carried a tremendous force as if the heavens themselves were pouring down. Even though he was using the Hundred Flowers of Ten Thousand Flames at its peak and exerting his body's maximum strength, his feet began to sink into the ground.
"Krua!"
The pressure spewing from the black greatsword tore at his skin and seemed to crush his bones. The heat of internal injuries from his abdomen intensified. The pain was so severe that he no longer knew where it hurt.
Kugugugugu!
Akyanggwi's sword energy was gradually growing stronger. His wrists and shoulders shook as if they would shatter.
'Damn it...'
If he had been in a normal body without injuries, and if he could perfectly utilize the Hundred Flowers of Ten Thousand Flames, he wouldn't have been pushed back like this. His stomach boiled with rage.
'No. I can't think like that.'
Raon shook his head.
'If I always expect to be in a perfect state, I shouldn't have come out of the family.'
He couldn't always fight in a normal body state. Since he had survived after defeating two Masters, he should be grateful, and in this situation, he had to pour out all his strength.
-I'm doing well! Crush him like this! Break him!
-That's why that guy will hand his body over to this King! I'll spare your worthless head!
Ignoring the gluttonous Demon King whose allegiance was unknown, he refocused his mind.
Pududuk!
The sinking pressure went beyond his ankles and into his shins, pinning them to the ground. If this continued, he would be crushed to death as Ras said.
Raon bit his lips and looked up. Akyanggwi's gaze was cold. It wasn't a light spar, but a strike to kill.
'Concentrate. Concentrate.'
The only way to survive here was to analyze the guy's sword. He reactivated the Fire Ring that had been suppressed due to heart pain.
Uuuuung!
Forcing his eyes open, he examined the aura and qi contained in the black sword.
'Heavy Sword and Hard Sword...'
The mystery in Akyanggwi's black greatsword was heaviness and strength. It was literally power, an oppressive sword strike that only used force.
'That's why it's hard.'
If it was change, illusion, or softness, he could break it with other sword principles, but since it was pushing with force, it was difficult to escape.
"Uuu..."
It felt like the lower dantian and middle dantian would crack. A vicious pain as if the mana circuits would burst.
'I can't end it like this.'
There were still many things to do. He couldn't fall here even to resolve the things he had set in motion.
'Concentrate more.'
He used the Fire Ring at its peak to sweep his heart. Perhaps because he had reached the Master realm, the world seemed to stop. In that rising world, he looked at the black greatsword.
'How to push away the Heavy Sword...'
It was impossible to clash with force. The quantity and quality of aura varied. He needed to find another way.
His brain was sharper than ever. From the past swords, to the newly learned Jungcheonpo. He recalled all swords to find a way to survive.
'Wait! Jungcheonpo?'
Raon swallowed dry saliva while looking at the shaking Heavenly Sky Sword.
'If I use the gravitational force of Jungcheonpo in reverse...'
Jungcheonpo had slow activation despite its immense power.
By drawing in the disadvantage as gravitational force and pushing it back in reverse, he might escape from that powerful sword strike.
'It might be possible.'
It would hurt like hell.
Since he had to change the flow of the mana circuits he was supposed to follow, it would be painful and difficult to the point of death, but it would definitely be possible.
'He has to activate it in one breath.'
If he used it clumsily, his body would break and even the balance would collapse. When Akyanggwi gave strength, he had to activate it all at once.
Goooooo!
Drawing out the aura that truly exposed the bottom, he looked into Akyanggwi's eyes. In the red burning pupils, there was an eerie heat.
"Your strength is weaker than I thought."
Raon forced his mouth open and smiled.
"I thought even you, who is tired, would be cut down in one strike."
"Your provocation is sloppy."
Akyanggwi raised his chin and laughed with a snort.
"Kkueuk..."
He knew it was sloppy, but there was no time. If this continued, he would use up all his strength just by enduring.
"Still, I'm curious what you prepared. I'll respond to that provocation."
From Baphomet's helmet, intense light flashed, and the aura contained in the greatsword soared as if it would explode.
'This guy has confidence that he can kill anything. But this is different.'
It wasn't blocking, but pushing away.
A red lightning flashed in Raon's pupils. At the moment Akyanggwi's sword strike exerted maximum power, he concentrated the aura and used it in reverse with Jungcheonpo.
Pududuk!
The mana circuits swelled as if they would burst, causing excruciating pain. Enduring pain that was worse than internal injuries or broken bones, he raised all remaining aura.
Raon Zieghart Style Sword Art.
Form 2: Inverse Jungcheonpo.
The concentrated ganggi sphere in the sword tip of the Heavenly Sky Sword did not concentrate but spread outward, creating a tremendous shockwave.
Kwaaaaah!
A massive explosion that seemed to make the world collapse rang out, and aura pushed against aura, causing Akyanggwi to retreat two steps along with the black greatsword.
Kwaang!
The power contained in his feet was so immense that the ground shook as if it would split.
Kugugugugu!
Raon was flung like a ball and rolled on the ground. Due to the brutally fierce collision of forces, he was pushed dozens of meters without using his hands and feet, and embedded in a large tree.
"Kuek!"
Raon clutched his chest and spat blood.
"Kruuu..."
Because his internal injuries were severe, the blood was black. When he was about to lose balance and fall, he stuck the sword into the ground and endured.
"Raon!"
"Ah..."
Extending a trembling hand to Pedrick and the child who were about to rush over.
"O, don't come."
Forcing his parched lips apart, he shook his head. The fight wasn't over yet. Now was the time to stand alone.
"Huuk."
Even breathing caused dizzying pain. If he hadn't suffered in his previous life, he would have collapsed and howled right away.
'He's fine.'
Akyanggwi was unharmed, with only a small wound. His purple eyes showed shock, as if he hadn't expected this method to escape.
Gritting his teeth to the point of cracking, he pulled out the Heavenly Sky Sword stuck in the ground. With forced strength on his staggering legs, he stood and lifted the Heavenly Sky Sword.
"A one-on-one duel. I didn't fall."
Raon spat out the dead blood in his mouth and aimed the silver blade that still gleamed at Akyanggwi.
"Admit it!"
"Huh..."
Akyanggwi didn't answer. His mouth opened wider in surprise, staring at this side. In his eyes, conflict, consideration, and desire were reflected.
"Kk, kuh!"
After an annoyingly long time, Akyanggwi grabbed Baphomet's helmet and trembled his chin.
"Kuhahaha!"
He let out a roar that shook the trees.
'Since I can't win with force, is it pushing away? You thought well. I understand why you're standing there.'
Akyanggwi threw the greatsword in his hand into the air. The greatsword disappeared into the darkness as if it were melting.
"I admit it."
He nodded his head and crossed his arms as if he had seen it for the first time.
"Let's call today's one-on-one duel a draw."
"Haa..."
Raon exhaled a thick breath. Even though he was breathing, his breath was running out. He forcibly tightened the tension that was loosening.
'I'm glad I spared you.'
"What?"
"Huhuhu."
Akyanggwi didn't answer and closed his eyes.
"Next time, when I see you, I'll settle the conclusion of today's draw."
He waved his hand and slowly walked to the path he had been blocking.
-Ya. Ya! Worthless head! Where are you going!
-You can't just go without finishing everything! You idiot! If you move just one finger, you'll die! What draw?
The guy shouted as if he couldn't understand the situation.
-Why does this dog-like thing always happen to this King!
"Huuk!"
Raon, hearing Ras's cry, sat down on the ground. He really didn't have the strength to endure anymore.
'I, I might really die...'
Unbearable pain occurred throughout his body. Because his lungs were broken, he couldn't even breathe properly. Enduring the pain to survive, he rotated the Fire Ring.
"Raon!"
Pedrick rushed over as if he would fall and knelt in front of Raon.
"A, are you okay."
"Since you're the Saint, are you okay..."
When Raon asked the opposite, Pedrick's hand trembled.
"You, you this guy..."
Pedrick bit his lips hard. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to assess the situation and would have cried.
"You haven't changed at all from when I last seen you."
"Don't open your mouth and lie down!"
Grabbing Raon's wrist, he barely poured in the recovered aura.
"Huep!"
Pedrick covered his mouth to prevent the scream that was about to burst.
'I, in this state, fought to the end?'
Raon's body condition was one that would die soon. Bones everywhere were broken, muscles and mana circuits were torn, and even the organs maintaining his state were almost gone.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say his whole body was in pieces.
'How...'
If he were in Raon's body condition, he would have collapsed immediately, howling and unable to move even a finger.
"Kru..."
Seeing him endure so calmly, tears unknowingly flowed from himself who was enduring.
"N, now I'll treat you right away. I'm sorry I couldn't stand up earlier! Really..."
"It's okay. And now is not the time to treat."
Raon smiled weakly and shook his head. Looking up at the forest, he wiped the blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.
"It's not over yet."
***
"Tsk."
Sheryl snorted and cut the pillars of cold and heat energy pouring from both sides with her sword.
Kwaaaaah!
Following behind, she cut the yellowish-brown wave pouring from the sky with her white sword.
Jjeojjeojik!
Between the tearing mana waves, Merlin's face appeared with a face full of irritation.
"You damn woman! Why are you always interfering!"
"It's you who are interfering with my mission."
"You don't know what's happening inside that forest right now! Get out of the way!"
"I'm the type who keeps what I say once."
Sheryl laughed coldly and swung her white sword. Her left black sword aimed at the monsters to move anytime.
She had a calm expression as if inviting anyone, but her inside was rotting.
'Raon. He's alive, right?'
Due to the barrier spread over the forest itself and Merlin's mana exploding endlessly and being used, she couldn't properly figure out what was happening inside.
Endless big collisions occurred, but she couldn't tell who won or who was pushed.
'Damn it.'
It was true that she acknowledged Raon and sent him, but she didn't know how many times she regretted it after that. She had thought endlessly whether this was right or if there was another way. But no matter how she thought, the only way was to trust Raon.
'It's already too late.'
The only thing she could do was block Merlin and the monsters and wait for Raon to come out of that forest.
"Get out of the way! You two bitches!"
"Yeah. You have to be that dirty to fit the name of betrayal witch. Merlin."
Sheryl, as if she were a god of the sky, alone blocked the offensive of Merlin and Eden. Not even a small bug could pass behind her.
"You bastard! I'll crush you like this!"
Merlin clasped her hands as if praying and started chanting her first spell.
Goooooo!
The mana of nature condensed for a moment, and green and red spheres poured from the sky and earth. It was an immense aura that felt like the senses themselves disappeared for a moment.
"Huep."
Sheryl raised her aura and set her white sword down and her black sword up. Just as she was about to cut the mana, a tremor occurred at the entrance of the forest.
"Ah?"
"Um?"
The gazes of Merlin trying to strike with magic and Sheryl trying to swing her sword simultaneously turned to the forest entrance.
Bas suk.
With the sound of dry leaves crumbling, Raon walked out. He looked tired, but his eyes were incredibly clear. Behind him were also the Ragged Saint Pedrick and the child.
"Raon? Raon!"
Sheryl shouted Raon's name like a scream.
'Not only is he alive, but he brought everyone back!'
Even if he brought only the child, it would be a miracle, but Raon brought everyone back in good condition. His emotions were so intense that his heart was racing. He had spent decades on the battlefield, but this was the first time he felt this kind of emotion.
'He reached the Master realm. Not just lower Master! That guy is real!'
How he survived in that forest, but Raon had crossed the wall of the broken Master and walked in front of it. As Glenn said, he had no principle of the Master realm.
"Raon..."
Merlin's pupils became hazy.
"He's alive! He came out alive!"
She looked at Raon with eyes filled with even more heat than before.
Her expression was as if she didn't even consider the plan broken.
"You have to come with me. The place you belong is not Zieghart, but by my side!"
Merlin's smile deepened. It was enough to show her true expression through the mask.
"What can I do there? Is there really a helmet for me?"
Raon looked up at Merlin with a dumbfounded expression at those words.
"What? What are you saying now..."
"It seems like wearing the helmet makes you much stronger. Can I use it too?"
"Of course! Of course!"
Merlin nodded her head hastily.
"If I wear the helmet I prepared, I can reach Grandmaster in no time. That woman won't be your opponent!"
She pointed at Sheryl and smiled showing her teeth.
"How many years..."
"Raon! Why, why!"
Sheryl glared at Raon and widened her eyes.
"I couldn't properly catch one. He was incredibly strong. If I can defeat that guy, I can do anything."
Raon, as if thinking, flicked his hand holding the sword. His right pinky finger was pointing up.
'That's...'
Sheryl narrowed her eyes.
'Is that a sign.'
Raon was clearly trying to give Merlin a chance to deal with her.
"Then, let's go right away. You look like you'll collapse from exhaustion."
"Got it! Anytime!"
Merlin smiled strangely and extended her left hand. The moment a blue magic circle appeared on the ground, a tremor occurred in the mana sphere she was maintaining.
'Now!'
Sheryl stepped on the magic circle. She pulled up her aura to its peak and pierced Merlin's flaw. The swirling gray light from the two swords with different colors cut through the sky and ground.
Kwaaaaah!
The gray trajectory was not just a huge magic, but it created a terrifying power that seemed to cut even Merlin.
"Kueuuk! Raon! Raon!"
Merlin, bleeding as if she would die, maintained the magic circle on the ground. It was a fanatical obsession to take Raon no matter what.
Raon walked up to that magic circle and lifted his foot.
"Raon?"
When Sheryl was startled and her lips trembled, Raon struck right in front of the magic circle, not the magic circle itself.
Kwaang!
The ground cracked, and the magic circle Merlin was forcibly maintaining was torn.
"Instead of living with that kind of helmet."
"Raon!"
As the last magic was smashed, Merlin let out a creepy scream and melted into the gray light.
"Huek."
Raon sat down as is and spat blood.
"Raon!"
"Raon!"
Sheryl and Pedrick rushed over in shock and grabbed Raon.
"Ah, really, you have no sense of timing. You should have finished it sooner."
Raon glared at Sheryl and shook his head.
"No, I..."
Sheryl's eyes widened. Who would have imagined making Merlin's opening in that state.
"I should rest a bit now. I really think I'll die like this."
Raon smiled faintly and tilted his head back. He couldn't even stand, let alone have the energy to stay conscious.
On the Master's realm...
Curse of the Cursed...
First on the continent...
Ten Thousand Flames...
Glacia...