The Wrathful Gaze Awakens
Raon stared at the message and narrowed his eyes.
'So it's a characteristic.'
He had accepted the bet without checking, but Wrath had clearly wagered on a characteristic as the reward.
'That's how a Demon Lord would do it.'
Wrath never lied or cheated in bets, much like Glenn who would handle things even if he didn't like them.
'Not a bad characteristic.'
Thanks to Wrath's Sense of Frost Flowers, he had escaped danger and seized opportunities more than once. He swallowed hard, hoping this time would be good too.
<Demonic Eye of Wrath> has been selected.
<Demonic Eye of Wrath (1st Star)> has been generated as a characteristic.
The chosen trait was called Demonic Eye, a name Raon had never heard or seen before. The title alone gave no hint of its power.
-Haa!
Raon let out a short exclamation.
'It seems like a good one.'
The reaction was fiercer than when he had received Sense of Frost Flowers, so it probably was a solid characteristic.
'Let's see.'
He tapped the message to examine the ability.
<Demonic Eye of Wrath (1st Star)>
See more.
Raon frowned.
'As expected...'
The explanation was too vague to understand the ability at all. He remembered asking Wrath about Sense of Frost Flowers because there had been no details.
'What kind of characteristic is this?'
-Hmph! Why would this King explain that?
Wrath snorted.
-Nothing for a scoundrel who steals this King's power and abilities bit by bit!
He spewed cold air, furious at losing the bet.
'Why am I the scoundrel?'
-You tried to take advantage of this King in a desperate situation and cheat...
-You were the one who proposed the deal. But who made the bet?
-T-This King did...
-Who set the conditions?
-T-That too, This King...
'But how did I cheat? I just accepted your conditions as they were.'
-Uck...
Raon smiled faintly. Wrath couldn't find words and shook his shoulders.
'It's not like I'm stealing anything. The stats just roll in on their own. Would you throw them away? If it were you, would you?'
-Damn it! You damn brat!
Wrath scrunched his face and turned his head.
'So what is this ability used for.'
-...
He refused to answer, annoyed.
'Whether it works or not, I'll try it.'
Raon looked at Wrath's fluffy tail and slowly opened his mouth.
'Add one special dish.'
-...
Wrath's round tail wiggled slightly.
'Add two special dishes.'
-...?
His head turned a little.
'Order two additional desired desserts!'
-...!
Raon's eyes widened and he turned around.
-R-Really?
The irritation vanished from his blue eyes in an instant. Only hunger remained.
'It's really too easy... Is he really the Demon King?'
***
-In short, it's an ability that lets you see what you cannot see.
Wrath pointed at the Demonic Eye of Wrath and squinted.
'See what you cannot see?'
-At 1st star, it lightly improves eyesight or grants some clairvoyance. As it grows, the effect strengthens and you will gradually see other things.
'Clairvoyance and eyesight enhancement...'
Raon smacked his lips. Using senses instead of five senses was common, but improving eyesight or gaining clairvoyance was harmless. The user mattered most.
'Not bad.'
He liked that growth would let him see more rather than immediate clairvoyance or eyesight boost.
-However, it will be difficult for you to use.
'Why?'
-Look at the name. Demonic Eye of Wrath. You are human, not a demon race, so you cannot use it.
'No.'
Raon stared at the Demonic Eye of Wrath and shook his head.
-What do you mean no?
'It's not related to the Demonic Eye, but it is connected to Wrath.'
-What are you talking about? Why are you...?
'You gave me Wrath.'
He was not a demon race, but Wrath points remaining were about forty-five.
-T-This crazy...
Wrath's mouth fell open in surprise.
'How do I use this?'
Perhaps by raising Wrath like before.
Raon closed his eyes.
'The target is that guy, it's enough.'
Thinking of Derus Robert, he pulled up the Wrath emotion that had sunk to the bottom of his soul like when he had raged earlier.
Goooooo!
The Wrath energy slowly rose and spread through his body.
'It doesn't move properly.'
Wrath's energy moved on its own, unlike controlled flames or frost. Since it was embedded in his soul but originally Wrath's, that was why.
-Y-You idiot! Do you think this King's energy will move so easily!
Wrath shook his head.
'There is a way in such cases.'
Raon activated the Ring of Fire. The rings resonated violently, raising the soul's integrity where Wrath was embedded.
Kugugugug!
The soul's integrity soared, and the untamed Wrath began to follow control. Enduring its pressure, he filled his eyes with Wrath's energy.
Uuuuuung!
The Wrath energy in his pupils pierced a thick door, revealing a splendid red corridor. At the end, a black-haired woman approached with a basin and towel.
'Marta.'
The woman was Marta. He saw her directly through the door.
'So this is how it's used.'
The handle was sharp blades, giving the feeling of wielding a bizarre sword that could injure the owner.
'This is extremely tiring.'
Because it didn't match his body, severe fatigue soaked him. With this much force, he couldn't use it in real combat. Since his condition was poor, he released it immediately.
-T-This... What is this... Uh?
Wrath couldn't speak, dazed. Blue cold air poured from his open mouth.
-W-What kind of crazy guy is there! How are you using Wrath!
'When you live in Zieghart for three years, even dogs use sword energy. I've watched you for six years, so it's strange you can't do it.'
Raon shrugged.
-What the hell are you! You targeted me from the beginning! Who are you from!
Wrath lost his royal tone and yelled like a child.
"What kind of guy is he!"
Using the Wrath he had stored to take over Raon's body someday, what kind of crazy guy was there. Fear or surrender seemed absent from that guy's head.
'There are no such monsters in the Demon Realm...'
To overcome the Demon King's energy and use it directly? No one could imagine it. A new species after a long life.
-Are you human? Or mixed with dragons...?
'I don't know well either, I don't even know who my father is...'
Before Raon could answer, the door opened and Marta entered.
"Relief duty. You go back and... Hah!"
Marta dropped the basin upon seeing Raon awake.
"You! Why are you awake!"
"I woke up because I woke up."
"I was unconscious for a week! You idiot!"
"A week? I slept a bit too long."
Raon smiled faintly and clenched and unclenched his fist.
"You crazy guy! You really died and came back to life! Lie down right now!"
Marta ran over and grabbed his shoulder.
"Ugh?"
At the loud sound, Runaan raised her head and blinked.
"Raon!"
She called with a voice two tones higher than usual.
"Are you okay now?"
"I'm okay."
Raon nodded at the frowning Marta and wide-eyed Runaan.
"Ok?"
Marta threw the towel and turned.
"I'll bring the Saint. Don't move a finger!"
She left and jumped out.
"Is this Letran?"
"Yeah. All the cleanup is done."
Runaan brightened, happy she had woken. Her eyes were sharper than usual.
"The ghosts of Eden came again, but I took care of all of them."
As expected, some remained.
'It must have been preparation to make Stain Trian a hero.'
Stain Trian had returned, defeated the ghosts, become a hero, and taken the city. That was Eden's plan. Leaving the swordsmen behind was right.
"Any injured people?"
"None except Raon."
"That's good."
Raon chuckled. Having experienced real combat, Runaan and Marta had grown a bit.
"Then what about Encia-nim..."
When he asked about Encia, urgent footsteps brought Marta and Pedrick.
"Raon!"
Pedrick stepped on the floor and stood before him.
"How did you wake up!"
He was surprised he hadn't thought it possible in a week and opened his mouth wide.
"Just... my eyes opened..."
"May I borrow your hand for a moment."
"Understood."
Raon gave his wrist. Warm pure energy entered and spread through his body.
"Hah..."
After a while, Pedrick took his hand back with a tired expression.
"Even if Sheryl fed you Sihyeoncho, I didn't expect you to wake up this fast..."
'Sihyeoncho...'
Sihyeoncho didn't enhance aura or body but was second to none for nourishment. Sheryl had brought it while he was unconscious.
"Did you eat a dragon's heart while sleeping? How did you recover so fast?"
Pedrick shook his eyes in disbelief.
"It must be because of the martial arts I learned."
Raon shook his head.
'Thanks to the harmony of Sloth, the Ring of Fire, and Sihyeoncho.'
The sleep ability of Sloth and the Ring of Fire maximized Sihyeoncho's recovery. Even the Saint would be surprised.
"I've seen countless patients, but you are really the first like you."
Pedrick shook his head with similar words to Wrath.
"How is Encia-nim?"
"Ah. That is..."
Pedrick stopped and looked at Marta and Runaan.
"...Let's go. There are things I have to do with you."
"I don't have any."
"I do!"
Marta grabbed Runaan's wrist and went out.
"You seem to be a quick-witted kid."
"Yeah."
Raon nodded and turned.
"Raon. Why did you push Temus out by saying I was your disciple?"
Pedrick narrowed his eyes.
"I was startled at first and my head didn't work."
"I'm sorry."
Raon lowered his head. It was a mistake to sell Pedrick's name even if the situation was urgent.
'It was a problem though.'
-You always sell that name too.
'......'
He didn't answer as if he hadn't heard.
"There's nothing to apologize for. Thanks to you, I saved my life, so if you say I'm your teacher, I should stay put."
Pedrick waved his hand as if he didn't care.
"What I want to know is what you saw in Temus and suspected him."
"I heard that when I went to the Camelun Underground Auction House, the atmosphere of the families he treated had changed."
Of course, he hadn't actually been there. The Camelun Underground Auction House was a place where all rumors flowed, so he made it up plausibly.
"When I saw his eyes in the Yonan Family, they didn't match the rumors of his appearance or successor Saint, and there was a very faint turbidity in his eyes."
This was true. When diagnosing Encia, a small turbidity flowed from his eyes.
"Just in case, I tested it, and seeing that his words kept changing, I became convinced that he was not a person as they say."
Raon told the stories of confronting Temus in the Yonan Family.
"Well done."
Pedrick unexpectedly patted his shoulder.
"Temus has been connecting with families with money and power as if by coincidence since before. As you said, the families he visited have gradually changed to the bad side. I was about to go look for him, but you helped well."
He seemed to have some idea about Temus's true identity too.
"You don't have to worry about him being sold either. I've confirmed the evidence that Temus attacked you, so there won't be any trouble."
Pedrick seemed to have solved the part Sheryl was worried about.
"Thank you."
Raon nodded. Pedrick was a person who achieved feats incomparable to Temus, so few would doubt his words.
"Is Encia-nim okay?"
"As you came to see me, I raised her body condition. However, a problem arose."
"If it's a problem..."
"As her body condition recovered, the heat in her head also strengthened. It became strong enough to be at the level of a spiritual being, and I couldn't figure out how to deal with it."
He shook his head sadly.
"It seems that heat is alive. It might be a bug or a plant."
"Hah..."
Raon exhaled. Pedrick seemed to have come close to the identity of the Hell Worm in Encia's head in just a week. It was no wonder he was called the Saint.
"Sorry. Even though you believed in me and came, it will take a bit more time to treat. I need a bit more investigation and research."
"You said the body condition is raised, right?"
"Yeah. The patient is actually more difficult."
"Then you don't have to worry."
Raon smiled faintly and stood up.
"Since I can handle it."
***
Raon refused Pedrick's persuasion to rest for one more day and headed to the room where Encia was lying.
"Uuu..."
She was breathing painfully with her eyes closed.
"Why did you come!"
Sheryl approached with eyes wide open as she was guarding Encia.
"Why is the patient wandering around!"
"To finish my business and rest."
Smiling at Sheryl's eyes full of worry.
"Business?"
"The reason we came here is to solve it."
Raon pointed at Encia whose skin was swollen with heat.
"It hasn't been cured yet."
"That's true, but right now, your concern first..."
"I'm much better."
He clenched his fist and opened it, waving his hand.
"I can treat without overdoing it."
"But..."
"I didn't suffer much and thought I was going to die. Encia-nim has endured such pain for years, so I want to treat you as fast as possible."
"Hah..."
Sheryl exhaled. She had never seen her make such a bewildered expression. She seemed surprised greatly by the words just now.
"Saint!"
"Let's watch for now."
"Hoo, you really..."
When Pedrick also nodded, Sheryl frowned reluctantly and stepped back.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed to Sheryl and approached Encia.
"Wow..."
Encia opened her eyes with difficulty and gave a faint smile.
"Even after waking up after a week, you still look so handsome."
She smiled as usual even in a hazy state due to the heat. She was a strong person.
"It will be okay now."
Raon smiled in response to Encia's smile and knelt in front of the bed.
"Excuse me for a moment."
He grabbed Encia's wrist that had flushed red and poured Glacia's cold energy into her mana circuit.
Chiik!
The mana circuit was filled with heat as if lava was flowing. The circuit itself had widened, but the intense heat was filling it up.
'As the Saint said.'
The medicine and treatment he had taken to recover Encia's body had strengthened the Hell Worm in her head.
'It must have been a great hardship just to endure it.'
The pain would have skyrocketed in contrast to the improved body condition. Enduring without losing consciousness so far was amazing.
'First, I need to cool the heat.'
By cooling the heat in the mana circuit with Glacia's cold, he reduced the burden on Encia's body.
"Ah..."
Encia exhaled a stuffy breath as the heat subsided and her eyelids trembled. Normally, she would still look handsome, but seeing her so still, it seemed really painful.
'I need to remove it quickly.'
The flow of cold from her wrist passed through her lower body and reached her shoulder, and the Hell Worm hiding in her head began to move.
Like usual, to scare the guy, he moved cold energy throughout the mana circuit around the head, but the Hell Worm didn't run away or hide, but rather spewed out thicker heat.
It seemed like a threat to attack Encia if he got closer.
'This guy...'
He should have removed it as soon as he raised her body condition, but scaring it and dragging it out seemed to have become poison.
Tsk.
Raon clicked his tongue shortly.
'How do I deal with this heat...'
The Hell Worm's heat had become strong at the level of a young spiritual being thanks to Pedrick's treatment. It was hard to touch because the brain was too close.
'If I can just reduce this heat... Hmm?'
When he blocked the passage with Glacia's cold, the Cultivation of Ten Thousand Flames' energy that had sunk in the lower dantian rose on its own.
Uuuuuung!
Raon smacked his lips, feeling the deeper Cultivation of Ten Thousand Flames energy since he had reached 5th star.
'If I do this well...'
I could have the Hell Worm's energy too?