The Blue-Red Ring
Raon narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the box engraved with a red dragon and a blue dragon. ‘Is this a legendary-grade artifact?’
Michell had not prepared it in advance; she pulled it out from a pile of junk. She tossed it on the ground like a stone that had fallen, and when she said it was a legendary-grade artifact, it didn’t make sense.
‘Well, everything is managed like that.’
She had dumped all the high-grade artifacts she had returned earlier onto the floor. She seemed to have a personality that didn’t clean up properly.
“Open it.”
“Understood.”
Raon faced Michell’s expectant gaze and opened the box. ‘A ring?’
Inside the box was a single ring with a peculiar shape. Two dragons, one red and one blue, intertwined with their tails in their mouths in an odd form.
‘This craftsmanship…’
The two dragons forming the ring were not only in their facial features but their scales looked alive and smooth. Seeing such meticulous detail in such a small ring, it was clearly the work of a renowned artisan.
“This is the Cheonghonghwan artifact. Since Raon-nim can use both fire and water attributes, this ring will be helpful.”
“Fire and water attributes?”
“Yes. It increases the power of fire and water mana and has the ability to mitigate internal shocks.”
“Ah…”
Raon opened his mouth wide as he looked at the Cheonghonghwan. According to Michell’s words, if it enhanced the aura of both attributes and mitigated internal damage, it was the perfect artifact for him. ‘Did she prepare it in advance?’
Michell seemed to have chosen the most necessary artifact for this battle after hearing about it.
“This is something I was going to keep as a souvenir without selling it, but in the end, I found the owner.”
Michell looked at the Cheonghonghwan with a distant gaze. There seemed to be some circumstances.
“Really, can I accept this?”
Raon swept the box containing the Cheonghonghwan and clicked his tongue. Receiving a huge price for a monopoly, receiving even this ring was quite burdensome.
Especially since it wasn’t a normal mission but one where he moved to save a person’s life, it weighed on his mind.
“Of course. The creator of this artifact would be happy if Raon-nim accepts it.”
“Creator?”
“Huhu.”
Michell let out a light laugh and looked at the seat next to her.
“Raon-nim looks handsome whether you receive natural light or indoor lighting.”
Encia was giggling while holding the Cheonghonghwan that Raon was holding.
“No way?”
“Yes. Cheonghonghwan is Encia’s first legendary-grade artifact. It appeared as soon as it was made, so I couldn’t even promote it.”
“Wow…”
Raon let out a sigh as he looked at Encia. ‘Is this possible?’ No matter how much he looked, Encia was only in her early to mid-20s. Since she fell two years ago, it meant she made this legendary-grade artifact around the age of 20. He couldn’t close his mouth because it was unbelievable.
“A genius who will shake the continent is here too.”
“Creating a legendary-grade artifact in your 20s… I’ve never heard of it…”
Sheryl and Pedrick’s eyes widened when they heard that the creator of Cheonghonghwan was Encia.
“Ufufu.”
That genius didn’t even know how to praise herself and was giggling while looking at Raon.
“Encia.”
“Truly incredibly handsome.”
“Encia?”
“No matter how much I look, I don’t get tired… Ack!”
Only after Michell hit her back did Encia’s eyes focus.
“Encia. Is it okay to give Raon-nim the Cheonghonghwan?”
“Of course. The completion of a work is when it meets a good owner.”
Encia’s sea-colored eyes sparkled with mysterious light. This was the true appearance of the artisan who made a legendary-grade artifact in their 20s.
“Actually, this ring has one more effect.”
“Another ability besides mana enhancement and internal damage mitigation?”
“Yes!”
Encia nodded with a confident gesture. ‘She’s definitely not ordinary.’ Being a candidate for the successor of the Yonan family and making a legendary-grade artifact in her 20s, she couldn’t be a fool who only cared about looks.
“Then what is the fourth ability?”
Raon opened his mouth with the tension from when he first met Encia.
“I didn’t expect this ability either, but my skin becomes smooth and my skin color brightens a bit.”
“Really?”
His jaw dropped at the unexpected ability.
“In short, it’s a cosmetic effect! I wonder how much more handsome Raon-nim will look when he wears it!”
Encia rubbed her hands and pushed her face forward. There was a chance drool would come out from her open mouth.
“Put it on quickly!”
She gestured widely as if to wear the Cheonghonghwan.
“Umm…”
Raon swallowed dry saliva. ‘I was wrong.’ Probably the appearance of only caring about looks was the real one, and the mysterious atmosphere shown earlier seemed fake.
“Hurry!”
“Um, understood.”
He let out a small sigh and put on the Cheonghonghwan. Unlike what he thought it would be rough, the ring fit smoothly on his finger.
Goooooooo!
The moment the Cheonghonghwan was completely worn, blue and red light burst from the eyes of the two dragons, and a thread-like energy dug into the mana circuits and sank into the dantian, harmonizing with the Manhwa Gong and Glacia that were there.
Woo woo woong!
The energy of Manhwa Gong and Glacia stood up on its own, and its hardness and size were different from before. The mana enhancement effect embedded in the Cheonghonghwan was faster and larger than expected. ‘I understand the internal protection effect too.’ It seemed like countless small mana particles spread smoothly inside the body, mitigating the impact on organs. ‘Amazing…’
Raon looked at the Cheonghonghwan with his eyes shining. Since the aura enhancement and internal damage protection effects were felt right after putting it on, it wasn’t a legendary-grade artifact for nothing.
-Niiiii!
Wrath came up on the bracelet and wrinkled his nose.
-What kind of guy has so many harem members in this world! Why are all of them so desperate that they can’t give you anything!
He yelled about how much he was taking for one mission. It seemed his heart was twisted because he received many stats and also took rewards.
-Stupid harem guy!
Raon looked at Wrath spitting cold air above his head and chuckled.
Among them, the best is you.
I can’t cut down a tree that gives without limit, so I didn’t say that among the harem guys, it’s Wrath himself.
“This is amazing.”
Raon lifted the Cheonghonghwan and showed an excited smile.
“Eh?”
But people were staring with wide eyes not at the Cheonghonghwan, but at their own faces.
“Huh!”
“It, really light is coming from the face…”
“Handsome has become a belly! Handsome is overflowing on the face!”
Michell and Pedrick let out sighs, and Encia’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.
“It, it does have the effect of the ring. It’s enough to feel charisma from the face.”
Even Sheryl, who didn’t care about appearance, was surprised and stuttered a bit.
“Huu…”
Raon took the Cheonghonghwan off his finger and let out a short sigh.
It seems this ring should only be worn during battles.
* * *
Three days later, early morning.
Raon and the Zieghart inspectors had finished preparing to depart back to Zieghart after melting the fatigue of the journey.
There were accessories on the wrists and fingers of the inspectors that they hadn’t seen before, all of which were artifacts given by Encia.
“Prepare to depart. Thoroughly check that there are no items left behind.”
Sheryl, as always, was the first to come out and check the condition of the inspectors.
“Yes!”
Raon and the inspectors nodded their heads and checked their equipment and luggage once more.
“It’s too bad I couldn’t see Raon-nim for a while…”
Encia, whose eyes were dark from staying up all night, covered her mouth and frowned.
“I want to feel pain again without lying.”
Her eyes didn’t waver at all, whether sincere or not. She was starting to become a bit scary now.
“That guy’s handsome, that guy’s jonjal. It’s boring. Boring…”
“Still, meeting that self-esteem thief is the last day today. Hold it in.”
Dorian and Crane shook their heads from a distance away from Encia.
“What are you saying! I’m the one going on the exclusive transaction with Zieghart! I’ll see you steadily from now on, so please take care of me well!”
Encia smiled brightly while looking back at the two.
“That self-esteem ghost is coming. Even to Zieghart…”
“Uh.”
“Dorian.”
“Uh.”
“Die.”
“Uh!”
Crane and Dorian sat on the floor with distorted expressions.
“Encia-nim.”
Burren approached Encia while touching the turquoise necklace around his neck.
“May I really receive this?”
“Yes. We haven’t done much compared to Raon.”
Marta also frowned while looking at the brown bracelet she was wearing, as if something was bothering her.
“Of course. You blocked the assassins’ attacks and saved Letran. Don’t worry.”
Encia smiled coolly and nodded her head.
“Moreover, from now on, Yonan and Zieghart will walk together. This is a gift that becomes a witness to that contract, so think of it as a bribe.”
She waved her hand while joking so that the inspectors wouldn’t have to worry.
“Um, then I’ll gratefully accept it.”
Burren bowed his head in a polite posture. Marta also bowed her head gratefully. ‘Her personality is good too.’
Raon smiled faintly while looking at Encia greeting the inspectors. Not only her abilities, but her consideration was excellent. He could understand why all members of this family cherished her.
“Raon-nim! Won’t you live here? That face is almost addictive! It’s a drug!”
It would be nice if it weren’t for those points…
Raon sighed and turned around.
“Raon-nim.”
Michell approached and showed a faint smile.
“I have something to say for a moment, is it okay?”
“Of course.”
Raon nodded his head and followed Michell.
“I should have said this earlier, but now is the time.”
She stopped at the entrance of the garden where two trees were intertwined.
“Do you have a marriage partner?”
“Eh?”
Raon opened his eyes wide. He knew how to talk, but what came out of Michell’s mouth was content about a marriage he couldn’t imagine.
“Looking at your expression, it seems you don’t have one.”
“Th, that’s right.”
“Then, how about thinking of my daughter as a matchmaker.”
Michell looked at Encia teaching strange words while holding Runaan’s hand.
“Not because it’s my daughter, but objectively, I think her personality, appearance, and abilities are all not bad. Our family also doesn’t fall behind anywhere.”
She continued with a faint smile.
“I also really like Raon-nim, so could you think about it once?”
Michell’s tone was calm. It meant it wasn’t a joke, but sincere.
“Um…”
Raon exhaled shortly. ‘I haven’t thought about that.’ The first goal of this life was revenge, and the second goal was the return of Sylvia’s direct line and the happiness of the annex people.
There were many things after that, and more enemies.
Especially, dealing with Derus in a mess couldn’t be done without risking one’s life. Since he didn’t know when he would die, he didn’t think about things related to his future at all. He just thought about becoming stronger.
“I’m sorry, but I haven’t thought about that kind of thing yet. I don’t have time to think either.”
Raon bowed his head and politely refused.
“Indeed.”
Michell nodded as if she had known it would be like that.
“I said I got trust from Raon-nim’s eyes, right?”
“Yes.”
“The serious eyes have sincerity, but no leisure or expectation was seen. It would be good if you thought more about yourself.”
She smiled softly while facing his eyes.
“Um…”
Raon swallowed dry saliva. Because of Manryu Gwijong, even if not swordsmanship, people who reached the realm seemed to have different eyes. ‘Future.’ Maybe. Maybe even if all things end, he might live, so it might not be bad to think a little about the future.
“Thank you for the advice.”
Raon bowed his head politely.
“That being said, the suggestion just now was not just a casual remark.”
“Eh?”
“Think about taking Encia as a partner in that future.”
“I’m still a collateral line. Meeting is among the direct lines…”
“Seeing that it’s still, you have the will to rise. I’ll wait.”
Michell waved her hand and approached Sheryl.
“Ho ho ho!”
He turned his head at the generous laughter. Pedrick came out from the residence with a smile.
“You must have been had.”
“Yes.”
Raon scratched his red cheeks. There was no one easy to deal with among the leaders who reached the top of the family.
“Have you seen that maid until now?”
Pedrick’s face was tired, so it seemed he had checked the condition of the maid who had put the Hell Worm in Encia from last night until now.
“The brainwashing was stronger than I thought. Since she has been doing it steadily for a long time, it’s natural.”
As he said, that maid probably put fear and brainwashing in her head from childhood like himself in his past life.
“Don’t worry. I called a guy who is proficient in this area, so even if it takes a while, I can find out the treatment method.”
“I believe so.”
Raon nodded his head. If he didn’t trust Pedrick in this matter, who would he trust? The only answer is to trust and wait.
“Will you really not come along? Brainwashing treatment can be late…”
“Brainwashing is brainwashing, but you have homework given, and there are patients who have been left by Temus, so it seems busy.”
He shrugged as if he had many things to do.
“Then there’s nothing we can do.”
Raon straightened his posture and bowed his head.
“Thank you for the meantime.”
“The thanks should be mine, you bastard!”
Pedrick chuckled as if it was unbelievable and hit Raon’s shoulder.
“I saved your life and you say thank you, what can I say! Are you showing off!”
“Is there such a thing?”
Raon shook his head with a faint smile.
“From childhood to now, I just want to thank you.”
“Wow.”
Pedrick’s lips softened as if he didn’t dislike the sincere thanks.
“Then take care of your health.”
“Ah, wait!”
When Raon was about to bow again and turn around, Pedrick grabbed his shoulder.
“If you want to know that guy’s sincerity. The one shown before…”
He told one way to know Glenn’s sincerity and went back to the residence.
-It won’t work at all.
‘My thoughts are the same.’ Raon frowned his eyebrows while looking at the returning Pedrick.
* * *
After the long mission from the Yonan family to Letran and back to the Yonan family, Raon and the inspectors arrived in front of the Zieghart main gate.
The high silver walls and the eternal snow around them always ignited the inspectors’ ambition.
“The Heavenly Sword Squad and the Light Wind Squad. We have returned after completing the lord’s mission.”
Sheryl approached the door and announced the return of the mission.
“Lord of Heavenly Sword Squad!”
“Thank you for your hard work!”
The inspectors guarding the door opened their eyes wide not at Sheryl in front, but at Raon standing behind. ‘Did the rumor spread here too.’
Raon clicked his tongue while feeling the gazes of the gatekeepers and inspectors on the wall. Since everyone was looking at him, it seemed the news of becoming a master had spread here too.
“You’ll have to suffer some more because of the interest coming from all over.”
Econ approached and chuckled.
“Now, it’s better to be more careful with your behavior. More humans will find faults from above.”
His advice carried warmth because he became friends during the mission.
“I will remember.”
Raon nodded his head while looking at the opening door. High positions come with responsibility and gazes. He was prepared to accept everything, whether interest, jealousy, or challenge.
Kugugugugu!
The huge door opened wide. While thinking about what Glenn would say while looking at its grandeur, a man with red hair popped out from inside.
“Raon! You guys! Welcome back!”
It was Rimer. He ran with his arms wide open welcoming everyone’s return.
“Um…”
Raon narrowed his eyes while looking at the approaching Rimer. ‘Why did that guy become a hobo again?’