A New Sword Technique? Eating Ice Cream?
Raon tilted his round head in confusion, as if he didn't understand what Wrath was saying.
"I didn't eat it, I just ate it."
Raon smiled faintly as he watched Wrath roll his eyes.
-What sword technique did you think of?
"The harmony between illusion and sound."
When Raon entered the state of mujin, a new sword technique combining the recently acquired sound and the steadily accumulated illusion appeared in his mind.
It was currently only in his thoughts, but if he continued training, it would become a sword technique that only one person in the world could use.
-Combining illusion and sound...
"Your words about erasing weaknesses with strengths were really helpful."
Raon pulled up the corners of his mouth and tapped Wrath's head with his finger. 'It's really giving without holding back.' Wrath wasn't just giving stats and traits, but also hints for growth through words and actions.
Unlike a tree that gives fruits when young, wood when grown, and becomes a shelter when old, there was no difference.
"Thank you."
-H-Human, how dare you hit this king's head! Arrogant!
Wrath's face turned red like a volcano about to erupt.
-This time, I'll properly teach you who this king is!
Through the mana circuit, Wrath's coldness pierced like a needle. The anger clinging to the soul like a leech also rose up.
Kugugugu!
The coldness of the ice made the bones ache, and the heavy weight of anger seemed to crush the whole body.
-I'll avenge the ice cream sand's enemy!
"It's not dead yet."
-Die!
Wrath, angry that he couldn't eat ice cream, pressed Raon's whole body with intense cold and anger. 'This guy is getting stronger too.' Not really.
Raon smiled faintly and resonated the Ring of Fire. The solemn momentum spreading from his heart pierced through the anger suppressing the soul, and the pure aura of blue and red surging from his dantian pushed away Wrath's coldness that had dug into the mana circuit.
Kugugugu!
A fierce competition of power arose in the mana circuit that had widened like a road after the curse disappeared, but the winner was already decided.
-This damn thing!
Even though Wrath shouted and poured out all his power, he couldn't beat the Cultivation of Ten Thousand Flames and Glacia.
The guy was like a beast that had its territory taken away, losing his footing and gradually being pushed back.
-Not yet! This king is the king of the Demon Realm and the Lord of Wrath! I will never give up!
Wrath raised his anger again, saying he wouldn't lose. 'As expected, it helps.' Raon smiled. Thanks to Wrath attacking like this, he was training to use the Cultivation of Ten Thousand Flames, Glacia, and the Ring of Fire simultaneously. 'There...'
[Withstood the interference of Wrath.]
[Health stat increased by 1 point.]
[Stamina stat increased by 1 point.]
Wrath was giving stats too. Wrath was truly a Demon King who gave without holding back, like a tree with nothing to discard.
-Kuuguuuuk!
Wrath grabbed his head and retreated, grinding his teeth.
-I won't acknowledge you! There will come a day when you'll regret it!
The guy left behind words like a curse and disappeared into the bracelet.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to the ice cream shop right away. If you don't want to acknowledge me, you don't have to go."
At those words, the bracelet twitched greatly. Before 3 seconds passed, Raon's face secretly appeared on the bracelet.
-Wha...
"What?"
-Withdraw.
"Hah!"
Raon burst into a laugh. Seeing the Demon King give up his pride in 3 seconds, the ice cream sand must be delicious. 'I should bring some.' The one who couldn't keep the promise was himself, and Wrath not only helped but didn't interfere even though he could break the mujin state.
This time, adding this guy to definitely bring it.
"Then let's go right away tomorrow. Think of what you want to eat from what you've seen today."
-That's already decided! I'll taste everything starting from mint chocolate sand!
Wrath, whose anger had instantly vanished, waved his hand cheerfully.
"I see. Do as you like."
-But...
"Hm?"
-You won't fall into mujin again, right?
"No."
Since he had already drawn the sword technique in his head, he wouldn't fall into mujin for a while. Probably.
-Eating ice cream and falling into mujin, next time you'll fall into mujin while pooping. You'll be in the bathroom all day!
"That might be fun."
Raon smiled faintly.
-Hmph, so what sword technique are you making?
Raon looked at the mirror and drew out the Heavenly Sky Sword. Nodding at the silver blade that extended without a single sound.
"Quick-draw sword art."
-Quick-draw sword art? That's already there, right?
"It's different from that. It will be a sword technique that definitely cuts one person."
The existing quick-draw sword art used sound to cause disturbances in the opponent's frontal lobe, but the one that came to mind this time was a quick-draw sword art that directly cut the enemy.
-This king thought you could do mass slaughter with the sound of quick-draw sword art. 'Mass slaughter?' -Didn't the butler uncle say that too? The advantage of sound is that it can be used on many people, so I thought you'd sweep them away with the sound blade, but it's boring. 'Sound blade...' Raon clicked his tongue and repeated the words sound blade. His red eyes started to soften again.
-What?
Wrath opened his mouth wide seeing those eyes.
-No? Say no!
"Not the frontal lobe, but if I go deeper..."
Raon muttered about the sword technique without answering Wrath.
-Ya!
"With sound, control the nerves..."
-Ya! Crazy about swords!
* * *
A week later.
After finishing afternoon training, Raon headed to the corner of the training ground. In front of the full-length mirror set up in advance, he repeated only the quick-draw and napping postures.
-You've been sleeping after pulling out the sword for a week.
Wrath sighed, sitting on Raon's shoulder. After waking from the second mujin, thanks to the ice cream he bought to fill his belly, Wrath's anger had calmed to the point of being lazy.
-Not bored?
"Can't help it." Making a new sword technique is like drawing a map. He had to walk many paths to find the optimal route.
The sword technique he was making now was the harmony of sound and illusion that no one had attempted. It would be difficult and take a long time. 'There are two things to master too.' Thanks to Wrath's hints, two sword techniques came to mind. The first was a one-on-one quick-draw sword art that combined sound and illusion to cut the enemy in an instant, and the second was a multi-person quick-draw sword art to suppress or kill many enemies at once. To complete both, there wasn't even enough time to sleep. 'The important thing is, it's fun,' -Fun? Fun to pull out the sword in front of the mirror? 'It's visible that it's developing.' Thanks to practicing quick-draw sword art for a week, he could freely control the speed, direction, and sound when drawing the sword.
The illusion was also slowly seeping in, so if he continued training, it would soon be usable in actual combat.
-You're really crazy about the sword.
Wrath frowned, shook his head, and went into the bracelet.
Clap!
When Raon smiled and tried to draw the Heavenly Sky Sword again, the sound of clapping was heard. It was Rimer lying sprawled on the stage. 'Why didn't he go?' Recently, because of Dokoe, the guy who disappeared even before training ended was strangely still there. Of course, it was confusing whether this was the training ground or the bedroom.
"All assemble."
Since the swordsmen were all in individual training, all the Light Wind Squad members gathered in front of the stage.
"What is it?"
Raon stood in front of the Light Wind Squad and looked up at the stage.
"The Light Wind Squad has received a second mission."
"Hm!"
"Mission!"
The hot breath of the swordsmen came out from behind Raon.
Raon turned around. Seeing the eyes of the squad leaders including Burren and Marta and the members sparkling, they all seemed to be looking forward to it. Of course, Runaan was silent, and Dorian seemed a bit scared.
"Please tell me."
Raon nodded to Rimer.
"Are there any people who know about the Gazelle River?"
"Gazelle River..."
It wasn't famous, but it was a place where the Chungru tribe lived and the inside of the river was clear and clean.
"The Gazelle River is a place adjacent to the Rable River that traverses the continent and is the residence of the aquatic demi-human tribe."
Rimer brought up the Chungru tribe as expected.
"This time, it is said that the Chungru tribe sank a fishing boat and killed people."
"I heard the Chungru tribe has never touched humans..."
Burren frowned. As he said, the Chungru tribe had never attacked humans first.
It was hard to believe that they, who feared humans, sank boats and killed people.
"I also heard it for the first time, but it's a fact investigated directly by the Biyeon Assembly."
Rimer waved his hand slowly. His voice was serious, so it seemed even he was surprised.
"At first it was just a threat, but the aggressiveness increased, and three days ago, it said they broke a fishing boat passing through the Gazelle River and drowned the people inside."
"Uhm..."
"That..."
The eyes of the Light Wind Squad swordsmen hardened at the words that no one was a warrior and fishermen died.
"Our mission is to find the cause of the Chungru tribe becoming violent and return them to their original personality. If that's impossible, we have to deal with them."
Rimer spoke in a flat voice and stood up. With cool green eyes, he looked down on everyone.
"The Chungru tribe is strong. They have monster-like physical abilities and can use bloodline sorcery. In the water, each one is an Expert-level expert, so be careful. However, there are those who need to be more cautious."
He paused for a moment and frowned.
"The South-North Alliance that dominates the Rable River. It is said that those bandit guys have been passing by nearby recently."
"Me, South-North Alliance!"
"Right. The Rable River is their territory!"
"Uhm, the South-North Alliance of the Five Demons..."
The swordsmen let out a sigh at the word South-North Alliance. They were not ordinary bandits, but a large organization that had honed proper martial arts and formed a system, so they had to be tense.
"Even if the South-North Alliance is neutral and has communication, it's one of the Five Demons. There might be battle, so be careful."
"South-North Alliance..."
Raon narrowed his eyes. When it was the South-North Alliance, he remembered Lector, the young stronghold master he met on his first mission as a trainee. 'He must have become stronger.' Even then, he was a Master, so now he wondered what realm he had reached.
"One more thing! The Doran Village we are going to this time is outside the Zieghart territory."
"Why are we going all the way there?"
Burren tilted his head.
"The Yuin Village right behind Doran Village is our territory."
"Ah..."
"We have to stop it from spreading to Yuin Village before it happens, and expanding our territory to Doran Village this time isn't bad."
Instead of Rimer, Dokoe came forward.
"Fighting on the river will be the first time, but thanks to training recently, you should be able to move on the boat as well."
"So you did that training..."
Raon nodded. Dokoe had thought the training to balance for a week was strange, but it seemed it was for this mission.
"After each gathering the necessary items, gather here by dawn tomorrow."
Rimer waved his hand saying he had said everything and left the training ground.
"Hm."
Raon turned around and scanned the eyes of the Light Wind Squad members one by one. Some were filled with anticipation, some were tense, and some were a bit scared.
"Whether it's the Chungru tribe or the South-North Alliance, combat on the water can't be avoided. Think about how to prepare for any situation and prepare firmly."
"Yes!"
The Light Wind Squad bowed their heads and left the training ground one by one.
"Then I'll go too."
"Wait a minute."
When Dokoe was about to leave the training ground, he blocked his way.
"I have a request."
"Is it about the protection of the Annex?"
He had a calm gaze as if he knew everything.
"Did you know?"
"I investigated everything you've been doing. Inside and outside, you've made very few enemies."
Dokoe snorted as if it was unreasonable.
"Do you know why I made you the chief manager of the Annex."
"Hm, that's..."
"Don't worry. I keep what I say once."
When Raon tried to explain, Dokoe turned his body.
"Bring good news and come back. If you don't like it, I'll leave right away."
He walked to the training ground exit and raised his hand.
"Thank you."
Raon looked at Dokoe's trustworthy back and lowered his head.
* * *
It had been a week since they set out towards the Gazelle River.
Except for the monsters that were starving in winter only appearing once or twice a day on the mountain path they took instead of the usual route, there was nothing special on the journey.
Raon drew two sword techniques in his head throughout the moving time.
He immersed himself in the mind and honed the sound and illusion separately, and focused on combining the two to create a completely new sword technique.
Because he was too focused, when he came to his senses, the day had already set, and the sun rose again and again.
"Hm?"
Raon narrowed his eyes at the darkening sky. By drawing the sword technique in his head, it was already evening.
"Today, we'll camp here!"
He stopped in the open space all around. Since Rimer was lying on the horse, even though he was training, he had to take the role of deputy leader.
"Prepare for camping in groups!"
"Yes!"
Following Raon's instructions, the Light Wind Squad members dismounted from their horses simultaneously. Leading the squad leaders who had learned from the Heavenly Sword Squad, they quickly set up tents and lit fires.
"Ah, it's already night?"
Rimer, who had been sleeping soundly even while running, yawned and approached.
"The day passes so fast."
"It's because you've been thinking about sword techniques all day. Aren't you bored?"
He shook his head with a similar sound to Wrath and tilted his head.
"It's pretty fun."
"Because you're a celestial swordsman."
Rimer smiled faintly and turned his gaze to the right forest.
"There are a lot of annoying things in this direction."
"Yeah."
Raon nodded and tapped the sword hilt. Not long after, a red glow flashed from the darkness in the forest.
"Krruk!"
"Krrurr."
The monsters' growls and bloody smell came riding on the wind.
"This time, there are some opponents that are decent."
Rimer whistled and turned his head back.
"Who is it this time?"
"Our third squad."
Burren, who had just finished setting up the tent, raised his hand.
"Then you..."
"No. I have something I want to test, so I'll do it."
Raon shook his head and approached the forest. He placed his hand on the Heavenly Sky Sword's hilt and looked at the forest.
The red eyes that had finished exploring revealed themselves under the moonlight. A large group of ice trolls wrapped from head to toe in silver fur. 'Eight ice trolls.' Not bad.
It was a number and level perfect for testing the second sword technique.
"Krrurr!"
"Keeeaak!"
The ice trolls bared their yellow teeth and rushed towards Raon. Since it was on the snow, their speed was as fast as trained swordsmen.
"Everyone cover your ears."
Raon raised a warning cry and lowered his posture slightly. With a calm gaze, he held the Heavenly Sky Sword's hilt loosely. The moment the ice trolls entered within ten steps, he drew the Heavenly Sky Sword.
Ziiing!
A different resonance from before. A chill as if a demon was playing a violin, yet an elegant sword name filled the air.
"Krruk..."
"Krr..."
The ice trolls that were rushing in, upon hearing the sword's resonance, fell with their eyes rolled back and rolled to Raon's feet.
Death.
The life was leaving from the eyes of the trolls that had been showing madness just a moment ago. The life line was split with one sword name from the quick-draw sword art.
"Hah..."
Rimer exhaled a breath as he saw the ice trolls whose necks were cut like with a sword, their breathing stopped. 'What kind of...' Raon knew that the sword name caused stimulation to the auditory organs, but he didn't know it could completely cut the nerves. His mouth, which had opened in disbelief, wouldn't close.
"Ugh!"
"B-But the sound just now..."
"Krru..."
It seemed it had an effect on the Light Wind Squad behind as well, since it wasn't perfect. Most of them covered their ears and knelt on one knee. After a while, when they came to their senses, they saw the fallen ice trolls and trembled.
"Insane..."
"Wow!"
"That human is really..."
Burren was shocked, Runaan showed surprise as is, and Marta bit her lip.
"Huh!"
"Y-You killed the monster with sound?"
"It's not just sound. It's a sword name."
"What kind of crazy sword technique is this..."
"Was the quick-draw sword art we practiced at the training ground this?"
The Light Wind Squad members also swallowed dry saliva seeing the sword name and fallen ice trolls they had heard just before. They had expressions as if they had seen an impossible scene in the world.
"It's still lacking."
Rimer approached and clicked his tongue.
"Yes. It's hard to distinguish friend and foe, and it's not easy to control the power."
"It's natural that there's a big difference between the mind and reality."
"Yes."
Raon nodded and sighed. As Rimer said, there was definitely a big difference between what was drawn in the head and used in actual combat.
"But the one you were practicing at the training ground wasn't that, right?"
"You thought I was sleeping?"
"I was sleeping but keeping my eyes open."
"Hmm, the sword technique I'm researching now is two. The first is for one-on-one, and this is for dealing with many..."
Raon lightly explained the two sword techniques.
"Hmm..."
Rimer scratched his chin and nodded.
"Then try the first one on me."
He smiled faintly and stepped back.
"I'll complete your sword technique for you."