Chapter 241: The Crown of Ice
Raon stepped out alone to the riverbank. The battles from moments ago seemed forgotten, and the river water flowed vigorously onward.
The Gazelle River shimmered in a deep turquoise, as if someone had scattered green tea leaves into it. It was so murky that it was nothing like the clear river he had seen in his previous life. “It has nothing to do with the Cheongru tribe’s change,” he had said. But just in case, he asked the sailors, and it turned out that after the water turned murky, the Cheongru tribe had become aggressive. “Still, it’s strange.” The Cheongru tribe was a species that knew water better than anyone else. How could their rampage and the change in water have no relation? “It would be nice if they could talk.” It was a pity that the Cheongru tribe couldn’t speak like other demi-humans.
Raon stared at the river water for a moment, then shook his head. “We’ll think about the river water later.” There were too many unknown parts about the Cheongru tribe’s change and the river’s color. He had to stay here and gradually find the clues. “Right now is the time to prepare for a fight.” The biggest reason the Doran Village people and the sailors crossing the Gazelle River fell to Tiller was because of the footwork that allowed walking on water. “Sailors fear water.” People living by rivers and coasts paradoxically feared both rivers and seas. They raised sails every season and prayed for safety because they feared water. “That’s also the reason Tiller is praised.” Tiller trampled the river that everyone feared, drove out the Cheongru tribe, and saved the people. Since he showed the grandeur of a water god, it was no wonder the whole village shouted his name and cheered.
Raon recalled Tiller’s footwork that traversed the rough river like flat ground and smiled faintly.
“This side can’t be helped either.”
The aura had been completely extracted.
He slowly closed his eyes and resonated the Fire Ring at its highest level. He focused on the majestic flow where the rings collided and resonated.
The basics are release.
Tiller’s footwork was a method where he released aura from the mana circuit of Yongcheon, the center of the foot, like how aura is raised from the sword, and it floated on the water surface.
Since he knew the aura extraction method, it wasn’t that difficult. After practicing several times on land, he approached the riverbank.
“Hoo.”
Raon took a deep breath. Following the flow of aura Tiller had shown, he operated Glacia and stepped on the river water.
Crack.
The aura spurted from his soles created a vortex in the center of his body, and his body floated above the water. He felt both the stickiness like stepping on shallow mud and the softness at the same time.
“Ugh!”
Raon flailed his hands and feet and frowned.
“This is… more than I thought.”
Unlike when he practiced on land, balancing was extremely difficult. The difference in aura used from both feet made his body sway left and right.
“What the—!”
Raon waved his arms like reeds in the wind, but eventually fell into the water.
“Kuu…”
He sighed as he walked out onto land. It seemed that harmonious balance of the body’s balance and the mana used from both feet was necessary to stand on water with both feet.
“Again.”
He stepped on the water while pulling Glacia a bit higher. This time, instead of standing still, he walked.
Chiiik!
Due to Glacia, a thin layer of ice formed on the surface, allowing him to walk slowly. Walking was easier for balance than standing still.
Raon walked one step at a time like a child learning to walk, engraving the sensation of standing on water into his body and mind.
After walking on the river water for about two hours, he gradually got the feel for it. He stopped walking and stood in the middle of the Gazelle River.
“Done.”
Raon smiled faintly while looking at the calm surface he was stepping on. Thanks to the sensation he had hammered into his body by walking on water, he was stable even while standing still, as if stepping on land.
“This is just the beginning.”
“It’s not just walking, it has to be at the level of stepping on the water surface to be considered complete.”
He couldn’t be satisfied with this level. To wake up the people who fell to the South-North Alliance, he had to show a better footwork than Tiller. “Thinking about it, it’s interesting.” Raon let out a dry laugh. Originally, the name of Zieghart didn’t mean anything to him. Whether ignored or praised, he thought it had nothing to do with him. He only thought that the important thing was only the annex people and the Light Wind Squad. “But that wasn’t the case.” When the Doran Village people shouted not Zieghart but the South-North Alliance and Tiller, his pride was hurt. He was full of the desire to show them what Zieghart really was.
It seemed that Zieghart as a family was more deeply rooted in his heart than he thought.
Raon smiled and extended his foot forward.
Raon modified Garam Footwork to be usable on water and stepped on the first step, Flowing Flower.
Paaang!
The footstep flowed along the water path like a flower petal floating on water. Since it didn’t go against the river water, it advanced quickly and stably.
Tuung!
The second step, Reversing Stream, went against the river water. Even though he was walking in the opposite direction of the water path, the speed didn’t decrease and rather increased.
The reason was the lower body and aura. The two legs that stably balanced and Glacia’s energy that spread the quiet flow cut through the river’s current and created light movement.
Raon unfolded the modified Garam Footwork one after another and freely traversed the Gazelle River. Since he was applying the footwork he had already mastered, even though he didn’t spend a long time, the footwork became as natural as if he had unfolded it for his lifetime.
With a little more practice, it would be possible to show a footwork on the level of Tiller’s.
“And…”
Raon put strength into his steps and stepped on the Jinjak.
Jjeojjeojjeot!
A massive cold energy exploded from the center where the shoe was stepped, and in an instant, dozens of ice blades made of frost shards rose above the water surface.
It was a noble shape that looked like a bunch of ice flowers or a crown worn by the king of frost.
“Alright.”
This wasn’t Garam Footwork, but a new footwork created using the aura extraction method pulled from Tiller. It was a footwork that suppressed and attacked the opponent, so it would be quite helpful on the water surface.
“The name is…”
He nodded as if he liked the ice shards rising like a crown above the water. “Really?”
Because he had been giving delicious food and desserts for a while, Ra recently was quite cooperative.
It didn’t seem bad as it looked like an ice flower blooming on the river water. “You still like flowers.”
Ra turned his head as if to say do as you please. “No. I like it.”
Raon laughed and patted Ra’s shoulder. “We got a lot today too.”
If he used the aura extraction method he realized by seeing Tiller, the completion of the new sword technique would also increase. Glenn’s words that life itself was the study of martial arts were not wrong.
When Ra laughed scornfully, a message appeared in front of his eyes.
You have created the for the first time.
Due to the effect of the title , the ability of Water Flower is strengthened.
Received recognition from .
All stats have increased by 1 point.
These were the rewards obtained for creating Water Flower.
Ra, who was calm like the river water, exploded in anger and let out a cry.
Ra shouted “Hello” in the language of several species. “The system’s thinking is different.” Raon smiled with the joy of increased stats. Even in this situation, taking care of him, Ra was indeed an endless honey pot.
“Next time, please do the same.”
He waved his hand to Ra and turned his back.
The Demon King’s cry echoed from the center of the Gazelle River where Raon had left, unheard by anyone.
*** When he returned to Doran Village, the Light Wind Squad was practicing in front of the temporary accommodation.
“How was it?”
Raon approached Burren’s side who was wiping sweat and leaned his back against the wall.
“It feels like I’ve become a foreigner. Young people welcome it, but older people all look for the South-North Alliance. I’ve completely taken the lead.”
Burren frowned and sat on the floor.
“The South-North Alliance. Especially the favorability for Tiller is very high. They praise only while walking on water or controlling water.”
Crane sighed.
“Instead, it would be better to fight with fists clenched. Every time we make eye contact, he makes a nervous smile, and I’m annoyed!”
Marta crossed her arms and frowned.
“No ice cream shop.”
Runaan, having eaten all the ice cream she brought this time, let her shoulders droop.
“Where did the captain and Dorian go?”
Raon tilted his head seeing that only the two were missing.
“Both have good affinity, so they get along well with people. The captain drinks with the villagers, and Dorian is playing around wandering around.”
“Really?”
Since both were known for being good at making friends in the Light Wind Squad, he let out a dry laugh.
“What are you going to do? Are you going to stay here?”
“I need to gather more information, but this incident doesn’t seem to be just the Cheongru tribe’s rampage.”
Leaving the information from Belga and Morin, the South-North Alliance was not as kind as the villagers thought. They would definitely clash with them.
“Since there will be work to do soon, keep training.”
Raon smiled while holding the Heavenly Sky Sword.
“So that the name of the South-North Alliance is never mentioned in front of us.”
*** The next day evening.
An old but large fishing boat was flowing along the Gazelle River. The moon was bright, and since there were lanterns lit here and there, the fishing boat cut through the dark river without hesitation.
“Long time no see, full sail!”
The brown-haired young man on the deck smiled faintly and turned around. He approached Belga standing in front of the rudder and sat on the floor.
“The boat is full of fish, but why is your expression like that?”
“Thinking about village work makes me frustrated.”
Belga held the rudder and sighed deeply.
“Because of the South-North Alliance?”
“Yeah.”
“From the outside, it looks fine. It’s lively.”
The brown-haired young man clenched his fist.
“That’s all acting.”
Belga shook his head.
“The South-North Alliance is actually protecting us. They don’t even ask for money.”
The brown-haired young man tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.
“Our village is right next to Zieghart territory. Since they would be burdened to clash with Zieghart, they didn’t touch us. But what if we ourselves enter under the South-North Alliance?”
Belga pointed to the dark river water passing by.
“Every time we cross the Gazelle River, they take money, and every time we catch fish, they take more money. Openly starting plunder, we’ll just wait for a future where nothing is visible like this river water.”
“No, no way…”
“Among the fish full in the boat now, there won’t even be a handful left for us?”
It wasn’t a lie. The villages belonging to the South-North Alliance all looked fine on the surface, but if you looked inside, they were rotten to the core. They only shouted money and couldn’t say a bad word about the South-North Alliance; they were a dictatorship kingdom itself.
“You and the village elders are being deceived by them.”
The information obtained by giving money to the friend he met when departing this time couldn’t be a lie.
The village elders, having spent a long time in this narrow world, might not know, but the South-North Alliance was definitely not good people. Tiller was no different.
“Ugh, saying it like that is a bit scary.”
The blue-haired young man behind the boat also shook his chin.
“But why did the Cheongru tribe become like that?”
“It seems related to the South-North Alliance too.”
Belga narrowed his eyes while looking at the dark water.
“That too?”
“When I was about to send a support request to Zieghart, the South-North Alliance appeared and became a hero. And having someone like Tiller keep coming to protect us… it’s not making sense… eh?”
He stopped talking and looked forward. Waves blackened the calm river water, and ten pairs of red eyes sparkled.
“Th-that…”
“Ah…”
The people sitting leisurely swallowed dry saliva and stood up.
Crack.
Belga bit his lips while gripping the rudder as if it would break.
“Damn…”
*** On the second day of staying in Doran Village, Raon returned to the village after training with the Light Wind Squad. Since Rimer was still there, he returned to the village without worry in the evening, but the village was busy as if on fire.
“Ra, Raon-nim!”
Morin, who had come with Belga yesterday, ran with his feet shuffling.
“Something big happened!”
“Big?”
“The, the Cheongru tribe came back and attacked Belga’s boat. The boat is about to sink! Please…”
He knelt begging to save his friends.
“Our captain is…”
“I looked but can’t see him!”
“Haa…”
This human.
Raon let out a deep sigh and raised his aura.
“Where is the location.”
“Lower than where the Cheongru tribe appeared yesterday. If you go in this direction…”
“Ah, I know that place!”
The location was vague, but Dorian raised his hand saying he had gone there yesterday. After befriending the friend and running around, he helped at this time.
“3rd squad, standby. 1st and 2nd squads come with me.”
“Understood!”
“Dorian, start.”
“Yep!”
Raon ran following Dorian who started running at full power. Since it wasn’t far from the village, he could see the village people’s torches.
“Kiiieek!”
“Kya aaaa!”
A large fishing boat was half-destroyed in the center of the Gazelle River, and the Cheongru tribe was circling around it, creating water splashes and breaking the boat.
“Uwaaaak!”
“S, save me!”
The sailors held the railing of the sinking boat and endured, but since the boat was large, it was fortunate, and if it was small, it would have already sunk and all would have died.
“Wa, dangerous!”
When trying to jump into the water, the village chief who was already there blocked his way.
“The Cheongru tribe is a species that exerts great power the deeper the water is! Swimming now is no different from suicide.”
“Leave this matter to the South-North Alliance. Since they called, they will come soon.”
“Right. Without a front line like the South-North Alliance, it’s impossible to deal with the underwater Cheongru tribe.”
“Without being able to walk on water like Tiller-nim, jumping into the water is suicide!”
Not only the village chief, but all the villagers shook their heads saying they needed the South-North Alliance.
Gooooo!
A blue cold energy rose from the wet sand where Raon was stepping.
“Ah…!”
“W, what is this…”
The cool yet majestic qi made the people split apart.
“South-North Alliance. South-North Alliance.”
He looked around the village people while saying that name.
“The South-North Alliance can’t stand in front of Zieghart.”
“Ah, no…”
“We don’t mean that!”
“Show you directly.”
Raon jumped onto the river water with a bold step.
Chwaaang!
Even though he stepped on the water with both feet, Raon’s body didn’t sink at all. It floated calmly on the water like a leaf.
“Huh!”
“I, I’m floating on water!”
“Then Raon-nim is like Tiller-nim…”
“No! Different! Raon-nim has the feeling of riding on water!”
The villagers opened their eyes wide looking at Raon floating on water.
“Watch from there.”
Raon smiled coldly while looking down at the people from the river water.
“What Zieghart is.”
Leaving those words, he stepped on Garam Footwork. The steps, smoother than yesterday, froze the surface and advanced quickly. Raon was refining his footwork while raising the level of martial arts at this very moment.
Like a dolphin riding waves, he rode the waves and quickly reached the center of the river water.
Tuung!
He pushed off the water and jumped into the air. He pulled down the Glacia’s cold energy from the danjeon to the right thigh to the ankle, then spurted the condensed massive power into his foot.
Kwa kwa kwa kwa!
Water Flower exploded above the water surface, and a huge crown rose in the center of the river water.
“Kiaaaak!”
“Kya aaaa!”
The Cheongru tribe who were trying to attack the boat and people were tied up with hands and feet by the crown of Water Flower and only screamed.
“Hueok!”
“Ack!”
The sailors holding the boat’s railing leaned their bodies on the round ice shard in the center and let out a sigh of relief.
“Three?”
Raon frowned. There were three people standing on the ice now. Belga who he had met yesterday was not visible.
When he spread his senses, he felt the faint breathing of a person and the urgent breathing of the Cheongru tribe from the right side.
Turning his head, Belga was swimming and cutting through the waves on the right side, and two Cheongru tribes were chasing behind him.
Chwaaang!
Raon stepped on the footwork again. With the more completed Garam Footwork, he rushed at the Cheongru tribe and raised the Ten Thousand Flames.
“Kiaak!”
In the storm of majestic heat, the Cheongru tribe fled into the water with their skin melting.
“Belga-nim! Now it’s okay…”
Eh?
When he reached out to Belga, he had closed his eyes as if fainted, and under him, a small Cheongru tribe hiding in the water was visible.
“Tsk!”
Raon pulled out the Heavenly Sky Sword. When he was about to strike it down, the Cheongru tribe shook its hands and feet, letting go of Belga.
“No! Me!”
The grip weakened in the hand due to the human language, though mumbled but clear.
“Speak?”