Flame Sea Flawless

Raon stepped into the newly opened path, studying the countless fissures that riddled the walls, the ceiling, and the floor.

These aren't ordinary sword marks.

They were traces of battle. The scars left behind when a Zieghart ancestor who had mastered the Ring of Fire and the Cultivation of Ten Thousand Flames had fought someone here.

Is this a trace of Revolving Heaven?

The right wall was carved as if a saw blade had ground through stone. Looking at the gouged-out scars, they seemed to hold far greater power than even his own improved Revolving Heaven.

And those countless holes must be Flower Spirit.

The hundreds—no, thousands—of holes covering the left wall were clearly the remnants of Flower Spirit, which scattered petals of Ganggi. The number of petals, however, was so vastly different from his own that comparison was almost embarrassing.

Raon swallowed as he looked at something like a massive crater.

Flame Dragon Form...

Flame Dragon Form was a simple technique among the sword arts of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, one that concentrated purely on raw power, and so the difference here was greater than anything else. If his own Flame Dragon Form was a Hatchling's breath, the traces remaining here were the breath of an Ancient Dragon.

"Huu..."

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he continued downward.

Red Flash and Flame Bead Wall are here too.

The scars that had fallen like lightning and the marks as if struck by a shield were the sword traces left by Red Flash and Flame Bead Wall. More than half of everything here belonged to the sword arts contained within the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.

This one I don't recognize...

There were sword traces that were clearly the ancestor's, but he couldn't tell what they were. They looked as if a wave had swept through, and they seemed to exist on a plane one dimension higher than any Ten Thousand Flames sword art he had seen so far.

For him to have to fight this hard against someone...

He had only seen it as a dreamlike image, but the ancestor's martial power had reached the heavens. For a warrior of that caliber to have unleashed this much of his full strength meant his opponent had been a master as well.

Raon narrowed his eyes and examined the traces on the opposite side.

A sword... is it?

They were traces that seemed like a sword, yet not quite a sword. Even with the Ring of Fire circulating, they were so inscrutable they were hard to make out.

However...

One thing was certain. They were ridiculously strong. Even from the sword traces left by the ancestor's enemy, he could feel martial power that had ascended to the heavens. An immense powerhouse.

Neither one overwhelmed the other.

Following the flow of the sword intent left by the ancestor and his enemy, neither side had seized the advantage. There were only traces of both swinging their swords at each other with everything they had.

"Hmph. Looks like your eyes have finally opened a little."

Wrath snorted as he looked this way.

"That's right."

He scanned down the sword traces and nodded.

"These are traces left by the strong who had already shed their clumsiness, clashing against each other."

The strong, huh...

Raon narrowed his eyes.

So this is no joke.

Wrath evaluated humans by martial power. For someone who dismissed even Grandmasters to call them strong meant those two were monsters who had transcended the bounds of humanity.

"To put it properly, this dungeon itself should be seen as having been created by those two's battle."

They created a dungeon by fighting?

"Indeed. The sword traces remaining on the walls were carved because they still had power left over even after digging out this passage."

Huh...

Raon turned around, his mouth falling open.

Come to think of it, this is underwater.

Underwater, energy inevitably dispersed, and it was difficult to maintain the flow of swordsmanship. At the time, this cave itself wouldn't have even existed, which meant they had fought while holding their breath. His mind went blank.

There's no end to strength...

"Of course. This King still has a path left to climb. A brat like you has a long way to go."

Wrath sneered and waved his hand.

Yeah. Still a long way to go.

Raon smiled faintly and examined the sword traces he had seen so far once more. After taking in Revolving Heaven, Flower Spirit, Flame Dragon Form, Red Flash, and Flame Bead Wall, he placed his hand on the final, unidentifiable sword trace.

To study the nameless marks more closely, he followed them with his fingers. The traces continued from the wall down to the floor, but the ground was packed with earth, so they weren't properly visible.

Raon carefully dug into the earth and examined the sword traces carved into the floor.

The ground was harder than expected, and the moment he circulated the Ring of Fire and the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, a crimson light erupted from within the sword traces.

As if telling him to follow this sword art, the nameless traces left by the ancestor unfurled a magnificent line.

"Ah..."

He couldn't think of anything else. It felt as if his mind had been filled with a new sword art.

Raon didn't even look at the messages that appeared before his eyes. He took in only the sword traces as he sank into a lake of immersion.

"Again? You entered a trance again? Why are you going into a trance while digging a hole in the ground?!"

Wrath's eyes bulged as he grabbed Raon's shoulder.

"This is a scam! Where in the world is God even hiiiiiding?!"

"Halt."

Matio stopped walking and looked up. His eyes narrowed.

"The mana above seems to have trembled."

He turned his head toward Cosini on his left, as if seeking her opinion.

"That's right. It trembled."

Cosini nodded slowly.

"Not just above. Below is trembling too."

She pointed at the floor with her index finger.

"Why is that?"

"I told you before. There's a monster down here guarding the relic."

Cosini lifted her chin slightly and smiled.

"It's a creature that could easily chew up the marine monsters we've encountered so far. It probably already knows we're coming down."

"I can't feel anything, though?"

Matio shook his head as he spread his sensory perception at full power. Even concentrating his energy downward, he detected nothing. He only felt a slight heat.

"It's received the artifact's power and grown to nearly spirit-beast level, so it won't be easy to sense. It's similar to natural mana."

"Then the fact that that energy is boiling means..."

"Yes. It's preparing to fight us."

Cosini nodded and stretched her hand forward. The mana she operated from her grip gently scooped up the floor and packed the earth, creating a foundation that wouldn't collapse.

"I see. I understand. However..."

Matio looked at the rapidly splitting ground, then raised his head.

"Something feels uneasy. I have a bad feeling."

"From above?"

"Yes."

"Haa..."

Cosini sighed and shook her head.

"I've set up alarm magic and even posted sentries at intervals. What's there to be so anxious about?"

She squinted as if finding him pathetic and continued.

"That's why you got pushed out of that position. You're that gutless."

"You still run that mouth of yours however you please. The reason you're still vice-captain is because of that mouth."

"Hmph..."

Under Matio's chilly gaze, Cosini lowered her eyes and turned her head slightly.

"Anyway, it doesn't make sense that anyone would come here. Even if they found this place, they would have entered when we weren't here. Who in the world would be crazy enough to come in when we're all here?!"

"Mm..."

Apparently agreeing with that opinion, Matio closed his mouth.

"We're way past regular working hours right now. Mages are sensitive, unlike you crude assassins. Don't mess with me."

Cosini wrinkled the bridge of her nose and increased the amount of mana. The speed at which the earth was dug and packed roughly doubled.

She looked at the roundly excavated tunnel, then turned around.

"There's something I'm curious about too."

"What is it?"

"Why do you follow Him so much? You, still blindly devoted even after stepping down as leader, and Him, who still keeps you around—I don't understand either of you. It's almost like love, isn't it?"

"Love? If you think about it, it's not that different."

Matio's gaze darkened.

"To me, He is God. Does one need a reason to offer devout affection to God?"

"...God?"

"Yes. Just as the Holy Kingdom follows the Goddess, I merely worship Him."

"Eum..."

"I will wring out every last drop of blood in my body and offer it for Him."

At Matio's chilling gaze, Cosini swallowed dryly.

He's insane.

She herself believed in and followed Derus, but without brainwashing, the only ones who adored that man to this degree were Matio, Rezel, and that man. She thought she understood why Derus continued to keep Matio around even though his skills had declined. He was nothing short of a fanatic.

Cosini grabbed her goosebump-covered arm and twisted her lips.

If either of them dies, something interesting might happen.

"Haaah..."

Rimer staggered as he walked, then grabbed the wall and let out a long, long sigh.

This hurts like hell.

The shoulder that had taken Glenn's lightning didn't just hurt—it burned as if it were on fire. Seeing how he never got used to it no matter how many times he was hit, lightning energy really was a vicious attribute.

No, wait.

Rimer narrowed his eyes as he looked at his hand, covered in blackened gemstone rings.

Have I gotten used to this?

Come to think of it, before, he would get struck by lightning, pass out, and couldn't even get up for a while. He used to lie around groaning for at least a day, but now he didn't even fall even after taking a direct hit. Walking was a bit difficult, but he could move right away.

"Hmm..."

Rimer raised his hand and stirred the lightning energy still filling his entire body. With a crackling sound, green lightning energy surged up over his fingers.

Before, he had used lightning energy as a stopgap, but after getting hit so much, it seemed lightning energy had naturally nested within his wind mana.

It might be only natural.

Come to think of it, he got struck by lightning once every three days, so it would ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠have been stranger if lightning energy hadn't accumulated in his body.

People really are creatures of adaptation.

The pain was the same, but adapting to the family head's lightning energy—the human body truly was the pinnacle of wonder.

Come to think of it, if I use this well...

"Haaaap!"

Just as Rimer was grinning and hatching a sly plan, a booming kiai rang out from the Fifth Training Ground.

It's night right now, isn't it?

Even though evening had passed and it was time to sleep, the Fifth Training Ground was as bright as midday, and he could sense many people's presence.

"Hmm?"

Rimer smiled faintly and climbed up the oak tree standing beside the training ground.

They're all here?

Everyone in the Light Wind Squad except Raon and Dorian had gathered and was swinging their swords. And it wasn't just warming up—it was proper training with everything they had.

What's going on?

They had achieved good results in the Six Kings Tournament, hadn't been back long, and yet even without Raon, everyone was sincerely absorbed in training. It was remarkable.

This is all because of Raon too, I bet.

Those kids had clearly been moved by the fighting spirit Raon had shown in the Six Kings Tournament and wanted to climb even higher.

Nice.

Raon, who advanced without knowing an end, and the Light Wind Squad, who wanted to follow him—both were so admirable that a smile naturally formed.

It's about time.

The moment to go beyond a squad and rise above it seemed to have arrived.

A thin sound of wind came from the tree beside him. Rimer turned his head to the side and grinned.

"What do you think?"

In his gaze was Glenn, who had already climbed up the tree at some point.

"What is?"

"Those kids training like they're going to die tomorrow is all thanks to your most cherished grandson. You must be proud."

"Ahem!"

Glenn cleared his throat and turned his head. His earlobes had flushed red.

"Proud, nothing. It's only natural for a martial artist to train."

"But throwing themselves into it like that the moment they return isn't something just anyone does."

"Mm..."

"So about that..."

Rimer raised his hand as he looked at Glenn's slightly upturned lips.

"When Raon returns, I'd like to convert the Mad Dog Squad—I mean, the Light Wind Squad—into the Light Wind Division. Would that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠be all right?"

"The Light Wind Division..."

Glenn didn't answer immediately, stroking his chin as he watched the Light Wind Squad striking down with their swords.

"You know there's a test, I assume?"

"Of course."

"Go through the official procedures."

"Yes!"

Rimer nodded refreshingly. The gems hanging around his neck rattled in a row.

"Clean up those filthy things."

"Aww, this is my devotion to worshiping the God of Wealth, Raon! I absolutely can't take them off!"

He stretched out his hand as if he couldn't back down.

"You're getting crazier by the day."

Glenn sighed and flicked his fingers, tossing something to Rimer.

"Huh?"

Rimer reached out and caught it—it was a high-grade ointment for burns.

"This is..."

"I'm not giving it to you because I like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you."

Leaving those words, Glenn vanished in a flash.

"Whoa, he even gives medicine just because I praised his grandson?"

Rimer's mouth fell open as he looked at the medicine in his hand. He had been hit countless times until now, but this was the first time he'd been given medicine.

"The Raon Effect is terrifying..."

He shook his head and headed toward the dormitory.

However, there was something neither Glenn nor Rimer knew.

The Light Wind Squad was not training this late because they had been moved by watching Raon's battles.

"Don't you dare stop swinging! That crazy bastard will find something to pick on no matter what! We have to raise our skills no matter what!"

Burren struck down with his sword, veins standing out in his eyes. The sound of the sword wind was just like a human scream.

"I won, damn it! Fuck! Fuuuck! Fuuuuuuck!"

Marta spat curses every time she opened her mouth, unfolding her swordsmanship as ferociously as a beast. The training ground floor cracked and split under her rage.

"Hnnngh..."

Runaan swung her sword, nodding off as if sleep was coming. Her eyes were so glazed they looked vacant and hazy.

"Khhk!"

"W-why did I join the Light Wind Squad to suffer like this..."

"That guy is a demon. A demon of mockery who toys with people!"

"S-save me..."

"I'd rather you just kill me..."

"Is this even a life a person should live?!"

Because Raon had said that when he returned, anyone whose skills hadn't improved would undergo concentration enhancement training, the other Light Wind Squad swordsmen also screamed as they honed their swordsmanship.

"You bastard worse than a demon!"

"You bastard worse than this Demon King!"

Wrath ground his teeth as he looked at Raon.

"Why do fortuitous encounters keep exploding for this guy alone?!"

A trance was a staircase that allowed one to ascend to enlightenment. It was a fortuitous encounter greater than even the highest-grade elixirs, ancient artifacts, or a master's weapons. An ordinary human might encounter it once in a lifetime of training, if at all—yet this insane human had come to steal something, started digging in the ground, and fallen into a trance.

It was so absurd that only a hollow laugh came out.

"This King feels like he's going to lose his mind..."

He had lived for a long time and seen countless humans, demons, members of the Heavenly Tribe, and many other beings, but this was the first time he had seen someone encounter fortuitous opportunities this frequently. It felt as if the entire world was helping this brat.

"This King is so jealous he can't even look!"

Wrath grabbed Raon's shoulder with trembling hands and shook him wildly.

"Wake up! This King would rather die than watch you succeed after feeding This King nothing but Nadin Bread for five days!"

"......"

Raon paid no attention to whatever Wrath was doing, simply gazing at the wall as he sank into a deep state of immersion.

I can't just look at the swordsmanship alone.

The sword traces carved into the wall weren't the form of someone training alone—they were traces carved while fighting an enemy. He had to keep that in mind to properly see this sword art.

The traces are long...

Unlike Revolving Heaven or Flame Dragon Form, which ended in a single strike, the sword traces rode the wall surface and continued all the way to the space below.

Raon continued downward as if walking on clouds, examining the sword art the whole way.

Cut, strike, block. Everything is contained in a single sword.

There was a saying: a single stroke of the brush. It meant writing down many characters at once without pause, and the sword traces on the wall now continued in one go like a master's calligraphy.

Raon descended while holding onto his rising emotions. The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sword traces that had stretched long like a snake came to an end, placing a period.

The moment heat imbued that final point, a new image was drawn in his mind.

The scene the ancestor had created through this sword art unfolded like a panorama, filling his vision.

To think such a sword art existed...

It was a special martial study in which a single technique became a single sword formula.

Khh...

Perhaps because he was trying to contain a sword art that far surpassed his realm, his heart, where the Ring of Fire turned, and his mind burned as if on fire.

I know I can't obtain it all. I know I'm lacking. But...

He couldn't stop.

Like a child eating sweets for the first time in his life, he craved the ancestor's sword even more and concentrated his entire mind. Like a delicacy he was tasting for the first time in his life, he couldn't take his eyes off the ancestor's swordsmanship.

The moment he took in the flow the ancestor had raised to the very end, even if only through narrowed eyes, a small explosion occurred in his mind.

"You bastard! Share some of that fortuitous encounter!"

Only then did Wrath's call reach him.

Raon opened both eyes. His pupils flashed gold for an instant.