Raon wiped the sweat dripping from his chin as he looked at the Sword Saint's martial arts manuals, the Demon Soldier Swordsmanship and the True Demonic Sword Technique.
'I'm certain.'
That's the Sword Saint's core.
Thanks to the Ghostly Treasure Seeker, I confirmed that the Sword Saint's soul is connected to these two martial arts manuals. The Sword Saint's infinite stamina and aura must be coming from those manuals.
'It makes sense.'
The Sword Saint left these manuals for future generations who would enter this tomb.
Since he must have regretted not having a successor, it's not strange that he would make those manuals his core.
-So you've finally noticed.
Wrath scratched the bridge of his nose as if disappointed.
-That bastard was drawing power from those books. By placing the restriction of openly displaying the core, he even strengthened the power of that corpse. Quite a provocative move.
He laughed, saying whoever did this was bold.
'It's obvious.'
It's Derus Robert. No one else could come up with such a plan.
"I've found it."
Raon called out to the Koman Knight Commander and Lightning Decay with eyes full of certainty.
"Found what?"
"What do you mean?"
The two tilted their heads as if they didn't understand what Raon meant by "found".
"I've found the core that's giving the Sword Saint infinite power."
"Re-really?"
"What is it? I'll smash it right away!"
The Koman Knight Commander and Lightning Decay raised their voices, seemingly glad that they could end this hellish battle.
"Core?"
Delphros looked down at Raon with a sneer.
"You think such a thing exists? Instead of having delusions, you'd better find a way to live a little longer..."
"The martial arts manuals."
Raon raised his hand, interrupting Delphros. He pointed at the Sword Saint's martial arts manuals with his slightly raised index finger.
"The Demon Soldier Swordsmanship and the True Demonic Sword Technique are the Sword Saint's core."
"What are you..."
"Th-that's impossible..."
The Koman Knight Commander and Lightning Decay trembled their lips in disbelief. It's a natural reaction. Displaying the core so openly is something only a madman would do.
Those bastards exploited that very blind spot.
"..."
Raon didn't answer the two, instead observing Delphros's expression. Undisguised shock was clearly written on his face.
"That guy is giving us the answer himself."
With a slight smile, he pointed at Delphros with his chin.
"Kugh!"
Delphros quickly stiffened his expression, but it was already too late.
Not just the Koman Knight Commander and Lightning Decay, but everyone present had seen his distorted face.
"Huh..."
"Those books are really the Sword Saint's core?"
"If we burn those books, the Sword Saint's infinite aura will be cut off."
Raon said they now had a chance as he raised his Divine Sword and Demonic Sword.
'If we end this quickly, we can win.'
Though his stamina and aura were nearly depleted, and his Sword Domain was reaching its limit, he didn't think he would lose.
If the three of them fought together, they could end this battle.
"Of all things, it had to be martial arts manuals..."
"Hmm..."
However, the Koman Knight Commander and Lightning Decay didn't move right away. They bit their lips as they looked at the martial arts manuals.
"Sigh..."
Raon sighed as he saw their reactions.
'It's understandable.'
To be honest, I feel it's a waste too.
The reason martial artists and magicians came here was for the Sword Saint's legacy. Specifically, to obtain those martial arts manuals.
So it was natural for them to be shocked and hesitant about having to burn the very manuals that were their goal and reason for coming here.
Derus must have anticipated this and made the manuals the core. We have to burn those manuals completely, if only to foil his plan.
"I understand how you feel."
Raon raised his Divine Sword. The dying flames blazed with a deep golden light, as if breathing new life. It was a flame that seemed to erase the darkness covering the martial artists' hearts.
"However, burning those martial arts manuals is our only way to win."
* * *
"Ha..."
Delphros deeply furrowed his brow as he looked at Raon's calm eyes.
'What the hell is he...'
What kind of guy is he, to even find the core!
Raon Zieghart is right. The source of power providing infinite aura to the Sword Saint was indeed those two martial arts manuals.
Typically, living beings keep their core hidden, but they exploited this blind spot by making the martial arts manuals the Sword Saint's core.
By placing the restriction of showing the core to the enemy, they even managed to strengthen the Sword Saint's power, but they never imagined someone would uncover this secret.
'Why did it have to be him of all people!'
He couldn't understand how this youngster managed to discover what even the Ghostly Treasure Seeker, known for stealing any treasure, the Koman Knight Commander who had survived countless wars, and Lightning Decay with his exceptional knowledge couldn't find.
Ppudeudeuk!
Delphros ground his teeth until his gums bled.
'I should have killed him earlier.'
No, I tried to kill him, but he broke through everything.
I tried to kill Raon Zieghart from the second floor, but he broke through all the traps and reached the last floor on his own power. Honestly, it was beyond words.
'Damn that bastard.'
As he was gritting his teeth in burning anger towards Raon.
Unlike the confident Raon Zieghart, Koman Knight Commander Kuzan and Lightning Decay Barfil were hesitating, unable to take a battle stance.
'Wait a moment...'
If I use this...
Delphros clenched his fist until it bled. A way to turn this situation around had occurred to him.
'This time, they won't be able to get past it so easily.'
He quickly finished his thought and nodded.
"You're right. Those two martial arts manuals. The Demon Soldier Swordsmanship and the True Demonic Sword Technique are the source of the Sword Saint's power. So what do you plan to do about it?"
Delphros smiled confidently as he wiggled his finger.
"Surely you're not planning to burn those martial arts manuals?"
"That's exactly it."
Raon calmly nodded.
"Even if those are really the Sword Saint's martial arts manuals?"
Delphros tapped the armrest of his throne with his legs crossed.
"Right now, the Sword Saint isn't even displaying half of his living power. If you obtain those manuals, you could become a second Sword Saint. Are you saying you'll burn such a treasure?"
"It's troublesome. Don't make me repeat myself."
Raon answered decisively again, but deeper anguish filled the eyes of the others.
"Hehe."
Delphros let out a light laugh as he touched his lips. The battle had stopped, and everyone was now looking at this scene.
[Lord Delphros.]
Sabi contacted him as if he had been waiting.
[The control of the barrier has completely passed to Raon Zieghart. There's no way to...]
[There's no need to take back control. Just add one thing.]
[Huh? What...]
[Desire. Just evoke desire for the treasure. You can do that, right?]
[I'll try! No, I'll do it!]
Delphros looked up at the Sword Saint's martial arts manuals while listening to Sabi's response.
"It's a martial art that can lead to transcendence, one of the few on the continent. It even contains insights and interpretations that the Sword Saint gained in his later years. Isn't that right?"
His gaze turned to All-Knowing Sword Master Krasel, who had directly examined the martial arts manuals.
"Hmm..."
Krasel didn't answer, but his biting his lip was answer enough for everyone.
A glimmer of desire slowly seeped into people's eyes. It seemed Sabi was somehow making it happen.
"You'd better think carefully. Will you obtain the Sword Saint's martial arts manuals and become the protagonist of this continent, or will you just do someone else a favor?"
Realizing the time was right, Delphros put strength into his voice.
"Someone else's favor?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"You still don't understand?"
He chuckled and waved his hand.
"Raon Zieghart said he'd burn those martial arts manuals. But who handles fire best here? It's him. Which means..."
"Are you saying he might pretend to burn them while actually keeping the manuals for himself?"
The Demon Sword Master lowered his sword and furrowed his brow.
"Correct."
The moment Delphros snapped his fingers, the atmosphere in the cavern changed drastically. It was as if the wall of trust in working together had crumbled in an instant.
"You..."
"Hehe."
Delphros nodded as he looked at Raon's contorted face.
"Let's continue this dirty fight, shall we?"
* * *
Raon bit his lip as he felt the piercing stares of the martial artists.
'Damn it...'
There was no need to look around. The atmosphere had changed. Desire filled people's eyes once again.
'It seems like there's someone else involved.'
Delphros's words alone couldn't have created this situation.
It seemed there was a high-level shaman separately controlling the energy in this cavern.
He tried to use the Ring of Fire to restore the First Patriarch's barrier, but it wasn't easy. His mental strength and aura had reached their limits, and the other side was also holding on with desperate determination.
'I'll have to fight in this state.'
It was disadvantageous, but there was no time to spare. The only fortunate thing was that the Koman Knight Commander and Lightning Decay hadn't fallen into desire like before.
However, instead of desire, the two were showing fear.
"Is... is burning them really the only way..."
"I know we have no choice, but to destroy transcendent martial arts with my own hands..."
The two were afraid of destroying martial arts that could lead to transcendence with their own hands.
"It's alright."
Raon imbued his voice with the subtlety of Azure Rain. He awoke their minds with his clear voice.
"It's not the martial arts that are important, but people. The Sword Saint would want that too."
"Haa, you're right."
"We can't make the same stupid mistake twice."
Lightning Decay and the Koman Knight Commander seemed to have made up their minds as they firmly closed their lips and stood before the Sword Saint.
"You crazy bastards!"
"Burning the martial arts manuals! Absolutely not!"
The Demon Sword Master and the Six Apostles launched a fierce attack with bloodshot eyes.
The Demon Sword Squad and Blood Demons also jumped in, showing malice as if to prevent the burning of the martial arts manuals.
"You guys can't read the room. Step aside."
"You can't go!"
Rimmer and Serena, who had been standing back, rode the wind to block the Demon Sword Master and the Six Apostles.
"Division Leader! We'll handle this!"
"I don't like that bastard's face, let's crush him... please!"
"Handsome Raon, hang in there."
Burren, Martha, and Runaan also raised their voices as they blocked the Demon Sword Squad's offensive. It seemed like he could leave the rear to them.
"Just clear the way. I'll burn the martial arts manuals."
Raon nodded as he looked at the Koman Knight Commander and Lightning Decay.
"Alright. This kind of fight is my specialty."
"Phew, feels like my heart's about to burst."
The Koman Knight Commander spat out the blood in his mouth as he raised his sword, and Lightning Decay straightened his back while leaning on his staff.
Whoosh.
Raon gripped his gradually fading Divine Sword and Demonic Sword tightly as he concentrated his aura behind them.
"Huaaaah!"
The Koman Knight Commander once again took the lead, leaping towards the Sword Saint. His sword, filled with unwavering will, flashed a brilliant blue.
Clang!
However, will and actual strength were different. The Koman Knight Commander's body staggered from the Demon Soldier Blade's rough strike.
"Not yet!"
The Koman Knight Commander forcibly received the Sword Saint's sword strike while planting his ankle firmly on the ground.
"Lightning Rain!"
Arrows of lightning poured from Lightning Decay's trembling hands.
Chiiing!
The Sword Saint raised his True Demon Sword and ruthlessly split the lightning arrows shot by Lightning Decay.
Boom!
As the Sword Saint's hands were both raised, Raon executed the Supreme Harmony Steps.
Just as he was about to thrust his Divine Sword into the opening, a chilling sound of ripping air came from behind.
'Sword aura?'
Sharp sword auras were targeting the backs of him, the Koman Knight Commander, and Lightning Decay.
Normally he wouldn't care, but right now the Koman Knight Commander and Lightning Decay had no strength left to block those sword auras.
Paang!
He gave up on striking the Sword Saint. After deflecting the fiercely flying sword auras, he looked around to see who was responsible.
"Kugh..."
"Did we fail?"
"Keep going! They're exhausted too!"
Martial artists with bloodshot eyes were raising their sword auras again.
"Block them at all costs!"
"We absolutely can't let them burn it!"
"If we get those manuals, we can become Sword Saints too!"
The neutral forces close to the Five Demons shouted as they fired sword auras and blade energies at them.
"Damn bastards."
Raon bit his lip as he raised a Fire Wall. He hated wasting aura, but he had no choice to protect the Koman Knight Commander and Lightning Decay.
"Kahahahahaha!"
Delphros burst into maniacal laughter while holding his forehead.
"How does it feel? To be attacked by those you saved?"
"I never saved bastards like them!"
Raon quickly looked around while simultaneously blocking the martial artists' sword auras and the Sword Saint's strikes.
'The Light Wind and Void Sword divisions can't help. Same goes for the knights and magicians.'
The Light Wind and Void Sword divisions were tied up with the Five Demons, while the Koman Knights and magicians were competing with Delphros's Shadow Ghost Unit.
Unfortunately, he couldn't rely on help from anyone.
'Should I use an extreme method?'
Just as he was about to make a quick decision due to lack of time.
"You idiots!"
"Stop!"
The martial artists who had been backing away, intimidated by the Sword Saint's presence, now stood in the way of those firing sword auras.
"That's enough!"
"They're fighting for our sake!"
"You ungrateful dogs!"
Their faces were familiar. They were the people he had just saved from the Sword Saint.
No, not just them. The martial artists who had received help from the Light Wind and Void Sword divisions, or those he had saved and healed on the first floor, were now blocking those consumed by desire.
"You crazy bastards!"
"Get out of the way!"
"If we get that book, we can become Transcendent Warriors!"
Those consumed by desire screamed and charged forward, but the martial artists didn't back down.
"We'll take care of this!"
"Please, end this!"
They raised their swords with clear eyes unclouded by desire. Even though their hands trembled from exhaustion, they stood firm as a wall, protecting the rear to the end.
"Wh-what is this..."
Delphros's lips trembled, as if he hadn't expected this turn of events.
"The people I saved are over there."
Raon twisted his lips as he pointed at the determined martial artists.
"This is the last push. Please give it your all."
"Of course. I can still go on for much longer!"
"I'll see this through to the end as well."
The blood-covered Koman Knight Commander and Lightning Decay nodded.
"Kuaaaaa!"
The Koman Knight Commander clashed swords with the Sword Saint, spraying blood from his entire body.
Kuuung!
The Sword Saint's strength and aura were still formidable, but he couldn't focus entirely like before due to the need to protect the martial arts manuals.
"Now!"
Blood vessels burst from the Koman Knight Commander's skin. Despite his muscles tearing and bones breaking, he didn't lower his sword.
"Lightning Rot... Kuhek!"
Lightning Decay coughed up blood as he unleashed the most intense bolt of lightning yet. But even with blood staining his lips, he finished his incantation to the end.
Lightning bolts in the shape of a goddess enveloped the Sword Saint's entire body.
Kugugugugu!
The Sword Saint didn't budge even as he was hit by the Koman Knight Commander's sword strikes and Lightning Decay's ultimate magic.
Kuung!
Raon gritted his teeth and stepped into the Supreme Harmony Steps. He moved at a speed that made his vision blur black, reaching behind the Sword Saint.
"...!"
Even while under attack from the Koman Knight Commander and Lightning Decay, the Sword Saint sensed the presence behind him and moved.
Chiiing!
The moment he turned around, Raon unleashed his Wrath. He stepped into a true stance, drawing a chilling energy that seemed to freeze all the mana circuits in his body onto his Divine Sword and Demonic Sword.
He wrapped the earth-crushing force and the explosive energy from his body around his hands. He simultaneously swung down the Divine Sword and Demonic Sword that he had held back behind his waist and shoulders.
Raon Zieghart Style Swordsmanship.
Sixth Form, Divine-Demonic Harmony Linked Technique: Invincible Azure-Red Sword.
The lethal sword strike imbued with the insight gained from fighting the Doppelganger King stretched out towards the Sword Saint's core.
Kuwaaaaaaang!
The red and blue sword auras danced faintly. The slender aura imbued with sky-shattering energy simultaneously crushed the Sword Saint's sword strike and blade energy.
Kugugugugu!
For the first time, the Sword Saint's body was pushed back. With each step he took backward, the earth was gouged out in chunks. It was an incredible impact.
"Huaaaah!"
"Kuaaak!"
The Koman Knight Commander and Lightning Decay didn't miss the opening, unleashing a barrage of sword strikes and magic.
Kwaaang!
The Sword Saint's body, continuously pushed back, finally crashed into the wall.
'Now... Kugh!'
Raon groaned as he tried to raise his body. A terrible pain bored into his head as if his body and mana circuits had all ruptured.
But he couldn't stop here. He had to end this before the Sword Saint recovered.
He forced himself to leap up with legs that wouldn't move. Though it felt like his leg muscles would tear, he ignored it and focused on the flames of his Divine Sword.
"Stop!"
Delphros shouted for the first time.
"It's martial arts that lead to transcendence! You too can become a Transcendent Warrior!"
He kicked the platform as he spoke enticingly. His clean-cut appearance was now tinged with confusion.
"What's important isn't the martial arts, but people."
Glenn and Rector had taught him that. Remembering their steadfast backs, he raised his Divine Sword.
"I'll reach transcendence with my own power."
"Sabi! Stop him!"
As soon as Delphros's cry was heard, the mana enveloping the martial arts manuals began to thicken.
"It's already too late."
Raon sneered at Delphros as he thrust his Divine Sword towards the martial arts manuals.
Ppudeudeuk!
The not-yet-fully-reinforced mana barrier split, and the Divine Sword's blade plunged into the center of the two martial arts manuals.
Kwaaaaa!
As if knowing it was the last time, the Divine Sword raised golden flames and incinerated the Sword Saint's martial arts manuals in an instant.
What were once martial arts manuals that could lead to transcendence became black ashes scattering in the air.
Kuuung!
The Sword Saint, who had been rushing to protect the manuals, stopped mid-step. His energy began to rapidly subside.
"Raon Zieghart!"
But Delphros's movements became even faster. He charged forward with an enormous Astral Ring concentrated on his sword.
Raon bit his lip as he turned his back in mid-air.
'I can dodge this much.'
Just as he was about to quickly descend to the ground using an adaptation of the Demon Sword Master's footwork.
The frost of the Demonic Sword and the flames of the Divine Sword subsided as if completely burned out. The end of his Sword Domain approached.
'Why now of all times?'
He couldn't move his body due to the recoil of his Sword Domain disappearing. All he could do was watch Delphros's rapidly growing sword.
'I have no choice but to take the hit.'
Dodging was impossible. He tried to present his waist where there were no vital points, but Delphros was aiming for his heart from the start, as if to end it all.
"Raon!"
"Oh no!"
Rimmer and Serena's screams were heard.
'Damn it...'
There really was no way out of this. Just as he was gritting his teeth and trying to somehow turn his body.
A silver armor flew in front of his eyes.
Peoeoeoek!
Delphros's sword didn't hit him, but crushed the chest of the man who blocked its path.
"Kuhehe!"
It was Koman Knight Commander Kuzan. He grabbed Delphros's sword with his hand and let out a refreshing laugh.
"Kn-Knight Commander?"
Raon's lips trembled as he looked at Kuzan's back.
"Why on earth..."
He had done more than enough. I couldn't understand why he went this far to save me.
"D-didn't I tell you? That I'd help till the end."
The Koman Knight Commander turned back and smiled. Dead blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
"A knight is one who becomes the face of his lord! I shamed His Highness with my foolishness, so I must do at least this much to avoid a scolding!"
He pushed Delphros away with his last ounce of strength.
"You bastard, till the end!"
"Get lost!"
As Delphros charged in with a face twisted like an evil spirit, Lightning Decay coughed up blood and fired a lightning strike. His complexion was also pale. He was using his life force, not mana.
"Stop!"
Raon bit his lip as he looked at the two.
"Please stop!"
Though he shouted for them to stop, neither Kuzan nor Barfil ceased their actions.
"There's no need to feel burdened. My internal injuries were too severe, I couldn't have survived anyway."
Kuzan opened his cracked armor. His abdomen was stained black.
"The same goes for me. If I'm going to die anyway, I might as well go out with a bang."
Lightning Decay chuckled and nodded.
"Thank you for being considerate when we were out of our minds."
"It was an honor to fight alongside you, Light Wind Division Leader."
The two leapt towards Delphros, who was charging in again.
Kuwaaaaaaang!
A faint light like a moon halo enveloped the three. A tremendous explosion shook the cavern, and black smoke rose to the sky.
"Kuaaaaa!"
Delphros burst out through the smoke. He was bleeding, but no serious injuries were visible.
"Sabi! Bring them all out! Kill them all!"
He screamed, clenching his fists as if he had lost his mind.
Kugugugugu!
The darkness surrounding the cavern split, and all the monsters they had encountered from the first to the fourth floors poured out.
Kiaaaaa!
The monsters charged at all humans indiscriminately, friend or foe.
"Now I'll finally take your head."
Delphros approached, rolling his distorted eyes.
Raon bit his lip as he looked at the ground where Koman Knight Commander Kuzan and Lightning Decay Barfil, who had fought alongside him until just moments ago, had died.
'Damn it!'
Though they hadn't known each other for long, they were both good people. They were real adults who could acknowledge their mistakes and seek forgiveness.
It pained him deeply, as they might have become comrades if not for this situation.
-Even I am angered by this.
Wrath bit his lip.
-Hand over your body. No, wait, I would go berserk. Do that thing you did before!
He wiggled his hand as if urging Raon to hurry.
'Damn it!'
It's frustrating.
He wanted to take revenge with his own hands, but it was incredibly frustrating that he couldn't do anything.
But there was no other way. Not only was his aura depleted, but his physical strength and mental fortitude were at their limits too.
Raon gripped the Heavenly Drive sword in reverse as he watched Delphros approach with a demonic face. Just as he was about to stab himself, the dark ceiling shook.
Kuwaaaaaaang!
The ceiling that seemed unbreakable collapsed, and crimson flames spread in all directions.
Amidst the brilliant flames burning away the darkness, the phoenix Kaiyan spread its enormous wings.
[You worm-like humans! How dare you imprison me!]
The creature that had been unseen since the fourth floor roared, unleashing a storm of flames.
Kuwaaaaa!
The spiraling flames incinerated all the monsters that had been attacking the martial artists.
"Kuuugh!"
Delphros charged forward, ignoring Kaiyan's flames. His eyes showed malice, as if determined to end it here.
Wuuuung!
At that moment, a vibration occurred in his chest along with intense flames. It was the iron ring wrapped in Kaiyan's feather.
He took the ring out from his chest. The ring was gleaming with the same light as Kaiyan's feather. It meant the seal had been broken.
"Fire, extinguish."
Raon put the ring on his finger. He glared with ice-cold eyes that could extinguish flames.
"I'll be the one to take that bastard's head."