[A new trait
Raon swallowed dryly as he looked at the trait message that appeared last.
'I can tell just by looking at it.'
'Why did this suddenly come to me... Ah!'
Could it be from absorbing the Death Aura that remained in the Union Leader's body?
The Death Aura scattered in Ogram's mana circuit had melted into the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Ring of Fire without my intention.
It seemed that the absorbed aura had created the Flame Overcoming Death.
[
[Reduces the damage inflicted by Death Aura while the flames of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation are burning.]
Raon clenched his fist tightly after checking the description of the trait.
As he had felt from seeing the name of the trait, Flame Overcoming Death was an ability to withstand Derus's aura.
'It's an unexpected gain.'
The Death Aura wielded by Derus is, quite literally, a power that becomes overwhelmingly potent against living beings.
As it was a vicious power that could drain vitality and mental strength just by grazing, like in Ogram's case, gaining a trait to overcome it was a tremendous advantage.
Even now, my goal was the downfall of Derus Robert, so it felt like I had firmly laid the foundation to achieve that.
'Should I check the other things too?'
Raon checked the other messages while suppressing a laugh that was about to burst out.
[You have achieved a great feat.]
[All abilities increase by 20 points.]
[The rank of the trait
[The rank of the trait
[A new title
'As expected, it's giving rewards for what I've done.'
Looking at the improved traits and newly created title, the system's rewards were given based on the achievements I had accomplished.
It seemed that the system was always watching me and giving rewards.
'If what Wrath said is true, it seems to have intelligence...'
Wrath always talked about beating and breaking the system. Thinking about those words now, the system didn't seem to be a simple device.
'I'd like to meet it once.'
Having received a lot of help from the system and those messages, I wanted to meet it directly and repay it.
'I'm also curious about how Wrath would react.'
I was looking forward to seeing what kind of struggle that cotton candy would put up if he saw me getting closer to the system he created.
'Hey.'
Raon briefly smacked his lips and lightly tapped the ice flower bracelet.
'How long are you going to sleep?'
When he was around, I thought he was annoying, but now that Wrath had disappeared, it was as boring as eating Nadine bread without the taste of rubber.
After tapping the bracelet once more and lowering his gaze, Glenn and Ogram, still fighting, came into view.
"What on earth do you not like about it!"
Ogram furrowed his brow, unable to understand.
"It's not like I'm going to sell Raon off, I'm just saying I'll treat him well as an adopted grandson!"
"I don't need a weakling who gets beaten up by the likes of the Leader of the White Blood Religion!"
Glenn waved his hand, telling him to go look for an adopted grandson elsewhere.
"I'm not trying to be your grandfather! I want to be Raon's grandfather! Why are you making such a fuss!"
"Just because I say so doesn't mean your defeat never happened."
"Ugh, it was 2 against 1..."
Ogram bit his lip, mumbling that he couldn't help it because he was ambushed.
"If you bear the name of the Six Kings, you shouldn't lose even if it's 20 against 1, let alone 2 against 1."
Glenn tilted his raised chin as if he had won the verbal battle.
"If you're done talking, focus on recovering. The Six Kings Conference will be held soon, and you can't participate looking like that, can you?"
"I assume the meeting will not be in person?"
"We have no choice. If the Six Kings gather in one place now, our main forces might be attacked."
He nodded as if it was obvious.
"Phew, I've been quite rude in many ways."
Ogram let out a bitter sigh and rubbed the wound on his chest where the sword had pierced him.
"I'm too ashamed to lift my face."
"And you, such a guy, were babbling about making Raon your adopted grandson?"
"T-That's different! There's so much I want to do for him..."
As he was about to make excuses to Glenn, the Vice Union Leader opened the door and entered.
"Union Leader. I've brought it."
The Vice Union Leader handed over a thin booklet and a wooden case he was holding to Ogram.
"Good work."
Ogram looked at the booklet and wooden case he received from the Vice Union Leader, then gestured to Raon.
"Raon. Come here."
"Yes."
Raon nodded and approached Ogram's bedside.
"Take this."
Ogram held out the booklet and wooden case he had just received.
"Huh? Why are you..."
"You saved the leader of the Beast Union, it's unthinkable to repay you with just words."
He smiled brightly and lightly shook the booklet and wooden case.
"This book is a Transcendent fist technique called the White Lotus Divine Fist, and inside the wooden case is the Beast Union's finest elixir, the Bright Lotus Elixir. Accept them without hesitation."
Ogram threw the booklet and wooden case without hesitation.
"Uh..."
Raon let out a gasp and caught the floating booklet of the White Lotus Divine Fist and the wooden case.
A strong heat could be felt from inside the wooden case. It seemed to contain the Transcendence elixir as Ogram had said.
"I'll accept the martial arts manual, but wouldn't it be better for you to take this elixir and recover quickly, Union Leader?"
Saying this, he held out the wooden case to Ogram again.
"Kuhuhuh!"
Ogram brushed back his disheveled hair and let out a low laugh.
"See? This is why I want to make Raon my adopted grandson."
He wiggled his finger at Glenn.
"Raon would be the only one to sincerely say such things with the Bright Lotus Elixir right in front of him."
Ogram returned the wooden case Raon had offered, his eyes showing approval.
"I've taken the Bright Lotus Elixir three times already. As you probably know, the effectiveness decreases greatly each time you take the same elixir. It's now a meaningless item for me."
"Hmm..."
As he said, if you repeatedly take the same elixir, its effectiveness is halved.
If Ogram had really taken it three times, the Bright Lotus Elixir would be less effective for him than even a low-grade elixir.
"Take it. My arm's getting tired."
"Thank you."
Raon bowed his head and carefully accepted the White Lotus Divine Fist martial arts manual and the wooden case containing the Bright Lotus Elixir.
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat, his lips trembling as if pleased that Raon had received praise from Ogram.
"How about it? With this, do I qualify to be Raon's adopted grandfather..."
"Nonsense."
Glenn lowered his eyebrows fiercely, as if he had never been in a good mood.
"Do you want to have a life-or-death battle with me?"
"You're making a fuss even when I say I'll treat him well."
Ogram shrugged his shoulders as if he couldn't believe it.
"Haha..."
Caught between the two absolute beings of the Six Kings, Raon could only laugh awkwardly.
"If he's going to be like that, he should step up and take care of him himself."
Rimmer let out a hollow laugh and whispered to Sheryl.
"The old geezer is just jealous... Hic!"
He let out a gasp as he met Glenn's piercing gaze.
"He must still be uncomfortable with it."
Sheryl shook her head with a low sigh.
"Until when! It's so frustrating I can't stand it."
Rimmer pounded his chest in annoyance. This time, he didn't forget to carefully watch Glenn's reaction.
"The fact that he's come this far shows that his heart is opening up little by little."
Sheryl looked at the awkward grandfather and grandson with soft eyes.
"So when will the Six Kings Conference be held?"
Ogram looked at Glenn, leaning back on his hands.
"Knowing Chamber's personality, it wouldn't be strange if we got a call today. At the latest, it will start tomorrow or the day after."
Glenn lowered his finger, saying the conference would be held within a few days.
"Head of House."
Raon called to Glenn, lowering his gaze slightly.
"May I also attend the Six Kings Conference?"
Derus Robert might have learned that Ogram was rescued, but he probably has no idea that Ogram has woken up.
I really wanted to see the look of confusion and shock on his face.
"It's not a question of whether you can attend, you absolutely must."
Ogram raised his hand as if it was obvious.
"Weren't you the one who saved me?"
"That beast is right. You must participate no matter what."
Glenn nodded as if there was no room for refusal.
"And..."
Raon looked at the two men and bowed his head.
"How about keeping the Union Leader's injury status a secret during the Six Kings Conference?"
"Don't tell me... you think there's a spy for that swordsman among the executives attending the Six Kings Conference?"
Glenn narrowed his eyes as he caught on to Raon's intention.
"Yes."
Raon nodded.
'Not just a spy, but that guy himself is one of the Six Kings.'
Without evidence yet, he couldn't say anything about Derus.
"It would be best to hide it as Raon says."
Ogram nodded calmly.
"He seems to have figured out my personality. There's a high possibility that a spy has infiltrated the upper ranks of the Six Kings."
"Understood. We'll do as you say."
Glenn nodded calmly.
"Thank you!"
Raon bowed to Glenn and Ogram.
"You may all leave now."
Glenn shook his head, saying he had something to discuss privately with Ogram.
"Yes."
Raon curled his lips slightly as he left the Union Leader's palace.
'I hope it starts soon.'
He looked forward to seeing how Derus Robert would react upon seeing Ogram participating in the conference.
* * *
"You've really changed a lot too. No, should I say you've returned to how you were before?"
Ogram lowered his trembling hand and chuckled.
"You were the very definition of cold-blooded until Raon was born, but seeing you changed like this, it seems that child has had a big influence on you."
He nodded, looking at the door Raon had left through.
"Well, that child possesses a warmth beyond mere strength. It's no wonder you've come to look like that. I'm a little envious."
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat loudly and lowered his eyes.
"Are you envious?" (E/N: [Grandpa mode has been activated. Boasting abilities increase by 200%. Facial expression increase by 500%. Ability to annoy fellow old men has increased by 1000%])
"What?"
"I asked if you're envious of having Raon as a grandson."
"...I just said I was envious."
"Hah!"
He raised his chin as if he had expected this.
"His martial arts talent is unparalleled in history, he's well-respected, virtuous, and deeply filial."
"I know that too..." (E/N: you fool. You activated Grandpa mode. Now suffer the consequences.)
"On top of that, he has mysterious abilities that even I can't fully grasp. He'll surpass someone like you before he turns thirty."
"I mean, I already said I was envious."
"And he's incredibly handsome too. The 'best on the continent' might refer to Raon's looks rather than his martial arts talent..."
"Ah, stop it! It's getting so annoying I can't listen any... hm."
Ogram waved his hand but then dropped his shoulders as if losing strength.
"Ogram."
Glenn frowned as he looked at Ogram's trembling arm.
"...How bad is it?"
"Half. Or even less than that."
Ogram bit his lip as he looked at his weakened hand.
"The blood-sucking by the Leader of the White Blood Religion was a problem, but the Death Aura was too strong. Its mere presence in my body dissolved my vitality and mental images."
He shook his head, saying it was a dangerous power.
"You fool."
Glenn's voice held not mockery, but lamentation. His eyes showed regret.
"Yes. I was foolish."
Ogram sighed as he looked up at the ceiling.
"I'm sorry. I can hide it for a while, but I don't think I can restore the broken balance."
He shook his head, saying he couldn't deceive for long.
"You're speaking arrogantly."
Glenn clicked his tongue as he looked down at Ogram.
"You weren't that great a force among the Six Kings anyway."
He turned his back and headed for the exit.
"Take care of yourself."
"Go."
Glenn left the Union Leader's palace after hearing Ogram's final greeting.
"A grandson, huh..."
Ogram chuckled as he recalled Glenn's noticeably brighter expression.
"I never thought I'd end up envying that guy's family relationship."
* * *
Raon came out of the Union Leader's palace and checked the White Lotus Divine Fist martial arts manual.
'What's this?'
It's too easy to read?
He thought it would be difficult to understand since it was a Supreme Martial Art manual, but it was much easier to read than expected.
"Does it feel easy?"
Garona approached from the side with a refreshing smile.
"How did you know?"
"The foundation of the White Lotus Divine Fist is the Fierce Wave Arts. As my brother, you should be able to learn it without much difficulty."
He smiled, suggesting they compete someday to see whose fist is stronger.
"Well, you'd probably win in fist techniques."
"Such concepts don't apply between brothers."
Garona shook his head with a smile.
"Thank you so much, brother."
He looked at Raon examining the White Lotus Divine Fist manual and then bowed deeply.
"If it weren't for you, brother, I would have spent my entire life in pain. I have no words other than thank you."
Garona bowed his head to the ground, expressing his sincere gratitude.
"From today, my life belongs to you, brother. Whenever you wish, this life..."
"You said before."
Raon shook his head as he looked at Garona's passionate eyes.
"There's no need to say thank you between brothers. A simple greeting is enough."
He said this while patting Garona's shoulder.
"B-Brother! It's the first time you've called me brother! Brother!"
"Maybe I shouldn't have..."
Garona said "brother" three times in one breath. Raon's head felt dizzy.
"Brother!"
"Back off a bit!"
Raon frowned as he pushed away the clinging Garona.
"Sniff..."
Rimmer sniffled as he watched Raon and Garona.
"He's grown well. The Raon from his trainee days would never have called someone 'brother'."
He said it was admirable, his eyes reddening.
"Someone might think you raised him."
"I did raise him, you know?"
"No. Raon grew up well on his own."
"Ugh..."
"Well, still."
Sheryl smiled warmly as she watched Raon being pestered by Garona.
"It's nice to see that child smiling like that. As you said, he was cold at first."
"Hehehe. That's not it."
Roenn nodded calmly.
"Young Master Raon just had difficulty gauging his distance with people. Like someone else we know."
He smiled as he turned to look at Glenn coming out of the Union Leader's palace.
"Get ready. We need to leave now."
"A-Already? We're leaving?"
Garona let out a gasp.
"It's too bad."
"No, it's right to leave now."
The Vice Union Leader shook his head, holding a crystal ball in his hand.
"They say the Six Kings Conference will start at noon tomorrow."
* * *
The next day at noon.
Raon, dressed in black formal attire, headed to the Lord's Manor.
Inside the audience chamber, Sheryl, Roenn, Denier, and Balder had already arrived and were waiting.
Raon bowed to Glenn and then stood next to Sheryl.
"We'll begin soon."
At Shadow Agents' Leader Chad's nod, magicians in black robes conjured five blue-tinted windows in the center of the audience chamber.
Woooooong!
After about a minute, Chamber appeared in the first blue window, waving her hand and wearing a witch's hat larger than her body.
"Can you see me?"
She wiggled her finger and put a lollipop in her mouth.
Zzzzzzt!
As soon as Chamber's greeting ended, the second blue window flashed, showing King Lecross of Owen.
"It's been a while. It's regrettable that we meet again under these circumstances."
He bowed his head with the disciplined posture of a knight.
Whaaaa.
The third to appear was Derus Robert. He silently greeted with a pale complexion.
Raon bit his lip thinly as he watched Derus's act.
'I'll watch how your mask crumbles.'
He straightened his back while suppressing a laugh that was about to burst out.
Woooong!
The fourth window flashed black.
However, unlike the others, no face was visible, and only a sound like something boiling could be heard.
"It's been a while, everyone..."
A gloomy voice came from the black screen. It seemed to belong to the Mage Tower Master.
"You basement-dwelling shut-in! Come out right now!"
"Later..."
Chamber frowned as if telling him to come out immediately, but the Mage Tower Master didn't show his face.
Zzzzzzt!
The last, fifth blue window began to shake as if an earthquake had occurred.
"The Beast Union's screen is always like that."
Chamber clicked her tongue in disapproval.
"If the Beast King was taken down, is the Vice Union Leader participating?"
King Lecross let out a short sigh.
"Probably. He was the one who received the communication after all."
Chamber nodded in agreement with King Lecross's words.
Zzzzzzt!
As soon as the two finished speaking, the Beast Union's window flashed, and Ogram appeared with a refreshing smile.
"Thanks for gathering because of me."
Ogram waved his hand towards the five Transcendent Warriors.
"W-What! Why are you there!"
"Were you safe all along?"
"H-Hey, Beast King?"
Chamber, King Lecross, and the Mage Tower Master gasped in shock.
"What happened! Did you escape from the White Blood Religion?"
"As expected! I had faith in you!"
"Oh..."
Chamber and King Lecross showed both surprise and joy simultaneously.
The black screen shook greatly as if the Mage Tower Master was trying to show himself.
"Ah..."
However, Derus was different. His darkened eyes trembled as if he had seen something unbelievable.
Raon curled his lips as he watched Derus's mask begin to crumble.
'Yes. That's the face I wanted to see.'
It seemed like today's Six Kings Conference would be enjoyable.