Raon frowned as he watched the bloody energy rising as naturally as flowing water.
'He noticed.'
Despite employing the tactic of a surprise attack from behind the door, the 10th Apostle immediately reacted and prepared to counterattack.
The overwhelming bloody energy felt as if it would overwhelm the attacker instead.
'It's more dangerous if I stop.'
Raon dove into the 10th Apostle's space and swung the Blade of Requiem down towards his hand.
Jeoooong!
The sword and hand collided, producing a thunderous sound as if two pieces of metal had clashed. The 10th Apostle's bloody energy had grown even stronger than before, making it impossible to break through even with the Blade of Requiem.
'Then, onto the second plan.'
Since the surprise attack was blocked, he had to move on to the second plan immediately.
Boom!
Just before the shockwave erupted, Raon stepped forward with his left foot and moved towards the fallen Ogram.
"Where do you think you're... Ugh!"
The 10th Apostle tried to reach out with his hand condensed with bloody energy but stopped. He trembled his left hand that had blocked the Blade of Requiem and bit his lip.
Raon didn't miss the opportunity while the 10th Apostle couldn't move, positioning himself to protect Ogram and turning his back.
'It worked.'
The first plan was to kill the 10th Apostle with a surprise attack, and if that failed, to protect Ogram so he couldn't be taken hostage. Fortunately, the second plan succeeded.
"Phew..."
He let out a short sigh and checked on Ogram behind him. He had severe injuries all over, and his breathing was weak, but he was definitely alive.
'This should be enough.'
He had worried that the wounds might be too severe for movement, but at this level, carrying him on his back shouldn't be a big problem.
"Raon Zieghart. Why are you here? And..."
The 10th Apostle gripped his trembling left hand and bit his lip.
"How did you learn the Fierce Wave Arts?"
He furrowed his brow, realizing that the martial art that had shattered his hand was the Fierce Wave Arts.
"A disciple can't ignore his master's crisis."
"Disciple?"
"The person who taught me the Fierce Wave Arts is behind me."
Raon answered the 10th Apostle's two questions at once, gesturing with his chin towards the fallen Ogram.
"Well, he probably doesn't think of it that way."
"A disciple..."
A white current rose from the 10th Apostle's hand, and his twisted wrist returned to its original position.
It seemed he had regenerated his bones and muscles using bloody energy.
"Do you know the name of this palace?"
Pure white bloody energy blazed above his hand, taking the form of a sharp spear.
"It's the Palace of Sacrifice."
"Palace of Sacrifice?"
Raon looked at Ogram again. A thin stream of blood flowed from his hidden neck, and seeing his rapidly diminishing energy, it seemed the blood draining was already complete.
He suppressed his rising irritation and maintained a calm expression.
"Since this palace was built, it'll be the first time to see both master and disciple become sacrifices."
The 10th Apostle fixed a gaze as sharp as his spear, as if determined not to let them escape.
"No."
Raon calmly shook his head and drew the Heavenly Drive.
"For the first time since this palace was built, an apostle's blood will be spilled."
"That flippant mouth of yours hasn't changed."
The 10th Apostle twisted his lips and shook his head.
"But here, putting on airs is meaningless. You must feel it too."
As he raised his finger, the flame of bloody energy blazed intensely.
"This land bestows blessings only on those who possess bloody energy."
The 10th Apostle sneered and shook his head.
"You can't defeat me even with your full strength, yet you intend to fight while protecting that old man with a heavier body?"
"If you don't take risks, you can't grow."
Raon raised his chin, holding up both the Heavenly Drive and the Blade of Requiem.
"Don't worry about me, just come at me without further talk."
He confidently wiggled his finger, but he wasn't entirely at ease inside.
'Because what he said isn't wrong.'
Due to the Demonic Blood Ascendance Formation covering the entire White Blood Cult Headquarters, he couldn't exert his full abilities.
Even if he could use all his martial prowess, the chances of defeating the 10th Apostle weren't high, and this situation made him feel frustrated.
'But calling the Head of House isn't a good option either.'
Glenn's lightning wasn't coming as freely as before. His senses were dulled, so he couldn't tell exactly who he was fighting, but it meant he was being blocked by the Leader of the White Blood Religion or someone of similar skill.
If he called for him now, the Leader of the White Blood Religion and other apostles would all gather, making it even harder to escape.
'I should send the signal only after securing Ogram at the very least.'
For everyone to escape safely, I needed to send the signal after carrying Ogram out of this palace.
"I'll pierce that thin neck of yours right here."
The 10th Apostle swung his bloody energy spear. A massive amount of bloody energy began to condense between the fiercely rotating spear shaft.
"Phew..."
Raon exhaled softly and tightened his grip on the Heavenly Drive and the Blade of Requiem.
'My heart is racing.'
Despite the crisis, I found myself smiling involuntarily. My fingertips trembled slightly with the excitement of unleashing the insights gained from the mental world against the 10th Apostle.
'It's a shame I can't use my full abilities, but... huh?'
As he bit his lip slightly and took his stance, the Blade of Requiem let out an intense sword mantra, stirring up a wind of demonic energy.
Woooong!
The demonic energy emanating from the blade swirled around me, releasing the pressure of bloody energy that had been weighing down my body and soul.
'What's this...?'
My body and senses, which had become heavy due to the Demonic Blood Ascendance Formation, returned to their original state.
No, an even stronger energy was boiling up.
Raon let out a gasp as he looked down at the Blade of Requiem.
'Did you do this?'
It seemed the Blade of Requiem had used demonic energy to nullify the effects of the Demonic Blood Ascendance Formation around me.
Woooong!
As if to confirm, the Blade of Requiem resonated with its sword mantra once more.
However, the sword mantra gradually weakened, as if it was difficult to maintain for long.
'Alright. I'll finish this in exactly one minute.'
He decided to pour all his strength into pushing back the 10th Apostle and escaping this place within one minute.
"You, how did you..."
The 10th Apostle, sensing Raon's change, trembled his lips in disbelief.
Kuwoong!
Without answering, Raon took a step forward. He raised the Heavenly Drive upwards and lowered the Blade of Requiem, employing the Flame and Ice Unification.
Waves of fire and frost erupted from the two blades, sweeping across the 10th Apostle's front.
Jeoooong!
The 10th Apostle frowned as he watched the oncoming red and blue tidal wave, burning his bloody energy. The moment veins bulged on the back of his hand, a massive sphere of bloody energy surged up, crushing the waves of fire and frost.
Chiiiing!
Just before the flow of the Flame and Ice Unification faded, Raon advanced and thrust the Silver Sword Dream towards the 10th Apostle's neck.
Jeoooong!
The 10th Apostle quickly swung his spear shaft to block the blade of the Silver Sword Dream, revealing a chilling gaze. A terrifying killing intent seethed within his cold eyes.
Raon moistened his dry lips as he met the 10th Apostle's cold eyes.
'55 seconds.'
* * *
"Tch."
The Leader of the White Blood Religion raised her eyelids, her brow deeply furrowed.
'What is it this time...?'
Despite being in a cultivation room that blocked out noise and mana flow, she could feel the energy waves from outside.
For energy to be felt in this place meant it was at least from a Transcendent Warrior.
'The First Apostle? Second Apostle? No. This is...'
It's not the apostles. An outsider. And the energy of someone she knew all too well.
'Glenn Zieghart...?'
She couldn't forget it after the trouble she went through to erase his lightning aura. The intense energy waves bursting from outside were undoubtedly Glenn Zieghart's lightning aura.
'Why is he here? No, how did he get here?'
Only the chosen among the Blood Cult members could enter the current headquarters. She couldn't understand how Glenn had managed to infiltrate.
"Damn it!"
The Leader of the White Blood Religion chewed her lip as she left the cultivation room.
"L-Leader!"
The executives waiting outside the cultivation room hurriedly bowed their heads.
"What on earth is going on?"
"G-Glenn Zieghart has launched an attack!"
The Archbishop at the front trembled his lips as he looked at the streaks of lightning.
"I mean, how?"
"We're not sure either. S-Suddenly, the Light Sword, Killing King, and Heavenly Blade Division Leader appeared together and are carrying out a massacre..." (E/N: Killing King is Roenn)
"Massacre..."
The Leader of the White Blood Religion bit her lip as she summoned her bloody energy. Just as the Archbishop said, the number of cult members was visibly decreasing even now.
"The First Apostle, Second Apostle, and even the 8th Apostle have gone, but it seems they won't be able to hold out for long."
"I suppose so."
Even though the First and Second Apostles were Transcendent Warriors, and despite the Demonic Blood Ascendance Formation, it was unreasonable to expect them to completely stop Glenn.
'If only he had come a little later...'
Unfortunately, she hadn't finished absorbing Ogram's energy yet. It was frustrating that she couldn't devour Glenn, who had willingly entered the tiger's den.
'I have no choice.'
She couldn't afford to lose the First and Second Apostles like this. As she was about to leave, showing her irritation, she heard a very faint sound of bloody energy disruption from the direction of the Palace of Sacrifice.
'Is the 10th Apostle fighting too? The opponent is... huh?'
Raon Zieghart?
It was Raon's energy, just as unforgettable as Glenn Zieghart's.
'Now I understand.'
I understand why Glenn is causing havoc and why Raon is fighting the 10th Apostle in the Palace of Sacrifice.
Those bastards didn't come for me, they came here to rescue Ogram.
"In that case..."
The corners of the Leader of the White Blood Religion's mouth curled up into a long smile.
"I might be able to eat one more..."
* * *
The 10th Apostle gritted his molars as he watched Raon unleash a series of sword strikes without even taking a breath.
'I just need to buy time.'
He had sent a wave of bloody energy towards the main palace where the Leader of the White Blood Religion was.
She would surely grasp the situation at once and come here to capture Raon and Ogram as hostages, instead of dealing with the rampaging Glenn.
It was best to conserve his strength and endure, as it would be dangerous to confront Raon head-on and catch Glenn's attention.
'However...'
This guy has gotten stronger.
When I first saw him, he wasn't even a Master, but now he's suddenly risen to Grandmaster and is unleashing dangerously powerful sword strikes.
Chiiiing!
Raon's sword bent at a bizarre angle and then dropped.
Jeoooong!
The 10th Apostle bit his lip as he deflected Raon's twisted, pouring sword strikes.
'It's not just that his aura has gotten stronger.'
The level of his swordsmanship has changed.
Raon's swordsmanship was as precise as clock hands, yet as unpredictable as a wild beast. He had returned with an unbelievable level of growth.
On top of that, he was also using the Fierce Wave Arts, making it extremely difficult to defend against.
It was hard to believe that just a few years ago, this guy had struggled against the 7th Apostle.
Phew.
The 10th Apostle exhaled a turbid breath as he readjusted his grip on the spear.
'Even so, I won't fall for your tricks.'
Right now, Raon was using only flashy and powerful swordsmanship to call for Glenn.
To avoid falling for his scheme, he focused solely on defense, drawing out only the minimum necessary power.
"Tch."
Raon Zieghart clicked his tongue briefly as he lowered his sword.
"As expected, you're not easily broken through. But you won't fight me head-on either."
"Because there's no reason for me to do so."
The 10th Apostle calmly shook his head.
"Only 5 seconds left now."
"What?"
"I'm saying there are 5 seconds left of the time given to me."
Seeing Raon's reaction, it seemed he was aware that he had been stalling for time.
"It doesn't matter. You won't be able to escape this place..."
"It's just the right amount of time."
Raon Zieghart exhaled a heavy breath as he gripped the Heavenly Drive with both hands.
"You won't be able to dodge this."
Golden flames ignited along the reddened blade, tracing ten arcing lines.
The moment the chaotically curved lines of sword strikes connected into one, a brilliance too dazzling to look at directly surged forth.
Fast yet slow, strong yet gentle. The paradoxical concept of martial arts pierced through space as it bore down.
'This is dangerous!'
An alarm bell rang in his head.
Though still rough and chaotic, its power was beyond comprehension.
'If I dodge, I'll die!'
The 10th Apostle gritted his teeth as he summoned all the bloody energy he possessed. In his haste to draw out power, he couldn't unleash his full strength.
Kugugugugu!
The spear wobbled as if it would break, but he clenched his teeth and endured.
However, Raon's sword strike contained more than just the trajectory of martial arts.
Peoooork!
The flow of the Fierce Wave Arts pierced through the bloody energy, twisting his bones and muscles.
"Kuaaaaa!"
The 10th Apostle let out an agonized scream as he was thrown out, breaking through the wall along with the golden light.
Kwaaaang!
* * *
"Kuhek..."
Raon clutched his chest as he coughed up black blood.
'I guess it was still too much after all.'
He had tried to unleash a new sword domain based on the insights gained from the mental world, but it seems it was too much for now.
The internal injuries I sustained were more severe than those of the 10th Apostle who was attacked.
But one thing was certain - its power. Even the 10th Apostle was stunned and unable to move.
'This will definitely become a weapon.'
Having used an incomplete sword domain against a master like the 10th Apostle, today's experience will be a great help in the final battle with the Axe King.
'No, now is not the time to think about that.'
I need to go right now.
Raon suppressed the aching pain rising in his chest and abdomen as he lifted Ogram onto his back.
Despite his large frame, Ogram was drained of strength, making him easier to carry.
"Y-You bastard..."
The 10th Apostle's face contorted like a vicious demon. Raon left the Palace of Sacrifice before he could get up.
Beeeep!
Raon immediately sent the Light Wind division's signal indicating that he had rescued Ogram. Rimmer would understand the meaning, so Glenn and everyone else would return through the Blood Spirit Pathway they had used to enter.
'Now if I can just run...'
He was about to turn his head with a smile, having accomplished all his objectives.
Kugugugugu!
He felt a terrifying energy approaching from the right where there had been nothing before.
It felt as if a celestial dragon roaming the skies was rushing towards him.
'The Leader of the White Blood Religion!'
Having encountered her twice before, he couldn't mistake it. The endless bloody energy of the Leader of the White Blood Religion was approaching him.
'I miscalculated.'
He assumed the Leader would be blocking Glenn, but she was moving towards this place instead. His joy at pushing back the 10th Apostle quickly vanished.
'I can't hide either.'
The Leader of the White Blood Religion had clearly detected me. Hiding would be meaningless.
Kwaaang!
Raon shattered the floor as he employed the Supreme Harmony Step. Despite using the fastest footwork technique, the distance between him and the Leader of the White Blood Religion was closing relentlessly. It seemed he would be caught before 10 seconds had passed.
Huuuung!
A harsh wind sound came from behind. The Leader of the White Blood Religion had suddenly come close enough to be visible. His heart was racing as if it would burst.
"It's been a while! Raon Zieghart!"
The Leader of the White Blood Religion's voice was filled with elation. Her eyes were tinted with desire, as if she intended to capture not just Ogram, but me as well.
"From the moment I first saw you, I wanted to make you mine."
The Leader of the White Blood Religion reached out her hand towards Raon's back.
"Now you are mine."
"No."
Raon looked ahead instead of at the Leader of the White Blood Religion, his lips curling up. He shook his head as he turned around.
"I am a Zieghart."
"Whatever you do, it's already too la-"
As the Leader of the White Blood Religion reached out to grab Raon's clothes with a sharp smile.
Kwaaaang!
A massive lightning bolt poured down, pushing away the Leader of the White Blood Religion's hand.
"Kugh!"
The Leader of the White Blood Religion hastily retreated, looking at the wall-like lightning bolt.
Pzzzzzt!
Behind the lightning that revealed an eerie red light, a golden-haired, red-eyed old swordsman appeared. Glenn Zieghart. The continent's greatest swordsman walked with dignified steps as if this space filled with bloody energy was his own territory.
"Who are you calling yours?"
His red eyes met the crumpled gaze of the Leader of the White Blood Religion.
"Do you want to die?"