Thirty minutes earlier.
As soon as Raon sensed the ripples of aura emanating from upstream of the Lable River, he suppressed his presence. He channeled the energy of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier into his energy center, while the Ring of Fire suppressed even his soul's aura.
How's this?
Raon gestured to Wrath, who was muttering about wanting to eat mint chocolate.
— Still far from enough.
Wrath shook his head.
— It might fool those at your level, but Transcendent Warriors like that old man Nadine bread would notice instantly. They'd sniff you out even in the middle of battle.
No choice then.
Raon turned his gaze to Flumen, who was peeking out nervously.
"Flumen, I need your help."
"Okay. Don't worry!"
Flumen spread his webbed hands. Light radiated from his palms, blending with the river water. A blue mist rose, swirling around Raon, dyeing him the same color as the river.
"Wow…"
Raon looked down at his arm, which had become as transparent as sunlight reflecting off water.
Incredible.
Flumen's magic didn't just camouflage him — it suppressed his presence until it was lower than an insect's. No wonder Merlin had managed to avoid the Specters and the undead army.
How about now?
— That little rascal is truly something.
Wrath's eyes widened.
— Your presence is practically indistinguishable from water now. Even your old man would have trouble finding you unless he focused hard.
That's Flumen for you.
Raon lightly tapped Wrath's forehead before descending into the river. With preparations complete, it was time.
"Let's go, Flumen."
"Okay."
Flumen nodded and pulled him into the current. With the water magic cloaking them, they reached the battlefield between Glenn and the South-North Union in no time, without using aura.
Raon used the Evil Eye of Wrath instead of aura to survey the battlefield. Glenn's swordsmen were overwhelming the Union. Glenn himself dominated the battlefield, his presence towering over all others.
— My subordinates are over there.
Burren, Martha, Runaan…
Raon followed Wrath's words. He spotted the three Light Wind leaders fighting fiercely. Burren, Martha, and Runaan swept through the enemy like storms, their growth undeniable.
The Light Wind division followed them, slaughtering the Water Demons.
They've all grown so much… is it because of me?
As he pondered, he noticed a golden-haired woman standing protectively beside them, sword in hand.
Mother…?
— That's Mother!
It was Sylvia. She should have been in Zieghart, yet here she was, guarding the Light Wind division. Raon's heart pounded wildly.
— It's all because of you! Why did you have to sleep for so long!
Damn it…
He wanted to rush over, to hold her trembling hands, but he couldn't. Not yet. He bit his lip hard and looked away.
Clenching his fist, he turned toward Glenn and Dranos, locked in a clash of sword and spear at the river's center.
I need to go there.
Derus Robert would already be lurking, waiting for Glenn to show an opening. Raon was slower — he had to move first.
Suppressing his yearning for Sylvia and his comrades, he nodded to Flumen.
"Okay."
"Okay."
They swam closer. Even underwater, the pressure from the clashing Transcendent Warriors felt like it could crush him.
If not for Flumen's protective magic, Raon might already have lost an arm or leg.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes."
Flumen smiled, though he was clearly straining.
— That Flumen kid. He's grown quite strong.
Wrath, for the first time, used Flumen's name.
I'm sorry.
Raon gripped Flumen's shoulder. He felt guilt toward Flumen, Sylvia, the Light Wind division, Glenn, and Zieghart's swordsmen. But he couldn't reveal himself.
Not yet. I have to catch Derus first.
If Derus escaped, he would continue manipulating the Six Kings. Raon had to kill him or at least expose him.
The pressure intensified as Glenn and Dranos unleashed their full might. Blood seeped from Raon's chest wound.
"Ugh…"
As he endured, Glenn activated his Sword Domain.
Here it comes.
Raon slowly drew Heavenly Drive. Glenn's Unblemished Perfection overwhelmed Dranos. Just as Glenn was about to finish him, Raon unleashed all his suppressed aura and surged upward.
It'll be too late if I wait.
Derus would strike the moment Glenn committed to his divine sword. Since he was faster than Raon, Raon had to move first.
As he neared the surface, Raon felt it — a surge of death aura rushing toward Glenn's back.
Sword Domain: Heaven's Rift!
The instant Derus blade lunged for Glenn, Raon poured out every ounce of energy and manifested his mental world.
A brilliant golden dawn clashed with the death aura. Crimson shockwaves burst, tearing cracks in the air.
"H-How did you…!"
Derus eyes widened in disbelief behind his dragon helmet.
"This is as far as you go."
Raon converted even Derus' shock into wrath, feeding it into Heavenly Drive. But the death aura was overwhelming — black blood spurted from Raon's mouth, his limbs screaming with pain.
Just a little longer…!
Glenn only needed a moment. Raon locked eyes with him.
Understanding, Glenn twisted his wrist. The divine sword's trajectory shifted — not only toward Dranos, but also toward Derus.
"Ugh!"
"You're not getting away!"
As Derus tried to retreat, Raon stepped forward. Flames and frost erupted from Heavenly Drive, engulfing Derus in a storm of destruction.
The divine sword cleaved through the battlefield.
Dranos' spear shattered. His body burst apart into fragments of blood and bone, disintegrating into the river.
At the same time, Derus was caught in Glenn's redirected strike and Raon's blazing assault. His armor cracked, blood spraying as the death aura recoiled violently.
"R-Raon Zieghart… you wretched brat!"
Derus roared, his calm mask breaking at last.
Raon staggered, spitting blood, but his eyes were sharp as steel.
"You'll pay the price, Derus."
The golden dawn flared brighter, intertwining with Glenn's divine sword. Together, they tore through the deathly shadow.
Derus screamed, his body splitting under the combined might. The battlefield froze. The South-North Union's soldiers trembled.
Sylvia, the Light Wind division, and even the Six Kings' forces turned their eyes toward the youth who had emerged from death itself.
Raon stood amidst the storm, Heavenly Drive in hand, frost and flame blazing.
Beside him, Sylvia whispered his name with trembling lips. And Aries, eyes filled with awe and fury, stepped forward.
Together, they stood at his side.
Raon's voice thundered across the battlefield, "this is the price of messing with the Six Kings."