Chapter 738
"Kyaaaaaaah!"
"Seriously, be quiet before I smack you, Nadine bread." Raon pushed away the cat-like screeching Wrath and carefully checked the reward messages.
[You have achieved an impossible feat.]
[You have accomplished a feat that will change the history of the continent.]
[All ability scores increase by 50 points.]
[The rank of the trait increases by two levels.]
[The rank of the trait increases.]
[The rank of the trait increases by two levels.]
[The rank of the trait increases.]
The first reward to appear was a 50-point increase in all ability scores, followed by rank increases for the traits used this time.
"Fifty! Another fifty!" Wrath frowned, hitting the message with his round fist.
"It's giving out way too much!"
"This time though, it was worth receiving." Raon's eyes scanned the rewards carefully. If Derus's identity had not been revealed at the Six Kings Conference, he would have used House Robert's power to trigger a catastrophic event—something that could have killed thousands, no, tens of thousands. This reward was well-deserved.
"The increase in and must be because of taking down the Ghoul King."
The two traits had improved because they had defeated the Ghoul King through assassination rather than direct combat.
"The death-related traits are obviously because of Derus."
The rank increases in and were due to cutting through the death aura to reveal Derus's identity. Who knew that trash would end up helping him?
"And lastly…" Raon checked the reward received thanks to Wrath's acknowledgment:
[You have received the acknowledgment of .]
[Additional rewards are given.]
[All ability scores increase by 20 points.]
[The trait is created.]
Wrath must have really enjoyed Uriel's distorted expression, as he increased all ability scores by 20 points.
However, what surprised Raon wasn't the points—it was the trait .
"Divine Power Resistance is absolutely not okay!" Wrath gritted his teeth so hard it made a grinding sound.
"Why give an ability that even the highest-ranking demons in Devildom barely possess to this little brat!"
He shook his head vigorously, unable to accept it.
"At this rate, only soft bones that melt slowly will be left of this king's true form!" Wrath vented his frustration as if the system were a living being.
"Is this trait really that amazing?" Raon tilted his head, studying the new ability.
"Of course it is!" Wrath jerked his head up. "Just as demons are wrapped in demonic energy, Angels are enveloped in divine power! And Archangel-level beings spread vast amounts of divine power by their very existence! Don't you remember how humans froze like puppets with cut strings in front of Uriel?"
He frowned, explaining that like a demon king's demonic energy, Archangels could pressure human souls directly.
"Even old man Nadine bread and other Transcendent Warriors can't be free from the influence of divine power, but you, despite being so pathetically weak, are gaining resistance to divine power. Of course it's amazing!"
Wrath screamed, incredulous at Raon's luck. "Getting divine power resistance right after meeting an Angel is probably a first in all dimensions! Even I only got it after fighting in countless damn wars!"
He pounded his chest, furious.
"Now that you mention it, you're right." Raon smiled faintly at Wrath, who had turned his head away in a huff. Seeing him vent his frustration, Raon realized it was indeed a trait that would be of great benefit.
"Since we'll be clashing with Angels from now on." Seeing Archangel Uriel aiding Derus, there was a high possibility of fighting other Angels. He needed this trait for that day.
"Thank you." Raon gave Wrath a small nod of gratitude.
He then looked down at the Ghost King, whose lips trembled in pain. Though his core had been shattered, his eyes were still terrifyingly sharp—eyes that would make any criminal cower.
"How does it feel to see your family burning?" Raon asked coldly.
"It… it's not my family…" The Ghost King shook his head, biting his lip until it bled.
"I'm just an employee."
"For an employee, you seem pretty upset." Raon's faint smile revealed his understanding of the Ghost King's fear and loyalty.
"Don't get cocky. Lord Derus will avenge me…"
"No. Derus will meet an even more terrible death than you." Raon revealed a killing intent so chilling it made his own spine tingle, then crushed the Ghost King's throat.
"Guh… ack!" The Ghost King shed tears from his wrinkled eyes, overcome with pain and fear.
"I promise. Derus will die more miserably than anyone else in this world."
"Ah…" The Ghost King's eyes trembled, seemingly more concerned about Derus's death than his own, before he breathed his last.
Raon searched the Ghost King's body again. Discarding useless assassination weapons and poisons, a thin book titled Ghost King's Manual fell out.
"Ghost King's Manual?"
Upon inspection, it was a martial arts manual containing the Ghost King's assassination techniques and footwork. While the techniques weren't necessary, the footwork seemed useful. Raon pocketed the manual and returned to the front of House Robert.
The Six Kings' martial artists were gathered, witnessing the collapsed and burning House Robert. In front of them lay countless subdued swordsmen and family members of House Robert.
"Uwaaaaah!"
"Our… our family!"
"No…"
"Please spare us! We're innocent!"
Those who hadn't been leashed by Derus were still wailing. Now they had to examine each person to distinguish who should live and who should die. Raon sighed.
I'd like to do it myself, but… If he participated directly, he could quickly discern friend from foe, but standing out might reveal his identity. For now, it was time to leave it to Federick or Glenn.
"I've returned." Raon dusted off dirt and blood on his clothes, bowing to Glenn, who regarded him with complex eyes before turning away.
"Hey!" Martha ran up, thrusting her face forward. "Where did the so-called Division Leader go, and why are you only coming back now… sir!"
She frowned, though still polite.
"There wasn't much meaning in fighting anyway, since it was a Six Kings alliance." Burren shrugged.
"I was just in the back."
Runaan blinked. "I only protected the swordsmen with frost."
"Me, me too!" Dorian scratched his head, grinning sheepishly.
"You're all so soft on Raon." Martha snorted.
Raon moved alone because he trusted them, leaving the rest to handle the situation.
"But what's with that old man?" Rimmer asked, narrowing his eyes at the Ghost King's corpse in Raon's hand.
"He was an assassin killing people on the outskirts. I chased and caught him as he tried to escape." Raon placed the Ghost King's corpse in front of everyone.
"An assassin?"
"Yes. He called himself the Ghost King."
Raon mentioned the name to highlight Derus's danger.
"Ghost King…?"
"If it's the Ghost King! He's one of the greatest assassins of the previous generation!"
"He was even a Grandmaster in martial prowess during his active days!"
"You tracked down and killed such a monster?"
"He's really insane…"
The Six Kings' martial artists and magicians stared at Raon as if witnessing something beyond comprehension.
"If it's the Ghost King…" Roenn approached, examining the corpse's face. "He once came to kill me and ran away. So confident, he didn't even hide his face. It's exactly the same, minus the wrinkles."
"Even I couldn't catch him because he was so fast. You're amazing." Roenn laughed heartily.
"That monster… as expected, he didn't just move without reason."
"He's so handsome today."
Martha twisted her lips, Burren exhaled in admiration, Runaan nodded calmly, and Glenn turned his back to the burning House Robert. Raising his Heavenly Tremor sword, he addressed the crowd.
"In the name of the Six Kings—no, in the name of the Five Kings—I declare: from this moment on, Derus Robert and all who bear the name Robert are enemies of the continent!"
Glenn's cry carried a dignity that seemed to spread across the entire continent. Hundreds of birds and image magic rose into the sky, conveying his voice to heaven and earth.
The dream I've longed for even in my sleep has finally come true. The vow he made at birth had been fulfilled after twenty years.
However… This wasn't the end—it was only the beginning. Derus's plans hadn't stopped yet. He had to keep following and shattering everything of Derus's.
Especially his neck. I won't give it up. Even with Glenn involved, Raon intended to rise to Transcendence and cut off Derus's body and soul himself.
Meanwhile, in another place…
"So the Ghost King is dead." Derus Robert frowned, rubbing his temples.
"Dead…?" Kubara widened her eyes.
"The signal from the Rage Worm I placed in the Ghost King's heart has been cut off." Derus exhaled a deep sigh.
"Stupid old man. I told him to just bring the Soul-Severing Orb." He gritted his teeth, frustrated at giving the Ghost King too much free will. Kubara lowered her head, realizing the situation.
"If the Ghost King in the cave is dead…"
"Yes. It's Raon Zieghart." Derus brushed his blood-soaked bangs aside. It can only be him.
The Ghost King was supposed to bring the Soul-Severing Orb imbued with the blood and resentment of dying children. If he died, the culprit could only be Raon Zieghart.
"Nothing's going right." His identity was revealed, House Robert fell, and he lost the Soul-Severing Orb. His head felt like it was about to explode.
"Raon Zieghart!" Derus struck the rock he leaned against. The rock crumbled to dust.
Kubara remained still.
"Never mind that. Just report the situation."
"...Bardiel and Beorn are moving to the safe house. Although the damage is significant, thanks to our preparations, we preserved our main forces."
"When will they arrive at the safe house?"
"They should arrive around noon tomorrow, as they need to take a detour."
Derus groaned at the slow healing of his chest wound.
"Uriel!" He raised his gaze toward Uriel, who stood at the edge of the cliff.
"You know, don't you? Raon Zieghart. What on earth is he?"
"I have a question too." Uriel's expression was as if the world had collapsed. "Do I look like a pigeon or a live chicken?"
"What? What are you saying…" Derus widened his eyes at Uriel's absurd expression.
"I asked if I look like a pigeon or a live chicken." Uriel frowned, wings folded.
"This crazy…" Derus exhaled.
"You there." Uriel called to Kubara instead.
"Ah, yes…" Kubara bowed. "Do I look like a pigeon or a live chicken to you?"
"No. You're wrapped in the noblest light, more than any other being."
"I know. I'm different from you humans. But that Raon called me a pigeon. That ugly word won't leave my mind." Uriel swallowed, fingering the trumpet at his waist.
"Stop talking nonsense! He must have forcibly mocked you!" Derus struck his hand down.
"Just tell me what's attached to him! That ugly power you mentioned…"
"It's a demon king." Uriel's expression grew calmer.
"...A demon king?"
"Yes. And not just any demon king, but Wrath, the Monarch of Frost, who oversees anger."
He frowned. The power Raon used was Wrath's authority.
"Wrath… So that's it! That's why!" Derus looked at his wounds, realizing the source.
"Yes. That explains his talent and memories!"
"And though it might be my imagination…" Uriel turned his back, exhaling softly, looking at his slowly healing chest wound.
"The power of the Rings too."
Meanwhile, the Five Kings convened a conference after destroying House Robert.
"Derus Robert was somewhat prepared. He pulled out quite a lot of troops before we arrived," Roseline, leader of the Black Market, explained, pointing at House Robert's personnel list.
"The Ziun Division, White Frost Division, and Ghost Demon Division escaped to the sea first, while others bought time for their retreat."
"How much of their forces escaped?" King Lecross asked.
"Roughly half of Robert's forces," Roseline replied.
Glenn narrowed his eyes at the map. "They disappeared without using a Dimensional Gate. They must have used that divine power."
Roseline shook her head. "The pursuit won't be easy. But the good news is we prevented the other half from flowing to Derus."
"Right. Focus on what we gained, not what we lost." Chamber nodded.
"Derus must have been preparing for war, given how many resources he had. That will be a great help."
After more updates, Chamber concluded, "Let's end part one here for now."
As the neutral faction leaders left, only the Five Kings and Roseline remained.
"It seems the Six Kings and Five Demons titles keep changing, but for now we can settle on Five Kings and Five Demons." Chamber sighed.
"Derus Robert. It's all because of him." Ogram shook his fist.
"At this point, the reason doesn't matter," King Lecross said. "They are just beings that need to be cut down."
"It's a bit awkward, but there's something we need to address." Chamber raised a finger, creating a mana barrier to prevent sound from escaping.
"What is it?"
"The relationship between Raon Zieghart and Derus Robert." Her gaze turned to Glenn. "You must be the most curious, old man?"