[All abilities increase by 30 points.]
[Trait
[The rank of trait
[The rank of trait
[The rank of trait
[The rank of trait
[The rank of trait
Raon swallowed dryly as he saw
'Fighting Spirit Manipulation?'
Fighting Spirit is a special energy that only Ghosts of Eden or top-tier monsters can use. He couldn't understand why this power, forbidden to humans, had manifested in him.
'Wait... Could it be?'
With his eyes closed, he recalled Murkada's final moments. After maturing Sia's soul to match her age, he had transferred the remaining energy to Raon. It seemed Murkada wasn't satisfied with just elevating the realm of his soul, but had also passed on the power of Fighting Spirit.
'Murkada.'
Raon bit his lip hard.
'You, until the very end...'
Despite being betrayed by humans, to stake his own soul and try to trust in people again - Murkada was truly a king with a great spirit.
'Thank you. And I'm sorry.'
Raon bowed his head respectfully towards Murkada's spirit residing within his soul. There was nothing he could do but express his gratitude.
-F-Fighting Spirit? You gained Fighting Spirit too?
Wrath's eyes widened as he saw the message.
-That damned Orc! Why did he pass on Fighting Spirit too! Even in Devildom, only those Balrog bastards use Fighting Spirit!
He waved his arms frantically, as if he was about to go mad and jump around.
'I know. I don't understand why he passed it to me.'
Raon sighed softly and checked the details of
'The King's Fighting Spirit?'
It seemed that the Fighting Spirit Murkada had passed on was no ordinary energy.
'However...'
The phrase about emotions intensifying bothered him. Given that he couldn't feel any energy now, it seemed he couldn't use it in a calm state.
'It's going to be difficult to use.'
-You fool!
Wrath clicked his tongue in disdain.
-Even the Wrath you now use as easily as breathing was uncontrollable at first. Keh-lock!
He frowned, saying that if Raon kept clashing with it like he did with Wrath, he'd be able to use it freely.
'That's true.'
Raon nodded at Wrath. As he said, when Raon first received Wrath, it was agonizing to the point of death, but now he could use it freely as if it were his own power. Having absorbed even the demon king's power, he felt confident he could make Fighting Spirit his own as well.
'Thanks. You're really helpful, as always.'
Raon smiled as he lightly patted Wrath's head.
-H-Helpful? Ugh...
Wrath's lips trembled as if he'd just realized he had given advice.
-I-I didn't help you! I just couldn't stand how dense you were! Keh-lock!
He turned his head sharply, insisting it wasn't the case at all.
-And if you're done, hurry up and eat some Bead Ice Cream!
'Just a bit more.'
Raon pushed aside the ice cream box and checked the reward messages he had received earlier.
[You have drawn out the true energy of
[You have achieved victory against an overwhelming strong opponent.]
[You have accomplished an impossible feat.]
[All abilities increase by 40 points.]
[The rank of trait
[The rank of trait
[The rank of trait
[The rank of trait
As it was a reward from the war, his abilities increased by 40 points, and his traits grew evenly.
'Not bad.'
-Nngh...
Raon checked the last message while watching Wrath gradually turn into strawberry-flavored cotton candy.
[The title
[
-This isn't right!
Wrath raised his chin as he looked at the
-This brat didn't overcome it alone, he borrowed my power! With my power, even a neighborhood Maltese could kill that masked bastard! Keh-lock!
He shook his head vigorously, asking what kind of nonsense this was.
'I feel a bit guilty too. But...'
Raon shrugged his shoulders as he watched Wrath trembling.
'What can I do? It's already given. Why don't you take it?'
-Argh! You damned brat!
As Wrath screamed and charged at him, Raon took out a yellow bead ice cream and popped it into his mouth. Whaaaa. The cool sensation along with the fragrance of mango and sweetness of banana swirled in his mouth. The texture was crunchy like sherbet, enhancing the fruit flavors.
-Ooooh...
Wrath stopped mid-punch and deflated like a balloon.
-The harmony of mango and banana is exquisite. To achieve such a subtle balance of flavors, the one who made this ice cream must be a genius!
He shouted that he would make the owner of the bead ice cream his subordinate while massaging his cheeks. Of course, his description of the taste was still terrible.
'Next is...'
Raon put the mint chocolate with white chocolate on top into his mouth.
'This one's not much different.'
Unfortunately, there wasn't much difference in taste despite the addition of white chocolate. It was still just cool and bitter.
-Not much different? The cleaner taste of the chocolate makes the mint chocolate even more refreshing!
Wrath muttered that Raon was clueless about taste, furrowing his brow.
'Okay, okay. You're so great.'
Raon smirked and pointed to the two remaining ice creams.
'We've tried both once, so it should be easy to decide, right? What do you want to eat this time?'
-The old ways are the best! Mint chocolate it is!
Wrath shook his chubby fist, urging Raon to hurry up and eat.
'Is that so.'
Raon listened to Wrath's fuss as he ate the remaining two ice creams and then put the box down on the floor.
-This taste is what I live for. If it weren't for bead ice cream, I wouldn't be here!
Wrath rubbed his plump belly contentedly.
'You couldn't choose at first, but now you're quick to decide.'
Raon nodded as he sat on the edge of the bed.
-Ah, speaking of choices, there was something I wanted to tell you.
'Something you wanted to tell me?'
-Remember when I told you to sit anywhere during the family meeting?
'Are you still hung up on that? At that time, I couldn't help...'
-That's not it.
Wrath shook his head with a serious look, as if he had summoned his true form.
-If a day comes when you have to choose between their lives, what will you do?
'What do you mean...'
-The two old men. Or your mother and the Pointy Ears. Your father and sister. Someday, you might have to weigh the lives of two or three of them.
Raon swallowed dryly as he looked into Wrath's ominous eyes.
-You throw away your own life as if you have no future, but you become indecisive when it comes to the lives of your subordinates or family.
Wrath lowered his chin, his gleaming eyes dimming.
-You'd better think about it carefully. As you said, there aren't always happy times.
'...'
Raon fell into silent contemplation as he heard Wrath's final words.
* * *
Raon went for a walk to clear his confused mind. As he was about to head towards North Grave Mountain, he saw someone by the lake. It was Edgar. Instead of being with Sylvia as Raon had expected, he was swinging his sword near the lake.
'Is that the Mystic Soul Sword?'
-It's a bit different from your swordsmanship, isn't it?
Wrath yawned and shook his head.
'That seems to be the original form.'
Unlike Raon's swordsmanship learned from martial arts manuals, the tip of Edgar's Mystic Soul Sword seemed alive. As it was educational, Raon watched Edgar's sword path from behind. Whoosh! Suddenly, Edgar's sword, which had been moving in a solemn pattern as if seeking light in darkness, twisted and bent towards the ground.
"Ugh..."
Edgar clutched his trembling wrist and fell to his knees.
"Are you alright?"
Raon ran to the lake and supported Edgar, who was about to collapse.
"I-I'm fine."
Edgar shook his head with an awkward smile.
"The Death Knight suddenly interfered."
He tapped his trembling wrist as if it were nothing and stood up.
"Let's take this opportunity to remove the Death Knight remaining in your mental image."
Raon clenched his fist as he looked at Edgar.
"If we ask Merlin, it wouldn't be difficult to..."
The moment Merlin's name was mentioned, the lake split with a blue light.
"Did someone call me?"
Merlin, wrapped in a black robe, jumped out from the split lake.
-Eeeeek!
Wrath, who had been lying on top of Raon's head claiming to be full, jumped up like a marlin caught on a fishing hook.
-Madwoman! She's a real madwoman! She's insane!
He yelled in fear and fled into the ice flower bracelet.
"Y-You, why are you there..."
Raon, also startled, swallowed dryly as he stepped back with Edgar.
"I was waiting because I didn't know when you'd call."
Merlin smiled brightly as she shook off her wet robe.
"Huh. Haha. Hahaha..."
Edgar, seemingly flustered, let out a hollow laugh as his eyes darted around.
"Father. Don't worry. If I help you, it'll be over quickly."
Merlin approached Edgar, licking her lips. She was still wearing the old woman's mask, making her appear even more terrifying.
"The magic I used on the young lady..."
"No, it's fine."
Despite his fearful appearance, Edgar firmly shook his head.
"What? But why..."
Instead of Merlin, Raon questioned Edgar.
"If the Death Knight's soul remains in your mental image, it must be uncomfortable..."
"I want to overcome it with my own strength."
Edgar pounded his left chest with his clenched fist.
"The Death Knight controlled my soul for decades. It's disgustingly strong. Honestly, I'm still scared."
His eyelids trembled, showing genuine fear.
"That's why I want to overcome it with my own power. No, I must overcome it. If I can't do this, I won't be able to move forward."
Edgar said he would subdue the Death Knight himself to protect Sylvia and Sia. It was a resolution that resonated with Raon.
"If that's the case, I understand."
Raon nodded, smiling back at Edgar.
"Thank you for understanding."
Edgar took Raon's hand, thanking him for accepting his decision.
"It must be awkward having a sudden father, but I'll be counting on you from now on."
"I'll be counting on you too."
As Raon bowed his head and firmly grasped Edgar's hand, a white hand was placed on top of theirs.
"I'll be counting on you as well, Father."
Merlin, still wearing the old woman's mask, beamed as she held both Edgar and Raon's hands simultaneously.
"Oh ho ho ho..."
Edgar shook his head, his eyes trembling.
"Son. What on earth have you done?"
He quickly gestured with his chin as if begging Raon to stop her.
"..."
Raon simply squeezed his eyes shut.
* * *
In the early dawn when everyone was asleep. Raon sat alone in the great training ground, trying to draw out the Fighting Spirit nestled in his soul. But the Fighting Spirit didn't move, as if it couldn't hear his will. Kugugugugu! Instead, only the Wrath that had rapidly grown thanks to Wrath surged up uncontrollably.
-Huh?
Feeling the movement of Wrath, Wrath popped out of the bracelet, rubbing his eyes.
-What are you doing now? Are you picking a fight with me?
He narrowed his eyes as if asking if Raon wanted to try him.
'No, it's just that the Fighting Spirit won't move.'
-Fighting Spirit?
Wrath snorted as he looked at Raon.
-Why are you stirring up Wrath when you're trying to draw out Fighting Spirit?
'It's just that Wrath has grown beyond my control thanks to someone.'
Raon said he hadn't meant to draw out Wrath as he lowered his hand. Gooooo! As he raised the realm of his soul by resonating the Ring of Fire, the uncontrollable Wrath slowly began to subside.
-It's always such a strange ability. Keh-lock.
Wrath gritted his teeth in annoyance. After completely suppressing Wrath, Raon tried to manipulate the Fighting Spirit again, but it still didn't budge.
'This isn't easy.'
-Don't you dare show weakness!
Wrath wrinkled his nose in irritation.
-I can't stand seeing someone who can manipulate my Wrath struggling with mere Fighting Spirit! Keh-lock!
He gritted his teeth, urging Raon to draw it out by any means necessary.
'You're right about that.'
Raon smirked. Hearing Wrath's scolding made his determination to succeed surge.
'Let's start by warming up the body first.'
Since his abilities had increased by 70 in a short period, it seemed best to start with sword training to adapt to the changes in his body.
Just as Raon was about to unfold the Fangs of Insanity after warming up with basic sword techniques, the door of the training ground opened and Rector entered.
"Rect... Ah, Grandfather."
Raon lowered the Heavenly Drive and bowed his head to Rector.
"Call me whatever feels comfortable."
Rector shook his head as if to say it was fine.
"I had trouble adjusting at first too."
He smiled softly, showing understanding.
"Ah, yes."
Raon nodded. Like with Glenn, he still found it difficult to use the terms "grandfather" and "father" for Rector and Edgar.
"Are you training with the sword?"
"Yes. My physical condition has improved, so I'm trying to train again."
"That's a good attitude. A swordsman must adapt to his own body, not just the sword."
Rector nodded approvingly and stepped back as if to say 'continue'. Raon bowed to Rector and then demonstrated the Fangs of Insanity, Blizzard Sword Art, Azure Sky Sword, and Mystic Soul Sword before lowering the Heavenly Drive.
Thanks to his lighter body, the sword techniques flowed faster and more cleanly. He smiled naturally, feeling joy at his growth.
"The Mystic Soul Sword has found its groove. Well done."
"...I made some improvements after watching Father's sword."
"That idiot might not be good at much else, but he does have talent for swordsmanship."
Rector nodded as if to say Raon had learned well.
"There are some sword techniques I haven't seen before. You've put in a lot of effort."
"The Head of House advised me to observe and learn various sword techniques, so I'm trying to master as many martial arts as possible."
"Then there's a place that would be perfect for you."
He curled his lips as if he had caught something good.
"Are you interested in going there?"