Chapter 494

Raon gulped as he read the message saying that Envy had been unlocked.

‘What does this have to do with envy?’

He’d obtained envy from Envy, but he’d never really felt jealous of anyone.

The assassin, who had once known only emptiness in his life, had since gained a family, a teacher, and companions. Furthermore, he now had a purpose to pursue, even if it meant dedicating his entire life to it. That newfound sense of belonging and direction left no space for envy.

‘I thought I wouldn’t be able to use this ability.’

Since he was satisfied with his talent and position, he’d believed that he wouldn’t be able to use the ability at all, unlike Sloth, yet it was unexpectedly unlocked.

Furthermore, Sheryl wasn't the subject of jealousy but rather of admiration. He couldn’t understand why that ability was activated in front of her out of all people.

Raon furrowed his brow while thinking about the reason why envy was unlocked, and a new set of messages appeared.

[There’s no emotion of Envy towards the target.]

[Envy’s property is switched to Admiration.]

[It’s possible to acquire the martial arts of Sheryl, the current target of Admiration.]

He could understand why Envy was unlocked as he faced Sheryl as soon as he read the next messages.

‘The envy was applied as admiration.’

The difference between envy and admiration was minimal.

Both were feelings that involved coveting what someone else possessed, but envy was negative while admiration was positive.

The system must’ve used the emotion of admiration for his sake, as he wasn’t jealous of anyone.

‘Moreover… Envy retained its function.’

Wrath had previously told him that Envy’s ability was to get stronger the more she was jealous of others.

Just like her, Raon had gained an ability to quickly learn Sheryl’s specialties due to his admiration for her.

What the hell?!

Wrath barked while glaring at the message.

Did hellfire hit your brain or what?! Why on earth are you behaving like that, you stupid system? Just stay idle!

He shook his head violently while pulling on his hair.

‘I know, right? I didn’t think it would be so considerate.’

Raon smiled happily while looking at the messages.

‘It has an amazing performance. It’s probably because it was made by the great monarch of wrath.’

Ugh…

Half of Wrath’s face was smiling over the rare compliment, and the other half was frowning, which created a strange expression.

Shut up!

However, it looked like his irritation prevailed in the end, and he started to punch while swearing.

Why is everything going so well for you?! Why does heaven even exist?

‘They say that heaven helps those who help themselves. It must be going well for me because I’m working hard.’

There’s no one in the world who doesn’t work hard!

‘There’s you. You always complain while doing nothing but idling around.’

Ugh…

Wrath was left speechless, opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water.

While Raon smiled at the flustered Wrath, Sheryl tilted her head.

“Raon?”

She shook her hand in front of Raon’s eyes, asking whether he was okay.

“Ah, excuse me.”

Raon lowered his head at Sheryl and continued with what he was saying.

“I meant to thank you for protecting us like this, even though the Heavenly Blade division and the division leader are in a much higher position than us.”

“You don’t need to say that between members of the house. There’s no difference in rank between division leaders.”

Sheryl shook her head, telling him to stop minding such a trivial matter. Her tone was brusque, yet it tugged at his heartstrings.

The system wasn’t wrong. She was more than worthy of his admiration.

‘In that case, there’s something I need to confirm.’

When Envy was unlocked, it had stated that he’d gained an ability to quickly acquire the specialty of the target of his admiration.

Since it had announced Sheryl as the target, it was necessary to find out what her specialty was.

‘I’m sure she can do anything, but she must be specialized at something.’

Sheryl was proficient enough at all aspects of martial arts, to the point where she could teach all kinds of principles, but she didn’t practice the versatile sword.

It was necessary to figure out what her specialty was since she must’ve been focused on something.

“This might be sudden, but can I ask a question?”

Raon took a step towards Sheryl, who was leaning against the wall.

“I’m listening.”

Sheryl nodded, telling him to ask her anything he wanted.

“I believe you are proficient in most swordsmanship styles. Is there any particular style you are most confident in?”

“That really is a sudden question.”

Sheryl chuckled. She was probably interpreting his question as an interest in her since she didn’t exactly look displeased.

“You must’ve seen it before, but twin blades are my real weapons.”

That was true. There was only one sword equipped on Sheryl’s back, but it separated into a white sword and a black sword upon being drawn.

“Naturally, I'm confident in the twin blade technique. Regarding principles, I excel in the precise sword to enhance accuracy, the severing sword to disrupt the opponent's rhythm, the heavy sword for stability, and the illusion and variable swords to confound my adversaries.”

“Aura control should be another strength as a twin blade user.”

Using twin blades implied that both blades were wrapped in aura. Being proficient with aura control was a natural outcome.

“I’m better than the lazy elf at least.”

Sheryl furrowed her brow while looking at the place Rimmer had passed by.

“Thank you for the answer.”

“It wasn’t a big deal.”

She smiled gently and shook her head.

‘This is nice.’

His heart pounded with excitement, realizing that he could enhance his skills in the twin blade technique as well as in Sheryl's specialties, like the precise, severing, heavy, illusion, and variable swords, along with aura control.

“Division leader, could you observe my swordsmanship for a moment?”

“What? Right now?”

“Yes.”

He could ask that because he’d confirmed through Wrath that no one was around.

“You really are something.”

Sheryl closed her eyes and spread her aura perception. She quickly nodded upon noticing that there was nothing in the area that could prove dangerous.

“Get started quickly since we don’t have much time.”

“Yes.”

Raon nodded and unsheathed Heavenly Drive and the Blade of Requiem.

‘This is going to be interesting.’

Raon smiled faintly and unleashed the Fangs of Insanity with Heavenly Drive in his right hand and the Blizzard Sword Art with the Blade of Requiem in his left hand.

There was no such thing as a powerful wave since he was simply showing his swordsmanship without using any aura, but the sharpness of the strikes was even more evident.

Raon finished the two sword techniques and looked at Sheryl.

“You never learned the twin blade technique, did you?”

Sheryl furrowed her brow with her arms crossed.

“No, I didn’t.”

What he’d learned in his previous life wasn’t the twin blade technique, it was just a method to kill people with weapons in both hands. That implied he had never received proper instruction in it.

“I knew it.”

Sheryl nodded and continued.

“Wielding swords in both hands doesn’t mean that you are using a twin blade technique. You have to use different techniques in both hands, but they still have to create harmony. What you were doing was just using two techniques one after the other.”

She raised her hands like blades and mimicked Raon’s Fangs of Insanity and Blizzard Sword Art.

Her movement was awkward because she had never used those techniques before, but the harmony was far better than Raon’s.

“Just like this—if the sword in your left hand attacks towards the right, the sword in your right hand has to move to the left in defense. You can also attack two different spots with the two swords.”

Raon rotated the Rings of Fire and remembered Sheryl’s advice and demonstration with his ears and eyes.

‘I think I’m starting to grasp it.’

He felt like he could do something similar right away, probably because the person demonstrating it for him was the target of his admiration.

“It must be difficult to tell because the space is too narrow and we don’t have much time, but this is the general sensation.”

“I’ll try it again.”

“It’s not something you can do right away. No matter how much of a genius you are…”

“Please watch me once again.”

Raon shook his head and raised his two swords again. He lowered his center of gravity and reminded himself of Sheryl’s comments.

He thrust both swords while imagining the Fangs of Insanity and the Blizzard Sword Art mingling with each other.

‘The left sword and right sword shouldn’t disturb each other.’

He unleashed the second technique while seeking a path for the two swords and techniques to complement rather than hinder each other, amplifying their effectiveness.

Whir!

The moment Heavenly Drive bared the fangs of a crazy beast, a deadly wind of the north emerged from the Blade of Requiem. Attack and defense crossed with each other, and the atmosphere changed for an instant.

Heavenly Drive was enveloped in a shield of fire as it withdrew, while the Blade of Requiem thrust forth a chilling blade of wind.

Raon bit his lip while controlling the two swords in opposition once again.

The principle of twin blades that Sheryl had taught him was seeping into his brain and body in an instant.

It wasn’t simply the Ring of Fire’s effect. It was the power of growth acquired from Envy that had become admiration.

“Ah…”

Sheryl’s lip trembled as she watched Raon’s sword.

‘How is this happening…?’

Raon’s twin blade technique couldn’t even be called swordsmanship in the past because it was a strange mixture of practical use and style, yet it had achieved a drastic improvement in that short time.

The two swords weren’t hindering each other in the slightest and had achieved some harmony to move like living creatures with their own objectives.

It was still incomplete, but it had improved to the point where it could be called a twin blade technique.

‘Is this even possible?’

All she’d done was to give him one demonstration and some advice, yet he looked like he’d practiced for a few months at least.

She was aware that Raon was talented, but what she was witnessing was simply impossible.

“Try this, too.”

Sheryl showcased a principle of twin blades that could be considered an intermediate sword art, unlike the previous one. The principle consisted of combining attack with attack, and defense with defense instead of attack with defense.

Raon quietly watched her and slowly raised his blades.

It was awkward in the beginning. The attack didn’t look like an attack, and his defense didn’t look like defense, either.

However, his two blades started to dance, starting from his second attempt.

The two swords focused on defense extended along with Raon’s left foot and unleashed a heart-gripping thrust.

Sheryl had only taught him the first step, yet he had advanced to the third step while skipping the second.

“What the…?”

Sheryl gasped with wide eyes.

“O-one more time! Try this one!”

She forgot about leaving before sunrise and started to teach more advanced martial principles to Raon. 

* * * 

Wham!

Raon lowered Heavenly Drive and raised the Blade of Requiem. With a deep resonance in his energy center, he crossed his two blades.

Red and blue lights sparkled above the blades, brushing past each other like a beast’s upper and lower teeth.

Heavenly Drive—enveloped by the fire of madness—was leading the attack, while the Blade of Requiem created a frozen wall with Glacier’s coldness.

It had a perfect harmony between attack and defense, but the two swords’ roles switched in an instant as if they were connected by a thread, and the next twin blade technique had the Fangs of Insanity on defense and the Blizzard Sword Art on offense.

Cring!

The Fangs of Insanity finished its move faster than the Blizzard Sword Art, but Heavenly Drive didn’t stop moving.

It was engulfed by the latter part of the Blizzard Sword Art that the Blade of Requiem should’ve done and scattered the frozen wind to the land of darkness.

Raon lowered his posture after he concluded the Fangs of Insanity and the Blizzard Sword Art.

He crossed his arms to lower Heavenly Drive to the left and the Blade of Requiem to the right, then increased the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier’s outputs to the maximum.

Crimson flame was raging above Heavenly Drive while a wave of frost was overflowing from the short Blade of Requiem.

Raon stomped the ground with his left foot and thrust the two swords at the same time.

Frost Pond surged from the Blade of Requiem pierced through the atmosphere, and Sword’s Silvery Dream burst from Heavenly Drive to tear the space apart like a dream.

The two special techniques were used simultaneously.

He’d done it before, but it was on a whole different level from back then.

Instead of employing Frost Pond and Sword’s Silvery Dream separately, the two techniques complemented each other's weaknesses, operating as a unified technique that pierced through the life of the imaginary opponent.

It wasn’t a simultaneous activation of two different techniques but a single twin blade technique.

“Haa…”

By the time Raon caught his breath and lowered his blades, he could feel a faint presence from behind him.

“I don’t even know how I should describe you at this point.”

Sheryl sighed while shaking her head.

“I only taught you the basic trajectory and aura control of twin blade technique, yet you’ve already reached the advanced level on your own…”

She muttered that she was going to grow tired of his remarkable talent.

“Is it okay for you to stay here like this?”

Raon smiled faintly while returning Heavenly Drive and the Blade of Requiem to their scabbards.

“Everyone’s attention is focused on the plaza because it’s the last day of the festival. Even the gazes that have been following me day and night have disappeared.”

“Oh, that’s true.”

Everyone had gone to the plaza because the Five Divine Orders had announced that they would use a huge firework spell for the grand finale of the festival.

"The leaders of the Five Divine Orders also appear to be occupied with ensuring the festival concludes smoothly. However…"

Sheryl narrowed her eyes while looking around her.

"The guards are much more vigilant than usual. It almost feels as though they are preparing for war."

“Are they planning something?”

“I’m not sure. To begin with, we can’t even tell the reason why the Five Divine Orders have appeared.”

She licked her lips while saying that she couldn’t tell their objective.

“That is true indeed.”

Raon nodded while stroking his chin.

"Aren't you going to watch the fireworks or something? You’ve even allowed the others to have fun."

“Runaan is also guarding Martha inside the room.”

Raon pointed at the room that Runaan and Martha shared. Martha still hadn’t woken up, probably because she was still putting her new realm together.

“Heavenly Blade division will take care of that tomboy’s protection. You should go ahead and have some fun.”

Sheryl shook her hand, telling him to join the last event since Raon was Zieghart’s representative.

“And take the others, too.”

“Hmm…”

Raon looked up at the sky. The moonless darkness made it seem like the fireworks would be particularly visible.

“Understood.”

He bowed and entered the lodgings to knock on the door to Runaan’s room.

“What’s up?”

Runaan came out with ice cream between her lips.

“Did something happen?”

Denning Rose emerged alongside Runaan, holding numerous pictures in her hand. Raon felt a pang of disappointment in himself for no longer being surprised by that sight.

“Gasp! Even the sweaty appearance is damn handsome!”

Encia continuously pressed the camera button from behind them. Raon couldn't comprehend why it never malfunctioned even though it was the prototype.

Raon covered his face and walked up to the three women.

“We should join the festival since it’s the last day.”

He invited them to join the last festival after checking on Martha, who was lying on the bed.

“Don’t worry about Martha. We have someone else to protect her.”

“Okay.”

Runaan nodded and put on her outerwear. She must’ve understood who was supposed to protect Martha.

“Yes!”

“I understand.”

Encia immediately came out with no question asked while Denning Rose quietly came up next to him.

Just as Raon was about to leave for the central plaza with the three and the Light Wind division who were protecting the mansion, he encountered Burren and the other swordsmen entering through the main entrance.

“Why are you returning?”

“We felt reluctant to have fun without you.”

Burren smiled awkwardly and scratched his head.

Shitty Eyes has changed so much.

Wrath licked his lips, his gaze fixed on Burren's eyes, which had softened considerably.

Tsk, it was better when he was persistent.

‘He is still persistent.’

Raon shook his head. Burren still had the objective of being recognized by his father.

No, he even wanted to surpass Karoon, and that was why his persistence was getting more and more powerful even though it didn’t show on the outside.

“Follow me, everyone.”

Raon waved his hand at Burren and the Light Wind division to ask them to follow.

“What about Martha…? Ah!”

Burren realized the situation and nodded.

“That’s how it is.”

Raon smiled faintly and headed towards the central plaza with the Light Wind division.

“This festival lasted for so long.”

Dorian shook his head while taking out a snack from his belly pocket to eat.

"They must have made extensive preparations to promote the reputation of the Five Divine Orders and enhance their renown. Although…"

Burren chuckled while pointing at Raon.

“He’s snatched all the fame.”

He shook his head while calling him a hungry demon that devoured all the fame and money.

“Their fireworks feel like their desperate struggle.”

Krein took Burren’s words with a grin.

“What are fireworks?”

“I heard it’s an event that signals the end of the festival by shooting exploding fire magic into the night sky.”

“The festival should be a success, but the Five Divine Orders are screwed.”

Burren chuckled while looking into the sky.

The plaza was brimming with people even though it wasn’t time for the magic firecrackers yet. It looked like everyone was participating because it was the last event.

“Look, the Light Wind division!”

“I thought they wouldn’t be here…”

“Don’t the White Sword Dragon and the Light Wind division feel different from before somehow?”

“There’s no way we would see them in the same light as before after witnessing that crazy match.”

“I thought the Five Divine Orders were amazing, but the Six Kings are in a whole different league.”

The people who’d been waiting for the fireworks swallowed nervously upon recognizing the Light Wind division.

Instead of cheering for them like before, they stared at them in quiet awe. The way Raon had defeated the three highest-level Masters at once must have still been shocking for them.

Raon greeted the executives of the neutral factions that tried to greet him before heading to the VIP seats allocated to Zieghart.

He looked at the platform on the plaza while sitting in his designated seat. All four of the Five Divine Orders’ leaders were already waiting.

The Demonblade had his eyes closed, showing that he was planning to completely ignore him, while the Demon Slaying Spear cheerfully waved his large hand.

The Queen of Swords looked at him quietly while the Thespian Emperor nodded lightly.

‘This is unexpected.’

He thought the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of Swords might be there, but he didn’t expect the Demonblade and the Demon Slaying Spear’s presence. They really didn’t suit an event like that, to the point where their presence felt entirely incongruent.

‘Is this event that important for them?’

Raon was stroking his chin, thinking it was strange, when a kind-looking middle-aged man climbed above the fountain just below the platform. He was using extraordinary footwork to walk on the water. He was a properly trained Master.

“Thank you for sharing this beautiful night with us!”

The voice, amplified with aura, spread throughout the plaza.

“My name is Kevan, and I’m the master of ceremonies tonight!”

He introduced himself as Kevan and bowed towards the entire plaza.

“Are you ready to enjoy the last moment of the festival?”

“Whoaaa!”

The entire plaza trembled from the subsequent cheers, and it replaced their response.

“I like your cheers. Let's make the final moment of this festival explode!”

As soon as he raised his hand, a crimson flame was fired towards the sky from behind the platform.

Boom!

With a thunderous sound that resounded in the ears, the sparks from the explosion spread like waning sunlight, covering the night sky.

Afterward, yellow, blue, green, and purple flames followed one after the other. The arrival of a rainbow transformed the dark night sky into a bright sky in the middle of the day.

“Wow.”

“Is this what they call fireworks?”

“Amazing.”

“It must’ve been expensive.”

The Light Wind division also stood in awe, their jaws dropping at the scale of the fireworks.

Raon licked his lips while watching the sparks that were even bigger and flashier than he’d thought.

‘I wonder if I can apply that to martial arts.’

As he was trying to observe more closely while thinking about a way to incorporate the firework magic into his swordsmanship, a sword-shaped flame soared into the sky.

However, the firecracker simply revealed an extremely evil energy of darkness instead of a flashy explosion.

‘That’s…’

It wasn’t a firecracker. It was a real sword.

Slash!

The sword fell at a tremendous speed and shattered the skull of the master of ceremonies and the fountain at the same time. The transparent water turned red and seeped into the ground.

A lone figure descended upon the reddened land.

Under his red hair even deeper than the blood, his yellow eyes—looking like a divine blade—created a powerful lightning.

The heavenly power of a transcender manifested above his divine appearance.

Crack! Crack!

Silence enveloped the space beneath the canopy of bloody red firecrackers.

The fluttering sound of the blue dragon robe that he was wearing was the only sign of the flow of time.

“There’s no festival without blood.”

He remarked, his gaze bending down towards Raon.

“I’m a bit late, but I hope you don’t mind my joining.”

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – Kyangi]

[Proofreader – Harley]