Chapter 631

Raon lowered his gaze, sitting on a black boulder that lava was gushing from.

[Chirp…]

The phoenix used to look even bigger than the volcano, but it had become even smaller than a chicken because all of its strength was drained out of it as it slumped on the ground.

“Your name.”

[......]

Raon shook his finger, telling the phoenix to state its name, but it simply opened its beak as if its mind was blown away.

“Answer.”

[Pe-peep?]

Raon lowered his voice, and a cheep leaked from the phoenix, showing how frightened it was.

“I’ll ask again. Your name.”

Raon furrowed his brow, lowering his frightening gaze.

[M-my name is Caiyan!]

The phoenix stated its name with the sharp beak that had once brought terror to humans.

“Caiyan…” Raon nodded and asked his second question. “How old are you?”

[I-I didn’t bother to count after a thousand years…]

Caiyan scratched the back of its head with its wing, embarrassed by the fact that it didn’t know its age.

[Moreover, this place is rather special, and it’s difficult to keep track of age…]

“You don’t know, and that’s supposed to be enough?”

[......]

“Answer.”

[Pe-peep!]

The phoenix’s beak trembled, a terrified look in its eyes.

“It doesn’t need to be exact. Just give me a rough estimation.”

[I-if I just count how long I’ve lived, I think it should be a bit over three thousand years…]

The phoenix closed its eyes tightly and responded, going out of its way to calculate the age.

“Three thousand years…”

Raon had noticed that its size and power were on a whole different level from an ordinary phoenix, and as he suspected, it had lived for an extremely long time.

“What have you been doing here?”

[I’ve been carrying out a promise…]

“What promise?”

[It was to stay here and test people who entered this place.]

Caiyan continued, stroking its beak with its wing.

[Only the people I permit to are allowed to proceed downstairs.]

“As I thought, you are the gatekeeper.”

The phoenix had shouted that they wouldn’t be able to leave that place as it died. As expected, it must’ve been playing the role of gatekeeper.

“What am I even watching right now?” Burren shook his head at the ridiculous sight. “Is he really interrogating a phoenix right now?”

“And aren’t you surprised that he used the phoenix for combat practice by reviving it?” Martha snorted, commenting on his late surprise.

“I won’t be surprised at this point no matter what that division leader does.” She swept her hair back while watching the back of Raon’s head.

“Raon, damn handsome.” Runaan clapped her hands, praising his good work.

“Who made that promise with you?” Raon gestured with his chin while looking down on Caiyan.

[Er-erm…]

Caiyan forced itself to raise its trembling head.

[I’d like to ask a question concerning that part, can I?]

“I’m listening.”

[May I take a closer look at the flame that you used when you revived me, please?]

Its manner of speech had completely changed. Raon had never expected that a phoenix could speak so politely.

“The flame I used when I revived you?”

[It felt similar to the man that made the promise with me…]

“......”

Raon narrowed his eyes while listening to Caiyan.

‘So was it Zieghart’s first head after all?’

Apparently, Zieghart’s ancestor had assigned the phoenix as the gatekeeper.

Raon created an aura barrier to prevent others from hearing the conversation and unleashed the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation’s fire.

Whaaap!

The flame, engulfed in a faint golden glimmer, was reflected in the phoenix’s eyes. The color had changed upon reaching the Thousand Flames of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.

[I knew it…]

Caiyan nodded while watching the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation’s flame, which was still closer to red.

[It’s still immature, but you are his descendent. But your personality is the complete opposite…]

“What did you say?”

[Pe-peep! I said nothing!]

The phoenix’s wings shivered intensely, afraid it would get beaten again.

“So, he is the one who made this place, right?”

[Yes, he did. Though, I think he didn’t make it on his own. Multiple people helped him…]

“Hmm…”

The memory he’d seen was true. His ancestor and his companions had indeed created that space.

“Why did you accept being a gatekeeper?”

[I was indebted to him…]

“Indebted?”

[That human saved children of my species. If it weren’t for him, they would’ve been caught by other humans and turned into slaves.]

“I see.”

Raon could guess that his ancestor had rescued phoenixes who were caught by humans. He really was involved with everything. He must’ve had a habit of wandering around.

[Since I didn’t have a long time left to live anyway, I accepted his suggestion and became a gatekeeper here.]

“Tell me exactly what he requested of you.”

[He told me to give people a suitable trial, let them head downstairs if they passed, and make them leave so they can take the trial again if they fail.]

Raon nodded while looking into Caiyan’s eyes, which weren’t trembling anymore.

‘I’m starting to get a grasp of the situation.’

Zieghart’s first head must’ve created that space for all of the descendants of Zieghart. He assumed that because it was supposed to be a trial.

“But isn’t it a bit strange?”

[Pe-peep?]

“You were seriously trying to kill us when you saw us.”

Caiyan wasn’t trying to test people but spread its bloodlust—as if it were trying to kill everyone.

The reason Raon had killed it multiple times and used it as teaching material was because he’d felt a serious intent to kill.

[Th-that wasn’t my own volition.]

“It wasn’t your own volition?]

[Some humans found this place recently. They weren’t satisfied with simply passing through this land and twisted the formation and boundary instead. There was a monster among them that even I couldn’t deal with…]

Raon could tell who that was.

‘Derus Robert.’

Just as he’d felt on the first floor, Derus Robert must’ve visited that place.

‘I knew it. This isn’t a normal grave.’

Even though it was originally made to train people in Zieghart, or was the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave, it was reduced to Derus Robert’s trap.

“Did you see his face by any chance?”

[I couldn’t see them because I was caught in an instant. Their power was one thing, but they were wearing something over their face.]

Caiyan’s tail trembled, showing that it was still afraid of him.

“I see.”

Raon nodded calmly. There was no reason to be disappointed because Derus Rober wasn’t going to leave any traces to begin with.

[I-I managed to return to my senses thanks to you. I’ll open the path to the lower floor…]

Caiyan secretly stepped back while glancing at Raon.

“Where do you think you are going?” Raon extended his hand and grabbed Caiyan’s neck.

[Peep!]

“Are you a chick or something?”

Raon thought that people would say he was bullying the phoenix because of its behavior.

You really are bullying it!

Wrath shook his head.

What a pitiful thing. If it were the King of Essence, he would’ve eaten it in a single bite…

He licked his lips in regret.

“Haa…”

Raon sighed deeply and plucked Caiyan’s feather.

[Peep…]

Tears welled up in Caiyan’s eyes as Raon kept plucking its feathers.

[A-are you really going to eat me? I shouldn’t be tasty right now because I don’t have much meat…]

“That’s not—”

An excellent choice!

Raon started to shake his head, but Wrath lifted his clenched fist.

The King of Essence just realized something outrageous!

‘What is it?’

Raon had a bad feeling about it, but he looked at Wrath just in case.

You can revive that fire bird over and over, right?

‘Yes.’

Then you can eat it except for one single feather, revive it from the feather, and eat it again just to revive it again!

Drool was flooding out from Wrath’s mouth.

It will be an endless supply of tender meat! The continent’s hunger is resolved! It will be an infinitely refilling roasted chicken!

His eyes flicked around like a madman.

Even that chick asked to be eaten! Bring it to the King of Essence’s mouth right now!

Smack!

Raon shoved his fist in Wrath’s mouth.

‘You food waster! Eat this instead and shut up!’

* * *

“Haa.”

Delpros clutched his forehead and sank onto a white chair.

“He was right…”

He bit his lip while looking at the shattered crystal ball.

“What?”

The Shadowed Serpent Division leader shook his head, unable to understand what he was talking about.

“He told me to eliminate Raon Zieghart as fast as possible if he ever entered the grave. He said he was as dangerous as a Transcender.”

“Th-then why…?”

“I thought the others took priority.” Delpros furrowed his brow while looking at the shattered crystal ball. “In fact, there are at least five people stronger than Raon Zieghart in the grave. It wouldn’t make any sense to observe a greenhorn who is barely over twenty instead of those monsters!”

He bit his lip, showing that he wasn’t expecting that to happen.

“Moreover, it would be pointless to simply kill him. He is seriously an annoying man.”

“Then how about focusing all the traps and monsters on the next floor towards the Light Wind Division?” The Shadowed Serpent Division leader lowered his head and walked up to him.

“No matter how powerful Raon Zieghart is, he shouldn’t be able to protect everyone in the Light Wind Division. Actually, if Raon decides to take care of all traps and monsters from the front, that would be even better. That way, we can waste his stamina and aura.”

“Yes, that should be the only way at this point.” Delpros nodded while letting out a sigh.

“I’ll make the preparations.” The Shadowed Serpent Division leader nodded and disappeared into the shadow.

Delpros rubbed his temple in irritation, and…

Clink!

With the sound of a chain clinking from the right corner of the dark room, an eerie sound similar to a demon’s cry could be heard.

Wooo!

Delpros calmly shifted his gaze and looked at the location the sound came from. The glittering black eyes sparkled from a space engulfed in gray fog that seemed to be protecting or confining something.

“It’s not your turn yet.” Delpros met the dark eyes and curled his lips into a smile.

“After all, the protagonist should appear at the last moment.”

* * *

Raon dipped the old metal ring that he’d purchased at Cameloon when he was a trainee in the lava slightly. The ring retained its shape even inside the lava instead of melting.

Pssh!

A strange resonance occurred on the surface of the ring after a while.

It wasn’t melting. The yellow rust was removed, and a mysterious emblem began to appear on the ring.

‘It worked.’

Raon wrapped the sparkling golden ring in the phoenix feather. Thanks to the large size of the feather, he could cover every part of the ring with three feathers.

Whir.

The ring trembled faintly, emanating a powerful heat inside the phoenix feather. The ring’s seal was going to naturally disappear once it stopped trembling.

‘How about this, then?’

He took out the ring that Merlin had gifted him and plunged it into the lava just like the other one.

‘It doesn’t work with this one.’

It wasn’t showing any reaction even though he had it dipped for a long time. The ring had a special seal just like the other one, but the unsealing method must’ve been different.

‘I should find a different way.’

Raon put the ring on his finger while thinking that it couldn’t be helped.

“Caiyan.”

Raon brushed off his hands and waved his hand at Caiyan, who was trembling behind him.

[Peep?]

“Open the door.”

[Peep!]

Caiyan nodded its head and spread its wings, which were as large as a person’s palm.

Rumble!

The lava split apart like a cogwheel, and a dimensional door leading to the next floor opened up on the red scorching land.

[You should be able to reach the third floor’s labyrinth if you enter that passage.]

“Labyrinth?”

[Yes, the third floor is a labyrinth. You have to find the path while avoiding the traps and monsters.]

“Hmm…” Raon shifted his gaze away from Caiyan and looked at the Light Wind Division. “Go down before me.”

“Understood. Enter in order, starting with the first team!”

Burren nodded, then gestured with his hand. The Light Wind Division entered the hole one after the other.

[Th-then be careful on your way. I’ll be taking my leave…]

“What are you talking about?”

Raon shook his head and extended his right hand. He grabbed Caiyan’s neck as it flapped its wings, trying to run away.

[Pe-peep!]

“Where are you going?”

[I’ve already done everything I need to do, so…]

“You need to guide us. Since you know that it’s a labyrinth, you should roughly know the path.”

[Peep…]

The phoenix moved its eyes anxiously, but it couldn’t find anyone to save it.

Good job!

Wrath waved his hand, complimenting Raon’s actions.

You can’t release an infinitely refilling roasted chicken!

‘It’s not though.’

Why is it not? It’s burning, isn’t it?

‘I guess?’

It revives infinitely, right?

‘That’s true…’

It’s an infinitely refilling roasted chicken!

‘......’

Raon decided to just ignore him because he couldn’t even be bothered to explain anymore.

[I-I do roughly know the path, but I need something if we want to proceed quickly…]

“We don’t need that, so just follow.”

[Peep!]

Raon gripped Caiyan’s neck and went down the hole leading to the third floor.

* * *

The people who were still on the second floor were standing there blankly, unable to enter the hole even though it was right in front of them.

“Aren’t you going to enter?”

“…It’s meaningless to go.”

“I know, right? There’s no way we could get anything out of this when those people even kidnapped a phoenix!”

“I’m giving up.”

“Me, too. I’m going to stay here and go home afterward.”

The Light Wind Division was the only group that went down to the third floor that day.

* * *

Raon was getting used to the falling sensation. He opened his eyes after he felt his strength drain away from his body and then return. The entire land in front of him was covered in brown sand.

Raon raised his gaze and narrowed his eyes.

‘Is this the labyrinth?’

He couldn’t see what was ahead of him because a huge wall was blocking his vision. The wall was gray, which made it even more difficult to figure out his location.

‘Let’s see…’

He activated the Supreme Harmony Steps and lightly kicked the ground.

Thud!

He was trying to jump over the wall, but he couldn’t move or see beyond the wall. It was as if an invisible ceiling was blocking him.

Apparently, it was designed to be impossible to surpass the wall.

“I tried it, but I don’t think we can surpass the wall.” Rimmer also said that they couldn’t go outside the wall while shaking his head.

“Even astral energy can’t destroy it.” Martha clicked her tongue while pulling her sword back after slashing the wall.

“It doesn’t even freeze.” Runaan hung her head in disappointment.

“How long does it normally take to proceed through this place?” Raon shook Caiyan weakly.

[I-it should take at least half a day even with my guidance.]

“Half a day…”

Raon couldn’t tell for sure how much time had passed since they'd entered the grave, but he could guess that those who were ahead had already made it through the maze. Since they had wasted a lot of time, they had to go down as fast as possible.

“Is there any way to proceed quickly?”

[In the past, when that human put his hand on the wall and did something, a path opened up to the end of the labyrinth. But I don’t exactly know what it was…]

“He did something, huh…?”

Raon examined the wall while licking his lips. It looked like an ordinary wall on the outside, one that was simply blocking the path. However, he could guess what he needed to do after hearing Caiyan’s description.

Whaap!

Raon activated the Ring of Fire and the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation at the same time. He unleashed the flame that was pretty much Zieghart’s flame and drew the boundary that his ancestor had shown him on the wall.

Whir!

The flames surged forward like a flood breaking through a dam, carving a distinct boundary on the wall of the labyrinth. Once the boundary was completed, it sparkled in gold and created a passage that looked like a whirlpool. Its shape was similar to the hole that led to the next floor, but the color was different.

“It worked.”

[Pe-peep!]

Caiyan flapped its wings in astonishment and sank on its ass.

[Th-that’s the right door! How did you do that?!]

Judging from its reaction, Raon could guess that the door indeed led to the next floor.

“Wh-what’s going on?!”

“Division leader! What did you do?!”

“Why did the door already appear when we only just got here…?”

Even the Light Wind Division widened their eyes in surprise because of the sudden appearance of the door.

“Is it really okay to enter this door?” Dorian was scared and swallowed nervously.

“I don’t know about the others, but we are entitled to, at least.”

“What do you mean…?”

“I’ll explain it to you later. Let’s go for now.” Raon smiled faintly and went ahead into the flaming passage.

There was a single path that he could walk upon instead of falling down like the other passages. Interestingly, he could feel some warmth for the first time after entering the grave.

He walked through the red line similar to the carpet in the audience chamber and a burning passage the same shape as the entrance could be seen.

When he slowly left through that passage, a huge wall appeared in front of him and the hole leading to the fourth floor was in the middle of it.

“That was easy.”

Raon was looking at the passage leading to the fourth floor with a faint smile on his face, and…

A white hand suddenly emerged from the wall on his left side. A woman with a youthful appearance that was unbefitting in such a location slid towards him along with a frightening black frost.

The Snow Wraith Duchess.

The one who had reached the end of the labyrinth was the floor overseer of the Black Tower and a demonized human at the Grandmaster’s realm. 

“I’m not sure why you are here, but this is perfect.”

The Snow Wraith Duchess raised her pale finger with her lips curving into a subtle smile.

“Because it was a shame we couldn’t finish the battle outside.”

“It was a shame for me, too.”

“What?”

“Only my subordinates were getting to train. I wasn’t getting enough action.”

Raon soundlessly unsheathed Heavenly Drive. Golden radiance burst from his red eyes.

“I’m not even expecting an infinite refill, so serve as an appetizer at least.”

***

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]