Chapter 658

Raon ignored Wrath’s sulking and carefully examined the messages in front of him.

[You created an advanced martial art, Light Wind Style.]

[You were acknowledged by Wrath.]

[The advanced martial art ascends into an extremely advanced martial art thanks to the title Young Founder’s effect and Wrath’s acknowledgment.]

[You’ve acquired Garunua.]

[All stats have increased by 25.]

A slight change occurred in the Light Wind Style’s flow where it was engraved in his mana circuits  The wind stirred to life, enveloping his body softly like a sentient being. It then erupted into a fierce storm, raging through the cultivation room before disappearing.

He was still unsure what exactly had changed, but Raon could at least tell that the Light Wind Style’s martial principles had ascended to the next level.

The effect of the increased stats followed afterward. His muscles and bones hardened even further, and his senses were sharpened as if his skin were expanding. Considering the fact that he was being showered with rewards as soon as he named it the Light Wind Style, he felt like he’d chosen a good name for it.

Raon narrowed his eyes while examining the part where the Light Wind Style had become an extremely advanced martial art.

‘Wrath.’

Why are you calling him? You should just live in heaven!

‘Hmm…’

Wrath’s intention could be different, but his words only sounded like a compliment to Raon. He smiled awkwardly and pointed at the message.

‘What does it mean that the advanced martial art has ascended into an extremely advanced martial art?’

Hmph. The martial art called the Light Wind Style you created was somewhere between an advanced and extremely advanced martial art to begin with. That’s why the King of Essence said it was rather decent. However, the last piece was slightly wrong because of your shitty skills.

Wrath shook his head while tilting his round finger slightly.

The last piece moved independently and straightened itself to how it should be because of the King of Essence’s great compliment.

He raised his chin sharply, telling him to be thankful.

‘The last piece…’

Raon activated the Light Wind Style and the wind automatically welled up from him, surrounding his hand the moment he thought about it.

‘Is this…?’

Raon swallowed nervously while watching the wind surge like a shield to protect the back of his hand.

‘Automatically linked to the senses?’

Suitability with the Light Wind swordsmen was the most important aspect that he’d considered while creating the Light Wind Style. He wanted to create a martial art that could assist even if they learned other martial arts and improved themselves even further.

A link to the senses allowing an easier utilization must’ve been an extension of his goal. The Light Wind Style didn’t even need any control after the activation since the wind followed the body according to the user’s will. Moreover, it was the most suitable wind for the situation, thanks to Garunua’s effect.

A sharp wind rages during attack and a sturdy wind blows during defense. Moreover, all of that is automatic. That martial art is such bullshit!

Wrath furrowed his brow, shouting in displeasure. It was pretty much the best compliment he could give.

‘Yes, it deserves to be called an extremely advanced martial art.’

Raon had been thinking that it would be difficult to create an intuitional martial art with just the Fangs of Insanity, but the system had filled in the shortcomings. It really was a stroke of fortune.

“Thank you.”

Raon smiled at the message sent by the system.

You should thank the King of Essence instead of that shit!

As Wrath shook his hand and jolted into the air, the previous messages disappeared, replaced by a new set of messages.

[The title Young Founder transitions into Founder.]

[All stats have increased by 5.]

[The trait Focus has increased in rank.]

[The trait Iron Will has increased in rank.]

Stop giving him things! His stomach is about to burst!

Wrath screamed, yelling and asking why the system was being so generous even though it wasn’t even its possessions to give away.

Raon smiled while specifically looking at the trait Focus amongst the messages.

‘I think Focus is the best trait among them all.’

The reason he often entered a trance and the advanced realm was because Focus had a high rank. He’d thought that it wasn’t a big deal at first, but he realized that it was as precious as the Ring of Fire.

‘You’re helping me in so many ways.’

He still would’ve gotten stronger without Wrath because he had the memories of his previous life and the Ring of Fire. However, without their help, it would’ve been impossible to reach the realm of intermediate Grandmaster, and he could’ve died during a mission. When that thought crossed his mind, he couldn’t help but feel grateful towards Wrath and the system.

“Thank you,” Raon said sincerely while patting Wrath’s round back.

Wh-what are you doing right now?!

Wrath leaped backward, jolting in surprise. He turned his head briskly and started to lick his back with his tongue like a cat.

Why are you suddenly doing this?!

“I was just thanking you.”

Cancel it! Cancel it right now! What kind of curse did you just cast on the King of Essence?!

“It wasn’t a curse. I’m serious—”

Shut up! There’s no way someone like you would ever thank anyone!

“......”

Raon couldn’t find anything to tell him because of how strongly he reacted to his sincere expression of gratitude.

“Who do you even take me for?” Raon laughed bitterly, watching Wrath growl at him.

An angel! A celestial! A celestial god!

‘Wait, I’m telling you, those are compliments…’

* * *

After Raon left the cultivation room, he immediately summoned everyone in the Light Wind Division.

Burren, Martha, and Runaan were standing below the platform along with the other swordsmen, and Mark Gotten straightened his back on the platform. Rimmer arrived later than the others, sprawled across his usual spot on the right side of the platform, and let out a long yawn.

Raon examined their faces one after the other, before heading above the platform.

“Everyone should be aware of why I went into the cultivation room.”

The Light Wind Division nodded their heads, showing that they were obviously aware.

“I was trying to create a martial art for the Light Wind Division. I fortunately managed to achieve the goal.”

Raon smiled faintly, watching the Light Wind Division’s eyes sparkle in anticipation.

“Our division leader is seriously insane…” Martha laughed bitterly in bewilderment.

“How did he make a martial art in a single week?”

“I know, right? I also thought it would take at least a month.”

Burren was smiling in excitement despite saying that he could hardly believe it. The light radiating from his eyes was even fiercer than the other swordsmen.

“I knew it. I didn’t make the wrong choice.”

“Choice?” Runaan tilted her head, wondering what he was talking about.

“Never mind.” Burren shook his hand, saying that it wasn’t a big deal.

“What’s the name of the new martial art you created?” Krein asked, energetically raising his hand.

“The Light Wind Style.”

“Light Wind? Light Wind again? I guess God didn’t give you everything. Your naming sense is so bad, unlike the rest of you.” He giggled, asking if ‘Light Wind’ was the only word Raon knew.

“…You’re right.” Raon nodded while twisting his lips into a smile. “Well said, Krein.”

“What?”

Krein widened his eyes, wondering what he was talking about.

“Since it’s difficult to guess what kind of martial art it is just from hearing the name, it’d be better to demonstrate it.” Raon bobbed his finger upwards as he spoke. “Always Krein, come forward.”

“Ugh…”

Krein looked around, his chin trembling in fear, but no one met his eyes.

“The adults were right after all. The less you talk, the better it is.” Dorian took out a mask from his belly pocket and covered his mouth.

“Guh…”

Krein went onto the platform while biting his lip. His steps were even weaker than a zombie’s.

“Don’t worry about it so much.” Raon casually shook his hand while looking at Krein. “I won’t use flames nor frost.”

“R-really?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

Krein unsheathed his sword while biting his lip, thinking that it wouldn’t be too bad for him if Raon wasn’t going to use the auras of flame or frost.

“I’ve improved quite a bit! Don’t regret it later!”

He kicked the ground while letting out a shout of concentration.

Cring!

The sharp aura blade surging from Krein’s sword rushed towards Raon’s shoulder, waist, and thigh at the same time. The swift and flashy movement was good enough to support his claim to have improved.

Raon didn’t defend himself or control his aura in the face of the Krein’s strike rapidly rushing towards him. He simply lifted his left hand.

Wind gushed from the back of his hand as soon as it noticed that the approaching strike was dangerous. The wind shield rose with a blue radiance, exhaling a heavy breath.

Whaam!

Krein’s strike disappeared in vain, unable to break through the wind gushing out from the back of the hand.

Raon lifted his left hand like a blade after the successful defense. The shield of wind condensed at his fingertips, coalescing into the form of a blunt club.

Whack!

Krein was hit on his abdomen before he could even defend himself and fell under the platform.

“Kueeh!” He screamed, clutching his stomach. “I-it hurts so damn much! And what was that wind just now?!”

Krein writhed in pain, stuck between pain and curiosity. His expression suggested that he wasn’t sure what hit him even after experiencing it himself.

“Why did the wind and light suddenly appear when your aura didn’t move…?”

“I did use my aura.” Raon shook his head while looking at Krein. “I activated the Light Wind Style even before your arrival.”

“B-but I didn’t feel anything?!”

Burren swallowed nervously and walked up to the platform. He seemed especially surprised because his attribute was wind, just like the Light Wind Style.

“The Light Wind Style is a bit different from the martial arts we’ve learned so far.” Raon unleashed the wind from his finger. “It’s more like a reaction than a martial art.”

“Reaction? Explain in more detail… Sir!” Martha pounded her chest in frustration.

“In short, the Light Wind Style is an auxiliary martial art. It supports your swordsmanship by making it even more powerful, faster, and sturdier. However, you don’t need to be conscious about it.”

As soon as Raon finished speaking, the wind blazing from his finger became a huge whirlwind soaring towards the sky.

“You just need to activate the Light Wind Style. You don’t need to pay attention to it any further—the wind will naturally assist your movement.”

“I-is that even possible?” Mark Goetten gasped with trembling eyes. It was apparently shocking to him despite how many martial arts he had experienced before.

“It might be difficult to believe, but it’s true. I’ve used the super-sense of the Fangs of Insanity. Of course, I got lucky as well.”

“Wait a moment.” Rimmer narrowed his eyes while lifting his body. “There are many martial arts that use the wind to assist the warrior. However, I’ve never heard of one that activates automatically, even among the advanced martial arts. Could it be that the Light Wind Style is…”

“Yes, it’s an extremely advanced martial art.”

Raon nodded casually.

* * *

The entire fifth training ground fell silent upon hearing that it was an extremely advanced martial art.

“A-an extremely advanced martial art?”

“…Is our division leader seriously crazy or what?”

Burren and Martha dropped their jaws in disbelief.

“Extremely advanced…” Even Runaan was surprised, the blankness in her eyes dissipating.

“Huh!”

“I-is he saying that the second martial art he’s ever created is an extremely advanced one?”

“Is that even possible?”

The Light Wind Division returned to their senses and kept murmuring that they couldn’t believe it.

“I’m repeating myself, but I got lucky. I won’t get another one like this even if I try it again.”

Raon shook his hand, saying that he really did get lucky.

‘Because it wasn’t made solely with my own abilities.’

The Light Wind Style he’d created was at the border of the advanced realm but hadn’t managed to reach the extremely advanced realm. It was all thanks to Wrath that the Light Wind Style could become what it was.

‘Thank you.’

He blinked at Wrath once again.

You lucky bastard! How could you curse the King of Essence again?!

Wrath started to chant some strange spell, saying that he was going to overcome the celestial’s curse. Raon couldn’t be bothered anymore and just left him alone.

“You can’t create an extremely advanced martial art with sheer luck.” Rimmer laughed bitterly while shaking his head. “Whenever I think I’ve seen your limit, you show me the next step. I can’t even assume anymore how far you’ll go.”

He blinked with a frightened expression, fully aware of how valuable an extremely advanced martial art was, given the height of his realm.

“I didn’t manage it on my own.” Raon calmly closed his eyes before opening them again. “The Sword and Saber Sovereign’s martial arts and the books of martial arts bestowed by the head of house were helpful. And…”

He looked at Rimmer with a faint smile on his face. “You contributed the most, vice division leader.”

“Hmm? Me?”

“It was all thanks to you teaching me the Garunua and providing the ideas that I managed to lay the foundations for the Light Wind Style. It would’ve been impossible to make it without your help. Thank you.” Raon bowed deeply while expressing his gratitude.

“…I see.” Rimmer’s lips trembled faintly before he smiled as if it weren’t a big deal. “Good job.”

He was about to leave after waving his finger, but Raon grabbed his shoulder.

“Where are you going?”

“Ehh? I’m heading to the gambling house. It’s over here…”

Rimmer swallowed nervously, seeing Raon’s eyes suddenly fill with coldness.

“We still have some time.” Raon smiled while looking at the setting sun. “Let’s train.”

“Wh-what training are you talking about?! This is usually the moment where we part ways in style!” Rimmer yelled, asking if he’d ever read any heroic story.

“I don’t know about heroic tales, but there’s no exception in the Light Wind Division from now on.” Raon’s lips twisted fiercely. “We’re having a training camp with everyone until you manage to activate the Light Wind Style!”

Everyone in the Light Wind Division turned pale upon hearing his declaration.

“Ah…”

“Tr-training camp with everyone?”

“If the camp is going to continue until we learn an extremely advanced martial art, it’s not going to be over even two years from now, is it?!”

“We might end up dying from old age here.”

“Y-yes, this is the kind of person he is. I forgot because we were in such a good mood…”

“You damned elf! Why did you give him the martial art that started this problem?!”

“Why did you give him ideas?!”

The Light Wind Division suddenly started to attack Rimmer while yelling at him.

“Uuh…” Rimmer got beaten up by his disciples with teary eyes. “I-I couldn’t have expected that crazy bastard to create an extremely advanced martial art either!”

* * *

North Grave Mountain

Tiger Rock

“Huhuhu!” Roenn laughed gently, gazing down towards the fifth training ground. “I was looking forward to him creating a decent martial art, but I never expected it to be an extremely advanced martial art!”

He gave a big nod of approval, admiring his achievement from the bottom of his heart.

“The fact that it’s extremely advanced isn’t even the issue.” Sheryl blinked rapidly while gasping. “The way the martial art activates is too original. It feels like an improved version of the semi-automatic shield used by the high-ranked magicians. How did he even…?”

She licked her lips, saying that she couldn’t even understand how he came up with the idea to create such a martial art.

“It would make a huge difference both in defense and offense if they managed to properly learn it,” Sheryl said, adding that she was looking forward to the Light Wind Division’s growth with sparkling eyes.

“Uuh…”

Glenn’s shoulders trembled, his upper body subtly hunched as he observed the fifth training ground.

‘As expected, he is happy about it. Of course. He must be extremely happy because his grandson managed to create an extremely advanced martial art.’

Sheryl and Roenn smiled at each other, thinking that they could tell what kind of face Glenn was making even without looking at it.

“My lord, how about summoning Raon at some point to compliment him?”

“Indeed, he fully deserves it since he managed to create an extremely advanced martial art.”

They suggested a new plan in order to shorten the distance between Raon and Glenn.

“Damn it…”

However, Glenn’s eyes were furiously leaking his wrath, unlike their expectations.

“M-my lord?”

“Hmm…”

Sheryl and Roenn widened their eyes at Glenn’s unexpected reaction.

“Wh-what’s the matter?”

“Oh no, is there an issue with Raon’s martial art?!”

A sense of urgency surfaced in their expressions because learning a flawed martial art could ruin the energy center and mana circuits.

“That’s not it.” Glenn shook his head while biting his lip. “His martial art has to be acknowledged. It’s not lacking in the slightest, and it’s clearly in the extremely advanced realm.”

He acknowledged that the Light Wind Style was an amazing martial art.

“Then why…?”

“It’s because I lost.”

Glenn clenched his fist hard enough to make a cracking sound.

“Lost…?”

“Raon said it just now. That damned elf was the one who contributed the most!”

“Err…”

“Hmm…”

Bewilderment welled up in Sheryl and Roenn’s eyes as they heard his reason.

“Kuh…”

Glenn bit his lip while looking at Raon.

‘He is praiseworthy. He is far too praiseworthy.’

Even for a Transcender, creating an extremely advanced martial art wasn’t an easy task. Even Glenn in his current state couldn’t guarantee that he could make it, yet Raon had managed to create the extremely advanced martial art in a single week. He was bound to be happy—after all, that implied that Raon was born with another unique talent, different from the utilization of martial arts.

However, something else was making him infuriated, even more than the joy he felt.

‘It’s the fact that Rimmer was the most helpful!’

Glenn had been expecting that situation ever since Raon had received Garunua from Rimmer. He had a strong urge to return to Raon to give him a better martial art, but such a martial art was rare, to begin with, and there was no guarantee that it would be suitable for Raon.

The biggest issue was that there was no excuse he could use to reward him.

He had a bad feeling about it, and it ended up happening. The fact that his name wasn’t mentioned by Raon at the end made him so frustrated that his hands trembled violently.

“M-my lord, don’t mind it.”

“Yes, he still called your name.”

Sheryl and Roenn remained dumbfounded, but they still shook their heads in an attempt to reassure Glenn.

“The world doesn’t remember those who take second place. Only first place matters.” Glenn violently ground his teeth while looking at Rimmer instead of Raon. “I definitely won’t lose next time!”

“......”

Sheryl and Roenn stared at him coldly.

***

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]