Runaan and Martha’s combined strike shattered the vortex of Demonic Energy, cutting into Felix and Kalop’s very bodies. Kalop screamed as both his arms were ripped away, while Felix’s spear snapped in half, his legs frozen so solid he couldn’t move. “Now’s the only chance!” Coughing blood, Martha and Runaan stepped forward, knowing this was their one chance to kill them. Kalop staggered back, trying to regenerate his arms with Demonic Energy, while Felix swung his broken spear in desperation. “You didn’t listen to Rensia’s plea—why should I listen to you?” Martha twisted her lips and drove her sword into Felix’s chest. As if to make him feel the same torment Rensia had suffered, she crushed bone and flesh with her blade. Felix let out a strangled scream before his eyes rolled back and his head slumped. “Pain that will never fade….” Runaan ducked Kalop’s kick and drove Snow Flower into his abdomen, keeping her promise to Rensia. Frost spread from her sword, freezing Kalop’s body entirely. He tried to block it with Demonic Energy, but he couldn’t withstand the awakened frost of Runaan. Before a single breath left him, his body was encased in silver ice. Terror flickered in Kalop’s eyes as his body went numb—then life was extinguished. Martha and Runaan bent deeply at the waist, breathing heavily, their tension finally released. “Thank you, sisters.” Rensia smiled faintly, bowing her head to them. But even that small act caused her to bend over in pain, groaning. Despite their own severe injuries, Martha and Runaan hurried to support her. “You really are good sisters. Weird, but good.” Raon chuckled faintly, watching them. “You could’ve left out the ‘weird’ part!” Runaan tilted her chin slightly toward him. “You knew we’d break through that wall, didn’t you?” She blinked curiously. “Yeah, how’d you know?” Martha tilted her head too, eyes narrowing. “I never thought I’d awaken either. So tell me why.” Raon tilted his chin. “What? You clearly said you believed in us—” “I didn’t know you’d awaken. I just believed you’d win.” Not only Martha and Runaan, but all the Light Wind had endured countless battles and training. Even training that forced them to taste death over and over. With that experience, he trusted they could win—though awakening was beyond his expectations. Raon glanced at Wrath. – Did you not say it yourself? They’ve faced experiences no ordinary humans could endure. Even if they only supported from behind, the difference between experiencing it directly and merely hearing it is vast. Wrath shook his head as if it were obvious. – Especially that insane training where you dragged them up the mountain and pushed them to the brink of death. Brutal, but highly effective. Humans who face death raise the level of their souls. He flicked his hand, saying that was why the Light Wind had grown so unnaturally strong. – With you leading them and giving them those trials, it’s almost surprising they awakened this late. ‘True, they’ve followed me well.’ Raon gazed proudly at Martha and Runaan. “You should’ve won without awakening. The fact you barely managed with it means training will only get harder when we return.” Since Wrath acknowledged it, harsher concentration training was more than justified. “Should I just kill him now?” Martha gripped her sword again, seriously tempted. “I thought he was handsome, but nope. He’s ugly.” Runaan lowered her head in disappointment. Raon tried to lighten the mood, but— From the ruined ground rose a middle-aged man with black hair, covered in spines of Demonic Energy. He glared at the corpses of Kalop and frozen Felix, eyes blazing with bloodlust and Demonic Energy. Stronger than either of them. “You may have awakened, but your strength is spent.” The spines covering his body sharpened, writhing like living things. Martha raised her sword with trembling hands, biting her lip. Runaan drew a deep breath to hide her exhaustion, stepping in front of Rensia. “Batoratan.” (T/N: I forgot if this character appeared already in the s, I have no notes of this one so if he did and his name is not correct, please comment the right name below. Thank you!) Raon smirked faintly. “Thanks to you, I found this place. I should thank you.” Batoratan, a Black Tower floor lord, had told Demonblade of the sacrificial rite, leading them here. Raon taunted him with a mocking smile. “Nonsense! I never told Demonblade about this place!” Batoratan shouted, unnerved by the demons’ stares. “You underestimated a Transcendent.” “Then I’ll rip open your skull and take your memories.” Batoratan raised his spine-covered arm with chilling intent. Martha and Runaan struck, but their weakened blades couldn’t pierce his spines. “Hmph. I care nothing for brats.” He ignored them, charging Raon. “Any closer, and you die.” Raon tilted his chin at the rushing demon. Batoratan snorted, towering over him. “I already know—you can’t move.” He claimed Kalop and Felix had told him everything. “A Transcendent who can’t move is no threat.” He sneered, stepping past Raon’s line. Raon closed his eyes. “Yeah. We’ll protect—” Martha and Runaan stood in front of him, ready to give their lives. “Fools! You think you can—” Batoratan grinned, spines thrusting— A red line traced across his neck, and his head fell. “That’s why I told you not to come.” Raon opened his eyes. Batoratan died without knowing what struck him. Behind his collapsing corpse stood Roenn, clad in black. “You both did splendidly.” Roenn lowered his spotless blade, smiling kindly. “And all of you as well.” He looked proudly at the Light Wind swordsmen. “You… were here the whole time?” Martha widened her eyes. “Then why didn’t you—” “My first mission was to secure escape routes for the villagers and tourists.” Roenn chuckled, saying he’d returned after saving them. “I did arrive while you fought the Montiro heroes, but since the Palace Lord trusted you, I trusted as well.” He smiled, saying the reward of trust was sweet. Martha and Runaan collapsed, finally letting go of tension. Roenn stepped between them, driving his slim blade into Felix’s chest. Blood spurted—Felix wasn’t fully dead. “Occasionally demons seem lifeless, yet still breathe. It’s best to finish them.” Roenn wiped his blade with the same gentle smile, chilling in its casualness. “Then I’ll leave the rest to you.” Raon bowed, unsurprised. Roenn glanced at Raon and Rensia before vanishing like the wind. “I heard he was strong…” Martha exhaled at Batoratan’s instant death. “Didn’t think it’d be like that.” “That wasn’t even full strength.” “The name Killing King is heavier than we imagine.” Roenn moved south, where the Iron Division battled countless demons. ‘The Division Leader’s fighting a Grandmaster.’ Trevine clashed fiercely with a floor lord wielding a halberd, an even match. ‘Better not to step in directly.’ He chose only to save those in mortal danger, leaving stronger foes as growth for the swordsmen. Soon, Trevine’s advantage grew, pushing the floor lord back. Roenn saluted him and moved east. In the forest, Mark Gorton faced the last Hero—Thunder Sword Varins. The two stared each other down, hands on sword and blade, sweat dripping. ‘They’ve been locked for long.’ Both trembled, drained of mental strength. Killing the foe was possible, but helping Mark win properly wasn’t. Mark had clawed out of despair himself. Roenn trusted his resolve and vanished. Even as Demonic Energy and Aura clashed like a storm, Mark’s eyes never wavered. Unable to endure, Varins drew first— His blade split the air— Mark’s strike of wind became lightning, slashing Varins’ throat. He exhaled, drenched in sweat. “In a draw of blades, patience wins, not speed.” Satisfied, he nodded. Roenn applauded silently and moved east again. Morel Kazan incinerated demons with his mage corps. A top magician of Balkan—he needed no help. Roenn saluted and moved to Dorian and Krein’s position. “Damn it! Why so many?!” Dorian, Krein, and the Light Wind fought waves of beasts, screaming—but their long-forged coordination left no gaps. Roenn smiled warmly and moved to the last battlefield. Burren, gravely wounded, still cut down demons without budging from his post. ‘So you reached Grandmaster too.’ Roenn chuckled. Burren’s mastery of his new strength seemed more refined than Martha or Runaan. ‘You finally did it.’ He had swung his sword day and night to catch up, seeking lessons from Karoon and Raon. Now his blade of wind had caught up at last. ‘Zieghart will only grow stronger.’ Raon looked at the jewel on Rensia’s necklace. The flames that once flickered now filled it entirely. He severed the Aura sustaining the magic circle and gripped the necklace. The heat pressed against his skin, like holding the source of fire itself. A lamp to awaken the darkness. Raon recited the spell Chamber had taught him and released Aura from his mana circuits. The jewel blazed, crimson flames bursting into five rays, shooting toward the star-shaped artifact. The pain gone, Rensia slowly opened her eyes, awed by the five blazing flames. “D-did you… succeed?” She swallowed, asking if the circle was complete. “I didn’t. You did. And now…” Raon stroked her head as he gazed at the pentagram of fire. “…it’s my turn to repay you.”