The Black King Sigel opened his mouth, black liquid dripping from his lips in disbelief. “How could someone like you be considered strong?” He twisted his greatsword and spear as if telling Raon not to delude himself. True [Demonic Energy] flowing from the Devildom wrapped around Sigel’s weapons and began to push back the flame of [Heavenly Drive] and the frost of the [Soul Requem Sword]. “In the presence of this [Demonic Energy], human strength is nothing more than an ant’s struggle.” Fully cloaked in [Demonic Energy], the Black King Sigel began to pressure Raon in turn. The intense force radiating from him made Raon’s fingertips tremble. “You really can’t self-reflect, can you?” Sigel’s eyes widened as the [Demonic Energy] was cleanly parted. “The Devildom’s [Demonic Energy] covers the heavens and earth! How can a human possibly grow stronger under such conditions?!” He shouted in disbelief and thrust forward both his spear and greatsword. “I’m special like that.” Raon broke the spear falling like a hawk’s talon and deflected the greatsword aimed at his chest. Sigel’s spear shot into the sky, and his greatsword slammed into the ground, bursting the corpses of nearby monsters. Raon didn’t miss the opening. He closed the distance and stabbed Sigel in the chest with [Heavenly Drive]. There was impact, but it didn’t feel like piercing flesh or bone—more like stabbing thick cloth. Just as Raon frowned at Sigel, something slammed into his shoulder. He glanced to the side and saw a black arrow lodged in his left shoulder. As Raon stepped back, a black axe and whip shot down toward his head from behind Sigel. Raon unfolded [Flame Wall] with the [Soul Requem Sword] to block the descending axe and whip. But the [Demonic Energy] within was too strong; he couldn’t stop himself from being pushed back. Even before regaining his stance, he sensed another arrow coming from the right. As he moved left, the arrow curved like it had eyes, chasing his back. ‘Better to break it.’ Raon used [Spatial Severance] to slash down the incoming arrow. Though small, the arrow was packed with intense [Demonic Energy]. It felt like striking solid steel. Raon stepped back and yanked the arrow from his shoulder. Even after using some [Divine Power], the bleeding wouldn’t stop. The arrow must have had a sealing spell to block healing. Raon crushed the black arrow in his hand and narrowed his eyes. “So you didn’t just have two hands.” At first, he thought Sigel was using some sort of sword manipulation art, but he was wrong. The Black King Sigel was using multiple actual arms to wield his weapons. “Took you long enough to notice.” Sigel nodded, and countless arms emerged from within his dark robe. These arms, forged of muscle and [Demonic Energy], were wielding longswords, sabers, spears, greatswords, hammers, axes, shields, bows, whips, daggers—even gauntlets. Sigel tilted his chin arrogantly. “No human can defeat me.” He raised his weapons with utter conviction in his victory. The first to move was a greatsword as large as his body, thrusting toward Raon’s chest. Raon drew a half-circle with [Heavenly Drive] and deflected the greatsword’s thrust. There was no time to rest. A spear and hammer followed immediately. Raon used [Supreme Harmony Steps] to dodge between them, but then arrows and whips came flying. He twisted his shoulder to avoid the arrows and used [Flame Wall] with the [Soul Requem Sword] to block the whip. Sigel wielded every weapon with transcendent-level mastery. He wasn’t like multiple enemies—he was one man using dozens of weapons better than a coordinated squad. Longswords and greatswords targeted both shoulders. An axe swung from the left, a hammer from the right. A spear came from behind, while arrows and whips rained down from above. There was nowhere to dodge. ‘Can’t block them all.’ Raon abandoned defense. He positioned [Heavenly Drive] and the [Soul Requem Sword] symmetrically and unleashed dual waves. [Flawless Sea of Flames]—flame and frost surged forward without hindering each other, blocking Sigel’s onslaught. As if expecting this, Sigel punched with his gauntlet-clad fist the moment the technique ended. The black fist, glowing with [Demonic Energy], flew at Raon’s face. Raon caught the blow with the end of [Heavenly Drive], but the shock reverberated through bone and flesh. Even the fists were deadly. -Why are you only using half of your [Wrath]? Wrath frowned, clearly not understanding. -That guy’s strength is enhanced beyond human limits by [Demonic Energy]. You can’t go easy on him! He urged Raon to stop holding back. ‘I have to close the gate.’ Raon took a short breath and looked at the [Gate to the Devildom]. Sigel wasn’t his goal. Closing that gate was. He couldn’t risk wasting all his [Wrath] yet. “Now do you understand? A human cannot defeat me.” Sigel’s confidence seemed restored after their clash. His complicated fighting style grew even more chaotic. Raon spat out blood and struck down Sigel’s falling weapons. ‘Harder than I thought.’ It felt like fighting dozens of transcendents at once. Each weapon moved independently as if controlled by different people. ‘That cloak is a problem too.’ The black robe Sigel wore possessed its own mysterious power. To destroy it, he’d have to strike its core directly. Not missing his momentum, Sigel struck with all his weapons at once, leaving no room to retreat. The power of the [Demonic Energy]-coated weapons was immense. Blocking them only piled up damage. Raon’s shoulders, waist, and thighs were now riddled with cuts. Blocking a greatsword, hammer, axe, and spear all at once, Raon looked up. ‘It’s like an ant colony.’ Even now, monsters were pouring from the [Gate to the Devildom], with powerful [Demons] among them. He couldn’t delay any longer. “I need to end this quickly.” Even if it meant consuming more [Wrath], he resolved to finish Sigel as fast as possible. “End this quickly? Fine. I’ll grant your wish!” Sigel smirked and raised all his weapons overhead. Black droplets fell from every weapon—longsword, saber, spear, greatsword, hammer, axe, shield, bow, whip, dagger, and gauntlet. “[Demonic Heaven’s Armory].” This was the same technique that had killed Owen’s transcendent in one strike. Each weapon’s unique force converged into a massive wave, like a black ocean falling from the sky. Raon stepped forward and unleashed both [Heavenly Drive] and the [Soul Requem Sword] from behind his shoulders. Raon Zieghart Swordsmanship – Form Six: [Divine-Demonic Harmony—Azure Crimson Invincible Blade]. This technique, bearing the name “Invincible,” surged forth and clashed with Sigel’s [Demonic Heaven’s Armory]. It was as if dozens of transcendents were attacking at once—Sigel’s technique was packed with horrifying [Demonic Energy]. Even [Azure Crimson Invincible Blade] struggled to withstand it. Raon felt like his body would be crushed. “Let me give you the ending you desire.” Sigel grinned and poured even more [Demonic Energy] into his technique. “…Then you’ll be the one to die.” Raon looked up, his gaze trembling. At his waist, the [Twin Ring Sword] floated into the air. “Controlling a sword remotely? Laughable. It’s still just one blade!” Sigel sneered, raising his shield, axe, and hammer in defense. Raon raised his lips into a faint smile. “One hand is enough to beat dozens.” As he spoke, he fired the [Twin Ring Sword] forward. Sigel kept his guard up, fully prepared to block the flying sword with shield, axe, and hammer. Just as he struck down with his hammer and axe, the [Twin Ring Sword] ignited red and suddenly emerged—’from inside’ his shield. As expected of the Black Tower’s Vice Master, he reacted quickly, trying to block it with his gauntleted hand. But Raon’s technique couldn’t be stopped so easily. Raon Zieghart Swordsmanship – Form Eight: [Polar Slash]. The space-piercing blade tore through Sigel’s layered [Demonic Energy] barrier and burst his heart. Even until the end, Sigel seemed certain of victory. He fell back, eyes wide with shock. “H-How did you pierce the cloak…?” He stared in disbelief. “I cut through space twice.” Normally, [Polar Slash] crosses space once to strike. This time, Raon crossed it twice to pierce the cloak. The overuse of his upper dantian ached like it might burst, but it let him ignore the cloak and destroy Sigel’s heart. Sigel clutched his chest and groaned. He declared he would rise again with the Black Tower Master’s power and collapsed. As if to prove his point, just thirty seconds later, Sigel began to revive. His shattered heart reformed. The blood that had spilled refilled his body. Raon gritted his teeth and stepped forward. He used [Form One: Frost Pond] and carved [Thirty-Six Crimson Slashes] into Sigel’s reviving body. Sigel’s body was cut into dozens of pieces—but still, his flesh and blood began to gather again. ‘He’s regenerating too fast.’ Raon could kill him again, but it would waste too much time and energy. If he left Sigel alone, both he and the others would be endangered. It was a painful decision. Raon turned away and dashed toward the [Gate to the Devildom]. But as he leapt, a black arrow from the revived Sigel flew at him. Just as he stopped to defend—’clang!’—the arrow shattered before reaching him. It was Karoon. He had cut off Sigel’s arm and nodded at Raon. Raon glanced toward where Karoon had come from. He had torn apart the demons threatening the Light Wind Palace and blocked Sigel’s arrow. “This magic isn’t perfect. Right after revival, their strength is halved. I can hold him off. The real problem…” Karoon looked toward the growing gate. “…is that gate. The [Demons] and monsters emerging are growing stronger. If we don’t close it now, even you and I won’t be able to handle what comes out.” He urged Raon to prioritize. “Raon. Don’t fear sacrifice.” Karoon killed Sigel and other demons again, enduring the charging monsters with his body. He gave Raon the warmest gaze he’d ever shown and nodded. Raon bit down hard and turned. He kicked off the darkened earth and shot toward the gate. He could feel the life force of those below waning—but there were no screams. Everyone was enduring the [Demonic Energy] to protect their comrades. Raon resonated his three dantians, surging aura through his circuits. He cleaved through monsters and [Demons] as he ascended. He stepped on falling corpses, cutting his way up—but the endless flood of monsters and [Demons] slowed his ascent. His wounds increased, and his breath grew ragged. But he couldn’t stop. Even if he died, he had to close that gate. Enduring deathly pain, he finally reached the gate. If he unleashed all his stored [Wrath], he could close it. As he took the final step, a demon with black hands appeared. Of course. Demons always block the way at the most crucial moment. The demon who had vanished in the middle levels appeared again, now barring his path. ‘This one’s dangerous.’ Even Wrath had acknowledged this demon. Defeating him would cost time and strength. Raon looked down. Below, the coalition was fighting desperately, surrounded in a giant circle of reviving enemies. Wounded allies inside the circle were pale and close to death. Raon struck with a combined [Sky Slash] and [Heavenly Thunder Art]. Red lightning rained down, but the black demon casually blocked it with a wall of [Demonic Energy]. ‘Do I have to use my [Wrath]?’ He couldn’t cut this demon quickly without using what he had saved for the gate. ‘Forget the consequences…’ Just as he was about to unleash [Wrath], the black demon fell from the gate. But not to let him pass. The gate twisted again, and the largest [Monster] yet emerged. It had a dragon’s body and eagle’s wings, and [Demons] with powerful [Demonic Energy] rode between its wings. Raon exhaled harshly, unable to take in the full scene with one glance. ‘Kill that monster, the demons riding it, and the black-handed one too?’ He could—but it would take too long. The people below would die in the meantime. The [Demons] laughed in triumph, and the monsters shrieked in glee. “Fine. I’ll stop thinking and kill everything.” Raon’s eyes flipped. Just as he resolved to cut down every enemy— A clear trumpet call rang out, distinctly different from the monsters’ cries. Then came a majestic hymn sung by hundreds. A song praising the divine descended upon the darkened earth. Raon looked toward the sound. Clerics in white robes and golden crowns entered the land of darkness, pushing back the shadow. Monsters recoiled from the holy light surrounding the clerics. A high-ranking demon tried to teleport above them and strike down with a blade of [Demonic Energy]— —but a glowing white fist crushed him. Descending in a nun’s habit, with violet hair, was a smiling young girl. “Am I a little late?” It was Olga, the Saint of the Supere Holy Kingdom. A young paladin beside her shook his head—it was Hofen, newly crowned King of Supere. “We of the Supere Holy Kingdom have arrived by the order of the Light Wind Palace Lord.” Hofen bowed respectfully to Raon. “Advance for our benefactor.” As he drew the Sword of the Holy King, brilliant light wrapped around the paladins and clerics. “For our benefactor!” They didn’t act on a king’s order, but out of gratitude for Raon—they raised their swords. “Even if late, we’ll do our part.” Saint Olga brought her hands together in prayer, and golden light descended above the coalition, forming a divine barrier. Clad in holy light and singing praise, the paladins swept away the monsters in front of them. Blessed by true divinity, the demons and monsters struck by their swords didn’t revive—instead, they screamed in agony, terrified of resurrection. Like white paint on a black canvas, holy light slowly spread. The holy radiance brought by the Supere Holy Kingdom pushed back the darkness and ignited hope upon the hell-tainted land.