Raon frowned as he looked at the Crimson Flame Demon, whose eyes glowed red.
'How much of the World Tree's energy has it absorbed?'
The Crimson Flame Demon before him was a different entity from the one he fought in the Great Forest.
If he hadn't opened his Sword Domain, his skin would have melted from the intense heat.
'I can't beat that….'
The Crimson Flame Demon he met in the Great Forest could have been fought using Sword Domain and Wrath Release, but the one that absorbed the World Tree's energy was unbeatable.
He needed help.
-Good! I, the King, will help you!
Wrath nodded quickly.
-The World Tree that I must devour is being burned by that fire demon, so summon me immediately! I will turn him into an ice sculpture!
He wiggled his finger, urging Raon to offer his body quickly.
'Not you.'
Ignoring Wrath, Raon turned around. He looked at Rimmer's pale face and asked again.
"Can you do it?"
"Hah…"
Rimmer chuckled, looking at Raon's calm eyes.
'Not saying he'll help, but asking for help?'
The reason Raon asked for help was simple. It meant he considered this battle his own. There was no need to feel sorry, nor any intention to back down.
'Moreover…'
Those words were also a threat.
It was a threat saying that while a human was fighting, the elves, the rightful owners of this land, couldn't just stand by.
'This kid is really something…'
The more he saw Raon, the more he was amazed. It no longer felt like facing a subordinate or disciple, but a being of higher standing than himself.
"Of course!"
Rimmer nodded, pressing down on the pain in his abdomen.
"But if we don't finish this quickly, both you and I will die. You understand that, right?"
"Of course."
Raon bit his lip as he looked at the World Tree, which had begun to burn.
"I'll attack, just block his flames."
"Leave it to me."
Rimmer grasped his leaf-shaped sword, determined to do something.
"Even if two insects combine, they're still just insects."
The Crimson Flame Demon sneered, looking down at Raon and Rimmer.
"You better be careful. Even insects can carry deadly poison."
"Worthless worms!"
The demon frowned and unleashed a stream of flame. As the flames whipped down, Raon used Supreme Harmony Steps and stomped the ground.
"I'm confident with fire too."
He resonated with the Ring of Fire at full force. Dodging the incoming flame whips with his footwork, he stepped into the demon's space.
"Let's see who can burn better."
He swung the blue Demonic Sword in his left hand. The frost-covered blade, shimmering with silver, pierced through the wall of flames and reached for the demon's shoulder.
"You said fire."
The demon snorted and raised his hand, causing the flames split by the Demonic Sword to merge back and form a mighty wave.
The heat penetrated his Fire Resistance, which had reached the 6th level, and the protection of his Black Dragon Coat, spreading throughout his body.
As he frowned from the burning pain, a deep green wind blew from behind.
Whoosh!
It was Rimmer. The wind he created pushed back the demon's heat and made space for the sword to strike.
'As expected, he's reliable.'
While he might not be trustworthy in gambling, in battle, he was the most reliable person.
A clear sword cry echoed from Raon's Divine Sword in his right hand. The golden flames, as if infused with the sun, surged forward vigorously, pushing back the Crimson Flame.
As the demon's eyes trembled slightly, Raon swung the Demonic Sword in his left hand. The frost-covered blade, falling gracefully like moonlight, grazed the demon's shoulder.
Pshhh!
Since he wasn't a real spirit but a human imbued with a spirit's power, the demon's shoulder split open, spilling red blood.
"Didn't I tell you?"
Raon wiggled his finger at the demon.
"To be careful because it's deadly poison."
"Boasting over such a minor wound!"
The demon twisted his mouth and brushed his hand over the shoulder wound. Dark flames flashed, and the sword mark began to heal slowly.
"Your swords cannot touch me!"
"They already have."
Rimmer tilted his head, pointing at the still-present wound.
"You're dumber than I thought. At times like this, you should say you can't be killed."
"Indeed. Quite the bragger."
Raon took Rimmer's words and lifted the corners of his mouth.
"Starting from stripping your clothes, you look crazy."
"Why are you still wearing pants?"
"Guess he's insecure."
Rimmer laughed, turning his sword behind him.
"You bastards!"
The demon glanced down at his pants for a moment before letting out a beastly roar.
The heat rising from his upper body made the Black Dragon Coat curl as if it would melt.
"Perfectly aroused!"
Rimmer summoned a strong wind as if telling him not to fear the heat and to advance.
Boom!
Raon suppressed the heat and charged at the demon, riding the wind Rimmer pushed against his back.
"Get lost!"
The demon extended his thick hand, and the flames surrounding him surged up, forming a massive whirlwind.
Trusting Rimmer behind him, Raon stepped into the fiery whirlwind.
Clang!
The blade, imbued with flames and frost, clashed with the demon's fire, creating a terrifying shockwave that shook the World Tree deeply rooted in the earth.
'Even this isn't working…'
The Divine Sword and Demonic Sword were pushed back by the demon's flames. As the end of the Black Dragon Coat turned to ash, a clear wind blew.
The wind, like a finely divided storm, swirled as if alive, revitalizing the Divine Sword's flames and the Demonic Sword's frost while suppressing the demon's fire.
"Don't interfere!"
The demon, irritated, shot a flame-formed spear at Rimmer.
'Now.'
Even at this moment, that monster was growing stronger by devouring the World Tree's energy. Now, while its attention was on Rimmer, he had to end it for sure.
Raon concentrated frost on the Demonic Sword's blade and swung it.
Wrath King's Decisive Technique.
Snow Flower Demon Sword.
Crack!
The sword strike using the Snow Flower Demon Field completely froze the flame shield protecting the demon.
As the silver flash filled his vision and melted the flames, he flicked the Divine Sword in his right hand.
Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, Heavenly Drive.
Dance of the Golden Flame.
The blade of the Divine Sword split like bamboo stalks, forming a prison of golden flames.
Boom!
Even seeing the prison of flames closing in, the demon remained composed.
"This kind of flame won't work on me!"
The demon sneered and tore apart the flames of the Dance of the Golden Flame with his hand.
Even seeing that, Raon wasn't flustered and smiled. He had aimed for this moment from the start.
Boom!
He released Wrath. Swirling the Ring of Fire to the extreme, he unleashed his strongest sword technique.
Raon Zieghart Style Swordsmanship.
Form 6: Divine-Demonic Harmony Linked Move, Invincible Azure-Red Sword.
The flames of the Divine Sword and the frost of the Demonic Sword burned brightly together.
The two blades, filled with conviction, cut through the demon's flames and pierced his chest.
"Graaah!"
But the demon didn't easily give up. Flames erupted from his split body, pushing back the blades of the Divine and Demonic Swords.
"It's working! Keep going!"
Rimmer, despite having his waist cut by the demon's spear, sent a wind that revitalized the Divine and Demonic Swords, urging Raon to continue attacking.
However, Raon's expression hardened even as he received Rimmer's energy.
'This guy…'
He's changing.
Even with the blades embedded in the demon's body, he couldn't feel the sensation of cutting a person.
It felt like cutting the dark spirit Cassandra had summoned. It seemed the demon was becoming more like a spirit.
'I need to end this before he changes further.'
Raon gritted his teeth until they almost broke and stirred up deeper Wrath. He had to crush him now, even if it was overdoing it.
"Graaaah!"
He put strength into his wrists, which felt like they would snap, and swung the Divine and Demonic Swords down to the end.
Crack!
The flames and frost struck like lightning, cutting through the demon's fire and tearing his body apart.
"It's done!"
Rimmer's excited shout came from behind, but Raon couldn't smile.
"Damn it…"
He cut, but he didn't cut.
The demon absorbed the energy from the World Tree's roots, completing his spirit transformation.
Instead of blood, flames spread through his body. Although he was severely shocked, it wasn't a lethal wound because his body wasn't physical.
"Damn it…"
Rimmer's dry lips trembled, as if he too realized the demon's condition.
Raon swallowed dryly as he watched the demon regenerate his body with flames.
'The problem isn't him, it's us.'
Using the Invincible Azure-Red Sword and Wrath Release earlier had consumed a significant amount of his willpower and aura.
There wasn't much time left to maintain the Sword Domain.
'Moreover…'
Rimmer behind him had also reached his limit. To be honest, it wasn't an exaggeration to say the outcome was clear.
"It's over."
The demon revealed a haughty look, turning his chin to the side.
"You've exhausted your strength, and I'm still getting stronger."
He brushed his chest where the sword mark had completely disappeared and curled his lips.
"All that's left for you is despair."
"You're delusional."
Raon drew a bloodless smile and raised his Divine and Demonic Swords.
"I'm just getting started."
"Your bluff…"
"You'll find out if it's a bluff later."
* * *
Siyana clenched her fists as she watched Raon and Rimmer standing against the massive flames.
'Are they winning?'
She couldn't see clearly, but she knew Raon was pressuring the demon. It seemed like they could win if this continued.
She turned her gaze to the rear.
The Guardians and elves were sweating as they fought the Ghosts of Eden and the ash-skinned elves attacking the World Tree. The enemies' onslaught was so intense that more and more elves were falling.
'Just hold on a little longer.'
If it were Raon and Rimmer, they could kill that monster and return soon. If they came, this battle would be as good as over.
"Aaahhh!"
Hearing a clear melody, Siyana turned her gaze to the right. A girl with twin tails was singing elegant lyrics as she ran through the battlefield.
Her song invigorated the allies and caused sensory confusion among the enemies.
In terms of martial prowess, she wasn't great, but her influence was outstanding.
The green-haired human fighting to protect the girl was also unique. He took out healing potions and arrows from the pouch at his waist while cutting down enemies with exquisite swordsmanship.
Despite his excellent martial prowess, his trembling eyes made him seem fearful, but his sword and legs never stopped.
'Those two…'
Dorian and Yua. Both humans who followed Raon.
In Raon Zieghart's biography, they barely got their names mentioned, let alone achieving any feats, but here they were more courageous than anyone on the battlefield.
'I, I too…'
She couldn't wield aura or summon spirits, but she was confident in her archery.
Siyana picked up a wooden bow from the ground, trying to help in any small way, but the Chief Elder beside her stopped her hand.
"C-Chief Elder."
"Lady Siyana…"
The Chief Elder's eyes glinted fiercely. Expecting to be scolded, she closed her eyes tightly, but his voice was so low and weak.
"R-Run away."
"What?"
Telling her to run away suddenly, her mind couldn't process it, and she blinked in confusion.
"What, what do you mean…?"
"I'm telling you to run away from here right now."
The Chief Elder waved his hand, coughing up blood, perhaps due to internal injuries.
"Everyone is fighting right now, why should I run away! Raon will come soon…"
"We can't win."
He pointed his trembling finger at the battlefield where Raon, Rimmer, and the Crimson Flame Demon were fighting.
"That monster has already absorbed enough of the World Tree's energy. It's only a matter of time before it transcends…"
"But Raon…"
"We failed to finish it when we had the chance. Raon is indeed amazing, but that thing has already become a transcendent being…"
The Chief Elder sighed deeply, saying there was no chance of victory.
"The base of the World Tree is already on fire. We're out of time. If we delay any longer, there will be no way to escape…"
"Then it's not me who should escape. You, Chief Elder, should go!"
Siyana shook her head, pulling off her cloak.
"It's too late for me, and…"
The Chief Elder looked at Siyana with calm eyes.
"The only one who can promise a future is you, a High Elf."
"I, I'm useless! I'm a High Elf who can't do anything…"
"It's not that you're a High Elf who can't do anything, but a High Elf who has made more effort than anyone else. That's why you have to go."
"Chief Elder?"
Hearing the Chief Elder's gentle voice for the first time, Siyana's furrowed brow relaxed.
'Come to think of it…'
The Chief Elder was always strict. He would scold her for covering herself with a cloak and for strange speech.
But he always watched her and never nitpicked unreasonably. Unlike others, he never called her useless.
"Lady Siyana. Please leave quickly."
"You must not die here."
"You are the only one who can revive the World Tree."
Other elders staggered to their feet and spoke sincerely.
They rushed to the battlefield, bleeding, as if determined to open a path with their lives.
"Open the path!"
"Hold on to the end!"
They weren't alone. The injured elves and Guardians followed the elders. They killed enemies and opened a path, even while burning their own bodies.
"Aah…"
Siyana trembled, clutching her shoulders with both arms.
'What have I been doing all this time?'
She had thought all elves, except her grandfather, hated and ignored her.
But now, looking back, she realized it was herself who ignored the elves and shut herself in her room.
Surely, there were those who genuinely hated her, but many of her kin quietly waited for her to rise.
"Leylan!"
"Yes, Chief Elder."
Leylan, whose entire shoulder was burned, ran to the Chief Elder.
"Take Lady Siyana and the humans and escape to the west."
"…Understood."
Leylan stared intently into the Chief Elder's eyes before nodding.
"Lady Siyana. No, Siyana. Survive."
The Chief Elder gently stroked Siyana's head and moved west. The wave he created while coughing up blood quelled the flames burning the earth and drove away the ghosts and ash-skinned elves.
"We're out of time, so forgive me."
Leylan carried the dazed Siyana on her shoulder and ran west.
Siyana bit her lip as she looked at Sterin, who was resonating with the World Tree.
'Grandfather.'
You were right.
He always said there was no need to fear the world too much and always showed a kind smile.
She wanted to protect him and all the elves who had believed in her. She didn't want to see anyone die anymore.
"You two, come this way!"
Leylan gestured to Dorian and Yua, shouting for them to follow.
Siyana took in the sight of the elves fading into the distance with her blurry eyes and lowered her gaze.
'I can't be the only one to survive like this.'
She clasped her hands and bit her lip.
'Please! Please!'
If I'm truly a High Elf, please grant me even a small miracle!
Siyana's sincere cry and plea connected with the world, and blue light began to gather near her chest.
* * *
"Huff."
Raon exhaled deeply, striking down the incoming flames.
'This is the worst.'
As the flames spread to the World Tree, the demon's energy grew stronger, and the heat became unbearably intense.
Though it hadn't reached transcendence, and its martial prowess hadn't significantly increased, the sheer power of the flames was too strong for his sword strikes to be effective.
'There's not much time left for the Sword Domain…'
Using the Invincible Azure-Red Sword had consumed so much energy that there wasn't much time left to maintain the Sword Domain. If it ended, he couldn't fight head-on like this.
'Moreover…'
He could no longer feel the scent of the wind in Rimmer's sword strikes. He was barely maintaining the Sword Domain, unable to fight properly.
"It's amusing to see you struggle."
The demon sneered and extended his hand, unleashing fireballs with the power of an Astral Ring, which rained down like a storm.
"Ugh…"
Raon spread the Divine and Demonic Swords to the sides, using Fire Spirit. Silver, flickering trees blossomed into pristine flowers, blocking the demon's fire rain.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Thousands of frost and fireballs clashed, creating a massive tremor. Thick steam rose, forming a wall of mist.
"You don't think this is the end, do you?"
The demon casually snapped his fingers, and eight streaks of flame storms surged, surrounding him. Perhaps due to the World Tree, there was no delay in his attacks.
Crack!
Raon bit his lips until they bled and raised a sword barrier with his two swords. Blocking the flame storm, he turned his gaze behind him.
"Division Leader. Please escape first!"
"That's…"
Rimmer started to answer but collapsed to his knees. The Sword Domain he maintained vanished, and the heat emanating from all directions intensified rapidly.
'Damn it…'
It seemed he had reached his limit, having held off the demon alone before Raon arrived. Honestly, it was a miracle he lasted this long.
-Hmm!
Wrath approached, rubbing his nose, and flashed a sinister smile.
-Now you have no choice left!
He wiggled his thick finger.
-Summon me. I'll extinguish that fire demon in an instant.
Wrath urged him to quickly stab himself in the stomach, saying it was inevitable anyway.
"Huff…"
He started to get pushed back by the incoming flame storm, his feet digging into the ground. He couldn't think of a way to overcome this situation.
'No choice…'
To save himself, Rimmer, Dorian, and Yua from Sepia, he had to kill this demon no matter what.
'So, it comes to summoning after all.'
According to Wrath, the chances of becoming a Demon God were low, but even if it did happen, the side effects would grow.
If the side effects were worse than before, he might drop back to the Master level or suffer permanent damage.
'Even so, I have to do it.'
Raon flipped the blade of the Demonic Sword. Just as he was about to use it to turn his body into a barrier.
Roar!
A tremendous storm of mana surged from the center of the World Tree.
A blue light. A brilliant flash shot up to the sky. Pure water, as if gaining life, swirled and formed a giant woman.
Her long hair rippled like the sea, and her skin, as transparent as water droplets, shimmered with an elegant light under the moonlight.
The blue goddess, like the embodiment of beauty, stretched out her hand, and blue rain fell from the sky, which had been filled with smoke.
Roar!
The sweet raindrops, like life-giving spring water, revived the dying elves and extinguished the flames burning the land.
"W-Why is she here!"
The demon's jaw trembled as he looked at the woman of water floating in the air.
-Aaah!
Wrath also screamed, seeing the woman made of water.
-Why is that water spirit here now!
'Water spirit…'
Raon's lips trembled as he looked at the water goddess with a compassionate smile.
'Could it be the Water Spirit King?'
Raon swallowed dryly and looked at the Spirit King again, seeing someone in her grasp.
A golden-haired elf with a faint glow. He had never seen her face, but he could tell by her aura. It was Siyana.
'Did Lady Siyana summon the Spirit King?'
But before he could continue that thought, red flames burst from her chest.
Roar!
The bold and fierce flames, unlike the Water Spirit King, didn't pour into the sky but rushed toward Raon.