Dorian looked at the darkening forest while crawling on his stomach. After swallowing his dry saliva, he slowly crept behind a round rock that resembled a turtle's shell, careful not to make any sound.
"Phew..."
He exhaled the breath he had been holding while leaning his back against the rock.
'I'm really going to die.'
Dorian shook his head as he wiped the cold sweat flowing from his forehead. Two days had passed since the focus enhancement training began, and he had experienced death six times so far.
He was caught by Martha once, caught by the Gambling Monster once, and encountered Raon four times. Every time he met Raon, he was beaten to a pulp, and now he didn't even have the strength to suppress his presence.
'Is he really the one who has a life-and-death match scheduled for next year?'
It was surprising that Raon was fully dedicating himself to the Light Wind division's training, putting aside his own cultivation, when the life-and-death match with the Axe King was not far off.
Every time he felt it, Dorian realized that Raon was a person with a completely different caliber from his timid self.
'The Division Leader is going all out, so I can't slack off either.'
There was one reason why Raon was focusing on the Light Wind division's training despite his busy schedule. It was to save even one more person when they went on missions.
Knowing his intentions, Dorian couldn't take this training lightly.
'I should move now.'
Staying in one place for too long wasn't a good idea. Just as he was about to lift his hips to move after resting for a while, a dark shadow fell on the ground.
"Huh...?"
Dorian's lips trembled as he looked up. Two red moons were floating above the rock. No, those weren't moons. They were Raon's red eyes.
"Aaaaagh!"
He tried to run away screaming, but his body wouldn't move as Raon's foot pressed down on his shoulder.
Thwack!
Raon mercilessly struck Dorian's solar plexus with his vertical fist.
"Aaaaargh..."
He tried to defend using his aura, but Raon's attack penetrated through it, causing a intense impact inside. His body went limp as if he had been hit by an iron hammer.
'W-What the hell is this....'
It was unbelievable that the attack didn't just break through his aura, but completely ignored it.
"I'm getting more used to it."
Raon smiled with satisfaction as he looked at his own hand, as if conducting some experiment.
"Is this the seventh time?"
"Why are you only chasing after me..."
Dorian whimpered while bent over.
"Unfortunately, I didn't come for you this time."
"What?"
"Under here."
Raon pointed to the area under the rock where Dorian had been hiding moments ago. He stomped his foot forcefully while wearing a faint smile.
Boooom!
A deafening sound erupted as if the mountain was collapsing, and a huge crack opened up on the ground. Rimmer and Krein popped out from the pitch-black hole.
"Gasp!"
"H-How..."
Rimmer and Krein gaped, as if asking how he had found them underneath.
"You should sleep quietly. How can you sleep snoring like that?"
Raon shook his head while pointing at the drool trickling from Rimmer's mouth.
"You crazy bastard! Why are your ears so good! Are you an elf?!"
"No, I'm human."
He lightly rotated his shoulders and drew the Heavenly Drive.
"Krein. We have no choice now. Let's fight!"
"A-Alright!"
"You take the front. I'll prepare a surprise attack from behind."
"Yes!"
Krein came forward, biting his lip. His eyes shone with determination, as if he was prepared to fight to the death.
"Haa."
Raon sighed as he looked at Krein.
"Look behind you."
"I won't fall for that! I haven't been just playing around all this time!"
Krein gripped his sword with both hands and drew out his aura with all his might, as if determined to fight to the end. The sword aura concentrated on his blade, creating a vivid sword light.
"That's not it. The elf you trust has run away."
Raon waved his hand dismissively.
"Uh..."
Krein turned around. He widened his eyes as he confirmed that Rimmer, who he thought would reliably support him, was nowhere to be seen.
"That damn el-"
"You shouldn't really turn just because of that."
Raon took advantage of the moment Krein turned his back to strike his abdomen with the flat of his sword.
Thwack!
Krein was hit by the Heavenly Drive and slammed into the ground. He screamed while his limbs trembled.
"Aaaaaargh!"
"It's true that the Division Leader ran away, but you shouldn't give up just like that. You should have quickly decided whether to fight to the end or look for a chance to escape."
Raon marked Krein's forehead with a 'dead' sign and then looked in the direction Rimmer had escaped.
As he was about to move following the traces, Martha ran out from behind the bushes on the right.
"I'm sick of running away now. Come at me!"
Martha wiggled her finger as if challenging him to fight right away.
"That personality of hers never changes."
Raon smirked as if he had predicted Martha's appearance and swung the Heavenly Drive.
"If you want to receive punishment, I have no choice but to oblige."
He held the Heavenly Drive at mid-level and stepped into the Supreme Harmony Steps. In an instant, he reached Martha's front and unleashed the Fangs of Insanity.
The aura imbued in the silver blade bared its fierce teeth as if it would tear into Martha's nape.
Shing!
Martha seemed to read the flow of the Fangs of Insanity and extended her sword while entering berserk mode.
Clang!
As the swords collided, a violent explosion erupted. Martha unleashed her sword strike with all her might, but unable to overcome the flames of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, her sword technique itself was broken.
"Ugh..."
Just as Martha's sword was about to tilt downward, a wave of frost crashed down from the tree on the left.
Boom!
Silver cold energy swirled around, dispersing the pressure of the Heavenly Drive.
"..."
Runaan descended from the tree and stood beside Martha.
"I'm sure I said this was an individual match?"
Raon lowered his eyebrows as he burned off the cold energy that had seeped into the Heavenly Drive.
"The enemy of my enemy is my ally."
Runaan pointed her sword at Raon, declaring that she and Martha were now allies.
"..."
Raon watched Runaan's sword, then extended the Heavenly Drive behind him.
Clang!
Burren, who had been approaching silently, was hit by the Blizzard Sword Art and sent flying far away.
"Ugh..."
Burren grimaced as he planted his hand on the ground.
"Even a surprise attack doesn't work."
"And what are you?"
"I was just trying to block your path a bit."
He waved his hand at Krein and Dorian as if telling them to retreat quickly.
"Is that so."
Raon smiled faintly as he looked at Martha, Runaan, and Burren in turn.
'All three of them understand well what this training means.'
The current focus enhancement training is not simply aimed at improving concentration and practical experience.
It's training to experience how to move when scattering and fleeing after a failed mission, and these three have stepped forward to buy time for their subordinates.
"It's admirable, but..."
Raon stepped into the Supreme Harmony Steps while raising a sword energy on the Heavenly Drive that was even greater than the combined astral energy of Burren, Martha, and Runaan. He curled his lips as he saw the astonished eyes of the three.
"I have no intention of going easy on you."
* * *
Glenn stood on the tiger rock, watching the battle between Raon and the three squad leaders.
"Heh heh..."
Roenn approached Glenn's side, bursting into laughter.
"To think that the first thing he does after becoming Division Leader is training, Lord Raon's consistency is unmatched."
He showed a gentle gaze, as if proud of Raon.
"It seems he's trying to teach the children what he's learned himself."
Sheryl nodded calmly.
"What he's learned..."
"The lack of strength."
She shook her head.
"Raon and the Light Wind division survived some missions thanks to the intervention of others. Since they can't always expect such luck, it seems he's trying to teach them how to escape when a mission fails."
"That's certainly true."
Roenn also laughed as if he now understood.
"What's amazing is that he's concerned about other swordsmen when his own fate is hanging by a thread. His guts are truly impressive."
Sheryl frowned as if thinking about the life-and-death match with the Axe King.
"It's his goodness. He thinks of others, his comrades, before himself. That's also a rare talent. He's just like Lady Sylvia."
Roenn nodded emphatically, agreeing with Sheryl's words.
"..."
The two stopped talking as if on cue and looked up at the rock.
"Ahem..."
Glenn coughed awkwardly, his cheeks turning red.
"Well, it's not that great, but it's not bad."
He trembled with the corners of his mouth turned up.
"Now that he's become Division Leader, he should have that level of responsibility and confidence."
Glenn looked at Raon with relaxed eyes, smiling endlessly.
"Hehe."
Sheryl and Roenn met each other's eyes and shared a light laugh.
"L-Lord Head of House!"
Just as Raon was knocking down Burren, Runaan, and Martha in turn, Rimmer climbed up onto the rock.
"Stop Raon! Why do I have to be here!"
Rimmer screamed as he pushed back his sweat-soaked bangs.
"Wasn't it your choice to live as the Light Wind division's Vice Division Leader?"
"B-But..."
"Isn't it natural for the deputy to follow the Division Leader's orders? What's the problem?"
Glenn rubbed his fingers with a look that suggested he'd kill Rimmer if he complained about Raon. Red lightning flashed in his grip.
"It's not that I have a complaint exactly."
"If you run away from this training, I'll personally oversee you for a month."
"Ugh..."
Rimmer furrowed his brow and stepped back as soon as he heard those words.
"Seriously! The grandpa and the grandson are the same! Damn Zieghart!"
He shouted in exasperation as he retreated.
"Ahem!"
Glenn didn't hide his raised lips, seemingly pleased despite the insult to Zieghart. His cheeks blushed.
"Huh...?"
Rimmer's eyes widened as he saw Glenn's smile.
"D-Don't tell me he's happy because I said the grandpa and the grandson are the same? This is really crazy!"
He shook his head in disbelief.
"Don't say useless things!"
Glenn frowned, trying to hide his reddened face.
"Quickly take that guy down below!"
"Yes."
"Understood!"
Roenn and Sheryl nodded, then grabbed Rimmer by the arms and dragged him back down.
"I'm sick of this! So sick of it!"
"The grandfather and grandson are the same, huh..."
Glenn smiled broadly as he watched Rimmer's retreating back.
"Not bad."
* * *
Booom!
Burren, Martha, and Runaan fell in succession, slamming into the ground.
"You've definitely improved compared to before."
Raon nodded as he met the crumpled gazes of the three.
"Eh..."
"Urgh!"
"Damn it!"
Runaan, Burren, and Martha seemed to lack even the strength to respond, their heads planted on the ground as they twitched their fingers.
"However, if you die while trying to buy time, it would be a fatal loss for the division. Keep constantly thinking about how to survive."
After giving advice to the three, Raon headed down the mountain to find other members of the Light Wind division.
As he spread his aura perception to sense the presence of the swordsmen, he felt a very small movement from the right.
Thinking it might be a mountain animal, he waited for a moment, and a golden-furred marten burst out from the bushes.
'A marten?'
Was there a marten on this mountain?
He knew various animals lived on North Grave Mountain, but this was the first time he'd seen a marten.
The marten showed no fear of humans and ran towards him as if it had found prey.
'No way...'
-That "no way" is correct!
Wrath widened his eyes.
-It's definitely that madwoman!
He screamed and hid his body inside the ice flower bracelet.
"Raon!"
A coy voice emerged from the marten's small mouth. As expected, it was Merlin.
She stood up straight and grinned, but being in the form of a marten, she looked cute despite his reluctance to admit it.
"Sigh."
Raon immediately raised an aura barrier to muffle the sound, then took the marten into the bushes.
"How did you come here?"
"Because you're here. And..."
Merlin tilted her head as if wondering why he was asking the obvious.
"I should also congratulate you on becoming Division Leader."
"Huh..."
Raon let out an empty sigh as he looked at Merlin's shining eyes. Sometimes it seemed like Merlin was even faster with information than the Shadow Agents.
"Congratulations on becoming Division Leader. Next time you might become the Head of House!"
Merlin was talking about becoming the Head of House Zieghart as if it were like becoming the manager of a bead ice cream shop. As expected, her mindset was hard to handle.
"Thanks anyway."
Since she said she came to congratulate him on becoming Division Leader, he thanked her for now.
"It's too early to say that."
Merlin smiled brightly and pulled out a shimmering golden ring from her fur.
"This is..."
"A gift!"
"A gift?"
"A commemorative gift for becoming Division Leader!"
She nodded, congratulating him once again.
"I prepared it in the same color as your hair."
Merlin pointed to the golden hair fluttering in the wind.
"Hmm..."
Raon blinked as he looked at the golden ring Merlin had produced.
'To think the first gift would be from Merlin.'
He had received many congratulations since becoming Division Leader, but this was the first gift. It was both surprising and touching.
However, getting information and receiving an actual gift were different, so he couldn't carelessly reach out his hand.
"Take it. It's not that amazing."
Merlin shook the ring, saying her arm was getting tired.
"Alright. Thank you."
He had heard it was rude not to accept a gift someone had prepared, and since she said it wasn't amazing, he took the ring in his hand.
He rather liked its plain, unadorned form without any patterns.
"I'll keep it safe."
"Don't just keep it, wear it. It's an artifact."
Merlin smiled as she looked at the ring.
"Huh? An artifact?"
"And an ancient one at that."
"You said it wasn't amazing!"
"It's cheap to me."
She rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders.
"It's not helpful for magicians."
"Then..."
"Yes. It's a ring exclusively for martial artists. It amplifies the aura concentrated in your hand."
"Hmm..."
Raon furrowed his brow as he pushed his aura into the ring.
'It's true.'
The aura that seeped into the ring came back amplified. As she said, it was a high-grade artifact with an aura amplification effect.
'But this...'
Somehow it seemed similar to that ring.
It resembled the cheap ring he had obtained from the black market before. He still hadn't found a place to break the seal on that ring, and this one seemed similar.
'Could it have the same seal as that one?'
It seemed he needed to find the location of the phoenix quickly.
'In any case, this is no ordinary item.'
Raon carefully put away the ring and looked at Merlin. She was just smiling, seeming pleased that her gift was well received.
"How's Eden these days? Are you doing well?"
"Nothing much on my end. Just passing time with missions."
"The Fallen must be suspicious of you?"
"It's fine since he's not openly making a fuss."
She waved her hand, telling him not to worry as she had made new escape routes. It seemed she no longer had any interest in Eden.
"Instead, there's a lot happening elsewhere."
"Elsewhere?"
"Yes. As the Five Demons move, many neutral forces have collapsed. It wouldn't be strange if a war broke out. There are also rumors that the Sword Saint's Tomb has been discovered recently."
"The Sword Saint's Tomb?"
Raon's eyes widened.
-What is this Sword Saint? It sounds like a delicious name.
Wrath poked his head out.
'It's not food, but a martial artist who was considered the strongest on the continent hundreds of years ago. He used both sword and saber, and I heard he was transcendent in both.'
Though sword and saber may look similar, they are completely different weapons.
Unlike swords which focus on thrusting, sabers focus on slashing, making both difficult to master, but the Sword Saint is said to have wielded both sword and saber as if they were extensions of his own body.
The fact that his title is still spoken of centuries later proves he was a martial artist far beyond the transcendent level.
"Yes."
Merlin nodded while scratching her waist.
"A map with the Sword Saint's Tomb marked on it is circulating. I heard someone called the Ghostly Treasure Seeker has it now. The Six Kings and the Five Demons are probably all chasing after it."
She shook her head as if not particularly interested.
"Ghostly Treasure Seeker..."
"I've said hello and given you a gift, so I'll be going now."
Merlin waved her hand, saying it was time for her to leave.
"I'll keep watching over you from now on. Don't worry."
He wanted to say that was more worrying, but having received a gift, he had to keep his mouth shut.
"And this little one..."
Raon swallowed dryly as he watched Merlin's mouth. As he clenched his fist nervously, wondering what she would say next, her lips moved again.
"...says it wants its claws trimmed."
"C-Claws?"
His eyes widened at the unexpected words.
"It says its claws have grown too long and are actually hindering its hunting. Cut them well, trim them, and paint them a bit too."
Merlin asked him to take good care of the marten and then disappeared.
Kyaak.
The marten approached from the side and extended its front paw. It looked as if it was asking to have its claws trimmed quickly.
'Do I now have to trim a marten's claws too?'
Raon closed his eyes tightly as he looked at the marten's paw.
'What a fate...'
Thanks to Merlin and the marten, a moment of peace came to North Grave Mountain.
* * *
Raon stood on the platform of the fifth training ground and turned around.
'They look like they're on the verge of death.'
The Light Wind division swordsmen were hunched over with faces that looked like they were about to die, like dogs that had been on a day-long walk.
"It's all over now, straighten up."
"That 'all over' took three weeks, not one!"
"You demon king!"
"Evil..."
Burren and Martha gritted their teeth, while Runaan staggered and slumped down.
"What kind of training lasts for three weeks? That ghost-like bastard..."
Rimmer also lay spread-eagled on the ground, his cheeks sunken.
Raon smirked as he looked at the ragged state of the Light Wind division.
As they said, the training had progressed better than expected, so it kept being extended until three weeks had passed before they knew it.
It was certainly a long and difficult time, but thanks to the continuous accumulation of experience, the current Light Wind division had become proficient not only in frontal combat, but also in surprise attacks and escapes.
Now he felt a little more at ease, knowing that even if stronger enemies appeared, they wouldn't necessarily fight head-on, but could flee and look for opportunities.
"Good work everyone."
Raon nodded as he looked at the tired eyes of the Light Wind division.
"Three days of rest."
"Rest!"
"Finally..."
"We can escape from the demon!"
The Light Wind division howled while looking up at the sky, as if they had been liberated from slavery.
"Before that."
Raon waved his hand towards all the smiling members of the Light Wind division.
"W-Wait. Don't tell me it's more training?"
"That demon is certainly capable of it."
"Right. He might say 'the sun's still up, so let's train'..."
The Light Wind division trembled their lips as they looked at the sun still high in the sky.
"We need to eat."
As he said this and clapped his hands again, people came in from outside the training ground, setting up tents and tables, and began to lay out dishes with steam rising as if freshly made.
"Huh...?"
"W-What is this?"
"Suddenly, what..."
"Let's have a group dinner."
Raon curled his lips as he looked at the surprised Light Wind division.
"It's a reward for completing the training well."
-Wooow!
The first to rejoice was not the Light Wind division, but Wrath.
-When on earth did you prepare all this!
He licked his lips as he looked at the food and desserts being laid out under the tent.
'While you were sleeping.'
-You cheeky brat! This king had trusted you!
Wrath showered him with insincere flattery while unable to take his eyes off the food.
"Good work everyone. Eat well and get a good rest for the next three days."
"Ooh!"
"This is what's great about our new Division Leader!"
"Way better than the stingy previous Division Leader!"
The Light Wind division rushed to the tables filled with food without even bothering to greet him.
"Did you even bring this alcohol?"
"Wow, it's all high-quality stuff!"
The Gambling Monster and Rimmer went straight for the alcohol and picked up glasses.
"Ice cream!"
Runaan's purple eyes lit up faintly as she ran to where the bead ice cream was and started filling her plate with as much as she wanted.
"Ahem."
Martha approached Runaan's side and scratched her head.
"What's good?"
She approached first, seemingly grateful to Runaan for helping her during the training.
"This."
Runaan nodded calmly and handed Martha a scoop of green ice cream.
"The color looks a bit strange, is it really tasty?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
Martha tilted her head as if disliking the color, but reluctantly took a bite.
"Ugh! You damn girl! Feeding me poison!"
She furrowed her brow at the shocking taste of mint chocolate and lunged at Runaan.
"Tasteless person."
Runaan shook her head and started running away again.
"They're like sisters now."
Burren shook his head as he watched Runaan and Martha's game of tag.
-The beef girl doesn't know taste. That precious thing!
Wrath sighed as he looked at the mint chocolate Martha had spit out.
'You're the odd ones.'
As Raon was smiling, watching the Light Wind division enjoying the food, Rimmer approached him from the side, holding an entire bottle of alcohol.
"You must have spent quite a bit."
"It's fine."
He waved his hand, saying it was no big deal.
"But..."
Rimmer licked his lips and shook his head.
"There's something I haven't told you."
"What is it?"
"When you become the Division Leader, you have to attend the executive meeting."
"I know."
He had heard about meetings where various matters of the division and units were decided.
"Since it's my first time, I should prepare. Please inform me well."
"But the thing is."
Rimmer licked his lips again, emptied the entire bottle, and continued.
"It's today."
"Pardon...?"
"The executive meeting is today. It starts in three hours."
He shook his head while looking up at the sky.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Really."
"..."
-F-First, eat! Eat and then talk!
Wrath shouted to eat first, but Raon put down the plate of food and closed his eyes deeply before opening them again.
"Why are you telling me this now?"
"Because I just remembered."
Rimmer raised his chin as if teasing.
"Sigh..."
Raon bit his lip and picked up the plate of food again.
"Actually, I have something to tell you too."
"Hm? What is it?"
Rimmer shook his head as he opened an expensive-looking bottle of alcohol.
"You know that usually the retiring person pays for the group dinner, right?"
Raon gave a sly smile as soon as Rimmer drank.
"Huh...?"
Rimmer's lips trembled with an ominous look. Alcohol trickled from his mouth.
"I've put all the food and drink expenses under your name, Vice Division Leader."
As Raon waved his hand, the restaurant owner and bar owner simultaneously gave Rimmer a thumbs up.
"W-Why are you telling me this now?"
"You just asked, didn't you?"
"Hey you!"
Rimmer was about to burst out in anger but bit his lip as if remembering what he had done.
"Everyone stop! Don't eat! I said don't eat!"
He shouted as he ran towards the buffet.
"Do you want to see someone washing dishes for life? Stop eating!"
"An executive meeting, huh..."
Raon licked his lips as he turned his gaze away from the struggling Rimmer.
"This should be interesting."