Chapter 80

The eye of the storm refers to the calm area at the center of a massive storm, where there is no wind. Despite the powerful winds still raging around it, the inside is tranquil and peaceful, as if everything has come to an end. This is the eye of the typhoon. And now, such a situation has unfolded before Raon's eyes.

The madness and rage that the Blood Fiend had been spewing, the emerald aura that Rimer had been unleashing, all of it was pushed away to the periphery. A space where not even the wind blew.

No, not just the wind, but the flow of air itself seemed to have stopped, and even sounds could not be heard. His body felt heavy, as if weighed down by chunks of metal on his shoulders.

The Blood Fiend, seemingly taken aback, had its eyes wide open and its mouth agape. It, too, could not move its body properly.

Whiiiiing!

A clear flow emerged in that silent space.

It was Rimer's sword. The emerald wind gathered on the blade, which had been empty after the aura disappeared.

Thud!

Rimer took a step. The ground crumbled as his body shot forward like an arrow.

Even amidst its confusion, the Blood Fiend unleashed a powerful punch, but Rimer slipped through like the wind, moving deeper.

And with one strike.

The sword, containing the essence of the wind itself, fell vertically.

Plop!

The Blood Fiend's right arm, harder than steel, was severed and fell to the black ground.

But the Blood Fiend was a Master-level warrior. It did not collapse just because its arm was cut off.

It immediately stopped the bleeding from its right arm and retreated. Its movement was as swift and agile as a tiger.

Rimer, as if he had anticipated this, swung his sword and pursued the Blood Fiend.

The Blood Fiend tried to escape from the eye of the storm that Rimer had created, but as Rimer moved, the space moved with him.

Realizing it could not escape, the Blood Fiend stopped. It lowered its stance and condensed all its energy into its remaining left fist.

Rooooar!

The space vibrated. A red aura, like a wave, surged, creating a tidal wave.

Facing the tidal wave of aura that could cover the earth, Rimer stood with a thin sword in his hand.

Whoosh!

The eye of the typhoon grew larger, and the wind wrapping around Rimer's sword became even more intense.

Rimer struck the sword, now enveloped by the storm.

Crack!

A sound like a cliff splitting, and the emerald wind cut through the red tidal wave.

Whoosh!

At that moment, a burst of intense light erupted.

"Ugh!"

Raon, unable to bear the light, closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again.

"Is it over?"

When he opened his eyes, the eye of the typhoon had disappeared, and the world had returned to normal.

"..."

The Blood Fiend and Rimer stood facing each other, five steps apart.

"You reduced the power of our physical bodies and auras, and contained all the wind of that calm area in your sword."

The Blood Fiend's voice still overflowed with madness and rage.

"Fine. That's what sword arts are supposed to be. But how did you use the sword art?"

This was not just the Blood Fiend's curiosity. Raon was also shocked to see Rimer use the sword art.

'Sword arts can only be used by those who have the blood of Sieghart...'

Among the six strongest forces on the continent, the Six Princes and Oma each have their own characteristics, but Sieghart is particularly special.

A barrier created not by a mage but by a swordsman. The ability to manifest a sword art is so remarkable that it has made the entire continent buzz.

However, only those who have the blood of Sieghart can use sword arts, and even among them, only a few can manifest them.

For an elf like Rimer, who is not even human, to use a sword art is an absurdity.

"To be precise, it wasn't a sword art, but something similar."

Rimer smiled, lowering his eyes.

"I'm an elf, so I'm quite familiar with nature."

"...I see."

The Blood Fiend nodded, as if realizing something.

"Even when you lose your teeth in old age or are injured, you remain a tiger."

He laughed and then turned his gaze to Raon.

"What a pity. That should have been eliminated, as it will surely have a significant impact on Eden..."

"We can't let our young king fall to a scum like you."

"Indeed, you have the qualities of a conqueror, not just an ordinary swordsman. But don't be arrogant."

The Blood Fiend's voice began to tremble.

"We also have talents that can rival that monster. I'm looking forward to the battle between the two of us."

"The continent is vast."

Rimer nodded, muttering that it was possible.

"My defeat. Oh, Sieghart's sword of light."

With those words, the Blood Fiend closed his eyes. A red line appeared at the center of his body.

His body, maintained by aura, split, and the giant who had reached the Master level fell backward.

Whoosh!

The helmet the Blood Fiend wore also split in half, and the mad light in its eyes disappeared.

"Haa..."

Rimer sighed and sat on the ground.

"Did you see it well?"

He turned back and smiled. His expression was the same as usual, but he looked exhausted.

"I saw it."

Raon nodded.

"That's the technique you need to learn as a Sieghart. It's called a sword art."

"Sword art..."

Raon knew it but pretended to murmur the word.

"Unlike mages who use mana, it's a barrier created by the experience and momentum you've built up."

"That's why you've always emphasized momentum."

"Exactly. Even if it's not a sword art, building momentum makes it easier to exert power."

Rimer smiled, and Raon nodded again.

'Indeed...'

Thanks to the daily training that pushed him beyond his limits, he had certainly improved, and the other children had definitely benefited from it.

If they hadn't trained to build momentum, the children wouldn't have dared to attack the Green-Eyed Demon or flee from the Blood Fiend.

"You are a collateral descendant, but in reality, you are a direct descendant. You might be able to manifest a sword art someday, or rather, you will."

Rimer spoke with certainty.

"Your experiences, achievements, aura, and future—all of these are contained in a sword art. Experience many things and learn them well."

Even as he panted, he continued to teach. Everything from the battle with the Blood Fiend to now was a lesson.

"Did you all see it well?"

Rimer turned completely and looked behind him. There, Lunan, Burren, Martha, and the other trainees stood in a daze.

They seemed to have been watching the situation from outside the sword art.

"Lunan!"

Lunan ran over. Her eyes, which were usually clear, were filled with small tears.

"What the hell! This guy was alive! He was alive!"

Martha, who couldn't believe Raon was still alive, trembled as she held his shoulder.

"Lord Raon!"

"Raon!"

"Ugh!"

Dorian and the other trainees ran over, their eyes brimming with tears.

"Raon Sieghart."

Burren sighed in relief, his cheeks trembling.

"It's really fortunate..."

He staggered and then looked at Rimer, who was next to Raon.

"Hey, Instructor."

"Hmm?"

"How did you use the sword art manifestation?"

"I created it."

"Y-You created it?"

"Yes."

Rimer nodded, repeating what he had told the Blood Fiend.

"There are a few sword arts passed down in Sieghart. They can only be used by those with the blood of Sieghart, but creating a new one is different."

He smiled, saying he had created the sword art.

"Then, can I use that sword art?"

Martha stepped forward, her eyes sparkling. Lunan also looked interested.

"No, you can't."

Rimer shook his head calmly.

"To create a sword art, you need two conditions if you are not from Sieghart."

"Two conditions?"

"First, experience. You need a lot of experience with sword arts. I stood at the forefront of the battlefield with the head of the family and experienced many sword arts. The second is..."

He paused, looking at each of the trainees.

" Talent for attributes."

"What kind of talent?"

Martha stepped closer, asking. She was very interested in sword arts.

"Talent for attributes. To create a sword art without the blood of Sieghart, you need the power of attributes. I used wind to create my sword art."

"Hmm..."

"However, I don't recommend it."

Rimer shook his head, looking bitter.

"Some collateral descendants, like the Slion family and a few other noble families, have the blood of Sieghart. If they work hard, they might be able to manifest a sword art. But for those without the blood of Sieghart, there are sacrifices to be made."

"Sacrifices?"

"..."

Rimer did not answer.

"Your futures are bright. Unlike me, who had to manifest a sword art out of necessity, you can become strong through your own power."

He spoke loudly so everyone could hear.

"Let's talk about this later. First..."

Rimer took a transparent bottle from his sleeve and approached Raon.

"It will hurt. Bear with it."

He said and then sprinkled the contents of the bottle on Raon's broken arm, torn waist, and thigh.

"..."

Raon felt intense pain but did not even let out a small groan. Compared to the battle with the Blood Fiend, this was nothing.

"Doesn't it hurt?"

"It hurts."

"But you didn't even groan."

"It wasn't that bad."

"Hmm, impressive."

Rimer smiled and shook his head.

"Since it's over, let's go back."

"Wait!"

Burren raised his hand. His eyes were the same as those he showed in the training ground.

"I have one question."

"Huh? I'm tired. Can we do it later..."

Rimer swallowed, knowing what was coming.

"No. We need to do it now. Where were you until now? You were definitely following us, so why did you show up at such a dangerous moment? Not just us, but the villagers were in danger..."

"Huh? What's that?"

Rimer pointed behind Burren.

"Huh!"

"What is it..."

The trainees turned around hurriedly, but only saw the branches of a tree, stripped of leaves, swaying.

"There's nothing... Where did you go!"

Burren's eyes widened. In the short moment he turned around, Rimer had disappeared.

"This guy, really! Why did you show up now! We almost died!"

While he was grateful for the rescue, the situation was too dramatic. They could have been saved earlier for the sake of the villagers.

"Any casualties?"

Raon, holding his broken right arm, approached Burren.

"Fortunately, no. If there were, I would have grabbed the instructor by the collar."

"Then it's fine."

Rimer must have had his reasons. The villagers were shocked, but since no one died, they could recover.

"But..."

"Let's wrap it up. We still have a lot to do."

Raon, covered in blood, shook his head.

"Are you okay?"

"Is Raon okay?"

Burren and Lunan asked simultaneously.

"I'm fine."

Despite his serious injuries, Raon nodded calmly. He was using the Ring of Fire to recover his physical and mana circuits.

The medicine Rimer gave him was also effective, so with a good rest, he would have an even stronger body and mana circuits.

"I'm sorry."

Burren bowed, his hand trembling.

"My judgment was slow, and even though you stepped in, we almost died. I'm not fit to lead anyone."

"Don't think you'll die just because you made a mistake. If you know what the problem is, improve your judgment and strength."

"Hmm..."

"Or quit if you're not confident."

"No. I'll do it. I'll have the strength and judgment to never back down in any situation! I promise you, who saved my life!"

"Then it's fine."

Raon shook his good left hand.

'If he had apologized for not helping, I would have punched him.'

He was not apologizing for not attacking the Blood Fiend but for not fleeing, which was more to his liking.

He's still a kid, so he can achieve great things in the future.

"Lunan. The same goes for you. You should have fled, not tried to help me."

"No."

Lunan, rarely, shook her head with a sullen face.

"If we can't win..."

"No."

"Dangerous."

"No."

"Wait, let me finish."

"No. I'll help."

She said, covering her ears and turning her head.

"I'll get stronger. I'll definitely get strong enough to fight by your side!"

"Hmm..."

Despite the absurdity, a warm feeling filled his heart because he knew she was sincere about getting stronger and helping him.

This mission was tough and painful, but he was happy to learn more about his emotions.

"..."

Raon looked at Martha last. She was looking at him with deep eyes, as if thinking about something.

"It's over. Let's go back."

He waved at the still dazed trainees.

In the distance, people were running through the darkness. They were the Sieghart support team that Crane had gone to call.

Feeling that everything was over, his heart felt light.

[You have won the bet with <Rage>.]

[Your reward has been granted.]

Just as he thought about resting, a blue window appeared before his eyes.

"Huh?"

-What?