Chapter 378


    Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the confused Burren.


    <strong>He got a lot out of it.</strong>


    <em>Yes, hes sessfully absorbed the elixir.</em>


    No matter how great the elixir was, it was impossible to absorb all of the energy from it.


    Impurities were bound to mix in while concentrating the energy of nature, and Burren looked like hed managed to filter out the impurities while only absorbing high-purity mana.


    His realm hadnt increased too much, but his body had grown, and the quantity of his aura had drastically increased.


    What the hell did you do?


    Burren swallowed nervously while looking at the trembling Mark Goetten, who was still holding onto his ankle.


    We trained.


    Raon shrugged his shoulders.


    T-train? What kind of training destroys a person like this?!


    He gasped, saying that the steadfast knight had turned into a dog in the rain.


    It was a simple training method where I throw the daggers and Sir Mark fends them off.


    Why would he be trembling like this if it was a simple training method?!


    He must be excited because the training was so fun.


    Do you really think that makes any sense?!


    Burren looked at Mark Goetten after hearing the ridiculous statement.


    Mark Goetten was frantically denying it by shaking his head at a speed where his pupils couldnt be seen anymore.


    See? Hes so energetic.


    Raons lips curved into a smile as he watched the sight. Mark Goetten started coughing like something went down the wrong pipe and hugged Burrens leg even harder.


    <strong>You have no shame</strong>


    Wrath looked back at Raon, his face pale.


    <strong>Did you just call him energetic after you almost worked him to death?! The conscience in your soul mustve be round a long time ago!</strong>


    <em>What are you even talking about?</em>


    <strong>Conscience originally has a triangr shape, but it wears out whenever you do bad things and gradually turns round! And thats exactly what you did just now!</strong>


    <em>This demon king believes in fairy tales</em>


    On top of being a glutton, he even started talking about a fairy tale aimed to teach morals to children. Wrath felt like a mystery at that point.


    Anyway, the training isnt over yet. Sir Mark, pleasee this way.


    Raon called out to Mark Goetten while spinning the throwing daggers between his fingers.


    Let him rest a bit before you continue! Hes going to die at this rate!


    Burren frowned while patting Mark Goettens back as he trembled in fear.


    He already got enough reshmm?


    Raon stopped waving his hand at Mark Goetten and looked at the cultivation rooms.


    The energies inside the rooms were subsiding, and he could guess that most members had finished their cultivation.


    <strong>Creak!</strong>


    The creaking sound of doors that needed to be oiled could be heard as the Light Wind members came outside one after the other.


    Aaaaah! It feels so good!


    Martha stretched and shouted loudly towards the training ground.


    Yawn


    Runaan came out after her and yawned while blinking her eyes.


    How have you been?


    Dorian smiled while eating a snack that he took out of his belly pocket.


    The Four Clouds Elixir is the signature elixir of the Beast Union for a good reason.


    Indeed. Aura is one thing, and the change in my body is so noticeable.


    I wonder how the reformation feels like when the Four Clouds Elixir is already amazing enough.


    I heard your body changes into one that can master all kinds of martial arts.


    I feel like I''ve gone through a reformation. I think I can win against anyone right now.


    The Light Wind members came out with bright expressions on their faces and smiled in excitement.


    <strong>Whir.</strong>


    Raon unleashed the <em>Perception of the Snow Flower</em> to examine the Light Wind members.


    <em>All of them have changed.</em>


    Every single member of the Light Wind squad waspletely different from when they entered the cultivation rooms. Raon could tell theyd focused on the cultivation even more than Burren.


    A smile appeared on his face as he watched their growth.


    Ahem.


    The Gambling Monster was thest person toe out, and he walked towards Raon while clearing his throat. There was a bright atmosphere in his darkplexion.


    The quantity of his aura had increased, but the most noticeable improvement was his physical strength.


    Its been a long time since thest time someone gave me an elixir without losing a bet. Thank you.


    Its nothing.


    Raon smiled and shook his head.


    This is a cheap price to pay for everything youve done for us so far.


    The Gambling Monster was pretty much family to the Light Wind squad, and he didnt regret giving an elixir to family.


    You will go far in the future.


    What is this now?


    Ahem!


    The Gambling Monster awkwardly cleared his throat and stepped back.


    Raon looked at the cultivation room at the edge that still hadnt opened.


    <em>It looks like the squad leader is going to take some more time.</em>


    He could guess that Rimmer was taking longer than others because hed been perfectly eliminating impurities from his body ever since he received an artificial energy center.


    Huh? What is this zombie? Why didnt you kill him already?!


    Martha frowned while looking at Mark Goetten, who was holding onto Burrens ankle.


    A zombie? Huh? Sir Mark?


    Dorians jaw dropped before he went towards Mark Goetten.


    Ho-how did you end up this way? Did something happen to you?


    Ah, ab-about that


    What happened to the training ground?


    Was there a bombardment?


    The Light Wind members eyes widened as they looked at the zombified Mark Goetten and the training ground in shambles.


    Its because Raon


    Burren gathered the Light Wind members and exined what hed learned.


    Hey! Are you crazy? I know you love training, but you should let him rest at least!


    Thats right! Sir Mark is limping like a dried radish leaf!


    Are you trying to be a real demon? Please keep it in moderation!


    Most people arent monsters like you, vice squad leader!


    Martha, Dorian, and the Light Wind members frowned while protecting Mark Goetten. They mustve grown closer to him while he caught them when they fell from the cliff.


    Do you want to be his recement then?


    Raon pointed his throwing daggers at the Light Wind members one after the other.


    Its a very simple training method where you just need to defend against these throwing daggers.


    Alright! Ill do it!


    Me too!


    Im also joining! This is nothing if I can help Sir Mark!


    Ill be different from the past!


    Burren and Martha clenched their fists, and Dorian bit his lip. The other Light Wind members also shouted and volunteered.


    <em>I think I can endure any training in my current state.</em>


    <em>Training like that isnt a big deal since Ive just absorbed the Four Clouds Elixir.</em>


    <em>Ill show him how much Ive changed.</em>


    Their bodies had improved, and the quantity and quality of their auras had increased from cultivating for five days and nights. They felt as if they could ovee Raons intense training with how much stronger theyd be.


    I like your confidence.


    Raon nodded while looking at the passion brimming in their eyes.


    Follow me.


    He jumped onto the training grounds wall, saying that they should move to the cliff where theyd previously trained.


    Gasp!


    Mark Goetten shook his head while watching the Light Wind members.


    D-dont do it. Sir Raon is currently


    Its okay. Weve also gotten stronger.


    We wont be able tost five days like you, but we canst for a day at least.


    Please wait here. Well be back after taking our vice squad leader down a peg.


    Since their confidence had reached the stratosphere after absorbing the Four Clouds Elixir, they didnt listen to him and ran towards the training ground walls.


    Err


    Mark Goetten grasped his chest while watching their backs.


    <em>No! You definitely cant win against him!</em>


    If their change after taking the elixir could bepared to a caterpir turning into a butterfly, Raons dagger throws improvement was arva turning into a waspmore precisely a Lekill wasp that was capable of killing a human with a single sting.


    Dont do it! Sir Raons dagger throw


    He kept trying to stop them, but Raon turned around and raised his ck dagger to his lips as a gesture to shut up.


    Gasp!


    He remembered how hed been beaten up for the five previous days upon seeing the throwing dagger and became nauseous. Even though his mouth was open, he couldnt say anything.


    Mark Goettens lips were trembling as he watched the Light Wind members confidently leave the training ground.


    I-I really think I shouldnt havee here


    * * *


    * * *


    Raon smiled while looking at the Light Wind members standing in front of the cliff.


    The process will be the same as thest time. You win if a single one of you manages to reach the peak. You can rest tonight and all day tomorrow if that happens.


    You arent about to randomly stop the training likest time, are you?


    Martha growled like an angry dog. She seemed to still be holding a grudge from what happenedst time.


    Of course not. Ill let you continue until you give up.


    Raon nodded nonchntly.


    If we pass, Sir Mark Goetten is also going to rest with us, right?


    Burren included Mark Goettens rest in the terms. He mustve felt bad when he saw him faltering like a zombie.


    Sure, Ill allow it.


    Alright.


    Lets do this!


    We can win in our current state!


    The Light Wind members hit each others fists to harden their determinations.


    Get ready.


    Raon casually waved his hands and jumped onto the cliff. He reached the peak in no time like a soaring bird.


    Wait! You forgot to block our aur


    Shut up.


    When Burren was trying to call Raon back, Martha smacked his shoulder.


    Wh-why did you do that?!


    Raon forgot about it. You dont need to remind him.


    Martha smiled coldly and looked towards Raon at the peak.


    He always says that the one deceived is in the wrong. Its our perfect chance to pay back all of the hardships weve had so far.


    Shes right! We arent cheating because the vice squad leader forgot about it.


    Krein clenched his fist with his eyes sparkling in excitement.


    Lets try like this. If heinster, we can just tell him that its his fault for forgetting about it, just like the first team leader said.


    Lets climb in an instant and reach the peak!


    Im looking forward to the vice squad leaders panicking face.


    I could sleep so soundly if I saw that.


    The Light Wind members mouths curved into smiles as they looked forward to giving Raon a taste of defeat.


    Alright.


    Burren nodded while looking at everyone.


    Lets go!


    Following his signal, the Light Wind members started to climb the cliff at the same time.


    They werent using any footwork, but they were using aura to climb at a tremendous speed.


    Its going to be over in no time at this ratAck!


    Krein was climbing right behind Burren, but his body leaned backward after he got hit by something on his forehead.


    Kuaaaah!


    He fell to the ground with a scream that sounded like a dying pig.


    Krein?


    Wh-what?! What happened just now?!


    I think the vice squad leader threw a dagger!


    Wait, but why is he the first target again?!


    The Light Wind members swallowed nervously as they watched Krein fall to the ground.


    Ack!


    Burren reduced his speed and kept climbing the cliff while maintaining the tension, and a Light Wind member right next to him got smacked by a throwing dagger on his ribs and copsed.


    <strong>Smack! Whack!</strong>


    Alongside violent hitting sounds, the Light Wind memberswho were spread throughout the clifffell like chestnuts falling from a chestnut tree.


    Aaaah!


    Whats happening?!


    I couldnt see it at all!


    Aaah!


    The members fell towards the dark ground while leaving their screams behind every time they got shot down by an invisible throwing dagger.


    Hey.


    Martha came close to Burren and frowned like a fiend.


    Did you see it?


    I-I couldnt really see it.


    Burren shook his head. Hed only noticed a little sh, and the person next to him was gone. It was a truly terrifying situation.


    Keep your focus and look above you. You cant be careless for an instant because the throwing dagger appears from the darkness.


    Burren unleashed as much aura as he could to spread his aura perception upon hearing her words.


    <strong>Pssh!</strong>


    Along with a weak sound like a vibrating string, the throwing dagger suddenly appeared and smacked Dorianwho was cowering on the right sideon the cheekbone.


    Quack!


    Dorian fell down from the cliff while making the sound that a duck would make upon being squeezed.


    Raon, you demoooonKyah!


    He got hit by another dagger on his way down and turned limp from losing consciousness.


    Ugh


    Burrens lips trembled as he watched Dorians hopeless fall.


    <em>Whats happening? How is such a dagger throw even possible?!</em>


    On top of being stealthy, Raons dagger was as fast as a ray of light. He had the feeling he wouldnt be able to dodge it even if he wasnt clinging onto the cliff.


    <strong>Smack! Smack!</strong>


    The hitting sounds resounded consecutively, and all the Light Wind members fell in no time. The only ones left were Burren and Martha, who had stopped climbing in the middle of the cliff.


    We only need one person to reach the top.


    Martha bit her lip and looked upwards.


    Ill be your shield, so you should use your footwork and climb in the meantime.


    But


    You wontst for long without me.


    She started dashing along the cliff, saying that she would defend him against the throwing daggers.


    Martha


    Shut up and follow me already.


    A-alright!


    Burren ran after her while thinking that Martha had changed a lot.


    Once they had almost reached the peak, Martha stopped running.


    Escape!


    Burren escaped to the right upon hearing her shout.


    <strong>Whaam!</strong>


    Martha wrapped her fist in all of her remaining Titans aura and punched Raons throwing dagger.


    However, she was pushed back by the daggers and ended up falling from the cliff because her reaction was toote.


    You idiot! Keep climbing!


    She screamed to urge him to continue as she disappeared into the darkness.


    Damn it!


    Burren used his footwork to run as fast as he could instead of watching Marthas fall.


    The moment he was about to reach the peak, a crimson throwing dagger rushed towards his head.


    Ive been waiting for this!


    Since hed witnessed how Martha was defeated, hed remained alert all along.


    <strong>Cring!</strong>


    Burren gritted his teeth and polished his hand into a de. He unleashed the special technique of the <em>Barren Wind Sword</em> while using his hand as his sword.


    The physical growth hed attained from absorbing the Four Clouds Elixir worked in harmony with his aura to unleash a powerful strike. It was the <em>Barren Wind Sword</em>s special technique, the <em>Barren Barrier of Admonition</em>.


    <strong>Whaam!</strong>


    The <em>Barren Wind Sword</em> unleashed with his hand shed against Raons throwing dagger.


    This should do it Huh?


    Even though he managed to react in time, his hand was getting pushed back. An unimaginable amount of power was dwelling inside Raons throwing dagger. His special technique was unleashed to the best of his ability, but it crumbled like a dry leaf, and the daggers de appeared right under his nose.


    <strong>Smack!</strong>


    Burrens forehead was hit by the dagger, and he started to fall towards the ground even though he couldve reached the peak with one more step.


    <em>Martha wasnt tooteThe power of that throwing dagger is just too insane!</em>


    Damn it


    Burren swore, and Raons face suddenly appeared over the edge of the peak. He waved his hand with a smile.


    You worked hard on climbing, but see you next time.


    You damn basGrr!


    Burren lost consciousness and his neck went limp because of his anger towards Raon instead of the pain.


    Since Runaan didnt climb, he was thest one.


    Raonnded below after he sessfully shot down all of the Light Wind members.


    I-it hurts so damn much


    What did he even do to make the throwing dagger invisible?


    Thats not even the problem. Its too fast to defend against even if it was visible.


    Even if you block it, it will push you back with sheer strength. What the hell is wrong with that dagger throw?


    The Light Wind members sighed deeply, discouraged by Raons <em>wless Throw</em>.


    Raon went past them and walked up to Runaan, who was the only person who didnt climb the cliff.


    Why did you not climb?


    Because you didnt block my aura.


    Runaan tilted her head, saying that it was obvious.


    <strong>Wow!</strong>


    Wrath eximed at Runaan.


    <strong>Thats Ice Cream Girl for you! Its an answer befitting the King of Essences subordinate! Her mindset in a whole different level than a shameless bastard like you!</strong>


    <em>Indeed.</em>


    Raon chuckled and nodded.


    Alright, your honesty deserves a reward. Runaan can rest, and the other members will start climbing once again!


    Argh!


    God damn it!


    I shouldve waited here!


    The Light Wind members mmed the ground and screamed in regret.


    When Raon was about to jump onto the cliff once again, Krein came towards him and bowed.


    Vi-vice squad leader. You forgot to block our aura.


    Krein rubbed the bump on his forehead that was created by the throwing dagger with an obedient smile on his face.


    Yeah.


    Raon went on the cliff with an expression on his face that clearly said, So what?.


    Ugh


    Krein shouted towards Raon with trembling fists.


    You demon! This is discrimination! And stop making me your first targeAck!


    A throwing dagger smacked his forehead as he spoke, and he fell unconscious.


    Everyone was thinking the same thing at that moment.


    <em>I shouldve stayed in the cultivation room for a bit longer</em>


    * * *


    The next day at noon, Raon returned to the fifth training ground with the Light Wind members, who kept falling down from the cliff without ever reaching the summit. Their faces were as pale as a dog with its tail between the legs from losing the battle.


    A-are you okay?


    Mark Goettens lips trembled as he witnessed the Light Wind members, who were bruised all over.


    Sir Mark.


    Raon grasped Mark Goettens shoulder tightly.


    It was really unfortunate, but the Light Wind squad lost. Your training must be resumed.


    Gasp


    Raon gently waved his hand, and Mark Goetten fell on his knees with a trembling chin. He almost looked like he was being taken away by a devil.


    Dont worry, Im not killing you.


    Raon smiled cheerfully and went above the tform.


    Ugh


    Damn it


    Shit!


    The Light Wind members lined up in front of the tform, and their narrowed shoulders were showing that their confidencewhich used to be in the stratospherehad been brought down to the ground.


    As you promised, we are going to practice all night long tonight. My goal is to turn the Light Wind squad into the Light Wind division before next year. Thats why we should do our best to prepare


    As Raon dered his new objective, the door to thest cultivation room burst open. It was the only room that was still closed.


    <strong>Wham!</strong>


    Rimmer came out next to the staggering door. It almost looked like his untied long red hair was unleashing the wind and creating sparkles.


    Ive already requested a promotion to the Light Wind division.


    Rimmer pointed at himself with his thumb with a grin on his face.


    Really?


    Huh!


    Now this is surprising, since our squad leader is azybone.


    Everyone widened their mouths upon hearing that Rimmer had already made the preparations.


    When is the trial?


    There will be two trials total, and the first one is going to be pretty soon.


    He narrowed his eyes. He looked like he was trying to remember when it was.


    How long has it been since I went into the cultivation room?


    Its been six days.


    Six days?


    Rimmer was bobbing his fingers and raised his head upon hearing the answer. A refreshing smile appeared on his lips.


    Which means its tomorrow.


    Everyone lost focus in their eyes as they stared at Rimmer.


    <em>That stupid elf did it again.</em>