Chapter 1179
What Is the Heart?
Everyone possesses a heart, yet most fail to harness its power.
Even martial artists who have transcended the ordinary or mages cannot fully comprehend it, merely wielding it as raw willpower. But now, I’ve come to understand a little of what the heart truly is—
The force that allows me to be myself.
It is the heart that enables me to live wholly as Raon Zieghart, unswayed by others. Yet, my existence isn’t limited to just Raon Zieghart. There’s also the assassin Raon, a life steeped in darkness, one that never once glimpsed the light. Both lives are mine, and I wished for my new sword to embody them all.
The Heart Sword—Life and Death.
A blade forged from the essence of Raon’s dual lives pierced deep into the Dragon Lord’s soul.
Craaaaack!
Though no physical sound should’ve echoed when a heart sword struck a soul, everyone present heard the chilling noise of the blade embedding itself into the Dragon Lord’s core.
[Kroooooooar!]
The Dragon Lord writhed in agony greater than when it suffered the recoil of its absolute magic, shedding golden scales as it unleashed a scream that seemed to tear through dimensions.
[Th-this can’t be… Grrrrr!]
It snarled like a feral lizard rather than a dragon, its voice laced with primal fury.
“…….”
Raon’s cold eyes flickered as he silently observed the Dragon Lord thrashing on the ground.
‘Finally, I’ve captured it.’
His past life and present life—two vastly different existences—had always been something he wished to fuse into a single sword. Now, he’d achieved it.
A profound exhilaration surged through him, sending shivers down his spine.
‘Who knew the Dragon Lord would be the one to help me grow?’
In truth, he’d adapted so deeply to his current life that he’d nearly forgotten his past. Though he knew merging the two would be beneficial, it hadn’t come easily—until the Dragon Lord’s death sentence changed everything.
Trapped in the soul-devouring sands, awaiting death, he recalled the helplessness of his past life’s end—captured by Derus Robert, beheaded by his master. Reliving that hellish memory allowed him to grasp the essence of death with his very soul.
Even now, Life and Death isn’t a perfected sword. But by refining it further, embracing life and death more intricately, it may one day become a true heart sword capable of rending even Derus Robert’s soul.
Ooooooom!
Clutching the hilt tightly, Raon felt a silent, crystalline resonance ring in his ears, though no sound should’ve been possible.
-Grrr…
Ras frowned, clicking his tongue.
-Not… not bad. Your heart blade has grown slightly sharper.
Though reluctant to admit it, he averted his gaze, muttering about it being a decent sword.
-But you’re still far off! With that level, you can’t slay demon kings or archangels! If that lizard hadn’t weakened, your strike wouldn’t have landed so cleanly!
Ras snorted, insisting Raon needed to grow much further.
‘After frantically calling my name, here he goes again…’
Raon chuckled, recalling how Ras had shouted his name with worry in his eyes.
-Wh-what are you implying?!
Ras squawked like a startled chick.
-I just felt like yelling, that’s all!
He shook his head, adamant that his concern wasn’t the reason.
‘I’m not teasing you.’
Raon raised a hand lightly.
‘I wanted to say thank you.’
The urgency in Ras’s voice had conveyed deep worry—proof that the King of Wrath had become inseparable family.
-Grrr…
Ras rolled his eyes like marbles, emitting a low groan.
-Th-thank me? Nonsense! I merely pitied you, my pet-like subordinate!
Flustered, he turned his reddened face toward the Dragon Lord.
[Grrrr…]
The Dragon Lord foamed at the mouth, heaving ragged breaths. Black blood oozed from the sword wounds etched across its body, each drop reeking of death.
-Why isn’t it dead yet?
Ras narrowed his eyes at the suffering creature.
-It failed to enact its death decree with that pitiful dragon magic, and its soul was pierced by your heart sword. It should’ve died ages ago!
He tilted his head, baffled.
-Even if your heart sword is weak and it’s an ancient lizard, it should’ve perished by now!
Ras scrutinized the Dragon Lord, suspicion growing.
-Wait… don’t tell me…
‘Exactly.’
Raon nodded, watching the Dragon Lord’s labored breaths.
‘I’m keeping it alive on purpose.’
As Ras sensed, the Dragon Lord should’ve died long ago. The recoil from its failed absolute magic and the soul-piercing heart sword left no room for doubt.
-So that heart sword isn’t ordinary after all!
‘Right. Life and Death is special.’
True to its name, the Heart Sword governs life and death. Though harder to embed in an enemy’s soul than a typical heart sword, once it strikes, the battle is over.
‘Because I control their life and death.’
He could sever the Dragon Lord’s breath now or let it live for years in endless torment.
At this moment, the Dragon Lord was no different from a bug in his palm.
-Wh-what kind of insane sword is that?!
Ras yelled, aghast.
-That’s downright broken!
He furrowed his brow, demanding to know how such power existed.
‘That’s why it’s so difficult to wield.’
Raon shook his head—greater difficulty came with greater rewards.
-Still, it’s too good. Wait… huh?
Ras’s gaze sharpened as he studied the Dragon Lord again.
-That energy in the lizard’s chest feels familiar…?
He tilted his head, sensing something amiss.
‘That, too, will soon be revealed.’
Raon strode toward the Dragon Lord with heavy steps.
“Had enough screaming?”
He twisted his lips, stomping on the Dragon Lord’s head.
“Then let’s begin.”