Chapter 137

“What’s this? Why is it acting up all of a sudden?”

Lezé tilted her head curiously at the strange reaction of her cherished weapon, something she had never witnessed before.

At that moment, Selpard and Arin quickly assumed formal postures.

“This is Selpard, field swordsman, greeting the captain of the Reaper Division.”

“This is Arin, field swordsman, greeting the captain of the Reaper Division.”

**The Reaper Division (사신조)**—a highly selective assassination squad under Ragnar, personally established by Lezé, who recruited each member herself. In essence, it was her personal guard, known for their unmatched skills. Rumors of their reputation had spread throughout the north: "Wherever the Reaper Division moves, death inevitably follows."

“Formalities aren’t necessary,” Lezé said, waving her hand dismissively. “I’m not here as the captain of the Reaper Division today. I’m here as a successor candidate.”  n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

**Successor candidate?**

Theo’s brow furrowed at the unexpected title. Before he could question it, Lezé smirked and shifted her stance.

In an instant, she lunged.

Startled, Theo instinctively drew his **Drake Blade**, blocking her enormous scythe mid-swing.

*CLANG!*

The massive weapon halted inches from his neck, trembling violently as though reluctant to be restrained.

“Tch. Too bad. I was curious to see if you’d react,” Lezé muttered, clicking her tongue.

Behind her, Selpard, Arin, and Ray had drawn their swords and aimed them at her, their stances tense.

Lezé glanced down at the blades pointed at her with a playful grin.

“Oh my, didn’t I just say I’m here as a successor candidate? Isn’t this technically rebellion?”

The sly remark mirrored the words Theo had once used during his confrontation with the Gyo Ryong Society, turning them back on his allies.

Selpard, however, remained unfazed by the veiled threat. “We’ll accept any investigation by the Law Bureau later. But first, we must protect our junior. That’s the foundation of the White Iron Dragon Corps.”

“Hah, so the White Iron Dragon Corps has already sided with the sixth candidate?” Lezé quipped.

“Think what you will,” Selpard replied coldly.

Lezé clicked her tongue in disappointment, her gaze shifting toward Wellington, who stood silently nearby.

“Hey, sweetheart. Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to help me out?”

Wellington sighed deeply.

“Lezé, whatever mess you’ve caused, please handle it yourself.”

“So mean, darling.”

“And I’ve asked you repeatedly not to call me that! There’s nothing between us!”

“Oh, you’ve forgotten that fiery night already?” Lezé teased with a mischievous grin.

Everyone’s gazes immediately turned cold, particularly Ray’s, who muttered in disgust, “Pervert.”

“It’s not what you think!” Wellington blurted, his voice defensive. “And Lezé, stop saying things that can be misinterpreted! What happened in Taroban was nothing more than camaraderie between comrades!”

“Hehe. That’s enough for me,” Lezé replied cheekily.

“Not for me!” Wellington retorted, his exasperation evident.

Theo observed their exchange, quickly grasping the situation. *Ah, she’s trying to recruit him.*

Lezé’s notorious appetite for talent rivaled even Julius’s. Once she set her sights on someone, she would stop at nothing to bring them into her fold—hence the Reaper Division’s reputation as an elite unit. Given Wellington’s exceptional skills, it was no surprise she was relentless in pursuing him.

---

The tension escalated when Lezé suddenly adjusted her grip on her scythe and took a step toward Theo.

“Alright, enough games. Let’s test you properly,” she said, her tone shifting to one of genuine intent.

In response, Theo raised his Drake Blade, its gleaming edge humming with anticipation.

*CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!*

The two weapons clashed violently, their movements a blur of speed and precision. Despite the scythe’s massive size and length, Lezé wielded it with an eerie grace, each swing leaving a sinister trail in the air.

Theo’s blade moved with equal finesse, deflecting her strikes in rapid succession. The atmosphere grew heavier with each collision, charged with the oppressive aura of their deadly intent.

Finally, Lezé leaped back, landing lightly on the ground. Her scythe, **Grim Reaper**, trembled in her grasp.

“You managed to block Grim Reaper? Impressive.”

But before she could follow up, three shadowy figures descended from above, surrounding Theo with their scythes drawn.

“Those who point blades at Lady Lezé…”

“…must pay with their lives.”

They were members of the Reaper Division, who had been waiting in the shadows until now.

Theo, however, didn’t even glance at them, keeping his eyes locked on Lezé.

“Didn’t your boss just say pointing weapons at a successor candidate is akin to rebellion?” he remarked calmly.

In that instant, his shadow writhed, and **Umbra** emerged, wings spread wide like sharpened blades.

*KREEEEK!*

With one swift motion, Umbra’s attack landed, grazing two of the Reaper Division members and forcing the third to retreat.

Though the wounds were shallow, Umbra’s venom seeped into their systems, inducing immediate hallucinations. The brief confusion allowed Selpard, Arin, and Ray to incapacitate each assailant with precision.

---

Theo pushed off the ground, his aura flaring as he initiated **Mana Resonance**, his body glowing red-hot as steam rose from his skin.

The air around him shifted dramatically, a palpable sense of domination radiating from him.

**The Path of Conquest (패도).**

This was Ragnar—a force that commanded submission and fear.

“Oh? So you’re not just going to take this lying down?” Lezé smirked, her fangs glinting as she realized Theo’s intent.

He was sending a message: *I am also a successor candidate. Challenge me, and I will respond in kind.*

“Fine,” she said, tightening her grip on Grim Reaper. “Let’s see if you’re worthy of that claim.”

Her scythe erupted with black flames, the heat causing the ground beneath her to sizzle. She looked every bit the reaper, risen from hell itself.

---

Just as the two were about to clash again, Deungryong suddenly appeared between them, intercepting both their attacks with ease.

*BOOM!*

The force of their deflected strikes shook the Tulip Guild to its foundation.

“Ack! What is going on here?!” Ode shouted, storming onto the scene, her face livid.

“Enough,” Deungryong said, his tone calm but commanding. “Put your weapons away, or I’ll break them. Along with your hands, if necessary.”

Lezé sighed dramatically. “You’re no fun, old man.”

Theo hesitated for a moment before lowering his blade. The steam dissipated from his body as he regained his composure.

“Wise choice,” Deungryong said with a nod. “There’s no point in allies fighting each other. Save your strength for the real enemies.”

Theo extended his hand toward Lezé. “Let’s put this behind us. I’m Theo Ragnar of the White Iron Dragon Corps. Pleased to officially meet you.”

Lezé smirked, gripping his hand briefly before releasing it.

As their hands met, Theo subtly channeled a trace of mana, probing her reaction.

*You sly bastard,* Lezé thought, recognizing his intent.

But before she could speak, her scythe trembled violently once more.

*ZZZZT!*

The vibrations carried a sense of panic, as though the weapon was trying to flee.

*What’s he after?*

Then, a notification echoed in Theo’s mind:

**[Skill: Hatchling Syncro] has activated, awakening the consciousness within the ancient dragon artifact.**

A brilliant light erupted from Grim Reaper, illuminating the area.