The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 104

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 104

I finished my Sensory Swordsmanship training and returned to my room in the Annex Building. Though the training had ended, the heat still burned through my body and mind, refusing to cool.

‘That’s impressive swordsmanship.’

-What’s so great about such beastly sword techniques?

Wrath grumbled that it was crude swordsmanship.

‘It’s not just a simple beast. It’s an alpha tiger with sharp claws and the intelligence to use them.’

Sensory Swordsmanship was a technique that honed one’s instinct in battle to target an opponent’s weaknesses. Most extreme offensive sword techniques often fell prey to feints or suffered counterattacks.

‘Sensory Swordsmanship is different.’

Sensory Swordsmanship advanced beyond ordinary instinctive techniques—it saw through an opponent’s deceptions and created openings that didn’t exist. With sufficient mastery, I could pierce through any defense, regardless of who my opponent was.

-Speaking of instinct, it reminds me. When I was in the Demon Realm, a strong little brat appeared who could topple demons with natural instinct. But who am I? The King of the Demon Realm, the Lord of Wrath. I simply exhaled frigid energy and made that demon submit….

‘Yawn.’

I opened my mouth wide in a yawn as I listened to Wrath’s rambling. Drowsiness suddenly crept over me.

-Listen! This is all wisdom that will nourish your very being!

‘It won’t nourish mine, though.’

I was dismissing him with a wave when a soft knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

I responded in a voice as quiet as the knock itself, and the door opened to reveal Judith entering.

“You called for me?”

She prostrated herself beneath the bed, lowering her head.

“There are matters to settle before I depart.”

“Please speak.”

I gazed at Judith’s expressionless face, closing and opening my eyes.

“The Rage Worm I fed you on the first day was counterfeit.”

Judith’s throat trembled slightly—not a reaction of surprise, but rather one of confirmation.

“You knew?”

“I had no certainty, only suspicion.”

“Suspicion?”

“Yes. In truth, on the day I first saw your true face, I was consumed by terror and could not think of anything. I could not have suspected it was false.”

She lifted her chin. Her sunken eyes were striking.

“I was so terrified of you that I could only think of survival, but the warmth of the people in the Annex Building gradually eased my heart. I thought you would make strange demands, yet you treated me with humanity, and you even devised a way to avoid suspicion from the Central Intelligence Agency.”

Judith’s rigid lips relaxed like cheese melting away.

“Still, I didn’t let my guard down against you. I thought the somewhat mature, childlike demeanor you showed to Lady Martha and Helen was all an act. But through several experiences, I came to realize it wasn’t.”

“Hmm.”

“The face you showed to Sylvia, the gaze with which you threatened me—all of it was genuine. You simply wanted to protect this Annex Building.”

I nodded silently. Judith was right. Threatening her, frightening her, turning her into a double agent—all of it was to protect the Annex Building.

“So I began to think you might not be such an evil person as to use Wrath.”

That was incorrect. Because of Derus Robert, I had no intention of ever using Wrath, but I was capable of doing far worse to protect the Annex Building.

“But that’s merely suspicion. If you hadn’t told me this, I wouldn’t have been certain. Why did you tell me?”

Judith tilted her head in confusion, as if unable to comprehend.

“Because you’ve changed.”

“Pardon?”

“Just as you watched me, I watched you.”

I continued speaking with calm eyes.

“Thanks to the Annex Building’s peculiarity, sincerity began to bloom in your face even as you performed behind that mask.”

“That’s….”

“You’ve already been exposed to me, so there was no need to impress anyone else. No matter what you did, a single word from me would see you cast out or killed. Yet you tried to shield your mother and Helen with your own body. That wasn’t an act.”

Judith’s body flinched.

“Just as you revealed your true self, I merely laid bare my own truth.”

“….”

She kept her head bowed, unable to speak for a long moment. Raon sat quietly, waiting for her words.

“I have a younger sibling. When I was sold here, we were separated. I don’t know where they are or what they’re doing, but I had no choice but to follow their orders when they promised to reunite us someday.”

Judith’s voice, trembling with moisture, struck deep into my chest.

‘It’s similar.’

She had a younger sibling, and though she’d been sold rather than kidnapped, Judith’s circumstances mirrored my own from my past life. Now I understood why her eyes had seemed so familiar.

“I’ll save them.”

“Pardon?”

Judith’s head snapped up in shock.

“As you can see, I’m not the type to sit idle. Karun has no intention of abandoning his designs on me and the Annex Building either, so we’ll inevitably clash someday.”

Karun hadn’t merely been extracting information—he’d even bribed a mage to inflict fatal wounds during practical training. A man like that wouldn’t back down easily.

“Once I settle things with Karun, I’ll find your sister. If she’s alive, I’ll bring her back no matter what it takes.”

I’d never lost family myself, but I understood the weight of her burden. I had someone precious to me now too.

“Whether you believe me or not doesn’t matter.”

My desire to save her—a woman living a life so eerily similar to my past self—was genuine. All the more so because I’d failed once before.

Judith remained prostrate with her palms pressed to the ground for a long moment before lifting her head.

Her eyes had narrowed to fox-like slits, and her red lips hung slack. Her face bore no trace of a smile—the true expression I’d glimpsed before.

“I have one question. If I were to relay information about you to Karun Zigheart, why did you reveal the truth about the Lazy Worm?”

“Because I didn’t think you would.”

Your eyes held the same light as mine.

“That’s a ridiculous answer.”

“So will you do it?”

“…I will follow you.”

Judith’s voice had changed. Gone was her usual warmth—now it was as dry as a withered leaf.

-It’s done.

‘Yes.’

When a spy revealed their true face and voice, it meant they had submitted with genuine loyalty. As Wrath had said, I could consider Judith to have truly become mine.

“If there is anything you need, please tell me at any time.”

Judith bowed with the same reverence she would show to the head of a household. A glimmer of white light flickered in her once-lifeless eyes.

“I’m entrusting the Annex Building to you while I’m away.”

“Yes.”

She bowed once more and left the room.

“Sigh….”

I lay back on the bed and exhaled deeply.

‘She’s different.’

Though Judith and I had lived similar lives, our desires differed. While I had sought freedom, she sought to save her brother. In some ways, her burden might be heavier.

“There’s so much to do.”

I had to elevate Sylvia above the direct line of succession, behead Derus Robert, separate Lunan from Sylvia, and rescue Judith’s brother.

“There’s only one way.”

-And what would that be?

“I need to become stronger.”

I rose to my feet and fastened the practice sword leaning against the wall to my waist.

-What are you doing? Surely not….

“That’s right. I’m going to train.”

Raon nodded firmly and opened the door.

-You’re obsessed with training! Even the Demon Realm has no one as peculiar as you! Get some sleep! Some sleep!

*

*

*

Two weeks passed, and the morning of the survival test’s departure arrived.

Raon fastened a real sword to his waist for the first time in a while and donned a worn coat. By appearance alone, he looked more like a mercenary or adventurer than a swordsman.

He shouldered a lightweight enchanted backpack, swept his gaze across the room one final time, and departed. The lobby was empty. He chuckled softly and opened the entrance.

Sylvia, Helen, and the attendants stood in a line before the entrance.

“M-Master. You’re leaving now, aren’t you? You have to go….”

Helen sniffled as she gathered provisions—a lunch box, dried meat, and other travel supplies—and handed them to me.

“Master. You must be careful.”

“Never overexert yourself.”

“If it becomes too difficult, flee.”

The maids offered their words and handed over the travel supplies they had prepared. Though I had already gathered everything I needed, I accepted it all and packed it into my backpack.

“Thank you.”

“Have a safe journey.”

Judith also offered her farewell and gave me a cloth bundle containing something.

After receiving the farewells from all the maids, I approached Sylvia, who stood at the very end.

“Raon. Come back safely. Mother will be waiting here for you.”

She smiled as she spoke of waiting. Though all the maids’ eyes glistened with tears, she alone maintained her smile.

“Yes.”

Understanding the heart behind her smile, I lowered my head and embraced her gently.

“I’ll be back soon.”

I gently wiped away the tears beginning to form at Sylvia’s eyes and turned to leave.

“Young master! Please be careful!”

“You must return safe and sound!”

“Don’t skip any meals!”

I waved my hand in response to the maids’ voices calling from behind, then headed toward the Training Ground.

-Just one year, and yet they worry so much. I don’t understand it.

‘Because it’s a dangerous place.’

All the maids except Judith had been in the Annex Building since my birth. It was natural for them to worry when the child they thought of as a son was going somewhere dangerous.

-I have lived for thousands of years and fought against dangers so terrible and so terrible that humans cannot even imagine….

‘I see.’

-Please listen to me. This is truly important….

‘Yes. Yes.’

I teased Wrath as I opened the Training Ground door. All the trainees and instructors were gathered in the center.

“You’re late!”

Rimer, perched on the platform, chuckled and gestured.

“Now that everyone’s here, I’ll announce your graduation exam once more. Duration: one year. Survive in your assigned locations. Simple enough?”

“B-but those locations aren’t normal!”

Dorian, who was heading to Habun Castle with me, trembled as his lips quivered.

“If it were easy, it wouldn’t be a test.”

“Ugh!”

“He’s really infuriating….”

“Additionally, you cannot use the Zigheart name. Abandon your family name and use only your given name. As for your profession, you can register as a mercenary or a training swordsman.”

Rimer stomped his feet in the air, telling us to suffer a bit, and swept his gaze across the trainees with a refreshing smile as they frowned.

“Finally, I’ll be honest with you. Your abilities are already not far behind those of newly appointed swordsmen. If you overcome this trial, you’ll be able to climb even higher.”

At his grave gaze and tone, the trainees straightened their backs.

“And this is a gift.”

Rimer pointed to a box with a lion’s head drawn on it in front of the platform. When the instructor opened the lid, dozens of gray gloves were revealed inside.

“These are the knight’s gloves we were supposed to receive when we defeated the Owen Kingdom. It’s fortunate they arrived in time.”

He chuckled as he touched the gloves.

“They’re lightweight and offer excellent protection for the hands and wrists. Even with money, these are difficult to obtain, so accept them with gratitude.”

Rimer personally collected the gloves and distributed them one by one to the trainees.

“Mm.”

I nodded as I slipped the gloves onto my hands. They fit perfectly, and wielding my sword felt seamless—not the slightest hint of discomfort. They bore the hallmark of Owen’s renowned craftsmanship.

“I hope to see you all in good health again. That concludes my remarks.”

Rimer ascended the Platform once more, a faint smile crossing his face.

“Fall in line.”

At my command, the trainees formed neat rows before the Platform.

“Salute the instructors.”

“Thank you for everything!”

The trainees bowed deeply to the instructors. Their heartfelt cry reverberated through the Training Ground.

“Return to us stronger. We shall be waiting in this place.”

Rimer spoke the same words as Sylvia before departing the Training Ground. The instructors followed, each offering words of encouragement.

I turned to face the trainees, meeting their eyes—each one burning with unwavering resolve—and nodded in acknowledgment.

“I have nothing special to say.”

“What?”

“Hey! Are you really going to be like this until the end?”

“This might be our last time together, and as the top student, you should at least say something!”

“You’re usually so eloquent!”

The trainees, grown close through countless shared experiences, stamped their feet like angry monkeys.

“Fine, then. Just one thing.”

As I raised my hand, they fell silent at once, straightening their necks as rigidly as if listening to an instructor’s command.

“There’s a saying on the Continent: warriors who survive their first real battle don’t die easily. By chance, we experienced genuine combat.”

The trainees’ eyes returned to that moment a year ago when they faced Gwahyeolgwi. Some felt fear, others tasted the thrill of victory, and still others harbored regret.

“In a situation where death was inevitable, you all survived and completed the mission. Just as the Continent’s legends foretell, you do not die. Return stronger, worthy of the 5th Training Ground’s name.”

“Uuuaaahhhhh!”

“Let’s win and survive!”

“Let’s go!”

The trainees drew their blades. United as one, they erupted in a roar that shook the air.

I stepped back, watching the trainees’ fervent determination ignite. Now came their individual journeys.

“Raon Zigheart.”

Burren approached with tension etched across his face.

“This year, I’ll grow with every ounce of strength I possess. The moment I return, I’m challenging you to a duel. Don’t disappoint me.”

“Planning to run away again?”

“T-that’s not—! You were trying to kill me! That’s why!”

His confident voice shrank to that of a hungry child.

“That never happened. I was simply training my swordsmanship.”

“Regardless! I’m leaving now. You’d better become stronger! Strong enough that I can catch up to you and be satisfied!”

He departed shouting that I should live as a true Zigheart swordsman wherever I went. Crain, who accompanied him, gave a nod of acknowledgment.

“Hey.”

This time Martha approached, her nose scrunched up with intensity.

“I don’t forget debts or grudges. You’ve got both, so there’s no way I could forget.”

“I know.”

“Since I have to settle both, don’t you dare die out there. If you do, I’ll hunt you down and kill you myself.”

“Oh, and Mother says thank you for the meat. Come visit the Annex Building next time.”

“Why would you say something like that now…?”

“Come back safely. Don’t you dare die.”

“Heh.”

She muttered something unintelligible with her head bowed.

“And you don’t die either. Absolutely not!”

Martha pointed her finger at me one last time before leaving the Training Ground alone.

Hmph.

That snort—now even endearing to my ears. I turned around to find Lunan standing there, as expected.

“Here.”

She held out the ice cream box she’d been carrying.

-Ice cream girl! When I rule the world, I shall make certain to look after you specially.

Wrath’s mouth watered at the thought of eating ice cream. He held considerable affection for Lunan, who always brought him some.

Just as I was about to open the lid, thinking she wanted me to have one, Lunan thrust the entire box toward me.

“Take all of it?”

“Yeah.”

-Ooh! Ice cream girl! I shall appoint you as my first maidservant. You wouldn’t understand, but….

‘Go away.’

I shoved the fawning Wrath into the bracelet.

“You’re really giving all of this away? You?”

“Here.”

Lunan pulled ice cream boxes from his bag. One, two, three, four. Four boxes in total. He held them up and nodded vigorously, his expression asking what I thought of them.

“Impressive.”

I chuckled softly and retrieved homemade jerky from my bag, placing it atop Lunan’s boxes.

“I made it myself, so it should taste good. Eat it when you get bored on the way.”

Lunan stared blankly at the jerky pouch before nodding.

“Thanks.”

“I’m grateful too.”

“Yeah.”

Her lips, which had been frozen stiff, curved upward ever so slightly.

“Safe travels.”

Lunan Slion waved his hand like swaying a balloon and departed from the Training Ground.

One by one, the trainees left, until only Raon and Dorian remained in the Training Ground.

“Ugh, I don’t want to go. I really don’t want to.”

Dorian, already seized by fear, had buried his head against the floor.

“Then how about we stop by somewhere else first?”

I grabbed Dorian by the scruff of his neck and lifted him up. He was on the verge of tears.

“Huh? Yes? Where, sir?”

“Camelrun, the merchant city.”

I smiled while pointing south.

“Let’s equip ourselves properly before the battle.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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