The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 118

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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 118

I barely suppressed the laughter threatening to burst from my lips, regarding Wrath with eyes that feigned only mild curiosity.

‘Won’t it take a long time?’
-For an ordinary human, it wouldn’t just take a long time—it would be impossible. But with your pure-grade cold energy, it should be achievable.

Wrath cleared his throat with an ahem and continued.

-This ability is called Glacial. Consider yourself honored to receive direct instruction from me.
‘Yes, yes. I understand. Let’s begin.’
-I acknowledge you possess meager talent, but this will demand an enormous investment of time. Do not neglect your efforts. This is a secret technique I created myself….
‘I’m not learning it. I’ll just scout with the Soul Reaper Sword instead.’
-Wait! I understand! I’ll start right away!

I turned my head sharply, and Wrath hurried after me.

-First, calm your mind and settle your spirit.
‘Understood.’

I closed my eyes. I breathed in and out with tedious slowness, and as I repeated that simple action, my mind became as blank as a white canvas.

-Now comes the connection.
‘Connection?’
-Yes. You link the cold energy within you to the cold energy spread across this entire land. Open your eyes.

When I opened my eyes, Wrath was emanating a vivid, icy chill.

-Observe my cold energy carefully.

The cold energy radiating from Wrath’s aura descended into the snow-covered ground below, as if the snow and chill were harmoniously intertwining.

-Did you see?
‘Your cold energy and the snow seemed to blend together.’
-Hmm, that’s merely a surface phenomenon. It’s not connecting snow and cold energy, but cold energy to cold energy. If you would surrender your body, I could explain it properly….
‘I said I’m not learning it.’
-Ah, I understand! I understand, so look again. I won’t say such things anymore!

Wrath swallowed hard and stepped back. Despite his inner composure, it was Wrath who appeared reluctant on the surface.

-Ahem, the key is to harmonize the frigid energy you possess with the cold that permeates this land. Once you achieve that, you will perceive distant events as if they were touching your very skin. In other words, all the snow and ice blanketing this region will become your eyes, ears, and skin.
‘Ah, I understand the gist of it.’

I nodded. Surprisingly, the explanation was straightforward rather than grandiose, making it easy to comprehend.

‘But….’

This would be difficult, wouldn’t it?

Connecting cold energy with cold energy was something I hadn’t considered. Unlike merely hearing and understanding it, actually executing it seemed far more challenging.

-It will require considerable time. However, if you master it properly, the results will far exceed the effort invested.
‘Hmm….’

The scouts were bustling about, preoccupied with instructing Dorian. With snow-laden winds swirling around us, there seemed to be no risk of discovery now.

‘Let me try now.’
-Then I shall teach you the incantation.
‘An incantation? But I can’t use magic.’
-Not all incantations are magic. It’s similar to the vocal formulas you humans murmur when cultivating aura.
‘Understood.’
-Then I shall begin. In the frozen lake where frost flowers bloom, the divine being submerged….

I utilized the ring of fire to sharpen my concentration and mental fortitude, committing every word of the incantation Wrath recited to memory.

-You couldn’t possibly have memorized it, so let me recite it once more….
‘I’ve got it.’
-Ugh, you’re a monster….

Wrath muttered whether I was truly human, his eyes narrowing with exasperation.

‘Then I’ll begin.’

I closed my eyes and channeled the frigid energy of the extreme cold. The chill radiating from my body sank into the ground and scattered across the snow.

Whoooosh!

I released the bitter cold with such intensity that my hands grew numb, yet the snowballs around me merely froze solid—no dramatic transformation occurred.

‘I don’t understand how to establish the connection.’
-The connection doesn’t mean literally linking yourself to the snow. This too is merely imagery.
‘Let me try again.’

I nodded and regulated my breathing. I chanted the incantation while slowly releasing the cold aura.

‘Harmoniously.’

Allowing the cold to blend with cold.

I rotated the ring of fire while continuously unleashing waves of frigid energy.

‘You said imagery was what mattered.’

I contemplated which imagery of blending would work best.

‘If the imagery is of blending and becoming one….’

As I envisioned harmony and blending, the Northern Sea I had glimpsed moments ago surfaced in my mind.
An endless ocean where all the world’s waters converge.
In such an ocean, the blending of cold with cold could harmonize beautifully.

‘But that ocean isn’t the Northern Sea.’

The sea I envisioned was a tranquil expanse unmarred by waves.

I channeled the cold while picturing a gentle lake-like sea, reciting the incantation.

The bitter cold radiating from my fingertips grew thinner, spreading finer than a strand of hair to blanket the entire space.

Thump!

The world slowed.
No—I was the one slowing down.

My entire arms and legs grew heavy, as though buried in mud.

Conversely, my senses had become so acute that they prickled with an almost painful awareness.

I could hear the faint sound of waves.

The sea. I was floating upon the sea. No—I had become one with it.

Splash!

Waves rippled across the once-calm waters.

To my left.
The scouts and Dorian were moving about. Radin asked Dorian what the marks on the ground meant. They were the footprints of an Ice Troll, long since departed. Dorian withdrew a massive ruler and rubbing paper set from his satchel and began measuring the tracks.

Now small ripples flowed from the right. A Bearwolf crouched in hiding, its nostrils catching the scent of humans on the wind, its body tense with caution. In its claws, it clutched what appeared to be an Orc—its prey.

Hah….

A hollow laugh escaped me.

This ability didn’t merely reveal who was present—it showed me what they were doing.

“Haaah….”

I exhaled a long breath and opened my eyes.

‘That’s enough.’

Though my range was limited and I couldn’t maintain it for long on this first attempt, I had grasped the essence. With a bit more practice, I would certainly master it.

-Do not lament so. Glacial Vision is a sensory trait I myself created. It is only natural that it cannot be learned easily. If you devote yourself to mastering it during your year here, you will surely acquire it.

Wrath, assuming I hadn’t grasped the technique, reassured me that such things naturally took time.

‘A year is far too long.’
-That timeframe is already shortened because I am here to guide you.
‘Then, shall we make a wager?’
-A wager?
‘Whether I master Glacial Vision within six months or not.’
-Hmm, six months….

Wrath hesitated before answering, clearly deliberating. It seemed he was reconsidering, given that he’d been losing continuously until now.

‘Fine. Then five months.’
-Deal!

He accepted the wager as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

[【Wrath】 proposes a wager.]
Condition: Master Glacial within five months.
Success: All stats +4, one trait rank increased.
Failure: Generate 10 Wrath emotion points.

“I accept.”
-The wager is established.

I forced down the corners of my rising lips and nodded.

‘Well, regardless, Glacial does seem to be a formidable ability.’
-Of course it is. I created it myself!

The moment Wrath heard the praise, his face brightened and he nodded eagerly. I’d noticed it before, but he truly loved being acknowledged.

‘So there are other ways to use cold energy?’
-Naturally! Merely expelling cold energy is the most basic of basics. Good. Today I shall educate you thoroughly on the various applications of cold energy!

I smiled faintly as I watched Wrath burning with enthusiasm for cold energy.

Truly, there was much to uncover about this fish.

*

*

*

“Recruit!”

Just as Wrath was about to begin instructing me on the uses of cold energy, Radin gestured for me to come forward.

“It’s getting late, so we’ll camp around here for the night.”

Radin pointed at a tree with only branches remaining, using his thick fingers.

“Of course, we can’t light a fire. Beasts flee from flames, but monsters are drawn to them instead. So how are we supposed to endure this cold?”
“We lay down a thick mat and cover ourselves with a down quilt!”

Dorian eagerly raised his hand.

“….”

Radin and the scouts fell silent for a moment, staring blankly at Dorian.

“Where would we find something like that now!”
“I have it….”
“You! What do you have to say!”

Just as Dorian was about to pull a mat from his belly pouch, Radin quickly pointed at me.

“We should dig into the ground.”
“Yes. That’s the right answer.”

Radin muttered something about opposites attracting and let out a sigh.

“But what kind of ground should we dig? The earth in this damned cold is frozen solid like stone.”
“I’ll search for it.”

I nodded and lowered my stance. I swept the snow away with my hands to examine the ground.

‘I just need to find that soil.’

In regions this cold, most ground is hard as rock, but there are places with gaps in between.

Such places are called hollow earth—the space beneath is empty and the soil is soft, making it easy to dig.

‘Found it.’

On the left side of the tree, soil was slightly raised, and its color was a bit lighter. Beneath this spot, there would be gaps in between, and the soil would be soft enough to dig a burrow without difficulty.

“Here.”
“Tsk….”

When I tapped the soil, Radin pouted his lips.

“Why do we have to dig here?”
“The color is light, and the shape rises slightly like a Low Hill—it’s a typical soil layer….”
“You’re really something.”
“Pardon?”
“Since you’re so capable, you must want to eat a lot of things too!”
“Uh….”
“You know absolutely everything!”

Radin wrinkled his nose and vented his frustration with an indescribable, ambiguous expression in his eyes.

“If I’m right, shall we start digging?”

As he trembled his hands, Dorian approached with two large shovels and a sack draped over his shoulder.

“Where did those shovels and the sack come from?”
“I brought them.”

He tapped his belly proudly.

“What exactly are you two!”

Radin’s face flushed red.

“One of you knows everything, and the other is a walking general store! What kind of people are you really!”
“Oh, it’s not that much.”

Dorian laughed heartily, taking it as a compliment.

“Ugh, my stomach hurts….”
“Commander. We can settle our grievances later. If we’re staying here, let’s get settled before it gets any darker. As you said, night is falling.”

I picked up one of the shovels Dorian was holding.

“Fine! There’s a place we use every time we scout!”

Radin called them creepy bastards before entering the white forest that seemed decorated with eyes.

“Don’t mind it. That’s a compliment.”
“I’m just frustrated because there’s nothing left to teach you.”
“You’re really acting like a child, I’m telling you.”
“Sometimes just pretend you don’t know. It’s pitiful otherwise.”

The scouts chuckled and followed after Radin.

“He’s quite an unusual person.”

Dorian tucked the shovel back into his belly pouch and smacked his lips.

I shook my head slowly.

You’re the strangest one here….

*

*

*

Following the scouts to the forest’s edge, I spotted ground covered with snow-white tents.

Once we removed the tents and entered the tunnel, a spacious chamber appeared—large enough for all twelve of us to sleep comfortably.

After organizing our supplies, I and the scouts filled our bellies with the soft bread Dorian had brought.

Thanks to eating bread instead of the usual hard jerky, Dorian’s image among the scouts soared to the heavens.

-This bread is not bad to my refined palate, so naturally they’d appreciate it.

Wrath muttered that he’d thought I only ate shabby rations for the longest time, but he was relieved.

“Now we need to decide on the night watch….”

Radin stood up, popping the last piece of bread into his mouth.

“I’ll go first.”

I raised my hand.

“You don’t even have experience yet, and you’re trying to volunteer right away? You need at least ten more years. Nonsense!”

Radin wagged his index finger as if he’d caught me red-handed.

“The first and last night watches are determined by seniority! You’re right in the middle, so stay put and don’t volunteer.”
“Understood.”
“And don’t smile so casually like that! It makes me feel like your junior.”
“Yes.”
“Ugh….”

When I smiled lightly, he ran out of words and stepped back.

“Now I’ll assign the night watch rotation. The first watch will be….”

Radin assigned the night watches himself. However, contrary to what he’d said about dividing by seniority, he ended up taking the third watch along with me, rather than the first or last.

‘He’s not a bad person.’

Based on his behavior so far, he seemed like someone frustrated that he couldn’t teach his juniors. It appeared he’d exploded because he already knew everything and had nothing left to share.

“Young master.”

While I was thinking he was an amusing person, Dorian sidled up next to me.

“That guy’s really strange. Let’s try not to get on his bad side.”

He said this while beginning to sip his tea, steam rising gently from the cup.

-You’re the strangest one here.

This time, Wrath answered in my stead.

*

*

*

Radin, who had been standing guard outside the cave, glanced back over his shoulder. The strange creature whose identity remained a mystery beyond his name stared blankly into the dark forest.

‘Quite the unusual fellow.’

He possessed not merely knowledge, but an exceptional ability to adapt it in real combat. Since this was a type he’d never encountered before, he couldn’t properly assess what kind of being he was dealing with.

“Hmm.”

Radin emerged from the cave and approached Raon’s side. He’d intended to strike up a conversation, but the creature had his eyes closed.

‘Ah! Caught him red-handed!’

Even this monstrous being couldn’t help but doze off while standing watch. Just as Radin thought he’d caught him in the act and reached out to wake Raon—

Flash!

Raon’s eyes snapped open. The moment Radin saw those crimson eyes burning like flames, words caught in his throat.

“Ah….”
“Captain.”

He rose to his feet, his voice cutting through the air with an icy edge.

“W-what!”
“Monsters are approaching this location right now.”
“M-monsters?”
“Yes. I’m certain of it.”

There was no tremor in Raon’s voice.

“How could you possibly know that?”
“I have rather keen instincts. Water-attribute monsters from the Northern Sea are moving beneath the earth.”
“Water-attribute monsters moving underground….”

Radin swallowed hard. It had to be a Sharkmole—a water-attribute monster with a shark’s head and a mole’s claws.

‘But those creatures never come here….’

They could move underground, true enough, but they had never once ventured this far into the Forest, not when the Sturrin Mountains loomed so close.

“Hmm….”

I pressed my ear to the ground just to be certain, but heard nothing. It seemed Raon had confused his dreams with reality.

‘As expected.’

Though I feigned composure, there was no way a recruit wouldn’t be tense. Seeing his careless demeanor, he finally looked like an actual person.

“You’re talking about Shackmoles?”
“Yes.”
“This Forest belongs to the monsters descending from the Sturrin Mountains, so Shackmoles don’t come here. Wake up from your dream, you fool.”

Radin patted Raon’s shoulder with a faint smile. But the recruit’s expression, hardened like tree bark, didn’t soften.

“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”

I shook my head and pointed at the ground.

“When Shackmoles move, the earth trembles, but there’s not a single vibration now.”
“You’ll feel it soon enough.”
“Sigh, it’s your first day, so I won’t blame you for dozing off during night watch….”

Radin swallowed hard and shot to his feet. The frozen ground began to tremble.

“What, what is this! You were serious?”

The vibrations and sounds of the approaching Shackmoles were unmistakable.

“I told you so.”
“This… this can’t be….”
“Wake the others first. They’ll be here soon.”
“You, you—!”
“I’ll buy us time here.”
“Damn it. You….”
“Go. Now.”
“Understood! Don’t push yourself too hard!”

Radin descended into the cave.

“Wake up! Sharkmol is coming!”
“What? Who?”
“Sh-Sharkmol? Why is Sharkmol coming here!”
“I don’t know either. Just get up!”

The scouts questioned what was happening, but they immediately rose and prepared for battle.

“D-Did a real monster actually come?”

Only Dorian was flustered and restless with panic.

“Hurry and get ready to come out!”

Radin emerged from the cave with a crossbow and sword in hand. As I tried to locate Raon and Sharkmol’s positions, the ground ahead cracked like a spider’s web and an enormous beast burst forth.

“Sh-Sharkmol!”

It was Sharkmole, a monster of the Northern Sea with a shark’s head, a mole’s claws, and a human body.

“Kugh!”

As I stepped back to fire the crossbow, my foot caught on the cave entrance and I stumbled.

“Keeeeaaa!”

Sharkmol let out a grotesque shriek and brought down a hand bristling with dozens of claws.

‘Damn it! I’ll sacrifice an arm and—huh?’

As I was about to retreat, using one arm as bait, a crimson line appeared across Sharkmol’s neck.

Splurt!

Sharkmol’s head was severed like a fish’s head.

As I lifted my head, trembling, two crimson moons hung in the pitch-black sky above.

“Ah….”

It wasn’t the moon. It was Raon’s crimson eyes.

“Don’t move from there.”
“You… who exactly are you?”
“You didn’t believe my words….”

Raon turned his back, his blade dripping with warm blood.

“But you’ll trust my sword, won’t you?”

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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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