The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 121

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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 121

I gazed at the mercenaries sprawled across the ground, a genuine smile blooming from deep within my chest.

‘I was right—you really do need to fight actual people.’

The moment I crossed blades with mercenaries hardened by real combat, my Mad Demon Sword’s progress accelerated visibly. Choosing sparring over meals had been the right call.

‘Though…’

I’d become somewhat emotional about it.

The frenzy of the Mad Demon Sword still intoxicated me, making me lose composure—a flaw I hadn’t completely overcome. It seemed I’d need to push my swordsmanship higher before I could coldly exploit an opponent’s openings with perfect clarity.

“Are you not coming anymore?”

I pointed my spinning blade toward the Ulves Mercenary Group.

“I haven’t even warmed up yet. Starting a fight and stopping here would be disappointing.”
“Hehehehe!”
“Good! Come at me!”
“You’re not enough. I’ll go.”

My provocation worked—the mercenaries squabbled among themselves as they surged forward.

“Five of you is perfect. Come all at once.”
“Insane…”
“He’s really going to fight all five of us?”

I nodded silently in affirmation.

“There’s a limit to disrespect!”
“Let’s go! Beat him down together!”
“That’s enough.”

Just as the mercenaries were about to charge, a voice drained of all energy cut through the air.

A man with long, lanky limbs and verdant hair emerged from among the soldiers standing in the center. His appearance reminded me of a praying mantis.

“Huh?”
“S-Sub-commander!”

The mercenaries bowed their heads upon seeing the man, addressing him as the sub-commander.

“What are you all doing?”

Despite his sharp appearance, his voice drawled with the sluggish pace of a tortoise crawling across stone.

“Well…”
“It’s just that…”
“I can guess what happened.”

He clicked his tongue disapprovingly as he observed both himself and the mercenaries sprawled in the corner.

“I’m Cliff, the sub-commander of the Ulves Mercenary Group. My men have some rough habits, I’m afraid.”

Cliff apologized and bowed respectfully.

“It’s fine…”

As I began to say it was fine, I met Cliff’s gaze as he lifted his head. His eyes were glacially cold and composed—not the eyes of someone offering an apology.

“I heard you wanted to fight our five men earlier. Would it be alright if I fought you instead?”

Despite his courteous words, his voice brimmed with the fervor of someone ready to throw a punch at any moment.

-I thought he’d be different. But he’s the same type.
‘I know.’
-Ugh, I thought I could finally taste pizza. And here we go again.
‘I’ll finish this quickly, so wait a bit longer.’

I chuckled lightly and faced off against Cliff. I nodded, looking up at his narrow eyes.

“I appreciate it. I haven’t fully warmed up yet.”
“Perfect. I enjoy loosening up through combat as well.”

Cliff bared his teeth in a grin, no longer bothering to conceal the fierce fighting spirit radiating from him. The overwhelming presence of an Expert-tier swordsman pressed down upon my shoulders.

Shhring.

He drew a longsword from his back—a blade as long as a spear.

“I must live up to my age, so please, come first.”
“I won’t decline.”

I adjusted my grip on my blade and kicked off the ground. As I surged forward, a brilliant cyan edge flashed before my eyes.

‘Fast.’

A swift slash leveraging his long reach and the longsword’s extended range. It felt as though the blade itself materialized from thin air.

‘But…’

I had already anticipated this.

From the moment I observed Cliff’s arm length and the longsword, I’d predicted an attack of this nature.

Clang!

With a composed gaze, I deflected the longsword as it surged toward me.

Seizing the opening as the blade was driven back, I pushed off the ground to close the distance. Just as I began to carve through space, Cliff retreated and reclaimed his sword’s trajectory, thrusting it forward once more.

A speed like arrows of light. He showed not a hint of confusion, as though he’d prepared for precisely this scenario.

‘Exhilarating.’

I let out a low chuckle.

‘This is the kind of fight I wanted.’

Not a hollow victory, but a battle like this—one where I could fully unleash the Soul Reaper Sword’s potential.

“You seem quite composed.”

Cliff advanced with a cold smile, his blade descending like a hawk’s talon. I swept my sword upward to meet the curved steel.

Clang!

I poured considerable force into the strike, yet his longsword barely wavered. Cliff swiftly drew it back, simultaneously preparing both defense and counterattack.

‘I see it now. I understand.’

I licked my lips. Through three clashes, I had grasped how to create an opening in Cliff’s defense.

Boom!

I planted my foot and surged forward with explosive momentum.

Whoosh!

Cliff thrust his blade as if he’d been waiting for this exact moment. His speed was now 1.5 times faster than before. He had been concealing his true strength.

‘Sorry, but I’ve been hiding far more than you.’

Far more indeed.

I twisted my shoulder, evading the incoming thrust by the thinnest margin, then brought my blade down in a devastating arc.

Crash!

The sound was tremendous, yet his longsword was not driven back significantly.

The reason was simple.

‘It’s a flexible blade.’

What appeared to be merely a long sword was actually a whip-like flexible blade. He had deliberately released tension in certain sections to absorb the impact of my strikes.

‘Impressive technique.’

Rayden Zigheart’s swordsmanship was stronger and more flashy, but in terms of refined technique, this one had the upper hand.

Whoooosh!

Cliff whipped his arm back like lightning, unleashing a strike of even greater speed—so fast that even a master swordsman’s eyes couldn’t follow it.

But.

To my eyes, the trajectory was crystal clear.

I drew upon the overwhelming power of the Ten Thousand Harmony Force channeled from my core, launching my blade forward like an arrow.

The moment Cliff tried to release the tension from the center of his longsword, I twisted my wrist, following the brilliant flash of my Radiant Sword as I brought my blade crashing down toward the tip of his weapon.

Kwaaaang!

Unable to release his grip in time, Cliff’s longsword snapped in half, and its broken form plunged into the ground that had already fractured from our earlier clashes.

“Wh-what is this!”

Cliff flailed his hand in panic, but the blade refused to come free.

Kuung!

I crushed the earth around the longsword to ensure it wouldn’t budge, then charged toward Cliff, preparing to strike his chest with the flat of my blade. That’s when his eyes gleamed with a sharp, icy light.

“Sorry, but a mantis has two sickles!”

He raised his left hand and drew a second blade from the sheath strapped across his back—a shorter sword attached to the end of the scabbard.

“I know.”

I drew the Soul Reaper Sword with my left hand and brought it down in a swift arc.

Shwaaack!

Cliff’s short sword was cleaved in two like tofu. Genuinely flustered, he thrust his hand forward.

“W-wait a moment….”
“There’s no ‘wait’ in a fight.”

I let out a cold laugh and drove my left fist, still gripping the Soul Reaper Sword, into his abdomen.

“Gack—cough!”

Though his entrance differed, Cliff collapsed backward just like the other mercenaries, foam spilling from his mouth.

“Phew….”

I sheathed my sword with a satisfied nod.

‘Real combat truly is the best teacher.’

There was no training method superior to actual battle for elevating the Radiant Sword’s mastery. I turned around, intending to organize the insights I’d just gained.

“Gack—cough!”
“W-what is this?”
“That praying mantis demon lost! And to a kid like that!”
“No way, this doesn’t make sense. Cliff breaking down like that?”
“I-it’s a Saint. A future Saint!”

Every swordsman, knight, and soldier watching the duel stood frozen with gaping mouths.

“Woooow!”
“Amazing!”
“Next time, let me fight you too!”
“Hey! Where are you from!”

Many soldiers and swordsmen cheered, praising the magnificent display of combat.

“R-Raon, sir. That was impressive!”

Dorian handed me a towel and apple juice. He said he’d believed in me all along, then pulled out grape juice for himself and began drinking.

“Raon.”

As I wiped away the sweat with a slight chuckle, Vice-Commander Terian approached. His expression remained composed, unlike the others.

“Come with me. The Commander is calling for you.”

He turned and walked ahead, moving forward as if unbothered, but the trembling at his fingertips betrayed him.

*

*

*

Two days later, I stood before Commander Milend once more. His eyes swept across me with a searching gaze, taking in every detail from head to toe.

“First, I should offer my thanks. I’m grateful you saved the lives of our scouts.”

Milend slowly closed his eyes.

“I’m part of the Scout Unit as well, so I was merely doing my duty.”
“You speak far less entertainingly than when you fight.”
“Did you witness it?”
“I didn’t see it myself, but I felt it.”

He gestured toward the window behind him and chuckled softly.

“How should I put it? Both your power and your character were different from what I observed here before. I never expected you to accept the mercenaries’ provocation.”
“I don’t avoid fights that come to me naturally.”
“A commendable mindset for a swordsman. Now I understand how you came to possess such strength at your age.”

Milend’s stern lips curved slightly upward. Even in his position as commander, he was a swordsman at heart. My confident words and bearing seemed to please him.

“What do you hope to achieve by coming here?”
“Pardon?”
“Even if your family sent you, surely you harbor your own ambitions?”
“I do.”

A crimson flash ignited in my eyes.

“I wish to experience as much as possible. I want to participate in countless battles and stand on many battlefields.”

Beyond perfecting the Radiant Sword and cultivating my mana reserves, I sought to grow stronger not merely in power, but in spirit and heart—to understand more emotions and forge my mind into something unbreakable.

“Wait, I object! I should be working as a supply—”

I silenced Dorian’s nonsensical protest.

“Many battles and much experience….”

Milend tapped the desk with fingers darkened as if charred.

“Which do you think is the most dangerous troop type?”
“Infantry, perhaps?”

Dorian answered in an uncertain voice.

“What about you?”
“The Scout Unit.”
“You know well.”

Milend chuckled softly and nodded.

“You’re right. The Scout Unit is indeed the most dangerous. They spend far more time outside the fortress than within its walls, and they don’t rest or withdraw when battles erupt. When scouting, they risk their lives outside; when inside, they stake their existence on the ramparts. ”

He smacked his lips with a bitter expression.

“Because the mortality rate during missions is highest, the Scout Unit is perpetually understaffed.”

I had suspected as much. Indeed, despite arriving as a soldier, I hadn’t shared a dormitory with Dorian.

“Initially, I intended to assign you to a combat unit, but that won’t be necessary. I’ll help you achieve your objective.”
“Sir, I mentioned my goal was to become a supply soldier….”
“I’m appointing both of you as special guards for the Scout Unit. I hope you’ll engage in all the real combat you desire and save as many Scout Unit members’ lives as possible.”

Milend spoke as if making a request, his eyes gleaming with fervent light.

“Understood.”

I nodded. As he said, moving with the Scout Unit members would certainly allow me to fight without restraint.

“I never said I wanted to see real combat! I was just sitting quietly!”

I and Milend ignored Dorian beside us as if he didn’t exist.

“I’ll issue a proper transfer order soon. You’ve worked hard on the scout mission. Get some rest.”
“Thank you.”
“Wait! I was only in the rear as a supply soldier….”

I dragged Dorian, who was spouting nonsense, out of the Commander’s Office.

“Ugh, it’s over. It’s done. My life is ruined!”

Dorian slouched like a zombie, his shoulders drooping.

“It’s not ruined. Stop talking nonsense and go rest.”
“Huh? What about you, Raon?”

He had a round pastry in his mouth—I wasn’t sure when he’d pulled it out.

“I’m going to do some training first.”
“Understood.”

Dorian told him to work hard and then returned to the Dormitory.

-Wait.

As I was about to head to the Training Ground where the soldiers practiced, Wrath’s voice rang out.

-That’s not what we agreed on.

Wrath emerged from the flower bracelet, his brow furrowed.

‘A promise?’
-Yes. You said we’d eat pizza after the duel ended.
‘Oh, that.’

I looked up at the sky. It was an awkward time for a meal.

‘Let’s eat after training, in the evening.’
-Don’t lie! This isn’t the first or second time you’ve brushed me off like this!
‘This time I mean it. I’ll even get the pizza you want.’
-Really?
‘I promise. I just want to organize what I’ve realized first.’

I nodded with a serious expression, convinced that Raon had already conceded.

Uuuoong!

The Soul Reaper Sword rang out as if telling me to trust it as well.

-W-well then. This magnanimous king shall show understanding. But in exchange, I absolutely must be the one to choose the pizza I desire.
‘Fine. Fine.’

I chuckled as if coaxing a child and headed toward the Training Ground.

*

*

*

I didn’t leave the training ground until the moon that had risen from the western mountain had moved about three finger-widths across the sky. My expression as I tapped my scabbard was brimming with satisfaction.

‘My progress with the Radiant Sword has improved considerably.’

I had firmly etched the insights gained through sparring into both mind and body. Though much remained lacking, it felt as though I had broken through one layer of my shell.

‘Now I should head back and rest.’
-Raon Zigheart!

As I turned toward the Dormitory, Wrath, who had been clinging to my wrist like a parrot, unleashed a terrifying chill.

-Have you forgotten your promise to me again?!
‘Ah, I was joking. Just joking.’

I let out a small laugh. As if I could forget such an absurd promise. I was merely playing a prank.

Since Wrath had waited quietly while I trained, I had intended to order pizza of his choosing as promised.

Uuuoong!

The Soul Reaper Sword rang out upon seeing Wrath thrashing about.

-What do you mean? Is the King narrow-minded? The only narrow thing here is your master’s skull!
Uuuoong!
-Don’t presume to lecture the King, you insignificant creature! The King merely indulged his curiosity as a connoisseur….

I ignored the noisy demon and the demonic sword, heading instead toward Frost’s Branch where I had gone with the scouts.

But then….

“Huh?”

The tavern’s lights were extinguished, and I sensed no presence of people. It seemed they had closed early.

-Did they close?
‘I didn’t expect them to shut down this early.’
-….

Wrath said nothing, his azure flames trembling violently. The delicate cold energy that had been seeping out began to surge like a tidal wave.

-Didn’t the King tell you to go earlier!
‘I had no idea they’d close this soon either.’
-Silence! This is unforgivable!
‘I really didn’t think….
-Bring forth the King’s pizza!

The cold energy pouring from him coiled around my ankles and wrists.

‘This… this probably isn’t a good idea.’
-This time, the King shall seize your body and eat pizza with his own hands and mouth!

Wrath’s cold energy flashed like azure lightning. The most tremendous rage and frigid power I had experienced yet swept across my entire being.

That day.
My stats increased by 2 points.

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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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