The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 124

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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 124

“What kind of insane bastard does something like this!”

Sulgyek Commander Edquil glared at me with brown eyes blazing.

“How in the world can you determine a troll’s location just by crouching down and looking at footprints!”

He bellowed as if the very notion was absurd, shoving his face toward mine.

“If you’re starved for attention, go back and do some pathetic sparring! Don’t show off here!”
“Want to make a wager?”

I tilted my head to the side.

“A wager?”
“Yeah. Let’s bet on whether I’m right or whether your endless complaining is correct.”
“You’re out of your mind! Why would I make a bet trusting some kid’s words!”
“Scared?”
“Tch!”

As I smirked and curled my lips upward, Edquil ground his teeth together.

“Don’t you dare speak carelessly, you ignorant wretch who crawled out from who knows where! And why have you been speaking informally to me this whole time!”
“You started speaking informally first. I’m not your subordinate.”
“Subordinate or not, my rank is still higher than yours….”
“The Commander personally appointed me as the Scout Unit’s escort. If we’re talking about hierarchy, I answer directly to the Commander, so I have no reason to bow to you.”

While it was true that Edquil held a higher position in the chain of command, I had received my authority directly from the Commander, so there was no reason for me to defer to him.

“You little brat!”
“Rank won’t work, so now it’s age? How pathetic.”
“Enough!”

Terian stepped between me and Edquil with heavy, deliberate strides.

“Both of you, control yourselves. We don’t know when the monsters might move—what are you doing!”

He alternated his gaze between the two men, his brow furrowing.

“Edquil. Why are you being so emotional today?”
“This brat keeps spouting nonsense!”
“He hasn’t spouted nonsense yet. He simply hasn’t told us where the trolls are or how he found them.”

Terian turned his head to look at Raon.

“Are you certain you found them?”
“Absolutely certain. They’re gathered near the Frozen Valley, approximately twenty-five degrees to the right of the direction the Scout Unit predicted.”
“How did you know that?”

Terian’s voice wavered at Raon’s confident and decisive answer.

“I learned the sense to locate enemies from someone who moves through forests and mountains as if they were his own home.”
“Sense? Did you just say sense?”

Edquil pointed his finger and burst into derisive laughter.

“Kahahaha! Sense, he says! You won’t believe this madman’s words, will you?”
“Sense, then.”

Terian observed Raon, who remained unperturbed despite the mockery from Edquil and the Sulgyek Swordsmen.

‘I can’t trust sense alone.’

Everyone here possessed a sense honed by experience, but they remained silent because sense alone couldn’t move an entire unit.

‘Yet this child….’

Setting aside his affiliation with Zigheart, there was something about him that inspired trust. Especially those crimson eyes—gazing into those pupils that seemed to pierce through all things in this world made me want to believe his words.

‘And he mentioned forests and mountains.’

The moment I heard those words, one person came to mind. Rimer, the broad-sword master of Zigheart who was said to be Raon’s instructor. It seemed likely that he had learned the sense of reconnaissance from him.

“Still, even if that’s the case….”
“Vice Commander.”

Radin, the commander of the 3rd Scout Squad, stepped forward.

“I reported this to you before. We nearly died because we ignored Raon’s warning.”
“That’s right.”

Terian nodded. He’d heard just days ago how they’d nearly been annihilated after dismissing Raon’s warning about Sharkmol’s approach.

“This fellow had the same look in his eyes back then too. Why not trust him this once?”
“Sensing Sharkmol is nothing special! You’re making decisions based on mere intuition? Does the entire Scout Unit have holes drilled in their heads? Huh?”

Edquil raised his finger and tapped Radin’s head repeatedly.

“If you have time for that nonsense, go educate that idiot properly!”
“Edquil. That’s enough.”
“Hmph!”

At Terian’s intervention, Edquil crossed his arms and turned away.

“Hmm, I’m becoming rather interested myself.”

Beto, the commander of the Ulves Mercenary Group, also stepped forward.

“Swordmaster Raon?”
“Yes.”
“How long would it take to reach that location?”
“Thirty minutes if we go straight there. If we want to cut them off from behind, it’ll take about ten minutes more.”
“From behind? You’ve already identified where to ambush them?”
“Yes.”
“Hah….”

He let out a hollow laugh and tilted his head back to gaze at the sky.

“Vice Commander. Thirty minutes won’t even get us halfway up Sturrin Mountains. We can return before it’s too late, so why not give it a try?”
“Beto? Why are you too! Did you all get paid by that lunatic?”

As Beto sided with Raon, Edquil furrowed his brow and stamped his foot.

“For some reason, I find myself trusting him. Perhaps because he’s subdued our troublemakers?”
“Sigh.”

Terian exhaled deeply and turned away.

“Everyone prepare. We’re climbing Sturrin Mountains.”
“S-Sub-Commander! You’re really going through with this?”
“Yes. If the trolls attack once night falls, it could become far more dangerous. If we can eliminate them, it’s better to do so quickly.”
“What are you trusting about this lunatic to move forward like this!”
“I won’t hear any more objections.”
“Ugh!”

Edquil tried to open his mouth again, but once Terian drove the point home decisively, he had no choice but to step back.

“The decision to go is made.”

Raon approached Edquil’s side with a cold smile.

“We should continue the wager.”
“What wager are you talking about!”
“If I find the troll, from now on I’ll use formal speech with the Scout Unit, carry not just the supplies you’ve handed over but also the Scout Unit’s supplies, and take on all the chores.”
“And if you don’t?”
“I’ll grant you whatever you want.”
“Good. You’d better be prepared. Because from now on, I won’t be able to keep that mouth of yours in check.”

Edquil walked toward where the Sulgyek Swordsmen were, his expression murderous.

-Foolish wretch. This one always has schemes hidden away. Don’t fall for his words—be cautious, and cautious again.
‘You’re right.’

Raon smiled faintly as he watched Wrath criticize Edquil for being gullible.

But you’re being deceived too.

*

*

*

“Hm?”

The Black-robed Man overlooking the lower slopes of the Sturrin Mountains let out a groan that seemed incongruous with his massive frame.

‘What is this?’

He narrowed his eyes as he watched the forces of Habun Castle climbing the Sturrin Mountains.

“Why are they coming up?”

Climbing the mountain based on a single trace—it was incomprehensible behavior from the commanders of Habun Castle, who typically tested every bridge before crossing.

‘The plan is falling apart….’

Originally, I had intended to send the Ice Trolls to attack while the Habun Castle forces were camped and sleeping, but this would ruin everything.

‘I need to retreat for now.’

The Black-robed Man climbed higher with the Ice Troll Warrior and Shaman in tow, preparing for any unexpected developments.

The other Ice Trolls were hidden in the Frozen Valley, so there was no risk of discovery. In fact, the Habun Castle forces were moving in a slightly different direction from the valley.

‘Hmm, let me observe for now.’

The Black-robed Man licked his lips as he watched the approaching forces.

Dealing with them wouldn’t be particularly difficult, but I couldn’t kill them all.

For my plan to succeed, Habun Castle had to learn of the Ice Troll Warrior and Shaman’s presence, so I needed to let some of them escape.

‘Just turn back. You won’t find the trolls… huh?’

His pupils trembled like a ship struck by a blue wave.

“What! Where are those bastards going!”

The Habun Castle forces, who had seemed to be moving in the wrong direction, were now turning around and heading toward the Mountain Valley.

‘They knew?’

Moving in that direction meant they had known from the start that the trolls were in the valley. Otherwise, there was no reason they would head that way.

‘How in the world?’

Even if a scout had spent their entire life in these mountains, locating trolls in a blizzard as fierce as this one sweeping across the Sturrin Mountains would be impossible. I couldn’t fathom how they’d managed to pinpoint the trolls’ location.

“It’s too late to pull the trolls back now, but how… Ah!

A brilliant idea struck me just as I was wrestling with the dilemma.

“No, that’s not it.”

The Black-robed Man, who had been gnawing at his lip, turned to gaze at the Ice Troll Warrior and the shaman standing behind him, a dark smile spreading across his face.

“This might actually be better.”

*

*

*

Raon led everyone forward with suppressed presence, climbing the hill at the lower reaches of the mountain. Though the slope was steep, the lack of ice made descent feasible without difficulty.

Lying prone at the hill’s edge, I peered down. Fifteen trolls occupied the Frozen Valley below.

Eleven of them had drawn bizarre patterns using the corpses and blood of orcs and dire wolves, while the remaining four stood guard with their arms hanging loose, seemingly preparing some form of sorcery or ritual.

“T-trolls. Real trolls.”
“Fifteen?”
“Their numbers have increased from what we previously observed, but these are definitely them.”

The 2nd Scout Squad, having confirmed the troll pack, nodded in acknowledgment.

“How did you even spot the trolls down there from up here?”
“H-his intuition was actually real….”
“Is he even human? Or some kind of beast?”

The Scout Unit, the Ulves Mercenary Group, and the Sulgyek Swordsmen all turned to stare at Raon with eyes that had lost half their light.

“T-this doesn’t make sense! How could he find them from down there!”

Sulgyek Commander Edquil’s catfish-like whiskers trembled as he shook his head in disbelief.

“I don’t know if what you’re saying makes sense or not. But you do remember the promise we made, right?”

Raon chuckled softly and stepped closer to his side.

“After the battle ends, all the Scout Unit’s luggage and chores will be handled by the Sulgyek Swordsmen. You’re the leader of an organization—surely you won’t go back on your word. Oh, and drop the casual speech.”
“Ugh….”
“One more thing. I’d appreciate it if you personally carried my belongings.”
“If you keep pushing like this, it won’t be fun anymore.”
“I find it extremely entertaining, so don’t worry.”
“This bastard really….”

Edquil glared at Raon and ground his teeth audibly.

“My instincts were right after all. I sensed something from that guy.”

Beto exclaimed in admiration, as if deliberately stoking Edquil’s anger.

“He’s not just good at fighting.”
“Right, I’ve never seen reconnaissance skills like that before.”
“How can we recruit him into our mercenary group?”

The mercenaries looked down at the troll and clicked their tongues in amazement.

“Ugh!”
“A guy like that….”
“Damn it!”
”

The only ones wearing bitter expressions here were the Sulgyek Commander and the Sulgyek Swordsmen who had mocked Raon.

“Raon. Did you really sense that instinctively?”

Terian approached carefully from the side, his eyes trembling with intense emotion.

“Didn’t I mention it? I have rather keen instincts.”
“Hmm….”
“And right now, isn’t there something more pressing than that?”
“You’re right. Of course.”

He nodded and cautiously approached the edge of the hill.

“All units, prepare for combat.”

The Scout Unit raised their crossbows, while the mercenaries and Sulgyek Swordsmen drew their blades. True to their veteran status, the sound was barely audible, but the trolls standing guard, sensing the faint killing intent, looked upward as if on cue.

“Kraaack!”
“Kyarack!”

The trolls on the right caught sight of the Sulgyek Swordsmen atop the hill and unleashed an ear-piercing shriek.

“Fire!”

With a sound like falling timber, a silver rain of arrows poured down the hillside.

Thud thud thud!

Each Ice Troll Warrior took more than five arrows to the body, but their tough hides meant few shafts penetrated deeply.

“Kraaack!”
“Kraaaaah!”

The trolls tore at the arrows embedded in their flesh, their crimson maws roaring with fury.

“Charge!”
“Hyaaaa!”

Terian surged forward like a thoroughbred, his aura-infused blade held high, with the Sulgyek Swordsmen and mercenaries close behind.

“Let’s go! We’re moving out!”

The Scout Unit raced downward, crossbows in one hand and shields in the other.

“Ughhhh!”

Dorian’s lips trembled with fear, yet he didn’t forget his duty. He drew his sword and positioned himself directly beside the Scout Unit.

‘I need to go too.’

I descended the hillside with the 3rd Scout Squad. The battle had already begun, with the Sulgyek Swordsmen and Ulves Mercenary Group pressing the trolls hard.

“Flay their flesh and tear them to shreds!”

Beto, the captain of the Ulves Mercenary Group, bore little resemblance to his courteous demeanor from before—his eyes blazed with madness as he swung his blade with feral abandon. The pale aura coating his sword tore savagely through the Ice Troll’s upper body.

“Secure the perimeter and attack! Target the neck and heart!”

The Sulgyek Commander, despite his crude temperament, possessed exceptional skill. He orchestrated a sword formation, employing the optimal hunting method of having multiple swordsmen overwhelm a smaller number of monsters, pressing the trolls relentlessly.

“Fire!”

The Scout Unit members circled the battlefield, launching crossbow bolts at the trolls locked in combat with the swordsmen.

Shooting from close range increased the rate at which bolts pierced the hide, though the impact remained modest. Still, it scattered the trolls’ attention, allowing the swordsmen and mercenaries to fight more freely.

With nearly ten swordsmen and scouts engaging each troll, it resembled a chaotic melee—but one decidedly favoring humanity.

“Huff! Young master.”

Dorian returned, breathing heavily after shoving away an Ice Troll that had lunged at one of the scouts.

“Why are you so quiet today? Normally you’d have charged in already.”
“Our mission is to protect the scouts. Besides, I have a different opponent in mind.”

Unnoticed by anyone, two massive creatures—what appeared to be the troll leaders—were rushing toward this location.

‘They’re almost here.’

I lifted my head with a cold smile.

‘My prey.’

*

*

*

“Never approach directly! Our purpose is to divide their attention!”

Radin shouted at the Scout Unit.

“The moment you’ve drawn the troll’s gaze, fall back! There’s no need to engage directly!”

He dashed forward and fired his crossbow at the shoulder of the Ice Troll Warrior that had been about to seize the swordsman.

Twang!

The bolt barely embedded itself in the Ice Troll’s shoulder, but that was all it took. In that opening, the swordsman slipped free and launched a counterattack.

“Fall back when your stamina runs low!”

Radin nocked another arrow—a loading speed that seemed impossible for a crossbow, a testament to his rigorous training that surpassed anyone present.

He darted across the battlefield like a squirrel, aiding swordsmen and mercenaries in peril while encouraging the exhausted scouts.

“Haah, haah!”

Radin stopped at the foot of the hill he’d descended and steadied his breathing.

‘This is the best situation.’

The advantage gained from the ambush had held firm until now. There were some wounded, but no casualties, and only ten trolls remained.

‘This rarely happens.’

In the fierce battles at Habun Castle, the tide rarely shifted so decisively in their favor. It was all thanks to Raon.

‘When we return, I should celebrate generously… wait?’

A vicious killing intent that made his hair stand on end abruptly severed his thoughts.

Gulp.

I swallowed hard and slowly lifted my gaze. Upon the hilltop stood two trolls, each a full head taller than the Ice Troll Warrior, wielding clubs and staffs.

“A Warrior and a Shaman….”
“Grrrraaagh!”

The intense killing intent radiating from both creatures’ eyes sent a bone-chilling cold that felt like standing naked in a blizzard.

Crash!

The Ice Troll Warrior pulverized the hillside and charged down toward me and the Scout Unit. The blood-stained club radiated unimaginable destructive force.

“Ugh!”

My breath caught. All my mind could conjure was death. I saw no path to survival. The other Scouts beside me squeezed their eyes shut, sensing the end of their lives.

‘Damn it!’

As I bit my lip watching the club grow larger, time itself seemed to freeze—yet one swordsman moved.

Whoosh!

He thrust Radin and the Scouts backward with an invisible force, positioning himself alone before the Ice Troll Warrior.

Against the troll’s club—a weapon of terrifying power—he extended his slender blade. A crimson flower bloomed delicately at the sword’s edge, dancing with ethereal grace.

Crash!

The catastrophic impact shattered the Frozen Valley, and the gorge itself crumbled.

Yet the swordsman’s body never wavered. His legs stood firm as ancient tree roots a thousand years old, pushing back the club—a weapon as massive as a human torso—through sheer strength.

“Ah….”

The Scouts, who had resigned themselves to death, couldn’t even breathe at the sight of such overwhelming power.

“Please step back.”

Raon turned his head halfway. A clear smile played at the corners of his lips.

“It’ll be over soon.”

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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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