The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 131
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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 131
Milend unleashed a torrent of energy blasts toward the massive manta ray creature surging toward the castle’s center.
Boom!
The colossal ray, which had been attempting to breach the castle gates, was cleaved into four pieces and crashed down upon the orc horde.
“Hold the line!”
“Hold the line!”
The soldiers echoed his command and wielded their swords and spears atop the castle walls, while archers drew their bowstrings with fingers bound in leather strips to prevent tearing.
The military spirit pierced the sky as if dawn had returned, and their fervor was hot enough to melt the frozen earth.
Yet it was not Commander Milend who had elevated Habun Castle’s morale.
The Scout Unit’s escort, Raon.
It was because of this fool who had thrown himself without hesitation to save soldiers even the commander had abandoned. Everyone present felt their hearts ignite at the sight of his raw power holding back the monster’s onslaught and his unwavering courage.
“I’ll hold this position. Save that man! By any means necessary!”
Ulves Mercenary Group Commander Beto roared, pointing toward Raon.
“We were already planning to!”
“We can’t let a true warrior die here!”
“His face is pretty, but his spirit is fierce. I like him!”
The Ulves Mercenary Group revered strength and loved combat—they were a peculiar breed. To them, Raon diving into the sea of monsters to save the wounded was both a madman and the most Ulves-like person they’d ever encountered. Their moderate favor erupted toward the heavens.
“Fire the crossbows! If your fingers are torn, use your teeth to draw!”
Radin shouted with a trembling voice. Among the soldiers who had fallen below the castle wall were members of the 3rd Scout Squad. He wanted to rush down to save them, but he knew he would only be a hindrance. He had to give his all here.
“Support Raon! Target the ones coming from behind!”
“Yes!”
“Understood!”
The Scout Unit members moved as one, pulling the crossbows that seemed ready to shatter under the strain of their screams.
“Haaa….”
Edquil, who had temporarily returned to his position as Sulgyek Commander due to the emergency, lifted his head while breathing heavily. He could see the golden-haired boy standing alone, bearing the endless tide of green and blue waves.
‘That brat….’
Witnessing his exceptional martial prowess and refined swordsmanship, I had been certain that Raon was the son of some noble house. I thought that someone raised in comfort would see the world through rose-tinted glasses.
Since he was leaving anyway, I had dismissed his concern for the Scout Unit members as mere self-satisfaction.
But Raon was genuine.
He descended into hell itself to save soldiers who were certain to die. Unlike me, who hesitated despite having a direct subordinate among the fallen wounded, he showed no hesitation whatsoever.
A chill ran down my spine. I was ashamed of myself for being so certain it was merely the amusement of a privileged child.
‘I can’t bear this shame.’
Edquil vowed that once this war ended, he would apologize to the child he had despised most, then brought his sword down upon the monsters climbing upward.
Kwaaaang! Shzzzang!
Brilliant flashes like sunlight radiated from Milend’s blade. He drew upon his reserved strength, defending not only the center but also the left Castle Wall. Though it consumed considerable power, it mattered not. Right now, supporting Raon took priority.
“We’ve rescued all the wounded who fell outside the Castle Wall! Some are severely injured, but they’re all alive!”
Kelrun, commander of the Night Fox Knights, approached and shouted. His face was flushed with excitement.
“Only Raon remains now. We’ll hold the front! In the meantime, please bring him back….”
“We don’t rescue him.”
Milend shook his head, his eyes fixed on Raon’s back.
“Sir?”
“What do you mean—!”
“Commander!”
At Milend’s words that they would not rescue Raon, every officer and soldier on the Castle Wall turned to look at him.
“He stood alone before an army of monsters to protect the soldiers! How could you abandon him!”
“Commander, I don’t think this is right.”
“Father! What are you saying right now!”
Radin clenched his teeth, Beto narrowed his eyes, and even Terian, who had been overseeing the troops below the castle wall, rushed up. All of them looked ready to throw themselves into battle.
“Don’t get worked up. Look at that one carefully.”
Milend pointed his finger at Raon’s back. Despite having rescued all the wounded, he continued to wield his sword without retreating. Far from growing tired, his strength seemed to intensify—his blade grew sharper, his movements more fluid.
“Wait, surely not….”
“Is he entering a state of complete absorption right now?”
“No, how is that even possible?”
The soldiers watched Raon wield his sword as if entranced, swallowing hard. They couldn’t comprehend how he had achieved such a state in this hellish situation.
“That one has seized the opportunity of a lifetime. Don’t disturb him under any circumstances—secure the perimeter!”
“Yes, understood!”
“Move out!”
“Get going!”
The knights, swordsmen, and soldiers all returned to their positions. They held their ground, hoping that this small hero would grow stronger and seize the opportunity that had come his way.
One day passed, then two, and when the third sun rose, the wave of monsters that had been pouring in like a flood finally ended, and beneath the Castle Wall, hills of corpses were piled up.
“Uuuaaahhhhh!”
“We won!”
“The wave is over!”
The soldiers on the castle wall raised their weapons and unleashed the cheers they had been holding back.
As if answering that explosive roar, Raon’s sword came to a stop. As he lifted his head, he suddenly lost consciousness and fell backward.
“No!”
“Raon!”
“Catch him!”
Everyone on the castle wall rushed toward the falling Raon without hesitation. Though exhausted, they found strength from somewhere and ran like a tempest.
“Raon!”
Commander Milend was no exception. He rushed forward faster than anyone else and caught Raon.
“How is he?”
“Is he badly injured?”
“Commander!”
Swordsmen, knights, and soldiers alike turned their eyes to Milend’s lips.
“Exhaustion. Not a drop of stamina or aura remains. In all my years, I’ve never seen anyone fight to this extent.”
Milend let out a hollow laugh and gripped Raon’s shoulder firmly.
“Phew….”
“That’s a relief.”
“Truly….”
The soldiers gazed at Raon with sighs of relief. Beyond the relief in their eyes shone astonishment and admiration.
“Raon is safe! Let the cry of victory ring out once more!”
“Waaaaaaaa!”
“The monsters have all fled!”
“Habun Castle has won!”
Upon learning that Raon was unharmed, the soldiers and knights erupted in cheers of victory once more. Though their voices were hoarse and weary, the joy and exultation burned hotter than ever.
“Raon! Raon! Raon!”
“Ooooooh!”
Among those shouting until their voices cracked were even the Sulgyek Swordsmen who had despised Raon. Led by Sulgyek Commander Edquil, all of the Sulgyek Swordsmen burst forth with cheers.
“Well, well.”
Milend gazed at the Castle Wall bathed in radiant light and smiled faintly. Everyone united as one, calling out Raon’s name. For someone who had only just arrived, to wield such influence was unprecedented.
“I’m curious how much stronger you’ll become when you awaken. And how everyone will regard you then.”
He channeled his aura to ease the exhausted Raon’s weary body.
“We won!”
“The wave ended in just three days!”
“Waaaaah!”
Knights, swordsmen, soldiers—all of them laughed and wept with joy at their victory.
But.
One Demon King was different.
He glared at the message Raon couldn’t read, grinding his teeth.
-Glacial?
Wrath erupted the chill covering my body like a pillar of fire.
-Glaaaaaacial?
Everything else was fine. I knew my stats would rise, that I would grow stronger.
But Glacial was an exception. I wagered five months, yet he acquired it in just three months. And in a state of complete oblivion at that.
-That cheating bastard!
Wrath seized the collar of the unconscious Raon.
-Wake up! You’ve clearly swindled me again!
He shrieked with fury, unleashing cold energy in all directions.
-Wake up! You weasel!
Wrath abandoned his rare dignified demeanor as a Demon King and let out a primal scream.
-Grraaaagh!
Alone in the land of human cheers and victory, the Demon King shrieked.
*
*
*
“That one. He’s dangerous.”
The Blue Robed Man clenched his fists so tightly at the sight of Raon that his knuckles crackled audibly.
‘A talent that grows stronger through combat….’
It was a quality rarely seen even across the vast Continent. Watching that monster grow over three days, wielding his blade in a state of complete absorption, every hair on my body stood on end.
“Didn’t I tell you? I had a bad feeling from the moment I saw him.”
The Black-robed Man twisted his lips.
“We can’t just leave him be. We should kill him.”
Judging by his growth rate and his nature of risking his life for others, he’s not the type to rot away in Habun Castle. I had a premonition that he would inevitably clash with Eden someday.
“That’s a matter for later.”
The Black-robed Man slowly shook his head.
“We’ve been given two tasks: the Emerald King’s mana stone and the Siren’s incarnation. Eliminating him isn’t among them.”
“We might clash with him someday. No, we definitely will. There are almost no one but the Six Emperors who could nurture a monster like that!”
“Still, not now. The plan hasn’t fallen apart yet, so move as planned. Bingarui.”
“Tell me what this grand plan of yours is already. How much longer are you going to keep it to yourself!”
The man called Bingarui glared at the Black-robed Man as if he wanted to kill him.
“I was about to tell you anyway.”
The Black-robed Man struck the ground with a staff he pulled from within his robes. Strange characters shimmered into existence, and a massive Ice Troll emerged from the ground.
“What?”
Bingarui’s eyes widened at the sight of the troll. Its size was larger than a Troll Warrior, but the color of its fur was still white, indicating it hadn’t finished growing, and a horn that ordinary trolls didn’t possess protruded from the center of its forehead.
“W-Wait! Could it be… a Lord?”
“Correct. An Ice Troll Lord. I brainwashed the creature born in the gorge above Sturrin Mountains. We nearly became its meal if we’d arrived any later, but the timing worked perfectly.”
The Black-robed Man nodded as he gazed upon the Ice Troll Lord.
“A Lord inevitably draws nearby monsters to itself and subjugates them. Once Milend confirms the Lord’s appearance, he won’t be able to restrain himself—he’ll lead his forces out. That moment is precisely….”
“When we strike.”
“Exactly. The waves have already breached the Castle Wall and claimed countless soldiers. Before the Lord launches its full assault, Milend will undoubtedly attempt a preemptive strike. We’ll seize that moment to retrieve the Emerald King’s Magic Stone and the Siren’s Avatar.”
“Now I understand why you devised this plan so meticulously.”
Bingarui nodded while observing the Ice Troll Lord with its eyes glazed over.
“But you said you brought that creature from the gorge above the mountain?”
“Yes.”
“Then what lies at the Mountain Peak?”
“Fear prevented me from ascending.”
“What?”
“Every instinct I possess screamed at me never to climb higher. Something beyond our comprehension dwells up there.”
A bead of sweat trickled down the Black-robed Man’s cheek.
“Hmph. Coward. Once this is finished, I’ll ascend and investigate personally.”
“After the plan concludes, whether you die miserably or not is irrelevant. For now, proceed exactly as planned.”
“I was going to anyway.”
Bingarui snorted derisively and shrugged his shoulders.
“Still, I wish I could have killed that one earlier. What a shame.”
“The plan takes precedence, but….”
The Black-robed Man’s eyes narrowed as he regarded the Castle Wall that Raon had defended to the very end.
“If the opportunity arises, eliminating him would be satisfying.”
*
*
*
“Mmm….”
I opened my eyes. The worn, familiar ceiling of the Scout Barracks greeted me.
“How long was I asleep?”
I remembered wielding my sword while maintaining that extreme state of perception, but everything after that was a blur. Only the golden sun I’d seen at the end lingered in my mind.
-Four days.
The answer came from Wrath inside the flower bracelet. His voice carried the chill of a cold wind.
‘I slept that long?’
-….
Wrath materialized gradually, his blue face thrust forward without a word. His eyes blazed with fury as he glared at me.
-You deceived me again, you wretch.
“What? Deceived you how?”
I leaned back. I’d lied so many times, I couldn’t figure out which one he was referring to.
-You seduced me with pineapple and extracted information about Glacia! You contemptible, filthy human!
“Ah….”
Now I understood why Wrath was so furious.
-Using food to sway the bet in your favor—do you possess no conscience whatsoever!
A Demon Lord lecturing me about conscience was rather novel.
-I’ve already told you once. There’s a saying that even Cerberus won’t be touched while eating. Your wickedness is something even the Demon Realm would….
“Wait, hold on.”
I raised my hand before he could finish.
“The bet isn’t even over yet. Why are you getting angry already…?”
-It’s over.
“What?”
-The bet has already ended with your victory!
Wrath erupted with a torrent of frigid energy, his fury manifesting as a wave of cold that engulfed the entire room.
“It’s over?”
I stood frozen, my mouth agape. After brushing away the biting cold radiating from Wrath, I checked the message.
[You have demonstrated overwhelming power.]
[All stats increase by 3 points.]
“3 points?”
As stats grew higher, their growth inevitably slowed. To gain 3 points across all stats at once was a reward far beyond my expectations.
[You have maintained extreme concentration.]
[The trait 【Concentration】 has been created.]
A new trait as well?
【Concentration (1-Star)】
The time required to enter a concentrated state decreases, while the duration of maintaining concentration increases.
“Wow…”
It seemed trivial at first glance, but it was an extraordinary trait that would prove invaluable in both combat and training. If I continued to grow, there was a real possibility of achieving the kind of extreme concentration I’d experienced while defending the Castle Wall.
-Grrr…
Wrath trembled like a volcano on the verge of eruption. He smacked his lips and read the final message.
[You have acquired Glacial.]
[Water attribute resistance has reached 5-Star.]
“Huh?”
Upon reading the final message, I widened my eyes in astonishment.
‘Glacial Aura acquired?’
When did that happen?
I knew my swordsmanship, aura, and senses had grown considerably, but I never imagined I’d acquired Glacial Aura.
‘My water attribute resistance increased too.’
Thanks to consistently wielding the cold energy, my water attribute resistance had risen to five stars.
-Now do you understand why I’m furious!
Wrath’s cold energy began condensing in a sphere, like a pufferfish inflating itself.
-Using my only weakness to win a bet! Have you become a demon yourself!
Being called a demon by the Demon King himself—that was certainly novel.
-I will not acknowledge this! This bet was wrong from the start! Even if a blade pierces my neck, I will never pay the compensation!
“Hmm, it’s been a while. Should I try?”
-What are you planning! I will never break!
“Apple meat pie.”
-What? Why are you saying that now…
“Apple meat pie with pineapple pizza added.”
—….
Wrath didn’t answer. But that alone told me he was wavering.
“Apple meat pie, pineapple pizza, and add pineapple cookies.”
-….
Still not giving in.
Again, there was no response.
‘Has food stopped working on him?’
Then again, it was rather pathetic for a Demon King to sell his pride for food multiple times.
I was about to nod and propose a new deal.
[You have achieved victory against Wrath in your wager.]
-Cough!
Wrath’s body deflated like a punctured balloon. He turned his head away sharply, as if embarrassed.
His silence wasn’t a rejection—it seemed he was acknowledging the bet.
“Heh….”
Even a blade to the throat wouldn’t work, but pie, pizza, and cookies could break the will of a Demon King.
Easy.
Too easy. Frighteningly easy.
But there was one thing neither I nor Wrath knew.
[All stats increase by 4 points.]
[You have achieved your fifth victory against Wrath.]
[A bonus reward is generated from the five consecutive victories effect.]
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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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