The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 138

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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 138

‘The Path of a Hero?’

I widened my eyes upon reading the message. The content was so bewildering that I couldn’t grasp its meaning properly.

‘What is this… Ah!’

Just as I was about to read the message again.

[Your soul’s grade has increased.]
[All stats have increased.]

A thunderous tremor pierced through my entire body. It felt as though electricity had entered through my head and reached down to my feet. In that instant, my soul seemed to have ascended to a higher dimension.

-Tsk, your luck is disgustingly good.

Wrath glared at the message, his brow furrowing. His expression was filled with irritation.

‘What is all this?’
-Exactly as it says. The karma of a hero has taken root in your soul.
‘Why?’
-Words carry power. If those words are sung, even greater power seeps in. The song that the Pineapple Girl sang contained your heroic qualities, so your soul’s grade rose by drawing strength from those words.
‘Just from that?’
-Of course it’s not just that.

Wrath turned his head to look at Yua, who was singing.

-I mentioned it before, didn’t I? That the Pineapple Girl has talent in singing. Her talent exceeds even my expectations. Because this child created a song about you and sang it before so many people, that heroic feat gained its power.
‘So then….’
-Yes. Your soul’s grade and stats increased because this child sang a song about you. Be grateful for it.
‘Huh….’
-The more heroic qualities you display, the more widely this child’s song spreads, the greater the increase in your soul’s grade, stats, and traits will be.
‘This is no joke.’

I let out a hollow laugh. I had suspected it from when emotions were being stirred, but Yua’s singing talent transcends even the word genius. I had heard that the songs of exceptional bards carry souls within them, but I never expected to experience it firsthand.

“…That stride shall echo eternally through winter’s melody.”

Yua finished her ballad flawlessly and smiled brightly.

“Yooooooua!”
“Yua! Sir here adores you fiercely!”
“It’s such a waste having our Yua here! We should send her to the Continent!”
“Yua! Yua! Yua!”

The soldiers who had heard Yua’s song rose to their feet with thunderous applause and cheers. The ground trembled beneath the roar.

“Thank you!”

Yua bowed respectfully in three directions before descending from the platform and approaching the table where Raon and Dorian sat.

“How was it?”
“Wow! That was truly amazing! I was moved to tears! You’re on par with me, aren’t you?”

Dorian spouted his absurd words while giving a thumbs up.

“What inspired you to compose a song?”
“Grandfather always told me I should be grateful to those who fight here.”

Yua laughed softly and waved toward her grandfather standing to the right—the manager of Frost’s Branch.

“He said you worked especially hard this time, so I composed a song based on what I’ve seen and heard!”
“I see.”

I knelt down to meet Yua’s eyes. Her round rabbit-like pupils sparkled with delight.

“Thank you. I listened well. Truly.”
“Yes!”

Yua bounced excitedly, her ears perking up.

“Then later, at our Dining Hall….”
“You’re asking me to come boost your sales, aren’t you?”
“Wow, you really know me well now.”
“How could I not?”

I smiled as I watched Yua’s hair flutter in the breeze.

“Then you’ll definitely come visit later!”

Yua waved her hand and ran toward the shop owner who had been waiting for her.

-Raon.

Wrath, who had been quiet until now, poked his head out slightly from the bracelet.

‘What?’
-When a person receives kindness, they must repay it. Such is the law.

He was right. But hearing it from the mouth of a self-proclaimed Demon Lord left me at a loss for words.

-In my judgment, you have received great kindness from the pineapple girl.

I could already predict what would come out of this lump of cold air’s mouth next.

-The sooner you repay kindness, the better. Today. Right now, go to Frost’s Branch and order all the food….
‘Sigh.’

I shook my head as I watched Wrath’s eyes roll around.

-And you have also received kindness from me. Very great kindness at that.
‘What kindness?’
-Did I not bestow Glacia upon you!’
‘We already exchanged payment for that.’
-You dare think to repay such a mighty ability with merely one pineapple pizza!’
‘How is it that your actions never deviate even slightly from my expectations?’

Whether Wrath had obtained his position as lord of the Demon Realm through king-of-the-hill games or not, he truly could not hide his inner nature.

-I do not fail to hide it—I choose not to hide it. Demons are beings true to their desires. When speaking of desire, they do not lie. Especially I, who have never told a lie since my time in the Demon Realm.

That was true. Wrath might refuse to speak, but he never lied. The reason I believed him to be a king was precisely because he never lied.

-If you understand, let us go. Frost’s Branch has been packed for four days, so it should be empty today!
‘Fine. I understand.’

I exhaled softly. I had received help from both Wrath and Yua, so it seemed fitting to repay them appropriately. Honestly, settling the debt with food was an incredibly cheap way out.

-Well reasoned, indeed!

Wrath let out a delighted chuckle and sprang up onto my bracelet.

“Where are you going?”

As I stood, Dorian lifted his head.

“It’s been a while since I’ve eaten at Frost’s Branch. Come along.”
“Huh?”

Dorian remained seated, tilting his head in confusion.

“Why?”
“We’ve been open for four days, so today is our day off. That’s why I told Yua to come later.”
“Oh, I see.”

I blinked, watching Wrath dance atop my bracelet.

‘He said they’re not opening today.’
-…What in the world is this.

Wrath dragged his hand—formed from cold energy—across the table like a cat, letting out a wail of frustration.

-Are you all conspiring to starve your king?! Why does something always interfere whenever I try to eat?!
‘It’s fate. Let’s just head to the soldiers’ dining hall.’

I chuckled and made my way toward the soldiers’ dining hall.

-Onion stew with stale bread, overcooked chicken, and a tasteless sauce on top! Today’s set meal is absolutely dreadful!
‘How does he manage to memorize the entire menu that changes every day….’

Wrath had memorized the soldiers’ dining hall menu that changed daily. I couldn’t tell if he disliked it or enjoyed it.

Either way, he was certainly peculiar.

*

*

*

The Sian Gorge, a chasm teeming with ferocious and formidable monsters.
Like water bursting from a shattered dam, an overwhelming tide of monsters surged through the precipitous canyon walls.

On the opposite side of the gorge, where monsters crashed forward like a tidal wave.
A wall of humanity stood firm. Warriors with broad-shouldered frames wielded double-bladed axes and thick greatswords in a single line, their eyes fixed upon the charging monsters.

Uuuuung!

A majestic horn’s call echoed through the gorge, and the warriors raised their weapons.

“Charge! Slaughter them all!”

The giant-like Ogre Warrior standing at the forefront plunged into the wave of monsters and brought down an axe as large as a human torso.

Kwaaang!

Both monster and earth erupted simultaneously as the great battle between humans and monsters commenced.

“Gaaaaah!”
“Tear them all apart!”
“Leave not a single one—sweep them away!”
“Aaaaah!”

The warriors descended with savage smiles, their blades flashing, their axes striking. The arid gorge filled with blood, heat, and the exhilaration of combat.

Among both human and monster, one swordswoman stood out on this battlefield of extraordinary scale.

A dark-haired, dark-eyed swordswoman of elegant beauty carved through the battlefield. With formidable strength and disciplined technique, her sword strokes reduced monsters to bloody pulp.

She was the smallest on this field, yet she radiated valor unmatched by any other. The ferocity of her presence caused monsters to retreat first.

Yet the dark-haired swordswoman remained unsatisfied, moving ceaselessly as she reduced monsters to mush.

The battle that began at dawn continued until evening, and the gorge became filled with the corpses of warriors and monsters.

Even seasoned warriors would have grown weary by now, yet the black-haired swordswoman moved with the same fluid grace as she had at the start, slicing through monsters’ necks and bursting their hearts. Her ferocity resembled that of a berserker under a battle trance, yet her eyes gleamed with the clarity of a full moon.

“We’ve won!”
“We’ve won!”
“Yaaaaaaah!”

The battle in the gorge ended in humanity’s victory, and the defeated monsters retreated to their barren homeland, treading through the blood of their own kind.

“Haah….”

The black-haired swordswoman finally lowered her blade and lifted her head. Her sword had tasted more blood today than anyone else’s, and beneath her feet lay the greatest pile of corpses.

“You certainly enjoyed yourself, Martha.”

A middle-aged man who appeared to be the commander of the warriors approached her as she caught her breath.

“Your dominance was impressive enough to satisfy even me. Are you thinking of surpassing your own house lord?”

The middle-aged man slung his blood-soaked axe across his shoulder and laughed heartily. This man was Beruan, the lord of Kamain Castle who ruled the Sian Gorge and was called the strongest warrior.

“I must surpass him. But first, there’s a mountain I need to climb.”

Martha wiped the blood from her blade and frowned.

“A mountain to climb?”
“An absurdly high one.”
“Is there someone among your peers who surpasses you?”

Beruan’s eyes widened. Martha had already proven herself a capable warrior since arriving here. He wondered why she trained so desperately—it seemed she had found a worthy rival.

“Three times. No, four times I’ve lost.”

Martha muttered that after that, she’d been running away and had nothing more to say about it.

“Don’t worry.”

Beruan grinned and gave Martha’s shoulder a light tap.

“Since you arrived here, you’ve trained harder than anyone else, honing both body and spirit. Regardless of who that child is, they should be beneath you now.”
“No, sir.”

Martha shook her head firmly.

“He’s the first real thing I’ve ever encountered. A true monster—different from all those fake geniuses and prodigies. Even if I trained several times harder than I do now, I could never catch up to him.”
“To that extent?”

Beruan narrowed his eyes. Martha’s talent surpassed even his own son’s. He found himself curious about who this child was that had instilled such a sense of defeat in a genius of her caliber.

“I can feel it in my skin.”

Martha clenched her arm, goosebumps rising across it.

“That damned bastard’s breathing—he’s growing stronger even now.”

Despite training with all her might, I couldn’t imagine defeating Raon. I wanted to crush him confidently and erase the promise to obey his commands, yet I couldn’t even envision victory against him.

Moreover, my true enemy, the White Blood Cult, was incomparably stronger than Raon. To topple the White Blood Cult and find my mother without even being able to defeat Raon was absurd.

“What’s that bastard’s name?”

Martha turned her body, meeting Beruan’s surprised gaze. She spread a barrier so no one else could hear, then slowly opened her mouth.

“Raon. Raon Zigheart.”

She clenched her fist as she continued.

“A benefactor to whom I owe my life, and a man I absolutely must defeat.”
“That’s not the only reason, is it.”

Beruan chuckled.

“Good. I’ll personally train you during the remaining time.”
“What? Why all of a sudden….”
“Bring it here instead.”

He struck the ground with the axe on his shoulder and raised his chin.

“News of victory—that that fellow Raon has been defeated.”

*

*

*

In the northwestern region of the Continent lies a desert known as Rebun Desert.
This peculiar place, carpeted with white sand, is sometimes called the White Sands instead of by its official name.
Though it was a desert despite the white sand, it unexpectedly possessed abundant resources, making it a strange land where humans and monsters coexisted.

At the edge of this desert stood a small village—not an original settlement, but a temporary one established by the Maiko Trading Company, one of the six major trading houses on the Continent, for their Rebun Desert development project.

In that village, a sharp-featured youth with blue hair moved about with urgent haste.

“Burren! Come over here!”
“Burren! Something’s wrong here!”
“Hey! Burren!”

The villagers called out to the youth, waving their hands.

“Ugh, stop calling me! You can all handle it yourselves!”

The blue-haired youth called Burren frowned and stamped his foot in frustration. Yet even as he complained, he moved to the right to tamp down the earth, set up pillars on the left, and helped with every task requested.

“Burren! A Sand Scorpion appeared! Come quick!”
“Damn it! Why do they always call for me!”

Though Burren grumbled as if he wouldn’t go, he set down the pillar he’d been raising and sprinted toward the village entrance. His mouth spewed complaints, yet he helped with every request that came his way.

“Hmm.”

A man of intellectual bearing, wearing a monocle, watched Burren dash out of the village and smacked his lips thoughtfully.

“Quite unexpected. So different from his first impression.”
“It is surely thanks to the Trading Company Master’s teachings.”

An elderly merchant wearing a turban on his head smiled warmly.

“Teachings? I haven’t given that brat anything.”

Reniton, the current head of the Maiko Trading Company, closed his eyes. Burren had already been burning with ambition from the moment he arrived here. For over half a year now, he’d spent his days fighting monsters or assisting with development projects, and his nights in personal training.

A regimen that ordinary people couldn’t endure. It meant Burren’s heart was filled with the desire to grow stronger.

“He’s a remarkable friend. His personality seems rough around the edges, but his heart is warm, and his martial prowess is extraordinary for someone only sixteen years old. Ah!”

The old man clapped his hands as if remembering something.

“Speaking of which, have you heard about the incident that occurred at Habun Castle?”
“Are you talking about the story where a swordsman around Burren’s age defended the collapsed castle wall alone?”
“That’s correct. But an even greater incident happened after that.”
“A greater incident?”
“Yes. Apparently, Eden attacked that place leading the Ice Troll Lord. And when the elite forces of Milland and Habun Castle went out to meet them, a golden-haired swordsman faced them alone….”

The old man told Reniton everything about the incident that had occurred at Habun Castle several months ago.

“That… sounds like a lie.”
“I thought so too, but it appears to be true. All the soldiers of Habun Castle witnessed it.”
“Hmm, then….”

Reniton pointed at Burren returning to the village with a sly smile.

“Tell that brat the entire story.”
“Pardon? Why all of a sudden?”
“I want to see how he reacts.”
“Ah, I see. Understood.”

The old man, understanding the meaning, approached Burren and relayed the story of Habun Castle that he had just heard from Reniton.

“That damn bastard!”

Burren’s green eyes sparkled like grains of sand in the desert.

“I knew it! He really can’t stay still!”

His clenched fists trembled as a joyful smile spread across his face.

“Is that child the goal you said you would catch up to?”

Reniton approached and stood before Burren.

“Yes, sir.”
“What is that child’s name?”
“Raon.”
“He seems quite strong.”
“He is. From what I’ve heard, he appears to have grown even stronger than before.”
“Then why do you look so pleased?”

Reniton narrowed his eyes as he observed the smile playing across Burren’s face.

“If your target became stronger, shouldn’t you be angry or despairing?”
“No. Because he was strong and will continue to grow stronger, there is meaning in pursuing him.”

Burren shook his head firmly. His emerald eyes gleamed with clarity.

“If Raon doesn’t grow stronger, my goal would stagnate there as well. The higher he climbs, the further I can advance alongside him.”
“I see.”

Reniton’s lips curved upward in a pleased smile as he regarded Burren.

“Though I must admit, I learned this truth because of that fellow.”
“I’d like to see this Raon for myself.”
“You will surely be impressed.”
“But you draw my interest more.”
“Pardon?”
“Those who genuinely recognize their own shortcomings and elevate their rivals are rare. If I were to invest in someone, it would be you.”
“Ah…”

Burren’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.

“But you seem quite close with Raon. Rivals who are also friends—that’s amusing.”
“C-Close?! Absolutely not! We are merely enemies!”
“I don’t think so. That smile of yours was unmistakably one of affection.”

Reniton chuckled and tilted his chin upward.

“That’s not it!”

Burren Zigheart let out a sharp cry of protest.

“I have no intention of befriending someone like that!”

*

*

*

The Yellow Jungle, where the discordant cries of insects, reptiles, and monsters reverberated through the entire forest.

A silver-haired swordswoman with violet eyes, her hair pulled back tightly, raced through the jungle that twisted like a coiled serpent.

Though her appearance was noble and refined, her movements melded seamlessly with the jungle itself.

Screech!

As the Silver-haired Swordswoman attempted to cross the swamp, a dark-attributed monster shaped like a crocodile—Crocordark—burst from beneath the murky water and snapped its jaws wide open.

Shiiing!

She drew her sword from her waist as though she had anticipated it all along and slashed it through the air. Silvery frost streamed from the blade, sweeping across the ground and freezing both the monster and the swamp solid.

“Screech!”
“Kiii….”

The monsters rising up behind it froze mid-ascent.

The Silver-haired Swordswoman watched the monsters emerging one by one from the swamp and executed a true strike. The earth thundered beneath her foot, and silvery frost radiated outward from where she stood, freezing everything in its path.

“Hah!”

She spun through the air and began sprinting across the frozen swamp. Small birds and insects swarmed down from above like a plague, but the frigid breath she exhaled repelled them all before they could draw near.

Running in a straight line until the village came into view, she suddenly encountered a warrior clad in a wooden mask of mingled brown and crimson hues, wielding a spear and shield.

“Roooaaarrr!”

The masked warrior thrust a spear brimming with crimson aura. As the devastating lance strike hurtled toward my entire body, a torrent of frost wind swept across the Silver-haired Swordswoman’s blade.

Crack-crack-crack-crack!

Silver frost rippled outward in concentric circles, freezing everything around her, including the masked warrior.

“Ugh….”

The masked warrior’s legs and arms were locked in ice, leaving him immobilized and groaning.

The Silver-haired Swordswoman nodded at Dun and entered the Village he had been guarding.

“Woooooow!”
“We cleared the jungle in less than six hours!”
“You’re first, Lunan!”
“Even adults don’t achieve records like this often!”
“Not adults—only those at the Warrior Commander level could manage it!”
“Lunan! You’re truly amazing!”

The villagers at the entrance didn’t attack; instead, they surrounded the Silver-haired Swordswoman and erupted in cheers.

“Thank you.”

Lunan bowed to the villagers with an impassive expression.

“At this level, I’m even more excited about her future.”
“Right? Has there ever been a sixteen-year-old with such power? Probably only our clan leader.”

The villagers smiled, speaking of how Lunan would surely become the greatest of her generation.

“There is one.”
“Huh?”
“There’s a child far stronger than me.”

Lunan Slion rarely interjected into people’s conversations.

“Huh, much stronger than you?”
“Than me?”

Lunan Slion nodded.

“Then you came here to defeat that child?”

A tall woman with red hair approached Lunan Slion’s side. She wore a wooden mask that obscured her face, but the aura leaking from her was as grand as the ocean.

“No.”
“No? Then?”
“I want to become strong enough to help from beside him.”

Lunan Slion let slip the words he used to say habitually back at the clan.

“I see.”

The masked woman chuckled and struck Lunan Slion’s back roughly.

“It’s good to have a goal in anything. However, your talent can look toward greater distances. Don’t fixate only on what’s ahead.”

She spoke thus and waited for the next jungle trial challenger after Lunan Slion.

“Mm.”

Lunan Slion gazed at the back of Rey, the tribe’s chieftain and a warrior who had reached the Master realm, then climbed onto a tree right in front of the entrance.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve indulged.’

Having completed the jungle trial, which could also be called the test of Katam Jungle, it seemed fitting to treat myself to bead ice cream for the first time in ages.

‘But there’s not much time left now.’

As I swung my legs in the air while pondering, I heard the voice of a village youth from beside me. He was the one who had guided me here initially. Ramim.

“Wow, where did you come from?”

Screech.

A cry echoed behind Ramim. It was the sound of a crow.

“Huh? Why is this little guy sticking to me like this? Do you like me that much?”

Caw!

The cheerful sounds of Ramim and the Jungle Crow playing together filled the air—it seemed they had become friends after the crow entered the village.

“Alright! I’ll take the plunge and raise you. First, let me give you a name!”

Ramim smacked his lips and clapped his hands together.

“Raon! Since you’re as dark as a shadow, I’ll call you Raon!”

The moment Lunan heard the name Raon, he leaped down from beneath the tree.

Moving toward the direction from which Ramim’s voice had come, I found him face to face with a Jungle Crow whose feathers were twisted like vines.

“Lunan? Weren’t you in the middle of your test?”
“It’s finished.”

Lunan replied casually, then gazed intently at the crow.

Caw!

The crow tilted its head as if asking why he was staring, and cawed sharply.

“Hmph.”

After a staring contest with the crow, Lunan turned his head to look at Ramim.

“Gasp!”

Lunan’s eyes blazed with unusual intensity, causing Ramim to stumble backward.

“W-what’s wrong? If I did something wrong….”
“What did you call this one?”

Lunan pointed at the crow walking with small steps behind him.

“I-I’m Raon….”
“Change your name.”
“No, I’m already called Raon….”
“Change your name.”
“You’re pitch black like Shadow itself. Black creatures are usually given the name Raon anyway….”
“Change your name.”

Her violet eyes narrowed to a terrifying degree.

“Why all of a sudden….”
“Change your name.”

As Lunan’s pressure intensified, the young man’s pupils trembled violently.

What’s wrong with her!

*

*

*

Four months had passed since the war with Eden ended.

Following the Wave and the war with the Lord, so many monsters had perished that no creatures dared venture near the castle anymore.

Though patrols were conducted regularly and no unusual signs or monster gatherings were discovered, Habun Castle enjoyed an unprecedented period of peace.

Yet Raon, the architect of this tranquility, remained busy unlike the others. The reason was naturally training.

As soon as his injured arm healed at a troll-like pace, he had buried himself in the Training Ground, wielding his sword all day long.

“Haah….”

Today as well, after training in mana control and swordsmanship until the moon rose, I exhaled a turbid breath as I rose to my feet.

‘It’s not working out.’

The battle between the golden-haired swordswoman and the Orc Lord that I witnessed when I touched the jewel of the White Soul Armor—I had attempted to recreate the mana control swordsmanship the swordswoman employed in that clash, but it proved difficult.

It seemed to be because his swordsmanship and aura were at a far higher level than mine currently.

‘That Ogre Warrior was terrifyingly strong too, after all.’

The Ogre Warrior who had fought against the golden-haired swordsman possessed an aura like that of a warrior who had reached the Master tier or beyond—not merely a monster. Neither of them were opponents I could face in my current state.

‘But I have to keep going.’

In both my past and present lives, I had never known the word surrender. If I continued to train with the sword and hone my body steadily, one day that realm would open its doors to me as well.

“Raon!”

Just as I was about to swing my sword again, the Training Ground door opened and Dorian’s face suddenly poked through.

“It’s time for the night watch, sir.”
“Ah.”

I exhaled a breath tinged with regret as I gazed at the moon hanging in the sky. It was time to head out on the mission.

“Right. Let’s go.”

I sheathed my sword and followed Dorian toward the Castle Wall.

“Young master, what do you think about while repeating the same swordsmanship?”
“Think? I just do it.”
“Huh!”

Despite my simple answer, Dorian’s mouth fell open in astonishment.

“You just do it, he says. You really are from another world. Wow. I could never do that.”

He muttered that he couldn’t help himself and pulled out a medicinal herb juice from his waist pouch, taking a sip.

“Would you like some?”
“No thanks.”

I waved my hand and climbed onto the Castle Wall. On this cloudless night, the moon shone brilliantly. I could even see the white mist encircling the distant Sturrin Mountains.

‘A fine night indeed.’

I operated Glacial thinking today’s watch would have the charm of enjoying the scenery.

There was no reason to waste a watch duty either. Since I had to stand still and observe my surroundings, it was the perfect time to expand my sea of senses.

‘That said.’

I observed the surroundings through my sea of senses and looked at Wrath hanging from my wrist.

‘He’s been quiet lately.’

Except for his tantrum about going to Frost’s Branch to eat, the fellow had been strangely calm recently.

‘I wish he’d pick a fight with me.’

If I made a bet with Wrath or fought him, my stats would rise easily, so I missed his provocations.

Tsk.

Just as I was smacking my lips in regret, Wrath rose from the bracelet like smoke. He stared intently at the peak of the distant Sturrin Mountains before turning his head.

-Raon Zigheart. I have something to say.
‘I can’t eat right now. I’m on duty.’
-That’s not it! Do you think your king is just a food-obsessed fool!
‘Weren’t you?’
-Ugh! You really are… sigh.

Wrath gnashed his teeth. He glared at me with narrowed eyes before letting out a sigh.

‘Then what is it?’
-Let’s make a bet with your king for the first time in a while.
‘A bet?’

A bet?

They say the hardest part for con artists when running a scam is getting the mark to sit at the table. This situation was no different from a mark walking up and sitting down of his own accord.

A crimson heat flickered in my eyes.

The mark Wrath again?

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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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