The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 143

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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 143

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry.

‘Damn it.’

A real Demon King had appeared.
The worst-case scenario I had imagined after hearing Wrath’s boasts had become reality. That monster approaching with leisurely steps was a Demon King of equal standing to Wrath—the Lord of Sloth.

With each movement Sloth made, the dark sky and earth warped, confirming his identity was no deception. The vast demonic energy he exhaled like breath shattered the very fabric of space.

“W-what in the world is that…?”

Milend, who had sensed Sloth’s aura, trembled as he gripped his sword. The presence of a Demon King was a shock in itself to one who had reached Master rank.

No—it seemed the sheer magnitude of his power struck even greater terror. His iron-like expression crumpled like tree bark.

-Not quite as much as the Demon Realm, but you’ve gathered considerable power.

Wrath gazed down at the approaching Sloth with an amused smile.

-For a sluggard who does nothing but sleep, you’re quite impressive.
‘Why is a Demon King here? I thought you were the only one who ascended to the human realm?’

Wrath had occasionally mentioned other Demon Kings, but he had never said they were on this land. I couldn’t fathom why Sloth was here.

-There’s no need to tell you why he’s here, and even if I did, it would be meaningless.
‘Meaningless? He only speaks in the most irritating ways.’
-It is fact. At your current level, you wouldn’t comprehend it even if I explained.
‘Tch.’

I clicked my tongue sharply. Wrath never lies. If he said I wouldn’t understand even with an explanation, then that was the truth.

‘Why is he coming here?’
-Because you awakened him from his slumber.

Wrath’s chilling gaze swept across the soldiers standing on the castle wall.

-Sloth was sleeping at the peak of that mountain. He was so deeply asleep that even I didn’t notice him at first. But he woke up each time—during the battle in the valley, the wave, and the attacks from those mad helmeted bastards.
‘So that sleepyhead who fell back asleep before….’
-That’s right. That damned fool. True to his nature as the demon who sleeps the most in the Demon Realm, he never woke up and fell back into slumber.

Wrath had cursed someone for being an idiot who only slept for a month, and it turned out that someone was this Demon King.

-When the doppelgänger exploded with a thunderous boom and released dark magic energy, that lazy bastard finally woke up completely.
“Ha….”

To emit such a murderous aura just from being woken up—it was so absurd that I let out a hollow laugh.

-It’s not just about sleep. That one is among the rarest of the rare. It’s no different to say he became a Demon King because of his sleep.
‘What?’
-Let me tell you an interesting story.

Wrath’s blue eyes gleamed as he savored Sloth’s ever-intensifying aura.

-Sloth was a demon who only slept in the Demon Realm. How did such a creature become a Demon King?
‘Could it be…’

Connecting it to the current situation, I felt I understood the reason.

-Seeing that expression, you’ve figured it out. That’s right. He became a Demon King by slaughtering everyone who dared to provoke him while he slept.

Killing intent dripped from Wrath’s smile, which curved like a crescent moon.

-The Demon Realm is a land of conflict and desire. In such a world, sleeping openly is the same as asking to be killed. Yet that bastard survived by beating to death every demon who attacked him.
‘Ha….’
-For thousands of years, it continued: provoke him and die, attack him and die, wake him and die. By the time that cycle ended, he had become the lord of the Demon Realm.

Perhaps because of this urgent situation, Wrath’s story about the Demon Realm didn’t feel boring for the first time.

‘So right now….’
-Exactly. He’s moving now to erase you all, who have woken him multiple times.
‘Damn it!’

The more I heard, the more it seemed there was no way to stop Sloth. How could I possibly stop a Demon King coming for revenge for being woken? The only one I could imagine stopping him was Glen Zigheart.

-A way to stop him? There are only two ways to stop Sloth in his current state. A strong opponent or a sacrifice. This place has neither.

Wrath pointed at Sloth, who was trampling across the pristine white expanse as he approached.

‘A strong one?’
-Yes. If a being like your grandfather or myself existed in this castle, Sloth would avoid the fight.
‘Why?’
-Because whether he wins or loses, the battle would drag on too long, and he wouldn’t be able to sleep.
‘Hah….’

The more I heard, the more insane he seemed. Sloth was a Demon King even more unhinged than Wrath.

“Cold…. So sleepy…. Everything’s a bother…. But disturbing my sleep….”

Every time I heard those sluggish words breaking apart at the seams, goosebumps crawled across my skin. The power contained in that voice was terrifying.

“Uh? Uh, uh….”

Terian sensed Sloth’s presence and broke into a cold sweat so severe his clothes were drenched. His pupils dilated like rotten eggs.

“W-what is that monster….”
“Guh….”
“This… this is a fight we can’t win….”

Even the elite swordsmen and knights dropped their weapons from trembling hands under Sloth’s overwhelming aura. The will to fight drained from their eyes. Unable to even think of fleeing, they simply collapsed to their knees.

‘Damn it.’

As those with keen senses began perceiving Sloth’s presence, the stronger ones fell into despair first. The closer Sloth drew, the more dire this situation would become.

“So sleepy…. So very sleepy…. But it’s cold….”

Sloth continued his approach, repeating words of drowsiness and cold.

‘The sleepiness I can understand. But cold?’

I couldn’t comprehend a Demon King feeling cold.

‘Why would he say he’s cold?’
-Didn’t I tell you from the beginning? His epithet is . He accepts all cold, all heat, all attacks. That’s both his strength and his weakness.

It seemed like a troublesome ability, but it appeared to have significant advantages that came with it.

‘Why not just go somewhere that isn’t cold?’
-That bastard is the Lord of Sloth. He finds even thinking bothersome. Don’t expect common sense from that idiot.

He’s mad in a different way than Wrath. It seems a Demon King must be insane to function.

“Kugh!”
“A, a Monster! It’s a Monster!”
“I, I’ve lost it. What are we supposed to do about that….”

Now even the ordinary knights and swordsmen felt Sloth’s aura. All of them lost their will to fight and bowed their heads to the ground.

“Haah….”

I lowered my stance, breathing heavily. The pressure bearing down on me was increasing exponentially. My mind was growing hazy.

-You have been given two choices.
‘Two choices?’
-Surrender your body to me and stop that bastard, or be annihilated as you are.

Wrath’s pupils flickered with a clear light. He was certain of victory.

-Apart from those two methods, there is no way for you and those humans to survive. I guarantee it.
‘….’

I clenched my fists. Just as Wrath said, the situation was dire. I couldn’t see a way through it.

-From that Mountain to the Castle Wall ahead is no different than a barrier.
‘A barrier? I didn’t sense anything like that.’
-It’s a blood barrier that formed naturally over hundreds of years as human and Monster blood and resentment seeped into the land.
‘What does that have to do with anything?’
-The moment Sloth breaks through the Castle Wall and sets even one foot inside, the mediating lizards and those old men like your grandfather who’ve stepped outside the boundary will come rushing here.

Wrath pointed at the Castle Wall that was cracking with a rustling sound.

-If a great war breaks out, ordinary humans won’t even leave bone fragments behind.
‘If such a fight happens, Sloth won’t be able to sleep either.’
-Didn’t I tell you? That bastard doesn’t think about consequences. Unless a being equal to me stands before the Castle right now, there’s no way to stop him.

Wrath suggested with a smile that I should surrender my body before it was too late.

‘Is there any guarantee that those people will live if I hand over my body to you?’
-I shall do my utmost. At first, I will inevitably rampage, but afterward I can maintain control.
‘Rampage?’
-My soul has been connected to yours without a physical form for a considerable time. The distance between my soul and body has grown vast, so at first, a rampage is unavoidable.
‘Insane.’

The curse escaped my lips unbidden. If the rampaging Wrath collided with Sloth—irritable from lack of sleep—this entire castle would be obliterated. Such madness was unthinkable.

‘I have to do this myself.’

Somehow, I had to resolve this alone.

“Aaaahhh!”
“Gaaahhh!”
“Th-that! What is that thing!”
“A monster….”

Even the soldiers now felt Sloth’s aura. The terrifying power caused them to collapse instantly or fall convulsing with foam at their mouths.

“Raon.”

Milend, still holding his ground ahead, called out to me. His voice trembled, but his resolve remained unshaken.

“Come here.”
“…Yes.”

I forced myself upright and approached Milend, who stood directly above the castle gate.

“Thank you.”
“Pardon?”
“Thanks to your warning, I was able to evacuate all the civilians. You are the greatest blessing Habun Castle could have received.”

A faint smile. He showed no intention of retreating even now.

“Take the others and fall back. I will remain here and hold the line.”

Milend raised his lowered sword. The aura blazing from its blade became a cerulean torch, pushing back the darkness. It was the sacred energy of a soul-burning technique.

“Commander….”
“I have lived long enough and accomplished much. You and the others would be wasted dying in this place. Your time has not yet come.”

Even knowing this was the end, he smiled. I couldn’t bear to let this stubborn commander, who had devoted his entire life to a single purpose, depart like this.

“You cannot do this alone.”

I moved to Milend’s side and raised my sword. Resonating with the ring of fire, I summoned the Thousand Flower Technique. Petals bloomed across the silver blade, igniting a brilliant dawn that incinerated the darkness.

Roooaarrr!

Light like molten fire erupted from both blades, beginning to tear through the darkness.

“This is….”
“C-Commander! Raon!”
“The two of them are pushing back the darkness!”

Those who had collapsed, clutching their chests, rose to their feet as they felt the auspicious warmth wash over them.

“Everyone, evacuate the castle! That is the Commander’s order!”

I poured forth even brighter light while shouting Milend’s command.

“How can we….”
“W-We cannot leave!”
“We must stay until the end….”
“You can’t even stand! Stop interfering and get out of here!”

Milend roared while facing forward, his ragged breath escaping his lips. Only I, standing right beside him, could see his face. The vitality was draining from his features.

“We….”
“Retreat! Everyone get up and descend the castle wall! Open the south gate!”

Terian bit his lips until they bled as he descended the castle wall. It must be harder for him than anyone, yet no one understood Milend’s heart better than he did.

“Y-Young Master!”

Dorian cried out “Young Master” for the first time since arriving here.

“Dorian. Go first. I’ll follow shortly. Go!”
“You’re really coming, aren’t you?”
“Do I look like someone who’ll die here?”
“Ah, understood! You absolutely must come! If you don’t, I’ll kill you!”

He raised his clenched fist and helped the Scout Unit descend the Castle Wall. Even though he was always spouting talk of death, he was reliable when it mattered.

Despite my command to leave, the soldiers couldn’t depart easily. They kept turning back, their eyes fixed on Milend and me.

“Now you go too. We can’t hold any longer!”

Milend’s lips trembled a sickly blue as he pushed at my shoulder.

“Just a little longer, I can endure!”

I tightened my grip on my convulsing fingers and shook my head. My instincts screamed that I should leave now, but I couldn’t bring myself to go.

-It’s already too late.

The moment Wrath’s blunt voice reached me, the pressure crushing my entire body intensified.

“Cold and drowsy… Because of you all… I’ve come this far…”

The tremendous aura erupting from Sloth, who had drawn near the Castle Wall, nearly severed my thread of consciousness. The torch of aura I had painstakingly created flickered like a candle before the wind.

Crack, crack, crack!

Under the mounting pressure, the flames of my aura finally extinguished first.

“Ugh…”

My legs buckled as though they would shatter, and I fell to my knees. I couldn’t even lift my head now. The pressure was enough to tear my organs apart.

“Argh!”

Milend wouldn’t last much longer either. His legs trembled like aspen leaves.

“Gahhh!”
“Ughhhh!”
“Again, again!”

As the two warriors’ momentum faltered, the retreating soldiers began collapsing to the ground once more.

-Did I not tell you? You have only two choices. Now decide. Will you die? Or will you surrender your body to me?
‘Two choices….’

I shook my head, watching Milend hold out to the very end. I couldn’t fall prey to Wrath’s temptation. In a situation like this, I needed to think clearly and calmly.

I had gathered considerable information.

Though death’s stench hung heavy in the air, it didn’t feel like a completely sealed fate as it had in my past life.

If I combined the information Wrath had given me skillfully, I might be able to save them. I desperately wanted to keep alive these comrades who had believed in me from the start.

Cold. Drowsy. Similar strength. Time. Annoyance. Simplicity.

I rapidly assembled the information Wrath had provided, turning it over in my mind. In this moment, my thoughts moved with unprecedented clarity.

The words that had been rolling around like beads in a jar suddenly interlocked organically, producing a single answer.

‘If this works….’

It was a gamble, but one that could save everyone and yield profit besides. However, this gamble required assistance.

‘Wrath.’
-Have you decided? Will you finally surrender your body?
‘Let’s make a deal.’
-What? A deal?
‘I’ll accept your wrath. In exchange, let me stand before that brutish Demon King.’

I met Wrath’s gaze with unwavering conviction.

-What pointless nonsense are you attempting?
‘You said it yourself? That there were only two ways for me to survive. This is a different method.’
-Absurd! Even if you could stand before Sloth, what difference would it make?!
‘It makes a difference. That’s why I’m doing this.’
-There’s no benefit. Your body will eventually fall into my hands anyway.
‘No, it won’t.’

I shook my head with absolute conviction.

‘Even if I die, I won’t surrender my body to you.’
-Nonsense!
‘You’ve seen it all this time, haven’t you? Just as you don’t lie, I don’t bluff.’
-Raon Zigheart….

Wrath ground his teeth as if crushing bone.

‘Even if I surrender my body to you, these people will still die. So I’ll die here with them.’

Raon lowered the sword he’d been gripping until the very end. With a sharp clang, the blade fell to the ground.

-You, you bastard!

Wrath’s pupils trembled for the first time. It was proof of his panic.

‘If my method doesn’t work, I’ll surrender my body to you immediately. I promise.’
-Krrrrgh!

He alternated his gaze between Sloth, who was nearly at the Castle Wall, and himself, grinding his teeth.

“Ughhhh!”

Before Wrath could make his decision, Milend collapsed first. In this brief moment, his face looked as though he’d aged twenty years, and he lay on the ground breathing heavily. Admirable—he remained gripping his sword even as he lost consciousness.

Boom!

As he fell, a pressure like the sky itself crashing down crushed my entire body. My shoulder blades shattered, and my organs felt as though they were rupturing.

‘Wrath!’
-Damn it! The price for this will be steep.

Vitality surged through my exhausted body as Wrath’s energy flowed into me. Along with it came the price—a deep wellspring of rage seeping into the depths of my soul.

“Haaah….”

But Wrath hadn’t given me much. It was barely enough strength to survive if I burned through every last ounce of power.

‘Stingy bastard.’

I ground my teeth and resonated the Ring of Fire, channeled the Mana Circulation, and unleashed Glacial. Drawing upon the very aura of my past life, I forced myself to stand.

My bones and muscles screamed in agony, my heart and lungs compressed. I clenched my jaw so hard I thought my teeth would shatter.

‘Grraaahhh!’

Overcoming the terror that crushed my soul and the pressure that threatened to obliterate my body, I stood upon the Castle Wall on both feet.

Crash!

At last, I locked eyes with Sloth, who had reached the Castle Wall. A flicker of something unusual appeared in the demon’s gaze—eyes that had been filled with nothing but apathy.

Perfect.

That single glance confirmed it. This situation was something I could exploit.

“King of Sloth. Surely you felt it?”

I twisted my blood-stained lips into a smile.

“I am a vessel of wrath, serving Lord Wrath.”
-W-Wrath’s vessel? Why would you call yourself a vessel of wrath! What are you trying to do!
‘What am I trying to do?’

I’m trampling over you and capturing the second fool.

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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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