The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 149

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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 149

I stepped into true resonance, channeling the energy surging from my ankles through my waist and wrists. The flame dancing along my blade twisted into a spiral, aiming for Milend’s chest.

“Now this is getting interesting.”

Milend bared his teeth and twisted his wrist. A wave as rough and wild as the Northern Region’s winds tore across the earth.

Crash!

Our blades collided with devastating force, and a thunderous roar echoed as if mountains themselves were crumbling.

“Your raw strength is master-class, I’ll grant you that.”

Milend’s aura intensified. Rather than defending, his pressure mounted as though his attack had merely been interrupted.

“It’s not just strength.”

I smiled as I endured Milend’s increasingly fierce blade strikes. I pushed my enhanced strength and agility to their limits, withstanding his relentless pressure.

Clang!

I deflected the heavy blade crashing toward my neck and pressed forward.

Milend’s swordsmanship was the way of the warrior—honed through a lifetime battling monsters and forged in countless battlefields. His technique possessed devastating power, but his movements were wide and expansive. That was the opening I needed to exploit.

“Tricks won’t save you.”

Milend condensed an even more tremendous aura along his blade, as if he intended to cleave through my very aura itself. Dense sword threads rose above the silver blade.

‘That is…’

A chill ran down my spine as the converging aura pressed in. It wasn’t the Reinforced Aura exclusive to masters, but the power compressed within it was no less formidable. If I took that blade strike directly, even steel would be obliterated.

“Don’t die on me now.”

Milend crushed the earth beneath his feet as he advanced. Though not particularly fast, he dominated the space like a stampeding herd of buffalo, leaving me precious little room to escape.

‘What should I do?’

Clashing directly against an aura of that magnitude was foolish. The right move was to retreat and wait for an opening, yet I refused to step back.

‘If I dodge, there’s no point in standing here.’

This was a rare opportunity to properly clash with Milend, who wielded a heavy greatsword. I couldn’t afford to squander such a chance.

Craaaaaash!

The moment the blade descended toward my head, brimming with tremendous force, I resonated four rings of fire. Within my slowing vision, I traced the flow of Milend’s power.

“Hgh!”

I thrust my blade toward the exposed gap at Milend’s waist. The edge of my Radiant Fang Sword, infused with its secret techniques, gleamed with savage intent.

“Not there.”

Even in this urgent moment, Milend remained unflappable. He instantly sealed the opening at his waist and pressed back with perfect form.

‘As expected.’

Upon reaching the Master realm, thinking speed, reflexes, and physical capabilities increase exponentially. Someone who had become a Master long ago would never fall for such an obvious attack.

‘Which is precisely why….’

My eyes flashed with chilling intent.

‘I cast the bait.’

The instant my blade met Milend’s overwhelming aura, I twisted the aura infused in my sword.

Kiiiing!

With a sound like metal crumpling, the trajectory of Milend’s sword strike fractured and bent. Yuangjul—one of the Radiant Fang Sword’s techniques. Originally a sword art that embeds rotating aura into an enemy’s body, but now it served as perfect defense.

I didn’t miss the opening as Milend’s blade bounced away. My sword thrust forward, its edge still spinning with residual momentum, aimed straight at his chest.

“Impressive!”

Milend smirked and concentrated aura into his left hand. Blue aura compressed in a circular pattern, deflecting the blade.

Such improvisation in a split second—truly the bearing of a warrior who had lived his entire life on the battlefield.

Crack, crack, crack!

As Milend’s wrist traced a semicircle, the sword shot upward as if piercing the sky. The descending blade carried the weight of the battlefield itself. The immense pressure felt as though my skin would be torn apart.

“We haven’t even begun!”

I wore a similar smile as I advanced toward the cascading blade.

‘If I retreat, I’ll only suffer more.’

Zenken was a swordsmanship that applied pressure the more one fled or retreated. Even if I couldn’t match his strength, I absolutely could not give ground.

The blade infused with tremendous power vibrated, and even in my focused state, reading its trajectory was far from easy.

What I needed now was prediction. Drawing upon the movements of Milend I had observed from behind all this time, I swung my sword diagonally.

Boom!

I blocked just before Milend’s strike reached its peak power. Whether experience had proven effective or the angle simply aligned, the timing was nearly perfect.

Evading the bone-crushing force, I drove my left elbow toward Milend’s solar plexus.

“Skilled at ambushes too. You’re truly suited for the battlefield.”

He blocked the elbow strike with the back of his left hand as if he had anticipated it. Truly a formidable opponent. And that’s precisely why I found myself smiling.

“Are you enjoying this?”
“My spirit is rising.”

I wore a faint smile. Following that expression, the flames dancing across the blade scattered like flower petals.

Each one had Black-rank power. Even Milend couldn’t easily deal with them, so he detonated them mid-air using aura.

Boom!

The Training Ground floor trembled as a sandstorm of flames and aura swirled into existence. Raon and Milend dove into it as if by mutual agreement, unleashing a torrent of sword strikes.

Crack-crack-crack-crack!

Within the rising gray dust, crimson and azure lights clashed endlessly against one another.

*

*

*

Terian swallowed hard, his throat dry.

“…Insane.”

I knew Raon possessed formidable strength beyond his realm, but I never imagined he could stand against Father at this level.

‘In terms of pure combat power, we should be on similar footing.’

Expert-level advanced, approaching the pinnacle—that’s where I stand. Yet Raon displayed strength on an entirely different dimension. To be honest, his physical capabilities seemed to surpass even Father’s.

“How is this even possible?”

Even accounting for Zigheart blood, his strength defied all reason. I couldn’t even muster envy.

“His skills improve rapidly, and the quality itself is different.”

Beto’s jaw hung slack at the sight of this transcendent battle.

“When he first arrived here, he was beneath me. How did he become this strong? It’s absurd.”

He shook his head in disbelief. To a mercenary captain who had witnessed countless masters and prodigies, Raon seemed nothing short of a mystery incarnate.

“It is because he does not retreat.”

A quiet voice came from behind. It was Edquil, who had been gazing only at Raon’s back for some time now.

“You won’t back down?”
“He doesn’t retreat before monsters, nor before the strong, nor before the flow of nature itself. Even facing death, he steps forward.”

Terian watched Raon clash fiercely with Milend, his lips trembling. His fists clenched as if seized by a chill.

“His unwavering resolve to wield his blade in any circumstance is what makes him grow stronger.”
“Indeed….”

Terian nodded slowly. It was true. Raon had never retreated, no matter the situation.

For a boy barely seventeen years old to possess such confidence was far more remarkable than his raw power.

“Perhaps our decision to stand behind this child was the finest choice we could have made.”

His words, quiet yet resonant with conviction, drew silent nods from the executives around him.

*

*

*

A deafening crack split the air.

The sky seemed to shatter as a sandstorm erupted outward.

Raon was driven back violently, but Milend remained nearly unmoved, standing firm in his place.

I clicked my tongue sharply.

My physical prowess and aura were not significantly inferior, yet I could not match Milend’s endurance and steadfastness.

“Do you find it strange?”

Milend swung his blade with a slight smile.

“I’ve felt it before, but you truly never tire.”

He had unleashed sword force and sword energy consecutively on the battlefield without showing any signs of fatigue. It seemed less a matter of aura quantity than a difference in realm.

“This is the difference.”

Milend pointed to a spot slightly above his abdomen.

“The Middle Dantian. When you reach the Master realm, the Middle Dantian opens, allowing you to manipulate greater and denser energy with minimal aura consumption.”
“The Middle Dantian….”
“You can display power beyond Expert rank, but you haven’t reached Master yet. In a battle of attrition, you cannot defeat me.”

I understood the concept of the Middle Dantian theoretically, but witnessing its actual effectiveness was a first. A smile bloomed unbidden across my face.

“Why are you smiling?”
“Because I can see the path forward.”

Seeing the power of the Middle Dantian, my desire to reach Master realm intensified. With my stat advantages, I was confident I could exploit that Middle Dantian ability far more explosively.

“Interesting.”

Milend’s eyes gleamed with quiet composure. Yet his blade emanated a ferocity entirely at odds with that serene gaze.

“Show me your full strength.”

I nodded and raised my blade. Resonating the Ring of Fire until it trembled, I unleashed Glaccia across my form.

Thrum-thrum-thrum!

I drew forth every ounce of the Ten Thousand Flames energy remaining in my dantian.

Crimson flames coiled around blade and body, weaving into an otherworldly silhouette.

From the fangs forged by my blade to the horns extending along my spine—a visage like a dragon’s head. The tremendous aura-born shockwave warped the Training Ground itself.

“What is the name of that swordsmanship?”

Milend raised his luminous blade as he asked.

“Flame Dragon Fang Strike.”

I positioned my blade above my shoulder, extending my left hand forward. The dragon’s jaws clamped shut, its posture that of a predator stalking prey.

“How entertaining. This sword is called Snowdragon Slash. It’s the blade that slew the Ice Dragon said to have lived atop Sturrin Mountains a thousand years ago.”

A chilling aura emanated from Milend’s sword. The air itself warped and distorted as power coalesced along the blade’s edge.

“Come. Let us see whose dragon prevails—your aura or my blade.”

The moment he gestured, Raon pushed his legs backward. He detonated the aura compressed to its absolute limit, driving it into the ground.

Roooooar!

A blade of aura that incinerated space itself descended vertically. If he couldn’t withstand it, his body would be cleaved in two.

A crimson flash ignited in Raon’s eyes. He unleashed the aura he’d drawn into his sword in a single explosive moment. Like a red dragon breathing flames, his blade surged forward wreathed in fire.

Skreeeeeech!

Blue and red lights flickered, and a storm of aura soared into the sky. With a sound like metal shattering, the storm subsided and the full view of the Training Ground was revealed.

Raon and Milend stood upon ground that had become a wasteland, as though struck by magical bombardment.

Milend’s sword gleamed with aura so perfectly materialized it was blinding, but Raon’s blade lay broken in half, its edge embedded in the earth.

“I have been defeated.”

Raon carefully lifted the broken blade.

“Thank you for your instruction.”

He bowed his head with a composed expression.

“Wooooooow!”
“The Commander won!”
“Of course he did. Why are you all so excited!”
“Commander!”
“Raon! You were amazing!”
“You were almost evenly matched!”
“Raon! Raon! Raon!”

The soldiers cheered for the victor and offered consolation to the defeated.

Yet the victor, Milend, wore a frown, while the vanquished Raon smiled.

It was as though victory and defeat had been reversed.

“Unbelievable.”

Milend dispersed the shimmering aura clinging to his blade with a hollow laugh.

“I never expected you to force me to use my inner strength.”

Upon reaching the Master realm, one gains a superhuman body, judgment, and aura.

I had believed I could impart instruction without resorting to inner strength, but I was mistaken. Had I not wielded it, I would have fallen to that final technique.

“What are you striving for that you grow so rapidly?”
“I have quite a bit to accomplish.”

I gazed at my shattered blade with a faint smile. Coming here had granted me growth at an impossible pace. And I owed it all to him.

Derus Robert.

‘I have not forgotten.’

I will not stop until I sever your neck.

Deep within my crimson eyes, invisible to all others, the heat of rage kindled.

*

*

*

The Robert Family Estate, possessed of a splendor distinct from the Zigheart Family Estate.

Derus Robert sat in his office, its lofty ceiling best described as grand, listening to his chief steward’s report.

“…There are several other peculiarities to note, but that concludes the full report.”
“Peculiarities?”

Derus tilted his head slightly, his gaze softening.

“It’s nothing particularly important. Young swordmasters have been active throughout the Northern Region lately, and it appears the Zigheart swordmasters have come out for training.”
“They’re trying to sharpen their skills by exposing them to real combat, then.”
“The results are certainly effective. Starting with the young swordmaster Raon who saved Habun Castle….”
“Raon?”

The moment the name Raon left his lips, Derus’s eyes transformed. The gentle spring breeze atmosphere froze solid, as if stepping into an ice cave.

“No, not that Raon. A young one with blonde hair and red eyes—certainly carrying Glen Zigheart’s bloodline.”
“Ah, of course.”

Derus chuckled softly, glancing at the back of his hand. A drop of blood fell from the sword wound that still hadn’t faded.

“I’m a bit irritated that this wound won’t disappear.”

He frowned, wiping away the blood flowing from the wound.

“If it’s Habun Castle, then that young swordmaster Raon must be the one who stopped Eden’s assault.”

A thick irritation colored Derus’s voice as his mood darkened.

“I only mentioned it in passing, yet you remembered it.”

The butler nodded.

“That’s the one. However, rumors tend to be exaggerated, so there’s no need to concern yourself.”
“Rumors are exaggerated at times, but sometimes they’re understated as well.”
“Pardon?”
“If things proceed as planned, we’ll eventually clash with Zigheart anyway. It wouldn’t be bad to update our information on not just that child, but the entire Zigheart family.”

Derus stroked his clean jawline. His eyes held no emotion whatsoever—the same cold gaze he’d worn when he’d aimed to slit Raon’s throat—as he tapped the desk.

“Send the Shadow northward. Have them bring back all information on Zigheart.”

*

*

*

I shouldered the backpack I’d placed beneath my bed.

Before leaving the Dormitory, I turned back and swept my gaze across the room. Though I’d only lived in this small space for just over a year, it felt like I was leaving behind a home of many years.

-Don’t get sentimental like some fool. Move.
‘The Demon King has no sense of atmosphere.’

I committed the modest but comfortable Dormitory to memory and stepped outside.

“I’ll take that for you.”

Dorian, who’d been waiting at the entrance, waved his hand. He insisted on carrying it himself and stuffed the backpack into his spatial pouch.

“I’m ready too.”

Yua emerged from behind Dorian, dressed in a white fur coat. With her hat worn backward, she looked just like a white rabbit.

“Did you pack everything?”
“Yes. Dorian took care of it.”

Yua pointed at Dorian and giggled.

‘She’s brightened up.’

In the end, Yua was leaving while the Restaurant Manager would stay behind. Perhaps because she’d already steeled her heart, no sorrow showed on her face.

“Let’s go.”

I tapped Yua’s shoulder and left the Dormitory. Inspectors, knights, and soldiers lined both sides, forming a passage that stretched to the castle gate.

“Travel safely!”
“Don’t forget us!”
“I will never forget you!”
“If you need anything, tell us anytime!”

With each step, my comrades-in-arms called out their farewells. I treasured every word they spoke as I made my way toward the castle gate.

The castle gates, which had been firmly sealed when I first arrived, now stood wide open, and before them stood Milend, Terian, and the other executives lined up in a row.

Terian and Kabul laughed, while the Scout Unit leaders including Radin wore bitter expressions, and Milend and Edquil radiated calm, composed gazes.

“I shall take my leave.”
“Go safely.”

The exchange between Raon and Milend was sufficient. The conversation of blades we had shared months ago still lingered in my heart.

I offered my respects to each executive in turn, and finally came to Edquil.

“Your desire to follow me—not merely to stand behind me—it remains unchanged, does it not?”
“Of course.”

Edquil nodded without the slightest hesitation.

“Then grow stronger.”

I continued, meeting Edquil’s unwavering gaze.

“I have much to accomplish. If you wish to walk this path with me, become stronger than anyone here—in both blade and spirit.”
“Understood.”

Edquil’s aura shifted to a quality entirely different from before. His response without question or doubt was reassuring.

“Always remember this: we—Habun Castle—stands at your back.”
“Yes.”

I met everyone’s eyes as I listened to Milend’s words, simple yet brimming with strength.

“Thank you for everything.”

I smiled, gazing at those who embodied Habun Castle itself.

“Until we meet again, stay well.”

With those final words, I turned away. I placed my hand on Yua’s shoulder as she gazed at the Restaurant Manager with glistening eyes, and stepped through the wide-open castle gates as if offering a blessing for the journey ahead.

“Farewell!”
“Raon! I wish you safe travels!”
“Raon, take care! We’re the ones who should be grateful!”
“Yua, be careful out there!”

As the castle gates closed, the cheers of the people echoed behind us.

“Grandfather, take care of yourself!”
“See you again someday!”

Unlike Yua and Dorian, who waved their farewells, I didn’t look back. I moved forward, anticipating the day we would meet again.

When the soldiers’ voices faded into the distance, the endless hills that had tormented us upon arriving at Habun Castle came into view.

“Yua, I’ll carry you up from here—”
“That won’t be necessary!”

Just as I was about to lift Yua onto my back, Dorian snorted and stepped forward. He plunged his hand deep into his belly pouch and withdrew a wooden sled—one large enough to accommodate all three of us with room to spare.

-What… what is that? Why do you have something like that in your pocket!

Wrath, who had been quietly complaining about the tedium, let out a scoff.

“A sled?”
“Where did that come from?”

Yua and I stared at the sled, our mouths agape.

“Well? A sled is essential for traveling through terrain like this.”

Dorian tilted his head as if questioning why we would even ask such a thing.

“It’s a high-grade sled, so you can adjust the speed. Go ahead and get on.”

I’d wondered why such a cautious fellow carried a sled around, but it seemed it had speed controls as well.

“Wheeeee!”

Yua bounced excitedly with her hands raised, delighted at the prospect.

‘Am I the strange one at this point?’

I shrugged my shoulders, took Yua’s hand, and settled onto the sledge.

“Then let’s depart.”

I nodded at the sound of Dorian’s cheerful voice.

It was time to leave now.

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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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