The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 161

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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 161

‘So this is how it applies.’

I checked my increased stats and allowed myself a faint smile. All my abilities had risen after just two nights of proper sleep—it was as if I could grow stronger simply by resting.

The dining table overflowed with steaming dishes, and as the exhilaration of my improved stats spread through my entire body, I couldn’t suppress my laughter.

-Something felt off about this…

Wrath stared at the message with trembling pupils, as if he couldn’t believe it.

-You’re telling me all my stats increased by 1 just from getting some decent sleep?! What kind of insane nonsense is this!

A chill rose from his head like steam from the food, curling upward.

-To think you’d hand over such a pathetic ability! Sloth, you damned fool!

Just as Wrath was about to unleash his fury, I quickly picked up my spoon and took a bite of the seafood stew.

-I’ll make sure you can never sleep again for the rest of your life! And you, right now… mgh!

The sweet yet refreshing flavor of the seafood stew swept across my tongue, and Wrath’s words cut off abruptly.

-Ohhh!

Wrath, who had been radiating anger and cold fury, stood frozen and let out an exclamation of pure delight at tasting proper food after so long.

-W-wow, this is magnificent. The first taste is sweetly delightful, and the aftertaste is refreshingly cool—it’s absolutely perfect for my royal palate!

He didn’t even attempt to hide the corners of his mouth rising skyward as he pointed to the next dish.

-What are you doing?! Grab the fork at once and spear those creamed shrimp! If the food stops coming, consider your life forfeit—now hurry and get those shrimp in your mouth!

‘No appetite,’ he said.
-You wouldn’t understand, beast that you are, devouring everything indiscriminately. Appetite comes and goes—it’s not a constant thing.
‘Even so, that’s quite a sudden change of heart….’
-Shut up and eat something!
‘Fine, fine.’

I chuckled softly and picked up my fork. With my stats increased, I could fill my belly with genuine satisfaction.

Following Wrath’s advice to start with lighter fare and progress to heavier dishes, I slowly emptied the food on the table.

-How do you find my selection? The knowledge and experience of the one savoring the food matters just as much as the taste itself.
‘I can’t really tell. It all seems the same to me.’
-That’s precisely why you’re a beast. You don’t even know the first thing about gastronomy.

Wrath clicked his tongue in exasperation.

-In the Demon Realm, there exists a restaurant rating system called Michelin. The more skulls a restaurant has, the better its cuisine. And I myself am one of the judges who determines the number of skulls in the Demon Realm Michelin rating….
‘The stew is the best, though.’
-Every time the Demon King visits, those who wish to curry my favor bring me bundles of food….
‘Beyond taste, I think I need broth to feel truly full.’

I let Wrath’s words flow past me like a river, muttering only my own thoughts. As a result, our conversation ran parallel, never truly connecting.

As I continued ignoring Wrath and emptied the remaining food, I heard murmuring from the adjacent table.

“Is that him?”
“Raon Zigheart….”
“He really defeated Horain?”
“That can’t be right. He just became a swordmaster.”
“He must have cheated. We saw it ourselves—that drug that temporarily amplifies strength and aura.”
“It’s certainly possible.”
“But the way he eats is disgustingly impressive. And he’s not even Central Intelligence Agency personnel.”

I glanced toward the source of the voices. Unfamiliar faces I hadn’t seen before—they appeared to be Central Intelligence Agency swordsmen who had returned with Karun.

‘He said the damage wasn’t that severe.’

When I emerged from the cave, Urek had said the Central Intelligence Agency’s losses weren’t significant, so destroying a bit more should be fine.

‘You’re satisfied now?’
-The King finds this sufficient, given the recent news I’ve heard.

Wrath patted his belly, which had grown plump with excess.

“….”

Ten bowls sat empty on the table, yet he called it restraint. This creature was far closer to 【Gluttony】 than 【Wrath】.

I exhaled softly and rose, clearing away the empty dishes.

“He won’t last long anyway.”
“With no backing, he’ll be cast aside wherever he goes.”
“He might even die before that happens.”

The swordsmen still seated at the table continued cracking sunflower seeds incessantly.

Thud.

I approached the table where the swordsmen were now openly muttering.

Crack!

Using the power of the Destruction King through my small fingers, I pressed down on the center of the table. Something twisted with a sound, and a warped hole tore through the middle of the table.

“If you have something to say, don’t mutter pathetically behind my back. Say it to my face, seniors.”

I swept my gaze across the swordsmen’s faces and smiled faintly.

“You said you couldn’t believe it earlier. So why don’t you try it yourselves directly?”
“What?”
“If you spar with me directly, you’ll be able to tell whether it’s real or not.”
“Fine!”

The Long-haired Swordsman seated in the center of the table shot to his feet.

“I’ll verify directly whether you truly defeated the Central Intelligence Agency swordsmen without deception!”

The aura emanating from him was considerable—Expert-class advanced level. A pride befitting his formidable martial prowess.

“As much as you’d like.”

I gestured toward the door with a tilt of my chin.

“There’s no need to damage the Dining Hall. Let’s take this outside.”

The Long-haired Swordsman wrinkled his nose and stepped out first, with me and the other swordsmen following behind. He came to a halt in the center of the Small Training Ground closest to the Dining Hall.

“Draw your sword.”
“What about aura?”
“….”

The Long-haired Swordsman narrowed his eyes as if deliberating. He seemed preoccupied with the rumor that I had defeated Horain.

“Of course I’ll use it. Come at me with everything you have!”
“Captain!”
“W-Wait, this is dangerous!”

The other swordsmen tried to stop him, but the Long-haired Swordsman paid them no mind and took his stance.

“Full power, then….”

You’re not worthy of witnessing what I’m about to show you.

I drew my sword with a cold smile.

“B-Begin the match!”

The Long-haired Swordsman glanced to the side, and another swordsman raised his hand.

“Hah!”

The Long-haired Swordsman pushed off the ground and charged forward. The harmony of elastic muscle and properly trained footwork brought him before me in an instant. A straightforward thrust followed—devoid of killing intent, yet carrying enough force to shatter bone.

‘That’s all there is to it.’

I brought my blade down in a diagonal arc.

Clang!

The sword slipped from the Long-haired Swordsman’s grasp. I drove my left fist into his unguarded abdomen.

Khuuugh!

With a satisfying sound like a dam bursting, the Long-haired Swordsman’s eyes rolled back and he collapsed backward. Even unconscious, foam bubbled from his mouth like a crab.

“Hmm.”

I slung the sword over my shoulder and surveyed the other swordsmen.

“Uh… uh…”
“H-his sword was knocked away in a single blow?”
“My hand… it’s torn. What is this…?”
“H-his strength really is like a troll’s?”

The swordsmen trembled as they stared at the unconscious Long-haired Swordsman.

I beckoned to the panicked swordsmen with a finger.

“Next.”

The Destruction King had returned after two weeks.

*

*

*

Urek sat at his desk urgently drafting documents when the door burst open and Lef rushed in frantically.

“Director!”
“I’m busy right now.”
“This is urgent too!”

At the word “urgent,” Urek looked up with a frown.

“Then speak quickly.”
“Raon. That madman has started destroying things again.”

Lef’s round cheeks trembled as if he’d grown weary of the matter.

“When I heard there was an accident, I went to check. Ten swordsmen who returned yesterday were lying unconscious with their eyes rolled back.”
“Sigh… what’s the reason this time?”
“Since they were unconscious, I couldn’t ask them directly. According to Raon, he said they started the confrontation first, so he was just defending himself.”
“That damned bastard…”

Urek scratched the wooden desk harshly with his fingers. What Raon said was probably true—they did provoke him first—but there was no need to beat everyone there into submission.

If he’d only defeated one of them, their morale would have broken and the rest wouldn’t have dared to attack. He clearly destroyed all of them on purpose.

“How are the men?”
“There’s no danger to their lives. However, they’ll need about two weeks of recovery. And…”
“And?”
“During the sparring, the wall and… a somewhat expensive tree were damaged…”
“A tree? Wait! Where did they fight!”
“In the Small Training Ground next to the Dining Hall. When the wall collapsed, the tree broke along with it.”
“No… surely not…”

Urek stared at the desk with vacant eyes.

“Yes. It was a Saeran tree.”
“Aaaahhhhh! Raon!”

The Saeran tree was sold at an exorbitant price because it possessed a subtle fragrance that cleared the human mind. The fact that he’d broken it left him momentarily stunned.

“In the end, the damage that bastard caused exceeds ten thousand gold coins…”

Dizzying. Ten thousand coins was an amount that would make even Karun, who typically didn’t concern himself much with money, widen his eyes.

“W-what should we do?”
“Everyone back off.”
“Sir?”
“Tell them never to provoke that bastard, and if he provokes them, just ignore it!”
“Ah, understood!”

Lef raised his hand in a salute and rushed out.

Urek tapped his head a few times, quickly finished his paperwork, and headed toward Karun’s office at the heart of the Central Intelligence Agency.

“Sigh…”

I exhaled like a sickly bird, staring at the heavy black door before me.

‘My hands and feet won’t stop trembling.’

Karun Zigheart, the master of this room, hadn’t merely stopped the war in the conflict zone—he had annihilated one side entirely.

If Glen hadn’t issued additional orders, he would have returned in two weeks as promised. A true monster among the strongest of the Zigheart clan.

But that monster was in a foul mood now, emanating an aura so oppressive that goosebumps crawled across my skin. Even through this thick door, I could feel his displeasure.

‘Of course.’

Rumors had spread throughout the entire family that Raon had destroyed the Central Intelligence Agency’s equipment and training grounds, defeated their swordsmen, and defeated Horain, the vice-commander of the Jeonroedan.

‘The Central Intelligence Agency’s reputation has fallen too.’

The Central Intelligence Agency wasn’t the strongest, but it was called the most valiant military organization. Even with most of their forces deployed elsewhere, being thoroughly thrashed by a single newly-promoted swordsman like Raon meant there could be no favorable talk.

The reputation lost because of Raon, that slippery eel, would be several times greater than the prestige gained from executing this mission flawlessly.

‘Damn Rimer…’

At first, I’d wanted to catch whoever spread the rumors and cut out their tongue, but there was no need to search. That crazy red-haired elf hadn’t even hidden her identity—she’d been broadcasting it everywhere.

Knock, knock.

I vowed to catch Rimer someday and beat her senseless, then pressed the back of my hand against the thick door.

“Come in.”

Before the second knock even finished, a solemn voice commanded me to enter from within. I steadied my breathing and slowly opened the door.

Creak…

The moment the door opened, a murderous aura poured out in waves, making my skin feel parched. I swallowed hard and dropped to one knee.

“I, I greet you, Master!”

Unlike Glen, Karun—who enjoyed receiving proper treatment—nodded only after confirming Urek’s respectful bow in full.

“Rise.”
“Y-yes!”

I clutched my pounding chest and stood, my voice trembling with barely contained fury.

“Report.”

A chill ran down my spine at that single word. It meant I was to recount everything that had transpired without omitting a single detail.

“I-I’ve prepared it in document form.”
“Speak it yourself.”

Karun skimmed through the documents Urek had prepared, then set them aside on the desk.

“Ah, understood. Following the lord’s instructions, I assessed Raon’s abilities by…”

I hunched my shoulders like an old man and began laying out everything Raon had done, making myself appear as pitiful as possible.

I interspersed mentions of following orders and Lef acting on his own initiative throughout, emphasizing that I had barely acted of my own volition.

“…And so, he has now exited Cave 1 and is currently resting.”

The moment Urek mentioned that he had endured Cave 1, an eerie glint flickered across Karun’s eyes.

“F-fortunately, we have nearly completed the lord’s instructions. His raw strength and agility are at the Troll-class level, and with aura, he could defeat even high-tier Experts. He hasn’t reached Master, but the wall is clearly within sight.”

I continued speaking while carefully gauging Karun’s reaction.

“Considering how he endures the twisted mana in Cave 1 without difficulty, I believe he is cultivating a martial art with special properties. It would be wise to avoid techniques that induce dizziness or mana distortion.”

Karun’s eyes gleamed faintly in response, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

“And this is important—he has a weakness.”
“A weakness?”

Karun’s tightly sealed lips parted for the first time.

“Yes!”

Urek nodded eagerly, seeing this as a lifeline.

“During the sparring match with Horain, he was exposed to only a slight chill, yet he developed frostbite. Seeing his red hands in the cave confirms it—he’s extremely vulnerable to cold.”
“Cold, you say….”
“Everyone’s forgotten now, but Raon originally had a constitution where cold blocked his mana circuits. This will definitely be a killing blow that works.”

Urek stepped closer to Karun, who showed interest, and clenched his fist.

“If we exploit the cold, we can dispose of him at minimal cost.”
“Indeed.”

The oppressive killing intent radiating from Karun slowly subsided. As the reality of survival sank in, I felt my back damp with sweat.

“Then what should we do with him now?”
“Leave him alone. Don’t touch him.”

Karun waved his hand lightly.

“Since he defeated Horain, we’d need at least a Master to subdue him. And even if we actually sent a Master, we’d just face criticism for overpowering a seventeen-year-old through brute force. There’s not much time left anyway, so let him do as he pleases. He won’t live much longer regardless.”
“An excellent judgment, sir.”

Urek shared the same thoughts as Karun, yet he praised him. Though his admiration was genuine—Karun had made a cold calculation even in the midst of his rage.

“But prepare nonetheless.”
“Prepare, you say….”
“Don’t we need a scapegoat to pin the blame on after we cripple him?”
“Ah!”
“Eden. Or perhaps Valdemar would work just as well.”

Karun’s eyes gleamed with an eerie light. He seemed intent on using even his own brother as a chess piece.

“Y-yes, I’ll begin drafting a plan.”

Urek bowed his head, feeling goosebumps rise along his limbs at the unsettling prospect.

“Oh, and the youngest young master in Cave 5….”
“I don’t need to hear about him.”

Karun shook his head firmly.

“I thought your skills had improved somewhat, but you’ve returned with your eyes corrupted.”
“I….”

Urek’s shoulders flinched at the unexpected words.

“No poison, no malice—just naive and pure. I tried to nurture you because you had some talent, but with that mindset and that level, there’s no point in bothering.”
“Then, in the selection ceremony….”
“Right. I have no intention of recruiting you. Handle it like the third and fourth.”
“….”

The words “like the third and fourth” meant there was no place for him in the Central Intelligence Agency. He didn’t understand, but the god of this place was Karun. He had no choice but to obey his command.

“And clean up those fools who clumsily fell for Raon’s provocation this time.”
“Understood.”

Urek bowed respectfully and left the office.

‘Frighteningly cold-blooded….’

That’s why he was a man worth following.

*

*

*

I had attempted to begin my second reign of destruction, but aside from the first day, there was nothing to show for it. No one came to provoke me anymore, and even when I incited them, they didn’t take the bait.

When I pretended to accidentally break equipment and objects, Urek or Lef would appear and stop me, but the powerful ones—the Master, Vice Master, and Division Masters—seemed to have vanished without a trace.

I killed time by pretending to train while smashing various equipment and objects, and before I knew it, five days had passed and the training period finally ended.

“You’ve worked hard over the past month, and going forward….”

I narrowed my eyes as I watched Lef on the Platform, uttering awkward words.

‘Smart move.’

Karun must have realized that challenging him or testing his strength would be pointless, so he’d instructed the Central Intelligence Agency swordsmen to ignore me entirely.

‘A decent strategy.’

To restrain me, he’d need to send a master-level fighter—a lord, vice-lord, or division commander. Even if he won, it would be a wash, and if he lost, it would be humiliating. By withdrawing everyone and avoiding direct confrontation, he’d eliminated the risk entirely.

‘Well, I’ve done everything I set out to do anyway.’

By rough calculation, I’d inflicted nearly 15,000 gold coins’ worth of damage on the Central Intelligence Agency, and I’d defeated well over twenty swordsmen. I’d dealt all the damage I intended to, earned all the renown I could—there was nothing left to regret.

I was curious about Karun’s expression, but he never showed his face. A truly petty man.

-You must have relieved plenty of stress, smashing things so thoroughly.

Wrath muttered that he was fed up, shaking his head in disapproval.

“…I hope you will demonstrate exemplary conduct as a Zigheart swordsman, based on what you have learned here.”

Lef’s tedious words ended, and the few swordsmen present offered their applause—though not for me, but for Burren beside me.

“Are you leaving right away?”

Burren turned his head sharply and asked.

“I should. There’s nothing left for me to do here.”
“Then let’s talk for a moment.”

He gestured toward the Small Training Ground, where no one was around. I nodded and followed Burren.

“I know you hate Father.”

Burren leaned his back against the wall at the end of the training ground and turned to face me.

“Since Father started this, it’s natural that I’m angry.”

Despite his rough gaze, his eyes were remarkably clear.

“So what are you trying to say? That we shouldn’t fight?”

I spoke calmly, meeting Burren’s gaze.

“No, you didn’t start this, but it’s right that you be the one to end it. However….”

Burren continued, saying something unexpected.

“That man is my father. When I was five, he placed a practice sword directly into my hands and taught me swordsmanship—I haven’t forgotten it even now.”
“….”
“From that moment on, my goal was to earn his recognition. I haven’t achieved it yet, but someday I’ll make him look back at me.”
“I see.”

I simply nodded. Just as I defended Sylvia despite the entire family condemning her, Burren seemed to regard Karun—petty and narrow-minded as a sardine—as a magnificent father.

Everyone is different. In my past life, I wouldn’t have understood, but having witnessed and endured so much now, I could grasp his feelings to some extent.

“That’s why if you challenge your father, I will stop you. Even if it were the opposite.”
“The opposite? You’d stop your own father if he drew his sword against me?”
“Yes.”

Burren nodded firmly.

“I don’t know what you think, but you’re my rival and my benefactor.”
“You can forget about saving my life now.”
“Saving my life is true, but you’re the benefactor who broke my stubbornness. Don’t ask for more than that. It’s embarrassing.”

Burren lowered his head deeply. His earlobes had turned red—he seemed ashamed. Perhaps because we shared something in common, hearing myself called a benefactor didn’t feel unpleasant.

“In any case, I will stop the fight between you two. Remember my words clearly, and prepare your selection exam properly! You’ll receive scouts from various places!”

With that, he used a movement technique and left the Training Ground.

-Now that the fire’s gone from his eyes, he’s not much to look at.

Wrath snorted disapprovingly. He used to hate him for being arrogant, but now he finds fault again. The Demon King’s tastes were truly finicky.

I watched Burren’s retreating figure and smacked my lips. I owed him an apology for what he’d just said, but I had no intention of letting Karun off the hook.

No, even if I did nothing, they would strike first from their side. I don’t know when, but one thing is certain—it will end.

With his death.

*

*

*

-Apple meat pie, pineapple cookie, pineapple….

I was returning to the Annex Building with Wrath, who was singing a song about the foods I wanted to eat.

“Hmm?”

Standing on the Central Road, which had been empty just moments before, was a tall middle-aged man.

His shoulders were broad, his jaw angular, and his masculine features were accompanied by an aura so imposing it sent shivers down my spine.

A Master. A formidable warrior who had reached that realm long ago approached with his blue eyes gleaming.

“I am Airand, the leader of the White Lotus Society. I’ll be direct with you. Raon Zigheart. Join the White Lotus Society and become my sword.”
“I refuse.”

I shook my head before Airand could even finish his words.

“…What?”

Airand’s cold expression, which seemed like it would never change, shattered in an instant.

“Asking me to become your sword the moment you see me—that’s rather sudden, isn’t it?”
“I, I heard you liked being direct?”

He tilted his jaw slightly, as if confused.

“I may enjoy being direct with others, but I dislike it when others are direct with me.”

I shrugged my shoulders as if it were obvious.

“Hah….”

Airand’s eyes lost focus for a moment, as if he hadn’t anticipated such a firm refusal.

-If you don’t know, it’s bewildering.

Wrath, who had poked his head out above the bracelet, let out a quiet chuckle.

-This guy’s lost his mind, and now he’s even more lost than before.
‘Then wouldn’t that make him normal?’
-….

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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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