The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 164

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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 164

“What kind of insane nonsense are you spouting!”

Karun shot to his feet, glaring at Rimer as if he wanted to kill him.

“How in the world could you possibly become a unit commander!”

Not just Karun, but both the Great Commander and the unit commander on the platform stared with wide, bewildered eyes.

“Why is everyone reacting like that? Becoming a unit commander isn’t that difficult, is it?”

Rimer shrugged his shoulders while facing Karun.

“That’s true—it’s not difficult. But for a cripple like you with a shattered core, it’s impossible.”
“What I accomplished in my younger days was so remarkable that even as a cripple, I figured I could manage the role of unit commander.”
“You think you can fight like you used to just because you happened to catch Gwahyeolgwi? You’re only half a man—you can’t even sustain a prolonged battle!”

Karun was fundamentally displeased with Rimer’s very presence here.

“I understand it’s difficult to accept on such short notice, but the decision has already been made.”
“Who made such a decision!”
“Isn’t it obvious?”

Rimer grinned and pointed to the jade throne positioned in the center.

“His words are correct. I have approved it.”

Glen nodded slowly with an unhurried demeanor.

“I’ve confirmed he possesses the ability to serve as a unit commander, so there’s no need for concern.”
“Father! If you appoint that gambling scoundrel as a unit commander just because he knows how to swing a sword, you’ll only bring shame upon our house! That man’s conduct is no different from a ruffian’s!”

Valdemar rose roughly as if to shatter his chair and pointed an accusatory finger at Rimer.

“Valdemar. I said I have approved it.”
“Ugh….”

Glen’s gaze sank as deep as an abyss. Valdemar, meeting those eyes, let out a groan and bowed his head.

“Ugh….”

Karun, overwhelmed by the oppressive aura that dominated the space alone, could no longer speak and bit his lip.

“I personally verified and authorized the Gwangpung Unit Commander’s capabilities. If you have complaints, come find me directly.”
“Hmm….”
“N-no, that’s not it.”

Having witnessed two commanders crumble before their eyes by sheer presence alone, the other commanders and unit leaders clamped their mouths shut before they could open them.

“Now it’s gotten quiet.”
“Heh!”
“Tch….”

Rimer grinned with satisfaction, while Karun and Valdemar glared at him, their fists clenching audibly.

“Head of House. May I introduce myself?”
“Introduce yourself?”
“Yes. The new swordsmen know of me, but shouldn’t I explain how the Gwangpung Unit operates and what it will do?”
“Keep it brief.”
“Yes, sir!”

Rimer bowed to Glen and then stood at the edge of the platform.

“Pleased to meet you all. I’m the Gwangpung Unit Commander.”

Raon calmly lifted his gaze to observe Rimer, while Burren and the other swordsmen swallowed hard, dreading what might spill from that light and frivolous mouth.

“Forget the image of the instructors who have taught you until now, and think of me only as a new unit commander.”

Yet his voice and eyes were grave, and his tone was formal.

“You’ve likely already decided which organizations you wish to join. There are many reasons for that choice—the reputation of commanders, the strength of military organizations, various support, or even superior martial techniques. But!”

At Rimer’s composed words, the swordsmen nodded as if entranced. Though they had observed him for five years, this was nearly the first time seeing him so serious, and they couldn’t tear their eyes away.

“Those are merely roads laid down by your seniors here, and you would simply be riding upon them. Even if you belong to a strong organization in such a state, all you can achieve are mediocre reputations and accomplishments. All the achievements worthy of everyone’s admiration have already been claimed by your seniors.”

His words struck at an unexpectedly accurate truth. The prosecutors who had been smiling as if they already belonged to a Military Organization suddenly stiffened.

“I cannot offer you such things. The Gwangpung Unit was only established days ago, and we have nothing to our name. However, this place possesses an advantage—it remains incomplete.”
“An advantage in being incomplete?”
“What could that possibly be?”

The prosecutors, captivated by Rimer’s words, leaned forward.

“Within the Gwangpung Unit, you can achieve far more than those already standing tall and established. The possibilities before you are boundless.”
“Achieve….”

Martha’s eyes gleamed as if enchanted.

“Our journey will be perilous, and the wages meager. Darkness will persist for months, and danger will never cease. I cannot guarantee your safe return. But when you overcome all that hardship and adversity, we shall claim glory and honor.”

Glory and honor—words that might seem illusory—yet the prosecutors’ eyes sparkled with an intensity unlike any before.

“If you stand with me, you will accomplish great achievements that rival those who once looked down upon you from behind my back, and I will elevate you beyond your limits.”

Rimer extended his hand. Though empty, it appeared far more compelling than the hands of wealthy lords bearing precious gems and equipment.

“G-Lord Rimer. This is becoming too long.”
“Yes, perhaps we should end this?”

The anxious lords, fearing they would lose the prosecutors, glared at Rimer with their words, but Glen simply closed his eyes without responding.

“No one understands you as I do. I will make you stronger than anyone! Trust me and follow.”

Rimer cried out those words, then returned to his place and sat down on the platform, lacking a chair. Yet his commanding presence remained undiminished.

“This is….”
“W-What do we do?”
“Suddenly I feel so drawn….”
“Hmm!”

The prosecutors fidgeted with their fingers and bit their lips. A sudden pull had appeared, leaving their thoughts in disarray.

“….”

Meanwhile, Raon maintained an unwavering calm throughout—his eyes betrayed no emotion whatsoever. He stood with composed indifference, as though this entire spectacle had nothing to do with him.

“Hmm….”

Rimer’s eyes narrowed as he observed Raon’s detached demeanor.

‘It seemed to work on the others, but why does that bastard look so unimpressed?’

The most crucial person wore an expression he couldn’t decipher, and it gnawed at his insides.

‘The others are one thing, but you absolutely have to come!’

The very purpose of the Gwangpung Unit was to create an organization to help Raon grow, so he absolutely must come. If he doesn’t show up, the Gwangpung Unit has no meaning.

‘And besides….’

Rimer bit his lip.

‘I’ve wagered my entire fortune on this!’

Which unit or division Raon would choose had become the subject of unprecedented speculation, and gambling on his decision had become wildly popular.

He’d bet that Raon would select a new unit rather than join an established one—which meant the bastard absolutely had to choose the Gwangpung Unit.

‘Please! If I lose this, I’m truly finished! I’ll be eating acorns for the rest of my life!’

Rimer exhaled heavily and gazed skyward, even offering prayers to gods he’d never bothered with before—all in desperate hope that Raon would come here.

“For some reason, the instructor looks impressive today, doesn’t he?”
“Right? I never knew he could look like that.”
“Glory and honor—I didn’t expect to hear such words from his lips.”
“Maybe that’s his true self? Now that I look closer, his gaze is so profound….”

The novice swordsmen gazed in admiration at Rimer’s contemplative expression. Had they known his mind was consumed entirely by gambling calculations, they would have spat and cursed—but fortunately, no one knew.

Well, one person did, but he was simply enjoying the spectacle.

*

*

*

I met Rimer’s gaze and offered a faint smile.

‘He’s got something up his sleeve.’

Looking at Rimer’s expression, he wasn’t just putting on a show—he genuinely wanted me to join his unit.

I’d known he would form a unit, but I hadn’t expected him to be this eager to recruit me.

‘He must have made a bet.’

That rascally elf instructor only gets serious about gambling. He’d probably wagered his entire fortune on me joining his unit.

‘Still, his earlier words weren’t bad.’

Rimer’s proposal to gain glory and honor together with me had genuinely stirred the hearts of the warriors. It seemed far more swordsmen than expected would be joining the Gwangpung Unit.

-For the first time, that pointy-eared bastard said something I approve of.

Wrath nodded as he looked at Rimer.

-Aye. If one were a demon, one could not rely on another’s fame. Only by surpassing trials and hardships through one’s own strength could one grow stronger.
‘But we’re not demons.’
-That matters not. When this king was in the Demon Realm, I did not merely stay confined to the castle but traveled the entire realm, battling other kings and….

“We will now begin the selection ceremony! All newly appointed swordsmen whose names are called, please step forward to the platform!”

Just as Wrath began to ramble, the Announcer declared the start of the selection ceremony.

-How dare that human interrupt this king’s words!
‘Time to go.’

I muttered that this worked out well and stepped back.

“Martha Zigheart. Please come forward!”

Martha nodded and turned to leave, but paused briefly beside me.

“I’m going to the Gwangpung Unit. I don’t trust that reckless instructor, but it seems like it’ll be most helpful for what I need to do.”

She let those words drift away like the wind and stepped forward.

“All unit leaders willing to accept Martha Zigheart, please raise your hands.”

Before the Announcer could even finish speaking, the Great Commander and unit leaders standing on the platform thrust their hands upward.

Not only Denier Zigheart, but also Airand and Serena, who had visited me before, eagerly raised their hands for her.

“Hmph!”

Rimer still maintained his pompous demeanor, raising only two fingers.

“I will be joining the Gwangpung Unit.”

Martha swept her gaze across all the organizations vying for her, then frowned and pointed at Rimer.

“Mm….”

Denier wore a disappointed expression for a moment, but as if he’d anticipated this outcome, he nodded calmly.

“From today onward, Martha Zigheart’s assignment is the Gwangpung Unit! Everyone, please give her a round of applause!”
“Woooow!”
“What admirable determination!”

Once her assignment was confirmed, the spectators erupted in thunderous applause.

“Next, Lunan Slion. Come forward.”

Lunan nodded and stepped ahead. She too paused beside me, taking a moment before speaking.

“Raon. The Gwangpung Unit?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I see.”

Though I gave a vague answer, Lunan seemed to sense my true feelings and nodded knowingly.

“All unit commanders willing to accept Lunan Slion, please raise your hands.”

Led by Rokan Slion, many commanders raised their hands—more than those who had chosen Martha. They seemed to think they could handle Lunan more easily than Martha.

‘A grave miscalculation.’

Lunan appeared quiet, but her stubbornness rivaled Martha’s or exceeded it. Those who accepted her would face considerable hardship.

“Lunan Slion. It’s your turn. Choose the unit you wish to join.”

Lunan nodded and raised her finger. There stood Rimer, wearing a faint smile.

“Lunan Slion’s assignment has been decided: the Gwangpung Unit.”
“Luuuuuuunaaaaaan!”

Rokan Slion tore at his hair and screamed, but Lunan simply nodded with a vacant expression and returned to her seat.

The selection continued, and aside from about ten recruits who already had their destinations firmly decided, most of the new prosecutors chose the Gwangpung Unit.

Though Rimer was eccentric, his ability to develop talent was undeniable. Following his words, they seemed eager to gain their own glory and honor, writing a new chapter in history.

Of course, not everyone had a choice.

“Huh? Why… why isn’t anyone raising their hand for me? Isn’t something wrong here? Something seems off, doesn’t it? I, uh… am I invisible?”

Dorian waved his hands frantically toward the platform, but no one raised their hand to take him. Rumors had circulated that he was so fearful he’d done nothing but flee during his time at Habun Castle.

“This is too much! Wait a moment! The Supply Unit didn’t raise their hand either! I made just a small mistake, and you’re treating me like this!”
“A small mistake? You tried to carry off all the supplies?”

The Ogre Warrior, commander of the Supply Unit, clicked his tongue with a cold gaze.

“This… this can’t be happening….”

Dorian trembled, stroking his belly pouch in disbelief.

“If no one will accept recruit prosecutor Dorian, we shall conclude—”
“Sigh… is this what they call a mentor’s sense of responsibility?”

Just as the Announcer was about to conclude Dorian’s selection, Rimer sighed and raised his hand.

“Whoa! Over here! I’ll take him into the Gwangpung Unit!”
“Ahem, Dorian’s assignment is the Gwangpung Unit….”
“Thank you!”

Dorian bowed with his hand still resting on his stomach pouch and turned to leave.

“Young master! I’m saved! From now on, I’ll serve Master Rimer as my teacher for life!”
“Is that so….”
“Yes! Ah, the grace of a teacher….”

He sang some strange tune as he returned to his original position.

“Next, Burren Zigheart. Come forward.”
“Yes.”

Burren advanced with gravity in his green eyes and confidence radiating from his measured stride.

“The Gwangpung Unit is tempting, but I’ll stick to my original goal.”

With those words, he stood confidently before the platform. Many commanders leaned forward eagerly. He seemed to be receiving the most attention so far.

“All commanders who wish to accept Burren Zigheart, please raise your hands.”

At the Announcer’s words, the people on the platform raised their hands in unison.

“Huh?”

Burren’s expression, which should have been joyful with nearly all commanders raising their hands, had instead hardened beyond words.

“Ah, Father. Why….”

The reason was simple. Karun, the commander of the Central Intelligence Agency—the one he trusted and wanted to join—merely emitted a cold gaze without raising his hand.

“Hmm….”
“What, what is this?”
“Burren doesn’t meet his eye?”
“His strength and spirit are so exceptional….”

The Announcer and the other leaders seemed equally bewildered by the situation, their eyes darting between Karun and Burren Zigheart as their mouths fell open in shock.

“B-Burren Zigheart, please select one of the assembled leaders.”

The Announcer instructed him to choose an organization, but Burren Zigheart remained motionless. His shoulders trembled as he stared only at his father.

“….”

I observed Karun’s eyes—the way he looked at his son as if gazing upon refuse—and let out a contemptuous laugh.

‘That man is hardly worthy of respect.’

Burren Zigheart had spoken of his father with admiration and praise, yet the man deserved none of it. He was nothing but a scheming charlatan, even narrower in mind than a sandfish.

-Surprising. That one’s power and temperament have grown noticeably.
‘It’s his temperament that displeases him.’
-His temperament?
‘The cold, mechanical demeanor Burren Zigheart displayed at first has transformed into something bold and composed. That’s what bothers Karun.’

Having witnessed the monster called Derus Robert in my past life, I could say with certainty: Karun despised the notion that his son—a piece to be manipulated—was beginning to move of his own volition.

“Burren Zigheart. Make your choice.”
“….”

Even as the Announcer spoke, Burren Zigheart remained frozen.

“I will count to five. If you do not choose by then, your affiliation will remain undetermined. One, two, three, four….”

The Announcer stretched the moment out of consideration for Burren Zigheart, but the boy simply stood there in a daze.

“Well then, five. Burren Zigheart’s affiliation has been left undetermined.”
“Ah….”

Even when it was declared finished, Burren Zigheart did not move. Only after other examiners came to escort him away did he shuffle forward like a broken doll.

-So what becomes of him now?
‘He has one month to decide his affiliation. He’ll have to come find me himself.’
-Truly, every sort of thing happens.

Perhaps even Wrath had grown fond of him, for he seemed genuinely concerned about Burren Zigheart, however reluctantly.

“This concludes today’s final match. Raon Zigheart, First Seat of the 5th Training Ground. Come forward!”

I nodded at the Announcer’s booming voice and walked forward.

*

*

*

Karun Zigheart’s brow furrowed as he watched his youngest son stumble into the arena.

‘Useless wretch.’

What he desired in his son was not a thinking, independent human—but a blade with venom potent enough to pierce through friend or master alike.

He had cultivated such toxicity and malice within him, yet the fool had returned without even claiming the First Seat. Such a creature was no longer of any use to him.

“My, you’re quite ruthless.”

At the irritating voice beside him, he turned his head. Rimer was grinning mockingly.

“What did you say?”
“Burren Zigheart’s martial prowess and mental fortitude are beyond question, and he’s grown as a person through the survival trials—yet you won’t even look at him. I didn’t expect that.”
“That’s precisely the problem.”

Karun let out a derisive snort.

“A child is merely an extension of myself. Spiritual growth is unnecessary. He need only obey my commands without question.”
“How utterly repugnant.”
“This is your doing.”

As Rimer chuckled, Karun glared at him as though he would kill him on the spot.

“Burren Zigheart has been ruined since you took charge of him.”
“That’s not ruin—that’s growth. Perhaps the Central Intelligence Agency director’s eyes are simply defective?”
“You….”

The uncomfortable auras of the two clashed, creating a strange energy that rippled across the platform.

“Both of you, be silent.”
“Mm….”
“My apologies.”

The moment Glen’s gaze fell upon them, Karun and Rimer swallowed hard and simultaneously suppressed their momentum.

“This is the final match, so concentrate.”

He watched Burren Zigheart walk forward with a lonely gait, his eyes narrowing before turning to observe Raon stepping out from the opposite side.

“The finest catch of this selection tournament has arrived.”

Rimer began speaking as if he hadn’t just been silenced.

“But the Main Lineage won’t raise their hands, will they?”
“What?”
“What do you mean by that?”

The leaders of the Main Lineage and the Branch Family who followed them cast sharp glances his way.

“I heard an interesting story during the recent training period.”

Rimer twirled his long fingers as if mocking someone.

“From the latter half of the training onward, the Central Intelligence Agency was so terrified of Raon that they only retreated unconditionally. They removed all the vice-heads, heads, and great heads, and let Raon do whatever he pleased. Rumor spread that they were so afraid of being defeated by Raon that they did this.”

He tilted his chin slightly, speaking with eyes that looked down upon the Main Lineage.

“So the Main Lineage must be terrified of accepting Raon, yes? I completely understand if you don’t raise your hands.”
“You bastard!”
“Rimer!”
“Have you truly lost your mind!”

Karun and Valdemar, along with the other Main Lineage members, shot to their feet.

“The selection tournament hasn’t ended yet, so you shouldn’t be doing this.”

Rimer subtly pointed to the side. An uncomfortable aura began seeping from Glen.

“Hmm….”
“Tch….”

The Main Lineage members gritted their teeth and sat back down, but they never stopped glaring at Rimer as if they wanted to kill him.

‘Damn bastard….’

Karun watched Raon standing before the platform with his lips pressed tightly together. Both the master and disciple displeased him immensely. He wanted to beat them to death on the spot.

‘Fear? Me, afraid?’

Rimer’s words about backing down in fear kept circling through his mind.

How could he possibly fear such an insect? He had merely avoided unnecessary confrontation to kill the bastard at a later time.

‘Damn….’

Once the thought surfaced, memories of the things Raon had destroyed at the Central Intelligence Agency and his disciples cascading one after another came flooding back.

‘Fine. I’ll accept it.’

Karun decided to raise his hand for Raon. If the bastard ever came, he would use every bone, every scrap of flesh, and every drop of blood before killing him.

“Those of you who wish to accept Raon Zigheart, please raise your hands.”

Hoping that the thundering idiot Raon would do something foolish once more, he closed his eyes and raised his hand.

‘Hm?’

The surroundings fell silent as if sound itself had vanished. If he had raised his hand, the opposite should have happened—a murmur should have erupted.

‘What’s going on….’

Karun furrowed his brow and opened his eyes.

Raon’s expression was calm, but the spectators and examiners stared at the platform with their mouths agape.

“Gasp!”

A groan escaped me the moment I looked around. It wasn’t just me—the heads of the Main Lineage, whom I’d thought wouldn’t raise their hands, were lifting them with wide eyes.

Everyone on this platform had raised their hands, choosing me.

“What is this…?”
“There’s a legend passed down through the Zigheart about something like this.”

As Karun, bewildered, tried to lower his hand, a quiet voice flowed from Rimer.

“A swordsman chosen by all in a selection ceremony becomes the family head in the future.”

He smiled faintly, his solemn green eyes gleaming.

“Thank you for taking care of my disciple.”

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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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