The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 166

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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 166

Dawn broke before the sun rose.
I packed light luggage and left the Annex Building. My destination was the same as always—the 5th Training Ground. Thanks to Glen’s consideration, the Gwangpung Unit could use the 5th Training Ground where we’d trained as recruits.

-Tch, moving around at the crack of dawn as always, I see.

Wrath yawned widely, exhaling a chill far colder than the dawn air itself.

-I don’t care whether you train or not, but I wish you’d at least eat breakfast.
‘I can eat once I get to the training ground.’
-The food there isn’t very good. The taste and freshness are unmatched at the Annex Building.

He wasn’t wrong. Thanks to Yua and Helen’s recently improved culinary skills, the Annex Building served delicious new dishes daily, but the 5th Training Ground’s meals were bland—reduced in salt, sweetness, and spice for training purposes.

‘For training, this is better.’

I could enjoy flavorful food in my spare time. During training, a light meal that merely filled my stomach was enough. I needed to grow stronger quickly and reduce my workload—I had no time to savor taste.

-Pathetic.

Wrath clicked his tongue and tilted his jaw to the side.

-You know nothing of refinement. You brutishly pursue strength alone, devoid of any romance.
‘Since I’m a man without romance, I’ll just fill my stomach with Nadin bread from now on.’
-N, Nadin bread?

His blue eyes widened in panic. Nadin bread—tasteless, rubbery in texture, filling only the stomach—was Wrath’s natural enemy among all foods.

-Y, you dare threaten the Lord of the Demon Realm!
‘It’s not a threat. Since you’re a man without romance, I’m simply acting as I please.’
-How dare a mere human threaten the sovereign of the Demon Realm!

A terrifying chill surged through my entire being. The rage Wrath had transferred to me tore through the cracks of my emotions, searing my soul in countless places.

Crackle, crackle, crackle!

The cold and anger, far more intense than before, made my steps falter. A tremendous force crashed against the wall, shattering it, and my hands and feet trembled uncontrollably.

-As you grow, so do I. Keep messing around and you’ll regret it….
‘That’s where you’re wrong.’

I clenched my fists, forcing my trembling hands to steady.

-What?
‘I’ve grown far more than you have.’

I resonated the rings of fire. Six rings sang out with crystalline clarity, suppressing the rage, while Manwha and Glacia tore through Wrath’s encroaching cold that raced through my mana circuits.

-Kugh! Not yet! This isn’t my full power!

Wrath refused to yield, drawing forth even denser cold and fury. As if trusting in the Rage of 25 embedded in his soul, he rained down cold like a downpour.

Crack, crack, crack!

With Rage at 25, simply enduring was indeed a formidable challenge, but with rings of fire that had grown even stronger, I suppressed that malevolent force and pressed forward.

As I reached the Training Ground while locked in this struggle with Wrath, a message appeared before my eyes.

[You have endured the interference of 【Rage】.]
[Stamina has increased by 1 point.]

The moment the message appeared, Wrath shrieked and fell away.

-Noooo!

Wrath flailed in the air, unwilling to accept his own defeat.

‘Good stamina gain.’

I closed the message and nodded. It had been a while since I’d gained a stat from Wrath, and a smile spread across my face.

‘Since I won, from today on your meals are just one bread roll.’
-Wait, wait! Just hold on a moment!

He rushed over like the wind and landed on my shoulder.

-No, I am entirely at fault! You should starve instead! Anything but that bread! It’s a sin against the stomach itself, filling it with nothing but emptiness!

Wrath’s body trembled as if seized by a fit.

‘Behave yourself from now on. If you act up again, it’s Nadin bread for a month.’
-Ugh, had I not been a connoisseur, I would never have fallen into your clutches. Am I a sinner cursed with a noble soul…?
‘A glutton, more like.’

I corrected Wrath’s nonsense and opened the Training Ground door.

“Huh?”

I’d expected the place to be empty, but the trainees—no, the swordsmen who had now become members of the Gwangpung Unit—were gathered there.

“Young Master!”

Dorian, who had been munching on snacks from his pouch, grinned and rushed over.

“You’re late?”
“Seems like you all came early?”

Normally, at this hour, the 5th Training Ground should have been deserted.

“Raon. You’re late.”

Even Lunan Slion, who usually slept in, had come out to the Training Ground. She rubbed her eyes as she approached and grabbed my sleeve.

“Hmph.”

Hearing the familiar snorting sound, I glanced to the side to see Martha leaning her back against a tree. That made thirty-three including her. Everyone from the Gwangpung Unit, including myself, had come out to the Training Ground.

“Why did you all come so early?”
“Today’s the founding ceremony!”
“The legend of the Gwangpung Unit starts today, and I was too excited to sleep!”
“Hah, now I’m truly becoming a real swordsman.”

The Gwangpung Unit members clenched their fists and smiled, their eyes bright with anticipation for the future ahead.

“Hmm….”

I caught the excited gazes of the Gwangpung Unit members and smacked my lips.

‘They’re going to bleed from disappointment.’

After seeing Rimer yesterday, I was certain. He hadn’t changed one bit. The members would think something would change now that Rimer had become a unit commander, but that was a grave misconception.

“Then while we wait for the commander to arrive, everyone should just train on your own.”
“Yes!”
“Understood!”

The Gwangpung Unit members broke into wide smiles and dispersed throughout the Training Ground, beginning their practice. The occasional chatter that drifted over was brimming with anticipation about future missions and accomplishments.

“Yawn….”
“….”

I checked Lunan Slion yawning and Martha Zigheart gazing at the sky with sharp eyes, then headed toward an empty space.

‘Might as well get started.’

I drew my training sword and unfolded the Resonance Swordsmanship. It was a sword path as familiar as breathing, but with the Ring of Fire, the Thousand Flower Sphere, and the growth of my swordsmanship, it now wielded power that surpassed even ascending techniques.

Kwaaaaa!

The momentum of the Resonance Swordsmanship, which had been surging forward like a mighty river, rose with ferocious intensity. The unbroken flow remained the same, but its power and speed had grown incomparably stronger than before.

Crackle, crackle, crackle!

The wave of aura spreading from the blunt training sword resonated throughout the entire 5th Training Ground.

“Wow….”
“That’s… Resonance Swordsmanship?”
“I learned the same technique, but what’s this difference?”
“Insane. I’d believe it if you told me it was a supreme-grade technique.”
“They say the grade of swordsmanship ultimately depends on the person. So it really comes down to talent….”

The swordsmen clicked their tongues as they watched my Resonance Swordsmanship affect the entire Training Ground. It was a move I could perform with my eyes closed, yet in my hands, it erupted with an overwhelming wave like an absolute technique seen for the first time.

“There they go spouting nonsense again.”

Martha narrowed her eyes, observing the aura surging from Raon into the empty air.

“While you all chased after higher levels of swordsmanship, that bastard only trained in Consecutive Sword Technique. The gap in training far exceeded any difference in talent.”

She muttered under her breath, “I was foolish too,” and drew her training sword.

“Wow.”

Lunan’s violet eyes gleamed as if she were capturing every trajectory of Raon’s blade.

“Hmm. Still the same.”

Dorian didn’t train at all, simply nodding while continuing to chew on the snacks he’d pulled out.

The swordsmen passed the time in their own ways, waiting for Rimer, their unit commander, but as expected, he didn’t appear on schedule.

“Ahahaha! W-well, it’s the first day after all.”
“Right. After such a magnificent speech, there’s no way he’d be late.”
“That’s true. If we wait a bit longer, he’ll be here soon.”
“Let’s trust in our changed unit commander.”

The swordsmen spoke thus and waited another hour, but Rimer was nowhere to be found in the Training Ground.

“H-he’ll be here soon, right? Probably?”
“That bastard. No, even that elf should have a conscience and show up!”
“If he sweet-talked us with such grand words, he should’ve changed at least a little.”

Just as the swordsmen were grinding their teeth and barely holding back, the Training Ground door creaked open.

“He’s here!”
“Unit Commander!”
“You’re so late—huh?”

The swordsmen rushing toward Rimer stopped in their tracks, their mouths falling open.

The red-haired elf who had radiated such dignified light and exuded charm just yesterday had withered away in a single day, as if he’d aged a hundred years.

“W-what on earth is happening….”
“Commander! Are you alright?”
“Ugh! Commander!”

The swordsmen trembled as they supported Rimer, who swayed like a zombie.

“Ah, hello….”

Rimer’s eyes were completely devoid of focus, wandering aimlessly through the air, while his hands flailed about like reeds in the wind.

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue softly at the sight.

‘He’s lost everything.’

His expression told the whole story. It was obvious he’d gone to the Casino yesterday with the remaining half of his money, trying to multiply it, only to lose it all. There was no other explanation for how thoroughly he’d fallen apart.

‘I’m glad I withdrew half beforehand.’

The thought of what would have happened to my own funds if I hadn’t taken half yesterday made me shudder.

‘But who exactly is at that Casino?’

Though Rimer couldn’t manage his expressions, he had keen eyes, was quick-witted, and possessed a cunning charm. Now I was genuinely curious about who kept defeating him.

“Huff….”

Rimer climbed to the center of the Platform and let out a deep sigh.

“N-now I shall c-commence the founding ceremony of the Gwangpung Unit. Our objective is my money. Honor that others haven’t claimed, and my money. From now on, you will pursue achievements and my money….”

Strange words kept slipping into what should have been a dignified and solemn founding address. Looking at Rimer’s expression, they seemed to be pouring out without his awareness.

“The objective is his money?”
“Honor and his money?”
“Achievements and his money?”
“Could this guy possibly….”

The members of the Gwangpung Unit seemed to grasp the situation now, their expressions hardening.

“Damn it… Why did I even come here?”

Martha Zigheart bit her lip firmly while glaring at Rimer.

“Yawn.”

Lunan Slion yawned as if it were none of her concern, her eyes blinking lazily.

“…Our Gwangpung Unit will be operated in that manner.”

Rimer seemed to have regained his senses, no longer using the word “my” regarding the money. However, his face had grown even paler.

“Well… We currently have 33 members, so I’ll divide them into three squads. Squad Leader 1 will be Martha Zigheart, Squad Leader 2 will be Lunan Slion. Squad Leader 3 will remain vacant for now. Raon Zigheart will command the unit members from the position of vice commander. From now on, use formal speech in official settings.”
“Yes!”
“Understood!”
“Then I’ll call out the squads now. First, Squad 1 will have Setrai, Yanden….”

Rimer called out the squads of inspectors one by one in a dying voice.

“Who will be the Squad Leader 3 that remains vacant?”
“It’s a spot for the incompetent fool who’ll be joining soon.”

Everyone nodded, knowing exactly who that fool would be.

“Then I’ll tell you the Gwangpung Unit’s first mission. From today on, you all will….”

Rimer smacked his lips while surveying the inspectors below the platform. They swallowed hard, waiting for his next words.

“Rest.”
“Pardon?”
“Rest, I said rest!”
“We just got formed and we’re resting? What does that even mean!”

When he said to rest completely rather than take a brief break, the inspectors’ eyes widened as they rushed forward.

“Rest is rest. What else would it be?”

Rimer shook his head, his clouded eyes devoid of vitality—still reeling from the shock of losing all his money.

“Sigh…”

I narrowed my eyes as I observed his pathetic state.

‘It’s a bit inconvenient without that guy.’

Without Burren Zigheart here to step forward and grab Rimer by the collar, the situation was becoming troublesome. I never thought I’d find myself missing his presence.

-That is the nature of the world. One never appreciates something until it is gone.
‘Hmm?’

Hearing words I rarely expected from Wrath, I widened my eyes and glanced down at the bracelet.

-In truth, that elf’s absence is of little consequence, but with this king—this magnificent being—gone, the world is shrouded in sorrow. It may very well collapse soon….

I thought he might say something decent for once, but it was just self-aggrandizement.

However, he said “the world,” not “the Demon Realm.” Something must have happened to the Demon Lords, just as it did with Sloth.

“Ah, I don’t know. Figure it out yourselves.”

Rimer sprawled across the platform as if telling everyone to disembowel him.

“Ugh!”
“This elf really….”
“I’ve lost my mind!”

The swordsmen glared at Rimer with vacant eyes, their fists trembling with rage.

“Phew…”

I exhaled deeply and approached Rimer.

“You’re saying to rest because we’ll be heading out on a mission soon, and we should prepare for it, correct?”
“Yeah, that’s it. Exactly. You’re sharp as always, Vice Commander.”

Rimer nodded, his vacant eyes slowly focusing.

“I’m relaying the commander’s words. When he says to rest, he doesn’t simply mean take a break. It means prepare for the missions ahead—establish signals we’ll use among ourselves, conduct inspections, and reorganize our combat and tactical strategies.”

At my grave tone, the inspectors stepped back.

“But why is the commander acting like this?”
“Is he unwell?”
“Yesterday the commander lost money at the gambling house….”
“Hey! Watch it!”

Just as someone was about to speak the truth, Rimer grabbed my shoulder. His face remained pale, but his grip was surprisingly strong.

“R-rumors spread in strange ways if you misspeak even once. Please be careful about how you say things like this….”
“I understand.”

I nodded and turned back to the inspectors.

“Yesterday the commander lost his entire fortune at the gambling house and isn’t in good condition right now. From this point on, I’ll be leading. We’ll start with basic signals first. Everyone change into training clothes and gather again.”
“Ah….”
“That explains it….”
“I did notice he’s been quiet lately.”
“Tsk.”

The inspectors cast pitying glances at Rimer behind me before heading toward the changing room.

“Commander.”

I turned around and bowed my head slightly to Rimer.

“I told them the complete truth so that strange rumors wouldn’t spread from careless words.”
“Ugh….”

His jaw dropped to the floor as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“H-how did you know I went to the gambling house yesterday and lost everything? You left before me.”
“Would a dung fly leave dung alone? It’s obvious.”
“Who’s a dung fly!”

Rimer’s shoulders trembled. The insult was exactly the same one Glen had thrown at him before.

‘These inhuman monsters, coming as a set!’

*

*

*

On the west side of the Central Intelligence Agency stood an abandoned annex. Neglected for so long that dust clung to every surface, it now felt the touch of human hands once more.

“It’s been quite a while since we’ve been here.”

Tias, the butler who had raised Burren Zigheart since childhood in Karun’s stead, smiled faintly as he cleared away cobwebs from the fireplace.

“….”

Burren Zigheart said nothing, his gaze fixed on the right pillar. Beneath it lay a scrawl that looked like it had been drawn by a child—a picture of a man, a woman, and a young boy holding hands.

“That drawing….”

Tias’s eyes narrowed. It was a scrawl Burren Zigheart had drawn long ago when he’d visited this place as a child, a picture containing the ideal family he had yearned for.

Burren Zigheart traced the scrawl with eyes that held the opposite expression of the smiling child in the drawing.

Particles of pigment clung to dust and fell away with a sharp sound. Soon the child in the picture vanished, leaving only the two figures—man and woman—with their hands separated.

“Tias.”

Burren Zigheart turned his head. His green eyes, which once held warmth like a gentle breeze, had grown murky and ashen.

“I want to be alone. Go rest first.”

With that, he entered the darkened room without cleaning, the lights extinguished.

“Young Master….”

Tias bit his lip until it bled. Though he had watched over him since childhood, he had never seen such hollow emptiness in his eyes before. It felt as though he had lost his very reason for living.

‘Even when he lost to Young Master Raon, it was never like this.’

Back then, he had burned with even greater fervor, vowing revenge. Now his eyes were dead, as if every last log had been consumed by flames.

‘Nineteen days left.’

For twenty days following the Selection, newly recruited swordsmen who hadn’t been chosen could register with an organization of their choice during this additional enrollment period. Multiple factions would accept Burren Zigheart if he made a move, but he showed no intention of doing so.

‘Time is running short.’

I hoped Burren Zigheart would overcome his current emotional state on his own, but that seemed unlikely. Gaining Karun’s recognition had been his life’s most paramount goal.

‘If he cannot rise alone, I have no choice but to seek help.’

I couldn’t lift Burren Zigheart myself. Only one person could do that.

‘Even if it costs my life….’

Tias made his resolve and continued cleaning the Abandoned Annex, which had become as filthy as ruins.

*

*

*

A week had passed since the Selection ended.
During that time, I refined the swordsmen’s hand signal system and stabilized the inspection protocols so that all thirty-three could fight together.

The swordsmen also felt that the real battle was drawing near and intensified both group and individual training.

Crash!

Just as I and the swordsmen finished dawn training and were taking a brief rest, the Training Ground door burst open violently. It was Rimer. Not only did he arrive on time, but he ascended the platform with striking elegance, dressed in a blood-red uniform.

“It’s nice not having anyone picking fights at every opportunity, but it does get boring.”

Rimer smacked his lips while observing the door trembling as if it might shatter. Since everyone knew whom he was referring to, the expressions of the Gwangpung Unit members darkened slightly.

“Well, that’s not what I came to talk about today.”

He clapped his hands in his characteristic manner, drawing the attention of all the swordsmen.

“Now that hand signals and inspections have reached a certain level of completion, it’s time for personal preparation.”
“Personal preparation?”
“We train every day.”
“That’s not what I mean.”

Rimer shook his head firmly.

“It’s time to discard those substandard supply-issued equipment and proudly equip yourselves with personal gear as Zigheart swordsmen. The time has come to wear your own swords and uniforms.”

He brushed down the Zigheart uniform he was wearing.

“First, uniforms are made with personal customization. Go to Owhadan and place your order directly. It’s free the first time, so add every option you can.”

Rimer tapped the sword at his waist a second time. It wasn’t the standard-issue blade he usually carried, but the renowned sword he’d used when cutting down Gwahyeolgwi.

“The same goes for swords. You can use a blade you received as a gift or inherited but haven’t used until now, or you can forge a new one. Prepare whatever you need during the remaining waiting period!”
“Yes, sir!”

The members of the Gwangpung Unit responded with such grandeur that the Training Ground seemed to shake.

“Finally, I can use my Dark Phoenix.”
“Phew, to think I can fight with the Conversation Cloud Blade—I’m already excited.”
“My true blade, Super Hassar, is eager to taste blood….”

Most of the swordsmen murmured ridiculous names as if they’d already prepared their blades beforehand, grinning foolishly.

“Hmm….”
“Vice-commander, come over here.”

As I pondered how to tailor my uniform, Rimer gestured to me.

“You’ve received a message as well.”
“A message?”
“That old man asked me to have you come see him.”

When Rimer said “old man,” one person came to mind. The stubborn elder Balkan, who had guarded the furnace with its scorching heat when I was learning the Manwha Technique. His majestic gaze, that of a master blacksmith who had reached the pinnacle of his craft, came back to me.

“Are you referring to Balkan?”
“That’s right. That old man.”

Rimer nodded with a faint smile playing at his lips.

“He said the time of the promise has come.”

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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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