The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 175

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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 175

I returned to Zigheart with Lunan, who clutched his new sword tenderly, and Wrath, who pouted because he couldn’t eat the roasted Titan Pig.

Now that I had an affiliation, I stopped by the 5th Training Ground before heading to the Annex Building. It was dinner time, so no swordsmen were visible, and Rimer lay sprawled across the platform alone.

“Master Rimer. I’ve returned after forging the sword.”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”

Rimer staggered to his feet like a drunk man. His face had grown gaunt since my departure, bandages wrapped around various parts of his body, and his red hair was singed as if burned by fire.

“Did something happen?”
“Something? Nothing at all.”

He waved his hand dismissively, claiming nothing had occurred, but his expression betrayed everything. It seemed he’d caused trouble at the Gambling House and gotten thoroughly beaten by someone.

“You lost money again and caused a commotion, didn’t you.”
“L-lost? Not this time! I won!”
“Then why do you look like that.”
“There was this wicked old man….”

Rimer sighed while staring at the floor.

“A wicked old man?”
“Yes. An absolutely vile person. He hides his true nature and can’t stand to see others succeed…ugh!”
“I see….”

I listened to Rimer the way I did to Wrath—letting it go in one ear and out the other. While I’d been away forging the Celestial Sword, Rimer had apparently spent another pathetic stretch of time.

“Sigh….”

Lunan even yawned, clearly bored.

“I’ve reported my return, so I’ll take my leave now.”
“Wait!”

As I turned to leave after greeting Rimer, he raised his hand.

“Have you tried using your swords yet?”
“I returned as soon as I received it, so there’s no way I could have tested it.”
“Then you should give it a try.”

He chuckled and pointed to the Heavenly Sword hanging at Raon’s waist.

“As you know, I have a bit of an eye for swords.”
“I wasn’t aware of that.”
“Well, anyway, I’ll take a look. Go ahead and draw it.”

Raon shook his head, but Lunan eagerly drew his sword, eager to show it off.

Shing.

The silvery blade, bathed in pale moonlight, illuminated the dim Training Ground.

“Impressive!”

Rimer’s eyes widened as he examined Lunan’s sword carefully.

“The aura and chill befitting a blade forged from cold blood. It’s been crafted excellently.”

He let out admiring sounds as he inspected the sword from every angle.

“It appears the current Village Chief of Mirtan forged this. The patterns are exactly his taste.”

His claim about having an eye for swords proved true as he identified the craftsman at a glance.

“What’s the sword’s name?”
“Snowfall.”
“An excellent name. The balance is perfect, and it will suit your swordsmanship and aura well. Congratulations on obtaining such a fine blade.”

Rimer smiled warmly as he observed the flower engraved in the center of the blade.

“Thank you.”

Lunan hugged Snowfall tightly, clearly pleased by Rimer’s praise.

“Now it’s your turn.”

Rimer gestured to Raon, signaling him to draw his sword quickly.

“Understood.”

I unsheathed the Celestial Blade. From its stunningly beautiful steel, both a solemn aura and a chilling presence bloomed simultaneously.

“Huh…?”

Rimer’s smiling expression hardened. His pupils trembled roughly, as if he hadn’t expected this level of power.

“That… the old man has created another monster.”

Rimer swallowed dryly and descended from the platform. He let out a groan of disbelief and fixed his gaze upon the Celestial Blade.

“A form that holds ten thousand swords, infused with supreme presence and weighty aura. There’s a strange power beyond mere aura amplification dwelling within it.”

He shook his head, saying he hadn’t seen a blade like this in a long time.

“Even for you, it’s such a remarkable sword that it would be burdensome for a novice swordsman to wield. What’s its name?”
“The Celestial Blade.”
“A sword that commands the heavens. To be honest, I think it would rank within the top ten swords I’ve ever seen.”

Though Rimer was now merely a lazy gambler, his former self was an indomitable swordsman who had traversed countless battlefields. Such words from him were tantamount to the highest praise.

“Well, it seems you’ve both obtained swords that suit you well. Congratulations.”

Rimer applauded while alternating his gaze between Raon and Lunan.

“Then shouldn’t you test them now?”
“Test them, sir?”

Rimer shook his head as I was about to sheathe the Celestial Blade.

“Renowned blades with aura amplification effects are called Mystic Blades, and both of your swords are Mystic Blades. Since you won’t be accustomed to their effects yet, try them out here and now.”

He gestured for us to move to the center of the Training Ground.
Raon and Lunan followed his gesture and moved to the middle of the Training Ground.

“Swords have grain. Just as mana circuits exist within a sword, there are lines through which aura flows inside the blade. When you channel aura through those lines, your aura amplifies and bursts forth. Try it.”
“Yes.”

Lunan Slion nodded and concentrated aura into Sethua. Frost-like pollen scattered across the silver blade as her momentum began to amplify dramatically.

“Wow….”

Lunan Slion herself seemed startled by her own momentum, her clouded eyes now gleaming with brilliant light.

“Excellent work. The aura consumption is significant, but you’ll be able to unleash sword force of greater power. Through training, make sure you understand precisely what level of might you can achieve.”

Rimer nodded to Lunan Slion, then looked at me.

“Why aren’t you trying?”
“I don’t have anything like that.”
“What?”
“My sword doesn’t have mana circuits or anything like that.”
“That doesn’t make sense. A sword with such powerful energy?”
“It’s true. The moment I grasp it, the energy amplifies immediately.”

I shrugged. It wasn’t a lie. The moment I gripped the Heavenly Sword and drew upon my aura, the power amplified instantly.
Since it amplified immediately, my aura consumption wasn’t excessive.

“Huh? Huh huh?”

Rimer’s eyes widened as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“You’re really serious?”
“Completely serious.”

I nodded and infused aura into the Heavenly Sword. The flames of Manwha Gong blazed vividly, wrapping around the blade. The size and heat were far more intense than before.

“Insane….”

He approached, scribbling frantically in disbelief.

“Would it be alright if I held it once?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks. Let me just look at it… Ah, it’s hot!”

The moment Rimer reached for the Celestial Sword, flames erupted from the blade’s surface.

“M-Master, are you leaving too?”

He withdrew his hand before it could touch the heat, his brow furrowing.

“Don’t tell me it has ego?”
“That’s not it.”

Raon shook his head with a reluctant expression.

“The craftsman said that the instinct remaining in the Golden Seal only pursues his aura. Rather than ego, it seems the sword simply has an instinct that desires only its master’s aura.”
“And you knew this!”
“I didn’t know it would spew flames. The craftsman could handle it, so…”

Indeed. This was the first time it had spewed fire when someone other than its master tried to grasp it.

“Well, that’s quite something.”

Rimer gazed at the Celestial Sword in his grip, smacking his lips. He could touch it by deploying his aura forcefully, but he seemed too bothered to go that far.

“The aura amplification ability embedded in this blade also seems far from normal. Create a sword aura at maximum capacity for me.”

A sword aura was one of the martial techniques—wrapping a bundle of thinly sliced sword energy around the blade. While far inferior to sword force, it could exert power superior to ordinary sword energy.

“Understood.”

Raon channeled the full force of his Ten Thousand Flames into the Celestial Sword.

Whoooooosh!

A crystalline blade resonance rang through the darkened Training Ground, and a vivid aura of flame erupted across the sword’s edge. It was nearly tangible in its manifestation. The blade seemed to radiate heat like a miniature sun.

“In…sane…”

Rimer’s jaw trembled as he beheld the blazing blade.

“That’s a sword aura? It’s practically at sword force level!”
“Mm.”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he watched the materializing flames rising from the sword. This was the first time he’d infused his aura into a blade with full power, and he hadn’t expected it to amplify his energy to this degree.

“Hold it like that for a moment.”

Rimer drew the sword from his waist. A verdant aura infused with wind gathered densely along the blade. It was a power that far surpassed that of a swordsman, just as his own blade contained.

“I’ll strike from the front, so block it.”
“Understood.”

As I nodded, Rimer brought his sword down vertically.

Screeeech!

I raised my Heavenly Sword to meet the descending gale-infused slash.

Boom!

The red and green blades collided head-on, and a terrifying wave of heat spread across the entire Training Ground.

Whoooosh.

Even within the lingering heat, Raon and Rimer stared at each other’s blades.

“That old geezer. He’s forged quite a formidable sword.”

Rimer clicked his tongue as he observed Raon’s blade, where the flames had diminished slightly.

“At this rate, it should be able to withstand several Sword Strengths. What kind of… wait!”

He raised his hand abruptly, his eyes widening in bewilderment as he stared at the blade.

“This isn’t just about the sword being good. You’ve gotten stronger while you were away, haven’t you?”
“It just happened that way…”
“How does this make sense? You went to get a sword forged, and you come back stronger! What exactly did you do!”
“I caught a turtle and helped a bit with the sword-making.”
“A… a turtle? You caught a turtle?”

Rimer muttered the word “turtle” in confusion, unable to comprehend it.

“Hah….”

He shook his head as he watched the aura of flames dancing across the Heavenly Sword and Raon’s solemn gaze.

“What in the world am I raising?”

A monster had met another monster….

*

*

*

The Underground Cavern beneath Lusain Mountain—the very shadow of the Robert Family itself.
Of the one hundred and eight children who once sat in this cavern, fewer than thirty remained.

Yet their eyes gleamed with a crimson hue as if steeped in venom, and their breath carried the weight of murderous intent.

“Excellent.”

Derus Robert savored the killing intent the children exuded like fine wine, taking a deep draught from his glass.

“Master.”

A massive Masked Man bearing three vertical marks upon his chest prostrated himself before him, bowing his head.

“I have filtered the children as you commanded. It would be no exaggeration to say only the most venomous remain.”
“How did you reduce their numbers?”
“I placed three children in a single chamber and allowed only one to emerge. In essence, a miniature Gu jar.”

A Gu jar was an ancient sorcery—countless venomous insects confined within a sealed vessel until, after an eternity of struggle, only the most potent poison remained.

After Raon’s failure, Shadow had cultivated the children through increasingly ruthless methods.

“A Gu jar, I see. A clever notion indeed.”
“Thank you!”

At Derus’s praise, the Masked Man pressed his forehead to the ground.

“I like the look in their eyes.”

He curled his lips upward as he gazed at the children’s pupils, brimming with killing intent.

“How are they progressing with their training?”
“They’re the best batch we’ve had so far. The faster ones have already mastered assassination techniques at an instructor’s level.”
“So their instincts truly awaken once they’ve tasted blood. Use the same method for the next batch.”
“Yes!”

The Masked Man’s voice rose higher, pleased by the praise.

“There are even three children I believe will grow beyond Raon’s level.”
“Beyond Raon’s level….”

Derus Robert removed his black leather gloves and raised the back of his hand upward. The sword scar that still hadn’t faded caught the dim light, revealing a dark hollow.

“You’re saying those three brats can do something like this?”

His momentum transformed into thorns that exhaled an eerie aura, pressing down upon the entire Underground Cavern.

“N-no, that’s not….”

The Masked Man bit his lip. He had only spoken that way because he was told to raise assassins who could catch up to Raon, yet he was being met with anger instead.

“That won’t do. He was the Shadow’s greatest assassin on record, and he even wounded me.”
“I-I’m not sure about his level of killing intent, but I can teach them to surpass him in assassination techniques.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes! Please trust me!”
“I see.”

Derus Robert rose with a cold laugh. He was about to leave when it happened.

Drip.

A chilling crimson drop of blood fell from the sword scar on the back of his hand. Immediately after, the pure white blade at his waist let out a low cry. As if baring its teeth at someone.

“Wh….”

The Masked Man trembled and stepped back, bewildered by this phenomenon he had never witnessed before.

“Yeon-gyo.”
“Ah, yes!”
“Have the Shadow operatives investigating the Northern Region sent any reports?”
“There are some unusual matters, but they haven’t been organized yet, so I was planning to gather more information before reporting to the head butler.”
“Unusual matters?”

Derus Robert tilted his chin slightly, signaling me to speak at once.

“It’s news that Rimer, who was called the Radiant Sword of Zigheart, has returned. I’m not certain of the exact organization’s name, but it seems he has become a leader.”
“Forget such trivial matters. A bird with broken wings cannot soar again. What about that child Raon and Glen?”
“There’s nothing particularly noteworthy yet. It seems the child called Raon doesn’t have anything special about him, contrary to the rumors.”
“Hmm….”

He shook off the blood dripping from the back of his hand onto the floor, then gazed at the sword still emitting a low cry.

“That day is not far off.”

As Derus Robert lifted his head, his eyes sank to a chilling blue.

“Don’t bother reporting about Rimer. Make sure to investigate Glen and the Main Lineage’s movements thoroughly.”

*

*

*

I had explained the basics of the Radiant Sword to Rimer and left him behind asking to borrow some money, then returned to the Annex Building.
Perhaps he’d heard beforehand, as the interior of the Annex Building was filled with the mouth-watering aroma of food.

-Hueoreo….

Wrath drew in a deep breath until his belly swelled, his voice trembling with excitement.

-This scent! Ever since I couldn’t eat the whole roasted Tutan pig, I have been waiting for this day alone!

The creature floated through the air like a dog chasing a scent.

“Welcome back!”
“Young master!”
“You’ve returned?”

Sylvia and the maids emerged from the Kitchen, their faces bright with smiles.

“I’m back.”
“Is that the sword?”

Her eyes gleamed as she gazed upon the Heavenly Sword hanging at my waist, her lips parting with barely contained eagerness to see it.

“I ended up receiving something far more generous than I deserved.”

I tapped the scabbard lightly and offered a faint smile.

“Is that all? Then show us later when everyone’s gathered. For now, let’s eat first.”

She gestured for me to wash up quickly.

-Why are you standing there like a fool?

Wrath pounded my shoulder relentlessly.

-Go wash up and rush to the Dining Hall! This king can wait no longer!
‘I know, I know.’

I pushed away Wrath, whose drumming on my shoulder had become unbearable, finished washing, and made my way to the Dining Hall.

The expanded Dining Hall was filled with maids seated at the table, and the surface was laden with an abundance of dishes—my usual favorites like stew and fried chicken alongside many unfamiliar delicacies.

-R-Raon! Start with that roasted pork over there! Hurry!
‘I haven’t even sat down yet!’

Wrath had already lost himself, urging me to eat before I’d even taken my seat.

I sighed and settled into my chair.

“A feast fit for royalty.”
“It’s your first day with a sword of your own. When else would we celebrate if not now?”

Sylvia spread her arms wide, gesturing to the spread of dishes with a bright smile.

“Helen and Yua made most of this today. Whenever those two get together, they talk about food and keep creating delicious dishes. I’m going to eat myself to death.”
“They have so many ideas, and every single one is useful. Yua could become a great chef instead of a singer.”
“Hehe….”

Under Helen and Sylvia’s praise, Yua grew bashful and covered her face with her twin-tails.

“Yua, introduce the main dish for us today.”
“Ah, yes! The roasted pork in the center has its skin deep-fried until crispy, while the meat is blanched for a tender texture—you’ll experience both crispness and softness at once. There’s salt and sauce on the side, so you can adjust to your taste. And the stew next to it has pineapple and apple ground into it with beef and….”

Yua explained each dish she had prepared. Most were recipes made from ingredients I ate frequently.

“Then let’s eat before it gets cold!”
“We gratefully receive this meal!”

I merely mouthed along with the maids’ blessing before picking up my spoon.

-Start with the roasted pork! That crispy skin reminds me of the whole Tutan pig I once devoured!
‘First, I’ll warm my stomach with soup and stew.’
-You fool! You don’t even know the first thing about fine dining! The truth is to eat the delicious things first….
‘I’m foolish, so today I’ll just fill my stomach with soup and stew.’

I frowned and ladled a generous portion of stew into my bowl. I spooned it out generously and swallowed, clearly intent on filling myself with stew alone.

-Wait, wait just a moment!

Wrath turned even paler than when he was furious and grabbed my wrist.

-I… I….
‘I…?’
-I was just… just….
‘Just…?’
-I need some sleep….
‘Then go sleep.’
-Ugh! I was wrong! So please, eat that roasted pork first!

He rubbed his hands together, lamenting that he hadn’t enjoyed delicious food in so long.

‘I should have done that from the start.’

I waved Wrath away and popped a thick slice of roasted pork into my mouth after dipping it lightly in salt.

“Oh.”

An exclamation escaped my lips. The exterior was crispy, the interior succulent. Then came the delicate richness of butter, flooding my palate. Even someone like me, who rarely indulged in culinary refinement, found myself wanting more.

-Haaah….

Wrath was so moved by the taste of the roasted pork that he collapsed where he stood, his lips trembling.

-A god. A true god! I have just received an audience with a divine being. What are you doing?! Let me pay my respects to the god without eating anymore!

He spouted nonsense and urged me to eat more.

‘This is getting worse.’

I frowned slightly and dipped the roasted pork in sauce before eating it.

‘This is good too.’

The succulent interior and crispy exterior of the pork paired with the spicy sauce created an entirely different flavor. Personally, I preferred it with the sauce.

-The sauce is acceptable, but I prefer the pure taste of salt.
‘I like the sauce.’
-This is why ignorant fools never succeed. Cooking is about savoring that pure flavor….
‘I’m not eating anymore.’
-Ahhh, w-wait, I….

I bickered with Wrath while savoring the meal itself—sharing this time with everyone. This was truly the only place where I could feel at ease.

-Ahem, I am satisfied.

Wrath seemed pleased as well, patting his distended belly contentedly.

-When I obtain a body, I shall certainly take care of that pineapple girl and the ice cream girl.

He smiled warmly while looking at Yua.

“Martha left beef again today. Make sure to thank her for me later.”

Sylvia wiped her mouth and pointed to the beef stew in front of me.

“And tell her not to just leave it and go—she should stay and eat with us.”

It seemed Sylvia had finally noticed Martha’s habit of leaving meat behind. She was insistent that I bring her to join us for meals.

-Hmm? The beef girl came by?

Wrath’s eyes widened as he alternated his gaze between the beef skewers and stew that had tasted so good.

-I suppose I have no choice. I shall look after the beef girl as well. These three handmaidens of mine—I shall take them with me even if the world itself crumbles to dust.

He muttered as though he were being magnanimous, declaring that he would protect all three of them.

I wanted to tell him to stop spouting nonsense, but I held my tongue, fearing he might have another fit.

“Now let’s see Raon’s sword.”

At Sylvia’s gesture, all the handmaidens’ eyes turned toward my waist.

“Being stared at like that is a bit embarrassing….”

I rose slowly and drew Heavenly Judgment. The straight blade caught the warm orange light of the Dining Hall, radiating a beauty all its own.

“Wow!”
“It’s magnificent….”
“Congratulations, Young Master!”

The handmaidens applauded and cheered, praising the sword’s magnificence.

“Honestly, you’ve obtained a far more remarkable blade than I expected.”

Sylvia’s crimson eyes gleamed with surprise as she perceived the true value of Heavenly Judgment.

“Yua.”
“Yes?”

At Helen’s call, Yua approached and held out a white box. When I opened it, I found a tassel connected by threads of gold and crimson red.

“We all made it together.”
“Ah….”

The number of strings attached to the tassel matched the number of people currently in the Dining Hall. It seemed everyone had made one.

“…Thank you.”

I felt a bit embarrassed and scratched my chin before bowing to everyone.

“Enough with the formalities—attach it and let’s see how it looks.”
“Yes! I want to see if it suits you.”

I nodded and fastened the tassel to my sword’s scabbard. As the gold and deep crimson tassel connected with the scabbard that blended gold and dark red, a refined yet rugged elegance came alive.

“We made this hoping you’ll walk your own path from now on.”
“My own path….”
“Don’t think about the family or us. Walk the path you believe is right.”

Sylvia approached and embraced me tightly. Though she was now shorter than me, her warmth remained unchanged.

“And….”

As she began to continue, a knock sounded from the Entrance Hall.

“Tch! We’re finally having a touching family moment—who is it!”
“Ah, I’ll go check!”

Yua, who was near the door, rushed out. When she returned moments later, she swallowed hard, looking flustered.

“Um, um….”
“What? Who is it?”

Yua pointed toward the Entrance Hall, her voice trembling.

“Someone from the Central Intelligence Agency.”

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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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