The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 239

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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 239

I narrowed my eyes as I watched Rimer tilt his chin upward.

“Are you asking me to demonstrate my swordsmanship here and now?”

“Of course.”

He beckoned me forward with four fingers gathered together in a commanding gesture.

“I appreciate your offer to help. However….”

I shook my head, glancing at the Divine Heavenly Sword in my grip.

“As I mentioned, this swordsmanship is incomplete. I still cannot control its power properly.”

The shadow blade I had just unleashed was not fully contained, and it had affected the Gwangpung Unit members behind me as well. The first technique was more difficult to execute than the second, and it could have been dangerous.

“Huh? Are you worried about me?”

Rimer furrowed his brows and thrust his face forward.

“Don’t you know me? Don’t you know who I am? I’m Rimer! Me! It’s me!”

In less than a second, he spat out the word “me” six times as if utterly exasperated.

“Hmm….”

I smacked my lips together.

‘I know he’s strong, of course. But….’

I couldn’t bring myself to trust him.

I still had a long way to go before catching up to Rimer. I had no idea how to defeat him when he wielded the Sword Realm Incarnation. The only problem was that his usual conduct seemed so unreliable that I couldn’t place my faith in him.

“I have good eyes for reading situations, you know. Don’t worry and come at me. I’ll tell you what to preserve and what to destroy.”

Rimer rotated his neck smoothly and drew the sword from his waist.

“You all watch carefully too. Seeing Raon’s swordplay from this close is a stroke of luck. Analyze every single move and absorb it all.”

He grinned wickedly at the Gwangpung Order members behind him, urging them to watch with keen attention.

“Yes!”

“Understood!”

The Gwangpung Order members abandoned their tasks and hurried to sit down, their gazes sharpening with focus. Though initially flustered, their eyes now gleamed with excitement—true swordsmen through and through.

“Understood.”

I exhaled slowly and sheathed the Heavenly Sword into its scabbard.

‘If I’m going to do this, I should do it properly.’

The swordsmanship I currently employed differed from the conventional draw techniques that subdued enemies through speed alone. This new form of draw technique harmonized sound and illusion to sever an opponent’s lifeline, which meant I needed to understand their behavioral patterns thoroughly.

“Huu.”

After organizing my thoughts, I closed my eyes and opened them again, regulating my breathing. My gaze became as serene as the Lake beneath the crimson moon as I gripped the sword blade.

“I’m coming.”

*

*

*

Rimer watched Raon grip his sword and let a faint smile cross his lips.

‘I can roughly predict what’s coming.’

Raon had mentioned creating a draw technique using illusory and sonic blades. Considering the swordsmanship he’d demonstrated before and his training methods thus far, what kind of technique he would employ was painfully obvious.

‘He’ll disrupt the vestibular system with sound, then target vital points with illusory strikes.’

Masters possessed the ability to block sound before it penetrated the nervous system. Rather than severing nerves the way he had moments ago, Raon would stimulate the vestibular system with sound and then simultaneously target multiple vital points with illusory strikes.

‘No need to worry—come at me properly.’

Rimer slowly channeled his aura and smacked his lips appreciatively.

‘Those eyes are excellent.’

Raon’s gaze was chilling, like a predator stalking prey. He was a fellow who gave his all when it mattered—truly admirable.

Once his concentration settled, Raon’s hand moved. He gripped the Heavenly Sword lightly and extended it. I leaned in to listen properly. I had expected a thunderous blade cry, but instead, a peculiar sound rang out—like a small, young beast growling.

Crackle-snap!

The moment that bizarre sound reached my ears, every hair on my body stood on end. My steady heartbeat erupted into wild pounding.

‘Fast.’

The aura embedded in the sound burrowed into my ears. The speed was so devastating that only those at Master level could defend against it. The sound was quieter than the blade cries I’d heard before, yet incomparably faster.

‘This is….’

I furrowed my brow. It wasn’t merely a matter of my vestibular system being shaken. My hearing itself had diminished. The sound itself wasn’t registering properly.

‘Reducing the enemy’s hearing, then launching a follow-up strike?’

It was a remarkable technique for a sonic blade, but such tactics wouldn’t work against a master. I caught sight of Raon’s illusory blade, fired almost simultaneously with the sound.

Shiiing!

The silver blade of the Heavenly Sword descended toward my neck, moving with absolute clarity—not an illusion or feint, but a direct, unadorned strike.

‘A mistake… ah!’

Rimer’s eyes widened. Hidden within the shadow of the Heavenly Sword aimed at my neck was the true blade—one targeting my heart.

Shiiing!

The razor-sharp strike that threatened to pierce straight through my heart sent a chilling shudder down my spine.

“Kuh!”

Rimer detonated the aura he was channeling in one explosive burst and swung his blade to meet mine.

Crassshhh!

A tremendous shockwave erupted, and Raon was sent flying like a scrap of paper, tumbling across the ground.

“Ugh…”

Raon drove his sword into the earth and grimaced.

“That was a bit excessive.”

“I was startled.”

Rimer’s languid expression, as he exhaled a breath of relief, was tinged with unmistakable alarm.

“Still, you weren’t injured.”

“That much is true.”

I rose to my feet with ease.

“I was deceived as well.”

Rimer’s eyes widened in admiration as he smacked his lips.

“So the Sword Aura didn’t merely kill hearing.”

The Sword Aura I had unleashed when drawing my blade had done far more than deaden hearing—it had suppressed sight, smell, touch, and even the perception of aura itself.

‘That’s why the reaction was delayed.’

My phantom blade technique was exceptional, but by extinguishing all senses in that fleeting instant, I had made the illusion feel utterly real. Even a master swordsman could not help but react slowly.

“You’ve surpassed my imagination.”

Rimer chuckled and applauded.

“You’ve truly created an insane sword technique.”

It was hard to believe that an eighteen-year-old had forged such a deranged technique. I was no mere prodigy—I was a monster of the blade, bearing the essence of a grandmaster.

Yet despite wielding such devastating swordplay, Raon’s gaze remained serene.

“Commander.”

He sheathed the Celestial Sword and approached Rimer.

“How do you think I should perfect this blade?”

“Hmm….”

Rimer swung the sword thoughtfully, organizing his thoughts before nodding.

“First, it’s the sound.”

“The sound?”

“I felt something off about the beast cry that erupted when you drew your blade. Even a Master-level expert—or even an intermediate one—would be wary of that sound.”

I deliberately listened to that sound to observe your sword properly, but any true master would certainly be alert to such an unnatural noise.

“A true master of the quick-draw technique draws without making any sound at all.”

Rimer drew his blade in an instant. The blade appeared before Raon’s throat without the slightest whisper.

“If you completely silence the sound this way, your opponent will truly believe it’s a quick-draw and focus only on the speed.”

“But if there’s no sound….”

“Hapi uses ultrasonic waves generated by mana to paralyze an opponent’s movements.”

He continued speaking while drawing a circle with his finger.

“Using the Silent Blade to kill your opponent’s senses while suppressing sound is incredibly difficult, but if you borrow mana’s power like Harpy does, it will certainly be possible.”

“Sound, then….”

I nodded slowly as something came to mind.

“The second is the Phantom Blade.”

Rimer raised his index finger.

“It’s fast enough to seem like a Swift Blade, and hiding the real blade in the Phantom Blade’s shadow is good. However….”

He demonstrated again, unleashing a sword strike. The wind-infused blade extended like a ray of light.

“You need to increase the speed further, and you must delay the moment when the real blade separates from the phantom blade.”

“So you’re saying I should extend the separation time of the real blade from the phantom blade.”

“Yes. If you delay the separation of the phantom blade just a bit more, it will become a sword technique that’s difficult to evade even if seen.”

“Understood.”

I nodded while looking at the Heavenly Sword, as if committing those words to memory.

“Your footwork swordsmanship is revolutionary, that’s true, but it won’t always work. It will be easy enough to kill amateurs, but even those of equal rank will be able to evade it.”

“That would be the case.”

“But if the sound, speed, and delay of the environmental sword all become perfect….”

Rimer’s eyes grew serious as a bright smile crossed his face.

“You’ll be able to cut down not just your peers, but even intermediate-level Masters with a single strike.”

*

*

*

“Does anyone not understand?”

After finishing his explanation, Rimer swept his gaze across the Gwangpung Order members. Burren, Martha, and Lunan all raised their hands, apparently having failed to grasp his meaning.

“Well then, let me return to my true calling for once and have this Rimer explain it to you.”

He chuckled and approached the Gwangpung Order members, beginning to explain how Raon had wielded his sword.

Raon turned his head away as he watched Rimer explain the subtleties of swordsmanship to the swordsmen.

‘Sound, speed, and delay….’

It was good that I demonstrated it.

Rimer had pinpointed the weaknesses as if he’d known all along, despite having only seen it once. He truly was no ordinary man.

‘I think I can resolve all of it.’

The most challenging aspect of his advice was sound, but there was a way to address it.

‘Memories from my past life.’

Having lived my entire existence as an assassin, I was more confident than anyone in the art of silencing sound. It would require considerable research and practice, but by weaving in the secret incantations of Shadow martial arts, I was certain I could overcome this obstacle.

“This will be interesting.”

With the foundation laid and the groundwork established, all that remained was to build upon it. Anticipation for how both sword techniques would develop brought an involuntary smile to my face.

-Hmm.

Wrath smacked his lips and climbed onto the bracelet.

-Remarkable that even an ear can accomplish something useful.

He furrowed his brow while watching Rimer’s back.

‘Indeed.’

I smiled faintly. Though Rimer was usually frivolous, I couldn’t bring myself to hate him when he occasionally displayed such earnest determination.

“Raon!”

I was about to begin my sword drawing practice when Rimer approached. The explanation had finished, and the swordsmen were gathering in small groups to discuss what they’d learned.

“There’s one thing I forgot to mention.”

“What would that be?”

I leaned in eagerly, expecting another piece of wisdom, but what came from his mouth was something entirely unexpected.

“Tuition.”

“I’m sorry?”

“For such magnificent advice, there ought to be a proper fee attached to it.”

“You didn’t mention anything about tuition before.”

“I didn’t say there wasn’t any either.”

He extended his hand with a crooked grin.

“I have to squeeze something out of you somehow. Pay the tuition.”

“Sigh…”

I let out a long breath, my lips curling downward.

‘As expected from this shameless red-haired elf…’

*

*

*

After the brief lesson, Rimer led the Gwangpung Unit forward.

It was originally his responsibility, but given how much he’d been shirking his duties, I found myself grateful. This seemed like poor reinforcement for learning.

In any case, thanks to Rimer actually doing his work, I’d carved out time to practice swordsmanship.

During our travels, I positioned myself at the rear and researched methods to reduce or amplify the sound of my draw technique. During rest periods, I unsheathed my blade directly and honed my swift strike. At night, while standing watch, I contemplated perfecting my phantom blade in my mind’s eye.

All day long—or rather, this entire journey itself had become an extension of my sword training. By consistently practicing my silent draw, phantom blade, and swift strike, I’d arrived near the Gazel River, our destination, almost without realizing it.

“Hm?”

“Is this really the Gazel River?”

“This doesn’t match what we heard.”

“They said it was clear enough to drink from….”

The members of the Gwangpung Order tilted their heads in confusion at the sight of the river’s deep teal waters.

“Hmm….”

I narrowed my eyes as I gazed at the murky Gazel River, its depths invisible.

‘The color has changed.’

The last time I passed through this area, the river water had been so clear that I could see the fish below. Now it was so dark that I couldn’t even see what was right in front of my face.

“It seems the problem isn’t limited to the Cheongru Tribe alone—something has gone wrong with the river itself.”

Rimer’s brow furrowed as he gripped the reins tighter.

“Let’s move faster. Doran Village should be just ahead.”

It was as we approached the entrance of Doran Village, following in his wake, that it happened.

“Hurry!”

“Move quickly!”

“Do we have enough weapons?”

“We need to drive them back—grab whatever you can!”

People poured out from within the village. Spears, harpoons, and bows in hand, they rushed toward the river.

“Change of plans.”

Rimer turned to face us. His eyes, bright with keen awareness, now gleamed with resolve.

“We pursue them.”

“Understood!”

Since the villagers were not warriors, we caught up to them in moments.

“What’s the matter?”

Rimer approached the sturdy Ogre Warrior running at the front.

“Who are you?”

The Ogre Warrior’s eyes narrowed with caution as he assessed Rimer from head to toe.

“I’ve come from Zigheart.”

Rimer pulled back his robe, revealing the emblem of a flaming sword emblazoned upon his uniform.

“Ah! Zigheart!”

The Ogre Warrior nodded vigorously, though his expression remained grim—hardly the warmth of an unconditional welcome.

“The Cheongru Tribe is reportedly attacking a fishing boat upstream. We’re rushing there now, desperate to save them.”

“Where?”

“Just continue in this direction.”

He gestured toward the northwest.

“You all heard that?”

Rimer turned to look back at his companions.

“Run at full speed!”

“Yes!”

The Gwangpung Order members nodded and rushed in the direction the Old Man had indicated when a sound like water exploding erupted.

Following that sound, a river twice as wide as the one they’d seen moments before came into view, and a merchant vessel floated in its center.

“Aaaahhh!”

“What in the world is happening!”

“Fall back!”

The sailors aboard the merchant vessel cried out in alarm, thrusting long spears toward the water and loosing arrows.

“This is….”

Raon’s gaze fixed not on the vessel or the sailors, but on the river itself. Something writhed within the darkened waters.

Boom!

A massive explosion erupted from beneath the river as if magic itself had detonated. The merchant vessel lurched violently, nearly capsizing.

Crash!

A towering waterspout of azure surged upward, and the creature lurking beneath the river revealed itself.

Its form resembled that of a human, yet bore striking differences. Its skin shimmered with a pale blue-green hue, ears as large as palms, and wave-like fins rippled across its forearms and back. Webbing stretched between its fingers.

“Cheongru Tribe.”

The creature’s appearance matched those I had encountered before, yet one aspect differed starkly. Its eyes. The pure, innocent gaze that had trembled in fear at the sight of my former self was nowhere to be found.

What gleamed now were only crimson orbs burning with murderous intent and rage.

“Kiiiiiii!”

“Kyaaaaa!”

The Cheongru Tribe creature unleashed a torrent of water as if to drown the sailors, then struck the ship’s keel—its vital center—with a devastating blow.

Crack!

A thunderous sound echoed as though timber were being split in half, and the vessel began to sink gradually into the depths.

“Lunan!”

I rushed toward the river, calling out to Lunan. If we froze the water together, we could reach the ship’s location.

“Got it!”

Lunan grasped my intention instantly and moved to my side.

Whoooosh!

As I submerged my hand in the water and exchanged glances with Lunan Slion to channel the cold energy, a magnificent ship’s horn resounded across the waters.

Lifting my gaze, a colossal warship emerged from behind the merchant vessel.

The flag of the warship, which cleaved through the waters with formidable aura, fluttered with the character “Alliance” inscribed in azure script.

Raon’s brow furrowed as I clenched my fist.

“The Nambuk Alliance….”

—————
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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