The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 241

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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 241

I made my way alone to the riverbank. The waters of the Gazel River flowed onward indifferently, as though the battles that had erupted moments before had already been forgotten.

“The color is still so deep.”

The Gazel River shimmered in a jade-green hue, as if someone had scattered green tea leaves across its surface. It was so murky that I could scarcely believe it was the same clear river I had seen in my previous life.

‘They said it had nothing to do with the Blue Demons’ transformation.’

I had asked the sailors just to be certain, but they insisted that the Blue Demons had only begun their aggressive assault long after the river’s waters had darkened.

‘Yet something doesn’t add up.’

The Blue Demons were a race that understood water better than any other. It made no sense that their rampage and the river’s transformation were unrelated.

‘If only they could speak.’

It was deeply frustrating that the Blue Demons, unlike other races, could not communicate through language.

I turned away from the river and shook my head.

‘I’ll think about the river later.’

There were too many unknowns—both the Blue Demons’ transformation and the river’s discoloration. I would need to remain here and methodically unravel the threads of this mystery.

‘For now, I must prepare for battle.’

The greatest reason the people of Doran Village and the sailors crossing the Gazel River fell short against Tiller was his footwork technique that allowed him to walk upon water.

‘Sailors fear the water, after all.’

Those who lived along rivers and coasts paradoxically feared the very waters they inhabited. They made offerings at each season and prayed for safety precisely because they dreaded the water.

‘That’s why Tiller earned such acclaim.’

Tiller trampled the very river that everyone feared, drove back the Blue Demons, and saved the people. With such godlike mastery over water, it was no wonder the entire village cried out his name and cheered his deeds.

I smiled faintly as I recalled Tiller’s footwork, the way he traversed the turbulent river as if it were flat ground.

“There’s no reason I can’t do this either.”

I’d already extracted the essence of the technique.

I closed my eyes slowly and resonated the rings of fire with intense focus, concentrating my mind on the grand flow created by the rings colliding and singing against one another.

The foundation was emission.
Tiller’s footwork functioned by expelling aura from the Yongcheon—the mana circuit at the center of the feet—just as one would generate aura from a sword, allowing the body to rise above the water’s surface.

Since I only needed to understand the principle, it wasn’t particularly difficult. After practicing several times on solid ground, I approached the riverbank.

“Hoo.”

I drew in a deep breath. Operating Glacial following the aura flow Tiller had demonstrated, I stepped onto the river water.

Splash.

The aura expelled from my soles created concentric ripples as my body lifted above the water’s surface. I felt both the sticky and soft sensation of treading on shallow mud simultaneously.

“Ugh!”

I flailed my limbs and furrowed my brow.

“This is harder than I thought….”

Unlike when I practiced on land, maintaining balance proved extraordinarily difficult. The difference in aura output between my two feet caused my body to sway left and right.

“Damn!”

I thrashed my arms like reeds fluttering in the wind before ultimately tumbling onto the water’s surface.

“Ugh….”

I walked back to shore and exhaled a sigh. It seemed that standing on water with both feet required perfect harmony between physical balance and the mana output from each foot.

“Again.”

I lifted Glacía a bit higher and stepped onto the water’s surface. This time, instead of standing still, I attempted to walk.

Crack!

Thanks to Glacía, thin ice formed on the water’s surface, allowing me to walk slowly. Walking proved easier to balance than simply standing still.

I took each step slowly, like a child learning to walk, etching the sensation of standing on water into both my body and mind.

After walking across the river for roughly two hours, the feeling began to take shape. I stopped my steps and stood in the middle of the Gazel River.

“That should do it.”

I smiled as I observed the calm surface beneath my feet. Thanks to walking through the water and hammering the sensation into my body, I now stood as stably as if I were on solid ground, even while remaining motionless.

-So you copied that slick-faced bastard’s footwork technique.

Wrath emerged from the bracelet with a frown creasing his features.

-Truly, a ridiculous ability.

He shook his head as he watched my feet gradually freeze the water’s surface.

“This is only the beginning.”
-The beginning?
“True completion means not merely walking, but executing footwork techniques across the water’s surface itself.”

This level of progress would not suffice. To awaken the minds of those the Nambuk Alliance had lost, I needed to demonstrate footwork superior to Tiller’s.

‘Come to think of it, that’s strange.’

A hollow laugh escaped me. Originally, the name Zigheart held no particular significance for me. Whether scorned or praised, I had deemed it irrelevant to myself. I had believed only the people of the Annex Building and the Gwangpung Unit truly mattered.

‘But that wasn’t true.’

The moment the people of Doran Village cried out only for the Nambuk Alliance and Tiller, not for Zigheart, my pride was wounded. I burned with the desire to show them what Zigheart truly represented.

It seemed the Zigheart clan had taken root far deeper in my heart than I had realized.

-You don’t know how to walk on water, do you?
‘I have the Gazel Step.’

I chuckled and extended my foot forward.

-Gazel? That’s that pathetic footwork you learned at the beginning, isn’t it?
‘The Gazel Step is a footwork technique modeled after the flow of river currents. It’s perfect for using here.’

The Gazel Step was a footwork technique that captured the relentless flow of river water. Since I had trained it the most and its movements resembled those of flowing water, it seemed ideal for adaptation.

I modified the Gazel Step to be usable on water, then stepped into the first movement, Flowing Petal.

Splash!

My footsteps flowed along the water’s path like petals floating on the surface. Since I wasn’t fighting against the current, I advanced swiftly yet steadily.

Boom!

The second movement, Counter-Current, went against the river’s flow. Even though I was walking opposite to the water’s direction, my speed didn’t diminish—it actually increased.

The reason was my lower body and aura. My two legs, which provided stable balance, and Glacius’s serene energy, which spread through the water, carved through the river’s grain and created nimble movements.

I unfolded the modified Gazel Step in sequence, freely traversing the Gazel River. Because I was adapting footwork I had already mastered, the technique became natural as if I had been performing it my entire life, despite the short time spent.

With just a bit more practice, I felt I could demonstrate footwork comparable to Tiller’s level.

“And…”

I put force into my feet and stepped into the True Form.

Crack-crack-crack-crack!

Tremendous cold erupted from where my shoe struck, and in an instant, dozens of ice blades made of frost sprang up across the water’s surface.
They resembled clusters of ice flowers, or perhaps a crown worn by the Frost King—a noble and magnificent sight.

“Not bad.”

This wasn’t the Gazel Step—it was a new footwork technique I had created by utilizing the essence of eruption that I had drawn from Tiller. Since it was a footwork designed to suppress and attack opponents, it would prove quite useful on water.

“The name is….”
-Hooh!

As I was about to think of a name for the new footwork technique, Wrath smacked his lips.

-Quite elegant. It resembles the ice flower crown that the True Demon King created.

He nodded approvingly as he gazed at the ice shards jutting up like a crown above the water’s surface.

‘Is that so?’
-For a barbarian, you’ve managed a rather decent form. I shall personally bestow a name upon this footwork technique.
‘What’s gotten into him?’

Perhaps because I’d been feeding him delicious dishes and desserts lately, Wrath had become quite cooperative these days.

-Aquatic Blossom would be fitting.
‘A flower blooming in water.’

The image of ice flowers blooming upon the river’s surface didn’t seem half bad.

‘He still loves his flowers.’
-Respect my preferences. If you dislike it, so be it!

Wrath turned his head away as if to say I could do as I pleased.

‘No. I like it.’

I chuckled softly and patted Wrath’s shoulder.

‘Today brought many gains.’
-Is there something else?
‘Thanks to the eruption, I think I can also increase the speed of my sword-drawing technique.’

If I utilized the subtleties of the eruption that I’d grasped from observing Tiller, the completeness of my new swordsmanship would surely improve. Glen’s words, that life itself was the study of martial arts, proved true.

-Hmph. Even so, compared to the True Demon King’s techniques, you’re but a flea’s….

As Wrath let out a scoff, a message materialized before my eyes.

[You have created the Water-Flowing Technique for the first time.]
[The effect of the title 【Young Grand Master】 enhances your water-flowing ability.]
[You have received recognition from 【Wrath】.]
[All ability stats increase by 1 point.]

These were the rewards I obtained for creating the Water-Flowing Technique.

-No, no, nooooo!

Wrath, who had been as calm as a flowing river, erupted in fury and let out a terrible cry.

-How dare you give such rewards for merely creating one technique! Who gave you permission!
‘You acknowledged it yourself.’
-When!
‘You said it had a decent form and even gave it a name.’
-That was merely a basic courtesy! A hollow utterance that escaped my lips without the True Demon King’s knowledge, simply because you’ve been feeding me well lately!

Wrath shouted greetings in the languages of several races.

‘The system seems to have a different opinion.’

I smiled with the joy of my increased stats. Even in such a situation, he was looking out for me—Wrath was truly an endless wellspring of sweetness.

“I’ll count on you next time too.”

I waved at Wrath and turned away.

-When the True Demon King finds his original body, I shall destroy that system first!

In the center of the Gazel River where I had departed, a demon king’s scream that no one else could hear echoed out.

-Without fail!

*

*

*

When I returned to Doran Village, the Gwangpung Unit was training in front of their temporary lodging.

“How are things?”

I approached Burren, who was wiping sweat from his brow, and leaned my back against the wall.

“It feels like being a foreigner. The younger people welcome us, but all the older ones only seek out the Nambuk Alliance. We’ve completely lost our footing.”

Burren frowned and sank to the ground.

“The Nambuk Alliance. Especially their favorability toward Tiller is remarkably high. They praise him endlessly, saying he walks on water and commands it.”

Crain let out a sigh.

“I’d rather just fight with my fists. Every time our eyes meet, seeing that awkward smile irritates me!”

Martha crossed her arms and wrinkled her nose.

“There’s no Ice Cream Shop here either.”

Lunan had apparently consumed all the ice cream she’d brought along, her shoulders drooping.

-Gasp!

Wrath’s mouth fell open as if struck by her words.

“Where did the Unit Leader and Dorian go?”

I tilted my head, noticing only those two were absent.

“Both of them have good rapport with people, so they blend in well. The Unit Leader is drinking with the Village Chief, and Dorian is wandering around having fun.”
“Is that so?”

Both were famous in the Gwangpung Unit for their ability to make friends, so I chuckled.

“What will we do? Will we stay longer?”
“We need to gather more information, but this situation seems to involve more than just the Blue Demons’ rampage.”

Regardless of what Belga or Morin had told us, the Nambuk Alliance were not the righteous people these villagers believed them to be. There would certainly be a clash with them.

“You’ll need to exert yourself soon enough, so continue your training.”

I grasped the hilt of the Celestial Sword and smiled.

“Ensure that the name of the Nambuk Alliance is never spoken before us again.”

*

*

*

The following evening.

An old but sizeable fishing vessel drifted along the Gazel River. The moon hung bright, and lanterns flickered at various points along the deck, allowing the ship to cut through the darkened waters without hesitation.

“A full catch after so long!”

The brown-haired youth guarding the deck turned with a grin, then made his way beside Belga, who stood near the helm, and settled onto the floor.

“The ship is packed with fish, yet your expression is grim—why?”
“Thinking about the village troubles me.”

Belga released a heavy sigh while gripping the helm.

“Because of the Nambuk Alliance?”
“Yes.”
“It seems fine to me. The village is brimming with vitality.”

The brown-haired youth clenched his fists.

“That’s all an act.”

Belga shook his head.

“The Nambuk Alliance does protect us, after all. They’re not even demanding payment.”

The brown-haired youth tilted his head in confusion.

“Our village sits right next to Zigheart Territory. Those creatures avoid us because they fear a direct confrontation with Zigheart. But what do you think will happen if we willingly place ourselves under the Nambuk Alliance?”

Belga pointed toward the dark waters of the Gazel River flowing past us.

“Every time we cross the Gazel River, they’ll extort money from us. Every time we catch fish, they’ll extort more. Open exploitation will begin, and we’ll be left staring into a future as murky and obscured as those waters.”
“S-surely it won’t be that bad….”
“Of all the fish packed into this ship right now, we won’t even have a handful left in our hands.”

It wasn’t a lie. All the villages under the Nambuk Alliance appeared fine on the surface, but their interiors were rotted through with filth. They were all tyrannical kingdoms obsessed with money, unable to utter a single word of complaint against the Nambuk Alliance.

“You and the village elders are being deceived by them.”

The information had come from a friend I’d met during this voyage, purchased with money—it couldn’t possibly be false.
The village elders had spent so long in this narrow world that they didn’t know any better, but the Nambuk Alliance were absolutely not good people. Tiller was no different.

“Ugh, hearing it put that way is rather frightening.”

The Blue-haired Youth at the stern of the ship trembled as well, his jaw quivering.

“But why did the Blue Demons end up like that?”
“That’s probably connected to the Nambuk Alliance too.”

Belga narrowed his eyes as he gazed into the dark waters.

“That too?”
“When I was about to send a request for support to Zigheart, the Nambuk Alliance appeared as if they’d been waiting and became heroes. And the fact that someone like Tiller keeps coming to protect us doesn’t quite add up… huh?”

He trailed off, his gaze fixed forward. Dark waves surged from the previously calm waters, and ten pairs of crimson eyes gleamed.

“Th-that is….”
“Ah….”

The people who had been sitting at ease swallowed hard and rose to their feet.

Crack.

Belga gripped the oar so tightly it seemed ready to snap, his lips trembling.

“Damn it….”

*

*

*

On the second day of my stay in Doran Village, I trained with the Gwangpung Unit before returning to the village. Since Rimer remained behind, I had no concerns and arrived back in the evening, only to find the village in a state of frantic activity, as though consumed by fire.

“R-Raon!”

Morin, who had arrived with Belga the day before, limped toward me at a desperate pace.

“Disaster has struck!”
“Disaster?”
“The B-Blue Demons have returned and attacked Belga’s fishing vessel. The ship is on the verge of sinking right now! Please….”

He fell to his knees, begging me to save his friends.

“Our unit commander….”
“We’ve searched everywhere, but he’s nowhere to be found!”
“Sigh….”

This man, truly.

I exhaled deeply and drew up my aura.

“Where is the location?”
“Further downstream from where the Blue Demons appeared yesterday. If you head in this direction….”
“Ah, I know that place!”

The directions were vague, but Dorian raised his hand, mentioning he’d been there yesterday. He’d been running around making friends, but now his knowledge proved useful.

“Team Three, stand by. Teams One and Two, come with me.”
“Understood!”
“Dorian, lead the way.”
“Yes!”

I ran at full speed, following Dorian as he sprinted ahead. Since it wasn’t far from the village, I could soon see the torches of the villagers illuminating the darkness.

“Kiiiiiek!”
“Kyaaaaa!”

A large fishing vessel lay half-sunken in the center of the Gazel River, while the Blue Demons circled it, churning up sprays of water and smashing the ship to pieces.

“Uaaaagh!”
“P-please, save us!”

The sailors clung to the railings of the sinking ship, managing to hold on. Fortunately the vessel was large—had it been smaller, they would have already drowned.

“D-dangerous!”

Just as someone was about to leap into the water, the Village Chief, who had already arrived, stepped forward to block the way.

“The Blue Demons are a race that grows stronger the deeper the water! Swimming out there now would be suicide.”
“We should entrust this to the Nambuk Alliance. We’ve called for them, so they should arrive soon.”
“That’s right. Without a front-line force like the Nambuk Alliance, it’s impossible to fight the Blue Demons underwater.”
“Unless you can walk on water like Tiller, diving in would be suicide!”

Not just the Village Chief, but all the villagers shook their heads, insisting the Nambuk Alliance was necessary.

Gooooh!

From the wet sand beneath my feet, a shimmering aura of blue cold energy blazed upward.

“Ah…!”
“W-what is this…?”

The cool yet majestic aura of my energy naturally parted the crowd.

“The Nambuk Alliance. The Nambuk Alliance.”

I looked around at the villagers as I spoke that name.

“The Nambuk Alliance cannot stand before Zigheart.”
“Ah, no…!”
“That’s not what we meant!”
“Let me show you directly.”

I leaped onto the river with confident strides.

Splash!

Even as my feet struck the water forcefully, my body did not sink in the slightest. I floated upon the surface as gently as a leaf.

“Gasp!”
“He’s… he’s floating on the water!”
“Then Raon is also like Tiller…”
“No! It’s different! Raon is riding the water itself!”

The villagers’ eyes widened as they watched me float upon the river’s surface.

“Watch from there.”

I gazed down at them from the water’s surface and smiled coldly.

“This is what Zigheart is.”

With those words, I began the Gazel River Footwork. My steps, smoother than yesterday, glided across the water’s surface, freezing it as I advanced rapidly. Even in this moment, I refined my footwork while elevating my martial mastery.

Like a dolphin riding the waves, I surged forward across the ripples and reached the river’s center in an instant.

Boom!

I kicked off the water and soared into the air. I drew Glacial’s chill from my core down my right thigh to my ankle, then unleashed the immense power condensed within my feet.

Crash!

The underwater technique erupted across the surface, and a colossal crown of water surged upward from the river’s center.

“Kyaaaah!”
“Screeeech!”

The Blue Demons who had been attacking the ship and its people found their hands and feet bound by the water crown’s grip, their screams the only thing they could offer.

“Ugh!”
“Argh!”

The sailors gripping the ship’s railings leaned against the rounded ice formation in the center, exhaling sighs of relief.

“Three?”

I furrowed my brow. There were three people standing on the ice. Belga, whom I had met yesterday, was nowhere to be seen.

As I extended my senses, I felt faint human breathing from the right side and the urgent gasps of Blue Demons.

Turning my head, I saw Belga swimming on the right, cutting through the water, with two Blue Demons chasing after him.

Whoooosh!

I stepped into my footwork technique again. With the more refined Garam Footwork, I struck at the Blue Demons and unleashed a scorching vortex.

“Kyaaaah!”

The Blue Demons’ skin melted in the torrent of intense heat as they fled into the water.

“Belga! You’re safe now—huh?”

I reached out my hand to him, but his eyes were closed as if he had lost consciousness, and beneath him, a small Blue Demon was hiding in the water.

“Tsk!”

I drew the Jechen Sword. Just as I was about to strike downward, the Blue Demon released Belga and flailed its hands desperately.

“No! I—!”

The halting yet unmistakable human language made my grip weaken.

“You can speak?”

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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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