The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 249

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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 249

-To fail to properly gauge your opponent’s abilities….

Wrath furrowed his brow as if exasperated.

-It seems the blades lodged in your skull have multiplied from one to two.

He clicked his tongue, remarking that I had picked a fight with someone I could never defeat.

I ignored Wrath’s mockery and tightened my grip on the Celestial Sword.

Who doesn’t know that?

Of course I understood that victory against Roman was impossible. What I was doing now was a gamble—flipping a coin to see if we could all survive.

I exhaled the murky breath that had accumulated deep in my lungs and studied Roman. His eyes turned toward me for the first time.

‘He’s looking at my sword.’

He wasn’t observing me, the one who had challenged him to fight. Instead, he was studying the glacial aura emanating from the Celestial Sword—the same power that had incapacitated all the Nambuk Alliance warriors moments ago. He seemed to be analyzing Cheongwoo’s method of application.

‘Just as expected.’

The fact that he was examining the aura first in this situation confirmed the rumors—he was truly obsessed with martial arts. My chances of survival had increased by more than thirty percent.

“Did you embed aura into the sword’s resonance to incapacitate them?”

Roman narrowed his eyes as he observed the subordinates who lay unconscious with foam at their mouths.

“To manipulate aura in that fleeting instant when the friction and blade resonance spread, shaking their nervous systems—if you had wanted to, you could have killed them long ago.”

He grasped Cheongwoo’s application method at a glance and nodded with evident interest.

“I’ve seen many attacks using musical instruments, but this is my first time witnessing someone touch a person’s nervous system through blade resonance. It’s creative and highly effective. The technique is difficult, though. Even if I wanted to replicate it, it would be challenging.”

Roman chuckled softly as he touched the crimson axe blade.

“It feels like my eyes have opened. I’ve witnessed something remarkable, so I’ll overlook the arrogant words you spoke just now. Stand down.”

He turned away with a satisfied smile.

“Those words weren’t misplaced. I’ll be your opponent.”

Raon shook his head firmly.

Boom!

Roman struck the ground with the axe he was holding. The pressure that emanated from his gaze alone was almost unbearable.

“You really think you can face me?”
“I do.”

Raon resonated with the Ring of Fire. I drew upon the spiritual rank that Wrath had cultivated and pushed back Roman’s aura.

“Not bad. Far superior to what I’ve heard. However….”

Roman nodded slowly, then unleashed his momentum. A weight of an entirely different magnitude pressed down upon his entire body.

“Know your place.”

Crimson fury blazed in his eyes, perhaps because I had interfered with his battle against Rimer.

“You don’t even have the strength to block this single strike.”

Roman raised his axe. Sword energy bloomed before the crimson blade, unleashing a formidable current of force.

“This is my final warning. Step back before I split your skull open.”

Despite the weight behind his warning, Raon neither retreated nor lowered his sword.

“Raon.”

Rimer, who had been watching to see how things would unfold, stepped forward to block his path.

“He’s right. You’re not ready to face him yet.”
“That’s true. I can’t win ‘right now’.”

Raon nodded and offered a faint smile.

“For now? So you think you could win in the future? You truly are an ignorant little brat.”

Roman snorted and brought his axe down. The gathering aura scattered like smoke. It was as though he was completely dismissing Raon.

“You seem eager to test yourself against a powerful martial artist.”

Raon met Roman’s scornful gaze and clenched his jaw.

“Of course. The stronger, the better. If they’re strong enough to sever my neck, I welcome it all the more.”

Roman laughed heartily, as if the words were genuine. Hearing that, I became certain that the rumor about him joining the Nambuk Alliance for a duel with its leader was true.
If things went according to plan, I could end this fight.

“Then I’ll show you. I’ll grow stronger than you and return with a martial technique that can sever your neck.”

With those words, Raon’s momentum surged like wildfire. An audacity that would not yield even to Roman or Rimer writhed across his entire body.

“You’ve completely lost your mind. What good will it do to come when I’m dead….”
“Three years.”

Raon raised his left hand and spread his fingers.

“Within three years, I’ll come to strike your neck with a martial technique that will astound you.”

At the mention of three years, silence hung over the deck.

“Puhahahaha!”

Rimer burst into laughter, breaking the solemn atmosphere.

“That’s right. Three years would be more than enough for Raon.”

He nodded, affirming that it was entirely possible.

“It seems the Gwangpung Unit is filled with nothing but madmen, true to its name.”

Roman’s expression darkened with irritation. With a grimace of disdain, he unleashed an overwhelming aura.

“Just because you reached Master at a young age, does that make Grand Master seem like a joke to you?”

Black aura blazed above the axe, rippling as if ready to explode.

“Reaching Grand Master has nothing to do with the age you became a Master. Without enlightenment, you might never reach that realm even if you spent your entire life trying. To speak of a realm you haven’t even reached….”
“Are you afraid?”

Raon laughed coldly.

“You said you wanted to die to powerful martial arts, yet you fear what I’ll become in three years?”
“This madman….”
“Three years is more than enough time to behead you with martial arts that will satisfy you.”
“Fine! Let’s say such a thing could happen. But why should I let you go?”

Roman bared his teeth in a smile—a savage grin like one gazing upon a beast.

“If I kill everyone here except you, wouldn’t your thirst for vengeance make you even stronger?”

He raised his axe threateningly and created a strong aura with his condensed energy.

“Humans display great power when driven by vengeance. If what you say is true, I should kill everyone here and let only you live.”

Roman lifted his chin as if he had read all of my thoughts.

“You’re mistaken.”

Raon’s lips curled upward as he gazed at the strong aura rippling before the axe.

“If we fight here, you die too.”
“What nonsense are you spouting….”
“You felt it yourself. That the Unit Leader and you are evenly matched. While the Unit Leader holds you back, the Gwangpung Unit and I will defeat Rector and join the fray—you won’t survive.”
“Do you really think that’s possible?”
“Many will die. The Unit Leader, all the unit members—they might all fall. But you will all die as well. I won’t sever your head with the martial arts you favor so much, but with simple, straightforward swordplay.”

The way I spoke of it as though it had already come to pass made Roman and Rector’s expressions harden.

“Rector. What do you think of what he’s saying?”

Roman asked without even glancing at Rector.

“Yes, I believe that’s a reasonable assessment.”

Rector nodded slowly.

“What?”
“You wouldn’t understand, but Raon Zigheart’s name spread across the entire Continent precisely because he has always grown by defeating those stronger than himself. There was even an instance when he, as an Expert, defeated an Apostle who was a Master.”

He continued with a faint smile.

“I am certainly at a higher level than Raon, but considering how unscathed he remains after defeating Tiller and the sword technique’s martial art he displayed moments ago, it’s clear he has hidden cards. If the Gwangpung Unit fights alongside him, my chances of defeat are quite substantial.”

Rector stated his possibility of defeat matter-of-factly.

“Tsk.”

Roman clicked his tongue briefly. He seemed to share similar thoughts with Rector.

“Begging for your life in such a pathetic manner…”
“You’re mistaken. I’m not begging or asking you for anything. I’m proposing.”

I clenched my fist. A plea is an outstretched hand offered on bended knee, but a proposal is a hand extended between equals. I could never stand in a lower position.

“Choose whether you’ll die miserably here under a combined assault, or die three years from now to a martial art that surpasses you.”
“Kuhk! Kuhahahaha!”

Roman burst into wild laughter, clutching his forehead. After laughing like a madman for a while, he slowly lowered his head.

“What’s the name of the martial art that awakened your sword technique?”
“Azure Rain.”
“Blue rain. Yes. The sound of rain certainly rang out. It was clear yet serene.”

He closed his eyes briefly as if recalling that sound, then opened them.

“I sensed your essence in that martial art. Did you create it yourself?”

I didn’t answer.

“Your arrogance doesn’t sound like a lie because of that Azure Rain. It revealed a mystique I’ve never witnessed before, so my interest is naturally piqued.”

Roman nodded and withdrew his axe.

“Fine. I accept your ‘proposal.'”

The plan had unfolded as intended, yet I remained vigilant. Roman’s words were far from finished.

“However, if this is merely a vile lie spun to escape this predicament, cancel it now. Upon my return, I will broadcast across the entire Continent that you and I have agreed to a life-or-death duel in three years.”
“I do not speak falsehoods as you do.”

I shook my head.

“By the name of Zigheart. No—by the name of Raon Zigheart of the Legend Sword Association, I swear it. In three years, we shall duel where the Zigheart Territory meets the Rabel River.”
“I enjoy reading the heartbeat of my opponent.”

Roman chuckled softly and struck his left chest.

“Your heartbeat is remarkably composed. The thought that you truly believe you can surpass me in three years is both amusing and exhilarating.”

He glanced at Rimer, who stood beside him with a smile.

“The Radiant Sword of Zigheart. This time, you’ve saved your life thanks to your subordinate.”
“Are your ears broken? Raon saved your life, not the other way around.”

Rimer laughed heartily.

“What do you think? Do you truly believe he can surpass me in three years?”
“Why bother asking?”

He waved his hand dismissively.

“That boy is my disciple and my subordinate. In three years, he’ll be looking down at someone like you from far above.”
“It’s my first time witnessing the student surpassing the master in reality.”

Roman chuckled and slung his axe across his shoulder.

“Raon Zigheart. I eagerly await our meeting in three years. Come having perfected the Azure Rain by then.”

He grinned and leaped from the deck onto Ill Fortune. Shortly after, sailors descended the ropes and carried away the unconscious warriors.

“I’m glad that ended well.”

Rector approached with a smile as he watched the scene unfold.

“Why did you help us?”

I regarded Rector with a cautious gaze. Had he insisted on fighting to the bitter end, things would not have concluded so easily.

“It seemed like it would be fun.”
“Fun?”
“Yeah. I became curious about how far you’d climb in three years.”

He smiled faintly, saying he wanted to witness that future.

“Hmm….”

I narrowed my eyes.

‘I can’t tell.’

Unlike Roman, who was obsessed with martial arts, Rector’s true thoughts remained elusive. I couldn’t discern what he was thinking or what his intentions truly were.

“Ah, but don’t misunderstand. This matter isn’t over.”
“What do you mean?”
“We weren’t looking for the White Spear—we happened to meet you by chance while heading to a dungeon.”
“A dungeon?”
“A famous sorcerer’s dungeon was discovered in the Noris Region, so we stopped by on our way to find it.”

Rector seemed to struggle with the sorcerer’s name, muttering various possibilities.

“Ah! It’s Roengrin!”
“Roengrin….”

I’d heard of him. A sorcerer who lived in the same era as Merlin, the Witch of Betrayal, and whose name was recorded in history due to his great talents not only in sorcery but also in astrology and alchemy.

“Right. We happened to see you while heading to that sorcerer’s dungeon. Of course, if everything you said reaches the ears of the Nambuk Alliance, they wouldn’t dare touch you, but there’s one exception.”
“One exception?”
“There’s an old monster who is an elder of the Alliance and Tiller’s grandfather. In fact, Tiller becoming the Alliance Leader’s disciple was influenced by that person.”

Rector’s expression, which had held a hint of amusement, hardened.

“That man might still move, so be careful with yourself.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“It wouldn’t be fun if you died before three years passed.”

He broke into that light laugh once more.

“Rector! If you’re not coming, I’m leaving without you!”
“Ah, understood!”

At Roman’s voice from above, Rector urgently kicked off the ground and climbed aboard Ill Fortune.

“We’re heading back to the Alliance!”
“Huh? Aren’t we going to the dungeon?”
“I’ve worked up an appetite.”

Roman gazed down at me from the deck of Ill Fortune.

“Now that fresh prey has appeared, I need to prepare to savor it.”

He flashed a cold smile before turning away.

Whoooooosh!

Ill Fortune released a magnificent horn blast, just as it had when I first saw it, and departed.

“Phew….”

Only after Ill Fortune vanished from sight did Rimer release his Sword Realm Incarnation and exhale deeply. He swayed for a moment but quickly regained his balance.

“Are you alright?”
“Of course.”

He waved his hand dismissively.

“Are you truly alright?”
“You don’t know me? I’m me. Zigheart’s Radiant Blade! Rimer! Even if I fought that axe-wielding maniac, I would have won.”
“Well, I’m sure that’s the case.”

Hearing Rimer’s familiar voice eased my worries. I smiled and sheathed the Celestial Blade.

“Well done.”

As I was about to check on the Gwangpung Unit, Rimer approached and placed a hand on my head.

“Unit Leader?”
“If you had fought as you intended, everyone would have died as you said. My judgment was clouded by bloodlust as well. You saved us all.”

He smiled and gestured behind him. The Gwangpung Unit and the villagers stood in a daze, their eyes fixed on me.

“I merely did what was expected of a vice-leader.”

Gratitude and joy seemed to shimmer in everyone’s eyes. Embarrassed by their gaze, I lowered my head.

“But are you truly confident?”
“Confident?”
“That you can defeat Roman within three years.”
“Of course.”

I nodded calmly. With the generous Demon King by my side, there was even a possibility of reaching Grand Master before three years had passed.

-Hmm? Why are my ears itching?

Wrath scratched his ear, finding it strange.

‘It must be my imagination.’

*

*

*

I stood at the upper reaches of the Gazel River and gazed downward.

The Cheongru Clan Chief lifted the Divine Stone and chanted an incantation that sounded like mountain bird calls. Strange patterns etched themselves into the Divine Stone, and the white aura contained within began to rotate.

“Krrgh.”

As he nodded and stepped into the Gazel River, the other Blue Demons followed, chanting the incantation he had recited.

Screeeech!

The moment the water-purification stone touched the river’s surface, a brilliant blue light blazed forth from the patterns carved upon it. The Cheongru Clan Chief continued his chanting, fully submerging the stone beneath the flowing water.

Uuuuuung!

The pulsing light emanating from the water-purification stone spread along the river’s current. What had begun as a faint glow from that small orb now suffused the entire expanse of water.

Whoooosh!

As the Cheongru Clan Chief and the Blue Demons spoke the final word—Solido—the light from the water-purification stone became so brilliant that eyes could scarcely bear to open.

As I squinted against the piercing radiance, my ears seemed to open anew, and the sound of the river’s flow reached me with crystalline clarity.

“Ah!”

I slowly opened my eyes, and there it was—the river. The water that had been murky mere moments before now appeared so pristine that I could scarcely believe it was the same place. The sand grains lining the riverbed were so visible I could count them.

‘It’s exactly as I saw it in my past life.’

Gazing upon the river, now crystalline in contrast to its former muddy darkness, something stirred within my chest—a swell of emotion I could not name.

“This… this is the Gazel River?”
“I’ve never seen water this clear.”
“So the tales of it being the clearest river on the Continent were true!”

The Gwangpung Unit swordsmen stood slack-jawed, gazing upon the clarified Gazel River. Their expressions betrayed their astonishment—they had heard tales of its clarity, but never imagined it could be this pristine.

“Wooooow!”
“Haha! Now that’s the Gazel River! Yes!”
“It’s returned! It’s returned!”
“At last….”

The villagers gazed upon the transparent Gazel River, their eyes glistening with tears even as smiles bloomed upon their faces.

“The water-purification stone has been connected to the river. Now it will remain clear, just as it was before.”

Garam chanted an incantation and returned, scratching his head.

“But Garam.”

I gazed not at the clarified river waters, but at Garam and the Blue Demons.

“Are you truly certain? So much about your tribe has been revealed.”

I had not spoken of it to Roman and the sailors, but many others had learned of the Water Spirit Stones and the Blue Demons’ secrets. It was unexpected that they chose to remain here.

“Yes. I was worried too, but the Cheongru Clan Chief said it was fine. The reason is….”

Garam paused for a moment, then pointed at me with his finger.

“It’s because of you, Raon.”
“Me?”
“Yes. When I explained that you are the one protecting this place, he said we could trust you as a tribe. He said to trust you more….”
“Trust?”
“I told him you were my friend, and he said we should trust even more….”

The boy’s face flushed crimson with embarrassment as he bowed his head deeply.

“I see.”

I smiled faintly and looked toward the Cheongru Clan Chief. He brought his hands together in a gesture of respect and bowed his head. It seemed he had observed human etiquette and mimicked it. I returned the greeting.

“Then you’ll have much work ahead of you.”
“Huh? Me?”
“You are the only one who can speak both the language of the Blue Demons and humans. You can become the bridge connecting our peoples.”
“Ah….”

Garam’s eyes widened in surprise.

“What you did before cannot be undone no matter what. There may be those in your tribe who resent you.”
“Um….”

As if acknowledging the truth of my words, Garam’s shoulders trembled.

“You can’t spend the rest of your life cowering under the weight of guilt. Become the bridge that allows the Blue Demons and humans to coexist and build better lives together.”
“A bridge….”
“From today onward, the Gazel River and all the villages within it belong to Zigheart. No one will dare touch them. Don’t worry—find a path where everyone can live in happiness.”
“Yes!”

Garam nodded with vigor, answering with more strength than he had shown since we first met.

“Croak!”
“Ah!”

At the Cheongru Clan Chief’s cry, Garam glanced back.

“I need to take my place. See you later.”
“Come to the village when it’s all done.”
“Yes.”

Garam smiled faintly and descended into the water alongside the other Blue Demons. Despite the river’s clarity, they vanished in an instant. That must have been sorcery as well.

I watched the place where the Blue Demons had disappeared for a long moment before turning away.

“Let’s head back.”

I approached the Gwangpung Unit wearing a smile similar to the one Garam had shown.

*

*

*

“Commander.”

I fell into step beside Rimer as we made our way toward the Dormitory.

“Are you truly all right?”
“I’m fine. You saw me deflect all those light axes.”

Rimer waved his hand dismissively. I checked his condition through my aura sense, and he appeared to have no serious injuries. Yet despite his expression remaining unchanged, something about him felt ominously off.

“At least take this.”

I retrieved an internal injury medicine from Dorian’s waist pouch—the one I’d received from the Saint.

“What is this?”
“Internal injury medicine.”
“It tastes bad, doesn’t it?”
“It’s medicine, so it will taste bad.”
“Then I won’t take it….”
“Stop complaining and take it!”

I forced the internal injury medicine into Rimer’s mouth as he shook his head, making him swallow it.

“Don’t wander around uselessly. Go inside and focus on your cultivation.”
“Ugh, it tastes absolutely vile. Don’t you have any candy?”
“Oh, come on!”
“Sigh, you’re like a demon….”

Rimer frowned and waved his hand dismissively.

“Everyone in the Gwangpung Unit worked hard today. Rest now, and we’ll resume tomorrow….”
“I’ll handle the cleanup, so please go inside and rest.”
“Understood. I got it.”

He chuckled softly and entered the Dormitory first.

“Well, you all did excellent work today. Minor injuries left untreated can spread, so make sure the wounded receive proper treatment before resting.”
“Yes!”

Since this was an order from me as the unit commander, everyone responded loudly. No one had died and the mission was complete, so smiles bloomed on everyone’s faces.

“Then, rest.”

After giving the order, I glanced at the room Rimer had entered, then turned away. As I was heading to my chamber to heal my internal injuries, I heard Wrath muttering something.

—Damn it. It’s coming soon. It will come. It has to come….
‘What’s coming?’

I tilted my head, observing Wrath’s furrowed brow. He seemed both gripped by fear and consumed by rage.

—You don’t know?
‘What are you talking about? Who’s coming?’

Rector’s words from moments ago surfaced in my mind, and tension coiled through my chest.

—A thoughtless fool who moves only as commanded will soon arrive….

Before that sentence could finish, messages erupted across my vision.

[Victory against a stronger opponent….]
[Achievement of 【Ring of Fire】 has increased….]
[Created a new sword technique….]

Multiple messages cascaded upward, obscuring my sight.

My jaw dropped. Now I understood—Wrath had been dreading the arrival of these messages.

—I, I knew this would happen!

Wrath shrieked at the sight of the messages.

—I knew you’d grant everything without exception!
“Ha….”

Wrath had gone beyond merely distributing stat increases—now he was even announcing when they arrived.

‘I really did give him the perfect nickname.’

No one in the world could surpass the title: Wrath, who gives without reservation.

‘With this creature around, reaching Grand Master within three years will be effortless.’
—I can’t live like this! This is unbearable!

I smiled as I watched Wrath thrash about and cry out.

‘I look forward to our continued partnership.’

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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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