The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 253

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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 253

[Am I seeing this right? Say it again! Quickly!]

Raon narrowed his eyes as he watched Roengrin thrashing about in the empty air.

‘Is that person really your servant?’

-Indeed, it is.

Wrath nodded, wrinkling the bridge of his nose.

‘But why did you only recognize him now?’

It was understandable that I wouldn’t know his name since he used the alias Roengrin, but failing to recognize his power didn’t make sense.

-Do you still not understand?

‘Understand what?’

-That wretch is already dead.

‘Ah!’

Raon swallowed hard. I had forgotten because he spoke and moved so vividly, but Roengrin was now legless and had the translucent form of a ghost.

-Most of the power I lent to that spectacled fool has already returned to the True Demon King’s main body.

Wrath shook his head as he gazed at the ice flower drawn upon Roengrin’s robes.

-Discerning the corrupted aura of that wretch is akin to finding a single mug of beer cast upstream only to discover it downstream, I say.

‘I see.’

It was only natural.

Roengrin was one of the heroes who fought against the Betrayal Witch Merlin centuries ago. Even if Masters and high-ranking mages possessed extended lifespans, it would be impossible for him to still be alive after all this time.

‘Then what is that state? Has he truly become a ghost?’

I gazed down at Roengrin’s translucent tail protruding from between the azure robes and asked.

-That is no mere ghost. It is a lingering thought—the hollow shell of a soul bound to this world by unresolved resentment, I say.

Wrath exhaled a breath tinged with irritation.

-Just as grudge has taken root in that pathetic dagger you possess, so too has attachment consumed that wretch, leaving him in such a wretched state.

‘What attachment could possibly remain?’

I found myself curious about what resentment could have bound a mage once called a hero to such a form.

-That….

‘That?

-How would the True Demon King possibly know such a thing!

Wrath swung his hand dramatically.

‘If you don’t know, who would? You’ve been watching all along.’

I tilted my head in confusion. He’d been right beside me the whole time, so how could he not know?

-Do you think everyone is like you…?

Wrath ground his teeth audibly.

-That spectacled fool gained his power through the True Demon King’s whim and benevolence!

Fury blazed hot in his eyes.

-You! You summoned the True Demon King and plundered everything from him! The difference between heaven and earth, that is what separates our situations!

‘Ah…’

I slowly lowered my gaze.

‘I see.’

Every time Wrath lost his stats, he’d scream as if it were the first time and lose consciousness. Comparing those reactions to what he was saying now, it seemed Roengrin and I were in completely opposite situations.

[Can’t you hear me?! Answer at once!]

Raon didn’t look at Roengrin. Instead, he sent Wrath down to gather a bit more information.

‘Consideration and whimsy? What does that even mean?’

-Why would the True Demon King explain that!

‘Add two more pineapple pizzas.

-How long are you going to think of me as some food fiend!

‘Yua said she’d make shrimp pizza before she leaves, remember?’

-Sh-shrimp?

‘Shrimp topped with beef, and two slices of pineapple on top….’

-I was similar to you at first. Back then….

Wrath immediately opened his mouth. Swift and spirited.

*

*

*

After the war with Pride ended, while resting at the Main Castle, I sensed someone’s fury. Rage emanating not from the Demon Realm, but from another dimension entirely—it piqued my interest.

Using a clone to divert the Mediators’ attention, I headed toward the source of that tremendous wave of wrath.

“Krraaaaaaagh!”

A city engulfed in flames. Upon ground drenched in corpses and blood, a youth with green hair stained crimson let out a scream of anguish.

“I’ll kill them! I’ll slaughter them all! Every last one of them!”

Black blood dripped from the youth’s eyes and mouth as he vented his resentment toward someone. The emotion of rage was consuming his very soul.

How predictable.

Most of the emotion called rage stems from others. This one burned his heart with the fury of having lost his family and village to demons wearing human skin.

I approached the youth and asked what he desired. He stared into my eyes for a long moment before finally speaking.

“Power! I desire the strength to slay these demons masquerading in human flesh!”

This too was predictable.

All those consumed by vengeance and rage crave power.

A waste of time.

As I turned to leave, the youth’s final words brushed against my ears.

“There are malevolent spirits that must not walk freely. I will freeze them alive and make them suffer an agony from which they can never escape.”

My footsteps halted naturally at those words spoken with bone-crushing intensity. Those were the very words I had spoken to other demons countless times.

I asked for his name.

“Roenyello.”

The young man swept back his green hair as he answered.

Was it consideration, or merely a whim? I used the system to inscribe my frigid aura and water affinity upon the youth.

“Thank you!”

Roenyello bowed deeply, having immediately grasped that power now flowed through him.

“When my vengeance is complete, I shall offer my soul to you! God of Wrath!”

The fool had read far too many novels. I shook my head, telling him that anger alone would suffice. A Demon King had no need for the pitiful soul of some mortal.

“Then please, command me as you wish!”

Though I had dismissed him, Roenyello remained, clutching at my trouser leg.

“I truly don’t mind if you take my soul!”

Growing weary of his persistence, I told him to simply refine the traits I had granted him.

“I shall do my utmost!”

Roenyello finally released my pants.

“After I achieve my revenge, I will live for you, my god!”

I told him to stop spouting nonsense and change his name instead. That green hair and the name Roenyello simply didn’t suit him at all.

After returning to the Demon Realm, I occasionally checked on Roenyello. He grew stronger, gathered followers, and rose in power. The stronger he became, the greater his rage swelled—making him a suitable source of nourishment.

By the time the young man consumed by his own wrath had become an old one, he and his companions had succeeded in their revenge, and he had released all the anger he once harbored.

Not a bad outcome.

What had begun as a mere whim became an amusing diversion, so I sent him a final message to live well before severing my connection to him.

Not long after that, occurred.

When I awoke, what I encountered was a true demon that would make even the Demon Realm weep.

*

*

*

Raon nodded slowly as he looked at Wrath.

‘So that’s how it was.’

Now I understand.

All my questions were answered—why I felt a familiar sensation in the dungeon’s cold, how I found the golem’s core in a single attempt, and how I discovered the passage within the cavern.

‘It was thanks to Glacial.’

Roengrin, who created this dungeon, had been a servant of Wrath before me, receiving affinity for cold and water attributes from him.

‘How amusing.’

I couldn’t help but laugh at how things had unfolded. Though Roengrin wielded magic and swordsmanship differently than I did, he was a kindred spirit—much like an elder brother.

‘This man never lived an easy life either.’

When I read about him in books, I thought him a typical, tedious hero. But he was far from that. Despite Wrath’s aid, he was a true hero who overcame bitter sorrow and suffering to achieve his goals.

‘Then what is his lingering attachment?’

All other mysteries had been solved, but I couldn’t fathom what attachment he harbored after avenging his family and village.

‘Is Roengrin visible only to you and me, who have mastered Glacial?’

-That would be the case. Ahem, I suppose I’ve said everything now….

Wrath scratched his chin awkwardly.

-If you possess any conscience, harbor not the slightest thought of exploiting that man. Instead, help him find peace from his lingering attachment….

“I am a priest serving the God of Wrath, Wrath.”

I let my voice flow only to Roengrin, making sure Dorian couldn’t hear.

Judging by how he’d shouted “God of Wrath” at first, he still believed Wrath to be a deity.

-Damn it!

Wrath shrieked, but I ignored him and lifted my head.

[W-What nonsense is this! How could you possibly be a priest serving the God of Wrath!]

“I opened this secret passage and stand before you directly, yet you still doubt?”

[T-That is….]

“Allow me to demonstrate.”

I chuckled softly and simultaneously awakened both Wrath’s fury clinging to my soul and Glaccia.

Roooooar!

Roengrin’s jaw dropped as azure flames of wrath crawled across my shoulders.

[Gasp! That blue wrath is His!]

“Now do you understand?”

[This humble servant greets the Priest of Wrath!]

Roengrin knelt in mid-air and bowed his head.

‘It’s going exactly as planned.’

To deceive someone, one needed a touch of truth, meticulous falsehoods, and understated acting—and I possessed all three in abundance. No one could help but be fooled.

“To think you’ve become a lingering thought… it seems you have many regrets tying you to this world.”

[To see through it so instantly—you truly are a divine priest!]

Roengrin nodded his head in admiration.

-That, that was all something the True Demon King said! You bastard! You heartless, merciless demon!

Wrath shrieked and lunged forward.

‘Think about it carefully.’

I calmly stepped in to block Wrath.

‘Your subordinate is in that ghostly state because of lingering regrets, right?’

-Yes! But you’re using that to—

‘And I’m the only one who can resolve those regrets right now, aren’t I?’

-Well, yes… that would be true.

Wrath muttered that the others couldn’t see him anyway.

‘I’m up here right now, and below me are Roenyello’s legacy and those who entered before me.’

-B, but?

‘If I can’t consume that legacy, will I be able to properly resolve Roenyello’s lingering regrets? Won’t he do something strange out of frustration? Ah, I’m not even sure myself.’

-U….

Wrath’s mouth fell open in shock.

-C, completely possible.

This bastard would absolutely do it!

The Raon Zigheart I’ve witnessed thus far was a demon who spared neither blood nor tears for his goals. One wrong move, and he might keep Roenyello bound to this mortal realm indefinitely.

-That can’t happen.

Whether it was whimsy or consideration, I couldn’t leave a subordinate I’d once taken under my wing in such a state.

-Damn it….

Raon smiled faintly as he watched Wrath groan in distress.

-He really does think I’m a true demon.

Regardless of what happened to the legacy, I intended to resolve Roenyello’s lingering regrets. I simply wanted to descend through the dungeon more comfortably and swiftly now that we’d met like this.

“What is your attachment?”

[Would it be alright if I explained that downstairs? I shall guide you.]

Roengrin bowed his head apologetically.

“Heh.”

-Grrrraaagh!

As I turned my gaze away with a smirk, Wrath lowered his head with an expression of despair etched across his face.

“Please guide us.”

[Understood.]

Roengrin told us to follow behind him and entered the passage that opened into the cave.

“Let’s go.”

I gestured to Dorian and pursued Roengrin.

“No….”

Dorian swallowed hard as he watched my back.

“W-what are you doing right now! Why are you muttering things I can’t even hear and just staring into empty space!”

His jaw trembled as he clenched both fists tightly.

“I’m terrified of this! If you’re a ghost, say it now! Speak! Come on!”

*

*

*

“Huff! Huff!”

Crain wiped the sweat trickling down his forehead and turned to look back. The unit members rushing behind him had gone deathly pale, their bodies swaying as though they might collapse at the slightest touch.

‘Of course they would be.’

Nearly a full day had passed since they abandoned their horses and pushed forward at maximum speed. It was only natural that both body and spirit would be exhausted.

“U-Unit Leader.”

Crain called out to Burren, who was running at the front. Burren didn’t answer, only turning his head slightly.

“Perhaps we should rest for a moment. At this rate, everyone will collapse.”

“Hmm….”

Burren stopped running as he observed the unit members’ haggard faces and heard their labored breathing.

“We rest for ten minutes.”

“Gasp!”

“Huff!”

“I’m… dying….”

The moment I ordered the rest, the swordsmen collapsed to the ground and began gasping for breath.

“Captain, or rather, Burren.”

Crain steadied his breathing and stepped beside me.

“Wouldn’t it be better to move with a bit more restraint? I understand the urgency, but at this pace, everyone will collapse.”

There was a vast difference in fatigue between moving at high speed and employing aura at full power while executing footwork.

If we maintained this pace, our aura would deplete and everyone would fall. The other swordsmen seemed to share the same thought, their weary eyes fixed upon me.

“Do you think I don’t understand your exhaustion?”

I exhaled a heavy sigh and turned my head away.

“But the Unit Leader pushed himself to his limits for us and ended up in that state, and Raon entered the dungeon with only Dorian to save him.”

“Ah….”

“The rumors of the dungeon have spread even to the Nambuk Alliance, so the Six Emperors Five Demons and forces of equal standing must have entered as well.”

Right now, Raon must be locked in a grueling struggle not only against the traps and barriers conjured by the sorcerer Roengrin and the monsters, but also against his rival competitors.

‘Since he’s running late, he’ll push even harder to make up for it.’

Considering the timing when Rector had shared the dungeon’s rumors and Raon’s temperament, it was painfully obvious that he would be forcing his way through the Wizard Dungeon without hesitation.

“Raon won’t back down from anyone he meets inside the dungeon. Whether he has the elixir or not, he’s the type who’ll do whatever it takes to reach the end. That’s why we have to run too. Even if we collapse from exhaustion!”

“Hmm….”

“You’re right, sir.”

“That’s exactly what the Unit Leader would do.”

Before Burren could finish speaking, the third squad of the Gwangpung Order rose to their feet. Though fatigue still clung to them, a determined gleam now shone through their weary eyes.

“You all….”

“We’ve rested enough, sir.”

“Yes. Thinking of the Unit Leader and Vice Leader gives us strength.”

“You two must be suffering far more than we are.”

“Let’s move out!”

The members of the Gwangpung Order grinned and turned their ankles forward.

“Good.”

Burren met their bright gazes and nodded in acknowledgment.

“Let’s move out again! We won’t stop until we reach the Branch!”

“Yes!”

Gwangpung Unit 3 advanced with even more vigorous strides than when they had first departed.

*

*

*

After exiting through the secret passage, Raon descended the Wizard Dungeon once more via the official route.

[That platform is a trap. The moment you step on it, your entire body will freeze solid.]

[That space is a barrier I named Frozen Hell. Dozens of ice-spiked spheres are scattered throughout the entire barrier.]

[Ah, that path leads back upward. The opposite side is a long and treacherous route. The middle path has fewer traps and is faster.]

Roengrin stayed right beside me, pointing out the locations of traps and barriers, and explaining which paths were easier and faster.

‘I’ve gained considerable time.’

By following the route the wizard who created the dungeon personally showed me, I could move at a completely different speed than those who had gone before. Judging by how fresh the traces were, I would be able to catch up with them soon.

‘But that’s not all.’

I smiled faintly and pointed to the trap Roengrin had warned me about earlier.

“How exactly does this one operate?”

[Ah, I create a circular sphere of cold energy, then embed an image of it exploding so that thorns manifest when the enemy reveals themselves….]

Roengrin, true to his nature as a mage, provided detailed explanations whenever I asked about the mechanics of traps or barriers. Thanks to his thorough answers, I’d already begun conceiving ways to apply the imagery woven into his magic to my own martial techniques.

[That floor marks the final trap of the third level. The fourth cavern should appear shortly.]

“Understood.”

I nodded and lightly vaulted over the trap on the floor.

‘This is convenient.’

Fast, safe, and so effortless I could almost fall asleep. Of course, I had Wrath to thank for this guide. It was so like him—always looking out for me, giving generously without hesitation or regard for time or place.

‘Thank you.’

-Screech!

When I grinned at Wrath, he trembled indignantly at my shoulders.

‘Now I can ask about the artifact.’

I’d held back out of concern he might grow suspicious, but by now it wouldn’t seem strange to ask.

“I have a question I’d like to ask.”

[Speak freely.]

“Is there perhaps an artifact in this place that can repair a broken dantian or mana circuit?”

[Hmm….]

Roengrin pondered for a moment before slowly lowering his gaze.

[There should be two of them.]

“Two.”

I nodded, concealing the tremor in my heart.

“The God of Wrath desires both of them.”

-You bastard!

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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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