The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 257

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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 257

I gazed down at the Soul Reaper Sword’s crimson blade, which gleamed as though it had been plunged into a furnace. The endless resonance of the sword seemed to cry out, yearning to become stronger.

‘You’re saying you could possess this longsword’s power?’

The Soul Reaper Sword trembled violently along its edge, as if affirming my question.

-Nonsense.

Wrath scoffed from my shoulder, peering down at the Soul Reaper Sword with contempt.

-How could such a pathetic creature possess such an ability?
‘Is it really that difficult?’
-Your wretched dagger was born to slay those insignificant beings, so erasing their essence is only natural. However….

Wrath examined the longsword lying on the ground with a sullen gaze.

-Absorbing the power contained within that longsword is an entirely different matter. Perhaps the True Demon King could manage it. But how could such a trivial creature accomplish such a feat?

He waved his hand dismissively, as though the very notion was absurd.

-Stop wasting time and go resolve the spectacled fool’s lingering attachment.
“Hmm….”

I turned to look back. Dorian was still writing down the names of the warriors and mages, so I had time to spare.

‘There’s no harm in trying.’

Though I didn’t know what this longsword was or what name it bore, I understood its ability well enough.

Magical disruption field.

Most mages channel magic through mana circles they’ve constructed within their hearts. This longsword, however, creates peculiar vibrations along its blade that induce subtle interference in the magical flow generated by those circles.

If the Soul Reaper Sword could truly acquire this ability, it would grant me tremendous advantage in combat against mages.

Whoooosh!

I lifted the black ceremonial blade. The moment my fingers grasped it, the blood qi dwelling within the weapon burrowed into my body. Of course, the fire ring’s oppressive force immediately crushed any attempt to resist, casting me out.

‘What am I supposed to do?’

The Soul Reaper Sword resonated with excitement, its vibration growing stronger.

“Break it? Just with this blade?”

The words tumbled out in surprise. The Soul Reaper Sword was telling me to shatter the black blade’s edge with my own sword.

Uuuuuung!

The Soul Reaper Sword rang out once more, its tone resolute and certain.

-By breaking the blade, you’ll claim its power?

Wrath muttered that I was foolish and turned away.

-A meaningless endeavor.
‘Just be quiet for a moment.’

I ignored Wrath’s words and raised the Soul Reaper Sword.

‘It’s not difficult.’

Breaking the blade while the 4th Apostle wielded it would be another matter entirely. Shattering a stationary blade was as simple as eating soup.

Gooooo!

I drew the Soul Reaper Sword’s qi to its maximum through adaptation, then brought it down in a devastating arc.

Crack-boom!

The tremendous qi unleashed by the Soul Reaper Sword shattered the black blade’s long, dark edge like glass.

Whoooosh!

Wisps of blood energy rose from the fractured blade. The dark aura was sucked into the Soul Reaper Sword’s crimson edge without any chance to resist.

Uuuuuung!

The Soul Reaper Sword resonated with a deep hum, as if refusing to miss even the smallest trace of blood energy, absorbing all the vapors flowing from the blade.

After accepting all the blade’s energy, the Soul Reaper Sword’s color had grown deeper than before.

[The Soul Reaper Sword has absorbed the blood path’s energy.]
[After absorption is complete, the Soul Reaper Sword will develop a new ability.]

Since it was my possession, the system was operating on the Soul Reaper Sword as well.

-Ugh!

Wrath’s eyes widened as he stared at the Soul Reaper Sword.

-This… this is possible? A mere insect like that!
‘At first, it may have been weak as you said, but it’s been growing steadily.’

When I first met it, the Soul Reaper Sword certainly didn’t possess such an ability. It had grown by absorbing the blood energy of countless White Blood Cult members, and thanks to drinking the blood of the Apostle and Archbishop this time, it had developed this power.

-Tch, growth…

Wrath’s expression twisted sharply. He seemed slightly irritated by the ability of the Soul Reaper Sword, which he had called a mere insect.

‘That must mean it’s incredibly impressive.’

Judging by Wrath’s reaction, I could look forward to the ability the Soul Reaper Sword would gain.

“Huff, huff! I’m all done.”

Dorian approached after collecting all the signatures. He was still holding the desk above his head.

“How long are you going to carry that thing around?”
“Until the ghost leaves, sir.”

He turned his head left and right without being able to see Roengrin directly above him.

“You seem to be in a good mood, though?”
“Do I?”
“Yes. You look incredibly excited, just like when your training goes well.”
“There’s a reason for it.”

I gazed at the faintly trembling blade of the Soul Reaper Sword and smiled wickedly.

Because I’d hit the jackpot.

*

*

*

Under Roengrin’s guidance, I reached the final level of the Wizard Dungeon where his Research Laboratory was located. But there was no chamber—only a massive wall blocking the way.

“There’s nothing here?”

Dorian knocked on the wall and kicked it, but it didn’t budge an inch.

I nodded. I spread my aura using Glacial, and even utilized Wrath’s demonic eye, but behind the wall was nothing but solid rock.

“Hurry and summon the ghost, would you?”

Dorian said that and hoisted the white marble desk above his head.

[Hehe.]

Roengrin watched him and chuckled softly.

[So you couldn’t find it. Now I can finally show my true face.]
“So you were here all along.”

Roengrin was a powerful mage once called a hero. It was hardly surprising that I hadn’t discovered his secret.

“How do I enter?”
[It is simple. Place your hand on the center of the wall and operate Glacial.]
“I cannot sense Glacial’s energy….”
[I concealed it. Try once.]

I nodded and placed my hand on the wall, then operated Glacial.

Crack, crack, crack!

Blue frigid energy seeped through the cracks in the stone, and the wall split apart, revealing a white chamber.

“Well, this….”

I had not expected it to open like this, since I could not sense Glacial’s energy from the wall at all.

[I operated the cold as if it were an earth attribute.]

Roengrin pointed at the wall with a faint smile.

“Like an earth attribute?”
[Yes. Does not the God of Wrath use cold as if it were flame? I made the cold behave like stone in the same manner.]

It seemed he had not merely changed the form of the cold, but altered its very flow. Such a method was only possible for one who had been a mage.

[Come inside.]

I narrowed my eyes as I observed Roengrin’s Research Laboratory.

‘It is somewhat different from what I imagined.’

Contrary to my expectations, the Research Laboratory was not particularly large and was organized with meticulous cleanliness, not a speck of dust in sight. It appeared a purification spell had been cast upon it.

In such a state, whether elixirs or artifacts, nothing would decay or deteriorate. That was fortunate.

The left wall was filled with books, while the right displayed artifacts and materials of unknown purpose in display cases. And at their center….

“Kyaaaah!”

Dorian shrieked upon seeing the skeleton collapsed upon the desk. The skeleton wore a blue robe embroidered with frost flowers, and round spectacles had slipped down across its face.

[Heh, how embarrassing…]

Roengrin, the owner of the skeletal form, laughed sheepishly and stroked his beard.

[I’m afraid I’ve shown you an unseemly sight.]
“Not at all.”

I shook my head, having anticipated this already.

“G-ghost, sir! Meeting you for the first time. No, so you’re here. P-please, I’m grateful for showing us the way! And I’m so sorry our unit commander was so presumptuous!”

Dorian bowed repeatedly to Roengrin’s skeletal form while still carrying the desk.

[He seems like a good person.]
“But he’s an idiot.”

I smiled faintly and turned my head away.

“Now then, tell me. What lingering attachment do you have?”

Even after surveying the Research Laboratory, I couldn’t discern what his attachment was. I needed to hear it from him directly.

[The story will be long, so let me first settle the Archbishop’s purpose.]

He asked me to retrieve a round golden orb from the center of the display case and a wooden box.

[That orb is an artificial dantian.]
“An artificial dantian?”
[Yes. It’s an artifact for those whose dantian is broken or nonexistent. Once connected to the mana circuit, it functions just like a real dantian.]
“I see…”

I licked my lips.

‘This could work.’

Rimer’s dantian was already damaged beyond repair. With this artificial dantian, I could give him a new one.

[The drawback is that you must start anew. Since the dantian itself is being replaced, you’ll need to gather aura into the dantian from scratch. For novices, it’s manageable, but even for masters, it would be a grueling period.]
‘Indeed…’

Filling the dantian with aura was no simple feat. Someone of Rimer’s caliber would gather aura far more swiftly than others, but even he would find it grueling during that time.

“Then what is this?”

Raon pointed to the neck guard.

[That is a Spirit Restoration Pill that repairs damage to the mana circuit.]
“The mana circuit….”
[Yes. It restores torn and distorted mana circuits.]
“I see.”

Relief washed over me at last. With these two items, I could restore Rimer. Yet I desired something more.

“Do you happen to know the method for creating these two things?”

I asked with earnest hope, for I wished to restore Sylvia as well, not just Rimer.

[Hmm, the Spirit Restoration Pill does have a manufacturing method, but the artificial dantian was not something I created—I obtained it by chance, so I’m afraid I don’t know much about it. My apologies.]
“No, this is sufficient.”

Raon shook his head. For now, this alone was enough. Knowing such artifacts existed meant that someday I could restore Sylvia as well.

“Now tell me—what is your lingering attachment, Roengrin?”
[Hmm….]

Roengrin scratched his temple and fell silent for a moment.

[To speak of that, I must venture back into the past.]

He gazed upon his own skeleton and offered a faint smile.

[I….]

*

*

*

The city known as Lemuria was destroyed in a single night by the witch Merlin and the monsters she commanded.

My mother, who always smiled and stroked my head, my father, who was frightening yet kind at heart, my friends who ran through mountains and fields every day—they all became food for the monsters before my eyes.

The knights who protected the city were reduced to ash by Merlin’s flames, and the kingdom’s mages who rushed to help were annihilated by the witch’s magic that poured down like meteors.

Why did I survive that day?
It was simply because of Merlin’s desire to boast.

“Ah, I’m in such a good mood. If I kill everyone, there will be no one to tell about what I’ve done.”

That madwoman told me to spread word across the Continent that she had destroyed Lemuria, then left.

I was consumed by rage.
Furious at being left alone, at not dying with them, I cursed the witch.

I screamed that I would even sell my soul to a demon if it meant I could have my revenge on that madwoman.

Then that being appeared.

Whether male or female, or even whether demon or god—I could not tell. A colossal existence of an entirely different caliber than the witch who had destroyed this city. True heavens itself had descended.

He asked what was wrong.
My mouth opened naturally, beyond my control.

After hearing my entire story, he wore an indifferent expression.

As he turned to leave, he said my final words pleased him and granted me power—the power of frost to take revenge on the witch.

-This alone will accomplish nothing. If your rage is genuine, then strive. Kill that witch Merlin with your own hands.

The witch Merlin.

-In any case, if you unleash the fury you possess, your abilities will grow stronger alongside it.

I asked that being what he wanted from me. I offered even my soul, but he refused.

-A soul? How absurd. I have no need for such things.

I grabbed him and asked him to tell me what else he wanted.

-Study the power the True Demon King gave you! Stop bothering me!

He left those words behind and vanished, and I too departed from the city turned to ash.

His ability was mysterious. I had merely received it, yet I came to understand its use as naturally as breathing.

I wandered the Continent, fighting by day and studying magic and cold energy by night. After countless days and nights had passed, and I had begun to earn some renown, I fell into despair once more.

The vast chasm between myself and the witch Merlin. I wailed at the difference in our realms—she was among the strongest on the Continent, called the worst witch of all.

Then he appeared before me again.

-What nonsense are you spouting? If you’re weak, become strong. Even if you devote all your time to it, grow stronger and kill her. That’s all there is to it.

It was such a simple statement, yet to me it was no different from a divine revelation.

-What’s with all this fussing over some pathetic wretch called Merlin or whatever?

The witch Merlin.

-In any case, she’s so pathetic that even the True Demon King’s breath could kill her. Stop worrying about her. All you need to do is become stronger.

He clicked his tongue in disgust and disappeared.

I grew stronger. I trained and studied, fought and fought again.

I had grown to the point where I could hold my own against Merlin, but there was a problem.

Many powerful beings and monsters followed her. I could never win alone.

I gathered people to assault the Witch’s Castle. A few came, burning with vengeance like myself, but most shook their heads, saying it was impossible to win.

Everyone said it couldn’t be done, told me to abandon my revenge.

When even my close companions said the same, my resolve wavered. I began to doubt whether I could truly have my revenge, and I spent nights drowning in alcohol. Just as the meetings for my vengeance were beginning to fall apart, he appeared once more.

-I can’t stand this anymore. If so many fear that wretch Merlin, then all you need to do is become strong enough to make them all kneel before you.

The Witch Merlin.

-Those who speak of impossibility are the defeated. They are maggots already bowing before the world. Walk forward with those who speak of possibility. You have potential.

He waved his hand dismissively and vanished.

The Witch of Betrayal, Merlin, who had spread terror across the entire Continent. Thanks to him, who dismissed her as insignificant without even remembering her name, my fear and dread dissipated.

I ignored what others said. Following his words, I treated it as trivial, grew stronger, and gathered comrades who believed it was possible.

Once I moved with conviction, even those who said it couldn’t be done gathered around me, and those who had left returned.

And exactly forty years after Lemuria burned.

My comrades and I shattered the Witch’s Castle and severed Merlin’s life.

The entire world cheered, and we became heroes.

But such things mattered little to me.

I was satisfied simply by succeeding in revenge that everyone had declared impossible and by consoling the dead.

A year later, when I had finished settling everything, he appeared again.

-It’s finally over. How slow you are.

He offered no words of gratitude, but it was so like him that I smiled.

I told him I would offer my soul to him. I had cried out that I would sacrifice my life in this world and the next to a demon if it meant revenge.

-You’re spouting nonsense again.

He scoffed and waved his hand.

-A pathetic soul like yours is unnecessary. Your rage served as little more than a snack for the True Demon King. That is sufficient.

I was dumbfounded. As I grew stronger, I had come to understand that the being before me was neither human nor divine. Naturally, I had assumed he would claim my soul, but he wanted nothing. He merely said it had been amusing.

-You’ve caught that multitude as well. Now live your own life. Four-eyes.

He disappeared without ever remembering Merlin’s name. He never even thanked me, and he left without taking back the power he’d given me, let alone my soul. Only then did I understand. This person was my true god.

I spent a year enjoying the world and creating dungeons.

Why?
Simple. It was the research on Glaceia—a request I made while clutching at his robes.

I’d heard it from him somewhat reluctantly, but I wanted to fulfill at least that much for him.

I researched more diligently than when I was preparing for revenge, wielding Glaceia’s chill.

But as befitted a power created by a god, it was far too perfect. Any clumsy modification would clearly result in a method far worse than the original—it seemed better to give up.

Of course, I didn’t give up.
For him, who gave me power without any price and guided my spirit, I devoted all my remaining time to creating a way to solidify Glaceia’s chill even more firmly.

It was merely one method among many ways to wield the chill, but this was the limit of my abilities.

Now, if I could return the chill to him and express my gratitude, everything would be complete.

But I couldn’t reach him.

It wasn’t that he was deliberately cutting off contact—the connection itself wouldn’t form.

I waited.
One year, ten years, and even after twenty years passed, no contact came, and my lifespan was running out.

I wasn’t regretful about dying like this. Even if the research disappeared, it didn’t matter.

I only regretted being erased without even being able to thank him.

Did that lingering attachment become the spark?
I was able to be reborn in the gap between death and life.

I waited again.
For him to return.

*

*

*

I lowered my head and bit my lip hard.

“Then your lingering attachment is….”
[Yes. I wish to convey my gratitude to you, and to teach you the method of operating Glacia that I have refined in my own way.]

Roengrin smiled, as if that was all there was to it.

-That stupid fool!

Wrath’s eyes narrowed to slits as he leaped toward Roengrin in fury.

-I told you to live your own life if you devoted it to revenge!

Whether from anger or sorrow, Wrath’s fists trembled violently.

[I’m truly grateful that it was you, Raon, who came.]

Roengrin grasped my hand, unable to see Wrath standing right before him.

[The method of operating Glacia is over there. When I disappear, my chill will return to you.]
-You stupid, spectacled fool! Stop thinking about such things and worry about yourself instead!

Wrath ground his teeth, calling it nonsense. Transparent tears formed in his round eyes.

[I’m glad to have met you. It was truly enjoyable after so long.]

Roengrin’s fading form began to slowly disappear, as if his lingering attachment was truly all there was.

-Hey! Roenyello!
‘Wrath.’

I grabbed Wrath and furrowed my brow.

-Let go!
‘Are you really going to send me off like this?’
-What?
‘This is the last time. Are you going to let me go while only expressing your anger?’
-I, the True Demon King….
‘I’ll lend you my body.’

I spoke after steeling myself.

-What?
‘If you promise to return my body right away, I’ll lend it to you so we can have a conversation.’

I spoke, trusting in the Wrath I had observed until now and the Wrath who had even impressed such a hero.

-Kugh, that won’t work.
‘Why?’
-The moment I enter your body, I will rampage regardless of the True Demon King’s will.
‘Ah….’

Raon bit his lip. Wrath had said before that he would rampage because his soul and body had been separated for far too long.

-Instead….

*

*

*

Roengrin felt his body growing warm. His heart beat as if he possessed flesh, and blood flowed through his veins.

‘It’s truly time to go now.’

Perhaps because I had settled my lingering attachments completely. My heart felt at peace. It was regrettable that I couldn’t see Wrath, but it was unavoidable. I was satisfied having conveyed my gratitude to his divine vessel.

I’m tired. For the first time since becoming this body, I felt drowsy. It felt as though if I closed my eyes, I would never open them again.

It was just as I was about to close my eyes after seeing the divine vessel, who somehow resembled him.

Kwaaaaaaa!

My entire body blazed with azure flames of fury. My eyes snapped open with a rage comparable to the first time I had witnessed him.

-You foolish wretch.
[Y-you are….]

There was no doubt. That aura, that noble yet vulgar manner of speech—it could only be him.

[W-Wrath, sir?]
“The True Demon King told you to live your own life. Who asked you to do something so foolish and stubborn?”
[Hehehehe!]

I laughed. I had known he would say something like that.

“What’s so funny! Four-eyes!”
[You may not have wished it, but this is my way of living, my God.]
“I’ve found you pathetic ever since I first saw you. Simpleton!”

Roengrin merely laughed despite the insults, smiling as though this moment brought him happiness.

[Still, I was happy to meet you, my God.]
“….”

Wrath fell silent for a moment. He lifted his head with a faint smile. Within his wrathful gaze, a small warmth bloomed.

“Were you truly happy?”
[I was happy because of you. Thank you.]
“Then… that will do.”

Wrath brushed his hand lightly.

“Roenyello. You have done well. Let us meet again.”
[Yes!]

Roengrin nodded immediately, his smile radiating unparalleled happiness. Like subtle starlight, he scattered azure frost as he slowly descended.

Only after the frost that had fallen into my palm from Roengrin had completely melted did I finally calm the fury I had received from Wrath.

‘Are you satisfied?’
-Thank you.

Wrath nodded, uttering his thanks with rare sincerity. His eyes tracked the empty space where Roengrin had vanished. Truly an unbecoming demon king.

“Then the remaining items….”

Just as I was about to tell Dorian to gather the remaining items, a message materialized before my eyes.

[Roengrin’s residual consciousness abilities are being absorbed.]
[The trait 【Water Affinity】 has been created.]
[The knowledge of Glacia that Roengrin possessed is being inscribed.]
[All stats increase by 6 points.]

-?
“?”

Raon and Wrath tilted their heads in unison.

-W-why is that going to you….
‘I have no idea either.’

Roengrin’s abilities, which I naturally expected to go to Wrath’s true body, surged into my own form instead. I felt the Glacia energy accumulated in my dantian solidify further.

-No, wait! This makes no sense! The True Demon King gave it, and the True Demon King should receive it back! Why is it going to you!
‘What am I supposed to do about that….’
-You bastard! Who else would you tell if not me!

Wrath could no longer contain himself and let out a roar.

-Why did it go into your mouth of all places!
‘No, well, we did well, didn’t we? With that touching performance….’
-Shut up!

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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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