The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 267

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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 267

I narrowed my eyes as I watched Rimer coughing and sputtering in the smoke I had created.

‘The dantian is complete.’

The artificial dantian, which had been in an immature state, had now taken perfect root in Rimer’s body and connected seamlessly with his mana circuits. It was like observing a perfectly woven fabric without a single thread out of place.

‘It’s progressed even better than expected.’

I was already anticipating what kind of power the new dantian and the cleanly restored mana circuits would unleash when combined with the martial arts Rimer had accumulated.

“Ugh, what is this dust!”

“You’re the one who destroyed the door and caused the sand to explode!”

Dogyae kicked Rimer’s rear as he lay sprawled on the ground with a frown.

‘But that man…’

I frowned as I watched Rimer cry out and collapse to the floor.

‘Why is his aura like that?’

The quantity was far too small.

The aura dwelling in Rimer’s artificial dantian was far less than I had anticipated. I had provided two mid-grade spiritual elixirs and ample time, yet I couldn’t fathom why he had accumulated only this meager amount of aura.

‘Surely not…’

A mad hypothesis surfaced in my mind. It was something no one else would dare attempt, but that bizarre Red-haired Elf was perfectly capable of such foolishness.

“Master.”

Raon approached Rimer, his fists clenching as he watched the man sprawled on the ground rubbing his backside.

“You hid them to sell them, didn’t you?”

“Huh? Sell what?”

Rimer tilted his head in confusion, as if he had no idea what Raon was talking about.

“You didn’t consume the spiritual elixirs I left behind because you wanted to sell them for gambling money, didn’t you?”

There was no other explanation for why Rimer’s aura would be so diminished.

“To think you’d try to sell the elixirs I obtained even using a Dongpae! This man is truly unbelievable!”

“Ha! So you really were planning to sell the elixirs this fellow left behind?”

Dogyae exhaled in exasperation, shaking his head at the absurdity.

“No! I’m telling you, no!”

Rimer waved his hands frantically, insisting it was absolutely not the case.

“Your dantian is like a newborn child right now. It means you can absorb the essence of spiritual elixirs directly.”

“That’s… well, that’s true, but…”

“You consumed two intermediate spiritual elixirs in that state, yet you only managed to create this much aura. That doesn’t make sense.”

Raon approached Rimer with his lips slightly pursed.

“Today is unbearable…”

“I filtered it!”

Rimer swallowed hard and let out a cry-like answer.

“What?”

“You know this too! Not all spiritual elixirs contain purely pure mana.”

“Of course I know that.”

Spiritual elixirs are not mere lumps of pure mana. Whether created artificially or formed naturally, when mana takes shape, countless impurities inevitably accumulate.

“I filtered out all those impurities and accepted only the pure mana contained within the spiritual elixir!”

Rimer pointed to his dantian, his nose wrinkling.

‘How grateful I was, yet I would do such a thing.’

When I saw the elixir Raon had left behind, I nearly wept with gratitude. As a master, I believed I should provide for my disciples, but receiving such tremendous help stirred my emotions deeply.

‘That’s why I advanced further.’

Grateful beyond measure to Raon and the children of the Gwangpung Unit, I sought out faster methods to grow stronger—ways to surpass my previous limits.

‘Raon Zigheart.’

It was you, after all.

Your aura was pure—like natural flame or crystalline ice. Its purity allowed even a small amount to exert tremendous power.

A cultivation method only possible for one starting from absolute emptiness without a trace of aura. Using the elven technique of generating only pristine energy, I condensed the essence of both elixirs into my dantian alone.

As a result, though the quantity of aura in my dantian now was minuscule, its purity was formidable—rivaling even yours.

“Look.”

Rimer exhaled sharply and raised his finger.

Whiiiing!

A verdant aura surged above his fingertip, and a refreshing emerald wind swept through the air.

“This is….”

I lifted the Mana Orb and balanced it on my fingertip. Crimson flames bloomed like petals as they met the wind.

‘It’s similar.’

The purity was such that it could be considered the essence of the attribute itself, much like the Mana Orb’s aura. Despite its diminutive size, I could feel a power that transcended its dimensions.

‘If this is perfected….’

If that aura took root in Rimer’s perfected dantian and mana circuits, he would ascend to a dimension far beyond his previous limits.

“Is that the Red-haired Elf’s cultivation method?”

“Yes. The speed of creating aura was too slow, so everyone abandoned it. But now that I’m stronger, I can accelerate that process. So I studied it.”

Rimer chuckled softly, remarking that I lacked patience in my younger years.

“So you’re acknowledging it now?”

“Yes. I apologize.”

I nodded. Unlike his usual nature, Rimer had consumed all the elixirs and filled his dantian with only pure mana. It was a wise choice.

“But where are the kids? Isn’t it training time now?”

“Yes. They’re training.”

I smiled faintly while gazing toward Bekmang Mountain.

“Young Master.”

Judith, who had been standing behind me, bowed her head.

“I’ll be taking my leave now.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

I smiled while gesturing to the sandwich still in my hand. Judith forced a smile and left the Training Ground.

“Unit Commander.”

“Hmm?”

“When do we enforce sanctions if a member doesn’t follow orders?”

Even if Burren had been kidnapped, it wasn’t confirmed yet, so I needed a justification to enter the Central Intelligence Agency. I was planning to fill that gap with forced enforcement.

“Do you think I’d know that?”

Rimer snorted proudly with his arms crossed.

“Sigh….”

“Four days.”

As I sighed, an answer came from Dogyae.

“During wartime, it can be activated immediately, but in times like these, it’s four days….”

“Then I should be able to move on the fifth day.”

Since brainwashing took a week to ten days, going on the fifth day seemed like it would pose no problems.

“But why?”

“Why are you suddenly asking that?”

Both of them stepped forward at the same time.

“I need to go rescue an idiot.”

I glanced toward where the Central Intelligence Agency was located, gently biting my lip.

*

*

*

“Grrr….”

“Grrrrowl!”

I closed my eyes as I observed the Gwangpung Order swordsmen radiating fierce, burning gazes. Neglected and enraged, they all bared their teeth and snarled like beasts.

‘Hmm….’

I had intended to cultivate warriors with both unshakeable minds and bodies, yet I couldn’t quite understand why they were becoming more like savage beasts.

‘At times like this, I need to steel my resolve.’

I felt sorry for putting them through this, but if I showed weakness now, it would hinder their future training. Even if I had to apologize later, this was the moment to be firm.

“Good work.”

Raon nodded with an impassive gaze.

“Good work? Goooood work? Damn it, you bastard!”

Martha rose to her feet, black flames burning in her eyes.

“Handsome Raon. That was too much….”

Even Lunan Slion, who always took his side, clutched his head and raised his dazed eyes.

“Not just through the night, but abandoned until morning! And you call that good work?”

“This time you really went too far! I thought my head was going to split open!”

“It was seriously exhausting. Ugh, I still feel nauseous….”

“Burren Zigheart will have to experience this too….”

Having maintained tension and concentration through the night and into the morning, the swordsmen could not hide their exhaustion despite resting for about an hour. All that remained was their anger.

‘Still.’

This moment is crucial.

When the mind and body were exhausted, it was the perfect time to hammer posture and martial techniques into them, so I had to make the most of this opportunity.

“Neglect….”

I scoffed and looked down at the Gwangpung Order with contempt.

“This training was for that from the beginning.”

“What?”

“Your concentration is shallow and fleeting.”

I suppressed the bewildered Gwangpung Order with a powerful surge of energy.

“From now on, we’ll face increasingly stronger enemies. When fighting opponents of equal or greater strength, what matters most? First, obviously, martial power. Second, concentration.”

My eyes darkened with intensity. The members of the Gwangpung Order swallowed hard at the sight of that chilling gaze.

“To analyze an opponent’s martial techniques and lead the battle in a way favorable to me, you need the ability to maintain intense focus not for minutes, but for hours.”

“Ah….”

“So it wasn’t neglect….”

“That’s right. I deliberately left you alone so you could develop your concentration. Was it your first time? Maintaining such tension and focus for so long?”

At my words, all members of the Gwangpung Order slowly nodded their heads.

“Your mind grows sluggish, your body heavy as if waterlogged. For those experiencing this for the first time, nine out of ten will die at an enemy’s hands. I’ve given you all a chance to avoid that first death here.”

“Ugh….”

Martha hung her head, having nothing to say in response.

“This training will continue from now on. It will be grueling enough to kill you, but think of each session as earning yourself one more life. If anyone has complaints, raise your hand. I’ll excuse you.”

Naturally, no one raised their hand.

“Then equip the Black Rings. Training resumes.”

“Phew!”

“What choice do we have….”

“Damn it, I envy Burren….”

The Gwangpung Order cursed and ground their teeth, but immediately equipped the Black Rings. They all shared the same desire to grow stronger.

“As always, we begin with sprints. Gwangpung Order, full speed ahead!”

“Aaaahhhhh!”

“Hyaaaaa!”

“Damn it!”

The Gwangpung Order roared and began sprinting across the Training Ground. Whether driven by rage or sleeplessness, they moved faster than yesterday despite wearing the Black Rings.

“Puhahahaha!”

Rimer chuckled as he watched the Gwangpung Order members.

“No sleep, just running, and now training? How pitiful. I’m grateful I’m not down there.”

“What are you doing?”

I tilted my head as I watched Rimer grinning.

“Ah, it’s funny. I’ll just watch for a moment and—”

“No. Why aren’t you running?”

“Huh? Me, too?”

Rimer pointed at himself with his finger, his mouth falling open.

“I clearly said everyone in the Gwangpung Order should run with full effort.”

“But I’m the commander—”

“As I’ve mentioned before, I currently hold the training authority and command of the Gwangpung Order. Your rehabilitation training is no exception.”

“I’m just too strong to be running like this—”

“If you have complaints about that, go ask the Head of House.”

I threw back at him the exact words Rimer had once said to me during my trainee days, smirking.

“I’ll say it again. Run!”

“You demonic bastard!”

Rimer cursed under his breath and began running across the Training Ground.

“Puhahahaha!”

“Oof, that’s rough!”

“I knew he’d do that!”

The members of the Gwangpung Order watched Rimer sprint across the Training Ground and chuckled in amusement.

…

After finishing the basic physical conditioning, I gathered everyone to the center of the Training Ground.

“Your bodies are warmed up now. From here on, we’ll be doing sparring matches. This isn’t just about fighting—we’re going to push you to the brink of death to maximize your concentration. Steel yourselves.”

“Ugh….”

“No sleep, running, rolling, and now sparring….”

“I’ll die at the Deputy Commander’s hands before I ever face an enemy!”

The members of the Gwangpung Order hung their heads low, breathing heavily. Yet none of them complained.

“Who are the opponents?”

Martha narrowed her eyes and asked the crucial question.

“Of course….”

I lifted the training sword with a cold smile.

“It’s me.”

“Huh…?”

“You madman!”

“Wait, why are you coming out here?!”

Martha, Lunan, and the entire Gwangpung Order recoiled in shock.

“I told you. We shouldn’t concern ourselves with the weak, but with the strong. I’m the perfect target for that.”

I tilted my chin upward, the training sword resting against my shoulder.

“You’re not just strong—you’re way too strong!”

“Right! This is just asking to lose!”

“You’re not even wearing the Black Crescent Sword!”

“He’s lost his mind….”

“This demon….”

The Gwangpung Order gnashed their teeth in fury at my arrogant expression.

“Sigh, you really don’t understand at all.”

Rimer wiped the sweat trickling down his forehead and let out a long sigh.

“To have a martial artist of Raon’s caliber as your opponent is a blessing among blessings. You need to make the most of this opportunity. If you keep losing your temper like that, you’ll be knocked out in a single exchange.”

He muttered on about seizing the chance and clicked his tongue.

“You’re truly the Unit Leader. Those were some excellent words of wisdom just now.”

I smiled as I looked at Rimer.

“Right? I’ve always been good at….”

“Then let’s begin the sparring match with the Unit Leader first.”

“Huh…?”

Rimer’s mouth opened to a size I’d never seen before.

“It’s only proper that a superior sets an example in such matters.”

I twirled the training sword and pointed it at Rimer.

“You’ll make a perfect example.”

“You brat! I was just taking your side!”

“Draw your sword.”

I ignored Rimer’s flailing hands and drew up my aura. Whether he defended or not, I was going to attack.

“Tch!”

Rimer furrowed his brow and drew his practice sword.

“Fine! Even if I’m weakened… huh?”

His eyes went wide as he witnessed the fierce aura of flames blazing from my blade.

“A-an aura?”

“If we’re doing this, we do it properly.”

“Wait, I’m still a patient….”

“Not anymore, you’re not.”

“You madman! I saw you barely had a speck of aura left!”

“There’s such a thing as class. Let’s begin.”

I smiled faintly and raised my sword to the center position.

“This bastard’s actually insane! He’s definitely lost his mind!”

Rimer screamed the same words the Gwangpung Order swordsmen had cried when he’d tormented them.

“Here I come.”

I stepped forward using the Garam footwork and brought my blade down upon Rimer. The fierce aura of flames scorched the air, tearing and raking through the void.

Whoooosh!

Rimer expelled every last bit of aura he possessed, barely twisting his body away from the scorching heat. His sleeve melted in the furnace’s flames, scattering into the air like ash.

“This… this is real!”

His eyes trembled as he stumbled backward.

“This madman is going to kill his master! He’s going to kill me!”

-Ah, even demons have masters, it seems….

Wrath swallowed hard as he listened to Rimer’s screams.

-Just what are you….

*

*

*

Tias entered his quarters in the Central Intelligence Agency and released a heavy sigh.

“Sigh….”

I’m exhausted.

I hadn’t slept in days, and my mind felt foggy while my stomach churned with nausea. The moment I lay down, I would plunge into slumber, yet anxiety kept my eyes firmly shut.

‘Is this the right choice? Was there no other way?’

Gelmir had used Burren Zigheart’s life as leverage for blackmail, leaving me no choice but to refrain from asking Raon Zigheart for help and forcing me to lie that Burren Zigheart was doing well. I wanted to contact him later, but the watcher assigned to me made any movement impossible.

“Damn it….”

Tias clenched his teeth and struck the bed. If only I could, I would offer this old body to save Burren Zigheart, but there was no way. I despised how helpless I had become.

“What do I do now….”

“It’s been a while.”

“Gasp!”

My heart felt as though it would tear from my chest at the voice emerging from the darkness of the chamber.

“Y-you are….”

A tall man stepped forward into the moonlit window. Brilliant golden hair and piercing crimson eyes. It was Raon Zigheart.

“How did you come to be here, Lord Raon Zigheart….”

“I have some questions for you.”

Raon Zigheart offered a faint smile and leaned his back against the wall.

“Y-you shouldn’t be here. I’m being watched….”

Tias swallowed hard. Ever since Burren Zigheart had been kidnapped, he’d been under constant surveillance. Meeting with Raon could absolutely not be seen.

“You needn’t worry. The person who was watching you has already left.”

Raon smiled faintly as if he knew everything, waving his hand dismissively.

“Where is Burren Zigheart?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I summoned him for training, but he hasn’t responded for four days. I’ll need to enforce disciplinary measures.”

He stated that despite repeated summons, there had been no answer, and he would have to impose discipline.

“W-what do you mean? I went to find him myself.”

“When?”

“Four days ago, I’m certain—oh!”

Tias swallowed hard as he met Raon’s gaze. Those vivid crimson eyes, burning away the darkness of the room, held not a flicker of uncertainty.

‘H-he knows everything!’

Raon knew that Burren Zigheart had been kidnapped, and he’d chosen forced enforcement as a means to rescue him.

In other words, he was now demanding two answers from Tias: why he hadn’t revealed Burren Zigheart’s whereabouts, and where Burren Zigheart was located.

‘If it’s this man….’

I felt certain that he could save Burren.

“I, I’m not entirely sure either.”

Tias shook his head, his lips pressed firmly together.

“He might be in Hyunjingak within the Central Intelligence Agency, or… I’m not certain.”

He spoke the name of the building where Burren was imprisoned and exhaled heavily.

“Forced execution can only be carried out five days after the order is issued. Tomorrow marks exactly the fifth day, so please leave this place tonight and come to the 5th Training Ground.”

Raon smiled faintly and opened the window.

“Wait! I, I’m grat—”

As I tried to say thank you, Raon pressed his finger to my lips.

“What are you thanking me for? I’m just going to drag back my cowardly subordinate who skipped training so shamelessly.”

He chuckled softly and dissolved into the air like mist catching the light.

“Th-thank you.”

Tias bowed his head toward the window where Raon had disappeared, murmuring softly.

“Thank you so much….”

*

*

*

The next evening.

*Growl.*

“Grrr….”

“Krr….”

I narrowed my eyes as I observed the Gwangpung Order swordsmen’s bloodshot gazes and heard their feral growls echoing through the air.

‘They’re starting to look like actual mad dogs….’

Perhaps I’d pushed the training a bit too hard. In less than a week, the swordsmen’s momentum had transformed from sharp to downright savage and intense. The assassin training from my previous life, combined with minimized sleep, seemed to have had slightly excessive results.

‘Still, their abilities have definitely improved.’

While their raw combat power hadn’t increased dramatically, their ability to maintain focus had more than doubled, and their stamina and fighting spirit had skyrocketed. These changes would make a significant difference in actual combat.

‘Perfect.’

The Gwangpung Unit as it stood now would be capable of putting up a good fight against the Jeonmadan, which I estimated to be a tier above us. It was the perfect opportunity to rescue Burren and conduct real combat training for the Gwangpung Order.

“Burren.”

“Huh?”

“That traitor!”

“I’ll kill him!”

“Ahhhhh!”

The moment I uttered Burren’s name, every member of the Gwangpung Unit gnashed their teeth in unison. It was a violent reaction, as if they couldn’t forgive Burren for enjoying the spoils alone. Even Crain, who had followed Burren most loyally, was saying he’d kill him.

“There’s something you don’t know. Burren is….”

“Kill him!”

“That traitorous coward!”

“Just smash his skull!”

“Hmm….”

The moment Burren’s name came up, curses poured out, so there was nothing I could say.

“Calm down and listen. Burren is….”

I briefly explained Burren’s circumstances to the Gwangpung Unit.

“So today, we strike the Jeonmadan who are holding Burren captive. We’ll crush them and bring Burren back.”

“In other words, there are bastards preventing Burren Zigheart from training?”

“Those sons of bitches! Why are they singling out Burren Zigheart to skip training?”

“We’ll crush them all and make sure Burren Zigheart gets his training!”

“Grrrrr!”

The Gwangpung Order had already lost their minds at the mention of Burren Zigheart’s name, so they never heard the full story. All that filled their heads was the thought of bringing Burren Zigheart here and subjecting him to this hellish training, whether it was the Jeonmadan or Oma.

“Hmm…”

I felt the scorching intensity radiating from the Gwangpung Order swordsmen, their aura so fierce it stung my skin, and I shrugged.

“Well, it works.”

The reaction wasn’t what I expected, but since my actual combat power had increased, it didn’t really matter.

-What do you mean it works?! The meaning is completely different!

Wrath’s jaw trembled as he watched the Gwangpung Order.

-Those idiots can’t even understand words! They’re not the Gwangpung Order—they’re mad dogs!

‘Right now, I need mad dogs.’

I raised my hand and gestured toward the Central Martial Hall.

“Bring Burren Zigheart here and double his training from now on!”

“Uwaaaaaaah!”

“The Unit Leader takes all responsibility! Destroy everything!”

“Yiaaaaaaah!”

“Let’s go!”

A roar erupted from the 5th Training Ground so violent the earth trembled beneath it.

“Huh? Me?”

Rimer, who had been standing quietly beside the Platform knowing what was coming, dropped his jaw in shock.

“If I cause another incident, the Head of House is really going to kill me!”

*

*

*

The grand gates of the Central Intelligence Agency, which boasted its own distinctive splendor even within the Zigheart Main Residence.

Two swordsmen were chatting in front of those gates.

“When I said I was a warrior of the Central Intelligence Agency, that idiot suddenly started groveling and watching my every move.”

“It can’t be helped. One wrong word and his head would roll.”

“Ever since I joined the Central Intelligence Agency, things have been really di…”

The swordsmen who had been chuckling narrowed their eyes as they spotted roughly thirty people approaching through the darkness.

“Who could that be at this hour?”

“I’m not sure. The person in the middle looks familiar… Wait! Raon Zigheart!”

“R-Raon?”

Both of them swallowed hard as they watched Raon approach from the center, his eyes gleaming with lethal intent. There was no way to avoid feeling tense with him advancing like that in the dead of night.

“P-Please stop! This is Central Intelligence Agency territory. You cannot enter without a prior appointment!”

“I have no appointment, but I do have a purpose.”

I acknowledged the Central Intelligence Agency swordsman’s words and climbed the stairs.

“A p-purpose?”

“That’s right. Burren Zigheart. I came to apprehend that arrogant bastard for ignoring my summons.”

I flashed a cold smile as I brushed past the martial artists.

“W-wait….”

“Forced execution!”

I let out a snort of laughter and kicked down the main gate of the Central Intelligence Agency.

CRASH!

The Destroyer King trait activated, and both massive gates exploded outward without mercy.

“What, what is this!”

“What’s happening all of a sudden!”

“Is it an attack!”

True to the Central Intelligence Agency’s reputation, warriors sensed the formidable aura before the gates even finished shattering, converging from all directions.

‘Adequate.’

Judging by their aura and blade force, they were swordsmen more than sufficient to face the Gwangpung Unit.

“I am Raon Zigheart, acting commander of the Gwangpung Unit.”

Raon tilted his head slightly, looking down at the Jeonmadan swordsmen who had rushed forward in droves.

“I’ve come to apprehend the criminal Burren Zigheart. If you interfere, I’ll reduce you to the same state as those gates.”

“This, this madman!”

“Do you know where you are!”

“Stop him! Don’t let him through!”

The Jeonmadan warriors contorted their faces like demons and drew their blades.

“So you’re going to obstruct the execution of official duties?”

I nodded and turned to look back.

“You lot.”

“Grrr!”

“Growwwl!”

I pointed at the Jeonmadan warriors with a smirk, addressing the snarling Gwangpung Order.

“Attack!”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————