The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 268

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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 268

I trampled through the crushed main gate and stepped into the Central Intelligence Agency. The sound of splintered door panels crunching beneath my feet echoed through the night air.

“Everyone to your positions!”

“Deploy the Jeonmadan Formation!”

“Defend the main hall!”

“Don’t let him through! We are the warriors of the Central Intelligence Agency!”

“Uaaahhh!”

The Jeonmadan swordsmen, well-trained in intrusion protocols, moved to their designated positions at their squad leaders’ commands and drew their blades. A sharp, disciplined aura surged forth in unison with their gleaming swords.

“Not bad.”

I smiled as I felt the Jeonmadan swordsmen’s energy waves prickling against my skin. At this level, they would make excellent training material for the Gwangpung Order’s warriors.

“Raon Zigheart!”

“Stop!”

“How dare the Gwangpung Order!”

The Jeonmadan swordsmen unleashed a murderous killing intent as they formed their formation, but I did not halt my advance. I cut through their energy waves and pressed forward.

“Attack!”

Just as the Jeonmadan inspectors were about to rush forward simultaneously.

Whoooosh!

The Gwangpung Order poured forth from behind me, their eyes blazing with fierce determination.

Growwwl!

Grrrrr!

Kyaaaa!

The Gwangpung Order unleashed ferocious snarls befitting my command to “bite,” charging toward the Jeonmadan. Though their movements appeared chaotic, they flowed perfectly along the lines of the Gwangpung Formation.

Screeeech!

The inspectors rotated counterclockwise in unison, completing the Grand Gwangpung Formation in an instant before colliding head-on with the Jeonmadan.

Booooom!

A tremendous shockwave erupted, sending cascades of multicolored light soaring into the air.

Hmm…

I nodded as I watched the Gwangpung Order hold their own against the Jeonmadan. Seeing them fight evenly with opponents of superior rank vindicated all the practical combat training I had put them through.

Deputy Unit Commander! Go quickly!

“Burren! Bring that man to us!”

“We have mountains of training to assign!”

“First, let’s make him spend the night on the Mountain without sleep! That was the most hellish part!”

The Gwangpung Order members pushed against the Jeonmadan inspectors, not asking them to rescue Burren, but shouting for them to drag him out so they could put him through training. Anyone listening would think they hadn’t explained the situation properly.

‘They enjoyed it that much?’

I smiled at the camaraderie of the Gwangpung Order, wanting to share their good experiences with their comrades. It seemed I’d need to increase the training volume and intensity by about half next time.

I muttered something that would make the Gwangpung Order members faint if they heard it, then looked beyond the front lines.

A blue-haired inspector broke away from the battle and began running in the opposite direction.

‘Is that one a messenger?’

This wasn’t a retreat. He was definitely a messenger heading to inform Gelmir Zigheart, who commanded the Central Intelligence Agency, about this situation.

‘That means Gelmir Zigheart is in a place where he can’t easily learn about this crisis.’

Combining Judith’s intelligence with Tias’s testimony, Burren was likely imprisoned deep within Hyunjingak, a place where aura or sound couldn’t reach.

If a place couldn’t be sensed from the outside, then conversely, the inside couldn’t sense the outside either. In other words, Gelmir Zigheart likely had no idea what was happening right now.

‘I can’t just let him go.’

It’s best to secure evidence clearly.

I awakened Glacía’s power. Rimer flicked his fingers like manipulating wind, unleashing a frost aura toward the blue-haired swordsman rushing inward.

Chaaaaah!

The azure aura, advancing like a flash of light, clung to the blue-haired swordsman’s shoes and froze his entire ankle solid.

“Gaaahhh!”

The swordsman attempted to dispel the frigid chill of Glacía enveloping his ankle by channeling his aura, but naturally, it refused to dissipate easily.

Just as I approached him with a faint smile.

“Stop!”

A middle-aged swordsman with a scar beneath his eye charged from the Jeonmadan formation.

‘This man….’

I recalled seeing information about a scar-faced swordsman in the booklet Judith had prepared. It was Heron, the leader of Jeonmadan Unit One.

“You won’t go any further!”

Heron clenched his teeth and brought his blade down. I walked forward unobstructed despite the torrent of sharp sword energy pouring forth.

Clang!

A black shadow erupted from behind just as the icy blade reached my forehead, intercepting Heron’s sword strike with a sharp clash.

“Grrr!”

Martha. Trembling with such excitement that grey breath poured from her nostrils, she gnashed her teeth and brought her blade down toward Heron’s waist.

“You little brat!”

“Roaaaah!”

His words only ignited Martha’s fury further. From her raised blade came a torrent of sword strikes so fierce that Heron recoiled in alarm.

“Ugh!”

Heron groaned and stumbled backward beneath the relentless, savage assault of her blade.

“Hyaaah!”

Martha seized the advantage without hesitation, pressing her attack and driving her blade toward Heron’s shoulder.

“Ugh…”

Heron barely managed to block, but his wrist trembled from the impact. His expression darkened—the shock had penetrated his defenses.

‘Excellent.’

Martha possessed exceptional instinctive senses. I had taught her how to channel her energy efficiently through those instincts, and now she was turning the tables on the stronger Heron, pressuring him in reverse.

“Martha. I’m counting on you.”

I waved my hand and brushed past Martha.

“Don’t do that! You bastard!”

Martha, who had been making nothing but bestial sounds, gnashed her teeth and turned to look back. Fortunately, it seemed she hadn’t completely transformed into a beast.

Tsk!

This time, a sharp-eyed female swordmaster who had been commanding the left flank clicked her tongue and rushed forward.

Shiiing!

In one fluid motion, she thrust the three-bladed sword in her hand. One blade split into five, targeting vital points across my entire body.

‘Is this the third unit commander?’

Judging by her sharp sword energy and lean frame, this woman appeared to be Kuran, the third unit commander of the Jeonmadan.

‘Not a bad sword technique.’

I didn’t stop moving. Without even drawing my sword, I slipped between the converging blades.

Whoooosh!

Just as Kuran’s blade aura pierced toward me, a wall of frost erupted before my eyes.

Crash!

Lunan Slion, who had obliterated all of Kuran’s blade aura with a silver barrier, stepped forward and steadied Seolhwa.

“I’ll handle this. Bring Burren Zigheart.”

Lunan Slion’s eyes blazed with fierce determination as he revealed his divine energy, then kicked off the ground.

“Tch! Move aside!”

Kuran unleashed a barrage of thrusts as sharp and swift as spear-strikes, but Lunan Slion read her movements as if he could see them coming, smoothly sweeping his blade to intercept every attack.

Crash!

Between Lunan Slion and Kuran, the discordant clash of blade aura and frost echoed endlessly.

My training had borne fruit.

By cultivating Martha and Lunan Slion’s strengths and eliminating their weaknesses, I could see clear progress despite the short time. Though their raw power was superior, I held the momentum.

I gave a light wave to all the Gwangpung Order members and turned toward the blue-haired swordsman whose legs were frozen.

“Stop him, even if you have to grab his legs!”

“Besides, he can’t kill us!”

Heron and Kuran, bound to Martha and Lunan, called out to the Central Intelligence Agency’s escort swordsmen, who were swallowing hard.

“The squad leaders are right!”

“He can’t kill us!”

“L-let’s go!”

“Don’t let him through!”

“All of you, swarm him!”

Emboldened by the squad leaders’ words, the swordsmen charged forward with gritted teeth.

“That’s true enough.”

I chuckled and nodded. The purpose of this forced execution wasn’t to destroy the Central Intelligence Agency, but to search for Burren—which meant I couldn’t kill them.

“Of course, that’s only if they can actually reach me.”

A sinister heat began to seep from my footsteps as they pressed down upon the earth. The Infernal Resonance and the ring of flames supporting it erupted in a terrifying aura that consumed the battlefield.

From the heavy footsteps pressing down on the earth, a fierce heat seeps out relentlessly. The comic field and the ring of fire supporting it behind resonate and burst forth with a terrifying momentum that engulfs the battlefield.

“Ugh….”

“Grrrrgh!”

“How… how are we supposed to stop this monster?”

Faced with the searing aura erupting like molten lava, the swordsmen couldn’t even think of advancing. They simply stood frozen, cold sweat dripping down their faces.

I smiled at the paralyzed swordsmen before approaching Hyunjingak.

‘Still nothing.’

Even as I drew near the building, I couldn’t sense Burren or Gelmir’s presence.

‘So it’s a Secret Chamber after all.’

A Secret Chamber that completely erased all traces required deep underground construction with multiple mechanisms, which took considerable time to build.

I felt I could catch them red-handed without even needing Burren’s testimony.

“How convenient…”

As I moved to enter Hyunjingak, a black shadow fell from above. I kicked off the ground and slid sideways to evade.

Boom!

The courtyard floor collapsed with a thunderous crash, and an Ogre Warrior with a sharp, menacing expression emerged from the crater.

“How dare you! Do you know where you are?!”

A killing intent seeped from the sound of teeth grinding together.

“So you’re Gomen.”

Gomen Trok, one of Kuran’s dharma protectors. It seemed he had stayed behind instead of going to the battlefield.

“This is your last chance! Leave now!”

He radiated a murderous aura, making it clear he would never let me pass.

Crash!

When Gomen snapped his fingers, the frigid energy binding the blue-haired swordsman’s ankles shattered without mercy.

“Go!”

“Y-yes, thank you!”

The blue-haired swordsman didn’t even have time to bow before rushing into Hyunjingak.

‘His realm is slightly higher than mine.’

Gomen’s martial prowess appeared to be at the intermediate Master level. I could defeat him, but a prolonged fight would give Gelmir the chance to hide Burren.

“Unfortunately, you’re not my match.”

“What? You insolent—”

“Please.”

I bowed my head, turning not toward Gomen but toward the figure behind him.

Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch!

The Stone Wall of the Central Intelligence Agency tore away roughly, and Dogyae—whose massive frame made Gomen look diminutive—stepped into view.

“D-Dogyae!”

“Dogyae? Presumptuous fool. Do you have the standing to address me so casually?”

“No. I….”

Gomen swallowed hard, overwhelmed by Dogyae’s overwhelming presence.

“It seems your skills have improved, judging by that cocky attitude.”

Dogyae grinned wickedly and brought his sword down in a sweeping arc.

“Ugh!”

Gomen drew his blade swiftly to meet the strike, but Dogyae’s overwhelming strength forced him backward step by step.

“My, the Chief Steward is quite renowned. I’m envious.”

“You irritating brat! Shut your mouth and get inside!”

Dogyae turned his head, his expression darkening sharply.

“I’m leaving anyway.”

Raon entered Hyunjingak with a faint smile.

“A guide needs time to depart.”

*

*

*

“Hah….”

Burren lowered his chin, breathing heavily with exhaustion.

“Impressive!”

Ollan gazed down at Burren and let out an exclamation of admiration.

“Your mental fortitude is stronger than I anticipated. The blood of Zigheart truly cannot be underestimated.”

He clapped his hands as if impressed.

“Shut up!”

Burren lifted his head and gritted his teeth.

“I will never submit to the likes of you!”

“Submit, you say….”

Ollan chuckled softly, twirling his finger in a slow circle.

“Do you remember what I said at the beginning?”

“What?”

“That my brainwashing is different from others. That I don’t apply it all at once, but gradually. Did I not mention that?”

“Why are you bringing that up now….”

“My brainwashing is already embedded in Burren. Like rain soaking through cloth without notice, it has gently seeped into the depths of your mind.”

“What, what do you mean!”

Burren swallowed hard. He had resisted without answering a single one of Ollan’s questions until now, yet he couldn’t fathom when the brainwashing had taken hold.

“The questions themselves are meaningless. My voice, my words, my gestures—all of it has been preparatory work, embedding fatigue and suffering into your mind.”

“Ah….”

Now that he thought about it, Ollan had ensured he could never close his eyes or ears. Even without answering, the questions continued, and Ollan kept talking endlessly.

“Now, just one more hour of finishing touches, and the basic brainwashing will be complete. There will be no outward change, but a tempest rages within your mind.”

Conviction resonated in Ollan’s voice. He smiled faintly and took a subtle step backward.

“I’d like to end this decisively here, but before that, there’s someone who wishes to meet you, Burren.”

With those words, the door to the secret chamber opened, and Gelmir Zigheart entered.

“Gelmir!”

“So you won’t call me brother anymore? How sad.”

Gelmir approached with a smile on his face.

Ollan bowed his head and brought a chair before Gelmir.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Gelmir waved his hand to Ollan and sat across from Burren.

“I don’t want to do this to my own blood brother either. So, what do you say? Has your thinking changed at all?”

“Changed? About what?”

“Whether you’re ready to take my hand and deal with Raon Zigheart.”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

Burren tilted his head and let out a scoff.

“My answer is the same. I’d rather die than betray my comrades!”

“As expected.”

Gelmir chuckled as if he’d expected this, leaning back in his chair.

“Do you know? Everyone in this House has done the dirty things you imagine.”

“That… what do you mean…?”

“The leaders of this House have stabbed allies in the back, slit their brothers’ throats, and sold their subordinates—all to climb higher.”

He spread his arms wide to both sides, a cold smile crossing his face.

“Is it only here? No. The Six Emperors Five Demons, the other great powers across the Continent—they’ve all grown the same way. They’ve trampled those who stood in their path or threatened their position, climbing ever upward.”

“I know that! But we’re a House! We can’t do things this way…!”

“Everyone has done it this way. Me, the father you respect so much, even the Head of House—we’ve all climbed by driving blades into the backs of family and kinsmen.”

Gelmir’s eyes gleamed with a cold, steely light.

“Zigheart. This vast domain is a fortress built from blood.”

“Ugh…!”

Burren trembled, unable to respond.

“You still don’t have an epithet, do you?”

Gelmir shifted the heavy atmosphere, interlacing his fingers as he rested them on his knee, smiling.

“Why are you suddenly asking that…?”

“Raon Zigheart earned his first epithet at fifteen,” he said with a sneer. “Guardian of the Lower Castle, Young Sword Demon, and now he’s acquired that magnificent title—Legend Sword Association. And you? What do you have?”

He looked down at Burren with contempt dripping from his voice.

“No epithet. Just the captain of the Gwangpung Order. Swordsman Number One, forever chasing Raon Zigheart’s shadow. That’s how the world sees you.”

“….”

“Raon Zigheart will stand before you for your entire life. Wherever you go, there he is. Everyone will be searching for the one running ahead of you, not for Burren himself.”

“I….”

Burren’s teeth clenched hard. His pupils trembled visibly.

“Even facing that reality, can you truly say you won’t feel jealousy? Can you genuinely celebrate your comrade’s success without envy?”

Gelmir’s voice grew slower, each word striking at the heart like a fist pounding against the chest.

“Hah….”

Burren exhaled deeply, closing his eyes before opening them again. In that brief moment, his pupils had regained their composure.

“What….”

Gelmir swallowed hard at the sight of Burren’s steady gaze.

“I envied that bastard when I was twelve. I thought he was just an arrogant brat blessed with talent.”

I had thought he was a damned fool who lived easily off his innate talent, but that was entirely wrong.

‘He worked just as hard as he was talented.’

I realized it upon seeing the worn-out shoes inside Raon’s locker. He was someone who worked beyond his talent.

Whenever there was something to be done, he would forgo sleep and food, wielding his sword—a true fanatic among fanatics.

‘How could I possibly envy such a man.’

Despite being busier than anyone else, he was genuinely invested in his comrades’ growth. To envy someone who had saved his life and shown him the path to strength would be nothing but exposing his own ugliness.

“Brother, you’re still so naive. You couldn’t even match me at twelve.”

Burren smirked as he watched Gelmir’s wavering eyes.

“Be honest with yourself. You’re not worried about me—you’re terrified of Raon. Because if he grows just a little more, he’ll catch up to you. Or maybe he already has.”

“You….”

“You’re jealous yourself, yet you make excuses for me? Does that make your ugliness any less pathetic? It’s pathetic.”

“Shut up!”

Gelmir scowled for the first time, his voice sharp as he shouted.

“Ollan!”

He kicked his chair aside as he stood, calling for Ollan.

“Start immediately!”

“Understood.”

Ollan offered a faint smile, as if he’d known this would happen from the beginning.

“Sigh….”

Gelmir Zigheart exhaled deeply to calm his anger and leaned his back against the wall.

“Burren Zigheart possesses remarkable talent as well. It’s unfortunate—with just a few more years of training, I might be able to catch up to him….”

“Nonsense. I can catch you right now.”

Burren Zigheart let out a scoff and furrowed his brow.

“Confidence is admirable.”

“Confidence? It’s fact. I’ve watched Raon take down stronger opponents countless times from behind him.”

“Is that so.”

Ollan let it pass smoothly, but his tone had grown sharper than before. It seemed he was genuinely irritated for the first time.

‘If I play this right….’

The thought occurred to me that by provoking these two, I might create an opportunity to escape.

“If you don’t believe me, then let’s settle this with a match.”

Just as I was about to provoke Ollan, a series of heavy thuds echoed from outside.

‘I thought this chamber only had one layer?’

Listening to the sounds, it seemed this Secret Chamber was constructed with at least two layers. These madmen really had outdone themselves.

After several door sounds, the iron door of the Secret Chamber was wrenched open roughly.

“M-Master!”

The blue-haired swordsman who opened the door bowed his head, his eyes trembling.

“What is it? If it’s not urgent, it can wait….”

“T-The Gwangpung Order has invaded!”

“What?”

“Huh?”

Gelmir and Ollan turned to stare at the swordsman, their mouths agape.

“The Gwangpung Order?”

“Why would the Gwangpung Order…?”

The answer came not from the blue-haired swordsman, but from the ceiling.

CRASH!

The ceiling collapsed with a deafening roar that sounded as though the very mountain was caving in.

Whoooosh!

Within the swirling darkness of dust and earth, a pair of sinister crimson eyes flashed.

“Who are you!”

Gelmir Zigheart drew his blade and unleashed his aura, but the red-eyed man ignored him, his gaze fixed solely on Burren.

“What kind of princess are you, spending all your time buried underground?”

“You….”

Burren’s jaw trembled as she recognized that voice.

“Raon!”

The moment she spoke that name, the dust erupted skyward, and Raon’s figure emerged. Golden hair whipped about him, his crimson eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light. His slightly raised chin carried an arrogance that suited him perfectly.

“Let’s go.”

Raon grasped the hilt of the Heavenly Sword, a cold smile playing across his lips.

“A mad dog waiting with bated breath. No, the Gwangpung Order alongside you.”

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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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