The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 281

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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 281

I entered the Dining Hall in front of the Alley and ordered a sandwich.

-Ugh…

Wrath let out a dissatisfied groan.

-That’s not what you promised!

‘The place is closed. What do you expect me to do?’

The barbecue restaurant he wanted to visit was shut down, apparently having closed after operating until dawn. True to Granseville’s nature—a city more vibrant at night than during the day—there weren’t many restaurants open in the morning, leaving me with no other options.

-I swore I would never trust your words again, yet I’ve been deceived once more!

Wrath’s hand trembled on the table.

-From now on, I will never believe anything you say again…

‘Once this is over, I’ll make sure we try all the delicious food here.’

-A lie! It’s definitely a lie!

‘You know as well as I do that there’s not much time left.’

I pointed my finger upward—not at the Dining Hall’s ceiling, but at the Formation above it.

‘That formation opened last night. Which means the incantation will activate today.’

The spectral energy and blood force I felt before entering the Dining Hall last night were fragments of power that burst forth the moment the formation opened. Now that the incantation had been unsealed, they would surely activate it quickly to prevent the accumulated energy from dissipating.

-From what I can see, that energy is still incomplete. The vessel hasn’t been fully filled.

‘True. But the sacrifice is right here.’

I smiled faintly and pointed to myself.

-You’re the sacrifice?

‘Yes. They definitely know I’m here.’

Looking at the current situation, it was certain that White Blood Cult members were hiding even in the Black Market. The White Blood Cult, who viewed me as their mortal enemy after I defeated the 7th Apostle and killed the 4th Apostle, would never overlook information about me.

‘They’ll target me and attack soon. It won’t take long. Just be patient a little longer.’

-Really?

Wrath blinked, already forgetting what he’d said twenty seconds ago.

‘Yes.’

-Ugh….

“Your meal is ready.”

Just as Wrath’s suspicious gaze flickered, the Restaurant Staff brought out two sandwiches filled with eggs and ham.

“Thank you.”

Since I was in the middle of conversing with Wrath, I set the plate down on the table for now.

-What are you doing?

‘No, this time I can actually trust him…’

-Shut your mouth and just eat. The True Demon King’s belly is sticking to his spine!

‘Sigh.’

I exhaled softly. I thought he was talking about food to eat later, but Wrath seemed more urgent about the sandwich right in front of him. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was really a Demon King.

With a reluctant expression, I took a bite of the sandwich. The crispy toasted bread harmonized perfectly with thick ham, cheese, and soft egg, spreading a savory and rich flavor throughout my mouth.

‘Not bad at all.’

-Kruu, they say hunger is the best seasoning, and this isn’t half bad.

Wrath grinned widely with delight over a single sandwich.

-The bread is crooked! The balance is off. Put the ham properly between the bread slices!

“Mm….”

I watched Wrath enjoy himself and smacked my lips.

‘This feels like I’m doing something terrible.’

To think he’d be so passionate about a single sandwich—after this is all over, I’ll have to treat him to a proper meal.

Renting out one of the finest Dining Halls for a full gathering of the Gwangpung Unit didn’t sound like a bad idea at all.

‘Let me check that reward.’

Raon summoned the reward he hadn’t properly examined while Wrath was rampaging.

【Curse Interpreter】

A title bestowed upon one who independently deciphers and resolves high-difficulty curses.

Ability: All Stats +5.

‘Stats came with it too.’

I’d thought it was merely a title in name only, but it also granted a stat-boosting effect. An unexpected joy brought a smile to my face.

【Formation Interpretation (1-Star)】

Insight and concentration increase, allowing one to perceive the flow of all formations—sword formations, martial formations, curse formations, and beyond.

Formation Interpretation granted no additional stat points, but instead elevated the ability to perceive the effects of various formations. Since it was growth-type, if I cultivated it properly, it would prove far more valuable than raw stats.

‘And my stats rose on top of that.’

Finally, all stats increased by five points. To receive such rewards right before battle—it felt as though the goddess of victory herself was blessing me with certain triumph.

-Grrrgh….

Wrath, who had been delighted by the sandwich, bit his lip as he read the message.

-Just for deciphering a curse formation, and they give such a reward…?

‘When I think about it, it’s only natural they’d give something.’

I waved my hand dismissively.

‘The system grants rewards based on Achievements I’ve accomplished. Since I’ve deciphered a curse formation of enormous scale this time, it’s only natural that I receive a reward commensurate with that.’

The system operates with perfect efficiency. Even if it wasn’t a martial art, I had accomplished something worthy of being called an Achievement, and the system simply granted me the corresponding reward. The rewards I obtained were all related to curses and formations.

-Ugh…!

Wrath had nothing more to say and merely ground his teeth.

-When the True Demon King returns, I shall smash this system to pieces! I will never use it again!

‘As if.’

I shrugged my shoulders. By the time Wrath returned, all my work would be finished anyway, so it hardly mattered.

‘I’ve finished eating, so I should head out.’

I pushed the empty plate forward.

-Wait, what?! You’re leaving after just one sandwich?!

‘To the kids.’

I placed the payment for the meal on the table and stood up.

‘I need to tell them the plan to destroy the White Blood Cult.’

*

*

*

After receiving my instructions, Martha followed Luna. Just as I had mentioned before, Luna lived in the Shantytown with her two younger siblings.

I had given her enough money, so I thought the children would be eating well today, but it seemed the tribute collectors had seized everything—the kids were filling their bellies with hard, stale bread.

“Sister. You eat too.”

Luna’s younger sister held out half her bread. Her even younger brother, sniffling softly, offered his portion as well.

“I already ate outside. Don’t worry about me—you two eat first.”

Luna smiled faintly and pushed the bread back to her siblings.

Martha’s expression hardened as she watched Luna.

‘I’ve been played.’

I noticed fresh bruises on her face—it looked like she’d gone to pay tribute and gotten beaten for money beyond the tribute itself.

‘Damn bastards…’

Watching Luna clench her fists as she looked at her younger siblings, I felt a flash of anger—memories of my own past surfacing.

‘Should I go deal with them?’

That money was mine anyway.

Watching the children get beaten and fill their bellies with stale bread ignited my rage. I was already thinking of excuses to go settle this.

“Those children—who are they?”

“Huh!”

As I was deliberating, Raon’s calm voice came from behind me. I nearly gasped, but he covered my mouth just in time, keeping me silent.

“You bastard! Give some warning before you sneak up!”

“I can’t exactly announce myself here.”

Raon smiled gently and unfolded a barrier to prevent sound from escaping.

“That girl is Luna, right? She doesn’t just have wounds—her entire body is suffused with blood energy.”

He narrowed his eyes as he observed Luna, murmuring in confirmation and nodding.

“Wait, you’re saying there’s blood energy throughout her entire body? You can actually sense that?”

“I’m in pretty good condition right now.”

“Hmm….”

I couldn’t feel anything at all.

If I hadn’t seen Luna’s wounds, I never would have imagined she possessed blood energy. From this distance, Raon sensing the blood energy within Luna’s body made him seem like a monster.

“That girl isn’t burying blood-infused stones for the first time. She’s been exposed to blood energy while burying the stones, so it’s accumulated in her body. She can’t control it, so it’s moving on its own.”

“So, what happens then?”

“For now it’s fine, but the moment the curse activates, she’ll die.”

“Die?”

“Yes. Right now the curse formation isn’t in perfect condition to activate. Those children who are close by and heavily exposed to the blood energy will become the sacrifice first.”

Raon’s eyes grew cold and sinister as he clenched his fists tightly.

“B-but is there a way? You’re not just going to leave it like this, right?”

“Have you grown attached to her? That’s not like you.”

“Shut up!”

Martha’s hand came down sharply. She couldn’t bring herself to admit that she saw herself before entering Zigheart when looking at that girl.

“It could be dangerous.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

To dismantle the White Blood Cult’s plan—one that would sacrifice even these children—I would endure any wound without hesitation.

“Good resolve in those eyes. With that kind of determination, I can trust you.”

Raon smiled and nodded.

“Soon that Tus will summon those children. Then you and Unit 1 will tail each of them one by one….”

*

*

*

Deningrose, the Black Market’s Granseville Branch Director, walked through the underground passage where blood had long since dried.

‘This place should have collapsed.’

When I was first assigned to Granseville, I personally confirmed this passage was blocked. Yet now the underground corridor stretched open before me, its floor covered entirely with dried bloodstains.

‘No, setting aside whether this passage collapsed or not….’

Why am I here?

My legs carried me forward of their own accord, yet I couldn’t fathom why I’d come here or why I walked this corridor. My body and mind seemed disconnected. I couldn’t stop my steps or collapse to the ground. My only choice was to keep walking.

After walking through the Underground for a while, my feet sticky with dried blood, I spotted a round Corridor with red light seeping through it. Still not understanding why, my feet crossed the threshold.

A massive Cavern bathed in soft light like moonlight pouring down. In the center of a space where corpses were piled like mountains—nauseating in their abundance—sat a young, handsome man.

‘That person is….’

Deningrose swallowed hard. Purple hair. Narrow, sharp eyes. And a sword scar etched across his chest. Distinctive features impossible for a Black Market Branch chief not to recognize. The 7th Apostle of the White Blood Cult.

“Living in the same city and finally seeing you in person. Deningrose.”

The 7th Apostle rose to his feet, his eyes crinkling with what seemed like warmth.

“Ah….”

Without realizing it, Deningrose dropped to her knees and bowed her head. Not from fear of the 7th Apostle, not from dread. Her body had responded as if she’d come here of her own accord.

“A woman who bows from the start is rare.”

The 7th Apostle chuckled softly and approached, standing before Deningrose’s bowed head.

“Ugh….”

Deningrose clenched her teeth. She wanted to rise by any means, but her body wouldn’t obey. Her limbs felt as heavy as stone.

“What’s wrong? Your body won’t move as you wish?”

“W-what did you do to me….”

I forced my tongue to move, speaking words that felt like they belonged to someone else.

“I’m not sure.”

As the 7th Apostle tilted his chin and flicked his fingers, Deningrose lifted her head.

“Do you want to know why you couldn’t find us?”

“It must be because of a mole….”

Deningrose exhaled heavily as she met the 7th Apostle’s narrow gaze. Seeing that information about Raon had leaked, she was certain there was a mole among them.

‘And a high-ranking one at that.’

Information about Raon was classified at the highest level—only executives could even access it. I had devised a complete plan to find him, but now I wouldn’t even get to execute it before dying here. The frustration was suffocating.

“So you’re not completely foolish.”

The 7th Apostle nodded slowly, as if satisfied.

“Then who could it be?”

As he snapped his fingers, five figures in white robes emerged from the back of the cavern.

“Ah….”

Deningrose’s eyes widened. The five who had just emerged were all members of the Black Market, and one of them was an executive. Worse still, it was Philip—the one she had desperately hoped wouldn’t be involved, the one who operated the Antique Shop with direct connections to the Black Market Branch.

“Philip, why are you….”

They offered no answer to her question. They merely knelt before the 7th Apostle with their heads bowed.

“Do you know why I’m telling you this?”

“Because you plan to kill me.”

“No.”

The 7th Apostle let out a derisive snort and shook his head.

“Because your body no longer belongs to you.”

“Then… what is my current state….”

“Exactly. I’m controlling you right now.”

He wiggled his fingers as if manipulating a puppet on strings.

“Not just you. Every insect crawling on this earth is within my grasp. If I command them to die, they’ll drive a blade through their own hearts without hesitation.”

“What… what on earth….”

“From today onward, Granseville will become a vast breeding ground. The moths intoxicated by pleasure will offer their gold and blood without even realizing they’re dying. This is the sorcery for that.”

The 7th Apostle pointed toward the ceiling. Within the soft luminescence, a colossal blood energy writhed and undulated.

“Don’t worry. You must continue living as the Branch Master of Granseville.”

“Ugh….”

Deningrose’s lips trembled. It wasn’t brainwashing—she simply couldn’t resist at all, unable even to report to the Black Market headquarters. She might spend her entire life under the 7th Apostle’s dominion.

“Deningrose.”

The 7th Apostle gazed down at Deningrose’s fear-stricken eyes and smiled.

“I’ll give you your first task. Bring me Raon Zigheart. He will be the final puzzle of this breeding ground.”

*

*

*

I lifted my head after inspecting my enhanced physique and aura behind the Dormitory. The sky had darkened. The sun had already set.

The entire world was shrouded in gloom, though it wasn’t even dusk. An eerie sky devoid of moon, stars, or clouds.

Crunch.

Light footsteps echoed from behind. I turned to see Deningrose, the Black Market Branch Master, approaching.

“Raon.”

Deningrose approached right up to me and bowed respectfully.

“We’ve captured a White Blood Cult member.”

“A White Blood Cult member?”

“Yes. We’re planning to interrogate them. Would you be able to join us?”

“Of course.”

I nodded and pulled on the coat I’d hung on the wall.

“Thank you.”

I followed Deningrose, who wore a gentle smile, toward Granseville’s Main Street.

Whoosh!

The distinctive buildings and brilliant illuminations still radiated their dazzling light, yet something was different from yesterday.

People. Not a single soul walked the Main Street where countless people usually passed.

Deningrose continued forward with the same stride and pace, as if unconcerned.

After walking for some time, she stopped at the heart of the Main Street—the busiest place in this city, yet now not even an ant could be seen.

“Raon.”

Deningrose turned slowly, and a single tear fell from beneath the black eye patch adorned with a rose.

“I’m sorry.”

With those words, she retreated backward. In that same instant, people hidden within the building burst forth en masse.

Over a hundred figures, their eyes gleaming with an ashen hue, surrounded Raon.

Behind them, White Blood Cult devotees clad in pristine white robes brandished various weapons, their murderous intent radiating like a palpable force.

A low, rumbling growl echoed through the air.

As Raon sensed the killing intent of the crowd and furrowed his brow, a pale pool of liquid suddenly materialized beside Deningrose.

The viscous fluid, churning like beer foam, slowly rose and took human form. Purple hair, eyes like slits—the unforgettable 7th Apostle emerged with a smile brimming with confidence.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

The 7th Apostle brushed off his coat and raised a pale hand.

“Raon Zigheart.”

“7th Apostle.”

Raon regarded the 7th Apostle with slightly lowered brows.

“So it was your doing.”

“That’s right. They’re all my creations. I didn’t expect you to arrive at such a convenient moment, though.”

He chuckled softly and spread both arms wide.

“Do you like my welcome greeting?”

“A greeting, you say….”

I narrowed my eyes and grasped the hilt of the Soul Reaper Sword strapped to my back.

“Ah, but I haven’t finished speaking yet.”

The 7th Apostle shook his head with leisurely composure.

“These ones, you see. They’re not followers.”

He raised a finger and pointed toward the sky.

Ku-ku-ku-ku-ku!

Even without activating the Ring of Fire, I could see the massive dark clouds of blood energy swirling above.

“Do you understand now?”

The 7th Apostle smiled even more deeply as he watched my bewildered expression.

“They’ve simply accepted blood energy unknowingly under the influence of that sorcery. Not our followers—merely ordinary insects who lived in this place.”

He grabbed Deningrose by the hair and lifted her head.

“….”

Deningrose’s head was wrenched back so violently that strands of hair threatened to tear free, yet she didn’t utter a single sound of pain, her expression remaining utterly composed.

“I know well the utility of that dagger you possess. They say it sings a song of death to those cultists who wield blood energy through its blade song? If you use it here, all these worms will perish as well.”

The 7th Apostle gestured from Deningrose to the crowds filling the street.

“Raon….”

Whether the 7th Apostle had released his grip or not, a strained voice escaped from Deningrose. A desperate plea emerging from that serene expression—it was grotesquely unsettling.

“The Legend Sword Association, is it? I’ve heard that those who bear the sword do so for others. I’m curious about you—will you kill innocent people for your own sake, or will you run?”

He snapped his fingers as if offering a choice.

At the sharp sound, the crowd drew various weapons from their garments and advanced toward me. Their eyes, clouded with ashen gray, gleamed with an eerie luminescence.

“A sword bearer? I never sought such a title.”

I drew the Soul Reaper Sword with unwavering resolve.

Kwaaaaaang!

The blade gleamed crimson as a howl of demonic energy tore through the Main Street like thunder itself.

“Ugh….”

“Cough!”

“Gasp….”

Ordinary people with blood energy and the White Blood Cult members guarding them all collapsed to the ground, spraying blood.

“Kahahaha!”

The 7th Apostle burst into maniacal laughter, clutching his forehead.

“Yes. I knew it! That’s who you really are! This world doesn’t understand you. Only I can comprehend your true nature—cruel and merciless!”

He tore open his robe, revealing the sword scar on his chest where the Soul Reaper Sword had cut him.

“Now, let us begin. Your blood—wait?”

The 7th Apostle’s jaw trembled as he looked at Deningrose beside him. She was still alive, breathing faintly.

It wasn’t just Deningrose. All the humans infused with blood energy were still breathing, alive. Only the cult members guarding them had stopped breathing.

“What are you….”

The 7th Apostle’s eyes rolled in confusion, unable to comprehend.

“You’ve crossed the line.”

“What?”

“From this moment on, the White Blood Cult will flee at the mere sight of my shadow.”

I lifted the Soul Reaper Sword, pointing it at the 7th Apostle. The blade gleamed with an ethereal light, dyed the same crimson as my eyes.

“I will not leave a single blood fiend alive on this land.”

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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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