The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 287

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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 287

Not long after I became a trainee, Dorian had rambled on about rumors and incidents spreading across the Continent.

Since the fellow was naturally talkative, I let various trivial gossip go in one ear and out the other, but one story caught my interest.

A newly emerged monster from Eden—a Strange Being wearing the helmet of a Death Knight with eyes blazing with golden flames had single-handedly annihilated an entire knight order of the Owen Kingdom.

It was certainly plausible for a specter from Eden, so I nodded along. Then the fellow added a surprising detail: the knight order’s name was the Blue Horse Knight Order.

The Blue Horse Knight Order was one of the Owen Kingdom’s traditional knight orders, and its commander was Marquis Paron, who had ascended to the rank of Grand Master.

The King of Owen Kingdom drew his sword personally and searched for the specter wearing the Death Knight helmet, but the creature simply vanished and never appeared again.

People, gripped by terror and dread of the Strange Being wearing the Death Knight helmet who had slain Marquis Paron alone and annihilated the Blue Horse Knight Order, bestowed upon it the epithet: Severed Soul Sword.

I narrowed my eyes as I observed the swordsman wearing the Death Knight helmet blocking the Soul Reaper Sword.

‘So this is the Severed Soul Sword.’

The eyes within the helmet burned with vivid golden flames, the armor was pure white bone, the frame was slender yet towering in height. The appearance matched perfectly with the rumors I had heard from Dorian.

‘And moreover….’

At first, I hadn’t even sensed its presence, but now that it had revealed itself, it emanated an aura so chilling and dreadful that it made my skin crawl. This man too was a supreme master who had reached the rank of Grand Master.

Screech!

I applied more force to the Soul Reaper Sword, which was blocked by the longsword, and studied the Severed Soul Sword’s eyes.

Despite wielding the blade against me, his eyes held no emotion whatsoever. No anger, no confusion, no alarm, no joy—nothing. They were hollow, like kindling burned to ash.

“How long have you been here?”
“….”

No answer came to my question. He merely gazed at me with those emotionless eyes.

“Are you the Severed Soul Sword?”
“….”

Again, there was no response. Since breaking the Severed Soul Sword was impossible, I sheathed the Soul Reaper Sword for now.

Shing.

The Severed Soul Sword, as if waiting for this moment, slid his longsword into its scabbard as well.

‘How long has this one been here?’
-He has been here since before you awakened.
‘So he’s a watchdog.’

I exhaled softly. I had wondered why I hadn’t taken the weapons and artifacts with me, but it seemed Merlin had assigned the Severed Soul Sword to keep watch over me.

‘Well, fine.’

I chuckled and dressed in my uniform. Eden’s purpose was to place the helmet on my head anyway. Until then, they wouldn’t kill me, so I decided to leave confidently.

Even as I finished dressing and fastened my sword, the Severed Soul Sword remained motionless, simply staring intently at my face.

-Is that one like that woman too?
‘That woman?’
-You know, the face fool.
‘Ah….’

The person Wrath was referring to was Ensia. He seemed to be comparing Ensia, who kept shouting about having a handsome face, with the Severed Soul Sword, who stared blankly at my face.

‘That’s just surveillance.’
-Hmm, something feels a bit different though….

Wrath smacked his lips as if something didn’t quite add up.

‘That can’t be.’

When I fastened the Soul Reaper Sword to my waist as well, the door opened and Merlin entered.

“You’re finally awake… What are you doing here?”

Merlin’s warm voice turned cold the moment she saw the Severed Soul Sword.

“….”

The Severed Soul Sword didn’t respond to Merlin’s words, keeping his gaze fixed solely on me.

“I see.”

Merlin let out a derisive snort and patted the Severed Soul Sword’s shoulder.

“Leave. This isn’t a place for you.”
“….”

The Severed Soul Sword nodded with deliberate slowness before departing.

“I brought fresh clothes for you, yet you’re wearing that filthy thing again?”

Merlin extended the garment in her hands, her voice warm and tender—a stark contrast to how she’d addressed the Severed Soul Sword.

“Is that man the Severed Soul Sword?”
“That’s right. You seem well-informed.”
“You assigned him as a watchdog, so why are you angry?”

I narrowed my eyes slightly, watching Merlin as the atmosphere shifted in a way that made my skin crawl.

“I never assigned him as a watchdog.”

Merlin shook her head firmly.

“That creature wanders about freely wherever he pleases. Don’t concern yourself with him.”

She laughed from behind her mask as if he were utterly insignificant.

“No watchdog assigned? What’s your plan if I escape through there?”

I pointed to the square window set into the wall. The opening was large enough that I could easily slip through where sunlight streamed in.

“Escape, you say…”

Merlin nodded smoothly.

“Do as you wish.”

She gestured toward the window as if telling me to act freely.

‘There’s something going on here.’

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so composed.

“What happened to the Gale Wind Squad?”
“I left them untouched, as promised.”

Merlin smiled indifferently and placed the black garment she’d brought on the bedside table.

‘Hmm…’

Her words didn’t sound like a lie, but thinking of the 10th Apostle, I couldn’t help but worry. There was no way to predict what that enraged creature might do.

I clenched my fists, hoping they were safe.

“First, let’s change your clothes. Your uniform is covered in blood.”
“Not necessary.”
“Is that so? Then.”

Merlin snapped her fingers, and the blood drenching my uniform vanished in an instant. The torn sections were mended as neatly as if sewn together.

“Follow me. I’ll show you why there’s no need to keep watch over you.”

Merlin spoke as if addressing an old friend or a child, then opened the door and stepped out.

‘I should follow.’

Being captured was already beyond my control. Now I needed to understand what this place was and how it was structured.

I exhaled deeply and followed Merlin through the doorway. The scenery transformed the moment I crossed the threshold.
The warm log cabin vanished, replaced by a frigid black corridor.

“This is….”
“A branch of Eden that opened recently. It’s a branch, but its scale rivals that of the main headquarters. You might get lost, so shall we hold hands?”

Merlin smiled brightly and extended her hand.

“….”

I ignored her hand and stood a short distance behind her.

“Well, there’s no charm in being too obedient.”

Merlin flicked her fingers and moved forward.

Whoooosh!

Various doors materialized and vanished from the solid, cold-looking wall, while Eden’s phantoms wearing colorful helmets and masks passed by.
They bowed not only to Merlin, but to me as well.

“Why are they bowing to me?”
“There’s a hierarchy here too. You’re directly under me. You’re a 7-Star from the start.”

Merlin let out an excited laugh as she headed toward the end of the corridor. Following her outside, darkness revealed itself.

‘A moon?’

Unlike when I had seen it from the log cabin, the sky was dark, and a pale yellow moon hung overhead.

‘A barrier, then.’

It seemed to be a space where time was distorted. I lowered my gaze to observe the other buildings.

The architecture resembled the Northern Region’s designs built to withstand the cold, yet possessed a more classical aesthetic. Given the thin walls and ceilings, it appeared to be from the south rather than Zigheart.

Beyond the buildings stretched desolate terrain. A city-like structure was visible in the distance, but it was too far to discern clearly.

“Where is this place?”
“Turn around.”

I turned around following Merlin’s gesture. Behind the temple-like building we had just exited, an enormous city came into view.

Though that city lay quite far away, it was unmistakably recognizable. It was Camelrun, the trading city I had visited before heading to Habun Castle.

“Surely you don’t mean….”
“Yes. Directly beneath Camelrun.”

Merlin nodded and spoke the answer I had already deduced.

“This is insane….”

Camelrun was a neutral city belonging to the territories of three of the Six Emperors: Zigheart, Owen, and Valcar. I couldn’t fathom how they had established a branch so close by, disregarding three of the Six Emperors.

“Because all three of them are present. They keep each other in check, which actually makes it easier for us to operate.”

Merlin murmured that the competition among the Six Emperors had made installation convenient.

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be easier for me to escape from here?”

Even if Zigheart was unknown, Owen wasn’t far from this place. Given the opportunity, I could certainly break free.

“It won’t be that simple.”

Merlin snapped her fingers. Mana bloomed from her pale fingers, rising into the empty air before radiating brilliant light.

Goooooh!

A silver line spread across the night sky, revealing an enormous magical formation that encircled this space. Geometric patterns interwoven with the sun, moon, and stars permeated the entire branch.

“This is….”

I swallowed hard. Even though I was operating the Ring of Fire at full capacity from the start, I couldn’t clearly perceive the barrier’s structure.
Magic, dark magic, martial arts, sorcery, gambling techniques, and an energy I couldn’t precisely identify—a flow that was nearly impossible to decipher writhed throughout the entire barrier.

‘It’s not just the variety of energies I possess.’

The energies embedded in the barrier flowed without any pattern, changing chaotically.

The turbulent flow was so chaotic that the sight of the sun transforming into the moon—something I had witnessed in the log cabin less than five minutes ago—now felt perfectly natural. I understood why Merlin had said surveillance wasn’t necessary.

“So, think you can break through that barrier and escape?”

Merlin met my gaze and offered a faint smile—a laugh brimming with absolute confidence that I could never escape.

“….”

I didn’t answer. Truthfully, deciphering that formation on the spot was beyond my current capabilities.

“And then….”

Merlin gestured to the right. The Severed Soul Sword—the one who had crossed blades with me in the chamber moments ago—was watching from across the way.

Beside him stood a warrior adorned with a horned serpent helm. While not a Grand Master, his aura radiated at least intermediate Master-tier strength.

“If you attempt to flee, they won’t remain idle either.”

Not just them, though.

Beyond these two monsters, I sensed three more Master-class presences. Escape through force was impossible.

“I won’t be able to break free right now.”
“You’re giving up faster than I expected. Well, that’s… reasonable, I suppose.”
“You’re misunderstanding something.”

I gazed into Merlin’s eyes, now alight with exultation, and offered a chilling smile.

“I never had any intention of fleeing to begin with.”

My plan was to devour every last shred of your power in this place.

This too is destiny. I will absorb everything Eden has to offer, then depart.

“Ah….”

Merlin let out an excited breath, apparently having misunderstood again. She reached out her pale hand and brushed her chin.

“You want to be with me, don’t you? Yes. I will always be with you. Forever.”
“Stop spouting nonsense.”

I furrowed my brow and swatted her hand away.

“Get to the point. What’s this mask you’re putting on me?”
“Just wait a moment.”

Merlin lifted the edge of the mask slightly. She curled her crimson lips as she gestured toward the man with the Severed Soul Sword and serpent helm.

“I’ve prepared a treasure on an entirely different level from those.”

*

*

*

Atop a circular table lay a row of spiritual elixirs so potent their very names evoked a bone-chilling cold.
At the center sat a single rectangular box, its surface carved with the elegant motifs of angelic wings and demonic horns.

Merlin hummed softly as she methodically placed the radiant elixirs into the box one by one. After depositing the final vial, she reached for a glass bottle resting at the table’s edge.

Screeeech.

She unstopped the bottle and poured its dark, viscous liquid—shimmering within the glass—over the elixirs.
The moment the liquid touched the potions, a miasmic aura so foul it reeked of decay began seeping forth.

Merlin savored the murky stench that even extinguished the elixirs’ vitality, then sealed the box shut.

Whoooooosh!

As the elixirs and liquid intermingled, a sound like a miniature tempest churning within the rectangular box echoed through the chamber.

“Hehe.”

Merlin’s eyes gleamed with delight as she watched the elixirs blend together.

‘Raon Zigheart.’

Such a lovely child indeed.

Even trapped in an inescapable quagmire, Raon remained unruffled, showing no panic or desperate urge to flee. Instead, he was already contemplating what he must gain from this place, preparing for the trials ahead.

I had known that the boy possessed mental fortitude that exceeded his martial prowess, but I never expected him to maintain such composure even after being kidnapped.

‘The Jade Soul Orb was worth using.’

There had been objections to why I would expend the Jade Soul Orb on a mere Master-level cultivator, but the moment I witnessed Raon’s composure in the immediate aftermath of his abduction, I harbored no regrets about that choice. It had proven to be the finest decision, exactly as anticipated.

Merlin watched the slowly decelerating box and flicked her fingers.

‘Of course, that alone isn’t entirely favorable.’

Raon possessed the mental fortitude of a Master-level cultivator at the lower ranks, yet simultaneously at the upper—no, the supreme tier and beyond.

A perfected soul within the helm would certainly be capable of shattering such mental fortitude, but out of an abundance of caution, I had prepared this elixir as well.

‘The Cold Jade Pill.’

Fundamentally, it was a harmonious blend of superior cold-attribute elixirs that would substantially elevate the consumer’s physical body and aura level, but the true mechanism lay in the Corrupted Soul Essence that had seeped in at the final stage.

Corrupted Soul Essence was the crystallization of dark sorcery that shattered the soul’s control. That cursed energy would consume the Cold Jade Pill’s essence and exert a far more vicious force, ensuring that no matter how unyielding Raon’s mental fortitude might be, it would inevitably crumble.

Screeeech!

The tempestuous sound emanating from within the box ceased, and the lid opened of its own accord. Beneath the gray mist lay a single, perfectly refined round pill.

“Raon.”

Merlin sensed the essence of Corrupted Soul Essence seeping deep within that pill and smiled with satisfaction.

“You shall become an even more endearing child.”

*

*

*

I surveyed the entire Branch and returned to my chamber.

‘Is it night here as well?’

Curiously, time flowed in reverse within this chamber—when darkness blanketed the outside world, daylight reigned here, and vice versa.

‘A place devoid of even laughter.’

Perhaps because Merlin had made her intentions abundantly clear, none of Eden’s personnel attempted to obstruct my movements. The Severed Soul Sword and the serpent-headed master simply observed without particular concern.
It seemed I could do whatever I wished, provided I didn’t attempt escape.

-The True Demon King finds this place rather agreeable.

Wrath’s gaze lingered on the cookies arranged at the table’s center, and he smacked his lips.

-The meals and refreshments are delicious. Nearly equivalent to the Annex Building.
‘….’

This demon king would wag his tail anywhere if fed sufficiently. The favorable impression I’d cultivated crumbled entirely.

‘Just who exactly are you to be called Wrath….’

As I prepared to voice a question that had nagged at me, the door swung open and Merlin entered. She settled naturally onto the bed’s edge, leaning her shoulder against mine.

“How are you managing? Bearable?”
“Tolerable, except for the tedium.”

I regarded Merlin with an impassive gaze—not to conceal vulnerability, but to lay bare my honest sentiments.

“Don’t worry. Soon enough, we’ll be able to leave.”
“After I don the helmet you mentioned?”
“Of course.”

Merlin nodded slowly and pressed closer, exhaling a sweet, honeyed fragrance as she extended a small vial.

“What is this….”
“Elixir.”

She uncorked the vial, revealing a luminous azure elixir that radiated pristine energy.

“Hmm….”

I narrowed my eyes, scrutinizing not merely the elixir’s surface, but its profound depths.

‘She mixed something into it.’

On the surface, it appeared to be a spiritual elixir infused with cold energy, but within it, something of Sihan’s essence—something whose exact nature I couldn’t discern—had seeped in.

‘It must be designed to affect the mind.’

The 10th Apostle had said that the soul dwelling within the helmet crushes the human spirit and seizes control of the body. Following that logic, this elixir would undoubtedly have a detrimental effect on my consciousness.

“What if I refuse?”
“I don’t mind feeding you myself. Should I use my mouth?”

Merlin lifted her mask slightly and traced her lips with a finger.

“Not necessary.”

Her meaning was clear—if I didn’t drink it willingly, she would force it down my throat. With two Grand Masters and a throng of Masters surrounding me, refusal had never been an option from the start.

“Tch.”

I exhaled sharply and poured the elixir into my mouth.

‘I have no choice but to trust the Rings of Fire.’

I chewed the elixir, placing my faith in the seven rings that had cleanly erased the curse of bitter cold—a curse even the Saint couldn’t heal.

The moment Merlin’s elixir touched my teeth, it liquefied and flowed down my throat of its own accord.

Whoooooosh!

The Rings of Fire spun ferociously, controlling the elixir’s flow.
Within the pure, concentrated cold energy—composed of high-grade spiritual elixirs like Yeonghancheo, Derum’s inner core, Hyeolbaeekhwa, and Ojihyepmok—a single strand of Sihan’s essence emerged.

Screeeech!

The subtle aura, so covert that I would have struggled to sense it without the Rings of Fire, diverged from the cold energy and headed toward my upper body—not my brain, but my upper dantian, the space where the soul resides. It burrowed inward.

‘So it is targeting the mind, as I suspected.’

Exactly as predicted. Before I could don the helmet, she intended to shatter my mental defenses first. The Sihan essence honed itself razor-sharp and struck at the barrier of my upper dantian that protected my soul.

Clang!

I felt the impact and furrowed my brow slightly.

‘What…?’

Why is it so weak?

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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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