The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 316

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

Chapter 316

“W-we’re going to die… We’re all going to die…”

Dorian crawled across the Training Ground floor, his jaw trembling. His eyes had lost all focus.

“The sun’s already up. Kehehehe!”

Burren lay sprawled on his back, gazing at the rising sun with a hollow laugh. His usual composure had abandoned him—his expression was utterly deranged.

“Damn it. Damn it. Damn it all!”

Martha hurled curses into the void, using her breathing as a rhythm. Her voice grew progressively weaker as exhaustion set in.

“Raon’s the ugliest…”

Lunan kept his head pressed against the Training Ground floor, muttering that I was the ugliest. Occasionally, he whimpered about missing last night’s ice cream.

“W-why is that guy’s training so brutal?”
“Can’t adapt. Just when you think you’ve adapted, the intensity jumps again. I’m seriously going to die…”
“It’s… it’s because of the Black Ring too.”
“I told you to destroy that thing!”
“Destroying it doesn’t help. That bastard Dorian keeps copying it from his belly pouch…”
“Then let’s destroy Dorian.”

The swordsmen of the Gwangpung Unit were all sprawled across the Training Ground. They were utterly delirious, spouting nonsense.

I stood before the collapsed Gwangpung Unit, looking exactly as I had when training began.

“Rest while you listen.”
“W-what are you going to do now…”

Dorian’s hands trembled as he looked up with terror-stricken eyes.

“From now on, it’s theoretical instruction.”

I straightened my posture and clasped my hands behind my back, just like the instructors who trained the recruits.

“Let’s start with the Owen Kingdom. The defining characteristic of Owen swordsmanship is precision—sharp, accurate strikes that exploit every opening. They won’t miss even the tiniest gap, piercing through like a needle’s eye.”
“Openings….”
“Precision, then.”
“Beyond that, their perception is exceptional. When it comes to discerning an opponent’s weaknesses and reading their flow, the Owen Kingdom boasts the keenest eye among the Six Emperors. You cannot afford a single moment of carelessness.”

At my mention of the Six Emperors’ finest perception, the Gwangpung Unit swallowed hard.

“Next, the Beast Alliance.”

I raised my second finger.

“The warriors of the Beast Alliance possess the most formidable physiques among the Six Emperors and Five Demons. Even without channeling aura, their bare bodies can withstand a finely honed blade.”
“Ugh….”
“So they’re just monsters, then?”
“Well said. Monsters.”

I nodded to the swordsman who’d spoken the word.

“The Beast Alliance is called monsters across the Continent. Steel-like bodies, overwhelming strength capable of tearing through stone, and martial techniques honed through primal instinct. Unarmed, yet several times more dangerous than armed warriors.”
“But they seemed kind of simple, didn’t they?”
“Right. It felt like watching actual monsters.”

The swordsmen recalled the Beast Alliance warriors they’d seen at the Banquet Hall, their expressions darkening.

“Simplicity is precisely what makes them terrifying. Ignore strategy entirely, take their sword strikes with your body, and charge forward like a wild boar—and your legs will give out from fear.”

I laughed coldly and summoned aura above my fist. The fist, burning with heat, swelled to the size of a boulder. A direct hit wouldn’t merely injure—it looked as though one’s body would burst apart.

“This is how the Beast Alliance channels aura.”
“Oof….”
“That’s… terrifying.”
“Getting hit by that would… kill you….”

The Gwangpung Unit swordsmen shuddered, their entire bodies trembling.

“Third are Valcar’s mages and knights. Valcar mages are characterized by rapid spell deployment. Blessed by mana, their incantations are swift and precise. If you try to end the fight quickly like you would against ordinary mages, you’ll be caught in a devastating counterattack.”

I raised three fingers and clicked my tongue softly.

“In contrast, Valcar’s knights have defensive swordsmanship and aura as their primary focus, since their main duty is protecting mages. Breaking through their defensive techniques—harder than steel itself—won’t be easy.”

Valcar was a kingdom centered on mages, but that didn’t mean their knights were weak. The defense of knights tasked with protecting mages couldn’t be easily broken even by warriors from the other Six Emperors.

“Finally, Robert.”

I spoke the name Robert while activating the Ring of Fire to keep my excitement in check.

“Their swordsmanship resembles the southern sea.”
“Isn’t the southern sea clear and calm?”

Dorian tilted his eyes upward as he asked.

“Exactly. It’s even calmer than the Gazel River we’ve traveled. Their swordsmanship mimics that sea—soft yet graceful. It also has the characteristic of erasing the aura and flow contained in an opponent’s techniques.”
“Huh….”
“Wait, they erase the flow and aura of swordsmanship….”
“Doesn’t that make them invincible?”

When I mentioned erasing the flow of swordsmanship, the Gwangpung Unit swordsmen’s jaws dropped.

“That’s not all. In the south, there’s a period about a month each year when waves rise to the sky’s edge. Like those waves, Robert’s swordsmanship remains calm and flexible in defense, but when opportunity strikes, they unleash a surge. Their offensive power at that moment surpasses other houses. You need to be careful.”

I exhaled deeply after explaining the Robert Family’s swordsmanship.

‘It’s frustrating that I can only teach the basics.’

I wanted to teach them methods to completely counter the Robert Family’s swordsmanship, but doing so would only fuel Derus’s suspicions. For now, I had to make the Gwangpung Unit swordsmen defeat their opponents with the strength they currently possessed.

“But how do you know all of this, Commander? You’ve never been to the other Six Emperors.”

Dorian tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

“…I learned it from the Unit Leader.”

After a brief moment of thought, I used the ever-reliable Rimer excuse.

“Ugh….”
“Can we really defeat monsters like that?”
“They’re all older than us too.”
“Ugh, I suddenly feel nauseous.”

The Zigheart Storm Wind Group swordsmen trembled with fear after hearing about the characteristics of the four forces.

“You cowardly bastards!”

Martha staggered as she pushed herself to her feet.

“Do you think there are people who’ve walked a harder path than us? They’re all small fry!”

She glared at the swordsmen behind her, grinding her teeth.

“Now that’s a sensible thing to say.”

Burren chuckled and nodded.

“We’ve overcome life-threatening crises more than once. Even the other Six Emperors can’t easily gain that kind of experience.”

He smiled with his fists clenched.

“You said you were tired of just being protected anyway.”

Lunan looked at me with eyes that sparkled like starlight, not his usual fierce gaze.

“That’s true.”
“Right. The Zigheart Storm Wind Group can’t show fear before we even fight.”
“We need to think of a strategy to crush our opponents.”

The Zigheart Storm Wind Group swordsmen seemed to gain strength from their leaders’ words, as they all stood up and took their positions.

“Good spirit in your eyes.”

I smiled as I observed the burning determination in the swordsmen’s gazes.

“So then, what’s the method to counter Owen’s sharp and precise swordsmanship that I explained first?”
“Strike first to victory. We just need to attack faster than the enemy, don’t we?”

Crain slowly raised his hand and spoke.

“Or we could focus on defense, endure until the enemy’s strength wanes, then counterattack.”

Burren rose to his feet, smacking his lips.

“Both approaches have merit, but there’s a better way.”
“Better? A better way?”

Martha’s voice trembled, sensing something ominous in his words.

“Yes. Don’t create any openings in the first place.”
“Huh…?”
“Eliminate openings entirely?”
“Is that even possible?”
“With only a day left?”
“Of course it’s possible.”

I smiled coldly. Though the sun had risen, my expression seemed darker than it had been last night.

“Humans develop remarkably when pushed to the brink of death. I know from experience.”
“B-brink of death?”
“Pushed to the brink?”
“His eyes have gone completely mad! More than yesterday! They’re going to pop right out of his skull!”

Dorian scrambled backward on all fours. He pulled rocks and sand from his satchel and began constructing a wall.

“It’s just your imagination.”

I spoke in a gentle tone as I approached the Gale Wind Squad, shattering the wall Dorian had built with my Heavenly Sword blazing with crimson flames.

CRASH!

My red eyes gleamed ominously through the crumbling fragments of stone.

“Eek!”
“Ugh!”
“Kyaaah!”

Not just Dorian, but everyone in the Gwangpung Unit screamed in terror.

“By tomorrow, I’ll draw out your true strength—or rather, your real power.”

*

*

*

“Isn’t he drawing out a rabid beast instead of their true strength?”

Rimer peeked into the Training Ground where Raon and the Gwangpung Unit were, exhaling a long breath. His lips trembled as he witnessed the intensity burning in Raon’s eyes, fiercer than the sun itself.

“Tsk, if the name ‘Mad Dog Squad’ spreads here too, it’ll be troublesome.”
“I rather like it.”

Sheryl smiled faintly, watching the Gwangpung Unit tremble without even attempting to flee.

“A rabid beast that tears everything apart is far better than a coward who freezes before the fight even begins. Don’t you agree?”

She turned back as if seeking affirmation.

“I share that sentiment.”

Roen nodded slowly.

“Rather than accept defeat, it’s better to bite the throat and perish together.”

He spoke those chilling words with a gentle expression.

‘Are all the people here truly mad?’

Rimer shook his head and turned to Glen, who stood beside him.

“What about the Head of House…?”
“Raon’s training method draws out the latent potential accumulated in the bodies and minds of the Gwangpung Unit members. It’s not about learning new martial arts they haven’t acquired, but rather elevating the techniques they’ve already mastered but haven’t fully adapted to.”

Glen nodded as he observed Raon driving the Gwangpung Unit forward.

“To think you know such training methods—I can’t fathom how you’re so clever and wise.”
“Huh?”
“Right before the tournament, instead of thinking of yourself, you educate your comrades with such a warm heart. Truly, this child lacks nothing.”
“A warm heart?”

Rimer furrowed his brow and turned his gaze toward the Training Ground.

‘That guy is warm?’

He’s a demon incarnate.

Raon was thrashing the Gwangpung Unit with a face like a malevolent spirit. I couldn’t see anything warm about it.

“If you look closely, his eyes are rolling back….”
“He’s been training the children since last night, so he must be tired.”
“No, the children’s screams….”
“What spirited shouts. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”

Glen, already completely smitten with his youngest grandson, heard nothing that contradicted his vision.

“Rimer.”
“Yes?”
“Teaching Raon about the Six Emperors—so you do work properly sometimes.”

Glen patted Rimer’s shoulder as if to say well done, then climbed down from the tree.

“You’re not entirely useless after all.”
“Heh heh.”

Sheryl and Roen descended with smiles, following Glen.

“Ahahaha! I suppose I do have my moments.”

Rimer, pleased by the praise, chuckled and scratched the back of his head.

“But….”

He narrowed his eyes, gazing at Raon with a puzzled tilt of his head.

“Did I say something like that?”

*

*

*

The day of the Duel Tournament preliminaries.

Though an hour remained before the preliminaries began, the Royal Tournament Arena was already packed with spectators from every corner, leaving barely a space to set foot.

“Ahhh, I never thought I’d witness the duels of the Six Emperors’ warriors with my own eyes. I won’t shed tears for the rest of my life.”
“You can’t see this even if you throw gold at it.”
“The weight of the Six Emperors carries such gravitas. Even though they’re still promising talents, doesn’t the tension overflow?”
“Time moves too slowly. When will it start?”

The spectators seated in the arena bloomed with laughter as they anticipated the duels to come.

“Which faction will claim victory?”
“Obviously Owen. In hastily arranged tournaments like this, the host always has the advantage.”
“But there are too many formidable contenders for that to be certain.”
“At least in the Expert tier, the Third Prince will emerge victorious.”
“That’s uncertain. They say Malkor of the Beast Alliance tore apart a bishop of the White Blood Cult with his bare hands.”
“And there’s Princess Jeina of Valcar. Her magic can’t be stopped even when you see it coming.”
“The swordsmen of the Robert Family are all exceptional as well.”

The spectators savored the thought of who today’s victor might be. Gambling dens had already opened in corners where the knights weren’t watching.

“So what about the main Master-tier match?”
“That’s already decided to be Kadis Robert, ranked fifth among the Twelve Continents.”
“Well, those ranked first through fourth didn’t participate.”
“No, I heard that Borini Kitten, ranked seventh, has also improved greatly.”
“Though not among the Twelve Continents, there’s also Garona, the True Dragon of the Beast Alliance, who matches Master-tier upper echelon.”
“Ah, my heart races. I wish it would start soon.”

The spectators clenched their fists as they imagined the Master-tier duels that would unfold after the Expert matches.

“What about Zigheart?”
“Well, they’re not bad, but winning the championship? That’s a stretch.”
“For one thing, they lack the experience and age compared to other factions.”
“A two-year gap at their age is significant. They’re not ready yet.”
“Honestly, they seem manageable.”
“If that man—the second-ranked swordmaster of the Twelve Continents—had shown up, it’d be different….”
“We acknowledge Glen as the strongest of the Six Emperors, but the other Zigheart swordmasters fall short.”

Glen’s recent exploits had been so remarkable that all the spotlight fell upon him, leaving the other Zigheart swordmasters virtually unnoticed.

“There’s Raon Zigheart from the Legend Sword Association.”
“He was doing well, but he got kidnapped by enemies.”
“Right. He couldn’t even escape on his own, so he ended up relying on his family’s help.”
“Setting everything else aside, he’s still too young. Facing swordmasters like the Spear Tip Sword or the Blue Sword, who’ve reached Master-level, would be impossible for him.”

The spectators dismissed Raon with a wave of their hands, convinced that despite his participation in the Master Tournament, he wouldn’t achieve impressive results given his youth.

Boom!

As everyone anticipated the preliminaries that would unfold today, the main gates of the Sparring Arena swung open.

Clang.

With the sharp metallic ring of steel interlocking with steel, Owen’s knights clad in silver armor entered the Sparring Arena. Their eyes gleamed with pride as they made their way to the center stage.

“Woooooah!”
“Owen! Owen! Owen!”
“The Blue Eagle Knights!”
“The Youngun Knights are here too!”
“The Spear Tip Sword!”

Since this was Owen’s home ground, the spectators filling the Training Ground roared Owen’s name until their voices nearly broke.

Whoosh.

A refreshing breeze swept through like rolling waves. Next to enter was the Robert Family. The Robert swordmasters, dressed in blue uniforms, took their positions on the right side with gentle smiles on their faces.

“Uoooooooh!”
“The Robert Family!”
“The Gilian Sword Squad has arrived!”
“The Blue Blade! Cardis Robert, the Blue Blade!”
“The Twelve Continents!”

Though not quite matching Owen’s fervor, the Robert Family’s renown drew roars of equal intensity from the crowd.

Kwaaang!

The very earth trembled beneath their footsteps. The warriors of the Beast Alliance entered the Sparring Arena bare-bodied and unarmored, their primal auras blazing with untamed ferocity.

“The Beast Alliance!”
“Yeaaaaaaah!”
“The True Dragon Beast leads them!”
“There are more than a few of the Evil Eye Tribe!”
“This won’t be a light show!”

Bare flesh and naked fists—the Beast Alliance’s popularity rivaled even that of the Owen Kingdom, their violent combat powered by supreme physiques.

Zzzzzing!

With the resonance of refined mana, the Valcar mages entered the Sparring Arena. Around the silk-robed spellcasters swirled luminous blessings of mana.

“Uoooooh!”
“Valcaaaaar!”
“So Salamando came after all!”
“Princess Jeina! I’m dying!”
“The Annihilation Mage!”

As Valcar bordered the Owen Kingdom, their renown reached the heavens themselves.

Thud.

A resonance unlike any before swept across the Sparring Arena.
Not noble like Owen, not graceful like Robert, not heavy like the Beast Alliance, not mystical like Valcar.

Thud.

It was merely a rough footstep, yet it carried an eerie resonance that compelled attention and drew all eyes toward it.

Thud.

With each deliberate footfall, I and the Gwangpung Unit crossed the threshold of the Sparring Arena. In the depths of our eyes, sunken like the abyss itself, a sickly yellow madness flickered and burned.

“Uooo….”
“W-What is….”
“Zigheart?”
“Something feels… different about them.”
“…They thought we were easy prey?”

The spectators were crushed beneath the savage ferocity radiating from the Zigheart swordsmen, unable even to muster a cheer.

“Ugh!”
“Those things….”
“What in the….”

The warriors and mages of the other Six Emperors swallowed hard, their throats dry as they sensed the chilling aura emanating from the Zigheart swordsmen.

Whoooosh!

The Zigheart swordsmen who silenced the Sparring Arena took their positions on the left and exhaled heavy breaths. Gray smoke seemed to envelop them.

Goooo.

Once everyone had settled into place, I turned to face them. Gazing into the eyes of my swordsmen—burning with scorching killing intent and gleaming with cold madness—I smiled with satisfaction.

“You’ve followed me well these past two days.”

Watching the Gwangpung Unit curse me with their eyes, I shattered the invisible leash that bound them.

“Now it’s time to bite.”

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