The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 320

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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 320

I gazed at the bracket showing all the Round of 16 matches and narrowed my eyes.

‘Just as expected.’

Borini Kitten with his piercing blade, Garona the True Dragon, Cardis with his azure sword, and even Ron, the Annihilation Mage ranked 9th among the Twelve Continents—the Round of 16 had unfolded without the slightest deviation from my initial predictions.

‘This will be entertaining.’

The thought of facing Borini Kitten, then Garona the True Dragon, and Kadis Robert in succession caused my grip to naturally tighten with anticipation.

-But there’s something you need to handle first, isn’t there?

Wrath crawled up over my ice flower bracelet, grumbling.

‘Right.’

I licked my lips as I observed Matio, Derus’s direct subordinate, listed below the bracket.

‘I need to neutralize both that bastard and Tacheon’s ambush simultaneously.’
-How exactly do you plan to do that? Tell me now, will you?
‘Well.’
-Tsk, tsk, tsk….

Wrath glared at me and ground his teeth with an audible crunch.

-A man with too many secrets doesn’t live long! I, the True Demon King, shall hear it myself—tell me your plan!

He suppressed his rage and pressed the question again, genuinely curious.

‘Then I’ll live short and keep my secrets.’
-You infuriating brat!

Wrath finally lost his patience and rushed at me, emanating cold energy.

‘I have the quarterfinals to prepare for. I’ll play with you later.’

I swatted away Wrath as he thrust his face toward mine.

‘Ah, Wrath.’

After pushing him back, I grabbed the nape of his neck again. I wanted to add certainty to my prediction.

-What is it!

He turned his head away as if sulking.

‘Remember that purple magic Tacheon used at the end before?’
-Of course. That half-wit used the same kind of magic as me.

Wrath nodded slowly.

-The harmony of light and darkness. A power called chaos.
‘As I thought.’

I nodded with a faint smile.

‘Do you know how to block it?’
-Krhm! Even if you died and came back to life, it would be impossible with your skill! So you were trying to borrow the True Demon King’s power after all! I have no intention of helping an insolent wretch like you!

Wrath smirked, licking his tongue as if seizing a good opportunity.

‘You’re right. It’s impossible for me to block that chaos power as you said. But if I deal with it when light and darkness are still separate, before they mix together, wouldn’t that work?’

If chaos was an overwhelmingly powerful force that couldn’t be blocked, then handling it before light and darkness merged would suffice.

-Uh….

Wrath’s mouth fell open, his tongue still sticking out.

-That’s true?

He nodded blankly before stopping.

-Ah, but that alone isn’t enough….
‘Yes. It’s over.’
-You, you foolish wretch! You missed one! If that half-breed attacks with Chaos from the start….
‘That won’t happen.’

Chaos is a formidable power. If unleashed directly, the leaders of the Six Emperors in the conference room would be blown away instantly. Tacheon would surely send light and darkness separately, then merge them here.

‘Thank you. Your words gave me certainty.’

I reached up and gently patted Wrath’s head, which had grown thin like cotton candy.

-Yes, you shall receive divine punishment! If heaven does not deliver it, the True Demon King shall….
‘For a demon king, you sure do love talking about heaven.’
-That remark! It is racial discrimination!
‘You’re not even human.’
-Then it’s species discrimination!

As Wrath squeaked in protest, the Announcer climbed onto the Sparring Arena.

“Now we shall begin the Master-class Duel Tournament Quarterfinals!”
“Uwaaaaaa!”
“Finally the quarterfinals!”
“I thought I’d die waiting!”
“Start already! I’m losing my mind!”

The Announcer waved his hand in response to the crowd’s cheers and pointed to the first match on the bracket.

“The first quarterfinal match is between Raon Zigheart of the Legend Sword Association and Borini Kitten, the Spear-Tip Blade ranked 7th among the Twelve Continents!”

His announcement triggered a roar that seemed to shake the Sparring Arena itself.

“Raon! Raon!”
“Legend Sword Association!”
“Spear-Tip Blade! Spear-Tip Blade! Spear-Tip Blade!”
“The Legend Sword Association was impressive, but they’re no match for the Spear-Tip Blade.”
“Didn’t you see the Round of 16? He completely crushed Matheus!”
“Are Borini Kitten and Matheus the same? Does a Twelve Continents rank 7 look like small fry to you?”

Though many still favored Borini Kitten’s victory, the cheers for me had grown incomparably louder compared to the Round of 16.

“Hah.”

I ascended into the Sparring Arena, buoyed by the spectators’ roars that seemed to push at my back.
From the opposite side, Borini Kitten approached with angular, rigid footsteps.

His flowing cyan hair framed eyes sharp as blades, and his bearing was noble and aloof—like an ancient pine tree that had taken human form.

‘He stands a full tier above Matheus.’

Unlike Matis Kiserum, who had been intermediate, Borini Kitten had clearly ascended to the upper echelon of Master rank. One careless moment could spell my downfall.

“This is our first personal duel. I look forward to it.”

Borini Kitten stepped forward and bowed his head slightly. His low voice carried both dignity and courtesy.

“While others seem to underestimate you, I do not.”

He slowly began to raise his aura. A piercing energy emanated from his feet, like needles pricking the skin.

“I regard you as the most dangerous championship contender among all opponents present here.”

Whether sincere or not, Borini Kitten’s aura did not diminish. It seemed he intended to fight at full strength from the outset.

“I appreciate the regard, but I’m hardly on the level of the Celestial Dragon or the Blue Sword.”
“I believe you are their equal.”
“That’s quite the burden of expectation.”

I smiled faintly as I matched the aura Borini Kitten was raising.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

Though the duel had not yet begun, our clashing auras sent sand and stone fragments swirling across the Sparring Arena.

“A-Already so intense!”

The Announcer swallowed hard, beads of cold sweat forming on his brow as he felt the pressure from both of us.

“From the quarterfinals onward, two additional protective enchantments are placed on the Sparring Arena! Please display your full strength!”

He descended into the Sparring Arena and raised his hand.

“Then, Quarterfinals Round 1! Begin!”

The moment the Announcer’s hand pointed from the sky toward the Sparring Arena, Raon and Borini Kitten’s bodies vanished.

Clang!

In the blink of an eye, they had drawn their blades and collided at the center—an instantaneous sword strike where the draw became the attack itself.

Whoooosh!

Steel met steel, and their blades sang out with a fierce, piercing resonance.

“You reacted as expected.”

Borini Kitten nodded, as if he had anticipated this.

“Since you’ve shown interest, I must prove worthy of it.”

I nodded and unleashed the Gwangah Sword. A slash sharp enough to cleave the very air descended diagonally.

“Hmph!”

Borini Kitten remained unruffled and raised his blade. The aura wreathing his sword honed itself even sharper, meeting my opening strike.

Crash!

The second collision was equally matched. Neither gave ground—a perfect stalemate.

Grind!

I poured strength into my left ankle and drove the Jecheon Sword forward. While Borini Kitten surpassed me in aura sharpness and density, the difference in physical ability was enough for me to overwhelm him.

Screech!

Borini Kitten sensed the disadvantage in raw strength and flicked his blade aside, retreating backward.

“Isn’t such strength from that physique practically cheating?”

He twisted his wrist and furrowed his brow, his expression betraying shock at the impact.

“We haven’t even begun yet.”

I laughed coldly and rolled forward, thrusting the Gwangpung Sword upward once more.
Like a viper coiled upon the earth, fangs bared as it strikes at a descending bird—this was the Viper Fang technique of the Gwangpung Sword.

Clang!

Borini Kitten withdrew his left foot, creating space, then struck down at the center of the rising Viper Fang technique.

“Ugh!”

I narrowed my eyes and swallowed a groan. The intense impact sent a shudder through my arm bones.

‘He strikes with precision.’

I had confidence in the Gwangpung Sword.

Yet he exploited not merely the gaps in a person’s defense, but the minutest openings within the sword strike itself—the reputation of the Spear-Pointed Sword ranked among the Twelve Continents was well-earned.

Whoosh!

Now came Borini Kitten’s counterattack. He parried the Viper Fang and brought his blade down from the upper left in one fluid motion. A swift and razor-sharp strike descended toward my head.

Boom!

I twisted my ankle, channeling the body’s strength drawn from my calf muscles and the scorching energy of the Manhwa Palace ignited from my core simultaneously.

Crash!

The fiery sword strike erupting like a volcano collided with Borini Kitten’s blade descending like lightning.

Zzzzzt!

Force met force, and crimson sparks scattered across the entire Sparring Arena.

‘Did he exploit an opening even amidst that exchange?’

Borini Kitten seized the opening in my upward slash and neutralized its force. It was absurdly sharp and precise.

“Hah.”

I moistened my lips with my tongue.

‘I need to acquire that.’

I decided what I needed to learn from this duel with Borini Kitten. The instantaneous judgment to identify precise openings, and the mastery of both unconventional and orthodox sword techniques to exploit them. I resolved to obtain all three.

-Your greed knows no bounds.
‘Greed is better than having none at all.’
-Grid would rush to befriend you if he saw you like this.
‘Fools are always welcome.’

I adjusted my grip on the Soul Reaper Sword and smiled.

“The atmosphere has changed.”

Borini Kitten narrowed his eyes and held his blade at middle guard.

“Still, I won’t let my guard down. I’ll fight with full power.”

He pushed off the ground and rushed forward, scattering sword strikes. At the chilling sensation of the blade approaching his throat, goosebumps ran down his spine. It was the supreme martial art he had mastered—the Cham-hyeol Sword Technique.

Goooooo!

I resonated the rings of fire. Seven rings resonated in succession, and the world began to slow.

Whoooosh!

Borini Kitten’s sword strike came into view. Without the slightest tremor, it advanced straight toward the opening I had identified from the start.

‘What I’m seeing now….’

Even through the rings of fire, I couldn’t see an opening in Borini Kitten’s technique. But it didn’t matter.

‘If there’s no opening, I’ll create one.’

I lowered my center of gravity and tightened my grip. A chill surged up from the ground—the Seolhwa Sword Technique infused with Glacia’s essence.

Kyaaaaaang!

The Cheongwun Lotus of the Seolhwa Sword Technique twisted and interlocked with the Bloodletting Sword Art that Borini Kitten unleashed.

Raon and Borini Kitten passed each other, their eyes meeting in the exchange.

Chwaaaaak!

Borini Kitten swiftly pivoted on his ankle and unleashed a second blade strike.

Rather than counterattack immediately, I extended my left foot forward.

‘Three openings.’

The twist of the Seolhwa Sword Technique had created three openings in Borini Kitten’s defense. But not all of them were genuine. I had to filter out the false ones and find the real vulnerability.

‘Right flank.’

The openings at his neck and heart were wavering far too honestly, as if begging to be struck. Borini Kitten would never leave such vital points exposed—those had to be traps.

I made my decision swiftly and thrust the Jecheon Sword toward his flank, harmonizing precision and prediction to strike cleanly through the opening.

“Hmm….”

Borini Kitten shifted his attack into defense, blocking the blade aimed at his waist.

Chiiiing!

But that too was a Seolhwa Sword strike. The rhythm of the Severing technique broke the flow and created yet another opening in Borini Kitten’s defense.

‘This time….’

I stepped forward once more, summoning the Manhwa Palace and transitioning the Seolhwa Sword Technique into the Gwang-a Sword. I infused the ferocity of the Gwang-a Sword with precision and accuracy.

Kwaaaaaang!

Like a beast unleashed, my strikes were savage yet refined, forcing Borini Kitten to abandon counterattacks and merely defend against the relentless openings.

Screech!

Borini Kitten, pushed backward, furrowed his brow and straightened his posture.

“Your very essence has shifted since a moment ago.”

He gripped his sword tightly and narrowed his eyes.

“It feels as though I’m fighting my own reflection.”
“I also happen to enjoy exploiting openings.”
“Then we must settle this properly and determine who is superior.”

Borini Kitten clenched his teeth and charged forward. Even his footwork was razor-sharp, cutting through the space behind me with blade-like precision.

“Bring it on.”

I smiled coldly and thrust the Snowwind Sword Technique forward. Borini Kitten matched my advance, deploying his Crimson Blood Sword at full power.

Clang clang clang!

Crimson and azure sword auras split the setting sun.

*

*

*

Gentle waves rippled across the White Sand Beach.
Beneath the crimson sun sinking toward the horizon, two masked men sat before a wooden table.

“Are you truly going through with this?”

The man wearing a red serpent helmet adorned with two horns gazed at the fading sun as he spoke.

“Of course.”

Tacheon, wearing a mask of a beautiful youth that had grown more refined than when he fought Glen, smiled gently and tapped the map laid upon the table.
The location he indicated was the heart of Owen Royal Castle—specifically, where the Sparring Arena stood.

“In the future, he could become the equal of Glen—or perhaps even surpass him. We cannot simply ignore such a sprout, can we? Moreover, we can erase the futures of the other Six Emperors as well. An opportunity like this will not come again.”
“Raon Zigheart….”
“Ah, come to think of it, the Red Ghost Knight also suffered at his hands, did he not?”
“That was not me.”
“Ah, my mistake.”

Tacheon offered a faint smile. Though he called it a mistake, his expression bore not the slightest hint of apology.

“And it is of no consequence.”

The Red Ghost Knight slowly waved his hand.

“Well, that is fortunate.”

Tacheon nodded and turned his gaze away. The Severed Soul Sword stood with his feet in the shallow waters, gazing toward the distant sea.

“Hehe.”

He smiled briefly at the Severed Soul Sword’s back, then raised his index and middle fingers.

Goooooooo!

White and black radiance sparkled and surged from his two fingers.

“Even if the Six Emperors are in the Conference Room, there will be powerful warriors in the Sparring Arena.”
“You see, humans cannot see two things when they focus on one.”

Tacheon smiled as he gazed at the black and white light hovering above his fingers.

“When the battle between two people reaches its peak, light and darkness descending from the sky above become invisible. All the more so if they mingle with the sunset.”
“Mm….”
“Then let us greet them.”

As Tacheon lowered his hand, the two lights clinging to his fingers traced a semicircle and seeped into the map.

“Today is the last day for the Twelve Continents and Raon Zigheart.”

Along with laughter as pure as a child’s, a magnificent radiance burst forth from within the map.

*

*

*

Screeeech!

Within the tempest of crimson aura, the sound of metal scraping against a saw blade pierced the air.

It was the thunderous clash of sword strikes between Raon and Borini Kitten, each unleashing their full arsenal upon the other.

Above their blades, aura honed sharp as an awl burned with incandescent fury—sword energy meticulously refined to pierce vulnerabilities with absolute precision and lethality.

Clang clang clang clang!

As aura collided with aura, violent shockwaves erupted, yet neither Raon nor Borini Kitten retreated. Despite the agony of wounds seared by the clashing energies, they drove forward relentlessly, seeking only to sever their opponent’s lifeline.

A crimson gleam flickered in my eyes.

‘Right shoulder, left knee.’

The real opening is the knee.

As soon as I spotted the gap, the real and fake were distinguished. I unleashed the Seolpung Sword Technique toward the left knee.

“Ugh…”

Borini Kitten, unable to properly deflect the frigid sword strike, was pushed back two steps.

Whoosh!

Raon stretched his right foot forward and stepped into a true stance. He rotated, infusing tremendous heat into the power surging up from his thigh muscles.

Manhwa Palace Revolving Heaven. The rotating flame saw blade came crashing down with brutish, overwhelming force.

CRASH!

Borini Kitten couldn’t handle that power and was pushed backward to the end of the Sparring Arena. It was such tremendous force that footprints were left even in the magically protected Sparring Arena.

Whoooooosh!

The storm of aura subsided, and the two figures came into view.

My uniform was torn in several places and stained crimson with blood, while Borini Kitten’s armor was dented and cracked, blood seeping from the gaps. Neither of us looked particularly well, yet our expressions were impossibly bright.

“Uh, uh….”
“Who said it was one-sided! They’re evenly matched!”
“No, right now Raon seems to have the advantage?”
“So this is the true martial power of the Legend Sword Association….”
“When you think about it, being kidnapped was inevitable! They’re the 10th Apostle and Merlin!”
“Right. We shouldn’t have worried about kidnappings.”
“Come to think of it, the Legend Sword Association has only captured two apostles!”

The spectators’ jaws dropped as they watched me hold my own against Borini Kitten in an even exchange. Many of them were so astonished they were drooling.

“It’s been quite a while since I’ve enjoyed such an entertaining fight.”

Borini Kitten gripped his sword again with slightly trembling hands. He had called it a fight, not a sparring match or duel. It meant he was treating this as real combat.

“Indeed.”

I smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

‘That was truly an educational exchange.’

I had learned much through our close-quarters combat. The distinction between real and false openings, the judgment to target the most critical points among those openings, the mastery of feint and true strikes—it was no different from having a teacher instruct me directly before my eyes.

“I’ve heard tales of a monster who grows stronger through combat, but witnessing it firsthand is rather unsettling.”
“I’ve learned much thanks to you.”

Borini Kitten was a knight perfected in character as well. His gratitude was genuine, not mockery.

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s time to bring this to an end.”

Borini Kitten smiled. He raised his sword to upper guard and withdrew his left foot backward. His aura gathered completely as he assumed a stance reminiscent of a spearmaster targeting an enemy from mid-range.

Roooooooar!

The stronger the aura became, the more the energy enveloping his surroundings subsided. Literally a spear honed endlessly through energy refinement. My heart clenched at the momentum that would tear through any shield.

I bit my lip and smiled. I activated both the Manhwa Palace and Glacial simultaneously. It was a method of operation that placed a heavy burden on my mana circuit, but this wasn’t the time to hold back.

Whoooosh!

With my right hand wielding the Heavenly Sword, I ignited the Manhwa Palace’s flames toward Borini Kitten, while my left hand gripped the hilt of the Soul Reaper Sword behind my waist.

Crackle, crackle, crackle!

As our full-powered energy waves collided, the Sparring Arena began to shake as if an earthquake had struck.

“Haaah.”

I drew in a breath and licked my lips.

‘Intense.’

I felt Borini Kitten’s piercing gaze. I could sense the heightened focus of Matio staring at me with wide eyes, the Announcer swallowing hard, and all the spectators around us.

‘It’s coming now.’

This moment, when all eyes and minds in the Sparring Arena were concentrated, was the instant he had been waiting for.

Zzzzzing!

I operated the Ring of Fire and Seolhwa’s senses at their peak. Time flowed even more slowly. With senses refined to the point where I could feel the weight of dust touching my fingertips, I scanned the sky.

‘There it is….’

My senses, honed to the limit, caught the subtle light and dark energy falling from far above the sky. As expected, he was sending light and darkness separately before attempting to merge them.

‘I have to move now.’

I clenched my teeth. I compressed the power I had been focusing on Borini Kitten even further.

Boom!

The moment the heat enveloping the Heavenly Sword condensed in an instant, Borini Kitten rushed forward. He seemed to think he was ready and launched his attack.

‘I can’t block this.’

If I defend here, I won’t be able to stop Tacheon’s aura falling from above. They’ll mix together and create chaos.

‘Endure it.’

I twisted my body while stepping on the Taewhabo. Borini Kitten’s eyes widened. He sensed something amiss and tried to draw his sword, but it was already too late.

Splurch!

My right flank tore open in a long gash, and crimson blood erupted.

“Why….”

Borini Kitten’s jaw trembled. It seemed he was asking why I had stopped.

“I’ll deal with this nuisance and return.”

I smiled palely and burst forth with the gathered power, kicking off the ground.

Whoooosh!

As I advanced toward the light and darkness auras drawing closer to each other, Rimer suddenly burst from the right spectator seats.

‘Was the Unit Leader waiting for this too?’

I thought he was only gambling, but it seemed he had been preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.

Rimer smiled and spoke with his eyes, as if asking whether I could handle it.

I nodded, and his smile deepened.

“Then go and return!”

Rimer drew his sword, placed it beneath my feet, and thrust upward. Thanks to that, I reached the sky at a speed far greater than if I had launched myself with full force from the ground.

Crackle!

Between the twilight where day and night intersected, light and darkness drew toward each other like magnets. Purple sparks filled with chaos began to scatter between the two forces.

A more brilliant lightning flash blazed across Raon’s crimson eyes. The flames burning on the Heavenly Sword and the frost blooming from the Soul Reaper Sword shot toward those two lights.

Kwaaaaaaah!

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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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