The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 326

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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 326

Kwaaaaaaah!

Garona’s fist descended like a thunderbolt. Fierce rotational force wrapped in aura crashed down like a tempest.

“Hmph.”

I didn’t retreat this time either. Planting my feet firmly on the shattered Sparring Arena by treading the true step, I ignited the flames of Manhwagong with intensity and wielded spiral force.

Kuwaaaaang!

Savage auras collided endlessly, and a bizarre crimson vortex erupted upward.

“Whoosh.”

I exhaled a breath tinged with blood. I watched Garona preparing his next strike within the aura vortex that threatened to tear flesh apart.

‘I’ve grasped his martial technique completely.’

By clashing head-on with Garona, I had absorbed all of his martial arts. I was confident I could replicate his strikes perfectly right now.

‘But….’

That’s not what I want.

No matter how well I imitate, I can never surpass the original. I could temporarily shatter Garona’s mental fortitude, but such a victory held no meaning.

‘Victory itself isn’t what I’m after.’

A stepping stone to reach a higher realm.

My goal is to make their strengths—those I’ve gained from fighting Matheus, Borini Kitten, and Garona—my own and ascend to greater heights.
The only reason I stand here, enduring pain that makes my head throb, is for that purpose.

“The smile has vanished from your face.”

The aura blazing from both of Garona’s fists twisted and compressed like a vortex of raw power.

“So you’ve finally reached your limit. Tenacious bastard.”

Despite his words, a smile played at the corners of his mouth. It might have been my imagination, but he seemed to approve of me.

“All things that begin must end.”
“You are a man worthy of Garona’s recognition. I shall grant you an end befitting that honor.”

Garona drew his right fist back over his shoulder, then grasped his right wrist with his left hand. Only his back and eyes were visible, yet the overwhelming momentum radiating from him soared high enough to pierce the heavens.

“I don’t need your recognition.”

I adjusted my grip on the Heavenly Sword. Assuming the middle stance—the foundation of all swordsmanship—I unleashed the Manhwagong to its fullest extent.
Flames erupted from the fractured Sparring Arena floor, rising like heat shimmer to engulf the entire space.

“This ends it!”

Garona charged forward, demolishing the Sparring Arena with his advance. In an instant, his fist drew so close it filled my entire field of vision.

Kugugugugugun!

The punch he unleashed carried the force of Destructive Heaven. Without proper defense, it would pulverize every bone in my body.

Uuuuuung!

I resonated the rings of fire. Seven rings sang out in crystalline harmony, elevating my presence and focus to unprecedented heights.

Within the slowed time, I extended my left foot forward. Rotating my ankle joint and muscles, I planted my weight firmly.

Chiiiing!

He drew the rotation surging up from the ground through his quadriceps and erector spinae, then connected it through his arms to his wrists. The rotation, which had been as thin as a mountain breeze, became a typhoon in an instant and stretched up over the blade.

Hwaaaaaaah!

Aura, joints, muscles—three spirals aligned in the same direction, generating tremendous heat that surged upward.

Unlike my previous Rotating Heaven techniques, the flames of the Manhwagong condensed in a perfect circle at the sword’s tip, creating an intense helical force.

“That’s….”

Garona’s eyes widened as he beheld the radiant sphere of sunlight blooming atop the sword.

“If you don’t want to die, put all your strength into it.”

Raon clenched his molars tightly as he brought down the Jesanggeom. The Manhwagong Hoecheon, imbued with fierce rotation and explosive force, crashed down onto Garona’s fist strike.

“You make this enjoyable right to the end!”

Garona’s eyes gleamed as he hurled his fist toward the technique.

Power against power. Like all our exchanges thus far, Garona and I poured our full strength at each other without a thought of evasion.

Kuwaaaaang!

The tremendously evolved technique and Garona’s full-force strike collided head-on. The compressed shockwave erupted outward, sweeping across the surroundings—the earth collapsed inward, and clouds were erased from the sky.

Tsssshing!

Within that impact, Garona and I thrust our sword and fist toward each other. The power of blade and fist were evenly matched, but Garona possessed one additional weapon.

Kugugugu!

Power surged into Garona’s lightly clenched fist. A second strike erupted in succession. Dense, weighty force crashed forward like a wave.

“It’s over!”

Garona grinned, baring his teeth as if victory was assured.

Flash!

In that instant, my eyes gleamed with brilliant light.

‘I wouldn’t forget that.’

I smiled coldly and twisted the Jecheon Sword. Since gripping it like a fist couldn’t add more impact, I created that phenomenon through the rotation of the blade.

Kwaaaaa!

Two identical attacks. Yet within them lay a crucial difference. Unlike Garona, who had extended his power through sheer force alone, I had applied rotation through the joints and muscles of my wrist.

It was an exceedingly subtle rotation, limited to only those specific joints and muscles, but it was enough.

The second bloom of Revolving Heaven’s flames tore through Garona’s aura and split across his chest.

A spray of crimson blood erupted from the sword mark carved into Garona’s chest. Unable to withstand the impact, he collapsed to his knees on the ground, bracing himself with his hands. The wound hadn’t penetrated deeply, but the sheer force imbued within it had overwhelmed his body’s ability to endure.

Blood gushed forth.

Garona’s chest wound bled profusely, yet the bleeding soon ceased—a testament to his extraordinary regenerative power.

“You… that final attack. You copied it after watching me, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”

I nodded, since the method had indeed come to me upon witnessing his fist strike. I refrained from mentioning the principle of muscular rotation, lest it cause him further distress.

“Truly a terrifying talent.”

Garona lifted his head, breathing heavily. The blood flowing from his chest wound had already stopped.

‘This isn’t even the White Blood Cult…’

His regenerative power and durability were frightening. By any measure, he seemed less human and more like a troll.

He exhaled sharply.

Garona shook his head to clear his mind, then rose to his feet.

“I have lost.”

Without hesitation, he grasped my hand and raised it high.

“You are the victor! Raon Zigheart!”

At Garona’s declaration, sound returned to the entire Sparring Arena, which had fallen silent.

“Uwaaaaaaah!”
“Raon! Raon! Raon!”
“That was the greatest match!”
“I’ve never felt my heart burn like this in a duel before!”
“Garona! You were amazing too!”
“That was a true warrior’s clash!”

The spectators unleashed their pent-up voices all at once, erupting into endless cheers.

“Brother. Hearing your name called makes my heart sing.”

Garona slapped Raon on the back with a hearty laugh.

“Brother?”

I opened my mouth in bewilderment. I couldn’t comprehend what this troll was saying.

“We of the Black Water Tribe have a custom of recognizing those who clash with us with all their body and spirit as brothers. Your full strength resonated with my heart. From this day forward, you are my brother! Raon Zigheart!”

Garona struck his own chest with a smile, and I stood speechless at the sight of this man—who had just been slashed by my blade—pounding his chest.

“I have no intention of becoming your brother….”
“What a disheartening thing to say! My heart surely reached you as well! Our bond will become deeper than that of blood brothers! We of the Black Water Tribe never abandon a brother once we’ve chosen one!”

He burst into a refreshing laugh and gripped my shoulder.

“Brother! Now that the match is over, shall we share a meal….”
“That’s enough.”
“Brother!”

I sighed and shook my head, descending from the Sparring Arena.

“Not a single normal person among them….”

*

*

*

“Kahahaha!”

Ogram shattered the armrest of his chair, bursting into raucous laughter.

“Excellent! Magnificent!”

He watched Garona fall in defeat and saw that Raon had replicated the Black Water Tribe’s secret technique—yet he seemed only more delighted.

“The boy fights with skill rivaling our own tribe! He is worthy of being called brother!”

Ogram waved his hand with satisfaction that Garona had become Raon’s sworn brother.

“Old man, you’ve raised your grandson well. He’s the first among those Zigheart whelps I’ve actually taken a liking to!”
“Hmph, you’re too loud. Close that mouth of yours.”

Glen waved his hand dismissively and turned his head toward the empty space. When no one was watching, the corners of his mouth rose ever so slightly.

“Watching those children duel makes my heart race. I feel twenty years younger.”

King Lecross, equally excited, nodded with flushed cheeks.

“It was certainly a duel that exceeded all expectations. I would gladly watch it again.”

Even Derus Robert smiled as if surprised, but his eyes remained still.

“So this is what they call a true man these days.”

Chamber whistled and twirled her fingers.

“Old man, you must be thrilled with your grandson. Everyone’s just shouting our pretty boy’s name.”

She smiled as she heard the name Raon pouring from the mouths of the spectators.

“What significance does that hold.”

Glen snorted without turning his face. His fingertips trembled as he desperately fought to suppress the corners of his mouth from rising to the heavens.

Roen, watching from behind, saw Glen’s cheeks quivering and shook his head in resignation.

‘Now you’ll have to acknowledge me…’

*

*

*

After receiving treatment at the Medical Office, I returned to the Sparring Arena. It seemed the repairs had taken considerable time, as the second semifinal match was only now beginning.

In the Sparring Arena, now meticulously restored, Cardis and his opponent, Ron the Annihilation Mage, were already standing on the platform.

I first examined Ron the Annihilation Mage, who stood on the right side.

‘The Annihilation Mage, huh.’

Though Ron had earned a place on the Twelve Continents, he ranked ninth—the lower tier—unlike Cardis and Borini Kitten, who occupied the middle ranks.

He was undoubtedly a skilled mage, but the gap in power was so pronounced that this match’s outcome was already decided.

‘I hope Ron loses without putting up much of a fight.’
-What?

Wrath tilted his head in disbelief.

-Isn’t that bastard your sworn enemy’s son?
‘That’s right.’
-Since you’re in poor condition, wouldn’t it be better if he struggled through and faced you weakened?
‘That’s not it.’

I shook my head.

‘It only means something if I defeat him after he easily beats Ron—crushing an opponent in perfect condition and full aura. That bastard won’t be able to show his face anywhere.’

Merely winning against an opponent held no significance. What mattered was that I, wounded and depleted of stamina and aura, would crush Cardis in his peak condition. That would shatter their pride far more thoroughly.

-Your way of thinking really is neither human nor demon. Filthy celestial….

Wrath shuddered, utterly exasperated.

“Hmm.”

I narrowed my eyes as I observed Cardis.

‘He seems to be in a foul mood.’

His expression was frozen like a sheet of ice—his displeasure with the current situation was written plainly across his face.

‘Of course he is.’

Cardis valued reputation even more than Derus Robert, and he thrived on attention. For two days in a row, Garona and I had commanded every eye in the arena, leaving him as nothing more than a supporting player. His frustration must be boiling over.

‘Don’t worry.’

I smiled coldly and clenched my fist.

‘That irritation will soon transform into despair.’

I found myself already curious about what expression he would wear when he fell to me in the finals.

“Now, let us begin the Master Class Semifinals, Round Two!”

The Announcer descended from the Platform and lowered his hand.

Whoooosh!

It was not Cardis who moved first, but Ron, the Annihilation Mage. As he spread both hands, a crimson aura of mana unfurled.

Annihilation meant to erase and obliterate. Ron was a mage who wielded blood-lineage magic, manipulating the crimson mana infused with the power of annihilation to erase not merely objects, but auras themselves.

Shing!

As Ron’s hands moved, the annihilation mana transformed into razor-sharp spears that shot toward Cardis.

Cardis showed no alarm whatsoever, drawing his blade with fluid grace. A faint aura rippled gently across the sword’s edge, deflecting the annihilation energy away.

Whoooosh!

The Robert Family’s pride—a blunt blade and a legendary sword: the Azure Cloud Celestial Blade.

The aura flowing through the air like brushstrokes on canvas effortlessly deflected all of Ron’s attacks. No—it appeared as though the destructive force itself naturally parted around Cardis.

‘He has mastered the Azure Cloud Celestial Sword perfectly.’

Cardis’s martial prowess was distinctly different from the other officers of the Twelve Continents. From his blade flowed a heavy yet graceful aura that spread like water in motion.

“Hnngh!”

Ron chanted rapidly while bringing his hands together, then spread his fingers wide.

Whoooosh!

The crimson mana scattered around Cardis’s blade suddenly surged into motion in unison.

“Tch!”

I clicked my tongue as I observed the destructive force moving as though alive.

‘Even if he’s lower-ranked, he’s still one of the Twelve Continents. Was this his intention all along?’

I had thought the destructive force was being pushed back too easily against Cardis’s blade, but it seemed he had been preparing this ambush by allowing the mana to flow past him.

Hundreds of destructive forces transformed into blades of varying sizes and descended simultaneously. Even for Cardis, blocking all of them would not be easy.

Boom!

Cardis rotated his ankle while keeping his sword pressed downward, then thrust it upward. The destructive mana that had been fired followed the flow of aura he created, drawn like iron to a magnet.

Just as even the mightiest river is swept away by the sea, the destructive force consumed by Cardis’s aura transformed into a tidal wave that crashed back toward Ron.

“Wh-what is this!”

Ron tried desperately to hold his ground, but there was no way to stop the oncoming wave. He was violently hurled from the Sparring Arena and crashed hard onto the ground.

“Cough…”

Ron shook his head as blood spilled from his lips.

“I… I concede.”
“The victor is Cardis Robert, the Blue Sword!”

At the Announcer’s declaration, Cardis raised his hand in victory. He descended from the Sparring Arena and bowed his head as he checked on Ron’s condition.

“Roooaaarrr!”
“Overwhelming! Absolutely overwhelming!”
“As expected of the Twelve Continents! There’s no denying the rankings, is there?”
“That was magnificent. Truly, a future Sword Saint in the making.”
“This entire duel tournament has been flawless—not a single moment to skip.”
“Kyaa! The way he wins and then looks after his defeated opponent is wonderful!”

The spectators erupted in applause for Cardis, who had overwhelmed Ron and then graciously attended to his vanquished foe.

“Hmm?”

As I watched Cardis’s back, he turned around and our eyes met. He wore the same smile as Derus—outwardly warm, yet laden with mockery beneath the surface.

Unlike them, I let my smile reach my eyes and curled the corners of my mouth upward.

‘That smile will be wiped away soon enough.’

*

*

*

After the competitors’ rest period concluded, spectators once again flooded into the Sparring Arena. Though a four-hour respite had been granted to recover from injuries and restore their aura, more than half the crowd had remained in their seats, unwilling to surrender their advantageous positions.

The Announcer felt a chill run through him at the fervent atmosphere as he ascended to the platform.

“Thank you for your patience!”

He bowed deeply to all the spectators, his arms spread wide.

“Now, we shall commence the final match of the Six Emperors Duel Tournament!”
“Uwaaaaaaaa!”
“We’ve been waiting!”
“I haven’t even eaten in four hours!”
“Start already!”

The spectators waved their hands frantically, demanding the match begin. Any further delay and they seemed ready to lynch the Announcer.

“Aha. The atmosphere is so heated, I fear we might all combust. Very well.”

The Announcer wiped cold sweat from his brow and nodded.

“Then we shall begin with the Expert-class finals! Martha Zigheart versus Griere de Owen! Please ascend to the Sparring Arena!”
“Yeeeeaaaa!”
“Martha!”
“Your Highness, claim victory!”

At his call, a magnificent roar erupted once more from the Sparring Arena. The cheers for the Third Prince were expected, but the acclaim for Martha was no less thunderous.

“Haaah….”

Martha ascended to the Sparring Arena and clenched her fists tightly.

‘This should suffice.’

The lingering effects of my injuries remained, but they were not severe enough to prevent me from fighting. Considering the realm I had attained through Raon’s guidance, I could certainly display my full strength.

I lifted my gaze to the Third Prince of Owen standing before me. When we first met, he had been an insufferable brat, but now he carried himself with a dignified air.

“I have wished to test myself against you since our first meeting.”

The Third Prince offered a faint smile and squared his shoulders.

“I remember. You said you’d fight me after defeating Raon.”

When the Owen delegation had arrived at Zigheart, he had dismissed Raon and named me as his next opponent.

“Indeed. I suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Raon. I still thrash about in my sleep thinking of that day.”

The Third Prince scratched the back of his head with an awkward laugh, looking embarrassed.

“But because I had that experience, I was able to grow stronger.”

His aura shifted dramatically. It was the sharp yet noble bearing unique to Owen Kingdom knights. A subtle, mysterious energy flickered in his eyes.

“Same here.”

Martha gripped her sword and nodded.

“I came to my senses after being defeated by that man.”
“So we both stand here thanks to Raon Zigheart. How amusing.”

The Third Prince smiled faintly and his gaze grew sharp.

“Raon Zigheart has soared to the heavens while I wasn’t looking. I intend to win this match to draw even closer to him.”
“The sentiment is mutual.”

Martha regarded the Third Prince with a cold expression.

“I have something I must accomplish, so I cannot afford to lose. Not at all.”

The two faced each other and slowly raised their auras. Though subtler than a Master’s battle, their killing intent clashed like waves reaching toward the heavens.

“Are both of you prepared?”
“Yes.”

As Martha and the Third Prince nodded, the Announcer exhaled once and descended below the Sparring Arena.

“Then let the Expert-class finals begin!”

The moment his hand dropped, Martha launched forward from the ground.

Martha seemed intent on ending this swiftly, piercing into the Third Prince’s space in a single breath and unleashing a barrage of sword strikes. Heavy yet rapid slashes extended consecutively from both sides.

Clang clang clang!

The Third Prince narrowed his eyes and lowered his center of gravity. His thrust cut through the gap in Martha’s strikes with precision.

Martha’s eyes narrowed to slits.

‘Those are Owen’s eyes, after all.’

To pierce through the gap in a sword strike in a single breath—it was no exaggeration to say the Third Prince standing before me now was a different person from when he first arrived at Zigheart.

‘Still!’

I seized the moment when the Third Prince’s blade extended toward the right front, drawing my sword from the left side.

But the Third Prince, as if he had anticipated this, stepped back and displayed his composure before bringing his blade down in a perfect defense.

My strength held the advantage, but the Third Prince’s technical precision and sharpness were superior. At this rate, the battle could only become a prolonged affair.

“Haa….”

I exhaled and retreated. Since my aura wasn’t at full capacity, I had no choice but to resort to ‘that’.

“Is it over already?”
“No, it’s just beginning.”

Black breath flowed across my crimson lips. My dark eyes gleamed a vivid scarlet as the tan-colored aura enveloping my entire body erupted like raging flames.

Kwaaaang!

With a thunderous boom that seemed to shatter the earth, my body vanished. I charged toward the Third Prince at a speed more than twice as fast as before.

Zzzzzzang!

The Third Prince swiftly erected a wall of sword energy, but I shattered it violently and surged forward.

“Ugh!”

The Third Prince bit his lip and twisted his blade to deflect my vicious strike.

‘A berserk state!’

Judging from my eyes rolling back, the sudden surge in physical ability, and the massive increase in aura output, this was undoubtedly the berserk state that the warriors of Saihan Gorge used against monsters.

Crash!

My shoulder felt like it would dislocate from merely blocking the blow. I gritted my teeth against the pain and shifted my footwork.

‘I cannot face her head-on.’

I was not Raon Zigheart. If I tried to block such overwhelming power and speed directly, I would be shattered beyond recognition.

‘Still, I cannot hold out much longer.’

The warriors of Sian Gorge’s berserk enhancement typically amplified strength by 1.5 to 2 times. Martha had pushed her amplification close to 2.5 times, meaning she could maintain this level of power for less than a minute. Her movements had become crude as well, so I could endure this.

“Argh!”

Martha roared and brought her sword crashing down. The Sparring Arena floor crumpled under a strike that seemed far too powerful for an Expert-level swordsman. The force was terrifying, but her swordsmanship was exactly as simple as I’d anticipated.

‘Just a bit longer… wait?’

I pivoted to evade Martha’s second strike, but her face had already closed in on mine.

“Huh?”

The Third Prince swallowed hard as he met Martha’s gaze.

Why were her eyes so clear…?

—————
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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