The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 337

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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 337

“Buuuuuh?”

Merlin stretched her tail long like cheese, drawing out the sound.

“It shouldn’t be too difficult for you.”

I met Merlin’s gaze and nodded.

“That is….”

Merlin gently stroked her long ears upward.

“Of course I’ll help.”

The rabbit’s crimson eyes gazing at me were adorable yet unsettling.

“What kind of favor? Just tell me.”

Merlin twitched her front paws, signaling she’d do anything I asked.

-Hmm….

Wrath glanced at Merlin and smacked his lips.

-So you’ve acquired an errand runner willing to do anything. A bit frightening, though….
‘I have no intention of using her that way.’

I was only asking Merlin because an unexpected situation had increased the number of children I needed to protect. If it weren’t for them, I would never have called on her.

-Usually emotionless like a ghost, yet strangely docile in strange ways.

Wrath shook his head, unable to comprehend.

I chuckled softly, watching Wrath click his tongue.

‘Using Merlin is definitely advantageous. But….’

I would never dominate someone’s emotions, not even if it killed me.

If I exploited Merlin’s goodwill to control her, I would become no different from Derus Robert, who had placed the shackles of brainwashing around my previous self’s neck.

I didn’t want to become like him, no matter what else happened.

“Could you deliver a letter I’ve written to someone else?”
“A letter? That’s all?”

Merlin tilted her head in surprise.

“Yes. That would be enough.”
“But I could help you rescue those children over there.”
“It’s fine. I won’t stain your hands with blood because of my request.”
“Ahh….”

Merlin let out an excited whimper and pressed her four paws against the ground. Her shoulders trembled slightly.

“I just got chills….”
“That’s a misunderstanding.”
“It’s been so long since I felt this way.”
“Sigh….”

I exhaled deeply. Merlin seemed to be under a serious misapprehension, but explaining would likely be pointless, so I held my tongue.

“I’m happy you’re concerned about me, but I can grant any request you have. Just tell me anything.”
“Really, just sending the letter will be enough.”

I waved my hand. After writing different contents on two sheets of letter paper I’d prepared in advance, I handed them to Merlin.

“Give the letter folded into a square to the Saint of Nenma at the Yonan Family.”

If the Saint of Nenma, Pedrick, who was researching brainwashing, received it, he would be able to undo the brainwashing of those children, which hadn’t yet been completely finished.

“Ah, the Saint of Nenma. Right, I saw you there for the second time.”

Merlin’s cheeks flushed as she recalled that moment, her gaze drifting upward. It would have been unsettling under normal circumstances, but in the form of a young rabbit, it was bearable.

“Send the letter folded in thirds to Lord Borini Kitten of the Owen Kingdom.”
“Borini Kitten? The one who owes you a debt.”
“That’s right.”

I nodded calmly.

‘Then I can trust him.’

I wanted to take these children to Zigheart myself, but revealing my identity was impossible. Entrusting them to Borini Kitten, who was nearby and trustworthy, was the best option.

A man who embodied the ideals of knighthood would personally verify everything while fulfilling my request.

-That skewer bastard certainly seemed to have decent character, I’ll admit.

Wrath nodded as he recalled Borini Kitten.

-The complete opposite of a malevolent demon like you.
‘That’s exactly why I’m entrusting him with this.’

I let out a quiet laugh.

“It’s not really a difficult task at all.”

Merlin snorted, disappointed that the work was so simple.

“I could really just kill everyone for you….”
“Never mind that. When can you send it?”

I waved my hand dismissively.

“I can do it right now.”
“Then send it immediately.”
“Understood.”

As Merlin stretched out her front paw with a grin, the letter in her grasp melted away like spring snow. She had transferred it to where her true body resided.

“Since I’ve done you a favor, you owe me one in return.”

Merlin lowered her front paw and curled her lips upward.

“As long as it doesn’t harm me or others, and it’s something I’m capable of doing, and it appeals to me.”

I laid out several conditions just to be safe.

“Picky, aren’t you.”

Merlin let out a light laugh. She seemed to be genuinely enjoying this conversation with me.

“Still, it’ll be something worth your while.”

She wagged her front paws without losing her smile until the very end.

“Then I’ll see you next time. You know what comes after, right? I heard this one likes parsley?”
“Don’t ask me to do that—you should prepare it beforehand….”

I rushed toward Merlin and shouted, but the rabbit’s eyes had already reverted to something wild.

Thump.

The rabbit approached with its nose twitching, as if demanding food.

“Ugh….”

I swallowed hard and bent at the waist.

“I d-don’t have any parsley….”

I’d gathered various foods from Dorian just in case. There were grains, nuts, berries, and even dried insects, but naturally, no parsley.

“…You pick what you want.”

I set the food down on the ground with an embarrassed expression.

Crunch!

The rabbit stared blankly at the spread of food, kicked away the grains and nuts with its hind legs, trampled the insects, ate a single berry, and held two more in its mouth.

Hop.

And with that, he kicked his ankle back and fled into the Thicket.

-Puhahahaha!

Wrath laughed wickedly as he watched me frozen in place.

-You got hit by a rabbit! How pathetic!

He couldn’t stop laughing, clearly delighted by the turn of events.

“Sigh…”

I exhaled deeply and slumped to the ground.

‘I’m exhausted.’

My head felt foggy as if I’d fought with all my strength. Every encounter with Merlin drained me, and I preferred to avoid meeting her whenever possible.

-So even you have a natural enemy!

Wrath grinned mischievously, as if he’d finally discovered my weakness.

‘Just bear with it.’

As I shook my head and looked down at the Orphanage again, a blue-haired middle-aged man emerged from within. His expression was gentle, but his eyes were cold, and a thin scar was etched across his left cheek.

‘So it was him?’

The Master’s aura I’d sensed upon arriving here belonged to Lisbon—one of my connections from my past life and a trusted subordinate of Matio.

‘A director, no less. He’s climbed the ranks.’

Was this what they called fate?

I gazed down at Lisbon, my smile turning disturbingly cold.

‘He’ll have nightmares tonight.’

*

*

*

My life was hell itself.

I was kidnapped before my baby teeth had even fallen out, locked away in an underground cavern whose location I never knew.

Caretakers dwelled in that place.

They called children like me dogs and taught us how to survive and how to kill.

I built endurance through torture that tore skin and scraped bone, learned the vital points of human anatomy by being stabbed directly with blades, and gained practical combat experience being hunted by monsters and beasts.

I wanted to weep, but I had to laugh. I wanted to die, but I had to live.

The thought of escape or flight never crossed my mind.

I believed my presence in that place was as inevitable as the rising and setting of the sun.

I learned later that it was brainwashing—a mental compulsion that had erased the very option of escape from my consciousness.

In that hell where defiance, failure, and falling short of expectations all meant culling, I barely survived by walking the razor’s edge between life and death.

It was a place where not only basic necessities but every human desire was trampled, yet there was one solitary light.

A friend.

The existence of a friend who, like me, had been kidnapped into this underground cavern and shared the same chamber with me.

He was called Number Nine.

A round face with an endearing impression. I didn’t know his age, but Number Nine was older than me.

We could only meet during the four hours we slept, but speaking with him during those moments would quell the suicidal urges that had built up throughout the day.

He would listen to my words and tell me that if I just endured a little longer, something good would come.

I had no memory of life outside, so I didn’t know what that good thing could be. I simply accepted his words as truth.

We laughed at each other in a space devoid of food and pleasure.

That laughter was my only light in that place.

Years passed, and as our training neared its end, all the children were summoned to the Underground Cavern.

The caretakers brought forward children who shared the same chamber.

Then they made us fight. No—they made us kill each other.

Of course, no one fought.

In this hellish place, the person who shared your chamber was your only friend.

That was true for me, and it was true for Number Nine.

We dropped the daggers in our hands and raised our arms—a silent vow that we would not swing our blades at our friend, even if it meant death at the caretaker’s hands.

But the moment the blue-haired caretaker with a small scar on his left cheek opened his mouth, all such thoughts vanished.

“Kill.”

My mind and body abandoned my will at those words.

I picked up the dagger from the floor and lunged at Number Nine.

Number Nine’s eyes blazed crimson with murderous intent as he brought his dagger down toward me.

We unleashed every assassination technique we had learned, targeting each other’s vital points.

Hands that had stitched each other’s wounds just this morning now drove blades toward the other’s vitals.

Number Nine and I were evenly matched in skill.

Flesh tore away, and bone-white bone jutted through skin.

It hurt. It hurt like hell, but the pain meant nothing.

I simply didn’t want to fight my friend.

I would have rather died at Number Nine’s hands, but the dagger I held was already embedded in his heart.

“….”

Number Nine left no final words. He smiled gently, patted my shoulder, and died.

My only friend sank into death without ever revealing his true name.

The last tear of that life spilled from my eyes.

That day, my emotions were buried in darkness.

…

“…sir.”
“…my lord.”
“Lord Raon!”

I opened my eyes at the cheerful voice. Dorian’s round face hovered before me.

“Is that you, Dorian?”

Dorian, whom I hadn’t seen in so long, carried an aura remarkably similar to Number Nine’s as he tilted his head curiously.

“Sleeping at a time like this—you really are full of surprises. It’s time to begin.”

Dorian pointed toward the darkening sky.

-….

Wrath simply watched in unusual silence.

“Right.”

I nodded and rose to my feet.

‘To think I’d have such a dream.’

Perhaps it was because I’d seen Lisbon. Not only did I fall asleep before the assault, but I’d even dreamed of my past life. It was truly an unusual occurrence.

“Are you ready?”
“Yes. Even if I die, I’ll protect the children!”

Dorian nodded with unwavering resolve etched across his face.

“If you die, it’s meaningless.”
“Still.”
“I appreciate the sentiment. You must survive, no matter what.”

Darkness pooled in my eyes as I gazed down upon the Orphanage.

“Let’s go.”

*

*

*

“Hmm….”

Agent 45, who worked as a guide under the name Fine, narrowed her eyes while holding Agent 86’s hand.

“Doesn’t something feel off today?”
“Yeah. No work assignments, no training.”

Even when lightning struck and earthquakes shook the earth, training never ceased. Yet today, they were given neither tasks nor drills, and were even provided with decent food. Compared to the Caretakers’ usual behavior, it was extraordinarily unusual.

“I hope it stays like this.”

Agent 86 smiled faintly, a glimmer of hope in her expression.

“I’m a bit uneasy.”

Agent 45 exhaled sharply. Those who had kidnapped them and raised them as assassins wouldn’t do something like this without reason. Her hands trembled with dread over what might unfold.

“Let’s think positively.”

Agent 86 shook her head and squeezed Agent 45’s hand firmly.

“They wouldn’t train us for years just to kill us outright.”
“That’s true.”

Agent 45 nodded in agreement. After investing so much time in their education, they wouldn’t simply discard them. She decided to accept Agent 86’s interpretation—this was merely a day of rest.

“Then let’s sleep.”

Just as I was about to lie down on the bed, the door opened and the Masked Man gestured to us.

“Both of you, come out.”
“Yes.”
“Yes….”

There was no room for refusal. The moment I heard that voice, I had no choice but to obey.

Agent 45 left the chamber with Agent 86. The other children were already lined up in their positions.

When the two of us took our place behind the other children, Caretaker Number Four walked onto the Platform.

“Combat begins now. Agent 45 and Agent 86, the last to arrive—step forward.”
“Yes.”

At his gesture, Agent 45 and Agent 86 swallowed hard and stepped forward. The other children trembled with unease as well.

“Take up the short swords.”

At the Caretaker’s command, Agent 45 and Agent 86 each grasped a short sword that gleamed with a cold, blue light.

I narrowed my eyes as I gazed at the short sword radiating sharpness.

‘Something feels wrong.’

I had sparred with real blades countless times, but never before had the atmosphere felt so ominous.

“Now, fight.”

As I gripped the short sword and watched Agent 86’s trembling pupils, the Caretaker’s words continued.

“Until your opponent is dead.”
“Pardon?”

Agent 45 widened her eyes and turned her head. But Caretaker Number Four said nothing more, merely gesturing with his chin to hurry.

“Y-you mean kill…?”
“Exactly as I said. Fight until the breath leaves your opponent’s body.”
“Ah…”

My heart sank at that cold voice.

“Ugh…”

Agent 45 clenched her teeth and stared ahead. Agent 86 seemed to feel the same dread, her complexion turning ashen.

Seeing her like that, memories of the time I’d spent with her flooded back.

Times when we comforted each other, when we held each other close. My hands wouldn’t move at the thought of that memory—the only light in this malevolent underground.

‘It’s okay.’

Agent 45 squeezed her eyes shut and dropped the dagger from her grip. She was willing to die rather than fight Agent 86.

Clang.

But the sound of the dagger hitting the ground rang out twice. When I opened my eyes, another dagger lay at Agent 86’s feet. She too refused to fight.

“Ah…”

Our hearts connected. I was happy to know that I wasn’t the only one thinking of the other person, yet it was so sorrowful that we met in a place like this. For the first time, my emotions spiraled out of control and tears seemed about to burst forth.

“I can’t, I can’t fight.”

Agent 45 raised her hand. She looked at the zookeeper, signaling that she had no intention to fight. It felt as though the gazes of Agent 86 and the other children behind her were giving her strength.

“As I thought, it’s come to this.”

Caretaker Number Four’s voice dropped low. His tone was so calm and detached that a chill ran down my spine.

“…Then kill her.”

Kill her.

The moment the command to kill echoed through Agent 45’s mind, her hand seized the dagger that had fallen to the floor, moving against her own will. Agent 86 also grasped a dagger and pushed herself upright.

Thud!

Agent 45 reversed her grip on the dagger and lunged forward.

‘What is this.’

What is happening?!

My body had slipped beyond my control. Moving with unprecedented speed, I drove the dagger down toward Agent 86’s throat.

Clang!

I was not the only one transformed. Agent 86 too unleashed a murderous intent I had never felt before, aiming for my jugular.

Two children who had shared the same room and become each other’s only pillar of support now drove their blades at one another like puppets on strings, their wills utterly irrelevant.

Splash!

Blood sprayed from Agent 45’s chest, and flesh was torn from Agent 86’s shoulder.

The two children, as if feeling no pain whatsoever, rushed forward again and plunged their daggers deep.

Crash!

Within that chilling sound of tearing air, Agent 45 clenched her teeth so hard they nearly shattered.

Perhaps due to the usual difference in skill, Agent 86’s movements grew sluggish, and the sharpness of her dagger technique began to dull. At this rate, my blade would pierce her throat.

“Ugh!”

Agent 45 turned toward Caretaker Number Four, enduring pain that felt as though her bones were shattering.

‘P-Please stop!’

I pleaded with my eyes for him to end this brutal fight.

“This battle does not end until one of you dies.”

The caretaker’s lips curled into a thin smile.

“Rejoice. Through the death of the person you cherish most, you will be reborn as true members of Shadow.”

His voice carried an exhilaration that differed from the cruelty he’d shown until now.

“Kill her.”

His body, which had been forcibly slowing down at that word, began to speed up again.

‘Please!’

Anyone, please—just stop me!

A silent scream tore through my mind, yet my hands moved faster and faster toward my only friend’s throat.

Clang!

Agent 86’s dagger, unable to withstand my strength, flew spinning into the air.

‘No…’

Contrary to my heart’s desire, my hand drove the dagger down toward Agent 86’s throat.

“Yes. That will do.”

The caretaker’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“Now you too are a true member of Shadow… Gack!”

His scream snapped me back to myself. The dagger had only grazed Agent 86’s skin before stopping.

“What… what…”
“Shut your mouth and disappear.”

With those final words, blood streamed from Caretaker Number Four’s heart.

“Ugh….”

A tall man emerged from behind the collapsing Caretaker Number Four. His aura was strangely similar to ours yet entirely different.

“Now you’re safe.”

He gazed at the blood-stained dagger in his hand with sorrowful eyes and smiled.

“I will restore your names to you.”

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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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