The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 390

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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 390

Freica’s eyes narrowed as she observed the footwear of Raon Zigheart and the Gwangpung Unit approaching slowly.

‘They’re wearing ordinary boots.’

The Gwangpung Unit walked across this muddy terrain with ease, even though they wore combat boots that would normally only hinder movement through the swamp.

Many people had sought out this swamp before, but never had an entire unit traversed it with such composure.

‘And more than that….’

Unlike Raon Zigheart, who emanated an eerie emptiness as if he didn’t exist in this place, the eyes of the Gwangpung Unit gleamed with a chilling madness.

“Ugh….”

Freica couldn’t meet the gaze of the Gwangpung Unit and let out a stifled groan.

‘What kind of eyes are those?’

She’d heard rumors that the Gwangpung Unit was called the Mad Dog Squad, but the reality exceeded her imagination. Fearing she might be devoured if she continued staring, she quickly lowered her head.

“Ugh….”
“A-are those the Gwangpung Unit?”
“They’re a bit… no, very different from what I heard.”
“I can’t even look at them.”

Wellis and the Rangers also swallowed hard, overwhelmed by the predatory aura emanating from the Gwangpung Unit.

Raon approached without a sound, as if walking on dry ground, and offered a smile.

“Are you the welcoming party from the Arian Family?”
“Ah, yes! I’m Freica, leader of Ranger Squad 3.”

Freica bowed, concealing her alarm.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Raon Zigheart, Vice Commander of the Gwangpung Unit.”
“Ah….”

I bowed with neither rudeness nor excess. My heart trembled at the prospect of meeting the White Sword Dragon, whose name echoed across the Continent, in person.

“Ah, welcome to the Arian Family… Eek!”

Freica lifted his head only to catch sight of the three warriors standing behind me, and a shriek escaped his lips.
His heart shriveled at the intensity blazing from their eyes—one green, one black, one violet.

“Rangers? I can certainly feel the sharpness in their aura.”
“Can they even fight looking so frail?”
“Those shoes are unusual.”
“Ugh….”

The three spoke calmly, yet their overwhelming presence left him unable to open his mouth.

‘Are these the squad leaders of the Gwangpung Unit?’

He’d heard rumors that the squad leaders of the Gwangpung Unit had displayed exceptional prowess in the Six Emperors’ dueling tournament, but now he saw they were monsters whose presence far exceeded the tales.

“Rein in your killing intent.”

When I glanced back and clicked my tongue lightly, not just the three squad leaders but the entire Gwangpung Unit suppressed their ferocity.
It was clear that I held complete command over them.

“Then I’ll ask for your guidance.”
“Ah, of course. Let me depart at once—oh!”

Freica started to move but stopped short. He opened the carriage door behind him and retrieved a pair of swamp boots.

“These are vine boots designed for walking through swamps. If you wear them, you’ll be able to move much more comfortably.”
“Then I’ll take just two pairs.”

I nodded and extended my hand.

“Two pairs?”
“Walking through the swamp is part of their training, so the rest will proceed as they are.”

He pointed at two young children who still looked inexperienced. Unlike the other Gwangpung Unit swordsmen, they appeared to struggle merely standing in the swamp.

“Young master! I’ll go like this too! Mark said he’d help me!”

The girl with twin braids waved her hand energetically.

“If you’re doing it, then so am I! Deputy Commander, I won’t wear them either!”

The boy with sharp features clenched his fists, refusing to back down.

“I see. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll decline the boots.”

Raon shook his head with a faint smile.

“Understood. Then let’s proceed.”

Freica extended her hand, pointing ahead.

“Wellis, you lead the way. I’ll finish up here and catch up.”
“Ah, got it.”

Wellis swallowed hard and stepped forward, with Raon and the Gwangpung Unit following behind him.

‘That fool won’t mess with the Gwangpung Unit.’

Freica returned the boots to the carriage, inspected the swamp’s condition and the carriage itself, then followed the group from the rear.

Wellis walked ahead, biting his lip.

‘This is ruined.’

What would he tell the executives….

He’d been paid to bring the Zigheart swordsmen soaked through so they couldn’t move for a while, but it looked like they’d all escape without a single one being left behind.

‘They’re walking without boots and managing just fine… there’s no way… wait?’

As he walked with his eyes on the ground, he noticed a lighter-colored patch in the swamp ahead.

‘Clear Swamp!’

A swamp where sand sank or spread sideways, making the water ratio much higher. Even the Gwangpung Unit would surely be unable to escape from there.

‘Perfect.’

Wellis subtly adjusted his direction, guiding the Gwangpung Unit toward the clear swamp.

With the sun setting and the surroundings growing dark, no matter how strong Raon or the Gwangpung Unit were, they wouldn’t be able to avoid getting their clothes soaked.

Wellis naturally drew the Gwangpung Unit toward the clear swamp, and just as Raon at the very front stepped into it, he glanced back slightly. And then.

Kwaaaang!

With a deafening roar that shook the entire swamp, mud shot up like a fountain and came raining down.

Splurt, splurt, splurt!

Wellis took the full brunt of the mud and rolled across the ground.

“Gaaahhh!”

Each falling clod of mud struck like a punch from a grown man. He couldn’t get up through the chaos.

“Ughhhh….”

Just as he was about to sink into the swamp while lying down, a hand shot out and grabbed his collar, pulling him up.

It was Raon. He pulled me out of the swamp with a gentle smile on his face.

“Are you alright?”
“Thank you… Hic!”

He was about to say thanks, but there was a chilling light gleaming in Raon’s eyes. It looked like he was saying he’d slit my throat if I tried any more tricks, and my teeth chattered.

“I-I’m so sorry!”

Wellis cut himself off mid-thanks and bowed so deeply that his head nearly touched the swamp.

‘A person I absolutely must not touch….’

I had thought him gentler compared to the Gwangpung Unit, but that was a grave miscalculation. There was a reason those monsters served under him.

“Hey! You idiot!”

Freica rushed from behind and struck Wellis on the back of his head.

“Didn’t I tell you not to do that!”

He immediately turned and bowed his head to Raon.

“My apologies! This fool has a terrible sense of humor. I’ll guide you from here on.”
“It’s fine.”

Raon offered a faint smile. He gestured ahead as if it were nothing.

“Let’s depart. I’d like to arrive before it gets too late.”

*

*

*

I narrowed my eyes as I gazed upon the gray castle wall erected above the swamp.

‘Is this the Arian Family Castle Wall?’

The wall, having endured countless years, emanated a solid and steadfast aura.

Yet despite its pristine appearance, I could sense gaps and weaknesses throughout—signs of neglected maintenance.

-Peculiar.

Wrath squinted as he observed the castle.

-The one who built this castle must have been quite strong.
‘How can you tell?’
-The balance is perfect.
‘Balance?’
-When constructing the castle, they achieved a level of perfect balance that would be impossible for an ordinary human. Of course, it’s all deteriorated now.

Wrath settled onto my shoulder with a satisfied murmur, muttering something about eating.

‘He’s not wrong.’

The first Head of the Arian Family had subjugated the Swamp of Death alongside the first Head of the Zigheart Family, so their strength was only natural.

“A castle floating above the swamp. How picturesque.”

Burren nodded vigorously, clearly amazed by the castle itself.

“Does that man find beauty in everything he sees?”

Martha frowned without showing her surprise.

“It’s beautiful….”

Lunan’s eyes gleamed softly, captivated by the castle’s appearance contrasting with the swamp.

Kwaaaaaaah!

As the entire Gwangpung Unit marveled at the Arian Family Castle, the castle gate opened, violently pushing back the swamp mud.

Some mechanism prevented the swamp’s mud from entering beyond the gate.

A female swordmaster with brown hair tied back like a horse’s tail walked out from the open gate. She appeared to be in her early thirties, though her actual age seemed to be older.

‘So this is Wendy Arian.’

She appeared to be the woman Judith had noted in her documents as the Arian Family’s only Master and the Head’s youngest daughter.

“Thank you for your arduous journey. I am Wendy Arian, commanding the Yellow Sword Unit.”

Wendy Arian bowed her head, having instantly discerned our identity.

“Thank you for welcoming us. I’m Raon Zigheart, vice-commander of the Gwangpung Unit.”

I bowed my head while assessing Wendy’s aura.

‘Well-trained.’

Though lacking in practical combat experience, I could sense the blade energy of someone who had trained consistently over a long period.
Being at the beginning of the Master realm, Wendy was weaker than Mark Goeten, but possessed the talent to reach great heights with proper training.

‘Better than expected.’

I had assumed the Arian Family was completely ruined, with only one Master and the rest of their swordsmen being weak, but that wasn’t the case.
At least Wendy Arian displayed the keen eyes of a true warrior.

As I assessed Wendy, she was also observing me and the Gwangpung Unit.

‘Hmm….’

Wendy’s eyes narrowed as she observed the Gwangpung Unit—not a single member had mud on them.

‘What’s this?’

Raon was a Master, so that was understandable, but the Gwangpung Unit wore ordinary shoes and yet none of them were wet.
Among the entire group, only Wellis, a veteran Ranger, was caked in mud.

Looking to the side, squad leader Freica shrugged as if to say it was self-inflicted.

‘They must have turned the tables after playing a prank.’

Seeing Wellis, the vice-commander of Squad 3 who had traversed the swamp as if it were solid ground, humiliated like this, Raon and the Gwangpung Unit’s abilities were beyond their reputation.

‘That’s not all that’s surprising.’

My fingertips trembled as I observed the Gwangpung Unit standing behind Raon.

‘Not a single weak link among them.’

The rumors had said only Raon and Rimer needed to be watched in the Gwangpung Unit, but looking at them now, there wasn’t a single swordsman who appeared easy to handle.

One Master, four Expert-rank peak experts, and the rest reaching mid-rank or high-rank at minimum.

Excluding the two children, it was a formation with absolutely no gaps.

‘Is this truly the military force of Zigheart?’

Inspectors and administrators from Zigheart came very occasionally to check and manage the Swamp of Death, but this was the first time I’d seen people radiating such overwhelming presence.

Wendy tapped her forehead lightly to clear her mind, then extended her hand.

“Please come this way.”

She raised her hand toward Raon and the Gwangpung Unit with a respectful posture.

“The Head of House awaits.”
“Understood.”

Raon nodded and followed her toward the heart of the Arian Family.

‘Quite splendid.’

Wendy walked toward a mansion with a lavish exterior that appeared newly constructed.
Unlike the impressive buildings, those guarding this place lacked any proper presence.

‘More disappointing than expected.’

Aside from Wendy and the inspectors assisting her, there wasn’t a single person worth noting. The place seemed far more steeped in lethargy than anticipated.

The Arian Family’s Patriarch’s Hall was smaller than Zigheart’s, but it was no less magnificent.
With considerable wealth from their specialty goods, not a single decoration embedded in the walls appeared inexpensive.

“This is the Audience Chamber.”

Wendy opened the arched door at the end of the Patriarch’s Hall. The massive door swung open without the slightest creak, as if meticulously oiled.

Beyond the brilliant light pouring from within the Audience Chamber, a platform arranged like steps came into view.

Figures who appeared to be executives of the Arian Family stood on either side of the platform, and at its apex sat an elderly man with brown hair.
His cheeks gleamed with the fullness of one well-fed, and his belly sagged noticeably.

Raon stepped onto the crimson carpet in the center and bowed his head.

“Raon Zigheart, Vice-Commander of the Zigheart Storm Wind Group, greets the Head of the Arian Family.”

Even though the Arian Family was a vassal house, they had walked a long history alongside the Zigheart Family, so I showed proper courtesy first.

“So you’re the White Sword Dragon. Indeed, you carry the bearing that matches your name.”

A thick, oily voice echoed from the platform above.

“You’ve traveled far. Please, rise.”
“Thank you.”

Raon straightened his back and looked up at the platform.

‘So that’s Wigen Arian, the Head of the Arian Family.’

While the heads of the Zigheart Family and other houses radiated their own light and presence, this old man was creating his existence through the brilliant illumination pouring down from the ceiling. I felt no intense aura, no firm resolve, no cold intellect.

-Is that really a family head?

Wrath wrinkled his nose bridge as if dumbfounded.

-His talent is above average, but what he’s accumulated is pathetically meager!
‘I agree with you.’

As Wrath said, all that Wigen Arian seemed to have accumulated was fat.

“How is the Northern Destruction King?”
“He is well, thank you for asking.”
“That’s good to hear.”

Wigen Arian nodded and smiled faintly, saying he would have to visit soon.

“I’ve prepared a banquet for the Gwangpung Unit who came all this way. Enjoy yourselves freely today.”

He clapped his hands, saying it would be a pleasant time. From Wendy behind him came a sound like grinding teeth.

“We appreciate the welcome, but we must decline.”

Raon shook his head as he looked at Wigen Arian.

“I came to the Arian Family in response to a support request. Unless the matter is already resolved, I don’t believe this is the time to enjoy a banquet.”
“Hmm….”

Wigen tapped the armrest with visible displeasure, his flabby forearm jiggling with the motion.

“You wouldn’t understand, but the water level of the Swamp of Death changes frequently here. It’s nothing particularly unusual in this place.”
“I’ve heard that not only has the water level risen, but the number of undead monsters has also increased.”
“Even if their numbers grow, they’re just zombies and skeletons. A few arrows can dispose of them easily enough.”
“Undead are monsters incapable of independent thought. There’s a possibility that a superior-class monster capable of issuing search commands has appeared.”

I spoke aloud the thoughts I’d harbored since arriving at this place.

“Hmm, isn’t that merely speculation?”

Wigen let out a hollow cough and sank back into his chair.

“I’ve lived my entire life on this land. Events like this have occurred every ten years or five years. It’s nothing grave enough to warrant concern.”
“Then why did you request support from the main house?”
“The commander of the Yellow Sword Unit worries far too much.”

He frowned, explaining that this support request had been made independently by Wendy Arian, bypassing his own involvement.

“Hmm….”

I kept my gaze fixed on Wigen without turning toward Wendy.

‘Exactly as predicted.’

Wigen’s uncooperative stance stemmed from his desire to conceal his own incompetence and negligence.

The Swamp of Death had remained unchanged for centuries, so he likely believed it would continue to be safe. It had been quite some time since he’d dispatched any reconnaissance or subjugation parties.

Now that problems had emerged in the swamp, he would certainly face censure from the Zigheart Family. His reaction clearly stemmed from a desire to somehow evade this situation and resolve it on his own terms.

‘Once I leave, he’ll finally take action.’

But that approach would no longer work.

The swordsmen and administrators from the Zigheart Family might have found the wealth and pleasures of this place appealing, but for the Gwangpung Unit—those who lived only for growth and mission completion—it held no value whatsoever.

“Head of House. Even if the situation is the same as before, we should still verify….”
“I am the Head of House!”

Wendy stepped forward and dropped to one knee, but Wigen only deepened his frown.

“There’s no need to strain yourself either. Think of coming here as a rest—take it easy. We know this place well, so we’ll handle….”
“As I mentioned, I must fulfill my duties.”
“You don’t seem to understand. You cannot enter the Swamp of Death without my permission. That marsh is difficult even for Rangers to traverse, so rest for now….”
“I apologize, but….”

I lifted my gaze. Wigen’s neck trembled visibly as he met my eyes—burning crimson like a volcano spewing fire.

“I have been granted full authority over this place by the Head of House.”

With responsibility came authority—that was how it worked.

Glen hadn’t explicitly said he was granting me full authority, but since he’d told the Gwangpung Unit to take complete responsibility, it wasn’t entirely a lie.

“F-full authority? What do you mean….”

Wigen’s mouth fell open—he clearly hadn’t expected to hear those words.

“So you’re saying you’ll do as you please, like during the inspection?”
“….”

I deliberately didn’t answer, only intensified my stare. Let Wigen fall into the trap himself.

“Th-that’s absurd. No matter how much of a White Sword Dragon you are, to give such authority to a mere Unit….”

As Wigen’s lips trembled, a stern-faced middle-aged man approached his side and whispered something into his ear. I couldn’t hear it clearly, but it seemed he was relaying the fact that the Gwangpung Unit had crossed the swamp without special boots.

‘It worked perfectly.’

A small lie had taken root and was growing on its own. All the effort spent teaching the Gwangpung Unit water-walking had paid off.

“Ugh….”

Wigen clenched his teeth as he watched Raon and the Gwangpung Unit.

‘They walked through the swamp in those shoes…’

Walking through the swamp without special boots meant they were masters capable of underwater movement. If the entire Gwangpung Unit had accomplished this, it meant every single one of them possessed skills beyond their reputation.

‘What’s with their eyes…’

As I observed the Gwangpung Unit, my legs trembled as if I’d locked eyes with a predator. Each member’s aura was formidable. Except for the two children, I couldn’t spot a single swordsman I felt confident I could defeat in combat.

‘So the Gwangpung Unit was this strong.’

With that level of martial prowess and presence, it was hardly strange that Glen had been granted full authority.

‘Damn it!’

There was no way around it. I nodded, hoping nothing would go wrong in the Swamp of Death.

“Unusual that you’d refuse rest. Do as you please.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”

Raon bowed respectfully and turned to leave. When he signaled Wendy with his eyes to follow, Wigen flicked his armrest.

“Wendy. You stay—”
“Pardon me, but would it be acceptable to accompany the Yellow Sword Unit commander? I have some questions about the swamp.”
“Ugh….”

Wigen waved his hand dismissively.

“Thank you.”

Raon bowed once more and turned away. Even as the conversation ended, the Gwangpung Unit continued to glare at Wigen and the Arian Family officials as if ready to devour them.

‘It was worth the effort raising them.’

Thanks to the White Dragon’s reputation and the fact that the entire Gwangpung Unit had walked through the swamp while radiating such intense presence, I had gained the authority to move freely here. A smile bloomed naturally at the thought of how worthwhile all that difficult training had been.

Raon lightly brushed off his black dragon robe and walked through the midst of the Gwangpung Unit.

“Let’s go.”

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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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