The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 406

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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 406

The sky had turned pitch black—not a single star glimmered, let alone the moon. Below, a shallow yellowish-green marsh rippled like a stream.

As I drew in a breath, I felt air different from moments before.

Not the suffocating, viscous atmosphere saturated with the stench of death, but a refreshing breeze carrying warmth—a welcome wind that soothed the senses.

Steadying my mind, I slowly lifted my gaze and saw the back of a man. A swordsman whose brilliant golden hair contrasted strikingly against silver armor. The First Patriarch of Zigheart.

So it was his trace after all.

The moment I saw the sword mark etched into the pillar, a sense of familiarity washed over me. As expected, it appeared to be a mark left by the First Patriarch.

He looked somewhat younger.

Unlike when I’d seen him before, his short-cropped hair was striking. His face remained obscured, but he appeared younger than when I’d encountered him in the Wizard Dungeon or the Cave of Heavy Martial Arts.

After confirming Zigheart’s ancestor, I turned my attention to the figure beside him. A blue-haired swordsman in a yellow uniform held a blade in both hands.

Then this must be the First Patriarch of the Arian Family.

Like Wendy Arian, she possessed the same ocean-blue hair and delicate, narrow eyes. Given the resemblance in appearance, the spirit of the Arian Family may well have been passed down to her.

Finally, I raised my gaze to the heavens.

An Arch Lich draped in a midnight-black robe, wielding a staff embedded with glistening black orbs, loomed over the two warriors.

Beneath it, more than thirty Death Knights and Banshees radiated a thick murderous intent toward the ancestors of Zigheart and Arian.

This was that moment.

The very battle Judith had described—where the First Patriarch of Zigheart and the First Patriarch of the Arian Family slew the Arch Lich that rose from the Swamp of Death.

As the Arch Lich raised its staff, countless dark magic circles erupted across sky and earth. Shadowy spells burst forth from the circles, pouring down upon the two warriors.

The ancestor of Zigheart advanced with a footwork that left crimson traces, drawing his blade with the speed of lightning. Flames blazed along the blade’s edge, effortlessly incinerating Death Knights and Banshees.

The ancestor of the Arian Family summoned a blue tempest with their green blade, cleaving through the magic and incantations conjured by the Arch Lich.

The Arch Lich stumbled back in confusion. His back touched the Black Temple, which blazed with the aura of death.

So those pillars I’d seen were the remnants of that temple.

I’d found it strange that three such massive pillars were embedded in the swamp, but they must have been the pillars of the temple where the Arch Lich once served a demon.

The Arch Lich rapidly resummoned Death Knights using the power of his staff and the temple, unleashing even more potent dark magic, yet the two masters moved with newfound fluidity, erasing the undead and spells faster than before.

The First Patriarch of Zigheart cleaved the last remaining Death Knight, then shattered the swamp beneath him as he leaped forward in a devastating charge toward the Arch Lich.

The Arch Lich conjured a black barrier by wielding death’s aura as the Phantom Soul Ghost would, but it couldn’t withstand the flames embedded in the First Patriarch of Zigheart’s blade—it tore apart like paper.

The First Patriarch of Zigheart pressed forward without hesitation, splitting the Arch Lich’s chest, while the ancestor of the Arian Family unleashed a surge of blue wind-laden force that severed the Arch Lich’s neck.

A flawless victory. The two masters achieved exquisite coordination without a single word or gesture—it felt like watching the Gale Wind Squad, warriors who’d been honed countless times until they could read each other’s intent with a mere glance.

Yet the First Patriarch of Zigheart and the ancestor of the Arian Family did not lower their blades. Despite their necks and chests being severed, they stared at the Arch Lich hovering in the void, their brows furrowed.

The Arch Lich gathered the energy from his staff’s orb and the death aura dwelling within the temple, using his own body as a conduit to form a colossal sphere of deathly power. Self-destruction. He would detonate every ounce of this malevolent force to kill the two masters, no matter the cost.

The First Patriarch of Zigheart thrust his blade toward the sphere. From the heart of the blade extended the breath of flames—the Flame Dragon Technique. Yet even the roar of the fire dragon couldn’t pierce the densely compressed sphere of death; it scattered helplessly.

The ancestor of the Arian Family followed with successive surges of sharp wind-force shaped like a scythe, but they too failed to cleave through the ever-expanding sphere of deathly power.

The severed head of the Arch Lich cackled mockingly at the two of them.

The First Patriarch of Zigheart and the ancestor of the Arian Family exchanged words for the first time, then nodded in understanding.

The ancestor of the Arian Family grasped his blade with both hands, drawing in the wind scattered throughout the area. The wind flowing along the sword’s edge grew denser, cleaving through death’s aura and carving a path toward the black sphere.

The ancestors of the Zigheart Family took a middle stance as if that was sufficient, treading their sword techniques. From the snow-white blade like the Snowy Plain, smooth crimson river energy blazes forth.

He pressed his left foot against the earth and thrust his blade forward. Dozens of crimson rays of light erupted from a single sword, piercing the black sphere.

Thirty-six. A single strike commanding thirty-six cardinal directions—flames of this magnitude engulfed the black sphere.

Crackle—crack—pop!

The black sphere resisted, attempting to expand its form by any means, but the thirty-six flames forged by Zigheart’s ancestor were empowered by the sea-blue wind flowing from behind, crushing the black sphere relentlessly.

Kuoaaaaaaang!

Like an amber trapped in chains being crushed, the black sphere was pulverized by the combined force of flame and wind before erupting into a colossal explosion in the void. The shockwave that rippled backward even toppled the Black Temple.

Zigheart’s ancestor slashed diagonally toward the plummeting Arch Lich. The creature didn’t even have time to scream before it crumbled to ash.

He turned his head slightly. When I met those crimson eyes blazing like flames, a searing pain shot through my mind, and the profound principles of the swordsmanship I had just witnessed crystallized before me.

It was indeed Manhwagong’s swordsmanship.

But I hadn’t merely acquired that single technique. I could feel in my very bones that the subtle principles of swordsmanship necessary to achieve that sword path had grown to another level.

Zigheart’s ancestor nodded slightly. Though the gesture wasn’t directed at me but toward the ancestor of the Arian Family, it seemed to ask whether I could do it.

Of course I can.

As I nodded in affirmation, a darker shadow filled my vision, and a high-pitched ringing pierced my ears.

“…on.”
“Raon!”

I blinked, and Rimer’s gesturing came into focus.

“What are you thinking about! Time is of the essence!”

He pointed at the black sphere, urging me to deal with it before it was too late.

“Ugh….”

Raon lifted his head, following Rimer’s hand. It seemed less than ten seconds had passed since he fell into a trance, yet the sphere of fraud had already swollen to the point of obscuring the sky.

You.

When I bit my lip, Wrath suddenly appeared and thrust his face forward.

-Where have you been off to again!
‘What?’
-I’m asking where you’ve been and what you’ve consumed to return even stronger!

Wrath glared at me, grinding his teeth.

‘What in the world is this creature!’

It was already irritating enough that I constantly fell into a state of oblivion, but occasionally I would vanish entirely as a soul only to reappear with an even more formidable aura. This damned brat had grown stronger and returned in less than ten seconds.

-Some fool must be giving you power!
‘A fool, huh….’

I smiled faintly while pointing my hand toward the heavens above.

‘The one dwelling in the heavens must find me endearing, constantly bestowing gifts upon me.’
-W-wait, you’re not telling me you’re even plundering the hypocrites of the Celestial Realm! That’s….
‘That’s?’
-A good deed!

Wrath suddenly nodded, declaring that such beings deserved to be stripped bare.

“Raon.”

As I shook my head at Wrath’s unexpected response, Rimer approached.

“You have the ring Chamber gave you, right?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s use it. Right now, that method is…no. I think someone might be here.”

Rimer pointed toward the ring but then looked up.

“Hey! Idle old man, are you there! Come out and help us!”

He shouted with his aura infused into his voice, but no one appeared.

“What are you doing?”
“Damn! I thought he was definitely here, but it can’t be helped. The ring….”
“Never mind. I’ll handle it myself, just lend me your support.”

I shook my head and steadied my breathing, rotating the Ring of Fire. The resonance of the ring spinning around my heart awakened my senses.

“You? You’ll handle it?”
“Yes. I believe I can cut through it. However, I’ll need some assistance.”

I gestured toward Wendy Arian, who was observing this place.

“Wendy!”
“Huh?”

Wendy hadn’t expected to be called, so she startled and opened her eyes wide as a rabbit’s.

“Please come over here!”
“Oh, yes!”

Despite the situation where she might die at any moment, she didn’t hesitate and rushed toward me.

“Does the Arian Family swordsmanship contain a technique that cuts through the gaps between wind currents?”
“The Path of Wind is a technique we have. But how did you know about that, Raon? I’ve never used it before, and it’s not even an offensive sword art….”

She tilted her head, wondering how I could have known about a technique she’d never demonstrated in front of me.

“Use that swordsmanship to open a path through the core of that fraud. And….”

I gestured toward Rimer.

“Head of House, please assist Wendy. You should be more than capable.”
“Hmm….”

Rimer wiped the sweat dripping down his chin with the back of his hand and smacked his lips.

“I’m a bit exhausted right now….”

He shook his head, saying he was too tired from fighting.

“How much have you fought that you’re already panting like a dog? When we return, you’ll need to do some stamina training.”
“What? Do you know how much stamina and aura a Sword Realm Manifestation requires….”
“I wouldn’t know. If you can’t do this, go back and prepare to climb the cliff with the others.”
“Ugh!”

When Raon threw Rimer’s own words back at him, his face drained of all color, turning pale as a sheet.

“You insufferable bastard….”
“You’re the one who raised me this way, Head of House.”

He waved his hand dismissively and stepped forward, positioning himself before the black sphere.

“Hmm….”

Wendy Arian watched Raon’s back, her lips trembling.

‘Can I really do this?’

Someone like me?

Raon had asked for my help, but I had no confidence in properly opening the path of wind. It wasn’t because I hadn’t trained. In this critical moment where a single mistake could mean everyone’s death, I questioned whether I had any right to step forward.

‘I don’t think I can do this….’

My hands trembled uncontrollably, and my heart pounded wildly. I couldn’t even remember how to swing a sword, let alone open the path of wind. My mind felt completely blank.

Just as I was about to tell Raon I couldn’t do it, he turned to look back at me.

“A thousand years ago, in this very place, my ancestor and yours cleaved through darkness together. Now it’s our turn.”

He smiled gently, as if he understood all the anxiety weighing on my heart.

“Wendy Arian. You are the only one in the Arian Family who carries on your ancestor’s will. You can do this.”

Raon didn’t even wait for my response before turning his gaze forward again. His unwavering back spoke volumes of his trust in me.

“Don’t worry too much.”

As my trembling gradually subsided, Rimer approached from the side.

“If that arrogant subordinate of mine says you can do it, then it’s absolutely possible. Don’t burden yourself—just do what comes naturally.”

He flashed a refreshing smile, urging me to release my tension.

“Ah….”

Knowing that the legendary prodigy called the White Sword Dragon believed in me, the thick rope that had been constricting my chest snapped. Not all the trembling subsided, but the feeling that I might make a mistake clearly diminished.

“I-I’m starting.”

Wendy Arian bit her lip firmly and drew her sword with forceful intent. From the silver blade bloomed a gale wind, carving a sea-blue path toward the black sphere.

Zzzzzt!

But due to Wendy Arian’s insufficient power, the path remained incomplete, twisting as if being crushed. Just as the blue wind was about to be pushed back by the deathly aura, a green wind swept in to support it from behind.

Whoooosh!

Rimer. He clenched his teeth and severed the flow of death energy with his sword wrapped in green wind. The thin green wind dwelling in his blade surged like a dragon ascending, piercing through the wind path that Wendy Arian had created.

Shiiing!

The two types of wind intertwined, opening a gentle wind path leading toward the black sphere.

“Since the Head of House has been bedridden for so long, losing some strength is acceptable.”

I approached the black sphere with my eyes closed. What I envisioned in my mind was the sword of the First Patriarch of Zigheart that I had just witnessed. It was an absolute martial art that simultaneously occupied thirty-six directions.

‘It’s impossible for me to replicate it exactly.’

The Patriarch I saw today is stronger than I am now.

No, setting aside strength and weakness, perfectly executing an absolute martial art I saw for the first time today without any practice is impossible, even with the Ring of Fire.

‘That’s why….’

You must help me too.

I smiled as I adjusted my grip on the Soul Reaper Sword in my left hand.

Whoooosh!

I stood before the black sphere, hearing the pleasant resonance of the Soul Reaper Sword.

“Insolent subordinate! Now I’m going all out!”
“Aaaaaah!”

With Rimer and Wendy’s battle cry, the deathly aura was completely repelled, and a path of emerald wind opened toward the black sphere.

Boom!

I stomped the ground with such force that the earth itself trembled, drawing out every last ounce of Manhwagong energy remaining in my dantian. Enduring the searing pain as if my mana circuits would burn away, I assumed the stance of the First Patriarch that I had witnessed in my state of enlightenment.

A perfect middle stance—neither excessive nor lacking. I unleashed the two swords positioned before my dantian simultaneously. The breath of flames descended upon the Heavenly Sword and Soul Reaper Sword as they shot forth like arrows of light.

Manhwagong Hundred Blossoms.
Red Slash Thirty-Six Severing.

Smooth flames drenching the blades extended eighteen strands each, ensnaring the sphere where murderous intent had crystallized.

Crackle!

Like a comet streaking across the night sky, thirty-six threads of flame surrounded the black sphere, generating tremendous pressure.

Sizzzzle!

Yet the murderous intent contained within the black sphere was so immense that it did not melt away easily.

‘Not yet.’

I could not surrender like this. With my heart and dantian aching, I wielded Manhwagong and the Ring of Fire, pouring out every remaining ounce of energy.

Crunch!

Blood flowed from my nose and mouth, and my bones and skin stung as if they would be crushed, but I bit my lip and pushed forward one step more.

Whoooosh!

The wind summoned by Wendy Arian and Rimer grew even stronger. It was a warm breeze pushing at my back.

Wind fuels fire.

The crimson flames and azure wind interlocked like gears, and the lines of fire ignited by Red Slash Thirty-Six Severing grew thick and pronounced.

Kuguguugu!

The massive flames pressed down upon the sphere of deception, beginning to incinerate the death aura that dwelled within it.

“Uuuaaaaaah!”

I squeezed every last ounce of muscle and aura, melting the black sphere as much as possible before hurling it skyward.

Kuwaaaaang!

The sphere of flames, now so diminished that the black aura was invisible, burst apart and triggered a colossal explosion.

“Sigh…”

Only after witnessing the dark-crimson aura cascading down like cherry blossoms did I lower my sword.

‘It’s finally over….’

Thanks to pouring out all my strength, I had cleanly disposed of the sphere. The three pillars that had granted me enlightenment crumbled to dust from the aftermath of that tremendous force.

‘Thank you.’

I bowed my head, remembering the ancestors of Zigheart and the ancestors of Arian.

“Phew….”

As I exhaled and rose to my feet, Rimer came rushing over.

“What kind of swordsmanship was that! I’ve never seen anything like it before?”

He shrugged his shoulders, asking if I had created yet another technique.

“Thank you, Commander.”

I closed my eyes as I observed the sweat streaming down Rimer’s forehead. Though unsteady, it was clear he had done everything in his power to help me.

“Ah, as commander, this much is only natural. But now I’m truly exhausted. Carry me on your back and head to the Arian Family.”
“Oh, come to think of it, why were you late….”

I was about to ask Rimer why he’d taken so long, but my vision blurred. A blue screen flickered into view—a message, perhaps—but I couldn’t focus enough to read it.

“Why so late, you brat….”

I started to question Rimer’s tardiness, but consciousness slipped away, and I collapsed backward.

“Gasp!”

Rimer tore across the ground, his footsteps cratering the floor as he caught me before I hit it.

‘Complete exhaustion.’

I had drained every last drop of stamina and aura, leaving nothing behind—unconscious from total depletion.

“You’ve done well.”

Rimer gently patted my back, smiling as he looked at his student—now grown so large he was becoming difficult to handle.

“Because of you, everyone here lived.”

He meant it sincerely. Without me just moments ago, everyone in this place would have been in mortal danger.
I had delivered on my promise, perfectly blocking the aura of death. A disciple one could always trust.

“Thanks to you, I wielded my blade freely for the first time in ages. It was exhilarating—like stepping back into the past.”

Rimer bowed slightly to me, his eyes warm with genuine affection.

“Thank you.”

My young king.

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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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