The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 410
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 410
I widened my eyes like saucers as I read the newly emerged message.
‘Sloth’s effects are being enhanced?’
The trait 【Sloth】 possessed an absurd ability—it raised my stats while I slept and even increased the recovery speed of my stamina and aura.
I couldn’t believe this broken trait could grow even stronger.
-Grrrrgh!
Wrath hadn’t anticipated that Sloth’s power would be enhanced either, biting his lip hard.
-Sloth! We should have killed that lazy bastard long ago! It was a mistake for the True Demon King to let him live….
‘Go play somewhere else.’
I brushed Wrath aside as he threw a tantrum on the table and examined the newly appeared message.
[【Sloth】’s emotion generates 30 points.]
[The stat growth effect of trait 【Sloth】 and aura and stamina recovery abilities are enhanced.]
Without thinking, I slammed my palm down on the table.
“Mmm….”
At the sudden noise, Lunan Slion slowly rose. She nodded toward me and then lay back down on the bed, falling asleep.
‘What is she really….’
Lunan Slion was the most enigmatic member of the Gwangpung Unit. No—even in the Zigheart, she was the most incomprehensible.
I shook my head and was about to look at the message again when energy sprouted from the black flower bracelet that Sloth had created for me, seeping into my body.
‘This is….’
I felt Sloth’s aura—the same aura he wore when he visited the Lower Castle—seeping into my soul.
I could have blocked it, but unlike Wrath’s 【Wrath】, I sensed no malice, so I let it be.
‘Is this the emotion of Sloth?’
A languid sensation washed over me—like lying in bed on a warm weekend afternoon, drifting into an afternoon nap.
‘Not bad at all.’
Unlike Wrath, this actually brought a sense of calm. At this level, I could suppress it with my current soul’s power without even activating the Ring of Fire.
‘And besides…’
Accepting Sloth wouldn’t result in my body being seized.
Since Sloth’s soul wasn’t bound to my body like Wrath’s was, even if Sloth’s emotional intensity increased, I wouldn’t lose control. I just needed to use this ability properly.
If I just use this ability properly, that’s all there is to it.
“At this rate, my growth speed will be at least twice as fast.”
After calculating the effects of Sloth, the ability stat growth effect became twice as fast as before, and the aura and stamina recovery speed became three times faster than before.
At this rate, it seemed like he could recover all his aura in just a few days without even doing any cultivation, just by sleeping.
Damn it.
After seeing that Sloth’s effectiveness had increased, Wrath’s face grew even redder. It was strawberry-flavored cotton candy.
‘….’
‘….’
Raon clicked his tongue briefly as he watched Wrath trembling.
You’re the king of suckers.
It’s ridiculous that Wrath, who was born with a more powerful fool’s energy than anyone else, is cursing other people.
-Wait, why would you go see that lazy oaf?!
“Yes, why are you going to that bastard?!”
Wrath’s lips trembled as if he was anxious about something.
I’ve obtained Sloth’s emotion, so I need to ask how to use it.
I gazed at the black flower bracelet and licked my lips.
Sleep can’t be all it does.
Since this is the emotion of a Demon King on par with Wrath, there must be other abilities besides the sleeping effect.
To use it properly, I should visit Sloth and ask him directly.
-No need to go, lad.
Wrath shook his head while looking at the black flower bracelet.
-That lazy bastard’s abilities are nothing special!
He shook his head slightly, trembling as he insisted I wouldn’t like it even if I went.
It’s fine. I need to hear about it for Yua’s sake anyway.
Since I was planning to go to the Lower Castle to give Yua time with her Grandfather after all this time, I figured I might as well visit Sloth while I was at it.
-Ugh! Damn that lazy Sloth!
Realizing he couldn’t stop me, Wrath began cursing Sloth again.
-I’ll never forgive him!
Do as you please.
I chuckled softly and brushed back the hair covering my forehead.
Anyway…
After confirming all my new abilities, I remembered the guest Wendy had mentioned earlier.
Lectar, the Sword Ghost…
I had some connection with him.
It was no exaggeration to say that I had a connection with him, since the first epithet I earned after my exploits at the Lower Castle was “Sword Ghost of the Lower Castle” or “Lesser Sword Ghost.”
‘What kind of person is he?’
I had heard that the Sword Ghost, the foremost of the Five Great Swordmasters, possessed martial prowess that reached the Continental Ten Heavens, but I had never seen him in person, so I didn’t know the true extent of his abilities.
I wanted to experience his swordsmanship—the technique of a sword ghost—firsthand.
-Whether you’re a sword ghost or a demon, keep your promise.
Wrath tapped the table with his plump hand and frowned.
‘A promise? What promise?’
-Have you already forgotten? Didn’t you agree to eat all the food the True Demon King desires?
‘Oh, that.’
I nodded slowly and pulled out Nadin bread from my spatial pocket.
‘Then with this Nadin bread….’
-W-what are you doing!
The moment Wrath saw the Nadin bread, he convulsed as if seized by a fit.
-Put that abomination away at once!
He shrieked as if he’d seen a weapon.
‘I don’t want to.’
-You filthy wretch! You made a promise and won’t keep it!
‘There’s something you’re greatly mistaken about regarding that promise….’
-Nonsense! The True Demon King remembers every single word you uttered without missing a syllable!
‘Then recite it for me.’
-Fine!
Wrath nodded and recited the contents of the deal made before I fought the Arch Lich.
-You said, ‘Not only after the war ends, but even after I leave here and return to the Family, I’ll eat whatever I want to eat,’ and you also agreed to eat the new ice cream product that the ice cream girl mentioned!
‘Doesn’t that statement sound a bit odd to you?’
-Hmph! I’m not falling for it! What trick are you trying to pull now!
The beast glared at me with a fierce, predatory gaze.
-‘I’ll eat whatever I want to eat.’ What’s strange about such a simple sentence…? Wait.
Wrath paused mid-thought, finally noticing the peculiarity of the deal. It seemed he’d just realized something was off.
‘Now you see it. That statement doesn’t specify does the eating.’
I watched Wrath tremble and curled my lips into a smile. I’d said I would eat, but my name wasn’t actually in that promise.
‘In other words, I just need to eat whatever I want. Like this Nadin bread.’
-Y-you cunning bastard!
‘You started with the underhanded tactics first.’
He was the one who’d made a promise first, then changed the terms of the deal in a critical moment.
I felt no pangs of conscience for responding to his dirty trick with my own cunning—it was only fair.
‘If you want to challenge me, you’d better eat another hundred years’ worth of marble ice cream first.’
-I-I’m sorry! The True Demon King was wrong!
Wrath sprawled across the table on his belly, hands clasped together in supplication.
-Please! Anything but the Nadin bread!
He begged me not to eat the Nadin bread, swearing he’d never make such a bargain again.
‘No. I refuse.’
I lifted the Nadin bread and smiled.
‘Nadin bread every single day until we leave.’
Of course, I had no intention of actually doing that. Wrath had suffered enough, so tomorrow I’d fill his belly with whatever food he craved. But for now, I needed to establish firm discipline.
-Nooooooooooo!
I chewed the rubbery Nadin bread while listening to Wrath’s anguished wails.
Consider this a lesson in proper conduct.
*
*
*
I opened my eyes to the golden sunlight pouring through the window. Though a lingering drowsiness remained, my body felt incomparably better than yesterday.
‘Is this truly the power of Sloth?’
Thanks to the enhanced Sloth’s effects, my aura and stamina recovery speed, along with my stat increases, had improved dramatically.
At this rate, I could honestly say I was growing stronger simply by sleeping.
‘Wrath is still unconscious.’
Wrath remained passed out, his eyes rolled back—apparently the impact of the rubber-tasting bread and the shock of being swindled had been too much for him.
“Hm?”
As I poked him and tried to get up, something caught on the blanket. Turning my head, I found Lunan Slion sleeping on the bed in the same position as yesterday, face-down.
‘What’s this?’
Déjà vu?
I’d thrown him into a different room yesterday, yet here he was again, sleeping in that uncomfortable position.
‘Truly an odd fellow.’
I chuckled softly as I rose, and the door opened—Dorian stepped inside.
“What? Déjà vu?”
He tilted his head, observing me getting up and Lunan Slion sleeping with his arm draped across the bed.
“Not quite.”
I waved my hand lightly.
“How’s your body feeling now?”
“Much better. I’ve recovered considerably.”
My stomach was full, and my aura, physical strength, and mental fortitude had all recovered significantly.
Though the wounds remained, my body felt light enough to engage in combat immediately.
“Then would you like to come with me? The Unit Commander mentioned that our guest is returning.”
“Our guest—you mean Lectar?”
“Huh? You already knew?”
Dorian muttered to himself, wondering how I’d known without being told.
“Wendy mentioned it to me.”
I rose to my feet and draped my outer robe across my shoulders.
“Let’s go. Since I received his help, I should offer my thanks.”
Beyond thanking him for capturing the executives, I was curious to experience firsthand just how formidable a warrior he truly was.
Following Dorian out of the recovery chamber toward the Western Gate, members of the Arian Family began gathering around us.
“Our benefactor?”
“You’ve awakened!”
“Are you well?”
“Thank you so much for saving Arian!”
“We shall never forget this debt of gratitude!”
The family members bowed respectfully with clasped hands, their voices raised in gratitude for leading them to victory in war.
“Thank you for eliminating the family’s filth!”
“Thanks to your resolve, we too have steeled our hearts!”
“We shall follow Zigheart and the Gwangpung Unit for the rest of our lives!”
“We thank you with all sincerity!”
Word of the blood purge that had taken place the previous night had spread, and many voices cried out their thanks for the elimination of Wigen and the executives.
‘As expected.’
Before the war, many people yearned for the fallen executives, but once they abandoned the Family and fled, their image was completely shattered.
Among the masses, no one was searching for the former executives.
‘Wendy will have an easier time moving forward.’
With the reputation of the previous Head of House and the executives hitting rock bottom, Wendy, who had become the new Head of House, would be able to gain their support even with minimal effort.
I accepted the greetings of the people as I headed toward the Western Gate. As the castle wall came into view, the gate opened, and the Gwangpung Unit and Rangers began to enter.
“What? You’re already up?”
Burren raised his hand with a delighted smile.
“You always collapse after fighting. Why didn’t you rest longer?”
Martha wore a smile that was impossible to tell whether it was concern or mockery.
“Vice Unit Leader! Are you alright?”
“Didn’t you wake up too quickly?”
“Why did you come out instead of resting more?”
“I’m fine now.”
I made eye contact with the Gwangpung Unit and gestured for them not to worry.
“Raon! Damn it! Because you passed out, I had to go all the way out there!”
Rimer approached with his body drooping like a zombie. His expression conveyed annoyance rather than concern, and I couldn’t help but sigh.
“Now that I think about it, why did the Unit Leader go out?”
“Martha grabbed me by the collar and dragged me out. She said that even though he’s a guest, she couldn’t know what he might do.”
He spread his hand and lowered his voice, then pointed to the rear.
I followed his gesture and lifted my gaze.
An elderly man with white hair, dressed in a light white robe as if taking a stroll, walked slowly forward. He was tall with a robust frame, and his eyes were as sharp as a honed blade.
‘So that’s the Sword Ghost….’
I had expected Sword Ghost to emanate a sharp aura befitting his chilling epithet, yet I sensed nothing from him whatsoever.
Was my perception so limited that I couldn’t detect his presence itself?
-It would be difficult for one of your caliber to sense it.
Wrath examined Sword Ghost from head to toe and nodded approvingly.
-Not bad at all. This era has quite a few adequately strong humans, which is refreshing.
‘Is that all?’
To receive acknowledgment from Wrath, who scorned the world itself—the rumors about the Continental Ten Heavens’ blade truly seemed authentic.
“Hmm.”
Sword Ghost had noticed me as well, his gaze fixed as he approached.
‘How intriguing.’
His appearance was hollow like an old man from the Gale Wind Squad, yet his eyes were unsettling—as if blades had been embedded within them. He felt like a sage and a malevolent spirit dwelling in a single form.
“I greet you, Lectar.”
I approached Sword Ghost first and bowed my head.
“I heard you captured the deserters who abandoned the Family and fled. I am grateful for your assistance.”
“It was nothing.”
Sword Ghost waved his hand. His voice was cold, like the wind sweeping across the Northern Sea. The tone matched my expectations.
“I sensed a vicious aura of death and was heading here when I encountered bandits. I merely had them guide my way.”
He said he had originally intended to kill them, but brought them alive after they revealed themselves to be executives of the Arian Family.
“Are you the one called the Young Sword Ghost, Raon Zigheart?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Sword Ghost mentioned the epithet I had earned at the Lower Castle, not the White Sword Dragon. He seemed to have known of me for some time.
“I’ve been curious since then. What kind of swordmaster earned my epithet? I examined the sword marks you created just now….”
He had taken another step forward while speaking about sword marks, but suddenly came to a halt.
“Hmm?”
Lectar’s wide eyes trembled as though he had witnessed something he shouldn’t have, his gaze fixed solely on my face.
“Lectar?”
I narrowed my eyes as I watched Lectar furrow his brow before smoothing it out again.
‘What is this?’
Despite his epithet as the Sword Ghost, I expected him to inquire about swordsmanship, yet he said nothing—merely staring blankly at my face.
“Sword Ghost?”
“Ah. My apologies.”
Lectar shook his head slightly and took a step backward.
“Well, let’s meet again next time.”
He seemed to have something he wanted to say, his lips moving silently, but he shook his head and departed.
“M-Master!”
The young man in white robes, apparently Sword Ghost’s Disciple, called out and followed after him.
I tilted my head as I watched Lectar suddenly seem deflated.
‘What was that?’
-He’s probably hungry.
‘….’
*
*
*
That evening.
Since Raon, the most crucial figure, had awakened, the Arian Family held the festival they had postponed.
Brilliant lights sparkled across the entire castle, and the weary people wore even more radiant smiles on their faces.
Standing on the Western Fortress Wall, I gazed at the people cheering and laughing, a faint smile crossing my lips.
‘This is what a family truly is.’
Living within Zigheart had taught me one profound lesson.
‘A family is a place where joy and sorrow are shared together.’
When a member of the family faces crisis, one must save them regardless of where they are, and if they are killed, one must seek vengeance against anyone responsible.
The Arian Family had not yet become such a family, but with Wendy as the new Head of House, he would become a great wall capable of protecting all members of the clan.
‘And I must do the same.’
Though I still harbored no desire to become the Head of Zigheart, I would protect the Gwangpung Unit to the very end, no matter what trials lay ahead.
—That is the natural mindset one who stands above must possess.
Wrath nodded as he listened to the laughter of the people.
—In the Demon Realm, there are many families and fortresses, but only those where the lord or head shares life and death with their subordinates endure to the end.
He scoffed, remarking that humans failed to do what even demons accomplished.
—Of course, there are exceptions.
‘Exceptions?’
—There are those who disregard their subordinates entirely and rely solely on their own power, yet still prosper.
‘Like Sloth?’
—That fool is simply lazy. Besides him, among the other Demon Kings… hm?
Wrath began to mention another Demon King’s name but stopped, sniffing the air as he looked downward.
—I smell something!
‘What is it?’
—A sweet aroma of concentrated fruit juice melting in the heat!
Wrath raised his round hand, pointing toward the center of the bustling festival street.
—There! They’re selling blueberry pie over there!
‘Hmm…’
I licked my lips and fingered the spatial pouch tucked inside my robe.
‘I was planning to just have some bread for dinner tonight.’
—Please! Stop! Just refrain from that, I beg you!
Wrath began pleading with me to stop eating that rubber.
‘Well…’
“Raon.”
Just as I was about to tease him a bit more, Lunan Slion waved from below.
“Lots of ice cream.”
She held up a bowl filled with several ice creams and bounced on her feet.
“What are you doing standing there looking so serious?”
Martha wrinkled her nose, asking why I was being so pathetic.
“You really can’t read the mood, can you?”
Burren Zigheart chuckled, holding a beer glass.
“We prepared a seat for you!”
Dorian pulled out a large table and chairs from his spatial pouch and gestured.
—Didn’t I tell you not to say it like that?
Wrath smiled awkwardly and jerked his chin downward.
I watched Wrath’s eyes darting about like a flopping fish and allowed myself a faint smile.
‘He should have come to his senses by now.’
I’d administered proper discipline with Nadine’s whip, so offering him something delicious as a reward seemed fitting.
As I turned to descend below the fortress wall, something suddenly erupted from the murky swamp before me. It had a carapace-like shell as hard as a crustacean’s and an elongated snout. A swamp crocodile.
‘A crocodile… wait?’
My mouth fell open. The crocodile stared at me, waving its stubby front legs while etching a grotesque smile across its face.
-It’s the Mad Woman!
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————