The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 477

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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 477

Despite my composed expression, my mind raced faster than ever before.

‘The sea-blue hair spread across his head, scars covering his face and body, and those eerie eyes like a hawk’s—unmistakable.’

It was definitely Kern, the Guisalchang.

Western Lamb was a gambling house operated by the Machang Society, one of the Divine Continent Five Regions’ powers.
Since Guisalchang was the leader of the Machang Society, I had considered the possibility of meeting him by chance, but having it actually happen caught me slightly off guard.

‘I can’t treat him the same way as Heekyuk Je.’

Heekyuk Je had a tendency to read others’ psychology, so I could toy with him, but Kern was different.

With his unpredictable nature, if I pushed forward recklessly against him, I might cross a river from which there was no return.

I needed to maintain confidence without arrogance, carefully treading the line between boldness and restraint.

“You….”

Kern approached me, rotating his neck with audible cracks.

“What did you just say?”
“What did I say?”

I repeated my previous words with a plain expression.

“So I didn’t mishear.”

Kern chuckled, picking at his ear with his pinky finger.

“Heh heh….”
“He’s, he’s insane….”
“That guy’s lost his mind!”

While my eyes remained calm, the faces of the gamblers around me turned deathly pale.

“Do you know who I am?”
“I came here to win money. Do I need to know that?”

I furrowed my brow, my voice calm and measured.

“Didn’t you use formal speech with the Dealer and the Restaurant Staff earlier?”
“I did.”
“Then why are you speaking casually to me?”

Kern’s eyes narrowed, and his presence swelled menacingly. The entire Gambling House seemed to rest in the palm of his hand.

‘I can’t back down here.’

This was likely a test from Kern. I’d already mounted the tiger. It was right to see it through to the end.

“They showed you respect, and you threw casual speech at them.”

I emphasized my words as I glanced at the trembling Dealer.

“Hmm, I’m telling you since you seem not to understand.”

Kern scratched his rough stubble and nodded slowly.

“I’m the owner of this place. I am….”
“Then that’s even worse. The owner spouting casual speech to a guest?”

I scoffed and tilted my chin to the side.

“Kuhk!”

Kern let out a sound like a pig’s squeal, his head slightly bowed.

“Mwahahaha!”

He lifted his gaze and burst into raucous laughter.

“This guy’s insane! Properly bold, aren’t you!”

Kern patted the shoulder of the young man standing beside him, laughing heartily.

“The man who trampled the Heegyukje came to my gambling house, so I came to see him myself—and thank goodness I did!”

He shook his head, remarking that he hadn’t realized I was such an entertaining fellow.

“Master Kern. Please exercise restraint. There are many eyes watching.”

The blond youth who had taken a blow to the shoulder from Kern adjusted his glasses and shook his head. He was no ordinary staff member—he appeared to be a martial artist of the Machang Society.

“Restraint? How can I show restraint when a man like this stands before me!”
“Stop calling him ‘man’ like that. It bothers people who hear it.”
“Ah, that’s right. It would be disrespectful to call the Continent’s greatest sage—one who earned the dragon’s epithet—a mere man. But….”

Kern scratched the space between his nose and upper lip with his finger, breaking into a long smile.

“From where I stand, you’re just a madman. Is that a compliment?”

I furrowed my brow as I studied the gleaming intensity in Kern’s eyes.

‘It’s not a bad feeling.’

Since this was my first encounter with the man called Guisalchang Kern, I couldn’t be certain, but he didn’t seem to harbor any malice.

“The words I liked most today were those. When he asked who I was, you said, ‘I came to win money—do I need to know such things?’ Perfect.”

Kern chuckled, saying there couldn’t be a better line than that.

“Still, you should know who I am.”

He raised his thumb, pointing to himself.

“I am Kern, the master of this gambling house and the leader of the Machang Society.”
“So what.”

I regarded Kern with an expressionless face.

“Huh?”
“Of course you already knew. The White Sword Dragon isn’t a fool. You could have figured it out just from our conversation.”

The martial artist beside the bewildered Kern let out a sigh and offered an explanation.

“Heh, so you knew who I was and still pulled this stunt? I’m actually starting to like you.”
“Guild Master….”

Kern burst into laughter again, and the martial artist beside him shook his head in disapproval.

‘He’s exactly as I heard.’

The intelligence from the Black Market had been accurate—Kern truly didn’t think deeply about things and moved on impulse.

“Do you like money?”

Kern asked, glancing at the chips stacked behind him.

“Is there anyone who dislikes money?”
“Exactly. That’s the right answer.”

He nodded vigorously, as if pleased with my response.

“No one truly dislikes money. But there are those with blackened hearts who hide it. I didn’t think you’d be one of them.”

Kern turned his gaze away and smacked his lips.

“Gambling and money—both are things that enchant humans. So here’s what I’m thinking….”

He raised a finger.

“Want to make a wager with me?”
“What kind of wager?”
“Very simple.”

Kern held up his right hand, shaping it like a spear blade.

“All you have to do is endure the technique I unleash from right here.”
“That’s hardly what I’d call—”
“Hear me out.”

He shook his head slowly.

“I’ll strike at a level suited to your martial prowess. Everyone here will serve as witnesses. What do you say?”

Kern spread both arms wide, declaring that everyone in the Gambling House would serve as witnesses.

“What’s the wager?”

I surveyed the Gambling House before placing my hand on the blade of the Heavenly Sword.

“Rube.”
“Yes.”

The warrior standing beside Kern bowed his head.

“How much gold remains here?”
“If we exchange the White Sword Dragon’s chips, there won’t be much left.”
“Just tell me.”
“Approximately 2,000 gold coins will remain.”

Rube quickly surveyed the chips on the table before stating the remaining amount.

“Then bring 2,000 gold coins and the gold from exchanging those chips.”
“That would be 4,000 gold coins total….”
“No more talking. Bring it.”

Kern waved his hand, clearly done with further discussion.

“…Understood.”

Rube bowed and disappeared into the back of the Gambling House.

“Gambling should be done properly—that’s what makes it worthwhile. If you win, I’ll give you 4,000 gold coins. But if you lose, you’ll have to leave behind everything you’ve won here.”

He smacked his lips, as if savoring the notion that gambling was all or nothing.

“M-Master!”

Dorian grabbed my sleeve and shook it, his expression pleading for restraint.

“Don’t worry. I won’t lose.”

I flashed Dorian a confident smile before nodding to Kern.

“Good.”
“Excellent!”

Kern clapped his hands together with an exclamation of delight.

“Look at this! Not like kids these days at all—so decisive! Four thousand gold coins, and you didn’t even hesitate before deciding. Did you see that? Let’s give him a hand!”

At his cry, the gamblers applauded in a daze.

Moments later, Rube returned with a large spatial pouch.
When he emptied it onto the table, gold coins poured out in quantities too numerous to count.

“Wow…”
“H-how many gold coins are there…”
“That much is riding on a single game of gambling?”
“I-it doesn’t feel real…”

The gamblers, now mere spectators, swallowed hard as they gazed upon the mountain of gold.

“The White Dragon Knight possesses 1,754 chips, so I’ve brought double that amount—3,508 coins.”

Rube had apparently counted the chips on the table in that brief span. He was no ordinary warrior either.

“Don’t be so petty with the calculations. Just call it four thousand.”
“Guild Master…”
“Sigh, fine.”

Kern shook his head and looked toward Raon.

“Sorry about that. My boy doesn’t know the rules of the game. If you win, take the rest. That work for you?”
“It doesn’t matter.”

Raon nodded in agreement.

“I like your style even more now.”

Kern told him to prepare himself, then casually rolled his shoulders.

“Phew…”

Raon steadied his breathing and drew the Heavenly Sword.

‘I can’t afford to be arrogant.’

He wouldn’t resort to assassination techniques in front of so many people, but it was clear that his opponent would unleash an offensive difficult to withstand at his current level.

He had to remain vigilant and prepare with all his strength.

A deep rumble echoed through the air.

Operating the rings of fire at their peak, he wrapped the Manhwagong’s heat around his entire body.
A heavy yet sharp energy surged forth like flames, and the entire Gambling House began to tremble.

“Impressive.”

Kern smacked his lips with satisfaction, his eyes gleaming.

“That power at such an age. It’s astounding.”
“So you’re going to break your promise?”
“No, I have no intention of doing so.”

He raised his right hand again, forming it into the shape of a spear blade.

“As I said, I’ll attack at a level you can defend against, so don’t worry. Are you ready?”
“Come.”

Raon nodded.

“Then let’s begin.”

Kern extended his raised hand. Time seemed to fold in half—the movement was impossibly slow, achingly slow.
A flying insect drifting through the air could have landed on his palm.

“Huh?”
“What… what is this?”
“It’s too slow…”
“Is he really trying to give away his money?”

The gamblers tilted their heads in confusion, watching Kern’s Guisalchang assault—an attack even a child could have dodged.

Yet cold sweat trickled down Raon’s forehead as Kern’s hand drew near.

Crunch, crunch, crunch!

My heart clenched at the overwhelming force that couldn’t possibly emerge from such a leisurely technique.

‘This is….’

The same pressure I’d experienced before. The same texture as when Glen had unfolded the Heavenly Sword directly.

‘Is this intent-based martial arts?’

Kern wasn’t merely thrusting his technique forward—he’d woven intent into it, the intent to bring his opponent to their knees.

To an observer, it might seem like he was playing around or going easy, but for me standing before that hand, the pressure was so overwhelming I couldn’t remain upright.

‘Ordinary swordplay won’t block this.’

The gap in martial realm was too vast; even using different techniques would be futile.

‘There’s only one choice.’

I gritted my teeth and grasped the Heavenly Sword with both hands.

Enduring Kern’s pressure that crashed down like a tidal wave, I raised the Heavenly Sword above my head.

A resonant hum echoed.

The ring of fire sang with crystalline clarity, elevating the grade of my soul.

I stepped forward with my left foot. The ground crumpled with a heavy thud.

Filling my mental realm with the will to cut down my opponent, I brought the Heavenly Sword down from above.

The first form of the Heavenly Sword, Dae Yeon Jung Cheon, unleashed a brilliant flash against the wave of intent that Kern had created.

Crash, boom, boom, boom!

A terrifying pressure assailed my entire body as if to shatter every bone, but I gritted my teeth and endured, drawing the Heavenly Sword through to completion.

Crash!

A magnificent burst of light erupted as the azure wave split in half and subsided. Kern’s will dissipated before it could fulfill its purpose.

I forced strength into my trembling hands and smiled.

‘So will can be wielded in such a manner.’

By feigning an ordinary attack while concealing tremendous power within it—it was a combat technique similar to yet distinctly different from Dark Mirror.

Learning the texture and grain of Guisalchang’s will as a martial artist proved to be invaluable instruction.

‘Spear-Bow Sword can advance further.’

An unexpected martial enlightenment—this was the greatest gain I’d obtained since arriving here.

“You….”

Bewilderment seeped into Kern’s brown eyes for the first time.

“What on earth are you?”

His mouth hung open, unable to close, as if he hadn’t anticipated this situation.

“How did you reach that realm from Master level….”
“Dorian.”

I called out to Dorian without answering Kern’s question.

“Gather up some of those gold coins for me.”
“Ah, yes!”

Dorian, who had been standing dazed, nodded and approached the mountain of gold coins stacked before us.

“I’ll help!”

Just as Dorian was about to stuff the coins into his waist pouch, Rimer suddenly appeared with a bruise darkening his left eye.

I had no idea where that man had been hiding all this time.

Every time three gold coins entered Dorian’s pocket, one gold coin slipped into Rimer’s. I’d need to recover them all once we returned to the Dormitory.

“….”

Even Rube, who had brought the gold coins, seemed shocked—standing there dazed, unable to think of stopping the two of them.

“W-we’ve collected everything.”
“Then let’s go. Ensia, you should come with us.”

I gestured to Ensia, who stood to my right.

“Yes, yes!”

Ensia, who had continued taking photographs even in this situation, answered cheerfully and followed behind us.

I stopped before the exit of the Gambling House and turned around. Looking at Guisalchang, whose eyes still held that stunned expression, I twisted my lips into a smirk.

“Quite crude for someone with a reputation. So you do love money after all?”
“….”

Guisalchang’s eyes narrowed without a word in response.

“I’ll make sure the generous funds you provided are put to good use. And have the remaining five hundred gold coins sent to the Dormitory.”

Without hesitation, I turned my back and left the Gambling House. Dorian glanced around nervously before bowing his head and closing the door.

-What the…?

Wrath surveyed the entire frozen Gambling House and shook his head.

-What kind of city of fools is this?

*

*

*

Kern sank into the sofa of the executive office prepared inside the Western Lamb, pressing his hand against his forehead.

“Rube. Do you know what level Raon Zigheart’s martial prowess reaches?”
“It’s hardly a secret. Master rank at the highest.”

Rube stood beside the sofa and answered.

“Yes, that’s what I observed as well. But how did he withstand the Intent?”

To block an assault imbued with Intent, one needed either an enormous quantity of aura or the martial techniques of Intent itself.

“Intent-based martial techniques can only be learned after reaching Grand Master rank at minimum. It’s far too complex for a Master to comprehend. And yet….”

Kern stroked his lips, releasing a low murmur.

“How did that monster learn Intent-based martial techniques?”
“Pardon?”

Rube narrowed his eyes at Kern.

“Didn’t the Master show him? He said he took a liking to him….”
“I did take a liking to him—he’s not like other young warriors these days. But that doesn’t mean I intended to hand over 3,500 gold coins just like that.”

It was true that seeing Raon’s confidence had pleased me, but I had no intention of surrendering over eighty percent of this gambling house’s wealth.
I’d planned to recover it gradually, but I never anticipated such a counterattack.

“That man is a monster.”
“Hmm….”

Rube bit his lip. It was the first time Kern had spoken of a younger martial artist in such terms. He seemed to genuinely admire this person called Raon.

“A scheming mind that mocks the Heegyukje, gambling skills that even seasoned hustlers fail to detect, and martial power infused with Intent….”

Kern scratched his dark-stubbled chin and smacked his lips.

“I really do like him.”

*

*

*

I left the Western Lamb and headed back to the Dormitory.

-They’re literally bringing money to offer you, he said.

Wrath, clinging to my shoulder, furrowed his brow.

-Why are there so many clueless fools in the human realm?
‘Who knows.’
-Do you emit some kind of pheromone that attracts these idiots?
‘That’s not it.’

I shook my head and looked at Wrath.

It’s not me—it’s you.

With the greatest fool in all dimensions clinging to my side, it seemed the other fools were naturally drawn to me.

I could only pity Wrath for still refusing to acknowledge what he was.

-Anyway, we’re eating lobster and pig’s feet tonight, right?
‘And I’ll add dessert too.’
-Ooh! What’s gotten into you!
‘We made a good haul today because of you.’

Thanks to Wrath thrashing about like a tadpole and seeing the other gamblers’ cards, today’s harvest had been substantial enough to let him eat whatever he wanted for dinner.

‘I should call all the others too… hm?’

As I walked, thinking about renting out the entire Dining Hall, I noticed something.
A large crowd had gathered in front of the Dormitory designated exclusively for Zigheart.

“What’s this about now.”

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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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