The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 492

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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 492

The Gwangpung Corps had gathered in front of the Dormitory Training Ground upon hearing my summons.

“Why is our unit commander calling us out at this hour?”

Crain scuffed his boot against the dirt, his brow furrowed in displeasure.

“Ugh…”

Dorian said nothing, merely rubbing his stomach pouch while his lips trembled.

“What’s wrong with you?”
“Am I going to die at Heekyuk Je’s hands?”

He began gnawing at his fingernails, anxious about how he’d toyed with Heekyuk Je on the dueling grounds.

“The commander already knows everything anyway. He won’t even care about you.”

Crain patted Dorian’s shoulder reassuringly.

“…The real issue is this sudden assembly. Why did he call us together?”
“Honestly, who knows what he’s thinking?”
“Maybe he’s going insane from growing stronger? Could he have learned some cursed martial art?”
“That’s possible. Otherwise, his current level wouldn’t make any sense!”
“Ugh, I hate concentration enhancement training!”

The swordsmen of the Gwangpung Corps sighed, lamenting that the stronger I became, the more tyrannical my methods grew.

“Still, he’s the one who cares about us the most.”

Burren stepped forward with a faint smile.

“If it weren’t for Raon, we’d all be several tiers below where we are now.”
“Of course we know that.”
“No, it’s more than that. If the unit commander hadn’t been here, I wouldn’t be alive at all.”
“I’d have been torn to shreds by Gwahyeolgwi and died….”
“He’s definitely a benefactor we owe our lives to, but this concentration enhancement training is a bit….”

The swordsmen shook their heads, acknowledging Raon’s intentions but helpless before the concentration enhancement training.

As everyone swallowed nervously in anticipation of what was to come, the Dormitory’s main gate opened and Raon entered.

“Why are you all so tense?”

Raon approached with measured steps and stood before Burren.

“Because we don’t know what you’re going to do.”

Burren glanced back at the Gwangpung Corps standing behind him and scratched the bridge of his nose.

“Stop overthinking. Did you properly watch how I fought in the Sparring Arena?”
“I watched everything. I didn’t blink once. But….”

He smacked his lips and spoke again.

“Even though I watched, it’s difficult to grasp what you did. Strangely, the memories are vivid though.”

Burren shook his head, saying the duel was of too high a caliber for him to understand much.

“That’s enough.”

Raon smiled faintly at Burren.

“If it remains in your memory, you’ll be able to make it your own someday.”

When facing the disciples of the Divine Five Elders, I had deliberately fought using quick sword and straight sword techniques—Burren’s specialties—to leave a deep impression on him. Today’s memories would become invaluable when Burren crossed the threshold to Master rank.
Today’s memories would become invaluable when Burren crossed the threshold to Master rank.

“Show me even the smallest thing you realized today.”

Raon drew the Heavenly Sword with a cold smile.

“Huh? Right now?”
“Release the one who couldn’t step into the Sparring Arena here.”

I snapped my fingers as I spoke.

“Mark Goeten is next, so prepare yourself.”
“Understood!”

Mark Goeten raised his voice with a smile, as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

“Heh….”

Burren let out a hollow laugh as he placed his hand on his sword’s hilt.

‘Honestly.’

He was far too kind.

He always spoke of killing, yet his actions were nothing but considerate.
These days, it wasn’t just Rimer—Raon seemed like a mentor too. I could only feel grateful.

“Hey.”

Raon turned his gaze toward the Gwangpung Corps. He narrowed his eyes and drove his sword into the ground.

“Why are you all just standing there?”
“Huh?”

Dorian stopped patting his pouch and opened his mouth wide.

“I’m not sure what you mean by standing still….”
“You all lost. Why are the defeated ones just standing there gawking?”
“Well….”
“You could’ve practiced sword techniques ten times over instead of standing there with your mouths open. Don’t waste time—practice a hundred repetitions of sword techniques starting now.”

The Gwangpung Corps’ mouths fell open so wide they looked ready to split.

“Wait, hold on! A hundred times means we won’t sleep tonight!”
“That’s right! The moon’s already risen!”
“And we’re exhausted from the duel….”
“Then do it. Or be buried here.”

I tapped the Heavenly Sword planted in the ground, flashing a menacing smile.

Burren watched me growl at the Gwangpung Corps and let out a quiet chuckle.

‘Is he cruel or kind….’

*

*

*

The moonlight hid behind clouds that had arrived late, yet the Zigheart Dormitory still blazed with brilliant light.

I lifted my gaze to the darkening night sky, then lowered it once more.

“Hyaaaah!”

Mark Goeten charged forward with a fierce battle cry. His sword strike, riding the wind and driving forward, unleashed tremendous aura force. The surrounding air seemed to shatter entirely.

Boom!

I channeled power into my left thigh. Amplifying my quadriceps, I pushed off the ground and drew the Heavenly Sword downward.
The near-perfect harmony of body and aura transformed a simple sword strike into absolute martial art.

Crash!

Sword and saber collided, erupting with a thunderous roar.

Mark Goeten couldn’t withstand the overwhelming force embedded in the Heavenly Sword, and he was driven backward, carving a thick line across the Training Ground floor.

“I’m not done yet!”

Mark Goeten gritted his teeth and stamped the ground with force. His blade surged upward as if to pierce the heavens, twisting the space around it as it descended.
The sword strike split left and right, amplifying both speed and power in a manner that conjured the image of a single bolt of lightning.

“Not bad at all.”

Raon drew the Heavenly Sword upward from the depths with a faint smile playing across his lips.
Frost blossoms flowing through the blade’s edge bloomed, unleashing a crescent-shaped, crystalline radiance reminiscent of a new moon.

Crash!

Mark Goeten’s sword strike crumbled before the frost chain, and his black uniform, exposed to the bitter cold, shattered like withered autumn leaves.

“Huff.”

He exhaled sharply from the impact and dropped to one knee.

“…I’ve lost.”

As Mark Goeten acknowledged his defeat and lifted his head once more, his expression was bright, unmarred by any lingering regret.

Raon caught sight of the transformation in Mark Goeten’s eyes—as profound as the shift in his strength—and let out a quiet laugh.

‘The day he breaks through the intermediate barrier isn’t far off.’

The wall that had cursed Mark Goeten, blocking his path for so long, had grown thin and fragile enough to shatter.
With just one small catalyst, he would tear through that barrier and ascend to the intermediate Master realm.

‘I look forward to that moment.’

A natural smile bloomed as I anticipated what expression Mark Goeten—who had remained trapped at the lower Master tier for over a decade—would wear upon reaching this new pinnacle.

“Thank you for your effort.”

Raon bowed respectfully to Mark Goeten before turning his gaze to the right. Burren sat slumped, wiping the sweat trickling down his forehead.

“What about you?”
“I’m satisfied. I’ve released everything I needed to.”

Burren also affirmed he had enough and waved his hand dismissively.

I had sparred past midnight, and it seemed I had finally dispelled all the regret from today’s failed duel.

“Young Master! Please spar with me too!”

Yua rushed forward with her hand raised eagerly.

“Th-then I should too!”

Julius followed beside Yua, gauging my reaction.

I bent my waist to meet the eyes of both children.

“Yua, did you see anything from the duel just now?”
“Hmm, the sword was too fast to see, but I heard it.”

Yua nodded, placing a finger on her chin.

“You heard it?”
“Yes. Young Master, every time Mark Goeten’s breathing collapsed, you struck with your sword. Or rather, did you collapse his breathing?”

She blinked her eyes, saying that she kept hearing his breathing being cut off continuously.

“Huh….”

I stood speechless, looking at the composed Yua.

‘So Yua’s true talent lies in this direction.’

Yua possessed exceptional talent in martial arts itself, but her genuine gift seemed to be in her voice and hearing. The fact that she could perceive the collapse of an opponent’s breathing was beyond my imagination.

“Julius.”
“Yes!”

Julius straightened his posture and took a ready stance.

“What did you see?”
“I, I….”

He glanced at Yua’s expression before speaking again.

“I’m not entirely certain, but it seemed like the Commander was wielding his sword in a similar manner to the Third Squad Leader and Mark Goeten.”
“A similar feeling?”
“Yes. It felt like instructional sparring using the same sword techniques and principles.”
“Is that so?”

I smiled as I watched Julius, whose shoulders trembled with tension.

‘This one’s perception has improved.’

Julius was right. In the recent sparring match, I hadn’t simply overwhelmed Burren and Mark Goeten—I had deliberately demonstrated the sword techniques and principles they primarily used, allowing them to grow more rapidly.
This one had caught that detail and observed it properly.

‘He shows promise too.’

Both Yua and Julius were growing not merely through martial arts, but by cultivating their individual talents, making their futures all the more promising.
I could now understand why Eden had been so determined to take them with him.

‘The Gwangpung Corps will grow even stronger from here.’

Not just Mark Goeten, Yua, and Julius, but the existing swordsmen were advancing daily.

I looked forward to the day when the Gwangpung Corps’ reputation would soar even higher.

“You both did well. But let’s save the sparring for when you’re both a bit older.”

I smiled and gently patted the heads of Julius and Yua.

“Yes!”
“Understood!”

The two children, pleased by the praise, grinned widely and stepped back.

“Enough.”

I gestured to the Gwangpung Corps behind Yua and Julius.

“Huurgh!”
“Oof!”
“I’m… dying…”

The Gwangpung Corps swordsmen, who had been unleashing the same sword techniques in succession with all their might, gathered at the Training Ground while catching their breath.

“What did you all see?”
“Huh?”
“S-see, you say?”

Crain and Dorian widened their eyes as if they didn’t understand what I was saying.
The other swordsmen also failed to grasp the meaning of the question and shook their heads.

I narrowed my eyes while pointing at Yua and Julius.

“I’m asking what you felt watching my duel with Burren and Mark Goeten, just like Yua and Julius did.”
“How were we supposed to see that!”
“Right! We were swinging our swords with all our strength!”
“We didn’t have the mental capacity to observe that!”

The Gwangpung Corps swordsmen shook their heads, insisting I was talking nonsense.

“Your commander is disappointed in you all.”

I stood before the Gwangpung Corps and clicked my tongue briefly.

“If you truly wish to grow, shouldn’t you seek lessons from this duel even while swinging your swords?”
“But that’s impossible….”
“Am I wrong? If you have the will, nothing is impossible.”
“Ugh….”
“Tch!”

The Gwangpung Corps swordsmen bit their lips in silence, for they had just witnessed me single-handedly defeat three Master-rank experts today.

“It’s easier to just accept it.”

Crain sighed and nodded in agreement.

“The almighty commander’s words are correct, sir—cough!”

I kicked Crain, who was speaking mockingly, and turned my gaze back to the Gwangpung Corps.

“I’m sorry!”
“I-I couldn’t see it properly either, my apologies!”
“I won’t miss anything from now on!”

The Gwangpung Corps swordsmen who witnessed Crain’s beating immediately bowed their heads.

“Since everyone has acknowledged it, I’ll now implement a temporary concentration enhancement training regimen.”

I thanked them for accepting so readily and smiled.

“H-How did it come to this?”
“…We’ve seen a demon.”
“No. We’ve seen a Demon Lord….”

The Gwangpung Corps swordsmen trembled with pallid expressions.

“Even his sulking is devastatingly handsome….”

Ensia laughed with a hehe sound, her fingers invisible as she pressed the camera button repeatedly, as if nothing I did mattered.

“Hmm….”

I scratched my cheek as I heard the camera’s shutter sound.

“Aren’t you going back to the Dormitory, Ensia?”
“This is a chance to photograph all night—why would I leave!”

Ensia shook her head, saying that opportunities to capture A-rank photographs in bulk weren’t common.

“You all should prepare for training.”

I sighed and approached Lunan, who lay beside Ensia, still sleeping with a soft purring sound.

“Lunan.”
“….”
“Lunan?”
“….”

Lunan showed no response, still deep in sleep.

“I bought ice cream earlier.”

The moment those words left my lips, Lunan’s eyes snapped wide open.

“Ah….”

Her pupils trembled as she noticed my empty hands.

“You tricked me….”

Lunan’s brow furrowed—a rare expression—as she pouted her lips. Then, as if remembering something, she glanced around.

“Where’s Martha?”

The moment she woke, her first concern was Martha. It was a response the old Lunan could never have imagined.

“She’s still sleeping. She’s consolidating her insights, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Okay.”

Lunan nodded, visibly relieved.

“I’ll let it slide today.”

I flicked Lunan’s forehead and waved my hand, telling her to go back to sleep.

“Now then….”
-Ice cream!

Wrath, who had been sleeping on my head, suddenly jolted awake and shook his plump belly.

-Where is the ice cream?!
‘….’

*

*

*

The spire that rose from the center of Barene, the city of the Divine Five Elders, pierced the night sky.

Sheryl, hidden in the shadows of darkness, exhaled a short sigh while gazing upon Ariel’s Mansion.

‘Ariel….’

What in the world was she thinking?

Ever since Zigheart, Ariel had continuously suffered humiliation at Raon’s hands.

All the fame she had sought fell into Raon’s grasp, and what remained for her in the Divine Five Elders was nothing but mockery and indifference.

Yet despite all her plans crumbling to dust, and the culprit being crystal clear, she showed no signs of retaliation.

‘I thought she would explode this time….’

I had anticipated that Ariel’s patience would shatter when Raon crushed all the Divine Five Elders’ disciples and claimed victory along with the eternal elixir.

No matter how far she had transcended, suffering such a defeat at the hands of someone so much younger would inevitably crack her spirit.

So I had even prepared to strike from a position close to Raon, ready to move at any moment.

‘But she endured. No, she even stopped Sageomma.’

Ariel had shown her emotions on her face, yet she persevered to the end and even restrained Sageomma when he was about to lose control. It was an incomprehensible response.

Ever since she arrived at Zigheart, what she desired was the renown of a Six Emperor. All her plans had fallen apart, so what was she waiting for?

‘She must be aiming for something.’

She wouldn’t endure to this degree unless there was something truly important at stake.

It was certain that she wanted something, but I couldn’t fathom what it was.

‘I’ll need to keep watch even after this festival ends.’

One who is merely strong is not frightening, but one who is strong yet refrains from using that strength is terrifying indeed. I would need to significantly raise my assessment of Ariel’s threat level.

As Sheryl let the report drift away on the wind toward Zigheart, she quietly observed Ariel’s Mansion.

‘Well, I should head back now….’

As she turned to make her way back to the Dormitory, a faint movement caught her eye in the Thicket beside the Zigheart Mansion. Just as she lowered her stance to move quickly, a young kangaroo bounded out from the undergrowth.

“Ha….”

Sheryl straightened her back and let out a hollow laugh.

“A kangaroo, of all things.”

*

*

*

Ariel returned to her Office and reclined against the sofa. After keeping her eyes closed for a long while, she lifted her head and exhaled a quiet sigh.

“Nothing ever goes right when that man is involved.”

Whenever things seemed to be progressing as planned, Raon would suddenly appear and ruin everything. The losses she had suffered because of him were astronomical.

‘My chest feels as tight as if I’ve swallowed something whole.’

The day she had been waiting for was drawing near. If Raon interfered on that day as well, everything would crumble, so she had to prevent it at all costs.

Ariel rolled up her sleeves with determination. She withdrew a small booklet tucked into her thigh and placed it on the table. The cover bore illustrations of the sun and moon, each radiating different colors depending on the angle from which one viewed it.

‘It’s wasteful, but there’s no choice.’

If something went wrong on that day, the disaster would be so catastrophic that all her previous losses would pale in comparison. Since she couldn’t predict where or how Raon might interfere, she needed to divine the heavenly secrets properly.

Ariel bit her lip as she opened the booklet. She flipped through pages filled with lyrical verses and stopped her hand at a blank white page.

“Huh….”

She steadied her breathing and bit her finger with her teeth. Blood from the shallow wound dripped onto the white page.

Drip.

The page, which had been as white as a snowy plain, rippled like a lake. Blood droplets began to slowly stain the white paper.

Ariel closed her eyes and opened her upper dantian. The hundred meridians connecting heaven and humanity bloomed, and the world’s flow drew near as if it could be grasped in her hands.

The sun and moon. Ignoring the countless humans existing between them, she focused solely on Raon Zigheart and accelerated the pulsation of her upper dantian.

The soul revealing its true form and the book gradually darkening in color resonated together, and the blood filling the white paper began to dance of its own accord.

Ariel erased the image of Raon Zigheart she had drawn in her mind and lifted her eyelids. As her gaze lowered to examine the book, her pupils wavered as if struck by blue light.

“What is this….”

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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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