The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 494

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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 494

I swallowed hard as I read the message that Envy had been unlocked.

‘Why would Envy manifest here?’

I had obtained Envy from Envy himself, yet I had never felt envious of anyone.

An assassin who possessed nothing in my past life had now gained a family, mentors, and comrades. With lifelong goals to achieve, there was simply no room for envy to take root.

‘I thought this ability couldn’t be used.’

Satisfied with my current talents and position, I had believed this power was fundamentally unusable—unlike Sloth. I never imagined it would unlock like this.

Especially not with Sheryl. She wasn’t a target of envy, but someone I respected and admired. I couldn’t fathom why this ability surfaced before her of all people.

As I furrowed my brow, pondering why Envy had awakened, a new message materialized.

[The target does not possess the emotion of Envy.]
[The attribute of Envy is converting to Admiration.]
[You can now acquire the martial techniques possessed by the target of Admiration, Sheryl, at an accelerated rate.]

The moment I read the subsequent message, I understood why Envy had awakened before Sheryl.

‘Envy transformed into Admiration and was applied.’

Envy and admiration were emotions separated by the thinnest of lines.
Both involve yearning for another, yet envy carries malice while admiration carries goodwill.

The system seemed to have utilized admiration—similar yet distinct from envy—for someone who felt envious of no one.

‘And besides…’

The power of Envy is working properly.

According to Wrath, Envy possessed an ability that grew stronger the more he envied others.

Just as I admired Sheryl, I had gained the ability to rapidly master her signature techniques.

-This is insane!

Wrath glared at the message and let out a sharp cry.

-Did Hellfire hit you in the head? Stay put. Why is the system butting in like this!

He grabbed his own hair and shook his head wildly.

‘I didn’t expect such consideration.’

I smiled warmly as I read the message.

‘The Lord of Wrath created this, so the performance is remarkable.’
-Ugh….

Wrath, perhaps hearing praise for the first time in ages, displayed a bizarre expression—half his face delighted, half contorted in a grimace.

-Shut it!

But irritation eventually won out, and he spewed curses while throwing punches at the air.

-Why does everything go so smoothly for this bastard! What’s the point of heaven!
‘There’s a saying that heaven helps those who help themselves. I work hard, so things go well.’
-There’s no one in this world who doesn’t work hard!
‘You, though. You’re always lounging around, eating, and complaining.’
-Ugh….

Wrath couldn’t respond and just opened and closed his mouth silently.

As I laughed at his flustered state, Sheryl tilted her head.

“Raon?”

She waved her hand in front of my face as if asking if I was alright.

“Ah, my apologies.”

I bowed my head to Sheryl and continued with the words I hadn’t been able to say moments before.

“I meant to express my gratitude for the protection you and the Heavenly Sword Squad have provided us, despite standing in such a higher position than we do.”
“Family members don’t speak such formalities to one another. There is no hierarchy among those of equal standing.”

Sheryl shook her head, dismissing such trivial words. Her blunt tone stirred something within my chest.
The system hadn’t malfunctioned. She was precisely the kind of person worthy of admiration.

‘Then there’s something I need to know for certain.’

When Envy had awakened, I’d gained the ability to rapidly acquire the specialized techniques of my object of admiration.

Since Sheryl had become my object of admiration, I needed to learn what her true specialty was.

‘She’s probably skilled at everything, but there must be something she excels at beyond the rest.’

Sheryl was proficient enough in all martial arts to teach every sword technique, but she wasn’t a practitioner of ten thousand swords.
There had to be something she’d concentrated on mastering, and I needed to know it precisely.

“This may be sudden, but would it be alright if I asked you one thing?”

I stepped closer to Sheryl, who was leaning her back against the wall.

“Go ahead.”

Sheryl nodded, inviting me to speak freely.

“I know you’re skilled at most sword techniques, but is there a particular sword style you’re especially confident in?”
“That really is out of nowhere.”

Sheryl let out a soft laugh. She didn’t seem displeased—perhaps she appreciated my interest.

“As you can see, my true weapon is dual swords.”

That was accurate. Sheryl carried a single blade on her back, but when she drew it, it split into two swords—one white and one black.

“Naturally, I’m confident in dual sword techniques. The essence of my swordsmanship encompasses the Precision Blade that heightens accuracy between two swords, the Severance Blade that cuts through an opponent’s momentum, the Balance Blade that maintains equilibrium, and the Illusion Blade and Variable Blade that confound my adversary.”
“Since you wield dual swords, you must also be exceptionally strong in aura manipulation.”

Using dual swords meant wreathing both blades in aura. It was only natural that I had grown proficient in aura manipulation.

“I’m more confident than that lazy elf.”

Sheryl narrowed her eyes as she watched Rimer depart.

“Thank you for the guidance.”
“It’s nothing.”

She waved her hand with a serene smile.

‘This is excellent.’

My heart raced at the prospect of further developing Sheryl’s specialty—dual sword techniques—along with straight sword, absolute sword, charging sword, circular sword, and transforming sword forms, not to mention aura manipulation itself.

“Master. Could you spare a moment to observe my swordplay?”
“What? Here?”
“Yes.”

Through Wrath, I had confirmed there was no one nearby, so I could make this request.

“You really are something….”

Sheryl closed her eyes and extended her perception. She quickly nodded, having confirmed there were no dangerous elements present.

“We don’t have much time. If you’re going to do it, do it quickly.”
“Yes.”

I nodded and drew the Heavenly Sword and Soul Reaper Sword.

‘This should be interesting.’

With a faint smile, I unfolded the Radiant Sword technique with the Heavenly Sword in my right hand and summoned the Snow Wind Sword Formation with the Soul Reaper Sword in my left.

Since I employed only pure swordplay without aura, no overwhelming force erupted outward, yet the sharpness of each blade strike seemed to intensify.

After fully displaying both sword techniques, I turned to face Sheryl.

“You’ve never learned dual sword techniques before, have you?”

Sheryl furrowed her brow, her arms crossed.

“Yes.”

In my past life, I hadn’t learned dual-sword technique—I’d learned how to kill people with weapons in both hands. I couldn’t say I’d ever properly studied it.

“I thought as much.”

Sheryl nodded and continued.

“Dual-sword technique isn’t just about holding a sword in each hand. You must unfold each sword technique with both hands, but the two techniques must harmonize with each other. What you’re doing is no different from simply unfolding two swords in sequence.”

She formed hand seals with both hands and reenacted the moment when she’d unfolded the Radiant Sword technique and the Snowwind Sword technique just moments before.
Since it was a technique she was performing for the first time, her movements were awkward, but the harmony between the two was far superior to mine.

“When the sword in your left hand moves to the right to attack, the sword in your right hand must move to the left to defend. Or you could launch attacks targeting completely different areas with both blades.”

I swirled the Ring of Fire as I absorbed every word of Sheryl’s advice and demonstration through my eyes and ears.

‘I understand the feeling now.’

Because Sheryl, the object of my admiration, had shown me directly, it felt as though I could unfold it similarly right now.

“The space is cramped and time is short, so it’s vague, but you should have grasped the feeling.”
“Let me try again.”
“That’s not something you can do right away. No matter how much of a genius you are….”
“Please watch me just one more time.”

I shook my head and picked up both swords again. I lowered the center of my body and brought to mind the points Sheryl had indicated.

I drew an image in my mind of the Radiant Sword and Snowwind Sword technique harmonizing, then thrust both blades forward.

‘Let the left and right swords not interfere with each other.’

I unfolded the second form, searching for a path where the two swords and two martial techniques could advance faster and more powerfully without blocking each other’s movements.

Whoooosh!

The moment the Heavenly Sword bared the fangs of a raging beast, a piercing north wind erupted from the Soul Reaper Sword. Attack and defense interlocked and crossed, and in that fleeting instant, the air transformed.

The Heavenly Sword retreated backward, wrapping itself in a shield of raging flames, while the Soul Reaper Sword shot forward, extending a blade of biting wind.

I bit my lip as I wielded both swords in reverse formation.

The subtleties of dual-sword technique that Sheryl had taught me pierced through my mind and body in an instant.

It wasn’t merely the utility of the ring of fire. It was the power of growth I had gained through jealousy transformed into aspiration.

“Ah….”

Sheryl’s jaw trembled as she watched my swords.

‘How is this possible….’

My dual-sword technique—which had been awkwardly blending practical combat with superficial flourish—had achieved a dramatic leap in this brief moment.

The two blades moved without hindering each other, achieving their own harmony, each living and breathing with its own purpose.

Still rough around the edges, but no longer strange to call it dual-sword technique, unlike before.

‘This doesn’t make sense.’

I had only given a single demonstration and some advice, yet he moved as though he’d trained for months.

I knew Raon had talent, but this was beyond reason.

“Try this as well.”

Sheryl demonstrated the subtleties of intermediate dual-sword technique, different from what she’d shown before—not attack and defense, but attack and attack, defense and defense intertwined.

I watched quietly before slowly raising both swords.
The beginning was clumsy. Neither attack nor defense, but something in between.

But from the second execution onward, both blades began to dance.
The two swords, which had moved primarily in defense, extended outward with my left foot, creating a sword momentum so exquisite it made my heart ache.

Taught one principle, I had skipped two and advanced to three.

“What in the….”

Sheryl exhaled sharply, her eyes wide open.

“A-Again! Try this one too!”

She had forgotten her promise to leave before sunrise, instead beginning to impart the profound mysteries of higher-level martial arts to me.

*

*

*

Boom!

I brought the Soul Reaper Sword upward while pressing the Heavenly Sword downward, crossing both blades diagonally as a deep resonance echoed through my core.
Red and blue sword light flashed across the intersecting blades, scraping together like the upper and lower teeth of a beast.

The Heavenly Sword led the assault wreathed in madness’s flames, while the Soul Reaper Sword erected a wall of frost with Glaceia’s chill.

It was a perfect harmony of offense and defense, yet the two blades switched between attack and defense in an instant as if connected by an invisible thread, creating a dual-sword technique where the Crimson Fang Technique defended while the Snowwind Sword Form attacked.

Screeeech!

The Crimson Fang Technique finished its deployment before the Snowwind Sword Form, yet the Heavenly Sword’s movements did not cease.

The Soul Reaper Sword wrapped around the latter half of the Snowwind Sword Form’s techniques that should have unfolded, scattering a frost wind across the darkened earth.

After deploying all the techniques of both the Crimson Fang Technique and the Snowwind Sword Form, I lowered my stance.

Crossing my arms, I brought the Heavenly Sword to the upper left and the Soul Reaper Sword to the lower right, then drew upon Manhwagong and Glaceia to their polar extremes.

Crimson flames roiled above the Heavenly Sword, while a wave of frost surged across the Soul Reaper Sword’s short blade.

Stepping forward with my left foot, I extended both blades simultaneously.

A frost lotus erupted from the Soul Reaper Sword, piercing through the air, while a silver sword dream blazed from the Heavenly Sword, tearing through space like a reverie.

The simultaneous use of two ultimate techniques.

I had used them before, but now they were on an entirely different level.

Frostbind and Silver Sword Dream were no longer separate techniques—they flowed as one, each compensating for the other’s gaps as I pierced the enemy’s vital point exactly as I had envisioned.

This wasn’t two sword techniques deployed simultaneously, but rather a single dual-sword art.

“Hah…”

As I steadied my breathing and lowered both blades, I sensed a faint presence behind me.

“I don’t even know how to describe you.”

Sheryl sighed and shook her head.

“I only taught you the basic forms of dual-sword technique and the fundamentals of aura control, yet you’ve already reached an advanced stage on your own. What am I supposed to do with that?”

She clicked her tongue, as if growing weary of my talent.

“Is it alright for you to be doing this here?”

I sheathed the Heavenly Sword and Soul Reaper Sword with a faint smile.

“It’s the final day of the festival, so all eyes are on the Plaza. The gazes that followed me day and night have all vanished.”
“Ah, that’s true.”

The New Rising Powers had announced they would use a massive-scale fireworks spell to close out the festival, so everyone had rushed to the Plaza.

“The leaders of the New Rising Powers seem busy wrapping up the festival nicely. However…”

Sheryl narrowed her eyes as she surveyed the surroundings.

“The security is far more stringent than usual. It’s as if they’re preparing for war.”
“What could their intention be?”
“I’m not sure. The New Rising Powers themselves are such an ambiguous group that I can’t even guess their purpose.”

She smacked her lips, expressing her bewilderment about the New Rising Powers’ objectives.

“That much is certainly true.”

I stroked my chin and nodded.

“Why aren’t you going to see the fireworks or something? You’re leaving everyone else to have fun?”
“Lunan Slion is inside watching over Martha.”

I gestured toward the room that Lunan Slion and Martha shared. Martha still hadn’t awakened, likely still consolidating her cultivation realm.

“That reckless one will be protected by the Heavenly Sword Squad, so go ahead and enjoy yourself.”

Sheryl waved her hand, reminding me that since she had come as Zigheart’s representative, I should participate in the event until the very end.

“Take the others with you too.”
“Hmm….”

I looked up at the sky. The night was dark without the moon, which meant the fireworks would display beautifully.

“Understood.”

I lowered my head and entered the Dormitory, knocking on Lunan Slion’s door.

“What is it?”

Lunan Slion burst out with an ice cream in his mouth.

“Is something the matter?”

Deningrose emerged alongside Lunan Slion, her hands overflowing with photographs. I hated that I was no longer surprised by such things.

“Wow! Even sweating looks so handsome!”

Ensia behind her was frantically pressing the camera button repeatedly. I had no idea why that ancient contraption hadn’t broken down yet.

I covered my face and approached the three of them.

“Since this is the festival’s finale, it would be good to participate.”

After confirming that Martha was resting on the bed, I told the three of them to come to the final event.

“Martha has someone else to protect her, so don’t worry.”
“Understood.”

Lunan Slion seemed to grasp who that person was, nodding before donning his outer robe.

“Yes!”
“Understood.”

Ensia burst out without hesitation, and Deningrose quietly fell into step beside her.

As I led the three of them and the Gwangpung Corps guarding the mansion toward the Central Plaza, I encountered Burren Zigheart and the other swordsmen entering through the main gate.

“Why are you coming back?”
“It felt wrong to have fun without you all.”

Burren Zigheart laughed awkwardly, scratching his head.

-His eyes have changed quite a bit.

Wrath smacked his lips as he observed Burren Zigheart’s gaze, which had softened its angle compared to before.

-Tsk, it was better when he had that venom in his eyes.
‘The venom is still there.’

I shook my head. Burren Zigheart still harbored the goal of earning his father’s recognition. No—now that he was thinking of surpassing Karun, his venom had only grown stronger, merely hidden beneath the surface.
No, because he was now thinking he would surpass Karun, his murderous intent was growing stronger while remaining hidden on the surface.

“Everyone, follow me.”

I gestured for Burren Zigheart and the Gwangpung Corps to come along.

“Martha is… ah!”

Burren Zigheart seemed to understand the arrangement, nodding in acknowledgment.

“That’s how it is.”

I smiled faintly and led the Gwangpung Corps toward the Central Plaza.

“This festival is quite the extravagant affair.”

Dorian pulled a pastry from his pocket and shook his head as he ate it.

“They’ve prepared all sorts of things to spread the name of the New Rising Powers and elevate their reputation. Of course….”

Burren pointed at me and let out a snort of laughter.

“That one has monopolized all the fame.”

He muttered that I was a glutton devouring reputation and fortune, shaking his head.

“They seem to be making a last-ditch effort with the fireworks display.”

Crain chuckled, picking up on Burren’s words.

“What are fireworks?”
“Apparently it’s an event where they detonate magical explosions in the night sky to signal the end of the festival.”
“The festival will succeed, but the New Rising Powers are finished.”

Burren gazed upward into empty space and smirked.

Though it wasn’t yet time to ignite the magical fireworks, the plaza was already packed with people. It seemed everyone had come to witness the final event.

“The Gwangpung Corps!”
“I didn’t think they’d come….”
“Don’t the White Sword Dragon and the Gwangpung Corps feel different from before?”
“After witnessing such a mad duel, there’s no way they could seem the same.”
“I thought the New Rising Powers were impressive, but the Six Emperors truly are on another level.”

Those waiting for the fireworks display recognized the Gwangpung Corps and swallowed hard.

Rather than cheering as they had before, they watched in reverent silence. The shock of witnessing three Master-rank warriors of the highest caliber defeated at once still lingered.

I exchanged greetings with the executives of the Neutral Factions who approached to pay their respects, then made my way to the VIP seating assigned to Zigheart.

After taking my designated seat, I gazed toward the platform erected in the center of the plaza. All four leaders of the New Rising Powers had taken their positions.

Sageomma closed his eyes as if dismissing me entirely, while Guisalchang waved a hand the size of a cauldron lid in greeting.
Akgeomhu sent me a calm gaze, and Heekyuk Je gave a light nod.

‘Unexpected.’

I hadn’t anticipated that Sageomma and Guisalchang would attend, let alone Heekyuk Je and Akgeomhu. Their presence felt so incongruous it was almost jarring.

‘Is this event truly that significant?’

As I pondered this oddity and stroked my chin, a stern-faced Ogre Warrior ascended onto the fountain erected directly beneath the platform. His footwork across the water was extraordinary—the technique of a well-trained master.

“Thank you for gracing this beautiful evening with your presence!”

His voice, infused with aura, resonated across the entire plaza.

“I am Kevan, your host for tonight’s festivities.”

The Announcer, introducing himself as Kevan, bowed deeply toward the gathered crowd.

“Are you ready to celebrate the grand finale of the festival?”
“Roooaaarrr!”

The crowd answered with a roar that shook the entire plaza.

“Your enthusiasm delights me! Now, let us ignite the festival’s spectacular conclusion!”

The moment he raised his hand, a crimson inferno erupted from behind the platform, piercing the night sky.

Boom-crack-whoooosh!

With a deafening roar, the explosion bloomed like sunlight, scattering across the darkness and consuming the night sky.

Yellow, blue, green, and violet bursts followed in succession. A rainbow descended upon the once-dark heavens, transforming the night into brilliant daylight.

“Ohhhhh.”
“Is this fireworks?”
“Magnificent.”
“They must have spent a fortune.”

The Gwangpung Corps also gaped in astonishment at the sheer scale of the fireworks display.

I smacked my lips as I beheld fireworks far grander and more resplendent than I had anticipated.

‘Could I apply this to my martial techniques?’

As I began to observe more carefully, contemplating how to weaponize explosive magic within swordsmanship, a blade-shaped firework suddenly erupted across the heavens.

Yet the sword-shaped firework did not burst in brilliant splendor—only a sinister, murky aura was laid bare.

‘That is….’

Not fireworks. A real blade.

Whoooosh!

The sword, descending at a terrifying velocity, shattered the Announcer’s skull and cleaved the fountain in twain. The transparent water bloomed crimson, drenching the earth below.

A man descended upon the blood-soaked ground.

Beneath hair as crimson as blood itself, eyes of brilliant gold blazed with the ferocity of divine lightning, as though a sacred blade dwelt within them.
Beneath a visage as celestial as a god, the overwhelming might of a transcendent being was laid bare.

Boom!

Beneath the blood-drenched crimson fireworks, silence flooded the world.

Only the whisper of the azure dragon robe draped across his shoulders, stirring in the wind, testified that time had not ceased.

“What use is a festival without blood?”

His gaze descended upon me with crushing weight.

“Late though I am, you can make room for me, can’t you?”

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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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