The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 521

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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 521

I blinked slowly at Aris, my gaze steady and measured.

“Me?”

I had accepted the war to capture Kaibhar as my own battle, but I’d genuinely expected my role would be to clear out the monsters and Sea Mist Tribe members. I’d planned to merely place my hand at the final moment, but hearing them suddenly say the two of us should sever Kaibhar’s head left my mind reeling.
I was only going to place my hand at the end, but when I suddenly heard the two of them say to behead Kaibar, my mind went blank.

“The Pirate King is here, isn’t he?”
“The Pirate King is here, isn’t he?”

She pointed at Rabawin, who was standing motionless in front of Aris Zigheart.

“He’s the captain, after all. He’s supposed to play the leader role when dealing with the monsters guarding Kaibar’s Lair.”

She shook her head, saying that Rabawin was supposed to be tasked with cleaning up the monsters and the Sea Mist Tribe from the beginning.

“You’re right, Aris Zigheart.”

Rabawin nodded with his hands clasped behind his back.

“But with your strong aura, Lord Rabawin, you could easily pierce through a dragon’s scales…”
“My specialty is defense, so the raw power of my swordsmanship is likely inferior to yours, Lord Raon.”
“My specialty is defense, so Raon will likely be stronger when it comes to pure swordsmanship.”

He placed his hand on his chest with a calm smile. Though he wore no clothes and thus bore no sword mark, it seemed he was offering Zigheart’s greeting.

“We humbly ask this of you.”
Please.

Not only Rabawin, but the other sailors aboard Cheongpung also bowed their heads as if making a request. Whether it was because their comrades in the City had died, their eyes seemed to burn with fierce flames.

Raon.

Kuberard stepped forward and bit his lip firmly.

“This must never happen again. I ask this of you as well.”

He gazed upon Aikar’s panorama, still wreathed in black smoke, his white brows trembling slightly.

Uuuuuung!

Perhaps sensing Kuberard’s sincerity, the Soul Reaper Sword rang out with a crystalline resonance.

“Your blade seems to be suggesting we test ourselves as well. What do you say?”

Aris tilted her chin lightly, as if offering me the choice.

“I will do it.”

I nodded without much deliberation.

‘Nothing will change.’

In this battle, I had to defeat both the dragon and the monsters protecting it. My focus had simply shifted, nothing more.

“That’s refreshing to—”

Aris raised her hand to pat my shoulder but stopped herself.

“What’s that seagull on your shoulder? Are you keeping it as a pet?”
“…I’m not entirely sure myself.”

I closed my eyes tightly as I looked at the seagull that Merlin had possessed.

“You’re quite peculiar yourself.”

Aris let out a hollow laugh and clapped her hands loudly toward the sailors.

“Everyone, prepare for departure. The reinforcements will arrive from Yukal Village soon. Make sure everything is ready.”
“Understood.”

Rabawin answered confidently and turned his gaze toward the sailors.

“Let’s start with repairs first!”

He understood what took priority first, and he ordered the treatment of the survivors and the restoration of essential buildings.

“I’ll handle the repairs.”

Kuberard declared he would take charge of the city’s reconstruction, hefted his hammer, and led the way into the city. Others followed him in.

“Then come with me.”

Aris flicked her fingers and walked toward the harbor.

“Where are we going?”

I followed after her, tilting my head in confusion.

“If we’re going to catch that mad lizard, we need to consult.”

She moved forward without hesitation, as if to say there was no time for idle talk.

“Hmm….”

Just as my mood sank at the sight of the crushed, blood-soaked fragments of the wall, a brilliantly open blue sea came into view.

Aris descended directly onto the water as if the sea had been her destination all along.

‘She said we’d consult, but the sea?’

What kind of conversation was this?

I read Aris’s thoughts and stepped onto the sea.

“This should do.”

Aris turned around after putting enough distance between us and the harbor that it was barely visible.

“Consultation doesn’t necessarily require conversation.”

She drew the sword at her waist. A blade tinged with crimson light caught my eye.

“Once preparations for departure are complete, we’ll leave immediately. There isn’t enough time for us to exchange theoretical discourse through words alone….”

Aris beckoned me forward with her index finger, as if to say come at me.

“Let’s have a conversation with our bodies.”
“Huh….”

I exhaled slowly as I regarded Aris.

‘Just as I expected.’

From the moment she suggested we talk and headed toward the sea, I’d known she would propose crossing blades.

‘And she’s right.’

It wasn’t easy to understand each other’s martial techniques through conversation alone. To synchronize with Kaibhar, exchanging steel directly was faster and more efficient.

“Screech!”

The moment I drew the Heavenly Sword, the seagull perched on my shoulder took flight instinctively.

I let out a soft laugh and resonated the Ring of Fire. As the Ring of Fire elevated my soul’s grade, I felt the quiet yet turbulent energy emanating from Aris’s dantian—an aura and intent so vast it was almost chilling.

‘So she is a transcendent….’

The first transcendent of Zigheart I’d encountered besides Glen.
Even at full power, I could barely graze her sleeve, so I’d activated Glacial from the start with maximum intensity.
I felt the living, breathing cold rush sharply through my mana circuits as I raised the Heavenly Sword.

“Then I’ll begin.”
“By all means.”

Aris lowered her blade naturally. Despite her elegant stance, as if drawn by a master’s brush, countless openings were visible.

Crack—crack—crack!

I detonated Glacial and rolled forward. The cold erupting from the mana circuits beneath my feet froze the sea and Aris’s legs in an instant.

“Oh?”

While Aris gazed curiously at her frozen legs, I stepped on the Heavenly Platform. Finding no advantage in a frontal assault, I struck upward from the right, unleashing the successive forms of the Radiant Sword in rapid succession.

Screeeech!

Three sharply honed slashes converged simultaneously on Aris’s neck, heart, and shoulder.

“You’re quite experienced in combat.”

Aris smiled faintly and swept her blade in a graceful arc. Though she wielded it with casual, playful ease, a translucent aura shield erupted before the Heavenly Sword’s advance.

Clang clang clang!

All three strikes of the Kaibhar’s technique were simultaneously blocked—a clash of auras resonating from a distance.

‘Just as Wrath said. Space-focused swordsmanship.’

Aris’s specialty was swordsmanship that manipulated space itself. I shouldn’t be surprised by this much.

Whoosh!

I didn’t retreat. I stepped lightly across the frozen sea and closed the distance toward Aris. If distance meant nothing to my opponent, I shouldn’t waste time pulling back—I needed to press deeper into the fray.

“A sound decision.”

Aris nodded and raised her blade.

Whooooom!

The space before me shimmered like heat haze, and a ferocious sword strike came crashing down. It wasn’t sword energy or sword force—it was a blade strike infused with Aris’s very will.

I bit my lip and swung the Heavenly Sword upward from its lowered position. Flames blazed from the blade, forming an unyielding barrier—the Manhwagong Flame Jade Wall.

Crash!

The Flame Jade Wall and the spatial blade collided, causing the sea to surge as if it might collapse.

I stepped upon the waves and ascended, thrusting the Heavenly Sword forward. Branches of blazing flame erupted along the silver blade.
Delicate petals bloomed from the branches, dancing upon the sea breeze. Though lacking in precision, the enhanced fire spirit poured down upon Aris’s entire form with devastating power.

“How beautiful.”

Aris smiled faintly and drew her sword toward her chest.

A deep, resonant hum filled the air.

The atmosphere trembled violently as the flow of mana twisted. The fragments of flame that had been rushing toward Aris flailed helplessly in the void before dissipating, never reaching her.

“Hmm….”

I narrowed my eyes as I watched the flame fragments dissolve into the sea.

‘I didn’t expect them not to reach her at all.’

Aris had used her Spatial Sword to make it impossible for the Fire Spirit’s flames to even touch her. It was a defensive method I hadn’t imagined.

Yet despair didn’t touch me. Rather, through her mysterious martial art, I could conceive of a new defensive technique.

“My turn now?”

Aris smiled and extended her sword. The space before her twisted as a sharp, energy-laden blade strike rushed toward my entire body.

‘She’s pushing it away.’

Aris had manipulated space just moments ago to push back the Fire Spirit. I didn’t understand the principle of the Spatial Sword, but I could attempt something similar.

A deep, resonant hum echoed.

I wielded Glacial and extended Seolhwa’s spear. I pushed away the blade strike approaching from the front so it couldn’t reach me, while using Suction to make the blade strikes coming from the right and left approach even faster.

I stepped back using the Harmony of Three Heavens, simultaneously withdrawing both the spear and suction.

A tremendous explosion erupted.

The blade strike being pushed from the front and the blade strikes being pulled from both sides collided with each other, creating a massive explosion. Seawater surged high enough to touch the sky.

-You….

Wrath’s jaw trembled as he watched the endlessly rising waves.

-So, did you just copy that thieving wench’s technique using the True Demon King’s power?
‘That’s right.’

I nodded in acknowledgment. The sword strike that burst forth from the front was faster, while the strikes coming from left and right were slightly slower, so I used the Spine Thrust and Suction Bind to make the sword strikes collide with each other.
Actualizing the scenario I had envisioned in my mind felt both wondrous and satisfying.

“Huh, you just copied my swordsmanship?”

Aris too seemed startled, her voice rising in pitch from behind the wave.

‘Now’s the moment.’

Without answering, I kicked the seawater that surged up like a fountain. I swung the Heavenly Sword, which had been scraping the sea surface delicately, in a diagonal arc.

Raon Zigheart Style Sword Technique—Silver Dream.

The blade of the Heavenly Sword drew a dreamlike, aching line, carrying the vastness of the sea.

Shiiiing!

It was a surprise technique that blurred the distinction between real and false strikes, but once again it didn’t reach Aris.
She manipulated her aura to create a space that the blade itself could not penetrate.

“How unfortunate.”
“Not yet.”

I thrust out my left hand, which I had been holding back, like lightning. From the Soul Reaper Sword held gently in my grip, an eerie coldness surged forth.

Shiiiing!

The crimson blade and the cold blade that rushed in its wake pierced sharply toward Aris’s shoulder.

Uuuuung!

However, the two blades of Frost Chain also could not advance beyond Aris’s face. The blades vibrated as if they might shatter, but they did not split her space.

‘This much I had already predicted.’

I wasn’t flustered because I had thought Aris would be more than capable of blocking this. I simply continued to the next move like a machine.

Whoooosh!

I gathered the Heavenly Sword and Soul Reaper Sword that were being pushed back, drawing them to the center. Crimson flames erupted from the Heavenly Sword while silver-white cold energy blazed from the Soul Reaper Sword.

From the tips of both blades, a sphere of condensed heat and cold surged forth, unleashing a terrifying shockwave.

The Flame Dragon Technique and the Midheaven Strike—the two most powerful sword techniques in terms of raw force—detonated simultaneously through the mysteries of dual-sword mastery.

For a moment, my head felt like it would split apart from the pain, but I endured it with the ring of fire and extended the sword strike to its absolute limit.

Boom!

An enormous explosion erupted, and a violent storm swept across Aikar behind me, causing the entire sea to churn.

“Huff…”

I spat out turbid breath and retreated. As the raging waves finally subsided, Aris’s figure came into view.

‘Ha…’

Not a single wound.

Aris’s pale bronze skin bore not the slightest scratch, and her garments showed no signs of being torn.

Only the space around her perfect defense had developed a slight crack from the overwhelming impact.

‘Is that all…’

As I bit my lip, a smile bloomed at the corner of Aris’s mouth. In that instant, her sword strike pierced through space itself and surged toward me.

“Ugh…”

I raised White Shadow with the Soul Reaper Sword, barely erasing Aris’s blade strike before swallowing a groan.

“Hah…”

As I caught my breath and pondered how to break through that wall, suddenly the sound of applause reached my ears.

“Impressive.”

Aris had already sheathed her sword and was clapping her hands in appreciation.

“Are you mocking me?”
“Not at all. I’m serious. The versatility of your swordsmanship, the dual-blade technique harmonizing cold and heat, the refined combat sense—there’s nothing lacking.”

She smiled brightly and waved her hand.

“Your combat sense especially stands out. Among all the swordmasters I’ve encountered, you rank second.”

I was about to ask who ranked first when she continued.

“What did you think of my sword technique?”
“It seemed like swordsmanship utilizing space. I couldn’t find any opening to break through.”
“Exactly. I’ve maximized spatial blade technique.”

Aris brushed back the crimson hair that had fallen across her forehead.

“Spatial blade is such a difficult technique to master that most people just gawk at it. But you’re the first I’ve seen actually attempt to replicate it.”

Her eyes gleamed with genuine fascination.

“You might actually be capable of learning it.”
“Pardon?”
“Would you like to learn my sword technique?”
“Can I truly learn it?”
“I’ll only teach you the fundamentals, but if you’re skilled enough, you can master it.”
“Then….”
“Ah, but first I should show you my final technique.”

She grasped her sword hilt again, her lips curving into a smile.

“Sword Realm Manifestation.”

*

*

*

Raon and Aris headed toward the only intact Dining Hall after their conversation about swordsmanship.
The other sailors had already finished eating and were preparing to depart, leaving the Dining Hall empty.

“Yukan. Do you have anything left?”

Aris seemed to know the Restaurant Manager and raised her hand in greeting.

“My apologies. All the ingredients have been ruined, so I’m afraid all I can offer is fish porridge….”

The Restaurant Manager bowed his head apologetically.

“That’ll do. Make two bowls, and make them nice and spicy.”

Aris waved her hand, saying that after eating nothing but jerky, fish porridge would be a feast fit for royalty.

-Fish porridge?

Wrath’s head snapped up.

-All this time we’ve had nothing but jerky and hard bread! Where has this been? Bring it at once!

He waved his hands frantically at the Restaurant Manager, though the man couldn’t see him.

“Lady Aris.”

I took a seat across from Aris, narrowing my eyes thoughtfully.

“Was that Sword Realm technique you displayed at the end a single strike?”

Aris’s Sword Realm had demonstrated tremendous power, enough to cleave the sea itself, yet it had vanished after only one swing. I had witnessed many Sword Realm techniques, but a single-strike technique was unprecedented.

“That’s right.”

Aris nodded cheerfully.

“I borrowed a bit from my father.”
“From the Head of House?”
“My father’s Sword Realm, Heaven’s Thousand Seals, grows stronger with each swing of the blade.”

She seemed to recall Glen’s sword technique, her eyes rolling upward into empty space.

“I’ve seen it too.”

I nodded in agreement. Just as Aris had said, Glen’s Sword Realm grew explosively more powerful with each swing of his blade.
Or rather than power, it felt like the technique itself was being overwhelmingly amplified.

“I found it tedious to swing three times, so I created a one-strike Sword Realm instead. A swordmaster’s duel should end in a single exchange—that’s what makes it elegant, don’t you think?”

Aris smiled, clearly pleased with her own Sword Realm.

“I see.”

I lowered my gaze to the worn table before us.

‘A Sword Realm truly does reflect a swordmaster’s life.’

Aris possessed a refreshingly straightforward Sword Realm, much like her personality. The saying that a technique mirrors a person’s existence proved true once again.

“But with a Sword Realm of that caliber, couldn’t you kill Kaibhar in a single strike? It doesn’t seem like you need my help….”
“It will be difficult.”

Aris shook her head slowly.

“That dragon bastard has aged to the point where he’s nearly an Ancient. He’s on the verge of that transformation.”
“What…?”

My mouth fell open. I couldn’t fathom that a creature approaching the Ancient stage—not even a vigorous young dragon, but one nearing the pinnacle of age—was slaughtering humans.

“Hard to believe an aged beast would resort to such brutality, right? But it’s the truth.”

Aris twisted her expression, as if to say that even dragons could fail to live up to their years.

“Now do you understand why I need you?”
“Yes….”

Dragons are the pinnacle of creatures that grow stronger with age. If one had aged to the brink of becoming Ancient, even Aris couldn’t guarantee victory.

“So….”

Aris tapped the table lightly and leaned forward.

“Do you have a girlfriend?”
“Pardon?”

I blinked blankly. We’d just been discussing Ancient-grade dragons, and now she was suddenly asking about a girlfriend—the conversation made no sense.

“Come on, at twenty-one, with that face, that power, and that reputation, you absolutely must have a girlfriend!”
“Well….”
“Just tell me. I’ll keep it a secret.”

Aris spoke like someone notorious for loose lips.

“Actually, I don’t. Right now isn’t the time for romance….”
“There’s no ‘right time’ for love. In the old days, you’d already be married at your age.”
“But I believe you never pursued romance either, Aris.”
“Back then, we were in the middle of war! I was busy!”
“I’ve also traveled through several battlefields and kept busy.”
“I still found time for romance during the war. Love blooms even in the midst of battle. Who’s in the Gwangpung Corps?”

She licked her lips as if she absolutely had to know.

“Well, Aris, if we capture Kaibhar, will the dragons interfere?”

I changed the subject to escape this situation. Of course, I posed a question meaningful enough for her to answer.

“Dragons aren’t really a unified race—each one is an independent entity.”

Aris seemed to accept the topic change and waved her hand slowly.

“Even if Kaibhar dies, the dragons won’t move. The Lord might issue a warning, but if that happens, we can just call our backing.”
“Backing?”
“Our father—your grandfather.”
“He said to handle it ourselves, so I doubt he’ll come….”
“He’ll definitely come if you call.”

Aris patted my shoulder, dismissing my concerns.

“By the way, are you feeling alright….”

I bit my lip briefly. Leaving Glen in front of the Holy Sword Master and the White Blood Cult Master continued to weigh on my mind.

“How many times do I have to tell you? I’m fine.”

Aris shook her head, insisting she was sturdy enough to do morning exercises.

“So….”

She leaned forward again.

“Who’s your girlfriend?”
“….”

I offered a faint smile as I observed her earnest expression.

‘She really does feel like family.’

I’d heard that when relatives reunite after a long time, they ask about romantic partners and job prospects. Now I was experiencing it firsthand.

Rimer felt like an irresponsible older brother, Sheryl like a gruff but caring older sister, and Aris was the first person to give me that genuine sense of family.

“I really don’t have one.”

As I shook my head, the Restaurant Manager arrived with fish porridge.

“Your meal is served.”

The moment the plates touched the table, Wrath drooled.

-At last, the True Demon King partakes in sustenance….
“Squawk!”

As he hopped about in delight, the Seagull—who had been quiet until now—lunged at the plate. It gulped down the steaming fish porridge, filling its belly.
It seemed the request had been to let it eat fish.

-No, the True Demon King’s meal!

Wrath’s jaw trembled.

-Cursed bird! Pluck every last feather from that wretched creature and boil it! At least then I’ll have something to eat!

Wrath thrashed about in fury, while Seagull continued to gulp down fish soup without end.

“I’m fine with whoever you meet. So tell me about someone you’re even slightly interested in. Oh, or if you mention your ideal type, I might even be able to introduce you to someone….”

Aris paid no mind to whether Seagull ate the fish soup or not, continuing to press me about my love life.

“Sigh….”

I exhaled softly and shook my head in exasperation.

This is exhausting….

*

*

*

Two days later.

The Pirate King’s flagship, Cheongpung, unfurled its sails in the waters before Aikar.

The adorable skull-emblazoned pirate flag fluttered in the wind, emanating a solemn resonance.

“The circumstances have changed, but our objective remains the same.”

Aris turned from where she stood on the deck of Cheongpung, gazing out at the distant sea. Her crimson eyes reflected the stern faces of the crew members.

“This will be no easy battle. It will be the greatest war since I organized the pirate crew. Many will fall, and many will be wounded. Yet….”

At Aris’s quiet words, the crew’s eyes settled into a calm resolve.

“We advance. Even if we must wade through blood, we will sever Kaibhar’s head. But this is not something I can accomplish alone. You must carve the path forward so that I may achieve this feat.”

She tapped the sword hilt at her waist and nodded decisively.

“I trust you.”
“Yes!”

With resolute conviction, Raon and the sailors stood with their hands clasped behind their backs, unleashing a roar so thunderous it sent tremors across the sea itself.

“Let’s go.”

Aris turned away with a satisfied smile, pleased by that response.

Uuuuoooong!

Cheongpung’s majestic horn blast echoed across the waters as it surged forward. Behind it, the warships deployed in formation spread their wings like hawks, shattering the tranquil silence of the sea.

Merely twelve warships. Woefully insufficient to hunt Kaibhar, or so it seemed—yet not a trace of fear flickered in the eyes of the warriors cutting through the waters.

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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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