The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 54

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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 54

Raon and the trainees followed their instructor through a dimensional gateway, arriving at the southernmost point of Zigheart Territory in a single day.

Normally, they would have traveled leisurely, accumulating experiences like sleeping under the stars, but the mission had changed abruptly, forcing them to move as quickly as possible.

Whether from the tension of their first mission or something else, the trainees’ faces looked even darker than the dimming sky above.

“We’ll rest there for the night.”

Rimer pointed toward a village visible below the hill. Though small, the gray smoke curling from its rooftops seemed oddly welcoming.

Since it belonged to Zigheart Territory, the village entrance bore the emblem of a burning sword.

“Instructor, shouldn’t we press on instead of resting?”

Burren Zigheart stepped forward beside Rimer, his voice questioning.

“Look at the state of you all. You’ve exhausted yourselves just crossing through a dimensional gateway—how do you expect to track anyone?”
“Hmm….”

Burren Zigheart turned to look back, swallowing hard.

Dimensional gateways consumed vast amounts of stamina and mental energy in exchange for covering great distances.
Most of the trainees were using one for the first time, making their exhaustion all the more profound.

“Tonight is your last rest. Starting at dawn tomorrow, we pursue without pause or sleep—so don’t worry.”
“But if we fall behind, couldn’t other harm befall people….”
“The Seolhochae Bandits have their fingers dipped in the Nambuk Alliance, however lightly. Abandon the notion that superior strength guarantees victory. Meeting them in your current exhausted state could mean your own defeat.”

Rimer’s cold gaze pierced sharply through the trainees.

“I told you when we departed: neither carelessness nor excessive tension. Right now, you are neither. Rest tonight and recenter yourselves.”
“Yes….”
“Then let’s move.”

He led the way toward the village, with Raon and the trainees following in his wake.

“Hm?”

I narrowed my eyes as I sensed a familiar yet intense aura emanating from within the village.

“Instructor.”
“What is it?”
“Is there perhaps a swordmaster from the family in the village?”
“Your instincts are absolutely remarkable.”

Rimer whistled and nodded in acknowledgment.

“You sensed that?”
“I detected a powerful presence from within that doesn’t align with the village itself.”
“Exactly. A swordmaster from the family is here. Just in case those bandits attempt to move north and launch an attack.”
“I see….”

Zigheart was renowned as an organization that reliably protected the towns and cities within its sphere of influence. It seemed they had dispatched a swordmaster the moment trouble arose in the surrounding area.

“Your senses truly are remarkable.”
“Hmm….”
“Hmph!”

At Rimer’s praise, Burren furrowed his brow and attempted to sense the swordmaster’s presence himself, while Martha scoffed dismissively.

“The Zigheart swordmasters have arrived!”
“Hurrah!”

As we approached the village entrance, the villagers caught sight of the blazing sword emblem emblazoned on the instructors’ combat uniforms and erupted in cheers, waving their hands.

“Open the gates!”

Without even proper verification, the village gates swung open. This scene alone revealed what the name Zigheart truly meant to these people.

‘Robert commanded similar reverence.’

In my past life, whenever I moved bearing Robert’s emblem, the people of the southern regions displayed reactions remarkably similar to this.

“Sigh….”

Raon buried the vengeful flames that had ignited within him for the first time in ages and entered the village. The aroma of evening meals drifted gently through the air.

“Welcome, blades of Zigheart. I am Kemen, the village chief of Jarten Village.”

An elderly man with hair as gray as ash approached leaning on a cane and bowed deeply.

“I am Rimer.”
“The Radiant Sword of Zigheart! It is an honor to meet you!”

The village chief spoke of his honor and bowed repeatedly. Rimer responded with a smile before turning away.

“I hear you will guide us to the Dormitory. Tonight is the last chance for you all to rest comfortably. Assembly before sunrise. See that no one is late.”
“I still have plenty of stamina. I will scout the surrounding terrain.”

Burren raised his hand. His eyes gleamed with determination.

“That’s good spirit. It would be convenient if you learned the path beforehand. But do you know the geography of this area well?”

Rimer looked down at Burren with a blunt gaze.

“I… from maps…”
“This village is surrounded by Forest and Mountain. Even if you’ve studied maps, you won’t truly understand the layout until you’ve walked it yourself. And if bandits suddenly ambush you in such a state? You won’t even manage a proper counterattack before your head rolls.”

Rimer tapped Burren’s head lightly and laughed.

“I understand your feelings, but impatience only gives them an opening. As I said, they cannot leave this region. Calm your mind and take your time.”
“Yes, understood.”

Burren and the Branch Family trainees bowed with awkward expressions.

“From tomorrow onward, you won’t have time to rest even if you want to. Get plenty of sleep now. We begin the search operation at dawn.”
“Yes!”
“Then let’s go.”

The trainees followed Rimer toward the center of the village where the village hall stood.

*

*

*

The next dawn.
As Rimer had declared, the forced march continued without rest, pushing southward. We ate rations while moving, and none of us slept more than three hours.

On top of that, a sudden blizzard descended with such fury that it completely obscured our vision, and the trainees’ pace slowed to a crawl.

“Hmm.”

I brushed the snow from my shoulders and surveyed the trainees around me.

“Sigh.”
“This cursed snow falling from the heavens!”

Burren and Martha couldn’t walk properly either, snow piled up to their knees.

“This is killing me!”
“When will this blizzard end!”
“We can’t maintain our pace.”

With even those two struggling, the other trainees were naturally floundering through the snow and ice, and our movement speed had dropped to less than half the normal rate.

“Hehe.”

Only one person—Lunan—was smiling contentedly as he gathered snowballs, but that was just this fellow’s peculiarity.

In any case, at this rate, there was a real possibility we might lose the bandits.

Rimer and the instructor said nothing, merely watching from the side. Since they’d come as guardians, they seemed to think advice was a luxury. Ultimately, I had to step forward.
Since I came in the role of a guardian, it seemed like advice was considered a luxury. In the end, I had to take the initiative here.

Stop.

Raon stepped forward first and stopped everyone in their tracks.

“On ground covered with a lot of snow, you shouldn’t put force into your ankles. It only slows you down and wastes your stamina.”

Raon continued speaking as he looked over the trainees.

“Relax your ankles and knees, and step on the snow as if flicking a leaf. Since you’ve already learned the Garam Technique, a little practice should make it possible.”

I demonstrated by stepping softly on the snow and moving forward. My legs glided far more smoothly than during ordinary walking—as if sliding across ice.

“Huh?”
“Wow.”

The trainees gasped at the sight.

I demonstrated the snow-stepping technique several more times so everyone could follow along.

“Now we move in a single line. Burren, come to the front.”
“Why?”
“When there’s a blizzard or strong wind, moving in a single line is the basic way to reduce the wind’s impact. You’ll lead the others from the front.”
“Got it!”

Burren’s eyes sparkled at the word “lead.”

“The rest of you, form a single line watching Burren’s back.”

A line formed with Burren at the front, Martha in the middle, and Lunan Slion at the rear.

“We’ll rotate the leader every hour. Move out.”

I didn’t join the line but stepped aside and led the trainees from the flank.

As the trainees, now skilled in snow-stepping, moved in formation, their travel speed nearly doubled.

“Huh.”
“R-really fast. It’s no different from usual.”
“How did Raon figure this out?”
“He’s a strange one, I’m telling you.”

The trainees marveled as they watched me cutting through the snow with unmatched grace.

“Is this proper?”
“Indeed. His teaching method is remarkably efficient. It’s as if he’s experienced actual military marches.”
“I was planning to give some hints, but it seems unnecessary.”

The instructors standing behind also clicked their tongues as they watched Raon’s retreating figure.

Rimer smiled faintly, observing both Raon and the trainees.

*

*

*

Raon and the trainees managed to reach a village after pushing through the blizzard.

However, the village had been ravaged by flames—more than half of it lay charred black, and not a single living soul remained.
One section of the village was filled with corpses of men, women, and children whose names and faces were unrecognizable.
This was the village that had been attacked by the Seolhochae Bandits.

“Ugh!”
“Blegh!”

The trainees with weaker constitutions retched, while even those with stronger stomachs grimaced or turned their heads away.

Only Raon examined the corpses beside Rimer with an unbothered expression.

‘They were slashed first, then burned.’

Most of the bodies had been killed by the blade before the flames took them—their breath had already left them. As I’d heard, the bandits had attacked this place, plundered what they could, and fled.

‘But…’

I couldn’t fathom why bandits who had already cleared the mountain roads and collected their tolls would bother attacking this village.

“You doing alright?”

As I continued to examine the corpses, Rimer approached with a concerned expression.

“I’m fine.”
“I’m okay.”

In fact, among all the trainees, only Raon and Martha were standing close enough to observe the corpses directly.

‘As expected….’

I had sensed it before, but Martha seemed to have seen corpses quite frequently. Or perhaps she had killed them herself.

“Ugh.”

Burren Zigheart bit his lip as he approached and examined the body. It was clear he was forcing himself to endure.

“Hmm….”

Lunan Slion struggled but examined the wounds on the corpse, trying to discern the bandits’ swordwork.

He had become a different person from the one who trembled at the mere sight of blood. There would be no need for concern now.

“This is the work of the Seolhochae Bandits. Never forget it, and engrave it upon your hearts. When you face those bastards, never hesitate with your blade. We move out again.”
“Yes!”

At Rimer’s final words, the trainees’ eyes blazed with fierce determination. The trembling of their first mission had transformed into the momentum of righteous fury.

Two days later.
Raon and the trainees arrived at the Luten Mountain region where the Seolhochae Bandits were presumed to be hiding.

Just two more days of travel would bring them to the mountain pass where they had set up a blockade, and the family’s swordsmen were tightening their encirclement, so it was certain the bandits were hiding in this vicinity.

“Everyone, listen up.”

Rimer clapped his hands to gather the trainees.

“This is our base of operations. From now on, we will form teams and track down their location.”

He personally arranged the teams. I was placed in the same team as Lunan Slion.

While our numbers were fewer compared to the other teams of three or four members, we overwhelmed them in terms of combat prowess.

“Each team will also receive a whistle.”

Rimer distributed silver whistles, one to each team.

“It’s a whistle that only trained individuals can hear. If anything dangerous happens, blow it. The instructors watching over you will move immediately.”
“Yes!”
“However, rather than blindly blowing the whistle, try to handle what you can on your own. You can form alliances with each other, or even engage them without our help. But their blades show no mercy, so never let your guard down.”
“Understood!”

The trainees recalled the devastation of the village the bandits had attacked and began moving in the directions they had each chosen.

However, Raon did not move first. I surveyed the mountain path where I stood, the Luten Mountain to the east, the Low Hill to the west, and the dense Forest beside it.

‘That mountain.’

My gaze turned toward Luten Mountain. From the mountain, one could overlook this place and escape beyond it—if there were a textbook position, that would be it.

But precisely because it was textbook, that mountain was not the answer.
The bandits, knowing the encirclement was tightening and that pursuers were coming, would never have hidden on that mountain.

The Forest was similar. Though dense and overgrown enough to avoid easy detection, it would be difficult to escape from.

‘Then perhaps….’

My eyes finally turned toward the Low Hill. It was far too exposed, but there might be different terrain hidden within it.

It seemed best to investigate that place first.

“Raon.”

When I stood up after making my decision, Lunan Slion, my teammate, approached and tilted his head. His expression suggested he was asking why I wasn’t going.

I wondered why I had been paired with Lunan Slion, but it seemed the intention was for me to look after him, given his gentle nature.

“Let’s go this way.”
“Okay.”

I led Lunan Slion up toward the Low Hill.

‘As expected.’

It was just as I had anticipated. Hidden within the Low Hill, which appeared empty from below, was a Forest that hadn’t been visible from the lower vantage point. Though not densely packed, its interior seemed quite deep.

I lowered my gaze and examined the forest entrance. With so many wild animals roaming about, the ground was covered in small footprints, making it difficult to discern any human traces.

‘But.’

That was merely the work of an ordinary hunter or tracker. I was different.

To become the greatest assassin, one cannot rely solely on killing prowess. Tracking, perception, information gathering—all must reach the highest caliber. Only then could one achieve the pinnacle of assassination.

I refused to yield, advancing slowly through the forest while scrutinizing every trace of the bandits. Though they were masters of mountains and forests, they remained human—and humans inevitably left marks behind.

‘Found it!’

My eyes blazed crimson. Not on the ground—but in the brush at shoulder height, a faint trace of passage remained, barely visible.

“From now on, don’t even breathe audibly. Just follow me.”
“Understood.”

I lowered my stance as I heard Lunan Slion’s acknowledgment. Following the barely-discovered trace, I gauged the bandits’ position and moved forward with deliberate slowness.

“Stop.”

I extended my hand backward.

“Why?”
“There’s a trap.”

Directly ahead lay a trap fashioned from transparent wire. The moment one passed through, legs would be severed and a signal would be sent inside.

‘I won’t let that happen.’

I disarmed the trap without triggering the alarm and pressed forward.

-You detected that?

An exclamation escaped Wrath’s lips.

-I cannot fathom what manner of being you are. Even with the sight of this King, honed across countless ages, I could not perceive it.
‘I was fortunate. It caught the sunlight.’
-Hmph. How amusing.

Wrath scoffed, dismissing my words with a snort. He told me to think as I pleased, then ventured deeper into the Forest.

The traces of bandits grew more frequent. As I examined the ground to relocate them, I discovered something peculiar.

‘This is….’

Small footprints that didn’t match the situation lay before me. They resembled a child’s footprints.

‘Children from that village?’

It appeared the bandits had abducted children from the village to use as hostages.

‘Despicable bastards.’

I exhaled sharply, suppressing the rage that threatened to consume me.

“Lunan.”
“Yes.”
“From now on, you can’t make any sound with your footsteps. Walk like I do.”

I taught Lunan how to move silently. When I explained it as an application of Garam Technique, he quickly grasped the method.

“The whistle?”
“Not yet.”

If there were no hostages, it might be different. But if I sounded the whistle while the children were captive, the instructors might arrive and alert the bandits with noise.

The right approach was to first locate both the children and the bandits, then sound the whistle.

“When I give the signal, blow the whistle immediately.”
“Understood.”

Lunan nodded, gripping the whistle firmly in his hand.

“Let’s go.”

I pointed forward and lowered my stance.

“We’re almost there now.”

*

*

*

After traversing the Forest for roughly ten minutes in a crouched stance, traces of the bandits began appearing everywhere.

‘They simply wandered about carelessly.’

At the Low Hill and the Forest’s entrance, they had minimized their tracks meticulously, and traps were set in the middle sections—but not here.

Believing they wouldn’t be discovered, they had left chaotic traces scattered throughout.

‘My instincts weren’t wrong after all.’

Raon’s brow furrowed as he surveyed the surroundings. Signs of a child lingered here as well.

“The bandits are holding a child hostage.”
“A hostage?”
“Yes. First, let’s assess the situation, then decide whether to blow the whistle or move on our own.”
“Understood.”

Lunan nodded readily, as though he would trust whatever I said.

“Let’s go.”

I gestured forward and proceeded ahead, with Lunan following close behind.

After advancing for about ten minutes, human voices began drifting from ahead.

My eyes darkened like shadows.

There they were.

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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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