The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 568

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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 568

I struck away the glowing forehead of Wrath with the back of my hand and checked the message.

[You have reached the Grand Master realm.]
[You have displayed madness, falling into a state of selflessness at the center of the battlefield.]
[All stats increase by 40 points.]
[You have achieved the Continent’s first Achievement 【Youngest Grand Master】.]
[The quality of your soul greatly increases.]
[The mastery level of all martial arts greatly increases.]

It seemed I gained even more stat points not only from reaching Grand Master, but also from breaking through the Wall and falling into selflessness on the battlefield.

‘Forty points? That’s insane.’

Even as I received the reward, the numbers were absurdly generous. But there was an even more gratifying message.

‘The mastery level of all martial arts has increased.’

After reaching Grand Master, I was shocked at how unexpectedly powerful Manhwagong’s swordsmanship and Wrath’s ultimate technique had become, but that wasn’t my imagination.
As the mastery level of all martial arts rose, the power of my swordsmanship and aura surged dramatically.

-Damn it all!

While I examined the message with a faint smile, Wrath suddenly jerked his head up.

-If you’re going to do something crazy, you should take away points, not give more! You fool!

He grabbed his head in incomprehension and let out a howl of frustration.

-And without even asking the master’s permission! Why are you handing them out on your own?!

Wrath swung his round fists at the system that had granted the reward. As a result, the next message immediately appeared.

[The Ring of Fire has reached the eighth star.]
[All stats increase by 10 points.]
[Physical and aura recovery significantly increase.]
[The upper dantian expands. Greater power infuses the will contained within your aura.]
[A special ability may awaken.]

These were the rewards I obtained as the Ring of Fire reached the eighth star.
Perhaps because I had contemplated an unbreakable swordsman and an eternal flame within my Mental World, the message about my physical and aura recovery increasing significantly resonated deeply.

I closed my eyes and observed my inner state.

‘Definitely….’

My recovery has become incredibly fast.

My dantian had been completely depleted from the life-and-death battle with the Yonghyeon Sword Master, yet aura was flooding back at a speed incomparable to before.
The recovery effects of Sloth and the Ring of Fire were stacking, causing my recovery rate to skyrocket beyond reason.

-Kyaaack!

The moment I smiled, feeling my dantian gradually grow heavier, Wrath let out a cat-like shriek.

-Look, look, and look again! Does the True Demon King look like a viewing cloth to you?! Why are you handing out stats again?! Recovery? This bastard won’t die anyway! Recovery is useless! Will? Nonsense!

Wrath was now picking a fight with every single message. Of course, no one was listening to him.

I ignored Wrath, whose fur seemed to stand on end, and checked the final message.

‘What is this special ability?’

I understood that my upper dantian had expanded because my Mental World had grown.
But I had no idea whatsoever what this special ability could be.

-You don’t even know that!

Wrath clicked his tongue and turned his head away.

-The wall you’ve crossed is the very essence of life itself. Since you’ve transcended humanity to some degree, it means you might develop abilities befitting that state.
‘Ah….’
-To think I’d lose my stats to some ignorant fool who doesn’t even understand this! I’m so frustrated I could die!

Wrath genuinely lamented the loss, patting his chest. He didn’t strike hard enough to cause pain.

‘So what kind of ability is it?’
-How would the True Demon King know that! It depends on what kind of human you are, and when it’ll manifest is anyone’s guess! It might not appear at all!

Wrath snorted, insisting that such things varied from individual to individual.

‘So you don’t know anything either, then?’
-This bastard’s mouth—!

As I lightly dodged Wrath’s fist, another message appeared.

[The rank of 【Ambush】 has increased.]
[The rank of 【Holiness Blooming from Darkness】 has increased.]
[The rank of 【Deception Resistance】 has increased.]
[The rank of 【Wrathful Demon Eye】 has increased.]
[The rank of 【Seolhwa’s Demon Armor】 has increased.]

The final message informed me that the ranks of my traits had risen. The traits I’d used extensively during this battle had each climbed one tier.

-Grrrrrrr!

Wrath finally couldn’t contain himself and cursed.

-Is this the Pearl Ice Cream Shop? Distributing everything so evenly! And only the delicious flavors like mint chocolate at that!
‘Hmm, mint chocolate doesn’t taste that good….’
-You shut your mouth and let this damned system answer!

He shouted, but the system, having completed its task, vanished with indifferent pride.

-Ugh, my bones are freezing….

Despite being the Demon King of Extreme Cold, Wrath muttered about the chill, his plump form trembling.

‘Cold, you say?’
-Every single day, everything gets taken from me. There’s truly no point in living like this.

For some reason, I felt a pang of sympathy and scratched my head as I approached Wrath.

‘How about I buy you some Pearl Ice Cream when we get back? Three sets sound good?’

Though I offered to buy ice cream, Wrath didn’t turn around as I expected and merely continued muttering to himself.

‘Is he really sulking?’

I licked my lips and listened intently to what Wrath was saying.

-Which flavor should I choose? Which one will earn me a reputation for good taste?
‘….’

He wasn’t sulking or angry at all—he was concentrating on choosing the perfect ice cream flavor.

‘I’m exhausted….’

I sighed and turned my gaze away.

“Why are you grinning to yourself like that?”

Rimer let out a hollow laugh and gestured toward me.

“Me, sir?”
“Yeah. You were smiling at thin air and then frowning. What’s going on?”

He squinted his eyes while glancing at the spot where Wrath and the message had been visible.

“Ah, I’m just a bit tired.”

I laughed awkwardly and scratched my cheek.

“That’s right. With all the consecutive battles, you must be exhausted.”

Burren, who could see Wrath, nodded understandingly. He mouthed that the spirit was cute.

‘Cute, huh….’

I wanted to shout that this bastard was nothing but a gluttonous Demon Lord, but I held my tongue.

“I suppose that’s true.”

Rimer nodded calmly. My gaze drifted involuntarily to his empty right shoulder. My chest felt tight, as though something were lodged there.

“Lord Commander.”

Raon stepped forward before Rimer and met his eyes.

“What will you do about your arm?”
“Well….”

Rimer touched his right shoulder with his left hand and laughed awkwardly.

“Maybe I’ll just retire?”

His voice carried the same casual tone as if he were making light conversation.

“Retire…?”
“I’ve been with Zigheart for quite a long time, haven’t I? First as Lord Commander, then as an instructor, then Lord Commander again. My severance pay and pension should be substantial.”

Rimer laughed without a trace of concern, waving his left hand.

“Buy a house in the Bustling District with that, commute to the Gambling House every day—doesn’t that sound fun?”

His eyes held an ambiguous glimmer—whether sincere or joking, it was impossible to tell. He rubbed his fingers together.

“Actually, a gambler missing an arm or an ear isn’t as rare as you’d think. I’d probably be quite convincing as a mark, don’t you think? What do you say?”
“Are you… are you serious about that?”

Burren’s eyes trembled in bewilderment.

“The Lord Commander would blow through severance pay in a day—what retirement!”

Martha, unlike her usual self, couldn’t muster a sharp retort and merely bit her lip.

“….”

Lunan regarded Rimer quietly, as if to say he would understand whatever choice was made.

“Don’t talk nonsense!”
“If you pay back what you owe us, your severance will disappear entirely. Where do you think you’re going!”
“Bury your bones in the Gwangpung Corps and pay your debts!”
“Serve for life!”

Dorian and the Gwangpung Corps cried out as if they couldn’t bear to watch Rimer retire like this.

“Ha….”

Rimer gazed at the Gwangpung Corps and released only a low sigh. These children he had watched grow from childhood to adulthood were telling him not to leave—he found himself at a loss for words.

“Commander.”

I stepped closer to Rimer, who had bowed his head.

“If you truly wish to retire, I will accept it. However….”

I calmly shifted my gaze and examined Rimer’s right shoulder.

“There may be a way if it concerns your arm.”
“What do you mean?”

Rimer tightened his grip on the hand holding his shoulder and lifted his gaze.

“Cloud’s arm seemed a bit unusual.”

I approached Cloud’s corpse and touched his right arm.
It possessed the softness and warmth of skin, but it didn’t feel like a human arm. As I had initially suspected, it was an artifact.

Crack!

Because Cloud was dead, the artifact arm came free easily.

‘Is it powered by mana?’

It appeared that an artificial stem, similar to a mana circuit, had been embedded into the shoulder. It would be difficult to use in its current state, but if I brought it to Ensia, she might be able to craft something new from it.

“Ugh…”

Rimer’s expression darkened as he gazed at the artificial arm.

“I, I have a thing about cleanliness, you see. I’ll just live as I am.”

He spouted such nonsense while sleeping in garbage pits.

“I’m not suggesting you use it. The arm length wouldn’t match anyway.”

Raon shook his head as he lowered his artificial arm.

“Then?”
“If we bring this to Ensia, she might be able to create something new from it.”
“Ah, right. That genius girl can even craft artificial dantians.”

Rimer nodded, acknowledging that it seemed plausible.

“Definitely. The gamblers without hands wear prosthetics. It looks cooler that way.”

He chuckled, apparently imagining himself gambling while wearing the artificial arm.

-Do we really have to make him an arm?

Wrath shook his head as if exasperated.

I was already regretting bringing up the suggestion.

As I deliberated whether to agree with Wrath, Rimer scratched the back of his neck.

“Truth is, half my life was devoted to revenge.”

He smiled with eyes that didn’t match the word “revenge” at all.

“Since that was accomplished thanks to you all, I’m not sure what comes next.”

Rimer gazed at his now-empty right shoulder and smacked his lips briefly.

“I’ve thought about not attaching my arm, about wielding the sword with my left hand instead, about providing support from the rear, and even about retiring entirely.”

He exhaled a low breath, as if he had yet to reach a decision in his heart.

“There’s no rush. Take your time thinking it through.”
“All right.”

I nodded and gestured toward the Gwangpung Corps.

“Let’s start with organizing things. We don’t know what else might happen. We need to settle the situation as quickly as possible and get out of here.”
“Yes!”

As the Gwangpung Corps responded and began moving, Wrath gazed into the empty air.

-So it is.
‘What now? Another message?’
-….

Wrath didn’t answer, his eyes narrowing to sharp slits.

-You’ve changed somewhat.
‘What are you talking about right now?’

I turned my gaze in the direction Wrath was watching, then froze. Something massive was indeed approaching from ahead.

Gooooooooh!

By the time I sensed that presence, an old man with white hair was already suspended in the air.

“Wh—?”

My eyes widened as I beheld the old man. His imposing frame, eyes sharp as a honed blade, and an air of emptiness that seemed at odds with his presence—he was unmistakable.

“Lectar?”

The white-haired old man was none other than Lectar, the Sword Ghost I knew all too well. I hadn’t imagined I would encounter the Sword Ghost in this place, so my mouth fell open involuntarily.

“How did you come to be here?”

Warmth colored Raon’s laughter. Yet the Sword Ghost did not respond, merely gazing intently at Cloud and the Yonghyeon Sword Master’s corpses.

“Ah, these are Sword Ghosts of the Holy Sword Association. They attempted to devour the Rakion Family, which led to our confrontation.”

With corpses scattered about, I offered a brief explanation to dispel his suspicion.

“….”

Yet Lectar showed no reaction, merely examining the bodies of the Holy Sword Association’s swordsmen.

“Lectar?”
“You’ve reached Grand Master.”
“It is thanks to you, Lectar.”

Raon nodded with a smile. This was no mere courtesy—it came from the heart.
Thanks to the conversation between the Sword Ghost and Glen, I had broken through the wall and ascended to Grand Master far more swiftly.

“I see.”

The Sword Ghost nodded calmly and lifted his gaze. His eyes were parched and withered, devoid of warmth—yet within that desiccation flickered an enigmatic, faint luminescence.

I swallowed hard as I met the Sword Ghost’s eyes.

‘What on earth….’

I had expected the Sword Ghost to rejoice in my ascension to Grand Master as though it were his own triumph, yet he seemed indifferent—as though hearing of another’s affair.

‘Something is amiss.’

Just as I was about to release my aura to verify whether this was truly the Sword Ghost, Holy Sword Association swordsmen descended from behind him.

“Lectar! The Holy Sword Association!”

I gestured, but Lectar neither retreated nor turned, remaining motionless in place.

The Holy Sword Association’s Sword Ghosts likewise did not move from behind Lectar. Rather than attacking, they appeared to be attending to him.

“No, surely not….”
“So it has come to this.”

Lectar descended to the ground with a cold expression. His aura was so chilling that bones and flesh would freeze merely from approaching him.

“You couldn’t possibly be….”

Instead of Raon, whose hands trembled, Rimer stepped forward.

“That’s right.”

The Sword Ghost nodded calmly.

“I am the Blood Sword Master of the Holy Sword Association.”

He revealed his affiliation with the Holy Sword Association, his eyes blazing with killing intent. The blood-soaked gaze sent a chill crawling down my spine.

“Wh…?”
“W-what did you just say?”
“The Holy Sword Association? You, Sword Ghost?”

The Gwangpung Corps, having spent considerable time with the Sword Ghost, trembled in disbelief.

“Hey, old man.”

Rimer twisted his mouth as he pointed at Lectar with his left hand, which had been gripping my shoulder.

“What the hell are you talking about! Why did you suddenly join the Holy Sword Association!”
“I didn’t join.”

The Sword Ghost answered without blinking an eye.

“I was affiliated with the Holy Sword Association from the beginning.”
“….”

I clenched my fists until they bled as I stared at Cloud’s corpse.

‘So that person Cloud mentioned was Lectar….’

The person Cloud had cried out about—the one whose swordsmanship wouldn’t work against—was the Sword Ghost himself. Now I finally understood why his techniques had felt so familiar.

‘Because I learned from him.’

Since we learned the sword from the same person, Cloud’s concise sword technique was familiar to my eyes.

“So why did someone from the Holy Sword Association approach us in the first place?! You were sincere back then!”

Rimer’s face flushed crimson as he cried out in anguish. It seemed he had taken a liking to the Sword Ghost as well, his anger burning as fiercely as when he’d faced the Yonghyeon Sword Master.

“Why should I owe you an answer?”

Lectar shook his head with cold, piercing eyes. As he extended his hand, the Sword Ghosts of the Holy Sword Association surrounded the Gwangpung Corps.

“Given our past connection, let us end this swiftly.”
“Tch!”
“Damn it….”
“One mountain after another!”

The Gwangpung Corps trembled with betrayal, yet they gathered toward the center and activated the Gwangpung Formation. However, both mentally and physically exhausted, the formation failed to solidify completely.

Shing!

I drew the Heavenly Sword and stepped forward to block the Gwangpung Corps’s path.

‘I cannot win.’

The situation differed from the encounter with the Yonghyeon Sword Master. Even if I maintained that awakened state and possessed full aura and stamina, I could not withstand a single strike from Lectar. This battle was already decided.

“…I do not understand. The Holy Sword Association and Zigheart are enemies, so why did you teach me swordsmanship?”

I asked the question not merely to buy time, but because I genuinely wanted to know.

“It was merely a pastime.”

Lectar shook his head, his voice devoid of emotion.

“….”

I studied Lectar’s frigid expression and bit my lip.

‘That cannot be true.’

Lectar’s teachings had always been genuine. His gestures were always earnest, and he made every effort to impart even a little more knowledge.

If there were any other reason, perhaps I could accept it. But coming here now and calling it mere amusement—no matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t understand it.

But for now, the reason didn’t matter.

Lectar was approaching to take direct action himself.

“If I take you, who has reached Grand Master at the age of twenty-one, the Rion Lord will be satisfied.”
-Hmm….

I glanced at Wrath. He was unexpectedly quiet, merely scratching his chin.

‘Should I borrow Wrath’s power now?’

No. It’s too dangerous.

There’s the risk of exposure, and I have no idea what aftereffects invoking a Demon Lord’s descent would cause. That had to be kept as a last resort.

But surrendering my body entirely to Wrath was impossible either. If he went berserk, he’d slaughter every human in this place.

‘I should let myself be captured. That’s the best option.’

Taking me along meant he had no intention of killing me. Once we reached the Holy Sword Association, there would be a way to release Wrath, so I decided to go with him.

I reached my conclusion and nodded.

“If I go with you, will you release the Gwangpung Corps?”
“The others would be meaningless.”

Lectar nodded without even glancing at Rimer and the Gwangpung Corps.

“Hey!”
“What nonsense is this!”
“Absolutely not!”
“Raon.”

Rimer, Martha, Burren, and Lunan broke free from the sword formation and stepped forward, but I waved my hand to stop them.

“Stay still. If they’re taking you away, it means they don’t intend to kill you.”
“B-but….”
“You won’t die! But who knows what else might happen!”
“You really….”
“This is an order from the Acting Commander. Everyone, fall back.”

I issued the command to the Gwangpung Corps and sheathed the Heavenly Sword back into its scabbard.

“A wise decision.”

Lectar smiled with a hollow laugh as he extended his hand toward me. The moment his palm obscured my vision, I drew the Soul Reaper Sword with my left hand.

Kyaaang!

I unleashed the ambush with maximum force, but the Soul Reaper Sword’s blazing demonic energy failed to pierce Lectar’s skin and was repelled instead.

“Yes. That’s how Raon Zigheart should be.”

Lectar smiled as if he’d expected nothing less. He flicked the Soul Reaper Sword aside with ease and extended his hand once more. The subtle mastery of ten thousand techniques flowed through his casual strike. There was no way to evade or block it.

‘Damn it….’

I bit my lip, watching the approaching hand draw closer.

Zzzzzzzzick!

The space between Lectar and me tore open deeply, and a magnificent aura surged forth. A blade that rended the very fabric of space itself. It was unmistakably a spatial slash.

“Hmm….”
“Get away from my nephew!”

As Lectar furrowed his brow and stepped back, the torn space parted, and sunset-colored hair rippled through the opening.

“You damnable old codger!”

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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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