The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 616

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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 616

I wiped away the sweat trickling down my forehead and studied Ogram’s expression. He maintained an impassive countenance, as if every word he’d just spoken came from the depths of his conviction.

‘Is he truly offering to teach me that Gyeokhaemu technique?’

I couldn’t fathom why the Beast Alliance Leader would impart such a transcendent martial art to an outsider like myself.

‘No matter how much I’ve aided the Sran Tribe, I remain a stranger to them.’

In traditional martial clans, transcendent techniques were reserved exclusively for the Main Lineage and Branch Family members who had accumulated considerable merit. Everyone else received inferior martial arts.

Zigheart operated no differently. While they occasionally bestowed transcendent arts upon outsiders who had proven themselves, they had never transmitted the direct lineage techniques mastered by the Head of House or his successor to anyone outside the family.

‘And he claims he’ll teach me such a transcendent technique?’

Gyeokhaemu was undoubtedly one of Ogram’s most lethal techniques. The notion that he would reveal the Beast Alliance’s secret art to an outsider seemed impossible.

“Your words just now….”

I steadied my racing heartbeat, which threatened to burst from my chest, and lifted my gaze to meet his.

“Do you truly mean them?”
“Do I look like someone who speaks nonsense?”
“That’s not what I meant….”
“I know what you’re thinking.”

Ogram’s lips curved into a refreshing smile.

“Warriors across the Continent are reluctant to reveal their martial arts. Once a technique becomes known, countermeasures emerge, and the practitioner faces greater danger.”

I had begun to experience this reality firsthand.

In the past, few knew of Frostbind, so I could easily sever an enemy’s throat with its icy blade. Now, more and more warriors recognized that Frostbind possessed two edges and defended accordingly.

As Ogram said, the more a martial art was exposed, the more countermeasures and nullification methods emerged against it.

“But what is that supposed to mean?”

Ogram shook his head, his chin raised high.

“A martial technique that weakens once it’s seen was never truly strong to begin with. True strength lies in a martial technique that maintains its full power even when revealed, even when its flow is read.”
“Hmm….”
“On the battlefield, there are no second chances.”

From his sunken eyes blazed an aura so overwhelming it felt like it could crush my heart.

“Only one. Just a single opportunity to sever your opponent’s lifeline—that’s how you survive on the battlefield. The Crimson Flame Technique exists for precisely that purpose. It is not a martial technique that weakens because I teach it to you, because I reveal it to others!”

Ogram struck his chest as if making a proclamation.

“There are no such weak warriors or weak martial techniques in this Beast Alliance.”
“Ah….”

I grasped my trembling wrists. Hearing Ogram’s words, goosebumps erupted across my skin as if my hair were standing on end.

“He’s right. True ultimate power doesn’t weaken simply because it’s been revealed.”

Garona nodded without the slightest hint of surprise, as if he shared Ogram’s conviction.

-For a muscle-bound brute, he certainly speaks wisdom.

Wrath tilted his head.

-True strength must never falter, regardless of circumstance. The True Demon King froze all enemies whether fighting in raging flames or molten lava.

Verbose as always, but even he agreed with Ogram’s words.

‘Now that I think about it….’

The Head of House and Wrath are similar in that regard.

Glen’s swordsmanship—my target—is not a blade that weakens simply because it’s been seen. Quite literally, he creates the heavens with his sword. Who could possibly withstand such a thing?

Wrath is no different. He crushes his enemies with the power of frost alone, without relying on grappling techniques. There seemed to be no existence capable of overcoming that immense aura.

Ogram possessed the same confidence as Glen Zigheart and Wrath, which was why he had asked if he would teach me his martial arts.

‘Then….’

Now that I understood Ogram’s thoughts, I steeled my resolve and stood before him.

“Please teach me.”

I straightened my posture and bowed my head to Ogram.

“Excellent!”

Ogram nodded his massive head as if he had expected this all along.

“I thought your long deliberation meant you’d refuse, but you’ve accepted after all.”
“It took me time to understand your words, Head of House.”
“Understand?”
“Yes. I grasped the meaning behind your words that there is no second chance on the battlefield. I also realized what I must do.”
“Kahahaha!”

He burst into hearty laughter, gripping his head.

“Good. Very good.”

Ogram lowered his head and smoothed the hem of my Black Dragon Robe.

“I once thought I had given you an excessive gift, but now I see the Black Dragon Robe has found an owner worthy of it.”
“That is not so.”
“Enough idle talk. Let us begin at once.”

He waved his hand, signaling there was no time to waste.

“Gyeokhaemoo means to cross the sea.”
“The sea?”
“Yes. It means to pierce through the sea of aura your opponent commands and drive this fist into their head.”

Ogram clenched his fist. It looked so solid that if it landed, one would lose consciousness instantly.

“The incantation is simple. Someone like you could memorize it in the time it takes to eat a meal.”
“Mm.”

I widened my eyes in disbelief. It was hard to fathom that a transcendent martial art like Geokhaemu could be built upon such a simple incantation.

[Whether it be the sea battered by torrential rains or the gentle waves caressed by a quiet breeze, all are one and the same sea.

The sea where the sun blazes and the moon waxes becomes a mirror reflecting oneself.

Only by polishing the soul can the small sea within me open its path.]

….

Just as Ogram said, the incantation was brief. Yet within it dwelled a profound and mysterious essence. It was easy to understand, but I couldn’t shake the doubt that my comprehension was correct.

“How is it? Did you memorize it?”
“Yes….”

I nodded slightly.

“Then from now on, I’ll teach you how to apply it.”

Ogram clenched his fist again. Between his thick fingers, a colorless light flickered.

“If it’s about application, why are you making a fist….”

I swallowed dryly, watching Ogram’s fist.

“I told you, didn’t I? That you must navigate through both my sea and your opponent’s sea. Each sea has its own current and magnitude. In other words, you must pierce through an opponent’s aura sea through countless experiences. And the fastest way to do that is….”

I could sense what he was about to say without hearing it.

“Combat!”

Ogram extended his clenched fist forward. The punch, twice as fast as before, surged toward my abdomen.

“Ugh!”

I formed an aura shield using the Manhwagong’s flames to block Ogram’s fist.

“That’s wrong!”

Ogram furrowed his brow as if to say that wasn’t it, driving his fist all the way through.

Crack!

His fist pierced through the shield of flames as if the wall of salt didn’t exist, striking Raon’s abdomen.

“Kugh!”

Raon let out a sharp groan and crashed to the ground.

‘What the….’

I nearly lost consciousness for a moment. Overwhelming pain flooded through me, and I couldn’t move a single finger.

“I didn’t teach you the incantation for nothing. If you don’t block using Gyeok Haemoo, you’ll feel that pain every single time.”

Ogram flicked his finger as if telling me to get up quickly.

“Y-you’re saying you’ll teach me how to use it….”
“That’s right.”

Ogram charged forward with his fist, baring his teeth in a grin.

“Your body will learn on its own once you get hit enough!”

With those words, Ogram’s fist came flying faster and harder than before.

‘As expected….’

I bit my lip until it bled, reciting the incantation of Gyeok Haemoo.

‘There’s nothing easy in this world.’
-You’re only realizing that now! In the Demon Realm, this is nothing. When I became the lord of the Demon Realm, the hardships were far greater….
‘Keep your mouth shut!’

*

*

*

The sand of Zigheart’s 5th Training Ground shimmered with heat, warmed by the fervent exertion of the swordsmen.

“Lunan!”

Rimer approached Lunan, who stood in the center of the training ground with her head bowed.

“Don’t close your eyes! You’re trying to sleep again!”
“I’m not.”

Lunan shook her head, her vacant eyes fluttering open.

“What do you mean you’re not….”
“I was practicing swordplay in my dreams.”
“Dreams! You just said dreams!”
“It’s true.”

She closed her eyes again, indifferent to whatever Rimer might say.

“Leave her be. That one grows oddly stronger whenever she wakes from sleep.”

Burren chuckled, watching the drowsy Lunan.

“It’s annoying that she gets stronger just by sleeping.”

Martha clicked her tongue in disapproval of Lunan and resumed her own training.

Rimer listened to the two and turned his gaze back to Lunan. Her head nodded as if she were dozing, yet her internal aura moved with the vigor of one engaged in combat.

‘Could it be….’

Is she standing at the threshold?

Lunan’s current martial prowess ranked at the intermediate Master level. For the swift learners, this was the period when they slowly grasped the imagery of their Mental World—and it seemed Lunan now occupied that very position.

‘All those years of teaching from childhood have finally borne fruit.’

Ever since the Gwangpung Corps were trainees, I had endlessly emphasized the importance of imagery and imagination, and now, seeing that advice finally take effect, my heart swelled with pride.

‘It’s not just Lunan.’

Burren and Martha had grown beyond recognition as well. Not merely in combat prowess, but their spirits had hardened considerably—both seemed destined to reach the intermediate level within the not-too-distant future.

‘The others have grown tremendously too.’

Currently, every member of the Gwangpung Corps had reached the highest tier of Expert rank.
Dorian and the vice-commanders were on the cusp of breakthrough, their hands already touching the Wall—given the right catalyst, they could ascend to Master rank without hesitation.

Rimer surveyed his swordsmen of the Gwangpung Corps one by one, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

‘Could we actually become the strongest unit in existence?’

If the Gwangpung Corps continued to grow at this pace, they would soon possess a power that surpassed even my previous strength under the unit’s name alone.

‘They’ve all grown so much.’

I recalled the first time I saw those children. I had merely sought to fulfill a dream entrusted to me, yet now that dream had become my own.

“Hmm….”

Martha narrowed her eyes as she watched Rimer’s warm smile.

“Organization Master, what’s wrong with you? Why are you smiling like that—it’s unsettling.”
“I’m not sure.”

Burren scratched his cheek and shook his head.

“It looks like the expression he makes when he’s about to ask for money.”
“That’s it! He definitely lost money gambling!”

Martha clicked her tongue, deciding she would need to warn the swordsmen never to lend him money.

“Rimer!”

Contrary to what the two were thinking, while Rimer gazed at the Gwangpung Corps with innocent eyes, the Training Ground door swung open and Ensia entered.

“It’s complete!”

She rushed toward Rimer, holding a gray prosthetic arm that appeared to be forged from steel.

“That is….”
“What else? Obviously your right arm, sir.”
“It’s already finished?”
“I prepared everything before you departed for Sepia.”

Ensia laughed, explaining that since she had completed the measurements and designs, and even obtained the branches and leaves of the World Tree as materials, she could fabricate it immediately.

“I thought you’d make it hastily….”
“That was a jest.”

Ensia tapped his shoulder and shook her head.

“I’m a craftsman. When I work, there’s no such thing as haste or jest.”

She extended the prosthetic arm she had crafted herself, her eyes brimming with confidence.

“Remove your shirt. I’ll attach it for you.”
“Hmm….”

Rimer smacked his lips and glanced around. The entire Gwangpung Corps had ceased their training and encircled him.

“I have no choice.”

He sighed and removed his upper garment, exposing his shoulder—the wound had healed, yet it still appeared grotesque.

Ensia examined Rimer’s shoulder calmly, as though the scar meant nothing to her.

“This prosthetic arm will connect to your aura’s nerves. You’ll likely feel as though your real arm has returned.”

She brought the prosthetic arm to Rimer’s shoulder without hesitation, confident in the artifact she had created.
The thin, cloth-like material attached to the prosthetic clung to his shoulder like rubber, matching the color of his skin.

Whirrrrrr!

A faint light emanated from the prosthetic arm, and the gray limb gradually transformed to match Rimer’s skin tone. It seemed like a considerate feature for the user.

Rimer narrowed his eyes as he observed his tingling shoulder.

‘This is….’

The moment the cloth-like material attached to the prosthetic touched his skin, I felt a small prickling sensation as if needles were stitching flesh, accompanied by the sensation of an arm growing back.
It was a strange feeling, as if the nerves within my shoulder were connecting with the prosthetic’s nerves.

‘Where….’

The moment I thought to move my fingers, the prosthetic’s fingers began to move. More force went into it than I’d anticipated, but my hand clearly moved according to my will.

“Ha….”

Rimer let out a hollow laugh as he watched his hand move freely.

‘They actually made this?’

It was so realistic it was almost absurd. At this rate, even if I couldn’t reach my prime, I seemed capable of recovering the combat strength I’d possessed before losing my arm.

“Wow….”
“It looks just like a real arm?”
“The prosthetic’s color changed to match the Organization Master’s skin tone.”
“The, the fingers are moving!”

The Gwangpung Corps swordsmen also widened their eyes in astonishment as they observed Rimer’s arm.

“Still, since it’s not a real arm, you’ll need to be careful. You’ll also need to practice controlling your aura.”

Ensia adjusted the prosthetic herself while explaining the precautions he needed to take.

“Without aura, it can withstand sword energy, but strong force is difficult.”
“That’s actually better than my original arm. Without aura, I couldn’t even withstand sword energy.”

Rimer chuckled and waved his hand.

“Ah, you’re right about that.”

Ensia chuckled in agreement, nodding along with a soft laugh.

“All done. Is there any discomfort?”
“It’s perfect. It truly feels like my arm has returned to me.

Rimer’s face broke into a satisfied smile, his wonder at having his arm restored leaving no room for jest.

“Thank you so much.”
“Direct that gratitude to Raon instead. The branches and leaves of the World Tree he brought reduced the side effects considerably and greatly improved the stability.”

She laughed, attributing this success to Raon’s efforts as well.

“I’ll do that.”
“Then please take good care of Raon going forward.”

Ensia waved her hand, satisfied with that arrangement.

“Of course.”

Rimer clenched his prosthetic fist and nodded firmly.

“That is my intention.”

He felt a warmth emanating from his chest rather than the skin’s natural heat, and nodded with conviction.

“Because I’ve made my decision now.”
“A decision?”

Ensia’s eyes widened with curiosity.

“What decision?”

Lunan blinked, studying Rimer intently.

“Perhaps a resolve to gamble with a fresh heart.”

Burren Zigheart laughed, mimicking the motion of rolling dice.

“It’d be hilarious if that arm got severed again at the Gambling House.”

Martha chuckled at Burren’s words.

The entire Gwangpung Corps burst into laughter, their eyes fixed on Rimer and the squad leaders.

“….”

Rimer gazed at the children, his lips curving into a small smile that mingled joy, regret, and anticipation.

“You’ll understand soon enough.”

*

*

*

Boom!

I lost my footing and collapsed to the ground.

“Ugh….”

This damned pain.

The impact itself was bearable, but the grip where Ogram’s fist had connected seared with agony—as if my hand were being torn apart. Had he applied even slightly more force, my hand would have shattered completely.
If he had applied just a bit more force, my hand would have literally burst open.

“Blegh!”

I turned my gaze toward the scream I heard from beside me. Garona was also taking punches from Ogram’s fists, greeting the floor with his face.

“Phew…”

Raon let out a breath and got to his feet.

That’s not easy.

The flow of Gyeokhaemu that Ogram demonstrated was fundamentally different from the martial arts Dun had learned so far, so even though he was operating the Ring of Fire, it was not easy to follow along.

A week had passed since I began my training, yet it seemed a hundred days would prove insufficient to truly grasp the essence.

“Your willpower alone is admirable.”

Ogram’s lips curled upward, clearly pleased by how quickly I had risen to my feet.

“Now I understand why you reached such heights at your age.”

He turned his gaze toward Garona, his brow furrowing.

“Why aren’t you getting up faster!”
“Ugh….”

Garona clutched at his chest where the blow had landed moments before, struggling to rise.

“I’ve taught you everything there is to teach.”

Ogram lifted a cup of liquor he had wedged between branches.

“Geokhae Moo is less a martial art and more a flash of inspiration in an instant. If it aligns perfectly, even a three-year-old could wield it, but if it doesn’t, thirty years of training might yield nothing at all.”

He drained the cup and twisted his mouth.

“However, such a result must never occur among those I have trained.”

Ogram extended his clenched left fist, colorless radiance flickering violently through the gaps between his knuckles.

He struck Garona with a fist far more powerful than the one he had used against Karun.

Crack!

Garona’s face took the full impact without any defense, his body crashing into the ground.
His eyes had completely rolled back, his breathing came in jagged gasps, and his entire frame trembled violently—had it not been for that trembling, one might have thought he had died from that single blow.

“Now it’s your turn.”

Ogram clenched his right fist this time and stepped toward me.

Gulp.

I swallowed hard as I watched Ogram’s fist blazing with increasingly intense light.

‘Should I stop now?’

If that fist connected, it wouldn’t just break bones—my flesh would tear apart. As I deliberated on what excuse to use to halt the training, I caught sight of Ogram’s eyes.
Those pupils gleamed with trust directed toward me. Seeing that look of faith, I swallowed back the words I’d been about to speak and steadied my stance.

‘The Beast Alliance Leader is taking precious time out of his schedule for me right now.’

Ogram was imparting his teachings to me with complete sincerity.
To half-ass this or merely kill time would be an inexcusable rudeness.

Boom!

I planted my feet firmly and clenched both fists. I operated the ring of fire at maximum intensity while awakening Seolhwa’s senses as well.

“Come!”
“Now that’s the spirit!”

Ogram nodded vigorously and thrust forward the fist he’d drawn back.

Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Between the incoming fists, the flickering air currents stole my breath. A violent wave of force filled my vision—so intense that my soul seemed ready to scatter even without invoking Gyeok Hae Mu.

‘Don’t retreat. See it through to the end.’

As I sharpened my focus until I could see the very veins bulging on Ogram’s fists, time began to slow.
The flow of Gyeok Hae Mu came into my grasp as if I could almost touch it.

[Whether torrential rains lash the great sea or gentle winds caress the tranquil shore, all are the same ocean.]

Reciting the incantation of Gyeok Hae Mu, I clenched my right fist. I layered the flow of Gyeok Hae Mu onto my fist and drove it toward Ogram’s strike.

Boom, crash, crash, crash!

Fist met fist. Yet Ogram’s Gyeok Hae Mu pierced through the barrier of my own technique and reached my skin in an instant.

[The sea upon which the sun blazes and the moon waxes full becomes a mirror reflecting all that gazes upon it.]

‘I have to break it!’

Even if I couldn’t win, I had to sever Ogram’s flow to survive.

I gritted my teeth and gathered the aura that was dissipating so futilely. The rotation of the ring encircling my heart accelerated further with each passing moment.
Blood rushed to my heart and the world turned crimson, but I forced myself to focus and chanted the final incantation.

[Only by purifying my soul will the small sea within me open its path.]

As I felt the sensation that only I and Ogram existed in this world, the flow of energy contained within his fist began to reveal itself to my eyes.

‘Now I understand.’

The small sea within me is my Mental World.

Gyeokhaemu is a martial art that requires one to first know oneself before piercing through an opponent.

I planted a new blade named Gyeokhaemu in my Mental World and poured strength into my trembling grip.

“Huh?”

Toward Ogram, whose eyes widened in shock, I drove forward my fist—small yet unyielding and resolute.

Kuuuung!

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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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