The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 630
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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 630
The silhouette of the First Patriarch of Zigheart emerged above the melting remnants of golden flames.
The surroundings blurred as if I were peering into a deep well, yet the ancestor’s figure remained sharp and clear, as though outlined with precision.
I had seen it so often that his back had become familiar to me.
The ancestor was not fighting anyone. Without even drawing his sword, he was laughing and conversing with people who appeared to be his companions.
This was different from usual.
When I observed the First Patriarch’s memories, he was always fighting someone, his expression grave and rigid.
But now the ancestor wore a faint smile as he examined the hole beneath the Zelkova Tree that had summoned me to this world. It was vastly different from the memories I had seen before.
The forest is so bright too.
The First Layer when the ancestor was present looked different from now.
The terrain itself was still a forest, but it was as bright as midday, and no monsters were visible.
The ancestor created a rectangular hole and rose to his feet. As he walked through the forest issuing commands, mages and shamans began drawing geometric magical formations and shamanic circles on the golden ground.
Among the robed mages was a small-framed female mage I had seen in a memory from the cave where I obtained the Sea Spirit Flower.
After issuing instructions to everyone, the ancestor stood in the center of the forest and began drawing something unknown on the ground with his sword.
Was he inscribing a formation with his sword?
Since Zigheart swordsmen possessed Sword Realm Manifestation, it occurred to me that they could inscribe sword formations using mana just as mages and shamans do.
A subtle smile bloomed on the faces of the ancestor and those around him. It was a smile of anticipation, as if they expected something.
Uuuuuung!
As I quietly observed the ancestor’s sword formation, my heart suddenly pounded with great force.
Eight rings of fire naturally resonated, and the formation the ancestor had drawn began to engrave itself into my mind.
The flame sword formation that extended from the Zigheart Ancestor’s blade transmitted its scorching heat not only across the battlefield but also deep within my mental world.
The moment the Zigheart Ancestor completed the barrier and lifted his sword from the ground, golden flames blazed before my eyes once more. It was time to return.
I furrowed my brow as the inferno’s tempest consumed my vision.
Even the ending was different.
In the memories I had witnessed before, the Zigheart Ancestor always gazed at me at the very end, but now he turned his back and walked toward his comrades.
It confirmed what I had initially suspected—this memory was indeed different from the previous ones.
I closed my eyes, recalling the sword formation the Zigheart Ancestor had drawn in my mind.
*
*
*
Raon opened his eyes calmly. No more flames rose from beneath the pure white hole.
-Where have you been gallivanting off to now!
Wrath’s eyes narrowed as if demanding to know what I had been doing.
-You leave your body unattended and wander about who knows where! What is the meaning of this!
‘I just went to meet the Zigheart Ancestor.’
-The Zigheart Ancestor? Is that old fool a tourist? Why do you seek him out wherever you go!
‘Maybe he has a wandering spirit.’
I waved my hand dismissively and cast my gaze into the white hole.
‘If the flame memory is accurate, this place was created by the First Patriarch of Zigheart and his comrades.’
Whether the Sword Master’s Tomb had claimed this land as his resting place, the one who first created this ground was the First Patriarch of Zigheart.
The warrior whom Listern said the Sword Master had revered appeared to be the Zigheart Ancestor.
‘However….’
Their timelines shouldn’t have overlapped.
I didn’t know exactly how long the First Patriarch of Zigheart had lived, but the Sword Master was born much later. I couldn’t fathom how their paths could have crossed.
“Why aren’t you going in?”
Burren approached from behind and tilted his head quizzically.
“We need to head back.”
“What? After coming all this way?”
Crain’s eyes widened as if questioning what I meant.
“There’s something I need to verify.”
I brushed the dirt from my hands and followed the ancestor’s memories toward the place where he had inscribed the barrier.
The forest remained dark, but the memories were so vivid that finding the location proved effortless.
‘The barrier isn’t visible.’
Even when I shone the torch, the barrier the ancestor had drawn with his sword had vanished without a trace. Though if it had remained, that would have been strange in itself.
I placed my hand on the ground and operated the Ring of Fire and Manhwagong simultaneously.
I drew pure flames and traced the exact form of the sword formation the ancestor had inscribed.
Uuuuuuung!
My heart resonated. My chest pounded just as it had when I witnessed the ancestor’s barrier. The ancestor’s sword formation still lived within this land.
‘However….’
It had changed.
The ancestor’s sword formation flowed differently than when he first inscribed it.
With so much time passed, the barrier could have faded or the mana flow could have become tangled, but this was different.
A completely different aura had seeped into the Zigheart Ancestor’s barrier.
‘Could it be the Sword Master…?’
No.
This couldn’t possibly be the Sword Master’s aura.
Only those who had lived as Shadow could recognize this malevolent energy—the damp mana I knew better than anyone else.
I lifted my hand from the blackened earth and bit my lip.
‘You again?’
Derus Robert.
*
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*
A space shrouded in gray mist.
A middle-aged man holding a teacup rimmed with gold leaf lifted a book with his left hand.
As he carefully opened the pages, a warrior in black night clothes emerged from the shadows.
“Master Delphos.”
The warrior in night clothes bowed urgently.
“A problem has arisen.”
“Compose yourself.”
The man called Delphos waved his hand lightly.
“Speak calmly, Sabi Commander.”
“Ah, yes.”
The Sabi Commander nodded and straightened his posture.
“What is the problem?”
“Most of the key figures have arrived at the Second Layer as planned. However, one group’s movements seem somewhat unusual.”
“One group?”
Delphos lowered his book slightly. He looked down at the Sabi Commander with eyes visible above the text.
“It’s… the Gwangpung Corps of Zigheart.”
The Sabi Commander couldn’t meet Delphos’s gaze and swallowed dryly.
“The Gonggeom Unit descended to the Second Layer, but they continue to remain on the First Layer.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. And…”
He bit his lip and continued speaking.
“Not a single one of them has sustained injuries.”
“Not just Raon Zigheart, but all of them?”
“Yes…”
“Does that make any sense?”
Delphos lowered his book and raised his gaze.
The first layer of the tomb was designed to drain stamina and aura while inflicting minor wounds.
With countless monsters and traps embedded throughout, the notion that no one had sustained injuries was unbelievable.
“I… I’m telling the truth.”
The Sabi Commander shook his head, his eyes trembling.
“To be precise, they did sustain injuries, but they healed them immediately, so it was meaningless.”
“Among the poisons, there should have been Bella’s Flower and Rempan’s Venom—how could they…?”
“They possessed antidotes to those poisons.”
“Surely you don’t mean they had Pellen and Roseren leaves?”
“They had quite a substantial quantity, enough to distribute to other wounded as well…”
“Nonsense!”
“I… I don’t want to believe it either, but it’s the truth.”
He bit his lip and bent at the waist.
“Sigh….”
Delphos reached out and grasped the teacup. It trembled roughly as if it might shatter.
“Still, fighting monsters in the darkness and evading traps will drain their stamina and aura considerably. Their mental fatigue has deepened as well, so if we apply more pressure on the Second Layer….”
“That’s….”
The Sabi Commander lifted his gaze, clicking his tongue.
“Those ones don’t seem to be tiring at all.”
“What do you mean by that….”
“The Gwangpung Corps went beyond merely confronting approaching monsters—they actively hunted them down and fought them. Some of those bastards were even laughing while they fought….”
He exhaled sharply, saying it was like watching a madman obsessed with battle.
“There are many forces stronger than them, but I’ve never witnessed such madness….”
“They hunted them down to fight? Are they truly insane?”
Delphos ran his hand through his hair, furrowing his brow.
Darkness, enhanced monsters, traps and pitfalls, and poison—all of them inflicted fatigue upon human psychology and stamina.
Even the supreme masters who shook the Continent would inevitably succumb to stress, yet they fought while enjoying themselves—it was utterly absurd.
Moreover, they should have been targeting the Sword Master’s Tomb’s legacy, yet they hunted monsters to fight. It made no sense. He wondered if they had contracted some form of madness.
“W-what should we do?”
The Sabi Commander clicked his tongue again, as if he too was overwhelmed.
“Send them to the ‘Crimson Zone’ on the Second Layer.”
“The Crimson Zone? Raon Zigheart should have strong resistance to flames….”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Delphos lifted his teacup again with composure, drawing a sinister smile.
“No matter how high his resistance to flames, his fire will be useless there.”
*
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Glen Zigheart stood in the Training Courtyard at the foot of Bekmang Mountain, where he had once sparred with Raon, gazing calmly at the serene sky drifting overhead.
“Head of House.”
Chad approached from behind Glen and bowed respectfully.
“We’ve picked up movement from the Gwangpung Corps.”
“Hmm, what are the children up to?”
Glen turned around with measured composure, his expression carefully composed as if he were acting out a role of indifference, yet his pupils trembled ever so slightly.
“After rescuing a village that was under attack by warriors seeking the tomb, they headed toward the Sword Master’s Tomb.”
Chad lowered his chin slightly while meeting Glen’s gaze.
“They rescued a village?”
“Yes. I initially thought they would head straight to the Gwimma Swordmaster who possesses the map to the Sword Master’s Tomb, but it appears they prioritized saving lives first. They even aided villages outside Zigheart Territory.”
A faint smile crossed his face as he bowed, as if pleased by Raon’s actions.
“As a result, the name of the Gwangpung Corps is being praised in the villages surrounding Zigheart.”
“My prediction was wrong. When Raon received that assignment, I naturally assumed he was targeting the Sword Master’s Tomb.”
Sheryl’s eyes widened as she looked at Chad.
“Young Master Raon is indeed after the Sword Master’s Tomb. However….”
Roen shook his head calmly.
“His assignment was reconnaissance of Zigheart Territory. He simply prioritized saving people according to his mission.”
He chuckled warmly, as if impressed by Raon’s conduct.
“The Sword Master’s Tomb, huh? Even I find myself tempted by it, yet you’re concerned with hierarchy there. Quite the intriguing fellow.”
Sheryl’s lips curled upward in admiration. Even as they conversed, both of them rolled their eyes to observe Glen.
“Ahem!”
Glen cleared his throat and half-turned his torso. His mouth stretched like a rubber band as he shook his head.
“Since I’ve been entrusted with a task, I should at least do that much. It’s nothing special.”
Despite his words, Glen’s face had already flushed crimson with excitement and satisfaction.
“Hehe.”
Sheryl and Roen couldn’t hide their smiles at Glen’s reaction, finding it amusing.
“Um, but….”
Chad slowly raised his hand.
“The power level of those who have entered the Sword Master’s Tomb has far exceeded normal parameters. Even after Raon entered, not just the Six Emperors Five Demons, but numerous masters from the previous generation have flooded in as well. I’m concerned whether everything will be alright.”
His brow furrowed with worry not only for Raon and the Gwangpung Corps, but also for the Gonggeom Unit.
“Indeed, there were a few names among them that I’ve heard before.”
Sheryl nodded in agreement with Chad’s words.
“Should I go check on them for a moment?”
“There’s no need.”
Glen shook his head firmly.
“But….”
“It will be dangerous. Whether it’s a trap or the Sword Master’s Tomb itself, it would be stranger if it weren’t dangerous. However, Raon went in knowing that such dangers existed.”
Until now, Raon had faced many perilous situations, but most had been sudden and unexpected.
This time, he had entered knowing full well the dangers that awaited him, so it was only right that he overcome the crisis through his own strength.
“I can’t always help. This time, I’ll just watch.”
Glen crossed his arms as if he had no intention of sending anyone. Yet his shoulders trembled visibly with worry.
“Understood.”
Roen and Sheryl nodded quietly at his words.
Meanwhile, Chad clenched his fists tightly within his sleeves.
‘An opportunity.’
A chance to earn points with my future lord!
*
*
*
I placed my hand on my left chest where the ring of fire rotated. Within my heart that pulsed with flames, joy and fury ignited simultaneously.
‘So it was a trap after all.’
Now it was certain. This place was not the Sword Master’s Tomb.
It may have been a space created by the Zigheart Ancestor initially, but Derus Robert had transformed it into a space with unknown purpose.
‘The purpose….’
I couldn’t fathom what Derus was after.
Since he was such a madman, I could make some predictions, but I couldn’t be certain of anything.
‘But no matter what happens….’
Things won’t go according to your plan.
If I had known nothing, it would be different. But if this tomb itself is part of Derus’s scheme, I absolutely cannot let it slide.
Whether or not the Sword Master’s Tomb contains relics, I’ll destroy his plans regardless of what happens here.
“Let’s head back.”
I gestured to the Gwangpung Corps standing behind me.
“Something seems different about you.”
Rimer approached from the side with a faint smile.
“Your face looks more excited than when we first came here.”
“Yes. I’m getting a bit more interested. But…”
I nodded and looked at Rimer.
“Why have you been so quiet lately?”
“Quiet?”
“You’re not participating at all and just watching from behind.”
“You’re the Organization Master.”
Rimer shrugged his shoulders.
“As the Deputy Organization Master, I’m simply following your orders.”
He laughed, saying he was just doing what needed to be done.
“That’s ridiculous!”
Martha shook her head.
“You’re just staying in the back because you’re lazy!”
“Ah, I’ve been caught?”
Rimer chuckled and scratched the back of his head.
I narrowed my eyes as I watched Rimer.
‘He’s different from usual.’
Rimer’s eyes revealed a serious gaze rather than one of jest.
Unlike Martha’s words, it seemed he trusted me as the Organization Master—not out of reluctance, but genuine faith.
‘This is a bit daunting.’
As not only the Gwangpung Corps but Rimer too showed unconditional trust, warmth began to return to my heart, which had been burning with vengeance.
His trust didn’t feel like a burden—it felt like belief.
‘Right. Now isn’t the time to lose myself.’
I steadied my mind and turned around, shaking my head as I pointed to the gleaming Second Layer entrance beneath the Zelkova Tree.
“I don’t know what lies below this.”
As I spoke, I erected a thick barrier to prevent sound from escaping.
“From now on, treat this place not as the Sword Master’s Tomb, but as enemy territory. Be wary of everything that approaches. Even if it’s from the Gwangpung Corps itself.”
Thanks to Rimer, I found the courage to lead everyone properly. I spoke the words I had been thinking aloud.
“What do you mean….”
Burren furrowed his brow, unable to comprehend.
“Understood.”
“Yes.”
Martha and Lunan asked no questions. They nodded simultaneously, as if saying they would follow no matter what.
“It’s too complex to explain. If I had to sum it up, this place isn’t a tomb—it’s a location corrupted by external forces. It’s best to think of it as a dungeon filled with malice.”
I offered a brief explanation and turned around once more.
“Remember my words and follow me.”
I steadied my breathing and threw myself into the white void.
Whoooooosh!
Just as when I first entered the tomb, my body became weightless, and I fell through an endless void.
The only difference from before was that my surroundings were bright instead of dark.
How much time had passed? I felt my feet touch solid ground. Unlike the first layer, it was hard and unyielding—the sensation of stepping on massive stone or metal.
The first sight that greeted me upon opening my eyes was a churning sea of lava, surging and bubbling upward.
A blood-red wind laden with embers and a suffocating heat filled the air with shimmering mirages.
A lava field. A scorching wasteland where the heat was so intense it stole one’s breath away.
“What… what is this!”
Burren Zigheart scanned his surroundings, his brow furrowed.
“We just crossed a dark forest, and now there’s lava?”
He shook his head in disbelief.
“Well, at least it’s bright. That’s something.”
Martha wiped the sweat streaming down her forehead and gritted her teeth, her words contradicting her actions.
“Ugh…”
Lunan Slion’s face grew haggard as she stuck out her tongue.
“I hate the heat…”
She created ice using her cold aura and pressed it against her cheeks, but the round chunks melted almost instantly into lukewarm water.
“L-lava?”
“Why is there a volcano underground in the first place?”
“I can’t make sense of any of this.”
“This is exhausting already. What exactly is the Sword Master’s Tomb trying to do!”
The martial artists who had entered before the Gwangpung Corps and those who followed behind them also stood speechless, their mouths agape at the sight of the lava field.
“First, we assess the terrain and move carefully. Rather than searching for a path downward, let’s find a route where we can move safely through this place…”
I was about to explain our purpose to the Gwangpung Corps when it happened.
Ku-ku-ku-ku-ku-ku!
The vast lava pit, wide as a lake, trembled as if struck by an earthquake before erupting in a massive explosion.
Pwoooooosh!
Rising above the lava that surged like a tidal wave came magnificent wings—as if torn from one side of the World Tree itself.
From the center of those endless wings, azure eyes blazed with brilliant light, and a golden beak wreathed in flames unleashed a roar so majestic it seemed to constrict the very chest.
A Phoenix. The divine creature said to live eternally within flames, the sacred being swept away the waves of lava and revealed its colossal presence.
“Ah….”
Everyone present gasped in horror at the Phoenix’s flames—flames that could even melt lava itself.
“A-a Phoenix!”
“And not just any ordinary one….”
“That’s dragon-class!”
“R-run!”
Both those who had arrived first and those who lagged behind retreated in terror.
“Eh….”
“A Phoenix? Not a Red Dragon?”
“This is insane….”
“How are we supposed to defeat that….”
Even the Gwangpung Unit trembled with parted lips, their composure shattered.
Yet only one person.
I gazed at the Phoenix spewing crimson flames in its fury, and my lips curved upward into a smile.
‘I’ve been searching everywhere, and it was here all along.’
My scorching prey.
As I was savoring the taste, Wrath suddenly leaped up.
-Phoenix! So you’ve finally discovered true flavor!
‘….’
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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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