The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 732
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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 732
“Would you be willing to hear me out?”
I gazed at Derus Robert, my eyes gleaming with anticipation.
‘You’ll have no choice but to accept, of course.’
All of the Six Emperors had already adopted an air of willingness to grant my wish, and Derus himself had begun to speak of accepting my request. Since he had even mentioned the need to grow stronger, refusal simply wasn’t an option for him.
Since he had also said that he needed to build up his strength, refusing wasn’t even an option for him.
“Of course, if we fought properly, I wouldn’t stand a chance, so I’d appreciate it if you could hold back a bit.”
Raon continued speaking with a smile, as if he had already received permission.
“Please grant me the opportunity to witness the swordsmanship of the Robert Family, renowned for its profound mystery.”
He bowed respectfully with his hand placed over his heart.
“We’re actually going to see a duel between the Usurper and the Cheongeomseong!”
“I’m trembling already….”
“Just witnessing this duel will be a stroke of fortune!”
“Just watching this match is fate!”
The leaders of the Neutral Factions also seemed to have already tasted victory, as if the confrontation with Rion had already taken place.
“Oh, Father.”
Lepon looked at Derus Robert and clasped his hands together. His expression seemed to hope that he would spar with him too.
“If that’s the kind of wish…”
Derus Robert brushed back his hair with a subtle smile.
“Rather, I’m the one who would like to ask you a favor.”
He nodded and said he would naturally listen to it.
“Wow!”
Lepon shook his raised fist with anticipation.
“Then let’s start right away while we’re on the subject!”
Ogram pushed away from the round table and stood up as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
“The kids roughhoused and we’ve refurbished the Sparring Arena, so it should serve well for our first match.”
He urged everyone forward and left the Conference Hall first.
“I wish I had the opportunity as well.”
King Lecross smiled and followed Ogram, as if to say he’d be available if a sparring partner was needed.
“Gwangpung Corps Commander. Are you certain about this?”
Glen called Raon by his title and cast a measured gaze upon him.
“Yes. Even if I sustain some injuries, I don’t wish to miss this opportunity.”
I bowed respectfully as I expressed my gratitude.
“Since it’s your wish, I have no place to object.”
Glen nodded in approval and rose from his chair.
“Do not worry. No one will be injured.”
Derus Robert followed Glen out while waving his hand dismissively.
“Hey. Aren’t you coming?”
Chamber glanced at the Tower Master with a sidelong look.
“Count me out….”
The Tower Master waved his hand weakly, as if already exhausted.
“That’s ridiculous!”
Chamber furrowed her brow as she dragged the Tower Master out of the conference hall by his waist.
The height difference was so pronounced that it resembled a child pulling their mother along.
“We should go too!”
“Right. At this rate, we’ll miss all the good spots!”
“It’s already an honor to participate in the conference, but an opportunity like this!”
The leaders of the Neutral Factions rushed out of the conference hall without exception.
Raon was the last to leave the conference hall, his fingertips tensing as though honing a blade.
‘The first plan has succeeded.’
This sparring match was naturally my design. Thanks to Glen and the leaders of the Six Emperors delivering convincing performances, it went off without a hitch.
‘However…’
Derus Robert must have sensed that this was a plan.
That sharp-eyed serpent couldn’t possibly fail to grasp the situation. He clearly understood and accepted the sparring match anyway.
‘He must believe I cannot unearth his wounds.’
That arrogance—that composure he doesn’t even recognize as arrogance—would become the blade that pierces Derus’s heart.
Raon placed his hand on the hilt of the Heavenly Sword as he left the conference hall. His gaze darkened like the night itself.
‘This life will be different from before.’
*
*
*
Before beginning the sparring match, Derus stopped by his dormitory to remove his long robe.
“Derus Robert.”
Kubara accepted the long coat with a bow.
“Are you certain you’re comfortable?”
“I’m simply enjoying myself.”
Derus Robert laughed, his fingers interlaced.
“I was curious how they’d approach this, but a sparring match? Not a bad move.”
His lips twisted upward in amusement.
“Raon Zigheart is a monster who creates countless variables.”
Kubara’s expression remained unchanged as she lowered her voice.
“Our plans have crumbled more than once because of his actions and words. You must be cautious.”
“Of course I won’t be careless. However….”
Derus Robert rolled his neck side to side, pushing his lips upward.
“They have no way. The aura of death is sealed at the depths of my soul, and opening this scar on my hand is impossible.”
He chuckled softly, tapping the back of his gloved hand lightly.
“Since the outcome is already decided, the tension falls flat. Even the old men’s acting feels awkward.”
“However….”
“Of course, I won’t deny their merits.”
Derus Robert raised a finger.
“Since it’s difficult to suspect me outright, requesting a sparring match was certainly a clever approach.”
Raon and the Six Emperors had likely devised a plan to use the sparring situation to remove my gloves and expose the scar on my hand.
Even if they failed, they’d reasoned that the sparring match provided a convenient excuse, so there was no real loss.
‘But that’s only what you think.’
Crisis becomes opportunity. Moving contrary to Raon and the Six Emperors’ expectations, I devised a plan to tarnish their reputation and extract compensation.
‘This should be interesting.’
After removing my gloves with satisfaction, I imagined the expressions of Raon and the old men crumbling before the doppelgänger’s hide, and excitement already surged through me.
“Let’s go.”
Derus Robert rose from his chair, unable to contain himself any longer, and left the room.
“….”
Kubara said nothing more and quietly followed behind him.
*
*
*
Raon arrived at the Sparring Arena first and warmed up.
-Even if you died and were reborn, you couldn’t defeat him.
Wrath shook his head, saying it was like an elephant fighting an ant.
-Just leave it to the True Demon King!
He pounded his chest, declaring he would lock that bastard in an eternal glacier and torment him for life.
‘That wouldn’t be bad either, but this is my war. I can’t yield to anyone.’
I shook my head firmly.
‘And what matters in this fight isn’t martial skill.’
The match with Derus Robert wasn’t a duel of swordsmanship—it was psychological warfare.
Victory or defeat today would be determined by who had prepared more thoroughly and who understood their opponent better.
“Raon.”
Glen approached as I resonated the ring of fire, drawing my concentration to its peak.
“I still don’t like this plan.”
He shook his head, his voice lowered so others couldn’t hear.
“We could change course now. Let me finish this instead….”
“Then Derus Robert will never reveal his true identity, not even in death.”
I turned away, lowering my gaze.
“Only I can do this—because I’m no threat to him.”
I bowed slightly, asking for his trust.
“Fine. I understand. But….”
Glen returned to his original position, his eyes blazing with heat.
“If you’re in danger, I will intervene, no matter what.”
“Yes. I’m counting on you.”
Only when he heard those words did his rigid expression finally soften.
I turned back to survey the Sparring Arena, a smile crossing my face.
‘Not bad at all.’
With the Continent’s strongest swordmaster backing me, my fear dissolved.
It felt like I could accomplish anything.
-And the True Demon King is here too!
Wrath suddenly cried out, launching himself into the air.
-If danger comes, summon me forth!
He shook his arms with his ears perked up, as if refusing to lose.
‘Fine. Fine.’
I chuckled softly and patted Wrath’s head when Derus Robert entered the Training Ground.
He stepped directly onto the Sparring Arena without even bothering to warm up.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes. I’m prepared.”
I nodded and drew the Heavenly Sword.
“Then let’s begin.”
When Derus Robert extended his hand backward, Varian, the commander of the Sword Inspection Unit, handed him a blade shimmering with blue light.
“Are both of you ready?”
The Beast Alliance Master, who had been in the Conference Hall, had somehow made his way to the Sparring Arena and was now officiating.
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Derus Robert and I answered simultaneously, positioning our blades at the center.
“Then the match shall begin!”
The Beast Alliance Master brought his hand down sharply and descended from the Sparring Arena.
“I’ll grant you three moves.”
As a senior warrior, Derus Robert stepped back, allowing me to attack first for three moves.
“I won’t hold back!”
I kicked off the Sparring Arena without hesitation. Piercing through space itself, I thrust the Heavenly Sword forward.
The blade, glowing crimson hot, trembled sharply, then blossomed into hundreds of petals.
Manhwagong Heavenly Flame.
Flower Spirit.
More fragments of flame than before swirled around Derus Robert’s entire body as the ship surged forward at tremendous speed.
“A swordsmanship that conceals sharpness within elegance. Your execution speed is impressive too—few would handle it with ease. However….”
Derus exhaled admiringly and drew his blade downward.
A single sword strike, falling in silence, extinguished all the flower petals of the Flower Spirit that surrounded the space.
“Still insufficient. To seize a master in one breath, you must elevate both your speed and adaptability.”
He offered grave counsel as though conducting an instructional sparring match.
Zzzzzing!
I anticipated the Flower Spirit would be severed and stepped into the Taewhabo stance, driving toward Derus Robert’s back. The Thirty-Six Directional Thrust—Manhwagong’s secret technique that pierces all thirty-six directions in a single breath—shot forth like arrows.
“Exquisitely refined swordsmanship. Of course….”
Derus rotated his wrist. As his blade traced a semicircle, the sword strikes of the Thirty-Six Directional Thrust collapsed helplessly, as though iron fragments were clinging to a magnet.
“Your power and speed are still wanting.”
He laughed again, pointing out my shortcomings.
“Hah.”
I steadied my breathing and discreetly examined Derus Robert’s gloved hand.
Despite unleashing the Flower Spirit and the Thirty-Six Directional Thrust, not even the smallest mark had been etched upon his glove.
‘A new swordsmanship? He seems to have grown stronger.’
True to his reputation as a transcendent who did not yield even to Glen Zigheart, Derus Robert remained utterly unmoved before Manhwagong’s swordsmanship. It felt like staring at an absolute wall that could never be broken.
‘It doesn’t matter, though.’
My plan remained unshaken. The one who laughs at the end is the true victor.
Whoooosh!
I surged forward toward Derus, thrusting the Heavenly Sword that I’d drawn back in a wide arc.
A vortex of flames bloomed from the blade’s edge, painting the massive form of a fire dragon across the air.
Manhwagong Heavenly Flame.
Flame Dragon Technique.
The roar of the flame dragon—second to none in raw power—erupted into a colossal explosion before Derus’s eyes.
KABOOOOOM!
From the center of the Sparring Arena, crimson flames and acrid smoke billowed forth like a serpent’s tongue, endless and consuming.
Whoooosh.
Derus swept his blade through the air without a trace of impact, dispersing the smoke with a gust of wind.
Yet his leather gloves bore slight tears.
“Hmm.”
I swallowed hard, watching the torn gloves on Derus’s hands.
But my heart beat slowly, betraying no excitement whatsoever.
“A strike focused on raw power. I appreciate how you closed the distance and detonated it at close range. With a bit more refinement in precision, it will become a truly magnificent technique.”
Derus lowered his guard and stepped forward with his left foot.
“The warm-up is over. Shall we begin in earnest now?”
“By all means.”
I drove both the Heavenly Sword and the Soul Reaper Sword into the floor of the Sparring Arena.
“Sword Realm Incarnation—Divine Demon Harmony Technique.”
My final words twisted the world itself. Another sun rose in the sky, and opposite it, a silver moon ascended in full.
“Sword Realm Incarnation, is it….”
Derus licked his lips in anticipation, his pupils gleaming with vibrant excitement.
“You certainly know how to keep things interesting.”
“Indeed. This will be quite enjoyable.”
I surged forward toward Derus Robert, the Divine Sword and Demonic Sword gripped firmly in my hands.
*
*
*
The blades clashed with a resounding ring!
Derus parried my strike and twisted his lips into a grin.
‘Absurdly strong.’
I’d sensed it when he blocked my surprise attack, but Raon Zigheart’s martial prowess was genuine.
An absolute talent that even I couldn’t match. Searching through the entire history of the Continent, one wouldn’t find another human who’d reached such heights at his age.
‘Of course, talent means nothing in the end.’
It didn’t matter how strong Raon was or how exceptional his gifts might be.
He would never bloom—he would sink into the earth before that day came.
The blades sang as they met!
Raon’s sword flowed like sunlight scattering across water, its movements fluid and graceful. The flame-wreathed blade that had curved as if targeting my vital points suddenly sharpened, descending sharply toward the back of my hand.
‘So he’s targeting the back of my hand.’
I deflected Raon’s strike and twisted my lips upward.
From the beginning, he’d been subtly driving his blade toward my hand while feinting at my vital points.
The succession of elaborate sword techniques seemed designed to conceal his true intention of targeting my hand.
‘His performance wasn’t bad.’
But from the start, this was a battle you could never win.
As if hearing my own mockery, tremendous weight settled into Raon’s blade. A sword strike that seemed to contain the very heavens themselves—it appeared to be the Window to Heaven Sword that Glen had personally taught him.
‘This much is worth taking on.’
To witness the despair in Raon’s and the Six Emperors’ eyes, I deliberately allowed my leather gloves to be cut despite being capable of blocking the Window to Heaven Sword.
Screeeech!
The thick leather gloves split under Raon’s blade, and the back of my hand was revealed.
I could almost hear the sound of Glen, Ogram, Chamber, Lecross, and the Tower Master’s eyes rolling rapidly as they watched the sparring match.
“Those were my favorite gloves.”
Derus Robert suppressed his bursting laughter and instead extended the back of his hand forward.
Naturally, not a single scratch was visible on the back of his hand.
“Hmm….”
“As expected.”
“Sigh….”
The leaders of the Six Emperors let out silent groans, unable to perceive the doppelgänger’s skin.
‘That’s right. There’s no way they could know.’
A doppelgänger’s skin doesn’t move with mana. No matter how transcendent they were, it was impossible for them to detect its existence.
However, unlike the leaders of the Six Emperors who showed signs of disappointment, Raon’s eyes remained unchanged. His expression was as if he had already anticipated this much.
‘That’s right. You would have known.’
Derus Robert chuckled and nodded. Since you know me well, you would have certainly predicted this situation.
‘But….’
You won’t be able to detect this skin either.
The more Raon focused on the back of his hand, the more he sank into a bottomless marsh.
‘I can even see how he’ll move.’
Derus Robert was about to move again, a silent mockery playing at the corners of his mouth.
Whoooosh!
The crimson divine blade in Raon’s grip shot forward like a spear, obscuring his vision.
“Hmph!”
Derus Robert brought his sword down, deflecting the divine blade that rushed toward him. His eyes widened with apparent surprise.
Clang!
The moment the rebounding divine blade was about to embed itself in the ground, Raon burst forward and seized Derus Robert’s wrist.
“What is this?”
“You were too fast. This was the only method I had.”
Raon swung his demonic sword as if proposing close combat.
“Impulsive for one so young.”
Derus Robert opened his mouth in feigned surprise, yet within his chest, a rhythm of mockery bloomed.
‘Just as expected. He comes willingly.’
It was clear that Raon intended to use the aura that had carved a wound mark on my hand to reopen the injury.
In truth, it was the only method left to him.
‘His pupils are trembling.’
Whether from impatience, Raon’s pupils wavered like the surface of water struck by waves. It seemed he still hadn’t broken that habit.
Whoooosh!
Just as I anticipated, Raon began forcing a fiery aura into the wound on my hand to pry it open.
‘Your strength is insufficient for this.’
I condensed my aura between the doppelgänger’s skin and my true flesh, sealing off the very space through which his energy could penetrate.
“It seems you’re having difficulty.”
Derus Robert’s lips curled upward as he deployed an exceedingly subtle technique.
“At your level, such a thing is absolutely impossible.”
“There’s no such thing as impossible.”
Raon desperately poured more energy into Derus Robert’s hand.
“I said it won’t work.”
Derus Robert’s scorn deepened as he reinforced his defenses. His gaze, which had been guarding his entire body, now flowed solely to his hand.
Glen, the other transcendents, even Derus Robert himself—all focused exclusively on that hand.
But I saw beyond it.
Roooaaarrr!
Ignoring the solid defense guarding Derus Robert’s hand, I drew forth the colorless blade I had hidden within my heart.
Schiiiing!
The dimly burning blade pierced not his hand, but his deepest core.
Schiiiing!
The ring of fire illuminated the darkness, the emotion of wrath opened the path, and Aris Zigheart’s dimensional sword and Ogram’s devastating technique transmitted the power to pierce through Derus Robert’s soul.
“Wait….”
Derus Robert realized he’d been deceived and tried to withdraw his wrist, but it was already too late.
The blade that cleaves death did not miss its fleeting opportunity, and it split open the seal of death that lay sunken at the very depths of Derus Robert’s soul.
Craaaaaack!
A deafening roar split the heavens asunder, and Derus Robert’s transparent eyes darkened to pitch black.
The aura of death danced and blazed across his shoulders.
“…Vicious bastard! Was everything a deception?”
Derus Robert’s jaw trembled as he witnessed the death aura spiraling beyond his control.
“Not vicious….”
I twisted my lips into a smile as I faced the writhing death aura consuming Derus Robert’s entire body.
“Thorough. Derus Robert.”
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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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