The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 76

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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 76

Ogre.

A monster renowned as the tyrant of forests and mountains, blessed with formidable strength, agility, and intelligence alike.

Its ferocity was unmatched among monsters, and it was not uncommon for it to turn on the mages who attempted to tame it, slaughtering them instead.

Eden, which wielded the power of monsters, naturally possessed a creature that inherited the ogre’s characteristics.

Gwahyeolgwi.
A name meaning “blood-crazed specter” suited the ogre’s ferocity and madness far too perfectly.

“…Gwahyeolgwi?”

I bit my lip. I felt the blood trickling from it brush against my jaw.

“For a mere sapling of Zigheart to recognize this helmet at a glance—your eye for detail is exceptional.”

Gwahyeolgwi grasped the helmet he had been twirling carelessly in his palm.

“And you cannot accurately gauge my power either. So it was you who cut down Green Warrior?”
“….”

I could not answer, my hands trembling. Gwahyeolgwi’s power was beyond what I could handle now—beyond what all of us combined could manage.

“Why are you here…?”
“Because I was the one who assigned the task to Green Warrior. I never imagined it would go so poorly.”

Gwahyeolgwi rose with a chilling laugh. His towering frame loomed like an iron tower rising above the palisade.

“That cloth. It’s called Darque. It has a special property that conceals the aura within. You were fortunate, old man. Had it not been wrapped in that, this village would have been reduced to ash from the very beginning.”

Gwahyeolgwi explained the cloth wrapping the Goblin King’s mana stone with surprising courtesy.

“Well, thanks to that, my turn has finally come.”

He placed an ogre’s helmet—as large as a cauldron lid—upon his head.

It naturally didn’t fit, but as he channeled his aura through it, the helmet emitted a peculiar resonance.

Whirrrr!

With a sound like something grinding within, the helmet began to shrink, molding itself to fit Gwahyeolgwi’s head perfectly.

Whoooosh!

Molten green metal cascaded from the helmet, engulfing Gwahyeolgwi’s body. An ogre’s armor, its musculature as massive as boulders, began to take shape.

‘Not a single opening.’

I bit my lip. I wanted to attack, but Gwahyeolgwi presented no opening whatsoever.

Crackle, crackle, crackle!

When a mad, gleaming light erupted from the helmet’s hollow eyes, I suddenly couldn’t breathe.

—Raon Zigheart.

Just as I barely held on, Wrath surged forth from the bracelet. His voice was heavy, like lead.

—Let me speak plainly. You have two choices before you now.
‘Two choices?’
—Die by that creature’s hand, or surrender your body to me.

Wrath’s voice was grave, as if speaking only truth.

—Those are the only two paths available to you.

*

*

*

Burren Zigheart was inspecting the palisade that he and the trainees had constructed once more.

‘Not bad.’

Using the methods the instructors had taught me, I constructed the palisade, and despite completing it in a short time, its durability was quite respectable.

It seemed it would withstand attacks from orcs or goblins without difficulty.

Most of the materials came from Dorian’s pocket. It was helpful, but I couldn’t fathom why he carried such things around.

“Burren. Raon disappeared with the Village Chief—will that be alright?”

A Branch Family member standing directly behind approached Burren and whispered.

“And?”

Burren turned around and questioned him.

“Well, if he takes some treasure or something the Village Chief gives him….”
“It’s meaningless.”

He chuckled and shook his head.

“Don’t you all understand? If it weren’t for Raon, not just we, but this entire village would be drenched in blood. Whatever he receives, whatever he learns—we have no say in it. And….”

The sincerity in his voice silenced all the Branch Family members.

“We all bear the name of Zigheart. Internal competition to grow stronger is one thing, but outside, there’s no need to quarrel or harbor envy. You’ve all grasped that much, haven’t you?”
“Well, that’s….”
“Yes, sir.”

The Branch Family trainees nodded in agreement.

‘He’s right.’

Through the battle with Green Warrior, the trainees had been deeply impressed by Raon. Honestly, I no longer felt any envy or jealousy.

“Those maggots finally came to their senses.”
“Martha?”

At the contemptuous voice, Burren looked up. Martha was swinging her legs from a tree branch beside the palisade.

“Why are you here?”
“I wanted to check if you all built the palisade properly.”
“So, how is the palisade’s condition?”
“Not bad for a bunch of incompetent fools. At least they’re not completely brainless.”
“If you’ve confirmed it, disappear. We’ll finish up here.”
“There’s only one person who can give me orders.”

Martha let out a scoff and descended from the tree. As she moved toward Burren Zigheart, a rustling sound came from the undergrowth ahead.

“Who’s there!”
“Come out!”

As Burren Zigheart and Martha lowered their stances, a girl with silver hair suddenly burst from the bushes.

“Lunan Slion?”
“What are you doing here?”
“Fruit.”

Lunan Slion held up the basket she was carrying. It was filled with golden apples, perfectly ripe and gleaming yellow.

“Why are you picking them here?”
“For Raon.”
“The villagers already picked some.”
“These are fresher.”

Lunan Slion answered in a dazed voice, matter-of-factly.

“Anyone seeing this would think you two were already married.”

Martha’s eyes turned cold as she smirked, but Lunan Slion showed little reaction and simply gathered her basket.

“I’m going.”

Just as she was about to leave—

BOOM!

A tremendous roar erupted from the Village Outskirts, as if the very earth itself were twisting.

“What, what is this?!”
“What in the world…?”
“That direction…!”

Burren Zigheart, Lunan Slion, and Martha—who had been crouched with their heads covered—snapped their eyes open.

“Raon.”
“It’s the direction Raon and the Village Chief went!”

Lunan Slion and Martha moved first.

“This is an emergency! You all grab weapons and bring the other trainees here!”
“Yes!”

Burren Zigheart issued orders as he chased after the two.

Boom!

Just as everyone rushed toward where Raon was, a tremendous surge of power erupted once more, extending all the way to the center of the village.

Crash!

A golden-haired boy, clutching something in his arms, was hurled out from between the collapsing buildings.

“Huh?”
“Gasp!”

Lunan Slion and Martha’s jaws dropped as they watched the boy tumble across the ground.

“Raon?”
“R-Raon Zigheart!”

It was Raon. His expression was even more tense than when he’d faced the Green Warrior, his lips clenched tight.

“Lunan!”

Raon called out Lunan Slion’s name and hurled something he’d been cradling in his arms.

“Ugh.”

Lunan rushed forward and caught what Raon had thrown. It was the Village Chief, unconscious with blood streaming down his forehead.

“Lunan. Martha. Don’t come! Get out of here now!”

His expression was so urgent it seemed his breath might stop altogether.

“What are you….”

Martha moved toward Raon but stopped, turning her gaze westward.

Boom!

A savage footstep that seemed to make the earth itself scream split through the sand and dust hanging in the air.

A green giant approached, as if the Mountain itself had transformed into human form. The muscles of his arms and legs were as hard as compressed stone, and madness gleamed in his golden eyes.

“That’s….”
“An… an Ogre’s armor….”

Martha and Lunan’s thoughts froze at the aura of the man wearing the helmet and armor of an Ogre, called the King of Mountain and Forest.

“G-Gwahyeolgwi….”

The name of the man wearing the Ogre helmet spilled from Martha’s lips.

The air grew heavier at that name, reeking of blood.

“So there are cute little ones here too.”
“Ah….”

Madness seeped from Gwahyeolgwi’s helmet. Martha and Lunan’s legs trembled as if they would collapse at any moment.

“Raon! What is this time—gasp!”

Burren and the trainees, arriving late, flinched and froze. Their bodies had stiffened under Gwahyeolgwi’s overwhelming presence.

“For one bearing the name of Zigheart, your movements are rather slow.”
“Ah…”
“I….”

Gwahyeolgwi’s eyes flashed a sickly yellow. The oppressive killing intent radiating from the predator caused the trainees to clutch their chests and collapse to their knees.

“Snap out of it!”

Just as the trainees were about to crumble, my clear voice pierced through Gwahyeolgwi’s terror.

A resonant surge of power erupted outward.

As my steadied aura spread, light returned to the trainees’ dimmed eyes.

“If you stand there like idiots, we’re all dead! Burren! Direct the trainees to evacuate the villagers, and Martha and Lunan—fall back and prepare to harass it!”
“Got it.”
“Right….”
“Understood. I’ll be back soon!”

Burren clenched his teeth and bolted backward, while Lunan and Martha activated their auras and spread to either side.

“Think of its fists as death itself. Never meet it head-on—support me instead.”

I spoke quietly, my eyes never leaving Gwahyeolgwi.

Lunan and Martha nodded in unison.

“Rimer always said it, didn’t he? That we must transcend our limits.”

I clenched my teeth and continued.

“Now is that moment. Both mind and body must break through their boundaries.”
“Transcend your limits?”

Gwahyeolgwi grinned wickedly and squeezed his fists. Crimson aura surged upward, warping the air itself.

“Will that be enough?”

*

*

*

Ting!

I rotated the ring of fire to release the tension and adjusted my grip on the sword.

‘It was just one strike.’

Even though I had evaded Gwahyeolgwi’s fist strike, my skin had split open. Overwhelming power. A strength with no end in sight.

‘Even in my past life, this would be difficult….’

Assassination might be possible. But in a direct confrontation, I couldn’t muster the confidence that even my past life’s body could defeat this monster.

It was a truly hopeless situation, but I couldn’t retreat now. Somehow, I had to seize an opening and sever his neck.

‘But….’

I couldn’t see it.

The bottomless abyss, now in human form, showed not the slightest crack or flaw.

“You acted like you’d charge at any moment, yet you don’t come?”

Gwahyeolgwi tilted his chin and laughed wickedly.

“If you won’t come to me, then I’ll come to you!”

He crushed the earth beneath his feet as he kicked off. In an instant, my entire field of vision was consumed by Gwahyeolgwi. The speed was absurd.

Whoosh!

Gwahyeolgwi closed the distance at blinding speed, thrusting his fist forward. I brought my sword down against the boulder-sized fist aimed at my head.

Ten Strikes of the Myriad Flames.
Revolving Heaven.

Flames that tore through the air cascaded down from my sword toward Gwahyeolgwi’s fist.

“You’ve got some firepower, I’ll give you that!”

Gwahyeolgwi released an exhilarated cry, twisting his fist as crimson aura bloomed and collided directly with Hoecheon.

Boom!

The serpent of flame wreathing my blade was crushed and extinguished beneath Gwahyeolgwi’s overwhelming aura.

A sharp intake of breath.

My eyes widened in alarm. Gwahyeolgwi’s fist, having obliterated my sword strike, drove straight toward my heart.

A roar tore from my throat!

I twisted my blade desperately. Gwahyeolgwi’s fist slid along the flat of the sword, deflecting to the side.

Crash!

A terrifying sonic boom erupted as the buildings to my right crumbled into rubble.

I gasped for breath.

I retreated, breathing heavily. Even though I’d deflected the attack, my shoulder screamed as if it might dislocate.

That was far too close to death.

Cold sweat dripped down my forehead.

Had I failed to read the trajectory of his fist through the Ring of Flame, I would have burst like a tomato.

I glanced to the side.
Lunan Slion and Martha bit their lips, eyes wide with helpless concern.

Not yet.

I conveyed my intent through my gaze alone—this was the time to observe, not to act.

I had to endure Gwahyeolgwi’s assault long enough to reveal his patterns before they could intervene.

Only then would even a 1% chance of victory emerge.

Whoosh!

I summoned the Crimson Flame once more, the fire igniting from the blade’s edge and enveloping the entire sword in its embrace.

“That’s right. Flames that extinguish with a single punch are no fun at all!”

Gwahyeolgwi leaped like a bird and drove his fist downward.

I used the sixth form of the Soft Sword Technique to deflect the fist that fell like a meteor.

Crash!

The crimson aura that Gwahyeolgwi unleashed began to suppress the Crimson Flame once again.

“A powerful flame aura. I can understand why that foolish Green Warrior fell to you—your firepower is considerable. But it won’t work on me. Do you know why?”

Gwahyeolgwi smiled wickedly and thrust his fist forward.

“Of course I do.”

I dodged Gwahyeolgwi’s fist by a hair’s breadth and brought my blade down.

“It’s your nature.”
“You understand well. That’s right. You cannot cut me with flames.”

Gwahyeolgwi struck his palm downward with a chuckle. Though I barely evaded it, the shockwave burst blood from my cheek.

“An aura of flame is meaningless against one who has inherited the power of an Ogre!”

His words rang true.
Ogres are monsters with resistance to fire attributes—creatures that can destroy fortifications even after taking dozens of flaming arrows.

But the weapons I possessed were not limited to the Crimson Flame alone.

“Then I’ll simply use something else.”
“What?”

A chilling blue coldness surged within my crimson eyes.

A biting, frigid chill.
Over the white blade he gripped, an oceanic azure radiance surged upward.

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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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