The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 760

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 760
I followed Glen Zigheart toward the training courtyard at the entrance of Bekmang Mountain.
‘I can’t believe I’m coming back here less than an hour later….’
A wry smile escaped me as I thought of the place just a bit higher up where I’d been swimming in bears and honey.
‘But….’
I narrowed my eyes while watching Glen’s back as he calmly surveyed the night sky.
‘Why did the Head of House come here?’
After his sparring match with Karun ended, Glen Zigheart had given half of the gold coins earned from this mission to the Gwangpung Corps.
The match had gone well, so there were no additional rewards to receive—I couldn’t fathom why he’d called me here.
-They were handing out food all over the place today….
Wrath scrutinized Glen from head to toe with obvious suspicion.
-Don’t tell me that old geezer is trying to feed me nadin bread?
He shook his head vigorously, insisting I absolutely must not eat it even if offered.
‘Oh! You’re a genius?’
-Ahem! The True Demon King has long been known as the finest intellect and strategist in the Demon Realm….
‘That’s impressive.’
-You haven’t even heard the rest of what I was saying….
‘Wow.’
As I ignored Wrath’s rambling, Glen turned to face me.
“Raon.”
Glen’s gaze was different from usual. Within his crimson eyes, warmth like that of a hearth seemed to bloom.
“Yes, Head of House.”
I met Glen Zigheart’s eyes before bowing my head.
“Well….”
“Yes?”
“Never mind.”
Glen Zigheart smacked his lips briefly and shook his head.
“Karun has truly changed so much.”
He lifted his chin while clasping his hands behind his back.
“The old Karun would never have acknowledged his shortcomings, yet I never imagined he would reveal his own mistakes in front of so many people.”
Glen Zigheart exhaled softly, still seeming surprised.
-I acknowledge it too!
Wrath raised his round hand triumphantly.
-I never imagined the captain would change so much!
He smacked his lips at length, as if witnessing a new side of the human.
“Karun’s transformation must be entirely thanks to you. I’m grateful.”
Glen Zigheart drew a subtle smile, genuinely pleased by Karun’s change.
“That’s not so.”
I shook my head calmly, believing that Karun’s transformation was something he had achieved through his own efforts.
“Did you gain any enlightenment from your sparring match with Karun?”
Glen Zigheart unfurled his clasped hands as he asked.
“I did not.”
I exhaled softly. I had felt Karun’s emotions and power, but I hadn’t grasped the thread that could lead me to transcendence.
“Then did you feel anything watching Karun?”
“The Organization Master seemed to have converted everything—his sins, his regrets, his yearning for the Head of House, and his affection for Zigheart—into pure martial force.”
I spoke of all the emotions and intentions I had felt while observing Karun’s blade.
“You saw it correctly. It was worthwhile to permit the sparring match.”
Glen Zigheart raised his eyebrows slightly, as if pleased.
“Transcendence is not merely a realm where one divides martial force. It is like a diary that records who you are, where you came from, and where you are going.”
He explained the concept of transcendence in a calm tone.
“A diary….”
I repeated the word “diary” that Glen Zigheart had mentioned.
“The moment Karun ascended to transcendence, he gained such martial force because he inscribed so much within that diary.”
Glen Zigheart’s hand fell heavily, as if tracing Karun’s Sword Realm.
“If Karun had not truly repented and had reached transcendence, the blade you faced today would not have existed.”
“Ah….”
“What do you wish to inscribe as you ascend to transcendence?”
He lowered his chin, inviting me to speak freely.
“There are so many things I wish to carry with me that I have not yet decided.”
I exhaled deeply. There was nothing that clearly drew me, so I could not make any decision.
“Then why not carry everything?”
Glen Zigheart shrugged slightly, as if wondering what the concern was.
“Pardon…?”
“I have told you before—your vessel is unparalleled even compared to mine or Lectar’s. Why would one destined to achieve true mastery of ten thousand swords concern himself with such trivial matters?”
He smiled faintly and adjusted the hilt of the Heavenly Sword.
“Your diary is wider than anyone else’s. You will be able to inscribe everything you desire.”
Glen Zigheart spoke of carrying all emotions and intentions, his smile deepening.
“Everything….”
I looked down at my hands and bit my lip.
‘Is that truly possible?’
Most martial artists shed their shells and choose their path forward, but the thought of carrying everything felt excessive.
‘Wrath, mastery of ten thousand swords, vengeance, family, comrades, friends, past lives….’
Countless fragments of emotions and intentions swirled in my mind. Even if my vessel were vast, I could not be certain I could carry all of them.
“If your thoughts are not yet clear….”
Glen Zigheart slowly lowered his hand.
“Why not visit the root of the swordsman?”
He tilted his chin toward the Heavenly Sword hanging at my waist.
“The root….”
I narrowed my eyes as I gazed at the Heavenly Sword, its blade slightly cracked.
“Since ‘he’ has returned as well, make time to visit him.”
“Understood.”
I bowed deeply to Glen Zigheart, who had offered such sincere counsel.
“That’s enough. The help you’ve given me is far greater.”
Glen Zigheart waved his hand, dismissing the need for formalities.
“Head of House.”
I released my grip on the Heavenly Sword and approached Glen Zigheart.
“There is something I must tell you as well.”
“Go ahead.”
“This is information that came in recently….”
I relayed to Glen Zigheart the intelligence I had heard from Merlin.
“We already knew that Oma was making moves to build military strength. Since we’re gathering intelligence, things will get busy soon.”
Glen Zigheart nodded, saying that the Gwangpung Corps would need to mobilize as well.
“However, this is the first I’m hearing that the Sword Ghost has become the Holy Sword Union Master.”
His brow furrowed deeply.
“Did you hear that news from your friend as well?”
“Ah….”
Glen Zigheart had used the word “friend,” seemingly referring to Wrath.
“No. This time it was a different friend.”
“It’s good to have many friends.”
He smiled faintly, as if it were not a bad thing.
“Hmm….”
I had called her a friend, but my relationship with Merlin hadn’t been properly defined yet, so I had nothing more to say.
“I’ll need to verify it, but thank you for the valuable information.”
Glen Zigheart waved his hand, signaling me to leave now.
“Yes, then.”
I bowed to Glen Zigheart and returned to the Annex Building.
“….”
Glen Zigheart remained alone, gazing at the night sky that rippled like black curtains.
‘Lectar….’
Lectar had appeared when Raon went missing and confronted him about what he had done.
That demeanor was neither that of a puppet following the Holy Sword Union Master’s orders, nor that of a madman obsessed with swords who couldn’t feel others’ pain.
Rather, he had seemed like someone extremely close to Raon—like a blood relative.
Glen Zigheart bit his lip thinly as he recalled the desperate light in Lectar’s eyes.
“Could it be that you….”
*
*

*
Sylvia finished her breakfast and immediately headed to the Training Ground that had been constructed in the expanded Annex Building.
She drew her sword, breathing in the warm morning air.
Whoooosh!
Brilliant light flickered across Sylvia’s blade—the radiant energy of Hwigwangryu that Raon had imparted to her.
She refined her swordplay, drawing forth the luminous power with each technique.
Only when the newly risen sun reached the zenith of the sky did Sylvia lower her sword.
Yet it was not for rest.
Recalling the movements of Togui and the White Ghost Sword Master that she had heard from Raon yesterday, she unleashed a series of rough yet brilliant transformations through her blade.
Screeeech!
The azure-tinged blade exhaled a deep radiance, spreading outward in all directions like rays of sunlight.
Crash!
True to its name, Hwigwangryu swept across like light itself annihilating all in its path.
Screeeech.
Sylvia’s hands trembled as she finally lowered her sword after exhausting her stamina and aura completely, collapsing where she stood.
“My lady.”
Helen handed Sylvia water and chocolate, exhaling a sigh.
“Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?”
“It’s necessary effort.”
Sylvia shook her head and drank the water in one gulp.
“I never want to lose family again.”
Raon had become a son she could be proud of, her relationship with her father was slowly recovering as she rose through the Main Lineage, and the swordsmen now regarded her with respect.
All the dreams she had wished for had come true, yet the nightmares that visited every other night refused to fade.
The maniacal laughter of the Twin-Headed Demon, Edgar and Shia collapsing before it, and herself being dragged into darkness without being able to do anything—the nightmare she had repeated for over twenty years still tormented her.
‘I cannot endure such suffering again.’
I must protect Raon and the children of the Annex Building.
Because I know the sorrow of losing family, if such a thing were to happen again, I would stake my own life to save them all.
Sylvia swore an oath upon her very soul and slowly lifted her gaze.
“Thank you, Helen.”
She placed the chocolate Helen had given her into her mouth and rose to her feet.
‘I cannot stop.’
Perhaps because she had broken through the Grand Master’s wall so easily, she had barely grown since then.
Now was not the time for complacency—it was the time to devote all her strength to increasing her power.
Sylvia grasped her sword once more, summoning a light that was both solemn and warm.
*
*

*
Despite receiving leave, I didn’t train and instead headed toward Southern Zigheart.
-Where are you going?
Wrath let out a long yawn and tilted his chin.
‘There’s a place I haven’t visited in a while.’
-A while? Wait, don’t tell me you….
Wrath’s eyes widened as he thrust his face toward me.
-Are you going to buy the True Demon King some bead ice cream? With a new flavor too….
‘No, that’s not it.’
-Ugh….
He smacked his lips regretfully.
-You could at least stop by for a moment….
‘No. We’re not going.’
-Tsk, then what is this place. I feel like I’ve seen it before… hm?
Wrath’s eyes widened as he observed the small village with chimneys belching thick smoke.
-Isn’t this where your sword was made?
‘That’s right. You remember.’
I nodded and entered the village.
‘A village of blacksmiths hammering metal day and night. Mirtan Village.’
The “one” Glen told me to visit yesterday was Continental Master Craftsmen Balkan.
I made time to visit and have the Heavenly Sword maintained as well.
-This place is terribly boring.
Wrath muttered disinterestedly and retreated into the ice flower bracelet.
‘All his interest is in bead ice cream.’
I tapped the bracelet and entered Mirtan Village.
The roar of the furnaces, the clang of metal, and the shouts of craftsmen filled the air, and I felt my own vitality stirring.
As I slowly looked around and climbed toward Balkan’s smithy, I spotted a familiar back of a head.
“Dorian?”
“Huh? Organization Master!”
It was indeed Dorian. He broke off his dealings with a craftsman and hurried over with a grin.
“What brings you here?”
“What are you doing here?”
“I was gathering essentials!”
Dorian laughed, saying he’d come to replenish weapons and iron used in the war. His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep.
“Don’t tell me you’ve been….”
“Yes. I’ve been continuously purchasing essentials. I even got fresh fish and meat at the dawn market!”
He pulled fresh meat and fish from his pouch and laughed heartily.
“You could take your time gathering them….”
“If I take my time, I won’t be able to gather all the essentials!”
Dorian let out a roar-like cry and stamped his feet.
“Huh…?”
“Just like a graceful swan gliding on water must paddle frantically beneath the surface, proper supplies require constant, tireless effort!”
He furrowed his brow and lifted his chin sharply.
“Do you understand?”
“Ah, yes….”
Raon stumbled backward in alarm.
“I still have essential items to gather. See you later!”
The moment Dorian collected his items from the blacksmith, he departed Mirtan Village.
“Hah….”
Raon watched Dorian disappear rapidly, letting out a hollow laugh.
He looked exhausted to an excessive degree, yet somehow profoundly content.
-The True Demon King said it, didn’t he? Your wallet is a deviant….
Wrath shook his head, lamenting that I was surrounded by nothing but peculiar individuals.
‘Perhaps he’s right….’
I exhaled deeply and climbed to the summit of Mirtan Village.
Clang!
From the rounded Smithy came the sound of hammer strikes and heat unlike anything I’d heard before.
‘Still the same.’
I smiled faintly and knocked on the Smithy door.
“I’m not taking customers!”
Balkan’s gruff voice echoed from within the Smithy.
Boom!
Before Balkan could finish speaking, I pushed open the Smithy door and stepped inside.
“Don’t tell me you’ve retired again?”
“Hm…?”
Balkan slowly turned around. His jaw dropped as he revealed muscles even larger and more defined than before.
“Raon!”
Balkan sprang to his feet and pulled me into an embrace.
“It’s been a long time.”
“Indeed. A very long time!”
He laughed heartily, asking why I’d taken so long to visit.
“Your exploits have reached my ears so often from others that I’ve grown weary of hearing them.”
Balkan patted my shoulder firmly with evident pride.
“It’s all thanks to your blade, Master.”
I smiled, touching the hilt of the Heavenly Sword.
“Your flattery has certainly improved, even if your skill hasn’t!”
Balkan snorted and shook his head.
“You didn’t come just to see my face, so bring out your sword.”
He gestured, offering to examine the Heavenly Sword.
“Understood.”
I lowered my head carefully and drew the Heavenly Sword.
“Hmm….”
Balkan examined the Heavenly Sword, his eyes narrowing as he inspected it closely.
“You’ve maintained it reasonably well, but the blade is damaged. It seems your battles have been quite fierce.”
Through the Heavenly Sword, he appeared to be reflecting on the time I had spent fighting, and he let out a sigh.
“I apologize.”
“Apologize for what? A blade that’s worn means it’s fulfilling its purpose faithfully. There’s nothing for its master to be sorry about.”
Balkan shook his head firmly, saying I only needed to show the bearing of a true Zigheart swordsman.
“I was planning to call you anyway, so your timing is perfect.”
He set down the Heavenly Sword and walked toward the corner of the Smithy.
“Yes?”
I blinked, watching Balkan’s back as he moved away.
“Some truly excellent materials have just arrived.”
Balkan pulled out golden sand and red and blue metal spheres from an old box, twisting his mouth into a grin.
“I’ll forge your blade to be even sharper and more resilient!”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————