The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 78

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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 78

I knew.

I knew that Gwahyeolgwi had reached the Master realm as a martial artist, that he possessed a natural affinity for fire, and that he had a vile temperament—one that toyed with and slaughtered his prey.

Because I knew everything, I had resolved to turn his own trap against him.

It was the only way to win. No—the only way to survive.

A deep, guttural roar erupted.

As Gwahyeolgwi revealed his true nature, the very weight of the air transformed.

It felt as though molten iron pressed down upon my entire body. I gritted my teeth and summoned forth every ounce of murderous intent from the assassin Raon.

A piercing shriek tore through the air.

As killing intent and madness collided in a clash of auras, Burren Zigheart, Lunan Slion, and Martha were hurled backward, their power vastly outmatched.

This too was according to plan.

But the most crucial part still remained.

After freeing the three from Gwahyeolgwi’s overwhelming force, I twisted my body with such violence that my spine nearly snapped.

Roooaaarrr!

A colossal fist wreathed in raw energy swept past my left shoulder.

Crunch!

Though it was merely a glancing blow, the bones in my left arm shattered.

“Ugh!”

I clenched my teeth so hard they nearly cracked. Drawing upon superhuman endurance to bear the agony, I raised my sword with my right arm.

Whoooosh!

I poured every ounce of energy and killing intent into the blade’s edge.

“You!”

I unleashed a frost-laden blade toward Gwahyeolgwi’s heart as his eyes widened in shock.

Myriad Harmony Technique—Pinnacle.

The sword strike of the Myriad Harmony Technique unraveled by the bitter cold, the silver blade turned azure as if an ice dragon soaring through the heavens had descended upon it.

Sizzzzle!

A piercing sound echoed through my ears as the blue blade cut through the ogre’s armor and drove deep within.

“Ugh….”

But my eyes did not brighten. They grew progressively darker, like a sunset-stained sky.

“Damn it….”

The sword’s point, sharp enough to pierce steel itself, had been stopped by Gwahyeolgwi’s hide and could penetrate no further.

“Hah, impressive.”

Gwahyeolgwi spoke with genuine admiration, the blade still lodged in his chest.

“I never dreamed you would turn my own trap against me. I nearly died. But…”

The blue-glowing blade embedded in his chest shattered with a sharp crack.

“Cough!”

I spat blood and was hurled backward.

“You were simply too weak. The gap between your strength and mine cannot be bridged by such a sneak attack.”

Gwahyeolgwi withdrew the blade from his chest as easily as pulling a stone from mud.

‘Blocked by muscle….’

I bit my blood-stained lips. The creature had reinforced its skin and muscles to deflect my blade.

It was a monstrous method befitting one who had reached the Master realm, where command over the physical body was absolute.

“Hah.”

I stepped back, my eyes finding Burren Zigheart, Lunan Slion, Martha, and the remaining trainees behind me.

“The plan is finished. Everyone, flee!”

“Raon?”

“You….”

“I can’t win.”

In this state, no strategy would grant me victory. With the plan in ruins, the battle was over. Only escape remained.

“By the authority of the senior trainee, I command you. Retreat with the villagers! The reinforcements from the house that Crain sought are coming. Run west!”

“Raon.”

“I too….”

“Burren Zigheart!”

I called out Burren Zigheart’s name, my lips trembling as I watched him struggle to rise.

“Is dying a dog’s death here right now the path of Zigheart you spoke of? If so, fight alongside me. If not, then do your duty!”

“I, I….”

At those words, Burren Zigheart bit his lip. His deliberation was long, but his decision was swift.

“Retreat. Everyone fall back! Focus on escaping!”

He tore at his lip and spun around, sprinting toward the village. The trainees’ eyes glistened with tears as they rushed after Burren Zigheart.

“Ah….”

In Lunan Slion’s violet eyes, I was caught—my broken arm clutched tight, blood spilling from my lips.

“Aaaaaargh!”

As I screamed and lunged toward Gwahyeolgwi, Martha struck Lunan Slion’s neck from behind.

With a dull thud, Lunan Slion lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.

“….”

Martha hoisted Lunan Slion onto her back and looked at me, her gaze asking if there was truly no hope left.

Boom!

I nodded, and she spun around, sprinting in the direction Burren Zigheart had gone.

“…Thank you.”

I let out a thin laugh. It was fortunate that there were creatures I could communicate with.

Crack!

Gwahyeolgwi tore the blade embedded in his chest clean out. Blood spilled, but it quickly stopped, and the wound began to heal. Such was the power of an ogre’s vitality and regenerative capacity.

‘Damn it.’

I bit my lip. The Bleeding Curse had landed, but it was useless now. Even if he were weakened by fifty percent instead of ten, I couldn’t win.

“Do you truly believe those insects can escape?”

Gwahyeolgwi crushed the blade in his hand like a biscuit.

“I’ve released ogres all around. They won’t last long before being torn apart alive. Or rather, before that….”

Gwahyeolgwi chuckled and looked down at me.

“Do you think you can endure? With that arm, with that stamina?”

“….”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I looked at Wrath on my arm, not at Gwahyeolgwi.

‘Wrath.’

-Now it’s finally my turn.

Wrath rose like wisps of smoke. His momentum far surpassed even Gwahyeolgwi, my master.

-As I said, your power alone cannot defeat him. Give me your body. I’ll freeze not just him, but this entire space.

‘Hah, you really do love to delude yourself.’

-What?

‘A deal.’

I coughed blood, my eyes blazing with determination.

-A deal?

‘You said before that you could make deals through your wrath. I’ll accept your wrath. Restore my body and aura to normal.’

-You….

Wrath erupted in a pillar of blue frost.

-You fool! Even if you recover, your power won’t be enough to defeat them! Recovery doesn’t guarantee victory!

‘That’s my problem to solve. Will you do it or not?’

-Tch….

Faced with my unwavering resolve, Wrath ground his teeth in frustration.

-…Fine. I’ll grant you 10 points of Wrath and completely restore your body. But you won’t accomplish anything.

‘Just give it to me and shut up.’

-Hmph!

A snorting sound emanated from Wrath, and his frigid aura began seeping into my body.

“Gasp!”

My teeth clenched against the agony of my skin being torn apart by the cold.

Crack-crunch!

My shattered arm and ribs snapped back into place of their own accord. The pain was even worse than when they broke, causing my lips to tremble uncontrollably.

“Haa….”

Tears fell unbidden. Across both my past and present lives, this ranked among the most excruciating torment I had ever endured.

“What are you?”

Gwahyeolgwi stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening as he watched my arm restore itself.

“Haa….”

I gasped for breath. Even the aura flowing back into my depleted core felt agonizing.

But true agony was far from over.

[According to your contract with Wrath, 10 Wrath points are generated.]

My lungs shriveled like dry kindling, and my heart clenched violently. A needle-like pain pierced through every cell of my body.

“Ughhhh….”

Beyond the agony itself was the sensation of my body and soul becoming misaligned. Something viscous and malevolent had taken root within me.

‘Still….’

Recovery was certain. My mental fortitude lay in ruins, but my body and aura had returned to their peak condition.

“This is incomprehensible.”

Gwahyeolgwi rolled his yellow eyes, brimming with confusion.

“You haven’t consumed ogre or troll blood. How do you possess such regenerative power? It defies understanding….”

“You could never comprehend it.”

The magnitude of this suffering.

“Hahhh….”

Exhaling scorching breath, I lifted the fallen trainee’s sword from the ground.

‘Wrath.’

-What is it, you insolent bastard.

‘I might die anyway. Want to make a bet with me?’

-A bet?

‘Yeah. I’m betting that monster dies.’

-You’re spouting madness again.

‘Why, scared?’

-Fine! As much as you want! I’ll wager that you surrender your body.

After hearing Wrath’s response, I leveled my sword at Gwahyeolgwi.

“Come then. I’ll entertain you until dawn breaks.”

*

*

*

“Huff! Huff!”

Martha ran with Lunan Slion on her back, following behind Burren Zigheart and the trainees.

Since everyone was running at full speed, they quickly caught up with the trainees and villagers who had been ahead.

“W-what on earth is happening?”

“We’ll be safe, won’t we?”

The villagers moved at a reasonably brisk pace, but to Martha, their speed was frustratingly sluggish.

It couldn’t be helped, yet irritation gnawed at her.

“Damn it, damn it….”

Burren Zigheart’s eyes wavered as his clenched fists trembled violently. He walked forward in a daze, seeing neither ahead nor around him.

“Ugh….”

“Raon….”

“Argh!”

Not just him—the other trainees’ eyes had glazed over as if their souls had departed.

“That man….”

In the space filled only with quiet curses and ragged breathing, Martha finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

“He stood alone before that colossal monster—for us and for these people.”

Her voice, brimming with despair and fury, made everyone turn to look at her.

“Even with my arm broken and ribs shattered, I’m still holding that monster back. So what are you all doing?”

“What?”

“You did nothing back there, and now you’re just standing around like idiots waiting to die!”

“That’s not it—Burren, you’re struggling too right now….”

“No!”

Burren Zigheart stepped forward in front of Martha, blocking the Branch Family members.

“He’s right. This isn’t the time for that. First squad, guard the front! Second and third squads, watch the left and right flanks respectively. Keep your aura active at all times and be ready to move instantly!”

At his rapid commands, the trainees who had been standing dazed sprang into action.

“Martha. You have the keenest senses, so cover our rear. Lunan, I’m leaving him with you.”

“Hmm.”

Martha frowned but nodded, handing the unconscious Lunan Slion over to a Branch Family trainee.

“We’re picking up the pace now! The family reinforcements should be on their way, so we need to move as fast as possible….”

“Wait.”

Martha cut off Burren Zigheart’s words and turned her head toward the densely forested right side. Burren and the others followed her gaze as if entranced.

Whoosh!

A strong wind swept through the forest with a sound that would normally pass unnoticed, yet Martha broke into a cold sweat and drew her blade.

“Everyone, fall back! Flee at once—!”

Before she could finish her words, the forest collapsed inward, and a verdant monstrosity towering over four meters erupted from the earth.

An Ogre.

The ferocious monster known as the tyrant of forests blazed with crimson eyes.

“Ah…”

Martha swallowed hard, her throat dry.

‘I didn’t account for this.’

Gwahyeolgwi possessed the strength of an Ogre and commanded them as his thralls. Of course an Ogre would be present here.

‘We… we can’t win…’

Under normal circumstances, perhaps. But now, even if everyone charged together, subduing the Ogre was impossible. The situation bordered on total annihilation.

“GRAAAAAAHHH!”

The Ogre unleashed a bestial roar and brought down a fist like a boulder.

“HYAAAAH!”

“Haah!”

Martha and Burren Zigheart rushed forward, raising their aura-infused blades in a coordinated strike.

“Grrr!”

The ogre caught sight of the aura blooming from their blades and deftly sidestepped.

Whoosh!

As their blades carved through empty air and momentum faltered, it charged forward again, extending its fist with devastating force.

Boom!

A violent surge of power erupted, sending Martha and Burren Zigheart stumbling backward, unable to maintain their footing.

“Ugh…”

“Gah!”

The two struggled to their feet, but their strength had been severely depleted.

“Damn… damn it…”

Martha bit her lip. To evade in that split second—this creature was far more than the legendary hunter and monster we’d heard tales of.

“Grrr.”

The ogre approached, licking the faint trickle of blood flowing down its hand. A crude sneer was etched across its face.

“You all go first! Martha and I will deal with this creature and catch up!”

Burren Zigheart gripped his trembling right wrist with his left hand and shouted. Now it was his turn.

“B-Burren!”

“Hurry!”

“Ugh….”

Dorian clenched his teeth and turned his head. But before he could move, another sound erupted.

CRASH!

A deafening roar that seemed to shatter the earth itself, and a colossal shadow fell from the left.

A second ogre blocked the trainees’ path forward.

“Ah….”

Martha’s eyes trembled violently.

‘So that was it.’

That was why Gwahyeolgwi had been smiling even as they fled. He had released ogres throughout the surrounding area beforehand.

“It’s… it’s all over.”

Someone’s despairing voice deepened the gloom that had settled over the group.

“Grrrrr!”

“Kraaaagh!”

Now, the only sounds that reached their ears were the hungry roars of the Ogre that had discovered prey and the frightened groans of humans.

“Do not retreat.”

Burren Zigheart wiped the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and raised his sword.

“Raon is still fighting! If we die here, we won’t be able to see the face of the one holding back Gwahyeolgwi alone!”

He roared with determination, drawing up his aura. A brilliant blue wind, strengthened by his unwavering resolve, swept through the air.

“For once, you’re saying something that makes sense.”

Martha chuckled and nodded, wrapping her sword with the aura of a Titan.

“We need to go help Raon.”

Lunan Slion, who had regained consciousness, raised his sword and unleashed a silvery frost.

Though the situation was desperate, darkness did not cloud the eyes of the three swordsmen.

“Grrrrr!”

“Kuaaaaargh!”

The two ogres, displeased by the unwavering resolve in their eyes, roared and pounded the earth beneath them.

In the instant before three swordsmen and two monsters collided—

Whoooosh!

A verdant wind erupted from the heart of the forest.

*

*

*

Boom!

A golden aura crushed and shattered the blue and crimson auras.

Whoosh!

I was sent flying backward through the billowing black smoke.

Screeeech!

Only by driving my sword into the ground could I finally come to a halt.

Hack!

I spat out blackened blood, my jaw trembling. The left arm I had mended was crushed once more, and my waist was torn to shreds.

The agony radiating through my entire body made it impossible to breathe properly.

“Parasitic wretch.”

Gwahyeolgwi approached, flexing fingers hard as flint. My skin split open from the increasingly massive aura emanating from him.

Boom!

He shattered the ground and came hurtling at me like a projectile.

Ugh!

I kicked off the earth and spun my body.

Whiiiish!

I evaded Gwahyeolgwi’s fist by a hair’s breadth and retreated backward.

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue. My left arm, completely shattered and swaying uselessly, was becoming a liability. If I’d been careless, I would have been caught and strangled on the spot.

Should I cut it off?

I considered severing my left arm for a moment. That way, I could hold out a little longer.

‘But…’

Why was I even doing this here?

My arm had been shattered twice, my side torn open, my muscles and skin screaming in agony.

I couldn’t fathom why I was fighting this monster here, enduring pain I’d never experienced even in my past life.

Fragments of memory flashed through my mind. From birth until now.

The words of the person I’d spent the most time with, the one who’d been most inconvenient to me, the one I owed the most apologies to—those words came back to me.

[I hope Raon becomes a true swordmaster of the old Zigheart.]

That’s right. Those exact words.

Sylvia’s words had bound me to this place.

In my past life, I would have fled without hesitation.

Burren, Lunan, Martha, and the trainees. No—I could have escaped this monster by throwing even the villagers as bait.

But Sylvia’s words.

The memories of the trainees I had spent time with kept me tethered to this place.

Lunan appears cold and dull, yet he is kinder than anyone. A child who endured suffering alone to protect his family from a psychotic brother.

Burren was timid at first, but like a child, he changed quickly and began running toward his own goals.

Martha is rough, but her willpower is exceptional and her convictions are unwavering. I’m not certain, but she yearns for her real mother.

The other trainees too showed themselves changing with each passing day, different from when they first arrived. It would be a lie to say I hadn’t grown attached.

‘They’ve changed so much.’

The way they looked at me had transformed so completely, and the way I looked at them had transformed as well.

That is why I remained here.

To save these youths who were becoming true Zigheart swordsmen, just as Sylvia said.

It was different from my past life, when I killed hundreds and participated in dozens of battlefields.

Now I fought this monster of my own will.

“Hah!”

A laugh escaped me.

A blade wielded not to take lives, but to save them. The irony felt strange.

“Laughter in such a moment. You’re not entirely sane either, are you?”

“I suppose not. I didn’t expect this of myself either.”

Raon nodded. As I steadied my stance, Wrath—who had been watching silently—rose with a twisted expression.

-Now I understand.

‘Understand what?’

-You intend to surrender your body to me.

‘….’

-You’ve been stalling for time. Until those young ones escape my range.

‘You have sharp instincts.’

-How utterly infuriating!

Wrath’s flames erupted like stars piercing the night sky. His fury was more vicious than ever before.

-Raon Zigheart. There are limits to disrespecting me. Did you truly believe you could kill this wretch and reclaim control of your body in that brief window before finding your companions?

‘I have no certainty. It’s merely a gamble.

I shook my head.

‘There’s only one way.’

There was no method to defeat Gwahyeolgwi now. Even if reinforcements arrived quickly, it would take hours.

The only path to survive this encounter, save everyone, and escape was to surrender my body to Wrath, have him capture this monster, and reclaim control before reaching the trainees.

-You have already accepted the King’s wrath. It will not be as it was before.

‘I have to try anyway.’

I couldn’t leave an enemy alive and die a dog’s death like this.

-Do not mistake this. Your mental fortitude and stamina are depleted. Your emotions are also inflamed. Let me show you.

Wrath gnashed his teeth and clung to my body.

“Gaaaahhh!”

I couldn’t suppress a scream. My skin darkened under a pain of entirely different magnitude than before.

“This… this is…”

-This is your current state. You could endure the King’s possession, but if you surrender your body willingly, you will never return.

“Gasp…”

My limbs trembled. Just as Wrath said, I had no confidence I could overcome the pain and shock from moments ago.

‘How then…?’

“So you’ve finally run into trouble yourself. Ah! I just thought of something amusing.”

Gwahyeolgwi rotated his massive fingers.

“I think it would be far more entertaining to kill your companions first. What expression will you wear when I pluck out each of their necks one by one?”

He chuckled wickedly and turned his body. His thighs bulged as if he were about to charge forward and cleave the earth itself.

‘I cannot allow that.’

The trainees would not survive even a single move from Gwahyeolgwi. It would be complete annihilation. Everything I’ve endured until now would become meaningless.

That much I could not bear.

“Stop.”

I gripped the fractured blade firmly. Clenching my teeth, I straightened my posture. I channeled the Ring of Fire and the Thousand Flower Technique to their limits, drawing forth my power.

“Look at me.”

I aimed the broken sword at Gwahyeolgwi. My hands trembled, but the blade’s point remained steady.

“My name is Raon Zigheart. I am the grandson of Glen Zigheart, the Northern Destruction King, and one day I shall become the greatest swordsman on the Continent.”

It mattered not whether Glen acknowledged me. It mattered not whether others accepted me.

“I am still alive. I cannot leave this place until my heart stops beating! You mad specter of Eden!”

The impact against the ground and the aura blazed fiercely, engulfing the blade in scorching flames.

“Ha!”

A glimmer of admiration flickered across Gwahyeolgwi’s yellow eyes.

“Such spirit at that age. Words alone cannot do it justice. Very well. A true warrior deserves no less respect.”

His aura erupted explosively. The muscles he had amplified to charge forward now redirected toward me.

“Whoooosh!”

I averted my gaze for a moment, but there was no way out.

‘What should I do?’

If I don’t surrender my body to Wrath, I’ll die at Gwahyeolgwi’s hands.

If I surrender my body to Wrath, the trainees will die, and I may never find my body again.

‘Damn it!’

To make matters worse, there was no solution.

Gwahyeolgwi closed the distance in an instant. My legs wouldn’t move—I had exhausted myself drawing up my aura and power.

“I will remember your name. Raon Zigheart.”

I couldn’t make a decision until that fist, hard as stone, began its descent.

‘Still!’

I can’t die like this. I have things left to do!

‘Wrath. I’m giving you my body….’

-So you’ve finally decided. This is where we part ways.

Wrath’s voice carried a thread of exhilaration and an emotion I couldn’t quite name.

‘I’m handing it over….’

I stopped mid-sentence, my eyes snapping wide open. That familiar, gentle yet refreshing scent of wind—the one I’d known countless times since I was twelve—brushed across the bridge of my nose.

-What are you doing! Decide now!

‘I won’t hand it over.’

-Damn it! Why now!

I brought my blade down, listening to Wrath’s cry of anguish. I even closed my eyes.

“Die!”

Gwahyeolgwi brought down his raised fist. The cascading wind pressure tore at my skin, but I didn’t open my eyes.

Whoosh.

There was no pain. I opened my eyes to the sound of a gentle breeze brushing past flower petals.

Fluttering crimson hair streamed down. A broad back wrapped in emerald wind came into view.

The thin blade he wielded perfectly blocked Gwahyeolgwi’s fist.

“You’re late.”

I grimaced as I looked at the man.

“My apologies. I overslept a bit.”

The red-haired swordsman. Rimer turned around. He smiled with a face covered in someone’s blood.

“Leave the rest to me.”

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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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