The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 911
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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 911
Pulan Mountain, west of Montiro.
A silver orb lay buried between verdant valleys, with tendrils of black demonic energy coiling around it like serpents.
“….”
Burren Zigheart stood before the valley as if guarding the silver orb, his hand resting upon the hilt of his sword.
As he watched the demonic energy being absorbed into the orb, heavy footsteps echoed from below the mountain.
“That man….”
Burren Zigheart’s eyes narrowed as he observed the small-framed man ascending the valley.
‘The arena champion. Or rather, one of the five heroes.’
It was Roof, a martial artist and one of Montiro’s five heroes—the very warrior who had crushed his opponent in an instant and claimed victory when Raon had visited the arena to investigate.
“Was it you?”
Roof tilted his thick, log-like neck from side to side.
“Playing such petty tricks?”
He bore no resemblance to a hero—his demeanor was that of a ruffian, his gaze cold and piercing. He seemed to have already grasped the entire situation.
“Tricks? I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about. I simply came up the mountain to enjoy the scenery.”
Burren Zigheart shrugged his shoulders as if he knew nothing.
“Why not take your quarrels to the arena, hero?”
He waved his hand dismissively, telling the man to leave.
“Setting aside the orb embedded behind you….”
Roof let out a hollow laugh.
“You’re spewing killing intent at me while trying to destroy me, yet I can’t fathom what you’re after.”
He shook his head as if bewildered.
“Well, fine. Truth be told, I have no interest in magic circles anyway.”
Roof approached Burren Zigheart and shrugged his shoulders.
“Whether you belong to Zigheart or Owen matters not to me. There is but one thing I desire—to know whether your blade will satisfy my palate.”
He licked his lips slowly, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
“So, what say you? Can you cater to my refined taste?”
“If you don’t mind your tongue being severed while you sample, then come at me.”
Burren Zigheart drew his sword from his waist and tilted his chin forward.
“I’ve encountered many swordsmen who spoke such words to me before.”
Roof grinned thinly and donned leather gloves embossed with a black buffalo.
“And what of you?”
Wreathed in crimson aura, he vanished before my eyes.
Crash!
Roof reappeared beneath a boulder embedded in the Valley, throwing a punch toward Burren Zigheart’s waist with genuine disinterest in the orb.
Whoosh.
Burren Zigheart pivoted on his heel, reading every movement as if predestined, and drew his blade diagonally upward.
Clang!
Sword and fist collided, yet the impact erupted with a deafening roar as if metal were being crushed.
Roof’s hand remained unscathed, and the buffalo gloves he wore, clearly a formidable artifact, showed no signs of tearing.
Screech!
Burren Zigheart and Roof each retreated three paces, their eyes locked upon one another.
“Your reflexes are impressive.”
Roof smacked his lips briefly, acknowledging the sharpness of the exchange.
“Though your edge lacks bite. My hands remain unscathed.”
He gestured toward his unmarred hands and gloves with a slight nod of his chin.
“I was merely gauging your level.”
Burren shook his head calmly and summoned a surge of azure wind-infused aura.
“I hope that blade of yours proves more formidable.”
Roof’s lips curled into a wide grin as he rose onto the balls of his feet, his crimson aura thickening around him before he charged from the left.
“Don’t worry.”
Burren’s eyes gleamed with icy intensity as he drew the Frostwind Blade, its frigid aura descending toward Roof’s throat.
“You’ve grown faster.”
Roof exhaled a soft exclamation, driving his crimson-aura-wrapped fist toward Burren Zigheart’s blade.
Clang!
The second collision of blade and fist. Like before, both Burren Zigheart and Roof were driven back four paces, their weapons raised toward each other.
Drip. Drip.
Roof’s leather gloves tore open, crimson blood trickling from beneath. Burren Zigheart’s aura had pierced through the red barrier and carved into his skin.
“This one has some bite to it.”
Roof curled his lips as he observed the wound on his fist.
“Today’s meal won’t be bad at all.”
He nodded as though being wounded was actually a blessing.
“….”
Burren Zigheart smacked his lips and narrowed his eyes as he watched Roof.
‘He’s exactly as he was in the Arena.’
Roof had displayed his characteristic fighting style in the Arena as well—throwing his sturdy body forward and overwhelming opponents through sheer strength—and he seemed to employ the same approach in actual combat.
‘Stalling for time won’t be difficult.’
Roof was undoubtedly a formidable warrior, but if I fought defensively while accumulating damage, I could endure until the magical formation opened.
“Someone like you should be manageable.”
Roof rubbed the back of his neck and nodded.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I think I can use my true power.”
As he laughed and stomped his foot, black demonic energy began to blaze above his crimson aura.
“Demonic energy….”
Burren Zigheart bit his lip as he observed the black scales rising across Roof’s knuckles.
‘As expected.’
Raon and Father had predicted that the Demonic Beings who learned of the magical formation would openly use demonic energy, and that was precisely what was happening.
Roof unleashed an enormous torrent of demonic energy without concern for exposure.
“Don’t die a boring death.”
Roof crushed the thick earth beneath him as he charged forward. He no longer dodged to the side but threw his fist directly from the front.
“Hah.”
Burren Zigheart exhaled sharply as he watched Roof charge at him in a fraction of a second.
‘There’s no need to fight head-on.’
This land belonged to the Black Tower, and his opponent was a Demon wielding demonic energy. Engaging directly against an enemy with such an advantage would be foolish.
‘But….’
This time, I wanted to fight foolishly.
It wasn’t about pride. I refused to fight a retreating battle against the Black Tower’s filth—those who would exploit even a child like Lencia. I wanted to sever that monster’s neck with my own blade.
I wanted to cut off his head with my sword.
Ching!
Burren Zigheart stood his ground and drew the opening form of the Slashing Wind Sword toward Roof’s incoming fist.
Crash!
The third collision between blade and fist. The same deafening sound of metal shattering erupted, but this time the outcome was different.
Crack!
Burren Zigheart was driven back eight steps and dropped to one knee, while Roof remained motionless where he stood.
“Hmm….”
I narrowed my eyes as I gazed at my trembling hands.
‘The gap is this wide?’
I knew Roof would grow stronger, but I never expected him to suddenly leap from my level to Grand Master tier. The disparity was absurdly stark.
It was a difference so extreme it was almost laughable.
“You shouldn’t be so surprised.”
Roof chuckled thinly and brushed off his fist.
“This is just the beginning!”
He cried out that he wanted to play more, driving a fist like a cauldron lid into his own abdomen.
“Kuh.”
Burren Zigheart exhaled a turbid breath and unfurled the defensive form of the Saksong Blade across his chest.
Clang!
The blade that intercepted Roof’s fist bent as though it would shatter, then barely held firm.
The overwhelming force drove my feet backward involuntarily, carving deep impressions into the ground.
‘His power has grown even stronger.’
A searing pain erupted through the grip that had wielded a blade my entire life. It felt as though I had struck unbreakable metal rather than a human being.
“Excellent! Stay just as you are! Don’t break!”
Roof’s expression twisted into a delighted grin as he charged forward again.
“I have a question.”
Burren Zigheart shook his head while barely deflecting Roof’s punch.
“What did you think when you saw those children with black hearts embedded in them?”
“That they’d break if I poked them?”
Roof sneered, as though he didn’t even regard Lencia as human.
“Yes. Then you needn’t worry.”
Burren Zigheart pressed his lips firmly together and straightened his posture. This time too, he did not retreat, raising his blade with its rippling blue light.
“Your head will fall before I break.”
*
*
*
“Gasp…”
Burren Zigheart’s back slammed against the stone wall rising at the end of the valley as he drew ragged breaths.
He stripped off his coat and uniform, tattered like rags, and wiped the blood trickling from his lips.
“So you’re Burren Zigheart.”
Roof nodded, as if understanding now.
“….”
Burren Zigheart stared at Roof with hollow, sunken eyes, saying nothing.
“I’ve heard about you. Third division commander of the Gwangpung Corps. You act like the Organization Master, but they say your skills are the weakest among all the commanders, yes?”
Roof tilted his head with a sneer.
“I heard you were nothing but a pampered noble’s son, yet you held your ground against me head-on. Not bad.”
“I didn’t want to back down in front of someone like you.”
“You didn’t realize it, but that was the right call.”
As he raised his fist, hook-like demonic energy bloomed above the black scales.
“If you had fled from my fist, the hooks would have torn your heart out. You didn’t realize it, but that’s what saved your life.”
Roof waved his hand dismissively, saying his luck was good.
“But that luck has run out now.”
His interest in Burren Zigheart had faded, and the fervent gleam of combat in his eyes dimmed.
“Your sword cannot pierce my demonic energy. Had you faced others, you might have put up a struggle, but your matchup against me is unfavorable.”
Roof clenched his fist, his hand rippling with black demonic energy.
“I have no interest in broken toys, so I’ll crush that head of yours now.”
He ignited his black demonic energy and took a charging stance, determined to end this in one blow.
“….”
Burren Zigheart said nothing upon hearing Roof’s words dripping with murderous intent.
He simply raised his sword as he had at the start of their first clash.
“No strength left to speak now, I see.”
Roof clicked his tongue dismissively and shifted his stance. From ten paces away, he launched himself upward and hurled a fist strike toward Burren Zigheart’s heart.
Crash!
Burren Zigheart barely managed to raise his sword in defense, but the violent impact sent black blood pouring from his lips.
“Struggling to the bitter end, are you? All it will bring is endless suffering.”
Roof furrowed his brow with annoyance and unleashed a barrage of fist strikes.
Boom!
Burren Zigheart endured Roof’s onslaught of fists like a tempest, never lowering his sword nor retreating a single step.
“Just die already! I’m sick of this!”
Roof ground his teeth in disapproval of Burren’s persistence and unleashed a more intense magical fist strike.
“…You’re right. I am the weakest among the unit leaders.”
Burren Zigheart spoke with great difficulty, his parched lips barely moving.
“But do you know why someone as weak as me stands here alone?”
“What…?”
“Because I earned the trust of the Master.”
He drew a graceful arc with his blood-stained crimson lips.
“To repay that trust, I have wielded my sword day and night without rest.”
Burren Zigheart’s blade sparked brilliant blue as it began to push back Roof’s fist.
“Not a single day since my return. I’ve devoted every moment to the blade.”
From the moment I returned to Zigheart after the mission until I arrived at Montiro, and even while resting at the Temporary Headquarters, I wielded my sword without fail, not once allowing myself respite.
I could never afford to collapse—not when Father and Raon had placed such trust in me to protect this place.
“Why is his aura…?”
Roof’s eyes widened in shock as Burren’s aura grew increasingly fierce.
“I’ve never been good at endurance. I can’t even tolerate pain.”
In truth, I lacked patience from childhood. I merely pretended to be mature to earn Father’s recognition, but my actual perseverance was even weaker than Dorian’s.
“But today, I cannot retreat.”
For Lencia and the others, who had lived more maturely and admirably than I, I had to endure to the very end in this moment.
“Then die as you are!”
Roof drew his arm back. The faint black mana in his fist swelled dozens of times over, erupting into a pitch-black wave of force.
“Hah…”
Burren closed his eyes as he watched the surging wave of mana that obscured his entire vision.
‘No need to see.’
I feel it.
Both Raon and Father had most frequently pointed out that I lacked confidence. As the weakest among the Gwangpung Corps leaders, my self-esteem had plummeted without my realizing it.
Being the weakest among the Gwangpung Unit squad leaders, his self-esteem had unknowingly plummeted.
But now it’s different.
Even if I’m the weakest, even if I’m at the very bottom, it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that I don’t lose faith in myself.
Ugh.
Burren Zigheart drew out his wind-imbued sword. That sword seemed like Raon’s blade, which had always protected him from behind, and also like his father’s sword, which he had longed for his entire life.
Kwaaaaaaaa!
A blade as thin as a mountain breeze cut through the massive demonic aura’s barrier and descended toward Roof’s head.
Screeeech!
Yet the demonic aura protecting Roof’s body remained impenetrable to the wind blade, igniting flames even darker than before.
“Haah….”
Burren Zigheart exhaled in exhaustion, his fingertips trembling as though his strength had been depleted.
“D-Dangerous, but this is the limit of your power!”
It was the moment Roof sensed Burren Zigheart’s sudden change and prepared to deliver a final, devastating blow.
“No. This ends it.”
Burren Zigheart slowly opened his eyes. A crystalline wind settled within his azure irises.
‘A Grand Master pursues their own ideal.’
What he had pursued since childhood was pride in his family, and what he pursued now was the sharp yet elegant blade that protected that family.
Whooooosh!
His own conviction, held since boyhood when he first donned the Zigheart cloak, bloomed forth from the silver blade.
Slicing Wind Blade Technique.
Wind Spirit Divine.
Threads of wind unraveled like silk, tearing through the black demonic aura and piercing into Roof’s body.
Screeeech!
Deep fissures opened across Roof’s body—a form that had never been scarred by any blade before.
Through the silent gaps carved by the wind, a soft azure light poured forth.
Craaaaaaash!
As Burren Zigheart brought his blade down, a long gash carved across Roof’s chest split open, and a deep blue wind erupted from the wound.
“You… someone like you…?”
Roof couldn’t even finish his final words before he collapsed in place.
The black mana infused with regenerative power faded away, unable to stitch his body back together.
“…So this is what a Grand Master is.”
Burren Zigheart sat down where he stood, letting out a hollow laugh.
“It doesn’t feel real. I still feel weak on my own. But…”
I had kept my promise.
Right now, more than reaching Grand Master, I felt as if I could soar just from having honored Raon and Father’s trust.
“No, it’s not over yet.”
Burren Zigheart gripped his sword again and rose to his feet. He stood firm, raising his blade as if to declare he would not yield this path to anyone who came.
The blue wind blowing from behind seemed to drape a childhood cloak across Burren Zigheart’s shoulders.
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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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