The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 965

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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 965

‘Damn it….’

Aris Zigheart bit her lip deeply as she felt her mana circuits hardened like plaster, rigid and unyielding.

‘It really won’t work.’

She had thought her body and mind were sufficiently prepared before beginning her cultivation, yet the mana from the Dragon Heart was leaking away through the cursed, petrified mana circuits and dantian.

‘The amount escaping right now isn’t that much. But if this continues throughout the entire cultivation session….’

I would suffer tremendous losses.

Because of the curse that had ravaged her body, out of every ten units of mana from the Dragon Heart she absorbed, four were dissipating into the void.

If this were merely a temporary phenomenon, she could accept it, but if she continued squandering mana like this, the losses would be catastrophic.

‘The problem is….’

Aris shook her head as she felt the tremendous mana surging from the Dragon Heart.

‘There’s no solution.’

Both her mana circuits and dantian were hardened, and since she had already begun cultivation, she could neither stop nor reverse it.

Just as one cannot take back words once spoken, the mana that had already leaked away could not be recovered.

‘Raon. I’m sorry….’

Knowing her own talents, she had been confident even with her power bound by that cursed sword, at least until she began cultivation.

But it seemed she had been too hasty in her frustration at being unable to help. After resting for such a long period and with the severity of her injuries, this situation had inevitably come to pass.

‘If I’m not careful, I won’t even reach Transcendence.’

If her aura continued to be wasted like this, she would be stuck at the Grand Master level, let alone return to her former realm.

‘No. I need to focus right now.’

Aris Zigheart steadied her trembling fingertips and exhaled slowly.

The tension of losing mana was causing her concentration to waver as well.
If she suffered any more losses, she could truly be ruined, so she had to pour all her strength into cultivation right now.

‘For Raon’s sake.’

He had given her his Dragon Heart, offered her comfort, and now her nephew was even standing guard as her protector. She had to endure this no matter what.

Exhale.

As Aris Zigheart focused on her cultivation, grinding her teeth, she felt a hand touch her back. A warmth as gentle as sunlight. It was Raon’s hand.

‘Raon? What are you—’

She was bewildered by why he suddenly placed his hand on her back, when a warm current flowed from his grip.

Whoooooosh!

The mana Raon sent flowed smoothly through the mana circuits that had hardened from the curse as if it were originally hers, settling into her dantian.

‘This is…’

The mana I lost.

Raon was gathering the mana from the Dragon Heart he had released and transmitting it to her, following the flow of her cultivation technique so she wouldn’t lose it again.

‘This crazy—’

You’re putting yourself in danger too!

Since Raon and she were cultivating different techniques, suddenly intervening like this was dangerous for both of them.

Yet Raon was transmitting the mana so smoothly, as if he were cultivating the same technique as her.

‘Ha…’

Aris tightened her grip on the Dragon Heart and swallowed hard.

‘Is this even possible?’

Even Father would find this difficult.

This wasn’t healing, nor had they synchronized beforehand. Aligning the flow of mana to suit her individual nature was no easy task, even for Glen.

‘There’s no other word for it but insane.’

A hollow laugh escaped her at Raon’s astounding ability to suddenly intervene and perfectly synchronize the mana flow.

‘How much longer do you plan to astonish me?’

She was shocked when Raon seized Kaibhar, amazed each time she witnessed his growth, and astounded when she heard he had cut down the Black Tower Master in the last mission.

She had thought that by now, nothing Raon accomplished would surprise her anymore, yet here she was, astonished once again.

‘Phew.’

Aris bit the tip of her tongue and gave a slight nod.

‘Stop thinking now. Focus.’

Raon is doing all this for me.

Now wasn’t the time to thank him. Whether she expressed her gratitude or scolded him for the danger, all of that could wait until after this cultivation session ended.

Exhale.

Aris slowly released her breath, accepting the warm energy blooming from Raon’s fingertips with her entire being.

‘So warm.’

Raon’s hand and the mana he conveyed were both warm. The heart and body that had frozen from Seif’s piercing attack seemed to be melting away. It truly felt as though even the curse was being lifted.

Whoooosh!

Aris recalled her first pleasant meeting with Raon and sank deeper into the Mental World.

*

*

*

A resonant roar echoed through the chamber.

Raon nodded briefly as he observed Aris Zigheart beginning to properly absorb the mana from the Dragon Heart.

‘Fortunately, it succeeded.’

Given her nature, he had considered the possibility that she might refuse out of concern for the danger, yet she understood his intentions and accepted his aid with calm composure.

-That reckless woman isn’t foolish, at least.

Wrath snorted, noting that while Aris Zigheart might be simple-minded, she wasn’t outright stupid.

‘Reckless…’

Raon smiled faintly and accelerated the flow of mana circulating through Aris Zigheart’s body. The natural mana rotated rapidly, beginning to dissolve her mana circuits that had been hardened by the curse.

‘I’ve missed seeing her reckless side. I hope she returns to her former self.’

If anyone asked who was the freest person in Zigheart, everyone would point to Aris Zigheart.

Yet ever since the incident with Seif, she had reflected only melancholy, as if transformed into a different person. Hoping she would recover even a fraction of her former vitality, I cultivated my aura as if it were my own.

A soft whisper of energy dispersed through the air.

As Raon became absorbed in operating Aris Zigheart’s aura, the Dragon Heart held in her hand lost its luminescence and crumbled into white powder.

All the mana sustaining the Dragon Heart had been depleted, leaving it unable to maintain even its skeletal form.

‘Now the true trial begins.’

Raon carefully withdrew his hand from Aris Zigheart’s back. With the Dragon Heart’s mana now dwelling within her dantian and mana circuits, the battle ahead belonged to her alone.

He stepped back silently and resumed his role as her guardian.

‘But….’

I felt the nine rings circling my heart and smacked my lips.

‘The Ring of Fire is more fascinating the more I observe it.’

It naturally interfered with others’ cultivation methods—the Ring of Fire was a universal cultivation technique that achieved the impossible.

The Ring of Fire seemed to be the greatest contributor to my rapid growth thus far.

‘I wish I could have reached ten stars.’

I recalled how the tenth ring had failed to complete in the Chamber of Self and scattered instead. I couldn’t help but regret not achieving it.

-You’re being greedy.

Wrath furrowed his brows as if dumbfounded.

-You’ve raised two cultivation methods to ten stars, strengthened your swordsmanship, body, and soul, yet you still claim it’s insufficient!

He ground his teeth, saying that even Grid would have been satisfied for a moment at that level.

‘Aren’t I the vessel of a Demon King? I can’t be satisfied with merely that.’

I shrugged at Wrath.

-Well, that’s true….

Wrath blinked, accepting even my absurd logic. He was always adorable no matter when I saw him.

‘Of course, it was terrifying in the Chamber of Self….’

Facing the true Wrath, not the cotton candy version, required more courage than I’d anticipated. Without the Chamber of Self, I wouldn’t have been able to stand properly.

‘That’s right. I’m insufficient too.’

I nodded calmly and slowly operated the Ring of Fire.

‘I must save even these moments.’

As I cultivated while mentally drawing the tenth ring, Aris Zigheart’s body rose into the air.

Whoooooosh!

The motes of mana scattered throughout the Cultivation Chamber—no, the entire Main Mansion—surged like waves, blooming into azure flowers.

Brilliant!

The radiant flowers, as if completing their life cycle, slowly faded before seeping into every inch of Aris Zigheart’s body.

Exhale.

After accepting all the blue petals, Aris Zigheart descended back to the ground. A single transparent tear fell from her eyes before she opened them fully.

Her gaze met mine with the same confidence and clarity I had seen when we first met.

“Thank you….”

Aris Zigheart spoke her gratitude, her trembling lips pressed firmly together.

“Who are you?”

I repeated the words I had spoken to her when I first awoke on her Pirate Ship.

“What?”
“I asked who you are.”
“I am….”

Aris Zigheart, understanding my intention, exhaled quietly and straightened her spine.

“Aris Zigheart. The true Aris Zigheart.”

She answered with the same calm composure as she had when responding to her former self.

“It seems you have finally returned.”

Aris Zigheart, who had been pierced by Seif’s blade and buried underground, had broken free from her own tomb and walked out on her own.
Though not all her strength had been restored, the weight upon her heart had finally lifted.

“Welcome back. Aunt. No, wait…”

I embraced Aris Zigheart lightly and shook my head.

“Pirate King Aris Zigheart.”

*

*

*

After entrusting the exhausted Aris Zigheart to Pedrick, I returned to the Annex Building.

I was tired from assisting with cultivation for over two days, so I was about to head straight to my room when I heard the sound of a sword being wielded near the Lake.

‘Sister?’

As I drew closer, I found Sia standing before the Lake, displaying the Radiant Sword technique I had taught her.

-She’s improved considerably.

Wrath smacked his lips, impressed by Sia’s rapid growth.

‘Indeed. Faster than I expected.’

Even if Sia had lost her memories, she was originally a Grand Master, so rapid growth was inevitable.

Yet even accounting for that, her current achievements exceeded my predictions.

‘Does she possess even greater talent than I thought?’

It seemed Sia possessed talent that surpassed even my own mastery of the Ring of Fire.

As I marveled at this, the Annex Building’s door opened, and Judith emerged, approaching my side.

“She’s changed quite a bit, hasn’t she?”

Judith nodded gently as she watched Sia wielding her sword with solemn focus.

“You said you wanted to strike your sword as beautifully as Raon does, so you’ve been practicing swordplay from morning until night.”

She chuckled softly, remarking that Sia seemed to have fallen in love with the sword.

“From morning until night?”

If that were truly the case, this wasn’t the result of talent—it was the fruit of effort. I had only mentioned it in passing, but I never expected her to work so diligently.

“Of course, Edgar is complaining that Raon has ruined Sia.”

Judith shook her head, saying that Edgar was sulking because he couldn’t play with Sia.

“That’s understandable. There isn’t much time left to treat her as a young daughter.”

From what I could sense, Sia had matured considerably these days. When I first saw her, she seemed around five years old, but now she appeared to be over ten.

“Since you’re here, wouldn’t it be good to give her some advice?”

Judith raised her hand, asking me to watch Sia’s swordplay.

“It would be better to do that later.”

I shook my head while watching Sia’s back.

“She’s in deep concentration.”

Right now, Sia was wielding her sword with complete focus, unaware that Judith and I had even arrived.
At times like this, it was best not to disturb her and simply watch quietly.

Whoooosh!

I entered the room, listening to the refreshing sound of Sia’s sword wind.

-You cannot sleep now!

Wrath raised both his hands in front of the bed.

-If you must sleep, eat first!

He hadn’t eaten in over two days, so I furrowed my brow and insisted he have breakfast.

‘I wasn’t planning to sleep right away anyway. There’s still work to be done.’
-Oh! Perfect! Then let’s hurry….
‘I need to check the rewards.’

While Wrath was laughing, I pulled up the reward message I had dismissed in the Cultivation Chamber.

-Ugh….

Wrath’s laughter froze on his face as if he hadn’t even considered the reward message.

[You have achieved growth in the Chamber of Self.]
[You have experienced 101 deaths.]
[All stats increase by 50 points.]

-Aaaahhhhh!

Wrath let out a scream that seemed to tear his throat as he saw the reward message for the third time.

-Stop bringing it up already!
‘You didn’t check it properly yourself.’

I laughed while pressing down on Wrath’s trembling head.

-Damn it, my hands shake every time I see it! What did this bastard do to deserve 50 points!

He gnashed his teeth, saying it wasn’t as if I had defeated a transcendent being like the Black Tower Master, so why give 50 points.

‘Because I trained hard.’
-Everyone does that… wait?

Wrath’s eyes widened in surprise as if he had seen something, his anger momentarily forgotten.

‘Why are you….’

As I narrowed my eyes looking at Wrath, a new message appeared.

[A new trait 【Crisis Detection】 has been created.]

‘Crisis Detection?’

【Crisis Detection】
A special ability that only those who have experienced countless deaths can obtain, allowing one to sense the approach of death before it arrives.

‘Heh…’

I confirmed the details of Crisis Detection and let out a hollow breath.

‘Is this actually useful?’

According to the description, even if I encountered a Transcendent stronger than myself, it meant I would rarely be killed in a single blow.

Of course, it would need a higher rank to truly fulfill that role, but the mere existence of such a trait was satisfying.

-W-Crisis Detection? Why the hell did you create something like this!

Wrath shrieked, saying that an enormous amount of power must have gone into creating the 【Crisis Detection】 trait. He seemed to be thinking about something, but upon seeing this trait, he appeared to have forgotten it all.

‘You’re the one who created it for me.’

I gestured toward Wrath with my chin.

-Don’t spout nonsense! Why would the True Demon King create something like that!
‘Read the description carefully. This trait wouldn’t exist if you hadn’t killed me.’

Seeing that it was only granted to those who experienced countless deaths, it was clear this trait was born because Wrath had continuously killed me.

-Ah, ahhh. AAAAHHHHH!

Wrath now realized it too, clutching his head and screaming in anguish.

‘We’re not done yet, so please keep quiet.’

I brushed aside the screaming Wrath and checked the next message.

[The trait 【Manhwagong】 has increased in rank.]
[The trait 【Glacsia】 has increased in rank.]
[The trait 【Water Attribute Resistance】 has increased in rank.]
[The trait 【Fire Attribute Resistance】 has increased in rank.]
[The trait 【Water Attribute Affinity】 has increased in rank.]
[The trait 【Fire Attribute Affinity】 has increased in rank.]
[The trait 【Spiral Force】 has increased in rank.]
[The trait 【Wrath Release】 has increased in rank.]
[The trait 【Flame That Overcomes Death】 has increased in rank.]
[The trait 【Blade That Cleaves Death】 has increased in rank.]
[The trait 【Authority Enhancement】 has increased in rank.]
[The trait 【Authority Operation】 has increased in rank.]

The next message was about trait rank increases. As Manhwagong and Glacsia rose in rank, the resistance and affinity of both attributes simultaneously increased as well.

‘Death-related traits have risen too.’

Perhaps because I had died a hundred times, the ranks of 【Flame That Overcomes Death】 and 【Blade That Cleaves Death】, traits that allowed me to fight against the aura of death, had also risen simultaneously.

Moreover, thanks to constantly being alongside Wrath, the ranks of 【Authority Enhancement】 and 【Authority Operation】 had also increased.

-I’m going crazy! This is way too much!

Wrath swung his plump fists at the empty air as if bewildered by why so many traits had risen.

As I watched Wrath perform his solo act with amusement, the next message appeared.

[The trait 【Ambush】 has increased in rank.]

-Ambush?

Wrath furrowed his brows in disbelief.

-Why is this one rising too!
‘This one seems to be because of you as well.’

I waved my hand dismissively.

-What? The True Demon King has never fallen for a sneak attack from you!
‘You haven’t, but I have.’

Every time I met with Wrath, he would ambush and kill me, so my experience with sneak attacks had grown significantly. Whether I was the one executing them or receiving them, experience accumulated all the same.

-Aah, I’m exhausted. I really won’t do anything from now on….

Wrath muttered about being tired and collapsed onto the bed.

But his surprises were far from over.

[The trait 【Sneak Attack】 has transcended its rank and evolved into a new trait [Reaper].]

-R, Reaper? Reeeeeaper?

The moment Wrath saw the message about Reaper, he leaped off the bed.

-Reaper is nonsense! I shall become the Reaper! I’ll kill them all….
‘Aren’t you hungry?’
-…I suppose I should eat.

Even a Reaper couldn’t overcome the call of food.

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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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