The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 967

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

Chapter 967

“Hah….”

Glen Zigheart’s eyelids trembled faintly as he observed Raon standing before Karun.

‘What happened between then and now?’

From what I knew, Raon had emerged from the Chamber of Self, trained the swordsmen of Gale Wind Hall, and assisted Aris Zigheart in her recovery.

‘He supported Aris’s cultivation, yet instead of weakening, he grew stronger….’

It made no sense.

He hadn’t pursued his own training—he’d been helping others—yet Raon had emerged stronger. A hollow laugh escaped me.

‘No, growth is part of it, but the feeling of completion is stronger.’

Raon hadn’t simply grown stronger; he seemed to have adapted to the enlightenment and martial arts he’d gained in the Chamber of Self.
The tremendous heat and cold that had seemed ready to explode at any moment had now perfectly melded into his body and spirit.

‘It was already remarkable that he recovered Aris.’

Yet he continues to astound me.

Aris remained cursed, so even with a Dragon Heart, I had judged she couldn’t immediately ascend to Transcendent rank.

But thanks to Raon’s support in her cultivation, Aris shattered my expectations and crossed the Wall of Transcendence in a single leap.

Naturally, her combat prowess wasn’t identical to before, but it was a feat even I would find difficult to accomplish, so I found myself marveling once more at Raon’s abilities.

‘Perhaps it’s fortunate I didn’t intervene.’

Had Raon not acted, I would have stepped forward to assist Aris’s cultivation myself.

But no matter how I considered it, I couldn’t be certain I could have restored her as he did.

‘What a blessing he is.’

Glen Zigheart gazed at Raon with a gentle smile playing across his lips.

‘Almost too precious to be my grandson.’

Not only did he possess exceptional talent in martial arts, but his grandson also carried the warmth of heart he had maintained since childhood—a warmth that made Glen’s smile bloom unbidden.

‘Hmm?’

Glen’s smile faded as he observed Karun standing before Raon, his eyes narrowing with perception.

‘That fellow….’

He’s tensed up.

Karun appeared overwhelmed by the formidable aura and noble sword intent radiating from Raon. In such a state, he would be unable to demonstrate even half his true capabilities.

“Stop eyeing each other like that.”

Glen Zigheart stepped between Raon and Karun, shaking his head.

“It’s not time to begin yet. Step back and prepare yourselves.”

He gestured for Karun to withdraw so he could ease his tension.

“Yes.”

Raon nodded calmly as always and stepped back, rotating his wrists as though ready to begin at any moment.

“…Understood.”

Karun exhaled a turbid breath and nodded. Though still tense, he had escaped the oppressive weight of Raon’s presence.

“Huh? Why the long face? Don’t tell me….”

Valdemar approached Karun with a smirk.

“You’re scared of your nephew?”

His expression hardened as he turned his finger forward.

“Shut your mouth.”

Karun furrowed his brow and extended his elbow to the side.

Whoosh!

His elbow drove deep into Valdemar’s waist as if it would shatter his ribs.

“Cough….”

Valdemar dropped to his knees from Karun’s sudden ambush, gasping for breath.

“The match is about to start. Don’t provoke him unnecessarily.”

Denier clicked his tongue in disdain and dragged Valdemar toward the outer edge of the Training Ground.

“I, I was only trying to ease the tension….”

Valdemar’s lips trembled as he protested that he couldn’t even joke.

“This isn’t the time for that.”

Denier’s tone had become as parched as a drought-stricken field.

“If you wish to reach greater heights, watch this fight carefully. Though I’m not sure you’ll see it….”

He gazed at Raon and Karun with eyes as transparent and cold as glass marbles.

“When you’re ready, both of you come forward.”

At Glen Zigheart’s gesture, Raon and Karun approached the center of the Training Ground.

“At your level, you won’t need a signal. Begin whenever you’re ready.”

He said he wouldn’t give a signal and stepped back at a distance.

“I’m curious to see where your limits truly lie.”

Karun met Raon’s gaze and gave a slight nod.

“While others cross the sea of martial arts with a sailboat, you seem to navigate it alone with a galleon.”

He acknowledged Raon’s talent with a calm tone and nodded in agreement.

“Isn’t that similar to you, Master?”

Raon shrugged as he looked at Karun.

“I’ve thought so before.”

Karun chuckled softly and lowered his gaze.

“After transcending, I felt myself growing stronger rapidly and thought I surpassed my sister. But standing before you, I’m nothing but a firefly in the presence of the sun.”

He continued with a taut tone.

“That doesn’t mean I’m admitting defeat before we even begin. The outcome of a duel isn’t determined by martial prowess alone.”

Karun drew his sword, acknowledging his own strength. A brilliant blue aura infused with his will surged across the silver blade.

“I’m going all out from the start.”

Karun pointed his blade at his own throat, indicating he had no intention of prolonging the fight.

“Then I’ll face you with full strength as well.”

Raon clenched his teeth and drew the Heavenly Sword.

“And I agree that a duel’s outcome isn’t determined by strength alone. There’s no such thing as absolute in this world.”

He pointed the Heavenly Sword at Karun’s throat, speaking of a good duel ahead.

“….”
“….”

Raon and Karun stood motionless, their blades raised toward each other.
Glen Zigheart and Denier, watching the two face off, remained as still as statues, not even a breath escaping them.

“Gasp!”

However, Valdemar couldn’t endure the sharp pain in his lower back and let out a brief, stifled cough.

Clang!

In that instant, the blades of both Raon and Karun extended simultaneously.

*

*

*

Crash!

I narrowed my eyes as I parried Karun’s slash—a strike that concealed lethal sharpness beneath deceptive fluidity, like the claws of a predator.

‘He’s grown stronger.’

Karun’s blade was sharper and more refined than during our first sparring match, flowing seamlessly toward my vital points.

‘Did he gain enlightenment from our duel?’

It seemed Karun had achieved growth while I was inside the Chamber of Self.

It was a remarkable achievement, but with my current martial power, I felt I wouldn’t lose to anyone—not even Karun.

Ring!

I clicked my tongue briefly and twisted my wrist, adjusting my grip on the Heavenly Sword.

Whoosh!

Flames blooming across the blade of the Heavenly Sword consumed Karun’s powerful slash in an instant.

Boom!

Karun’s successive downward strikes halted abruptly, and his body was sent flying backward. The disparity in martial mastery and power was unmistakable.

“Hmm….”

Karun’s eyes narrowed as if he hadn’t anticipated his swordsmanship sequence being broken so easily. He bit his lip slightly, shifted his stance, and raised his blade to the left.

“I’ll end this with this single strike!”

Karun’s sword descended, wreathed in the noble aura that mirrored the majestic peaks of Bekmang Mountain.

‘I must finish this in one blow.’

From the previous exchange, it was now certain that Raon’s swordsmanship and aura had surpassed his own.
To seize even the slightest chance of victory, he had to unleash everything from this moment forward.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

He drew the aura from his dantian to its peak and unfolded a newly refined technique—the Junmujeonju, a blade that could even sever an enemy’s breath itself.

Clang!

Karun advanced toward Raon with the resolve to stake his life on this single strike.

Whoosh!

The moment Karun’s blade came rushing in, Raon rotated the ring of his heart.

Blaze!

In an instant, the ring of fire resonated, completely dismantling and analyzing the subtle essence of the Junmujeonju that Karun had unleashed.

‘Breaking blade, flowing blade….’

He extended his left foot, weaving the mysteries of ten thousand blades that could shatter Karun’s strike into the technique of the Heavenly Sword.
As he drew the Heavenly Sword Flame of Yama, infused with both breaking and flowing blade principles, golden flames erupted along the blade’s edge, radiating the heat of the Manhwagong’s tenth star.

Neither Raon nor Karun retreated. Both swordsmen, trusting in the blades they had honed, brought their swords down toward each other’s eyes.

Boom!

Azure light and golden flames collided head-on, and a tremendous shockwave rippled outward in all directions.

However, the result of the collision was revealed far too quickly.

Crackle, crackle, crackle!

Karun’s supreme technique carried a sword energy capable of splitting even the heavens, yet it could not overcome the Yanluo flames that stood above it.

The azure light was devoured by the golden flames, gradually losing its power. Not a deflection, but a shattering. Karun’s sword strike, unleashed with all his might, crumbled mercilessly before my blade.

Crash, crash, crash!

Karun dropped to one knee as his strength gave out. He barely maintained his grip on the sword, but it seemed he could no longer swing it.

“Damn it….”

He attempted to rise again, using his sword as a cane, but his body refused to obey and he fell backward instead.

“Haa….”

I raised my trembling hand and wiped away the blood trickling down from my lips.

‘Did I truly win like this?’

To overcome a Transcendent who had been evenly matched with me just moments ago, suffering only minor internal and external injuries—it was a growth that astonished even myself.

“That was an excellent match.”

I steadied my breathing slowly and bowed my head to Karun.

“I would force myself to rise and continue fighting, but….”

Karun looked up at me, his brow furrowed.

“There would be little point in it.”

He shook his head, accepting his defeat.

“If you were merely strong, I might have endured it somehow, but since you strike at the vital points of my swordsmanship itself, there is no way to counter it.”

Karun gripped his sword tighter, calling it a terrifyingly formidable ability.

“It’s all thanks to sparring with Junmujeonju before entering the Chamber of Self.”

I wasn’t merely making polite conversation. Through my match with Karun, I had recognized my own shortcomings and achieved faster progress as a result.

“Spare me the flattery.”

Karun snorted dismissively.

“Just go.”

He told me to leave and simply fell backward. The mental shock seemed to weigh far heavier than any physical pain.

“Until next time.”

I sensed Karun’s state of mind and bowed respectfully to him and the others before departing the Training Ground.

“What… what was that?”

Valdemar exhaled in disbelief.

“Did he really lose like that? The gap is that wide?”

He shook his head, unable to accept it.

“Given the difference in power, he actually fought quite well.”

Glen Zigheart watched Raon’s departing figure and clicked his tongue.

“He sustained internal injuries and took considerable physical damage.”

He shook his head, noting that even Raon, who appeared unscathed, had suffered his own shock.

“Though I doubt that satisfies your heart.”

Glen Zigheart closed his eyes, understanding Karun’s regret.

“The outside world calls our family monsters, yet that boy is a monster even to us.”

Denier laughed, gazing at the spot where Raon had stood. Despite being a Grand Master who had not yet touched the realm of transcendence, he remained serene, as though he had foreseen this outcome from the beginning.

“Are you alright? Should I help you up?”

Valdemar approached Karun, who had covered his face with his sleeve, swallowing hard.

“…Never mind.”

Karun waved his hand dismissively.

“No, but still….”
“Leave me alone.”

Glen Zigheart tapped Valdemar’s shoulder and headed toward the exit first.

“Denier. You too.”

He ushered Valdemar out, leaving the Training Ground.

“Yes.”

Denier nodded quietly and moved toward the Training Ground’s door. He gazed at Karun with eyes devoid of emotion before stepping outside.

“Sigh….”

Karun exhaled a turbid breath, looking up at the brilliant sky.

“Damn it….”

Strength had returned to my hands, but it was already too late. My opponent had made me taste defeat before departing.

‘I never imagined I would be so thoroughly outmatched.’

Of course, had I not clashed with full power, I could have prolonged the fight somewhat.

But the inevitable truth that I would have faced the same outcome regardless crushed my chest like a weight.

“I was completely defeated, but….”

Karun slowly raised his upper body.

“Still, I have to move forward. No—I’ll catch up to him.”

Unlike before, my mind was no longer consumed by jealousy and resentment toward Raon. Instead, only the burning desire to catch up to him blazed within me.

‘But I can’t do this alone.’

Karun pushed himself up on both legs, his sword still planted firmly in the ground. He nodded as he gazed at the shadow cast by the crimson sun.

‘I’ll need help.’

*

*

*

After finishing my sparring match with Karun, I headed back toward the Annex Building.

-You could have at least offered him some comfort, Wrath muttered curtly.

Wrath smacked his lips briefly.

-An opponent who was once his equal suddenly surpassed him. He must be deeply disappointed.

He furrowed his brow, suggesting I was being too cold.

‘It’s better not to say anything there.’

I shook my head calmly.

‘Especially not from me.’

Had I still been living as an assassin, I would have thought the same as Wrath. But living this new life, I’d come to understand a warrior’s perspective, at least somewhat. Right now, Karun wanted to be alone.

‘But still…’

He seemed stronger than I expected.

‘I didn’t think he could defeat a Transcendent with just internal injuries and torn muscles.’

I could naturally feel that I had grown stronger, but I never expected to defeat Karun so easily.

Of course, it was only possible because I had seen Karun’s technique before, but even accounting for that, the victory came far too easily.

-Fool.

Wrath flicked his chin toward me.

-You haven’t merely grown stronger in swordsmanship alone. Your physical stamina, mental fortitude, bodily capabilities, aura, and experience have all advanced. When such elements combine, displaying this level of power is only natural.

He recited the very thoughts I had harbored long ago, his eyes narrowing.

‘I suppose that’s true.’

I clenched my right fist and licked my lips.

‘I’m finally drawing closer to my dream.’

I had worried greatly about whether I could catch Derus Robert, but now I could finally glimpse his back appearing before me.

‘I must work even harder at times like this.’

With a thin smile, I walked toward the Annex Building but stopped before Pedrick’s Residence.

‘Is Aunt still sleeping?’

I felt a slight concern since Aris Zigheart hadn’t woken despite it being well past her usual time.

‘It wouldn’t hurt to stop by and check on her.’

I changed direction from the Annex Building and headed toward Pedrick’s Residence.

“Is the sparring match already over?”

Pedrick’s eyes widened in surprise at my early arrival.

“Yes. It ended sooner than expected.”
“So you’re already overwhelming Karun? You’ve truly gone mad.”

He let out a breath of amazement.

“I was fortunate. More importantly, is my aunt still sleeping?”
“She’s awake.”

Pedrick nodded, mentioning that Aris Zigheart had woken up a moment ago.

“Really? Then….”
“There’s no need to go.”

Just as Raon was about to enter Aris Zigheart’s infirmary, Pedrick raised his hand.

“She’s already left.”
“What? Already?”

The person who had just woken up was already gone—it was quintessentially Aris Zigheart, a behavior he hadn’t witnessed in a long time.

“Where did she go?”
“I don’t know either. She said she was going to find something she’d lost, and then she rushed off immediately.”

Pedrick shook his head, as if to say Raon didn’t know Aris Zigheart’s nature well enough.

“Something she lost….”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he pondered Pedrick’s words.

“Could it be?”

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