The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 878

 Chapter 878

 

"……."

Raon erased the heat filling the tunnels so everyone could enter and turned his gaze westward.

"Why are you looking that way? Is there something there?"

Martha tilted her head, wondering why he was looking in another direction.

"No."

After slowly lowering his gaze, Raon stepped into the tunnel, where the heat had subsided. According to Palentun there, there should have been a staircase shaped like a sword here, but all that remained were grotesquely melted lumps of metal. It seemed everything had been incinerated by an intense fire.

‘Now that I’m inside, I can feel the demonic energy.’

Unlike outside, once he entered the Gray Hammer Guild’s base, he sensed the demonic energy of the Balrog rising from below.

However, it wasn’t as dense as the heat in this place. In fact, it felt more like the aura of a seasoned warrior rather than pure demonic energy.

"Ah…."

Seeing the collapsed staircase that he had personally created, Palentun bit his lip until it bled, his emotions growing even more intense.

"A-And there's no one here…."

Looking over the underground village, now melted by lava and flames, he clutched his head. It seemed the last glimmer of hope had vanished, plunging him into despair.

“Damn it! Damn it all!”

As Palentun punched the ground and screamed, red-skinned demons popped out of the flames and lava that had devoured the village.

"Kyaaaah!"

"Kiaaaah!"

They were small, no different in size from goblins, but their movements were faster than those of a skilled swordsman, and they held burning spears in their hands. In terms of power alone, they were advanced level monsters.

"W-What are those? Red Goblins?"

Dorian gasped and staggered backward, frightened by the unfamiliar monsters.

Now that the Red Beths have appeared, it’s certain.

Wrath snorted as he looked at the red-skinned demons.

‘Red Beths?’

They are the lowest-ranked demons  who were enthralled by the Balrogs' power and now serve them. As the King of Essence suspected, the one in this tunnels is Balrog.

He waved his hand dismissively, as though there was nothing more to see and investigate.

‘In other words, they're small fry.’

Raon swung Heavenly Drive towards the rushing Red Beths.

Pwoooosh!

The moment the tip of his blade touched the ground, a blue flash erupted, tearing the demons’ bodies into shreds.

All that remained were the footprints of fire where the Red Beths had been standing.

“You piece of trash!”

Burren unleashed the Barren Wind, slicing through both the Red Beths and the flames they had created.

"Acting all high and mighty when you're just goblins?"

Martha snorted and drove her sword down. The Red Beths were flattened to the ground before they could even get close.

"Ugly…."

When Runaan planted her sword into the ground, frost spread in all directions, freezing the arms and legs of the Red Beths trying to charge from behind.

"Kiiieeek!"

"Kyaaah!"

Sensing the overwhelming difference in strength, the remaining Red Beths tried to escape back into the lava, but that was when another blue flash flared.

Chwaaaah!

It was Sheryl. An enormous double-bladed attack surged from her twin swords, cutting down the Red Beths and the flames they were hiding behind.

"Sir Palentun."

Once Raon had confirmed that all the Red Beths were taken care of, he approached Palentun.

“It seems the creature that attacked this underground village is down in that tunnel.”

He pointed to a large tunnel that had appeared in the ground, split apart by lava and flames.

"Ugh…."

Looking at the ground stained with the dried blood of his comrades, Palentun trembled, his lips quivering.

"I-I don’t think I can go…."

He wasn’t afraid of the Balrog itself, but rather the worst possible outcome, that all his comrades might already be dead.

"Don’t worry."

Raon placed a reassuring hand on Palentun’s shoulder, a warm smile forming on his lips.

“If they’re still alive, we’ll find a way to save them, no matter what.”

He nodded firmly, telling him to trust him.

“E-everything will be okay!”

Dorian helped support Palentun and forced a smile.

"Our division leader always keeps his word, no matter what."

"That’s right. Our division leader might have a pretty face, but his actions are those of a true warrior."

Martha grinned and told him to watch closely.

"Yeah. We’ll definitely save them…."

Runaan spread a barrier of frost to keep Palentun and the others from growing exhausted by the heat, then nodded. Seeing her speak longer than usual, it was clear she was being considerate of Palentun.

"Use honorifics when speaking to an adult!"

Burren frowned at Martha and Runaan.

"Forgive them for their lack of manners. But every word they said was sincere. I, too, will do my utmost to help."

He performed a sword salute and reassured the worried Palentun.

“They’ve grown up well.”

From behind, Sheryl watched Burren, Martha, Runaan, and Dorian, nodding quietly.

"I can't believe those inexperienced children have grown this much."
She smiled deeply, as if pleased by the growth of the children.

R-Right!

Wrath covered his mouth with one hand, nodding.

They’ve really grown so well! Those sloppy little kids have changed this much….

Wrath sniffled, saying he was touched.

'You didn’t raise them, so stop it.'

Raon grabbed Wrath’s tail and pulled him forward.

‘The Balrog who refused to become the Demon King isn't down there, is he?’

Even if he had reached Transcendence, defeating a Demon King-class being was beyond him. He had to be certain.

If that one had shown up in the human world, he would’ve already made his presence known. Probably would have gone straight for your grandfather by now.

‘Is that so…?’

And besides, he is the type that loves announcing his arrival. You couldn’t possibly miss it.

Wrath shook his head, saying there was no way that Balrog was here.

‘Then it doesn’t matter.’

Raon loosened his wrist with confidence.

You must have sensed the Balrog's energy down there, didn’t you? And yet, you’re saying it doesn’t matter?

Wrath tilted his chin in interest.

‘You said it yourself. Balrogs’ weakness is you.’

Raon grinned as he adjusted his grip on Heavenly Drive.

‘Then they’ll fear me, too. And if they don’t…’

Summoning Glacier's cold energy into his palm, he smirked.

‘I’ll make sure they do.’

Khhh!

Wrath twisted his mouth up.

It’s been a while since you gave an answer the King of Essence liked!

Wrath clapped his hands, as if liked Raon’s confidence.

‘But why did the Balrog appear here?’

Raon narrowed his eyes at Wrath.

‘Didn't you say that many measures are needed to come from or go to the devildom?’

That's right. It's not an easy thing to do.

‘Then how did they get here?’

He couldn’t understand how they had crossed a dimension that even Demon Kings couldn’t traverse easily.

Especially since this land had been used by dwarves for hundreds of years, and they had never disturbed the geothermal heat more than necessary. The fact that Balrog had appeared here made no sense at all.

You've become more coy. Why do you even ask?

Wrath snorted as if the answer was obvious.

Some damned bastards must have summoned it.

*   *   *

Western slope of Bright Flame Mountain.

The shadow of a boulder wavered as a white-haired man and a blue-haired woman emerged from it.

“Who are those humans with the dwarf?”

The white-haired man furrowed his black eyes.

“I believe…”

Taking a short breath, the blue-haired woman began to speak.

"They appear to be the Light Wind Division leader Raon Zieghart, Heavenly Blade Division leader Sheryl, and three team leaders from the Light Wind Division."

"Raon Zieghart? You mean that monster who recently reached Transcendence?"

The white-haired man furrowed his brows deeply.

“Yes. A young man with blond hair and red eyes, exuding such a powerful aura, that can only be Raon Zieghart.”

The blue-haired woman bowed, confirming it.

" What is he doing here? Does he has some connection to the Gray Hammer Guild?"

" A few years ago, we clashed with him over the Drake incident where it accumulated demonic energy near here. He later handed over the Drake's corpse to the Gray Hammer Guild. So it’s likely because of that."

She recounted the past events in detail, as if she had witnessed them firsthand.

"A brat who could barely fight the vice tower master has reached Transcendence in less than ten years? Ridiculous."

The white-haired man muttered that it made no sense and let out a hollow breath.

"What should we do?"

The blue-haired woman lowered her head respectfully, indicating she was ready to obey any command.

"What will happen if Raon Zieghart clashes with the Balrog?"

"Even if Raon Zieghart has reached Transcendence, he’s still at the very beginning stage. He won’t be able to defeat a Balrog. However, since the Heavenly Blade Division leader, who is nearly at Transcendence, is with him, he probably won’t die."

The woman narrowed her eyes, implying that at the very least, they would be able to escape.

"Since it’s been a while since I left the tower, it’s only right to bring back a gift for the tower master."

The white-haired man’s fingernails turned black as he drew a sinister smile and disappeared back into the shadows.

*   *   *

"Hoo."

Raon exhaled deeply, bringing down the flames that had risen above his head. He narrowed his eyes.

‘The heat is getting stronger.’

He was fine due to his resistance to fire, but he could see that the others were struggling against the heat.

Even though they were pushing the heat away with wind and cold energy, the relentless flames and lava continued to surge, making it hard to focus.

“It feels like swimming in lava. It’s fucking crazy.”

Martha gritted her teeth and brushed back her sweat-drenched hair.

"Ugh…."

Burren, exhausted from the heat, hesitated, his hands trembling as he debated whether to unbutton his uniform or not.

"I-I can see bead ice cream…."

Runaan, who was weak to heat, stuck out her tongue like a half-melted ice cream. Her shoulders drooped, but she continued to keep the frost barrier up to protect Palentun and the others.

“This is precisely why I’m here, the quartermaster at your service!”

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Dorian pulled out fire resistance robes and bracelets made of water from his belly pocket.

As soon as they put them on, their exhausted expressions began to relax.

“Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.”

"See? I am useful in times like this!"

"Mm. Mm."

Burren, Martha, and Runaan all smiled and praised Dorian.

“Heh heh, it’s nothing. I’m just doing my job…”

Just as Dorian was chuckling, scratching his head, the red smoke that was obscuring their vision began to disappear, revealing what lay at the end of the tunnel.

Gooooooh!

On the barren land where lava flowed, demons of all sizes stood in formation like soldiers.

Dwarven and human blacksmiths stood over pools of molten metal, striking their hammers. The irregular clanging of metal seemed to reveal their fear.

Whoooosh!

On the path of the abyss, where thick heat swirled like a vortex, brilliant blue flames converged to form the throne of a demon.

Seated upon that lofty throne, his back sinking into the grand seat, a demon rested his chin on the armrest, exuding an overwhelming presence that seemed poised to dominate the entire world.

Five horns protruded from his forehead, and wings made of flaming feathers unfolded from his back. In his gleaming blue eyes, a burning desire for battles across the world blazed.

Small demons mocked the humans, while the great demon king watched leisurely. The scene looked like something out of an ancient tale or a depiction of hell from an old painting.

"Th-This is…."

Dorian gripped his sword tightly, his hands trembling, as if he had never imagined witnessing such a sight.

"Those bastards!"

Martha ground her teeth so hard they nearly cracked as she raised her sword.

"Haa…."

Runaan, too, furrowed her brows in anger, spreading frost in all directions. It seemed like she was trying to lessen the suffering of the dwarves and humans burned by the flames.

That Balrog is quite skilled, even among his kind.

Wrath nodded, saying it was just as he had sensed from above.

‘Yeah.’

Raon nodded as well. Just as Wrath said, the energy wave emanating from the Balrog seated on the throne was superior to his own. Even from a distance, it felt as though his skin was being seared.

"Raon, we can fight, right?"

Burren bit his lips, his jaw clenched. Though he was usually calm, in a situation like this, he seemed more furious than anyone.

"Of course."

Raon met the gaze of the Balrog on the throne and nodded.

"Fight however you want."

The moment he gave the order, Burren, Martha, and Runaan kicked off the ground. Even Dorian, his face contorted in fear, charged at the demons.

“I’ll watch over the kids.”

With a gentle smile, Sheryl followed the three team leaders.

Kwaaang!

Though the Balrog’s subordinates below his throne were formidable, with Sheryl aiding them, the trio seemed capable of dealing with them without too much difficulty.

"This… this is…."

Borgos, who was chained by a flame chain, widened his eyes as he watched the demons fall one by one.

"Chief! Are you alright?"

Despite blood gushing from his abdomen, Palentun sprinted over and grabbed Borgos by the hand.

"P-Palentun! How are you…?"

"I’ve come back! And I’ve brought the person you called!"

He pointed at Raon.

"Ah…!"

Tears welled up in Borgos’s aged eyes.

"Raon Zieghart…."

Rather than feeling relieved for his own survival, he trembled with emotion at the thought of the other dwarves and blacksmiths being saved.

Chiiiiiiing!

While Burren, Martha, and Runaan pushed back the demons and extinguished the flames—

Kuuuuung!

A heavy footstep echoed, and the throne of blue flames crumbled.

From the shattered remnants of the throne, the Balrog rose, revealing his massive body. As soon as he spread his flaming wings, a horrifying pressure engulfed the entire underground. Now standing, he was far larger than he had appeared while seated.

Fwoooooosh!

Every time the Balrog took a step with his clawed feet, the lava-covered ground boiled as if on the verge of eruption.

Kugugugugu!

A pressure so immense it made the entire underground tremble poured from the Balrog’s body.

"Aaaaaah!"

"T-This can’t be real…."

“This is insane…”

The dwarves gasped in terror, collapsing to their knees. The team leaders trembled under the crushing force of his presence, and even Sheryl’s sharp eyes flickered with shock.

“To bring such fine prey to me…”

The Balrog looked down at Palentun, stroking his chin.

“Good thing I let you go.”

As if he had spared Palentun intentionally, he smirked and raised a sword wreathed in flames.

"Balrog."

Raon stepped onto the lava-boiling ground. With each step he took, frost spread across the ground, leaving a trail of silver in his wake.

"What’s your name?"

Raon stood before the Balrog like an unshaken large tree in the midst of a storm and tilted his chin to the side.

"I have no name to give to a mere human."

The Balrog sneered that all he wanted was a fight, curling his lips into a cruel grin.

"I see. Then…."

Raon gave a slight nod and drew Heavenly Drive upward in a diagonal slash. Frost formed along the blade, releasing a silvery glow that erased the heat.

Chwaaaaaak!

The Heavenly Lightning Cultivation’s Red Severance of Insanity and the Azure Sky Sword’s Vermillion Sky Canopy merged into one. A red bolt of lightning streaked through the silver sky, slicing past the Balrog’s throat.

“Die nameless.”

As Raon lowered his sword, the Balrog’s head fell. Silent and graceful.

Thunk.

 

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