The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 881

 Chapter 881

 

‘Now, how should I cook this?’

Raon smacked his lips as he looked at Ascara, as if he were a delicious dish ready to be devoured.

Huh? Doormat?

Wrath widened his eyes in disbelief.

What are you hoping to get from that guy…?

Wrath trembled his chin, unable to grasp what Raon was thinking.

‘You'll see soon enough.’

Leaving Wrath, who stared blankly, behind, Raon approached Ascara, the Balrog King.

‘Hmm. These injuries are serious.’

It felt like a blade was stuck in his lower abdomen.

Just taking a single step forward sent searing pain through his energy center and mana circuits, as if they were being torn apart.

It seemed to be the recoil from simultaneously using two Sword Field Creations.

It was not an external impact but an internal injury that had burst from the inside, so the situation was extremely serious. However, now was not the time to care about that. First, the fight with Ascara had to be finished.

"Such a pathetic body."

Raon endured the excruciating pain blooming throughout his body and shook the blood off his hands.

"Wrath! What the hell are you thinking!"

Rage seeped through Ascara's breath.

“Do you truly wish to die by my hand?!”

As if he was serious, he reached out and tore through space itself. A rift cracked open, releasing an overwhelming surge of combative energy that sent chills down the spine.

"If you want to kill me, go ahead and try."

Raon spread his arms as if to say, do as you please.

‘Ascara will never lay a finger on me.’

What Ascara wanted wasn't Wrath’s life, it was a duel with him.

As long as Raon stayed still, he wouldn’t attack.

"Wrath..."

Ascara’s clenched fist trembled. He wanted to fight, yet found himself in a situation where he couldn’t, leaving him flustered.

"Why won’t you fight me! At least give me a reason!"

Frustrated, Ascara stomped his foot and shouted for an explanation.

"The King of Essence already told you that he has no interest in fighting weaklings."

Raon scoffed and shook his head.

"I'm... weak?"

Ascara gaped in disbelief. It was the first time in his life that anyone had called him weak.

"The reason the King of Essence didn’t kill you and instead tossed you into the ocean of devildom was because he expected more from you in the future. But this is all you’ve got? What a disappointment."

Raon slowly lowered his eyelids as if he truly felt disappointed.

Huh?

Wrath blinked in shock.

Wh-What the hell is this?! How can you act so well?!

He exhaled in exasperation, admitting that even professional actors couldn’t match Raon's acting skills.

Ascara! This bastard is acting! Snap out of it!

Wrath desperately waved his hands up and down, urging him to realize it.

"W-what nonsense! The difference between my strength back then and now is like night and day!"

However, Ascara was so shocked at being called weak that he couldn’t even consider the possibility that it was an act.

"Fine! You can find out for yourself!"

He tore the dimensional rift even wider. Despite the immense toll it took, draining his combative energy and tearing his own body apart, he showed no intention of stopping.

"How disappointing."

Raon clicked his tongue as he gazed at Ascara’s trembling hand, gripping the rift.

"You're already consuming so much combative energy just by crossing the dimension, how do you expect to fight the King of Essence?"

He shook his chin, telling him to stop wasting his efforts.

"Wrath..."

Ascara gnashed his teeth in frustration. He had clenched so hard that the sound of his bones cracking could be heard.

"Do you want to fight the King of Essence that badly?"

Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked down at Ascara.

"Of course! If I can fight you, I’ll do anything!"

Ascara struck his chest with his fist, his voice filled with unwavering determination.

"The King of Essence doesn’t like fighting weaklings, but since you want it so badly, he supposes he might as well make an exception."

Raon nodded calmly, as if sipping tea.

"R-really?"

"But not now."

He waved his hand as Ascara's eyes widened.

"What do you mean, not now?"

Ascara furrowed his brow in confusion.

"You exhausted your stamina and combative energy just from breaking through the dimension. Someone like you is not even worth fighting. If we’re going to fight, both sides should be at full power."

Raon brought both hands together in front of him and tilted his chin.

"Then…"

"Once the King of Essence returns to devildom, he shall accept your challenge."

Lowering his chin, he suggested that they fight in the devildom instead of here.

“A-Are you serious? You must know how great the repercussions would be if you and I fought in devildom?”

"Has the King of Essence ever told a lie?"

Raon locked eyes with Ascara, his gaze unwavering.

"And besides, there will be no repercussions, because he will not lose."

"…You’re certainly different from those so-called kings who are only kings in name."

Convinced by Wrath’s words—though it was actually Raon speaking—Ascara nodded.

"But you're wrong about one thing. This time, it will end with my victory."

His hand clenched into a fist, black flames rising from his fingers.

Huh…? Wh-what?

Wrath gasped sharply.

W-What the hell! The King of Essence didn’t say a word, so why is the duel already decided?!

He shook his chubby arms in disbelief.

You crazy bastard! Not only have you been leeching off the King of Essence’s power, but now you’re even selling his name?!

Wrath yelled at him, asking why he had to fight Ascara.

‘Calm down. This deal's condition is perfect.’

You're the one benefiting from this deal, while the King of Essence is the one stuck cleaning up the mess! Staying by your side comes with all the responsibility—but none of the pleasure! What kind of deal is this?!

He flailed his arms wildly, demanding that this fraudulent deal be stopped.

‘Huh? Don't tell me… you're actually going to lose to Ascara?’

Raon blinked at Wrath.

‘The Monarch of Wrath… losing to a mere Balrog?’

W-what nonsense! Even if you've drained my power, he can still crush a mere battle-mad demon like that with ease!

Wrath snorted arrogantly.

'Then it's settled.'

Exactly! It's settled! He'll easily win and put an end to this... huh?

Wrath, about to smirk, suddenly widened his eyes.

No! This isn’t about winning or losing! Why do he have to fight in the first place!?!

He gritted his teeth, saying that even the celestials wouldn’t sell someone out like this.

“Your eyes… Your eyes tell me you're serious.”

Ascara nodded, convinced of Raon’s sincerity.

‘Of course, I am.’

Raon smirked as he looked at Ascara.

‘Because I won’t be the one fighting.’

Since Wrath was the one who would be fighting, Raon could freely promise a real duel without hesitation.

Ironically, this felt like the exact opposite of what Wrath said—it was a deal with all the pleasure and none of the responsibility.

"The King of Essence does not lie."

Raon nodded calmly, ignoring Wrath’s cries of protest.

That's a lie! Every time this bastard opens his mouth, it's nothing but lies!

Wrath thrashed in the air, desperately pleading for someone to listen.

"Then when will you return to devildom?"

Ascara licked his lips, already eager for the fight.

"Right now, the King of Essence is enjoying watching his subordinates' journey. Once this vessel turns to dust, he'll return to devildom. He’s also interested in the events unfolding in this world."

Raon replied that he would return only after the life of this body came to an end.

"That long?"

Ascara frowned at the thought.

"My subordinate has at most 80 years left to live. Compared to our lifespans, that’s nothing more than a fleeting moment."

“I know that, but thinking about fighting you is making my blood boil right now!”

He raised his flame-covered fingers, declaring his desire to fight immediately.

“Then build up your strength while you wait. You wouldn’t want the fight you’re so eager for to end too quickly.”

Raon waved his hand at the impatient Ascara.

"80 years…"

Ascara still seemed to think it was too long, clutching his head.

He was calm and dangerous, but when it came to fighting, he was no different from a child.

Now came the crucial part.

Having deceived Ascara to this extent, there was no way he could just let him go. Even if not as much as Wrath, he had to drain as much from him as possible.

"Then let’s do this."

Raon raised a finger and pointed to his own chest.

"Transfer the combative energy you possess to the King of Essence's subordinate. If this one dies, the energy will return to you, serving as a signal that the time has come for our battle."

"Hmm…"

Ascara lowered his eyebrows, as if intrigued by the proposal.

S-so this was it!

Wrath clapped his hands, as if he had finally figured it out.

You were aiming for Ascara’s combative energy all along—and you sold the King of Essence to get it!

His blue eyes trembled in shock at the sheer audacity.

Don’t be fooled! It’s all a lie! He’s just acting to get his hands on your combative energy!

Wrath clasped his hands together, desperately hoping his words would reach Ascara.

"This isn’t bad!"

However, Ascara didn't hear Wrath's plea and simply muttered his approval.

"Since there's still combative energy left in that body, it won’t be that difficult."

Nodding, he seemed convinced by Raon's words.

Kuaaaaaaagh!

Wrath let out a final, despairing scream that echoed through the underground.

"But if your subordinate has 80 more years to live, does that mean he is currently twenty?"

“Close enough.”

"To possess such physical abilities and aura at that age… I can see why you chose him as your subordinate. Very well."

Ascara's eyes gleamed with interest as he opened his fingers. Blackened combative energy tore through dimensions and wrapped around Raon’s entire body.

Unlike before, there was no killing intent in his energy, so Raon calmly accepted it.

Whoooosh!

Through the Trait <Combative Energy Manipulation>, the combative energy he had accumulated drained away, making room for Ascara’s combative energy to take its place.

It felt as if his entire body was being grilled on a hot iron plate. Ascara’s energy carried immense heat and power, befitting the king of the Balrogs.

With this energy, he could further refine the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.

However, he had expected the process to end quickly, but Ascara transferred far more energy than he had anticipated.

It was an overwhelming amount—far greater than the lightning energy he had recently obtained from the Heavenly Lightning Cultivation.

"You’re giving more than he expected. Do you have a reason for this?"

Raon narrowed his eyes, questioning his intentions.

"It is a gift for the young warrior."

Ascara straightened his back and nodded with dignified authority.

"A gift for the young warrior?"

"I had a feeling that this young human, your subordinate, may one day stand at the same level as me."

He smacked his lips as if he were leaving behind a marker for that moment in the future.

"Of course, I’ve set it up so that when your subordinate dies, the combative energy will return to me. 80 years, was it? I am eagerly awaiting that day."

"No, that’s not happening!"

Wrath flew at Ascara, shouting in protest.

This damned bastard is going to live disgustingly long thanks to the King of Essence's power! He’s going to live disgustingly long—definitely over 100 years!

Wrath scowled, claiming that Raon would live a long, healthy life. It was hard to tell whether that was an insult or a compliment.

"By the way, what did you mean by that ‘interesting event’ you mentioned earlier?"

Remembering Raon’s words, Ascara turned his gaze.

" There will come a time when those disgraceful demon kings and the even more disgraceful celestials stir up chaos. Watching it unfold should be quite entertaining."

It was obvious that the celestials would get involved when he eventually fought Derus Robert.

This battle-crazed Balrog might prove useful in the future, so Raon planted the bait in advance.

"Demon kings and celestials, huh…."

Ascara narrowed his eyes, as if intrigued, but soon shook his head.

"As interesting as that sounds, right now, all I care about is my fight with you."

His eyes burned with intensity, making it clear that, while other battles were interesting, he only truly desired his duel with Wrath.

He’s not fighting! The King of Essence absolutely refuses!

Wrath violently shook his head in protest.

"Then I shall wait for your return to devildom."

With a casual wave of his hand, Ascara began to erase the countless dimensional rifts and black-red sparks he had created, one by one.

"And one last thing…."

Just as he was about to leave, Ascara suddenly extended his pale hand.

Craaack!

Just as the torn space had begun to stitch itself back together, it was ripped apart once more. His greatsword, Bastar, erupted with pitch-black flames, surging toward a spot in midair to his left.

"Kuaaaaagh!"

From the shadows of a boulder on the ceiling, a white-haired man burst out, letting out a horrible scream.

He tried to dispel the black flames with his demonic energy, but Ascara’s flames refused to be extinguished.

"So it was you—the rat who tried to lure me out."

Ascara’s gaze turned not just ferocious, but chillingly cold.

"W-Wait! Please, hear me out! We..."

"The only sound a rat like you should be making is a squeak!"

With a mere nod of his chin, the black flames exploded, reducing the white-haired man’s body to nothing but ashes.

Kugugugu!

Perhaps because Ascara had deliberately controlled his power, the flames did not reach the people in the right-side wall.

‘Everyone’s safe.’

Dorian, Borgos, and the blacksmiths had all fainted, while Burren, Martha, and Runaan barely managed to keep their eyes open. Sheryl, gripping both her swords, was prepared to step in the moment she sensed danger.

Since most of them likely hadn't heard the conversation due to the noise from Ascara’s dimensional rifts and sparks, he would need to explain things later.

"Filthy thing."

Ascara shook his hand, releasing a chilling wave of energy.

"Then, I shall wait."

Leaving those final words, he closed the last remaining dimensional rift and disappeared.

"Wow…."

Raon swallowed dryly as he watched the black flames that had incinerated even the blood.

'That was dangerous.'

If Ascara had wanted to, he too would have been erased, leaving not even a trace of blood behind, just like that white-haired man.

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

How could he just leave like that?!

Wrath flailed his arms toward the spot where Ascara had vanished.

You should’ve burned that bastard too! He’s a walking disaster—if he stays alive, he’ll bring ruin to the whole world!

He insisted that Raon ought to be destroyed as well, shaking his head violently.

‘Why are you saying that to a friend?’

Raon patted Wrath’s shoulder.

Friend? Show me one person who sells out their friend like this!

Wrath ground his teeth and swatted Raon’s hand away.

‘I had no choice if I wanted to survive. I felt bad about it, so I was gonna let you eat whatever you wanted for a week—but I guess that’s off the table now.’

Raon sighed, smacking his lips.

A… a week?

Wrath's body slowly rotated back toward Raon.

‘Yeah. And I was even planning to include dessert each time. The bead ice cream you like…’

Be-Bead ice cream…?

His eyes slowly rose as if they would reach the sky.

Ahem! Well, if it’s for survival, there’s no helping it! The magnanimous King of Essence shall forgive you!

Wrath coughed and casually scooted closer.

‘Just as I thought, your generosity knows no bounds.’

There is no Demon King in all the vast devildom with a heart as generous as the King of Essence!

‘Then, you’ll fight Ascara too? I mean, if you really wanted to, you could crush him effortlessly.’

O-Of course! If the King of Essence exerts his full power, he can easily crush him!

Wrath nodded, though his smile was somewhat awkward.

‘Good to hear.’

As Raon grinned and nodded—

[You have perfectly deceived the Balrog King]
[You have achieved a great feat]
[All stats have increased….]
[The trait <Combative Energy Manipulation> is evolving into <Ascara’s Combative Energy>….]

The rewards from deceiving Ascara popped up before him.

‘Hmm, well… since we’re friends, I guess this much is fine—’

No!

Wrath flailed both fists wildly, yelling in frustration.

We are NOT friends! You bastard! This is extortion, not friendship!

 

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