The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 888

 Chapter 888

 

"Sword? You made a sword?"

Sia widened her eyes as she looked at Raon.

“Now that you mention it, I don’t see your swords, Raon.”

She waved a hand in front of him, asking where he had put his swords.

"I left them with master blacksmiths because they said they’d make them better."

Raon pointed at the letter, explaining that he had entrusted his swords to the old master blacksmiths.

"Huh? But why does the letter talk about a demon instead of sword?"

Sia tilted her head, unable to understand Borgos’ letter.

"That… I don’t really know either."

Raon let out an awkward laugh and folded the letter. He couldn’t bring himself to tell Sia that the blacksmiths of the continent were fiercely competing to reforge his swords.

Those old men may have aged, but they’re more childish than kids.

Wrath shook his head in disbelief.

"I want a shiny sword too!"

Sia raised her wooden sword high above her head like she was protesting.

"Hmm..."

Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Sia.

'It's not a bad idea.'

Since she had learned to control her strength, giving her a sword with a dull edge might be all right.

'I’ll make one for mother, father, and aunt, too.'

While he was at it, he thought it would be good to craft swords for Sylvia, Edgar, and Aris, who had gone up the North Grave mountain.

"Alright."

Raon nodded and took Sia to where Sylvia and Edgar were seated at a garden table.

"How about having swords made for yourselves as well?"

"A sword? You mean the one made from dragon bones?"

"Wait, are you saying you’ll make one for us too?"

Sylvia and Edgar blinked in surprise, as if the idea had never even crossed their minds.

"Yes. Since I'm planning to have a sword made for sister, I'd like to have ones made for you two as well."

Raon asked for their thoughts as he nodded toward them.

"Hmm, my current sword isn’t bad, but if my son is the one getting it made, of course I’ll use it!"

Sylvia smiled, saying that if it was a sword her son had arranged to have made, then of course she would use it.

"Th, then can I have a sword made from a dragon's horn?"

Edgar excitedly pounded the table with his fist.

"Horn?"

“Yeah. A sword made from dragon bones is sturdy, one made from dragon fangs is extremely sharp. But a sword made from a dragon horn can absorb aura more effectively.”

He nodded as he explained that each part of a dragon had different properties.

"There were such characteristics?"

Sylvia gave Edgar a blank stare, as if this was all new information to her.

“Of course! Even if the same blacksmith makes them, the swords will differ drastically depending on which materials, and how much—go into them.”

Edgar shook his head solemnly, saying the world of blacksmiths was truly profound.

"I didn’t know that either."

Raon let out a small sigh. He had trusted Vulcan, Kuberard, and Borgos to handle it, so he had no idea that each material had such differences.

The King of Essence didn’t know either. The only things he does know are that the rump is tender, the belly is firm, and the sirloin melts in your mouth…

Wrath smacked his lips, claiming that instead of knowing about dragon bones, teeth, or horns, he only knew which parts of the meat were the most delicious. Truly, a weird Demon King.

"Really? Then I should explain it properly! It’s not just bones and horns—every part of a dragon’s scales has a different use! The neck scales are both tough and flexible, making them great for armor, while the ones around the torso are just hard, so they’re better suited for shields or weapons. On top of that, each type of dragon has a different attribute…"

Edgar unleashed a monologue of facts nobody had asked for, as though he might never get another chance to speak.

"Reds naturally have fire resistance and affinity, blues are water, gold…"

"Ah, f-father! Since there are three dragons, we should be able to make a sword entirely from horn!"

Raon shouted that he would make a sword out of horns to cut off Edgar's endless chatter.

"R-Really?"

Edgar stopped explaining and let out a gasp, as if he had just chugged an entire glass of beer.

"To think I would use a sword made of dragon horn in my life! Having good children is the best!"

He raised a thumbs-up, declaring that a child’s success was greater than any personal achievement.

"Then I want a sword made from fangs. One that can cut down anyone who dares lay a hand on this place."

Despite her sharp words, Sylvia smiled sweetly as she nodded.

"Ah… yes."

Raon could feel Sylvia’s firm resolve to protect the annex building. It seemed she still carried the weight of the White Blood Religion’s attack in her heart.

“For mine, I’d like the dragon horn to be the main material, and I want it to be nimble. I need just enough flexibility to perform the sword techniques I have in mind. Not as flimsy as a whip-sword, of course—I want something light but sturdy. The length should be a bit shorter than a longsword...”

Edgar had as many requirements as he had words. He must have been letting loose all the chatter he’d suppressed around Sylvia.

"I want everything!"

Sia nodded, saying she wanted everything.

"Those scales? Bones? Use them all!"

"Use all of it! Scales, bones—everything!"

Her eyes sparkled as she demanded that every part be included.

"Alright."

Just as Raon was about to leave for Mirtan village after summarizing the three people's requests, Sia grabbed his sleeve.

“I wanna go, too!”

Sia smiled brightly, saying she wanted to go with him.

"You’ll be bored."

Raon shook his head, looking at Sia.

"All you'll see is hammering, it'll be tedious."

"I wanna go! I’m going! I’m going!"

Sia grabbed his arm tightly this time, as if she wouldn't let go. Her strength was so great that even though it was sturdy training clothes, his sleeve tore.

“Why not just take her?”

"Yeah, nothing dangerous should happen there."

Edgar and Sylvia smiled, saying it might be a good opportunity.

"Hmm…"

Raon let out a low groan, looking at the tears welling up in Sia's eyes.

'Guess I have no choice.'

Since this would be her first sword, it might actually be helpful for her to talk directly with the blacksmith.

"Okay. Let's go together."

He let out a resigned sigh and nodded.

"Yay!"

Sia wiped away her tears as if they were never there and beamed.

"Mom, it worked!"

She jumped into Sylvia’s arms, exclaiming that the tears had done the trick.

"See? I told you, even though your brother seems cold, he's actually soft-hearted."

Sylvia stroked Sia's head, praising her.

"Ah…"

Raon took a sharp breath as he watched Sia proudly boasting to Edgar and Sylvia.

'It was all an act?'

She was acting already?

Even Wrath let out a dumbfounded chuckle.

Your sister is exactly like you! Another god of acting is here!

"…."

*   *   *

Clang! Clang!

Mirtan village echoed with the sound of hammering. Sia found it all fascinating, turning her head left and right.

“A hammer! There’s a hammer over there, too!”

She pointed to a hammer larger than a person’s forearm and grinned. Everything seemed so new to her.

“Sister, aren’t you hot?”

Raon looked down at the beaming Sia.

"I’m fine!"

She shook her head, saying the temperature suited her just right.

'Is it because her physical abilities are still at Grandmaster level?'

She had lost all memories of swordsmanship and martial arts, but her physical abilities themselves remained, so she seemed unaffected by both heat and cold.

“But why are they hitting the fire with a hammer?”

Sia pointed to a blacksmith hammering heated metal.

"That's not fire, it's metal heated in fire. If you apply heat to metal, you can change its shape."

As Raon explained the sword-making process while walking through Mirtan, he spotted a familiar face.

"General administrator?"

It was the Gambling Monster. He was strolling through Mirtan village with a bottle of liquor hooked around his finger.

“What brings you here, sir?”

“I came to have a sword made for myself.”

The Gambling Monster licked his hand, saying that since he was also part of the annex building, he should be allowed to place his order first.

"Of course."

Raon smiled, saying it was only natural.

"Oh, and I have a gift for you."

He opened his subspace pocket and pulled out a fine liquor he had bought for the Gambling Monster.

"Ahem! This is not bad!"

Despite his nonchalant words, the Gambling Monster immediately reached out and took the liquor.

"Did you come after hearing that your swords…."

"Grandpa!"

Just as the Gambling Monster was about to ask about raon’s swords, Sia ran forward and grabbed his hand.

“Why haven’t you been coming to our house lately?”

She frowned, looking disappointed that he hadn’t visited in some time.

"S-Sia… W-Well, I’ve been busy taking care of the kids lately…."

The Gambling Monster stammered, flustered by Sia’s clear, unblinking gaze.

"First grandpa isn’t coming, Second grandpa isn’t coming, and black grandpa isn’t coming either, so I’m bored!"

Sia pouted, complaining that Glenn, Rector, and the Gambling Monster hadn’t visited.

“I-I see! Then I suppose I’d better drop by!”

The Gambling Monster trembled as he nodded, his chin quivering. He flashed a broad grin as if he found Sia adorable.

‘They’ve gotten pretty close.’

Since the Gambling Monster was a man with a strong sense of responsibility, he occasionally visited the annex building to fulfill his role as an actual general administrator. It seemed that was when he and Sia had grown closer.

“Come tomorrow. I’ll have everything ready.”

Just as Raon was telling the Gambling Monster to visit the annex building tomorrow, someone called his name.

"Raon!"

"You were told to come quickly! Why are you slacking off over there?!"

It was Vulcan. He stomped the ground in front of his workshop, signaling for Raon to hurry up.

“You're hurting my ears. Keep it down.”

Kuberad waved his hand, telling him to leave Raon be since he would come on his own.

"Yeah. The result is already set. Just sit tight and wait."

Borgos gave a relaxed nod, acting as though he had already claimed victory.

“General administrator, please watch over my sister for a bit.”

Raon entrusted Sia to Gambling Monster and headed toward Vulcan’s workshop.

“I apologize for being late.”

He bowed to Vulcan, Kuberad, and Borgos.

All three looked disheveled, their clothes and hair in a mess. It was clear they had stayed up all night working on the swords, dark circles were etched under their eyes.

“Huh, so you brought that kid along as well.”

Vulcan recognized Sia and gave a heavy nod.

"The one who makes the Gambling Monster flustered…."

"Who is she?"

Since Kuberad and Borgos had no idea who Sia was, they tilted their heads in curiosity.

"She’s my older sister."

“Sister? You had an older sister?”

Kuberad widened his eyes, as if he was hearing it for the first time.

"Yes. She... sort of appeared out of nowhere."

"Hah, humans are strange. It’s not a younger sibling but an older one appearing out of nowhere?"

Borgos shook his head in confusion.

"To put it simply…."

Since he needed them to make Sia’s sword, Raon decided to share a brief explanation of how she had lost her memories and ended up at the annex building.

"…So that’s what happened."

Kuberad let out a sigh, his voice tinged with sympathy.

“Damn Eden scum! I keep telling you, anyone who goes around hiding their faces is never sane!”

Borgos ground his teeth so hard they made a crunching sound, revealing his deep grudge against the Five Demons.

"Enough with the heavy talk. Let’s get to the main point."

Vulcan waved his hand, trying to lift the mood.

"Indeed. Today is about the newly reforged swords."

Kuberad nodded with a faint smile.

"I hope you cut down all those damned scum with the sword I reforged!"

Vulcan pulled away the cloth covering the table with a determined look.

Fwoosh!

Beneath the white cloth lay three newly reforged swords.

"Hmm…."

Since they were still sheathed, their changes weren’t immediately apparent. Their presence felt the same as when he last held them.

"You won't understand just by looking. Try them out yourself."

Vulcan stepped back, motioning for him to draw the swords.

"You must see and judge for yourself for it to have meaning."

Kuberad nodded calmly.

"A demon is born…."

Borgos licked his lips, his darkened eyes gleaming with an eerie light.

"Understood."

Raon took a deep breath and grasped Heavenly Drive, the sword Vulcan had reforged. Though the hilt remained unchanged, it fit his grip even better than before.

Chiaaang!

As he unsheathed Heavenly Drive, a clearer, more resonant ring echoed through the air, revealing a pristine white blade. The shape hadn’t changed significantly, but he could feel the will contained within the sword.

‘An unbreakable will against anyone.’

The same will that had accompanied him from the moment he first held the sword to the moment he reached Transcendence was now infused into Heavenly Drive.

No matter who he faced, no matter what sword technique clashed against it, the blade would never break.

"This is incredible. I can tell its power without even swinging it."

Raon gave Heavenly Drive a light downward swing, his red eyes flickering with heat.

“Kuh-hmm!”

Vulcan let out a pleased grunt, his lips stretching into a broad grin, clearly satisfied with Raon's reaction.

"Then, next…."

Raon slid Heavenly Drive back into its sheath and reached for the Blade of Requiem.

Hwooosh!

The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, a chilling sensation crept up his fingertips. It felt as if he had been exposed to necromantic sorcery, yet there was no malice within it.

Ssssshh!

When he unsheathed the Blade of Requiem, its blade gleamed an even deeper shade of red, as if it had been drenched in blood.

The ghastly energy rising from the blade had grown even denser, yet strangely, the stench of lingering resentment had largely faded.

Instead, the blade emanated an energy wave akin to that of a noble and refined swordsman—one with unwavering dignity.

"The Blade of Requiem’s power and will have grown stronger, but its resentment has faded. No… rather than fading, it seems to have transformed that malice into strength."

Raon ran his fingers along the blade and swallowed dryly.

"I heard that your master appeased the lingering souls within the Blade of Requiem, so I decided to trust the spirit of the sword. Just as you have helped those souls, they too will now aid you."

Kuberad nodded, stating that mutual trust would create immense power.

"Thank you."

Raon bowed his head toward Kuberad before reaching for the final sword—Wooden Ring Sword.

"Hmm…."

As soon as he grasped the hilt, red currents flickered before his eyes.

A chill ran down his spine, as if he were standing before a swordsman consumed by pure killing intent.

Chriiiing!

As Raon drew the Wooden Ring Sword, its blade emerged, radiating a clear, blue brilliance, reminiscent of Rimmer’s wind.

Yet, beneath that pristine clarity, an overwhelming killing intent lurked.

It wasn’t just meant to cut down humans. The blade harbored a will powerful enough to sever the very world itself.

"Hmm."

Raon touched the tip of the Wooden Ring Sword with his finger.

Piiik!

Even though his body had become tougher after reaching Transcendence, blood trickled down as he was cut by the sword without even infusing it with aura.

"This..."

He’d thought it would merely scratch him. He hadn’t expected an actual wound, the blade’s killing intent was no joke.

"I knew it!"

Borgos clapped his hands in satisfaction, as if he had predicted Raon’s reaction.

"With that sword, cut down every last one of those Five Demons bastards!"

He bowed his head solemnly, asking Raon to do him that favor.

"I’ll do my best."

Raon clenched his fist, silently vowing to become a swordsman who would never be overwhelmed by the Wooden Ring Sword’s killing intent.

“Hmph, so whose sword turned out the best?”

Kuberad tilted his head slightly as he asked. He had acted uninterested, yet he was clearly the most curious.

"What do you mean? It’s obvious!"

"Yeah, it’s mine."

Borgos confidently pointed at himself, and Vulcan, naturally, did the same.

“All three are such masterpieces that it feels like a waste for me to use them, so I can't rank them.”

Raon glanced between Heavenly Drive, the Blade of Requiem, and Wooden Ring Sword, shaking his head.

Heavenly Drive was infused with an unbreakable will.

The Blade of Requiem held the power to turn resentment into salvation.

The Wooden Ring Sword was imbued with the absolute will to kill, no matter the opponent.

The blacksmithing of all three swords was nearly flawless, yet the will imbued within each was vastly different, making it impossible to declare a winner.

"This match ends in a draw."

Raon shut his eyes tightly, truly unable to decide.

"There’s no such thing as a draw in this world!"

Borgos shook his head furiously.

"A decision has to be made…"

Kuberad smacked his lips, as if eager for a conclusion.

"In the world of blacksmiths, there’s no such thing as an undecided match."

Even Vulcan frowned, clearly displeased.

“Look at them properly again!”

“Raon!”

As he told him to look again, the Gambling Monster came up the hill carrying Sia in his arms.

Despite being tall for a woman, Sia looked small in the Gambling Monster’s massive frame, making the sight not particularly unusual.

"Sister?"

“Are these the grandpas who are going to make my sword?”

Sia looked at Borgos, Vulcan, and Kuberad with a bright smile.

"Hello!"

She hopped down from the Gambling Monster’s arms and politely bowed to the three blacksmiths.

"Sword?"

Vulcan tilted his head, as if asking what she meant.

"My sister has recently started learning swordsmanship, so I was hoping you could make her a real sword, without a sharpened edge."

“Hmm, I see.”

Vulcan narrowed his eyes as he examined Sia’s hands and legs.

“Despite appearances, I can sense an incredible swordsmanship within her.”

“You could say she’s brimming with raw talent.”

Kuberad and Borgos swallowed dryly, seemingly recognizing Sia’s talent as well.

[As I mentioned, her original level was at the highest level of Grandmaster.]

Raon sent an aura message that only the three blacksmiths could hear.

[She may have lost her memories, but if she properly wields a sword again...]

Glancing at Sia, who was smiling as she examined Heavenly Drive, he nodded.

[She’ll undoubtedly reach Transcendence.]

With Sia’s talent, reaching Transcendence was inevitable, so he spoke with absolute confidence.

“Huh!”

“That’s how gifted she is?”

Borgos and Kuberad widened their eyes in shock.

“Young lady.”

Vulcan stepped toward Sia and locked eyes with her.

"Why don’t you give this a swing?"

He handed her an ordinary sword and gestured for her to give it a swing.

“Hmm? How hard should I swing?”

Sia tilted her head and looked at Raon.

“This time, go all out and swing toward that mountain.”

Raon pointed to a distant mountain, telling her to use her full strength.

“Got it!”

Sia nodded and brought the sword down. It looked like a simple horizontal slash, yet it somehow carried the flow of the Fangs of Insanity,  a technique she had barely just learned.

Kwaaaaaang!

The slash, sharp and ferocious like the fangs of a wild beast, tore through the air and shattered part of the mountain’s side.

“I hit it!”

Sia jumped up and down excitedly, thrilled to have struck her target.

“Uh….”

"W-What the hell…?"

“Huh!”

Kuberad and Borgos were utterly dumbfounded, their eyes bulging in disbelief, and even Vulcan seemed taken aback.

“As I said, who among you the blacksmiths of the continent will forge the first sword for my sister, the one destined to reach Transcendence?”

Raon declared, gesturing theatrically like a seasoned auctioneer, presenting Sia to the three bewildered blacksmiths.

“Me! I’ll make it!”

“No, no, no. A sword for such a delicate young lady requires the touch of someone refined, like myself!”

“This is the time to decide the winner!”

The three blacksmiths shouted that they would make Sia's sword and started fighting again.

"I like them all!"

Sia beamed, smiling as if the more, the better.

These childish old men….

Wrath shook his head in dismay.

It’s like they’re aging backward.

‘…You’re one to talk.’

*   *   *

After taking Sia back to the annex building, Raon headed to the fifth training ground.

It seemed the Light Wind division swordsmen had finished their training and left, as the ground was neatly cleaned.

Haaaaahm…

Wrath let out a long yawn and shook his head.

You just stuffed yourself with a warm meal, so why not just sleep? Why are you out here again…?

Rubbing his eyes, he lazily motioned for Raon to go back and sleep.

‘Now that I have my swords back, I need to see how much has changed.’

With Heavenly Drive, the Blade of Requiem, and the Wooden Ring Sword reforged to an exceptional level, he needed to test them out to adapt properly.

That makes sense, but can’t you do it after getting some sleep?

Wrath sighed and shook his head, exasperated by Raon's obsession with training late at night.

‘It’s quiet now. That makes it perfect.’

Raon smiled and drew Heavenly Drive. Just gripping the sword made his body and mind feel stronger, as if nothing could shake him.

Hoo…

As always, he started with the basics.

Projecting the flow and principles he had taught Sia onto himself, he swung Heavenly Drive.

Whoooosh!

The blade of Heavenly Drive, infused with Raon’s unwavering resolve, sliced through the cold dawn air.

A sword that neither wavered nor broke—just as Vulcan had promised.

It’s as if the very concept of unbreakable has been forged into this sword. It’s even stronger than before.

Wrath nodded, acknowledging it as a sword that perfectly embodied a swordsman’s will.

Srrrng.

Raon sheathed Heavenly Drive and took hold of the Wooden Ring Sword.

Sliding Heavenly Drive back into its sheath, Raon reached for the Wooden Ring Sword. The moment he drew it, an ominous killing intent spread, the blue blade radiating an eerie malice that swallowed the surrounding darkness.

Chiiiiing!

Moving with smooth footwork, Raon advanced to the center of the training ground, unleashing the Fangs of Insanity.

The eerie sharpness embedded in the Wooden Ring Sword became the fangs of a rabid beast, lashing out in every direction.

Kwaaaaaang!

Even though he hadn’t intended it, thin web-like strands of killing intent formed at the end of his blade’s trajectory, slicing through the air.

‘This is… dangerous.’

If he failed to control it, the killing intent could strike not just his enemies but even his allies.

Now he understood why that dwarf said he had created a demon.

Wrath let out a huff, muttering that he had created one hell of a troublesome sword.

'Then the last...'

Just as Raon reached for the Blade of Requiem at his waist, the doors to the training ground swung open, and Glenn stepped inside.

"Do you really think you can test your swords properly on your own?"

With a composed expression, he waved his hand.

“H-head of house?”

Raon hadn’t expected Glenn to come here, so he hurried forward and bowed.

"Now that your swords have been reforged, how about fulfilling the postponed promise?"

"If you're referring to a promise…"

“The spar.”

With a faint smile on his lips, he grasped Heavenly Tremor.

"Let's see how far you've climbed."

 

 

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