The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 917

 Chapter 917

 

‘A real demon, huh...’

Raon narrowed his eyes as he observed the eerie presence of the demon.

‘It definitely feels different.’

There were many demons with unusual appearances like the one before him, but finding one with such overwhelming demonic energy was extremely rare.

‘This is Transcendence-level demonic energy.’

If the demon were to fully unleash its concealed demonic energy, it would likely be stronger than Orgos, the Demonic Monarch of Azure Flame, whom he had encountered before.

That said, there’s something a bit off,

Wrath remarked, smacking his lips briefly.

‘Something off?’

That one is undoubtedly a strong demon, yet oddly, it does not carry a strong scent of devildom.

He narrowed his eyes, thinking that the demon seemed to have been born on this land like a human.

"Shall I take care of it?"

Martha stood beside Raon, gripping the hilt of her sword.

“No. Stand down.”

Raon shook his head, motioning for Martha to step back.

“That thing is dangerous.”

Though the demon wasn’t exuding an overwhelming presence at the moment, the power it was concealing was immense, almost impossible to gauge. Even at its lowest estimate, it was at least on par with Orgos. In this place, the only one capable of defeating such an opponent was himself.

“…Human.”

The demon slowly scanned the Light Wind Palace swordsmen and the mages of Balkar before turning its gaze back to Raon.

“What… are you?”

His darkened eyes lowered slightly, as if it couldn’t comprehend what it was seeing.

“What do you mean?”

Raon stepped forward, tilting his chin slightly.

“The energy I sense from you… it’s not unfamiliar. It’s almost like…”

The demon flicked his black fingers slightly, as if lost in thought.

“If you’re trying to stall for time, I have no interest.”

Raon raised Heavenly Drive, pointing the blade at the demon’s neck.

"We don’t have time to waste. Step aside."

Though he had not expected to face such a formidable opponent so soon, he felt confident that no matter who the enemy was, he would not lose.

“……”

The demon’s black eyes shifted, deep in contemplation. Then, as if it had reached a decision, it slowly lowered its pitch-black arm.

“Under normal circumstances, I should die here. But… I’d like to observe for a bit longer.”

Taking a step back, it spread its black wings wide.

Fwoooosh!

Wrapping itself in its enormous wings, the demon vanished in a flash of black light.

“What… What just happened?”

Burren gaped, unable to comprehend the situation.

“Did it get scared of Raon?”

Martha scanned Raon up and down before clicking her tongue.

“Idiot…?”

Runaan also blinked in confusion, finding the situation strange.

"Maybe it just really needed to use the bathroom. That happens to me sometimes too…"

Dorian rubbed his hands together as if he could relate.

‘Wrath.’

Raon narrowed his eyes as he stared at the empty space where the demon had disappeared.

‘Did that demon just see you?’

Even the other demon kings can’t see me, how could a demon like that? That one likely sensed the King of Essence’s energy resonating with the demonic energy of this place.

Wrath scoffed, shaking his head.

‘If it sensed your energy, shouldn’t it have submitted?’

Unlike Balrog, who was mad for battle, demons can hold all sorts of thoughts and values, just like humans. It’s not uncommon for them to not bow down to me even after seeing me, or to just run away without looking back.

Wrath continued, waving his hand dismissively.
And that one didn’t flee out of fear—it’s up to something.

He warned Raon not to let his guard down, quickly scanning the surroundings.

Kugugugugugu!

Perhaps because the demon had disappeared, a door leading to the next floor rose from the spot where it had been standing.

“Let’s go.”

Raon took a deep breath, exhaling air tinged with demonic energy as he stepped toward the newly emerged door.

“Even if the path ahead leads into the jaws of a tiger, we have no choice but to enter.

***

Karoon frowned as he looked at the blonde-haired woman standing before him.

‘An angel…?’

Just like the door he had seen before entering this place, the woman standing before him had large, white-feathered wings sprouting from her back. A golden crown rested upon her head, making her appearance identical to the angels described in stories.

‘I don’t sense any demonic energy.’

Unlike demons, the angel radiated a holy energy as she gazed at him. Her warm gaze made him feel as if he were standing in a holy temple rather than on a battlefield.

‘But angels aren’t good creatures either.’

Since Derus Robert had summoned an archangel, demons weren’t their only enemies, angels were just as much of a threat. Especially an angel found within the Black Tower couldn’t be trusted.

"You have fought a difficult battle."

The angel smiled gently and spread her arms wide.

"You may rest here. No one will raise a blade against you."

She nodded, as if inviting them to stay.

“Who are you?”

Morell Kazan stepped forward, raising his staff.

“My name is Peridot. I have descended here to free you from your fate.”

“Fate?”

Karoon furrowed his brows as he looked at her.

"Yes. If you continue upward, all of you will die."

Peridot lowered her hands, saying she had come to prevent their deaths.

Upon seeing her serene smile, an unfamiliar desire to stay and stop fighting began to bloom within them.

“Ugh…”

Morell Kazan's hand trembled as he gripped his staff, struggling to stay focused under Peridot's smile.

“Lady Peridot…”

"If someone like her is saying this, perhaps we should stop here."

"Palace master, why don’t we end things here?"

“Yes. Let’s leave it to the Light Wind Palace and wait here.”

Even the Central Martial Palace swordsmen, known for their iron will, lowered their swords, as if enchanted by Peridot’s words.

“…Did you say I would die?”

Karoon ignored the splitting headache that had begun to set in and strode toward Peridot.

"Not just you, Sir Karoon."

Peridot clasped her hands together, her smile turning bittersweet.

“Everyone here will perish at the top of this tower.”

Shaking her head, she whispered that she did not wish to witness such a tragedy.

"It’s true. I fear death. The battlefield has always terrified me."

Karoon loosened his grip on his sword and nodded.

"But if my death can serve Zieghart, then this life is a small price to pay."

Clenching his teeth, he slashed his sword straight at Peridot’s neck.

Slaaash!

A sharp tearing sound rang out as Peridot’s head fell, severed from her body.

From her smooth, silk-like neck, golden blood erupted like a fountain.

“If an angel blocks my path, I’ll kill the angel. If a god stands in my way, I’ll cut down the god and continue forward.”

Karoon wiped the golden blood from his cheek and exhaled deeply.

“Ah…”

“Pa-Palace master!”

“What… have we done…?”

As Peridot’s lifeless body collapsed, the Central Martial Palace swordsmen snapped out of their trance, their eyes widening in shock.

“Enough. Let’s move on up…”

Karoon was motioning for the Central Martial Palace swordsmen when—

Whooooosh.

From Peridot’s lifeless body, a pure white current rose and restored her as if turning back time, reversing the mortal wound she had received.

"You're even more ruthless than I had heard."

Peridot smiled gently and gave a small nod.

“However, I believe you’ll come to regret this choice.”

Leaving those words behind, she dissolved into white light and vanished.

Rumble.

As soon as the angel disappeared completely, a new door to the next floor rose from the ground.

“Regret, huh…”

Karoon let out a short chuckle and shook his head.

"Sorry, but I don't leave room for regrets."

Without a second thought, he strode up the stairs, paying no heed to Peridot’s words.

*   *   *

Raon clenched his fist as he reached the next floor.

‘I’ve grown stronger again.’

The moment he came into contact with the upper floor’s demonic energy, he felt his own strength rise even further, far beyond what it had been in the middle floors. It seemed that he could utilize the Black Tower’s demonic energy more effectively than even its demonized humans.

Damn it!

Wrath gritted his teeth as he observed Raon.

How does this guy keep getting rewards everywhere he goes?!

He pounded on his own chest as though exasperated by Raon’s luck.

‘But…’

Raon ignored Wrath’s tantrum and turned around, lightly swatting Wrath’s arm.

‘I get why I’m fine, but how come the Light Wind swordsmen are okay too?’

The demonic energy on this floor was at least twice as dense as the middle floors, so much so that it felt heavier than air itself. Yet, the Light Wind swordsmen moved just as normally as they had below.

‘But the others aren't the same…’

In contrast, the Warring Steel Division, who had only recently joined the Light Wind Palace, and the mages from Balkar were panting heavily, struggling to withstand the demonic energy.

They spent time with the King of Essence, after all.

Wrath sniffed, as if the answer were obvious.

They haven’t been with me as long as you have, but those kids have still been exposed to my wrath for quite some time. Even if the effect isn’t strong, they must have absorbed some of it. That’s why they can endure this level of demonic energy.

He lifted his chin proudly, declaring that the wrath he had exposed them to was protecting them.

Besides, the ones whose lives the King of Essence has saved might even be able to use this demonic energy, too.

‘That makes sense.’

Hearing Wrath’s words, Raon finally understood why the Light Wind swordsmen weren't struggling against the demonic energy.

Just like him, they had been exposed to wrath for so long that they had developed some level of resistance.

‘I’m glad.’

The thought that the Light Wind swordsmen could hold their own in battle reassured him.

Quickening his steps, he climbed the staircase to the upper floor, soon coming upon a giant stone wall reaching the ceiling.

‘It’s huge.’

Unlike the middle floors, this area sprawled out wide in every direction, sealed off by thick walls—an unmistakable maze.

"Hah! Is this even real?"

Martha said, letting out a hollow laugh at how drastically the space had changed from the floors below.

"I’ve heard that the upper floors of the Black Tower are like an entirely different world.

Burren furrowed his brows, commenting that the upper floors defied logic and comprehension.

“It’s solid…”

Runaan ran her hand along the maze’s walls and clicked her tongue.

“Let me try.”

Trevin stepped forward and struck the wall of the maze with all his might.

Booooom!

A powerful impact exploded against the maze’s surface, but not even a single crack formed.

While it might not have been as sturdy as the tower’s outer shell, it was still extremely tough.

“Looks like a blatant attempt to stall for time,”

Raon brushed his hand against the maze’s surface and let out a short chuckle.

“I’m starting to get a little annoyed.”

Since the demon didn’t try to delay them before, opening the maze now must be an intentional attempt to waste their time.

It was almost as if they were being mocked.

"Looks like it’s our turn to step up."

Jaina stepped forward to the maze entrance, raising her staff.

"There’s a type of spell specifically for finding paths in mazes. I learned it once, then forgot about it… but now’s the perfect time to use it."

With a confident smile, she began chanting the spell.

Wooooong!

A red glow spread from the tip of Jaina’s staff throughout the maze. But before it could pierce all the way through, the light fizzled out.

“What happened?”

Martha asked, scowling as she approached Jaina.

"T-The demonic energy is interfering! My mana can’t extend far enough!"

Jaina sighed in frustration, explaining that the demonic energy in the upper floors was disrupting her spell.

"Seriously? You can’t even get one thing right."

Martha clicked her tongue, looking down at Jaina in disappointment.

“Ugh!”

Jaina straightened her shoulders in protest but could only bite her lip, unable to argue.

"That’s not something to blame her for. The demonic energy here really is thick."

Burren shook his head as he peered into the maze.

"Even if I send ice inside, it’ll take a long time. It’s too vast…"

Runaan lowered her hand, concluding that freezing the ground to find a path wouldn’t work either.

"So whether we use magic or aura, we have no choice but to go in and solve it ourselves?"

Mark Goeten scratched his head, looking troubled.

"Then we should at least hurry and go in."

“No.”

Raon calmly shook his head.

"That would take too long."

They didn’t have time to wander through the maze looking for a way out.

They needed a faster method to get through.

"Then what do you plan to do?"

Trevin narrowed his eyes, sensing that Raon had something in mind.

"There is a way."

Raon raised his sword high above his head.

"A very brute-force method."

Raon brought his sword crashing down.

BOOOOOOM!

The sheer force of his strike didn’t just destroy the wall in front of him, it shattered multiple walls behind it, causing large chunks of the maze to collapse like falling dominoes.

"Y-You just destroyed it?!"

Trevin’s eyes widened in shock.

"Even my astral sphere couldn’t leave a scratch on it!"

He stared at the ruins of the broken wall, his jaw trembling.

"It wasn’t that difficult. I can see where the exit is, so let’s just go this way."

Raon stepped over the rubble and swung his sword again.

With each strike, the thick walls of the maze fell one after another, completely demolished.

"You call this 'not that difficult'?"

Burren repeated with a disbelieving shake of his head.

"Hey! You still have to fight later, don’t waste your strength!"

Martha tried to block Raon, telling him to conserve his strength for what lay ahead.

"Yeah… save it..."

Runaan waved her hand, signaling him to stop.

"Don’t worry. I barely used any energy."

Raon smiled, pointing to the faint energy glimmering around Heavenly Drive.

“I’m just borrowing a bit of the demonic energy.”

Unlike the Black Tower’s outer shell, which had absorbed centuries' worth of condensed demonic energy, the maze’s walls weren’t reinforced nearly as much.

They were sturdy but not indestructible.

Boom!

At last, Raon shattered the final walls of the maze and reached the exit leading to the next floor.

He had never seen anyone brute-force their way through a maze before.

Wrath shook his head in disbelief.

If it were anyone else, they would’ve run out of energy, but of course, he used demonic energy instead. What rotten luck for the maze’s creator.

Wrath clicked his tongue in amusement.

"You must be exhausted after destroying that much."

Just as Raon was about to step through the exit, a figure emerged from the shadows.

A demonized human clad in gray armor strode forward.

Among all the demonized humans and demonic creatures he had encountered so far, excluding the demon he had encountered earlier, this one possessed the most formidable energy wave.

“I am Kabur, the floor overseer of the upper—”

Before he could finish introducing himself, a crimson line appeared across the bridge of his nose.

No… not just his nose.

His entire body was splitting apart down the middle.

“Huh? W-what...?!”

Kabur clutched at the wound from which blood was now gushing, but it was futile. There was no way to hold together a body that had already been cleaved in two.

Splurt!

Blood gushed out like a fountain as he collapsed into two halves.

"Guaaaargh!"

Without even finishing his introduction, Kabur was erased from existence, right inside his own maze.

“Sorry, but I don’t have time to play with small fries. The only one I’m interested in is your tower master.”

Raon flicked the blood from his sword and stepped forward.

“……”

The Light Wind Palace swordsmen and the mages of Balkar followed behind him in stunned silence, unable to close their gaping mouths at his sheer display of power.

Drip… Drip…

All that remained in the ruins of the maze was the sickening sound of Kabur’s blood dripping onto the stone floor.

 

Advance Chapters