The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 949

 Chapter 949

 

"Was the Chamber of Self here?"

Raon widened his eyes as he followed the direction Glenn pointed with his finger.

‘Now that I think about it, even though I gathered information about the Chamber of Self, I never actually thought to ask where it was located.’

He had obtained plenty of information from Aris and others, but not once had he asked about the most crucial detail—its location.

‘That was stupid.’

He let out a sigh at himself for being so excited about entering the Chamber of Self that he had overlooked something so basic.

"Yes. The Chamber of Self is inside the lord’s manor, right here, in this very audience chamber."

Glenn nodded his chin as he explained that the Chamber of Self was located inside the audience chamber.

"That's why you need my permission to enter."

He smiled faintly, saying that because it was within the audience chamber, the entry requirements were naturally strict.

"I see."

Raon nodded, turning his gaze to the right.

‘Now that I think about it, Karoon also came out from the lord’s manor.’

He recalled waiting outside the lord’s manor to check whether Karoon had reached Transcendence.

"Then let’s go."

Glenn nodded gently and stepped down from the platform.

"I’ll guide you."

Roenn, who had been standing in front of the pillar, walked toward the door on the right.

‘The door on the right.’

On the right side of the platform stood a gray door that blended into the wall.

He’d often seen the left door open and close, but this was the first time seeing the right-side door being used.

Click.

Roenn took a yellow key from the inside pocket of his vest and opened the right door.

"Please, go ahead."

As Roenn stepped aside, Glenn entered the door with a heavy stride.

"You as well, Light Wind Palace master."

"Yes."

Raon gave Roenn a respectful nod and followed Glenn through the door on the right.

‘A hallway?’

The moment they stepped through the door, what greeted them was a corridor without windows. It carried the distinct scent of an old building, yet thanks to meticulous care, there wasn’t a speck of dust on the floor or walls.

Is this really the place?

Wrath narrowed his eyes, as if he couldn't believe it.

They made it sound like some mystical place where the axis of time and space shifts… but they keep it so… basic?

‘It’s not that it’s basic.’

Raon shook his head firmly.

‘You’d have to defeat the strongest man on the continent just to force your way in here.’

Only warriors acknowledged by Glenn are permitted entry into the Chamber of Self. Even if you searched through every dimension, there would be barely anyone capable of getting past him.

Well, that much is true.

Since Wrath acknowledged Glenn’s strength, he nodded as if that explanation was acceptable.

Glenn then stopped in front of an old door at the end of the corridor. Though it was well cared for, the marks of time were etched into it, revealing its age.

"This is the place."

After confirming Raon was right behind him, Glenn opened the door. It swung open noiselessly, as though it had been thoroughly oiled, revealing what lay inside.

‘This is the Chamber of Self?’

It was spacious enough that even if someone swung a sword, it wouldn’t reach the walls.

From a ceiling that looked as though it had been stacked with stone hung a lantern that never went out. The walls and floor were scored with web-like cracks, as if they might collapse at any moment.

In the black wall at the far end was a single full-length mirror. It seemed so old that it wouldn’t have been surprising if it shattered at any time.

Beyond how ancient it all looked, it was a normal room, enough to make Raon wonder if this really was the Chamber of Self.

"Head of house. Is this…?"

"Yes. This is the Chamber of Self."

Glenn lowered his gaze calmly, as though confirming that they had come to the right place.

"Hmm…"

Raon glanced over the entire room, letting out a low sound that signaled doubt.

“You don’t seem to believe it.”

Glenn chuckled softly, as if he’d expected this reaction.

“It’s just… different from what I heard it would be like.”

Raon scratched his forehead while glancing around once more.

“I don’t know what you were told, but this is indeed the Chamber of Self that has existed for a thousand years.”

Glenn nodded, affirming that this was indeed the real place.

‘I don’t feel anything, though?’

Raon had heard that the Chamber of Self was connected to a different axis of time than the present world, so he thought it would be infused with some kind of special magic. But now that he was here, it looked like nothing more than a plain old room.

‘Wrath. Do you sense anything?’

Unable to feel anything himself, Raon gave Wrath a light nudge with his elbow.

Hmm…

Wrath looked around the entire room and clicked his tongue briefly.

He can’t sense anything. Are we sure this is the right place?

He muttered that there was nothing there, furrowing his brow.

“Yes, I can see what you’re thinking.”

Glenn nodded as if he finally understood Raon’s reaction.

"Even if you doubt it, it can’t be helped. This is the only Chamber of Self I know."

He pointed toward the exit where Roenn was waiting, implying that Raon could leave if he wanted to.

"No. I’ll go in."

Raon shook his head firmly. He wasn’t doubting Glenn, he was just genuinely curious about the nature of this place.

"Huu…"

He let out a dull breath and stepped into what was called the Chamber of Self. Even after entering, nothing changed. It remained an ordinary room.

‘Guess I should unpack first.’

Raon took out a bundle filled with Nadine bread from his subspace pocket.

‘This should be enough.’

Unsure how long he might be here, he had prepared enough Nadine bread to last for months. Wrath hated the stuff, but in a place like this, it was the best food he could bring.

"Urgh…"

The moment Wrath saw the bundle of Nadine bread, he wrinkled his brow and started gagging.

Get that disgusting thing out of the King of Essence’s sight! It makes him want to puke just looking at it!

He trembled as if suffocating from the rubbery smell.

‘I don’t smell anything, though?’

Raon brought the bundle closer to his nose, tilting his head in puzzlement.

You’ve got a pathetic sense of smell! How can you not smell that stench!

Wrath ground his teeth, looking as though he was restraining himself from unleashing a barrage of curses.

"Nadine bread?"

From just the shape of the bundle, Glenn seemed to recognize the contents and gave a small gesture with his hand.

"Yes. I brought a lot, just in case I end up staying here for a while."

"You won’t need that many."

He shook his head, saying that two or three should be enough.

"Huh? What do you mean…?"

Raon exhaled in confusion, glancing at Glenn. If time flowed differently here, he’d likely be stuck for quite a while, so he couldn’t see how two or three would suffice.

"You’ll understand soon enough. No need for an explanation."

Glenn gave a gentle smile, saying Raon would naturally come to understand.

"Hmm. I’ve taken up too much of your time."

Glenn glanced up at the lantern on the ceiling, then turned around.

“Then I hope you’ll find the path you’re looking for and come back out.”

Leaving those words behind, he stepped out of the Chamber of Self. Once Raon no longer sensed any presence beyond the door, it seemed Glenn had returned to the audience chamber.

"Hmm…"

Raon narrowed his eyes like thin threads as he gazed up at the faintly flickering lantern on the ceiling.

‘I still can’t believe this is the Chamber of Self.’

He had imagined a hidden cave somewhere in the North Grave mountain or some special underground chamber, but never expected to end up in such a small, ordinary room. Honestly, it was underwhelming.

‘No, more than that…’

What exactly was he supposed to do here?

Neither Glenn, Aris, nor Rimmer had told him what one actually did in the Chamber of Self.

He had no idea what or how he was supposed to grow stronger in such a small space.

‘Maybe…’

With a bit of hope, he tried circulating the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and the Ring of Fire, but nothing happened.

If you don’t know what to do, just sleep! Thanks to all your fuss last night, he didn’t get any decent rest!

Wrath waved his hand, insisting they catch up on lost sleep first.

‘That’s not a bad idea, but…’

Raon, still seated on the floor, shook his head.

‘Let’s start with meditation.’

After reaching Transcendence, mental training became even more important than physical training.

He had been slowly increasing his meditation time, and this seemed like a good chance to focus on it.

When you meditate, the noise in your head echoes around, and it’s annoying! Don’t bother with boring meditation, go to sleep!

Wrath thrust his face closer, urging him to skip the boring meditation and just sleep.

‘Then should I make it less boring for you?’

Raon smiled slyly at Wrath.

You? It won’t be easy to entertain the King of Essence!

Wrath snorted, daring him to give it a shot. ‘Alright, let’s make sure our dear Wrath doesn’t get too bored…’

Raon pulled a Nadine bread out of the bundle beside him.

W-Wait a moment! On second thought, this is just fine! The King of Essence is not bored at all!

‘Too late.’

Raon tossed the bread into his mouth as Wrath flailed in protest. The dry, rubbery taste stirred a heavy storm in his mouth.

Guuuaaargh...

Wrath, who had just been complaining of boredom, started foaming at the mouth and rolling on the floor.

You must be suffering too… how can you…?

Trembling all over, Wrath's eyes welled up with tears. But at least now, he wasn’t bored anymore.

‘As I’ve said before, I can eat this just fine.’

While it couldn’t be compared to actual food, Nadine bread had its own kind of flavor. It was something Raon could enjoy in its own way.

You… Nadine-bread-eating demon…

Wrath muttered something that could’ve been either a curse or a compliment, then went completely limp.

‘Finally, some peace and quiet.’

Raon tossed the limp Wrath down next to the Nadine bread bundle and sank into the world of meditation.

*   *   *

"……."

Glenn remained in the old corridor, quietly standing watch over the door to the Chamber of Self where Raon had entered.

"You don’t need to worry so much."

Roenn, standing behind him, let out a soft chuckle.

"If it’s young master Raon, I’m sure he’ll return having gained a great deal."

He spoke with a tone of confidence, as if his belief in Raon was absolute.

“It doesn’t matter whether he gains something or not.”

Glenn slowly shook his head, eyes closed.

"Raon can continue growing even without the Chamber of Self."

Watching Raon’s spar with Karoon had convinced him. Raon possessed the qualities of a warrior who could rise higher than anyone else, regardless of the Chamber of Self.

A realm beyond human. A place even Glenn himself had never reached. The only one who could reach that end, defying causality itself, was Raon.

‘Of course… Raon didn’t come this far on his own.’

Raon’s exceptional talent and power had been shaped with the help of the demon king he called a friend.

That being who stood by him is the reason Raon became who he is now

‘I’d like to meet him someday.’

Before time ran out, Glenn wanted the chance to meet the demon king and thank him, for watching over his grandson.

"That much is certain."

Roenn nodded, affirming once more that Raon could get stronger in any circumstance.

“Still, I can’t help but feel a little hopeful. They say the purer the Zieghart blood, the more one can gain from the Chamber of Self.”

With a faint smile, Glenn opened the door to the Chamber of Self.

Thud!

The dim room, where Raon should’ve been meditating, had turned into a small study that smelled of old books. It was completely empty.

“Maybe I’m just wishing…”

Glenn gently closed the door to the now-vacant room, still wearing a smile.

“But I have a feeling Raon will come back with something truly significant.”

*   *   *

Tsk.

Raon clicked his tongue and opened his eyes.

‘It’s no use.’

He had meditated for quite a long time, but nothing had changed. He was still staring at the mirror in an empty room.

He told you meditation wasn’t the answer!

Wrath scoffed, saying he should’ve listened to him in the first place.

‘You just wanted me to eat the bead ice cream!’

He did have some bead ice cream and a few snacks stored in his subspace pocket just for Wrath, but he had no intention of giving them to him right now.

‘Still… how much time has passed?’

With no windows, he couldn’t tell how much time had passed. It felt like four days… or maybe a week?

What do you mean four days! It’s been over two weeks!

Wrath shook his head, saying a week had already passed long ago.

‘Two weeks? But I’ve only eaten three Nadine breads.’

He figured starving was the better option, so he didn’t bother waking you!

He shook his head again, saying that based on time alone, it had definitely been more than two weeks.

‘That’s strange.’

As a Transcender, he should be able to keep track of time even in complete darkness,
but the way time had passed for him and Wrath was completely different.

‘Looks like the distortion of time has finally started.’

It seemed the Chamber of Self was finally beginning to show its effect, the distortion of time and space.

‘In that case… maybe it’s time to work on my swordsmanship.’

Fortunately, the ceiling was high and the room spacious enough that as long as he didn’t use aura, he could still practice his swordsmanship.

You really only do the most boring things.

Wrath yawned and sprawled out on the floor, clearly uninterested.

‘Then how about I eat something you’re very interested in… like Nadine bread?’

N-no! The King of Essence is suddenly very interested!

Wrath sat up straight, eyes shining, insisting he was totally interested now.

‘Didn’t expect threats to work this well.’

It seemed he'd have to carry a set of Nadine bread specifically for threatening Wrath from now on.

'Tell me if there are any parts that seem lacking.'

With that, he asked Wrath to point out any flaws, then raised Heavenly Drive and brought it down in a sharp strike.

Whoooosh!

He began from the basics, moving through every sword technique he had learned, all the way up to the Heavenly Lightning of the Azure Sky, then finally lowered his sword.

‘Didn’t take that long.’

He had so many techniques and forms at first that it used to take a long time to get through them all. But after countless repetitions, he could now complete the entire set with ease.

Don’t you ever get bored of repeating the same sword techniques?

Wrath wrinkled his nose in disbelief.

‘It feels new every time.’

Every time he swung his sword, he could feel himself growing. For Raon, training was always something fun and fulfilling.

Tch. That damn talent… should’ve been mine

Wrath clicked his tongue in frustration, sounding genuinely regretful.

‘Should I go one more round?’

Maybe because the room was dim, it was easier to focus.

Raon lifted the Heavenly Drive once more to resume training, but at that moment, as if a gust of wind had swept through, the ceiling lamp flickered out.

‘Hm?’

Why did the light go out all of a sudden?

Finding it strange, he lifted his gaze, and locked eyes with his reflection in the mirror.

‘Something’s… off.’

The reflection in the mirror looked like him, blond hair, red eyes, black training uniform,
but it felt like he was staring at someone else entirely.

Whooosh.

As Raon stared at the mirror with furrowed brows, a blue mass floated up behind his reflection.

‘Wrath…?’

It was Wrath, who should only be visible through his own eyes, yet now, the demon was reflected in the mirror as well.

‘That’s impossible!’

Shocked by the incomprehensible sight, he instinctively stepped back. Yet the version of himself in the mirror did not move. It stood there, completely still.

‘No way…’

As Raon bit down hard on his lip, the reflection in the mirror curved its lips into a soft, crescent-shaped smile.

 

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