The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1012

 Chapter 1012

 

Raon quickly closed the lid of the bead ice cream box and went outside the annex building.

Th-thank you.

Wrath muttered thanks, seeming genuinely worried about the ice cream.

‘It’s fine.’

Shaking his hand, he walked toward the back of the annex building. As always, Glenn was standing in front of the lake, gazing up at the night sky.

“Grandfather.”

Raon approached Glenn and bowed deeply.

“After you left… I gave it some thought.”

Glenn slowly turned his back.

“Considering you defeated the Demon Slaying Spear and the Fallen, and brought Evelyn back, it seems the reward I gave you was too small.”

He gave a faint smile, saying he came to make up for the lacking reward. But seeing his flushed face, it seemed he had been looking forward to this moment from the start.

“Thank you.”

Unlike usual, Raon didn’t act humble. He bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.

What’s gotten into you?

widened his eyes in surprise.

Normally, you’d be all like, ‘I-it wasn’t me. I just got lucky!’ and fumble over your words like a fool.

He tilted his head, saying this was unexpected.

‘Showing that kind of attitude would be disrespectful to the head of house who came all the way here. Besides…’

Raon glanced down at the Blade of Requiem in his hand and licked his lips.

‘I can’t miss the chance to learn about the Heart Sword.’

Even though he had resonated the Ring of Fire with full power, he couldn’t fully grasp the battle between Glenn and the Heavenly Demon.

He had stepped into the realm of the Heart Sword, but to him, it was still an unknown world.

“It seems you’ve already figured out what I intend to do, so it’s best to get started right away.”

As if reading his thoughts, Glenn nodded calmly.

“What I want to teach you today is, of course, the Heart Sword.”

He placed his hand on the hilt of Heavenly Tremor tied at his waist and continued.

“To be honest, even I haven’t completely grasped the Heart Sword. And even if it’s taught, it doesn’t mean it can be learned. But you should be able to.”

Glenn looked at him with eyes full of warm trust.

“Because you’ve already reached that realm.”

He nodded, as if reading Raon’s inner state.

“I used the Heart Sword not with my own power, but through the power of this Blade of Requiem… can I really learn it?”

It’s true he used the Heart Sword after seeing Glenn’s Heart Sword, but since its nature is different, he was a bit concerned.

“Whether you enter through the front door or the back, it doesn’t matter as long as you’ve stepped into the house.”

Glenn smiled, showing there was no problem with using the Blade of Requiem.

The old man’s right. No matter what method you used, once you’ve reached that realm, how you got there doesn’t matter much. However…

Wrath tilted his head.

Even if you copied that old man nadine bread’s Heart Sword, you won’t be able to unleash the same sword.

He shook his head, saying that since their souls were different, the sword would naturally differ too.

“I see.”

Raon tightened his grip on the Blade of Requiem and raised his red eyes.

“It’s best to first take a look at your sword. Can you use it right now?”

Glenn pointed at his own chest, as if telling Raon to strike him with his Heart Sword.

"Understood."

Raon steadied his breath and drew the Blade of Requiem. Others might have hesitated, but because he trusted Glenn, he felt he could go all out.

Wooooong…!

Resonating the Ring of Fire, he reached out with his soul to communicate with the spirits inside the Blade of Requiem.

‘The wind…’

As soon as he asked the spirits for help, a cool green breeze rose from the blade. A sword energy he couldn't fail to recognize, Rimmer’s Garunua.

‘Is he… helping me?’

A portion of Rimmer’s soul did not scatter into the air, but instead seeped into the Blade of Requiem.

Back when he fought the Heavenly Demon, it had all happened too fast for him to notice, but it seemed Rimmer had been helping him.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve fought together with you, master.’

Raon formed a gentle smile and, upon the red blade, raised a soul sword forged together with the spirits.

“Here I come.”

He fired the Heart Sword, sharpened like an awl, toward the vast soul within Glenn’s body.

Taaak!

As if he could see the Heart Sword Raon had created, Glenn raised his index and middle fingers and caught it.

“I can feel the power of both your soul and the spirits within the Blade of Requiem. The reason the sword power is weak must be because the souls of yin and yang are mixed.”

He frowned slightly, saying it was no different than mixing impurities into a fine sword.

“However, the form of the Heart Sword is being maintained stably thanks to this wind. You really are a persistent one.”

Feeling the wind of Rimmer rising from the Blade of Requiem, Glenn let out a small laugh. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if recalling a friend he could no longer see, then opened them again.

“Raon, what do you think the Heart Sword is?”

Glenn erased the Heart Sword that had been caught between his fingers and opened his mouth.

“A sword that cuts not the body, but the soul. An absolute sword that can sever anything in the world.”

Raon conveyed his thoughts on the Heart Sword to Glenn.

“So that’s what you think too. Then what must be done to create a sword that can cut the soul?”

As if to answer his own question, Glenn released the overwhelming presence of his soul.

‘It’s here….’

Raon swallowed dryly while looking into Glenn’s calm eyes.

‘The head of house’s Heart Sword is right in front of me now.’

Though it wasn't visible to the eye, Glenn’s Heart Sword was sweeping over his entire body. A chill ran down his spine.

“To cut a person’s body, you need a sword made of steel. In the same way, to cut a soul, you need a sword forged from your own soul.”

Glenn raised his right hand and placed it over the left side of his chest.

“You’ve already set foot on the path, so there’s only one piece of advice I can give you, Forge your soul. Sharper and stronger than it is now.”

He nodded, as if telling Raon to build an unbreakable sword of the soul, like the vow he made in childhood.

“A sword forged from my soul…”

Raon looked at his hand and bit his lip. The stronger and sturdier his soul became, the sharper the Heart Sword seemed to grow.

“The level of your soul is abnormally high, even considering your martial prowess. But it’s still just a raw gem. It must be properly polished and forged for it to mean something.”

Glenn calmed the majestic energy wave that had been surging from him, saying that the foundation was already solid, now he just had to set his will.

Of course his soul level is high!

Wrath ground his teeth as he glared at Raon.

He devoured not just the King of Essence’s authority, but the authorities of those other doormats too. If it wasn’t high, that’d be what’s strange! And there’s that damned ring too!

He shouted that it would be stranger if it wasn’t high, and shook his head.

“From now on, as you raise the level of your sword, try conversing with your soul. If you do, you’ll naturally be able to form a Heart Sword that’s yours alone.”

Glenn gave a gentle smile, as if he could already see that future.

“…Understood.”

Though Glenn’s advice wasn’t detailed like before, but rather vague, Raon strangely felt he understood what it meant.

“Still…”

Glenn slightly lifted his gaze.

“When I realized your Heart Sword had a similar flow with mine, I was quite proud.”

He smiled warmly, saying it felt like watching a child taking their first steps.

“Grandfather is someone I have always wanted to be like.”

Raon spoke honestly, voicing the sincerity blooming from his heart.

“…Is that so.”

Glenn looked at him with blank eyes for a moment, then gave a warm nod.

“Even if it’s just flattery, it feels good to hear.”

With a contented smile, he looked up at the moon hanging in the sky.

“It’s not flattery. Grandfather, you’ve always been… hmm.”

Raon shook his head, then bit his lip as he looked at Glenn, whose figure seemed faint under the moonlight.

‘Right. There’s that…’

Letting out a long breath, he stepped closer to Glenn.

“Grandfather.”

Raon swallowed dryly and faced Glenn’s dimly glowing red eyes.

“There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“Go ahead.”

Glenn nodded, as if willing to answer anything.

“When you used the Heart Sword against the Heavenly Demon, you looked faint… as if you were about to disappear from this world.”

Raon bit his lip and continued.

“And the Heavenly Demon also spoke as if you were someone who would vanish soon. I want to know the reason why.”

Although he had heard from Wrath about causality, and had some idea, he wanted to hear the answer directly from Glenn.

“For you to notice that already… Impressive.”

Glenn gave a soft smile and nodded to him.

“There is a law in this world called causality. If there is a cause, then naturally, there is also a result. Everything on this land is organically connected, and there exists a future determined by the past. You can think of it as fatalism, the idea that a person’s life is already set, or as heaven’s flow.”

Glenn explained in detail the origin of causality.

“However, even in a world where everything is determined, there are times when a being appears who deviates from causality. When that happens, this world intervenes, and drives that being out, sending them to another dimension where they can no longer remain on this land. That is what people commonly call ascension.”

He lifted his fingertip slightly, saying that the reason the warriors of myth and legend disappeared was precisely because of that ascension.

“Right now, I stand at that boundary.”

Glenn placed both his feet on the ground that was thinly split because of the Heart Sword.

“If I were to deliberately reach a realm I’ve held myself back from attaining, this world would regard me as a being who has broken free from causality, and would send me away to another world.”

He smiled as he said that was probably why his body had appeared faint when he used the Heart Sword.

“Then why was the Heavenly Demon…?”

Raon furrowed his brow, recalling how the Heavenly Demon had looked perfectly fine, unlike Glenn.

“He has someone else who takes on the law of causality in his place. I couldn’t see them clearly, but they seemed to be an extraordinary existence.”

It seemed Glenn had already sensed the authority of Pride dwelling within the Heavenly Demon’s soul.

“You’re probably the same, Raon.”

Glenn nodded his chin, as if recalling Wrath, who was with him.

That old man’s right!

Wrath quickly waved his hand.

You’re ignoring that law thanks to the King of Essence’s power!

He ground his teeth, grumbling that he was the only one constantly taking the hit for it.

“To be honest, I trained the sword with ascension as my goal. I wanted to cast off my humanity and become a true sword god. But…”

In Glenn’s eyes, dimming and glowing like a divine reflection, there was warmth — human emotion.

“Right now, I don’t want to go there.”

He smiled at Raon with a warm gaze, as if quietly conveying the reason why.

“But you don’t have to worry. No matter what, I’ll stop the Heavenly Demon and Derus Robert.”

Glenn nodded, saying that he wouldn’t leave until the two of them were dealt with. Even with his lifelong dream within reach, he was thinking of Zieghart first.

“Ugh…”

Raon chewed hard on his lip as he looked into Glenn’s kind eyes.

‘I don’t want him to go.’

They had only just grown close. Only just reached the point where he could call him grandfather. He didn’t want to lose him now.

Especially not because of someone like Derus.

“The Heavenly Demon said something like this.”

Raon took a deep breath and raised his gaze.

“That I might have the power of heaven’s flow — a power that could change fate.”

He clenched his fist, recalling the title <One Who Turns the Wheel of Fate>.

“I’ll change it. Even if Grandfather reaches a higher realm, I’ll break fate so that you won’t have to leave this world.”

He bit down on his molars, telling him to wait.

Excellent!

Wrath floated down over his head and clapped loudly.

If you’re the King of Essence’s vessel, you should at least have that level of ambition!

He laughed heartily, as if finally satisfied.

“Kuahahahaha!”

Glenn stared blankly at Raon for a moment, then burst into laughter while clutching his forehead.

“G-Grandfather?”

Raon blinked like Runaan, startled by Glenn’s unexpected reaction.

“I’m not laughing at you. It’s just…”

Glenn stepped forward and gently patted Raon’s head.

“Your words. Your sincerity has just made me happy.”

He said he was truly grateful and took Raon’s trembling hand in his own.

“All right. I’ll be waiting, until the day you change my fate.”

With a soft smile, Glenn took out an old book from his chest.

“I brought this because I thought it might help with your Heart Sword. Read it when you have time.”

After handing over the old book, he turned back toward the lake.

“Feels like I’ll sleep well tonight. Or… maybe I won’t sleep at all.”

Leaving behind those cheerful words, Glenn walked off with a relaxed gait.

“……”

Raon bowed his head, holding the still-warm book close to his chest.

‘I don’t know if I can really do it. No—I'm going to do it, no matter what.’

Even after Glenn disappeared from view, Raon stood for a long time staring at the lake, then finally turned to go back to the annex building, having resolved to protect this home, Glenn, and Zieghart.

When it came to family, you always acted weak-hearted, but today, for the first time, he was satisfied!

Wrath gave him a firm pat on the shoulder, as if to say Raon had done well.

That's what he's saying! It's the first time he's ever felt so refreshed!

He furrowed his brow, saying it had been unbearably frustrating all this time.

‘Then… will you help with my training too?’

Hmm… Well, sometimes, sure!

‘How about right now?’

Sure! After the King of Essence eats some ice cream!

‘A family blessed by the Demon King… there’s no way we won’t do well.’

With a soft chuckle, he opened the door and stepped inside. But the room was cooler than usual, and a sweet scent lingered in the air.

D-don’t tell me!

Wrath flew in horror toward the box of bead ice cream.

This! Hurry, open it—now!

He flailed his tail, demanding Raon open the lid.

‘Hmm…’

Raon swallowed dryly and opened the lid of the ice cream box, only to find that all four bead ice creams had melted and mixed together.

‘D-did I not close the lid properly?’

It seemed he’d rushed out in such a hurry that he hadn’t shut it all the way.

You damn idiot! That ice cream is more precious than your life!

Wrath’s face turned red as if he were genuinely furious.

‘N-no, this is…’

As Raon stepped back cautiously, glancing at him, Wrath flew at him like a ghost.

To hell with blessings! The only thing you deserve is a curse! He’s not helping with your training either!

Wrath truly cursed him nonstop until Raon promised to buy new ice cream the next day.

*   *   *

“Hmm…”

Raon unwrapped the bandages wrapped around his chest and shoulders.

‘They’ve almost fully healed.’

All his physical wounds were gone, and the mental pain had also clearly lessened. It seemed he could begin training again.

After all that madness, you’re completely healed in just a week? This is absurd.

Wrath let out a dry sigh, saying Raon’s body and mind were sturdier than even a demon’s.

‘Aren’t there demons with troll-like regeneration too?’

Raon waved his hand casually.

Even if your regeneration is strong, the shock continuously remains inside the body. Especially the mind, doesn’t recover so easily. But…

Wrath frowned as he looked at Raon.

No shock remains in your body and mind at all. It can’t even be expressed with the word sturdy.

He ground his teeth, saying it was because Raon had way too many cheat traits.

Tch… and it’s all the King of Essence’s power too…

‘Not all of it is yours. There’s the authorities from the other Demon Kings as well.’

In truth, the Demon Kings’ authorities were what gave him overwhelming strength. Each one possessed unique powers, and it wasn’t strange to say they were a fortune equal to the Ring of Fire.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve been curious about something.’

As he fastened his uniform, Raon gave Wrath a chin nod.

What is it?

‘Is the monarch of Pride also stuck to the Heavenly Demon’s side like you are?’

Wrath said that it wasn’t the Fallen, but the Heavenly Demon who had received the authority of Pride.

It made Raon wonder if, like him, the Heavenly Demon also had a Demon King constantly by his side.

That’s not likely. He probably wouldn’t even bother watching.

Wrath shook his head firmly.

‘Why not?’

Because that’s just the kind of bastard he is. <Pride>. He’s a crazy bastard that’s practically the embodiment of the word.

Just thinking about Pride seemed to annoy Wrath, and he furrowed his brows.

But why are you asking about Pride? Don’t tell me…

Wrath’s eyes quivered as if he had sensed something.

You’re trying to get Pride’s authority too?

‘Well… it’d be nice to have it.’

Raon awkwardly averted his eyes.

‘I didn’t think I could get Greed’s authority either, but I got it before.’

Wrath considered Greed and Pride to be on the same level as himself. Since Raon had obtained one of them, Greed’s authority, he couldn’t help but wonder if getting Pride’s might be possible too.

Impossible!

Wrath shook his head vigorously.

Pride is completely different from the other Demon Kings. He’s insane enough to believe he’s the only being in existence!

He declared there was absolutely no way it would happen and kept shaking his head.

‘Then why did he give his authority to the Heavenly Demon?’

How should the King of Essence know!

Wrath snorted, saying Pride was a bastard impossible to understand no matter how much you tried.

‘Then I’ll think about that later.’

Raon stood up, fastening Heavenly Drive, Wooden Ring Sword, and the Blade of Requiem to his belt.

You just recovered. Where do you think you’re going?

Wrath furrowed his brow, as if asking why he wasn’t even eating first.

‘The Heavenly Demon said the war would begin soon. Before that, we need to bring the remaining Transcenders over to our side.’

Raon licked his lips as he looked up at the blazing sun.

“I’ve given them plenty of time. Now it’s time to yank the leash.”

 

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