The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1078

 Chapter 1078

 

“Ugh….”

Raon let out a faint groan as he opened his eyes.

‘Did I pass out?’

I remembered completing the Heart Sword, but I had no memory of what happened after. It seemed I had lost consciousness right after creating the Heart Sword.

You did pass out!

Wrath popped up right in front of Raon’s eyes, frowning.

That’s why he kept telling you to train while also getting some sleep!

‘I couldn’t help it.’

Raon shook his head as he pushed himself up from the bed.

‘My mind was itching.’

Having grasped a clue to achieve the Heart Sword and having even finished organizing how to create it, I couldn’t spend my time leisurely.

With the yearning to create a highly complete Heart Sword, the desire for sleep itself disappeared. I poured all the time I could have spent sleeping into forging the sword of the heart, and concentrated on it.

‘This place is….’

Not the annex building.

Seeing the clean, high ceiling, I realized it was the lodging near the training ground where I stayed temporarily.

“Ughhh!”

Raon stretched and got down from the bed.

‘This is actually better. Not only physical fatigue but also mental fatigue has been lifted.’

The exhaustion that had piled up from training with Glenn and Darkan seemed to have vanished through sleep, leaving both my body and mind light.

[Your will grows stronger.]

[The demon kings’ authorities have grown stronger.]

[The level of your soul has risen.]

[The rank of the trait <Heart Sword> has increased by two stars.]

Raon nodded as he looked at the messages he had seen before he fainted.

‘It was the perfect moment.’

Through the training with Glenn and Darkan, both my will and swordsmanship had grown, and the rank of the Heart Sword had leapt upward. I felt like I had achieved everything I had aimed for.

‘Then shall I return to training?’

He wanted to try out the Heart Sword, and also resume training with Glenn and Darkan, so after hanging Heavenly Drive and Wooden Ring Sword at his waist, he immediately stepped outside.

Not training, food first!

Wrath blocked his way, scowling.

N-not because the King wants to eat, but because your body will suffer otherwise! You’re at the age where you need to grow.

‘I’m all grown up, though?’

Raon looked at his tall height and broad shoulders reflected in the mirror and shook his head.

‘If I get any bigger, I’ll turn into a troll.’

Saying it was just right, he lowered his hand.

‘And before saying that, wipe the drool off your mouth first.’

Raon sighed as he wiped away the drool dripping from Wrath’s lips.

A-anyway, let’s eat! It’s just about breakfast time!

‘Fine, fine.’

Since Wrath, unlike usual, hadn’t nagged over the reward messages and had even acknowledged him, Raon decided to listen to him for today.

After a light wash, Raon headed to the dining hall in the main building.

“You’ve woken up?”

Darkan tilted his chin while picking up handfuls of food piled high on his plate. Judging by the way he ate, he still hadn’t gotten rid of the habits from when he was a beggar.

“Sure enough, youth is good. Recovery is quick.”

He smiled faintly with his face in his twenties, as if envious.

“What about today’s training?”

“Of course I have to participate.”

Raon received food on a large plate and sat across from Darkan.

Ughhh.

Wrath frowned as he looked at the main building’s menu.

Why is it always the same here! After chicken stew, it’s always stir-fried beef the next day, and then fried pork the day after!

He sniffled, saying he missed the annex building meals with more variety.

‘You sure ask for a lot.’

Ignoring Wrath’s whining, Raon quickly finished his meal.

Smack, smack….

After finishing the meal, Wrath smacked his lips loudly.

Still, at least it tastes good.

Even so, he nodded as if satisfied. Truly a persistent Demon King.

When Raon went to the training ground with Darkan, Glenn was already waiting, as if he had known Raon would come.

“Let’s begin.”

Glenn drew Heavenly Tremor with his usual cold eyes, as if he had left behind any feeling of pride from last night at the training ground.

“Yes.”

Since he had been hoping for this, Raon calmly nodded and raised Heavenly Drive.

“I’m coming.”

Leaving only that short warning, Glenn stepped forward and brought down Heavenly Tremor. The will contained in it was stronger than yesterday’s.

‘I can block this.’

Resolving not to step back, Raon drew upon both his will and the authorities of the Demon Kings onto the blade of Heavenly Drive.

Claaang!

Heavenly Drive rising up and Heavenly Tremor coming down collided with a violent crash. It sounded similar to yesterday, but there was one difference.

Crackle!

Raon, without backing down, was holding up his sword-wielding hand against Glenn’s strike.

“Hm?”

Glenn narrowed his eyes in surprise.

“What the—! His will has grown that much? Isn’t he more of a mage than a swordsman?”

Darkan also clicked his teeth together, startled at Raon’s sword.

Rumble!

Raon pressed his lips tight as he saw Glenn’s Heavenly Tremor being pushed back by Heavenly Drive.

‘To think this would work….’

Thanks to yesterday’s enlightenment, my will had grown stronger, and the Demon Kings’ authorities had also advanced, giving me great help.

But what played the biggest role now was the harmony of will and authority.

A single red line connecting to my soul extended toward the authorities, unfolding a mighty will.

Crack crack crack crack!

At last, for the first time, I forced the Heavenly Tremor to retreat.

‘It worked!’

Of course, Glenn was controlling his strength, but it felt like I had passed his test, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“You really are insane!”

Darkan sprang up and clapped his hands in disbelief.

“What on earth happened!”

He shook his eyes, saying even forging a Heart Sword didn’t explain it.

“Did you gain an enlightenment different from the Heart Sword?”

Glenn also narrowed his eyes as if intrigued.

“No. It was because I realized that the Heart Sword and will are connected.”

Just as will manifests one’s wish into reality, I had discovered that the Demon Kings’ authorities draw out one’s desires.

By carefully combining these two powers—similar yet different—I was able to unleash the strength I now display.

“You learn a hundred from being taught one.”

Darkan curled his lips, saying it was rewarding to teach him.

“Looks like you’ve grasped the clue to the strength you’ve been seeking.”

Glenn seemed to understand Raon’s state at once, nodding with a deep smile.

“Then this level won’t be enough anymore.”

He infused even greater will and aura than before onto Heavenly Tremor.

“Ah, I can’t handle that yet….”

Raon’s jaw trembled as he looked at Glenn’s Heavenly Tremor blazing violently.

“The Light Wind Palace master shouldn’t be trained only at a level he can endure.”

Glenn gave a chilly smile and shook his head.

He seemed to know I had always tormented—no, trained—the Light Wind swordsmen.

Puheheheheh!

Wrath clutched his plump belly as he laughed at Raon.

He knew it would turn out like this!

He sneered as if it served him right.

“Don’t waste time, let’s go as if your life depends on it.”

Glenn brought Heavenly Tremor down savagely, saying we should train with the same intensity I used to teach the Light Wind swordsmen.

“Karma….”

Raon clenched his teeth as he looked at the Heavenly Tremor crashing down like lightning.

“I’ll take it gladly!”

*   *   *

After finishing the grueling training with Glenn, Raon went to find Darkan.

“Let’s see how much your swordsmanship has progressed apart from will.”

Darkan tilted his chin, telling Raon to start right away.

“The first sword technique is the defensive sword, Firewall.”

Raon nodded and then unfolded the Firewall of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.

Whooosh!

A shield of crimson flames flared fiercely, as though it would protect his entire body.

“Huh…?”

Darkan furrowed his brows as he watched.

“W-what? Why is the swordsmanship principle the same?”

He tilted his head, as if wondering why the versatile sword hadn’t grown.

“Your will has grown so much, so why is the swordsmanship the same!”

“That’s only natural.”

Raon gave a dry laugh as he looked at Darkan.

“What I realized yesterday was the will and the Heart Sword. Not the principles of swordsmanship.”

It was true that my strength had grown since realizing the Heart Sword and will were connected, but naturally there was no great change in my swordsmanship.

“Ghh!”

Darkan let out a groan as if in pain.

“I wanted to be impressed too….”

He clicked his tongue in disappointment.

“Aren’t you impressed every day already?”

Raon gave a faint smile as he swung Heavenly Drive.

“My learning speed is getting faster and faster.”

“That’s true. I’ve never seen a monster who grows as quickly as you.”

Darkan laughed, saying there were only two people he’d ever called monsters.

“The second? Then the first is….”

“Right there.”

He lifted his finger behind him, pointing at Glenn.

“Your grandfather is also a damned monster. Of course, not as much as you.”

Darkan shook his head, saying it was an annoying family.

“Let’s start again.”

“Alright.”

Raon steadied himself and once again unfolded Firewall.

Whoooom!

Unlike the first time, he created a square shield that could guard a wider range.

“Again!”

Darkan shook his head, as though that wasn’t it.

“I know.”

Raon said he felt it himself, then once more unfolded Firewall.

Whoooosh!

This time, the flame shield bent in a curve like a connected sword and rotated. It wasn’t just about blocking the sword but carried the principle of deflecting it aside.

“So it hasn’t remained unchanged after all.”

Darkan let out an exclamation, as if he hadn’t expected Raon to find the answer so quickly.

“But it’s still crude! Again!”

“Got it.”

Even with no time to rest, Raon wore a smile as he repeatedly unfolded the Firewall.

“Is it the will and desire to become stronger.”

Glenn smiled faintly as he watched Raon thrust his sword without hesitation.

“I wonder how far you’ll go.”

Within that clear smile, he lowered his gaze with a trace of bitterness.

‘Whether I’ll be able to see it or not….’

*   *   *

After dinner, Raon stood before Glenn and Darkan.

“Now we can finally have a conversation fit for your level.”

Darkan grinned and lowered his chin.

“Sit.”

Glenn gestured toward the chair behind him.

“Yes.”

Raon bowed his head and sat opposite Glenn.

“You know by now that the Heart Sword manifests the will contained in one’s soul, don’t you?”

“Yes. I understand.”

I had realized it just yesterday, and my head still felt hot from it.

“I wanted a sword that could cut down any enemy, you wanted a sword that would never break, and this madman wanted a place where he could fight.”

Glenn pointed at himself, then at Raon, then at Darkan, explaining the Heart Swords each of them had forged.

“That mysterious power has something in common with the Sword Field Creation.”

“Huh?”

Raon’s eyes widened at Glenn’s words.

“Now that you mention it….”

Sword fields also manifested differently depending on each Zieghart direct line’s wish, taking different forms and styles.

Thinking about it now, the Heart Sword, which unfolded the will dwelling in the soul as a sword of the heart, seemed similar to the sword field.

“I agree too.”

Darkan made a wave with his finger playfully.

“I kept researching the sword field, but nothing ever worked. But once I realized the Heart Sword, I could feel something inside me change.”

Darkan nodded calmly, as if he had already spoken of this with Glenn before.

“That’s why I believe the two could be harmonized.”

Glenn nodded, saying the Heart Sword and sword field might be combined to create a new form of martial art.

“Then….”

“Perhaps a sword technique that surpasses even causality itself will be born.”

His tranquil gaze flashed, as if he were certain of the result.

“A power that surpasses causality….”

Darkan licked his lips slowly with his tongue.

“I want to be struck by it. I want to feel it with my own body!”

His hand clutching the black sword trembled as if he truly meant it.

“You’ll die, idiot….”

Raon shook his head, telling him to come to his senses.

“Head of house, can you reach that realm?”

Ignoring Darkan who was going mad, Raon he turned his eyes to Glenn.

“No, I cannot reach it.”

Glenn lowered his gaze heavily.

“My vessel is already full. I will disappear before reaching that realm.”

He waved his hand, as if to say that path wasn’t his.

“Then….”

“You will be the one to go there in my stead.”

Glenn placed his hand on Raon’s shoulder, as if to say he believed in him.

“Huh? If even you can’t do it, how could I….”

“Your talent and vessel are greater than mine. Before long, you will surpass me as I am now.”

He smiled gently, as though he was looking forward to that moment.

“B-but how could I….”

Raon’s lips trembled as he met Glenn’s eyes, filled with trust.

“That’s why I and this fellow are here.”

Glenn raised his finger and pointed at himself and Darkan.

“Training the Heart Sword is simple. You endlessly polish and temper your soul, sharpening its edge. That’s all.”

He held the hilt of Heavenly Tremor as he continued.

“The problem is that it takes a long time, and mental exhaustion comes, so you cannot train for long periods. But there is a way to solve that.”

As Glenn nodded, a chilling shiver crept down Raon’s spine.

“Ah….”

Raon’s jaw shook as he looked into Glenn’s tranquil eyes.

‘It’s right in front of me now.’

I couldn’t see it, but I could feel Glenn’s Heart Sword floating before me.

“Draw your sword.”

“Yes….”

Swallowing dryly, Raon summoned his Heart Sword, which was still only the size of a dagger.

Though invisible to others, in his eyes it appeared as a Heart Sword blazing with flame and frost.

“Good.”

Darkan smiled and nodded, and before him too, a vast and majestic presence of a Heart Sword could be felt.

“Bring it close.”

Glenn extended his own Heart Sword a little farther forward.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Raon and Darkan nodded and brought their Heart Swords beside Glenn’s.

Vrrrrrmm!

As the three Heart Swords gathered in one place, a mysterious resonance spread white mist around the training ground.

“It’s the resonance of souls.”

Glenn calmly lowered his chin as he looked at the white currents spreading like a barrier.

“Inside here, souls are loosened, so the Heart Sword can be tempered more quickly.”

He lifted his finger, explaining that because the space was formed by Heart Swords gathered together, the soul inevitably became more sensitive.

“Then….”

“Right. It means not just you, but all of us can grow our Heart Swords more quickly.”

Glenn gave a faint smile, as if to ask what he thought.

“Even with just one more, small though it is, the space itself feels different.”

Darkan smacked his lips, saying it felt much better than when it had only been him and Glenn.

“Refine your soul and temper the soul sword as usual.”

Leaving the advice to ignore the outside and focus within, Glenn closed his eyes.

“Hmm….”

I sat beside Glenn and lowered my eyelids. Just as I usually trained the Heart Sword, I summoned aura and will, and struck my soul.

Claaang!

Just as Glenn had said, my soul flowed more smoothly than before, forming the blade of the Heart Sword. It really felt as if the boundaries of the soul were loosening in here.

Where in the world does training this broken even exist?!

Wrath gaped, dumbfounded.

This doesn’t make sense! Not at all!

‘I worked hard, so I deserve at least this much.’

Raon smirked as he pushed away Wrath, who was flailing.

‘Let me taste some honey too.’

You bastard, the only thing you ever stuff your face with is honey! You sucked it yesterday, and you’re sucking it again today!

Wrath pointed at Raon’s mouth with his finger, saying he had no shame

At this rate all your teeth will rot!

‘Ah, so sweet.’

Aaaaargh!

* * *

Another two weeks passed, making it a full month since the first promise.

“I am ready.”

Raon bowed to Glenn, who stood with his hands clasped behind his back, and Darkan, who was digging his ear, then slowly steadied his breathing.

‘Just do as I’ve learned.’

Over the month, I had grown my will, swordsmanship, and Heart Sword, raising my might to a higher realm.

I had prepared thoroughly, so now I felt I could even withstand the trial Glenn himself had prepared.

“Then let’s begin.”

Before Glenn, an invisible intangible energy floated. It was an overwhelming Heart Sword that mercilessly cut through the soul of its foe.

“Hoo….”

Raon calmly closed his eyes, then opened them again. Stretching his hand as if gripping a sword, he summoned the sword of the heart forged by his soul.

A Heart Sword, longer than before, appeared before his eyes. The flame and frost blazing on either side of its blade glowed more intensely than ever.

“Don’t worry about what’s behind you, just do as you like.”

Darkan tilted his chin, summoning his own Heart Sword just in case an accident occurred.

“I’m coming.”

Glenn let out a low voice and shot his Heart Sword at him.

Fwaaaaang!

The sword of the heart Glenn had created transcended time and space, bursting out before Raon’s soul. It was sharp and swift, as if he truly intended to kill his grandson. Fwooosh!

The moment Glenn’s Heart Sword moved, Raon lowered his own and set it before his soul.

‘I can never win in a frontal clash.’

Even if Glenn was holding back, the difference between his soul sword and mine was vast. In a normal contest, I would not even be able to withstand it.

‘But that doesn’t mean there’s no way.’

Just as Glenn’s Heart Sword was about to pierce his soul, Raon unfolded Firewall with his own Heart Sword.

Wooooom!

The curved shield formed of his soul rotated its ridged side, not with the intent of blocking from the start, but to smoothly deflect Glenn’s Heart Sword.

Fwaaang!

Glenn’s Heart Sword, which had been aiming for his soul, cut only through empty air and then faded away in vain.

“Haaah….”

Raon, drenched in cold sweat, fell to his knees.

‘I… I blocked it, right?’

Until now, Darkan had stepped in to block whenever things became dangerous, but for the first time, I myself had deflected Glenn’s Heart Sword.

After hundreds of tries, only once. And even that with Glenn holding back greatly. But to me, it was a significant achievement.

“You actually pulled it off!”

Darkan smacked Raon’s back, unable to believe it.

“You’re truly insane!”

He showered praise in a voice loud enough to burst his throat.

“The harmony of the versatile sword you learned from Darkan, the strengthening of will you gained from me, and the growth of the Heart Sword you achieved between them.”

Glenn reached his hand toward Raon.

“You poured everything you learned this month into it. Excellent!”

As if truly moved, he broke his stiff mouth into a bright smile.

“It’s thanks to both of you for teaching me so well.”

Raon took Glenn’s hand, stood up, and bowed his head.

“I only taught you because it was fun. And I gained plenty myself.”

Darkan grinned, saying he had gotten interesting things out of it.

“I too have realized things. It was training meant for you, yet it benefited me as well.”

Glenn gave a faint smile, as if satisfied himself.

“You’ve worked hard. Sylvia and Sia missed you so much they’ve been loitering around here, so now go back.”

Glenn tilted his chin, declaring that the month-long training was finished.

At last, we’re going back!

Wrath cried out in delight and began to dance.

Home-cooked meals! He can finally eat home-cooked meals!

He sniffled, saying he had nearly died from missing the annex building’s meals. To cry over food, he was still a Demon King Raon couldn’t get used to.

“Thank you for everything.”

Raon bowed politely to Glenn and Darkan.

“Drop the honorifics. Polite speech makes me cringe.”

Darkan waved his hand as if he disliked polite words even more.

“Wait. It’s better I tell you in advance. Starting tomorrow….”

Glenn continued in a light tone, as if speaking of having tea the next day.

“The selection of the successor will begin.”

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