The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1136

 Chapter 1136

 

‘Let’s check it out now, shall we?’

Raon sat down on top of the shrunken Wrath and brought the reward messages back up.

[You have accomplished a great feat.]

[You have contemplated <Death>.]

[All stats have increased by 100 points.]

He slowly scanned through the messages and stopped at the second line.

‘Contemplated death?’

He was so used to the "great feat" line that he could almost recite it by heart, but he had never once seen the phrase about contemplating death until now.

‘It must be because I glimpsed Derus Robert’s memories.’

Thanks to Glenn, a portion of Derus Robert’s Heart Sword had been absorbed into my soul, letting me witness that bastard’s memories. That was surely the reason for the message.

‘No… maybe not just that.’

Clicking his tongue, Raon turned his eyes to the fourth line.

[A new trait <Energy of Death> has been created.]

It wasn’t just that, the energy of death that bastard possessed had even been created as a trait.

Whoosh—

Raon summoned the shadowy energy lying deep within his soul to his little finger. A faint, black flame, like the dying embers left after everything had burned away, flickered to life at his fingertip.

‘Energy of death.’

It was weak, but unmistakably the same power that Derus wielded.

‘To think that I, who already possess the trait <Blade that Severs Death>, would gain the energy of death itself…’

Honestly, it was a power I had never even thought of, which was slightly bewildering.

Wh-what…?

Wrath, who had been sprawled on the ground, widened his eyes at the sight of the dark flame burning from Raon’s finger.

Wh-what is that! Why do you have the energy of death!

The demon pushed Raon off and leapt up.

‘It looks like Derus Robert’s Heart Sword ended up being absorbed into me instead.’

Raon waved his finger and said that when Glenn cut the connection between their Heart Swords, it seemed that

Derus’s power had been absorbed into him.

Th-this is insane….

Wrath’s mouth hung open in disbelief.

You weren’t the one being absorbed, you absorbed it instead!? What the hell is this guy!

He couldn't comprehend Raon and his chubby cheeks trembled.

‘Well, even so, it’s not very useful.’

Raon erased the black flame at his fingertip and shook his head.

‘Even if I push aura into it, it doesn’t grow.’

Unlike other abilities, the energy of death didn’t increase even I injected my aura into it.

Since it originated from Derus, it seemed it couldn't grow with ordinary mana.

Stupid...

Wrath twisted his lips.

Look at the name! Energy of Death, so wouldn’t it grow by witnessing death!

He frowned as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

‘Witnessing death, huh….’

Either you kill someone, or you are put in a situation where you yourself are close to death. It's one of those two.

Wrath nodded, saying those were the only two ways to grow the energy of death.

‘That does make sense.’

Raon nodded as he felt the energy of death sink back into his soul.

'Thanks for telling me.'

He waved at Wrath, saying he was always helpful.

W–whaaat!

Wrath finally realized he had just helped and screamed.

Y-you bastard! How did you brainwash the King of Essence! He had no intention of helping you!

He clenched his fists, demanding Raon undo whatever spell he’d used.

'I didn't do anything; you just told me everything yourself.'

Raon chuckled dryly at Wrath’s furrowed expression.

He couldn’t understand how a guy so eager to show off his knowledge could claim to be brainwashed.

He will never forgive you!

Wrath ground his teeth so hard they scraped audibly.

‘Do as you please.’

Raon let out a faint laugh and checked the next messages.

[The rank of the trait <Array Analysis> has increased.]

[The rank of the trait <Energy of Death Resistance> has increased.]

[The rank of the trait <Wrath Release> has increased.]

[The rank of the trait <Flame that Overcomes Death> has increased.]

[The rank of the trait <Blade that Severs Death> has increased.]

[The rank of the trait <Divine Power Resistance> has increased.]

[The rank of the trait <Celestial Slayer> has increased.]

[The rank of the trait <Light Resistance> has increased.]

[The rank of the trait <Crisis Detection> has increased.]

This time, they were all messages about his traits growing.

Just looking at them made him feel good, each one would be useful for the upcoming war.

D-Damn it…

Wrath quickly skimmed through the trait messages, biting his lip.

Why did <Formation Analysis> increase? And why did <Divine Power Resistance> and <Light Resistance> increase too!?

He grumbled that he couldn’t make any sense of the system and smacked the message window with his round, bread-like fist.

‘It must’ve given it because I earned it.’

Raon pushed Wrath aside and checked the final messages.

[A new title <The One Who Contemplates Death> has been created.]

It was a new title, something that hadn’t happened in a long time.

But from the name alone, he couldn’t tell what it meant.

‘Let’s take a look.’

He called up the title and read its description.

<The One Who Contemplates Death> A title granted to one who can grow familiar with death. Such a person shall not be tainted by it.

Raon frowned deeply as he read the description.

‘What does that mean?’

Even after rereading it, he couldn’t fully grasp its meaning.

Not being “tainted by death” sounded good, but he had no idea what the ability actually did.

‘Wrath.’

Raon pointed at the title’s description.

‘Do you know what this means?’

Hmph.

Wrath glanced at the title and snorted.

He has no intention of telling you!

He turned his head sharply away.

‘Hmm.’

Raon looked at the back of Wrath’s round head and smirked.

‘You don’t know. If you did, you’d already be bragging about it.’

Just like when he’d explained the energy of death earlier, Wrath had a compulsive urge to explain everything he knew. If he’d really known this, he would’ve already said it.

This bastard….

Wrath’s flushed red, his lips trembling as if Raon had struck a nerve.

‘Before you start charging again, take a look at this first.’

Raon pointed at the last message floating in front of him.

[You have suppressed <Wrath>.]

[All stats have increased by 1 point.]

He waved a hand lightly, as if advising Wrath not to make the same mistake twice.

Aaaaargh damn it! He doesn't care anymore!

Wrath, stung in his pride by those words, couldn't hold back and rushed in, erupting with even more intense wrath than before.

Thud!

Of course, the result didn’t change.

[You have suppressed <Wrath>.]

[All stats have increased by 1 point.]

Wrath was crushed a second time and lay limp on the ground, all strength drained from his body.

Ughh….

He sniffled, burying his face into the floor, as if lamenting his pitiful situation.

‘I need to start training now. Stay quiet for a bit.’

Raon waved his hand at Wrath and pushed himself up.

‘There’s not much time.’

I had to grow strong enough not to be overwhelmed by Derus, so I didn’t have much time myself.

After checking all the rewards, it was time to swing my sword without rest.

Sreureureung.

Raon drew Heavenly Drive to begin his sword practice when—

[<Energy of Death> has slightly increased.]

A message appeared, showing that the trait <Energy of Death>, which he had obtained thanks to Derus, had risen.

‘Hm…?’

Raon turned his gaze toward Wrath, who was lying on the ground sniffling.

‘Could the energy of death be connected to the devildom?’

Feeling the faintly strengthened Energy of Death within his soul, his eyes narrowed.

‘Or maybe….’

*   *   *

The next evening, after finishing his training, Raon didn’t head for the annex building but went to Federick’s mansion, the Ragged Saint.

“Go to that room.”

Without even a greeting, Fedrick pointed toward the room on the right, as if he already knew why Raon had come.

“Thank you.”

Raon bowed lightly and opened the door on the right.

Inside were Sylvia, Edgar, and Rector who was sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Father, have some fruit. The oranges are really good.”

“Exactly. This place has everything. Even though it’s in the north, there are two ice cream shops. That says it all.”

Sylvia was peeling fruit for Rector, while Edgar kept talking about all sorts of trivial things beside her.

“Ah, you’re here.”

Rector greeted him with his only remaining left arm, saying it had been a while since they last met.

“Haa….”

Raon let out a quiet sigh of relief as he looked at Rector’s complexion and condition, now much improved. He had thought that severe aftereffects might remain, but fortunately, there didn’t seem to be any major problems.

“Are you feeling all right?”

Still, just to be sure, he asked directly.

“I’m fine. It was thanks to the emergency treatment you gave me.”

Rector smiled gently, saying Raon’s treatment had saved his life.

“You should know you’ve benefited thanks to your son and daughter-in-law.”

With his arms crossed, Edgar tilted his chin at Rector in a smug manner.

“Son and daughter-in-law?”

Rector frowned at him.

“Raon’s the one who saved me. Why should I be thanking you?”

“Because Sylvia and I gave birth to Raon, and Sylvia raised him!”

Edgar snorted, as if to say, “Don’t you even know the chicken and the egg story?”

“Dear!”

Sylvia told him to be quiet and smacked Edgar on the back with her palm.

“Argh!”

Whether it was because aura was mixed in or not, Edgar screamed and jumped up.

“Haa, even seeing you after a long time, you still give me a headache.”

Rector rubbed his temples, saying that just looking at Edgar was exhausting, but his expression wasn’t actually displeased.

“……”

Raon’s eyes moved to Rector’s right shoulder, where a clean white bandage, still stained faintly with blood, covered the place where a strong arm should have been.

‘Is he really all right…?’

Losing one’s dominant arm, the very life of a swordsman, I couldn’t imagine what he must be feeling.

‘If master were here, he would’ve known the right words to say.’

Since Rimmer had gone through the same thing, he could’ve given Rector the right words. But I didn’t know what to say myself.

‘No … I can’t depend on him forever.’

Raon touched the Wooden Ring Sword that held Rimmer’s spirit and shook his head.

‘It’s time I move on my own.’

I had already received help from Rimmer like a mountain’s worth. From now on, I have to solve everything myself.

‘If it’s grandfather….’

The Sword Demon Rector would surely understand my intent.

Taking a quiet breath, Raon stepped forward toward Rector, who was bickering with Edgar.

“Grandfather.”

“Yes.”

Rector nodded, as if telling him to say whatever was on his mind.

“The war with Derus Robert is not far off. It will be a desperate battle, one where the living die and the dead rise again in screams….”

Raon looked straight into Rector’s eyes and at the scars carved into his face and body.

“When that time comes, I’ll need your help. Please become stronger than you are now, and fight with me.”

Raon knew it was an unreasonable request, asking an old swordsman who had lost his right arm to fight again, yet he bowed his head.

“Raon! You!”

Sylvia, shocked, set down the half-cut fruit and stood up.

“W-wait! I know what you’re feeling, but that’s too soon! Father’s still recovering!”

Edgar also protested, realizing Raon's words were serious.

Y-you can’t be serious! You heartless bastard!

Even Wrath was so shocked he gaped in disbelief.

“……”

Rector didn’t even glance at Sylvia or Edgar. His eyes stayed fixed on Raon, and a faint red gleam flickered in his pupils as if emotion were welling up.

“Uh, father?”

“Father, Raon’s still young, he didn’t mean—”

Sylvia and Edgar tried to calm him down and stepped forward carefully.

“Kh….”

Rector raised his left arm slightly, motioning for them not to come closer.

“Khahahahahaha!”

He looked up at the ceiling and burst into a wild laugh.

“F-Father?”

“Father…?”

Edgar’s eyes widened in confusion.

“Ever since I was brought here, everyone has treated me like some old man to be tucked away, telling me to rest and do nothing….”

Rector turned to Raon with eyes brimming with warmth.

“But only my grandson… no, only Raon thought of me as a swordsman, as Rector the swordsman.”

His eyes reddened, saying he was so grateful for Raon's words.

“All right! This old man will wipe away anything that stands in your path!”

With his face full of confidence, Rector nodded firmly.

“Yes. I’ll be waiting.”

Raon bowed deeply, trusting in him completely.

“Then.”

Without looking back, he left the room.

“Uh….”

“Eh?”

Sylvia and Edgar blinked, looking between Raon’s back and Rector in confusion.

“What just happened…?”

They blinked, still not understanding.

“There’s no need to be so surprised.”

Rector waved a hand dismissively.

“You two thought of me as just Rector—as a man. But Raon thought of me as Rector the swordsman, the Sword Demon. Hearing his words made me realize it… I suppose I still wish to live as a warrior.”

He smiled gently, gazing at the door through which Raon had left.

“You’re right, Edgar. I truly am lucky to have a grandson like him.”

“Uh….”

Edgar rolled his eyes and lowered his voice.

“I actually said ‘son,’ not ‘grandson,’ though….”

*   *   *

After leaving Federick’s mansion, Raon headed toward the fifth training ground as if nothing had happened.

Hey, you!

Wrath jumped out, blocking his view.

What in the world just happened!

He flailed his arms, demanding an explanation.

‘Grandfather has lived his entire life as a warrior.’

Raon recalled the gloomy look on Rector’s face when he first entered the room.

‘He lost his arm, his right arm at that, and most of his vitality. Everyone who’s seen him probably told him the same thing, to rest.’

Hmm, that does sound likely.

‘But I could tell… Grandfather still wants to fight. The flame in his eyes hasn’t gone out yet.’

Deep wrinkles lined Rector’s face, showing the years he had lived, but his eyes were still very much alive.

I had merely tossed a bit of wood onto that flame.

Huh….

Wrath furrowed his brow in disbelief.

What’s gotten into you? You’re usually awful at reading the mood.

He let out a scoffing breath, asking how Raon could’ve noticed something like that.

‘Maybe it’s because this wasn’t about people, it was about warriors.’

Raon shook his head, saying he wasn’t quite sure himself.

Just then—

“Sir Raon!”

Chad, the Shadow Agents master, came running toward him, waving his hand.

“What’s going on? Don’t tell me Derus again….”

Raon stepped forward to meet him, his eyes narrowing. The urgency on Chad’s face brought back the image of Derus Robert’s disgusting face from a few days ago.

“No! It’s not that….”

Without even pausing to catch his breath, Chad spoke quickly.

“A holy war has broken out in the Holy Kingdom of Schper!”

 

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