The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1237

 Chapter 1237

 

“What…?”

Runaan tilted her head, genuinely confused.

“A spar…?”

No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t see any reason to spar, blinking in quiet confusion.

“You’re hiding something from us,”

Martha said, stroking her chin as if she already knew the answer.

“And you obviously won’t talk no matter how much we ask. So let’s settle it the old-fashioned way, let our bodies do the talking.”

She clenched and unclenched her fist, clearly itching for a spar for the first time in a while.

“……”

Runaan pressed her lips together, silent, just as Martha said, like someone with something to hide.

“Martha!”

Burren stepped between the two of them and shook his head.

“What are you doing all of a sudden?”

He swallowed dryly, clearly just as lost about why this had turned into a spar.

“This quiet little runt only listens after a good beating.”

Martha rested her hand on her sword, saying flatly that sparring was the only way to figure Runaan out.

“But Raon isn’t even here.”

“…Okay.”

Runaan stepped past Burren, who had been blocking the way.

“Let’s do it….”

She nodded, as if agreeing to begin the spar.

“I thought you’d turned into an idiot, but hey, you can still understand words.”

Martha drew her sword, grinning as she noticed the deep shadow hanging over Runaan’s face.

“The idiot… has always been you….”

Runaan let out a quiet sigh as she raised her Snow Flower Sword.

“Hey. Trying to stop us won’t work, so just referee.”

Martha said, giving Burren a light tap on the shoulder before stepping in front of Runaan.

“Hoo…!”

Burren looked back and forth between them, clutching his head like it was already spinning.

“What is wrong with these women….”

He frowned, muttering under his breath.

“If things get out of hand, I’ll step in. Don’t go too far.”

Clicking his tongue, Burren raised his hand.

“Start!”

The moment he shouted, he jumped back, already expecting Martha to charge like she always did.

“……”

But unlike his expectations, Martha didn’t rush in. Instead, she moved slowly, stepping lightly as if testing the waters.

“Hm….”

Runaan lifted an eyebrow slightly, surprised by the change.

“Looks like you didn’t expect that,”

Martha said with a knowing grin.

“I’ve learned a thing or two. I can’t charge like a wild boar every time.”

No sooner had she said it than she slipped around to Runaan’s right.

Woooooong!

Gritting her teeth, Martha brought her sword down toward Runaan’s head, her blade imbued with the heavy power of the earth. The ground vibrated violently from the terrifying force contained within her strike.

Swooooosh.

Though caught off guard by Martha’s sudden shift, Runaan remained calm, shifting her footwork and raising the Snow Flower Sword. Blue frost bloomed along her blade as she blocked Martha’s overwhelming strike.

KRAAAANG!

Their swords collided head-on, releasing a shockwave and roar powerful enough to shake the entire fifth training ground.

But the two Grandmasters were not evenly matched.

Screeeeech!

The one who always struck first and hardest, Martha, was the one being pushed back by Runaan’s blade.

“What the hell!”

Martha’s eyes widened as she stared at Runaan through their locked swords.

“……”

Runaan pressed forward, her calm gaze saying this outcome was only natural.

“Ghh!”

Martha gritted her teeth and knocked Runaan’s blade aside.

“I don’t know what you did, but I won’t lose when it comes to strength!”

She bit her lip, her pride clearly bruised, and charged again.

Gooooooo!

Martha stomped the ground with everything she had. Channeling the power rising from the earth into her body and aura, she thrust her sword forward. It felt less like a sword thrust and more like her entire body was slamming in.

“……”

As if she’d been expecting it, Runaan lightly lifted her foot and formed a wall of frost in front of her.

The blue-tinged cold energy was dyed silver, creating a hardness that looked as though it would not melt even in lava.

“Hmph!”

The instant Martha saw the thick wall of frost, she twisted her ankle sharply. Instead of crashing straight in, she spun like a swallow, aiming for Runaan’s exposed left side.

Although the power had decreased, the movement itself was nimble, making it a sword strike that would be difficult for anyone to avoid.

“…Hnmh.”

Runaan’s pupils trembled slightly, as if she had not expected Martha to come in with a strategy even while fired up. She lightly bit her lip and quickly swung her sword, from which the silvery frost had slightly faded.

Craaaaang!

Martha’s heavy sword strike cut sharply inward, as if it would shatter Runaan’s hurried defense.

“Well? Feel how strong I am now?”

Martha curled her lips into a smirk, looking at Runaan behind the blade, convinced of her victory.

“I’ve used tactics, so now it’s an all-out charge!”

She poured more aura into her attack, determined not to waste the opening she’d finally created. It was a strategy that maximized her Titan’s aura, power that amplified as long as her feet stayed planted on the ground.

“Haa….”

Runaan let out a low breath, as if fed up with Martha forcefully pushing in.

“It’s too late to regret it now!”

“You’ve gotten stronger….”

Runaan cut her off mid-sentence and nodded.

“I’ll go all out now….”

The moment she said those words—

Flaaash!

The blade of Snow Flower Sword turned transparent, scattering pure white frost into the air.

Craaaack!

The floor of the fifth training ground, built of fine-packed earth, froze over, and even Martha’s sword that was pressed against the Snow Flower Sword, and Martha herself, began to freeze.

“W-What is this?!”

Martha’s jaw trembled as she watched white frost crawl over her blade and arm, piercing straight through her Titan’s Aura. She clenched her teeth and poured out all her aura, but it couldn’t stop the cold Runaan had unleashed.

“Damn it!”

Realizing she couldn’t handle Runaan’s aura, Martha tried to retreat—

But her legs were already frozen into the ground, trapped in solid white ice.

“This is impossible….”

Martha let out a hollow breath as she stared at the transparent cold energy that had frozen her sword, hands, and legs. Even though it had happened right in front of her eyes, she couldn’t believe it.

Ssshhh—

Runaan raised the Snow Flower, now as clear as spring water, and aimed it at Martha’s neck.

“Ghh…!”

Martha bit her lip hard as she stared at the blade that stopped a hair’s breadth from her throat.

“…I lost.”

She lowered her head deeply, as if she had no choice but to acknowledge her defeat.

“Mmhh….”

Runaan blinked, as if accepting Martha’s declaration of defeat, and then pulled her sword back.

When she placed her hand on the ice that had trapped Martha, the cold slowly began to fade.

“I can’t believe I couldn’t break the ice,”

Martha muttered, moving her stiff hands and feet as she frowned.

“I really wanted to smack that face that looks like nothing happened….”

She sighed, clearly frustrated at not being able to defeat Runaan.

“Nothing… really happened….”

Runaan bowed her head slightly, her tone as calm as ever.

“Well, if you say so, I’ve got nothing to say. But….”

Martha watched Runaan in silence for a moment before slowly opening her mouth.

“If something happens, make sure you say something. Anywhere, anything, anyone, I’ll help.”

She nodded heavily, as if she truly meant she would help no matter what.

“……”

Runaan quietly looked at Marta, who was showing a composed gaze for once.

“Okay….”

She nodded calmly, as if promising to do exactly that, and left the training ground.

“Ha!”

The moment Runaan disappeared from sight, Martha swung her fist through empty air.

“Damn it! She’s gotten insanely strong!”

Letting out a frustrated yell at Runaan’s unbelievable growth, and turned around.

“W-Where are you going?”

Krein swallowed dryly as he watched Martha leave the training ground.

“Don’t tell me you’re going after Lady Runaan—”

“I’m not chasing her!”

Martha snorted without turning around.

“Even if I did, there’s nothing I could do! I’m going to train.”

After shouting that she would definitely win next time, she leapt over the wall of the training ground and ran toward the main building.

“……”

Burren didn’t watch either of them leave. Instead, he stared at the place where they’d fought, biting his lip.

‘What is this…. the gap really grown this much?’

The spar between Martha and Runaan was far beyond the range I had expected.

I couldn’t understand when those who clearly hadn’t been that far from me had surged so far ahead.

‘I did my best too….’

Every spare moment outside my duties as vice palace master of the Light Wind had gone into training.

I woke earlier than anyone, went to bed later than anyone, swinging my sword day after day, yet watching them now, it felt like I’d gone backward instead.

‘Damn it.’

Martha had always charged in like a wild boar, but she had come to understand strategy and tactics and was creating a fighting style suited to herself.

On top of that, in addition to the weight and power of her swordsmanship, even her speed had increased, allowing her to unleash terrifying sword strikes that were difficult to dare to face.

Honestly, if I were to fight Martha at my current level, it was obvious I would lose without even being able to properly use my strength.

‘But….’

What shocked me even more than that was Runaan.

Runaan had literally crushed Martha, someone I had expected would overwhelm me.

Cold that could trap a Grandmaster like a child. Abilities I had never seen before. It was enough to send chills through me, like watching the frost Raon unleashes.

‘Is this the kind of gap the Demon Kings’ authority creates? ‘

The only difference between me and Runaan and Martha is whether we received the authority of the Demon Kings or not. It wasn’t something that existed from the beginning, and it hasn’t even been that long since they were chosen, yet a gap like this opened up, making my chest feel tight.

If only I’d had even a little more competitive spirit…

He clenched his fist, remembering the moment Martha had been chosen instead of him.

“Hmm?”

Sensing a vague gaze, he turned his head and saw Karoon, who was serving as the acting head of house, standing at the entrance of the fifth training ground.

It seemed he had been out on an external inspection and, sensing Runaan and Martha’s spar, had come this way.

“…Hmm.”

Burren calmed his confused feelings and approached Karoon.

“You’re here? But where are the others….”

He tilted his head, noticing that the subordinates usually by Karoon’s side were missing.

“I told them to go on ahead,”

Karoon replied calmly, as if it were nothing.

“Ah, yes. Since it wasn’t anything serious….”

“It seems the ones you consider rivals have moved ahead of you.”

Karoon smiled faintly, as if he could see straight through Burren’s heart.

“Uh, well….”

Embarrassed at having his thoughts exposed, Burren couldn’t speak and bit his lip.

“I… I had no choice but to let Raon go, but seeing even Runaan and Martha surpass me makes me feel pathetic. No, if I’m being honest, I didn’t even want to just let Raon go.”

Whether it was because his father had become the acting head of house, or because he was shocked by the spar between Runaan and Martha he had just seen, the things he had kept hidden spilled out without him realizing it.

“I see.”

Karoon simply nodded.

“The feelings you have now are not shameful. People need jealousy and envy in order to grow. However, the moment you speak them out loud, they become ugly.”

As he said the word “ugly,” he drew a gentle smile, as if recalling his own past.

“It seems Runaan and Martha have obtained a mysterious power.”

Karoon’s eyes shifted slightly, as if he had noticed the authority of the Demon Kings to some extent.

“That is probably why they widened the gap between you and them.”

“Yes… that’s right.”

“Then it would be good for you to chase after those two without such special power.”

Since things had come to this, he flicked his hand, telling him to become strong without special power.

“W-What? How am I supposed to—”

“Come to the head of house’s training ground tonight. If you watch my training, you will feel something.”

Leaving those words behind, Karoon turned away.

“B-But father, aren’t you busy? I heard you barely sleep at all—”

Burren swallowed, remembering what Karoon’s close subordinates had told him.

“A father who can’t even take care of his son has no right to lead a house.”

With that final remark, Karoon left the fifth training ground.

“……”

Watching his father’s back as he walked away, Burren felt the trembling at his fingertips finally settle.

*   *   *

Runaan didn’t return to the quarter at the fifth training ground.

Instead, for the first time in a while, she headed to house Sullion.

“Runaan! You’re here!”

Rokan Sullion, the head of house Sullion, threw his arms wide to welcome her.

“I wanted to see you so badly I was about to go to the fifth training ground myself—”

“Dad… I’m tired.”

Runaan ducked under Rokan’s arms and headed straight for her room on the second floor.

“Ah, uh…”

Caught off guard by how much colder she seemed than usual, Rokan could only roll his eyes, unable to finish his sentence.

“…Sorry.”

Knowing she’d disappointed him, Runaan dipped her head slightly. She wanted to talk with her father after so long, but she was just too exhausted right now.

“Haa…”

She let out a deep sigh as she entered her room. Without even unpacking or washing up, she collapsed onto the bed.

“This is strange…”

These days, whenever she slept, she had the same dream every single day.

However, she only felt that it was the same dream, when she woke up, she couldn’t remember at all what the dream had been about.

After having that strange dream, even when she slept, it didn’t feel like she had slept, rather, it felt as though only her physical strength and mental strength were being consumed, so these days it was difficult even to stand.

What was strange was that thanks to that dream, her rate of growth had become extremely fast, and she felt an unfamiliar sense of happiness welling up inside her.

‘I don’t want to sleep, but…’

Runaan frowned, breathing out heavily.

‘I have no choice but to sleep.’

If she wanted to grow stronger, she had to sleep.

Not just that, an urge had begun to stir, a need to fall asleep no matter what, to enter that dream again.

It was strange. She couldn’t remember the dream at all, yet the happiness she felt within it lingered on her skin, making her feel like she absolutely had to return.

“Hoo…”

Hoping tonight would at least ease her exhaustion, Runaan closed her eyes.

Fwoooosh—

The moment she lowered her eyelids, she immediately fell asleep and opened her eyes in a strange world.

It was larger than a village, but smaller than a city.

It was a place larger than a village but smaller than a city. As if it were a fertile land, vitality bloomed on people’s faces, and smiles hung on the lips of the children.

“Runaan!”

“Big sis!”

“Big sister!”

The people recognized her and waved their hands as if happy to see her. The children burst into unrestrained smiles and ran toward her, hugging her.

“Hello….”

Runaan hugged them back, a radiant smile blooming on her face.

Now that she had entered the dream, she remembered. In this world, unlike when she was in Zieghart, she was interacting with many people.

‘Right….’

It was always this dream…

By morning I would forget it, but every time I fell asleep again, I always woke up here. And the people of this world always remembered me.

‘And…’

Just as Runaan closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of the children in her arms—

“You’re here.”

At the familiar voice, she lifted her head, and the person she liked the most was smiling even more brightly than in reality.

“Runaan.”

Raon.

Raon. The hero who had been together with her since childhood and had saved her waved his hand with a fresh smile.

“…Yeah. I’m here.”

Runaan nodded, her lips curving into a smile just as deep as his.

 

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