The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 589

“Is it my turn now?”

Cassandra’s dark energy flared up as she glared at Raon, her eyes filled with rage and annoyance.

“You’ve become arrogant just because you killed a mongrel, haven’t you?”

“No,” Raon shook his head as he watched the growling Cassandra. “I’ve always been arrogant. The moment you sent the Flame Demon ahead, the outcome of this battle was already decided.”

“Your arrogance will be your downfall!” Cassandra raised her left hand, not holding her bow. Black smoke swirled between her fingers as if she were grasping the air.

A huge black wolf formed from the dark energy that surged with a mournful hum, its mane burning with black flames, making Raon’s hair stand on end.

‘A wolf?’

No.

The black wolf lacked the vitality of a living creature. It felt more like a spirit, but not one of nature, rather, a spirit filled with dark energy.

“A… a dark spirit?”

The answer to the wolf’s identity came from Erian, who was standing behind.

“A dark spirit? Are there spirits other than the four elemental ones?”

“They are rare, but there are spirits outside the four elements….” Erian’s voice trembled, clearly seeing one for the first time.

“But I’ve heard that dark spirits consume the lifespan of their contractors….”

“That’s correct.” Cassandra nodded calmly.

“I sacrificed my lifespan to contract with this one.”

Her eyes flashed coldly as she glared at the World Tree.

“Why would you go to such lengths….”

“To kill you and become true elves, I can sacrifice my lifespan as much as necessary.”

Responding to Cassandra’s anger, the dark spirit opened its mouth, and black energy poured out from its spiral-shaped throat like a fountain.

As Raon dodged the wave of dark energy, Cassandra’s arrows came flying at him, the tips burning with black energy, likely due to the dark spirit.

Raon deflected Cassandra’s arrows with the Heavenly Sword, frowning.

‘My hands sting.’

The dark spirit’s energy was incredibly dense and potent.

‘Both of them are Grandmaster level…’

Both Cassandra and the dark spirit had the aura of Grandmasters. If he made a wrong move, his head would be the first to fall.

‘Focus.’

He could sense that the Red Ghost and the gray-skinned elves were attacking Sepia along with the Flame Demon, but he didn’t look back.

‘Neither can be ignored.’

For the sake of Sepia, he needed to put all his effort into this fight.

“Feel honored. This power wasn’t prepared for you!” Cassandra screeched, firing five arrows simultaneously.

As he anticipated where to dodge, the dark spirit released another vortex of dark energy.

Raon used the Flame Wall to block Cassandra’s arrows and the dark spirit’s energy.

Using the gap created by the clash of flames and dark energy, he closed in on Cassandra.

“Ugh!”

Cassandra widened her eyes, not expecting him to approach so quickly.

‘I can cut her now.’

As he was about to swing the Heavenly Sword, the dark spirit appeared, clawing at him. Its trajectory was complex, and the force behind it immense.

The usual strategy would be to dodge and analyze the enemy’s moves, but he didn’t have much time. Instead of retreating, he advanced.

Using the Flame Skill on his left foot, he stomped on the darkened ground. The golden flames suppressed the dark energy, and he stabbed the dark spirit’s claws with the Light Fist.

The flames of the Flame Skill pierced through the dark spirit’s claws and tore through its chest.

The dark spirit howled in agony and retreated.

‘Not yet.’

Raon pursued the retreating dark spirit instead of Cassandra and struck it with the Heavenly Sword. The golden blade, like a setting sun, sliced the spirit in half.

Though the spirit didn’t die immediately, its energy significantly dwindled.

As he prepared to finish it off with another strike, Cassandra’s arrow flew towards him. The arrowhead burned with a black energy, conveying a lethal intent.

Feeling the power behind the arrow, Raon used the Soul Requiem Sword in his left hand to unleash the Frostwind Blade.

The Frostwind Blade met Cassandra’s arrow, and the resulting impact made his hands feel like they were tearing apart.

‘I’m used to this kind of pain.’

Raon didn’t retreat but swung the Soul Requiem Sword to freeze Cassandra’s arrows.

The arrows, now encased in ice, fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

“You blocked the Death Arrow?” Cassandra widened her eyes in disbelief.

The dark spirit, now much smaller, returned to her side, groaning in pain. Its damage wasn’t just physical but also mental.

“A half-baked combination isn’t effective.”

Raon approached Cassandra with the Heavenly Sword and the Soul Requiem Sword lowered. His steps were leisurely, but his heart remained calm and focused.

“It’s over.”

“Over? You think you can end me?” Cassandra, filled with explosive killing intent, reached out with her right hand. The dark spirit returned to her hand, reshaping itself into a black arrow.

“Originally, I intended to use this on the elders, but starting with you isn’t so bad.”

As Cassandra drew the bowstring, dark energy spread, erasing the remaining vegetation and trees.

Raon narrowed his eyes at the drawn bow.

‘What is that?’

The thin arrow gave off an ominous feeling, making his spine tingle.

As he licked his dry lips in tension, Cassandra twisted the fully drawn bowstring.

“Die.”

With a command like that of a reaper, Cassandra released the arrow formed from the dark spirit. The arrow flew faster than sound, rotating violently towards his chest.

Raon crossed the Heavenly Sword and the Soul Requiem Sword. The Flame Skill and Frostskill surged along the blades, creating a brilliant light.

‘Even this won’t be enough.’

Even using the Flame Skill and Frostskill to their fullest, he doubted he could completely block the arrow.

He instinctively took a half-step back. Using the brief time gained, he refined his dual sword technique to intercept the approaching arrow.

Despite being prepared for the impact, the pain in his shoulders made him almost groan. The power behind the arrow was unbelievable. It was an all-or-nothing attack, as Cassandra had declared.

Raon gritted his teeth as the arrow forced him back.

‘My hands are tearing apart.’

The power behind the arrow was too strong to be deflected. It was shocking that a distant arrow carried such strength.

‘Is it because the dark spirit was used as an arrow?’

Raon frowned as he looked at the trembling Heavenly Sword and Soul Requiem Sword.

‘There’s no choice…’

He had wanted to save his rage release for the Flame Demon, but if he didn’t use it now, he would die before getting the chance.

As he was about to activate his rage release, he paused.

‘Wait.’

This arrow…

Wasn’t it similar to the Soul Requiem Sword?

Just as he had achieved perfect unity with the Soul Requiem Sword during his spar with Sten, Cassandra seemed to have done the same with the dark spirit, creating this unbelievably powerful arrow.

‘If I’m right…’

Maybe he could do it too.

He decided to try a temporary unity with his weapon. To grasp the flow, he extended his right hand holding the Heavenly Sword.

Despite the pain in his arm, he endured it.

‘Soul Requiem Sword. Help me.’

He infused his will into the dark energy of the Soul Requiem Sword. As he imbued his will to win and his desire not to be broken, the Soul Requiem Sword responded with a clear resonance.

The line connecting the sword and human will merged into the blade, creating a magnificent aura.

Raon pulled back the Heavenly Sword. As the arrow approached, he swung the Soul Requiem Sword with perfect unity, following the Light Fist technique.

The seemingly indomitable arrow couldn’t withstand the Soul Requiem Sword’s power and split in half, crumbling to the ground.

“No way!”

Cassandra dropped her bow, eyes wide in disbelief.

“How… how…”

She was so shocked she didn’t even realize she had dropped her bow.

“Impossible!”

Raon didn’t answer. He focused his energy in his lower body, propelling himself forward.

“Ugh!”

Cassandra tried to pick up her bow in a final desperate act, but the blade of the Heavenly Sword was already at her neck.

With a swift motion, her head flew through the air, and her gray body collapsed to the ground.

“This monster… why now…”

Cassandra’s last words were filled with regret as she looked up at the World Tree before dying. The dark spirit, having lost its master, disintegrated into dust.

“Hah…”

Erian looked up at Raon, exhaling deeply.

“How much strength were you hiding?”

He blinked in disbelief, not realizing the extent of Raon’s power until now.

“Did you not even use your full strength when fighting me?”

“There was no need to cause a scene in my master’s hometown.”

“To be that strong at your age… It must be because you’re the Spirit King’s contractor.”

Even in such a moment, he still talked about the Spirit King. Truly an unwavering obsession.

“Enough nonsense.”

Raon shook his head and tossed a healing potion to Erian.

“Apply that and follow me. I’ll go ahead.”

“Thank you. That’s all I can say right now.”

Erian nodded and watched Raon run towards Sepia.

While stabilizing his breath for the next battle, a baby fox appeared from the bushes on the right.

“Merlin!”

“Raon…”

Merlin ran forward, her head lowered. Her voice and condition were poor, indicating she had used a lot of her power.

“Don’t go.”

“It’s because of the Flame Demon, right? It will be tough alone, but together we might win.”

The Flame Demon was stronger than him, but inside Sepia were Rimmer and the elders. Together, they could probably hold off the Flame Demon with minimal losses.

“No, you can’t win.”

Merlin shook her head firmly.

“The Flame Demon is absorbing the World Tree’s energy and growing stronger.”

She bit her lip and looked back at the World Tree.

“The Flame Demon’s target isn’t Sepia; it’s the World Tree itself!”

——–

Rimmer looked at the great forest as he opened a path for the elves to enter the barrier.

‘The flames are spreading fast.’

The enemies weren’t just targeting the entrance to Saphea; they were setting the entire forest on fire.

If they continued to fight like this, they might win the battle but suffer irreparable damage.

‘No.’

Now was the time to prioritize the lives of his kin over the forest.

The forest was precious to the elves, but not as precious as the lives of their people. Even if the great forest turned to ashes, fighting within the barrier was the best option.

‘The elders are there, so they should be able to hold out.’

The Grand Elder and ten other elders were currently performing a ritual to strengthen the World Tree’s barrier.

If the barrier was fortified, no matter how strong the flames were, they wouldn’t reach the World Tree.

As he reviewed the plan, Rimmer caught sight of Cyan wrapped in a blanket, avoiding the gazes of her kin.

Even in this situation, she seemed terrified of the attention of others.

‘I’ll be a proper brother once this is over.’

Rimmer felt a twinge of guilt as he shook his head, when Dorian, who had been on reconnaissance, came running back.

“Master, the fire… it’s coming!”

Dorian, panting heavily, trembled as he spoke.

“The fire? What do you mean? Explain in detail.”

“It’s real fire. It’s getting bigger and hotter, and we can’t handle it!”

He swallowed hard, explaining that not only the fire but Eden’s ghosts and gray elves were also approaching.

Rimmer frowned as he looked in the direction Dorian had come from.

“The one wearing Ifrit’s Helmet?”

“Yes.”

Rayran approached and nodded. Fear began to fill her eyes.

“What’s his power level?”

“My brother said he was about Grand Master lower rank.”

“If that’s the case….”

In terms of attributes, the enemy had an overwhelming advantage, but they had the barrier strengthened by the elders. If they could draw him inside and fight, they could win.

“Prepare for battle!”

At Rimmer’s signal, Rayran gave the command for the guardians to prepare for combat.

All the elves of Saphea surrounded the World Tree, and a great flame that erased the darkness of the night sky arose.

No, it wasn’t a flame. It was a giant human covered in flames.

‘That…’

Rimmer trembled as he looked at the Flame Demon wearing Ifrit’s Helmet.

‘Is that really lower rank Grand Master?’

There was no way it was lower rank. It was far beyond even the middle rank.

‘Is Erian unable to judge the opponent’s strength properly now…?’

As he silently cursed Erian, the heat and power radiating from Ifrit’s Helmet rapidly increased.

Kwoooosh!

The heat was so intense that the barrier protecting the World Tree shrank, and the power of Ifrit’s Helmet grew stronger and stronger.

‘No way….’

Rimmer’s jaw trembled as he looked at Ifrit’s Helmet.

‘Is he absorbing the energy of the World Tree?’

If so, the Flame Demon didn’t come for the elders but to absorb the energy of the World Tree?

Slaaap!

Rimmer slapped his own cheek.

‘I was wrong!’

He turned and shouted urgently.

“Stop strengthening the barrier!”

Strengthening the barrier was useless against that overwhelming heat. It would only help the enemy grow stronger faster.

Sssssh!

But it was too late.

The barrier around the World Tree was torn like paper, and the Grand Elder and the elders performing the ritual collapsed, coughing up blood.

“Ugh….”

“What happened?”

“What’s going on…?”

The Grand Elder and the elders, unable to understand the situation, trembled as they looked around.

They were all severely injured and unable to fight properly.

Kwoooosh!

In contrast, the power of Ifrit’s Helmet grew endlessly. Having absorbed the energy of the World Tree from the barrier, it had now surpassed the middle rank of Grand Master and reached the upper rank.

‘Damn it….’

At this point, Rimmer was the only one who could even try to face that monster.

He drew his sword with his left hand and stepped forward.

Hoooh!

Even with the wind energy enveloping him, the heat radiating from the Flame Demon’s breath made it feel like his flesh was burning.

“Worthless bug.”

The Flame Demon reached out toward Rimmer. The space distorted with the heat radiating from his firm grip.

Sword Realm Manifestation

Eye of the Storm.

Rimmer immediately unleashed the Sword Realm Manifestation. He created a zone of calm to suppress the flames, but the overwhelming difference in firepower pushed back the sword realm itself.

Kwoooosh!

With a casual flick, the Flame Demon’s flames completely melted the remnants of the barrier around the World Tree.

‘I made a foolish mistake.’

Rimmer gritted his teeth.

‘I blocked my own retreat…’

But now was not the time for regret. He needed to create an opportunity somehow.

Ssssh!

Rimmer dashed to the Flame Demon’s left, thrusting his sword. The vibrating blade of wind pierced through the wall of flames.

“Hmph!”

The Flame Demon easily deflected the blade of wind with the back of his hand.

Thunk!

Despite putting all his strength into the attack, it wobbled like a butterfly soaked in the waves and was pushed back.

‘It’s no use.’

Even though he had trained his left hand, his sword didn’t move as he wanted. He desperately missed his right arm.

“Disappear.”

The Flame Demon twisted his lips as he reached towards the sky. The crimson flames that erupted from his grasp fell like hail.

Wooong!

Rimmer, seeing the flames that threatened not only him but also the World Tree, unleashed all his remaining energy. Red lightning surged over the waning wind as he set up a shield against the fiery rain.

Kwoooosh!

However, the flames devoured even the wind and lightning, spewing out even more intense heat.

“Rayran!”

Rimmer, focusing on the flames, called out to Rayran behind him.

“Retreat! Everyone, flee!”

“But….”

Rayran trembled as she checked on the elders.

“There’s only you! Take everyone and run! Save as many as you can!”

Protecting the elders and the World Tree was meaningless in front of that firepower. Saving even one more life was the priority.

The only fortunate thing was that Ifrit’s focus was on him. If they moved quickly, they might save some.

“It’s pointless.”

As he barely clung to hope, a mocking voice echoed from within Ifrit’s Helmet.

“What do you mean….”

Rimmer stopped as he tried to reply. Surrounding the broken barrier, Eden’s ghosts and gray-skinned traitors appeared, blocking the path.

“No one leaves this place.”

The Flame Demon declared.

“You….”

Rimmer wanted to save at least one, but even that seemed impossible. The first wrong step had ruined all plans.

‘Even so….’

I’ll hold out until the end.

Rimmer gripped his sword and focused his aura. Despite the pain in his core, he stood against the flames.

Ssssh!

But the heat from Ifrit’s flames spread from the blade to the hilt. It felt like his grip was burning away.

‘A way. I need to find a way….’

As he desperately sought an opportunity, a silver moon and a golden sun rose simultaneously in the black sky.

A shadow cast between the sun and the moon, spilling out red and blue light.

Kwoooosh!

The Flame Demon’s flames, spread like wings, trembled as if they would break.

Raon’s sword, wrapped in golden flames and silver frost, faced the Flame Demon’s flames. But even he seemed strained, sweat pouring from his forehead.

“Raon! Fall back!”

Rimmer’s voice cracked as he called out to Raon.

“He’s not an opponent you can handle!”

Raon was destined to become the king of Zieghart. He couldn’t let him die here.

“This isn’t the place to sacrifice your life! Take Dorian and Yua and leave!”

“You’re right. I can’t handle him alone.”

Raon admitted the difference in power, something he rarely did. It was a small relief.

“Then hurry and….”

“So please help me.”

Silver light poured from Raon’s grip. Unlike the waning flames, golden flames blazed fiercely in his eyes.

“Help me defeat him.”