The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 598

Raon lightly squeezed his grip as if holding a leaf.

“Aaaaargh!”

The young man with the aristocratic appearance had some martial arts training, but the overwhelming difference in strength rendered him unable to struggle, only letting out a scream.

“This crazy bastard!”

“Let him go right now!”

“Do you have a death wish?”

The armed men sitting with the young man quickly drew their swords. They seemed to have killed a person or two, as their murderous aura was thick and palpable.

“There are other customers eating here.”

Raon smirked and swung the young man over his shoulder.

“Conversations should be held in quieter places.”

He threw the young man towards an empty wall.

Crash!

The arrogant young man crashed into the wall, shattering it, and fell to the ground.

“Aaaaargh!”

He didn’t lose consciousness, but the pain was so intense that he writhed on the floor, screaming.

“What the…?”

“This crazy…”

The armed men trembled with disbelief at the unexpected turn of events.

Raon ignored them and crossed over the broken wall, grabbing the head of the young man who had been acting arrogant.

“Do you have any idea who this is?”

A middle-aged man, who seemed to be the leader, approached with trembling lips.

“Who is he?”

Raon asked, blocking his flow of information.

“He is Markren, the second son of the Comarne Sword Family!”

The middle-aged man threatened Raon, pointing his sword.

“The second son of the Comarne Sword Family, Markren?”

Raon opened his mouth in surprise.

“If you’re a martial artist, you should know the Comarne Family. If you don’t want your family to die, let him go immediately!”

Markren smirked, sensing victory.

“It’s too late. Not only you, but everyone here will die. Your family will be killed too!”

He laughed, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

“How scary. But where exactly is Comarne located?”

Raon chuckled and looked at Dorian.

“What?”

“You crazy bastard!”

Markren and the middle-aged man’s eyes widened in anger.

“It’s a rising sword family in the central southern continent.”

Dorian, who was paying for the broken wall, nodded. The owner, smiling, seemed satisfied with the hefty compensation.

“Are they strong?”

“You could wipe them out alone.”

“What nonsense!”

Markren yelled in disbelief.

“Kill these insolent fools!”

At the command, the armed men charged at Raon with their swords drawn.

Swish!

Raon turned his back as if it didn’t matter, and Dorian, Rimmer, and Reylan moved.

“Put down your swords. It’s annoying.”

“I don’t want to kill anyone in this restaurant. Please cooperate.”

“You’ll die.”

They aimed their weapons at the armed men’s throats, their killing intent palpable.

“What the…!”

“I didn’t even see them move…”

Feeling the difference in power, the armed men lowered their swords with trembling hands.

“Who the hell are you?”

Markren stammered, his lips quivering.

“I ask the questions.”

Raon slightly tightened his grip.

“Aaaaaaargh!”

Markren screamed, unable to withstand the pain, his arms flailing.

“What do you mean by paying more than the auction?”

“Let go… of me first…”

Markren begged, his lips trembling. Raon loosened his grip slightly, allowing him to speak.

“Talk straight, or your head gets smashed.”

“I meant exactly what I said. I was offering to buy the elf.”

“How did you know they were elves with the robes on?”

“Elves have been appearing in the market recently, so it was obvious.”

“They’re in the market?”

“You don’t know? Since the great forest burned and Sephia’s barrier fell, injured elves have been appearing in auctions…”

The mention of elves in auctions made Raon tighten his grip unconsciously. Markren screamed, flailing his limbs.

“So, they’re kidnapping injured elves and putting them up for auction?”

Raon summarized and asked again.

“Yes. Elven slaves are rare, but they’ve been showing up at auctions since that incident…”

Markren explained that he was on his way to buy slaves, mistaking Siyan and the other elves for slaves.

Raon frowned as he looked at the trembling Markren.

‘This isn’t good.’

He had hoped otherwise, but his worst fears seemed to be coming true.

“Where is the maritime market located?”

“On the Feren River.”

“A river, not the sea?”

“It’s connected to the Raeble River. It’s so wide it’s almost like the sea.”

Terrified, Markren answered even unasked questions.

‘The Raeble River…’

The Raeble River was controlled by the South-North Alliance. The maritime market must be connected to them.

“Can we still participate in the auction if we go now?”

“Yes.”

“What about invitations?”

“What?”

“An invitation. These slave auctions don’t just let anyone in.”

“There’s an invitation in my pocket…”

Markren handed over a black envelope that seemed to devour light. Opening it revealed an invitation to the maritime market in Markren’s name.

“Damn these humans!”

Reylan punched the ground in frustration.

“Raon.”

Siyan approached, bowing her head. Her usual timid look was replaced with one of anger.

“Can we delay our journey to Zieghart?”

Her voice was soft but burning with anger.

“Of course, we must go.”

Rimmer, usually playful, displayed a cold killing intent.

“Dorian.”

Raon signaled to Dorian.

“You have disguises, right?”

“Of course.”

Dorian nodded, pulling out a large box from his belly pouch.

“If we disguise ourselves as them, we won’t be suspected.”

Raon indicated Markren and his men with the invitation.

“I’ll rescue the elves. Siyan and Reylan should wait outside…”

“No! Please, let us go with you!”

Reylan knelt, pleading.

“Please, let us go.”

Siyan bowed her head, joining Reylan.

“Even in disguise, our ears will give us away.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Dorian pulled out elf-specific disguise tools from the box.

“Why do you have those?”

“Essential items.”

Dorian smiled.

-What isn’t essential to that guy?

‘I don’t know either…’

—

After completing their disguises, Raon, Rimmer, Dorian, Reylan, and Siyan headed for the Feren River.

As Markren had described, it looked like an ocean, with a medium-sized ship floating in the center.

‘That must be the maritime market.’

Markren had said the market was inside that ship. Though it looked ordinary, a closer inspection with mana senses revealed a slight distortion in the mana flow.

“Let’s go.”

Disguised as Markren, Raon arrogantly approached the ferryman waiting by the riverbank.

“I want to cross the river.”

Handing over the invitation with the password, the ferryman’s eyes gleamed blue.

‘A master-level warrior.’

Raon sensed the ferryman’s strength. He seemed to be the first checkpoint.

The ferryman, with wrinkled eyes, bowed.

“I’ll guide you across.”

He gestured to the boat.

Raon nodded and boarded the old-looking boat. Despite its appearance, the boat moved smoothly across the water, reaching the ship in no time.

A rope ladder was lowered from the ship.

“I’ll go first.”

Dorian reached for the ladder, but Raon stopped him.

“Don’t be unnecessary.”

To play the role of the arrogant Markren, Raon pushed Dorian aside and climbed the ladder first.

The deck was ordinary. Some sailors were cleaning, and a bear-like middle-aged man gestured toward the cabins.

“Hmm.”

Raon snorted and opened the door to the cabins. Inside, several doors lined the sides, all dark, with only a faint light in the central corridor.

Not knowing where to go, he hesitated. A man in a suit stepped out from the left door and bowed.

“Welcome, Markren of Comarne. Please, follow me.”

The man, who introduced himself as Harry, led the way down a staircase.

‘Masters are hiding.’

Raon sensed skilled warriors hiding around the staircase. He memorized their positions as he descended the stairs, equivalent to about one floor. Drawing back a blue curtain revealed a grand hall.

Under the brilliant light of golden chandeliers, elegantly dressed people were gambling. There were common games like poker and roulette, and strange ones Raon had never seen.

“A little entertainment for our guests.”

Harry offered a game with a gesture.

“Not interested.”

Raon shook his head.

“Focused, I see.”

Harry nodded, smiling.

“What you want is below.”

He led the way past the gambling tables. Rimmer showed no interest in the games, focused and serious.

Harry led them through a black door and down another staircase. This one was deeper, about four floors down, finally reaching their destination.

“Here it is.”

Harry opened an elegant red leather door, revealing a dimly lit room with a soft glow from the floor. It resembled a large, deep lecture hall.

‘So many despicable people.’

The auction hadn’t even started, yet most of the seats were filled.

“This way.”

Harry led them to seat number 253. As Raon sat in the black leather chair, a maid approached and poured him a drink.

“The auction starts in 30 minutes. What you want will come up in two hours.”

Harry smiled, knowing what Markren wanted.

“Got it.”

“Enjoy your time.”

Raon waved him away, setting up a soundproof barrier before turning to Reylan and Siyan.

“Just wait a bit.”

Reylan, trembling with rage, looked up.

“Sorry. I can’t stand it.”

“Huh?”

“I can feel the presence of our people in there.”

She bit her lip, clearly sensing the elves inside.

“…”

Siyan also trembled, fists clenched on her lap.

‘Sigh…’

Raon sighed.

‘I didn’t mention it to keep them calm…’

Both had sensed the elven presence on their own.

“Calm down and wait.”

Rimmer rubbed his neck, eyes downcast. He seemed more furious than anyone there.

Raon took a deep breath, waiting for the auction to begin. Soon, the stage lights came on, and a handsome man in a black tuxedo appeared.

“Welcome to the maritime auction. I’m Eren, your host today.”

He bowed gracefully. The participants watched him silently.

“You’re a quiet bunch.”

Eren smiled.

“Let’s begin then.”

He clapped, and a woman in a red dress emerged, holding a small jar.

“Starting strong.”

Eren placed the jar on the table.

“This is the ancient artifact, Shionen. It enhances the sweetness of any food or drink placed inside. But that’s not all.”

He placed the jar down gently.

“It also enhances the effect of elixirs by 10%. In these times, it’s invaluable.”

Eren stepped back.

“Starting at 10 gold coins. Oh! 100 gold coins from number 222!”

Those who had shown little interest raised their hands quickly at the mention of enhancing elixirs.

-Buy it!

Wrath raised his hand like the other bidders.

‘Why? You’re not even going to use elixirs…’

-Think of the enhanced sweetness!

Wrath frowned as if Raon was being foolish.

-Imagine putting ice cream inside! It would be heavenly!

‘…’

Raon sighed, realizing he had been mistaken.

‘Please, just hold back today.’

—

Chatting lightly with Wrath, Raon watched the auction. Time passed quickly.

Clap!

Half the stage lights went out, creating a strange atmosphere.

“Thank you for staying with us.”

Eren’s tone rose slightly.

“Now, we begin our special auction.”

Hearing “special auction,” Raon knew it was time.

“Today’s items are extraordinary.”

Eren clapped twice.

A woman in a yellow dress walked out, chains around her neck. Despite the thick veil covering her face, her silhouette revealed her beauty.

“You must have heard about the recent fire in Sephia. We ‘coincidentally’ saved some injured people from there.”

Eren touched the trembling woman’s shoulder.

“We treated them and are giving them a chance to meet good owners. This is a benevolent society.”

Eren twirled his fingers.

“Introducing Kashia of the Uren Branch!”

He removed the woman’s veil, revealing her pointed ears, translucent skin, and flowing hair, marking her as an elf.

“Wow!”

“A real elf!”

“An absolute beauty…”

“Worth the wait!”

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

“She is…”

“Enough! Start already!”

“Aha, impatient. Starting at 1 gold coin.”

“1,000!”

Someone shouted out a large sum.

“…”

“Damn…”

Siyan and Reylan trembled, recognizing Kashia. Blood trickled from their lips as they bit down, barely holding back.

“We don’t know how many are here. Just wait a bit.”

Raon signaled them to wait. They nodded heavily.

“Kashia goes to number 210.”

Kashia was sold to an old man with a bloated belly for a fortune.

“No need to worry. The best is yet to come.”

Eren clapped again. A smaller woman with a veil came out.

“This child lost her parents in the fire. She’s looking for new ones.”

He smiled, removing her veil. The young elf with golden bobbed hair and slightly upturned eyes trembled in fear.

“Hailin of the Cotton Branch seeks new parents…”

“Hailin!”

Reylan couldn’t hold back, screaming. She had feared this since hearing the Cotton Branch mentioned.

“Si-sister…”

Hailin, pale and trembling, looked at Reylan.

“Those bastards!”

Reylan drew her bow, radiating intense killing intent.

“We have special guests.”

Eren smiled, unfazed.

“Rarely do auction items walk in. Such a kind world.”

At his snap, hidden warriors surrounded them.

‘No choice.’

Raon understood. If his maids were in this situation, he couldn’t hold back either.

“Elves? This isn’t Sephia. There are no guardians to save you.”

Eren smiled. He had clearly handled such situations before.

“All rivers belong to the South-North Alliance. Once you’re here, you can’t leave.”

“Sigh…”

Raon exhaled, standing.

“You say this river belongs to the South-North Alliance? Zieghart’s territory is just upstream.”

“You must be from Zieghart, not an elf.”

Eren smirked.

“You’re right. Zieghart’s territory is close. But that’s land. This is the river. The flag here belongs to the South-North…”

“No. From now on, this river is Zieghart’s.”

Raon removed his hood. His golden hair and red eyes shone with a fierce light.

“Where I am is Zieghart’s territory.”