The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 609

Raon bit his lip hard as he recalled what Denning Rose had said.

“Did you just say an assassin?”

“Yes.”

Denning Rose nodded with a calm look in her eyes.

“The agent sent after your request for information is a former assassin. They were quite prominent in that world.”

If she said the person was excellent, it was certainly an assassin who made a name for themselves before retiring.

“The agent mentioned that Jubel and some others smelled like assassins.”

“The smell of an assassin…”

Who could best identify an assassin?

Many might say it would be the bodyguards, but that’s not the case.

Assassins have unique mannerisms, so the best people to identify them are their peers.

“Hoo…”

Raon let out a short breath and leaned forward.

“So the former assassin agent said that Jubel is an assassin?”

“Yes. Although he’s working as a gatherer there, he seems like an assassin. Of course, it’s just a suspicion and not confirmed.”

Denning Rose said it was a guess, but she didn’t blink, implying she was certain.

“And she said the people around Jubel are also assassins?”

“Yes. Not all of them, but many of them are.”

She nodded, indicating it was more than just a few.

“Then it means there is someone there who needs to be killed.”

Raon sighed, fiddling with the teacup that was emanating heat.

“Yes, that’s likely.”

Denning Rose agreed, nodding her head.

“Jubel stays in the village of Raven, near the Sran tribe. It’s not large but not too small, a medium-sized village. He’s been there for over a year, and now he’s considered a local. He’s also become friendly with the Sran tribe and seems to be invited by them.”

“Hmm…”

Raon looked at the gently swaying tea water and tilted his head.

“If he’s an assassin, he would disguise himself. It’s surprising he was found out.”

Assassins rarely show their true appearance. It was intriguing that Jubel revealed his identity except for his name.

“You don’t know much about the Sran tribe.”

“I only know it as a place with many shamans of the Beast Alliance.”

“Yes, they have shamans. But some of them have a unique ability.”

“Unique ability?”

“Yes, it’s called the Eye of the Heart.”

Denning Rose wetted her lips with tea and continued.

“The Eye of the Heart?”

“It’s said to be the eye of the heart, which can see the true intentions of others.”

“Are you saying they can read minds?”

-What?

Wrath opened his eyes wide and lifted his head.

‘Why are you so surprised? Don’t you have something like that in the demon realm?’

-What, what are you talking about? The great me could have had such an ability!

He didn’t actually have the ability but said he could have had it.

Because he wasn’t good at lying, or maybe because he was a timid demon king, his bluff was quite strange.

“They say there were shamans who could truly read minds hundreds of years ago, but now they can only see if the appearance is genuine. In other words, they can’t hide their external appearance.”

Denning Rose shook her head, saying that reading minds was just a legend.

-Ahem! Of course.

Wrath rolled his eyes and nodded.

-There’s no way humans could have such an ability! Even in the demon realm, such an ability doesn’t exist, so how could humans read minds….

Ignoring the mumbling Wrath, Raon looked at Denning Rose.

“So Jubel revealed his true appearance to gain the trust of the shamans who use the Eye of the Heart?”

“Yes. He must have shown his true self to gain their trust and was discovered by us in the process.”

“I see.”

Raon nodded briefly. He finally understood the whole situation.

‘It’s more certain now.’

In the terminology of assassins, gaining favor by staying in a village like Jubel is called laying the groundwork.

After gaining favor with the groundwork, he was surely planning to kill someone in the Sran tribe.

‘Of all things, an assassin….’

Jubel’s life was similar to my past life.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that being bound by a leash to a trashy master and doing unwanted work was the same.

However, having family left was better than my situation, and being unable to escape because of that family was worse.

Even if Judiel said I had helped her a lot, the reason I think of her specially is because she reminds me of my past self. The thought of her younger brother living as an assassin made me recall Derus Robert, boiling my insides.

‘It could become a dangerous situation.’

If I got involved at a bad moment, I could be mistaken for an assassin or get caught up in the assassination.

‘Hoo.’

Raon slowly closed his eyes. Even after more than 20 years, Derus’ evil deeds were as fresh as if they happened yesterday.

I will never forget what he did to me, even if I take revenge.

That’s why I don’t want Judiel and her brother, who resemble my past, to go through the same.

‘I will never live like that bastard.’

I must protect my subordinates.

Vowing to live differently from Derus, who thought of his subordinates as less than trash, Raon lifted his gaze.

“Judiel has not been found anywhere yet. She might not have reached Raven village, but she could be disguised or hiding outside.”

“That’s likely.”

Raon nodded. Jubel, having received spy training, would be weak in combat but skilled at concealing her presence, and her cautious nature would keep her from being easily discovered.

“But who are the assassins targeting?”

“We don’t know that either.”

Denning Rose sighed and shook her head. It was rare for her to say she didn’t know.

“I’d like to say it’s simply the leader of the Sran tribe, but we don’t have enough information. We don’t even know which faction the assassins belong to. I’m sorry.”

“No, that’s more than enough.”

Raon shook his head. Gathering this much information in a short time was already a great help.

“Are you leaving?”

“Of course.”

Raon finished his tea and stood up. His eyes flashed with unwavering determination.

“It’s about my subordinate.”

* * *

After preparing to leave for Raven village, Raon stepped out of his room.

“Huh?”

On the way to the front entrance, he encountered Encia and Siyan walking down the hallway.

“Where are you going, esteemed Raon?”

Encia stepped forward and bowed her head.

“Esteemed Raon!”

Siyan also followed Jubel’s example, calling him “esteemed” as she approached.

-Are they long-lost sisters?

Wrath shook his head, seeing how close Encia and Siyan had become.

‘Maybe they are.’

Raon sighed inwardly and approached the two.

“I’m going to train outside the family grounds for a few days.”

“As expected, training.”

Encia smiled as if she knew it.

“But, Raon.”

She moistened her lips and took a step closer.

“Can we continue writing your biography?”

“Biography…”

Raon frowned, looking at the unfinished book they were holding.

“We’re planning to publish two more volumes: one on the dragon slayer part and one on the savior of Sephia.”

Encia smiled, saying she had already planned the new covers.

“You’ll do it even if I don’t allow it.”

Encia and Siyan were definitely like Merlin in their tenacity. They would do it whether he stopped them or not.

“No, we won’t do it without your permission.”

Encia shook her head, emphasizing that the subject’s opinion was most important.

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Then don’t do it.”

“Ah…”

“Uh…”

As soon as he said not to do it, Encia and Siyan’s faces turned pale. They looked at him as if their world had collapsed.

“Hoo…”

Raon couldn’t meet their eyes and shook his head.

“Do as you please.”

“Yes!”

“Thank you, esteemed Raon!”

The two were so excited about making the book that they quickly ran off to the library, even though he was right there.

-You will regret this.

Contrary to his words, Wrath’s eyes showed envy.

‘Maybe I will.’

Raon laughed and left the annex, where Sylvia was standing in front of the entrance stairs.

“Where are you going?”

Sylvia approached with a bright smile.

“I’m going to train. It will take a few days.”

“Alright. Take care.”

She waved her hand, urging him to do his best.

“Send my regards to Judiel.”

“Hm…”

Raon turned around at the mention of Jubel’s name.

“What do you mean…?”

“Since Judiel took leave, it’s been strange. Do you think your mother doesn’t notice?”

Sylvia laughed, telling him not to think he could deceive her.

“That child was fascinating from the moment I first saw her. Calm yet seemed to be chased by something. Her face improved after becoming your exclusive, but she showed urgency again. Is she in a dangerous situation?”

“I’ll know when I get there.”

Seeing that Sylvia knew to some extent, he didn’t lie.

“Bring her back safely. I’ll prepare something delicious.”

Sylvia smiled, asking him to bring Jubel back safely.

-Something delicious?

Wrath, who seemed bored, suddenly raised his head.

-Something delicious? What is it?

“I’ll be back.”

Raon bowed to Sylvia and turned around.

-Wait, wait a minute!

Wrath ran toward Sylvia, shouting.

-What is it? Just tell me the menu!

* * *

In the middle of a forest where tall, pole-like trees and sharp, spear-like bushes reached for the sky, there was a wall made of monster bones.

A young man with brown hair, sweating profusely, stood before the bone wall, bowing his head. Despite his shabby clothes, his blue eyes sparkled vividly.

“This is Philip! Please open the gate!”

At the young man’s call, a face appeared over the bone wall. The middle-aged man, whose skin was tanned but had a clean impression, clicked his tongue.

“Why are you here so soon?”

“I must keep my appointment time with the chieftain.”

Philip scratched his head with an innocent smile.

“You’re hard to dislike.”

The chieftain waved his finger, and the wall split open, creating a doorway for two people to pass through.

“Thank you.”

Philip bowed again and crossed the gate.

Small huts shaped like mushrooms were scattered around, and in the center of the village was a towering bone tower that seemed to reach the sky.

The blackened tower looked more majestic than eerie.

“What do you find so fascinating that you keep looking at it every day? Come this way.”

At the chieftain’s gesture, Philip gasped and followed him.

“That tower feels like it’s sucking me in every time I see it. It’s hard to take my eyes off it.”

“You have a good eye. The ancestors would be pleased.”

“Isn’t that the tower built after defeating the monsters that invaded the village?”

“Yes. They say thousands of monsters attacked. If it hadn’t been for our ancestor, who was known as the Four Kings, our tribe would have been wiped out.”

The chieftain glanced at the tower and smiled faintly.

“A remarkable person.”

“Enough flattery. Show me what you brought.”

“It’s not flattery….”

Philip twisted his lips and opened the bag hanging from his waist.

Inside were various herbs, poisonous plants, and flowers, all looking fresh as if they had just been picked.

“They’re annoyingly good.”

The chieftain chuckled, examining the herbs and poisonous plants Philip had brought.

“How do you, an outsider, find better materials than our people? Where do you pick these?”

“It’s a business secret.”

Philip smiled, putting a finger to his lips.

“Anyway.”

The chieftain patted Philip’s head, seemingly proud of him.

“Alright, I’ll rate them all top grade.”

He nodded and handed a pouch to Philip. The sound of clinking gold coins came from inside.

“Thank you!”

Philip accepted the pouch, bowing his head until it touched the ground.

“How about staying here tonight? We have some good meat, you won’t regret it.”

“Today is the day I send money home, so I’m sorry.”

“Ah, it’s that time already.”

The chieftain nodded, patting Philip on the shoulder.

“How is your mother?”

“…”

Philip smiled without answering.

“Alright. Go ahead. Next time you come, I’ll have a meal you can’t refuse.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you next time!”

Philip bowed and left the village.

“Hoo…”

A young man of the Sran tribe approached the chieftain, breathing heavily.

“He turned down the chieftain’s invitation. What an interesting fellow.”

“He has his reasons.”

“True, his thoughts are all on his mother. Despite earning a lot of money, he still wears rags.”

“His mother has an incurable disease, so while his body is here, his mind must be with her.”

The chieftain clicked his tongue in pity.

“Treat him well when he comes.”

“Of course. I’ve even fed him meals at my house.”

The young man nodded, saying he was doing well.

“Hoo.”

The chieftain sighed, watching Philip’s back as he walked away.

* * *

After leaving the Sran tribe, Philip returned to Raven village, where he had been staying for over a year.

“Back already?”

“So diligent.”

“I wish my son were like you.”

The villagers praised Philip with smiles. He seemed to have integrated well into the village.

“No, I still have a long way to go.”

Philip smiled warmly and headed to his house on the outskirts of the village.

As soon as he opened the door, his expression turned cold.

“I told you not to come during the day.”

He frowned, looking at the white-haired middle-aged man sitting in the right chair.

“You have no manners towards your superior, Number 196.”

The middle-aged man called him Number 196, his eyes narrowing.

“What’s the matter?”

“How is it with the Sran tribe?”

“I’ve been invited to events and even to their homes.”

“Well, after a year, you should have that level of rapport. Unlike others, anyway.”

He mumbled, acknowledging Philip’s effort.

“Have you pinpointed the location?”

“It’s all mapped out.”

Philip handed over a piece of paper from his chest.

It contained the location of the Sran tribe, along with the traps and shamanic spells set up there.

“Then it’s time to start the operation.”

“Already?”

Philip’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Why? Are you reluctant?”

The middle-aged man’s eyes glinted coldly.

“You’re an assassin. Things like affection and bonds mean nothing. Philip here is just a façade.”

“…”

Philip remained silent, biting his lip.

“Don’t you want to see your sister, Jubel?”

“Ugh…”

His expression crumpled at the mention of his real name and his sister.

“This is your tenth mission. Complete this properly, and you’ll get to see your sister.”

“You said the same thing at the fifth mission, but I didn’t even get to see her face!”

“This time it’s for real.”

“But!”

“Or do you want to see her corpse? I can send your corpse to your sister as well. Your choice.”

“Ugh…”

Philip trembled, unable to respond.

“Is my sister doing well?”

“Of course. She’s living well in a rich family, so don’t worry.”

The middle-aged man shook his head, telling him not to ask obvious questions.

“There have been some unknown surveillances lately, so it’s better to finish quickly. You remember the target, right?”

“Yes.”

Philip bit his lip and bowed his head. His eyes were lifeless, unlike when he had entered the village.

“Good. The operation starts tomorrow, on the moonless night.”

The middle-aged man left Philip’s room with a wave of his hand.

Philip stood there like a statue for a long time.

* * *

On a hill overlooking Raven village.

Judiel watched through Encia’s telescope, biting her lip as she saw Jubel greeting the villagers.

‘I’m sure….’

That’s Jubel.

Though his skin had weathered, and he had matured, she was certain the moment she saw him. That boy was her one and only brother, Jubel.

Above all, the scar on his forehead remained.

‘That scar was caused by me.’

It was a scar from when they ran away together and he tripped over a rock. It was a scar she could never forget because it was caused by her mistake.

‘He’s doing well.’

Though she couldn’t hear his exact circumstances or words from a distance, he seemed to be getting along well with the villagers.

‘But…’

Judiel bit her lip, looking down at Jubel.

‘Why is he here?’

Several scenarios came to mind.

Karoon might have sold Jubel, or Jubel might have escaped, or his presence there could be Karoon’s intention.

Whatever the case, seeing her living brother with a lively smile made her heart fill with warmth.

But after watching him for three days, a small desire began to grow.

‘If he’s here as a hostage like I was…?’

Just as she had entered the annex as a spy because of her brother, Jubel might be doing something unpleasant because of her life.

If that were the case, she couldn’t stand it.

Judiel took out a small piece of paper, wrote her name, Jubel’s name, and the last words they exchanged before parting, and descended the mountain at night.

She cautiously entered the village. Though she wore a robe and concealed her presence, the villagers didn’t seem to find her unusual, as outsiders frequently came and went.

Maintaining the concealment technique she learned during spy training, she approached Jubel’s house and tried to slip the paper through the window.

Carefully, the window opened, and a man in nightwear and a black mask jumped out.

The moment she met his blue eyes, she knew immediately who he was.

“Jub….”

Just as she was about to call her brother’s name, a dagger flew from the masked man’s hand towards Judiel forehead.

Whish!