The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 610

“…bel?”

As the word slipped softly from Judiel’s lips, the dagger aimed at her forehead abruptly veered away.

The twisted blade sliced the right side of her hood, revealing a thin line of blood dripping down her cheek. Yet, she remained oblivious to the cut, her eyes fixated solely on Jubel.

‘It’s Jubel. It’s really my brother.’

She could tell just by looking into his eyes. The man standing before her was her one and only brother, Jubel.

“Who are you?”

Jubel’s eyes flashed coldly as he pointed his dagger at Judiel’s throat.

“How do you know that name…?”

Just as he brought the dagger closer, Judiel pulled back her hood.

“Kaang.”

The moment her face was revealed, Jubel dropped his dagger.

“Nu-nuna…?”

Jubel, like Judiel, recognized his only family member the instant he saw her face. His upper and lower teeth clashed violently.

“Is it really you?”

“Jubel.”

Judiel bit her lip hard and embraced Jubel. It didn’t matter what the situation was or what Jubel was planning. The emotions she had suppressed for so long burst forth, and she couldn’t control herself.

“Jubel. Jubel.”

She squeezed him tighter, murmuring his name, determined never to let him go again.

“Ugh…”

Jubel, his hands trembling, gently patted Judiel’s back, his eyes closing.

‘It’s Nuna’s scent….’

It was the scent he could only smell when he was nestled in his sister’s arms as a child.

It wasn’t the fragrance of a flower, the sweetness of a fruit, or the delicate scent of grass.

It was the warm scent of a blanket well-dried in the sun. The comforting scent he thought he would never smell again brought tears to his eyes.

‘She’s really alive.’

Even though the leader said Judiel was alive, he didn’t believe it. Still, the faint hope kept him going, and he never imagined he would meet her here.

He wanted to stay like this forever, but unfortunately, there was no time for that.

“Nuna.”

Jubel pulled himself together and gently pushed Judiel away.

“Jubel, you’re really alive….”

Judiel, overwhelmed with emotion, couldn’t stop crying, her lips trembling.

“We can’t stay like this.”

Jubel picked up the paper Judiel had dropped. After quickly erasing any traces, he brought her inside the house.

“Hoo….”

He released his energy to check their surroundings and, after confirming no reactions, sighed in relief.

‘I’m glad I finished preparations before the gathering time.’

Today was the assassination day, but there was still some time left before the gathering. Thankfully, he had a little leeway.

“Mmm….”

Judiel, regaining her composure, wiped the tears from her reddened face.

“But what were you planning to do?”

She swallowed hard, looking at Jubel’s outfit.

“….”

Jubel removed the mask from his face, biting his lip.

‘Do I have to tell her I lived as an assassin….’

Telling her that he had lived as an assassin and killed people would break Judiel’s heart. He didn’t want to see his sister cry anymore.

“This is not the time to talk about that….”

As he tried to change the subject by saying there was no time, Judiel’s lips moved again.

“I lived as a spy.”

“What?”

Jubel’s eyes widened at the word spy.

“I went to places designated by my superiors and extracted information to report back.”

Judiel looked at Jubel and gave a faint smile.

“I didn’t know what I was doing. Betraying the people who trusted me to save my own life, I didn’t want to live.”

She covered her trembling mouth with her hand.

“I tried to die, but I couldn’t because I kept thinking of you. I took on a new mission, thinking I’d at least see your face one last time….”

Her eyes suddenly sparkled with clarity.

“I met someone I serve now in that place.”

“Someone you serve? Is it different from the person who made us like this?”

“Completely different. This person saved me.”

She nodded, her smile small but genuine.

“Who is it?”

“….”

Judiel didn’t answer. If she or Jubel ended up dying here, she didn’t want Raon to suffer any consequences.

“What about you? How have you been?”

“I….”

Jubel swallowed hard, looking up at the ceiling. He then lowered his gaze and fiddled with the pitch-black night clothes he was wearing.

“As you can see, I haven’t lived a normal life. Like you said earlier, I wanted to die too. But I thought I’d at least see if you were living well before I died.”

Judiel listened intently, her fists clenched tightly.

“Those bastards told me you were resting comfortably in a rich house….”

Jubel frowned, recalling the leader’s sly face.

“I’ve lived as an assassin. I’ve killed nine people so far, and today is the tenth. They say they’ll let me go after I complete the tenth assassination, but I doubt it.”

He chuckled, having already foreseen his future.

“Today?”

“Yes. The Sran tribe. Our mission is to kill them all.”

“The Sran tribe is renowned within the Beast Alliance. How….”

“I’ve made all the preparations. Although it’s dangerous, there’s no chance of failure.”

Jubel sighed, saying everything was planned out.

“Jubel.”

Judiel stood up and approached him, holding his hand and nodding firmly.

“Let’s run away. There’s no need to stay here anymore. If we escape, we can both live.”

“….”

Jubel didn’t reject her hand but didn’t give an answer either.

“Jubel?”

“We can’t.”

He slowly shook his head.

“Assassins are already swarming around Raven village. If we try to escape, we’ll be killed before we can leave the village.”

Jubel sighed deeply.

“It’s a miracle you got here. They must have missed you because they were busy preparing for the mission.”

He released Judiel’s hand and touched the wall beside the bed. Silently, the wall opened, revealing a small space just large enough for a person to hide.

“You stay here and return to where you came from when you hear the forest is on fire.”

“What are you saying? We should go together!”

“I told you, if we try to escape together, we’ll get caught. We’ll be killed before we leave the village.”

He held her hand again, suppressing the tears with the warmth he felt, forcing a smile.

“I’ll find a chance to escape too. You go first.”

Jubel pointed to the mountain she had descended from earlier.

“Wait for me up there. I’ll be there soon.”

“….”

Judiel didn’t argue any further. She didn’t want to part again, but now wasn’t the time for such words.

“Alright.”

She nodded and sat on the old bed. Patting the space beside her, she smiled, even though the situation didn’t call for it.

“Let’s talk about the old days for a bit.”

“Um….”

Jubel couldn’t refuse and sat beside her.

“Do you remember how you couldn’t sleep without resting your head on my lap?”

“Wha-what are you talking about! When did I ever…!”

“If I didn’t give you my lap, you’d ask for my arm instead.”

“No, I didn’t!”

Though their time was short, the smiles on the siblings’ faces were deeper than anything else.

* * *

Collin, Jubel’s superior and the leader of the assassin squad, bowed his head towards a small crystal orb.

“Everything is ready. The personnel are in place, and the fire starters are hidden. We can start at the scheduled time.”

A voice from the crystal orb responded, commending his efforts.

“No, it’s nothing. But….”

Collin licked his lips, his eyes shifting.

“Are you really going to abandon the entire third unit?”

[They were raised for times like this. They’re too big-headed to be useful. Use them all.]

The man in the crystal orb cut off Collin’s request with cold decisiveness.

“Understood.”

Collin bowed his head, knowing the man’s nature well.

[I’ll see you shortly.]

“Yes.”

Collin covered the orb as the light faded. He sighed, frowning, then donned his mask and left the cave where he had been hiding.

“Leader.”

The assassins waiting outside the cave approached and bowed.

“What’s the signal from inside?”

“Not yet.”

Vern, the leader of the first unit, shook his head.

“Hmm….”

Collin frowned, looking up at the sky.

“I’ll be back in a bit.”

“There’s still time.”

“I know. It’s just a final check, so don’t worry and stay on standby.”

Collin entered the village, blending into the shadows.

The assassins waiting inside the village and the forest had all taken their positions.

Finally, he headed to Jubel’s house on the outskirts. Like the other assassins, Jubel was also using concealment techniques in his assigned location.

“Number 196.”

Collin paused in front of Jubel’s house, narrowing his eyes.

“Are you ready?”

* * *

“Yes.”

Jubel swallowed nervously at Collin’s sudden appearance.

‘Why is he here now?’

The mission was about to start soon. Collin, who should be at the center giving orders, had come all the way here. A chill ran down his spine.

“What about the fire starters?”

“They’re perfectly set up. Once ignited, it’ll create an inescapable fire prison.”

“Good job.”

Collin nodded, casting a peculiar look at the ground in front of the house.

‘What’s he thinking?’

What’s on his mind?

Jubel had erased all traces after bringing Judiel inside, but Collin seemed to know something, smiling as if he were aware of everything. His heart began to race.

“It’s about the third unit’s plan. Let’s talk inside for a moment.”

“Yes?”

Jubel squinted at the sky.

“The operation will start soon….”

“It’s alright. It won’t take long.”

“…Understood.”

To avoid suspicion, Jubel nodded and led him inside.

Collin sat on the chair attached to the wall, leaning back. Fortunately, it was on the opposite side from where Judiel was hiding.

“Are you nervous?”

“A little….”

“Even on your tenth mission, you’re still nervous. You’ve got a small gut.”

He smirked, mocking him.

“But you’ll do well. You’ve never failed.”

“….”

Jubel remained silent, taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart.

“I promise. This is the last one. Once this is over, you can see your sister.”

“How can I believe that?”

“Whether you believe it or not is up to you….”

Collin’s gaze shifted to the wall beside Jubel.

“Who are you hiding there?”

“Wh-what nonsense….”

“I saw you hastily erasing traces in front of the door.”

“What does that mean? It’s natural to erase traces before a mission….”

“No. It’s stranger to erase traces in a house you live in.”

Collin tilted his chin, smirking.

“Besides, it’ll all burn down soon anyway. There was also a woman’s trace among the many footprints leading here. The trace was faint, but I couldn’t miss it.”

He looked at the wall, smiling as if he knew everything.

“Come out.”

Collin grasped the blade of his dagger and threw it behind his shoulder.

“This is your last warning.”

“Hoo….”

Jubel bit his pale lips and touched the wall. It opened silently, and Judiel, wearing her robe again, stepped out.

“Who is this woman?”

Collin grinned, looking at Judiel.

“I’m very curious about the woman you brought when you haven’t even approached a woman since you came here.”

“This woman….”

Jubel stopped mid-sentence and punched the wall just below where he had touched earlier. He grabbed Judiel and leapt out of the window, shattering it and escaping outside.

Kwaaang!

At that moment, a massive explosion occurred as red light flashed from the ceiling and floor.

Jubel and Judiel were thrown to the ground by the impact.

“I-I’m sorry.”

Judiel trembled, looking at Jubel.

“No, it’s my fault. I should have considered that pervert checking the traces. No, this isn’t the time for this.”

Jubel shook his head, helping Judiel up.

‘Thank goodness I prepared the fire starters.’

He had hidden the leftover fire starters near the Sran tribe’s village, which saved their lives.

But Collin wouldn’t die so easily. He would soon regain his senses and come after them.

“He won’t be dead. We need to run.”

Despite saying they should run, Jubel hesitated, unsure of where to go.

“You said you know the area around the Sran tribe well, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go there.”

Judiel narrowed her eyes, looking at the dark forest.

“There are assassins hiding in the forest near the Sran tribe! We’ll be caught before we get there!”

“There are more of them outside. We have no other choice.”

She pointed to the bushes that looked like blades.

“But….”

“You know the forest better than anyone. I trust you.”

Raon had taught her that taking risks can bring rewards. Now was the time to turn a crisis into an opportunity.

“The only way to live is through that forest.”

* * *

Raon frowned as he emerged from the dimensional gate. Moving through several gates had given him a headache.

“Nice to meet you.”

As he massaged his throbbing temples, a middle-aged man with blue hair bowed. The man’s calm and composed eyes left a strong impression.

“I am Lisburn from the Special Agent Division of the Black Market.”

Raon immediately knew this man was the former assassin agent Denning Rose had mentioned, judging by his sharp eyes.

“I’m Raon Zieghart.”

“I’ve heard of your reputation. It’s an honor.”

Lisburn smiled politely.

“We don’t have much time. Shall we depart immediately?”

“What do you mean by lack of time…?”

“The assassins hidden in the village are preparing to set the forest on fire. They seem likely to act today or tomorrow. I wanted to remove the fire starters, but there were too many eyes.”

“You did well.”

Messing with them prematurely could cause bigger problems. It was better to leave them and deal with it later.

“Hoo….”

Raon frowned deeply. Lisburn said they’d act today or tomorrow, but if preparations were complete, they could move at any moment. He needed to reach Raven village as quickly as possible.

“We really don’t have time. Let’s go.”

“I’m confident in my footwork. Are you okay with that?”

“Please go at full speed.”

Lisburn nodded and smoothly pushed off the ground. His body moved at an impressive speed, contrasting his light steps.

Raon watched Lisburn’s back and took a step with Supreme Harmony Steps. With just one step, he was already level with Lisburn.

“Huh…?”

Lisburn widened his eyes, surprised by Raon’s speed.

“You can go faster.”

Raon nodded calmly, keeping pace effortlessly.

“Ugh.”

Lisburn bit his lip and increased his speed, but Raon followed easily, looking relaxed.

As they ran, a village engulfed in flames and spewing gray smoke appeared in the distance.

“That’s….”

“That’s the village. They’ve already started!”

Lisburn’s eyes widened in shock.

“I’ll go ahead.”

“What?”

Raon didn’t wait for a response and forcefully pushed off the ground. The sound of the earth being torn apart echoed as his body shot forward, distorting space.

“W-what?”

Lisburn’s jaw dropped as he watched Raon become a red blur.

“What kind of footwork is that….”

Ignoring Lisburn’s reaction, Raon crushed the ground beneath him and arrived at the entrance of Raven village.

“Kyaaaah!”

“Put out the fire! Put out the fire first!”

“They’re fetching water from the river!”

He had expected a massacre, but it wasn’t that. Fires were breaking out all over the village, and people were trying to extinguish them.

“Wait! You can’t go in there!”

“It’s fine.”

Raon shook his head at the elderly man trying to stop him and walked into the flames.

As he examined the village outskirts, he saw masked and night-clad corpses. They had been stabbed in the chest, suggesting hesitation in the killing.

Following the trail of bodies, Raon looked at the forest engulfed in flames. He needed to go inside to understand what was happening.

“Huff, huff….”

Lisburn arrived later, panting heavily. His eyes were wide with shock.

“Is that where the Sran tribe is?”

Raon narrowed his eyes, pointing in the direction the assassins had moved. The thickest flames were coming from there.

“Yes. It seems something different from our predictions has happened.”

Lisburn swallowed nervously, looking at the assassin’s bodies.

As he said, finding assassins dead here was unusual. Judiel and Jubel must have met.

-That guy’s pretty cool!

Wrath chuckled, amused.

‘They’re inside?’

-Yes. They’re moving together, but it looks dangerous.

Wrath seemed to like Judiel’s toast enough to inform Raon that she was alive.

“I’m going in. Please wait here, Lisburn.”

Raon took a deep breath and walked into the burning forest.

“Wait!”

Lisburn stepped forward, shaking his head.

“The Sran tribe is very cautious. With the fire and assassins, they’ll likely attack you too. You might get attacked from both sides. We should assess the situation first….”

“There’s no option where I don’t go now.”

Raon gently pushed Lisburn aside, his eyes burning with a fiercer flame than the fire engulfing the forest.

“My subordinate is in there.”