The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 629

It was dark.

It was as if night had fallen, plunging the world into an inky blackness.

Raon swallowed dryly as he gazed into the dim, shadowy forest, his eyes straining to see.

‘What on earth is going on?’

Although it was broad daylight outside, the descent into the underground explained the darkness.

But what he saw before him was a vast forest. It made no sense for such a massive forest to exist underground.

Raon narrowed his eyes as he observed the branches and leaves of the trees making up the forest.

‘It’s not just the forest; the leaves are odd too.’

The branches and leaves could tell you a lot about a region’s climate. Thin leaves indicated a cold climate, while broad leaves suggested a hot one. However, this forest had both types of leaves mixed together.

‘And….’

What was up with the sky?

No matter how high the underground was, there should be a ceiling above.

But even when he extended his senses, he couldn’t feel a ceiling. The fall had been long, but this was beyond comprehension.

‘What?’

Raon’s hand trembled slightly as he raised his gaze.

‘Could it be the moon?’

In the left corner of the sky, a crescent moon, smaller than a fingernail, hung in the air. Unlike the real moon, it emitted a faint light, but it was unmistakably a moon.

‘What is this place?’

He pinched the back of his hand just to be sure. The pain meant it wasn’t a dream. This bizarre land was a real place.

‘A barrier? A formation?’

Was it a trap after all?

Despite his growing anxiety, his instincts told him it wasn’t a trap.

For some reason, the place felt oddly familiar.

‘I can’t figure out what’s going on.’

He furrowed his brow, recalling the entrance to the Sword Saint’s tomb.

‘If this really is a trap, then there wouldn’t be an exit….’

• That’s not the case.

Wrath emerged from the bracelet suddenly.

‘Not the case? Do you know where we are?’

• I do not.

Despite initially sounding knowledgeable, Wrath waved his hands dismissively.

‘Then what did you mean by what you just said?’

• Contrary to your concerns, there is an exit.

Wrath pointed to the moon hanging in the air.

• You realize this is not a normal space, right?

‘Yes.’

• Whether it’s a barrier created by magic, a formation crafted by sorcery, or even a space made by martial arts, if there is an entrance, there must also be an exit. That’s the law of complete spaces.

Wrath explained that, although it might be difficult to find, there must be an exit leading outside.

‘I see.’

He was relieved to know that it wasn’t the worst-case scenario. Even a troublemaker like Wrath could be helpful sometimes.

‘Thanks.’

• If you’re thankful, hurry up and get out of here and buy me some ice cream. I heard a new flavor just came out.

‘…….’

Raon shook his head, wondering how Wrath, who had trouble communicating with others, always managed to find out about new ice cream flavors. Just then, the members of the Light Wind Division started falling behind him one by one.

“What the… where are we?”

Burren frowned as he looked around.

“It was definitely daytime. Why is it so dark?”

Krein tilted his head as he looked at the dark forest.

“You idiot. We came underground. Of course, it’s dark!”

Martha smacked Krein on the head.

“There’s a moon.”

Runaan pointed upward. A thin crescent moon was reflected in her vacant eyes.

“What…?”

“Why is there a moon underground?”

Martha and Burren’s mouths dropped open as they followed Runaan’s finger.

“This place is scary. I want to leave right now….”

Dorian, seemingly already terrified, trembled as he reached into his pouch. He pulled out a burning torch.

“…What is that?”

Raon blinked at Dorian. It wasn’t the materials for making a torch but an actual burning torch that he had pulled out. No matter how many times he saw it, he couldn’t get used to that pouch.

“It’s a torch, of course, it’s an essential item.”

Dorian chuckled as he handed out torches to the Light Wind Division. Though he didn’t know why there was a torch in his pouch, it helped to dispel some of the darkness.

“But the others aren’t coming in….”

He looked around, smacking his lips.

“The people who entered before us aren’t here either.”

Burren shook his head as he scanned the area.

There had been many people who entered the Sword Saint’s tomb before and after them, but there was no one in sight. It seemed like the landing locations differed based on when they entered.

“A magical barrier, perhaps.”

Rimmer frowned as he looked around.

“I’ve never heard of the Sword Saint using magic.”

“Indeed.”

Lisrun, the last to enter the tomb, nodded.

“The Sword Saint only ever wielded a sword or blade. He never learned magic or sorcery.”

“Then what is this place?”

Rimmer glanced up at the dark sky, devoid of stars, and furrowed his brow.

“While there were a few wizards or sorcerers close to the Sword Saint, none were capable of creating such a vast space.”

Lysrin, who seemed to have researched the Sword Saint extensively, quickly rattled off information.

“What kind of person was the Sword Saint?”

“You already know he reached transcendence, but aside from that, he was akin to a righteous man. Although he had no faction, he wandered the continent, performing righteous deeds and focusing solely on honing his martial arts. And….”

“And?”

“There’s an unconfirmed story that he respected the warriors of Zieghart.”

“Is that true?”

Having never heard this from Denning Rose, Raon’s eyes widened.

“Yes, but it’s said he never sought them out or met them. That’s why I said it’s unconfirmed.”

“I see.”

Denning Rose probably didn’t mention this because, as the apprentice of the Black Market’s leader and its branch manager, he only shared verified information.

Raon stroked his chin and closed his eyes.

‘Then this place is likely one of three things.’

The first was that the Sword Saint, who formed no faction, created this place to pass on his martial arts to a successor.

The second was that the Sword Saint used a place that had already been created by someone else.

And the third was that it was a trap.

The third option seemed the most likely at this point.

“Let’s move.”

Raon nodded to the Light Wind Division.

“There are people who entered before us. We should catch up to them quickly.”

“What if there’s no exit? It could be a trap.”

Burren approached with a worried look in his eyes.

“No.”

Raon shook his head calmly.

“This space is already complete. Whether it’s a formation or a barrier, if there’s an entrance, there must be an exit. It’s a law of the world. It might be difficult to find, but there is definitely an exit.”

He repeated the information Wrath had shared with him.

• That’s what I said!

Wrath opened his eyes wide in disbelief.

“Is there such a rule?”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Me neither.”

“Even so, our captain knows a lot about these things.”

The Light Wind Division members marveled with their mouths wide open.

“Yes, it’s true. Whether it’s a formation or a barrier, if there’s an entrance, there must be an exit. Normally, people wouldn’t know that. You’re amazing.”

Lisrun nodded in astonishment.

• You damned rascal!

Wrath grabbed Raon by the collar, fuming.

• Bring me the praise they’re giving you! Why are you getting praised with my information?

‘Does it matter who gets it?’

• Your shamelessness is incredible! I’m in awe of your dual personality!

Wrath’s hands trembled with frustration.

‘It’s not like that….’

Just as Raon was about to wave his hand, a message appeared before his eyes.

[You have received surprise and admiration from <Wrath>.]

[All attributes have increased by 1 point.]

‘Oh?’

• …What?

Wrath blinked at the message.

• This isn’t right! Is your brain full of pasta? Do you really think you deserve this praise?

Ignoring Wrath’s tantrum, the message disappeared as if it had finished its job.

• Get out here right now! Either you die or I die, one of us must die today!

Wrath, his anger unabated, grabbed his own hair and shook it.

‘Enough.’

• Would you stop if you were in my shoes?

‘Sigh.’

Raon shook his head and entered the forest ahead.

“Let’s go this way.”

As they set off, a rustling sound came from deeper within the forest.

‘It’s not a person.’

It was heavy, with a stench of blood. It wasn’t a human’s presence. It was the distinct, clumsy movement of monsters.

Roaaaar!

With a thunderous roar that seemed to shake the entire forest, a horde of orcs with yellow tusks appeared.

“What is this? Orcs?”

“Ha, orcs.”

“I got tense for nothing.”

The Light Wind Division members laughed at the orc horde. Despite their numbers, the orcs didn’t seem like a threat.

“Don’t underestimate them.”

Raon narrowed his eyes at the orcs.

“What do you mean…?”

Burren tilted his head, still not realizing the difference.

“They’re not ordinary orcs.”

Although they looked like the orcs found outside, their eyes and aura were different. These weren’t regular orcs.

Furthermore, their skins were stained with fresh blood. It seemed they had already killed other warriors and were now coming their way.

“You’ll understand once you face them. Krein.”

“Yes!”

Upon receiving the command, Krein moved swiftly, stepping into the orc horde and swinging his sword.

Shiiing!

As the blade, infused with aura, was about to cut the lead orc, a double-edged axe shot up like lightning from below.

Clang!

Krein’s sword trembled, blocked by the orc’s axe.

“What the….”

“An aura?”

Martha frowned as she noticed the red aura rising from the orc’s axe.

“How can a regular orc wield aura?”

She let out a breath of disbelief.

Wham!

As quickly as Martha had reacted, the battle intensified.

The orc pushed Krein back with sheer strength and swung the axe down.

“Tch!”

Krein concentrated his aura on his sword, cutting through both the axe and the orc’s neck simultaneously.

“You’re right! These guys aren’t ordinary orcs! They can use aura, albeit weakly!”

He steadied his grip on his sword, catching his breath.

Kraaaa!

The orcs, infuriated by the death of their comrade, let out furious roars and charged. Their speed and strength were unlike any ordinary orc. It felt as if they were facing Black Skins, the strongest among orcs.

‘This could be a good lesson.’

Raon raised his finger towards the orcs.

“These are killers. Slay them all.”

“Yes!”

Having witnessed Krein’s battle, the Light Wind Division immediately activated their sword auras.

Each orc was strong, but they were no match for the Light Wind Division, who had grown both in skill and spirit.

The warriors cleaved through the orcs and filled the forest with their blue-skinned corpses.

“Phew.”

Lisrun let out a sigh as he watched the Light Wind Division tear through the monsters like a storm.

‘How are they all at the highest level of Expert?’

The members of the Light Wind Division were in their early twenties. It was unbelievable that all these young warriors were at the pinnacle of the Expert level.

‘What is going on?’

While it was possible for one genius like Raon to emerge, having all of them reach near-Master level was astonishing.

“It’s almost over on this side… Ugh!”

Krein, after cutting down an orc warrior, moved to the left but let out a groan. He was limping, his right leg injured.

“Ugh!”

“What, what’s going on?”

Other Light Wind Division members also screamed in pain around the same time.

“What’s happening?”

Raon quickly approached Krein.

“There seems to be a trap.”

“Lift your foot.”

As Krein lifted his foot, there was a hole in his right boot, with blood seeping out.

‘An orc trap?’

A black-needled trap was hidden in the grass where Krein had been standing.

In addition to Krein’s blood, the needles were coated with a purple liquid.

“Is it poison?”

“Poison? Am I going to die?”

“Orc poison isn’t that strong. You should be able to push it out with aura.”

“Phew, that’s a relief.”

“But this doesn’t seem like orc poison.”

“Which is it then?”

Ignoring the panicked Krein, Raon touched the poison with his finger and tasted it.

“Leader!”

“What are you doing!”

“Raon!”

Burren, Martha, and Runaan rushed over, forgetting their vows of formal speech in their panic.

“Don’t worry. I can handle it.”

Thanks to the Fire Ring, his body had a high resistance to poison, and his traits also included poison resistance.

No matter how strong the poison was, he could expel it, so tasting it was the best way to identify it.

‘It doesn’t affect the organs, but stimulates the muscles, body, and dantian.’

As expected, the purple poison wasn’t the paralysis poison used by orcs.

‘Bella’s Flower.’

It was a poison plant he occasionally used in his previous life. It wasn’t very strong but quickly drained stamina and accelerated aura consumption. It was used to mentally exhaust a target.

“It’s poison made from Bella’s Flower.”

“Bella’s Flower?”

Lisrun, true to his assassin nature, reacted first.

“What is that?”

Krein raised his voice in panic.

“It’s a poison that quickly saps stamina. It’s quite troublesome to treat.”

“Phew, at least it’s not too bad….”

“It’s nothing to be happy about. This poison can’t be pushed out with aura. And there’s no antidote here….”

He shook his head, indicating the severity of the situation.

“Dorian.”

Raon gestured to Dorian, who was looking concerned.

“Do you have Bella’s Flower and Roseren Leaves?”

“Of course.”

Dorian nodded and pulled out several flowers and stems from his pouch.

“They’re essential items.”

‘…….’

Raon, unsure of what was not an essential item for Dorian, took the ingredients. He ground them with a herbal mortar and applied them to Krein’s and the other injured warriors’ feet.

“Oh?”

“The pain is easing, and the trembling has stopped.”

The warriors clenched their fists, ready to move again.

As the treatment finished, more monsters appeared. This time, there were not just orcs but also medium to large-sized monsters.

“Don’t just think of them as monsters. Think of fighting this entire space.”

“Yes!”

The Light Wind Division let out sharp battle cries and charged at the monsters.

Raon narrowed his eyes at the pile of warrior corpses behind the monsters.

‘Sword Saint.’

What do you want?

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“What are those monsters?”

“The Light Wind Division of Zieghart….”

“Who doesn’t know that? But they’re in their early twenties. How are they all at the highest level of Expert?”

“The monsters are strong, but those kids look stronger.”

“They don’t even get tired. They look more like monsters….”

The warriors scattered throughout the forest, watching the Light Wind Division massacre the orcs and trolls, clicked their tongues in awe.

“Phew….”

Lisrun, too, observed the Light Wind Division turning monsters into corpses in an instant, letting out a sigh.

‘They’re real monsters.’

This place was a small hell. Night had continued for days, their exact location was unknown, and enhanced monsters kept appearing endlessly.

With traps and snares everywhere, there was too much to be wary of.

Even the most skilled warriors and assassins were exhausted and barely keeping their eyes open. His own team from the Black Market was half-dead from fatigue.

But the Light Wind Division was different.

They slashed through monsters and broke traps as if they were just starting the battle.

This wasn’t the mental strength of a warrior in their early twenties.

They had encountered numerous warriors and magicians while moving through this place.

Many larger and more experienced forces than the Light Wind Division had shown signs of fatigue. Some had given up moving and were just resting.

But the Light Wind Division kept moving forward, unwavering like deeply rooted trees. They had moved beyond admiration to the point where he was curious about them.

Lisrun approached a Light Wind Division member at the rear. It was Dorian, the odd warrior who pulled out a dining table and oven at meal times and tents when they slept.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

Dorian turned with a bright smile.

“Are you alright?”

“What do you mean?”

He tilted his head, not understanding the question.

“We’ve been fighting in this darkness for days. Aren’t you tired?”

“Of course, I’m tired.”

Dorian sighed and shook his head.

“Then how….”

“Because we’ve been through worse.”

“Worse?”

“Yes. Before coming here, we underwent three weeks of special training under our captain. It was….”

“A living hell.”

Krein, overhearing, completed the sentence.

“Right. Compared to those three weeks, this is heaven.”

Burren nodded in agreement.

“Don’t even mention it. My hands are shaking just thinking about it.”

Martha bit her lip, not wanting to talk about it.

“Ugh….”

Even Runaan, usually expressionless, clutched her head.

“What on earth did you go through….”

“We fought non-stop for three weeks, barely getting an hour of sleep each day. We had to fight not only our captain and vice-captain but also other members whenever we encountered them. It was really a brush with death.”

Krein exhaled deeply, recounting their training.

“I don’t even want to remember….”

Dorian broke out in a cold sweat, recalling those days.

“Phew….”

Lisrun blinked as he looked at Raon, who was walking ahead.

“There’s a trap ahead. Don’t step on it.”

Raon pointed out traps in the darkness with precise accuracy, traps that even an experienced assassin like Lisrun found hard to detect.

‘He’s a real monster.’

He knew Raon was strong, but to be so knowledgeable about poison, traps, and formations, and to train his subordinates so well, was beyond anything he had expected. There seemed to be nothing Raon was lacking.

Lisrun swallowed dryly, staring at Raon’s unwavering back.

‘The branch leader has found a real gem….’

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Raon narrowed his eyes at the largest zelkova tree he had ever seen.

‘That’s….’

Since entering the Sword Saint’s tomb, this was the first place emitting its own light. It was a clear sign, even to a fool.

“It seems to be the exit!”

Krein, behind him, shouted in surprise as he saw the glowing ground. Despite not showing it, he seemed exhausted after four days.

“Unfortunately, it’s not the exit.”

Raon shook his head, his eyes fixed on the glowing ground.

“They wouldn’t have made this place just for a trial of this level.”

The monsters were strong, and the traps were varied. They had drained much of their stamina and mental strength, but it wasn’t enough to cause significant harm to high-level warriors.

It seemed more like a barrier to filter out the weak, so the glowing hole was likely an entrance to the next level rather than an exit.

“It must be the next floor.”

Burren nodded, seemingly thinking the same.

“I’ll go first.”

Raon stepped forward and examined the glowing ground. The hole resembled the one they had seen when entering the Sword Saint’s tomb.

However, unlike the outer appearance, the rectangular shape felt familiar.

‘Why do I feel this way….’

As he narrowed his eyes, examining the hole, golden flames shot up from within.

Raon felt his vision fill with golden flames and his hands trembled as they touched the ground.

‘Again?’

Why did he have no place left unvisited?