The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 635

“How? How is this possible?”

The creature that looked like Rimmer didn’t scream despite its wrist being crushed. It just kept repeating “how” as its leaf-colored eyes twisted in confusion.

Raon frowned deeply as he watched it.

‘This thing isn’t human.’

Even with intense pain resistance training, a broken wrist would make one’s elbow and shoulder flinch. But this creature seemed to have erased the concept of pain altogether, showing no reaction.

It was likely an illusion created by an enchantment or a special type of monster.

“How?!”

The creature, still in Rimmer’s form, tried to pull its wrist from Raon’s grasp. Though he tried to hold on, the creature’s wrist turned into a liquid-like substance, making it impossible to maintain his grip.

“What are you?” Raon bit his lip as he looked at his now-empty hand.

“What?”

The creature’s hand, now like thick mud, morphed into two swords.

“Those swords…”

There was no mistaking them. Their shapes were all too familiar: the Heavenly Sword and the Soul Requiem Sword.

“I am Raon Zieghart.”

As Raon was about to scoff in disbelief, the creature charged, wielding the Heavenly Sword and the Soul Requiem Sword.

Sizzle!

A crimson beam of light appeared along the blade of the Heavenly Sword.

“What is this?!”

Raon’s eyes widened as he stepped back.

‘Flame Thrust?’

The sharp beam sliced through the space Raon had just vacated, instantly evaporating the snow and scattering water droplets.

He swallowed dryly. It was real. The technique the creature had just used was his own Flame Thrust from his Phantom Swordsmanship. No one else on the continent practiced Phantom Swordsmanship, making this impossible.

Thud!

The creature advanced as Raon retreated, stepping forward with its left foot in a familiar manner.

‘Supreme Harmony Steps…’

Using the Supreme Harmony Steps, the creature lunged with the Heavenly Sword in a fierce strike, reminiscent of a beast tearing into its prey.

Clang!

Raon drew his Heavenly Sword and countered with the Icy Blade technique, disrupting the creature’s Savage Slash.

“Heh.”

Despite being pushed back, the creature grinned widely.

“Who are you…?”

“I am Raon Zieghart.”

The creature, still in Rimmer’s form, raised the Heavenly Sword. A red blossom emerged from the blade, scattering thousands of fiery fragments across the snowy landscape.

“Ring of Fire…”

This creature had mastered Flame Thrust, Supreme Harmony Steps, and now Ring of Fire—arguably one of the most difficult sword techniques to execute. Its power and form were perfect.

“This is driving me crazy… huh?”

Raon’s smile faded as he noticed a dull gray horn, resembling a shark’s fin, protruding from the creature’s forehead.

‘A horn?’

Wait, that color…

He had seen this murky gray before.

‘Doppelganger.’

It was the same as the original skin color of the doppelganger he encountered trying to kidnap Yua in Harbunsung.

‘Given its ability to mimic my swordsmanship, it must be a doppelganger. And not just any doppelganger, but a Lord.’

Unlike regular doppelgangers that needed to consume humans to gain their abilities, a doppelganger Lord could mimic someone’s abilities upon meeting them.

But even Lords had limits to their mimicry. This one, likely aided by the unique properties of this space, was replicating Raon’s prowess.

– You just figured this out?

Wrath snorted disdainfully.

– That mimic will continue to copy your techniques. It’s a nuisance, so finish it off quickly.

‘Hmm…’

Raon erased the doppelganger Lord’s Ring of Fire with his own and narrowed his eyes.

‘But something feels off.’

Normally, doppelgangers would appear in the exact form of their target, engaging in a one-on-one battle. The myth about encountering a doppelganger and dying stemmed from this very fact.

However, this doppelganger Lord had appeared in Rimmer’s form and only began using Raon’s techniques after attempting an ambush. This wasn’t typical behavior.

‘So, this must be…’

Derus Robert’s doing.

“I am Raon Zieghart!”

The doppelganger Lord shrieked and thrust its fake Heavenly Sword. The attack split into multiple afterimages, each targeting vital points with the precision of Phantom Thirty-Six Techniques.

Woong!

Raon gritted his teeth, erecting a Flame Barrier with the Heavenly Sword and the Soul Requiem Sword.

‘Smart move.’

Derus had manipulated the place designed for one-on-one duels with doppelgangers to allow for sneak attacks by doppelgangers in the form of allies. It was a cunning and ruthless setup.

If the doppelganger had mimicked Rimmer more convincingly, even Raon might have been deceived.

– Then what about my subordinates?!

Wrath jumped as if he had just realized something.

– The ice cream girl! The beef girl! The pineapple girl! And my wallet! Aren’t they all in danger?

‘They’ll be fine.’

The mimicry would have been just as poor.

Doppelgangers usually consumed humans to perfectly imitate them. Those on the fourth floor were imitating from fragmented memories, so their acting would be subpar.

The doppelganger Lord worrying about the Light Wind Division in Rimmer’s form was proof.

The Light Wind Division, trained to be wary of each other since North Mountain training, wouldn’t fall for it so easily.

“Keeaaa!”

The doppelganger thrust its sword forward, summoning a massive flame in the shape of a dragon.

“Now it’s the Flame Dragon?”

Raon frowned, ready to dodge.

Boom!

The swirling flame seemed to slow in his eyes. It felt like he could amplify its speed and power if he moved it faster.

Woong!

Using Supreme Harmony Steps, Raon dodged the Flame Dragon, but the doppelganger Lord followed with Frost Blade. The icy blade shadowed the first, targeting Raon’s neck.

‘It’s following too quickly.’

He realized the second icy blade shadowed the first too closely. Adding a bit more time would make it harder to counter.

‘Come to think of it…’

Is this the first time I’m seeing my own swordsmanship from this perspective?

The doppelganger he met in Harbunsung didn’t copy his techniques, only attacking with brute force. Seeing his own techniques used against him was immensely beneficial.

‘This is quite helpful.’

Raon smiled faintly, gripping his swords.

‘I’ve found a new training ground.’

– What training ground?!

Wrath frowned at Raon.

– Finish this and get out, you crazy demon!

* * *

“Why…”

Delphros gritted his teeth as he watched Raon fight the doppelganger Lord.

“Why doesn’t anything work on that bastard?!”

He clutched his head, unable to comprehend.

“I-I’m sorry.”

The Grandmaster overseeing the operation bowed his trembling head.

“It’s not your fault.”

Delphros bit his lip until it bled.

“Even if I had done it myself, the result would have been the same.”

He glared at the crystal ball showing Raon, clenching his fist.

“It’s all because of that bastard.”

He could tolerate Raon training swordsmen like it was a playground on the first floor and easily defeating the phoenix on the second floor.

But reviving the phoenix at will and taking it as a subordinate, opening the secret passage in the third labyrinth, and killing Snow Queen at the end—those were too much.

‘Yes, Snow Queen…’

That was the most incomprehensible.

One strike.

Raon Zieghart, who had been waiting for an opportunity while dodging, pierced Snow Queen’s throat with a single strike.

When Delphros saw it, he was so stunned he couldn’t speak for a while.

‘Snow Queen was stronger.’

Raon was a Grandmaster, but Snow Queen, with his overwhelming aura and experience, should have won. Yet that monster was killed with one counterattack.

‘And on the fourth floor…’

The ambush failed.

The fourth-floor plan was perfect.

Separated from comrades after bonding closely through the previous floors, one would naturally relax upon seeing a trustworthy ally in an open space.

Yet Raon saw through the doppelganger Lord’s ambush and counterattacked. It was like a bad dream.

‘Is he just lucky?’

No, it couldn’t be.

One or two instances could be luck, but so many feats meant his skills had to be acknowledged.

“We’ll have to end it on the last floor…”

“It’s not over yet.”

The Grandmaster raised his gaze.

“I understand you want to hold on, but even a doppelganger Lord can’t defeat a Grandmaster.”

Delphros clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“I’ve strengthened the barrier in that space.”

The Grandmaster stared into the crystal ball, his knuckles white. His hands seemed to have aged ten years in an instant.

“What?”

“I modified the ritual so the doppelganger Lord can use more power than it possesses.”

The Grandmaster’s eyes burned with intense determination.

“Raon Zieghart will face an ever-strengthening version of himself.”

* * *

The red-stained Heavenly Sword clashed with its duplicate.

Clang!

A massive explosion of flames engulfed the sky and ground. The melting snow revealed the bare gray earth beneath.

Raon stomped the exposed ground, advancing towards the doppelganger Lord wielding his own techniques with the Heavenly Sword and Soul Requiem Sword.

Woong!

The doppelganger Lord mirrored Raon’s stance, executing the same sword technique.

Clang!

Between the clashing swords, flames formed small orbs before exploding.

This was the second form of Raon’s swordsmanship: Sky Cannon.

A huge shockwave dispersed the surrounding snow, momentarily halting the snowfall.

Clang! Clang!

Raon and the doppelganger Lord, both using Supreme Harmony Steps, aimed their swords at each other’s hearts.

Frost Blade, Blue Rain, Blood Rain, Silver Sword Dream, and even Sky Piercing Sword. Raon and the doppelganger Lord used identical techniques to target each other’s vital points.

The seemingly indestructible space began to crack, and the ground caved in.

Raon observed the doppelganger Lord using his techniques and smirked.

‘It’s getting stronger.’

The doppelganger Lord’s techniques were becoming more powerful and faster. He even felt outmatched in strength.

‘But…’

It makes no difference.

Though the doppelganger’s sword techniques were stronger, it lacked the recent insights Raon had gained.

While the doppelganger’s techniques improved, Raon’s understanding and experience had advanced even further.

‘Thanks to this, I’ve realized something important.’

Watching the doppelganger use his techniques, Raon saw the flaws in his own skills from an opponent’s perspective.

‘I’ve found a new training ground.’

Or perhaps, it’s fate.

The fourth floor seemed designed for introspection and improvement through fighting oneself. It wasn’t mere coincidence but intentional training by Zieghart’s ancestors.

“I am Raon Zieghart!”

The doppelganger Lord roared, embedding its swords into the ground. The fake Heavenly Sword and Soul Requiem Sword emitted intense light, depicting the sun and moon in the sky.

Raon swallowed as he watched the sun and moon reflected in the doppelganger’s swords.

“Manifestation of the Sword Realm…?”

Was this even possible?

Even for a doppelganger Lord, using the Manifestation of the Sword Realm seemed unthinkable. For the first time since entering this place, Raon felt genuinely flustered.

“Keeeee!”

The doppelganger, having achieved the Manifestation of the Sword Realm, lunged at him. The energy from the divine and demonic swords engulfed him in a black storm.

Even from a distance, the pain from the overwhelming energy was palpable.

Sizzle!

Raon imbued the Heavenly Sword and Soul Requiem Sword with cold and heat, creating Flame Barrier and Frost Blade.

Clang!

The force from the divine and demonic swords was tremendous. His shoulder felt like it was going to dislocate.

“Keeee!”

The doppelganger didn’t let up, continuously striking with the divine and demonic swords. It executed proper techniques without recklessly wasting energy. It felt like facing a martial artist of the highest caliber.

Sizzle!

Raon used the Heavenly Sword to summon Blue Rain and the Soul Requiem Sword to create Silver Sword Dream, narrowing his eyes.

‘Did my enemies face such a monster?’

The overwhelming power and unending heat and cold combined into a mysterious sword technique. Even though it was his own reflection, it was an intimidating sight.

‘But…’

The imperfections remain.

Until now, Raon had thought his Manifestation of the Sword Realm was perfect.

After advancing from Master to Grandmaster, he believed he had achieved balance.

But he was wrong.

Viewing it with the eyes of a Grandmaster who had taken a step further, he saw many deficiencies.

Balancing the divine and demonic swords with slight variations would enhance the technique, and focusing the range of the sword realm in a one-on-one situation would maximize its power.

As he clashed swords with the doppelganger, Raon’s path became clearer. Nothing felt satisfactory.

Boom!

The doppelganger Lord stepped back. It raised the divine sword over its right shoulder and the demonic sword behind its right hip. The blinding light from both swords expanded outward.

‘Supreme Heaven and Earth Sword!’

The combined technique of divine and demonic swords, Raon’s most powerful move, surged from the doppelganger Lord’s hands.

“Keeaaa!”

The doppelganger Lord let out its loudest roar yet, charging forward. Just approaching him caused Raon’s muscles to tear and his skin to burn. It was indeed the Supreme Heaven and Earth Sword.

The flaming and icy blades fell without limit. It looked like the red sun and blue moon were devouring the sky.

‘It can’t be blocked…’

The old me would have thought that.

Raon created the technique as a Master.

Though enhanced as a Grandmaster, it still felt lacking.

‘To advance further, I must break the old me.’

I’ll accept the challenge.

Raon stomped heavily. The shock traveled from his ankles throughout his body. The circuits of mana swelled, sending the heat of Ring of Fire and the cold of Glacier coursing through them.

The sparks of flame and frost converged on the blades of the Heavenly Sword and the Soul Requiem Sword.

Change is frightening, but without moving forward, nothing is achieved.

Raon looked beyond the flames and frost to the sky.

Endlessly high and untouchable, the noble sky.

He aimed for his ultimate goal.

Sky Piercing Sword, Realization of the Infinite.

Nothing can reach the ever-changing sky.

Clang!

The waves of flames from the divine sword and the glaciers from the demonic sword split apart. What remained was the sky, ever-changing yet unchanged.

“It… changed?”

The doppelganger Lord realized it was different from itself and let out a strange laugh. It smiled contentedly as it disappeared into the light of flames and frost.

Whoosh!

The falling snow stopped. The snowy field vanished, revealing a black passageway. It led to the next floor.

‘I understand now.’

Raon bit his lip as he looked at his trembling hands.

‘This place was created by Zieghart’s ancestors for the benefit of their descendants.’

Not just for one descendant, but a training ground for all of Zieghart.

The first floor strengthened physical and mental resilience by fighting monsters in the dark and avoiding traps. The second floor fostered strategy and camaraderie through battling a powerful monster. Though he passed quickly, the third-floor labyrinth likely enhanced judgment, insight, and teamwork.

The fourth floor allowed one to test their abilities against themselves, helping swordmasters improve their realms.

Each floor was designed to elevate warriors to higher levels.

But Derus had turned this considerate space into a hellish trap. His habit of manipulating lives remained.

‘Derus Robert.’

Raon bit his lip and gazed at the entrance to what was likely the final floor.

‘You won’t be here.’

The extremely cautious Derus Robert wouldn’t be in this place.

But his plans would remain.

Raon had to destroy them for the sake of Zieghart’s ancestors who had provided so much help.

He stepped into the black tunnel, lips curled in determination.

‘In the name of Zieghart, I will deny everything you stand for.’