The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 637
The Robert Family’s Study Room.
Derus Robert was reviewing documents by the subtle light of the moon.
When the crescent moon, which resembled a lady’s lips, reached the center of the sky, the hand holding the pen abruptly halted.
“…….”
Derus set down the pen and removed his gloves. Sticky blood began to drip from inside the black leather gloves, staining the elegant desk.
He gazed at the blood trickling down his hand for a moment before shifting his eyes toward the door.
“Kubara.”
At the sound of Derus’ call, the door to the study opened immediately. Kubara, dressed neatly in a maid’s outfit, entered and bowed deeply.
“Did you call for me?”
“Did you say that Raon Zieghart also entered the tomb?”
“Yes, he entered on the first day the tomb opened, though he was slightly later than the other forces.”
Kubara relayed Raon’s entry status while keeping her head bowed.
“…….”
Derus fell silent again, staring at the blood flowing from the wound on his hand.
Kubara also closed her eyes, waiting for Derus to speak next.
“Is it expected to conclude by this evening?”
Derus tilted his head slightly while using a handkerchief to wipe the blood from the desk.
“Yes, it is.”
Kubara responded without hesitation.
“However, it might take a bit more time to manipulate the scars on the corpses.”
“Hmm….”
Derus glanced at the softly shining moonlight, smacking his lips.
“It seems I will have to go there myself.”
“Excuse me?”
Kubara lifted her head in surprise, which was unlike her usual composed self.
“The area around the tomb is teeming with people. If you are seen….”
“I won’t go too close.”
Derus shook his head, still looking at the wound on his hand.
“I just want to confirm it myself.”
Though he didn’t believe in superstitions, blood flowing from the wound on his hand only happened when his plans were disrupted.
‘Raon Zieghart.’
You again.
He had thought there would be no issues unless the leaders of the Six Kings or the Five Great Families showed up, but Raon’s involvement was concerning. Every time Raon appeared, nothing went as planned.
‘Not this time.’
Astronomical resources had been spent to set up the Tomb of the Sword Saint. Failure would not only result in losses but could also derail the grand scheme.
He could not afford to wait passively this time.
“You trust Delphros and the chief of the Savi, right? You granted them the power to control the entire tomb. And with ‘that’ there….”
“Yes, the plan is perfect. However….”
Derus calmly shook his head.
“Raon Zieghart has always exceeded my expectations.”
Standing up, Derus licked the blood from his wound. The moonlight seemed to recoil in fear as a chilling darkness enveloped the study.
“I will see it for myself.”
Inside the Tomb.
Raon was about to advance towards Delphros through the path the Light Wind Division had opened when—
Boom!
Massive shockwaves from both sides pushed the Light Wind Division back.
“Do you not see us?”
“Arrogant brat.”
It was the Ghost Blade Saint and the Sixth Apostle. Leading their subordinates, they blocked the Light Wind Division’s path.
“Let’s go too!”
“There’s no turning back now!”
“If we kill Raon Zieghart, I too can become the Sword Saint!”
Whether it was because Delphros had promised to make someone the new Sword Saint or not, the warriors of the neutral forces also jumped into the fray, surrounding the Light Wind Division.
“Fools.”
Raon smirked at the Ghost Blade Saint and the Sixth Apostle.
“Do you really think that man will hand over the Sword Saint’s martial arts to you?”
He sneered, glancing at the composed Delphros sipping his tea.
“It doesn’t matter. We can kill you and then kill him.”
The Ghost Blade Saint twirled his thin sword and shook his head.
“Even without the martial arts, I don’t like you.”
The Sixth Apostle wrinkled his brow as he eyed Raon.
“The Cult Master wanted you alive, but if you die here, who would know?”
He revealed a murderous intent as he assumed a fighting stance. His white energy flickered like a mirage.
Despite eyeing Raon, the Ghost Blade Saint and the Sixth Apostle did not let their guard down against each other.
“Hmm….”
Raon took a short breath, surveying his surroundings.
‘Is there no one who can stop these guys?’
The Owen Kingdom had the Owen Knights, led by Crasel, and the Bull Emblem Knights, known as the strongest in chaotic battles.
The Balkar Kingdom’s side included the Thunder Hammer Barfil, who formed a magic formation with the magicians.
But neither force seemed inclined to help the Zieghart group, their eyes dull as they observed the situation.
‘They must have encountered the doppelganger posing as the Phantom Sword in the fourth floor.’
Considering how Balkar had been eyeing the Phantom Sword, Serena’s prediction that they had been attacked by a doppelganger posing as the Phantom Sword seemed accurate.
“Heh.”
Delphros chuckled, raising his chin. His expression conveyed that everything was going according to plan.
‘I’ll wipe that grin off your face soon enough.’
Raon thrust the Heavenly Sword and the Soul Requiem Sword through the malicious energy exuding from the Ghost Blade Saint and the Sixth Apostle.
Unfinished Manifestation of the Sword Realm.
Divine Demon Swordsmanship.
Raon had thought it was complete, but upon recognizing his own shortcomings, he once again labeled it as incomplete.
Bzzz!
Red flames surged on the silver blade of the Heavenly Sword, embodying divinity, while silver frost arose on the red blade of the Soul Requiem Sword, forming ice.
The divine and demonic swords emitted an overwhelming aura that pushed back the energy of the Ghost Blade Saint and the Sixth Apostle.
“Manifestation of the Sword Realm…”
The Sixth Apostle bit his lip as he stared at the divine and demonic swords blazing with different lights.
“Even seeing it firsthand is hard to believe. However….”
The Ghost Blade Saint narrowed his eyes, smirking.
“It is meaningless.”
“The only meaningless thing here is your life.”
Raon smirked at the Ghost Blade Saint.
“You bastard!”
Unable to hold back, the Ghost Blade Saint charged. Like a beam of light slicing through the air, he thrust his sword at Raon’s heart at extreme speed.
Raon lifted his divine sword to block, but before he could, a gentle breeze blew from behind.
Swoosh!
Rimmer stepped in front of the divine sword, intercepting the Ghost Blade Saint’s attack.
Clang!
The Ghost Blade Saint’s strike was deflected by a barrier of wind that Rimmer had raised.
“The person you’re facing is not over here.”
He turned his head slightly, flashing a cool smile.
“Can you handle it?”
“Who do you think I am? I’m a servant of the demon.”
Rimmer shrugged, signaling Raon to hurry on.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
The Sixth Apostle waited no longer, thrusting his fist forward. It was a formidable martial art, imbued with a mysterious force.
Just as Raon was about to counter with frost from his demonic sword, an immense aura descended like lightning from above.
Boom!
It was Serena. Despite her severe injuries, she advanced without faltering, pushing back the Sixth Apostle with sheer force.
“Phantom Sword Division! Support the Light Wind Division!” [1]
“Yes!”
At Serena’s command, the Phantom Sword Division joined the Light Wind Division, raising a solid sword formation. There was no hesitation in their strikes.
“You’re just a corpse that came back to life.”
The Sixth Apostle gritted his teeth, raising his aura to a boiling point.
“Commander?”
“Almost had me.”
Serena turned, flashing a soft smile. It was a rare sight to see such an expression from her.
“What?”
“Your demeanor reminded me of the former leader I admired.”
“I thought the former leader had come.”
Rimmer laughed as he deflected the Ghost Blade Saint’s sword by a paper-thin margin.
“Raon, go.”
Serena gestured toward the throne where Delphros sat.
“We’ll hold them here. Do what you need to do.”
She smiled, promising to hold the line even if it meant her death.
“Thank you.”
Raon bowed to Serena and Rimmer before turning back to Delphros. Despite the situation, Delphros continued to sip his tea leisurely.
Raon tightened his grip on the divine and demonic swords as he prepared to charge at Delphros.
“Stop right there.”
“Sorry, but you can’t pass.”
The commanders of the Bull Emblem Knights and the Thunder Hammer Barfil blocked his path.
“What are you doing?”
Raon glared at Commander Kuzen of the Bull Emblem Knights and Thunder Hammer Barfil. He hadn’t expected these two to interfere.
“We were attacked by Zieghart.”
“Until you provide a clear explanation, we can’t let you pass.”
The two men drew their weapons, showing they were serious.
“Are you breaking the oath of the Six Kings?”
Raon clenched his teeth as he stared at Kuzen’s sword and Barfil’s staff.
“You broke the oath first.”
“You attacked us on the fourth floor!”
Barfil glared at the Phantom Sword Division, while Kuzen scowled at Raon, Rimmer, and the Light Wind Division.
“That was a fake. A doppelganger attacked you—”
“If it were a doppelganger, it would have taken the form of someone else, not us.”
“Do you think we’re idiots? Enough with the nonsense.”
Kuzen and Barfil shook their heads, dismissing Raon’s explanation.
“Besides, you have no proof. On the other hand, we were actually attacked.”
“If you give up your life, we might consider listening.”
“…….”
Raon met Kuzen and Barfil’s eyes. They were filled with a desire for power, just like the others.
“If you’re going to spout such nonsense, get rid of that greed in your eyes first.”
He crossed the divine and demonic swords, sneering.
“Shut up!”
Kuzen swung his sword down. Despite its appearance, it was incredibly fast and sharp.
Crackle!
Barfil quickly finished his incantation, summoning five bolts of lightning.
Thud!
Raon stepped on the Supreme Harmony Step. He moved to the left, dodging the descending lightning and sword strike, countering with the divine and demonic swords.
Boom!
The immense impact made his shoulders ache. Raon bit his lip and lifted his gaze.
‘Are they serious?’
Kuzen and Barfil were attacking with a murderous intent. It was incomprehensible.
“Kill them all!”
“We have the numbers on our side!”
“Don’t hold back! Kill them all!”
“The Sword Saint’s martial arts are within our reach!”
Owen Knights, Balkar magicians, the Holy Sword Alliance, the Blood Cult, and even the neutral forces—all swung their weapons, eyes blazing with red fervor. They seemed completely unhinged.
‘Is everyone blinded by greed?’
No, this was impossible.
Even if they obtained the Sword Saint’s martial arts, they wouldn’t immediately become the Sword Saint. Endless fighting awaited them.
There had to be another reason why they were acting so recklessly.
“These bastards!”
“Kill them! Don’t just block, kill them all!”
“How dare they…”
Burren, Martha, and Runaan switched from defensive stances to aggressive ones, pushing back the neutral forces and the other factions. Even their eyes burned with a strange intensity.
“Everything’s burning. This is how a fight should be.”
Delphros sipped his tea with a knowing smile.
‘Something’s wrong.’
Raon frowned as he parried Kuzen’s sword.
‘This doesn’t make sense.’
Even if the others were blinded by greed, it wasn’t normal for the Light Wind Division to be affected.
There had to be another force at play.
‘Wait. Another force?’
The only other force acting on this land was the one set by Derus.
“Don’t run away!”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Kuzen raised his aura, and Barfil summoned lightning from the sky.
Sky and earth converged in an inescapable onslaught.
Swoosh!
Raon moved diagonally, drawing a barrier with his divine and demonic swords.
Boom!
Barely blocking the attack, Raon looked down at the ground.
‘It’s the barrier.’
Derus had manipulated the barrier on the fifth floor to fill everyone with greed and a desire to fight.
The fact that even the Light Wind Division and Phantom Sword Division were affected was proof of this.
‘It’s an incredible plan.’
Raon admired Derus Robert’s thoroughness.
‘But…’
It won’t go as you planned.
Since arriving on the fifth floor, Raon had been studying the barrier.
He had deciphered enough to restore the original barrier before Derus had tampered with it.
Raon smirked at Delphros, who raised his teacup as if to toast.
‘I’ll shatter that cup before I take your life.’
The Throne Room.
“The person we were expecting isn’t coming.”
Delphros smirked, watching Raon’s grim expression.
‘No matter how strong you are, you must be confused.’
With allies and potential allies turning on him, Raon was surely at a loss.
But this outcome was inevitable.
‘This was the real plan.’
The fifth floor was the end of the actual Tomb of the Sword Saint and the place where the barrier’s power was strongest.
Derus Robert never intended to kill everyone on the fourth floor.
He wanted warriors confused and attacked by allies to lose their sanity under the barrier’s influence, turning on each other.
‘Normally, this would be impossible…’
But he can do it.
Derus Robert had altered the barrier to erode the warriors’ minds slowly, like the effect of a potent liquor, making them fight to the death without realizing what was happening.
Delphros watched Raon struggle against Kuzen and Barfil with a sneer.
‘This is the end for you too.’
No matter how strong Raon Zieghart was, he couldn’t handle Kuzen and Barfil simultaneously.
With Rimmer, Serena, the Light Wind Division, and the Phantom Sword Division all losing their minds, the situation was as good as over.
‘He truly is thorough.’
Though he had come out of concern that Raon might ruin the plan, it was unnecessary. There was no flaw in the master’s strategy.
As Delphros leisurely raised his teacup, Raon Zieghart stepped back and crossed his divine and demonic swords.
Gritting his teeth, Raon rubbed the demonic sword against the divine sword’s scabbard, creating a resonant sound.
Bzzz!
A clear sound resonated, not just reaching the ears but piercing through the mind, spreading throughout the dim space.
“Heh.”
Delphros chuckled, shaking his teacup.
“Pointless.”
He knew that technique. It was a sword technique that stimulated the nerves through auditory perception, intending to awaken those affected by the barrier.
But this barrier was different from simple brainwashing. It couldn’t be maintained for long, but it couldn’t be broken by such means.
“Stop wasting your time and focus on surviving, you… huh?”
Delphros’s laughter stopped abruptly as he trembled.
“What… is this…?”
Kuzen and Barfil, who had been attacking Raon, halted their attacks. Their weapons lowered as they looked at their hands in disbelief.
“Why… why was I attacking Raon Zieghart…?”
“What is…?”
They looked at their weapons, trembling with confusion.
“Aah….”
“What… what is this? Why was I attacking Zieghart?”
“Why…?”
“What’s happening to me?”
The knights and magicians of the Owen Kingdom stepped back, swallowing dryly.
Whoosh!
The battlefield fell silent in an instant.
“You… what have you done?!”
Delphros screamed at Raon, who had regained his composure.
“I told you, this land belongs to Zieghart.”
Raon smiled calmly, nodding.
“I reverted the barrier to its original state.”
“What?”
“I erased the mental manipulation embedded in the barrier.”
He pointed to the ground, explaining that he had restored the barrier to its original form before Derus had tampered with it.
Clang!
Delphros dropped his teacup. The exquisite cup shattered as it hit the ground below the throne.
“That’s impossible….”
The barrier had been set up by Derus himself. The fact that a mere youngster could unravel it was unbelievable.
“Why… why were we fighting?”
“I intended only to keep them in check, not to kill them….”
“But why…?”
“What’s wrong with me?”
The knights and magicians of Owen took deep breaths, stepping back.
“Because that mongrel was farting around.”
Rimmer raised his sword, pointing it at Delphros.
“Curse you!”
Delphros bit his lip hard enough to draw blood.
“Chief of the Savi, are you watching?”
[…Yes.]
The Chief of the Savi responded after a long pause, sounding as if he was in a daze.
“Release ‘it’.”
[But it’s not yet time….]
“It’s already too late. The plan has failed.”
Delphros glared at Raon, who now stood at ease.
“We must kill him by any means necessary.”
Raon smiled, watching Delphros’s flustered reaction.
‘It’s a good thing I prepared in advance.’
Had he been forced to break the barrier suddenly, it would have taken considerable time. But he had studied it from the moment he arrived, allowing him to decipher it quickly.
By resonating with the flow of the First Patriarch’s barrier, he restored it to its original form, awakening everyone’s minds.
“I… I apologize.”
Kuzen bowed his head.
“It wasn’t my will… it’s my fault!”
Despite his actions not being of his own volition, Kuzen admitted his mistake and bowed.
“I feel the same.”
Barfil sighed.
“The severe injuries seemed to have affected my judgment.”
He apologized, lowering his staff.
“It’s fine. Just don’t get in my way.”
“Not only will we not get in your way, but we will help.”
Kuzen, feeling truly guilty, declared that he would step back from claiming the Sword Saint’s legacy.
Raon nodded calmly and stepped before Delphros on the throne.
“It’s really time for you to come down now.”
He started up the stairs but was stopped by an invisible barrier.
“Pathetic to the end.”
Raon twisted his lips, raising the divine and demonic swords. The radiant flames and chilling frost illuminated the barrier, shattering it with their combined force.
Boom!
Standing before the broken aura barrier, he tilted his head slightly.
“If you won’t come down, I’ll…”
“I’ll open the way.”
Delphros smirked.
“What?”
“I’ll open the path for you.”
He gestured, and a light illuminated the space behind the throne. It looked more like a door to the outside than a new area.
“I… I want out! I can’t stay here any longer!”
”
Me too! I don’t want to die!”
Terrified warriors of the neutral forces, who had lost their sanity, ran towards the open door.
“Wait!”
Raon tried to stop them, but the panicked people didn’t listen.
And then.
Splat!
The bodies of dozens of warriors who ran towards the door were torn like paper. Blood poured down, soaking the ground. It was a sight that didn’t seem real.
Whoosh!
From the soft light, a large man walked out.
He held a blue sword in his left hand and a red saber in his right. The old man’s face was wrinkled, but his skin was unnaturally smooth, like that of a child.
He slowly walked into the chamber and raised his head. His eyes were reversed, black sclera and white irises—a gaze that the living shouldn’t possess.
“He is the one you were waiting for.”
Delphros stood, his twisted smile widening.
“The Sword Saint. Kill them all.”
Footnotes:
[1] Serena’s Division will now be called Phantom Sword Division moving forward.
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