The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 639

Raon wiped the sweat dripping down his chin as he examined the books ‘Demonic Martial Arts’ and ‘Demon-Slaying Sword Techniques’ left by the Sword Saint.

‘It’s certain.’

Those books were the core of the Sword Saint’s power.

Thanks to the Spectral Ghost, Raon confirmed the connection between the Sword Saint’s soul and the two martial arts books. It was clear that the Sword Saint’s infinite stamina and aura came from those books.

‘It makes sense.’

The Sword Saint left those martial arts books behind for future visitors to his tomb. Since he didn’t have a successor, it was natural for him to make those books the core of his power.

-You only figured it out now?

Wrath scratched his nose in disbelief.

-He drew his strength from those books. He even imposed a restriction showing the core openly, thus strengthening the corpse’s power. Quite a bold move.

Wrath chuckled, admiring the audacity behind it.

‘It’s obvious.’

Only Derus Robert could come up with such a plan.

“I found it.”

Raon called out to Commander Kuzen and Barfil with confident eyes.

“What do you mean you found it?”

“What are you talking about?”

The two looked puzzled, not understanding what Raon meant.

“I found the core that gives the Sword Saint infinite power.”

“Really?”

“What is it? I’ll destroy it right away!”

Commander Kuzen and Barfil raised their voices, excited at the prospect of ending this hellish battle.

“The core?”

Delphros smirked down at Raon.

“You think such a thing exists? You’d better find a way to live longer instead of daydreaming…”

“The martial arts books.”

Raon interrupted Delphros, raising his hand and pointing to the books with his finger.

“’Demonic Martial Arts’ and ‘Demon-Slaying Sword Techniques’ are the Sword Saint’s core.”

“What?”

“That’s absurd…”

Commander Kuzen and Barfil trembled, unable to believe it. It was natural. Exposing the core so openly was something only a madman would do.

They had exploited that very blind spot.

“……”

Raon did not respond to the two but watched Delphros’s expression. The horror on his face was undeniable.

“Look, he’s already told us himself.”

Raon pointed to Delphros with a light smile.

“Ugh!”

Delphros quickly hardened his expression, but it was too late.

Not only Commander Kuzen and Barfil but everyone present saw his twisted face.

“Hah…”

“Is that book really the Sword Saint’s core?”

“If we burn that book, the Sword Saint’s infinite aura will be cut off.”

Raon said as he drew his divine and demonic swords.

‘If we finish this quickly, we can win.’

His stamina and aura were almost depleted, and his body was at its limit, but he did not feel he would lose.

If they fought together, they could end this fight.

“The martial arts books…”

“Hmm…”

However, Commander Kuzen and Barfil did not move immediately. They bit their lips as they looked at the martial arts books.

“Sigh…”

Raon sighed as he watched them.

‘Of course.’

Honestly, I would feel the same way.

The reason warriors and mages came here was to obtain the Sword Saint’s legacy, especially those martial arts books.

But now they had to burn their goal and reason for being here. Their confusion and hesitation were understandable.

Derus must have planned for this, making the martial arts books the core. To thwart his plan, those books had to be completely destroyed.

“I understand how you feel.”

Raon raised his divine sword. The dying flames revived, burning with a deep golden hue. It was like a fire that erased the darkness covering the warriors’ hearts.

“But burning those martial arts books is the only way we can win.”

* * *

“Sigh…”

Delphros frowned deeply as he looked at Raon’s calm eyes.

‘What is he…’

How did he figure out the core!

Raon Zieghart was right. The two martial arts books were the source of the Sword Saint’s infinite aura.

Usually, beings would hide their core, but the Sword Saint used that blind spot, making the martial arts books his core.

By imposing a restriction showing the core, he even enhanced the Sword Saint’s power, never imagining someone would uncover the secret.

‘Why does it have to be him!’

While Delphros was grinding his teeth in frustration, unable to comprehend how Raon, a mere boy, found the core, Commander Kuzen and Barfil hesitated, unable to prepare for battle.

‘Wait a minute…’

Delphros clenched his fists, thinking of a way to reverse the situation.

‘This won’t be easy.’

He quickly finished his thoughts and nodded.

“You’re right. Those two martial arts books, ‘Demonic Martial Arts’ and ‘Demon-Slaying Sword Techniques,’ are the source of the Sword Saint’s power. So, what are you going to do?”

Delphros smiled leisurely, flicking his fingers.

“Are you planning to burn those books?”

“Yes.”

Raon nodded calmly.

“Even if they are the Sword Saint’s martial arts books?”

Delphros crossed his legs and tapped the armrest of the throne.

“The Sword Saint is not using half of his power now. If you obtain those books, you could become a second Sword Saint. Do you still want to burn them?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Raon answered firmly, but the others’ eyes filled with deeper turmoil.

“Ha…”

Delphros chuckled, watching the battle pause as everyone turned their attention to him.

[Delphros-nim.]

Spy Commander sent a message, waiting for instructions.

[Raon Zieghart has taken full control of the barrier. There’s no way…]

[You don’t need to take back control. Just add one thing.]

[What…?]

[Desire. Stir up their desire for treasure. Can you do that?]

[I will!]

Delphros looked up at the Sword Saint’s martial arts books, listening to Spy Commander’s response.

“These are martial arts that can lead to transcendence, with the Sword Saint’s final insights written in them. Isn’t that right?”

He directed his gaze at Crassel, who had confirmed the books.

“Hmm…”

Crassel didn’t answer but his lip-biting told everyone the truth.

Desire slowly seeped into people’s eyes. Spy Commander seemed to be doing his job.

“Think carefully. Will you become the continent’s protagonist with the Sword Saint’s martial arts, or will you do someone else a favor?”

Delphros raised his voice, realizing the time had come.

“Do someone else a favor?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you get it?”

Delphros waved his hand, chuckling.

“Raon Zieghart said he would burn those books. But who here can handle fire best? It’s him. So…”

“He might pretend to burn them and keep the books for himself?”

The Ghost Blade Saint lowered his sword, frowning.

“Correct.”

As Delphros snapped his fingers, the atmosphere changed drastically. The trust they had built crumbled instantly.

“You…”

“Haha.”

Delphros chuckled at Raon’s grimace.

“Let’s continue this dirty fight.”

* * *

Raon felt the piercing stares of the warriors and bit his lip.

‘Damn it…’

There was no need to look around. The atmosphere had changed. Desire filled their eyes again.

‘Someone else must be here.’

Delphros’s words alone couldn’t create this situation.

There must be a high-level sorcerer controlling the energy in this cave.

Raon tried to restore the barrier with the Fire Ring, but it wasn’t easy. His mental strength and aura were at their limits, and the other side was holding on with desperate resolve.

‘I have no choice but to fight.’

Despite the disadvantage, there was no time to waste. Fortunately, Commander Kuzen and Barfil weren’t consumed by desire like before.

However, instead of desire, they were now fearful.

“Is burning it really the only way?”

“I know we have to, but destroying a transcendent martial art with my own hands…”

They were afraid of destroying martial arts that could lead to transcendence.

“It’s alright.”

Raon infused his voice with the essence of Azure Rain to clear their minds.

“It’s not the martial arts that matter, but the people. The Sword Saint would want that too.”

“Sigh, you’re right.”

“We can’t be foolish twice.”

Barfil and Commander Kuzen steeled their resolve, standing in front of the Sword Saint.

“These madmen!”

“Burning martial arts! Never!”

The Ghost Blade Saint and the Sixth Apostle launched a fierce assault, blood vessels popping in their eyes.

The Ghost Blade Saint’s Squad and Black Tower also charged, intent on stopping the burning of the martial arts books.

“Don’t get in the way. Stand back.”

“You can’t!”

Rimmer and Serena blocked the Ghost Blade Saint and the Sixth Apostle, riding the wind.

“Master! We’ll handle this!”

“I hate that face. Let’s crush it!”

“Handsome Raon, hang in there.”

Burren, Martha, and Runaan blocked the Ghost Blade Saint Squad’s offensive, raising their voices. It seemed safe to leave the rear to them.

“Just open the way. I’ll burn the martial arts books.”

Raon nodded at Commander Kuzen and Barfil.

“Alright. This is my specialty.”

“Sigh, my heart feels like it’s going to explode.”

Commander Kuzen spat out blood and raised his sword, while Barfil stood with his staff.

Raon gripped his faintly glowing divine and demonic swords, gathering his aura behind them.

“Hyah!”

Commander Kuzen led the charge toward the Sword Saint. His sword glinted mwith unbreakable determination.

Clang!

However, determination and actual strength were different. Commander Kuzen staggered under the Sword Saint’s fierce strike.

“Not yet!”

Commander Kuzen planted his ankle in the ground, forcibly blocking the Sword Saint’s blow.

“Thunderstorm!”

Barfil unleashed a barrage of lightning arrows from his trembling hands.

Slicing through the air, the Sword Saint’s demonic sword shattered Barfil’s lightning arrows.

Boom!

Raon stepped forward, striking with his divine sword.

As he aimed for the gap, a chilling sound came from behind.

‘A sword aura?’

A sharp sword aura targeted Commander Kuzen and Barfil’s backs.

Normally, it wouldn’t be an issue, but neither of them had the strength to block it now.

Swoosh!

Raon abandoned his attack on the Sword Saint, deflecting the sword aura and looking for the source.

“Ugh…”

“Failed.”

“Keep going! They’re exhausted!”

Warriors with bloodshot eyes were preparing to attack again.

“Block them!”

“Don’t let them burn it!”

“If we get those books, we can become the Sword Saint!”

The neutral factions shouted, sending sword and weapon auras at Raon’s group.

“Damn it.”

Raon raised a flame barrier. Despite the wasted aura, he had to protect Commander Kuzen and Barfil.

“Haha!”

Delphros clutched his forehead, laughing madly.

“How does it feel to be attacked by those you saved?”

“I never saved such people!”

Raon defended against both the warriors’ attacks and the Sword Saint’s strikes, quickly scanning the area.

‘The Light Wind Division and Phantom Sword Division can’t help. Neither can the knights and mages.’

The Light Wind Division and Phantom Sword Division were tied up, and the knights and mages were fighting Delphros’s ghost army.

No one could help.

‘Should I use a drastic method?’

As he pondered, pressed for time, warriors previously saved by Raon intervened.

“Fools!”

“Stop!”

The warriors blocked those attacking with sword auras.

“Get a grip!”

“They’re fighting for us!”

“Scum!”

Familiar faces from those rescued from the Sword Saint.

Not only them but warriors helped by the Light Wind Division or healed on the first floor also blocked the attackers.

“We’ll handle this!”

“Please end it!”

They stood firm, holding their swords with clear eyes, despite trembling hands and weak strength.

“This is…”

Delphros hadn’t anticipated this.

“The ones I saved are on that side.”

Raon pointed to the determined warriors, smiling bitterly.

“This is the last push. Let’s give it our all.”

“Of course. I can go much further!”

“I’ll see this to the end.”

Commander Kuzen and Barfil nodded, bloodied but resolved.

“Hyah!”

Commander Kuzen clashed swords with the Sword Saint, spraying blood everywhere.

Boom!

Despite the Sword Saint’s power and aura, his focus on protecting the martial arts books made him less concentrated than before.

“Now!”

Commander Kuzen’s skin burst with blood. Despite torn muscles and broken bones, he didn’t lower his sword.

“Thunderstorm… Ugh!”

Barfil unleashed the strongest lightning spell yet, coughing blood. He finished the incantation, his mouth filled with blood.

A goddess-like figure of lightning surrounded the Sword Saint.

Boom!

The Sword Saint didn’t budge, even under Commander Kuzen and Barfil’s combined attack.

Boom!

Raon gritted his teeth, using the Supreme Harmony Steps. Moving with such speed his vision blurred, he reached the Sword Saint’s rear.

“…!”

The Sword Saint sensed Raon and moved.

Whoosh!

As the Sword Saint turned, Raon unleashed Wrath’s power. A chilling aura froze his mana circuits, focusing on his divine and demonic swords as he advanced.

Combining earth-crushing power with explosive energy, Raon swung his swords.

Raon Zieghart Style Sword Technique.

Sixth Form: Divine-Demonic Harmony’s combined move, Blue-Red Invincible Sword.

The ultimate attack, learned from fighting the Doppleganger Lord, pierced the Sword Saint’s core.

Boom!

The red and blue sword energies danced elegantly. The thin aura’s destructive force shattered the Sword Saint’s strikes.

Boom!

The Sword Saint was pushed back for the first time, the ground crumbling with each step. The impact was tremendous.

“Hyah!”

“Ugh!”

Commander Kuzen and Barfil didn’t miss the chance, attacking relentlessly.

Boom!

The Sword Saint’s body finally hit the wall.

‘Now… Ugh!’

Raon tried to stand, but pain shot through him as if his body and mana circuits had ruptured.

But he couldn’t stop. He had to finish it before the Sword Saint recovered.

Ignoring the pain, he focused on his divine sword’s flames.

“Stop!”

Delphros shouted for the first time.

“That’s a transcendent martial art! You could become a transcendent too!”

He tried to tempt Raon, but his calm face was now panicked.

“It’s not the martial art that matters, but the people.”

Glen and Rektor’s strong backs came to mind as Raon raised his sword.

“I’ll reach transcendence with my own power.”

“Spy Commander! Stop him!”

As Delphros shouted, the mana around the martial arts books intensified.

“It’s too late.”

Raon smirked, thrusting his divine sword into the martial arts books.

Crack!

The mana barrier shattered, and the divine sword pierced the books’ core.

Boom!

The divine sword erupted with golden flames, incinerating the martial arts books instantly.

Once-transcendent martial arts turned to black ash, scattered in the air.

Boom!

The Sword Saint, rushing to protect the books, froze mid-step. His aura rapidly diminished.

“Raon Zieghart!”

Delphros moved even faster, his sword filled with immense power as he charged.

Raon turned, biting his lip.

‘I can dodge this.’

Using the Supreme Harmony steps, he tried to descend quickly.

The flames of the demonic and divine swords faded. His sword energy was almost gone.

‘Now?’

Without his sword energy, he couldn’t move. Delphros’s sword grew closer, impossible to dodge.

‘I have to take the hit.’

He offered his side, but Delphros aimed for his heart.

“Raon!”

“Damn it!”

Rimmer and Serena’s screams echoed.

‘Damn it…’

There was no escape. As he gritted his teeth, ready to turn his body, a silver-armored figure appeared before him.

Crash!

Delphros’s sword crushed the man’s chest instead of Raon’s.

“Khaha!”

It was Commander Kuzen. He grabbed Delphros’s sword, laughing coolly.

“Commander?”

Raon trembled, seeing Kuzen’s back.

“Why…”

Kuzen had done enough. Why save him now?

“I said I’d help to the end.”

Kuzen turned, smiling despite blood dripping from his mouth.

“A knight is the face of their lord! I embarrassed my lord with my foolishness. I must do this to avoid reprimand!”

Using his last strength, Kuzen pushed Delphros away.

“This guy…”

“Get lost!”

As Delphros charged again, Barfil vomited blood, unleashing lightning. He used his life force, not mana.

“Stop!”

Raon bit his lip, watching them.

“Stop it!”

He shouted, but Kuzen and Barfil didn’t stop.

“No need to feel burdened. My internal injuries are too severe to survive anyway.”

Kuzen opened his cracked armor, revealing a blackened abdomen.

“Same here. If I’m dying, I want to go out in a blaze.”

Barfil laughed, nodding.

“Thanks for your care when we were crazy.”

“Fighting alongside you was an honor, Light Wind Division Leader.”

They charged at Delphros again.

Boom!

A soft, halo-like light engulfed them. The tremendous explosion shook the cave, sending black smoke skyward.

“Ugh!”

Delphros emerged from the smoke, bleeding but not severely injured.

“Spy Commander! Release them all! Kill everyone!”

He clenched his fist, screaming madly.

Boom!

The darkness surrounding the cave split, and monsters from floors one to four rushed out.

Shrieking, the monsters attacked everyone.

“Finally, your head is mine.”

Delphros approached, eyes twisted with malice.

Raon bit his lip, looking at the ground where Commander Kuzen and Barfil fell.

‘Damn it!’

They were good men despite the short time knowing them. They acknowledged their faults and sought forgiveness, real adults.

The thought of losing comrades they could have been if not for this situation ached deeply.

-I am angry too.

Wrath bit his lip.

-Give me your body. No, you’ll lose control. Use that technique from before!

He urged Raon.

‘Damn it!’

He was furious.

He wanted to avenge them with his own hands but couldn’t. He had no choice. His aura, stamina, and mental strength were depleted.

Raon reversed his grip on his sword, preparing to stab his stomach when the cave ceiling shook.

Boom!

The seemingly unbreakable ceiling shattered, red flames erupting everywhere.

Amid the bright flames, the Phoenix Kiyan spread its huge wings.

[These filthy humans! You dare imprison me!]

The creature had been missing since the fourth floor, now roaring and unleashing a firestorm.

Boom!

The spiral flames incinerated all monsters attacking the warriors.

“Ugh!”

Delphros ignored the Phoenix’s flames, charging at Raon with malicious intent.

Buzz!

A strong vibration came from Raon’s chest, accompanied by deep flames. It was the iron ring wrapped in Kiyan’s feather.

He took out the ring, now glowing with the same light as Kiyan’s feather. The seal was broken.

“Turn off the fire.”

Raon put on the ring, glaring coldly.

“I will take his head.”

***

Footnotes:
[1] At this point, I apologize. It’s so difficult to follow and translate the names used by the author. It always seem to change.