The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 686

Ogram twisted his shoulders in a spiral motion, amplifying the aura packed into his fist even further.

*Rumble!*

With a grand light, his strike pushed back the blood aura and deathly energy. However, it seemed like that was just the beginning as the two opposing forces grew stronger, pressing against his aura with even greater intensity.

‘This is where the real fight begins.’

Even alone, the aura of the White Blood Religion leader and the dragon-helmeted man was stronger than him in his current state. To take them both down, he needed to infuse his *Bursting Lotus Fist* with its fullest potential.

*Wooooong!*

Ogram unleashed the full power of his *Bursting Lotus Fist*. Colorless aura bloomed from the tip of his fist, forming a massive concentric wave that blocked the growing blood aura and deathly energy.

“Guh….”

The pressure from the blood aura and death energy was so immense, it felt like his fist was about to be crushed entirely. His limbs screamed with pain as if they were on the verge of exploding, but he couldn’t retreat.

Trusting in the strength of his body, which had been tempered through relentless training, he pressed on, hurling his fist forward with all his might.

*Woooooong!*

The energy from his *Bursting Lotus Fist* surged upward, like a salmon fighting against a powerful current, cutting through the blood aura and death energy, driving straight into the bodies of the White Blood Religion leader and the dragon-helmeted man.

‘It’s working!’

He could feel it—the wave of his *Bursting Lotus Fist* had reached their bodies, causing a massive shock to their souls. Victory seemed close at hand, but then—

‘Huh?’

As he focused to finish the battle in one decisive blow, he suddenly realized the dragon-helmeted man’s presence, which should have been to his right, had vanished. Only the White Blood Religion leader’s soul remained.

‘Where did he go?’

Even as his attack struck the White Blood Religion leader, Ogram expanded his senses, trying to detect the dragon-helmeted man’s whereabouts. But he found nothing—there wasn’t even the faintest trace of his aura.

‘This is bad…’

A chill ran down his spine. Just as he was about to retreat, a cold blade pierced through his chest.

“Kuh!”

Turning his head, he saw the dragon-helmeted man, his left torso gravely injured, driving a black sword straight through his chest.

The man had suppressed his own aura, tearing through Ogram’s defenses barehanded to execute this deadly strike. He was utterly insane.

“Krrr….”

The death energy wrapped around the blade seeped into Ogram’s body and soul, bringing with it unbearable pain, making even breathing difficult.

“You wretched coward!”

Ogram tried to pull the sword out from his chest, but it wouldn’t budge. The other side’s strength was simply overwhelming.

“H-how can this be….”

Ogram’s lips trembled. Of all the things he hadn’t expected, losing in a contest of pure physical strength was one of them.

“The ‘strongest body’ among the *Six Kings* is only this much?”

The dragon-helmeted man smirked in disbelief, shaking his head.

“You… you weren’t an ally of the White Blood Religion leader?”

Ogram bit down hard, realizing that the White Blood Religion leader was suffering from the full force of his *Bursting Lotus Fist*, incapacitated. Yet this dragon-helmeted man had abandoned her, inflicting serious injuries on himself just to ambush Ogram.

It was inconceivable.

“I wasn’t an ally. It’s just that our interests aligned.” The dragon-helmeted man glanced toward the White Blood Religion leader with a slight nod. “If she dies from this, it means she was never worth much.”

He smiled, as if indifferent to her fate.

“Ugh…”

Ogram locked eyes with the hollow gaze behind the dragon helmet. This man was dangerous—more dangerous than anyone Ogram had ever encountered.

His strength wasn’t the only threat—his mindset was warped beyond reason. He wasn’t a transcendent warrior striving for greater heights; he was more like a thug from the streets, one who believed that winning at any cost was all that mattered.

“What’s your goal…?” Ogram groaned, barely managing to speak.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

The dragon-helmeted man’s tone was laced with amusement, but this time, it didn’t feel like he was mocking Ogram directly.

“Chief! Where are you?”

As Ogram struggled to gather his energy, trying to break free, he heard voices coming from behind the black curtain that the dragon-helmeted man had summoned earlier. It was the Sran Tribe’s leader and Garonna.

“Leave this place immediately!” Ogram roared, grabbing onto the sword embedded in his chest to prevent the dragon-helmeted man from moving.

“Go back to the alliance! Seek help from Zieghart and Balkar!”

“Think they can escape?” The dragon-helmeted man’s eyes curved into crescent moons as he chuckled.

“Don’t underestimate my people.”

Ogram raised his leg and slammed it down on the dragon-helmeted man’s waist.

*Bam!*

The dragon-helmeted man simply grinned and slammed his fist into Ogram’s abdomen.

“Guh…!”

Ogram doubled over, coughing up blood. The death energy embedded in his body had already eroded his once-impenetrable muscles and bones.

The intense pain, coupled with the unrelenting blood loss, blurred his vision. Yet he refused to let go of the sword, knowing that if this monster moved freely, Garonna and the others were doomed.

*Bam!*

The dragon-helmeted man’s left fist struck Ogram again. Bones shattered, and the pain was unbearable. His legs buckled under the pressure, but he still kept his grip on the sword.

“Krrr…”

Behind them, the White Blood Religion leader groaned, struggling to her feet. Though she had taken a severe hit from the *Bursting Lotus Fist*, it hadn’t been fatal.

‘Hah….’

As Ogram’s senses began to fade, he saw the figures of Garonna and the others retreating. Garonna, clever as ever, had already turned and was running. With his sharp instincts, the boy would surely escape.

For some reason, as Ogram watched their backs, he was reminded of someone else.

*That kid… Raon.*

Though he had passed the knowledge of *Bursting Lotus Fist* to many within the alliance, it was Raon and Garonna who seemed most likely to truly master it.

*Take care of Garonna, Raon…*

—

“Leave? What does that mean…?” The Sran Tribe’s leader stared at the impenetrable black curtain, his lips trembling.

“Chief!”

He called out to Ogram, stepping forward.

“Don’t….”

Garonna raised a hand, stopping him in his tracks. His lips bled from how hard he bit them as he shook his head.

“The Chief wouldn’t say something like that unless it was serious. We need to pull back.”

“Hm….”

The Sran Tribe’s leader swallowed dryly and stepped back. Seeing the usually hot-headed Garonna managing to stay composed calmed his own nerves.

“The Chief is strong. If he’s telling us to retreat, it means we’d only get in the way. We need to move.”

Garonna’s trembling hands betrayed his calm words, but he signaled the warriors and shamans to retreat.

‘If we stay here, both sides will be in danger.’

If Ogram was telling them to retreat, then even he must be in danger.

‘There must be another enemy besides the White Blood Religion leader.’

The blood arts of the White Blood Religion grew brighter and whiter as their practitioners grew stronger. The black barrier obscuring the battlefield was likely the work of another power.

They had to leave for Ogram’s sake.

“Fall back!”

The Sran Tribe leader nodded in understanding, and the warriors and shamans turned to flee.

But the black curtain wouldn’t let them go so easily.

*Thud!*

A blood ghoul leaped out from the barrier, blocking their path.

*Boom!*

Garonna’s fist and the Sran Tribe leader’s magic struck the ghoul simultaneously, exploding it into a fine mist.

“We’ll handle things here!”

“Move quickly!”

Garonna and the Sran Tribe leader engaged the remaining ghouls, clearing a path for their people to escape.

—

Meanwhile, the White Blood Religion leader stared at Ogram’s unconscious body, her brow furrowed.

‘That man really is a monster.’

Even after being ravaged by the blood aura and deathly energy, Ogram hadn’t fallen easily. His mental fortitude was nothing short of terrifying.

In the end, his strongest attribute might not have been his body, but his indomitable spirit.

‘However….’

The White Blood Religion leader’s eyes narrowed as she glanced at the dragon-helmeted man.

‘He’s even worse.’

It wasn’t just his overwhelming strength—his very way of thinking was different from anyone she had encountered. Even in a situation where he could have easily won, he’d gone to extreme lengths to ensure Ogram couldn’t escape.

He had willingly endured injuries just to guarantee victory. His approach to battle was no longer that of a transcendent warrior; it was more akin to watching a predator hunt its prey.

If she had been an outsider, she might have been impressed by his actions. But as someone who had been used as bait, it made her seethe with anger.

“You’re still alive, I see.”

The dragon-helmeted man waved his hand casually, as if amused.

“Barely.”

The White Blood Religion leader wiped away the blood dripping from her lips, her expression twisting in frustration.

“Thanks to you.”

She had borne the brunt of the *Bursting Lotus Fist* alone, and her soul had taken a significant hit. Though she stood upright, she could feel the immense strain on her body and spirit.

She had to remain composed. If she collapsed now, she didn’t know what that lunatic might do to her.

“You have to deceive your allies if you want to fool your enemies.” The dragon-helmeted man shrugged nonchalantly.

“Do you call that an excuse?”

“At least we caught the prey,” he said, grinning as he gestured toward Ogram, who lay breathing faintly. “Just as ordered, he’s still alive, with his soul and body separated. He won’t wake up on his own.”

The dragon-helmeted man nudged Ogram with his foot, treating him like a discarded toy.

“Hm….”

The White Blood Religion leader suppressed the urge to lash out and instead calmed her energy. She licked her lips as she stared at the blood flowing from Ogram’s chest.

‘If I take that….’

Her blood arts grew stronger the more powerful her victims were. Drinking the blood of the *King of Beasts*, Ogram, would make her exponentially more powerful.

“Does this complete our deal?” the dragon-helmeted man asked, tilting his head.

“Yes. I’ll recommend you for a seat among the *Six Kings*.”

The White Blood Religion leader nodded, though her gaze remained fixed on Ogram.

“There’s one more thing, right?”

“…Yes, the favor.”

The dragon-helmeted man had offered to capture Ogram alive in exchange for her recommendation and one favor. She hadn’t fully trusted him and had prepared several escape routes just in case, but she hadn’t expected him to actually deliver.

“By the way….”

The White Blood Religion leader shot a sharp glance toward the dragon-helmeted man.

“What should I call you and your organization?”

Despite their collaboration, he had never revealed his name or the name of his group. He was far too secretive.

“I don’t have a name yet. And as for my organization… just call us *The Shadows*.”

“The Shadows? Are you referring to that assassination group…?”

“You’ll see when the next star falls.”

The man grinned, his words cryptic.

“A star will fall…?”

The White Blood Religion leader’s brow furrowed. He had said the same thing when they captured Ogram, implying one of the *Six Kings* would die.

“Tell them it was you who captured Ogram. I don’t need the credit for this one.”

The dragon-helmeted man waved his hand dismissively, showing complete indifference to the prestige of defeating Ogram.

“Then, do you not care about the ones who escaped?” she asked.

“They saw nothing of importance. In fact, it’s probably better to let them live.”

His eyes gleamed with amusement as he stroked his chin.

“What exactly is your goal?”

The White Blood Religion leader’s voice carried suspicion. She couldn’t understand his actions. First, he’d claimed he wanted fame, but now he was giving away the credit for defeating Ogram so easily.

“You wouldn’t understand, even if I told you.”

He repeated the same line he had said to Ogram, tilting his head slightly.

“…Fine. It’s none of my business anyway.”

At a signal from the White Blood Religion leader, the *Ten Apostles* emerged from the shadows and hefted Ogram’s unconscious body onto their shoulders.

“There’s going to be another major event soon. Interested in joining?”

“No.”

She shook her head. Her soul was still reeling from the damage it had sustained, and absorbing Ogram’s energy would take time. She wouldn’t be able to move for a while.

“You must be badly injured.” The dragon-helmeted man’s voice dripped with curiosity, as if wondering whether to strike her down himself. His eyes flickered with indecision.

“Try it.”

The White Blood Religion leader sneered, turning away. “I’ve already prepared enough blood-escape techniques.”

“You….”

“You have twelve different escape routes prepared, right? So you think you’re safe.”

The dragon-helmeted man chuckled, his tone almost mocking.

“Wait… how do you…?”

The White Blood Religion leader’s eyes widened in shock. She had prepared fifteen different escape routes, but this man had already figured out twelve of them.

“I’m just kidding.”

He laughed softly, waving it off as if it had all been a joke.

“…One day, I’ll drink your blood too.”

With a final glare, she vanished into a pool of white blood.

The *Ten Apostles* hesitated, shooting a wary glance at the dragon-helmeted man before following their leader into the blood pool.

“It’s actually fifteen, isn’t it?”

The dragon-helmeted man chuckled to himself as he wiped away the lingering blood from his gloves. His injuries, once severe, began to heal almost instantly, as if they had never been there at all. His regeneration surpassed that of even trolls.

Moments later, a black-clad woman appeared beside him, kneeling with her head bowed.

“All traces have been erased. Shall we return now?”

She handed him a new pair of gloves.

“There’s still work to do.”

The dragon-helmeted man shook his head as he accepted the gloves, his entire demeanor shifting. His casual, carefree attitude was gone, replaced by an air of regal authority.

*Fiiiiizzz!*

The gloves he had been wearing burned away, the flames consuming the sticky blood that coated them. He slipped on the new gloves and dusted off his hands.

“Work, sir…?”

“They’ve finally arrived.”

He gazed up at the sky, where a brilliant flash of golden light shone through the clouds.

“Those slow lizards have finally caught up.”

—

*Hoooo….*

Raon exhaled slowly, steadying his breath as he looked upward.

The eight rings of flame that guarded his inner world rotated in harmony, with the swords of transcendents stretching out in every direction.

It was the same scene as when he had first entered, but there was something different now.

‘They’ve come closer.’

The swords of the transcendents were still out of reach, but as he had trained, the distance had lessened. Little by little, those distant swords had descended, almost as if inviting him to grasp them.

The stronger he became and the more he familiarized himself with their techniques, the more those swords descended from the heavens.

‘And I’ve gained insight.’

After pushing himself to the limit, training with the swords of the transcendents, he had begun to understand how to unleash all of his power in a single, decisive strike.

Just as Ras had advised, channeling his emotions into the attack would be a separate challenge, but the foundation for creating a new *Sword Domain* was within his grasp.

‘It’s time to leave.’

Raon had been in this realm for a long time. Any longer, and his physical body might start to suffer. He needed to return.

As he prepared to make his exit, lifting his *Heavenly Drive*, something strange happened.

*Wooooong!*

At the center of his inner world, yellow aura swirled, and a giant figure cloaked in a black robe rose up.

‘That’s….’

Raon’s eyes widened as he stared at the figure cloaked in black.

‘A Black Dragon Robe?’

The giant was wearing a robe that resembled the *Black Dragon Robe* he had once worn. But this one was different—its scales had grown thicker and more numerous.

*Whoooosh!*

The figure, draped in the *Black Dragon Robe*, threw a punch, its aura moving with the unmistakable flow of the *Bursting Lotus Fist*.

‘Could it be…?’

Raon’s mouth went dry as he watched the figure throw strike after strike.

‘Ogram…?’