The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 700

*Rumble!*

Raon could feel Roman’s might through the Red Dragon Axe, which was pressing against the Heavenly Drive as if trying to crush it.

There were no words other than *heavy*. Roman wielded the giant weapon, the Red Dragon Axe, with flawless mastery.

‘It feels like my arm is about to fall off from the weight…’

But there’s no way I can back down here.

With my current strength and agility, I’ve surpassed the level of a Grandmaster.

If I lost in physical power, Wrath would spring up from his slumber and dance in rage.

*Koom!*

Raon pushed down on the river’s surface with his toes, channeling strength throughout his body. The force from his thighs surged to his core and flowed into his right shoulder and hand, infusing them with almost divine strength.

*Crackle!*

Intense sparks erupted, and the Red Dragon Axe began to inch backward.

Roman’s pupils trembled at the bizarre sight of a thin sword overpowering a colossal axe. His expression revealed disbelief that he could be losing in strength.

“Did you think you’d win just by brute force?”

Raon sneered and swung at Roman forcefully.

*Boom!*

Roman staggered back three steps, shattering the waves beneath him. The water split deeply with every step he took.

“Khh!” Roman let out a laugh, as if in disbelief.

“I didn’t expect to lose in strength. You never disappoint!”

“There’s no need to admire me just yet.”

Raon stepped forward with Supreme Harmony Steps, advancing along the wave’s surface to flank Roman from the left. His blood-soaked blade sliced through the air, evaporating the water droplets in its path and aiming directly between Roman’s brows.

“Hmph!”

Roman swung the Red Dragon Axe to block the Heavenly Drive’s trajectory, as if he had anticipated the strike.

*Koooom!*

When sword and axe collided, the clash sounded like iron pillars colliding.

The sound wasn’t the only thing evenly matched. The Heavenly Drive and the Red Dragon Axe remained locked in midair, neither budging an inch as their powers battled for dominance.

“Hah…”

Raon stared at the Red Dragon Axe, burning with crimson flames, and spun the Ring of Fire.

*Whirrr!*

As the eight rings resonated, his heartbeat echoed in his ears.

In the rising spray of water, he could see his own reflection, and the scent of the wild wind teased his nose.

This heightened concentration brought a sense of elevation—time slowed, and his senses reached their peak.

But it wasn’t something to celebrate. Entering this state at the beginning of a fight meant his opponent was that dangerous.

“To think you blocked the Red Dragon Axe head-on. You have monstrous strength, but…”

Roman grinned, and the power radiating from his weapon surged.

*Koooom!*

Even though Raon was blocking with all his might, a tearing sensation shot through his shoulder.

“We’re only just getting started.”

“Krr…”

Roman roared, and the weight of the Red Dragon Axe increased further. Raon’s grip on his sword tingled painfully.

Though Raon’s physical strength was superior, Roman still held the edge in raw power.

*Crunch.*

Raon bit down on his lip.

‘If I back down now, it’s over.’

Roman’s [Raging Axe Style] grew stronger the more his opponent retreated. Instead of running away, Raon had to push forward.

*Whoooosh!*

He unleashed the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation to its limit. Flames wrapped around the blade of the Heavenly Drive, spinning like a saw and launching a sharp sword strike—[Flame Reversal].

“Nice strike!”

Roman responded by imbuing his Red Dragon Axe with energy and pressing down forcefully.

*Crash!*

The collision of flame and steel created deep furrows in the river’s surface. Waves exploded outward, creating massive swells that crashed in all directions.

The fleet of the North-South Union stationed along the riverbank was split in half, and shattered deck fragments flew into the air.

Despite the force of the impact, Raon and Roman grinned and continued their battle, their weapons slicing through the aura storm enveloping them.

*Rumble!*

Each swing of the Heavenly Drive split the river, and every strike of the Red Dragon Axe twisted the sky.

As the battle between these superhuman warriors dragged on, dark clouds gathered above, and the river overturned, revealing its bed.

*Koooom!*

Roman seemed to gain strength from the fight itself, overpowering the flames of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation with increasingly heavy pressure.

*Clang!*

Raon narrowed his eyes as he parried the Red Dragon Axe’s relentless assault.

‘He’s getting faster.’

Roman’s speed with the axe continued to increase, and the weapon soon became a blur in Raon’s eyes.

With every passing second, Roman’s power only grew stronger.

Raon inhaled deeply and raised the Heavenly Drive diagonally.

*Screeech!*

Roman’s axe scraped along the Heavenly Drive’s blade and slammed into the water, sending shockwaves rippling across the river.

*Shwaaash!*

Raon didn’t miss the opening. He unleashed [Frost Pond], a rapid dual slash that targeted Roman’s neck.

But Roman sidestepped effortlessly, his movements so precise and fast that it felt like teleportation.

‘That must be the Nine Heavens Step.’

Roman preferred fighting with overwhelming strength without moving much, but when he did move, his technique became impossible to follow. It had to be the famed Nine Heavens Step that created those elusive movements.

*Whooosh!*

Roman raised the Red Dragon Axe, and scorching air swept forth. The flames from the axe head fragmented into hundreds of fire bullets, all homing in on Raon’s vital points.

*Bang!*

Raon twisted his ankle and employed Supreme Harmony Steps, not cutting through the river but flowing with its current to dodge the storm of fiery bullets.

*Koooom!*

But Roman wasn’t done. Using the Nine Heavens Step, he closed the distance and brought the Red Dragon Axe down mercilessly, leaving no room to escape.

*Whirr!*

Raon gritted his teeth and focused. His heart throbbed painfully as he spun the Ring of Fire to its utmost, his senses sharpening to track the axe’s descent.

*Rumble!*

Raon twisted his wrist and thrust the Heavenly Drive toward the Red Dragon Axe. The flames and frost on the blade converged into the shape of a dragon.

*Claaang!*

The Red Dragon Axe slammed into the ascending Heavenly Drive, unleashing another violent shockwave. Aura rippled endlessly from the clash between axe and sword.

‘This is it.’

Raon twisted the flame lining the sword’s edge, shaping it into a fiery shield—[Flame Wall].

*Boom!*

The shield deflected the Red Dragon Axe, and Raon closed the distance.

*Screeech!*

With a quick step, he slashed downward, the tip of his sword weaving a dreamlike curve. It was [Silver Lotus Dream], a strike that cut without the opponent even feeling the pain.

“Hmm!”

Sensing danger, Roman furrowed his brows and summoned an aura wall in midair to block the strike.

*Clang!*

At the moment [Silver Lotus Dream] shattered the aura wall, the Red Dragon Axe came flying toward Raon with blinding speed.

‘I have no choice.’

Raon reversed the Heavenly Drive mid-swing, catching the axe just in time with an impossible maneuver.

*Boom!*

The impact rattled his arm and shoulder, sending pain shooting through his body and forcing him to halt.

“There’s the opening!”

Roman grinned and swung the Red Dragon Axe upward, aiming to cleave Raon in half.

‘This is a crisis, but…’

It’s also an opportunity.

Raon infused the Heavenly Drive with Glacier’s frost, deflecting the axe with a smooth parry.

Roman’s chest lay wide open.

‘Now!’

Raon drew his Soul Requiem Sword with his left hand. The sword’s crimson blade slashed across Roman’s left chest.

*Slash!*

Roman’s black robe was stained red as blood spilled from the wound.

—

“Not an inch of ground given.”

Roman chuckled heartily, almost as if he welcomed the sight of his own blood.

“This is the most thrilling fight I’ve ever had.”

“Same here.”

Raon nodded, wiping the blood that trickled down from his lips.

‘It’s impossible not to enjoy a fight where both of us are giving our all.’

The thought that even Roman Laycal, the Axe King of the continent, was acknowledging him and engaging with full force set his heart ablaze with excitement.

Despite the internal injuries he had sustained, Raon found himself grinning.

“Well, then. Shall we keep going?”

Roman flashed a wide grin, tightening his grip on the shaft of the Red Dragon Axe with both hands.

“Bring it on.”

Raon summoned every ounce of energy from both the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier. Fire and frost, seemingly incompatible, spiraled around him like a violent wind. The blazing fire and sharp frost fused, radiating a noble brilliance.

This time, Raon didn’t wait for Roman to make the first move—he lunged forward, charging into Roman’s space and unleashing the [Mad Beast Sword].

*Crackle!*

Like a crazed beast, the sword tore through Roman’s aura and sunk its fangs into the Red Dragon Axe.

“Kahahaha!”

Roman, seemingly invigorated by the attack, lifted the axe’s shaft as if wielding a club and launched a barrage of swift strikes.

Though the axe had transformed into a blunt weapon, its heavy power remained intact.

Raon’s right arm, holding the Heavenly Drive, screamed with unbearable pain, as though it would shatter under the pressure.

*Rumble!*

Roman spun his wrist, raising the Red Dragon Axe’s blade upward. Its weight bore down on Raon like an unstoppable force, as if the entire Label River had been laid upon it.

*Whooosh!*

Raon thrust the Heavenly Drive toward the edge of the Red Dragon Axe. Fire and frost flared across the sword’s blade, forming the shape of a dragon. It surged upward, pushing the axe back like a dragon breaking free and soaring into the sky.

‘Hah…’

Though Raon had managed to fend off Roman using both the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier, the pain in his chest deepened. His internal injuries were worsening.

‘It’s not over yet… huh?’

Just as Raon tried to press his advantage, Roman’s [Blazing Dragon Strike] split apart.

Through the flames, the Red Dragon Axe emerged, cutting straight through his technique.

‘What?’

Raon exhaled sharply as he locked eyes with Roman.

‘His presence has grown even stronger.’

Roman’s energy, which Raon thought had already reached its peak, surged to an even higher level.

“It’s not over yet!” Roman grinned, his lips curling upward as he advanced again. The Red Dragon Axe sliced through the air from left to right, leaving a trail of ominous light.

*Kuwaaang!*

Raon raised the Heavenly Drive and deployed the [Flame Wall], following up with the Soul Requiem Sword to unleash [Silent Scent]. But despite his defenses, the impact pierced through, rattling him to the core.

His vision swayed as if seasick, and sharp pain radiated through his shoulder.

‘It’s certain now.’

Roman was growing stronger throughout the fight.

This wasn’t just Roman’s initial strength—he was evolving in real-time, using the battle to push his limits.

—

“Seems we came here for nothing.”

The vice commander of the North-South Union, Helgrum, clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“What do you mean…?” The leader of the Black Wolf Brigade blinked, confused by Helgrum’s sudden words.

“Raon Zieghart may be the most talented genius on the continent, but…” Helgrum snorted and shook his head. “He’s still not enough to match Roman. Or rather, the Roman who’s evolving as we speak.”

“But wasn’t it a fairly even match just moments ago…?”

“Roman experienced a revelation yesterday, but it’s not fully integrated into his body yet.”

The Black Wolf Brigade leader’s eyes widened. “Then…”

“Yes. Roman is using this life-and-death battle with Raon to fully embody his newfound realization. He’s growing stronger as the fight goes on.”

Helgrum waved his hand dismissively, as if brushing away a fly.

“With Roman already having the upper hand and now growing even stronger during the fight… there’s no hope for Raon.”

He dusted off his hands, signaling that the battle was as good as over.

“But Raon Zieghart has the [Sword Field Creation].”

“That alone won’t be enough to bridge the gap.”

Helgrum shook his head firmly.

“Still, it’s fortunate we’ll eliminate that young monster here. If left unchecked, he’d become an unbeatable threat in the future.”

Helgrum set his drink down and glanced to his left, where the Zieghart swordsmen stood, their fists clenched in frustration as they watched Raon struggle but refused to give up.

“Do they still refuse to acknowledge it?”

If Sheryl of the Thousand Sword Brigade and Rimmer of the Light Wind Division were present, they would have realized how dire the situation was by now. Yet, the Zieghart swordsmen stood firm, unwavering in their trust in Raon.

“How foolish.”

“Or perhaps not.”

A figure standing behind Helgrum—Beorn—shook his head.

“What do you mean?”

“That’s not the face of a man who’s given up.”

Beorn pointed toward Raon, whose position had now reversed with Roman. Despite the blood flowing from his mouth and chest, Raon wore a fierce smile.

“Hmm…” Helgrum squinted at Raon.

‘Why is he smiling?’

He should have realized that Roman was only getting stronger, so why was he smiling?

‘This fight is already over. Roman is pressuring him, forcing him to either flee or barely withstand the assault… wait.’

*Withstand or escape?*

Helgrum’s eyes trembled as he stared at Raon.

Roman had fully integrated his newfound realization, ascending to new heights. For Raon to survive at this level meant…

‘That kid is growing too!’

—

“Haa…”

Raon exhaled heavily, dodging the endless flurry of strikes from the Red Dragon Axe.

‘I feel like I’m going to die. But…’

This is fun.

When Raon first realized that Roman was growing stronger through the fight, despair had washed over him.

He had already been on the back foot, and the thought that Roman was getting even stronger seemed hopeless.

But just when he thought he was barely holding on, he caught sight of the ice-flower bracelet on his wrist.

‘Wrath…’

He imagined the arrogant demon inside him chuckling at the situation, and that thought stirred buried anger within him.

Determined to stab his blade into Roman’s chest, even if it cost him his life, Raon spun the Ring of Fire to its utmost.

As his heart thumped painfully, pushing his soul to its limits, the swords he had honed in his mental world manifested before him.

The budding trees of his swordsmanship now bore fruit, and his sword techniques soared to new heights.

—

By uniting the Heavy Sword, Broken Sword, Absolute Sword, and Blunt Sword styles, Raon was able to block Roman’s axe strikes without retreating a single step.

*Whirrr!*

As he blended the Wind Sword, Swift Sword, Light Sword, and Variant Sword styles, the Heavenly Drive moved faster than Roman’s Red Dragon Axe, slicing through Roman’s shoulder.

Though Raon also sustained a cut across his waist, he didn’t feel any pain.

The thrill of becoming stronger consumed him.

He had only visualized these sword techniques in his mind before, but now that he was manifesting them in reality, he felt there was nothing he couldn’t do.

“Good!”

Oddly enough, Roman shared the same emotion. He, too, was growing stronger, and he smiled while raising his Red Dragon Axe high above his head.

“But this time, it will be different!”

Between the blade of the Red Dragon Axe, a crimson aura shimmered—the [Bursting Axe Strike], which had marked the end of their previous three-way battle. However, the level of power it carried now was completely different.

*Kooom!*

Roman closed the gap in an instant, using the Nine Heavens Step, and unleashed the force of his [Bursting Axe Strike] at point-blank range. It was an overwhelming martial technique, exploding as if a cannon had gone off right in front of Raon.

*Huff.*

Raon exhaled slowly as he watched the crimson wave fill his vision.

*Whirrr!*

Time seemed to slow down even further. In that heightened state of awareness, Raon raised his Heavenly Drive.

*Screeech!*

The silver blade glistened, no longer just an ordinary weapon but a manifestation of all the swordsmanship he had cultivated in his mental world. The sword now embodied every technique he had mastered.

‘I finally understand.’

Raon realized why his Sword Field Creation had always failed—he had tried to weave too many things into it, far beyond what he could handle.

Now, he discarded what was unnecessary and let go of the excess flow of aura.

Finally, the perfect sword for his current capabilities appeared in his mind.

A golden sky spread over Raon’s eyes.

“Sword Field Manifestation.”

Without even a name to define it, Raon’s newly perfected Sword Field cleaved the heavens and drew a single, flawless line through the world.