The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman

“Ummm…”

Raon let out a faint groan as he opened his eyes.

‘Did I pass out?’

He remembered completing the Heart Sword through his training, but he had no memory of what happened after that. It seemed he had lost consciousness immediately after forging the Heart Sword.

》”You did pass out!”

Wrath popped up in front of his eyes, frowning.

》”How many times did I tell you to sleep while working?! You frail brat!”

‘I couldn’t help it.’

Raon shook his head as he sat up in bed.

‘My mind was tingling.’

He had grasped the clue to achieving the Heart Sword and had finished organizing how to create it, so he could not afford to spend time leisurely.

His desire to create a high-quality Heart Sword had completely erased his need for sleep. He poured every moment he should have spent sleeping into focusing on honing the sword of the mind.

‘This place is…’

It was not the annex.

Looking at the clean, high ceiling, he realized he was in the quarters of the training hall where he was temporarily staying.

“Uuuugh!”

Raon stretched and climbed down from the bed.

‘Actually, this is for the best. Not only my physical fatigue, but my mental fatigue has been cleared as well.’

The fatigue accumulated from training with Glenn and Darkhan seemed to have vanished through sleep; both his body and mind felt light.

[Will is strengthening.]

[Authorities of the Monarchs are strengthening.]

[Soul Rank has increased.]

[The grade of the trait <Heart Sword> has increased by two levels.]

Raon nodded as he recalled the messages he had seen before passing out.

‘It was the perfect moment.’

Through training with Glenn and Darkhan, his Will and swordsmanship had grown, and the level of his Heart Sword had risen sharply. He felt as though he had achieved everything he wanted.

‘Shall I head back to training then?’

He wanted to try unfolding his Heart Sword and resume training with Glenn and Darkhan, so he strapped Heavenly Drive and the Wooden Wheel Sword to his waist and stepped outside.

》”Eat first, not training!”

Wrath blocked his path, frowning.

》”I-it’s not that this King wants to eat, but you must eat to take care of your body. You’re at an age where you’re still growing.”

‘I’m already grown.’

Raon shook his head, looking at his tall stature and broad shoulders reflected in a mirror.

‘If I grow any more, I’ll become a Troll.’

He lowered his hand, stating that he was just right.

‘And before you say things like that, wipe the drool flowing from your mouth.’

Raon sighed as he personally wiped the drool from Wrath’s mouth.

》”A-anyway, let’s eat! It’s exactly breakfast time!”

‘Alright. I get it.’

Since Wrath had unusually accepted the reward messages without complaining, Raon decided to listen to him today.

After a quick wash, Raon headed to the dining hall of the main building.

“You’re awake?”

Darkhan nodded with his chin while eating a mountain of food from a plate with his hands. Looking at him, it seemed he still had not fixed the habits from his days as a beggar.

“Youth is certainly great. Recovery is fast.”

He smiled with a face that looked to be in his twenties, saying he was envious.

“What are we doing for today’s training?”

“I’m participating, of course.”

Raon received food on a large plate and sat opposite Darkhan.

》”Uuuugh.”

Wrath frowned as he looked at the menu of the main building’s dining hall.

》”Why does the menu always repeat here?! The day after chicken stew is always stir-fried beef, and the day after that is fried pork!”

He sniffled, saying he missed the diverse meals of the annex.

‘He asks for too much.’

Leaving the whining Wrath alone, Raon finished his meal quickly.

》”Chomp chomp…”

After finishing his meal, Wrath smacked his lips.

》”Still, it’s a relief that it tastes good.”

He nodded with satisfaction despite his complaints. He was truly a persistent Demon King.

When he went to the training hall with Darkhan, Glenn was waiting as if he knew Raon would come.

“Let us begin.”

As if he had left his feelings of pride in the training hall last night, Glenn drew Heavenly Tremor with his usual cold gaze.

“Yes.”

Since that was exactly what Raon wanted, he nodded calmly and raised Heavenly Drive.

“I am coming.”

With a short warning, Glenn approached and struck down with Heavenly Tremor. Raon felt a level of Will even stronger than yesterday.

‘I can block this.’

Determined not to retreat, Raon simultaneously summoned his Will and the Authorities of the Monarchs upon the blade of Heavenly Drive.

Clang!

A violent collision sound erupted as the rising Heavenly Drive met the descending Heavenly Tremor. It was a sound similar to yesterday, but there was one difference.

Screeeech!

Raon did not retreat in the face of Glenn’s sword strike. Instead, he was slowly lifting the hand holding his sword.

“Huh?”

Glenn narrowed his eyes in surprise.

“Wha-What! His Will grew that much? Is that kid a magician instead of a swordsman?”

Darkhan also clattered his teeth, seemingly flustered by the sword.

Rumble!

Raon pressed his lips together as he watched Glenn’s Heavenly Tremor being pushed back by his own sword.

‘I can’t believe this worked…’

It was true that his Will had strengthened and the Authorities of the Monarchs had grown thanks to yesterday’s realization, which provided great help.

However, the biggest role currently being played was the harmony between the Will and the Authorities.

A single red line connected to his soul was linked with the Authorities, unfolding a powerful Will.

Screeeech!

Eventually, for the first time during training, Raon forced Heavenly Tremor to retreat.

‘I did it!’

Of course, Glenn was controlling his strength, but feeling that he had passed the test, a smile unconsciously formed on Raon’s face.

“You’ve truly gone mad!”

Darkhan stood up abruptly and clapped his hands in disbelief.

“What on earth happened?!”

His eyes trembled, saying that forging the Heart Sword alone could not explain this.

“Did you gain a realization different from the Heart Sword?”

Glenn also narrowed his eyes, finding it intriguing.

“No. It was possible because I realized that the Heart Sword and Will are connected.”

He discovered that just as Will manifested one’s wishes into reality, the Authorities of the Monarchs could also draw out his desires.

By carefully combining these two similar yet different powers, he was able to exert the current level of force.

“Teach you one thing, and you realize a hundred.”

Darkhan curled his lips, saying it was rewarding to teach him.

“It seems you’ve grasped the clue to the power you desire.”

Glenn nodded with a deep smile, as if he had instantly recognized Raon’s state.

“This level will no longer be enough.”

He summoned an even more powerful Will and Aura upon Heavenly Tremor.

“A-I can’t go that far yet…”

Raon’s jaw trembled as he looked at Glenn’s violently blazing Heavenly Tremor.

“Training that the Palace Lord of the Light Wind Palace can endure is meaningless.”

Glenn shook his head with a chilly smile. He seemed to know that Raon had been tormenting, no, training, the Light Wind Palace.

》”Pfft-hahahaha!”

Wrath laughed at him, clutching his plump belly.

》”I knew it!”

He let out a mocking laugh, saying it served him right.

“Don’t waste time. Let’s go at it as if we’re dying.”

Glenn struck down fiercely with Heavenly Tremor, suggesting high-intensity training, just as he taught the Light Wind Palace Swordsmen.

“Karmic burden…”

Raon grit his teeth as he watched Heavenly Tremor fall like a lightning bolt.

“I will take it gladly!”

===

After finishing the grueling training with Glenn, Raon sought out Darkhan.

“Shall we see how much your swordsmanship has developed, aside from your Will?”

Darkhan nodded his chin, suggesting they start immediately.

“The first sword art is the defensive sword, Flame Wall.”

Raon nodded and unfolded the Flame Wall of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.

Whoosh!

A shield made of red flames blazed violently, as if to protect his entire body.

“Eh…?”

Darkhan lowered his eyebrows as he watched.

“Wha-What? Why is the Sword Art Principle the same?”

He tilted his head, wondering why the Thousands Sword had not grown.

“Your Will grew so much, so why is your swordsmanship the same?!”

“That’s only natural.”

Raon let out a hollow laugh, looking at Darkhan.

“What I realized yesterday was the Will and the Heart Sword. Not the Sword Art Principle.”

While it was true that his overall power had increased by realizing that the Heart Sword and Will eventually meet, there was naturally no big change in his swordsmanship.

“Ugh!”

Darkhan let out a pained groan.

“I wanted to be impressed for a bit…”

He clicked his tongue in disappointment.

“Aren’t you impressed every day?”

Raon chuckled and swung Heavenly Drive.

“The speed at which I learn is getting faster and faster.”

“That is true. I’ve never seen a monster who grows as fast as you.”

Darkhan laughed, saying there were only two people he had ever described as monsters.

“Second? Then the first one is…”

“He’s right there.”

He pointed his finger back toward Glenn.

“Your grandfather is also a damn monster. Though not as much as you.”

Darkhan shook his head, saying it was a ridiculous family.

“Let’s start again.”

“Alright.”

Raon took his position and unfolded the Flame Wall.

Whoooong!

Unlike the first time, he created a square shield that could protect a wider area.

“Again!”

Darkhan shook his head, saying that was not it.

“I know.”

Raon said he felt it himself and unfolded the Flame Wall again.

Whoosh!

This time, the shield of flames rotated, curving like a Chain Sword. He incorporated the principle of not merely blocking the sword, but deflecting it.

“So it hasn’t remained entirely the same.”

Darkhan exclaimed, as if he had not expected Raon to find the answer so quickly.

“But it’s still crude! Again!”

“Alright.”

Despite having no time to rest, Raon continued to unfold the Flame Wall with a smile.

“Is it the Will and desire to become stronger?”

Glenn wore a faint smile as he watched Raon extend his sword without hesitation.

“I wonder how far you will go.”

He lowered his gaze, a hint of bitterness hidden within his clear smile.

‘I don’t know if I’ll be able to see it, but…’

===

After dinner, Raon stood before Glenn and Darkhan.

“Now we can finally have a conversation fitting for your rank.”

Darkhan grinned and lowered his chin.

“Sit.”

Glenn waved his hand, telling him to sit in the chair behind him.

“Yes.”

Raon bowed and sat opposite Glenn.

“You now know that the Heart Sword manifests the Will contained within the soul, right?”

“Yes. I understand.”

Since he had realized it just yesterday, his mind was still buzzing.

“I wanted a sword that could cut any enemy, you wanted a sword that would not break, and this crazy fellow wanted a place where he could fight.”

Glenn pointed to himself, Raon, and then Darkhan, mentioning the Heart Swords each had forged.

“That mysterious power is similar to Sword Field Creation.”

“Eh?”

Raon’s eyes widened as soon as he heard Glenn’s words.

“Now that you mention it…”

Sword Field Creation also manifested in different forms and formats for the direct lineage of Zieghart, depending on the swordsman’s wish.

Thinking about it now, the Heart Sword, which unfolded the Will dwelling in the soul as a sword of the mind, seemed similar to Sword Field Creation.

“I agree.”

Darkhan made a wave motion with his finger as if playing.

“I kept researching Sword Field Creation, but nothing worked. However, once I realized the Heart Sword, I could feel something inside me changing.”

He nodded calmly, as if he had already discussed this with Glenn.

“Therefore, I believe it is possible to harmonize the two.”

Glenn nodded, suggesting that by harmonizing the Heart Sword and Sword Field Creation, a new form of martial study could be created.

“Then…”

“A sword art that may even escape causality would be created.”

His eyes flashed with a quiet intensity, as if certain of the result.

“Power that escapes causality…”

Darkhan licked his lips slowly.

“I want to be hit by it. I want to endure it with my own body!”

His hand gripping the black sword trembled, as if he were serious.

“Just die, you idiot…”

Raon shook his head, telling him to snap out of it.

“Can the Head Of House reach that realm?”

Ignoring the crazed Darkhan, he turned his gaze to Glenn.

“No, I cannot reach it.”

Glenn lowered his eyes heavily.

“My vessel is already full. I will vanish before I can reach that realm.”

He waved his hand, as if that path was not his.

“Then…”

“You will be able to go in my stead.”

Glenn placed a hand on Raon’s shoulder, as if he believed in him.

“What? How could I do something that even Grandfather couldn’t…”

“Your talent and vessel are greater than mine. In the not-too-distant future, you will surpass the current me.”

He smiled softly, as if longing for that time.

“H-How could I…”

Raon’s lips trembled as he met Glenn’s eyes, which were filled with trust.

“That is why this fellow and I are here.”

Glenn pointed to himself and Darkhan.

“Training the Heart Sword is simple. It is all about endlessly refining and honing one’s soul to sharpen the edge.”

He continued while holding the hilt of Heavenly Tremor.

“The problem is that it takes a long time and mental fatigue sets in, so training cannot be prolonged. But there is a way to solve that.”

As Glenn nodded, a chilling shiver ran down Raon’s spine.

“Ah…”

Raon’s jaw trembled as he looked into Glenn’s quiet eyes.

‘It’s right in front of me.’

Though invisible, he could feel Glenn’s Heart Sword floating before him.

“Bring out your sword.”

“Yes…”

Raon swallowed hard and summoned his Heart Sword, which was still the size of a dagger.

Though invisible to others, he could see his Heart Sword blazing with flames and frost.

“Good.”

As Darkhan nodded with a smile, the presence of a massive and grand Heart Sword could be felt in front of him as well.

“Bring them close.”

Glenn pushed his own Heart Sword a bit further forward.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Raon and Darkhan nodded and placed their respective Heart Swords next to Glenn’s.

Wooooong!

As the three Heart Swords gathered in one place, a mysterious resonance occurred, and a white mist spread around the training hall.

“This is Soul Resonance.”

Glenn lowered his chin calmly as he watched the white current unfold like a barrier.

“Within this, the soul is loosened, allowing the Heart Sword to be honed more quickly.”

He raised a finger, explaining that because this space was created by the gathering of Heart Swords, the soul naturally became more sensitive.

“Then…”

“Yes. It means that not only you, but all of us can grow our Heart Swords more rapidly.”

Glenn wore a faint smile, as if asking what he thought.

“Even though it’s small, adding one more seems to change the space itself.”

Darkhan smacked his lips, saying it felt much better than when it was just him and Glenn.

“Refine your soul and hone your Heart Sword as usual.”

Glenn closed his eyes after advising him to ignore the outside and focus on the inside.

“Hmm…”

Raon sat next to Glenn and lowered his eyelids. Just as he usually did when training the Heart Sword, he summoned Aura and Will to hammer his soul.

Clang!

Just as Glenn said, his soul flowed more smoothly than before, becoming the blade of the Heart Sword. It truly felt as if the boundaries of the soul were loosened within this space.

》”Where in the world does such cheat-like training exist?!”

Wrath’s mouth hung open in disbelief.

》”This makes no sense! None!”

‘I’ve worked hard, so I deserve this much.’

Raon chuckled and pushed away the flailing Wrath.

‘Let me enjoy some sweetness too.’

》”Sweetness is all you ever get! You had it sweet yesterday, and you’re having it sweet again today!”

Wrath pointed to his own mouth, saying Raon had no conscience.

》”Your teeth will all rot at this rate!”

‘Ah, it’s sweet.’

》”Aaaaaagh!”

===

Another two weeks passed, and the initially promised month had ended.

“I am ready.”

Raon bowed to Glenn, who was standing with his hands behind his back, and Darkhan, who was picking his ear, then slowly steadied his breathing.

‘I’ll just do as I was taught.’

Over the past month, by growing his Will, swordsmanship, and Heart Sword, his combat power had risen to a higher level.

Having prepared thoroughly, he felt he could now overcome the test Glenn had personally prepared.

“Then, let us begin.”

An invisible, intangible energy rose in front of Glenn. It was an ultimate Heart Sword that would mercilessly cut through an enemy’s soul.

“Whew.”

Raon calmly closed and then opened his eyes. Extending his hand as if gripping a sword, he summoned the sword of the mind forged from his soul.

A slightly longer Heart Sword appeared before his eyes. The flames and frost blazing on both sides of the blade emitted a deeper light than before.

“Don’t worry about the rear; do as you please.”

To prevent any unforeseen accidents, Darkhan flicked his chin while keeping his Heart Sword summoned.

“I’m going.”

Glenn let out a low voice and launched his Heart Sword toward him.

Baaang!

The sword of the mind he had forged transcended time and space, erupting right before Raon’s soul. It was a sharp and rapid blade, as if he truly intended to kill his own grandson.

Whoooosh!

The moment Glenn’s Heart Sword moved, Raon lowered his own Heart Sword and positioned it in front of his soul.

‘I can never win in a head-on collision.’

Even if Glenn was holding back, there was a stark difference between Glenn’s Heart Sword and his own. In a normal clash, he would not even be able to hold his ground.

‘But that doesn’t mean there’s no way.’

The moment Glenn’s Heart Sword attempted to pierce his soul, Raon deployed Flame Wall through his Heart Sword.

Woooong!

The curved shield made from his soul was not designed for simple blocking alone; it rotated along its curved edge, smoothly deflecting Glenn’s Heart Sword.

Baaang!

Glenn’s Heart Sword, which had been targeting his soul, sliced through the empty air in a long arc before vanishing futilely.

“Haaah…”

Raon collapsed to his knees, drenched in cold sweat.

‘I… I actually blocked it, right?’

Until now, Darkhan had stepped in to prevent dangerous moments, but for the first time, he had deflected Glenn’s Heart Sword on his own.

One success out of hundreds of attempts. Even if it was achieved while Glenn was holding back significantly, it was a massive achievement for him.

“I can’t believe you actually did it!”

Darkhan smacked him on the back, sounding utterly bewildered.

“You really are a crazy bastard!”

He poured out his praise in a voice loud enough to burst his throat.

“The harmony of the Thousands Sword learned from Darkhan, the reinforcement of Will obtained from me, and the growth of the Heart Sword achieved in between.”

Glenn reached out toward him.

“You poured everything you learned over this past month into that. Splendid!”

As if truly moved, the stiffness around Glenn’s mouth softened into a bright smile.

“It is all thanks to the two of you teaching me so well.”

Raon took Glenn’s hand to stand up and bowed his head.

“I only taught you because it was fun for me. I gained a lot from it too.”

Darkhan grinned, claiming he had found the experience entertaining.

“I, too, have felt something. This was training for you, but it proved helpful to me as well.”

Glenn smiled faintly, appearing satisfied himself.

“You’ve worked hard. Sylvia and Sia have been lingering around here because they miss you so much, so you may return now.”

Glenn nodded, signaling the end of the month-long training.

》”Finally, we’re going back!”

Wrath cheered and began to dance.

》”Home-cooked meals! I can finally eat home-cooked meals!”

The fellow’s eyes welled up, claiming he had nearly died missing the meals at the annex. Crying over food, he was still a Demon King that Raon could not get used to.

“Thank you for everything.”

Raon bowed politely to Glenn and Darkhan.

“Drop the formalities. Polite speech makes me cringe.”

Darkhan waved his hand, seemingly disliking the formal tone even more.

“Wait. I should tell you in advance. Starting tomorrow…”

Glenn continued in a light tone, as if suggesting they grab a cup of tea tomorrow.

“The selection of the successor will begin.”