The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman

“One month…”

The Blade Monarch stepped forward, his wavering gaze settling.

“It is true that Raon-nim’s talent and martial power have left us bewildered, but one month is an incredibly short amount of time.”

He shook his head, insisting that no matter how exceptional his talent was, one month was impossible.

“We can see about that after the month has passed. Shall we make a small wager?”

Raon laughed lightly and lowered Heavenly Drive.

“I am confident.”

He wasn’t bluffing, nor was he throwing a tantrum because he lacked time. He had the conviction that he could succeed because he had never been wrong in these kinds of judgments until now.

“Very well. Let us agree that the loser will grant a small wish.”

The Blade Monarch nodded lightly and raised the Blade of Frost Severity.

“Then I shall teach you the Demon Soldier Blade Technique starting now.”

Without refusing or calling him arrogant, he dove straight into the lesson. Despite his cold judgment, it seemed he had firmly decided to follow Raon.

“Unlike the True Demon Sword Art, the Demon Soldier Blade Technique is a cruel martial study that uses water-attribute Aura to slash the enemy, freezing the wound before bursting it.”

The Blade Monarch lowered his chin, noting that the Demon Soldier Blade Technique was the polar opposite of the True Demon Sword Art.

》”Oho!”

Wrath clapped his hands and let out an exclamation.

》”That guy knows what’s up! Wounds are best when burst with cold! They get frostbite, so they can’t even regenerate!”

His eyes sparkled, suddenly taking a liking to the Blade Monarch.

“The Demon Soldier Blade Technique is slow and heavy, yet smooth and flexible. Furthermore, it embodies the subtle principles of the Severing Sword, making it useful for twisting an enemy’s martial arts.”

The Blade Monarch personally demonstrated, unfolding a blade art as fluid as flowing water.

“However, it shares one commonality with the True Demon Sword Art.”

He looked at Raon as if asking if he knew what it was.

“The Path of Domination.”

Raon nodded, glancing at the Sword Monarch.

“Both the True Demon Sword Art and the Demon Soldier Blade Technique embody the subtle principles of the Tyrant Sword.”

The Sword-Blade Master had infused the subtle principles of the Tyrant Sword into both the True Demon Sword Art and the Demon Soldier Blade Technique to create a formidable power that would not be broken by any other martial study. He, too, had been a Grand Master and an Absolute Martial Artist capable of reaching the heavens.

“Wow, you felt that too?”

The Sword Monarch’s jaw dropped.

“No matter how much I watch, something surprising always happens.”

She let out a hollow laugh, finding it almost uncanny now.

“…Precisely.”

The Blade Monarch nodded, his eyes trembling slightly.

“The subtle principles of the Tyrant Sword dwell in both the Demon Soldier Blade Technique and the True Demon Sword Art. As you know, this is because they were originally martial arts used simultaneously by the Sword-Blade Master.”

He stood his blade upright, explaining that since the Sword-Blade Master used the sword and blade at once, they inevitably shared the same flow of principles.

“First, please observe my blade art.”

The Blade Monarch raised his blade above his head and struck downward with a slowness that was almost tedious. His blade art fell in a fluid curve, much like swordsmanship, splitting the black sea in half.

Whoooosh!

The Blade Monarch seemed to pour all his concentration into the demonstration, breaking into a cold sweat as he performed every form of the Demon Soldier Blade Technique.

“Whew…”

After freezing the surrounding sea completely white, he stepped back.

“This is the Demon Soldier Blade Technique. Do you have any questions?”

The Blade Monarch looked at Raon with eyes filled with a subtle sense of anticipation, offering to take questions first.

“In the first form, when you struck the blade down, you slowed the speed before accelerating it again. That was to pierce through the enemy’s opening, correct?”

Raon spoke slowly, recalling the first form the Blade Monarch had performed.

“T-That is correct!”

The Blade Monarch stood dazed for a moment before nodding.

“That form was developed specifically to block and counter the True Demon Sword Art. You saw that?”

The Sword Monarch widened her eyes, muttering that it made no sense.

“In the second form, where you slash upward diagonally, wouldn’t it be better to add more of an incline to incorporate more weight?”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he personally performed the form of the Demon Soldier Blade Technique.

“That is a good suggestion. However, doing so would slow the transition to the third form. While the Demon Soldier Blade Technique is slow, it is a Severing Sword. Therefore, the connection between forms must be perfect and fast.”

The Blade Monarch shook his head, explaining that one must consider the sequence of forms, not just a single one. His eyes began to sparkle even more.

“Couldn’t we do it like this? If we extend the blade a bit further forward…”

“Hmm, that looks promising. It is certainly worth experimenting with.”

The Blade Monarch’s heavy voice jumped up by more than two tones.

“And the fifth form, the weight is a bit…”

“A keen observation. In that part…”

“The tenth form, rather than advancing slowly…”

“Let us try it ourselves!”

Raon and the Blade Monarch huddled close together, as if warming themselves by a campfire, discussing the Demon Soldier Blade Technique for a long time.

Two hours later, the Blade Monarch reached out to Raon first.

“One month…”

He nodded, a lingering smile playing on his face that didn’t quite match his cold impression.

“Let us do it.”

===

Vroooooom!

Flames erupting from Heavenly Drive created a brilliant flash, burning the northern sky, while frost blooming from the Wooden Wheel Sword emitted a chilling energy wave, freezing the pitch-black North Sea like a shadow.

The True Demon Sword Art and the Demon Soldier Blade Technique. The ultimate techniques of the Sword-Blade Master, an absolute being from a thousand years ago, were manifesting in Raon’s hands.

“I can’t help but say this is crazy.”

The Sword Monarch let out a breath of disbelief as she watched Raon perform the True Demon Sword Art.

“The flaws in his swordsmanship are disappearing rapidly. To think such a monster existed in this world…”

She sighed, realizing why Raon, who wasn’t even thirty yet, was so strong.

“He has transcended the level of a genius. That is the talent of a demon. It is a cruel power that cuts away the hopes and wishes of those around him.”

The Blade Monarch’s lips trembled, unable to believe what he was seeing.

“If that talent had fallen into the hands of a villain, this entire continent might have been held in the palm of one person’s hand…”

He nodded, acknowledging that Raon’s talent was enough to shake the continent.

“What do you think? Do you think he can do it within a month?”

The Sword Monarch murmured curiously, nudging the Blade Monarch with her elbow.

“…I am not sure.”

The Blade Monarch narrowed his eyes.

“It seems possible, but it also feels like he might need a few more days.”

He shook his head, noting that even for Raon’s talent, a month was not easy.

“As you know, the Demon Soldier Blade Technique and the True Demon Sword Art are the highest tier of martial arts. Furthermore…”

The Blade Monarch licked his lips briefly.

“He must also master the Diamond Earth Art to an intermediate level. No matter if it is Raon-nim, it is not something that can be done unconditionally.”

He nodded, estimating the chance of success at fifty-fifty.

[I hope he fails…]

Gold Dragon Parateus shook his head.

“Why?”

The Sword Monarch raised an eyebrow at Parateus.

[That human needs to taste failure! It’s infuriating when everything goes well for him!]

Parateus frowned, clearly displeased by Raon’s excellence.

“Now you’re jealous of a human.”

The Sword Monarch shook her head in disbelief.

“No matter how I look at it, you shouldn’t have been born a dragon.”

“I concur.”

The Blade Monarch let out a deep sigh.

[No, even the Lord told me to be careful of him! He put him on almost the same danger level as Glenn Zieghart!]

Parateus shook his head, noting that Raon and Glenn’s danger ratings were nearly identical.

“You’re not on the dragons’ side anymore. Stop worrying about that.”

The Sword Monarch waved her hand, telling him to stay quiet.

[T-That’s true, but I’m just a bit anxious…]

Parateus sighed deeply.

“Think positively. If we win, you’ll be the Lord. The Dragon Lord!”

The Sword Monarch grinned, asking if that wouldn’t be great.

[D-Does it really work like that?]

Parateus blinked his eyes, which were as large as glaciers.

[That’s not bad, is it? Actually, the Lord doesn’t really do much! He just calls the kids occasionally to act cool!]

He smirked at the shift in perspective. Unlike a typical dragon, he seemed to have a desire for prestige.

“But if you become the Dragon Lord…”

The Blade Monarch let out a low breath, looking at Parateus.

“There will be no one beneath you, will there?”

[Eh…?]

===

“Whew…”

Raon sat down on the ground after planting Heavenly Drive and the Wooden Wheel Sword into the glacier.

‘Not bad.’

Because the Sword-Blade Master had passed down not only the martial arts but also his insights, the growth rate was surprisingly fast. At the current level, it seemed he could barely make the one-month deadline.

‘And the Diamond Earth Art is progressing well too.’

Using the operational methods of the Diamond Earth Art learned from the Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch, he was able to grow his Earth Aura while simultaneously using the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier. Thanks to that, the Diamond Earth Art was growing according to plan.

》”Dammit…”

Wrath gnashed his teeth.

》”I wanted him to fail unconditionally!”

‘It is a bit ambiguous. Maybe I should have said two months?’

Although the growth was fast, trying to finish two years’ worth of training in one month felt like it was putting a bit of an overload on him. He felt that if he took a single wrong turn, he might fail.

》”Hmph! Even if this doesn’t work, your big mouth will cause problems for you soon enough.”

Wrath wrinkled his nose, warning him to watch his tongue.

‘I’ve been hearing that since my trainee days. When exactly is it going to become a problem?’

》”T-That’s…”

The creature shifted its gaze, seemingly out of words.

‘I don’t know about other things, but don’t worry—there won’t be any problems caused by my tongue.’

Just as Raon smirked, showing the title [Tongue That Toys with Dimensions].

“Raon-nim.”

The Blade Monarch approached and bowed his head.

“Shall we begin immediately?”

Raon dusted off his hands and looked up.

“Actually, I came because I wanted to ask you something I’m curious about.”

The Sword Monarch smiled and sat beside him.

“Where and how did you obtain the martial arts of the Sword-Blade Master?”

She said she had wanted to ask for a while, but couldn’t because the situation was urgent.

“Ah, right. I should have mentioned that first.”

Raon smiled and straightened his back.

“It’s not a difficult story, so I’ll tell you right away. It started with a rumor that the Sword-Blade Master’s tomb had been discovered. We weren’t assigned that mission, but…”

(T/N: I think I used Sword Saint as his epiteth before because that’s how it was in the raw. Looking at the story right now, I think the Sword-Blade Master is a better epiteth for him rather than Sword Saint so I will be calling him that from now on. )

“T-The Sword-Blade Master’s tomb?”

“When was that?”

The Blade Monarch and the Sword Monarch widened their eyes, having known nothing about it.

“A long time ago. Back when we were still the Light Wind Division.”

“Why didn’t we know?”

“I do not know either.”

The Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch tilted their heads in confusion.

[That was when you two were fighting on a deserted island, shouting that you should just die together. Wouldn’t it be weirder if you heard news of the Sword-Blade Master there?]

The Gold Dragon frowned, finding it absurd.

“Ah, was it then?”

“I see…”

The Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch nodded, now understanding.

“Deserted island…”

Raon licked his lips, thinking that the Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch were indeed not normal.

“Please continue.”

The Blade Monarch clasped his hands, requesting the rest of the story.

“Ah, yes. Then…”

Raon told them how he entered the Sword-Blade Master’s tomb, how it turned out to be a training ground for Zieghart, and how he eventually met the Sword-Blade Master for a brief moment and received his martial arts.

“…And that led to where we are now. I find it quite mysterious myself.”

As he smiled and spoke of the strange fate, the Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch silently stood and stood before him.

“We greet the true successor of the Sword-Blade Master!”

“We greet the true successor of the Sword-Blade Master!”

The two knelt again and bowed their heads. Raon wondered why the Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch were so quick to kneel.

“Hearing this, it is certain.”

“Indeed. Raon-nim is the true successor of the Sword-Blade Master.”

Since he had been personally recognized by the Sword-Blade Master, the Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch believed it was only natural for him to be the successor, and they pressed their foreheads to the ground.

“Please stop doing this! Do it after everything is finished!”

Raon grabbed the Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch by the shoulders and forced them up.

“Both of you said you would only recognize me once I mastered the Sword-Blade Master’s martial arts. Please stick to that!”

While it was true he wanted their help, he didn’t particularly want to see people so much older than him kneeling like that.

“Understood.”

“If you say so…”

The Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch nodded slowly and stood up.

“Ah, and…”

Raon reached out toward the two of them.

“I will teach you the sword formulas for the Diamond Earth Art, the Demon Soldier Blade Technique, and the True Demon Sword Art that I know. After all, you two are the true owners.”

Since they were originally the martial arts of the Sword Sect and Blade Sect, and since these two would play a major role in the final war, he felt it was fine to pass them on.

“Let’s train together for a month.”

Raon smiled and extended his hand to the Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch.

“R-Raon-nim…”

“Ah…”

The Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch looked at him with moved expressions. This was a much better reaction than kneeling.

“Now then, let us begin the transmission…”

“We greet the great successor of the Sword-Blade Master!”

“We greet the true successor of the Sword-Blade Master.”

The two shattered his expectations and knelt again, bowing their heads.

“Oh, for goodness’ sake…”

===

“Thank you for your guidance during this time.”

Raon stood before the cold-eyed Blade Monarch and the warm-hearted Sword Monarch and bowed.

“I am deeply indebted to you for this past month.”

For a whole month, the Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch had stayed glued to his side, helping him train in the Demon Soldier Blade Technique and the True Demon Sword Art.

Having obtained perfected versions of the Diamond Earth Art and the other martial arts, they must have craved their own training even more, yet he was moved by how they kept their promise until the end. He felt he now understood why these two were Transcenders who were still spoken of to this day.

“Not at all. I enjoyed it more.”

The Sword Monarch shook her head with a warm gaze.

“I think I understand why people raise disciples.”

She smiled brightly, saying she should find and raise a disciple who resembled Raon.

》”That’s not good.”

Wrath wrinkled his eyes deeply.

》”After teaching you, if she teaches someone else, she’ll surely find them frustrating, even if they’re a genius!”

He shook his head, noting that she was looking at the sky instead of the summit before she had even started climbing.

“I feel the same.”

The Blade Monarch wore a smile that held kindness within its coolness.

“I did not know that discussing martial arts with Raon-nim would be so enjoyable.”

He licked his lips slightly, as if wanting to continue doing so in the future.

“I can do that for you anytime, so don’t worry.”

Raon smiled thinly and shook his head.

“And since I received your guidance, I am your disciple, right?”

He tilted his head toward the Sword Monarch as well.

“Honey! Let’s have a baby!”

The Sword Monarch grabbed the Blade Monarch’s arm and shook it.

“I want to have a son or daughter like that! Seriously!”

She shook her head, saying she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Hmm…”

The Blade Monarch seemed to share the sentiment, casting a calm gaze toward the Sword Monarch.

[Suddenly…?]

Gold Dragon Parateus dropped his head in disbelief.

》”No, seriously, what is wrong with them before the test?!”

Wrath also bared his teeth, wondering why they were acting this way.

》”Why is everyone around you a lunatic?!”

He shook his head, wondering how Raon managed to pick only lunatics to be around.

“Please save the marital conversation for later…”

Raon approached the Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch with his hands resting on Heavenly Drive and the Wooden Wheel Sword.

“Now, please verify. Whether I am someone you can follow, or not.”

Raon lifted his chin, declaring that it was now time for the test.

“Of course!”

“We shall judge objectively.”

As if their smiles had never existed, the Sword Monarch and Blade Monarch erased their flushed expressions and looked at Raon with cold eyes.

“Then…”

Raon drew Heavenly Drive and the Wooden Wheel Sword. Against the dark sky, a vivid sun appeared, and atop the surging waves of the North Sea, brilliant flames and frost bloomed.

“I shall begin.”