The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 257
Raon looked down at the Requiem Sword, its red blade dipped in the furnace. The endless ringing of the sword's name seemed to be shouting that it wanted to become stronger.
Do you have the power to wield this blade?
The Requiem Sword trembled violently as if affirming.
-Nonsense.
Wrath sneered from above, looking down at the sword.
-A pathetic creature like you having such ability? Is it that hard?
-Your kind was born to kill those bastards, so erasing their energy is only natural. But...
Wrath looked at the sword on the floor with a sullen expression.
-Absorbing the power contained in that sword is different. Even the King wouldn't do that. How could such a pathetic creature do something like that.
He waved his hand, saying it's impossible.
-Stop wasting time and go relieve the glasses-wearing nerd's obsession.
“Hum...”
Raon turned around. Dorian was still listing names of warriors and mages, so there was still time.
No harm in trying.
He knew the ability of that sword, even if he didn't know what it was or its name.
Magic Barrier.
Most mages use mana circles in their hearts to cast magic. And this sword causes strange vibrations from its blade, creating a slight obstacle to the magic flow produced by the circles.
If it could truly possess that ability, it could gain a great advantage in a duel against mages.
Hwaaah!
Raon lifted the black sword. Despite just holding it, the blood energy inside the sword dug into his body. Of course, it was pushed back by the fire ring, but...
What should I do?
The Requiem Sword caused stronger vibrations as if excited.
“Break it? With just this?”
He blurted out in surprise. The Requiem Sword was saying to break the blade of that black sword with its own blade.
Uuuuung!
The Requiem Sword rang its name again, as if confirming.
-By breaking the sword to take the ability?
Wrath muttered foolishly and turned his head.
-It's meaningless.
Quiet a bit.
Ignoring Wrath's words, Raon lifted the Requiem Sword.
It’s not difficult.
If it was the sword held by the 4th Apostle, maybe, but breaking a sword that was just lying there was no different from eating cold soup.
Goooo!
After raising the Requiem Sword's malice as high as possible through Demonic Energy Adaptation, he swung it down.
Pacakaaang!
The long, dark blade of the sword shattered like glass under the powerful malice caused by the Requiem Sword.
Hwaaah!
Blood energy started to seep out from the broken sword. That black energy was sucked into the red blade of the Requiem Sword without any resistance.
Uuuuung!
The Requiem Sword emitted a thick vibration, not missing even a small amount of blood energy, and absorbed all the energy flowing out from the sword.
The Requiem Sword, having absorbed all the sword's energy, had become darker in color than before.
Requiem Sword has absorbed the blood demon's energy.
New ability will be generated in the Requiem Sword after absorption.
The system was working even on the Requiem Sword because it was his own possession.
-Eek!
Wrath's eyes widened as he looked at the Requiem Sword.
-W-what? A pathetic creature like that! At first it was weak like you said, but it gradually grew.
According to Wrath's words, the Requiem Sword wouldn't have had such ability when they first met. It probably grew by absorbing many White Blood Cultists' blood energy, and thanks to drinking the blood of the Apostle and the High Priest this time, it gained this ability.
-Uck, growing...
Wrath frowned slightly. It seemed he felt a bit annoyed by the ability of the sword he called a creature.
So it's really amazing.
Wrath's reaction was like that, so it seemed good to expect the ability the Requiem Sword would gain.
“Heh, heh! It's all over.”
Dorian came after finishing signing. He was still holding a book on his head.
“How long are you going to carry that?”
“Until the ghost lord leaves.”
He couldn't see the one above, so he turned his head left and right.
“By the way, you seem to be in a good mood?”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. You look really happy, like when training goes well.”
“It has to be.”
Raon smiled faintly while looking at the trembling blade of the Requiem Sword.
The jackpot had hit.
* * *
Raon arrived at the last floor of the dungeon where Roen's research lab was, following Roen's guidance. But there was no room, and it ended with a large wall.
“Nothing here?”
Dorian knocked on the wall and kicked it with his foot, but there was no reaction.
Raon nodded. Even spreading his senses with Glacia and using the Wrath's Demonic Eye, the other side was filled with rocks.
“Quickly call the ghost lord.”
Dorian said that and placed the white wooden desk on his head.
“Now that you can't find it, your face is finally living.”
“It's here after all.”
Roen was a powerful mage called a hero. It was strange that he couldn't find his secret.
“How do I enter?”
“It's simple. Place your hand in the center of the wall and operate Glacia.”
“I don't feel Glacia's energy...”
“Because I hid it. Try it once.”
Raon nodded, placed his hand on the wall, and operated Glacia.
Kugugugu!
Blue cold energy seeped into the gaps in the rocks, the wall cracked, and a white room appeared.
“Wah, this is...”
He didn't expect it to open like this because he didn't feel Glacia's energy from the wall.
I operated the cold energy like earth attribute.
Roen pointed at the wall and smiled faintly.
“Like earth attribute?”
“Yes. The Wrath God doesn't use cold energy like fire? Like that, I made cold energy into rock.”
It wasn't just changing the form of cold energy, but changing the flow itself. It seemed like a method possible because he was a mage.
“Come in.”
Raon narrowed his eyes while looking at Roen's research lab.
It’s a bit different from what I thought.
Unlike expectations, the research lab wasn't very large and was neatly organized without a single speck of dust. It seemed purification magic was applied.
In this state, elixirs or artifacts would be stored without rotting. Good.
The left wall was full of books, the right had artifacts and materials of unknown use displayed, and in the center...
“Hiik!”
Dorian screamed upon seeing the skeleton lying on the desk. The skeleton was wearing a blue robe with ice flower embroidery, and round glasses were hanging down.
“I've shown you an embarrassing sight.”
“No.”
Since he had expected it, Raon shook his head.
“F-first meeting, no, you must be here. Well, please take care. Thank you for telling me the way! Ah, and sorry that our deputy master is too arrogant!”
Dorian bowed his head repeatedly to Roen's skeleton while draped over the desk.
“What a good person.”
“But he's a fool.”
Raon smiled faintly and turned his head.
“Now, tell me. What wish remains?”
He couldn't tell what the wish was even after looking around the lab. He had to hear it from his mouth.
“Since the story will be long, let's first finish the High Priest's purpose.”
He asked to take out a round golden bead and a wooden box from the center of the display.
“That bead is the Artificial Dantian.”
“Artificial Dantian?”
“Yes. An artifact for those whose dantian is broken or missing. As long as it connects to the mana circuit, it can be used like a real dantian.”
“Ah...”
Raon clicked his tongue.
This I can use.
Merim's dantian was already ruined. Using this Artificial Dantian, he could create a new one for him.
“Disadvantage: You have to start over. Since the dantian itself is replaced, you have to gather aura from scratch in the dantian. For low ranks, no big deal. For high ranks, even if short, it would be a tough time.”
“Definitely...”
Gathering aura in the dantian is not easy. For Merim's level, he would gather aura much faster than others, but the time would be very hard.
“Then what is this?”
Raon pointed at the wooden box.
“It's the Spirit Flow Pill that restores damage to the mana circuit.”
“Mana circuit...?”
“Yes. It restores the torn and disrupted mana circuit.”
“Understood.”
Now he felt relieved. With these two, he could heal Rimer. But he wanted something more.
“By any chance, do you know how to make these two?”
He asked earnestly because he wanted to heal Sylvia too, besides Rimer.
“Um, the Spirit Flow Pill has a manufacturing method, but I didn't make the Artificial Dantian, I accidentally obtained it, so I don't know well. Sorry.”
“No. It's enough.”
Raon shook his head. For now, this is enough. Since he learned there are such artifacts, he could eventually heal Sylvia.
“Now, tell me. What is Roen-nim's wish?”
“Um....”
Roen scratched his temple and paused for a moment.
“It seems I have to go back a bit into the past to tell that story.”
He looked at his skeleton with a faint smile.
“I am....”
* * *
The city called Remia was destroyed in a single night by the witch Merlin and her monsters.
His mother, who always smiled and stroked his head, his father who was scary but kind inside, his friends who ran around the mountains and fields every day, all became food for monsters in front of his eyes.
The knights defending the city were turned to ashes by Merlin's flames, and the kingdom's mages who rushed over were wiped out by the witch's magic like shooting stars.
Why did he survive then?
It was just because of Merlin's pride.
“Ah, too excited. When I kill everyone, there's no one to tell what I did.”
That crazy woman said she would tell the continent that she had destroyed Remia and left.
Angry.
He cursed the witch while angry at being left alone, at not being able to die with them.
If he could take revenge on that crazy woman, he shouted that he could sell his soul to the demon.
At that time, that person appeared.
A huge being whose gender, or whether it's a demon or god, couldn't be known. A real heaven descended different from the witch who destroyed this city.
He asked what was happening.
His mouth opened naturally without regard to his will.
After listening to all the stories, he showed a nonchalant expression.
He turned his body as if to leave, and said he liked his last words and gave him power. The power of frost to take revenge on the witch.
-With only this, you can't do anything. If your anger is sincere, try hard. Kill that bastard with your own hands.
Merlin the witch.
-Anyway, if your anger explodes, your ability will also become stronger.
He asked what he wanted from him.
He said he would offer his soul, but was refused.
-Soul? You're talking nonsense. Not needed.
He tried to grab him and ask for something else.
-Research the power the King gave you! Stop bothering me!
He left those words and disappeared, and he also left the city turned to ashes.
His ability was mysterious. Just by obtaining it, he naturally learned how to use it as if breathing.
Wandering the continent, fighting during the day, researching magic and cold energy at night. After many days and nights, when he started to gain fame, he despaired again.
The extreme difference with Merlin the witch. He roared at the realm difference with her, one of the strongest on the continent and the worst witch.
At that time, that person appeared again.
-What nonsense are you talking. If you're weak, become strong. Even if you devote all your time, become strong and die, it's fine.
It was too simple, but it was like a divine revelation to him.
-What are you bothering with such a pathetic bastard.
Merlin the witch.
-Anyway, stop worrying about such a pathetic bastard that the King's breath can kill. When you become stronger, that's it.
He clicked his tongue and disappeared, saying he's pathetic.
He became strong. He trained and researched, fought and fought again.
He grew enough not to lose much even in fighting Merlin, but there was a problem.
Many strong people and monsters followed her. He could never win alone.
He gathered people to attack the witch's castle. A few people who burned with revenge like him gathered, but most shook their heads saying they couldn't win.
Everyone said it's impossible, give up revenge.
When even close ones said that, his strength faded. He doubted if he could really take revenge, drank all night. When the gathering for revenge gradually fell apart, that person came again.
-I really can't watch. If there are many who are scared of that bastard, isn't it fine if you become strong and make them kneel?
Merlin the witch.
-Those who say they can't are losers. Burly guys who have already knelt to the world. Go with those who say they can. You have potential.
He waved his hand saying stop bothering him and disappeared.
Thanks to that person, the fear and dread of the betraying witch Merlin who spread terror across the continent disappeared, even without remembering her name.
He didn't listen to others' words. He strengthened his power while thinking it was nothing like the person said, and gathered comrades who believed he could do it.
When he moved with conviction, people who said it couldn't join, and those who left came back.
And on the day 40 years after the city was burned by Merlin.
He and his comrades broke the witch's castle and cut off Merlin's breath.
The whole world cheered, and we became heroes.
But such things weren't important to him.
He was satisfied only with succeeding in the revenge that everyone said was impossible and comforting the dead.
After a year when the situation was sorted, that person came again.
-Now it's over, how slow.
No words of thanks, but a smile appeared because it was him.
He told him he would offer his soul. Because he shouted that he wanted revenge even if he gave his life to the demon in this world and the afterlife.
-Again, nonsense.
He sneered and waved his hand.
-Such a pathetic soul like you is not needed. Since your anger has become the King's snack, it's enough with that.
It was unbelievable. While becoming strong, he knew the person in front was not human or god. Of course he thought he would accept his soul, but he didn't want anything. Just said it was fun.
-Since I caught that bastard too, live your life now. Glasses-wearing nerd.
He disappeared without remembering Merlin's name till the end. He couldn't even say thank you, and left without taking the power he gave. Only then did he realize this person was his true god.
He lived the world for a year and made a dungeon.
Why?
Simple. The request he held while holding the person's clothes was researching Glacia.
Even though it was forced, he wanted to hear it at least.
He researched harder than when preparing for revenge and operated Glacia's cold energy.
But it was too perfect like a power made by a god. If he clumsily modified it, the usage method would be much worse than the original, so it was better to give up.
Of course, he didn't give up.
To thank the person who gave him power without any cost and led his mind, he devoted all his remaining time to creating a method to harden Glacia's cold energy more firmly.
It was just one of the cold energy usage methods, but it was his limit.
Now, by returning the cold energy to the person and saying thank you, it was over.
But he couldn't contact the person.
Not deliberately cut off, but the connection itself didn't work.
He waited. Even after 1 year, 10 years, and 20 years, no contact came, and his lifespan was ending.
It wasn't regrettable to die like this. The research disappearing was fine.
It was just that he couldn't say thank you to the person and it would be erased.
Would that wish become a spark.
He could be reborn again between life and death.
He waited again.
For the person to return.
* * *
Raon bit his lip while bowing his head.
“Then your wish is...?”
“Yes. I want to convey the words of gratitude to that person, and tell the modified Glacia usage method I made.”
Roen smiled saying that was all.
-Y-you stupid guy!
Wrath jumped at Roen with a face that looked like his eyes were distorted.
-You said if you devoted your life to revenge, live your life!
Wrath's fist trembled whether it was anger or sadness.
[It's really fortunate that Raon-nim came.]
Roen couldn't see Wrath right in front and grabbed Raon's hand.
[Glacia's usage method is there. The cold energy I have will return to that person at the moment I disappear.]
-You stupid glasses-wearing guy! Don't think about that, worry about yourself!
Wrath gnashed his teeth saying it's a stupid thing. A transparent bead formed in his round eyes.
[I'm glad I met you. It was really fun after a long time.]
Roen's body, which was hazy whether that was all his wish, started to slowly disappear.
-Hey! Roen-yellow!
“Rasen.”
Raon grabbed Wrath and frowned.
-Let go!
“Are you going to send him like this?”
-What?
“This is the last one, are you going to send him while getting angry?”
-B-boss is...
“I’ll lend my body.”
He said with a big heart.
-What?
“If you promise to return the body immediately, I'll lend my body so you can talk.”
He believed Wrath, who had seen Raon and this hero, and was impressed.
-C-couldn't.
“Why?”
-The moment I enter your body, my will will explode without regard to your will.
“Ah...”
Raon bit his lip. Wrath had said before that because his soul and body had been apart for too long, he would explode.
-Instead...
* * *
Roen felt his body warming. It was like his heart beating and blood flowing in his veins as when he had a body.
“Now it's really time to go.”
Perhaps because he had accurately sorted his wish. His heart was at ease. It was regrettable that he couldn't see Raon-nim, but it couldn't be helped. He was satisfied with conveying gratitude to the High Priest.
Tired. For the first time since becoming this body, he felt sluggish. When he closed his eyes, it felt like he wouldn't wake up again.
When he was about to close his eyes after seeing the High Priest who seemed to resemble the person for the last time.
Kwaaah!
His whole body was burning with blue Wrath flames. His eyes opened wide at the anger similar to when he first saw that person.
-You stupid guy.
[Wh-what are you...]
It was clear. This energy, that noble yet vulgar speech, was only that person.
[R-Raon-nim?]
“The King said. Live your life. Who told you to do such stupid and frustrating things?”
[Hahaha!]
Laughter came out. If it was the person, he would say that.
“What’s funny! Glasses-wearing nerd!”
[You didn't want it, but this is my way of life. God.]
“I couldn't stop being pathetic since I saw you before. Idiot!”
Roen smiled while being scolded. He smiled as if this moment was happy.
[Still, I was happy to meet you. God.]
“......”
Raon was silent for a moment. He smiled faintly and raised his head. A small warmth bloomed in the Wrath's eyes.
“Were you really happy?”
[I was happy thanks to you. Thank you.]
“Then... done.”
Wrath lightly brushed his hand.
“Roen-yellow. You worked hard. See you again.”
[Yes!]
Roen nodded his head. He had an incomparably happy smile. He slowly sank while scattering blue frost like faint starlight.
Raon waited until the frost of Roen that fell on his palm completely melted to calm the anger he received from Wrath.
“Satisfied?”
-Thank you.
Wrath said thank you unusually, and nodded. In his eyes, he chased the empty space where Roen disappeared. What a guy not like a Demon King.
“Then the remaining items...”
When he was about to tell Dorian to take the remaining items, a message appeared in front of him.
Roen's will's abilities have been absorbed.
Glacia's knowledge possessed by Roen has been engraved.
All stats have increased by 6 points.
-?
“?”
Raon and Wrath tilted their heads at the same time.
-W-why to you...
“I don't know either.”
Of course, Raon thought Roen's abilities would go to Wrath's main body. The Glacia energy accumulated in the dantian felt more solid.
-Ah, no! Is this possible! The King gave it, the King should receive it back! Why to you!
“Tell me that...”
-Hey kid! If not you, who else!
Wrath shouted angrily that he couldn't hold it anymore.
-Why did it enter your mouth!
“Hey, we were good. With emotional contract...”
-Shut up!