The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman
Chapter 881:

‘How should I cook this now?’

Raon licked his lips as he looked at Askarai, like food that could be eaten in one bite.

– “A, a pushover?”

Wrath opened his eyes wide in disbelief.

– “What on earth are you trying to gain from that guy…”

He trembled his chin, unsure of what Raon was aiming for.

‘You’ll see soon enough.’

Leaving Wrath staring blankly, he approached Askarai, King of the Balrogs.

‘Hmm, the injury is severe.’

He had only taken a single step, yet pain surged through him as if his energy center and mana circuits were being torn apart.

It must’ve been the recoil from using the full power of [Sword Field Creation] simultaneously.

Since it was an internal injury bursting from the inside and not due to external impact, it was a very serious condition—but now wasn’t the time to worry about that. He needed to finish the fight with Askarai first.

“What a pathetic body.”

Raon shook off the blood from his hand, enduring the excruciating pain radiating through his body.

“Wrath! What are you thinking!”

Askarai’s breath trembled with deep anger.

“Do you really plan to die by my hand?”

With apparent sincerity, he tore the air with his fingers. A terrifying Fighting Spirit surged from the split dimension, enough to send chills down the spine.

“If you want to kill me, go ahead.”

Raon spread his arms, telling him to do as he pleased.

‘Askarai will never attack me.’

What Askarai wanted wasn’t Wrath’s life, but a duel with him.

As long as he stayed still, he wouldn’t be attacked.

“Wrath…”

Askarai’s clenched fist trembled. He wanted to fight, but was confused by the situation where he couldn’t.

“Why won’t you fight me! At least give me a reason!”

Askarai stomped in frustration, shouting for an explanation.

“I already told you. I hate fighting the weak.”

Raon shook his head with a mocking smile.

“I-I’m the weak one?”

Askarai gaped, seemingly hearing such words for the first time in his life.

“I spared your life and cast you into the sea of the Devildom because I expected more from you. But if this is all you amount to, it’s truly disappointing.”

Raon slowly closed his eyes with genuine pity.

– “Huh?”

Wrath blinked in disbelief.

– “What is this! Why is your acting so good!”

He exhaled heavily, feeling no actor could match Raon.

– “Askarai! This guy is acting! Snap out of it!”

Wrath waved his arms desperately, begging Askarai to see through the act.

“W-What are you talking about! I’ve changed drastically since then!”

But Askarai, shocked by being called weak, couldn’t even begin to think it was an act.

“You can confirm it yourself!”

Askarai tore the rift in the dimension even wider. Even though it consumed an enormous amount of Fighting Spirit and was tearing his body apart, he showed no sign of stopping.

“Disappointing.”

Raon clicked his tongue as he looked at Askarai’s hand gripping the dimensional gap.

“You waste so much Fighting Spirit just crossing dimensions. How do you expect to fight me?”

He shook his chin in disdain.

“Wrath…”

Askarai gritted his teeth. He’d clenched so hard, the sound of bones crushing could be heard.

“You really want to fight me that badly?”

Raon narrowed his eyes and looked down at Askarai.

“Of course! If I can fight you, I’ll do anything!”

Askarai pounded his chest with his fist, sincerity radiating from his eyes.

“I hate fighting weaklings, but if you want it that much, I suppose I can’t say no.”

Raon nodded calmly, as if sipping tea.

“R-Really?”

“But not now.”

He shook his hand as Askarai’s eyes widened.

“Not now?”

Askarai frowned as if questioning what he meant.

“You wasted your strength and Fighting Spirit crossing dimensions. You’re not worth fighting in that state. A duel should be at full strength, both sides.”

Raon gathered his hands and nodded his chin.

“Then…”

“When I return to the Devildom, I will accept your challenge.”

He lowered his chin, suggesting they fight in the Devildom, not the middle world.

“A-Are you serious? You know how great the repercussions would be if we fought in the Devildom, right?”

“Have I ever lied?”

Raon met his eyes without a hint of wavering.

“Besides, there’s no need to worry about repercussions. I won’t lose.”

“…You’re definitely different from the other hollow kings.”

Askarai nodded, seemingly trusting Wrath’s words.

“But you were wrong about one thing. This time, I’ll be the one who wins.”

He clenched his flame-covered fist, as if signaling to wait for him.

– “Huh…? Huh?!”

Wrath gasped.

– “What the heck! I didn’t say a word, so how was a duel agreed to!”

He trembled his chubby arms in disbelief.

– “You crazy bastard! Not only are you draining my stats, now you’re selling my name too!”

Wrath shouted, wondering why he had to fight Askarai.

‘Just wait. The conditions are perfect right now.’

– “You get the benefits while I do the cleanup! There’s responsibility, but no pleasure when I’m around you! What kind of deal is this!”

He wildly waved his arms, screaming about the scam.

‘Wait, don’t tell me… you’re going to lose to Askarai?’

Raon blinked at Wrath.

‘The Monarch of Wrath, losing to a Balrog?’

– “W-What nonsense! Even with you draining my power, I could crush that level of Fighting Spirit easily!”

Wrath snorted, dismissing the idea.

‘Then it’s all good.’

– “Exactly! All good! I’ll win easi—wait, no!”

Wrath, grinning, suddenly widened his eyes.

– “Why am I fighting in the first place!”

He gritted his teeth, saying even the Angels wouldn’t sell people out like this.

“I can see the sincerity in your eyes.”

Askarai nodded, saying he could see Raon’s sincerity.

‘Of course I’m sincere.’

Raon smiled faintly at Askarai.

‘Since I’m not the one fighting.’

Since Wrath would handle the fight, he could speak sincerely with no hesitation.

It was the opposite of Wrath’s complaint—it was responsibility-free pleasure.

“I do not lie.”

Raon nodded calmly, leaving Wrath howling behind him.

– “It’s all lies! Every time he opens his mouth, lies pour out!”

Wrath flailed in the air, begging for someone to listen.

“Then when will you return to the Devildom?”

Askarai licked his lips, already eager for the fight.

“I am currently enjoying the journey of my subordinate. Once this one perishes, I too shall return to the Devildom. I’m also interested in what’s unfolding in this world.”

Raon answered that he’d return only after this body’s life ended.

“That long?”

Askarai frowned, finding it too long.

“My subordinate will live at most another 80 years. To us, that is but a fleeting moment.”

“I know. But thinking about our fight already makes my blood boil!”

He raised his flaming finger, eager to fight right away.

“Since you’re so excited, make sure to grow stronger so the fight won’t end in a blink.”

Raon waved his hand at the impatient Askarai.

“80 years…”

Askarai still seemed to think it was too long, holding his head.

Though he was calm and cautious, in battle, he was no different from a child.

‘Now comes the important part.’

He had tricked Askarai this far—he couldn’t just send him away. He had to milk him, if not as much as Wrath, then close.

“Let’s do this.”

Raon raised a finger and pointed to his chest.

“Transfer the Fighting Spirit you possess to my subordinate. If he dies, it will return to you, and you’ll know when our fight will happen.”

“Hmm…”

Askarai furrowed his brow, showing interest.

– “So that’s what this was!”

Wrath clapped as if he finally understood.

– “He was after Askarai’s Fighting Spirit all along and used me to get it!”

He trembled, calling it diabolical.

– “Don’t fall for it! It’s all lies! He’s acting to steal your energy!”

Wrath clasped his hands, hoping Askarai would hear him.

“Not bad.”

But Askarai muttered it was fine, not hearing Wrath at all.

“That body already contains Fighting Spirit. It shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Nodding, he looked persuaded by Raon’s words.

– “Nooooooooo!”

Wrath’s scream echoed through the underground chamber as his last hope was crushed.

“But your subordinate living 80 more years means he’s twenty now?”

“Something like that.”

“To possess that level of physical prowess and aura at that age… I see why you made him your subordinate. Very well.”

Askarai spread his palm, black Fighting Spirit bursting through the dimension and wrapping around Raon’s body.

Unlike before, it didn’t contain killing intent, so Raon calmly received it.

Fwoooosh!

Using the [Trait <Fighting Spirit Manipulation>], the built-up energy drained away and was replaced with Askarai’s Fighting Spirit.

His entire body felt like it was being cooked on a hot iron plate. Askarai’s Fighting Spirit itself was an immense power and heat.

It felt like he could enhance his [Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation] even further with it.

He thought it would end quickly, but Askarai transferred more Fighting Spirit than expected.

It was far more than the thunder energy from the recently acquired [Heavenly Thunder Art].

“You’re giving more than I expected. Any reason?”

Raon narrowed his eyes, asking what he was thinking.

“A gift for a young strong one.”

Askarai straightened his back and nodded with dignity.

“A gift?”

“That young human who serves you might one day reach my level. It’s a milestone for that moment.”

He licked his lips, calling it a marker for the future.

“Of course, if your subordinate dies, the energy will return to me. You said 80 years? I’m really looking forward to that day.”

– “No! That bastard’s going to live way longer thanks to my influence! He’s definitely living past 100!”

Wrath frowned, unsure if it was praise or an insult.

“But what was that interesting thing you mentioned earlier?”

Askarai shifted his gaze, remembering Raon’s last remark.

“There are some wretched Demon Kings and even more wretched Angels stirring. It’s fun to watch.”

It’s a given that the Angels will join the battle when they fight Derus Robert in the future.

A battle-crazed Balrog like Askarai could be helpful, so Raon dropped the bait early.

“Demon Kings and Angels, huh…”

Askarai narrowed his eyes in interest, then shook his head.

“It does sound interesting, but right now, all I care about is my fight with you.”

He burned with desire for a duel with Wrath, not caring for other battles.

– “Not happening! I’ll never fight him!”

Wrath shook his head violently, shouting nonsense.

“Then I’ll be waiting in the Devildom for your return.”

Askarai waved lightly, and the rifts and crimson sparks he had created began to disappear one by one.

“One last thing…”

As he turned to leave, Askarai reached out his pale hand.

KWA-DUDUDUDUK!

As the dimensions stitched together like threads were torn again, his greatsword, Bastar, unleashed overwhelming black flames toward the upper left.

“Kuaaaagh!”

A white-haired man hiding in the shadow of a fallen rock screamed.

He tried to dispel the flames with demonic energy, but Askarai’s fire would not be erased.

“So it was you. The rat who tried to lure me out.”

Askarai’s gaze turned so cold it was almost frigid.

“W-Wait! Listen to me! We—”

“The only sound a rat should make is a squeak.”

With a flick of his chin, the black flames exploded, obliterating the white-haired man’s body into pieces.

KUGUGUGU!

Thanks to Askarai’s consideration, the people embedded in the right wall were unharmed.

‘They’re all safe.’

Dorian, Borgos, and the artisans had fainted, Burren, Martha, and Runaan barely opened their eyes, and Sheryl was gripping her twin swords, ready to intervene if needed.

Most of the conversation had been drowned out by the noise from the dimensional rifts and sparks, but Raon felt it was time to give them some explanation.

“Filthy worms.”

Askarai shook his hand, letting out a chilly aura.

“Then I’ll be waiting.”

Leaving those last words behind, he closed the final rift and vanished.

“Wow…”

Raon swallowed hard as he looked at the black flames that had evaporated even the blood.

‘That was close.’

If Askarai had wanted, he could’ve ended up like the white-haired man, without even blood remaining.

A chill ran down his spine.

– “How could you just let him go!”

Wrath waved toward the space Askarai had vanished.

– “He should’ve burned this guy too! That bastard’s existence is a threat! He’ll ruin the whole world!”

He shouted that the guy should’ve been killed too.

‘Why are you like this to a friend?’

Raon approached and grabbed Wrath’s shoulder.

– “Friend? What kind of lunatic sells out his friend!”

Wrath gritted his teeth and brushed his hand off.

‘I had no choice to survive. I even planned to let you eat everything you wanted for a week to make up for it… but now I guess not.’

Raon licked his lips in disappointment.

– “A-A week?” (T/N: Typical Wrath. HAHAHAHA. Jebaited again)

Wrath’s body slowly turned toward Raon.

‘Yeah. I even planned to include dessert. With bead ice cream.’

– “B-Bead ice cream…”

His eyes slowly rose toward the heavens.

– “Ahem! Well, if it’s to survive, it can’t be helped! A generous Monarch like me shall understand!”

He slid over with a pleased expression.

‘You really are generous.’

– “There’s no Demon King in all the Devildom with a heart as big as mine!”

‘Then you’ll fight Askarai too, right? I mean, if you wanted to, you could easily win.’

– “O-Of course! If I unleash my power, I can crush him with ease!”

Wrath nodded with a slightly awkward smile.

‘Good to hear.’

As Raon grinned and nodded—

[You have perfectly deceived the King of the Balrogs.]

[You have achieved a great feat.]

[All stats have increased….]

[The trait <Fighting Spirit Manipulation> has evolved into <Askarai’s Fighting Spirit>….]

The rewards for fooling Askarai popped up.

‘Hmm, since we’re friends, this much is fine—’

– “No it’s not!”

Wrath screamed, waving both fists.

– “We’re not friends, you bastard! This is robbery, not friendship!”