Chapter 67
I Reincarnated as a Peerless Genius Swordmaster
“Phew…”
After perfectly subduing the third and final golem, Ruin exhaled deeply and tried to steady his breathing.
At the same time—
Kukukung.
The barrier blocking the exit began to open one by one.
Then came the familiar voice of his sword spirit.
[Are you all right?]
“Yes. It was a bit rough, but I’m okay.”
Ruin massaged one shoulder casually as he answered.
Before him lay the shattered remains of the golems — the same ones other trainees hadn’t even been able to land a proper cut on.
“Anyway, I managed to win thanks to you, Master.”
[Ahem! What are you saying? I didn’t do much—well, you did move exactly as I taught you, I’ll admit that.]
Though the sword spirit tried to act humble, it was clear he was pleased.
Ruin smirked faintly at the obvious tone.
“I’ll check on my insight into the Seven-Star Sword Form later.”
He muttered inwardly, amused by his master’s reaction.
But his praise wasn’t empty.
“It really did help a lot.”
Even if his skill and swordsmanship far surpassed the other trainees, he couldn’t have cut down the golems so easily otherwise.
Their outer shells were tough enough that ordinary slashes did nothing, and even their joints and mana cores — the supposed weak points — were much harder and thicker than those of normal golems.
And yet, Ruin had been able to slice through them precisely because—
“The sharpness of Black Shadow was beyond expectation.”
It could cut through stone, iron — almost anything.
[Heh! Don’t forget, I once taught Belion himself! I know a thing or two about good instruction!]
The sword spirit was clearly delighted with himself, and Ruin could only shake his head.
“See, that’s exactly why I can’t compliment you.”
Letting out a helpless sigh, Ruin turned toward the direction where he could feel the faint trace of Heavenly Weave.
“Now then, let’s go find that relic—huh?”
Wuuuuum.
Just as he spoke, his Crimson Blood Sword began to tremble violently. A prickling sense of danger rushed over him, and he instantly turned his head.
Shaaak!
A sword came slicing toward him at terrifying speed.
“Ha!”
Tap!
Ruin twisted his body and narrowly evaded the strike, then immediately looked to see who had attacked him.
And there he was—
“Oh? You sensed that? I was quite proud of that strike, you know.”
Standing there was none other than Stone Ogre Harken, exuding a murderous aura so thick it was suffocating.
“With that aura you’re giving off, how could I not notice?”
“Ah, true. My apologies. It’s been a while since I felt so fired up.”
“Still, you came faster than I thought. I expected it to take longer.”
“When a trainee I’m in charge of pulls a stunt like that, how could I not come running? My blood was boiling.”
“You really didn’t have to go that far…”
“Oh, but it was quite a thrilling experience.”
Harken grinned, seemingly amused.
“By the way, that movement you showed earlier — where did you learn it?”
He was referring to the killing move Shadow Reaper that Ruin had unleashed, which had landed a clean hit.
Ruin stayed silent.
[Ruin, what are you doing? Use that technique again and get away from him!]
The sword spirit urged frantically, but Ruin subtly shook his head.
‘Impossible.’
[What?]
‘Harken’s a master swordsman. He’s already analyzed every motion of that technique. If I try it again, I’ll be countered and crushed.’
That was precisely why, in his previous life as Subject 1872, he had only ever used Shadow Reaper as a one-hit kill technique.
‘It’s powerful enough to slay a stronger foe instantly… but too linear, too predictable once seen.’
Like any assassination attempt, once it failed once, the odds of success plummeted.
So did the technique’s element of surprise.
Then Harken spoke again.
“Don’t want to answer? That’s fine. But that illusion magic you used on me earlier — that was blood magic, wasn’t it?”
“……!”
“Of course, you wouldn’t have learned blood magic yourself. That must’ve been the effect of Andrei’s dagger, right?”
He’d already deduced the source.
“Well, you’re not going to answer anyway, so I’ll just assume I’m right.”
Harken surveyed the wrecked training ground, clicking his tongue.
“Even if the golems repair themselves eventually, it’ll take a while. I’ll have to write up a report. Tsk.”
Then, turning back to Ruin, he continued—
“Still, thanks to you, I’ve made up my mind.”
“…Made up your mind?”
“Yes.”
Harken’s eyes gleamed darkly.
“I’ve decided to forcibly promote you — make you a full-fledged swordsman.”
“…What?”
“No matter how many cubs of wild beasts gather here, one of a different species among them will only disrupt the balance. You don’t belong among trainees.”
He clearly intended to have Ruin graduate early.
But Ruin shook his head.
“The match isn’t over yet, though.”
“Ah, yes, you’re right. It’s not over.”
Harken’s lips curved faintly.
“So let’s finish it right now.”
Before Ruin could react—
Shaaak!
Harken charged, sword flashing at lightning speed.
“…!”
In an instant, he was upon Ruin, grinning broadly.
“Looks like I win this test.”
KWAJIK! KUNG!
The impact roared across the chamber.
Meanwhile…
“Stay still.”
Selena’s cold voice carried a commanding tone as she examined the giant rock crushing the golem’s waist.
Surprisingly, the golem obeyed, remaining still as if it understood.
“Hngh!”
No matter how hard she pushed, the stone was far too heavy for her alone.
But she refused to give up.
“Just… a little more!”
Thanks to her relentless training, her strength and technique had become sharp and precise.
She began to wedge her sword into the narrow gap between the debris and the golem’s body.
“Haaah!”
Krak! Grndrk!
After several tries, the rock finally shifted aside.
“Got it!”
The golem paused, then slowly began to rise.
Creeeak.
It couldn’t stand fully, but it was freer than before. Its crimson eyes turned toward Selena—not with hostility, but with a strangely warm light.
Bzzzzt.
It moved its arm slightly, gesturing for her to come closer.
“You want me to come over?”
The golem blinked its red eyes several times, as if to say yes.
Though wary, Selena decided to trust it and stepped closer.
Creeeak. Boom!
The golem braced itself, pushing up its body with one arm. The space beneath where it had lain cracked open, revealing a large gap.
It raised one arm again and pointed toward the opening.
“…You want me to go inside?”
The red light flickered once more — clearly an affirmative.
Though she wasn’t sure why, Selena felt drawn toward the gap and moved forward.
The golem followed heavily behind her.
Soon, they entered a chamber unlike any other they’d seen.
At the center stood an ancient altar, upon which rested an object radiating a mystical light.
“A necklace?”
It was a necklace adorned with a deep blue gem.
“Could this be… the relic?”
Remembering the instructors’ guidance, she immediately recognized it.
As she reached out to grasp it—
KWA-KRA-KRA-KOOM!
“—?!”
The opposite wall exploded, and through the debris stumbled a familiar figure.
“Huff… damn it. That was rough.”
Covered in dust and wounds, Ruin gasped for breath.
“R-Ruin?”
“Selena?”
They both blinked in shock—until another voice thundered from beyond the broken wall.
“That’s far enough, Ruin Lynegrime! You’ve got nowhere left to run!”
“Tch!”
Ruin clicked his tongue as Harken stepped through the breach, his sword gleaming with lethal intent.
“Are you trying to kill a trainee?! That’s not exactly a reasonable strike!”
“Don’t whine. You can handle it.”
Chachang!
With no space to dodge, Ruin raised Black Shadow and blocked the incoming blade.
“Kuh!”
The blow’s sheer power sent tremors through his arms.
[Ruin!]
‘Damn it. He’s too strong.’
Even as he cursed inwardly, Ruin admired the man’s skill.
“You can’t run anymore,” Harken said calmly. “So there’s only one thing left to do.”
His gaze sharpened as he smiled.
“Let’s see if you can block this.”
Shaaak!
“—If you can, that is.”
The sword sliced through the air, aimed directly at Ruin—
But the trajectory also included Selena, standing before the relic.
“Damn it!”
In that instant, Ruin had two options:
Block it head-on and protect Selena… or use her as a shield and survive himself.
In his past life as Subject 1872, he wouldn’t have hesitated to choose the latter. It was efficient, logical.
And if Harken retained enough reason, he’d likely pull his blow before hurting Selena.
But now—
[Ruin! You’ll be seriously hurt! You can’t block that—dodge now!]
The sword spirit’s voice echoed desperately.
Ruin tightened his grip on Black Shadow.
“No. I’ll block it.”
[What?!]
“Because she’s mine now.”
With a fierce glare and unwavering tone, Ruin planted his feet and faced the oncoming strike head-on.
And at his words—
“…What?”
Selena could only stare at him, stunned.
