Chapter 3
Reincarnated as the Greatest Swordsmanship Genius in History
It had already been two years since he was reborn in his new body.
A child with jet-black hair as dark as pitch and ruby-red eyes that shone brilliantlyâRuin Reinhardt.
But the soul within him was that of Hunting Dog No. 1872, a shadow operative abandoned by Seokgong Roben Patherion.
Squeak.
âRuin, letâs eat!â
As always, his mother Daisy entered the room cheerfully, and Ruin responded with a cold expression.
Knock, knock.
âAh, sorry. I should have knocked first. So, arenât you going to eat?â
âNo, I will.â
âGood, then open wide⊠huh? Youâre already ready!â
Ruin, already prepared for his meal, opened his mouth without a word. Daisy chuckled softly and muttered:
âI wonder who Ruin takes after to be so smart. Other kids his age canât even speak properly yetâŠâ
She gently stroked his head and fed him the homemade baby food.
Take after? Of course, I remember my previous lifeâthatâs why I can do this.
But stillâŠ
âMom.â
âRight? Our Ruin is smart because he takes after his mother, isnât he?â
Considering all the effort she put into feeding him, Ruin could afford to humor this small flattery.
âHere, say âah.ââ
âAhh.â
Gulp!
After finishing his slightly bland but subtly sweet meal, Ruin spoke firmly.
âI want Coco.â
âHmm, Coco? Heh. Well, now that youâve eaten, itâs time for a nap. Shall we take a nap together, Coco, my baby?â
âNo.â
âHuh?â
âI want Coco.â
Ruinâs insistence on sleeping alone immediately saddened Daisy.
âAh, why? Letâs sleep together, Ruin.â
âNo.â
âOh, really!â
Seeing her son repeatedly refuse, Daisy sighed in frustration and muttered:
âItâs great that heâs so smart, but heâs getting colder⊠it makes me sad.â
ââŠNo.â
Ruin reached out to wipe Daisyâs tears, and she couldnât help but smile at her sonâs thoughtful gesture.
âHa, really. Youâre so adorable, our Ruin.â
âMom, I want Coco. Haaah.â
âOh, alright, alright. Go get some sleep, my baby. Be good, Coco.â
Daisy stood up immediately and carefully left Ruinâs room.
Squeak, thud!
Once the door closed, Ruin muttered in a serious, unusually mature tone for a child:
âPhew, that wasnât easy.â
âI canât afford to waste my precious personal training time.â
Of course, Ruin felt warmth and gratitude from Daisyâs love, though it was always slightly unfamiliar to him. ButâŠ
âIâll repay the favor later.â
The most important thing right now is raising my mastery of [Heavenly Seamless Palm].
For Ruin, who had a firm goal of revenge, every second was more precious than gold.
He felt he was close to reaching the first star level, but something still felt slightly lacking.
After confirming the door was closed, he closed his eyes and began to meditate.
He drew the energy deep from within his body. The pure white power spread throughout his limbs began to move at his command.
Slowly, calmly.
He could not rush. As a martial art known as the pinnacle of swordsmanship, [Heavenly Seamless Palm] required delicate, smooth, and precise guidance.
The white energy gathered around his heart, and Ruin gradually lifted it toward his head.
Through the philtrum to the forehead.
He guided the energy to the space between his eyebrows. ThenâŠ
Whoosh.
âŠMy body is rising?
He felt himself gradually lifting off the groundâa typical sign when skilled warriors, knights, or mages advance to a higher class.
And this is only the first star level without enlightenment�
Ruin, amazed by the unbelievable ability, focused even more intensely.
Finally, when the white energy coalesced between his browsâflash!
Ruin opened his eyes, which now radiated an intense brilliance.
âDone.â
The tiny white energy particles had merged into a small sphere. Simultaneously, Ruin realized his senses had sharpened like a finely honed blade. Everything around him felt more precise, vivid, and certain.
So this is <Heavenly Seamless Palm>.
The last insight of Ganel, the greatest martial artist of the millennium, had finally been attained by Ruin.
Ding!
User access confirmed. Credentials verified. Sync complete.
Ding-ding!
You have mastered the pure power of <Heavenly Seamless Palm>. Unique skill <Heavenly Seamless Palm> generated. First achievement unlocked, counted as âlegendaryâ. Special effect amplified twofold.
âUh?â
Several translucent objects appeared in front of him, changing continuously.
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<Heavenly Seamless Palm> strengthens the body.
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Special effect: further strengthens the body.
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Gains a powerful body unattainable at a young age.
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<Heavenly Seamless Palm> clarifies the mind.
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Special effect: mind becomes even clearer.
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Gains an extraordinary mental clarity for his age.
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<Heavenly Seamless Palm> solidifies mind-body connection.
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Special effect: connection even stronger.
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Gains the ultimate mind-body unity for his age.
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Special skill <Mind-Body Unity> generated.
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<Heavenly Seamless Palm> significantly increases all understanding.
Zzzap!
âUgh!â
Sudden pain made Ruin touch his forehead. The white sphere on his brow transformed into a ring shape, spinning rapidly.
Boom!
âArgh!â
The explosion of energy knocked him unconscious, though the translucent messages continued to update.
Special skill <Mind-Body Unity> alters the userâs physical traits. <Normal> changed to <Perfect>âŠ
âŠ
How long had he been unconscious?
Squeak.
The familiar voices of his father Kabel and mother Daisy floated in.
âIs Ruin still asleep?â
âShh! Be quiet.â
âAlright, alright, I wonât hit him.â
A normal conversation between his parents.
Thunk!
The door closed again. Flash.
Ruin finally opened his eyes.
âWhat⊠happened?â
He couldnât tell how long he had been meditating, but the darkness outside suggested it was late at night.
Ruin sat up and closed his eyes again, observing his body.
ââŠ!â
Since it was still a childâs body, toxins and impurities were minimal. Yet nowâŠ
Itâs completely clean. No trace of filth exists.
Normally, some impurities accumulate from food and breathing. But thanks to <Heavenly Seamless Palm>, his body was flawless.
Even at first star level, this effectâŠ
Ganelâs final insight <Heavenly Seamless Palm> had five stagesâmeaning five more massive growth leaps awaited. Completing it entirely would take him to unimaginable heights.
âRevenge will be much easier.â
Ruin smirked, recalling Roben Patherionâs mocking voice at the time of his death.
Ridiculous.
With such a brokenly strong ability, he should certainly wish to have it. He began reading the translucent messages still hovering before him.
âMind-Body Unity? Does it mean body and mind are one? Perfect body?â
He could roughly guess the meaning, though not fully from the name alone.
Are these messages part of the power of Heavenly Seamless Palm?
He waved his hand, but the messages didnât disappear.
Squeak.
âRuin, are you awake?â
Daisy entered the room. Ruin immediately pointed to the messages.
âMom, look at this.â
âHuh?â
She glanced and muttered with a faint smile:
âOh? That picture?â
I canât see it.
Ruin nodded.
âYes, I want to see it closely.â
âOh my, Ruin is already interested in pictures? Here you go. This is a picture I received when I was youngâŠâ
As Daisy went on with a long explanation, a new notification appeared:
User status has changed. Check the status window.
âStatus window?â
Status Window:
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Name: Ruin Reinhardt
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True Name: None
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Title: None
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Traits: Perfect (Body), Curse of the Sword, Mana Insensitivity (Weakened)
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Abilities:
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[Unique]
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???
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Heavenly Seamless Palm (1st Star)
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[Special]
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Mind-Body Unity (1st Star)
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Detailed info can be checked by clicking.
He was overwhelmed by the flood of information.
âWhat? Curse?!â
âRuin? What did you just say?â
Daisy reacted to his sudden shout.
âNothing.â
He shook his head, muttering, and fell deep into thought.
No wonder I couldnât sense mana. Mana Insensitivity? And Curse of the SwordâŠ?
He secretly checked the details:
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Curse of the Sword: All swords in the world hate you (maternal inheritance). Grants exceptional sword talent but greatly reduces effectiveness due to the curse.
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Mana Insensitivity: Cannot sense mana (paternal inheritance). Grants exceptional magical talent, but effectiveness is reduced.
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Current perfect body weakens mana insensitivity, allowing him to feel mana slightly.
Damn, both are inherited?
The Curse of the Sword was known from the Kapthalen family, but Mana Insensitivity was a rare, infamous condition. That it came from the Reinhardt side was unexpected.
But it doesnât matter.
Thankfully, his perfect body weakens the curseâs effects. And with <Heavenly Seamless Palm>, both will eventually be resolved.
Having supreme talents despite these flaws is still a blessing.
He calmed himself, though one question remained:
But what is ????