Goodbye, My Friends
"Is everyone here?"
"Yes. This is everyone currently remaining in Jamma Cave."
"Eighty-five… that'll do. Everyone, attention."
The restless atmosphere settled at a single word from Shindogun. It was a sudden graduation ceremony.
Shin Gi-woon had summoned every fellow candidate still inside Jamma Cave and left them with the news that a graduation ceremony would begin shortly.
The prospective graduates assembled in the central plaza half-believing, half-doubting. The Chief Instructor was nowhere to be found — instead, Shindogun, commander of the Thousand Transformations Soul Chasing Squad, stood ready to receive them.
There was no time to grasp what was happening. Even so, the prospective graduates remained composed. Obeying those above them was simply the natural order of things.
Among the few Extreme Demon experts on the grounds, Shindogun was an Extreme Demon master first — and commander of the Thousand Transformations Soul Chasing Squad second.
"Lee Hyeong-seop, leader of the Heavenly Net Black Death Squad and former Chief Instructor of Jamma Cave, has departed for the martial world on personal business. It was urgent, so I'll be conducting the graduation ceremony as acting Chief Instructor. You've all completed your missions anyway, haven't you? Let's keep this moving."
Confusion gave way to questions in the graduates' eyes. The Chief Instructor's absence explained away as a trip into the martial world? It was a story no one could quite believe.
Shindogun would of course know the truth. By deliberately citing something so absurd, he was indirectly informing them that something had befallen Lee Hyeong-seop.
So the prospective graduates all kept their mouths shut. Speaking up would gain them nothing whatsoever.
Of course, not everyone stayed silent. For those who had aspired to join the Heavenly Net Black Death Squad, the news struck like a bolt from a clear sky.
Even if the unit's priority recruitment rights were being passed down, they would inevitably lose out to those who graduated with better records.
"The Heavenly Net Black Death Squad will not be accepting applicants this year. I'm sorry about that, but follow the Cult's policy. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!!"
"Right then. I'll now announce this class of Jamma Cave's top three — first, second, and third place. When your name is called, come up in order."
The candidates figured this was coming. First and second place were essentially locked in. But third place — that still held some possibility, didn't it?
Just as everyone was thinking that, Shindogun curled his lips into a grin and made the announcement.
"First place: Shin Gi-woon. Second place: Cheon Se-hwa. Third place: Bi So-hyang. Come up to the platform."
Sighs erupted from every corner — the frustrated sighs of those who had been aiming for third. Most had at least hoped third place wouldn't go to one of the Jamma Five Stars.
The gazes fixed on Bi So-hyang were mostly jealous. Toward Shin Gi-woon and Cheon Se-hwa, on the other hand, came looks of we saw that coming.
It was only natural. Reaching Peak at that age was no ordinary feat. It wasn't even jealousy — it was closer to awe.
Respect for those who had attained a realm the rest of them might one day reach themselves.
"Third place first. Step forward."
The three stood upon the platform. Shindogun called Bi So-hyang first and handed her something.
Third Place: Bi So-hyang
The above candidate has claimed third place in Jamma Cave through outstanding skill, and in recognition of this achievement is hereby granted access rights to the second floor of the Heavenly Demon Library.
Cult Leader, Cheon Yu
"Heavenly Demon Reborn, All Demons Bow! This humble one is overwhelmed by the Cult Leader's boundless grace!!"
The moment the Cult Leader's name was spoken, Bi So-hyang hastily dropped to her knees in salute. The others were no different.
The name Cheon Yu was absolute. The instant it was heard, everyone except Shindogun fell to their knees on the spot.
"Congratulations. Show this to the library keeper and they'll let you in. I hope you achieve great things in your martial arts."
"Thank you!!"
Bi So-hyang carefully accepted the silver token and returned to her place. Next was Cheon Se-hwa's turn.
Second Place: Cheon Se-hwa
The above candidate has claimed second place in Jamma Cave through outstanding skill, and in recognition of this achievement is hereby granted access rights to the third floor of the Heavenly Demon Library and the Demonic Physician's Favor Token.
Cult Leader, Cheon Yu
"Heavenly Demon Reborn, All Demons Bow. This humble one is overwhelmed by the Cult Leader's boundless grace."
"You've worked hard. I'm truly proud of you."
"…!"
Cheon Se-hwa flinched. She knew it instinctively — the words Shindogun had just spoken were not his own. They were her father's.
She met Shindogun's eyes. As expected, he smiled without a sound and gave a small nod.
Cheon Se-hwa held back her tears as she accepted the Demonic Physician's Favor Token and the silver library access token.
Next was Shin Gi-woon.
"First place, Shin Gi-woon. To your place."
"Yes."
First Place: Shin Gi-woon
The above student has claimed first place in Jamma Cave through transcendent martial prowess, blossoming into a once-in-a-generation talent as the youngest Peak master, and has contributed to averting a crisis for the Demonic Cult. In recognition of this achievement, he is hereby granted unlimited one-day access to the Heavenly Demon Library and the Heavenly Demon's Favor Token.
Cult Leader, Cheon Yu
"…!"
His mind went blank.
He couldn't make sense of it. The words he'd just heard didn't feel real. No — that wasn't it.
Averting a crisis for the Cult? I just did what needed doing!
He'd already received the Demon Heaven Pill. But to drop something even bigger at the graduation ceremony? This might not be the martial world proper, but there were still plenty of people here.
Word would definitely spread — that Shin Gi-woon, top graduate of Jamma Cave, had averted a crisis for the Demonic Cult.
And who would take that rumor as a warning?
Don't tell me… they've decided?
To root out the mysterious faction's spies planted throughout the Cult? Starting by elevating the renown of the new generation?
If that was true, things were about to get a bit annoying. And he hadn't expected the Heavenly Demon's Favor Token on top of everything else.
A favor token backed by the master of the greatest power under heaven. Its value couldn't be measured in money.
Watching them give the Demonic Physician's Favor Token to second place, he'd wondered what reward first place would receive.
Unlimited one-day access to the Heavenly Demon Library and the Cult Leader's own favor token? The expectations were so high they were crushing.
Not that he had the slightest intention of refusing. When they give, you take.
"Heavenly Demon Reborn, All Demons Bow! This humble one is overwhelmed by the Cult Leader's boundless grace!!"
"Ah, and this guy's already enlisted in our unit, so keep that in mind. Come join us and we'll treat you well — looking forward to plenty of applications."
Even the congratulatory remarks felt a bit slapdash. But it wasn't bad. The favor token itself proved he had the Cult Leader's attention.
When he stepped down from the platform, his companions were all staring at him with stunned faces. He had to admit it — who would have even imagined a Cult Leader's favor token?
As far as Shin Gi-woon knew, this thing didn't even originally exist. Across both his past and present lives, he'd never once heard of a Cult Leader's favor token.
Meaning it was newly made — a token created solely to bestow upon Shin Gi-woon. His shoulders felt heavy all over again for no good reason.
"Four years of Jamma Cave. You've all worked hard. There were twists and turns, but it's rare to see this many candidates graduate. You are now proper demonic practitioners. Wherever you go, never forget the Cult Leader's grace, and devote yourselves body and soul to his service. Are you prepared?"
"Yes!!"
All members of Jamma Cave's 362nd class are hereby graduated.
With Shindogun's final words, the Jamma Cave graduation ceremony came to an end. The candidates struck up conversations with those they'd grown close to.
Now they would leave Jamma Cave and go their separate ways. There was every chance they might never meet again.
Shin Gi-woon's group — the so-called Jamma Five Stars — were no different.
"When will we be able to meet again?"
Ma Ra-jin's question. No one dared answer lightly. Shin Gi-woon and Bi So-hyang would keep seeing each other, heading to the same unit.
The rest would scatter. Knowing how deep and precious the friendship forged through their youth truly was, parting like this was endlessly bittersweet.
"Who knows. If fate allows, maybe we'll meet again someday?"
Bi So-hyang's hopeful answer. She was right, really. Once they headed to their respective units, they'd be worked off their feet.
Without joint operations, meeting would be hard unless their leave happened to line up.
They could exchange letters, at least. Considering the lot of low-ranking members, they should probably figure on not seeing each other for at least three or four years.
"Thanks for everything up to now, all of you. Without you, this whole Jamma Cave thing wouldn't have been much fun."
"Agreed."
"Same here."
Sama Yul and Cheon Se-hwa echoed Shin Gi-woon's words. The truth was, Jamma Cave hadn't been built for fun. It was a training institution.
Selecting combat personnel. Forging asuras through endless blood-soaked killing. Jamma Cave's true purpose was to produce dogs who faithfully obeyed the Cult's orders.
It was never a fun environment. But thanks to those they'd shared it with, they'd found joy. Built friendships. Weathered hardships together.
"Feels weird just splitting up like this — want to go get a group portrait done?"
"Sounds good. We haven't even gotten our unit assignments yet, so I'm in."
"Me too."
"Feels like the end — but if we don't want it to be the end, we should go together, right?"
"Let's go. What's a portrait between friends."
Everyone agreed to the casually tossed suggestion. Shin Gi-woon snorted a quiet laugh. The man inside this young body was a middle-aged guy…
Playing at friendship with a bunch of green kids. If his master saw this, he'd have ten years' worth of material to mock him with.
But it wasn't bad. No — it was good. He'd thought it more than a few times now.
Together was several times better than alone. He could almost say he regretted never making friends in his past life.
Anyway.
Shin Gi-woon shot a discreet glance at Shindogun. He was already enlisted in the Thousand Transformations Soul Chasing Squad and preparing for field deployment, but the look was a request for a little more time. Fortunately, Shindogun granted it.
And so the Jamma Five Stars headed to the house said to paint the best portraits in the entire Cult.
They left the original at Jamma Cave, split five copies among themselves, and each went their own way.
Goodbye, my friends.
He didn't know when they'd meet again.
Until then — let's give everything we've got on our own paths.