Chapter 202
Chapter 202
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 202
Chapter Title: Hyun U-rin, the New Hunter
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A certain unit of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The unit members, who had somewhat rough faces, began appearing at the assembly point.
They stopped in their tracks and glanced around, then let out deep yawns one by one as they started speaking up.
"A muster this early in the morning—what the hell's going on?"
"Whenever this happens, it never ends well."
"You don't think it's another special training trip like last time, do you?"
"Don't jinx it. No way they'd put us through that again."
The group gathered at the assembly point was none other than the new recruits Ebi-ja had assembled for the Heavenly Demon Army.
Though they didn't even have an official unit name yet, they bore the pride of being part of the Heavenly Demon Army and endured Ebi-ja's grueling training, growing stronger day by day.
But even they had a training they feared.
"He's right. Words can bring bad luck, you know. Don't even say it."
"Ugh, that last special training... just thinking about it makes my whole body shiver."
The reason they recoiled in horror was the special training they'd undergone not long ago at the frigid Tae-gang Snow Mountains.
There, on a mountainside so cold it chilled them to the bone amid raging blizzards, they'd been forced to practice archery in hellish conditions.
Countless unit members had given up or fallen behind in the process, and in the end, they were all kicked out of the unit.
Thus, the recruits gripped the strings of tension once more.
Joining the unit wasn't the end of it.
On the surface, it was training to improve organizational cohesion, but that wasn't the only goal.
Ebi-ja was still in the process of weeding out who truly deserved the Heavenly Demon Army name.
In the previous special training, half the unit had been cut.
"If we're ordered to, we have no choice."
"But it's not something I'd want back-to-back."
"Only the Unit Leader knows the answer to that..."
As they chatted, their eyes turned uniformly to the platform at the front.
Up there, Unit Deputy Song Joa, who had been scratching his cheek, looked back at them and spoke.
"What's with those looks?"
"Do you know what's going on, Deputy?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Why the Unit Leader called us out at this ungodly hour."
They gazed at Song Joa with pleading eyes, but he couldn't give them the answers they wanted.
"No idea."
It was the truth.
He, too, had been summoned here without any prior word from Ebi-ja.
He usually trained from early morning, but it had been ages since they'd gathered before the dawn mist even cleared.
This was only the second time since the last special training announcement.
"No way... right?"
Song Joa knew exactly what that question implied and chimed in.
"We can only hope not."
Even as the deputy, finishing Ebi-ja's special training wasn't easy for him.
Of course, it was an unparalleled opportunity where you could feel your skills improving every moment.
'But the cycle's too short.'
Special training had to be special to mean anything.
They were still struggling to fully internalize what they'd learned from the last one, so another round now wouldn't yield the same results.
And Ebi-ja, as the unit leader, knew that better than anyone.
There was no need to speculate on the worst-case scenario when nothing had been announced yet.
"Just wait a bit. The Unit Leader will be here soon."
He brushed them off, and shortly after.
The rowdy recruits gradually fell silent, their eyes fixed on the platform.
Before long, Ebi-ja had taken his place there, gazing down at the unit members.
Silence fell over them, and Song Joa, standing beside him, spoke up.
"Everyone's here."
Ebi-ja nodded and slowly parted his lips.
"Sorry to drag you out so early. But we can't afford to slack. We'll be heading out soon."
Heading out?
Did that mean another special training?
As unease rippled through the group, someone posed a question.
"Where are we going, and for what?"
"The unit's been assigned a mission."
"A mission...!"
The recruits' eyes lit up at Ebi-ja's words.
Made up of former hunters, they'd joined imagining themselves standing tall in the Heavenly Demon's direct unit, showcasing their prowess.
But they hadn't had a real chance to shine yet. This was their first mission amid endless training, so they had every reason to welcome it.
"Finally, our first mission!"
"What's the details?"
"Reports came in that security's been shaky in a few small villages lately."
Villages within Shin-gang were all under the Cult's protection, but fully managing remote ones with sparse populations was tough.
As a result, small groups or villages naturally relied on hunters not just to hunt local beasts but also to guard against outsiders.
'But that changed when this unit was formed.'
After being recruited by Ebi-ja, Song Joa had scoured Shin-gang recruiting top-tier hunters.
With those skilled hunters gone, some villages took an immediate hit, and security issues cropped up.
In the end, they were heading out to fix the very problems they'd caused.
"Our target is Wi-gang in the northeast of Shin-gang."
At the heart of Wi-gang lay North Strong Mountain.
"At its peak sits a mountain stronghold called North Stronghold."
Until recently, its inhabitants had kept to the mountains, but now they were raiding nearby villages, mercilessly plundering Cult members.
This mission was to wipe that North Stronghold clean off the map.
Having heard Ebi-ja's brief explanation, the recruits wore complex expressions mixing anticipation with other emotions.
Getting their first mission was great.
But it felt unworthy of the Heavenly Demon Army name.
'In the end, it's just bandit-busting.'
It fell short of their expectations, and disappointment showed on some faces.
Noticing their looks, Ebi-ja spoke up.
"I know what you're thinking. But drop it. Remember, we're still on probation."
Unlike the recruits, Ebi-ja viewed the mission with cold pragmatism.
They weren't an officially named unit yet, nor were the members finalized, so major missions were off-limits.
They had to start with tests for the unit itself.
Ebi-ja harbored no complaints about the process.
"Besides, if it were ordinary bandits, they wouldn't send us."
"So it's not your average bandit crew?"
A question shot back immediately at his words.
He nodded firmly.
"Right. Intel says the stronghold's chief is a Taoist from the Central Plains' Nine Great Righteous Sects who slipped into Shin-gang."
"......!"
"Our real goal is to confirm if that's true."
Only then did the recruits grasp the mission.
If the Nine Great Righteous Sects had infiltrated a spy, the Cult had no choice but to verify it thoroughly.
"And if we confirm it and the intel's solid?"
To that question, Ebi-ja replied in a chilling voice without hesitation.
"We eliminate him."
This unit was the Heavenly Demon's bodyguard and personal guard.
It would also be Hyeok Mulin's shield and arrow moving forward.
Anyone hindering the Cult's path would be dealt with mercilessly.
That was an ironclad rule.
"That covers the mission briefing."
Swipe.
He glanced sideways before continuing.
"A new member has joined the unit."
"A newbie now?"
"At this timing?"
The recruits tilted their heads in confusion.
Since selecting the initial members, they'd only cut people—no additions.
As they shot puzzled looks, a man walked up from the edge of the platform.
He stopped beside Ebi-ja and gazed down at the recruits.
His face was veiled with cloth over both ears, revealing only his sharp eyes.
It was Hyeok Mulin.
Ebi-ja immediately began explaining.
"A hunter from Seven Peaks Mountain, renowned for his exceptional skills. That's why I brought him in."
"Seven Peaks?"
"Where's that?"
"Never heard of it."
The recruits scratched their heads at the unfamiliar name—which was only natural.
Seven Peaks Mountain didn't exist in Shin-gang.
Ignoring their reactions, Ebi-ja pressed on.
"I recruited him early on, but he kept refusing until recently. Treat him well. His skills are beyond doubt, so no worries there."
"Ho, is that so."
"If he's skilled, he's welcome."
"A rare young one among us."
"But why the face covering?"
"That's..."
As Ebi-ja trailed off, Hyeok Mulin spoke from beside him.
"I was mauled by a tiger as a kid and left with ugly scars. It's to keep them from others' eyes. I hope you understand."
"Oh man..."
"Tough break."
"No worries, friend. We're all one now. Even if your veil slips, no one here'll breathe a word about the scars."
They welcomed Hyeok Mulin with their rough but warm camaraderie.
He exchanged a brief glance with Ebi-ja before stepping down from the platform.
Immediately, the recruits swarmed him with questions.
As the sole newbie, all eyes and curiosity were on him.
"Where's your hometown?"
"Got a family?"
"How'd you meet the Unit Leader?"
As he fielded the barrage with suitable answers, someone asked the most crucial question.
"What's your name, anyway?"
The others shared the curiosity, and the area quieted.
In the hush, he slowly spoke.
"The name's Hyun U-rin."
"Hyun U-rin!"
"Solid name."
Meanwhile, Ebi-ja, still on the platform, couldn't tear his eyes away.
Recalling Hyeok Mulin's promise not to reveal his identity, an inexplicable unease surged in his chest.
Moreover, the veteran hunters meant most recruits were middle-aged.
They treated the son-like Hyun U-rin with instant fondness.
They slapped his back in encouragement, spat as they laughed right in his face.
Through it all, Hyeok Mulin just smiled faintly.
And the only one who knew the truth, Ebi-ja, broke into a cold sweat, praying desperately inside.
'Please... stop...!'
He wanted to seal every hand, foot, and mouth in the unit right then.
But Hyeok Mulin had ordered no interference beforehand, so he could only watch.
Unaware, Song Joa watched Hyun U-rin fondly from the side, then noticed Ebi-ja's expression and asked curiously.
"Hm? Why the funeral face?"
Ebi-ja slowly turned, locking eyes with Song Joa.
Then, with blazing eyes, he intoned gravely.
"This mission... we're staking our lives on it."
Otherwise.
"None of us will make it out alive."