Chapter 227
Chapter 227
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 227
Chapter Title: The Straw Dummy Test
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Thud. Thud.
Hyeok Mulin walked alongside Jeok Mugeon, following the man ahead of them.
In the process, Hyeok Mulin leisurely surveyed the interior of Saam Valley's main headquarters.
'The inside is about the same size as the Myeonggeum Stronghold's compound.'
Hyeok Mulin could gauge the approximate scale of Saam Valley just from a brief glance.
Of course, he couldn't compare their overall influence since the entire valley fell under Saam Valley's control, but he could estimate their level and size based on the meticulously crafted headquarters and the quality of the buildings.
'With this setup, they've probably been strutting around with their chests puffed out all this time.'
Being comparable to the Myeonggeum Stronghold, once one of the world's three great strongholds, meant their headquarters was equally vast. It gave him some understanding of the confidence stemming from their scale.
They might not have widespread fame across the world, but they dominated Guiju Castle more overwhelmingly than any other assassin group could dream of.
It was possible only because of their skills, geographical advantages, and intertwined interests.
And so, Hyeok Mulin took in the sights of Saam Valley as he followed the man leading the way.
Thud.
It wasn't long before Hyeong Du's footsteps halted.
He had arrived at a wide training ground, where a single straw dummy in human form stood in the center.
Unlike a typical training ground, there was only that one dummy.
Hyeong Du approached it, turned around with his back to it, and faced Hyeok Mulin and Jeok Mugeon.
"To determine if you're suitable to enter our valley, you'll undergo a simple test. Don't worry—it's nothing too difficult. The content is..."
Hold on.
Just before he could explain the test, Jeok Mugeon cut him off.
"We haven't heard who you are yet."
"Ah, did I forget to mention that?"
Hyeong Du nodded and introduced himself to them.
"I'm Hyeong Du, the killer in charge of new recruits here. Regardless of age or experience, all newcomers to Saam Valley pass through me. If you pass the test and join us, you'll undergo an adjustment period under my supervision."
"I see."
Jeok Mugeon nodded and continued.
"Then please proceed with the explanation."
"The test you'll take this time is..."
With a smooth motion, he reached into his robe and pulled out something pinched between his thumb and forefinger.
"This."
"...Daggers?"
Between his fingers gleamed two sharply honed daggers.
Small enough to fit in a palm, but deadly enough to kill a person.
Hyeong Du handed one to each of Hyeok Mulin and Jeok Mugeon before explaining the test in earnest.
"It's simple. You see that straw dummy behind me?"
"Yes."
"Just stab your dagger into its vital points. The kind of strike that would kill a person instantly."
Jeok Mugeon looked slightly puzzled at those words.
Simply stabbing a vital point seemed far too easy for a test.
As he wondered if that was really all there was to it, Hyeong Du smirked as if reading his thoughts and added,
"But I'll be standing right in front. The moment your attack risks hitting me, you're out."
Of course.
It couldn't be that straightforward.
In the end, what he was saying with this test was simple.
Try piercing through me and taking the target's life.
Judging by his gait and subtle aura, he was no novice assassin, so he had every reason to be confident.
"The test starts now. Come at me."
Hyeong Du assumed a proper stance.
But the two men still hadn't moved from their spots.
Jeok Mugeon glanced sidelong at Hyeok Mulin for a moment.
'What will you do, Lord?'
He could do it if ordered. But if the Lord decided to refuse such a test, he would follow that will. He needed to confirm his intent.
Thus, Jeok Mugeon silently waited for Hyeok Mulin's decision.
Hyeok Mulin stared wordlessly at the dagger in his hand before shifting his gaze to Hyeong Du ahead.
'I had a feeling it wouldn't be an ordinary test.'
From the first moment he saw him, that gaze had felt off.
They had entered without informing Jeok Gyeom, so he shouldn't know, yet his eyes brimmed with interest, as if anticipating something.
'He must have prepared this test separately.'
For a place like Saam Valley to recruit new assassins with just this would be like telling them not to bother coming.
How many new recruits could truly pierce the defenses of someone at the executive level here and hit the target?
This was essentially a trial declaring they wouldn't accept any, so it was clearly not their standard test.
'Well, doesn't matter.'
His identity hadn't been exposed, and they weren't being turned away at the door under the pretense of not taking recruits.
Hyeok Mulin looked at Hyeong Du and tossed out one question.
"Just one thing."
Hyeong Du paused, about to speak naturally.
It wasn't even a question—it was more like a declaration.
Realizing that, he nearly bristled at the arrogance from a mere recruit, but he quickly steadied his breathing and calmed himself.
Probably just some naive kid who doesn't know the world.
He could educate him once he was under his command. Until then, he was just an outsider.
"Speak."
Responding with maximum leniency, Hyeong Du smiled.
Hyeok Mulin then asked about the test rules.
"How much time do we get?"
Time limit, huh.
Hyeong Du pondered.
It was a condition he'd never considered before.
Of course, he'd never run this test previously, so it was natural.
After some thought, Hyeong Du made his decision.
He glanced at the sun overhead, then pointed at it with his finger.
"See that sun? We'll continue until that obliquely hanging sun reaches directly overhead."
This should be just right.
Having overseen countless recruit tests, Hyeong Du felt more time was unnecessary.
The pass or fail was decided in an instant anyway.
You could tell their level with just a glance.
But he hadn't set it too short out of expectation for these new applicants.
'Come on, then. I'll verify if those from Singang truly have superior talent.'
Hyeong Du lowered his stance and heightened his vigilance.
He had no intention of going easy.
He planned to draw out their very best—or more—to satisfy his curiosity.
But contrary to his fierce resolve, the two men ahead still showed no movement.
Growing irritated, Hyeong Du spoke with evident annoyance.
"What are you doing? Aren't you going to take the test?"
Hyeok Mulin slowly parted his lips at that.
"You're talking nonsense."
"What...?"
Hyeong Du's pupils flashed with rising anger.
But undeterred by the icy glare, Hyeok Mulin continued calmly.
"I've already completed the test."
"I'm not in the mood for jokes."
"If you think it's a lie, just look behind you."
Hyeong Du fell silent at those words.
Now that he noticed, the dagger was gone from his hand.
Moments later, he glared at Hyeok Mulin with steely eyes and said,
"If this is a trick to make me turn away, you'll pay dearly."
Hyeong Du issued the warning in a stiff voice before slowly turning his head.
And the moment he checked the straw dummy—
"Gasp—!"
He involuntarily sucked in a sharp breath.
The dagger was embedded precisely in the dummy's heart.
Deep enough to guarantee instant death, sunk in impossibly far.
Taking in the sight, Hyeong Du rubbed his eyes in disbelief at the impossible scene.
Yet the reality before him remained unchanged.
'How in the world...?'
They'd stood motionless in place. He hadn't sensed their presence slipping away even once. There hadn't been a single moment to suspect they'd thrown the dagger. How had this happened?
Hyeong Du racked his brain to see if he'd missed something, but no matter how he thought, he couldn't find the answer.
Had they somehow slipped past his senses while he glanced at the sun—however briefly—stabbed the dummy, and returned?
He considered the possibility but soon shook his head.
'Impossible for a human body.'
Hyeong Du dismissed that sole option.
Then what exactly had he done?
Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked Hyeok Mulin.
"Explain how this happened."
Hyeok Mulin gave a simple reply.
"What you see is everything."
"......"
It wasn't much of an answer, but Hyeong Du asked no more.
His curiosity was sated.
"You pass."
He didn't know how he'd done it, but this was a man he absolutely wanted to keep close and observe.
Fooling even him? Perfect qualities for an assassin.
Having passed Hyeok Mulin, Hyeong Du turned his gaze to Jeok Mugeon beside him.
Having come with him, expectations were high.
"Hm......"
After Hyeok Mulin passed, Jeok Mugeon readied himself and flung the dagger with a flourish.
But upon seeing its trajectory, deep disappointment clouded Hyeong Du's face.
'I had hopes since he came with the other, but one turned out to be a dud.'
The spinning dagger missed not only the dummy but veered far wide of even reaching Hyeong Du.
Hyeong Du turned away with a sigh and said to Jeok Mugeon,
"You fail."
"Why?"
"Throwing the dagger I gave you ends it. No redos with other weapons."
"Your observation skills are lacking."
Jeok Mugeon, arms crossed, continued leisurely.
"Look behind you."
"......?"
Look behind again? He'd thrown it so far off there was nothing to see.
Hyeong Du furrowed his brows but glanced back at Jeok Mugeon's unshakable composure.
And in that instant—
"No...!"
His eyes bulged.
The dagger was lodged in the dummy's throat.
Seeing it, Hyeong Du said in a trembling voice,
"Don't tell me... the dagger that flew wide curved back around?!"
"That's right."
Assassins threw daggers in many ways.
But making one spin back? At least in Hyeong Du's experience, it was godlike skill he'd never witnessed.
Speechless, Hyeong Du finally spoke slowly.
"......Pass."
There was nothing else to say.
"You both pass. Head to Salbae Hall, the new recruits' quarters, and unpack."
"Good work."
After Jeok Mugeon's brief encouragement, they passed Hyeong Du and left the training ground.
But Hyeong Du still couldn't move from his spot.
"...What did I just witness?"
Stunned by the storm-like arrival of these two recruits, he remained in shock.
Only after a good while did he snap out of it, swallowing dryly before speaking.
"Un."
"Yes, Killer."
At his voice, a subordinate appeared nearby.
"Has the Valley Lord returned?"
"Yes. Yesterday."
Perfect timing.
"Great. I need to see the Valley Lord."
A loose grin tugged at Hyeong Du's lips.
'These recruits I saw with my own eyes—especially that first one...'
They were sure to cause a massive stir in Saam Valley.