Chapter 82
Chapter 82
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Extreme Thorn Peak
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The morning sun filtered through after dawn had passed.
After wandering the western region for several days, Hyeok Mulin pushed through the dense thickets, shrubs, and towering trees.
The branches of the lush trees intertwined like spiderwebs, allowing only faint rays of sunlight to pierce below.
'Everything here grows enormous.'
Not just the trees and leaves—even the crawling insects were incomparably massive compared to their counterparts in the outside world.
Having surveyed such wonders, Hyeok Mulin headed toward the island's center while reassessing the situation and formulating a plan.
"I've made it safely onto the island, but that's just the beginning."
Breaking through the raging whirlpools and dragon spouts to enter the Millennium Prison Isle was an unprecedented feat no one had ever accomplished.
But his goal wasn't merely reaching the island—it was finding Gwangui. He had only just toed the starting line.
'The most urgent priority is grasping the island's layout and the inmates' organization.'
The Secret Affairs Hall had scoured and reported everything that could be investigated from outside, but the internal structure remained a mystery.
Thus, wandering aimlessly in search of Gwangui's whereabouts was not only inefficient but carried significant risks.
'There's still so much I need to learn.'
How did the inmates survive on this vast island?
How were they divided among themselves?
And how much interference did the Murim Alliance exert after dumping them here?
All those details lay hidden beneath the surface.
Whether through observation, surveillance, or direct contact, Hyeok Mulin first decided to seek out other people.
'I need to find a water source.'
From the dawn of humanity, nothing was more essential than water.
Historically, people had always settled near water for easy access.
Closing his eyes and focusing on his hearing, Hyeok Mulin soon detected the gentle babbling of flowing water.
"That way."
Confirming the sound, he opened his eyes again.
Yet his feet remained planted.
Standing motionless, Hyeok Mulin parted his lips instead of his stance.
"Come out."
"……."
No response came to his words.
Turning his head, he fixed his gaze on the distinct presence he felt.
At that, two shadowy figures hidden atop the trees flinched in surprise and hurled hidden weapons.
Shuuuk!
Hyeok Mulin casually tilted his head to evade the attack.
Their eyes widened in shock as they leaped out, circling him in a pincer formation.
Hidden weapons poured toward him from their grips like scattering leaves.
Tadadak!
But they all sliced through empty air, embedding into the ground.
As Hyeok Mulin's form vanished, the panicked pair scanned their surroundings.
Moments later, a low voice echoed from behind them.
"Who are you?"
The chilling presence from the rear froze their bodies in an instant.
As cold sweat beaded on their chins, they simultaneously drew daggers from their bosoms and slashed their palms, drawing blood.
Only then did their stiffened movements loosen, allowing their legs to move.
Tadak!
Scattering left and right, they arced into the sky.
From both sides, they flung their daggers at Hyeok Mulin simultaneously.
Yet those daggers missed their mark once more.
No—this time, they veered toward a new target.
Hyeok Mulin had flicked an incoming dagger with his fingertip, redirecting it back at the opposite foe.
"No!"
"Kuhk!"
The blades pierced precisely into their collarbones and waists.
Their faces drained to a sickly blue as they yanked out the daggers, blood dripping in thick drops, and retreated.
Hyeok Mulin had no intention of pursuing, so he let them go.
He could have subdued them to interrogate about their background and the island's situation, but that would make enemies of these unknowns.
'It's not like I gained nothing.'
From their ambush, he'd already gleaned one piece of information.
Whether they were wardens or inmates, they moved without apparent restrictions.
There were no safe zones on this island.
'I'll have to watch and wait for now.'
Nodding to himself, Hyeok Mulin turned and resumed his steps.
Joljoljol.
Soon reaching a babbling stream, he followed its course.
At one point, a bulky shape burst suddenly from the right-side thicket.
Kweeek!
Letting out a guttural screech, the wild boar charged aggressively at Hyeok Mulin.
Just as it lunged with its tusks.
Kung!
Hyeok Mulin's hand chop sent the boar crumpling to the ground with a lump on its head, out cold.
"What the hell is this?"
As Hyeok Mulin scratched his beard, eyeing the fainted boar, rustling came from the thicket again.
And soon, something else emerged.
This time, not a boar—but a man.
A middle-aged fellow clad in bear hide, his eyes strikingly clear and bright.
Emerging from the bushes, he startled at the sight of Hyeok Mulin, then glanced down at the sprawled boar.
Alternating looks between Hyeok Mulin and the boar, he scratched his cheek as realization dawned.
"Uh... that boar was the one I was chasing..."
At his sheepish tone, Hyeok Mulin glanced at the boar and replied.
"Take it. I only subdued it because it charged me."
"Really? Thanks!"
His face lit up with a beaming grin.
"Name's Mok Yangil."
"Nameless wanderer."
A curt reply, but Mok Yangil grasped its meaning fully.
Nameless wanderer.
An obvious alias.
But on this island, that was hardly unusual.
With all the martial world's wanted criminals gathered in the Millennium Prison Isle, many hid their true identities behind nicknames or false names.
"A young hero, then. Nice to meet you."
After the exchange, before touching the boar, Mok Yangil paused as if recalling something.
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
"I see! Then let me treat you properly. This boar's as good as yours thanks to you."
Finishing, he promptly gathered dry branches, struck flint from his bosom to spark a fire.
He hung the boar upside down and butchered it with practiced ease.
He moved with utter familiarity, without a hint of hesitation.
Before long, he offered a sizzling roasted hunk.
"Try it. No idea how long it's been since I last had boar."
Handing over a hind leg, he grabbed another piece and tore into it heartily.
His face brimmed with joy and deep satisfaction.
Watching him, Hyeok Mulin's gaze shifted to the meat in his hand.
Taking a bite, he chewed slowly and swallowed.
But his reaction contrasted sharply.
'It reeks of gamey musk.'
Hardly surprising.
Wild boar roasted on the spot without a single spice.
Devouring it like some delicacy of the world showed his palate had fully adapted to island life.
Finishing one leg in no time, he reached for a foreleg.
Just as it neared his mouth, he halted and asked Hyeok Mulin.
"I've lived here long enough that most folks know me, but you're a new face. When did you arrive?"
"Recently. You're the first person I've met here."
"Heh. First one you meet is me."
Gazing at Hyeok Mulin in surprise, he added with relief.
"Lucky you haven't run into the Eternal Island Overlord Association yet. Heaven's grace, it seems."
"Eternal Island Overlord Association?"
"You really know nothing. Where to even start..."
Mok Yangil frowned briefly before speaking.
"Before them, let me explain the island first."
The Millennium Prison Isle was the island prison where the Murim Alliance transported captured martial criminals.
All subdued warriors had their dantians crippled before being sent here.
"But as you know, once they're dropped off, the Alliance washes its hands. After that, it's total abandonment. We don't even know who dies or who newly arrives."
The wardens merely deposited inmates and left, offering no further interference.
Complete neglect.
Or rather, it felt designed to incite battles among them.
Despite crippling dantians, they allowed personal weapons to be brought along.
Thus, only inmates remained, forming their own factions—broadly three groups.
The Heavenly Snare Liberation Society dominating the northern half.
The Eternal Island Overlord Association holding the southern half.
And the scattered remnants living in small bands across the island.
"Truth be told, small-timers like me, excluding a few, are those they rejected. We just scrape by day to day."
The Heavenly Snare Liberation Society and Eternal Island Overlord Association stood in tense stalemate, but their natures differed sharply.
True to its name, the Heavenly Snare Liberation Society gathered those seeking escape from the Millennium Prison Isle. They shared a common goal but lived separately with loose bonds.
In contrast, the Eternal Island Overlord Association united those craving dominion over the island and its inmates, clustering tightly to strengthen solidarity.
"So what did you mean by heaven's grace?"
"The Overlords are brutal beyond measure. They test every newcomer they spot—pass, and you're in; fail, and you're dead."
Those ambushers from earlier were Overlords.
Hyeok Mulin nodded, piecing it together.
"No need to overthink yet. First, adapt to the island."
"I see."
Pausing briefly, Hyeok Mulin continued.
"By chance, are there any physicians here?"
"Physicians? Ah, right."
Mok Yangil tilted his head at the question, then dawned realization.
"Newbie through and through."
Grinning knowingly, he nodded.
"Most newcomers like you seek out doctors to restore their dantians upon arrival. But I've never seen one succeed."
"Still, I'd like to check."
"Hm..."
He pondered Hyeok Mulin's request with a hum.
"Fair enough—seeing is believing."
Nodding, he agreed.
"Very well. Since we've met by fate, I'll guide you to where the physicians live."
"Appreciated."
Extinguishing the fire and erasing traces, Mok Yangil packed the smoke-cured meat, bundling and hanging the rest high in a tree with leather straps.
Carving a mark on a branch, he checked direction and headed east.
"Follow me."
Mok Yangil navigated the forest swiftly with practiced steps.
Hyeok Mulin kept pace effortlessly, belying his newbie status, so he quickened further.
After about an hour, a jagged peak piercing the sky came into view.
Far off, it resembled a massive awl—narrowing and sharpening upward.
As Hyeok Mulin stared, Mok Yangil glanced and remarked.
"That's Extreme Thorn Peak."
Gazing at it briefly, he warned Hyeok Mulin.
"Look all you want, but don't go near it."
"...?"
At Hyeok Mulin's puzzled look, he continued.
"A monster lives there."
"Monster?"
His voice laced with doubt at the abrupt claim.
But Mok Yangil shuddered as if chilled by the mere thought, parting his lips in a quivering tone.
"A ferocious mad demon dwells on that peak."