Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: The Third Trial
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"The third trial will now begin!"
At those words, the trainees' expressions shifted.
They had suspected that their martial arts training in the academy wouldn't last forever.
But for the third trial to begin so abruptly, without any warning, right after their training had ended?
"The third trial? Wasn't this supposed to be the second one?"
Moreover, most of the trainees were completely unaware of the second trial Bu Eun-seol had gone through.
However, the more astute trainees remained unfazed.
They had already guessed there was another trial from the moment Bu Eun-seol boarded the boat to Hell Island.
"Soon, the cave will be sealed."
Just then, Baek Jeon-cheon, who stood beside Hyeokryeon Eung, stepped forward and spoke.
"From this moment on, gather any weapons or items you have stored in your quarters that you deem necessary."
Seeing the trainees' universally puzzled expressions, he spoke again.
"From now on, you will not be able to return to these quarters until the Ten Demonic Masters have been chosen."
"I don't understand what you mean!"
A boy among the trainees listening to Baek Jeon-cheon shouted in a loud voice.
"How are the Ten Demonic Masters to be chosen?"
"We are not the ones who will choose. You must choose among yourselves."
The boy's expression turned perplexed.
"Surely, you don't mean for us to discuss among ourselves and decide on the candidates for the Ten Demonic Masters?"
As the leisurely back-and-forth continued, Hyeokryeon Eung, standing beside them, scowled.
"I will speak."
Baek Jeon-cheon was a man of great intellect, but his manner of speaking was indirect, and he had a habit of being vague.
"Kill each other."
Hyeokryeon Eung's voice boomed like a temple bell, echoing across the entire island.
"Until the Ten Demonic Masters are chosen. Until I, your instructor, command you to stop. I said, kill one another. Do you understand?"
In that instant, the expressions of the trainees lined up before the stone mountain split into two groups.
Those who had expected it, and those who looked at the trainees beside them, utterly aghast.
"I have a question."
A girl with two iron swords strapped to her back called out.
"What happens if we don't fight?"
"You don't fight?"
"For example, if there are those who hide, or those who avoid combat by circling the island."
At the girl's sharp question, Hyeokryeon Eung bared his fangs in a grin.
"Of course, whether you hide or refuse to fight is up to you. But you will find it impossible to do so."
Hyeokryeon Eung's eyes, fixed on the girl, seemed to blaze with a scorching fire.
"Because as time passes, the area you can inhabit will become restricted."
*Shwack.*
Just then, Baek Jeon-cheon had his subordinates unfurl a large parchment.
The parchment was a detailed map showing the topography and features of Hell Island.
"If we deem that you are not fighting, or that the battles are dragging on, we will gradually restrict the areas you can occupy."
The trainees all gaped.
Restricting the area if the fighting stagnates?
This was the cruelest method, one that would drive the trainees into an extreme situation where they had no choice but to kill each other.
"What if we remain in a restricted area or continue to hide?"
In response to a trainee's question, Hyeokryeon Eung extended a finger.
*Fwoosh.*
A fierce burst of pure yang energy shot out, charring a portion of the map on the parchment black.
"Those who remain in the restricted zones will be slaughtered by the Sal-gwi."
*Shhhk.*
As soon as he finished speaking, shadows appeared like ghosts behind the platform.
The shadows, silhouetted against the sunlight, wore masks and assassin's garbs emblazoned with a bizarre pattern resembling reptile skin.
Though numerous trainees were looking up at the platform, not a single one had seen when they appeared.
Just then, a powerfully built boy, a head taller than the others, stepped forward from the crowd.
"Are we not allowed to attack these Sal-gwi?"
For a moment, a deadly silence fell over the clearing in front of the stone mountain.
"Wahahaha!"
Hyeokryeon Eung suddenly burst into laughter, then nodded with a satisfied expression.
"A candidate for the Ten Demonic Masters should be at least this bold!"
After laughing for a good while, a vicious smile, as if dredged up from the depths of hell, spread across his face.
"Of course you can attack them. If you have the skill, you can even kill them."
"Even... kill them?"
"That's right. If you can kill a Sal-gwi, you will immediately become one of the Ten Demonic Masters."
From Hyeokryeon Eung's guarantee, the trainees could sense it.
The martial prowess of the Sal-gwi was on a level beyond imagination.
That it would be easier to slaughter every trainee here than to deal with a single Sal-gwi.
"It doesn't matter if you form groups or launch sneak attacks. There are no restrictions whatsoever."
A reddish killing intent rose from Hyeokryeon Eung's eyes like a mist.
"If you can kill, do not hesitate to use any means necessary. That will be the fastest path to becoming one of the Ten Demonic Masters."
After studying the faces of the silent trainees one by one, Hyeokryeon Eung nodded.
"It seems you've understood perfectly."
Then, with a gaze as solemn and still as that of a grim reaper, he shouted.
"The third trial begins now!"
***
While Hyeokryeon Eung and Baek Jeon-cheon were on the platform explaining the third trial, Bu Eun-seol began to carefully observe the faces and characteristics of the trainees gathered at the stone mountain.
*'This is the last chance to gather information.'*
The number of trainees gathered in the clearing before the stone mountain was roughly ninety.
Once the third trial began, a battle that would span the vast island, there was no telling what might happen.
Some trainees might fashion masks for themselves, while others might even try to imitate the Sal-gwi.
"In the martial world, those with more information survive longer than those with superior martial arts."
These were the words Bu Jan-yang, who identified the cause of death and carefully prepared corpses for burial every day, always told Bu Eun-seol.
"Most martial artists who are killed die without ever drawing their weapon, without even knowing why they were targeted."
If they had observed their surroundings a little more carefully, they might have avoided the deadly trap.
If they had watched the people around them a little more closely, they might have fended off a sudden ambush.
Bu Eun-seol, who had learned this truth to his very core while cleansing corpses, intended to gain the upper hand in unexpected situations by gathering as much information as possible before the third trial began.
*'There are quite a few who have formed groups.'*
Observing the trainees around him, Bu Eun-seol was able to gather three pieces of information.
First, that many had formed groups.
A significant number of trainees were exchanging meaningful glances.
*'It's definitely different from before.'*
Second, that those who remained on Hell Island were talented individuals, skilled in both martial arts and strategy.
In the second trial, most had been confused and unable to adapt, but the trainees remaining here all wore calm expressions.
There were even some who, like Bu Eun-seol, stood silently in a corner, observing their surroundings.
They clearly understood the importance of information as well.
*'And there are quite a few who have learned various martial arts.'*
Third.
Among some of the trainees, he could see not only iron swords but also unique blades or weapons like whips.
Judging by how openly they wore them, they had likely received them during their martial arts training at the academy.
*'No. There are also some who have brought things hidden.'*
When they came to Hell Island, they had to surrender all their weapons and clothes, receiving an iron sword and a uniform in return.
Nevertheless, some trainees showed signs of carrying hidden weapons or other devices.
*'Even if they could fool the instructors, they can't fool my eyes.'*
Bu Eun-seol had prepared countless bodies of martial artists for burial.
The majority of martial artists who had died away from home were equipped with special hidden weapon mechanisms on their bodies.
While wearing clothes, they were almost unnoticeable, but once the clothes were removed, many such devices were often found in hidden places on the body.
*'Those kinds of items will act as variables in unexpected situations.'*
As Bu Eun-seol, lost in deep thought, narrowed his eyes,
*Thump.*
Bu Eun-seol powerfully kicked off the ground.
And he began to sprint at full speed toward the dense forest before him.
*'I have to get out of here immediately.'*
He had drawn the attention of many trainees ever since entering the intermediate hall of the martial academy.
If he didn't leave and lingered near the stone mountain, he could be jointly attacked by the more skilled trainees.
*Th-thump-thump.*
Just then, he sensed presences as shadows began to close in rapidly from behind.
*'They're after me.'*
Bu Eun-seol sensed that several people were pursuing him.
*Whoosh!*
Suddenly, the sound of something slicing through the air erupted behind him.
*Thwack, thwack, thwack.*
As Bu Eun-seol weaved through the complex forest path, the sound of hidden weapons embedding themselves in his surroundings echoed.
But he didn't even turn his head.
Glancing back would not only slow his pace, but if he saw their faces, they might be less willing to give up the chase.
*'I just have to hold out a little longer.'*
The slaughter had already begun; they would soon forget about his existence.
Interest in things unseen never lasts long.
*Whirrr. Thud.*
Even while sprinting at full power, Bu Eun-seol's expression was as calm as if he were taking a stroll on flat ground.
The two months of training on Hell Island had given him stamina of steel.
*'That place should be good.'*
For now, there were no restrictions on where he could stay.
In that case, he had to choose the safest place on Hell Island.
*Whoosh. Thud.*
As he ran with all his might toward the northern tip of the island, he saw a small thatched hut in the distance.
It was none other than the martial academy of Nang-ya-gak—the hut where the instructor resided.