The Trial of the Green Wilderness
"So this is basically just outdoor survival training, isn't it?"
Bukjin stared at Ji Musshang, his expression shifting from disbelief to a chilling indifference. "Then tell me, what exactly constitutes being 'qualified' in your eyes?"
"If you can block my fist, I'll consider you qualified," Ji Musshang replied with a cold, predatory smirk. Without another word, he reared back and lunged, throwing a heavy punch straight at Bukjin’s face.
BOOM!
The air cracked with the force of the blow. Ji Musshang’s attack was deceptively fast, a blur of motion aimed to end the confrontation instantly. Bukjin reacted instinctively, throwing his arms up to intercept the strike.
THUD!
The impact sent a shockwave through Bukjin’s frame. He staggered back, his boots skidding across the dirt for nearly ten feet before he regained his balance. It was a glaring revelation of his current weakness: outside of his swordsmanship, his raw physical martial arts were still lacking.
"Hahaha! You can't even handle a single punch, and you think—"
Ji Musshang’s mockery was cut short by the sharp, metallic ring of steel leaving a scabbard.
SHRING!
The Deokhaeng Sword—the Sword of Virtue—flashed in the light as it cleared the sheath.
"You really have a knack for getting on my nerves," Bukjin said, his voice low and dangerous. "You started this."
"I started it? So what?" Ji Musshang’s confidence was peaking after seeing Bukjin stumble. He didn't even bother to draw his own weapon.
Bukjin sighed, his grip tightening on the hilt. "In that case... I have no choice but to rule with... Virtue."
The Deokhaeng Sword moved like a streak of lightning. The smirk on Ji Musshang’s face froze. Before he could even blink, the blade had carved through the air, stopping a hair’s breadth from his jugular.
"If it weren't strictly forbidden to injure other students within the estate," Bukjin said calmly, "you'd be a corpse right now."
"You..." Ji Musshang’s face contorted with a mix of fear and indignation. "I was empty-handed! You only got the drop on me because you drew your sword while I was standing still. If you’re so confident, why don't we try that again with steel?"
Bukjin didn't argue. He took a step back and sheathed his blade. Ji Musshang immediately reached for his waist, his fingers wrapping around his hilt with a sneer. "Now, let’s see how you—"
SWISH!
Before Ji Musshang could even clear his leather, Bukjin’s sword was back at his throat. It was so fast the eye could barely register the movement. The surrounding students gasped in unison. Most of them hadn't even seen the draw; one moment Bukjin was standing still, the next, his blade was poised for the kill.
If this had been a real battle, Ji Musshang would have died twice over in the span of a minute. The onlookers couldn't hide their shock.
'He didn't get 12th place by luck.'
'So this is the genius of the 3rd Academy? That swordsmanship is insane.'
'He’s not someone to be trifled with.'
Oh Sobang, watching from the sidelines, felt a jolt of genuine alarm. It wasn't just his imagination—Bukjin was significantly stronger than he had been during the mid-year competition. The speed of his growth was terrifying.
Bukjin looked at Ji Musshang with the cold, detached eyes of an assassin. "With swordsmanship that pathetic, do you really think you have the right to stand behind me?"
Ji Musshang trembled, flushed with a potent mix of shame and fury. He had never imagined the gap between them would be this vast. The difference in skill was absolute.
A short distance away from the confrontation, a beautiful student watched the scene with a strange light in her eyes. Even the elite representatives of the National Imperial Junior Academy were taking notice. Some looked intrigued, others remained indifferent, while a few maintained a mask of perfect serenity.
Suddenly, a heavy bell echoed through the estate.
"ASSEMBLE!"
A voice like rolling thunder shook the plaza, making the students' ears ring. Standing beneath a massive banner was a military officer clad in polished, ornate armor, a greatsword strapped to his side. He radiated the overwhelming pressure of a war god.
The hundred-plus students scrambled to form lines in front of him, guided by their respective teachers. They formed nine rows of varying lengths. The 3rd Academy’s line was the shortest, consisting of only four people, with Bukjin standing at the very front.
"Allow me to introduce our guest," Lee Cheong-hyeon announced, his voice infused with Hyeongi so it carried clearly to every corner of the plaza. "This is Commander Jin Geom-nam of the Unmong-wi, the garrison force of Unmong City."
Lee Cheong-hyeon stood beside the officer, his expression as stern as ever. "From today until the end of the selection trials, Commander Jin and his men will be responsible for the security of this estate. You are expected to cooperate with them fully."
The Commander stepped forward, his voice booming with vitality.
"I am Jin Geom-nam, a 2nd Grade Martial Warrior. Remember that. My men and I will not interfere with your trials. However! Absolute discipline within this estate is non-negotiable. Any act of defiance against my soldiers will be considered a breach of regulations and will result in immediate disqualification. Am I understood?"
"Yes, sir!" the students shouted back, though whispers quickly broke out.
"Whoa, a 2nd Grade Martial Warrior!"
"A real expert!"
Jin Geom-nam frowned at the chatter but stepped back without further word. Beside him stood another middle-aged man with a gentle face and salt-and-pepper hair. Lee Cheong-hyeon introduced him next.
"This is Lord Yeo Nak-yeon from the City Administration. He will be responsible for food distribution, administrative tasks, and score registration during the trials."
'An official from the City Administration is involved in a school trial?' Jeong Sam-seok, the 3rd Academy's instructor, felt a prickle of unease. Something about this felt off.
"And as you know, I am Lee Cheong-hyeon," the official continued. "I represent the Education Bureau and hold full authority over this 2nd-year selection trial for the Academic & Martial Arts Competition. My moniker is Iron-Faced Poison Tongue. You will soon understand why. Furthermore, there is one thing you must all keep in mind: there are 100 students in this camp. Only 20 will be officially selected to advance to the main tournament! I hope you all seize this opportunity to prove your worth."
'20 out of 100?' Bukjin was taken aback. That meant an 80% failure rate. It was brutal. Yet, at the same time, he felt a strange thrill. He was here for the Genius Token, but the competitive atmosphere was starting to make his blood boil. He felt a slight tremor in his hands—not from fear, but from anticipation.
"Now, I will explain the rules of the selection trial." Lee Cheong-hyeon’s eyes turned sharp and unforgiving.
1. The Hunt: You must hunt lower-tier magic beasts in the Green Wilderness. Starting tomorrow, the estate will provide no food or water. Your survival depends entirely on your own hands.
2. Star Emblems: There are 100 Star Emblems hidden throughout the wilderness. Each emblem is worth 10 points. To claim the points, you must bring the emblem back to the estate and submit it to Lord Yeo Nak-yeon.
3. Duration: The trial will last for 10 days. At the end of the period, the 20 students with the highest scores will advance.
4. Conduct: Killing or inflicting permanent, disabling injuries on other students is strictly prohibited. You must return to the estate every evening after sunset to report in.
"Do you understand the rules?" Lee Cheong-hyeon barked.
"Yes, sir!" the students roared. Most of them were veterans of the 1st-year competition and were familiar with these types of survival scenarios.
Bukjin, however, clicked his tongue inwardly. 'Dammit, this really is just a survival training exercise.'
But as he chewed on the rules, he realized the hidden trap. The requirement to "bring the emblem back and submit it" was the real kicker. It meant that as long as you didn't kill or permanently maim someone, you could steal emblems from other students on the way back to camp. Protecting your loot would be far harder than finding it in the first place.
Standing in the front row, Bukjin joined the others in cheering, putting on his best performance of an excited, hot-blooded youth.
"One last thing," Lee Cheong-hyeon added as the shouting died down. "Tonight, after sunset, there will be a bonfire. Consider it a time for mutual exchange and getting to know your peers. A grand feast will be provided—the first and last meal you will receive for free. You may eat your fill, but taking food out of the plaza is strictly forbidden. Once tomorrow comes, whether you eat or starve will be entirely up to your own fate."
The students cheered again before being dismissed. An hour later, the center of the plaza was transformed. Several large bonfires crackled and roared, surrounded by stone tables laden with roasted meats, fresh fruits, flatbreads, and wine. The aroma was intoxicating, instantly lifting the tension in the air.
Bukjin’s eyes sparkled as he surveyed the spread. Back on Earth, he had been a hardcore gamer, but he had also been a dedicated foodie. He wasn't about to let a free meal go to waste. If it was free, not eating was practically a sin.