You Son of a Bitch!

Eighty. It was an absurd number.

It was safe to say that Im Bukjin had swept up almost every single badge in this selection trial. The other students hadn't even stood a chance. Bukjin felt a sudden weight on his chest; he couldn't afford to let success ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slip through his fingers now that it was right in front of him.

For the past few days, Im Jin had been sticking to him like glue. She had been trying to teach him techniques for training his mental power, but Bukjin had repeatedly turned her down, claiming he hadn't even finished reading his basic textbooks yet.

Fortunately, an elegant middle-aged woman—the lead instructor from the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠National Imperial Junior Academy—had appeared at just the right moment to whisk Im Jin away. Only after Im Jin was dragged off did Bukjin finally manage to catch his breath.

From what Bukjin could see, that woman was no ordinary teacher. Even Im Jin, who was as haughty as a phoenix, was incredibly polite in her presence and never dared to breathe a word of protest.

Swoosh—!

The sound of rushing water filled the air. After stepping out of the hot springs and changing his clothes, Bukjin felt both exhausted and famished. Dragging his limp, weary body, he headed toward the stone pillar to check the standings.

As his eyes fell upon the pillar, his jaw nearly hit the floor.

What the hell happened? How did this many students get eliminated in a single day?

Bukjin was genuinely shocked to see that over thirty students had been knocked out.

My plan isn't even finished yet... I spent all that time planting the seeds and waiting for the harvest, and now this? Who the hell did this?

His stomach churned with frustration, but he had to face reality. Fortunately, about sixty students still remained. Bukjin continued to scan the rankings displayed on the pillar.

The more he looked at the scores floating above the stone pillar, the more his excitement bubbled up. Eventually, unable to contain his joy, Bukjin covered his face and let out a muffled giggle. His body trembled slightly from the sheer effort of holding back his laughter.

"Hahaha! Look at this. I suppose you actually have a sense of shame after all. Are you sobbing because you're too embarrassed to show your face with zero badges?"

It was Do Man-seong's voice.

"Y-Yeah... I'm just... so ashamed," Bukjin managed to choke out, his hands still clamped over his face.

Do Man-seong sneered at him. "Regretting it now, are you? It's too late. Tomorrow is the final day of the trials. Oh So-bang, whom you looked down on so much, will be advancing to the finals. And you? You'll be heading home, shivering in regret. Hahaha!"

After hurling a final round of mockery at Bukjin, Do Man-seong swaggered away.

"Student Im, don't be too discouraged. Who knows? You might get lucky tomorrow," came the voice of Yi Do.

"In fact, it's not too late. Why not reconsider my offer? Let's join forces. I truly wish to be friends with you, Student Im."

Bukjin, still covering his face with one hand, waved the other dismissively to signal his refusal. If he talked to Yi Do any longer, he was going to burst out laughing right then and there.

"Hoo, I see. A pity, but I suppose it can't be helped..." Yi Do said, sounding genuinely disappointed. "You would have gained so much by cooperating with me. As things stand, Student Mok Sim-wol is also very likely to advance. I hope you aren't being too stubborn, Student Im. I'd hate for you to regret this later..."

With that, Yi Do also departed. Bukjin's shoulders shook even more violently as he stood there with his face covered.

Suddenly, a hand patted him gently on the shoulder. It was his teacher, Jeong Sam-seok. He spoke in a voice dripping with sympathy.

"It's alright. There's no need to cry just because you couldn't find any badges."

Bukjin was now using both hands to cover his face, fighting a desperate battle against his own amusement. He wanted to say something, but his voice wouldn't come out right through the suppressed laughter.

"A-Ahem! Hic! I... I'm... pfft! I'm fine!"

Hearing that response only made Jeong Sam-seok's heart ache more. He spoke with a heavy sigh.

"Bukjin, you don't have to put on a brave face. It's not good to pressure yourself so much. As long as you've worked hard enough to be proud of yourself, that's what matters. It's not the end of the world if you don't make it to the finals. This is your first time competing, and your only technique is the Close-body Triple Link. When we return, I'll petition the academy to let you skip ahead to the third year. Then, you can begin training in Star-tier martial arts and mental power. Once you achieve the Harmony of Inner and Outer and become a true warrior, you can aim for the next competition."

Just then, Mok Sim-wol's voice cut in.

"Teacher, you are the lead instructor for the 3rd Academy. It's hardly fair for you to show such blatant favoritism toward one student."

Oh So-bang chimed in as well. "I intend to file a formal complaint with the academy once these preliminaries are over. Your favoritism is unbecoming of a teacher."

Jeong Sam-seok snapped back, his temper flaring. "Stop talking nonsense and get back to your places!"

In truth, the behavior these two had displayed over the past few days had completely eroded whatever lingering affection Jeong Sam-seok had for them.

"Heh, fine. We aren't in a position to argue with you right now, but once tomorrow comes and the results are out... once we've successfully advanced to the finals... well, you won't be able to talk to us like that anymore."

With cold expressions, Oh So-bang and Mok Sim-wol turned and left. Once they were gone, Jeong Sam-seok turned back to comfort Bukjin again.

"Don't worry about them. I'll be fine."

Hearing those words, Bukjin finally lowered his hands, showing his teacher that he wasn't actually crying, before retreating to his tent.

Phew... Holding back laughter is harder than holding back a massive dump.

Inside the tent, he found that Ak Hong-hyang had already prepared some fruits and vegetables for him. Indeed, a silent understanding had formed between the two of them. During the days he had been too busy 'hunting' to worry about food, Bukjin had sustained himself on the fruit Ak Hong-hyang brought him. She was repaying the kindness he had shown her on the first day when he gave her a whole chicken when she was at her lowest.

Since Mok Sim-wol and Oh So-bang rarely returned to the tent, Bukjin and Ak Hong-hyang were usually the only ones there. They had shared a few brief conversations, and the awkwardness between them had mostly vanished.

The night passed, and a new day dawned. The bright sun hung high in the sky, illuminating the camp. Bukjin set out alone as usual. However, he hadn't even traveled two miles from the camp when someone blocked his path.

It was Oh So-bang.

"Get lost. I don't have time to deal with you."

Seeing Oh So-bang, who spent all his time chasing after girls, made Bukjin's blood boil.

"I don't have time to teach you a lesson right now. Don't waste my time, or I won't go easy on you."

If he didn't have badges to find, Bukjin would have happily kicked Oh So-bang into the dirt and given him a proper thrashing. But Oh So-bang didn't look intimidated at all. He let ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠out a cold laugh.

"You think I'm still scared of you, Im? Heh, take a look at this."

Oh So-bang pulled out an ebony hairpin. It was as black as jade, simple in design, and didn't look particularly expensive. However, Bukjin's expression shifted instantly. That hairpin belonged to Ak Hong-hyang.

"What are you doing with that?" Bukjin growled, glaring at him.

Oh So-bang sneered. "I know you've been getting cozy with Junior Ak these past few days. Hehe. Im Bukjin, if you want her to stay safe, you'd better follow me."

Bukjin didn't bother responding. He drew his sword in a flash.

Swish—!

A cold gleam of steel erupted.

"Gah! You...!"

Oh So-bang let out a pained groan. In the blink of an eye, his leg had been slashed. The blade had cut deep into the muscle, and as blood began to flow, Oh So-bang collapsed to the ground. Bukjin immediately lunged at the fallen boy and began to pummel him.

"Kidnapping? Hostages? You want me to follow you?"

Thwack—!

"Do I look like the kind of guy who just follows orders?"

Thud! Crack!

"You son of a bitch! I thought you were just a pathetic skirt-chaser, but you're actually bullying your own schoolmate?"

Oh So-bang's screams echoed through the woods.

"S-Stop! Don't hit me! L-Let's talk! Let's just talk!" Oh So-bang shrieked, flailing on the ground.

Bukjin didn't stop until his own back and waist started to ache from the exertion.

"You absolute dog! You really don't listen until you've been beaten senseless!"

Still fuming, Bukjin gave Oh So-bang a few more parting kicks for good measure. "Where is Ak Hong-hyang? Lead the way!"

"Ugh... O-Okay..."

Oh So-bang had been beaten so thoroughly that his will to resist was completely shattered. His face was a mess of dark purple bruises as he nodded frantically. He scrambled to his feet and looked at Bukjin with a trembling gaze.

"D-Don't you even want to know what's going on?"

"Know what? I'll find out when I get there!" Bukjin snapped.

Oh So-bang felt like crying. If he was going to follow me anyway, why did he have to beat me up first? He was certain Bukjin had just been looking for an excuse to hit him.

A short while later.

They arrived at a spot about three miles from the camp. It was a beautiful little lake shaped like a crescent moon. When Bukjin arrived, he saw Do Man-seong sitting leisurely by the shore, enjoying a bit of fishing.

The thirty or so students who followed Do Man-seong were spread out in several defensive layers, completely surrounding the area. It seemed they had learned a thing or two during their nine days in the trials; they were positioned in a tight, orderly formation, looking like a miniature sect.

Zip—!

Do Man-seong flicked his wrist.

"Haha, I've got a bite!"

He pulled up a large white fish. Do Man-seong slowly unhooked it, then turned his head to look at Bukjin with a chilling smirk.

"Im Bukjin. I never imagined a piece of trash like you would actually care enough about his woman to come ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠all this way."

"Cut the crap," Bukjin said, sounding bored. "Where is Ak Hong-hyang?"

Do Man-seong's expression darkened at the lack of a reaction. He set down his fishing rod and clapped his hands twice.

Clap, clap!

In the distance, the tall grass parted. There, buried in the earth with only her head showing, was a person. It was Ak Hong-hyang.

Her usually neat and tidy hair was a tangled mess, and she was gagged with a cloth, unable to utter a sound. Standing guard over the buried girl were four female students, their swords drawn and ready.