Chapter 3
Chapter 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Sparring 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Another supervisor asked,
"Then has your father retired?"
"He passed away a few years ago, so I succeeded him."
"I'm sorry, but could you tell us how he passed?"
It was an unexpected question, but Baek Moo-jin replied with a calm, matter-of-fact expression.
"He'd been recuperating for a few years from a chronic illness he'd been suffering..."
"You need to be honest here. If it was from a duel or some grudge, we'd have to look into it further. Don't take it the wrong way—it's just standard procedure."
"Ah, it wasn't anything like that."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
Even as Baek Moo-jin repeated himself emphatically, the two supervisors nodded half-heartedly while jotting something down on the documents they were reviewing.
'These guys don't believe a word people say.'
Anyway, it was an unexpected question, but upon reflection, Baek Moo-jin didn't find it particularly offensive.
From then on, he silently observed the supervisors' expressions and auras. Aside from the lead supervisor in the center, none of them seemed to possess particularly high martial prowess.
The questions continued.
"If you're the patriarch, don't you have a family to look after? What do you plan to do if you pass?"
"Truth is, there aren't many retainers left."
"Well, if you get good results, it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring them here later on."
One supervisor spoke sympathetically, but another picked up in a curt tone.
"That's only if you pass."
The central lead supervisor spoke up as if wrapping things up.
"Let's end the awkward questions here. You do know that the Fourth Grade requires a high level of martial evaluation, right? Even if you pass the documents, most fail the combat assessment."
Baek Moo-jin nodded with a faint smile.
"I've heard that."
The supervisors took his smile as confidence and chimed in one after another.
"Looks like you've got some faith in yourself."
"Well, you must be confident to even try. We'll be expecting great things."
"Plenty have tried with confidence and slipped up. Better brace yourself."
"I'll keep that in mind."
The central lead supervisor spoke as if he'd finished reviewing the documents.
"Nothing else you're curious about?"
As the central supervisor glanced left and right, more questions followed.
"Got any organization in mind?"
Baek Moo-jin knew little about the North Heaven Alliance's specific subunits.
"I'd like to join a combat organization and gain some experience."
One supervisor replied in his usual curt tone.
"Passing is your only goal?"
Baek Moo-jin fell silent, staring at the supervisor as he thought,
'What nonsense is this?'
But the nonsense dragged on a bit longer.
"We've had plenty like you who say 'put me anywhere,' only to quit within a year and head back home. It wasn't about money. We've heard 'it just wasn't for me' more times than we can count. Not something to answer lightly."
Baek Moo-jin nearly burst out laughing at the bizarre remark but managed to hold it in.
The supervisor who'd shown some goodwill added,
"State your preferred department upfront. Fourth Grade picks those with clearer goals."
Baek Moo-jin nodded and said,
"Truth is, I don't know what organizations there are."
Isn't that obvious?
After answering, Baek Moo-jin looked at the supervisors. Their expressions were priceless—eyes full of reproach, as if he should've researched it beforehand.
On the other hand, Baek Moo-jin, scion of a fallen house though he was, wasn't one to shrink back by nature. He just blinked innocently at them.
One supervisor chuckled and said,
"If you want experience, nowhere beats the Sword Units. We can send you there if you want."
Baek Moo-jin chuckled along. He could sense the pointed edge at the end of the supervisor's words.
The lead supervisor spoke as if concluding,
"Alright, we've dragged out the post-passage talk long enough. Head to the center and loosen up. Your opponent will be here soon. Looking forward to it."
"Understood."
As Baek Moo-jin rose and walked to the center, the supervisors whispered among themselves.
"Who's handling the sparring assessment?"
"Heard it's a Silent Sword Unit deputy commander, but not sure which one."
"Silent Sword Unit... whoever it is, passing'll be tough."
"We'll see. Look at how he answers. He's confident enough to try."
"How many have strutted in with confidence and left looking like fools?"
"By the way, any more info on the applicant's grandfather? His martial level or anything?"
"I dug around a bit. Only that the Snow Mountain Baek Family joined the Great War of Righteousness and Evil. And that was ages ago—surprised there's even records."
These folks were martial artists too, after all.
They couldn't help but wonder what kind of skills a young man from Snow Mountain might possess.
Meanwhile, Baek Moo-jin stood calmly in the center, waiting for his opponent without a hint of tension. He eavesdropped on every whisper from the supervisors.
2.
As the door opened and a man entered, he immediately bowed to the supervisors.
"How are you, seniors?"
"Oh, Kang Yeop. Heh, come on in."
"Welcome. Deputy Commander Kang."
The man who entered was Kang Yeop, deputy commander of the Silent Sword Unit. He glanced briefly at Baek Moo-jin standing in the center.
The Silent Sword Unit held a somewhat unique position among the Sword Units.
It was an inspection organization that oversaw the discipline of North Heaven Alliance members and handled local security. As its deputy commander, his martial prowess had to rival that of mid-tier experts in the martial world.
No latecomer disciple with a reputation could possibly match him.
Kang Yeop, brimming with confidence, turned his gaze from Baek Moo-jin to the supervisors and said,
"I have a question for the supervisors."
"Speak."
"May my team observe?"
The lead supervisor shook his head.
"No observers allowed. Send them back."
"Understood."
Kang Yeop stepped out briefly to dismiss his team, and the supervisors' conversation continued.
"Why refuse? You usually allow a few observers."
The lead supervisor replied in a low voice,
"Kang Yeop has thick trust from above and below—no need for him to show any weakness to his subordinates. Just in case."
"Pardon?"
Implying Baek Moo-jin might win, the deputy supervisors turned their eyes to him in the center.
'Is he strong? Can't tell at all.'
'Is he clueless or just naturally composed? Hard to read.'
Lead supervisor Lee Yeon-seong had far more experience than the deputies. Moreover, his martial level was a significant step above theirs—he was a true master.
He sensed Baek Moo-jin had ample skill for Fourth Grade. It was just a hunch, but feeling how thoroughly Baek Moo-jin concealed his aura only solidified it.
'Not an ordinary guy.'
That was Lee Yeon-seong's conclusion.
3.
"Begin."
At the supervisor's word, Baek Moo-jin, standing in the center, offered a greeting to Kang Yeop, who approached slowly.
"Baek Moo-jin."
"Silent Sword Unit's Kang Yeop."
Kang Yeop used honorifics, keeping a deliberate distance. Even as he cupped his fists in greeting, his eyes scanned Baek Moo-jin's aura and demeanor.
Baek Moo-jin felt the sharp edge of a well-honed blade.
Regardless of skill level, it was the unmistakable aura of a warrior tempered in real combat.
On the other hand, Kang Yeop faintly sensed a chilling vibe emanating from Baek Moo-jin.
'Could he practice an ice-based art?'
Kang Yeop glanced at Baek Moo-jin's sword and said,
"Ready?"
"Yes."
At Baek Moo-jin's reply, Kang Yeop drew his sword in a crisp motion first. He waited a moment for Baek Moo-jin to do the same. But nothing happened, so Kang Yeop tilted his head.
"Are you prepared?"
"Yes, I am."
"Not drawing?"
"No."
Baek Moo-jin was just as puzzled by his own response.
He'd been ready since the supervisor called for the start. Drawing or not was his choice. Besides, he'd never sparred with outsiders, so his sense of propriety in such matters was a bit lacking.
'Do I really need to draw now...?'
Sensing the mood turn frosty, Baek Moo-jin spoke politely again.
"I'm ready."
Kang Yeop wasn't the only one put off. The supervisors looked displeased, as if they'd bitten into something bitter.
'Arrogant brat.'
'Planning to fight barehanded? Can't make sense of it.'
'Saying he doesn't even need to draw, but it doesn't feel outright disrespectful.'
Anyway, they just had to watch and see.
"Have a care."
Kang Yeop launched himself forward at once. With no mercy whatsoever, he swung his sword vertically in full force.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇