Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: First Grade Warrior 1
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While Baek Moo-jin was lost in thought alone, the executives in the Execution Hall—where a report on him had already been filed—were discussing him late into the night.
"Do whatever you think is best about going to Snow Mountain to investigate. What I'm curious about is just how strong Baek Moo-jin really is. Estimates? The report's a bit vague."
Woo Tae-jeong, the Leader of the Execution Hall, shot a reproachful glance at Lee Yeon-seong as he spoke. Lee Yeon-seong, who had attended as the chief supervisor, replied cautiously.
"It's exactly as the report states. Estimated to be at least on par with a Commander level, but further verification is needed. That's why the answer had to be ambiguous. Baek Moo-jin held back against Kang Yeop. If I had to guess, I'd say there's probably no one even among the Commanders who could take him down."
Woo Tae-jeong responded.
"That strong?"
Lee Yeon-seong continued.
"Isn't Kang Yeop strong himself? That's why I reported it separately. There's not much information on the Snow Mountain Baek Family. But honestly, his martial arts seem powerful enough to make his name known not just in the North Heaven Alliance, but across the entire martial world."
How could he speak so confidently based on just one spar? Yet Woo Tae-jeong had no choice but to trust Lee Yeon-seong's judgment. That was precisely why he held the position of chief supervisor.
Jeong Myeong-hyeon, the Deputy Leader who had been listening quietly, replied with an admiring look.
"We've got a real gem here. What do you think, Leader? He's no ordinary Fourth Grade Warrior. We could run more tests and bump up his rank. Or maybe consult with the other organizations to see if we can pull him into covert ops."
Woo Tae-jeong shook his head.
"We can't assign him special missions yet. How could we throw someone whose background we haven't fully checked into a task? Instead, let's confirm his strength for sure. Go through the proper channels with the Hidden Shadow Pavilion."
"What rank should we request?"
Woo Tae-jeong pondered for a moment before adding.
"Request a First Grade Warrior. We can't have the examinee beating them again, after all. We'll discuss Baek Moo-jin further once we see the results. We can decide then whether to keep his Fourth Grade treatment or not."
"Understood."
Woo Tae-jeong glanced at his subordinates' expressions for a moment, then tapped his desk.
"So Baek Moo-jin is young? What does that matter? You don't know much about the Snow Mountain Baek Family? How could anyone know every hidden faction lurking in the martial world? Don't stir up trouble unnecessarily—treat him with even more respect. The more word spreads that the North Heaven Alliance favors the strong, the better. And once the First Grade Warrior is confirmed, set a time and let me know. I want to watch too."
"Understood. I'll inform you as soon as it's ready."
2.
The North Heaven Alliance's long day was drawing to a close.
Passers and failures had been separated, followed by joy and sorrow. Even the passers weren't entirely thrilled. From now on, they'd have to leave their families behind and live among strangers.
Lives once spent merely aiming to pass some test had been upended overnight into the harsh reality of surviving in the martial world.
Sure, high pay and the pride of belonging to the North Heaven Alliance would come with it, but so would equal measures of danger and hardship.
And that was just the beginning.
Living in the martial world meant throwing yourself into a merciless existence where a blade could strike you down anywhere, anytime.
Especially in an organization like the North Heaven Alliance, which clashed with rivals, discipline was ironclad. Many died on missions or in disputes, but occasionally, those who gravely violated internal rules or committed crimes faced summary execution.
That's why quite a few who realized this wasn't the life they wanted walked out on their own.
Aware of that, the North Heaven Alliance always recruited more than the needed quota, then weeded them out in the vulgar parlance.
There were countless ways to do it.
Intensive training, punishments for broken rules. Reasons to grind down the newbies numbered in the thousands.
But the goal was singular.
To determine if the newbie could blend into the organization.
"If they can't handle this much, better they leave."
In that sense, a tense day was beginning at dawn for both the passers and the veteran warriors of the North Heaven Alliance.
Shouts about sleeping in or being late for assembly echoed from all around since early morning.
3.
Baek Moo-jin began his day with meditative breathing exercises.
Being a "Fourth Grade Warrior" might not sound like much, but the perks were numerous.
For starters, he was exempt from annoying night shifts and could ignore the shouting from outside entirely.
Beyond that, it kept him out of miscellaneous training and the petty nitpicking that fell under newbie hazing.
Though his specific unit and position hadn't been assigned yet, as a Fourth Grade inductee, Baek Moo-jin was receiving semi-executive treatment. Seo Moon-geuk and Joo Ja-woon were getting similar perks.
The attending maids were bustling from morning, heating wash water or announcing that breakfast was ready, all while observing Baek Moo-jin.
Even the maids found something off about him—not just one or two things. Ordinarily, Fourth Grade passers would be flustered by this level of service. But Baek Moo-jin accepted it as if he'd lived this way his whole life, calmly starting his day.
No matter how fallen the family, the maids had no idea he was the patriarch leading one.
Especially at such a young age...
Seo Moon-geuk, who came out saying he was ready to eat, was astonished by the North Heaven Alliance's treatment too.
"They're thorough. Makes you wonder how hard they'll work us later to make up for treating us this well. Scary, isn't it?"
Joo Ja-woon, who happened to emerge alongside Baek Moo-jin, nodded in agreement.
"Sure is. But how nice is this treatment? You must be used to it, Brother Seo Moon. Anyway, Brother Baek seems totally at ease too. I feel so out of place."
Seo Moon-geuk sat at the table first and said.
"By the way, Brother Baek, where are you hoping to go? With your skills, you must have plenty of options pulling for you."
At Seo Moon-geuk's question, Baek Moo-jin nodded and replied. He seemed knowledgeable, so it was worth asking.
"Brother Seo Moon, this might sound like a dumb question, but..."
"Ask away."
"Which organization pays the most?"
"Money?"
Seo Moon-geuk and Joo Ja-woon asked back in surprise. Seo Moon-geuk continued.
"What kind of talk is that? Brother Baek, did you join the North Heaven Alliance just to make money?"
"Among other reasons. Is earning money strange?"
"Of course it's strange... With your skills, if you came to my Seo Moon Family, you'd get dozens of times what the North Heaven Alliance offers. Though as a guest warrior... hmm, that'd be a bit awkward. You couldn't join a sect either. You already seem to lead your own house..."
Trailing off, Seo Moon-geuk tilted his head and corrected himself.
"On second thought, the North Heaven Alliance might be the best fit. So, what's your position in the Snow Mountain Baek Family? I figured young patriarch. Right?"
Baek Moo-jin scratched his cheek with one finger, replying sheepishly.
"I'm the patriarch."
"Ah..."
"Ah..."
Seo Moon-geuk and Joo Ja-woon let out short exclamations in unison, then nodded.
'The family finances must be in dire straits. That's why he came to the North Heaven Alliance.'
After a moment's thought, Seo Moon-geuk answered what Baek Moo-jin had been wondering about.
"The Baek Alliance shares a list of villains with all factions. Among the North Heaven Alliance's warriors, there's a unique group called Hunters—elevated term for bounty hunters—whose job is to take down those villains. They get extra pay per completion, from what I hear."
"A villain list? Something like that exists?"
"What do you think factions dominating regions mainly handle? Public security. It started with sharing lists of murderers who fled or troublemakers in the area. But now it's basically a kill-on-sight roster. Hunters are like active vigilantes in old terms. Anyway, top Hunters are said to take down even famous Black Path masters. Naturally, the bounties for those are much higher."
Baek Moo-jin nodded.
"I see."
"Hunters have another perk."
"What's that?"
As Baek Moo-jin showed interest, Seo Moon-geuk felt oddly pleased. His martial arts were top-tier, but his naivety about the world made teaching him enjoyable. Unlike yesterday, Seo Moon-geuk wore a satisfied smile as he continued.
"It's not an official post. You can do it on the side. Meaning a Sword Unit warrior on leave with nothing better to do can pick up Hunter work for extra pay. Look into it if you're interested."
"Got it. Thanks."
But Seo Moon-geuk had only heard as much himself, so there was no need to elaborate. Lost in thought, Baek Moo-jin sipped his tea while mulling over Hunters, then muttered without realizing.
"Hunters, huh. Sounds fun."
Seo Moon-geuk shook his head.
"Doesn't sound that fun to me. The grind is brutal. Fail to catch them, and it's all for nothing. Plus, they won't make it easy like 'come get me.' Even North Heaven Alliance warriors get hit without reason sometimes—those on the list slaughter indiscriminately. Why do you think the pay's so high? Too many enemies."
Baek Moo-jin nodded at Seo Moon-geuk's words.
Of course, he had no intention of doing Hunter work day and night. But vaguely, he thought it might be worth trying to resolve an unsolved case for the experience.
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