Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 21
>Chapter Title: Squad Leader (1)
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‘No way?’
Yeom Ga of Slaughter Valley furrowed his brow, inwardly growing anxious.
Mok Kyung-un’s suggestion that it might be a sword formation had elicited an unusual reaction.
If it weren’t that, there’d be no reason for such a response in the first place.
‘No, it can’t be.’
Yeom Ga denied it to himself.
A sword formation was, quite literally, an array formation executed with swords.
Array formations followed set rules and intricate, interlocking changes in their patterns, but achieving that with just the swordsmanship manual alone was exceedingly difficult.
That would require adapting the patterns from the manual, something that even reading the manual wouldn’t allow an ordinary person to visualize in their mind.
‘Is that bastard a swordmaster of that caliber?’
To discern it from the manual alone would require a level of swordsmanship mastery on par with Yeom Ga’s father, the lord of Slaughter Valley.
Thus, Yeom Ga desperately hoped it wasn’t the case.
Yet, contrary to his wishes,
“Why do you think it’s a sword formation?”
The evil ghost mask asked Mok Kyung-un in a serious tone.
Mok Kyung-un replied nonchalantly.
“The sword patterns stick faithfully to the basics, with each one arranged so their trajectories don’t overlap. Doesn’t that mean it could form a sword formation?”
“Trajectories don’t overlap...”
The evil ghost mask’s eyes narrowed.
Even someone who had practiced the swordsmanship countless times or visualized it mentally would find it quite difficult to map out the trajectories all the way to the formation’s harmony.
It demanded more than simply observing one’s own movements.
“Hmm.”
The evil ghost mask stroked his chin.
Frankly, he found it hard to believe.
Could the insight of a mere seventeen- or eighteen-year-old boy truly match that of someone who had reached the pinnacle with the sword?
Of course, it was possible if he possessed innate genius.
However,
‘Those hands...’
The palms of Mok Kyung-un, which the evil ghost mask was eyeing, showed no such signs.
They weren’t the hands of a skilled swordsman.
A swordsman’s hands naturally changed over years of gripping the sword—thumbs, index fingers, and pinkies taking on distinct shapes.
Yet Mok Kyung-un’s hands lacked even calluses on the thumbs.
‘These aren’t hands trained in the sword.’
And yet, he possessed such insight.
It would make sense if a swordmaster had advised him.
But no such expert existed in this Blood Trial Valley.
That only deepened the mystery.
Could this boy’s discernment really rival that of a swordmaster?
The evil ghost mask, staring intently at Mok Kyung-un, spoke.
“If you formed a sword formation with this manual, how many people do you think would be most efficient?”
Discerning the formation alone was impressive.
But could he figure this out too?
If he nailed this as well, then his swordsmanship insight truly matched a master’s.
Mok Kyung-un paused for a moment before answering.
“Eight.”
A glint of interest flashed in the evil ghost mask’s eyes.
He had precisely named the minimum number required for the formation.
But Mok Kyung-un continued.
“Though it could go up to sixteen, or even thirty-two.”
“...”
A small exclamation escaped the evil ghost mask’s lips.
Even stopping at eight would have been commendable, but he had accurately identified the full range of numbers the formation could accommodate.
“Anything beyond that would be impossible?”
“Once you expand it further, the arrangements start overlapping.”
The evil ghost mask was genuinely astounded by Mok Kyung-un’s words.
Heaven and Earth Eight Inscribed Array.
That was the name of this formation.
Created by the previous leader of the Heaven and Earth Society, it was an absolute formation based on the changes of the Eight Trigrams, allowing up to sixteen or thirty-two swordsmen to strike in unison.
‘Well, well, look at this guy.’
To get it exactly right.
Did he truly possess the eyes and insight of a swordmaster?
If so, it stirred genuine greed.
‘...’
He didn’t care at all that he came from a righteous martial clan.
The evil ghost mask, still staring at Mok Kyung-un, licked his lips.
He wanted to indulge that greed right then, but with the trial ongoing, now wasn’t the time.
*Thwack!*
The evil ghost mask tossed something to Mok Kyung-un.
Catching it, Mok Kyung-un opened his palm to reveal a silver badge inscribed with the number two.
“You are the second place holder.”
*The crowd buzzed!*
The boys watching erupted in murmurs.
After taking first place, Mok Kyung-un now claimed second as well—it was bound to spark talk.
What was this guy’s deal?
From where did he come to sweep up first and second already?
*Grind!*
Yeom Ga of Slaughter Valley ground his teeth.
He had assumed second place was his, yet even that had been snatched away.
He had been one of the most spotlighted prospects from the three major sects in this Blood Trial Valley.
Now he looked ridiculous.
‘...Mok Kyung-un.’
The name was seared into his mind.
He needed to repay this humiliation somehow to feel better.
‘Just you wait.’
Once the golden gate chains blocking the paths were released, he’d make him regret it.
As he stewed, the evil ghost mask spoke.
“I sincerely congratulate the eighty of you who passed the first two trials. You’ve earned the qualification to become mid-level warriors of the Heaven and Earth Society.”
‘Mid-level warrior!’
At those words, ecstasy lit up in the eyes of several boys.
And rightly so—treatment within the Heaven and Earth Society changed starting at mid-level.
Those with proven skill among mid-level warriors could lead a squad of low-level warriors, qualifying them for squad leader.
Even though exhausted, their eyes gleamed with renewed vigor as the evil ghost mask continued.
“To become a mid-level warrior, one must have the ability to lead a squad and execute a sword formation. As you just heard, the manual on the flag requires a minimum of eight people to deploy.”
A spark of realization lit in everyone’s eyes.
The trials weren’t mere extreme ordeals.
The setup forcing groups of eight had been deliberate for this very reason.
“Now, those with any brains can guess what the third trial is.”
“...”
“You there.”
At the evil ghost mask’s gesture, one boy shot to his feet.
“Yes!”
“What do you think the third trial is?”
“It’s...”
“Speak clearly.”
“Eight passers form a group and deploy the sword formation!”
Most nodded slightly in agreement with the boy.
It was the only logical guess.
The evil ghost mask motioned for him to sit and spoke.
“Correct. Eight per group must perfectly deploy the sword formation and eliminate the target. That is the third trial.”
The boys inwardly sighed in relief at his words.
The first and second trials had pitted them against each other, draining them mentally and physically.
They had no desire to repeat that nightmare.
“But there are conditions and restrictions here too.”
‘Conditions and restrictions?’
“First, you’ll get a day’s rest. Use it to appoint a squad leader. That includes forming groups of eight, squad leader included.”
‘Huh?’
The boys furrowed their brows at the evil ghost mask’s words.
This meant the eight who defended a flag didn’t have to stay together.
They could reform groups.
‘Yes!’
Several openly cheered, including Yeom Ga of Slaughter Valley and Mok Yu-cheon.
Most, inwardly dreading another group with Mok Kyung-un, reacted similarly.
“For reference, whoever becomes squad leader automatically passes the third trial, regardless of the formation test...”
*Swish!*
The evil ghost mask pulled a rectangular wooden plaque from his bosom, showing it off.
It was engraved with “Squad Leader.”
‘Wait, no way?’
‘Squad leader plaque?’
The boys’ eyes locked onto the plaque.
The evil ghost mask chuckled and continued.
“And they’ll receive squad leader qualifications.”
‘!!!!!!’
Despite clamped lips, the boys couldn’t hide their excitement.
Only a select few elite mid-level warriors became squad leaders.
And now, they’d decide it here?
But amid the thrill, a question arose in everyone’s minds.
‘Then everyone will want to be squad leader, right?’
Who among those who reached this point wouldn’t crave it?
Realization dawned, and groans of dismay escaped the boys’ lips.
They thought this trial might be tolerable, but it seemed they’d have to fight again.
‘Damn it.’
‘Eighty people, only eight qualify.’
‘And it’s not even certain.’
‘If someone dies fighting for leader, the whole group drops out.’
One mishap meant seven others failed too.
It was no easier than the second trial.
The evil ghost mask then said,
“Now for the restriction.”
“...”
“No killing.”
‘!?’
Everyone blinked in confusion.
A restriction banning killing—did that mean no deaths allowed?
They stared at the evil ghost mask, puzzled, hoping for clarification.
But,
“That’s it.”
‘That’s all?’
‘So decide a leader without killing?’
The simple, unconventional restriction left them dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, Mok Kyung-un smacked his lips, seemingly disappointed.
He’d hoped for second-trial fun, but the no-kill rule killed the thrill.
‘...This bastard. Why’s he disappointed?’
Nearby boys inwardly clicked their tongues at the sight.
Shouldn’t he be relieved?
At least no one would lose their life this time.
*Clank!*
Then, the red-belted warriors began pulling strangely shaped metal pieces from wooden boxes.
Pointing at them, the evil ghost mask said,
“Before heading to the lodgings beyond the mountain, we’ll remove the golden gate chains.”
‘Ah!’
Everyone’s faces brightened.
They’d wondered how long they’d be stuck with them—finally free.
The no-internal-energy restriction had been more inconvenient than expected.
‘Finally.’
Yeom Ga of Slaughter Valley’s lips twitched.
He’d waited so long; now the internal energy seal would lift.
He glared daggers at Mok Kyung-un’s back, standing ahead of him.
The seal had prevented countering that weird sorcery, but now things would change.
‘I’ll make you crawl between my legs.’
Killing was banned, but that didn’t matter.
As long as he didn’t kill him.
The thought lifted his lips into a sinister grin.
* * *
Beyond the mountain lay a lodging building for rest.
Structured for two per room, the boys quickly paired with those they got along with.
It didn’t take long.
During this day of rest,
The boys’ tendencies split into two.
The first group filled their hunger with the room’s snacks, then all sat cross-legged to circulate their energy.
Having endured an all-night slaughterfest, they sought to recover as much as possible.
The second group differed.
Though they wanted rest, they judged securing allies first was wiser.
They approached former groupmates or those they eyed.
Competition would heat up soon; better to act early.
And then there was a third tendency.
*Crack!*
Yeom Ga of Slaughter Valley, hunger sated, stretched his body.
He craved energy circulation like that tired fool on the bed, but now was the perfect moment—he had to hurry.
‘This is my chance.’
His target: Mok Kyung-un.
Cripple him without killing, and he’d be out from this trial on.
The others weren’t his match anyway.
But that one—with his bizarre sorcery—was annoyingly off-putting.
‘So I strike first.’
With the seal gone, he was confident.
Even if the bastard knew weird sorcery, Yeom Ga had reached the peak realm and mastered Slaughter Valley’s secret arts.
‘Shall we begin the hunt?’
Limbered up, Yeom Ga grabbed the door and opened it.
But,
‘!?’
Mok Kyung-un stood there, smiling.
“You...”
“Wow. Great minds, huh?”
Malice dripped from the smile.
Yeom Ga, brimming with confidence, felt a chill run down his spine.
< 21화 조장 (1) > End