The Heavenly Demon Tests Them (2)
The moment the question left his lips, the murmuring around us swelled even louder. What on earth were they so worked up about? Where could you possibly find a more efficient selection test than this? In the struggle to survive, the strong naturally rise while the weak are culled. Besides, all of you are people who don't truly die even when killed. Doing the test this way shouldn't generate that much resentment.
“It seems you're under a misunderstanding. This place is not the Orthodox faction.”
“That was the old Mount Hua. The current Mount Hua is my sect, and it follows neither the Orthodox path nor the Demonic path.”
Why should I crawl under the Orthodox faction's crotch? What makes those idiots so special that I have to bow my head to them? Crawling on the ground is a job for the weak. It's far removed from anything I should be doing.
When I spoke as if making a declaration, the murmuring grew even louder.
“Does my statement displease you?”
That was understandable. I knew that belonging to the Orthodox faction carried a certain symbolic weight. However, no matter how much resentment they harbored, I had no intention of changing my mind.
“If that's what you dislike, you may leave. I won't stop you.”
I won't stop you. No, please, just go already. Five hundred people was already far too many. If some left, managing the test would be easier, so if anyone departed I would applaud their decision with both hands.
Despite saying that, not a single person turned their back. They simply stared at me blankly.
Yeah. I figured as much.
Since they were more interested in my teachings than in honor or reputation, they probably couldn't care less about Orthodox or Demonic nonsense.
“Then I'll assume you've all understood. Let us begin.”
Seol-ah arrived at the base of Mount Hua one hour before the test was scheduled to begin. She figured it was better to arrive early and wait rather than risk being late. Besides, getting there first meant she could see Hwaryeong-nim even a moment sooner.
She had stepped onto Mount Hua with her heart full of excitement, but unfortunately, it wasn't Hwaryeong who greeted her—it was Harin.
Harin, who had been checking participants at the entrance, froze the instant she saw Seol-ah.
“Why are you here? This is the venue for Mount Hua's entrance exam.”
“I'm a test participant too, you know?”
“Could you show me the email?”
At the clear implication that she didn't believe a word Seol-ah said, the latter frowned and opened the email. The message displayed was unmistakably the one Hwaryeong had sent her. After checking it, Harin alternated between the email and Seol-ah's face with a sour expression before letting out a long sigh.
“Don't cause any trouble.”
“With Hwaryeong-nim here, why would I do anything weird?”
“That's exactly why I'm worried.”
After passing Harin and reaching the waiting area, Seol-ah was surprised to find people already there ahead of her. They were the former core members of the old Mount Hua Sect, the ones who had stood at the center alongside the strongest in the Murim. If you judged purely by their skill in handling Mount Hua's martial arts, they were undoubtedly the most outstanding. It was only natural for them to be here for this test.
And the man silently swinging his sword beside them was one of the rankers—LightningSlice. Among all Hwaryong Muin users, he ranked in the top ten when it came to swordsmanship. He had probably rushed over the moment he heard he could learn the Plum Blossom Swordplay.
“Naseol-nim, you've come as well.”
Last but not least was Siyugeom, one of the executives from the Murim Alliance—the number one guild in Hwaryong Muin.
“Siyugeom-nim, were you part of the Mount Hua Sect too?”
“Only in name. I never thought I'd actually get picked, but here I am. Isn't it the same for you, Naseol-nim?”
“Yes, it is, but...”
Still, even if it hadn't been entirely intentional, Seol-ah had at least contributed something to Mount Hua. Siyugeom, on the other hand, had no connection to the sect at all. She found it strange, but she didn't let it show on her face. Since Hwaryeong-nim had arranged it, there must be some deeper reason behind it.
After that, more users trickled into the waiting area. Most were people who had worked hard to rebuild Mount Hua. Occasionally, however, figures like Seol-ah or Siyugeom would appear. Their numbers weren't large—perhaps only about a tenth of the Mount Hua users.
Seeing only famous names like MinnanoMonona—the first user to meet Jijon—and PantyShowForYou—the hero of the Orthodox faction—it was clear that only rankers had been invited from among the applicants.
Was that why she had been able to come here too? Because she consistently ranked within the top fifty?
Realizing that all her hard work in the game hadn't been in vain, Seol-ah trembled with joy.
By the time the flow of arriving applicants slowed, indicating that most had gathered, Hwaryeong appeared on the raised platform in the center of the Mount Hua Sect area. The moment she showed herself, the noisy chatter died down at once. Her presence was simply that overwhelming.
It was true that Hwaryeong was beautiful, but that wasn't particularly important. In a VR world, being pretty wasn't anything special. Anyone who wanted to could use a beautiful and handsome avatar. What drew people's eyes to her was the unique aura she possessed. Her indifferent yet lofty gaze held an inexplicable power that seemed to swallow the surrounding air.
Seeing Hwaryeong's real appearance for the first time, Seol-ah couldn't tear her eyes away even for a second. The person she admired so deeply, the one she practically worshipped like a god, was standing right before her. Nothing else could steal her attention.
Hwaryeong stepped onto the platform and lightly scanned the crowd of applicants.
“Siyugeom-nim! Did you see that? Hwaryeong-nim looked at me!”
“She was probably just glancing over everyone.”
“No, our eyes definitely met! She's going to grant me enlightenment!”
“Ah... Yes.”
Watching Seol-ah practically shaking with emotion bordering on ecstasy, Siyugeom's expression turned icy. Whether she noticed or not, Hwaryeong simply went about her business. She turned on her stream, bickered with the viewers for a bit, then seemed to remember she was standing on the platform and cleared her throat. To anyone watching, she looked completely lacking in dignity, but none of that registered with Seol-ah. She simply watched Hwaryeong with fervent devotion, hoping the woman would look her way even for a moment.
Then Hwaryeong stepped forward.
“Greetings.”
The moment she opened her mouth, her voice resonated throughout the entire space. It must be some kind of sound technique. Since there were users who employed similar skills, Seol-ah was familiar with the method itself. However, the level of mastery was on a completely different plane.
The voice amplification used by ordinary users was crude. It sounded like a microphone with torn audio quality—barely usable for conveying speech. In contrast, Hwaryeong's amplification was astonishingly clear. If anyone couldn't understand her, it would clearly be that person's own problem.
While the users gathered at Mount Hua marveled at the sound, Hwaryeong continued explaining the test in a detached tone.
“I'll explain it simply. From now on, kill each other. Survive the struggle and reach Hakigi.”
The test Hwaryeong described was straightforward and simple. Use any means necessary and simply be among the first fifty to arrive. It was hard to call it an exam for selecting members of the Orthodox faction, but most of the users didn't seem particularly bothered. Among those present, hardly anyone cared much about Orthodox or Demonic labels anymore. Those who valued such honor had already left when the sect was branded as one that had colluded with the Blood Cult.
The people here were only those who wished to protect the name of Mount Hua and those who sought to learn from Hwaryeong.
It was the same even when Hwaryeong declared that Mount Hua was now her sect and followed neither the Orthodox nor Demonic path. Some of the former Mount Hua members looked uncomfortable, but that was all. Even after she had practically pushed them to leave if they wanted, not a single person moved.
Confirming that no one was leaving, Hwaryeong gave a small shrug and declared the start of the test.
At the same time, the users drew their weapons, but no one moved recklessly. Anyone who moved first could become the target of everyone else's attacks. In situations like this, the one who stood out usually got eliminated first unless their skills were exceptionally good.
Seol-ah knew this as well. So she stood still and observed the mood of the users around her.
“Naseol-nim.”
Just as Seol-ah was heightening her vigilance, Siyugeom spoke to her.
“What?”
“I think we're screwed.”
“Excuse me?”
“Look around. There are only Mount Hua Sect people here.”
Most of the five hundred gathered applicants were people who had devoted themselves to Mount Hua. Since they had spent most of their time there, they naturally had connections with one another. But named users like Seol-ah were different. They had only registered their names with Mount Hua for efficiency's sake. Their sense of belonging was weak, and they weren't close to the other Mount Hua users. In a situation like this, it was obvious who would become the first targets of attack.
“I think we should cooperate among ourselves.”
The moment she heard Siyugeom's suggestion, Seol-ah nodded. Hwaryeong-nim had said to get into the top fifty by any means necessary. Cooperating posed no problem at all.
When Seol-ah and Siyugeom stood back-to-back, the Mount Hua users exchanged glances. A kind of encirclement formed, and a tense standoff ensued.
“Seol-ah-nim. You know how to use Mount Hua's martial arts, right?”
“Of course I do.”
Although Mount Hua was primarily a sword sect, it also had fist techniques and palm techniques. And Seol-ah could use both.
“What about you, Siyugeom-nim?”
“I used to specialize in Mount Hua's sword techniques in the past.”
“Then there shouldn't be any issues.”
Seol-ah was gauging which direction to break through when a shout rang out from elsewhere. PantyShowForYou was being ganged up on by Mount Hua users.
“How can you people still call yourselves Orthodox after this?!”
“Didn't you hear what Hwaryeong-nim just said?!”
“We're not Orthodox anymore, got it?!”
“Shut up, you pervert!”
“Pervert?! I just want to see some panties! You're the one who shouldn't be saying that!”
As if that commotion had been a signal flare, the Mount Hua users surrounding Seol-ah began to move. The test had truly begun.
“I already told you it's not the Orthodox faction.”
The people of Mount Hua were working together to face those stronger than themselves. Their internal unity was quite impressive. It didn't seem like this was their first or second time fighting cooperatively—their movements were remarkably organic. They were still struggling to fully grasp the underlying principles and moved in their old familiar patterns, but it was clear they were well-versed in Mount Hua's martial arts.
“That's correct.”
After all, when fighting someone stronger than themselves, people reveal their true abilities.
“I've given them their own opportunity as well. All they have to do is break through Mount Hua's unity and reach the top fifty, right?”
Originally they wouldn't have even gotten this chance, but if they showed real skill, they would be acknowledged. How generous of me. Well, from what I could see, it didn't look like even five of those so-called rankers would pass the first test.
The chat window was flooded with criticism of my evil deeds, but I paid it no mind. This level of complaint was still cute. Genuine condemnation was an entirely different category.
While I watched the users fight from the platform, one person scattered his inner energy and shouted.
“Come at me, you bastards!”
When he swung his sword, lightning qi spread along its path. That was definitely not Mount Hua's martial arts. Was it from the Namgung clan? Perfect. I had been needing to set an example anyway. This worked out nicely.