Chapter 34: The Most Important Thing, Starting Now
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 34: The Most Important Thing, Starting Now
“How’s my hair color? I dyed it gold, thinking I’d break through my limits like a Super Saiyan.”
Shin Kang-heon, appearing with dazzling blonde hair, instantly drew everyone’s attention, and Ki Mu-hyeok recoiled in disgust, stepping back.
“Please, just pretend you don’t know me and get lost…”
“Heh heh. Did my aura scare you?”
Of course, Shin Kang-heon wasn’t the type to just “get lost” when told.
Instead, he grinned widely and strode closer to Ki Mu-hyeok.
“Shin Kang-heon!”
Just then, a rough hand grabbed Shin Kang-heon’s shoulder as someone hastily got out of a car.
Shin Kang-heon whirled around, looking at the person who grabbed him with an annoyed expression.
“…What do you want?”
“Didn’t I tell you not to act rashly? Don’t you know how important today is?”
The man, who looked so much like Shin Kang-heon that anyone would assume they were family, was his uncle, Shin Jun-hyeon.
Their expressions, mirroring each other, were stiff.
“What’s bothering you now, Uncle?”
“Why are you always like this? How many times have I told you there’s nothing good to come from acting out in front of people like this?”
They began to argue, raising their voices without caring about the stares of those around them.
It was clear at a glance that their relationship wasn’t good.
Shin Jun-hyeon, belatedly aware of their surroundings, lowered his voice.
“Kang-heon.”
He gripped his nephew’s shoulders with both hands and whispered lowly, his face struggling to suppress his anger.
“Please. You shouldn’t tarnish your deceased parents’ names, alright?”
But it backfired.
The moment his parents were mentioned, Shin Kang-heon’s expression twisted, and he forcefully slapped away his uncle’s hand from his shoulder.
“I told you not to talk about Mom and Dad! If you do it one more time, even if you’re my uncle…!”
Just as Shin Kang-heon, veins bulging in his neck, was about to unleash his fury on Shin Jun-hyeon.
Whack!
A powerful blow to the back of his head made Shin Kang-heon stagger.
It was a surprise attack that no one had anticipated.
‘When did he even get close?’
‘I didn’t even see him move…’
As the Rising Stars of the Eight Great Sects, who had been quietly watching, were surprised internally, Shin Kang-heon, the target, rubbed his throbbing head and turned around.
“You crazy bastard?”
“What kind of kid comes to take an exam with yellow hair?”
It was Ki Mu-hyeok.
Just moments ago, he had been backing away, begging Shin Kang-heon not to come near, but now he had approached and stood right beside him.
Ki Mu-hyeok looked at Shin Jun-hyeon with his characteristic cool gaze, then bowed his head politely.
“Hello, Uncle Jun-hyeon.”
“…Mu-hyeok. It’s been a while.”
The two had occasionally run into each other over the past few months and become acquainted.
Shin Jun-hyeon initially didn’t particularly like his nephew associating with Ki Mu-hyeok, but after they trained together and Shin Kang-heon’s martial arts improved by leaps and bounds, he showed immense interest, even personally picking him up in his car.
He was especially curious about who was teaching them martial arts, but Ki Mu-hyeok had thoroughly blocked any attempts, so Shin Jun-hyeon had never met Choi Geon.
“Mr. Jun-hyeon! It’s been a while!”
“You’ve been well, haven’t you?”
Ki Chan-ho and Park Ji-yeon also approached Shin Jun-hyeon, smiling warmly and greeting him.
“…Yes. Have you two been well?”
While the adults exchanged greetings.
Shin Kang-heon, his anger completely deflated, poked Ki Mu-hyeok’s side and grumbled softly.
“Shit… If my brain gets worse, are you going to take responsibility?”
“Can it get any worse than it already is? I thought you’d thank me for training your external martial arts.”
“You son of a bitch.”
Shin Kang-heon glared fiercely at Ki Mu-hyeok, then let out a small laugh.
It was true that he was grateful to Ki Mu-hyeok for stopping him from crossing the line right before the License Exam.
…Though he didn’t exactly say “thank you” out loud.
Shin Kang-heon quickly returned to his usual demeanor and spoke to his uncle as if nothing had happened.
“Anyway, my uncle worries too much about useless things. I’ll make sure not to tarnish my parents’ names. So, try to worry less.”
“…Alright. I trust you.”
Shin Jun-hyeon had a reluctant expression but nodded grudgingly.
With Ki Mu-hyeok stepping in, more eyes were on them, and it seemed he felt burdened to continue arguing with his nephew.
However, he whispered into his nephew’s ear, just loud enough for him to hear.
“Don’t do anything to lower your own value. Once the License Exam is over, we need to finalize the contract talks with the Eight Great Sects. Understand?”
“…”
Shin Kang-heon didn’t answer, just grinned.
Shin Jun-hyeon clicked his tongue softly, then got into his car and drove away.
“I have another appointment, so I’ll be leaving first.”
“Yes! Drive safe!”
Ki Mu-hyeok watched the departing car with a cold gaze.
‘Shin Jun-hyeon. You’re still the most suspicious one.’
Ki Mu-hyeok still remembered Shin Kang-heon, who would later become a member of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Considering Shin Kang-heon’s personality and actions so far, the only factor that could lead him to join the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, no matter how much he thought about it, was his uncle.
Even though he often argued and clashed with his uncle, he was still a kid with a strong attachment to his only remaining family.
‘It’s unpleasant that he’s trying to benefit from his talented nephew, but I can overlook that. However…’
Shin Jun-hyeon, who also acted as Shin Kang-heon’s manager, had been negotiating with several of the Eight Great Sects for the past few months.
Shin Kang-heon knew that the Eight Great Sects wouldn’t look favorably upon his uncle’s “testing the waters” approach, yet he had left all contract-related matters entirely to him.
Saying that his family wouldn’t possibly make a bad choice for his future.
‘If I see even the slightest trace of a connection to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, I won’t just stand by and watch.’
If Shin Jun-hyeon was truly involved with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult…
Ki Mu-hyeok was just pondering various methods when.
“The gates are opening!”
With someone’s shout, the tightly closed main gates of the Korean Martial Alliance began to open.
Inside, Martial Artists dressed in Korean Martial Alliance uniforms appeared and lined up in formation.
“License Exam applicants, please enter in an orderly fashion! Family and relatives are not permitted to enter, so please wait outside!”
As applicants who had arrived early and waited began to enter, the Rising Stars of the Eight Great Sects passed through a side gate instead of the main entrance.
Song Jun-ho of the Taiji Sword Sect.
Yang Ha-yun of the Sun Moon Sect.
Pi Seung-hwa of the Golden Glory Sect.
Besides them, Martial Artists belonging to the Eight Great Sects could comfortably enter using the passage reserved for important guests of the Korean Martial Alliance.
“The sense of deprivation is no joke…”
“Envious, so envious.”
“Tch. It’s so unfair, I should just join one of the Eight Great Sects, even as a low-ranking member.”
There were a few who voiced their frustration at the unfairness, but they were a minority; most simply looked on with envy.
No Martial Arts Practitioner was unaware that the current Korean Martial Alliance was largely funded by the Eight Great Sects.
In fact, not a few considered it a reasonable privilege.
Ki Mu-hyeok and Shin Kang-heon waited at the back of the line.
“Don’t overdo it and get hurt, both of you, alright?”
“Show them the results of your special training! Knock ‘em all down!”
Before entering the examination hall, Ki Chan-ho and Park Ji-yeon hugged the two tightly, bidding them farewell.
“Don’t worry, just wait at home. I’ll come out with a First-Rate License.”
“Uncle, Auntie. Can I come over for dinner after the exam?”
“Of course! We’ll prepare lots of delicious food, so make sure you both come, alright?”
“…Yes!”
Leaving their parents’ encouragement behind, the two also entered the main gates of the Korean Martial Alliance side by side.
“But Kim Bok-ja didn’t come? I thought she’d be here to cheer us on.”
“She probably passed out as soon as she got home yesterday and couldn’t get up.”
“Heh, she’s secretly a weakling, I tell you…”
Speak of the devil, just then, a notification rang in their group chat.
It was a message of encouragement from Kim Bok-ja.
[rabbit : Just woke up… Let’s have a celebration party after this. A First-Rate License acquisition commemorative drunken party☆]
They both chuckled at Kim Bok-ja’s characteristic message of support.
Then, suddenly, Ki Mu-hyeok raised his head and looked around at the tall buildings nearby.
‘Master. You’re watching, aren’t you? I’ll be back.’
Choi Geon, living in seclusion to avoid the attention of the Korean Martial Alliance and the Eight Great Sects, hadn’t come today, but Ki Mu-hyeok somehow felt that his Master was watching him from somewhere.
Korean Martial Alliance Grand Training Arena.
This place, comparable in scale to a multi-purpose stadium, was divided into various zones for different types of training, and its facilities were among the best in the world.
And once a year, on the day of the License Exam, all zones were opened for thousands of applicants.
“Welcome, future of the Korean Martial!”
The murmuring of the applicants naturally ceased as an old man ascended the platform in the center of the Grand Training Arena.
His voice, resonating throughout the Grand Training Arena without the aid of a microphone, was thunderous.
One of the five Absolute Masters mentioned whenever Korea’s Greatest Swordsman was discussed.
It was the appearance of the Martial Artist known as the Fist King of his era.
‘Martial Alliance Leader Yeo Pil-geuk.’
Ki Mu-hyeok looked up at the old man standing on the platform.
Even though he knew that in a few years, he would be forced to step down due to the pressure from the Eight Great Sects, his current appearance was not that of a toothless tiger, but a towering mountain.
-Remember this.
Ki Mu-hyeok recalled his Master’s instructions.
-It’s not easy even for me to contact the Alliance Leader without the Eight Great Sects knowing. The most natural way is to create a legitimate reason for a private audience.
The Grand Training Arena was filled not only with young Martial Artists taking their first License Exam but also with applicants who had already experienced it multiple times.
In other words, everyone here, regardless of age, gender, origin, or generation, was an equal competitor.
-It will be hard to find anyone your age who can contend with you. However, you must surpass not only them but also your seniors, who are rich in experience and wisdom.
At most, only two or three people acquire a First-Rate License in their very first exam right after becoming an adult.
They were the so-called geniuses.
However, including experienced individuals, more than ten Martial Artists acquire a First-Rate License or higher each year.
Only the top three performers, including all of them, are granted the privilege of requesting personal tutelage from the Martial Alliance Leader.
‘A First-Rate License isn’t what’s important. It’s about being among the top three out of all the Martial Artists here.’
It was a condition close to impossible, but a smile full of excitement, rather than worry, played on Ki Mu-hyeok’s lips.
“…If I’m going to do it, I might as well aim for first place.”
“You’re going to beat Shin Kang-heon the Gold? You’re dreaming big.”
In his excited state, neither Shin Kang-heon’s nonsense beside him nor the Martial Alliance Leader’s speech truly registered.
And soon, the Martial Alliance Leader’s address concluded.
“I’ll stop with the boring talk here. You all seem itching for action, so let’s start the exam right away. Just one hint… this year will be different from the very beginning.”
The moment the Martial Alliance Leader finished speaking with a faint smile, mechanical formations throughout the Grand Training Arena began to activate.
Rumble-!
Hiss-hiss-hiss…
A thick fog began to spread.
The fog was so thick it was hard to see an inch ahead, making it difficult to even see the person right next to them.
“…So suddenly?”
“A spell formation from the start…”
Everyone had expected a spell formation to activate during the exam, so no one panicked greatly.
The Martial Artists tensed their bodies, preparing for sudden attacks or unexpected situations.
[From now on, please walk wherever your feet take you. When the fog clears and your surroundings become visible, that will be the place where you will begin your exam.]
Those were the Martial Alliance Leader’s final words.
“Hey! Ki Mu-hyeok! Are you there?”
Shin Kang-heon’s voice, which had been right beside him, now echoed as if from a distance.
Ki Mu-hyeok shouted in that direction.
“The sound and direction won’t match! Let’s move separately from here.”
“Don’t get separated until we meet again! I don’t want to eat in an awkward atmosphere because of you!”
“Idiot. You worry about yourself.”
Ki Mu-hyeok chuckled and began to walk wherever his feet took him.
Had he walked for about ten minutes?
Gradually, the fog cleared, and people began to appear in his sight.
Among them, he saw one familiar face.
“Jung-min hyung?”
It was Oh Jung-min, a First-Generation Disciple of the Pine Moon Sect, with whom he had formed a connection at the Sword Dance Competition.
“Ki Mu-hyeok? Long time no see. How have you been?”
“Hyung, are you here for the exam too?”
“Yeah. This year, I’m aiming for a First-Rate License. How about you?”
“Me too.”
“Haha! That’s right. You swore you’d get a First-Rate License at the awards ceremony! Have you trained a lot?”
In a situation where they couldn’t see an inch ahead, meeting someone they knew was naturally a welcome surprise.
Ki Mu-hyeok and Oh Jung-min decided to move together for now, until they could figure out the situation.
“Do you have any guesses?”
“Well, this is my third time, but it’s the first time for something like this… Are they skipping the basic tests?”
As they looked around and talked, Martial Artists began to gather around them, one by one.
“What are they trying to do here?”
“There must be some kind of criteria. It feels unsettling to think we just gathered randomly.”
When about a hundred Martial Artists had gathered, a masked figure suddenly shot up from their center, revealing themselves.
[Greetings. I am Black and White, and I will be assisting you with your exam.]
As his name suggested, the left side of Black and White’s mask was painted black, and the right side was white.
He continued speaking, creating an imposing atmosphere among the tense Martial Artists.
[We will now begin the Martial Arts Practitioner License Basic Assessment Test. The first event is Weapon Seizure.]
At the mention of Weapon Seizure, the Martial Artists each gripped their weapons, wary of Black and White.
They thought that this suddenly appearing Black and White would attack them and seize their weapons.
It was a natural reaction, as examiners often tested applicants’ skills directly in previous License Exams.
However, an unexpected statement came from Black and White’s mouth as he surveyed the Martial Artists.
[Immediately, contend with the Martial Artist closest to you and seize their weapon.]
“What did he say?”
“What’s with this sudden…”
“Is this exam some kind of battle royale?”
[If a winner is not decided within 5 minutes, a penalty will be imposed.]
Simultaneously, the [ 05 : 00 ] display, which had appeared like a hologram above Black and White’s head, changed to [ 04 : 59 ].