In a gathering of first-passers, I was able to reunite with Gapwoo.
Gapwoo passed the test in just 4 minutes, which is considered incredibly fast even in Extreme Defense.
A speed that surpasses that of a regular disciple.
Gapwoo seemed quite dazed, as if he had already been approached multiple times.
“I heard the news. You’re a total star now.”
“Uh… I’m dizzy…”
“You managed to put in the claw, right?”
During the test, one of Gapwoo’s arms was a claw, but now he had two soft arms.
Truly soft skin.
“I’m… so sleepy…”
“Oh. I did it without realizing.”
I naturally took my hands off my cheeks, which I had been messing with.
It’s quite disappointing, but that’s not why I called him over.
[Cute]
[Lololololol]
[So soft]
[Is that cheek really that nice?]
[I want to be soft too]
[Gapwoo is cute after all]
Gapwoo placed his hands on his cheeks, which had been thoroughly handled, and glanced around.
Not turning his head too much gives off quite a ‘crab’ vibe.
“There are so many passers. Is it because… it was easy?”
“It was easy by our standards, but it probably wasn’t easy for others.”
After analyzing the Unyielding Rock and Stone General, it was clear that one had to grasp at least 40% of the technique.
One must have a level of enlightenment regarding the technique and the ability to manifest it.
The test itself was tough enough that not everyone could pass it.
“It seems the standards have dropped. They decided on passers based on ‘damage’ rather than destruction.”
“Huh…”
“Are you outsiders?”
“?”
Someone approaches us.
Up until now, even amidst conversations among passers, no one dared to speak to us.
It might be due to our appearance being unique in this place, but they also have eyes and ears.
“Unbelievable that someone could pass in just 4 minutes, and even in an hour. And they even know each other?”
It’s obvious they are talents moving up to intermediate and advanced levels, so how could they carelessly speak to us?
It could be to build familiarity, but naturally, relationships also have levels.
It’s better not to pretend to be close and risk issues than to go in as complete strangers.
“Nice to meet you.”
When someone speaks here, it usually means two things.
First, it’s a group that takes chances without considering future problems.
And second…
“My name is Daeyeolcheon. I passed the test in 38 minutes.”
A group that thinks they are ‘on the same level’ as them.
“Daeyeolcheon… is it you?”
“Yes. Since you are outsiders, you probably haven’t heard of my reputation.”
Hehe. Daeyeolcheon smiled and opened his arms wide.
Long, flowing black hair and eyes as elongated as his hair.
And pitch-black pupils with a confident grin too.
That look was… truly cheesy.
If butter were to take human form, it would look just like that.
[Whoa]
[Hahaha]
[Is he butter?]
[Did you hear that voice?]
[Did he even butter his voice?]
[Eww]
[Ugh, I want to slap him]
[Kill him]
“I am the child of the Daeyeol family that rules the Western Continent. There is no one on the Western Continent who doesn’t know the Daeyeol name.”
“I see.”
“R-Really…?”
“It seems our beautiful ladies are trembling a bit. Don’t worry! I, Daeyeolcheon, have no intention of flaunting my greatness to outsiders!”
“Eww.”
“?”
“Ah, I’m just feeling nauseous from the test. My bad.”
As I bowed my head, Daeyeolcheon hesitated for a moment but quickly brushed it off.
“That can happen. It wasn’t an easy test. I understand.”
“Y-Yeah…”
I almost died from the cheesiness.
[Hahahahaha]
[Eww, I can’t believe this]
[It is cheesy]
[Lily doesn’t like cheesy people]
[Let’s kill Butterman]
[I need soda…]
[Lily, save me]
[They are indeed beautiful ladies]
“Do you have any questions about the test? The small beauty who passed with you is one thing, but… I think you would be curious.”
“B-Beautiful lady?”
“…Hoo.”
Taking a deep breath.
For a moment, I heard the word ‘beautiful’ and muttered, ‘Am I a beauty…?’ while calming my mind from Gapwoo behind me.
I sealed all the holiness to maximize the constraints of my powers for the growth of my blunt technique, and I was feeling pretty dizzy.
“I don’t have any questions right now.”
“Really? What a pity.”
“……”
“Anyway, after finishing the test, I hope for a good encounter as a proper disciple. Well then!”
The moment Daeyeolcheon confidently turned his back.
“Whoa?!”
He almost lost his balance on the ‘accidentally’ sunken ground and barely managed to lift himself back up.
He didn’t completely fall but ended up in a ridiculous pose, embarrassed enough to quickly leave.
And having witnessed that, I let out another sigh.
“…What a shame.”
[Hahahahaha]
[Lily?]
[Did Lily do that?]
[What the heck, is he dancing in mid-air?]
[What a shame?]
[Why isn’t that cheesy guy dead yet?]
[Let’s just kill him]
[Not a bad guy, right?]
“Hey, am I the kind of person who just goes around killing people?”
[Maybe?]
[Lol]
[You do kill and revive, though.]
[But seriously, why send me?]
[Ugh, lol]
[For real.]
[If it were any other time, I would have smacked you.]
So why did they approach me and get all flirty and just let go?
The reason is simple.
“Because I’m not a bad person.”
There are really all kinds of people in the world, and among them, there are those who are close to pure evil as well.
To put it simply, pure evil.
Most of the people who approach me based on my appearance or power have a corresponding ‘purpose.’
Whether that purpose is impure or not, their goal is to inflict tangible or intangible harm on me and gain something.
Those kinds of people can be dealt with without hesitation, but occasionally, there are those who seem to have no ‘purpose’ at all.
Daeyeolcheon was one of those types.
“I’m just here to brag. It’s not to look down on someone or show off, but just real bragging.”
He talked about being a beauty and a child of the Daeyeol family, but it wasn’t to suppress anyone through lust or authority.
Having seen countless human figures for a long time, I could tell.
‘Daeyeolcheon really came just to brag.’
He passed in a quick 38 minutes, and look, there are others who passed at the same level?
We’ll be together from now on, so I should get familiar with his face in advance!
… That’s how it went.
“Uh… then let’s be friends…?”
“Not really.”
Pure is pure.
After all, isn’t it pure ‘evil’?
In order to protect the purity, I can’t keep seeing a buttery nature every time, so I’m thinking of keeping a proper distance.
[Lolololol]
[0 Confession Round 1]
[Lily hates cheesy stuff…]
[Pure evil, lol.]
[If Lily says that, he must be somewhat nice?]
[He looked like a bad guy, though.]
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1YkU5K2Zzb2pjcGdEU3o1ZEJZRy94WTRNajBNdUsrd1lOQW12VEVHeUhsVw
[Cut]
[Lily is too kind, boohoo…]
[Lily hates buttery guys… noted…]
[But it’s funny that he just came to brag, lol.]
[Isn’t Daeyeolcheon an adult?]
“I noticed that there seem to be quite a few young people around.”
The people of Teshiniria are said to possess special powers and bodies to the extent of being called ‘extreme humans,’ so age isn’t really that important.
The aging process is probably slower, and the longer someone lives, the stronger they get.
So, although the ages of the challengers vary, there were definitely younger challengers as well.
“All right! Attention, please!”
Won-ho, who had been up for a while, gathered everyone’s attention in one place.
They focused their gazes in one direction.
The challengers were startled by Won-ho’s sudden appearance, but I, Gapwoo, and Daeyeolcheon remained unfazed as if we already knew he was there.
“I truly congratulate the 47 successful candidates who passed the first test.”
One.
“It seems there are already some chuckling, thinking they’ve secured their final pass… but don’t let your guard down just yet. The other two tests are even tougher.”
The crowd murmurs.
If the Stone General was tough, then the other two tests must be something else.
As the chatter grew louder, Won-ho called for attention again.
“I will guide you to the second test. I believe you have awakened some of your power through the first test… and the next exam is ready.”
“?”
Won-ho raised his hammer and struck the ground hard.
The ground split open completely, and a gigantic stone door sprang up from the gap.
It looked like a lizard’s mouth opening wide.
“…?”
A strange sense of familiarity washed over me.
“Once you enter this door, you will find a gigantic mountain. It’s a special mountain managed using a magic array. If you reach the peak and plant your flag, you will pass.”
“A flag?”
“The flag is hidden somewhere on the mountain. Of course, it’s not just the flag that’s there. There are also traps… Ah, I shouldn’t say too much; just go ahead… but the regulations… fine, understood.”
Suddenly pausing as if conversing with someone, Won-ho nodded and extended his hand, causing the door to glow brown.
“Now! Begin your journey!”
■
Entering the mountain through the lizard’s mouth, a strange sensation enveloped me.
It felt as if my power was being ‘blocked’.
Not just a sensation.
“Wait, are they seriously blocking it?”
Even though I entered with Gapwoo, I found myself alone.
The power of the Unyielding Rock was allowed to smash the Stone General, but now the challengers’ ‘powers’ themselves were sealed.
It seemed I was being told to climb the mountain through the application and enlightenment of techniques…
‘But I don’t care.’
I had already sealed away about 99% of my power for training.
So even though I had entered the mountain, nothing was different for me.
I took a ‘light’ step forward.
Kugugugung!!!
“Huh?”
The ground in front of me sank completely.
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