Chapter: 796
Seongryongdae is recruiting its members.
It was information that came along with news a few days ago that Seongwang had become the leader of the Murim Alliance.
A special force that would be led by the Holy King.
Unlike other sword corps that were mostly established to combat monsters, this unit was said to be focused on human combat.
The Murim Alliance announced its intention to officially create a human combat dedicated force, which had ‘officially’ vanished following the emergence of monsters, under the leadership of Seongwang.
Everyone was well aware that this was a move planned with the war against Sapa in mind.
This is an era of peace that has been shattered after the emergence of enemy-level monsters.
I tried to cover up my true appearance with layers of paint, but this incident made that unavoidable.
The emergence of hundred-level monsters.
Additionally, a new organization calling itself the Demonic Cult was causing mysterious incidents, and people’s anxiety was at an all-time high.
In such a situation, the creation of a force to counter Sapa didn’t receive negative reactions.
In fact, it was rather favorable.
Oh, of course…
“This has a lot to do with me.”
Perhaps due to my recent extensive efforts, my status had risen substantially. Thanks to that, when the King stated he was taking action, there were those who viewed it positively.
The hope of the times or something like that.
It was a burdensome title to hear. After all, my face was already known, and now it was challenging to walk around Hanam in my original form.
Realistically, I could just wear a mask or alter my body shape to go unnoticed.
“I don’t want to go that far.”
Since I never liked going out much to begin with, I figured I could simply avoid going out.
Thus, I found myself in a position of considerable influence.
To exaggerate just a bit, it meant being in a situation where one could “take a dump and still be praised.”
Whatever I did seemed to carry some significance, and just walking by would earn me sparkling looks.
“… Was the divine sword in my previous life like this?”
It definitely wasn’t to that extent, but it felt somewhat similar.
In my previous life, merely showing up would deem me a calamity or the scariest being in the world.
Now, in this life, am I being treated like a hero?
Even though I distinctly sensed this difference.
“… Tsk.”
I didn’t find any enjoyment in it or view it positively.
In the first place, this was the stage I had set up, and it wasn’t created for me to enjoy.
I just felt a lingering sense of alienation.
Anyway…
The special force for Sapa created by such a King.
The so-called Seongryongdae (星龍隊) declared its establishment, and just yesterday, the Murim Alliance shocked everyone with a groundbreaking announcement.
The news was that Seongryongdae would be selecting its members from outside the organization, not simply from within.
Originally, the sword corps of the Alliance was supposed to be manned exclusively by the martial artists of the Murim Alliance.
Surprisingly, Seongryongdae announced it would recruit warriors from outside.
Of course, not everyone would be outsiders.
While it was stated that members of the Alliance would certainly be included,
“Bringing in external personnel is nonsense,”
For the Murim Alliance, this could only be described as a radical choice.
That’s understandable, given that the Murim Alliance values tradition highly.
They see themselves as the backbone and center of justice, and this discipline is where it all begins.
Whatever group is formed, it must consist of internal members.
This is a principle adhered to not just by the Murim Alliance but also by other organizations.
To have a leader and additional personnel brought in from outside is an exceptionally rare occurrence in a group that has maintained this principle.
With such an unexpected situation and perhaps due to the significance associated with this new sword corps, more applicants than I anticipated gathered.
Scritch-
I scanned the list of applicants and examined the letter before me. It contained the general information of those who had signed up.
The total number reached one hundred and three!
That’s quite a remarkable number for a group assembled in just a day.
“I heard that most of the Sega sects that gathered in Hanam have practically withdrawn.”
The prestigious families and schools I had sought for the martial arts tournament.
After the mourning rites, most had returned to their respective lands.
Now, the number of people remaining in Hanam was quite limited.
“There are six Sega and five sects left in Hanam.”
Considering the exodus, the fact that this many remained was unusual.
Do they place that high a value on Seongryongdae?
If so, it was incomprehensible to me.
At that very moment…
“Before we begin the assessments, as I mentioned earlier, a total of ten individuals will be selected.”
One of the warriors began explaining to the gathered crowd.
Listening to him, I too rested my chin on my hand.
The number of recruits from outside would be ten.
Along with ten brought in from within the group,
So, Seongryongdae would ultimately comprise twenty-five members.
The reason the explanation stated twenty with an admission of twenty-five is that there was a separate agreement regarding five individuals made with Mukyeon.
Thus, totaling twenty-five altogether.
At first glance, that may seem like a lot, but relative to other sword corps, it was merely an elite few.
The Information Bureau’s Biryongdae has over eighty members, while the relatively minor Red Dragondae boasts more than forty.
But twenty-five? That was quite a scant number.
Thunk.
With the sound of someone striking the table, a twin swordsman next to me glanced in my direction.
“Hmm.”
Despite feeling that gaze, my eyes were firmly fixed on the letter.
All good.
The fewer the members, the better.
“So far, this is within my expectations.”
However…
“… What’s this?”
There was a slight issue.
“Why are these names here?”
Familiar names emerged all over the letter.
Names that were supposed to remain unseen.
Several of such names caught my attention.
“This can’t be right.”
What had I done to avoid seeing these names here?
These names should not be appearing in this situation.
“Hah.”
What on earth happened here?
Just as I was filled with suspicion.
“… cooperation.”
“How on earth do they know…?”
“Great Hero-!”
“…!”
I lifted my head at the loud shout that cut through the air.
It turned out to be the very same warrior explaining, continuously calling my name.
“I apologize. It seemed you weren’t hearing me… Are you alright?”
“Oh, yes… I just momentarily spaced out. What seems to be the matter?”
“I wished to report after completing the explanation.”
Upon hearing his words and glancing behind me, I noticed the unmanned warriors were definitely focused on this side.
“I heard that the examination related aspects were personally curated by you.”
“Oh, that’s true.”
I cleared my throat several times with my hand.
As he mentioned, all matters concerning the examination were strictly my domain.
As I had previously indicated to Mukyeon, I’d already signaled I’d handle this part independently.
In essence,
It meant declaring that I would choose based on my preferences, and I would also be the one administering the exams.
“Sigh…”
The situation was slightly puzzling, but we needed to proceed.
I squinted as I surveyed the assembled individuals.
“Thank you for gathering here. I’ll skip the introductions since we are short on time.”
At my statement, a murmuring began to ripple through the crowd.
It seemed they hadn’t anticipated skipping even an introduction.
Simultaneously, I could observe their rising tension. Perhaps they expected something to transpire given that this was an examination.
“Not what you’re thinking.”
Judging by the fact I had set up a stage, it appeared that both the applicants and the Murim Alliance presumed that duels would be conducted.
Typically, such examinations rely on sparring and demonstrating one’s abilities.
Unfortunately, I had absolutely no intentions of doing that.
Scritch.
I flipped through a few pages of the letter. Then I suddenly thought,
“This is good!”
Fortuitously, I discovered the perfect candidate.
“Hey, over there.”
I immediately pointed to someone.
The indicated man looked around and eventually pointed to himself.
“… Me?”
“Yes, you. Could you please come up to the stage?”
“… ”
Even though it was an unexpected request, the man stepped forward without a word.
Not very tall, with lean muscles,
From his physique, it was apparent he had potential.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
Moreover, I recognized him.
When I subtly acted like I knew him, his eyes widened in surprise.
“You remember me?”
“It wasn’t a brief encounter. Naturally, I remember. How’s your health?”
“Okay, not a problem at all.”
“That’s great to hear.”
The man nodded nonchalantly.
I couldn’t recall his name precisely, but if memory serves,
“Was it the Heated Sword?”
He wasn’t excessively famous.
He had participated in the battle against a hundred-level monster in the past.
The Heated Sword, unexpectedly called up now, seemed flustered, rolling his eyes.
I smiled slightly at him.
“Sorry for the abrupt summon. I actually need a favor.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble. What can I help you with?”
“Could you just remain there until it concludes?”
“Eh?”
“I needed a precise benchmark. You happen to be perfectly suitable.”
Benchmark.
The ambiguous phrase seemed to deepen the mystery.
He still wore a puzzled expression. I added,
“Oh, just so you know, you’ve passed.”
“Huh? Yes…? What do you mean out of nowhere…?”
“Let the exam begin. One by one, please step up starting from the left in the front row.”
Leaving the bewildered Heated Sword behind, I called the others one by one to the stage and positioned them next to me.
From that point onwards,
“Eliminated, eliminated, eliminated. Hmm… passed. Oh, the following three are eliminated as well. You don’t need to show up.”
The determination of who passed and who did not was made at an outrageous speed.
Decisions were made within seconds of appearing on stage.
Those subjected to this absurd exam all exhibited incredulous expressions.
Naturally, they would. Even I thought it was nonsensical.
But it didn’t matter.
This was previously discussed with Mukyeon.
Following this round, I eliminated another ten.
“Yes, you’re out… Next… is.”
I momentarily trailed off while watching the individual coming up to the stage slowly.
“Oh no.”
Finally, it was my turn.
This was one of the issues I brought up earlier.
Thud.
Soft footsteps echoed through the room.
Simultaneously, the surrounding chatter subsided.
A woman made her way onto the stage.
It was the silence she commanded.
With each motion, her collar fluttered, and her hair danced in the wind—she brushed it back, perhaps annoyed by it.
Her captivating blue eyes sparkled.
“…Whoa…”
“…Gasp…”
A soft murmur of admiration escaped the audience.
That alone was the only response that broke the silence.
It took her roughly ten steps to reach the stage.
Even for those ten steps, time seemed to stretch impossibly long.
A simple gait, yet the guys were too busy ogling her.
I had to scrunch my brows at that.
“Seriously, if you’re wandering around, at least wear something to cover your face.”
Already my head was starting to ache.
Why on earth does she get prettier by the day…
Finally, as the woman stood on the stage,
The heated swordsman who’d been there all along began to break into a cold sweat.
He didn’t seem worn out, just evidently flustered by the presence of the woman next to him.
I too, stroked the back of my neck while gazing at the silver-haired woman.
Among the crowd was Namgung Bi-ah.
“… ”
“… ”
Our gazes met.
Namgung Bi-ah was silently fixated on me with her characteristic blue eyes.
I scrutinized those eyes and observed the responses of those around us.
Those who had been grinding their teeth in frustration over their eliminations, and those nervously gearing up for the upcoming test, all seemed to be absorbed in watching Namgung Bi-ah.
Seeing that filled me with absolute irritation.
“Hah.”
I couldn’t just rip their eyes out.
I wanted to throw them out, yet holding back only inflamed my frustration.
“Tsk.”
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I turned my gaze back to Namgung Bi-ah.
She was pretty yet utterly indifferent.
At a first glance, it appeared that she showed no emotion at all, but after observing her closely, I began to realize something.
Those are eyes that yearn for something.
Eyes that gaze at me, desiring something.
I also knew what she was seeking.
The fact she showed up here without informing me from the start reveals part of her intentions.
But…
“Nope.”
I absolutely had no intentions of complying.
Why would I entertain this absurdity?
As I was about to voice this thought, suddenly…
“… elimination-.”
BAAM–!!
A bizarre noise erupted beside me.
The loud slam of a table.
When I glanced in the direction of the noise, I found that the twin swordsman’s face was crimson with rage.
“What is this…?”
I stared at the twin swordsman, bewildered at his outburst.
“What the heck are you trying to do now-!”
The guy was gnashing his teeth in fury.
What on earth is up with this kid…?
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.