Appearance of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 61

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 61
“Huh?”
“What…?”
“What?”
The cadets were taken aback.
Understandably so.
Hadn’t they just been discussing the sparring match?
He hadn’t exactly been fishing for compliments or expressions of surprise.
But still—
‘Why did the conversation suddenly shift like this!!’
‘Where did this talk of an examination come from!!’
‘The first examination only ended a day ago…?!’
Already? A second examination?
“Wait—was that sparring match just now actually for the second examination?”
“What were they evaluating? Did you catch what the instructors were looking for during the matches?”
“I completely bombed today…?”
Confusion gave way to chaos, and the Training Ground descended into disorder.
As the atmosphere grew chaotic in an instant, dark energy began seeping out around Gwi-ya-gaek in thin, sinuous threads.
“Quiet.”
That single drawled word fell like cold water, and the Training Ground fell silent.
Gwi-ya-gaek surveyed the now-composed hall and opened his mouth.
“Listen to what I have to say before you panic. I’m not saying the examination happens now. The second examination is one month away. You’ll hear the details then.”
The cadets exhaled in relief at Gwi-ya-gaek’s words.
Perhaps it was because they’d taken the first examination with no preparation whatsoever on the day of the entrance ceremony.
The mere fact that the second examination wasn’t imminent felt like a reprieve.
But they soon realized something else.
‘One month from now isn’t that far away…?’
‘That’s barely enough time to learn anything, is it?’
Which meant.
‘So the second examination will judge us on the strength we have right now!’
If that was how it would be—
‘Then why is this even called a training facility….’
They weren’t going to teach them anything; they were just going to weed them out.
The cadets who had shown poor form in today’s sparring match felt the weight of despair most acutely.
As if today’s defeat would lead directly to their dismissal.
Watching them, Gwi-ya-gaek continued.
“As you saw today, your abilities are all roughly on the same level.”
The faces of the few cadets who had demonstrated exceptional skill flashed across their minds.
Some didn’t even try to hide their glances toward Yeon-woo.
“…?”
‘That wasn’t the case at all, Instructor….’
‘How are we supposed to compete with monsters like that….’
“For the record, catching up to the ones you’re thinking of right now would be impossible even with a year, so don’t even bother looking at them.”
“…?”
“Huh?”
Don’t even bother looking at them? What did he mean by that….
At their confused reaction, Gwi-ya-gaek gestured dismissively at the cadets.
“Stop staring at mountains you can’t climb, and instead focus on crushing opponents at your own level. I haven’t even told you how many will be dismissed, and you’re already acting like you’ve lost. Pathetic.”
“…!”
The cadets finally understood.
‘That’s right! If it’s the second examination, there won’t be that many dismissals!’
‘There were maybe ten or so who looked like monsters in today’s sparring—I don’t need to beat them, do I?’
‘I just have to survive!’
If they could just make it through the second examination, they’d finally receive proper training.
Winning came later; they could worry about that after.
The cadets began studying not the standouts from the sparring match, but those standing nearest to them.
‘That one….’
‘If I can just beat that one….’
Now Gwi-ya-gaek’s words truly sank in.
They had begun to regard each other as ‘commonplace competitors.’
“For the next month, you’re free. As long as you don’t leave Maryong Hall, sleep as late as you like, play, be lazy—do whatever you want.”
But this time, not a single cadet looked pleased or happy.
One month.
Now that they’d grasped the objective, the cadets understood perfectly what this month was meant for.
Gwi-ya-gaek’s eyebrows curved upward at the sudden shift in atmosphere, clearly intrigued.
“Of course, some of you will want to recognize your shortcomings and build your strength during this time. Those of you who do can receive help from the instructors standing here.”
The instructors behind Gwi-ya-gaek stepped forward to the edge of the platform.
There were twelve instructors in total.
Apart from the martial artists who handled security and miscellaneous work within Maryong Hall, there were twelve instructors who taught the cadets martial arts.
“Each of these instructors is skilled enough to count among the finest in the Divine Cult in their respective field. Since most of you are seeing them for the first time, I’ll give you a brief introduction.”
Gwi-ya-gaek nodded to the instructor standing first in line.
With that, the first instructor stepped forward and introduced herself.
“I’m Am-hyang, and I’ll be teaching Swordsmanship. Sparring matches are always welcome, so feel free to request one.”
Starting with her, the instructors came forward one by one and stated their fields and aliases.
“I’m Hwan-mu, who teaches Gyeongsin-sul. This cohort has quite a few quick-footed cadets. I have high expectations.”
“I’m Sa-ryeon, and I teach Formation Technique and Cavalry Archery. Looking forward to working with you all.”
“I’m Byeok Sa-an, the Archery instructor. Since that’s my actual name rather than an alias, you can call me Instructor Byeok.”
And so, one by one, all twelve introductions concluded.
With the final introduction from Gu-yeong, the Spear Technique instructor, the instructors stepped back.
From among them, Gwi-ya-gaek spoke.
“For the next month, the instructors will be stationed at their respective Training Grounds. Learn martial arts or request sparring matches—do as you please. The freedom given to you starts now. Dismissed.”
Gwi-ya-gaek waved his hand dismissively and trudged down from the platform.
The cadets remained in place, dazed, until he disappeared behind the Training Ground.
And just as he completely vanished from sight.
“So basically, we train on our own for a month and get stronger before we take the Second Examination?”
“Sounds like they’re saying they’ll support everything we need for training.”
“One month… it’s long if you think about it, short if you don’t. What should we even train?”
The cadets exchanged opinions among themselves.
Most believed that not much could change in a month.
“I’m going to focus on improving my primary martial art. I’m already busy with my own training—where would I find time for anything else?”
“Same here. A month isn’t long enough to learn something completely new.”
“Me too.”
Most of the cadets headed toward the Swordsmanship Training Ground.
‘Then I should too.’
Baek Yeol-han, who had studied Swordsmanship, was about to head to Instructor Am-hyang’s Training Ground when—
“Which instructor are you planning to visit first?”
At Sa-ma Hyeon’s question, Baek Yeol-han also turned to look at Yeon-woo.
‘Now that I think about it, this cadet uses a hand axe.’
It was such an unusual weapon that it stuck in his memory.
And it wasn’t just because of the weapon—the sparring match with Gwang-o had left quite an impression.
‘There wasn’t an instructor who primarily teaches the Axe. Since he uses a short axe, it might be similar to single-sword technique?’
“Archery.”
“…?”
“…!”
At the unexpected answer, both Baek Yeol-han and Sa-ma Hyeon were taken aback.
“Archery? You can use a bow?”
“As expected of you!”
“No. I can’t.”
“…Then why?”
Why would you want to learn something you can’t even do…?
“I saw it during that sparring match. A cadet using a bow.”
“Oh, there was one, sure. Don’t tell me you thought it looked cool and decided to learn it?”
“It would be troublesome to face as an opponent.”
“Huh?”
Just as Baek Yeol-han was about to ask what that meant, Sa-ma Hyeon shoved him and shouted.
“That’s it! You’re amazing, as expected!”
Sa-ma Hyeon was practically trembling with excitement.
“Know your enemy and know yourself, and you’ll win a hundred battles undefeated! You’re going to learn how to face archers, aren’t you?”
Yeon-woo blinked.
He didn’t know what that phrase meant, but it sounded like it meant roughly the same thing, so he nodded.
“I want to ask an archer how to close the distance in combat.”
“…!”
Baek Yeol-han’s eyes lit up as the realization struck him.
“That’s—that’s a brilliant idea!”
Baek Yeol-han was a swordsman. In other words, he too was ignorant when it came to countering archers.
“It’s not about me getting stronger—it’s about reading the enemy’s intentions and adapting my tactics! Yeon-woo, you’re really sharp!”
“…Am I?”
Yeon-woo smiled at the compliment, her lips curving upward.
Her chin tilted up slightly.
“If you want to come along, you can join us!”
Yeon-woo extended her hand forward.
While Baek Yeol-han was still trying to make sense of it,
“I’ve always intended to walk alongside my benefactor from the start!”
Sa-ma Hyeon placed his hand on top of Yeon-woo’s.
Sa-ma Hyeon himself didn’t understand what it meant either, but in his overwhelming excitement, he instinctively laid his hand down.
“Well, um—why not?”
Baek Yeol-han then added his hand to the pile on impulse.
As the three hands came together, Yeon-woo thrust their joined hands upward with force.
“Let’s go!”
She spun around and strode ahead, calling out “Forward!”
“Yes, benefactor!”
Sa-ma Hyeon followed in her wake, while Baek Yeol-han stood for a moment, staring blankly at his own hand.
‘What was that?’
He didn’t know what it was, but it felt surprisingly good.
“Let’s go—”
‘….’
“Wait, hold on! Come along!”
Finally, Baek Yeol-han followed the other two.
Meanwhile, behind the Training Ground, in the shadow of a pillar beneath the Tower Platform.
A pair of eyes watching the three of them moved, narrowing slightly.
“…Interesting.”
Yeon-woo, is it?
A stifled laugh scattered into the air.
By then, all the cadets had dispersed, leaving only heavy silence hanging over the Training Ground.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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