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Another day has passed.

I could see the morning sun rising after staying up all night, yet I hadn’t really slept at all.

There really was no need to rest my body. I had some training to do in the dead of night.

Was I hoping to relive the enlightenment I felt during sparring?

That was part of it for sure. But ultimately, I needed to get used to the Qi perception.

“Hmm.”

I kept clenching and unclenching my hands repeatedly.

I went through various processes until nightfall, but the conclusion remained the same.

“I guess this isn’t going to work in a day or two.”

Whether it was the energy or Qi perception, it was great that it increased, but adapting was the problem.

I was making some efforts to become familiar with it.

‘If I’m like this, it’s going to be a problem in real combat.’

With so much to sense and a growing number of things flying at me, I had to constantly check how to handle it in practice.

‘It shouldn’t be a big issue against those at lower realms.’

However, if I faced someone on par with or stronger than myself, it would be a different story.

Of course, I wondered how many stronger individuals I’d actually encounter by the time I got this far.

‘But the possibility of meeting such foes is significant.’

It didn’t matter whether the odds were great or slim.

‘What’s important is that such a possibility exists.’

If I wasn’t cautioned, I’d have to think about it thoroughly.

Even though they may not be my enemies right now, I could very well come up against them as foes someday.

‘Unless I grasp this properly, it will turn into a dagger against me.’

Not a dagger to stab the opponent with.

But a dagger that could stab me from within.

Every moment, I had to contemplate such matters.

Hoooh-!!

I reclaimed my energy and furrowed my brows.

‘It’ll be a week until Jiegal Hyeok arrives in Hanam.’

He was supposed to arrive in four days at most, but I heard from Cheol Jiseon that something had come up.

He was a guy who I’d rather not call unless absolutely necessary, but with so many things to think about, it was time to ask for help.

There was also the matter that Shin Yi had asked me to handle.

‘I need to summon the others too.’

The help of those who stayed back at Jiegal Hyeok was necessary.

“Phew….”

I had a few messes to clean up, and I couldn’t help but wonder what Jiegal Hyeok would say when he saw the situation.

He probably wouldn’t say much, but he would definitely look at me with resentment.

Or would he throw a tantrum and refuse to cooperate? That possibility was certainly not out of the question.

In that case, what should I do?

‘…I might have to make use of Moyong Hi-ah.’

I had a good excuse to lean on her, so I figured things would work out somehow.

‘A week, huh.’

The four days extended into more time.

While it was unfortunate that delays occurred in the plan, I didn’t mind much.

‘I gained some time.’

In fact, I saved some time.

Time to mess around a little longer until he arrives.

If Jiegal Hyeok or Cheol Jiseon heard that, they’d probably feel like screaming while moving about.

“Shall I go?”

It was starting to feel awkward to continue training further.

Plus, it was already morning, so I had to get moving.

I tossed aside my sweat-soaked martial robe and turned my head.

“Hey.”

“Grr…?”

As I called someone from beyond my line of sight, a figure flinched as if startled, shaking by the tree.

“Get up.”

“Ugh… Wasn’t it all done…?”

“Yeah. I said we need to leave, so get up.”

It was Bong-Soon, her cheeks stained with drool from her sleep.

I looked at her with a mix of pity and exasperation before continuing.

“Let’s go. We’ll be late if we stay here any longer.”

“…Uh-huh.”

“…”

I couldn’t tell if she was wiping drool or washing her face, so I instinctively turned my head to avoid contempt.

With her state being like that, it was a bit awkward to have her along.

But I had no choice.

‘…It’s starting today.’

From today, Bong-Soon had a task.

It was something I had been preparing for a long time.

A dagger that would be sent forth into the Martial Alliance.

Even if the timing and situation changed due to altered plans, that role would never change.

And thus, Bong-Soon was to follow me into the Martial Alliance starting today.

After finishing a light wash-up, we arrived at the Martial Alliance.

“I greet the Star King.”

“Yes. It’s nice to see you.”

Entering was no harder than the last time.

We quickly moved under the guidance of the attendant.

Last time, we delved deep to reach the Great Lord Conference Room, but this time, we ended up nearer to the entrance. It was a space accessible even to regular people if needed.

As soon as we arrived at the location, I had to stifle a laugh at the sight.

‘Look at these guys.’

It was a space that felt oddly familiar.

Where had I seen this? Oh right! This was the very room where the Martial Arts Tournament had taken place.

‘So they plan to recycle it this way.’

It looked like they hadn’t closed it off but merely kept it maintained separately.

Given the incident that had occurred, I figured they’d have demolished it.

‘But I guess it’d be a waste to destroy it, so they’re going to use it again.’

After all, the tournament had gone to chaos, and even if Jiegal Hyeok and Divine Dragon used the Upper House to seize control, there were surely places that would have cut off their support.

Hence, I figured they must be in dire need of funds, trying to utilize whatever they could.

‘Seriously.’

It felt a bit strange, but since it wasn’t a matter I needed to get overly concerned about, I just followed the guide and took my seat.

The location was right in front of the sparring stage where the Martial Arts Tournament had been held.

There was a table and chairs set up, with a cover installed above to shield us from the sunlight.

I lightly settled into a prominent middle seat among the various options.

After sitting down, I looked to my sides and spoke.

“Good morning. Hope you’ve all been well?”

“…”

“…”

No responses came back.

The ones sitting nearby were the Gold Dragon Master known as Double Blade and the Iron Dragon Lord who went by Eunranggeom.

Given the absence of other Great Lords, it seemed these two were all that remained.

Neither of them even glanced my way at my greeting.

I couldn’t help but click my tongue at that.

“Tsk. Can’t you be a bit warmer to a newcomer greeting you? With a workplace this gloomy, who’d want to stick around?”

The atmosphere was more than frosty.

With a setup like this, I wouldn’t feel at ease.

Thump.

Thinking that, I placed my feet comfortably on the table.

As I leaned back in my chair in a relaxed position, I could see the expressions of the two Great Lords souring in an instant.

“What are you looking at?”

Responding dryly to their stares, the Double Blade asked with an uncomfortable expression.

“…Star King. What are you doing?”

“What do you mean, what am I doing? Can’t you tell from what you see?”

“There are many eyes watching. Yet, behaving like this is—”

“But what about it?”

“…What?”

With my assertive attitude, Double Blade seemed at a loss for words.

There were indeed many eyes on us.

Though the two present Great Lords were relatively few, that meant there were still members of the Martial Alliance in attendance.

Those who seemed to be the deputies or squad leaders of the Great Lords.

They were all representatives who couldn’t attend.

Not just the guards, there seemed to be prominent figures like Muk Yeon from the command side as well, indicating a significant gathering had formed.

‘But so what?’

I cared little about how these people viewed me.

“What do you mean but so what…?!”

“So what?! It’s not like I need to be all respectful here.”

“…”

Seemingly quite perturbed by my demeanor, Double Blade’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Star King, do you still not understand the significance of this place? As a member of the Martial Alliance—”

“No, what is this place supposed to be?”

“…What is this person…!”

“Do I really have to treat this place as something so grand that I should be wary of my demeanor? Besides—”

Tee-hee. I chuckled at Double Blade’s flustered face.

“A member of the Martial Alliance? Oh, how proud you make it sound!”

It wasn’t something to brag about, so why would I take pride in it?

“Besides, if we’re being technical, isn’t this place mine to do with as I please? At least that’s what I heard from the Chief Secretary.”

I gave a slight nod head, continuing my words.

“As the Gold Dragon Master knows, the people present here are merely spectators who’ve come to watch. So let’s not waste energy with pointless tensions. I’m tired, you know. I didn’t even get breakfast before coming here.”

“What did you just say…? Spectators?”

Hearing my words, Double Blade’s eyes narrowed with intensity.

He looked ready to explode at any moment.

“What? Want to fight?”

“Just because you have a bit of talent doesn’t mean you can act so arrogantly—! Do you think someone like you deserves to sit in the seat of a Great Lord?”

“Oh really? Listening to you, it sounds like a grand title to have.”

I barely restrained my laughter.

“What a Great Lord. Who’s even interested in that? You’d think I was groveling and begging to take this position.”

“Y—!”

“Ugh, you’re a noise nuisance…”

The racket he was making was enough to make my ears hurt, waving my hand dismissively to cut him off.

“If you’re unhappy, step outside.”

“Huh…?”

“Didn’t you hear me? If you’re not pleased, just go out that door.”

My finger pointed towards the entrance I came through.

“If you don’t like that…”

I swiftly redirected my finger to point at the sparring stage.

“Stop the petty complaints and come at me if you want.”

“…”

“Why? Are you scared?”

“Y…!”

Just as Double Blade was about to erupt…

“Gold Dragon Master.”

“…!”

“…Calm down.”

It was the Iron Dragon Lord, Eunranggeom, who intervened to restrain Double Blade.

“Eunranggeom… This person…”

“As the Gold Dragon Master stated, there are many eyes watching. Plus…”

Eunranggeom shot a sharp look at Double Blade.

“We didn’t come here to brawl today, did we?”

“…”

His words seemed to forcefully cool Double Blade down.

Watching this unfold, my gaze narrowed slightly.

‘What’s going on here?’

Though the tone attempted to be soothing, I sensed a subtle undercurrent.

Not with their words, but with the energy.

I felt the exchange of energy between the two during their conversation.

‘Aura techniques, huh.’

Maybe it was because they were Transformation Realm Martial Artists, but they were emanating their auras even while speaking.

Being seated between them made it feel even more distinct.

‘So they are preparing for something.’

I felt it was odd for two Great Lords to attend an event like this directly.

It seemed they had a plan up their sleeves.

‘Hmm.’

As I recognized the subtlety, I sank deeper into my chair.

‘In that case, let’s see what they’ve got.’

If they had prepared something, then they should give me a taste of it.

I was certain they had put in considerable effort, so I’d oblige them by giving them a stage to display it.

Just as I started organizing my thoughts on that…

“Now that we confirm the Star King is seated, may we proceed to bring in the applicants?”

“Yes, please do.”

I nodded at the cautious inquiry from a member of the Alliance.

At the same time.

“We’ll be entering now!”

Creeeak—!!

A set of massive doors, other than the one I came in, opened wide.

From within, countless figures began to enter.

Whooosh—!!

With the opening of the door came a gust of wind.

The energy that swept in felt heavy and mingled with the scents of bets.

This meant there were many who had entered, laden with wagers.

And as expected, those who stepped forth were all Martial Artists.

The slow procession brought nearly a hundred individuals.

A substantial number indeed.

Following the guide from the Alliance, they slowly gathered around the sparring stage.

As I scrutinized each one of them…

“Thank you for coming.”

The one in charge of guiding then began to explain the purpose of their gathering.

“We will now commence the entrance examination for the Star Dragon membership.”

It was time to select the members who would join my Great Troop.

 

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