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“Whew.”

I sighed as I stepped out of the building.

The third exam was finally over.

Of course, I passed.

Well… Did I really say “of course”?

“Why was that so nerve-wracking?”

I turned back in disbelief. The first exam was a spar with the examiner.

The second exam was a theory about demon beasts.

Then the third was supposed to be an interview to check my character.

But the examiner’s words as I left stuck in my mind.

“Given that the first two exams were overwhelming successes, you passed… but the third was a bit risky, so I hope you’ll be more cautious.”

Wasn’t that just ridiculous?

“What did I even do?”

To almost fail the character test? They say the third exam is infamous for never resulting in failure.

Was it truly that precarious?

“Didn’t say much, though.”

When asked what would happen if an officer issued unnecessary orders, I replied with, “If it doesn’t make sense, I won’t do it.”

And when asked what I’d do if I saw an officer committing corruption, I simply stated, “I’d smack them down.”

Even when asked what I’d do if a comrade were in danger from a demon beast, and I answered, “Is this person helpful?” the interviewers looked pretty bewildered.

“What’s wrong with that?”

In a confusing situation, I somehow passed… though the reactions left a lingering worry.

Could I have failed after all?

“Eh, that can’t be right.”

I thought that the reactions were just that—reactions, and that there wouldn’t be any real issue.

Anyway…

“Let’s see…”

I stepped out of the main sect and began to walk around. I had a lot to do, but first, I needed to secure a base.

“…To do that, I need some money.”

Which meant I needed cash right away.

“Hm.”

What to do, then?

Honestly, creating money with powers wouldn’t be too big of a problem, but even that has its limits.

I couldn’t tell how long I’d be here.

As far as I could tell,

“Looks like this will take more than a day or two.”

It didn’t seem like a situation that would resolve itself in just one day.

“…Sigh.”

I scratched my head. Money…

Suddenly, an idea struck me.

“There are ways to get it…”

Even in this era, what’s different?

Even in present times, there’s at least one option that comes to mind.

If I lived in a family with a sword team, it would be a straightforward way.

“How about going hunting?”

It seemed like it was time for me to hunt again after quite a while.

*

I stepped out of the area and headed towards the mountain.

It was around the time night was just beginning to fall, and I wouldn’t need to return to the main sect until the next day.

So that meant I needed to resolve something tonight.

Thud.

I stepped on a branch and moved up.

Then—

Huuuuuuu—!!!!

I unleashed my hidden energy, spreading it all around.

As my qi perception opened, the presence of every living being in the mountain rushed towards me.

“Hmm…”

Before long…

Grrr.

I detected the presence I desired.

I immediately launched myself forward. In an instant, my view changed, and I arrived where I wanted.

Grrr?

Right in front of me stood a demon beast that resembled a monkey, covered in blue fur.

I dove straight and grabbed its head.

Crack.

I collected the demon stone that sprang out.

I carefully controlled it so the Demonic Absorption Technique wouldn’t activate. Absorbing the stone would make the demon beast disappear.

That couldn’t happen.

“One down.”

I launched myself again and began to slaughter all the surrounding demon beasts.

Crack-! Crack-!!!

My fiery body leaped like a bolt, killing demon beasts. After a short while…

“Hmm…”

I looked at the pile of demon beast corpses and dusted off my hands.

Even though Hanam is a symbol of peace, a place inherently safe…

“Demon beasts are everywhere.”

There are always some left alive in the mountains, and I managed to kill most of them.

The reason was simple.

“Let’s see… how do I skin these?”

The skin and bones of demon beasts can be sold for cash.

It’s often used to create weapons and clothing in the Central Plains.

The problem is…

“…This will be a bit annoying.”

Separating the skin and bones could be a bit of a hassle.

What should I do? I wrapped up the thoughts quickly.

Flame Burst-!

I immediately conjured flames to consume the demon beast.

BWWAAAAAH—!!!!

The burning smell filled the air as the demon beast’s skin and flesh were incinerated, leaving only the bones behind after a short while.

“Nice.”

Since it was a hassle, I decided just to sell the bones. I figured I could scrape together some cash with just that.

Alright then.

“…How to carry these?”

It was time to ponder my next issue.

*

“Thank you! Please come again!”

Still night, I stepped outside the building after receiving the cheerful greetings of the owner.

The money I earned from selling the bones was tucked into my pocket.

“Managed to sell everything somehow.”

The price I got for the bones was decent. It was a pain to move them multiple times, but the labor had definitely paid off.

Even the owner seemed happy.

It’s not like we were trading in the sect, so they might not have expected someone to bring in this many bones for a personal sale.

Especially since I even had the bones of the blue demon beast, I felt like I might have gotten a little extra cash.

“…If I had used the Void, it would have been so much easier.”

The bones had to be carried one by one to avoid attracting attention.

But the results were good, so I was satisfied.

I had secured my meal and lodging costs.

“Now, where to go?”

I turned my head back and forth, spotting a tall inn in the distance.

“Oh.”

I widened my eyes, recognizing the building.

It was the inn the Martial Alliance provided during the Dragon Meeting.

“That place is still here, huh?”

Should I head there?

Without delay, I changed direction.

“Welcome!”

“Do you have any rooms available?”

“What kind of room do you want?”

“Just the cheapest one, please.”

“Oh, is that so?”

When I asked for the lowest-priced option, the expressions of the staff changed. This damned land hasn’t changed a bit over the years.

Regardless, there was a room available. After paying for a snack, I went up to the assigned room.

This is the floor.

When I stayed here before, I was assigned to the highest floor, but it seemed that the lower you went, the cheaper it was.

Creak.

Upon entering, as expected, the room was incredibly cramped.

Why is it so cramped?

Thank goodness I had no luggage; if I did, it would have been troublesome.

“…Ah, it’ll do.”

I figured I’d get assigned accommodation once I joined the alliance anyway.

This was satisfactory enough.

Thinking that, I tidied up a bit before heading back out.

I considered grabbing a bite to eat when I noticed someone coming up the stairs.

I didn’t pay it much mind and moved slightly to let them pass.

“Hmm?”

Strangely, they didn’t just walk past but halted right beside me.

“What the?”

What’s going on? Why aren’t they passing?

I looked at the odd person, a woman wearing a veil.

I squinted. My evolved eyesight could even pierce through the veil.

No ordinary person could conceal themselves against my sight just with that.

“What the heck.”

She had rather large eyes.

Her build was small, and she had somewhat dark green features.

“…She looks familiar?”

Her appearance was strikingly similar to Tang Soyeol.

The resemblance was so evident that I was taken aback.

“Is there something you need?”

I asked the woman, and only then did she flinch and shiver.

“Uh, no. I’m sorry.”

“Yes.”

She seemed flustered and hurried to step aside. Oddly enough, her voice was reminiscent of Tang Soyeol’s as well.

And that was it.

There were no other sensations afterward, so I withdrew my gaze and descended the stairs.

“Please sit here.”

As soon as I reached the bottom, Jeomsosoi greeted me. It was a small table.

It didn’t exactly look like a good spot, but I didn’t assign it any meaning.

After all, it was a place for me to sit alone.

As I sat quietly, it wasn’t long before the food arrived.

The dumplings and noodles I had ordered earlier appeared.

‘The smell is nice.’

I could definitely tell right away that the aroma was prominent.

I took a bite of the food. The taste was also satisfying.

‘…So it’s not a dream.’

It felt identical to reality. That was the moment when I recognized it clearly.

While calmly eating my food, I heard someone nearby.

“Hey, did you hear? The Master of the Martial World attended the main sect entrance exam.”

“The Master of the Martial World, you say?”

Voices from around me spoke as the topic turned to the Pejon.

‘Oh no, this is bad.’

I realized right away what it meant for Pejon’s name to come up…

“However, the more surprising news is that the Master of the Martial World wanted to take one of the examinees as a disciple.”

“Crap.”

That made it likely my name would be mentioned soon.

“A disciple? The Master of the Martial World wanted to take on a disciple?”

“Indeed.”

“Why on earth…?”

“No one knows the reason.”

“Who is this person the Master of the Martial World wants to accept as a disciple?”

“Apparently, they say it’s someone with late-stage talents…”

“Ugh.”

I stuffed my mouth full of dumplings as if to drown my anxious heart.

“I should finish eating soon and head back up.”

No, should I just cast an energy barrier instead? Yeah, that seems better.

I nodded and immediately tried to activate the energy barrier to block out sound when—

“Um, excuse me.”

“Hmm?”

I sensed a presence in front of me.

I looked up, and there stood the woman I had encountered earlier.

“…What is it?”

What does she want now?

I stared at her with a puzzled expression as she, with trembling hands hidden, said to me, “I usually… I never do this kind of thing.”

“Yes?”

“I really don’t…”

“…What do you mean?”

“Could I… sit with you?”

“…?”

Sit together?

I frowned in surprise at the unexpected situation.

Why does she want to sit?

“There are plenty of seats around…”

There are plenty of empty spots around. Plus, judging by her clothes, she seems to belong to a well-off background… Wait.

“Speaking of which… that outfit…”

It was a familiar green martial robe.

And…

“If she’s wearing that robe and looks like Tang Soyeol?”

Just as something was about to click in my mind, the woman spoke again.

“I-I like you.”

“…Huh?”

It was a statement that struck me as utterly nonsensical.

 

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