So? Did Someone Force You to Become the Heavenly Demon?

Chapter 69: The First Test (4)

One hour earlier.

I got to my feet and said, “First, let’s head to a location we haven’t checked yet.”

“Won’t they all have been collected by now?”

“That’s exactly why we’re going. If someone’s been there, there should be traces left.”

“Ah!”

Seeing everyone understood, I checked the map and began to lead the way.

Among the team members, Jeong Hyeon was also skilled at reading maps, but he wasn’t the type to take the lead.

We walked through the forest path for a while.

“Someone’s definitely been here.”

Following the traces left behind, we began tracking.

“Th-this way, Y-Young Master.”

And when it came to tracking, Jeong Hyeon provided the greatest assistance.

‘Hehehe. Once we take care of this group, we’re practically guaranteed a top ranking.’

As I thought about lazing around in hiding after this one fight, we continued following the traces for a while.

“……”

At some point, there was no longer any need for Jeong Hyeon to lead the way.

The trail was far too obvious.

While I couldn’t help but chuckle at tracks that practically screamed, ‘Come catch me,’ Jeong Hyeon, who was keeping about a hundred paces distance, voiced his opinion in a voice as soft as an ant crawling.

“I-It looks like th-they’re p-preparing a m-meal.”

The forest path was in disarray, and bloodstains and animal fur suggested they’d been hunting. It was a perfectly reasonable deduction.

“This is our chance.”

I nodded and briefly outlined our detailed strategy.

“Jeong Hyeon, track their location and find a good sniping position. I’ll stealthily approach. Meanwhile, I’ll approach as close as possible using stealth techniques. When I’m close, our two baits—no, Choi Woong and Ju Seo-yeon—will make noise as a distraction.”

Having done this before, the team members nodded and immediately went into action.

As I approached the location Jeong Hyeon had found using stealth techniques, I could see faint smoke rising above the trees. It seemed to be from a fire for cooking meat.

Truthfully, we could’ve just ambushed them during their meal without this elaborate plan.

I alone could handle two or three of them on my own, especially in a situation where they didn’t expect an ambush.

Yet, the reason I was being so cautious wasn’t to give my team members a chance to shine…

‘What a hassle.’

…but because I didn’t want to sweat unnecessarily and reveal my full capabilities yet.

As I got closer to the unsuspecting group, their faces came into view.

The first one I recognized was, of course, Dokgo Pae.

Just as he was about to grab a piece of cooked meat, his gaze shifted towards the direction of the approaching distraction created by the two baits.

Amid everyone’s surprise, one rather clever-looking fellow suddenly shouted, “There are four of us, but only two of them are charging in! Something’s not right!”

As they began to question this, ‘Now!’

Without hesitation, I released my stealth technique and rushed toward Dokgo Pae.

At the same time, an arrow shot by Jeong Hyeon took down one of the disciples who was surprised by my appearance.

Clang!

“You’re both the same kind of treacherous bitch and bastard!!”

Dokgo Pae, whose sword clashed with mine, spouted some nonsense.

Of course, it was none of my business.

Swish.

Just as Dokgo Pae, his face red with anger, tried to overpower me with his signature forceful swordsmanship, I, having anticipated this, used his momentum against him and redirected the path of his blade.

Naturally, his stance crumbled.

Thud!

Seizing the opening, I struck his pressure point.

While I handled Dokgo Pae, Choi Woong and Ju Seo-yeon each engaged another opponent.

“Choi Woong! Since when did you become so petty?!”

Upon a closer look, I recognized the man who was complaining to Choi Woong with an indignant expression. He was among the trio who got beaten up by me on my second day here.

He seemed quite upset about being backstabbed by a friend.

Of course, that too was none of my business.

Thud!

I quietly approached the man fighting Choi Woong and struck him with the flat of my sword, then pressed the acupuncture point of the fallen man.

“Ugh…”

At the same time, the seemingly clever strategist collapsed after being hit by Ju Seo-yeon’s spear.

It wasn’t solely due to her skill. Jeong Hyeon’s arrows, providing cover from afar, had kept the strategist occupied, allowing the slightly weaker Ju Seo-yeon to subdue him.

‘It seems her recent dedicated training has paid off.’

At the time when that unpleasant rumor was circulating, Ju Seo-yeon was undoubtedly the weakest disciple within the Hall.

It seemed she had managed to grow, albeit slightly, in just about twenty days.

“Young Master! I took down one of them! Aren’t I useful?”

Her eyes gleamed with a manic light while she called out like a puppy seeking praise.

‘So this is the power of obsession.’

I almost feel bad for Jin Hayeon.

‘Well, achieving the second rank will still be difficult for her, though.’

Dismissing the thought, I instructed Choi Woong and Ju Seo-yeon.

“Now, let’s collect our spoils.”

Understanding my intention, they began thoroughly searching the bodies of the four paralyzed disciples.

Choi Woong, being another man, was one thing, but Ju Seo-yeon was also rummaging through the bodies of unfamiliar men without the slightest hesitation.

Well, from Ju Seo-yeon’s perspective, they’re probably no different from logs.

Meanwhile, Jeong Hyeon, who had been providing support from a distance, returned.

“Young Master! Dokgo Pae had all three!”

Choi Woong, who was searching on Dokgo Pae’s body, exclaimed with an expression of utter joy as he waved three tokens.

A smile also appeared on my face.

“That makes six now.”

Six out of ten. First place was already guaranteed. Then there was only one thing left to do.

‘Now I just need to find a good hiding spot and relax until the test ends.’

That’s what I thought.

Somehow, this test feels more relaxing than attending classes.

***

Around the time Dokgo Pae’s group was being ambushed…

Bang Mi-hwa and her team members were also enjoying their meal.

Just then, one of the candidates, holding a piece of meat but hesitant to eat, cautiously asked Bang Mi-hwa, “Will you really keep your promise?”

To that question, Bang Mi-hwa replied with her characteristically confident smile, “What a silly question. If we collect all ten tokens, giving you one is no issue.”

After answering, Bang Mi-hwa swept her gaze over her team members. Strangely, there were five disciples together, including herself.

The reason was simple.

Just as Dokgo Pae had hunted down two separated members and seized their tokens, the remaining two members of that team had also been discovered by Bang Mi-hwa’s group.

And instead of subduing both, Bang Mi-hwa made a proposal to one of them.

—If you cooperate with us until the end of this test, I’ll return one token to you. If the five of us subdue all the other teams, you can still secure second place with just one token.

It was an enticing proposal to betray his team—or rather, to survive alone and make his team achieve second place.

In the end, that disciple had no choice but to accept Bang Mi-hwa’s proposal.

The reason she only made the offer to one of the two was simple.

To reduce the risk of backstabbing.

She judged that if they were traveling with two potential traitors and encountered the other half of their original team, handling a betrayal would become difficult.

Not knowing that Dokgo Pae’s group had subdued the remaining two and taken their tokens, she had no choice but to make such a judgment.

Just then, Ha Young, who had been listening quietly, asked.

“Since there are five of us, we should be able to handle Dokgo Pae’s group easily, but what about the Eighth Young Master’s group?”

In truth, they had recruited the member from the other group after their encounter with Dokgo Pae’s team. If they had already been five strong at that time, there would have been no reason to simply let Dokgo Pae’s group leave.

“You mentioned earlier that you had a plan?”

At Ha Young’s question, the other team members also turned their heads toward Bang Mi-hwa.

A strategy to deal with the Eighth Young Master, the top student of this class and undeniably the strongest, naturally piqued their curiosity.

Pleased that all attention was focused on her again, Bang Mi-hwa smiled confidently.

“Hohoho. It’s simple. Young Master Il-mok is infatuated with me, so he won’t be able to attack easily. That’s why while I keep him occupied, the rest of you can take care of the others.”

“As expected of Mi-hwa!”

Ha Young, her friend, exclaimed in admiration at her audacious claim.

“……”

The other three simply stared at the two dumbfounded expressions.

However, no one stepped forward to point out her delusion.

Partly because they didn’t want to create discord in the team.

‘Well, with five of us, we should be able to manage somehow, right?’

And because, one way or another, they thought they had the advantage.

***

In a secluded corner of Taecheon Peak where the test was taking place…

Il-mok and his team members were leisurely enjoying their rest.

Having collected six of the ten tokens, first place was basically guaranteed.

‘Hehehe. If I’m in the same group as the Eighth Young Master next time, I can keep getting good results!’

Choi Woong, who had initially been fearful of being in the same team as Il-mok, was now gleefully realizing that being with Il-mok meant an abundance of benefits.

‘I’m going all the way to second rank and making the Young Master impressed! Just wait a little longer, Miss Hayeon!’

Ju Seo-yeon, equally pleased with the results, was lost in her fantasies about Jin Hayeon, wearing a disturbingly manic grin.

Oblivious to their antics, Il-mok was relaxing some distance away, enjoying the peace and quiet.

“……”

Jeong Hyeon was also alone, savoring his solitude.

“Um, excuse me…”

Or rather, he kept trying to muster the courage to speak, hoping to become a little closer during this peaceful moment, but his voice would trail off into a mumble, and he would sink back into silence.

Just then, Jeong Hyeon, who had been too nervous to speak until now, abruptly stood up.

It wasn’t that he had gained courage. It was because something serious had arisen.

“S-Someone is ap-approaching.”

His voice was still barely a whisper, but his sudden movement drew everyone’s attention.

While they were taking a break, they didn’t completely let their guard down.

They had made minimal preparations in case of an ambush.

Since inflicting injuries was forbidden, they had set up simple traps that would make a small noise if someone triggered them. And with his sensitive senses, Jeong Hyeon had not missed that noise, alerting them to the approach of enemies, and then carefully moved to a new position.

He had repositioned himself to a location more suitable for archery in case of a fight.

Il-mok and the other two also prepared themselves while he moved.

Il-mok tilted his head as he observed the enemies approaching through the bushes.

‘Five?’

It was strange to see a group of five in a test designed for groups of four. But Il-mok could roughly understand the situation.

‘Did they form a temporary alliance?’

He didn’t know the specifics, nor did he need to know the reason for their alliance.

The important thing now was to make a choice: fight or flee.

Il-mok pondered.

‘We’re one person short, but… the test still has about two hours left….’

Fight now and be done with it? Or run around for another hour?

The deliberation was brief, and Il-mok made his decision.

Clang.

Feeling annoyed, Il-mok decided to fight.

And soon, as their faces became clearly visible through the underbrush, Il-mok realized he had forgotten one important fact.

“Young Master Il-mok!”

The moment a woman at the front of the group called out his name…

Il-mok froze like a man cursed by Medusa herself.