“We will now begin the Third Trial!” At those words, the trainees’ expressions shifted.
They had suspected that the time spent training in martial arts at the halls wouldn’t continue indefinitely. But to suddenly start the Third Trial right after training ended, without any prior notice?
“The Third Trial? Wasn’t it supposed to be the Second Trial?” Moreover, most of the trainees were completely unaware of the Second Trial that Bu Eunseol had experienced.
However, the sharp-witted trainees remained composed. They had already suspected the existence of other trials from the moment they boarded the ship to Hell Island.
“Soon, the caves will be sealed.” At that moment, Baek Jeoncheon, standing beside Hyeok Ryeon-eung, stepped forward and spoke. “From now on, gather all the weapons or items you’ve stored in your quarters that you deem necessary.” As the trainees uniformly displayed puzzled expressions, he continued.
“Because from here on, you won’t be able to return to your quarters until the Ten Demon Warriors are selected.”
“I don’t understand what you mean!” A young boy among the trainees, listening to Baek Jeoncheon, shouted loudly. “How will the Ten Demon Warriors be selected?”
“We’re not the ones selecting them. You will have to select them yourselves.”
The boy’s expression grew confused.
“Are you saying we should decide the candidates for the Ten Demon Warriors among ourselves?”
As the leisurely back-and-forth continued, Hyeok Ryeon-eung, standing nearby, frowned.
“Let me speak.” Though Baek Jeoncheon was a man of great intellect, his speech was not straightforward and tended to be vague. “Kill each other.” Hyeok Ryeon-eung’s voice resounded across the island like a temple bell.
“Until the Ten Demon Warriors are selected. Until I, the chief instructor, tell you to stop. Kill each other. Understood?” At that moment, the expressions of the trainees lined up before the stone mountain split into two groups.
Those who had expected this and those who, in shock, glanced at the trainees beside them.
“I have a question.” A girl with two iron swords strapped to her back shouted. “What happens if we don’t fight?”
“Don’t fight?”
“For example, if someone hides in secret or avoids conflict by circling the island’s perimeter.” At the girl’s sharp question, Hyeok Ryeon-eung bared his fangs in a grin.
“Of course, whether you hide or avoid fighting, that’s all up to you. But you won’t be able to do that.” His eyes, fixed on the girl, seemed to blaze with fiery intensity. “Because as time passes, the areas where you can stay will be restricted.”
Swish.
At that moment, Baek Jeoncheon signaled his subordinates to unfurl a large parchment. The parchment was a detailed map of Hell Island’s terrain and landmarks.
“If you don’t fight, or if the fighting drags on without progress, we will gradually restrict the areas where you can stay.” The trainees’ mouths fell open.
Restricting areas if the fighting stalls? This was the worst possible method, forcing the trainees into an extreme situation where they had no choice but to kill each other.
“What happens if someone stays in a restricted area or hides secretly?” At a trainee’s question, Hyeok Ryeon-eung pointed a finger.
Whoosh.
A surge of intense yang energy scorched a section of the map drawn on the parchment black.
“Those lingering in restricted areas will be slaughtered by the Death Ghosts.”
Rustle.
No sooner had he spoken than shadows appeared like ghosts behind the platform. The shadows, glinting in the sunlight, wore masks and assassin garb adorned with eerie, reptilian patterns. Though countless trainees were looking up at the platform, no one had seen when these figures had appeared.
At that moment, a towering boy, a head taller than the others, stepped forward from the gathered trainees.
“Are we not allowed to attack those Death Ghosts?” A deadly silence fell over the clearing before the stone mountain.
“Wahaha!” Hyeok Ryeon-eung burst into hearty laughter, nodding with a satisfied expression. “That’s the spirit of a Ten Demon Successor candidate!” After laughing for a while, he wore a ferocious smile that seemed to rise from the depths of hell.
“Of course, you can attack them. If you have the ability, you can even kill them.”
“Kill them… you say?”
“Exactly. If you can kill a Death Ghost, you will immediately become one of the Ten Demon Successors.” The trainees could sense from Hyeok Ryeon-eung’s assurance that the martial prowess of the Death Ghosts was beyond imagination.
Killing a single Death Ghost would likely be harder than massacring all the trainees present.
“You can move in groups or launch ambushes. There are no restrictions.” A reddish killing intent rose like mist from Hyeok Ryeon-eung’s eyes. “If you can kill, use any means necessary. That’s the fastest way to become one of the Ten Demon Successors.”
After closely observing the silent trainees’ expressions, Hyeok Ryeon-eung nodded.
“It seems you’ve understood.”
With a solemn, deathly gaze, he shouted, “From now on, the Third Trial begins!”
***
While Hyeok Ryeon-eung and Baek Jeoncheon stood on the platform explaining the Third Trial, Bu Eunseol began carefully observing the faces and characteristics of the trainees gathered at the stone mountain.
‘This is my last chance to gather information.’
Roughly ninety trainees were gathered in the clearing before the stone mountain. Once the Third Trial began, requiring them to fight across the vast island, anything could happen. Some trainees might wear masks, while others could disguise themselves as Death Ghosts instead of trainees.
The martial world is not where the strongest survive, but where those with the most information live longest.
These were the words Bu Zhanyang, who daily examined the causes of death and respectfully prepared bodies, often told Bu Eunseol.
Most martial artists who are killed die without even using their martial arts, unaware of why they were killed.
Had they been more observant of their surroundings, they might have avoided deadly traps.
Had they paid closer attention to those around them, they might have thwarted sudden ambushes.
Bu Eunseol, who had internalized these truths while preparing bodies, aimed to gather as much information as possible before the Third Trial began to gain an advantage in unexpected situations.
‘There are quite a few who’ve formed groups.’ Observing the trainees around him, Bu Eunseol gleaned three pieces of information.
First, many had formed groups. A significant number of trainees were exchanging meaningful glances. ‘It’s definitely different from back then.’
Second, those remaining on Hell Island were prodigies with exceptional martial skills and intellect.
In the Second Trial, most were bewildered and struggled to adapt, but the trainees here all wore calm expressions. Some, like Bu Eunseol, stood quietly in corners, observing their surroundings without speaking. They clearly understood the importance of information. ‘And there are quite a few who’ve mastered multiple martial arts.’
Third, among the trainees, some wore not only iron swords but also unique blades or weapons like whips.
Since they wore them openly, they were likely issued during training at the martial halls. ‘No, some have secretly brought their own.’ Upon arriving at Hell Island, all weapons and clothing were confiscated, and iron swords and training robes were issued. Yet, some trainees showed traces of hidden weapons or devices on their bodies.
‘Even if they deceived the instructors, they can’t fool my eyes.’
Having prepared countless martial artists’ bodies, Bu Eunseol knew that many who died in the martial world carried specialized hidden devices. These were barely noticeable when clothed, but often found in concealed parts of the body when stripped.
‘Such items will act as variables in unexpected situations.’ As Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes, lost in deep thought,
“In one hour from now, the Third Trial will begin!” Hyeok Ryeon-eung’s thunderous shout, loud enough to rupture eardrums, echoed across the island.
Thud.
Bu Eunseol forcefully kicked off the ground. He sprinted at full speed toward the dense forest before him.
‘I need to escape this place immediately.’ Since entering the intermediate gate of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, he had drawn the attention of many trainees. If he lingered near the stone mountain instead of fleeing, he could be ganged up on by skilled trainees.
Tap-tap-tap.
At that moment, he sensed movement and shadows rapidly closing in from behind.
‘They’re targeting me.’ Bu Eunseol detected that several individuals were pursuing him.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the sound of air being sliced came from behind.
Pop-pop-pop.
The sound of hidden weapons embedding around Bu Eunseol echoed as he darted through the complex forest paths. But he didn’t even turn his head. Glancing back would slow his sprint, and if he identified his pursuers, they might not give up the chase.
‘Just hold on a little longer.’ The slaughter had likely already begun, and his presence would soon be forgotten.
People’s interest in what they can’t see doesn’t last long.
Swish. Thud.
Despite sprinting at full speed, Bu Eunseol’s expression was as calm as if he were strolling on flat ground. Thanks to two months of training on Hell Island, he had gained iron-like stamina.
‘That place will do.’ There were no restrictions on habitable areas yet. In that case, he needed to choose the safest location on Hell Island.
Whoosh. Thud.
Racing north at full speed, a small hut came into view in the distance.
It was none other than the martial hall of Nangyang, where Sa Woo resided.
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