The news of the Sacheon Outcast recruitment has turned Sacheon City upside down.
A multitude of people flocked to the Outcast Inn, prompting an emergency meeting of all the Outcasts present.
Honestly, it was a completely unexpected situation.
“What? Are people really flocking this much for new Outcast recruitment?”
“What’s so great about becoming an Outcast that is drawing so many people?”
I knew the perception of Sacheon Outcasts had improved lately, but it was a different story for this many to apply for the recruitment.
For skilled martial artists who could apply for the experienced Outcast position, stacking up a little experience would lead to lucrative requests, so it made sense for them to consider becoming an Outcast. However, this didn’t apply at all to newcomers who had to start from the bottom.
So why were inquiries about the new positions endless?
When everyone was lost in confusion, it was Hyeok Gi-rin, not Yu Sa-yeon or Black Cat, who clearly pointed out the reason.
“They want a second Hero Badge.”
The current Hyeok Gi-rin was not the cross-dressing woman Grand Master of the Jeomchang Faction or the Princess Yuya of the Imperial Family, but merely an ordinary woman, Hwang So-wol.
Free from any burdens of status.
Having broken free from the pressure of identity and tasted freedom, Hyeok Gi-rin was now having the time of her life.
Every day was spent out and about, returning home with all sorts of random trinkets and excitedly chattering about her adventures was the new routine for Hyeok Gi-rin.
She had a firm grasp on the public sentiment of Sacheon City.
“Um… just like the Hero Badge and the belt have become symbols distinguishing the high and low among the young folks of Sacheon, Black Rib is being seen as another symbolic item?”
“Exactly. Is there a more intuitive and effective piece of flashy equipment? If the residents of Sacheon City have felt the absolute effect of the Hero Badge, it’s natural for them to feel greedy.”
“Heh… they’re choosing their profession based on this kind of thing?”
“Well, during youthful times, people would do all sorts of things just to establish their pride.”
The Outcasts and intermediaries, having grasped the situation, grumbled their complaints.
“Alright, let’s summarize since we have identified the cause.”
Yu Sa-yeon clapped her hands, clearing the chaotic atmosphere.
“In the end, it’s the desire of the young people of Sacheon to be recognized that has led to interest in the public recruitment of Outcasts.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“If we can satisfy those desires, then there shouldn’t be any problem with Outcast recruitment.”
Again, everyone nodded.
“Then let Senior Ho take care of it for us. You’re the expert in these matters.”
“Tsk.”
So, this was the conclusion.
Yu Sa-yeon had removed Hwang Geum-seon, who was running the bandit alliance alongside me. In other words, Yu Sa-yeon knew that I was the reason behind the current chaotic situation caused by the creation of the Hero Badge.
Yeah, since it’s my mess, I should clean it up.
Ultimately, the crux of this situation was simple.
The current popularity and reputation of Sacheon City had become a trend tied to symbols. The vanquishing of the bandit alliance led to the popularity of the Hero Badge and the mineral equipment belt, and in the newly established personal match tournaments, showcasing oneself with the mineral badge became a trend, with the now-high-flying Sacheon Outcasts donning Black Rib.
The reason even inexperienced martial artists and aspiring martial artists are eyeing Black Rib is likely due to that.
It’s the manifestation of a desire to gain fame and popularity represented by symbols.
Thus, if we can provide symbols that guarantee fame and popularity, it may not even have to be Black Rib.
“Hmm.”
Organizing various thoughts in my mind, I spoke up.
“Let’s issue a new manifesto.”
*
A new manifesto was distributed at the Outcast Inn!
When the young folk caught wind of this, they chased after the manifesto bearers to get their hands on the announcements.
[Notice of Changes to New Outcast Recruitment]
[Recruitment Conditions: Young individuals with a flair who can cover their faces when showing up at the exam site with less than first-rate skills (Black Rib wearers will be automatically disqualified!)]
[Martial artists with ranks above first-rate are to submit documents for the experienced recruitment process.]
[Those who deceive regarding their rank will be disqualified upon detection.]
[All processes regarding 신규 낭인 recruitment will be held as public exams.]
[Symbolic items will be awarded at each stage passed.]
[On a certain day, the first and second preliminaries will select individuals via public examination, with the first and second preliminaries being confidential, so do not inquire!]
[The final competition will take place multiple times until the final ten individuals are selected.]
[The selected ten will be awarded proof of becoming a newcomer in the Outcast Inn.]
Sacheon City was buzzing with the news of the new recruitment of Sacheon Outcasts.
“Yes! This is exactly what I wanted!”
“This is my chance to prove that I’m the best talent in Sacheon!”
The young folks cheered, while the residents of Sacheon took great interest in the unique recruitment style.
The tests for recruiting new Sacheon Outcasts were to be held completely publicly.
Who would become the new Sacheon Outcast?
It was a chance to witness the entire process of the birth of a new Sacheon Outcast, so naturally, interest was piqued.
“The eldest from the Jang family next door is also taking on the challenge!”
“Has the eldest of the Jang family practiced martial arts?”
“Without meeting the qualifications, they’re probably just going to give it a shot!”
“Hahaha! I’ve got to go see them fail for sure!”
As the public exam became a hot topic and the details of the recruitment spread, the number of young folks eager to participate snowballed.
Participants emerged, aiming for the symbolic item hanging at each stage of the test.
“Becoming a Sacheon Outcast might be tough, but passing a few tests to get a symbolic item is…”
“Totally within reach!”
With no qualification requirements, the youth of Sacheon City declared that they would all take on the challenge, leading to a shortage of bamboo products in the marketplace. This was due to young people disassembling bamboo items to produce the bamboo staves.
Only then did the people of Sacheon City realize how enormous the number of participants for the Outcast test really was and they couldn’t help but shake their heads in disbelief.
“Wow, these participants are truly off the charts!”
And naturally, curiosity began to bubble up.
With all the young people in Sacheon City charging in, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the Sacheon Outcast exam was on the verge of something big. Who would be among the final ten to pass the exam?
The curiosity of the people of Sacheon City grew, and all eyes were focused on the preliminary rounds of the Sacheon Outcast exam.
And on that certain day…
“I declare the first preliminary round to begin!”
The preliminaries started.
Across various locations in Sacheon City, the announced preliminary rounds commenced.
“The first preliminary round is quite simple! Minimum strength! And minimum stamina!”
“Those who lift this sandbag over their heads with both hands should go receive a blue seal and head to the north gate!”
“At the north gate, a running match will take place in half a minute, and those who pass that test will receive a red seal!”
“Those who acquire both seals should head to the Outcast Inn to get their proof of passing the first preliminary round, and later bring that proof to participate in the upcoming second preliminary round.”
“It has been announced that martial artists are also welcome to participate, but only those beneath the first-rate level, and if anyone is caught deceiving their rank, they will be disqualified on the spot!”
“Now, let’s begin the test!”
The youth of Sacheon City energetically grabbed the sandbags, but starting in a crouched position, lifting the sandbag overhead proved to be not so easy.
“Uaaahhh!”
“Hoorahhhhh!!”
For those who normally did not train, this was quite a strenuous test, leading to a stream of disqualifications. The spectators couldn’t help but laugh at the sight.
No matter how much they covered their faces with bamboo staves, would they really not recognize their familiar neighborhood youths? Watching the local youths who had boasted of becoming Sacheon Outcasts struggle with sandbags was more entertaining than they had anticipated.
“I thought it would be an absurdly easy test, but surprisingly, it’s quite fun to watch!”
“This kid from the Lee family is quite the strongman!”
As the fun atmosphere continued, the qualifiers and non-qualifiers began to emerge. People gathering to watch the local youths struggling with the sandbags gradually made their way toward the Outcast Inn.
Unlike lifting sandbags and running, curiosity swirled about what symbols awaited those who succeeded in both tests.
Wowwwwww!!
Finally, the first qualifiers emerged.
The group that passed both the sandbag lifting and running stood proudly in front of the Outcast Inn.
“Hmm.”
Confirming that both seals were in order, the Sacheon Outcast produced a certificate from a box.
“This is your proof of passing the first preliminary round!”
“Ooooh.”
The crowd gasped in amazement. The proof of passing the first preliminary round was indeed an arm band. The participants wearing armbands with the Black Rib depiction raised their hands in joy.
Wowwwwww!!
Yet that joy was brief.
The participants soon froze in action.
“Now, since we have the qualifiers, let me proceed with a brief announcement regarding the second preliminary round.”
The Sacheon Outcast began to speak about the second preliminary round.
“The second preliminary round will take place in three days! It will be held outside the north gate of Sacheon City. Unlike the first preliminary round, where it’s enough to just qualify, the second preliminary will narrow down a total of 500 individuals!”
“Five hundred people!”
“Also, the higher your rank in the second preliminary, the more advantageous your position will be in the finals, so be sure to perform well!”
The faces of the qualifiers, who had been celebrating, hardened with tension. Meanwhile, the crowd couldn’t contain their excitement as news of the second preliminary broke just as the first group of qualifiers emerged.
“Wow! This is going to be epic!”
“I’m already looking forward to three days from now!”
It was nothing short of shocking news about the second preliminary round!
Sacheon City began to bubble with excitement due to the Sacheon Outcast exam.
