“What are you thinking, Ho Cheon-an? To cause such a big commotion like this?”
Today, Yu Sa-yeon, who had been forcibly engaged in diplomatic activities after being invited here and there, leaned back tiredly in her chair and said this.
“The anxiety among the sects in Sacheon City is no joke. They’re all in a frenzy, worried they’ll be losing their disciples. Are they afraid they’ll get picked up after passing the initial rounds?”
“If only they could just use the killing move, they’d be fine participating in sect clothing, right? Just tell them they can raise their prestige and bail out whenever they want.”
I was serious, but all I received in return was Yu Sa-yeon’s cold glare.
“What’s the point? Even giving the last ten picked a choice not to become Sacheon Outcasts doesn’t sit right. Why are you giving the selectors an escape route?”
“Well, it’s not because I intend to pick them.”
“What?”
I calmed Yu Sa-yeon down and began my explanation.
“Look, let’s think clearly. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical about increasing the Sacheon Outcasts’ numbers. You might wonder what I mean by that now. But, until now, most of the talents that could be found in Sacheon City have already been discovered due to the personal martial arts tournament.”
“…That’s true.”
Yu Sa-yeon agreed.
The personal martial arts tournament was a stage where anyone could showcase their skills for just a small registration fee. It didn’t cost much, and depending on the circumstances, one could even earn money, so anyone interested in martial arts could participate.
This meant that the talents capable of becoming any great-level expert, top-tier, or peak-level were all already unearthed.
“Right now, the Outcast Faction’s forces have been eradicated, so it’s quiet, but the Outcast Martial Artists will continue to flock to Sacheon City. Hiring the skilled people already in Sacheon won’t change the overall power dynamic.”
The Righteous Faction and the Sacheon Outcasts are ultimately at risk of fighting against the influx of Outcast Martial Artists. While hiring locals may fend off immediate threats, in the long term, it’s like running on a hamster wheel with no real progress.
“Hmmm… go on.”
“The Outcast Faction has a never-ending influx of forces from outside, but what of Sacheon? Given the Righteous Faction’s nature, it’s not easy to increase their power.”
This was the fundamental reason why before I arrived, the Outcast Faction had been overflowing in Sacheon City. Inexperienced sects in Sacheon faced issues with initial responses, but in the end, it was just a matter of time before the Righteous Faction was inevitably pushed out of the equation.
While opposing forces were continually reinforced from outside, those in Sacheon seemingly had to sit with their thumbs in their mouths until the young ones became experts.
While the Righteous Faction does accept visiting experts, few prefer them. Why? Because the core of Righteous Faction sects is not the people but the martial arts. No matter how skilled one is, they cannot become central figures within the sect without mastering that sect’s core martial arts.
“So you’re saying the Outcast Inn should actively accept external experts?”
“Exactly.”
Bringing external forces from outside into the Sacheon Outcasts.
However, to bring in these external experts into the Sacheon Outcasts, there was a prerequisite to address.
That was the negative perception spread about Sacheon Outcasts outside.
By now, everyone in the martial world knew what Jeong Cheol had experienced in the past. Alongside Jeong Cheol’s rumors, the treatment of Sacheon Outcasts was well known.
“Recently, Sacheon Outcasts have been a hot potato across the martial world, but I doubt many see being a Sacheon Outcast as an attractive job. There’s just too much negative gossip about them.”
“Do you plan to overturn that perception with this new recruitment exam?”
“That’s the idea.”
Gossip won’t spread unless it’s provocative. Jeong Cheol’s manifesto, the clash between Righteous and Outcast Factions, and news of the Brain Knife Outcast spread like wildfire, while milder stories about how the people of Sacheon viewed the Sacheon Outcasts were hardly even rumors.
To completely rid the negative perception about Sacheon Outcasts accumulated throughout the martial world, a stimulating rumor was necessary.
“Thousands of young folks have gathered in Sacheon City for the supposedly downtrodden recruitment of new Sacheon Outcasts! Is this really true? What on earth is happening in Sacheon City?”
“….That’s right.”
Yu Sa-yeon nodded.
“If such rumors spread, the wandering Outcasts or martial artists will flock to become Sacheon Outcasts, and we’ll just need to select the useful ones from among them?”
“Exactly!”
“And the shining talents revealed through the selection process will be intentionally released so that the sects of Sacheon can take care of them?”
“Yep. Honestly, can we pick out promising candidates ourselves and raise them? Do we even have martial arts to offer them? Or a systematic training method? We’ve got nothing!”
“Hm…”
Yu Sa-yeon seemed to ponder over something for a moment before muttering.
“That’s inadequate.”
“Hmm?”
“If we genuinely want to attract experts from outside, we need to show that there are Sacheon Outcasts at the heart of Sacheon City, not just soft rumors about improving perceptions. Only then can we recruit actual experts, right?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“And while it’s good to unearth promising candidates, as it stands now, passing those promising candidates to other sects feels a bit awkward.”
What Yu Sa-yeon pointed out was something I was also internally worried about. After all, those who applied for the Sacheon Outcast exam would end up joining other sects, and that’s just not a pretty picture.
“Well, I guess that’s just how it is. Ultimately, everything done now is part of the selection process for the Sacheon Outcasts.”
“Sure. It’s unavoidable since it’s the Sacheon Outcast exam, and this is about all we can handle by ourselves.”
Yu Sa-yeon raised her voice.
“Everyone, gather!”
Having called for the Sacheon Outcasts and intermediaries, Yu Sa-yeon explained her plan.
And I thought as I listened to the plan.
This would double the trouble.
*
The morning of the second exam day.
Countless crowds lined up heading toward the North Gate.
“I heard there are over a thousand first-round passers?”
“If so many are eliminated and only 500 remain, it will be quite the competition!”
As the crowds reached the North Gate, they gasped in awe.
“Wow!”
“When did they prepare all this?”
The open space at the North Gate was set up as a competition ground filled with various obstacles.
But it wasn’t just the venue that was prepared.
There were also numerous passers ready but couldn’t show their expressions due to the use of the killing move, yet their body language revealed their nervousness.
As one Sacheon Outcast stepped onto the podium, the crowd instinctively cheered as they sensed the start of the second preliminary round approaching.
Waaaaaah!!
“Hello, everyone from the east of Sacheon City. And to all first-round passers.”
The Sacheon Outcast performed a ceremonial greeting before getting straight to the point.
“The second preliminary is, as you can see, an ‘Obstacle Course.’ I’ll guide you on what to watch for during the obstacle course. Deliberately interfering with your opponents will result in immediate disqualification. If you fail to overcome an obstacle, you must return to the starting point and try again.”
The participants nodded at the reasonable rules.
“Please look at the ground in front of you.”
The Sacheon Outcast pointed to the ground, where squares numbered from 1 to 50 were lined up in a row.
“One line has 50 people.”
Behind that were staff members who had extended a line between stakes.
“Ten lines. A total of 500 people. That is the goal for the participants today.”
Gulp!
Someone swallowed hard.
“There were 1241 second-round passers, and 1183 of you have applied for this examination.”
As specific numbers were mentioned, the crowd gasped in awe.
“The execution of the exam is very simple.”
As the Sacheon Outcast raised their hand, the staff members removed the line drawn on the ground.
“Racing will proceed on a first-come, first-served basis until the marked places are filled. With one row now removed, we have 1150 spots instead of 1200.”
The participants realized.
This won’t resolve in one or two laps!
“Then, we will begin the exam.”
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The drums beat, and the applicants surged forward.
Waaaaaah!!
The first obstacle was simple. It was just about climbing up and down stairs made out of stacked wood. The applicants proceeded over the first obstacle without hesitation.
The second obstacle was a log bridge. From the second obstacle onward, some began to fall.
They could only bite their lips and wear helpless expressions.
With more than a thousand people trying to get over the obstacles, a long line formed, and they’d have to return to the end of the line to wait again.
“Wow, it’s important not to mess up, isn’t it?”
The third obstacle was a rainbow bridge.
“Ugh!”
“Ugh!”
Those who lost grip or were weakened halfway began to fall one after another.
Participants passed through the fourth crawling zone, went past the fifth parallel bars, grabbed the rope, and climbed the hill obstacle while catching their breath and thinking.
This is tough!
Late starters, beginning at a disadvantage, were initially quite dissatisfied, but their complaints evaporated as the game progressed to mid-point.
“Huff, huff!”
“Ugh! I’m dying!”
“Ughhh!”
Racing over a distance approaching 300 meters while passing through six obstacles in this second exam made it challenging enough to distinguish between the participants.
The ones who barely finished stood in line at the position marked for them, gasping.
“I’ll end the first race now.”
Those who failed to pass each checkpoint dragged their tired limbs and left the arena despondently.
“We had 972 survivors from the first race.”
As the Sacheon Outcast raised their hand, the staff members unfastened the line. The successful participants at the back looked grim as the line that marked where they stood disappeared.
“Wow…”
“It’s ruthless.”
The scene where the test-takers stood while the line was being removed felt entirely different from when no one stood there before.
And the murmur among the crowd began to grow.
It wasn’t just one line being removed.
“Whoa?”
“So many?”
One line, two lines, three lines, and suddenly up to four lines all at once.
172 participants now standing outside the line!
“There are 800 passers this time.”
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Waaaaaah!!
Participants, looking pale, ran forward, and the crowd cheered for the Sacheon Outcast’s energetic execution.
This time was much calmer than the first, as the race commenced.
“As long as I don’t mess up, I won’t be pushed back!”
“This obstacle course allows you to qualify just by finishing!”
Because they focused on overcoming the obstacles rather than competing for position. First things first, finishing the race meant standing inside the venue.
Could it be due to everyone conserving energy?
Unlike the first race, this time all 800 spots were filled neatly, and the later arrival participants threw off their hats with regret.
“Hey? Isn’t that the son of the herbal medicine shop, the Jang Family?”
“Oh no, such a pity.”
Identifying who the eliminators were also provided a small thrill for the audience.
While the crowd speculated about the identities of the participants exiting, the staff began removing lines again.
“There are 650 passers this time. As stated during the first preliminary pass, higher rankings will have an advantage in the main event.”
“I recommend that applicants aiming for high ranks occupy the front spots in this round.”
Those in front of the line, as well as those in the middle and lower ranks, lit up with excitement.
Some in the mid or lower ranks were also strategically saving their stamina.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Waaaaaah!!
The crowd went wild. Unlike the calm atmosphere of the previous round, the moment the race began again, the participants aggressively surged forward!
Applicants aiming for top positions starkly contrasted with those satisfied just to pass.
The leading group wrestled fiercely with each other, while those who pushed too hard to join them began to fall behind due to the obstacles, depleting their stamina and now facing off against the other stragglers.
“650 contestants remaining. Staff, guide the rest of the participants to exit, please.”
The audience observed the remaining 650 entrants. Half, no, almost all of the applicants were bent over.
The participants glared resentfully at the swiftly moving staff. At least give us a moment to catch our breath!
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Yet the entrants had no time to express their grievances as they scrambled forward at the sound of the drums.
“Ughhh!”
“Ughhh!”
Waaaaaah!!
It was truly an all-out struggle in the obstacle race! Witnessing participants racing at full speed, the crowd cheered loudly.
Participants began to tumble as they attempted to conquer the obstacles.
Given their already exhausted state, rushing to get over obstacles was simply asking for trouble.
On the other hand, late starters, who had conserved their strength, surged forward with speed.
The fierce competition at the front!
With each obstacle crossed, the pack of leaders began to thin. Lack of stamina, slow speed, and missteps along the course contributed to this.
A fierce power struggle happening for even a single place!
Waaaaaah!!
As the final obstacle, the steep hill approached, the group of leaders became clear. There were twenty ropes provided to help ascend the steep incline.
At almost the same time, the leaders surged up the slope with every ounce of strength left.
The distance from the steep slope to the finish line was about 50 meters.
It was a complete sprint, pushing their limits!
The fierce competition among the leading group incited the crowd to cheer without restraint. As they ran propelled by the audience’s cheers, distinctions within the lead group began to surface—the gaps between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place didn’t widen, though.
They crossed the finish almost simultaneously to claim the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places!
“Hey you! The one with the black shoes! Stand in 1st place! And you in the blue clothes! 2nd place!”
A victory by mere inches!
The person in black shoes, called first, expressed the thrill of victory with every fiber of his being, while the ones in second and third kicked the ground in frustration, hands on their waists.
The rest of the participants rushed to their spots, excluding the 2nd and 3rd.
From 1st to 50th, those who made it expressed their joy. After all, they had made it to the first row!
Where would these unknown youngsters have experienced such exhilaration, receiving the cheers and attention from tens of thousands of spectators?
Overwhelmed by the resounding praises directed at them, they busily tried to rein in their beating hearts.
One by one, the spaces began to fill.
Almost all spots were taken with only one line remaining.
The crowd’s gaze remained fixed on the participants still trying to overcome the final obstacles.
“Ughhh!”
“Aargh!”
As the last remaining contestants squeezed out every last bit of energy trying to break through, the crowd offered encouraging shouts.
“Hang in there!”
“You can do it!”
They cheered for the participants, who were continuously failing at the last obstacle of climbing over the hill. The spectators gasped at the sight of the last strong contender slipping down due to exhaustion.
Every time someone cleared an obstacle, the crowd erupted in support.
Fueled by the cheers, participants desperately crawled their way to the finish line!
As the last successful candidate, practically on all fours, finally crossed the finish, the crowd roared.
Thud!
Waaaaaah!!
Tumbling into the goal area, the final passer received an explosion of applause.
Following this, the awarding ceremony commenced.
“The 2nd passing token is an armband worn on the arms.”
The Sacheon Outcast conducting the presentation held the red armbands of the top three passers high. Designed to fit perfectly over the 1st round armbands from the selection, the red armbands shimmered with golden, silver, and bronze thread, highlighting the numbers 1, 2, and 3.
These armbands, which could easily be found in the market, weren’t valuable due to their quality but rather their symbolic value!
They represented a priceless significance—the armband symbolized the fact they had proven their abilities after an arduous competition among thousands!
The award ceremony continued. Those who had combined their 1st round passing armband with the new red armband specifying their rankings lined up proudly before the podium.
While the impatient audience felt they’d seen enough and began to head back to Sacheon City…
“It’s the Brain Knife Outcast!”
“No way, isn’t that person from the Mukju Sect?”
“Muk Gang-tan from the Mukju Sect is also here!”
One by one, the dispersing crowd quickly began to gather again. The peak experts of Sacheon City appearing in one place?
Something major is happening!
“Hello, everyone from the east of Sacheon City. I am the Brain Knife Outcast.”
Waaaaaah!!
As it was the first time for many in the audience to see the actual Brain Knife Outcast, they erupted in cheers at the chance.
After the audience’s cheers died down, the Brain Knife Outcast continued speaking.
“First, I’d like to express my gratitude for the overwhelming interest in the public test for recruiting new Sacheon Outcasts.”
The applause roared again, with the Brain Knife Outcast patiently waiting for it to quiet down before continuing.
“However, this public test has proven to be quite perplexing for the Outcast Inn. How could we only select 10 new Outcasts from the thousands who applied!”
“That’s why the Sacheon Outcasts analyzed the reasons for this situation. We concluded that all these applicants are young individuals seeking opportunities to prove themselves.”
The crowd murmured in agreement.
“Certainly…”
“Many are likely aiming for the tokens.”
“That’s why our Sacheon Outcasts discussed the current situation with the Righteous Faction factions… and we reached one conclusion.”
With the Brain Knife Outcast’s weighty words, the crowd and passing candidates swallowed hard.
Were they going to suspend the exam?
The crowd, still dazed by the thrill of the competition, waited anxiously for the Brain Knife Outcast to continue.
“Let’s expand the Sacheon Outcast Selection Tournament.”
What could this mean?
“There were those who could not participate in this preliminary round. They are the martial artists affiliated with their sects in Sacheon City.”
“Oh!”
“Indeed…!”
“And there are also young people in Sacheon City who regrettably missed their chance.”
Ho Cheon-an’s explosive declaration echoed.
“Once again, we will hold the preliminaries to select an additional 500 participants for the main event.”
Oooooooh!!!
“They will be given armbands starting from No. 501, and as long as they meet the conditions of being below the first-rate level and participating wearing the killing move, anyone can apply. This includes those from the Mukju Sect and the Mukju family standing next to me.”
Someone shouted.
“What about the selection of Sacheon Outcasts! Those from affiliated sects can’t become Sacheon Outcasts!”
“I will now explain that point!”
Muk Gang-tan stepped forward to speak.
“The Sacheon Outcast selection exam offered the opportunity for 10 participants to become Sacheon Outcasts! However, considering the desires of the young people affiliated with the sects and their latent potential, the Outcast Inn and the Righteous Faction factions have decided to expand this tournament!”
Expansion?
“We hereby name it the Sacheon Outcast Competition for Young Talents!”
“Young Talent Competition?”
“The [Sacheon Outcast Selection Exam] will be expanded into the [Sacheon Outcast Young Talent Competition]! This competition will be conducted in collaboration with all Righteous Faction sects in Sacheon! The essence remains the same! Through competition at every stage, participants will earn symbolic items to advance to the next stage! The total number of finalists will expand from 10 to 100, and the top 100 participants will be granted the authority to choose their sect!”
“Authority to choose a sect?”
“If you use the selection right, you can join the sect of your choice! Naturally, becoming a Sacheon Outcast is also possible!”
As the overwhelming information rained down on the crowd and contestants, they struggled to grasp everything but gradually started to get excited.
More entertainment!
More qualifiers!
Expanded options!
The [Sacheon Outcast Selection Exam] evolved into the [Sacheon Outcast Young Talent Competition]!
As the Brain Knife Outcast stepped forward to declare,
“In one week, we will hold the first and second preliminary rounds in the same manner, and a total of 1,000 selected contestants will compete for a place in the [Sacheon Outcast Young Talent Competition]! We look forward to everyone’s attention!”
Waaaaaah!!!
The crowd cheered their hearts out.
The news of the [Sacheon Outcast Young Talent Competition] spread like wildfire through Sacheon City.
