[Sacheon Outcast Competition for Junior Qualifiers]
The excitement of the additional preliminaries was intense. Not only the Sacheon Outcasts but any sect within Sacheon could enter if they wished, which made it a tempting prize for anyone with ambition.
But wait, there’s more!
“The person who wins this competition will be the next leader to guide the future of Sacheon!”
“Absolutely! I can hardly wait to see what the junior qualifiers will show us!”
With the title of the best junior qualifier in Sacheon attached, the stakes were high.
As a result, not just martial artists, but nearly every young person in Sacheon with a hint of strength applied for the additional preliminaries, leading to a staggering 2,000 participants who passed the first round!
Naturally, the competitiveness of the second preliminaries was on a whole different level.
If the previous preliminaries felt like overcoming obstacles, the additional ones felt more like a full-blown ‘obstacle race’.
I was watching the spectacle from the stands alongside the sect leaders.
While the sect leaders around me reacted to their disciples’ results with a mix of joy and frustration, a happy atmosphere prevailed overall.
“Wow, it’s clear that those who trained systematically in a sect are different!”
“I knew they were different, but comparing them in the same way really highlights the differences!”
“I must enroll my son in a sect!”
Praise for the sects of Sacheon poured out among the audience.
Who wouldn’t want to associate with martial sects?
Everyone knows that training within a sect yields better results, but with everyone facing the exact same tests, the skill differences became painfully apparent.
As I heard sect leaders voicing intentions to enroll their children, it was only natural that the atmosphere among sect leaders grew more pleasant.
“Senior Ho and the Brain Knife Outcast have remarkable discernment.”
Mok Gang-tan, sitting next to me, spoke up.
“Honestly, I was quite surprised when you suggested taking down the Peak Stages alongside those entrenched in the dark underbelly.”
“Indeed. I felt the same.”
Yeon-yu chimed in.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity given to the sects of Sacheon to rise again.”
“In these tough times, we should stick together and help one another, don’t you think?”
“Indeed. The sects of Sacheon will not forget the kindness of the Sacheon Outcasts.”
I felt my position change dramatically in their presence, not in my status but in martial prowess.
Once, they were people I looked up to like gods when I kicked over market baskets, just a lowly martial artist delivering snacks with children in tow. But now, we were on an equal footing.
Or perhaps they were subtly treating me better?
Seeing the top experts of Sacheon showing me deference was a strange yet satisfying feeling.
It surely felt nice to receive such treatment brought on by the fame of a hero.
Maybe this was what Jeong Cheol was aiming for.
While keeping my head straight and not getting too lost in fame, I also fostered my relationships with the two sect leaders.
At least, that’s a mild relief.
The two leaders preferred to discuss the upcoming Sacheon Outcast Competition for Junior Qualifiers rather than puff me up.
“By the way, I was astonished to hear about the unfolding main competition. How did you come up with such ideas?”
“Years of experience have certainly helped.”
“Haha…It seems one can’t catch up to the wisdom of experience.”
Yeon-yu’s eyes sparkled as she clearly appreciated my script.
“The day I heard about the upcoming competition, I found myself unable to sleep in excitement. The thought of fun becoming reality really has me anticipating!”
“Yes. Seeing the new disciples ignite their passion while eyeing the experienced ones is wonderful. I hope the competitors feel motivated by news of the main event and that those who didn’t make it can cheer on their brothers.”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
As the final round approached, the two got serious about the competition, just like the other sect leaders, their eyes glued to the participants.
Wow!
The frontrunner entered, and the cheers erupted.
To my surprise, the first place went to a young person from Sacheon who wasn’t wearing any martial attire. Following closely were the leaders of Mukju Sect in second and Mukju Sect in third, filling the places rapidly.
“I never knew there were this many talents in Sacheon.”
“Indeed. I thought that kid was unbeatable within Sacheon…”
Honestly, I had thought the additional eliminations would be just a celebration party for the sects, but it turned out the champion was a young local. Out of the 500 successful applicants, about 30 were ordinary citizens, which was impressive.
The sect leaders were eyeing those 30 with envy.
The additional successful candidates were awarded blue headbands. Beginning with number 501, all successful participants received their headbands and assembled.
Unlike before, no one was hurried to leave even though the event was ending.
Now the crowd has caught on.
They understood that enticing curiosity and interest would keep the heat alive until the next evaluation.
“Alright, let’s go.”
The sect leaders nodded and moved together.
Wow!
Suddenly, the sect leaders appeared, and the spectators greeted them with a blend of enthusiasm and anticipation.
After exchanging a few casual greetings, I dove straight into the main topic.
“I will promptly address what everyone’s been curious about! A total of 1,000 contestants for the main event! How will the main competition unfold? What advantages do those with a high number carry? And… how many will survive?”
Even amongst thousands of audience members, it became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
“To begin with, the number of survivors in the main competition… is undecided!”
“Wow!”
“It seems it’s an absolute evaluation!”
“I will follow up with the details about the competition.”
People murmured. The reactions to the advance info were mixed – some sparkled with interest while others slumped in disappointment, as knowing beforehand made the tension drop.
But could the host, Ho Cheon-an, possibly lack foresight about their response?
“The main competition will consist of collecting tokens.”
“…Tokens?”
“Participants will go to the sects in Sacheon to have their martial abilities evaluated. The sects will conduct simple tests to assess the participants’ martial potential and grant tokens to those who pass.”
The unexpected format of the main event sparked renewed interest among the crowd.
“Those who collect the tokens by the deadline will pass. However, it won’t be easy to pass the tests each sect values within the limited time.”
“Wow!!”
“Just hearing about it makes me excited!”
“The details of what each sect has prepared will only be confirmed on the day of the competition. Naturally, the number of tests to pass within a certain time frame will also be revealed that day.”
“Also, let me disclose the advantages of successful participants who wear the red headbands.”
The crowd was completely captivated by the cascade of information, utterly absorbed in the Sacheon Outcast Competition for Junior Qualifiers.
“If all 1,000 applicants move simultaneously across the entire Sacheon territory, it will surely cause quite a stir, right?”
“Could it be…?”
“Starting from higher numbers up to 100 will begin in half-decimal units.”
“Does that mean the last 900 participants will have to wait over half an hour?”
“That truly gives an edge!”
While watching the crowd, whose excitement was building, I ended with this last line.
“The main event will commence in three days! Successful participants should gather at Sacheon Martial Arts Arena by midnight!”
—
Hyeok Gi-rin was walking through the streets of Sacheon, a piece of candy in his mouth.
‘All they’re talking about is the martial arts tournament.’
I once thought the predecessor [Sacheon Outcast Selection Test] was amazing, but the [Sacheon Outcast Competition for Junior Qualifiers] has completely captivated Sacheon.
“Everyone will definitely be on edge.”
“Right! It was only the preliminaries! Achieving a high rank in the main event will surely grant unimaginable advantages!”
“I think otherwise. In the main event, they might lessen the advantages based on the ranks, right? As competition intensifies, it’s bound to come down to fine margins.”
“Hmm. You have a point!”
Some participants were already gaining fame.
“Who could number 501 be?”
“To take down all the martial artists of the sects and snag first in the additional preliminaries! That’s truly amazing!”
Notably, 501 and 513 were garnering attention. Individual trainees had performed outstandingly among sect members, making it inevitable they’d turn heads.
“Wow! I’m number one! I’m Sacheon’s best junior qualifier!”
“Come on! The Sacheon Junior Qualifier Selection is best of three! Do it again!”
“That’s not fair!”
Hyeok Gi-rin couldn’t help but smile wryly as he watched the kids bicker. Not long ago, they were completely engrossed in playing Sacheon Outcasts against the Outcast faction, and now their play mimicked the tournament.
‘Senior Ho has truly come up with an ingenious idea.’
The people of Sacheon were thrilled to have exciting entertainment, the junior qualifiers were elated to have a chance to prove themselves and gain fame, the sects were happy to recruit talented youths hidden away, and the Sacheon Outcasts found a chance to enhance their name and improve their job perception.
Hyeok Gi-rin gazed toward the Outcast Inn, musing.
‘In the end, Jeong Cheol is finally lifting the scars left on Sacheon.’
Due to Jeong Cheol’s revelations, a rift had formed between the people of Sacheon and martial artists. The people of Sacheon felt let down by the martial artists and were confused about how to treat the Outcasts.
But now, what about Sacheon?
“I plan to watch the main event from the nearby Yangyang Sect!”
“During the main event, all sects will be opened to the public, right? I’ve always been curious about how sects operate!”
“I’ve heard that as this news spreads, tourism is increasing too?”
“Wow, the Sacheon Outcasts are our pride!”
The people of Sacheon, the Righteous Faction, and the Sacheon Outcasts were all united as one.
Hyeok Gi-rin listened to the conversations about the [Sacheon Outcast Competition for Junior Qualifiers], contemplating where contestant number 7 might aim.
“Oh, it seems I’d better stock up on snacks if I want to follow contestant number 7 around.”
Hyeok Gi-rin was one among many utterly engrossed in watching the [Sacheon Outcast Competition for Junior Qualifiers].
