Main Event Day.
Crowds gathered around the martial arts arena like clouds.
“Number 1 is the true representative of Sacheon City!”
“What nonsense! Number 502 is the real deal! This main event will surely distinguish the high from the low!”
Looks like fandoms are forming already. It seems certain contestants have started attracting their supporters even before showing anything impressive.
“Go, Number 7! Do your best!”
I thought I heard a familiar voice. Turning around, I saw Hyeok Gi-rin bouncing up and down, cheering for Number 7.
…Hmm.
I recalled how for the past few days, they had been coaxing our group to watch the tournament together. Seems like they really wanted to support Number 7.
I’m glad to see Hyeok Gi-rin enjoying the selection tournament in their own way.
As I examined the Number 7 participant that Hyeok Gi-rin was cheering for, I began to understand why they were so enthusiastic.
Number 7 was a cross-dressing female contestant.
While there were fewer female contestants, some of them had made it to the main event. But why the cross-dressing…?
After all, all the first-round participants applied to be Outcasts of Sacheon, and with only the rarely active Black Cat among the Outcasts as the sole young lady, it made sense for someone really wanting to be an Outcast to dress like this.
Did the Number 7 contestant genuinely want to become a Sacheon Outcast?
Well, we’ll find out with the results.
Now, I stood on the platform amid the now-familiar cheers.
“Welcome, residents of Sacheon City! And to the 1,000 participants in the main event.”
“As previously announced, the first round of the main event consists of traveling around the various sects in Sacheon City, passing the tests they present, and collecting tokens. Every sect conducting a test will surely have a sign with the Black Rib logo or a banner saying [Sacheon Outcast Tournament]. So let’s avoid causing a ruckus by barging into improper sects.”
Hahaha!
The audience erupted into laughter.
“To prevent any accidents, moving while using lightness martial arts or running is prohibited. If you’re a martial artist affiliated with a sect, you may not take the test at your own sect. Many sects are cooperating generously for this tournament, so don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of choices!”
Since this was a reasonable protocol, there was no disturbance.
“Just to ease any worries about participants potentially forging or losing their tokens, each sect is working with us to cross-verify where participants obtained their tokens. So there’s no need to worry; however, just in case, participants who lose their tokens may face public disgrace, so please keep track of them as best as you can.”
Once again, light laughter rippled through the crowd.
Hmm. I quite like this friendly atmosphere.
“Now, I’ll provide details about how the main event will proceed.”
I pulled a token from my pocket.
A palm-sized wooden token.
Sure, it was a mass-produced item hastily stamped with a character due to bulk manufacturing, but was it necessary to stress over the quality of the competition tools?
Using money acquired from a magic show set on a bustling weekend, I stumbled into multiplying my work, leading to budget constraints. Honestly, I didn’t think every single tool needed meticulous attention.
…Funding from the sects and local dignitaries would come in this week anyway, so it should be fine!
What mattered wasn’t the quality of the tokens.
“You must collect the tokens in seven colors plus black, totaling eight colors.”
“Those who pass the tests at each sect will receive a token. Even if you take the same test twice, you’ll just get another token of the same color, so there’s no need to repeat the same test multiple times.”
“Lastly, let me announce the testing period. You have one week for the tests.”
A commotion erupted, but I continued with my explanation, ignoring it.
“The sects where you can take the tests will change daily, and each morning you will gather here to start. Tests will be conducted each day from sunrise to noon, and those who gather all eight tokens must submit them before the morning departure the following day.”
“What the…! A whole week to take tests!”
“The tests must be extremely difficult! Is it going to be hard just to pass one a day?”
Well, you’ll find out by experiencing it yourself.
Listening to the murmurs of the crowd while observing the participants, most of them couldn’t hide their shock. They probably anticipated some sort of drawn-out battle, but they certainly didn’t expect a full week of rigorous competition.
Rather than enthusiasm, the participants wore expressions of dismay as if they were hitting a wall.
While the audience was bursting with excitement over the main event, the content was pretty dull for the participants.
I anticipated this and had prepared to boost their spirits in advance.
Swoosh!
As I raised my hand, the curtain fell from behind me.
“Ooh…!”
“Wow!”
The long curtain dropped, revealing what everyone had come to see, causing a chorus of gasps.
Black Ribs.
A stunningly arranged display of 100 black ribs labeled from 1 to 100 stood before everyone.
I casually walked over and picked up one marked “1.”
“This is not just an ordinary black rib.”
Ting!
As I flicked my finger, a distinct metallic resonance rang out.
“This is a treasure made by forging iron into bamboo-like strength, woven with iron threads, and marked with gold. It can be said that it’s a treasure crafted with great care by the artisans of the Tang Clan.”
I wasn’t lying.
These were items that Tang So-yeol crafted while hastily producing them during a smoke break.
“This is a glorious item only attainable by the 100 representatives of this tournament.”
Is there anything more motivating than a grand prize to lift the spirits? I could feel enthusiasm returning to the participants, overshadowed by the overwhelming weight of the momentous main event, without even needing to glimpse the shining eyes peeking between the black ribs.
“The competition for the ownership of these items begins now. Contestants number 1 to 100, please start!”
Waaaaaa!!
With the roar of cheers, the hundred participants sprang into action.
The main event had begun.
*
The hundred participants scattered as they sought out the nearest sect.
At Sangjeolmun, the closest and relatively well-known sect, numerous audience members awaited.
As soon as the first contestant entered, about ten others followed. The waiting audience erupted in cheers.
“Welcome, representatives of Sacheon City participating in Sangjeolmun’s test!”
A martial artist, seeming to be the representative, spoke up.
“Our Sangjeolmun has been thriving for 42 years since its founding by the remarkable Chugaktae Sangsoshin, primarily focusing on the practice of martial arts.”
“Oh, Sangjeolmun has been around for 42 years?”
“That explains the tranquil atmosphere here.”
The martial artist, pleased with the positive reactions, smiled inwardly as he subtly promoted his sect.
“Taiyoh!”
Boom!
The martial artist struck the air fiercely, causing spectators to gasp with amazement. Sticking to the advice of the Outcast Inn to avoid excessive hyping, the martial artist cut short the demonstration.
“I shall show you a portion of the Set Style—you need balance and strong power to maintain stability on one leg! Thus, our test will assess both qualities!”
As the participants eagerly awaited what the test would entail, they collectively held their breath.
“Our test here will be a Cockfight!”
The test prepared by Sangjeolmun was… chicken fighting.
*
The first day of the main event came to a close.
Residents of Sacheon City gathered in pubs or open spaces, chit-chatting about the tests.
“The test prepared by Song Sang-mun was arm wrestling!”
“Yeong Yeong-mun had a boulder-pushing test!”
“Lee Sang-pa had one where he had to dodge incoming balls without stepping off the ground.”
Most tests were simple yet challenging.
“Seems easy to the ear, but hardly many passed!”
“I heard from a Jang family member tailing Number 1 that they’ve already collected four tokens!”
“Wow, the top-tier ones will finish by tomorrow.”
“What a shame. What a shame.”
The second day of preliminary tests began.
A small twist was that the sects conducting the tests had changed. The sects that had banners up yesterday took them down, while those who hadn’t put any up did now.
Contestants who had gathered information the day before found themselves back at square one, forced to search for the sects again.
The third day of preliminary tests began.
The contestants’ strategies changed. Unlike the first day, where they rushed into any trial, they now visited each sect, checked the tests, and spent time figuring out what they could manage. The opportunities to try were limitless, but their physical strength had limits.
“You just need to stamp the stepping stones in time to fill the water tub!”
The Number 7 contestant who had performed at the Daoist Sect wiped the sweat off their brow, letting out a sigh of relief.
Clap clap clap clap!!
After finishing the test, Number 7 waved at the cheering crowd trailing behind them.
‘That supporter has been following and cheering for me for three days. I’m thankful for that.’
With their petite stature and cute look bouncing around with a bright smile, Number 7 felt a surge of energy.
As Number 7 accepted their seventh token with a smile, they thought to themselves.
“Don’t tell the audience or other contestants the color of your tokens.”
In response to the warning they had already received seven times, Number 7 nodded. Revealing which colors one possessed only brought disadvantage.
‘Another blue one.’
Number 7 let out a light sigh.
They had gathered seven tokens, but due to their luck, they only had four colors collected.
‘It’s the same situation anyway.’
Recalling the stories about Numbers 1, 2, 3, or even 501, 502, and 503, Number 7 calmed their anxieties. They had heard the leading contenders had collected over ten tokens, yet no one had submitted their tokens so far.
‘Let’s just do what I can.’
With that in mind, Number 7 regained their composure. Maybe it was luck, as they passed two additional tests and collected nine tokens. They believed that would be enough to rank high.
However, those thoughts shattered with the start of the fourth day.
“Number 74! I’m submitting my tokens!”
“Number 558! I’ll submit as well!”
“Number 632! I’m done!”
The Brain Knife Outcast nodded as they announced.
“The first contestant to gather all eight tokens is Number 558. Second place is Number 74, and third place is Number 632. Congratulations on passing the main event!”
No one had expected these placements.
The shocking turn of events sent ripples through the audience gathered to watch the fourth day’s matches.
“Wait, was Number 502 able to collect a staggering thirteen tokens? Even with that, they couldn’t gather all eight colors?”
The prize handed to the participants who passed the main event was a thick belt. Contestants, adorned with decorations made of gold, silver, and copper, raised their hands in joy.
The unexpected winners, overwhelmed by the audience’s shock and the exposure of new tokens, settled the chaotic atmosphere just before the start of the fourth day’s matches.
“Then let’s begin today’s competition.”
Number 7 thought as they headed out today, starting first. The priority granted by being among the lead group was an incredibly strong advantage. The lead group could immediately take the test as soon as they arrived at a sect.
They could gain one or even more chances than everyone else.
‘Perhaps in the second round of the main event, I might receive even greater advantages…!’
But they still needed to collect four more colors. With this pace, they were anxious that they wouldn’t make it into the top 50 or 100.
‘Today, I’ll seize every opportunity I can!’
Thus, Number 7 passed six tests that day. However, amongst the eight tokens, they only managed to obtain a black token.
The fifth day of testing began.
On the first day of the fifth round, 40 additional contestants passed.
Not one of the strong leading contenders or those in the 501, 502, or 503 ranges made it this time.
Number 7 understood their rank had fallen below 40 and gritted their teeth as they stood on the starting line. They figured out their best route based on the information gathered over the previous days, considering the sect locations and test times.
On the fifth day, they passed a whopping eight tests but only got one new color token.
The sixth day of testing began.
Over 110 additional contestants passed, raising the total to over 150 who had succeeded.
The audience started to grow suspicious, and the participants began whispering their complaints.
“Number 502 has collected forty-one tokens, yet can’t manage to gather all eight colors?”
“Contestant 501 must have collected at least thirty!”
“Luck may be important, but this is just too extreme!”
“Are these even fair tests?”
Number 7 shared the sentiment of discontent among the crowds and fellow participants. They had gathered a staggering 23 tokens, but only managed to acquire six distinct colors.
Despite strategically selecting tests they could breeze through, as well as those they excelled in, they still hadn’t been able to collect all the colors, which felt off.
However, the Brain Knife Outcast merely listened to the complaints without responding.
“The sixth-day competition begins.”
Feeling a tad apprehensive towards the Brain Knife Outcast’s silence, Number 7 suppressed those feelings and set forth. There were plenty of sects to tackle today.
That day, Number 7 passed seven tests, yet did not acquire any new colors.
Seventh day. The final competition day dawned.
With a large number of leading participants finally passing, the previous day’s fairness concerns were somewhat alleviated, but a new type of fairness issue arose.
While the 1-10 and 501-510 numbers were still failing, many contestants from 11-100 and 511-600 either succeeded or completed their tests. Yet, the total number of successful contestants dropped to about 70, fewer than the previous day.
“What’s with these tests?”
“Can this even be considered a true competition to determine the representatives of Sacheon?”
As the agitated crowd grew louder, someone shouted.
“This test is fair!”
All eyes turned to the source: Contestant Number 33.
“I too had many complaints about this test just yesterday, but now I believe it is fair! Don’t you?”
Some of the successful contestants rallied behind them. The murmurs amongst the successful participants had a considerable number who were top contenders from the preliminary rounds.
Not everyone agreed with Number 33, but a notable amount of individuals did… leading the rest to be engulfed in confusion.
