“Haaa.”
Contestant No. 7 sighed as they sat on a bench in the park.
“Oh dear, it seems things aren’t going well for you.”
With a bitter smile, Contestant No. 7 replied to the now-familiar voice of Hyeok Gi-rin.
“I’m sorry to always show you my shortcomings even though you cheer for me every day.”
Contestant No. 7 knew that Hyeok Gi-rin came to visit daily. Since they practiced openly in the park, the audience could watch their sessions if they wished. However, unlike the first preliminary round, the second was different in nature. While the first round allowed continuous viewing of contestants’ performances, the second round primarily consisted of group formation training, which was much less entertaining to watch.
As a result, most of the audience only gathered during the formation duels, and there weren’t many who came to cheer them on in everyday practice.
With not many spectators, Hyeok Gi-rin, who regularly watched for about half a cycle a day, stood out among them.
“It seems opinions aren’t coming together?”
“Yes, that seems to be the case.”
“Heh, the groups with poor performances tend to suffer from small disputes. It’s not just Team 7; so cheer up.”
Contestant No. 7 nodded with a bitter smile.
In the end, wouldn’t only those who overcame adversity be able to move on to the second round?
After a break, Contestant No. 7 somewhat regained their energy and actively contributed ideas.
The conclusion drawn after a lengthy discussion was somewhat ordinary, but they decided to retain the four formations they had learned so far and acquire two new ones.
As a result, Team 7 recorded 1 win and 1 loss in their duels against Teams 4 and 6.
6 matches: 2 wins and 4 losses.
After the matches, Contestant No. 7 let out a sigh. An atmosphere of gloom enveloped Team 7.
They had only barely claimed a win, and the opponent they beat was Team 6, which had almost guaranteed elimination with 1 win, 4 losses, and 1 tie. They had lost in a tight contest against Team 4, which could be considered in the mid-ranking.
They needed at least 5 wins to have a chance of passing, but all remaining opponents were strong teams from the mid-ranking and above.
In a situation where it was doubtful whether they could win even 1 more match, they had to aim for 3 additional wins.
After the matches, Contestant No. 501 didn’t dissolve Team 7 and instead initiated an additional meeting.
“At this rate, it will be difficult to pass the exam. So let’s discuss how to break through the next test.”
“Hmph, would this discussion even have any meaning? The elimination of Team 7 is already a foregone conclusion.”
Contestant No. 532 chimed in.
“Damn it, 532! Everything went wrong from there! Don’t you know that?”
“Ha, am I still to blame?”
Another fight broke out.
“651, do you have plans to take on the team leader position?”
“My resignation wasn’t an emotional decision. I need more time than I currently have to implement the ideas I have.”
“Isn’t it time we practice? If it’s just going to be a brawl, I’ll take my leave.”
“So isn’t it necessary to decide what kind of practice to do moving forward?”
“Ugh… Having gotten into a group with such people, how can things go well?”
Thinking they were already finished, Team 7 spoke unguardedly.
“Enough, enough!”
Ultimately, Contestant No. 501 decided to reconvene the next day and had no choice but to dissolve Team 7.
“Ugh.”
Contestant No. 7 sighed as they looked at the dispersing members.
“How frustrating.”
There wasn’t enough passion among them to unite for their success.
Yet everyone’s motivation had dwindled.
Contestant No. 7 contemplated whether to step up as the team leader even now. But they shook their head almost immediately.
“501 must also have a strong desire to pass. So they must have taken on the troublesome role of team leader. But they know nothing of military tactics or weapon skills, and they’re just average at managing people. Taking the leader position will yield no sharp solutions.”
“It seems things are not going well.”
“Ah… Miss.”
Contestant No. 7 turned to see Hyeok Gi-rin, who was now familiar to them. Contestant No. 7 noticed the small hat that Hyeok Gi-rin was wearing and opened their mouth.
“That hat suits you well.”
“Thank you. I heard such hats are in fashion, so I bought one too.”
Contestant No. 7 recalled having seen other misses wearing small hats like that and nodded. Was such a hat becoming a trend among maidens these days?
As Contestant No. 7 watched Hyeok Gi-rin proudly showing off the small hat with a small smile,
“Cough, pardon me,”
Contestant No. 688 approached shyly. This was someone who had applied for the team leader role previously, claiming to have learned some weapon skills.
“Could you be the maiden who comes every day to cheer for Team 7?”
“Um. That’s right?”
Seeing Hyeok Gi-rin cocking their head made Contestant No. 688 stutter.
“D-did you happen to see today’s match? You stood at the forefront and scattered your opponents like autumn leaves in the match against Team 6…”
Contestant No. 688 swung their arms as if reenacting that moment.
“Swish! Swish!”
“Ah! You were the one leading the charge when you unfolded your tactic!”
“Exactly! You remembered!”
Contestant No. 7 wore a bitter smile. It was clear that Contestant No. 688 had feelings for Hyeok Gi-rin, evident in their behavior.
“Though I suppose this young lady is objectively beautiful.”
Before the impression of beauty sank in, the strong feeling of cuteness took over; Hyeok Gi-rin’s looks were still noteworthy.
“While I’ve been cheering for Contestant No. 7! If I could receive support from Contestant No. 688 too, I believe I can exert a bit more strength!”
Hyeok Gi-rin smiled brightly and responded.
“Of course. I wish all of Team 7 the best. I’m cheering for you, too, 688.”
“Thank you! If you stop by during practice tomorrow, I’ll show you an even better performance!”
“Yes, good luck tomorrow!”
Contestant No. 7 watched Contestant No. 688 leave happily after receiving Hyeok Gi-rin’s cheer and then apologized to Hyeok Gi-rin.
“I’m afraid I might have dragged you into something unnecessary.”
“Heh, no. I’ve grown somewhat attached to the members of Team 7, so it’s nice to see everyone do well.”
At Hyeok Gi-rin’s response, Contestant No. 7 chuckled. Well, at least Contestant No. 688 had regained some motivation, which was a good outcome.
“…Hmm.”
Regained motivation, huh.
Contestant No. 7 momentarily looked at Hyeok Gi-rin and shook their head. No, this really seems a bit too much on a personal level.
“What’s wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing. I just had a rather grave thought for a second.”
Contestant No. 7 instinctively pushed the thought out of their head. One needs to have some shame. Regardless, making such a request…
“Do you need help?”
After a brief hesitation, Contestant No. 7 nodded.
“I apologize, mistress. I know how rude this request is, but with my insufficient intellect, this is the only way I can think of to pass this formation exam.”
“It’s okay. If it’s something I can help with, I’d be happy to assist.”
Contestant No. 7 kept bowing their head in gratitude as they gathered their request.
* *
“From today onward, I shall be the team leader.”
All eyes in Team 7 turned to Contestant No. 7 at their declaration.
“Hmph, now anyone can claim to be the team leader!”
Contestant No. 532 interjected again, but Contestant No. 7 ignored it.
“501, you didn’t really want to be the team leader in the first place, did you?”
“Umm… Well, that’s true, but I’ll listen to others’ opinions and decide.”
The reactions from Team 7 were lukewarm. They didn’t quite understand why Contestant No. 7 wanted to take the lead now, especially since they were almost giving up anyway. Reluctantly agreeing to Contestant No. 7’s insistence to lead, the members of Team 7 obliged.
“First, let’s review the formations we’ve learned so far.”
“With no plans or strategies…?”
Contestant No. 7 pushed forward recklessly, and the members of Team 7 griped about it but had no choice but to take formation. However, the enthusiasm for reviewing the formations was clearly at rock bottom for Team 7.
While they were begrudgingly practicing the formations,
“Ah…”
One member of Team 7 gasped and froze in place, prompting the others to look around and stop too, wondering what they were seeing.
Contestant No. 7 also turned their head and jaw dropped.
“They’ve come~”
As usual, alongside Hyeok Gi-rin waving at Contestant No. 7 were Black Cat, Miss Yeo Il-ye, Tang Do-yeon, and Tang So-yeol, all wearing the small hats that were apparently in fashion these days.
Though her face was half-hidden by the black rib, just the faint outline of her jawline and her figure could steal anyone’s heart—there were not just one, but five stunning beauties!
Even Contestant No. 7, who had asked Hyeok Gi-rin to gather beautiful friends to come and cheer, was in shock witnessing the beauty of the group that appeared before Team 7, whose surprise was even greater.
Thud!
Contestant No. 7 smacked the ground with their staff. The sound jolted Team 7 back to reality, turning to Contestant No. 7.
“It’s time to unfurl our formation. Let’s push through vigorously this time. Unfurl!”
“Unfurl!”
“Hraaah!”
“Yahhh!”
The energy of Team 7 changed completely. Their eyes blazed bright, their shouts were filled with power, and the strikes of their staffs were fierce, while their movements flowed swiftly as they practiced their formations.
Glancing sideways at Hyeok Gi-rin’s group engaged in chatter, Team 7 powered through their formations even more vigorously.
Time flew by, and after about half a cycle,
As per usual, Hyeok Gi-rin waved goodbye as they left, prompting Contestant No. 7 to return the gesture with a salute. Hyeok Gi-rin’s group also smiled at Contestant No. 7 and gracefully exited the park.
“Ah…”
“I just want to see their faces once more—no more wishes to be had.”
As everyone from Team 7 muttered their lingering regrets,
Thud!
Contestant No. 7 struck the ground again.
“Just so you know, one of the maidens who visited today has always cheered for me, did you know?”
Most members of Team 7 nodded. Hyeok Gi-rin, who often came to watch their practice for nearly half a cycle, was a noticeable presence for various reasons.
“Today, this person special gathered friends just to cheer for ‘Team 7.’ In other words, the other maidens who came today didn’t come to root for any specific contestant.”
Contestant No. 7 felt the enthusiasm of Team 7 igniting as they continued.
“To pass the next duel, we must secure at least 1 victory. If there is hope of passing, wouldn’t these maidens come back to cheer for us again?”
Contestant No. 7 turned to Contestant No. 651 and asked.
“651, I want to reinstate you as our team leader. I believe you can lead Team 7 to victory.”
“Indeed!”
“651 is a proven candidate for team leader!”
Supported by overwhelming agreement, Contestant No. 651 recalled the group of beautiful friends Hyeok Gi-rin had brought today. All had distinct charms, but if pressed to choose the most stunning, it would undoubtedly be the one wearing the black rib.
Yet there was another maiden who somehow lingered in Contestant No. 651’s mind. One who seemed entirely unconcerned with the affairs of the world; the one with a strange yet captivating demeanor.
“If I can see that maiden again…”
With a resolute voice, Contestant No. 651 declared,
“I will pour out my very soul to lead this team to victory!”
“Woooh!”
“Please! Team Leader!”
Even Contestant No. 532, who often became a nuisance merely by speaking up, became one with the voices of Team 7.
At last, Team 7 became a perfectly united group of contestants who shared a single mindset.
“Huuh!”
“Chahaa!”
Team 7’s training continued late into the night.
And they achieved a stunning back-to-back victory.
* *
The small hat craze began around the time of the second preliminary rounds.
Men and women of all ages forsook the wide-brimmed practical versions for smaller, more conical shapes.
Thanks to the small hats becoming fashionable, Hyeok Gi-rin’s companions seemed to have enjoyed their experience at the Later Sacheon Outcasts Selection Tournament.
Contestant No. 7, who had been at the center of Hyeok Gi-rin’s fervent enthusiasm, had initially thought Team 7 was on the verge of elimination, but then suddenly turned it around with a stunning four straight wins, advancing in the second preliminary round.
Normally, when a mental breakdown occurs, it leads to a downward spiral; yet they turned it all around.
It suddenly occurred to Contestant No. 7 that Hyeok Gi-rin’s fervor for supporting them might be based on more than just the fact that they were a Cross-dressing Woman.
Anyway, the second preliminary round concluded just yesterday, and five teams comprising 210 members advanced to the finals.
Each finalist received a dagger inscribed with “Sacheon Outcasts Later Selection Tournament Final Qualification Commemoration.”
The finals would take place a week later.
The competition would, of course, be martial arts.
It wouldn’t make sense for martial arts to be excluded from a selection tournament.
Through martial arts, the bottom 110 would be eliminated, and the top 100 contestants would gain the right to enter their preferred sect.
“Is it true that Contestant No. 7 is coming to the Outcast Inn?”
“Yes, it seems 10 members, including Contestant No. 501 and Contestant No. 7, chose the Outcast Inn.”
Then, during the week leading up to the start of the finals, all sects widely opened their doors to the contestants.
It could be called a “sect experience period.”
For contestants not affiliated with any sect, it was a time to choose the faction they would later belong to while also providing a chance to supplement their lacking martial arts skills, if only for a brief time.
The Outcast Inn was one of those “sects” that received contestants.
Today was the very first day of that experience period.
As a result, various members of the Outcasts were wearing small hats even indoors.
“Ah, hello!”
Ten contestants entered the Outcast Inn, looking around shyly with exclamations of awe.
“This is the Outcast Inn…”
“Indeed…”
It simply looked like an ordinary inn, yet for some reason, it seemed to hold significance for this group of contestants.
Contestant No. 7 looked at Black Cat and was taken aback, pointing a finger.
“Wait, young lady…? No? Others too?”
“Heh, welcome. Do you understand what this means?”
Black Cat chuckled while patting the small hat.
The contestants nodded vigorously, looking dazed.
Hmm.
Did Black Cat also cheer for Contestant No. 7 alongside Hyeok Gi-rin?
“Greetings, contestants.”
The ones who recognized the Sword of Sam-A were members of the audience, and they all bowed slightly. I accepted their greetings lightly and began to speak.
“Though you may have some illusions about the Sacheon Outcasts, the Outcast Inn is merely an inn where members of the Sacheon Outcasts gather; it is not a sect that teaches martial arts. Thus, you must seek your own martial skills, and training must also be done independently. It may sound harsh and cold, but that is just what the Sacheon Outcasts are.”
The contestants gulped nervously.
“However, you are all still candidates for the Later Selection Tournament. The Outcast Inn will indeed show consideration for you, and I hope you can learn as much as possible.”
“Yes! We will learn earnestly!”
“Thank you for your consideration!”
“Then let’s start with some warm-up exercises. The training hall is this way.”
Following my gesture, the contestants moved with spirited strides toward the training hall.
And waiting for them there was Tang So-yeol, wearing a badly red eight-sided hat.
“Greetings. I, the training instructor here, will teach you methods for physical conditioning. These are the training methods that the Sacheon Outcasts repeat every morning and are also the methods used by the Brain Knife Outcasts for their body conditioning.”
“Oh…!”
“The training method of the Brain Knife Outcasts…!”
“What’s the name of this training method?”
Tang So-yeol grinned and said.
“Ah, this training method is called ‘Blood-Soaked Calisthenics.’”
As I watched the contestants memorize Tang So-yeol’s moves, a thought crossed my mind.
These contestants might just show up again tomorrow.
Those who chose to come tomorrow might truly be those seeking to become Sacheon Outcasts.
As I observed the contestants awkwardly following along to Tang So-yeol’s commands, a gentle breeze blew.
It was not a biting, cold wind, but rather sweet whiffs of spring fragrance.
While managing the event without realizing how fast time passed, it seemed spring was swiftly approaching.
Yes.
It was now the perfect season to embark on travels once again.
I felt it was almost time to leave Sacheon City behind.
“Contestant No. 1, prepare for high jump! Start!”
“One! Two!”
It was a day when winter ended, and spring began to arrive.
