The Star Dragon Squad recruits members.
It was information that had arrived alongside the news that, a few days ago, Seongwang had become the Lord of the Martial Alliance.
The Anti-Demonic Special Squad that Seongwang would lead.
Unlike other sword squads created mostly to oppose demonic beasts, it was said to be a unit focused on anti-human warfare.
The human-combat specialized squad that had 'officially' disappeared since the emergence of demonic beasts—the Martial Alliance announced they would establish it with Seongwang at the forefront.
Everyone could tell that this was a move with an eye toward war with the Demonic Faction.
It was an era of peace that had been shattered following the Red-Grade demonic beasts.
They had somehow painted over their outward appearance again and again to conceal it, but this incident made even that unavoidable.
The emergence of a White-Grade demonic beast.
On top of that, a new group calling itself the Demonic Cult was causing unknown incidents, so people's anxiety had reached its peak.
In such a situation, when they said they were creating a unit to oppose the Demonic Faction, the response wasn't bad.
No, rather, it was on the better side.
Ah, of course….
'This is largely my influence.'
Perhaps because I had done so much legwork, my standing had risen considerably recently. Thanks to that, there were those who looked favorably upon Seongwang doing something.
The hope of the era, or whatever.
A title that felt burdensome just to hear. It seemed even my face had become too well-known, so it was now difficult to walk around Hanam in my original appearance.
In truth, all I had to do was wear a face veil or alter my body to get around, but….
'I don't want to go that far.'
As I had never liked going out in the first place, I thought it was simply a matter of not going out.
Thus, it was a time when my standing had grown considerably.
To put it hyperbolically, it was a state where they would look favorably upon me even if I took a dump.
Whatever I did, they believed there must be some meaning behind it; one might say they stared at me with bright, gleaming eyes even as I simply passed by.
'…Was it like this for the Divine Sword of my previous life?'
It was definitely not to that extent, but it felt roughly similar.
In my previous life, simply appearing was treated as a calamity. Or I was treated as a fearsome bastard by the world.
In this life, am I treated as a hero?
Even while distinctly feeling such a difference.
'…Tch.'
I did not enjoy it or view it favorably.
This was a board I had created to be this way from the start. I hadn't created it to enjoy such things.
I merely felt a sense of alienation.
Anyway.
The Anti-Demonic Special Squad created by such a Seongwang.
The so-called Star Dragon Squad (星龍隊) declared its establishment, and just yesterday the Martial Alliance dropped a groundbreaking announcement.
It was news that they would recruit members for the Star Dragon Squad from outside, not just internally.
Originally, the Martial Alliance's sword squads were naturally the exclusive domain of the martial artists belonging to the Alliance.
Surprisingly, the Star Dragon Squad declared that they would recruit external martial artists.
Of course, they weren't all outsiders.
They had said that Alliance personnel would naturally be included as well, but….
'Anyway, bringing in external personnel is absurd.'
For the Martial Alliance, this was truly an unprecedented choice.
And for good reason—the Martial Alliance was an organization that valued tradition.
It considered itself the center and focal point of the Orthodox Faction, and this was the foundational rule it maintained to preserve that.
No matter what group they created, they would make it with internal Alliance personnel.
This was something basically done not only by the Martial Alliance but by other organizations as well.
For the Alliance, which had lived by maintaining that principle, to say they would bring even the included personnel—from the Lord down—from outside was inevitably quite unprecedented.
Perhaps because of such unprecedented matters, and also because of the meaning held by the newly established sword squad, more people had gathered than I expected.
Rustle—.
While surveying the personnel, I checked the document before me. It was a document with the applicants' information roughly written down.
The total number was one hundred and three.
Quite a substantial number for having gathered in just one day.
'I heard that the great families and sects gathered in Hanam had almost all withdrawn.'
The prestigious houses and renowned sects that had come for the martial arts tournament.
After the memorial service ended, most of them left for their own lands.
Those remaining in Hanam now were not many.
'There are six great families and five sects remaining in Hanam.'
It was remarkable to have that many people despite the majority having left.
Did they value the Star Dragon Squad that highly?
If so, it was something I could not understand.
At that moment.
"As explained before we begin the test, the number to be selected is ten in total."
A martial artist from the Alliance began explaining to the gathered people.
Hearing that, I too rested my chin on my hand.
The personnel to be supplemented from outside were ten.
Besides that, ten people brought from within the Alliance.
Thus, the personnel the Star Dragon Squad would have numbered twenty-five.
If you're wondering why the explanation said twenty but they add up to twenty-five, it's because the five are a matter I had separately discussed with Mukyeon.
And so, twenty-five in total.
At a glance it looked like a lot, but compared to other sword squads, it was a small elite unit.
The Flying Dragon Squad, which handled intelligence, had over eighty members alone.
The Red Dragon Squad, which was said to be relatively small, exceeded forty.
But twenty-five? It was a considerably small number.
Tap.
Tap, tap, tap.
At the sound of knocking on the table, the Ssanguihwangeom at my side glanced at me.
'Hmm.'
Even while feeling that gaze, my eyes were solely fixed on the document.
Everything else was fine.
The fewer the personnel, the better.
So up to this point, well, it was within expected measures.
But.
'…What the hell?'
There was a slight problem.
'Why are these guys here?'
It was that somewhat familiar names could be seen all throughout the document.
Names that shouldn't be here.
Several such names peeked out.
'This shouldn't be happening.'
What had I done to avoid seeing these names here?
I shouldn't be seeing these names here.
'Ha.'
Just what the hell had happened?
Just as I was filled with doubt.
"…Hyeop."
'How on earth did they know….'
"Daehyeop—!"
"…!"
I raised my head at the loud voice coming from ahead.
Upon checking, it was the martial artist who had been explaining. It seemed he had been calling me continuously.
"I apologize. It seemed you weren't hearing… Are you alright?"
"Ah, yes… I was lost in thought for a moment. What is it?"
"I wished to report to you once the explanation was finished."
Hearing that, I looked back; surely, the martial artists were all looking this way.
"I heard that the matters related to the test… you are personally overseeing and preparing them."
"Ah, yes."
I cleared my throat a few times with my hand.
Just as the martial artist said, the matters related to the test were solely under my supervision.
As I had told Mukyeon in advance, I had already said I would handle this part myself.
In other words.
It was no different from declaring I would pick whoever I pleased, and that I would handle the test for it myself as well.
'Sss….'
Though the situation was a bit tricky, I had to proceed first.
I narrowed my eyes at the gathered personnel before me and spoke.
"Thank you for gathering here. Time is precious, so I will skip the introductions."
At my words, the surroundings began to buzz.
It was a reaction of surprise that I wouldn't even give an explanation or introduction.
At the same time, I could see tension rising. It seemed they expected something to happen since I said it was a test.
'That's not it, though.'
Seeing that they had even provided the dueling platform, it seemed the applicants—and naturally the Martial Alliance side as well—thought they would be made to spar.
Usually, such tests are fundamentally about sparring or showing off strength, so it was a natural assumption.
Sorry, but I didn't have the slightest intention of doing so.
Rustle.
I flipped through several pages of the document. Then, suddenly.
'Nice.'
I had found just the right person.
"You there."
I immediately pointed at someone with my hand.
The man who was pointed at looked around, then soon pointed at himself.
"…M-me?"
"Yes. You. Would you please come up onto the dueling platform?"
"…"
Though the request was abrupt, the man walked forward without saying much.
A height that wasn't particularly tall and lean muscles.
Judging by his developed state, one could tell he was a swordsman.
"It's been a while. Are you feeling better?"
He was also someone I knew.
When I pretended to slightly recognize him, the man's eyes widened.
"You remembered me…."
"It wasn't like I saw you briefly. Of course I remember. Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, there is no problem at all."
"That's good."
The man nodded calmly.
I couldn't quite remember his name. His nickname was probably….
'Was it the Yeoltujeongeom?'
He didn't seem to be that famous of a person.
He was a martial artist who had been in the fight against the White-Grade demonic beast back then.
The Yeoltujeongeom, called out so abruptly. He seemed bewildered by the situation, his eyes darting about.
I looked at him and spoke with a slight smile.
"Sorry for calling you out so suddenly. It's just that I have a favor to ask."
"Ah, no. If it's a favor, please just say it. What kind of…?"
"Until this is over. Please stand there for a moment."
"Yes?"
"I needed a clear standard. And you just happen to be perfect for it."
Standard.
The vague word only deepened the questions.
An expression that still showed he didn't understand. I looked at such a man and added.
"Ah. By the way, you've passed."
"Huh? Yes…? What do you mean, all of a sudden…?"
"I will begin the test. From the front row on the left, please come up one by one."
Leaving behind the Yeoltujeongeom, who couldn't even react properly, I called them up onto the dueling platform one by one and stood them beside him.
From then on.
"Fail, fail, fail. Hmm… Pass. Ah, the three of you behind him fail. You don't need to come out."
I decided passers and failures at an absurd speed.
The decision came just seconds after they came up.
Those facing such an absurd test all wore bewildered expressions.
Naturally. Even I could see it made no sense.
But it didn't matter.
Because I had already talked it over with Mukyeon.
After cutting ten more people following that.
"Yes. That's a fail…. Next… is."
Looking at the figure slowly ascending the dueling platform, I briefly trailed off.
'Damn.'
The turn had finally come.
It was one of the problems I had mentioned earlier.
Thud.
Light footsteps.
At that sound, the murmuring around them vanished as well.
A woman ascending the dueling platform.
It was the silence she created.
With every movement, her collar fluttered, and whether the hair swaying in the wind bothered her, she brushed it up with her hand.
The blue eyes contained within sparkled.
"…Hoo…."
"…Hahk…."
Shallow exclamations of admiration.
The only reaction breaking the silence was precisely that.
About ten steps until reaching the dueling platform.
Just walking up ten times, time seemed to flow slowly.
Though her gait was nothing special, those damned bastards were busy watching that action.
Seeing that, I had to furrow my brow.
'If you're going to wander around, please wear a veil at least.'
My head was already aching.
I don't know why she's getting prettier by the day.
The woman finally ascended the dueling platform.
The Yeoltujeongeom, who had been standing there the whole time, broke out in a cold sweat.
It didn't seem to be from fatigue. Naturally, it seemed to be because of the woman beside him.
I too rubbed the back of my neck looking at the white-haired woman.
I looked at Namgung Bia, who had been among the crowd.
"…"
"…"
Our eyes met.
Namgung Bia was gazing at me quietly with her characteristic blue eyes.
While looking at those eyes, I checked the surrounding reactions as well.
Those who had failed and were grinding their teeth having done nothing, and those nervous about the upcoming test ahead, were all busy staring at Namgung Bia.
Watching that put me in a thoroughly shitty mood.
"Haa."
I can't gouge all their eyes out.
In my heart, I wanted to just fail her on the spot, but having to restrain myself was even more aggravating.
'Tch.'
Clicking my tongue internally, I looked at Namgung Bia again.
Her pupils were pretty yet deeply indifferent.
At a glance, she appeared to have no emotion whatsoever, but having seen her so much, by now there was something I could tell.
Those were eyes that wanted something.
Eyes that looked at me wanting something from me.
I even knew what she wanted.
The fact that she had come here without saying a word to me from the start made her intentions obvious.
But.
'No way.'
Naturally, I had no intention of granting it.
Like hell I'd grant this.
Recalling that, I was about to speak.
"…Fai—."
Kwa-ang—!!
A strange sound suddenly came from beside me.
It was the sound of someone slamming the table.
Turning my gaze toward the source of the sound, I saw the Ssanguihwangeom with his face flushed bright red.
"This is…."
Wondering what he was doing, I looked at the Ssanguihwangeom.
"Just what the hell are you trying to do right now—!"
Whether filled with rage, he gnashed his teeth and bellowed.
What the hell is this bastard on about now…?