‘Could it be?’
Yeom-ga of the Killing Curse Valley frowned, a sense of unease growing within him. The reaction to Mok Gyeong-un's suggestion of a sword formation was far from ordinary. If it wasn't true, there would have been no reason to react that way in the first place.
‘It can't be.’
Yeom-ga denied it inwardly. A sword formation was, just as the name implied, a formation art performed with swords. A formation art is built on specific rules and intricate, interlocking forms of change, which was difficult to achieve with just the incantations of a Sword Art.
This meant one had to apply the forms from the incantations, something that was impossible to visualize with just a casual understanding of the incantations alone.
‘Is that fellow such a master of the sword?’
To discern this from the incantations alone would require a master of the Sword Art on the level of his father, the Valley Master of the Killing Curse Valley. That was why Yeom-ga prayed it wasn't true.
But contrary to his hopes, the demon mask asked Mok Gyeong-un in a serious tone, "Why do you think it is a sword formation?" To this, Mok Gyeong-un replied nonchalantly, "The forms of the Sword Art are faithful to the basics, and each one is arranged so their paths do not overlap.
Seeing that, wouldn't it be possible to perform a sword formation?"
"Their paths do not overlap..."
The demon mask's eyes narrowed. Even if one could perform the Sword Art multiple times or visualize the sword in their mind, picturing the combined paths of a sword formation was quite difficult. It was more than just observing one's own movements.
"Hmm."
The demon mask stroked his chin. Honestly, it was hard to believe. The insight of a boy who was merely seventeen or eighteen years old rivaled that of someone who had reached a high realm with the sword?
Of course, if he possessed innate genius, it could be possible. However, ‘Those hands...’ The demon mask looked at Mok Gyeong-un's palms, which told a different story.
Those were not the hands of a skilled swordsman. A swordsman's thumb, index finger, and pinky finger would naturally change shape from gripping a sword for a long time. Yet, looking at Mok Gyeong-un's hands, there wasn't even a callus on his thumb.
‘Those are not hands that have practiced the sword.’
And yet, he possessed such insight. It would be more understandable if a master of the sword had advised him. But there was no way such a person could be here in the Corpse Blood Valley.
That made it all the more puzzling. Could this boy's eye truly rival that of someone who had reached a high realm with the sword? The demon mask, staring intently at Mok Gyeong-un, said, "If you were to perform a sword formation with these incantations, how many people do you think would be most efficient?"
Just guessing it was a sword formation was impressive enough. But could he figure this out as well? If he also got this right, then it could truly be said that his insight into the sword rivaled that of a master.
After a moment of silence, Mok Gyeong-un answered the question.
"Eight."
At those words, a strange light glinted in the demon mask's eyes. He had stated the minimum number required to perform the sword formation exactly. Then, Mok Gyeong-un continued.
"Sixteen, and even thirty-two should be possible."
"..."
A small gasp escaped the demon mask's lips at his words. He would have been impressed if he had only said eight, but he had even correctly guessed the other numbers that could form the formation.
"Do you think more than that would be difficult?"
"If you tried to coordinate more, the arrangements would start to overlap."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the demon mask was truly astounded. The Heaven and Earth Eight Inscription Formation. That was the name of this formation art.
It was a deadly formation created by the previous Lord of the Heaven and Earth Society, based on the changes of the Eight Trigrams, allowing for a joint attack by sixteen or even thirty-two swordsmen.
‘Look at this one.’
To get even this right. Does he really possess the eyes and insight of a swordsman who has reached a high realm? If so, I truly covet him. '...'
He didn't care at all that the boy came from a righteous path martial family. Staring at Mok Gyeong-un, the demon mask licked his lips. He wanted to satisfy his greed right away, but now was not the time, with the gate still in progress. -Flick!- The demon mask tossed something to Mok Gyeong-un.
Catching it, Mok Gyeong-un opened his palm to find a silver token with the character for 'two' inscribed on it. The demon mask said, "The second top rank is also yours." -Murmur, murmur!- At those words, the boys watching began to stir.
With the second top rank going to Mok Gyeong-un after the first, it was only natural that he would become the topic of discussion. What in the world was that boy's identity? Where did he come from to have already claimed the top rank twice? -Grit!- Yeom-ga of the Killing Curse Valley ground his teeth.
He had naturally assumed the second top rank would be his, but he never imagined it would be snatched away like this. He was one of the three most anticipated participants from the major martial sects in this Corpse Blood Valley trial. But now he had become a laughingstock. '...
Mok Gyeong-un.'
The name was now seared into his mind. He felt that only by repaying this humiliation somehow would he feel better.
‘Just you wait.’
Once the Forbidden Gate Locks blocking his Qi gates were released, he would have to be prepared. Just then, the demon mask spoke.
"To the eighty of you who have passed both the first and second gates, my sincere congratulations. You have now earned the qualification to become intermediate-level guards of the Heaven and Earth Society."
‘Intermediate-level guards!’
At his words, a look of elation filled the eyes of several boys. It was only natural, as from the rank of intermediate-level guard, treatment within the Heaven and Earth Society changed. Among the intermediate-level guards, those with skill could earn the qualification to become a squad leader, leading a squad composed of low-rank guards.
To them, whose eyes had lit up despite their exhaustion, the demon mask continued, "To be an intermediate-level guard, one must have the ability to lead a squad and be able to perform a sword formation. As you just heard, the incantations on the flag were for a sword formation that requires a minimum of eight people to perform."
At those words, a strange glint appeared in everyone's eyes. The gate wasn't just composed of extreme trials. The reason they were forced to form groups of eight from the very beginning was all because of this.
"Now. If any of you are quick-witted, you should be able to guess what the third gate is."
"..."
"You there."
At a nod from the demon mask, a boy shot up from his spot.
"Yes!"
"What do you think the third gate is?"
"That is..."
"Speak clearly."
"P-Performing a sword formation with a group of eight who passed!"
At the boy's words, most of the others nodded slightly, as they had thought the same. It was the only logical conclusion to draw. The demon mask motioned for him to sit and then spoke.
"Correct. The third gate is for a group of eight to perfectly perform the sword formation and eliminate a target."
At his words, the boys felt a sense of relief inwardly. The first and second gates had forced them to harm each other and had been mentally and physically exhausting. It was an experience they never wanted to repeat.
"However, there are conditions and restrictions here as well."
‘Conditions and restrictions?’
"First, you will be given one day to rest. Within that time, decide on a group leader. Of course, you must also form a group of eight, including the leader."
‘Huh?’
At the demon mask's words, the boys frowned. This meant that the eight who had defended the flag did not necessarily have to be in the same group. If that was the case, they could form new groups.
‘Excellent!’
At this, a few of them openly rejoiced. Among those few were Yeom-ga of the Killing Curse Valley and Mok Yu-cheon. In fact, most who had been inwardly agonizing over the thought of being in the same group as Mok Gyeong-un again showed a similar reaction.
"For your reference, whoever becomes the group leader will naturally pass the third gate, regardless of the sword formation test, and..." -Shhk!- The demon mask took out a rectangular wooden token that looked like an identification token from his robes and showed it.
On it were carved the characters for 'squad leader'.
‘Huh? Could it be?’
‘A squad leader's token?’
The boys' eyes focused on the wooden token. The demon mask then smirked and continued, "The qualification of a squad leader will also be given."
‘!!!!!!’
At the demon mask's words, the boys kept their mouths shut but couldn't hide their excitement. Only a select few among the intermediate-level guards who possessed the qualifications of a senior would become squad leaders. But they were to decide the squad leaders right here?
However, a question arose in the minds of the excited boys.
‘Then wouldn't everyone want to be the group leader?’
Among those who had made it this far, who wouldn't want to be the group leader? Realizing this, a sigh of anguish naturally escaped the boys' lips. They thought this gate might be a bit better, but it seemed they would have to fight again after all.
‘Damn it.’
‘Since there are eighty people, only eight are qualified.’
‘Even that's not clear.’
‘If someone dies fighting for the group leader position, that whole group will just be eliminated.’
If even one person met with misfortune, the other seven would be eliminated along with them. It was by no means easier than the second gate. Just then, the demon mask said, "Now, I will state the restriction."
"..."
"The restriction is no killing."
‘!?’
At those words, everyone was bewildered. Did the restriction against killing literally mean they couldn't kill each other? Everyone looked at the demon mask in confusion.
They thought he would explain why. But, "That is all."
‘That's all?’
‘So we have to decide on a group leader without killing each other?’
Everyone was dumbfounded by the simple yet different restriction. Mok Gyeong-un, on the other hand, licked his lips as if he were disappointed. He had thought he could enjoy it like the second gate, but with the restriction on killing, the fun had disappeared.
‘... This bastard. Why is he disappointed?’
Seeing his reaction, the boys next to him clicked their tongues inwardly. Shouldn't he feel relieved instead? At least in this gate, their lives wouldn't be on the line. -Clatter!- Just then, the red-belted guards began taking out peculiarly shaped metal objects from a wooden box.
The demon mask pointed at them and said, "Before we go to the lodgings over the mountain, we will retrieve the Forbidden Gate Locks."
‘Ah!’
At those words, everyone's expressions brightened. They had wondered how long they would have to endure the Forbidden Gate Locks, and now they were finally free. The restriction of not being able to use internal energy had made them more uncomfortable than they had expected.
‘Finally.’
Yeom-ga of the Killing Curse Valley's lips twitched. He had waited so long, and finally, the restriction on his internal energy was being lifted. Yeom-ga glared daggers at the back of Mok Gyeong-un's head, who stood in front of him.
With his internal energy restricted, he couldn't counter those strange Demonic Arts, but once the restriction was lifted, the situation would change.
‘I'll make you crawl between my legs.’
There was a restriction on killing, but it didn't matter. As long as he didn't kill him, it was fine. The thought of it brought a vicious smirk to his lips.
Over the mountain, there was a building of lodgings where they could rest. The rooms were structured for two people each, so the boys found people they got along with and chose their rooms. It didn't take long.
A day of rest was given to them like this. The boys' behaviors were divided into two types. The first type of boy satisfied their hunger with the snacks prepared in their rooms and then, without exception, began their energy circulation and breath control.
Their minds and bodies were exhausted from the all-night battle of slaughter, so they intended to recover their bodies to their normal state as much as possible through energy circulation and breath control. The second type of boy was different. They also strongly desired rest, but they judged it better to move first and secure group members.
Therefore, they attempted to contact the boys who were originally in their group or others they had in mind. The competition would soon intensify, so they were moving in advance. And here, a third type also existed. -Crack!- Having satisfied his hunger, Yeom-ga of the Killing Curse Valley stretched his body.
He strongly wanted to circulate his energy like the boy sitting on the bed, tired, but he judged that now was the opportune moment and had to hurry.
‘Now is the chance.’
His target was that bastard, Mok Gyeong-un. As long as he didn't kill him, it was fine. If he turned the bastard into a cripple, he wouldn't have to worry about this gate anymore.
The other guys were no match for him anyway. But that bastard, with his bizarre magic art, was strangely grating.
‘So I'll strike first.’
Now that the restriction was lifted, he was confident. The boy might have learned some bizarre magic art, but he himself had reached the Peak Realm and had also mastered the secret arts of the Killing Curse Valley.
‘Then, shall we begin the hunt?’
Having stretched, Yeom-ga grabbed the door and opened it.
But, ‘!?’
Standing in front of the door was Mok Gyeong-un, with a smile on his face.
"You..."
"Well now. It seems you had the same idea as me."
A smile filled with malice. In that moment, Yeom-ga, who was about to step forward confidently, felt a chill run down his spine.