3. The Inn Waiter Hides His Magic (3)
“And then?”
Hajin asked back, looking puzzled.
“The Heavenly Demonic Cult is a place where the strong are respected—in other words, the strong are the law and the order. Do you happen to know why the Cult reveres the strong so deeply?”
“……Well? I’m afraid I don’t know that much.”
Hajin pondered for a moment, but no clear answer came to mind.
“The Cult began from the need to protect helpless commoners from corrupt power. We needed immense strength to shatter the old order that oppressed the people and to open a new world. In the end, we had no choice but to call ourselves ‘Demonic’ to break that very order.”
Yang-jun’s eyes gleamed intensely. His voice was imbued with reverence for the Heavenly Demon.
“And the one who led us to open that new era is none other than the first Heavenly Demon.”
Hajin nodded as he listened to Yang-jun’s explanation. It sounded plausible at first glance.
However, the problem was:
‘A leader who destroys the existing order and leads the commoners? Isn’t that just a radical revolutionary who wanted to change the world through extreme methods? On top of that, it’s a pseudo-religion mixed with the ignorant philosophy that the strong are the law…?’
Tsk, that sounds like a dangerous ideology.
Just as Hajin was deep in thought, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Ten Thousand Mountains, famous for their rugged terrain. Before long, the Black Wood Cliff that Yang-jun had mentioned began to reveal itself.
Hajin’s eyes widened at the sight unfolding outside the carriage window. It was a landscape completely different from what he had expected.
It wasn’t a gloomy, murderous mountain fortress or stronghold, but a bustling place that could easily be called a mountain village—no, a city.
“Huh? It’s much bigger than I thought…?”
Hajin muttered as he stepped out of the carriage and looked around. The expressions of the people coming and going were not dark or cowed; rather, they were full of vitality. While some carried weapons at their waists, most were ordinary farmers, merchants, or artisans.
‘Is the idea that the Demonic Cult is evil and cruel just a frame created by the righteous sects? At this rate, an inn would do quite well here.’
Hajin’s mind was already racing with thoughts about the location and menu for his new inn. Grasping the foot traffic and consumption level of this place was the top priority.
And soon, he found a spot that looked incredibly prime. Even at a glance, the high volume of passersby made it the perfect place to open a shop.
Above all, wasn’t Yoo Jin-bang originally meant to be enshrined at Black Wood Cliff?
“Excuse me, Squad Leader Yang. If I wanted to open an inn here, where would I go to get permission?”
“You would need to receive direct approval from the Heavenly Demon.”
“Pardon…?”
Hajin doubted his ears for a moment.
“I have to get the Cult Leader’s permission just to open an inn?”
Hajin’s voice was filled with bewilderment and absurdity. It wasn’t like applying for a major corporate franchise; he had to get permission for a single inn from the supreme leader?
“Yes, the prime land of Black Wood Cliff is managed by the Cult. In most cases, it is granted as a gesture of respect to those who have pledged their loyalty.”
“Ah…?”
The situation had become quite complicated.
‘Tsk. So, I can’t just use a good spot for free?’
He briefly considered using the name of Ghost Soul Hand’s disciple, but he gave up on that idea immediately. If they asked for proof of his connection to Yoo Jin-bang or his status as a disciple, he wouldn’t be able to provide it.
‘If I abandon this place and open a shop somewhere else…?’
He could already see it: the reality of swatting flies in an empty shop. Running an inn was a form of self-employment, and the foundation of self-employment was analyzing the commercial district. He couldn’t give up such a prime location.
‘I have to find a way to get this spot!’
The old man would probably want that, too. If not, well, it would be a shame.
Hajin looked at Yang-jun and asked.
“How can I meet the Supreme One?”
Meanwhile, Yang-jun seemed to fall into thought at Hajin’s question before answering in a cautious tone.
“While there are opportunities to see the Supreme One’s face from afar during major events or gatherings of the Cult, getting a chance to speak to him directly is like plucking a star from the sky. Besides, there is no guarantee that the Supreme One would grant your request.”
“Hmm, is there no more certain way?”
“The most certain way to see the Supreme One and present your petition would be at the banquet held for those who pass the fourth stage of the Demonic Path Academy.”
“The Demonic Path Academy?”
It was a slightly unfamiliar term to Hajin. Yang-jun nodded and explained.
“Yes, the Demonic Path Academy is where the young rising stars of the Cult compete and prove their skills. One must pass five stages of trials, and each time you pass a stage, you receive the corresponding status and treatment.”
Hajin narrowed his eyes slightly as he listened to Yang-jun’s explanation.
‘Rising stars competing to prove their skills, and only the strong survive? Isn’t that like a jar of venomous insects? I guess their mindset is to crush everything with raw power.’
Of course, the logic of power exists in the modern world, too. Money, power, status. Hajin had felt it many times when he was a Hunter. But this place was much more primitive; only martial prowess was everything.
‘So, I have to prove my ability at the Demonic Path Academy to open an inn in a prime spot within the Heavenly Demonic Cult?’
Come to think of it, it wasn’t such a bad deal. Considering his situation with little money, wasn’t it easier to prove himself through strength than to be asked for a massive sum of money? Besides, he had once defeated a first-generation disciple of a sect. Even if it was just luck.
“Then, could you tell me more about the Demonic Path Academy? I’m completely ignorant about it.”
“Are you planning to enter the Academy? As expected of Ghost Soul Hand’s disciple!”
“……I’m thinking about it.”
These people really didn’t let him get a word in. Honestly, he had no intention of entering such a dangerous place.
Still, the reason he was hesitant was the doubt that arose: even if he had magic, could he hold his own against those who had professionally trained in martial arts?
‘Even in the modern world, magic-based Hunters had a hard time winning in all-out wars against martial-arts-based Hunters.’
Only someone like him, who was called a genius, could manage it. But if he knew the information, wouldn’t that be a different story?
“First of all, the Demonic Path Academy is a place where all outside interference is completely blocked. Of course, you can come out, but the trials are conducted strictly inside.”
It was more mundane than he thought. It seemed to be a common educational institution.
Ah, of course, there was a difference in that this ‘education’ was far removed from the environment of attending academies and focusing solely on studying.
‘Since they said you live inside and only go out occasionally until you drop out of the Academy, it’s basically a boarding school.’
Other than that, the explanation didn’t offer much else.
From the fact that the five sects led by the five Demonic Sovereigns—the Sword Demon, Blade Demon, Poison Demon, Fist Demon, and Mad Demon—supported the Heavenly Demonic Cult.
To the fact that if you pass the Academy to the end, you could become the next Heavenly Demon, and that the average level of the students entering was Second-Rate. And finally, that there were only two days left until this year’s enrollment.
“By the way, does that happen?”
“What case?”
“Leaving the Academy even after passing the trials?”
Hajin’s goal was, after all, to open an inn on the prime land of Black Wood Cliff. If there was a clause that you couldn’t leave the Academy, things would get quite complicated.
“Ah! You don’t have to worry about that. Leaving the Academy is at the student’s discretion. Of course, I’ve heard rumors that they might hold onto you if you possess truly extraordinary skills, but I’ve never actually seen it happen.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, and besides, why would someone with that level of skill want to leave the Academy? They would be the talent leading the next generation of the Cult.”
That would be the case for most members of the Demonic Cult. Hajin, who had different dreams, was just an anomaly.
“And you don’t have to worry too much. No matter how fierce the competition at the Academy is, you are the disciple of Ghost Soul Hand, aren’t you?”
“……Hmm.”
“Besides, you have the skill to instantly defeat White Crane, a first-rate expert of the Kunlun Sect, don’t you? If you enter the Academy, you will likely receive significant attention for your outstanding skills, and perhaps even catch the eye of the high-ranking sects or elders within the Cult! You don’t have to worry about being kicked out.”
Yang-jun’s words were pure encouragement, but they hit Hajin with a completely different meaning.
‘Ah, so if I do something that stands out, I’ll be fast-tracked into the Cult’s executive course and have to work for the Cult for the rest of my life. Is that it?’
For some reason, it felt like the military. Don’t try to do too well; just do as much as the others.
A warning light flashed loudly in Hajin’s head. It was a completely different direction from his simple dream of opening an inn and living peacefully while making money. He had no desire whatsoever to become a core figure of the Demonic Cult.
‘Okay, I must not do anything that stands out while I’m inside.’
Hajin firmly resolved to himself.
* * *
Two days passed.
Hajin finished his preparations to head to the Demonic Path Academy. Just in case, he packed a sword.
‘I haven’t learned martial arts, so I probably won’t have a use for it.’
Still, there’s such a thing as presence, isn’t there? Like those tattooed tough guys.
And this thought changed completely the moment he entered the Academy. If there was one thing he hadn’t considered, it was that tattooed tough guys were only scary in front of ordinary people.
‘It doesn’t mean much if everyone walks around like a tattooed tough guy…?’
Everyone entering the Academy brought something ominous with them. Naturally, he couldn’t project presence with just a single sword among them.
Instead, he felt a murderous intent that made his skin prickle even while standing still. It was the same for all hundreds of rising stars. Hajin was the only one who looked like he hadn’t learned martial arts.
‘Tsk. What is this presence?’
It was a moment where he felt a little worried about the Academy trial he had taken so lightly.
‘Did they say the average is Second-Rate? Since I’ve managed to defeat up to First-Rate martial artists, if I train diligently, could I aim for even higher?’
The power of magic is immense. It might even be stronger than most martial arts. However, it had one major flaw: the total capacity of mana.
‘It doesn’t seem like there are mana potions like in my past life, and for the last few months, my total mana capacity hasn’t increased at all.’
This was a significant problem. Unless he could continuously secure a supply of mana potions, he needed to at least vastly increase his total mana capacity. Furthermore, the fact that he could not use high-level magic always held Hajin back.
While Hajin was lost in thought, a white-haired man slowly walked toward him from the distance.
The moment he appeared, the martial artists gathered in the training grounds erupted in cheers. Hajin did not recognize who he was. Of course, he would soon have no choice but to learn his identity.
“The Right Law Protector has arrived! Everyone, show your respects!”
“Ooooooh!”
Only then did Hajin realize why the martial artists were cheering. Even if he didn’t know who the man was, he knew the name Right Law Protector. He was the Heavenly Demon’s bodyguard and right-hand man!
The Right Law Protector opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.
“I welcome all of you who have joined the Heavenly Demonic Cult. I, this Law Protector, shall now set a test for you all.”
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