CHAPTER 501: EPILOGUE SA YU-KANG (1)

A sloping path through the dense trees.

The roof that peeked through was not that of an ordinary building.

The building was cleverly constructed using the sloped terrain.

More than half of it was buried underground, situated in the lower area of the slope.

It was meticulously designed to avoid detection when the facility was eventually closed.

This secretive building was constructed to nurture key talents for the Hidden Troops.

Talented individuals capable of handling demonic qi were carefully selected and brought in, trained systematically to become high-ranking officers.

The Hidden Troops Training Center, where only a few people with high scores after three months of training and practical work were chosen.

The trainees were facing their final test today at Baek Seung-gwan.

“The remaining trainees here have already proven their skills. They could be immediately deployed to the Hidden Troops and have their capabilities recognized, and some are qualified to be appointed as captains within the unit.”

A middle-aged man, known as Shin Gyo-du, scrutinized the trainees before him with sharp eyes.

Over 60 days, many had been eliminated, and now only twelve had survived to the end.

If they passed the final test, they would soon be assigned as captains or vice-captains of the Hidden Troops, or to similarly high ranks.

“But that is assuming you pass the final test. And this test is no easy feat. Depending on the situation, you might have to be prepared to face death.”

Gulp.

At his words, the trainees’ eyes gleamed sharply.

Though they had endured rigorous training so far, they instinctively sensed that this would be their most challenging ordeal yet.

“Of course, there’s no need to unnecessarily put yourself in danger. You can simply give up or compromise at a reasonable level. However, if you do that, you won’t pass the final exam. This exam carries more weight than all the previous ones. Now, let me explain the exam.”

Instructor Shin glanced around before continuing.

“The task is simple. Collect secret information within the main cult.”

Collecting secret information.

This seemingly simple exam had a deadly trap hidden within it.

“The more important the information you extract, the higher your evaluation will be. But remember, the more difficult the information, the greater the risk involved.”

The Hidden Troops were specialized in ambushes, surveillance, and tracking.

The nature of this exam was closely aligned with the essence of the Hidden Troops.

At that moment, a trainee raised their hand to ask a question.

“Instructor, what should we do if we’re discovered while collecting information?”

This was a question that everyone present was curious about.

Handling classified information could put their lives at risk.

How to resolve such a situation was a pressing question.

Swoosh.

Instructor Shin, who had been watching the trainees with a peculiar gaze, pulled out a small bottle from his pocket.

“Is that…?”

“Ah…”

The trainees’ eyes widened.

What Instructor Shin held was none other than Bone Melting Acid, which could dissolve a body without leaving a trace.

“You know what this is. If your presence is discovered, don’t hesitate to use it.”

This time, another trainee raised their hand.

“What if we encounter an opponent beyond our imagination and don’t even have time to use Bone Melting Acid?”

“That’s true. That’s why you’ll need this.”

Already anticipating the question, he covered his mouth with his hand and spat something out.

Then, he held it up for everyone to see.

“This is the Bone Melting Acid made into a pill. It won’t dissolve your body, but it will definitely melt your face. Just keep it in your mouth, and when a blade is at your throat, bite down on it. With the training you’ve undergone, you should be able to react quickly enough.”

It was a precaution for the worst-case scenario.

If not the body, then at least the face needed to be melted or crushed to ensure it was obliterated.

This was to prevent the Hidden Troops’ involvement from being discovered by their enemies.

“…….”

“…….”

The atmosphere among the trainees grew somber at Shin Gyo-du’s words.

Though called a test, it was essentially a life-and-death struggle.

“The deadline is one month. I emphasize again, erasing traces is as important as obtaining critical information. If you follow your training, no one will be captured.”

They had been trained to prepare thoroughly, even for death.

Obtaining high-level information could easily secure a position as an officer within the Hidden Troops, but it also increased the likelihood of losing one’s life.

Deciding the level of information to target was the essence of this test.

“Is it possible to work together again this time?”

One trainee raised a hand and spoke up.

Shin Gyo-du nodded.

“Do as you wish. However, do not exceed a group of three. And depending on the number of collaborators, there will be a weighting added. In other words, if you form a group, you need to procure more valuable information than if you were alone. Any more questions?”

Seeing no further questions, he uttered his final words before dismissing the trainees.

“There’s Bone Melting Acid and Bone Melting Pill in front of you. Take them all.”

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Maybe because the final test was approaching, the atmosphere among the trainees who stepped outside was unexpectedly cheerful.

“If I accidentally bite down on this while it’s in my mouth, it’ll be a disaster…”

“Just don’t eat, right?”

“But do we have to keep it in our mouth during the mission?”

While they could carry the bottled Bone Melting Acid in their pockets, the Bone Melting Pill, which had to be held in their mouths, was something they had never handled before.

It was a perilous item that could potentially cost them their lives.

Yet they didn’t lose their sense of humor. Having endured rigorous training, they had their own ways to relieve tension.

“Want to team up with me?”

“Sure.”

“And you?”

“No, I’ll go solo.”

Some decided to join forces, while others chose to do it alone.

Whichever strategy they chose wasn’t bad.

After all, the path is something you decide for yourself.

“Hmm.”

Meanwhile, one trainee glanced around.

Soon, he slipped into a side path through the bushes and found two people sitting on a tree stump.

“Number 12. Over here.”

A man sitting on a stone wall acknowledged him first.

In this place, they were strictly referred to by their training numbers, so he called out his number.

As Number 12 approached, another man spoke up.

“You’re joining us again, right?”

“Of course.”

“Let’s stick together then.”

The one who spoke first was Number 5, and the one who asked to join was Number 3.

With Number 12’s agreement, they exchanged smiles.

The three had become quite close during their training.

They had made it this far by relying on each other.

So they decided to take the final test together as well.

“Do you have a place in mind?”

Number 5 initiated the conversation, and Number 12 responded.

“Well… what about entering the Hidden Demon Hall? Who knows? We might meet a kind eccentric who can provide us with valuable information.”

“We’d probably die before that happens.”

“True, that’s a bit risky.”

Number 12 nodded in agreement.

The Hidden Demon Hall was a perilous place for trainees like them.

Entering without caution could lead to death without any chance for protest, as it was a lawless place.

“Then how about targeting the Strange Killing Troops’ information?”

Number 3 suggested, and Number 5 replied.

“They have sorcerers there, don’t they?”

“Exactly. They’re not aligned with any successor yet, so getting information from them might not be a bad idea. Unlike the Strange Troops, there are hardly any guards…”

“But it still feels uneasy.”

Number 12 expressed his reluctance, and Number 5 agreed.

The presence of sorcerers was indeed intimidating.

After a brief silence, Number 12 spoke.

“Given the time frame, we should proceed quickly and aim for something certain.”

“That makes sense.”

“I agree too.”

They had a month to gather information.

It needed to be beneficial to the Hidden Troops or the Earth Demon disciple.

“I have a good idea…”

Number 5 cautiously began, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Come closer.”

At his words, the others eagerly approached Number 5.

“Do you know where those ranked low in the training center end up?”

To this, Number 12 and Number 3 answered in turn.

“They probably get scattered, doing odd jobs…”

“Or maybe they return to where they came from.”

Number 5 nodded at their words.

“That’s right, that’s what we know. But what if that’s not the truth?”

As the two looked at him with a momentary puzzled expression, Number 5 continued speaking.

“The one thing I’m certain of is that none of the failed trainees have returned to their hometowns.”

“……What?”

“Is that something you can trust?”

Number 5 nodded firmly toward the two who looked at him in disbelief.

“I found out before coming here. Especially my friends who went to Heavenly Fragrant Hall last year, I completely lost contact with them. And they weren’t even selected for anything special due to outstanding performance.”

Number 3 couldn’t hide his discomfort and spoke.

“Aren’t you jumping to conclusions? Would they really go as far as to kill mere trainees?”

“Think about it, this isn’t a Justice Faction but the Demonic Cult. We all know that we can be discarded anytime if we become useless. What I’m curious about is……”

Number 5’s gaze sharpened.

“How are they being discarded, or are they being used by someone? Let’s uncover that truth.”

Who controls the fate of the failed trainees?

At first glance, it might seem trivial, but from the perspective of disciples competing for the successor position, it wasn’t a simple matter.

From the moment they stepped into the Demonic Cult, they were all assets of the Heavenly Demon.

If a disciple were involved in manipulating the lives and deaths of such talents, revealing that fact alone could be of great help to the Earth Demon.

“That’s a good idea.”

“I agree.”

The others also grasped Number 5’s intention.

Realizing that neglecting or intentionally driving trainees to their deaths is no small matter.

“Shall we investigate then?”

This marked the moment their final test assignment was set.

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Heavenly Fragrant Hall typically targets orphans or wandering children who have no parents or are scavenging for food on the streets.

They even pay large sums to take children from places like orphanages that raise orphans.

Number 12 was from such an orphanage and learned here that the brothers there went to Heavenly Fragrant Hall.

And during classes with Baek Seung-gwan, they found out the Heavenly Fragrant Hall exit date was around this time.

“Are those the ones being discharged?”

Trainees who already knew Heavenly Fragrant Hall’s location through Baek Seung-gwan’s education.

After days of waiting, they arrived at the location on the discussed date.

“Seems like it. They don’t look very skilled at a glance.”

Listless trainees standing by.

And a middle-aged man, appearing as a manager for the hall, emerged among them.

The middle-aged man exchanged a few words with the children, then began moving with them.

“Let’s follow them.”

Number 5 signaled to his followers.

Number 12 and Number 3 agreed and followed behind them.

‘Where are they going?’

At first, it seemed they were moving to a temporary space.

But as they moved further from the main school, their curiosity grew.

Especially as they reached the point of leaving the cult, the questions only intensified.

‘Are they just being sent back home?’

That wasn’t the only strange thing.

Even though they were passing beyond the Main Cult, there were no guards from the Cult around.

If they had been there, they wouldn’t have been able to easily escape the sect.

The strange phenomenon occurred in front of them after traveling all day.

It happened just a day later.

They moved into the deep mountains.

And for some reason, they saw the trainees scatter at the middle-aged man’s gesture.

Soon after, screams began to reach their ears.

“Ahhhhh!”

“……!”

“……!”

“……!”

They immediately realized. These screams were coming from the trainees.