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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Demonic Cult Entrance Exam
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To join a faction, you had to pass a simple test.
"Each sect has its own, huh."
Seo-jun checked the details of these tests through his viewers' explanations.
The Huashan Sect's trial came first: slicing falling plum blossoms mid-air.
There hadn't been trials or training like this in his previous life, but having encountered modern media, Seo-jun thought the Huashan Sect's test felt clichéd yet fun.
"The Nangong Family's is straight-up grind work."
Swinging the sword a thousand times in the exact same stance.
The game was making gamers do real training.
Seo-jun let out a disbelieving chuckle.
LOL too over the top, so I picked Huashan myself.
They complain even when it trains you properly.
Mess up your form too much and it doesn't count.
This is what walking the righteous path means!
No exploits allowed.
If your form's off too much, it doesn't count toward the total?
Then it might actually build real skills. Not bad at all.
Damn, I'm convinced.
"And the Beggars' Sect has all sorts of stuff."
Begging NPCs in town for money.
Of course the sect of beggars would make players do the grunt work.
"They even take the money you begged for? Man. Is this really a righteous sect?"
Seo-jun shook his head in disbelief as he climbed the stairs.
LMAOOOOOOOO
Don't diss our Beggars' Sect.
Here comes the storyteller.
"The Tang Clan throws daggers?"
The Tang Clan was known for poisons and hidden weapons.
Often portrayed as righteous, but due to their ruthless methods, games sometimes classified them as unorthodox.
From his past life's memories, the Tang Clan was firmly righteous.
'Though they only joined for the benefits.'
It suited them that they could switch to unorthodox at any time.
"Good thing it's just throwing daggers. I know how to administer poison."
Who poisons players lololol
Can't poison recruits right away.
Means you'll poison later?
Tang Clan guys poison themselves lol
Got it.
Though he still couldn't figure out why his past world's stories ended up as wuxia tales in this one.
'Maybe there were others like me.'
No rule said he was the only one who remembered his past life.
Seo-jun glanced upward.
As he chatted with viewers about the various sect trials, the summit came into view.
Confirming he was almost there, Seo-jun turned his head to read the chat.
"Green Forest holds rocks for endurance? That's so on-brand..."
Green Forest—bandits named after the green of forests and woods—fit the trial perfectly, Seo-jun thought upon reading the chat.
And finally, the Shadow Veil Clan's test was finding their undercover agents disguised in the village.
After reviewing them all, he felt good about picking the Demonic Cult.
His view, blocked by endless stairs no matter how high he climbed, finally shifted.
The faction headquarters came into sight.
Reaching the summit, Seo-jun turned to survey the path he'd climbed.
"Took a solid five minutes."
In-game, five minutes was a long time.
One might think it wasn't that high since it took time, but whatever processing the game used, the altitude was legit.
The ground-level village fit perfectly in view.
"Why's it so damn high? Wait, can't we use lightness skill? Then why didn't anyone mention it till now... Never mind. What was I expecting from you lot."
Seo-jun laughed hollowly.
Not a single soul tipped him off on the way up.
Impressive teamwork!
LOL figure it out yourself.
5 mins down the drain. Mad yet? Lmao
Complains when we don't backseat.
Stream where viewers troll the streamer!
Fair enough.
His fault for not asking ahead.
Resigned, he turned back.
The Demonic Cult's grand gate loomed before him.
"No guards at the entrance. Just walk in?"
Arrogant.
His first impression: wide open, daring anyone to enter.
Viewers saw it differently.
Demonic Cult kek no one comes so they leave it open lol
Just come already pls...
Big gate means nothing with no people.
"Aren't you guys too harsh on the Demonic Cult?"
Full of savage burns.
The Demonic Cult getting this treatment from players.
Unimaginable in his past life.
Only he could've done that.
The Heavenly Demon ought to see this.
This guy...
He ignored the hallucinated voice.
Stream was live—no time for chit-chat.
Seo-jun chuckled as he stepped through the gate.
The interior was vast, like a full village spread out.
'The Demonic Cult was more a massive organization than a mere sect, so having its own village made sense.'
NPCs and players with nicknames hovering overhead walked the streets.
"Heavenly Demon! Er, Seo-jun!"
Someone ahead waved enthusiastically.
The ID above their head: World's Greatest Swordsman.
It's the Honored Self lololol
Swordsman... you joining Demonic Cult too?
Guide acquired, sweet.
"Hey, Swordsman."
Seo-jun approached and greeted him.
"Heavenly Demon—no, Seo-jun, good to see you."
"Call me whatever's comfy. You picked Demonic Cult too, Swordsman?"
The guy had escaped beginner zone yesterday, so it tracked.
"Yeah. Actually, I joined already."
"Why?"
Everyone said it sucked.
"'Cause the Heavenly Demon's here, duh! Didn't wanna face you as enemies. That'd be... gem-like... I mean, tough."
Swordsman trailed off.
Gem-like boss fight lol
Intelligence STCH
Guy's wise af.
What viewers learned in a week, he got in one day meeting ㄷㄷ
"Figured you'd pick it, so I joined early and waited. Watched the stream too."
"...I see."
"Heading to the test now?"
"Yeah."
"This way. I'll guide you."
Seo-jun followed Swordsman.
The testing arena was close; they arrived quickly.
Seo-jun spotted a player swinging a sword on the platform and an NPC watching intently.
The Demonic Cult's initiation test was demonstrating martial arts before Elder Baek Wi-gang of the Single Palm.
Here, "martial arts" meant real sword swings, not game skills—graded by the NPC's judgment.
"I tried it. They called me third-rate. They accept third-rate, but I'm retaking for better. Gonna follow the guide this time."
World's Greatest Swordsman (3rd-rate) LMAOOOOOOOO
Why'd Pointy Demon drop the gimmick?
Gimmicks need skill first.
"Guide?"
"Uploaded forms that get pinnacle grade if followed."
"Ah."
That could reveal the AI's judging criteria.
"Same form gets different grades by who does it. Complicated stuff anyway."
As Seo-jun nodded along, a loud voice boomed from the arena.
"You're first-rate! Now scram."
Grumpy old man vibe.
"Heavenly Demon, mind if I go first?"
"Go ahead."
Seo-jun crossed his arms, watching Swordsman mount the platform.
Swordsman clasped his fists in salute; Baek Wi-gang stroked his beard and spoke.
"Why're you back, punk? I told you your level. Want another test?"
"Yes."
"Fine. Show me."
Swordsman struggled recreating the guide's forms.
He barely finished in awkward stances. Baek Wi-gang, hands behind back, said:
"Oh ho. Your basics are a waste for first-rate, but you have talent composing forms."
Oo?
Praise for that?
It's a verified form tho
Crafted by tons of players.
Pinnacle grade?
What's the result?
"Second-rate!"
LMAOOOOO
One step up lol
Congrats!
Demonic Cult always like this? lol
Baek Wi-gang giving me PTSD...
Me too... got third-rate
"Ugh."
Seo-jun met Swordsman's eyes as he descended and barely stifled his laughter.
That face was too pitiful.
"You're fine, Swordsman. Totally fine. Low grade's no biggie, right?"
Higher grades gave starting bonuses, but low-grade players could catch up through play.
The only issue: a title like [Second-Rate Cultist] by your name.
Not public execution.
"..."
"If you hate it, just retake."
"Fair. Yeah. Following this gets pinnacle, right? With your solid basics."
"Probably? Wanna see?"
"Yes. Demo it."
"Sure."
Seo-jun headed to the platform.
"Hold up. Shouldn't you teach me the forms first?"
"Nah, I memorized 'em all."
Thud thud.
Atop the platform, Baek Wi-gang awaited.
"New face. Here to join the Cult?"
"Yes."
"Want the test?"
"Correct."
"Good. But why the casual tone to this elder?"
"This Seat is the Heavenly Demon."
"Gah!"
Drops Heavenly Demon bomb immediately wtf lol
Nickname is Heavenly Demon lol
Total psycho lololol
"I am the real Heavenly Demon."
Seo-jun dove into the role without blinking.
Impersonating the Heavenly Demon was...
Fun.
"Damn, some weirdo showed up. Hurry and show your martial arts."
"Very well. I'll grace you with a chance to broaden your horizons through my arts."
"Hah..."
Seeing Baek Wi-gang stop reacting, Seo-jun knew it was time to start.
He drew his basic sword from his waist.
Visualizing Swordsman's demo in his mind, he began moving slowly.
What was a form?
Sword work boiled down to thrusting and swinging.
Forms added descriptors: vertical, horizontal, fast, heavy.
'The deeper you go, the more complex they get.'
Deceive the eye, suppress attacks, slash.
Thrust unavoidable spots.
Block into offensive stances.
But no form was perfect.
'Deeper sword understanding reveals counters.'
No perfect form exists—only better ones.
Swordsman's forms were no exception.
Thus.
Seo-jun moved.
'Time for tweaks.'
Slight ones.
Narrow the swing angle a bit, step further, lower stance.
Subtle changes.
But infused with past-life insights, they perfected the sword.
A sword without foes is incomplete.
Yet Seo-jun's air swings were flawless.
'Even the Heavenly Demon lagged behind me in sword comprehension.'
Could the AI grasp it?
Had it reached higher?
Pure curiosity.
Soon, he'd executed all ten forms Swordsman showed.
Sheathing his sword, Seo-jun eyed Baek Wi-gang.
"Hah..."
Baek Wi-gang stared, dumbfounded, mouth agape in shock.
Seo-jun asked:
"So, how was this Seat's display?"
Then, the system chimed.
"You are..."
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