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Chapter: 03
We Are Special
“Follow me.”
Even after Ganghyeon and Indeok arrived in front of Hyungak, it took some time before he moved.
Ganghyeon led Indeok ahead, following Hyungak, while observing the hundred or so children moving behind him. He was thinking carefully.
‘There must be some kind of hypnosis, illusion, or mind-control technique. Otherwise, children couldn’t move so uniformly.’
Recalling the children from his past life and the village in his current life, Ganghyeon knew it was impossible for kids under ten to move this way on their own. There had to be a reason.
“Ganghyeon.”
“I’m here. Don’t worry, I’m following from behind. Just watch the front carefully.”
As Hyungak led the children toward the tower, Indeok looked at Ganghyeon with frightened eyes.
‘This must be bigger than the main gate of Daeseong…’
Approaching closer, the entrance was massive—like two 10-story buildings side by side. Inside, houses were scattered in a vast space without pillars.
“Go over there.”
After entering the tower, Hyungak spread the children out to different instructors. Without instructions, they found their own places. Only Ganghyeon and Indeok remained.
“Let’s go.”
Hyungak’s voice and expression softened as he walked ahead, occasionally glancing back at them.
“Your name is Indeok?”
“Yes, I’m Hwang Indeok.” Indeok replied, startled.
“I heard you wanted to abandon the Grand Selection and return home?”
“I… I just want to live with my parents and younger sibling…”
“That’s understandable. You don’t know the devotion required.”
“Then… can I go home?”
Indeok asked, hopeful.
“That’s not possible. Our Cheonroeum Sect never sends children home before the Grand Selection ends.”
Indeok burst into tears.
“It’s alright to cry. Let it out, it will ease your heart.”
Despite Indeok’s crying, Hyungak kept walking without turning back. Soon, Indeok’s tears calmed.
“Then… if I follow instructions… can I go home?”
“Of course. Once you become a disciple of Cheonroeum, there is no reason to block you from seeing your family afterward.”
“Just becoming a disciple is enough? Then I’ll become one immediately!”
“Ha ha ha. That’s fine. But until the Grand Selection ends, no participant may leave the test grounds, nor officially become a disciple elsewhere.”
“Until the Grand Selection ends?”
“Yes, but if you perform well during it, you might go home immediately afterward.”
Indeok fell silent, realizing he couldn’t go home for a long time. Ganghyeon walked with him, gently patting his back.
Hyungak led them to the outskirts of the village, to a small manor. Inside, it was quiet and empty.
“You will stay here from now on.”
He turned to face them.
“This will be your private quarters. The main building is mine, the right annex is for you. Other facilities will be explained as you go along.”
“What about food and clothing?” Ganghyeon asked cautiously.
“Don’t worry. For meals and group training, you will join the other children at the central dining hall. Uniforms will be provided tomorrow; if they get dirty or damaged, you manage them yourselves.”
“So staying here is the only special treatment?”
Ganghyeon’s tone carried disappointment. Hyungak laughed heartily.
“Ha ha ha. Of course not. In time, you’ll understand how much I can help you.”
“Rest for now. Dinner will be brought to your room.”
“And nothing special until tomorrow morning?”
“Yes. Rest easy.”
“Alright, we will go then.”
“Wake early tomorrow. The test begins at dawn.”
“Sir—uh, I mean… Hyungak senior?”
“That’s fine. I am just a senior for guidance. You may call me that.”
Ganghyeon and Indeok bowed and left for the annex. Hyungak watched them, noting:
‘Indeok depends deeply on Ganghyeon, who leads most of the actions. Yet Indeok is more important to Cheonroeum. I must balance this carefully.’
His main task was to ensure Indeok’s entry into Cheonroeum.
“Have you returned?”
“Yes, senior.”
After group training, Hyungak welcomed Ganghyeon and Indeok back.
“Did you do well today, Indeok?”
Indeok didn’t respond, clearly frustrated.
“Your progress isn’t bad. You were first to sense spiritual energy among many children, and the fastest to move it by will.”
“I practiced today too… but I still can’t awaken Yeonggeun.”
“How far have you come?”
“Only a little twitching of the Yeonggeun.”
Ganghyeon observed and answered:
“I think my foundation needs more work.”
Hyungak frowned.
“You already perceive Yeonggeun clearly. Aligning your will with it should be simple. I don’t understand why you hesitate for days.”
Ganghyeon then explained his difficulty:
“Although I perceive Yeonggeun, it resists my will. Becoming one with it is not easy.”
“You attempted it already?” Hyungak asked.
“Yes. I tried immediately after sensing it, several times… but failed. It seems the Yeonggeun rejects me.”
Hyungak stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“If your Yeonggeun has its own will, that makes you unique. Solve it yourself. If you cannot, I will consult Yanggwang.”
“I understand. I will train diligently.”
“And remember, I can teach you, but I cannot train for you. Learning to stand on your own is part of training.”
“I understand. I will not neglect it.”
“Most children have sensed spiritual energy, correct?”
“Yes, which is why the official tests are about to start.”
Hyungak looked at Indeok. Indeok’s eyes flickered nervously.
“You know this place is a mystical realm separate from the real world. The Grand Selection is held here.”
“Yes, I learned that,” Indeok replied with a small smile.
“Correct. But this is an undeveloped mystical realm, about 3,000 li in area.”
‘3,000 li… small?’ Ganghyeon muttered.
“This realm was found while searching for a place to hold the Grand Selection. The twelve sects built the tower but did little exploration. It is essentially a raw mystical realm.”
“Doesn’t that mean it could be dangerous?” Indeok asked, startled.
“Ha ha. Don’t worry. I will protect you both.”
Indeok relaxed a little at Hyungak’s bright smile.
“But won’t that ruin fairness in the tests?” Ganghyeon asked.
“Hmph. Fairness? There is no true fairness. Children like you and Indeok, with Cheonyeonggeun talent, are not the same as ordinary kids.”
“Ah…!” Ganghyeon nodded, realizing they were already treated specially.
“From now on, you’ll often explore the mystical realm. Be prepared for anything.”
“And how can we prepare?”
“Start with self-defense. Let’s see…”
Hyungak drew a small pouch from his sleeve, closed his eyes, and concentrated. Ganghyeon and Indeok watched curiously.
