Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 32

Weapon-Eating Heir 32

The ranks assigned to various professions such as dungeon explorers, gatekeepers, monsters, wizards, and warriors are not absolute.

Lower-ranked professions can often defeat higher-ranked ones depending on the situation, compatibility, and type of power. Dungeons assessed as lower-ranked are frequently more dangerous than higher-ranked ones.

Ranks are ultimately just international standards set for qualification, rather than actual skill or danger.

“…that is the academy’s opinion.”

“That’s a pretty way of putting it.”

I responded sharply to Lee Jung-ho’s weak explanation.

As soon as the schedule announcement and today’s training ended, I had the cadets do individual training and came to Lee Jung-ho’s office.

Lee Jung-ho explained the situation without me even asking.

“It’s not wrong, but it’s just a cover-up. If that’s the case, why have ranks at all?”

Lee Jung-ho sighed and nodded.

“You’re right, it is a cover-up. Ranks aren’t absolute, but there is a general standard. The academy had no choice but to come up with that answer. But… they had no choice.”

“I know the academy didn’t decide on this evaluation. They just handled the administrative work.”

Pushing up the schedule and adjusting the dungeon’s rank were things my father did.

‘What is Father thinking?’

Special Grade 6.

It’s dangerous even for me, who has grown quite a bit.

I pondered.

This didn’t happen in my past life.

So what has changed, and what is happening now?

Come to think of it, I’ve heard that the family’s logistics have increased lately.

And I’ve also heard that the training intensity of each warrior squad is getting stronger.

‘Is he preparing something?’

This evaluation.

I don’t think it’s just to test me and Lee Seo-hyun, the eighth.

“Are other classes assigned dungeons of this level?”

“Yes. All classes in the cadet corps have been assigned Grade 6 dungeons. However… only Class 1 and Class 5 have been assigned special-grade dungeons.”

The special grade meant that the dungeon had some kind of special characteristic.

‘The Forest of Human Faces, the Forest of Human Faces….’

Only after rummaging through my memories could I recall the Forest of Human Faces.

‘That stabilized area in the future. The place where spiderwebs are spread throughout the dungeon, so the intruder’s location is immediately known to the monsters.’

It’s a tricky dungeon.

The dungeon assigned to Class 1 will probably be just as dangerous, if not more so.

The reason why only Class 1 and Class 5 were assigned special-grade dungeons was easy to guess.

‘It’s Father’s test.’

He must be preparing something, raising the level of the entire cadet corps, and testing his children at the same time.

“Are there any complaints from branch families, retainers, or external forces?”

Lee Jung-ho smiled bitterly.

“Yes, as you expected, the forces that entrusted their cadets to the cadet corps are already complaining.”

“But the family’s opinion won’t change. If you don’t want to participate, don’t. It’ll be something like that.”

“Exactly.”

Since I can’t avoid it anyway, and I don’t intend to, I had to prepare.

It’s still dangerous, but this evaluation is only a ‘dungeon exploration.’

Unless it’s conquest or annihilation, it’s likely to proceed no matter what obstacles arise.

“If it’s not confidential, tell me the exam overview, date, and details in advance.”

“Of course. This information had to be conveyed to the class representative anyway.”

Lee Jung-ho spread a map on the desk.

“The evaluation will proceed as scheduled in the 12th week. The goal is to explore the deepest part of the Forest of Human Faces. For now, the temporary infiltration route is this way, going along the ridge. Are you familiar with the Human-Faced Spider?”

Human-Faced Spider.

Literally translated, it’s a spider with a human face, but in reality, it’s just a monster whose face shape is slightly similar to a human.

It has a skin color similar to humans, and its head has hair-like fur, but its eyes are compound, and it has long fangs protruding from its mouth.

“Roughly. But the exploration must have a purpose, right? You’re not just telling us to go in and come out, are you?”

Lee Jung-ho nodded.

“Yes, of course. The mission is to film the movements of Human-Faced Spiders that are at least 10 years old with video equipment.”

For a moment, I chuckled.

“I didn’t hear wrong, did I?”

“….”

“You’re telling me to film in the Forest of Human Faces? And if it’s an individual over 10 years old, you’re telling me to film an adult?”

The Human-Faced Spider is a Grade 6 monster.

The Forest of Human Faces is covered with spiderwebs as thick as snow.

And the Human-Faced Spiders have the ability to detect intruders by reading the flow of magic felt in the spiderwebs.

‘It’s like infiltrating a military base with surveillance equipment everywhere and stealing secrets.’

The only difference is that even if you get caught, you’ll be eaten instead of being tortured.

I stopped complaining there and carefully read the map and evaluation-related documents.

‘The young master seems to be worried a lot.’

Lee Jung-ho kept his mouth shut so as not to disturb my thoughts.

Not only giving a Special Grade 6 dungeon assignment, but also requiring filming. It was actually an absurd mission.

At this point, it was a level that warriors who had obtained quasi-warrior qualifications should form a warrior squad and carry out.

Excluding Lee Cheol, the current level of Class 5 would result in annihilation if they encountered about six 5-meter-class monsters, even if they entered the dungeon in perfect condition.

“Young master. Should I protest to the academy again….”

“No, check something before that.”

I cut off Lee Jung-ho’s words and pointed to the equipment distribution section written in the outline.

“Here. This part. It doesn’t say how much equipment is allowed?”

“Yes?”

“I mean personal equipment. Was there a separate order regarding equipment?”

Lee Jung-ho thought for a moment and answered.

“I heard that average-grade equipment will be distributed uniformly. If you want, personal weapons….”

“The fact that that’s all means there are no other instructions. The mission is just to film as long as possible with the provided video equipment, without anything else.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Lee Jung-ho answered with a flustered expression.

I read the mission outline and my eyes lit up.

“Unexpectedly, it might not be impossible.”

Lee Jung-ho’s eyes widened.

The youngest master’s face, with a meaningful smile, was full of confidence.

* * *

The training up to the 12th week proceeded in a different way than before.

It was the establishment and modification of strategies to prepare for the evaluation, preparation, and training and education accordingly.

Time flew by like a flying arrow.

Despite numerous protests, the evaluation plan was scheduled to proceed as is.

Thanks to this, quite a few dropouts occurred in each class.

“Did you hear about Class 5?”

“Of course. They were assigned a Special Grade 6 dungeon, right? And with that kind of mission… those dropouts are suffering under that bastard.”

“I don’t care anymore. I’m going to try again next term. I don’t want to throw my life away.”

“But… I heard that none of the Class 5 guys dropped out?”

“They’re crazy.”

Not only the dropouts but also the cadets were always talking about Class 5.

I grumbled and looked at the cadets who were packing their bags and leaving the dormitory, then glanced to the side.

“What do you think?”

I turned my head to Choi In-ha, who was standing next to me, watching the dropouts.

“This exam is clearly more difficult because of me. It’s obviously not an exam that should be given to cadets.”

Choi In-ha gave a bitter smile.

“You can try to sound me out like that now, but I won’t care.”

“That’s right! Young master!”

Kim Han, who was standing next to me, said in his usual cheerful voice.

“This is really the last time. Anyone who wants to leave should leave quickly.”

“None of the cadets in Class 5 will ever run away or escape again. And more than anything….”

It was Kim Bo-sung who slowly walked over and continued the sentence.

The guy who used to confront me is now training more fiercely than anyone else.

“We believe in you, young master.”

“You say cheesy things without a second thought. Typical teenagers.”

“…Didn’t you create that atmosphere, young master? And anyone would think you’re much older.”

I’m sorry, but my actual mental age is twice that of the cadets.

I chuckled and said.

“Then I’ll assume everyone will not give up.”

Not a single dropout came out of Class 5.

“If everyone has finished checking, get on board. We’ll be leaving soon.”

A transport bus was also prepared at the Class 5 training ground.

Various prepared equipment and supplies for the operation were piled up.

“Yes!”

The cadets shouted loudly.

I stroked the sword I was wearing on my waist and took a long breath.

The crest of Soongmoo Lee’s family was clearly engraved on their chests, each exuding a determined spirit that did not match their young age.

* * *

The transport vehicle soon approached the wall separating the safe and dangerous zones.

‘…This scenery is no different in the future or the past.’

The closer we got to the dangerous zone, the more desolate the city landscape became.

The city near the boundary between the dangerous and safe zones was becoming a slum.

‘Still, this is inside the wall. The pioneer villages in the dangerous zone are far behind in civilization.’

Soon, the transport vehicle passed through the wall and reached the designated point.

The dense forest was nothing short of a jungle.

The wilderness of the dangerous zone, where stabilization was complete but full-scale reclamation had not progressed, was eerie.

Lee Jung-ho and the escort warriors got off together.

“We’ve arrived. Vehicles cannot enter from here. The escort warriors will only guard this base camp. From here, you must handle everything.”

Lee Jung-ho lined up the cadets and continued with a stern expression.

“I won’t say much. I will provide the maximum support I can as an instructor at this base camp. Everyone, prove what you have prepared. That’s all.”

Lee Jung-ho turned and walked away. Watching the escort warriors set up the base camp, I stood in front of the cadets.

“From now on, I will take command. First, we will clear the way to the planned northern infiltration route. Just because it’s a dangerous zone doesn’t mean there are no monsters. In this kind of jungle, there will be at least one or two. The vanguard should move carefully.”
The march began from the base camp set up on the mountainside.

They went up to the ridge along the path that animals used and went straight to the designated infiltration route.

Fortunately, there was no major threat to the infiltration.

I looked down at the forest, which was whitened as if submerged in clouds below the ridge.

“We’ve arrived.”

An ominous energy was flowing out of the vast forest.

Thick, gray spiderwebs were densely packed on every overgrown tree.

The Forest of Human Faces.

It was my first time seeing it in person.

It felt wider and more ominous than what I had seen in the data.

-Kieeeeeeeek!

A strange noise was carried by the wind flowing through the mountains.

Someone swallowed hard at the sound and looked down at the forest with trembling eyes.

“Everyone pay attention. Check the communication and supplies one last time.”

-Reception status is fine. It is difficult to transmit the situation through satellites due to the spiderwebs covering the sky in the Forest of Human Faces. Please keep in mind that it will be somewhat uncertain.

All the cadets, including me, touched the transparent ear microphones and continued the final check.

Lee Jung-ho at the base camp also received the communication, confirming that the installation was complete.

“Hoo, ha….”

The cadets were breathing heavily even though they hadn’t walked much.

The actual battle was right in front of them, and no matter how prepared they were, it was difficult to catch their breath due to the terrifying tension.

Most of the cadets were in that state.

Rather, the guys who didn’t react like that were strong-hearted.

But even so, all the cadets had strength in their eyes.

“Gather around for a moment. I’ll tell you about the changed operation plan from now on.”

“…?”

The cadets had puzzled expressions.

Suddenly coming all the way here and changing the operation plan?

“The overall operation outline is the same. But Choi In-ha, there’s something you need to take on.”

“Yes?”

“From now on, you will take command.”

In an instant, the cadets’ expressions turned from puzzlement to shock.

“What does that….”

I glanced at the Forest of Human Faces.

Through the dense spiderwebs of the still ominous-looking forest, a huge figure appeared and disappeared.

“I’m going to move alone from now on.”

To the cadets who were wondering, I slowly conveyed the plan I had been hiding.

“I’m going to be bait for the Human-Faced Spiders.”

Silence fell.

The cadets doubted their ears.

“…Could you say that again?”

“You heard me right. I’m going to be bait for the Human-Faced Spiders. I’ll tell you the additional plan from now on. The big picture is the same. I deliberately didn’t reveal it until now for security reasons.”

The cadets’ expressions turned whiter and whiter at the words coming out of my mouth.

‘He’s crazy.’

The cadets thought at the same time.