When the children of the Sungmuiga family reach the age of ten, they undergo a Naming Ceremony, abandoning the childhood names they have used until then. This ceremony awakens the dormant supernatural abilities hidden within their lineage.
Unlike the Iron Selection Ceremony, which allows blood relatives within four degrees of kinship to attend, the Naming Ceremony grants the right to participate to collateral relatives bearing the Lee surname within eight degrees of kinship, provided they have the will to challenge it.
However, the number of collateral relatives who actually attempt the Naming Ceremony is never very high.
This is because even direct descendants risk death in the trial, and no parent would willingly send their child into such danger.
As a result, the only participants in this year's Naming Ceremony were Hua and me.
Unlike the boisterous Iron Selection Ceremony, where all members of the Sungmuiga family gathered, the Naming Ceremony only included a brief departure ritual.
Even then, there were hardly any people who had come to see me off.
"I'm sorry."
After finishing his speech at the departure ritual, my eldest brother looked toward Hua with a bitter smile.
Around Hua, the elders and key figures of the family gathered, offering words of encouragement.
"What are you sorry about?"
"Just… that we were born into this kind of family."
I looked at my eldest brother in surprise. It was not the kind of thing I expected to hear from him, someone who took great pride in our family.
"Come on, Myungjeong. Why say such things?"
Even as our uncle reprimanded him, my eldest brother only smiled bitterly.
"Brother."
"Yes?"
"Which Trial Chamber do you plan to challenge?"
"That's a secret."
My brother was briefly taken aback by my response but then let out a chuckle.
"Is it because of that competition of yours again?"
"No, it's not like that."
"Oh, come on. Do you think I don't know you by now? Fine, I get it."
It seemed he thought I would challenge the same Trial Chamber as him.
'That's not it at all.'
I didn't bother correcting him. If I did, it would only ruin this warm atmosphere before the trial even began.
"Oh, my dear! I'm sad to see you go, but make sure you do exactly as I told you!"
"Yes, Aunt, I will."
I gave my aunt a short bow and then turned to my nanny.
"Nanny, I'm off."
"Yes, young master."
She nodded calmly, trying to act as if nothing was wrong so that I wouldn't worry.
I grinned.
"Nanny, when I come back, I'll want to eat your cooking."
"…What?"
"I'll return safe and sound, and I'll complete the Naming Ceremony perfectly. So be sure to have something delicious prepared for me."
My nanny's eyes widened in surprise. Then, a bright smile spread across her face as she nodded.
"Yes! I'll do my best when you return, young master!"
Smiling, I turned and headed for the vehicle that would take me to the trial grounds.
At last, the Naming Ceremony was about to begin.
***
The Naming Ceremony was held on a small uninhabited island near the western sea in the northern region.
Jeokcheongdo.
It was an island known for its land changing color between red and blue depending on the concentration of magic in the atmosphere.
It was located near a danger zone, and beyond the northern sea lay an unexplored region.
"The devices we are distributing now are for tracking purposes. Please keep them on your person at all times unless absolutely necessary."
One of the Spirit Sword Corps members who had escorted us to the island handed us wristwatch-like devices and small brooches.
Although officially described as tracking devices, they also had hidden functions, such as transmitting video for evaluation and monitoring heart rate and body temperature.
Twice a week, small emergency ration blocks would be airdropped based on the location data from these devices.
"As you may already know, I'll keep this explanation brief. The tasks given to the participants of this ceremony are threefold."
Survive.
Hunt.
And challenge the Trial Chamber.
The mana levels on Jeokcheongdo were significantly higher than in inland areas.
Staying here for too long could cause severe side effects, and the mana's strong presence attracted numerous monsters to the island.
A special barrier had been placed to keep out monsters beyond the participants' ability to handle, except for the island's guardian beast. However, the sheer number of monsters on the island was overwhelming.
"You must survive on Jeokcheongdo for three weeks and hunt monsters to prove your worth. Your performance in this trial will also impact future assignments."
"The Trial Chamber will open for two days at the end of the third week. This is not just a test of strength, so please consider the knowledge you've gained beforehand and make your choices wisely."
The Trial Chamber was the true test of the Naming Ceremony. Only those who passed it could awaken the supernatural power dormant in the bloodline of the Sungmuiga family.
"Good luck to you both."
With those words, the Spirit Sword Corps member departed from the island.
Hua, who was silently staring at the island, finally spoke.
"This place feels ominous."
"It's not exactly a paradise for humans, that's for sure."
Despite being a rocky island, Jeokcheongdo was covered in dense, overgrown primordial forest. The intertwining roots looked like human veins, and even though it was midday, the forest was filled with a gloomy atmosphere.
With so many monsters inhabiting the island, finding food would not be easy.
"What are you going to do?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"…Such a petty man."
Hua hesitated, opening and closing her mouth as if she had more to say.
Then, suddenly, her eyes flashed with determination as she looked straight at me.
"Hey. I need to talk to you."
I did not avoid that gaze.
"You've finally made up your mind, huh?"
"Huh? What?"
"You've been trying to say something since our training."
"How… how did you know?"
At my words, Hwa's eyes wavered.
"How could I not know? Go on, tell me. I'll listen."
Hwa pressed her lips together, then tucked the yet-to-be-worn brooch and wristwatch into her pocket.
As if to say they were no longer meant to be shown.
Then, she pulled something out from her coat.
A small glass bottle.
I frowned at the sight of it.
"…What's that?"
"Poison."
Hwa spat out the word, looking almost relieved.
Meanwhile, I forgot how to breathe for a moment.
"It's called Mimong. A treasure of the Sky Fortress. There are a lot of conditions for using it, but anyway, it seeps into your body and disrupts your mana circuits over a long period."
I felt my heart turn cold.
I stared at the glass bottle in Hwa's hand.
'…So it really was that.'
If it had the effects Hwa described, then there was no doubt—it was the very thing that ruined my past life.
A colorless, odorless, traceless lethal poison that didn't kill but instead crippled mana circuits. There weren't many poisons with such unique properties.
Mimong of the Sky Fortress.
I had investigated and studied it immediately after my regression. I had my suspicions.
But I never expected to see it before me, unused.
'Could it have been Hwa in my past life?'
No, that was impossible.
Mimong had strict usage conditions. In my past life, I had no connection to Hwa, meaning this was the result of this life's circumstances.
"Who gave that to you?"
"I'm not telling."
Hwa gripped the glass bottle tightly, then hurled it at a distant rock wall.
Crack!
With a small noise, the bottle shattered.
"There goes the evidence. That poison evaporates in five minutes."
Hwa met my gaze with confidence.
"I'm going to beat you fair and square. I won't rely on something like that. So you better give it your all in the test, too."
Hearing Hwa's resolve, the turbulent emotions within me quickly settled.
'I had prepared for this anyway.'
I slowly closed my eyes, then opened them again, replying,
"…Even if you hadn't said that, I was always planning to give it my all."
"Good."
Hwa nodded.
"One last thing. Don't challenge the island's center until you're completely familiar with the area. The inner region is pretty dangerous."
"..."
"The mana concentration is high there, so the monsters are stronger and more numerous. The competition for survival is intense, so they're vicious."
"I know. But why are you telling me this? Are you worried about me or something?"
"What? Worried?"
Hwa grimaced.
"Don't say creepy things. I just didn't want you to die in some stupid way after I threw away that poison and made that promise."
—Boooooo!
At that moment, a heavy horn sound, like that of a passenger ship, echoed from nearby.
"Don't die. I'm heading out first."
With that, Hwa leapt westward along the shoreline of the island.
I stood there for a moment, staring into the darkness lurking within the forest, then stepped into the primeval woods.
Toward the island's center.
***
In the command center of the main house of the Sungmuigai family, a large screen displayed a small map that was being updated in real time.
Beneath it, several split screens were broadcasting live footage.
"As expected, the eighth is exceptional. The number of monsters she's taken down is already impressive."
It was Elder Lee Cheol-jung. Stroking his beard, he spoke with satisfaction.
"This must be her first real combat experience. Well, considering who awakened her instincts, there's no way she'd be mediocre. Was it only 47 days?"
Lee Cheol-jung smiled and glanced at a man seated in the corner of the conference room.
It was Lee Joong-gwan, the leader of the Blood Tiger Squad.
Silently watching the footage, he finally spoke.
"That girl wasn't originally this skilled. I expected her to take the full two months."
Even now, Lee Joong-gwan believed that. Hwa possessed great talent—but that was all.
However, someone had pushed her beyond that.
The ninth.
The child provoked Hwa's anger, and thanks to that, Hwa was able to surpass the limits of talent.
"Hmm, the eighth child is quite impressive. But I'm worried. Even following the standard method is dangerous, yet they continue fighting like that…"
The overseer, Lee Tae-hong, spoke with a hint of concern while watching the screen displaying the eighth child.
A safe shelter, water, food, fire—these are the essentials for survival in the wild.
The eighth child was remarkable for engaging in battle with monsters without preparing any of those necessities, but it was still worrisome.
"Haha, you always worry too much, Overseer. How many children have taken the test by strictly following the standard method?"
That wasn't entirely wrong.
At Soongmuiga, survival fundamentals were taught, but few actually followed them to the letter. After all, they had strong bodies and keen instincts that allowed them to survive even without such guidelines.
"Hmm, but what exactly is that kid doing?"
The head elder frowned as he looked at the screen displaying the ninth child.
The ninth child was moving forward cautiously, not in haste, steadily making their way inward. If there was a possibility of encountering a monster, they deliberately held their breath and hid.
"It seems they are searching for a shelter."
It was Lee Joong-gwan who answered.
He snorted, looking unimpressed.
"Hmm, a descendant of Soongmuiga…"
"So they're just going to run around like a scared rat? What a coward."
"…Finding and preparing a shelter in a dangerous place should actually be considered a wise decision rather than something to criticize."
It was Lee Myung-jung who spoke, his expression firm and careful.
"Hmph, that's true."
"Haha, maybe we've set our expectations too high after watching the eighth child. Honestly, even doing that at their age is no easy feat."
The elders nodded in agreement, albeit awkwardly.
However, Elder Chief Lee Cheol-jung was different.
"Being ordinary is a sin at Soongmuiga."
His voice was low, but those words alone silenced the room.
"Don't you agree?"
A gentle smile formed on Lee Cheol-jung's face, wrinkles appearing as if he were a kind old man.
It certainly looked like the smile of a benevolent elder, yet the atmosphere was completely under his control.
"You're right. Thinking about it, that makes sense."
"A descendant of Soongmuiga behaving like an ordinary person would be laughable."
The elders resumed their chatter, speaking as they pleased.
Listening to their conversation, Lee Myung-jung felt a growing sense of frustration.
'When did our family become like this?'
Building a shelter was something so basic that it was even included in the survival guidelines.
Even if not many followed the standard methods, this was a fundamental step.
They knew that, too. But they were merely looking down on the youngest because he was a child of a concubine.
'Or maybe it's always been this way.'
Perhaps he had just never noticed before.
If not for the youngest, he wouldn't have questioned it at all.
'But… why is that kid acting so calmly?'
His momentary pity was replaced by unease.
He turned to glance at the overseer, whose expression mirrored his own concern.
'That boy isn't the type to behave like this. It wouldn't be strange for him to recklessly charge straight at the boss monster… What is he up to now?'
And he wasn't the only one.
Someone else also found the youngest child's behavior strange.
'Hmm, that brat isn't the type for this. He even tested the instructors and tried to counterattack me, yet now he's playing it safe?'
It was Lee Joong-gwan.
Those who knew the ninth child's personality couldn't understand why his actions were so passive.
Soon, Young (the ninth child) discovered a suitable cave and began inspecting its interior.
He burned mugwort and other herbs inside to drive out insects and bats, then skillfully wove branches together to conceal the entrance.
It wasn't just textbook survival; he was highly proficient. Even the more cynical elders watched with interest.
Yet, Lee Myung-jung and the overseer still felt uneasy, while Lee Joong-gwan remained puzzled.
Then, suddenly, the ninth child began removing all the video output devices.
Was it because he found them cumbersome? They weren't mandatory, but removing them the moment he finished setting up his shelter seemed odd.
Lee Myung-jung felt a twinge of concern.
But that wasn't it.
"T-That…!"
"That brat…!"
The elders were alarmed.
The ninth child took off his video-transmitting bracelet and brooch without hesitation, then set them down on the ground. After that, he went to pluck large tree leaves and brought them back.
"W-What is he doing with those…?"
Lee Tae-hong's voice trembled as he spoke.
Then—
Paht!
The screen went dark.
Everyone in the meeting room gaped in shock.
"As expected of a concubine's child, he comes up with all sorts of tricks."
Lee Cheol-jung chuckled.
"Haha!"
Lee Joong-gwan laughed as if he found it amusing.
Meanwhile, Lee Myung-jung and the overseer smacked their foreheads.
***
"There's no reason to show them anything."
Hunting right now wouldn't help his evaluation much. For now, his priority was obtaining what he needed on this island without being noticed.
He could wear the devices again when they would actually contribute to his score.
While he was at it, he also tossed his iron sword into the cave. He had only brought it because of how others would perceive him.
After all, he had something far better than that mediocre sword.
I slowly gathered my mana.
Hwaak!
The black ring on my finger, Mujin, trembled and shifted into the form of a dagger.
With continued training and an increase in my mana reserves, the speed at which I could transform Mujin had improved significantly.
"Alright, time to get moving."
Since I had come to Red Azure Island, I might as well take everything I could from it.
I flipped the dagger into the air, caught it, and kicked off the ground.