"Eldest Brother, how about making a deal with me?"
At my words, my eldest brother, who was about to leave, stopped in his tracks.
"A deal? What kind of deal are you talking about?"
"I will transfer the credit for this incident to you."
My eldest brother's eyes widened.
"You can say that you predicted the infiltrating trainer and instructed me in advance. I will testify accordingly."
"...."
It was easy to guess why I was saying this and what would happen as a result.
If things went as I suggested, the political attack orchestrated by some unknown figure would ironically serve to elevate my eldest brother's reputation.
'The head of the family's intelligence unit failed to detect it, yet the acting family head foresaw and prepared for it in advance.'
Meanwhile, I could still extract useful information about the trainer and gain leverage, which would lay the foundation for a counterattack.
'But my own achievements would be diminished.'
A significant portion of my accomplishments—ones so impressive that even the conservative elders of the family would have no choice but to acknowledge—would lose their brilliance.
"In that case, you wouldn't gain anything from this. It would be better for you if the truth was revealed as it is. I appreciate your consideration for me, but there's no need to go this far."
"Do you really think I'm doing this solely out of affection for you?"
At my smile, my eldest brother's expression turned puzzled.
"Eldest Brother, this achievement is too great for someone like me, who hasn't even officially begun my cadet training. Moreover, I am merely a concubine's son."
"That's exactly why the recognition for this incident should go to you, don't you think?"
"But then the scrutiny and wariness toward me will intensify."
Lee Myung-jung's eyes widened.
'Could this kid be asking me to act as his shield?'
As he said, this incident was far too remarkable—so much so that it was not just impressive but outright threatening for an eleven-year-old illegitimate child to have accomplished.
Whoever had intended to keep him in check would now focus entirely on him, and those who disapproved of a concubine's son would start seeing him differently.
However, if my eldest brother's name were involved, the family's attention would shift away from me. All the scrutiny and attacks would be directed at him instead.
"I have no faction of my own yet, nor do I have the strength to protect what is mine. The honor I gain from this incident is like a candle in the wind—one that will look even more pitiful when it is extinguished."
Even if I acknowledged my eldest brother's assistance, it wouldn't be a bad trade-off for me.
Rather than gaining troublesome fame, it was wiser to seize immediate practical benefits.
'I need to keep myself hidden for now.'
I had barely done anything, yet already, an incident involving a trainer and the illusions of Mi Mong had surfaced.
This was just a single achievement. In the future, when my strength was fully built and I had grown, I was confident that I would accomplish countless more.
Lee Myung-jung suddenly burst into laughter.
"Haha! Yes, a deal is about giving each other what we need. What do you want?"
"Grant me access to the Jang Kyung Pavilion."
If the family's treasury was where they stored countless weapons, then the Jang Kyung Pavilion was where they safeguarded their most advanced martial arts manuals and secret techniques.
After a brief moment of contemplation, my eldest brother responded.
"It's difficult to grant you permanent access when you're not even an official administrative officer yet. At most, I can allow you two days as compensation for this incident."
"Make it three days."
"…You insolent brat. Hah. Fine."
I extended my hand toward my eldest brother.
Lee Myung-jung let out a small chuckle before gripping my hand.
Just as I was about to loosen my grip, he tightened his hold instead.
"Thank you."
"There's no need for that. This was just a transaction, after all."
"Even without me, you must have already calculated a way to overcome the aftermath of this incident, right?"
"That's…"
"I'll repay this debt."
My eldest brother patted me on the shoulder.
Just then, a vibration came from within his coat.
"The Blue Sword Squad is calling. I'll be going now. And I'll keep this matter to myself."
As he was about to leave, he suddenly threw something my way as if he had just remembered something.
A jet-black sword without any ornamentation.
It was Mujin.
Without another word, my eldest brother turned and walked away in his usual composed manner.
"…As expected, he's no ordinary man."
Momentarily caught off guard, I let out a small chuckle before bowing slightly in the direction he was heading.
***
After thoroughly searching Jeokcheong Island, the Blue Sword Squad and my eldest brother boarded a private aircraft to return home.
As expected, a disposable teleportation formation was discovered in the forest on the outskirts of Jeokcheong Island. In case of any unforeseen incidents, two squads from the Blue Sword Squad were stationed around the island's perimeter.
"…So? Which Chamber of Trials are you going to challenge?"
Hwa asked, eyeing me curiously.
Even someone as neatly kept as Hwa looked rather disheveled after living on the island for a month.
"What about you? Where are you going to challenge?"
"I asked you first!"
"If you want to know, tell me yours first."
"…You're really petty. Where else would I challenge? It's obvious."
Hwa scoffed.
Scattered throughout Jeokcheong Island were various Chambers of Trials.
The ones located on the outskirts were mostly of low difficulty, whereas those in the center were notoriously challenging.
Among them, the most infamous Chamber of Trials was none other than the Chamber of Delusions.
"The Chamber of Delusions? Are you sure about that?"
"The Chambers of Trials don't test physical strength anyway. It doesn't matter."
Most Chambers of Trials were not designed to assess combat ability.
Rather, it was the opposite.
Through formations and enchantments, they created illusions meant to test a challenger's mind and willpower.
For that reason, except for the ones in the outskirts, the difficulty levels weren't strictly categorized.
Each Chamber of Trials simply presented different types of illusions. Among them, the Chamber of Delusions was infamous for being particularly vicious.
"So, where are you going to challenge?"
"The Chamber of Struggle."
"Huh? That was a thing? Don't tell me it's one of the outer Chambers of Trials?"
"It is in the outer area."
Hwa's expression twisted like never before.
"…Are you serious?"
"I am."
At my nonchalant response, Hwa clenched his teeth in shock.
A bubbling frustration surged within.
No matter which Chamber of Trials one challenged, as long as they passed, their Ability would be unlocked all the same.
But to think he intended to take the easy way out by choosing a low-difficulty Chamber of Trials and finishing it quickly…
'…I didn't expect him to be this kind of guy.'
Internally, I had considered him a rival—or rather, to be honest, someone even more talented than myself.
I acknowledged his efforts and even held a faint admiration for how he resisted the scorn of being an illegitimate child.
I had even defied my mother's wishes just to compete against him on equal ground.
But now I see he was this kind of person all along.
"I'm disappointed. I must have misjudged you. There's no need to talk any further."
Hwa abruptly stood up and strode away.
'What is he even saying?'
I had an idea of why he reacted that way, but I had no desire to explain myself.
'Whatever. Let him think what he wants.'
I turned and walked in the opposite direction from where Hwa had gone.
***
In truth, preparing for a Chamber of Trials doesn't require much.
At most, some meditation to clear the mind.
I purified myself by washing in a lake on the island, ate all the food I had stored up, and caught up on the sleep I had been putting off.
By the time I woke up in the morning, the sky was still tinged with the dim light of dawn.
'Hoo, all set.'
After checking my restored mana channels and the wounds on my body, I headed for the island's outskirts.
'I don't remember exactly… but it should be around here.'
I followed the forest along the edge of the island.
Back when I had nothing to my name, the only reason I survived on this island after passing a Chamber of Trials was that I had hidden myself away.
At the time, I had to go all out just to take down a single Rank 8 monster. While fleeing from a swarm of goblins, I stumbled upon a cave, where I hid and endured for four weeks.
And when the Chamber of Struggle was later revealed, I was shocked to discover that the cave I had been hiding in was, in fact, that very chamber.
'Found it.'
Soon, I came upon the cave where I had once taken refuge.
I fashioned a torch and cautiously stepped inside. When I reached a dead end, I began inspecting the wall.
With the accumulated dirt and sediment covering it, the wall appeared entirely natural.
'But it's not a wall.'
Srrng!
Drawing my sword, I swung at the layers of dirt and sediment covering the wall.
Expanding my mana in all directions, I swung my sword relentlessly.
Clang!
Then, at one moment, instead of the sound of striking rock, I heard the distinct clang of metal being struck.
'There it is.'
I used my mana to sweep away the remaining debris and took a closer look.
Though rusted beyond recognition and buried under layers of sediment, what lay beneath was a massive, artificially crafted door.
Ssk—
I made a small cut on my palm with my sword and clenched my fist tightly, letting a few drops of blood pool in my hand.
Then, infusing my blood with mana, I sprinkled it onto the iron door.
Woom!
As soon as the blood made contact, ancient inscriptions on the door's surface began to glow faintly.
Kugugugung!
With a grating sound of old mechanisms stirring to life, the enormous iron door—once mistaken for a mere wall—began to open.
'So, this is the start.'
As the long-sealed air rushed out, it almost sounded like distant screams.
Beyond the door lay a vast cavern, seemingly around five meters tall.
'This is the Chamber of Struggle.'
Holding my torch aloft, I surveyed the cavern.
At its center, I spotted a stone structure.
A stele, an altar, and an ancient sword—so corroded that only the hilt was distinguishable—were placed there.
'The Gateway of Struggle (鬪爭之關), huh.'
Before my regression, this place was discovered during the maintenance of Jeokcheong Island.
At that time, the researchers who investigated it said one thing:
The prototype of all Chambers of Trials.
The very first Chamber of Trials created by the founder of our family.
I bowed twice and then once more before the altar. Then, clenching my fist tightly again, I let a few drops of blood fall onto the altar.
"The successor of Sungmuiga wishes to challenge the founder's trial. Please grant your permission."
Wooong—
Before my words even fully left my lips, a sound echoed through the chamber—something like a distant wail.
The air trembled.
When I turned around, I saw it.
From the ceiling, the walls, and the floor, clusters of light—like fireflies—began to emerge, glowing softly.
I was captivated by the radiant streams of light spreading through the air.
And when the light finally settled, someone appeared before me.
It was… me.
***
The trial of the Chamber of Struggle is simple and straightforward.
To win against myself in battle.
A trial perfectly suited to the Sungmuiga—a family devoted to endless self-struggle.
The number of attempts is unlimited.
Even if I lose, I will not die.
But there is one rule.
Until I achieve victory, I cannot leave, even if I wish to surrender.
"Kuagh! Gah…?"
What just happened?
I coughed violently and reached for my neck.
'I was definitely just beheaded…'
I had attacked first. But the result was the opposite—my illusion had moved faster and sliced through my throat.
'Right… an illusion. It was just an illusion.'
For a long moment, I couldn't break free from the shock. Then, finally, I regained my composure.
Damn it… the realism was terrifying.
Every last detail—the cold sensation of the blade slicing through my neck—was burned into my memory with eerie clarity.
'Brutal. A normal person would lose their mind in here.'
It was worthy of being the first Chamber of Trials.
But I had come here prepared for this.
And…
'…So I really am capable of that much?'
The illusions created by the Chamber of Struggle can only replicate what I already possess.
The only difference is that the illusion utilizes my abilities at 100% efficiency.
Which means…
Right now, I'm not using my full potential.
'That means that even if I swung my sword late, I should still have been able to land a strike like that—fast enough to behead my opponent in an instant.'
If I was truly capable of it, then I should have been able to counter it just now.
"…Alright."
I turned to face my illusion once more.
"Let's see what I've really got."