The Illegitimate Who Devours Weapons

Weapon-Eating Illegitimate Son Episode 32

The grades given to various occupations such as dungeons, gates, monsters, magicians, and warriors are not absolute.

Depending on the given situation, compatibility, and type of power, lower-ranked classes often win against higher-ranked classes, and there are many cases where lower-ranked dungeons are more dangerous than higher-ranked dungeons.

The ratings were ultimately set as international standards for the purpose of proving qualifications rather than actual skill or risk.

“… … is the opinion of the training center.”

“What a messy story.”

I responded to Lee Jeong-ho’s feeble explanation in a sharp tone.

As soon as the schedule for the future was announced and today’s training was over, I gave the cadets individual training and went into Instructor Lee Jeong-ho’s office.

Even though I didn’t ask him any questions, Lee Jeong-ho explained the situation directly.

“It’s not wrong, but it’s like covering your eyes and pretending not to know. If that’s the case, then why bother having levels?”

Lee Jeong-ho sighed and nodded.

“It’s true that it’s like covering your eyes and pretending not to know. Although the grades aren’t an absolute standard, there is a universal standard. It’s just an answer that the training center had no choice but to come up with. However… … It couldn’t be helped.”

“I know that the training center didn’t decide this evaluation. They just did their work.”

The schedule being pulled forward and the dungeon level being adjusted were both things that happened under my father’s orders.

‘What on earth is Dad thinking?’

Special 6th grade.

Even for someone who is quite grown up, it is a dangerous level.

I was lost in thought.

This never happened in my past life.

So what has changed and what is happening now?

By the way, I heard that the amount of water in the household has increased recently.

In addition, I heard that the training intensity of each military unit is becoming increasingly intense.

‘Are you preparing something?’

This evaluation.

I have a feeling that it’s not just to test me and the eighth, Lee Seo-hyun.

“Have other peninsulas been granted dungeons of this level?”

“Yes. Every class in the cadet corps has been assigned a level 6 dungeon. However… … only classes 1 and 5 have been assigned special level dungeons.”

The fact that it was given a special rating meant that the dungeon had some kind of special characteristic.

‘The forest of human faces, the forest of human faces… … .’

Only after much thought could I recall the memory of the Inmyeonju Forest.

‘That area is stabilized in the future. It’s a place where spider webs are spread throughout the dungeon, so the location of an intruder is immediately known to the monsters.’

It’s a tricky dungeon.

The dungeon assigned to class 1 was probably more dangerous than easy.

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

‘It’s my father’s test.’

You must be preparing something to raise the level of the entire cadet corps, and at the same time, you must be thinking of testing your children.

“Are you going to separate or go home? Is there no word from outside forces?”

Lee Jeong-ho laughed bitterly.

“Yes, as you expected, we are already hearing protests from the forces that entrusted the cadets to the cadet corps.”

“But I don’t think the family’s opinion will change. If you don’t want to attend, then don’t. That’s what it’ll be like.”

“That’s correct.”

Since I couldn’t avoid it anyway and had no intention of avoiding it, I had to prepare.

The danger doesn’t change, but this evaluation is strictly a ‘dungeon exploration’.

Unless it was conquest or annihilation, it was likely to be pushed through no matter what obstacles arose.

“If you haven’t been silenced, please tell me the exam outline, date, and details in advance.”

“Of course. It was something that needed to be conveyed to the class president anyway.”

Lee Jeong-ho spread out a map on the desk.

“The evaluation will be held as scheduled in the 12th week. The goal is to explore the deepest part of the Inmyeonju Forest. For now, we will use the temporarily established infiltration route, this way, along the ridge. Do you know about Inmyeonju?”

A man-faced turtle.

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

It has a skin color similar to that of a human, and hair that grows on its head that resembles hair, but it also has compound eyes and long fangs protruding from its mouth.

“Roughly. But there must be a purpose to the exploration, right? Surely it’s not like you just go in and come out?”

Lee Jeong-ho nodded.

“Yes, of course. The mission is to film the movements of the people who have been living in the same house for at least 10 years.”

For a moment, I laughed in vain.

“Did I mishear that?”

“… … .”

“Why do you want to film in the Inmyeonju Forest? And if it’s an individual that’s over 10 years old, you want to film an adult?”

Inmyeonju is a 6th level monster.

The forest of Inmyeonju is covered with numerous spider webs, as if it were snowing.

And the spider-man has the ability to detect intruders by reading the flow of magical energy felt in the spider’s web.

‘It’s like asking someone to infiltrate a military base with surveillance equipment everywhere and steal confidential information.’

The only difference is that even if they are discovered, they are eaten rather than tortured.

I stopped lamenting and read through the map and evaluation-related documents carefully.

‘I guess your highness has a lot of worries too.’

Lee Jeong-ho kept his mouth shut so as not to interrupt her thoughts.

Not only was it a special 6th grade mission, but it was also a filming mission. In fact, it was an absurd mission.

At this point, it was time for warriors who had obtained the qualifications of a quasi-warrior to form a single warrior unit and fight.

Excluding Lee Cheol, with the current level of Class 5, even if they entered the dungeon in perfect condition, they would be wiped out if they encountered only five or six 5-meter-tall monsters.

“Your Majesty, I will once again protest to the training center… .”

“No, please check before that.”

I cut off Lee Jeong-ho and pointed to the equipment provision section written in the outline.

“Here. This part. Isn’t it written down to what extent equipment is allowed?”

“yes?”

“Personal equipment, you say? Were there any separate orders regarding equipment?”

Lee Jeong-ho thought for a moment and answered.

“I heard that all the equipment of the average level will be distributed as a whole. If you want, you can also get your own weapons… … .”

“That means there are no other instructions. The mission is nothing more than to film for as long as possible with the provided video equipment.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Lee Jeong-ho answered with a puzzled expression.

My eyes lit up as I read the mission outline.

“Surprisingly, it may not be impossible.”

Lee Jeong-ho opened his eyes wide.

The youngest master’s face was overflowing with confidence as he smiled meaningfully.

* * *

Training up to the 12th week was conducted in a different way than before.

It was the establishment, revision, and preparation of operations in preparation for the evaluation, as well as the training and education that followed.

Time passed quickly like a flying arrow.

Despite numerous protests, the evaluation plan was set to go ahead as planned.

As a result, there were quite a few students dropping out of each class.

“Have you heard the news from Class 5?”

“Of course. You were assigned to a special 6th class? And the nature of the mission is like this… … Those dropouts are suffering under the helpless Seja bastards.”

“I don’t care anymore. I want to challenge the next batch. I don’t want to throw my life away for nothing.”

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

“That’s crazy.”

Not only among dropouts but also among cadets, Class 5 was always talked about.

I glanced to the side as I watched the students leaving the dormitory, carrying their bags in a hurry and grumbling.

“what do you think about it.”

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

“This test was clearly made more difficult because of me. Anyone can see that it is not a test that should be given to a cadet.”

Choi In-ha smiled bitterly.

“Now, even if you say so, I won’t care about such things.”

“That’s right, your highness!”

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

“This is really the last time. Those who are leaving, leave quickly.”

“None of the students in Class 5 will have any reason to avoid or run away from now on. And most importantly… … .”

The one who continued the conversation while walking slowly was Kim Bo-seong.

The guy who used to stand up to me and talk back to me is now training harder than anyone else.

“We trust you, my lord.”

“They make that ogling sound so casually. After all, they’re adolescent boys.”

“… … Isn’t it you who created that kind of atmosphere? And if someone saw you, they would think you were quite old.”

Sorry, but my actual mental age is twice that of the cadets.

I said with a snicker.

“Then I will take it that everyone will not give up.

There wasn’t a single student dropping out of class 5.

“If you’ve finished your checks, board. We’ll be leaving soon.”

A transport bus was also prepared for the 5th training ground.

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

“yes!”

The cadets shouted loudly.

I took a deep breath, caressing the sword at my waist.

The emblem of the Sungmoo family was clearly engraved on their chests, each of which exuded a determined spirit that did not match their young age.

* * *

The transport vehicle soon approached the wall dividing the safe zone from the danger zone.

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

As we got closer to the danger zone, the cityscape became more and more dilapidated.

The city near the border dividing the danger zone and the safe zone had become a slum.

‘But it’s only like this inside the barrier. The pioneer villages in the danger zone are far behind in terms of civilization.’

Soon the transport vehicle passed through the barrier and reached the designated point.

The dense forest was just like a jungle.

The wilderness of the danger zone, where stabilization had been completed but full development had not yet begun, was gloomy.

The escort warriors disembarked together with Lee Jeong-ho.

“We’ve arrived. No vehicles can enter from here. The escort warriors are only there to guard the base camp. From here on, you guys have to handle everything.”

Lee Jeong-ho continued speaking with a stern expression while lining up the cadets.

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

Lee Jeong-ho turned around and walked away. I stood in front of the cadets after seeing the escort warriors setting up the base camp.

“I’ll take command from now on. First, let’s clear the path to the planned northern infiltration route. It’s not like there are no monsters in the danger zone. There will be at least one or two in this level of jungle. The vanguard should move carefully.”

The march began from a base camp set up halfway up the mountain.

We followed the path taken by the beasts up to the ridge and went straight to the designated infiltration route.

Fortunately, there was no major threat until infiltration.

I looked down the ridge at the forest, which was covered in white clouds.

“We’ve arrived.”

An ominous aura was creeping through the vast forest.

Every tree that had grown tall was densely covered with thick, gray spiderwebs.

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.

-Keeeeeeeek!

A strange noise was heard on the wind blowing through the mountains.

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

“Attention everyone. Lastly, check communications and check supplies.”

-There is no problem with the reception status. It is difficult to transmit the situation via satellite in the Inmyeonju Forest due to the spider webs covering the sky. Please keep in mind that it may be somewhat uncertain.

All the cadets, including me, continued the final check by touching the transparent ear microphone.

Lee Jeong-ho at the base camp also received communication that the installation was complete.

“Whew, haa… … .”

They hadn’t even walked very far when the cadets were breathing heavily.

The real battle is right in front of you. No matter how prepared you are, it will be difficult to catch your breath due to the terrifying tension that is approaching.

Most of the cadets were in that condition.

Rather, the guys who didn’t react like that were the ones with the strongest hearts.

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

“Gather around for a moment. I will now convey the changed operational details.”

“… … ?”

The cadets looked puzzled.

You came all the way here and suddenly the operation details changed?

“The overall operational outline remains the same. But Choi In-ha, there’s something I need you to take care of.”

“yes?”

“From now on, you take command.”

In that moment, the cadets’ expressions changed from one of bewilderment to one of shock.

“What is that… … .”

I glanced at the forest of human faces.

A huge shape was seen appearing and disappearing through the dense spiderwebs of the forest, which still looked ominous.

“I will move on my own from now on.”

“What do you mean?”

Towards the puzzled cadets, I slowly revealed the plan I had been hiding.

“I intend to become prey to the human face.”

Silence fell.

The cadets couldn’t believe their ears.

“… … Could you say that again?”

“I’m sure you heard correctly. I’m thinking of becoming prey to the human-faced man. I’ll tell you the additional plan from now on. The general outline remains the same. For security reasons, I’ve intentionally not revealed it until now.”

The expressions on the cadets’ faces gradually turned pale as the words came out of my mouth.

it’s crazy.

The cadets thought the same thing at the same time.