Episode 4: Number Ninety-Two…
As spring arrived, the training became more varied and grueling.
Once the children got used to the eighteen types of weapons, they were taught how to use tools like pitchforks, pestles, and even fishing rods as weapons.
One child died after being struck by an axe head that slipped from its handle, and another never resurfaced while practicing water skills.
They also began learning swordsmanship and staff techniques.
Won Seung overheard the instructors discussing how they meticulously observed the children’s training and recorded who excelled with which weapon.
‘They’re evaluating us. I was right to hold back a bit.’
He sensed that excelling too much could be dangerous, though he wasn’t sure why.
Six months later, another teacher arrived to teach calligraphy and painting. The children found these subjects tedious but learned diligently, fearing death if they fell behind. Naturally, their skills improved rapidly.
‘If we focus and learn desperately like this, we’ll all pass with flying colors.’
When a third string was added to the headboard of Won Seung’s bed, two music instructors arrived. One was a woman who taught dance and the zither, while the male instructor taught instruments like the bamboo flute and the drum.
Won Seung couldn’t understand why they had to learn these things. The girls were much better at music. To keep up with the thirty or so girls, he had to put in a lot of effort.
The female instructor found Won Seung adorable for his dedication to music. While other boys ignored dance lessons and stood stiffly like poles, Won Seung tried his best to learn the dance moves.
One day, the female instructor said to the male instructor, “I’m going to give Number Fifty a top grade. I’ve never seen a child work this hard.”
“It’s rare for a boy to enjoy music. That kid could become a great musician. I’m considering a top grade too.”
Just then, a sinister voice interrupted.
“Hey, don’t you know the trainees’ grades are confidential? How can you ensure fair evaluations if you discuss them?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Instructor Jang.”
When Instructor Jang reprimanded them, the music instructors hurriedly apologized and left.
Back in his office, Instructor Jang took a sip from a bottle of liquor on his desk and sighed.
Life in the mountains was unbearably dull for Instructor Jang too. As he drank in the middle of the day, the conversation between the music instructors came to mind.
“Did they say Number Fifty? A boy getting top grades in music?”
Discovering talented trainees was part of his job, and he was already monitoring about ten top candidates. However, Number Fifty wasn’t among them.
Instructor Jang went to the cabinet where evaluation reports were stored. He pulled out Number Fifty’s background and report card.
“Agu, Hagok County. Servant boy of the Jang family… Swordsmanship top grade, staff techniques top grade… Huh?”
As he read the report, he noticed something unusual.
The trainees’ evaluations were divided into grades: A, B, C, and D, with further divisions of upper, middle, and lower. Given the wide range of subjects taught, the children’s grades varied greatly. A child who received an A+ in agility might get a D- in staff techniques.
Surprisingly, Won Seung’s grades were consistent. He mostly received A-, with quite a few A or A+ grades. Occasionally, he got B+ or B, which meant he was above average in many areas.
‘Why did I overlook this kid?’
He realized he had only been focusing on A+ grades. Won Seung’s A+ grades were in subjects like poetry, calligraphy, painting, and music, which were typically associated with scholars, so he hadn’t paid much attention.
‘Hmm… This kid isn’t meant to be an assassin; he’s more suited for scholarly pursuits.’
Just as he was about to lose interest and close the report, his eyes caught the note on basic poison skills with an A+ grade. An idea flashed through his mind.
‘Wait… If Number Fifty has A+ in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and music, and also in basic poison skills, could he be a candidate for the Ten Perfections?’
Instructor Jang carefully reviewed Won Seung’s report again.
In martial arts, he had A- or B+, which was still quite impressive. Given his youth, focused training could further enhance his skills. Most importantly, achieving an A+ in the challenging field of poison skills…
‘Ten Perfections Assassin!’
Instructor Jang’s heart raced.
A Ten Perfections Assassin is a rare talent proficient in ten fields. While many assassins excel in martial arts, few possess exceptional skills in poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, poison, and strategy.
‘If I can elevate his martial arts and perfect his poison skills… it’s possible!’
Instructor Jang carefully placed Won Seung’s report in the drawer under his desk, on top of the reports of other promising children.
‘If I can produce a Ten Perfections Assassin… I could secure a position at the main headquarters!’
He murmured to himself as he took another sip of his drink.
The liquor tasted sweet.
*
When they turned ten, the curriculum changed again. The children learned throwing techniques with daggers, water, and sand.
Won Seung found throwing daggers amusing. Even in the dormitory, he would lie down and throw daggers at the ceiling.
“That’s right. Practicing in everyday life is important. You should all follow Number Fifty’s example.”
The dormitory instructor praised Won Seung, unaware that he was imagining the instructor’s face as he threw the daggers. In fact, when wielding a sword or staff, he often imagined slashing the necks and stabbing the bellies of the malicious instructors.
As time passed, the children grew closer. The side effects of the Forgetfulness Pill, which had left them somewhat indifferent, gradually faded, and they returned to near normalcy.
Won Seung was friendly with Jang Chil, and they became close.
Jang Chil was agile and strong but struggled with intellectual subjects like writing and painting. Won Seung realized it wasn’t because Jang Chil was inherently dull but because he had never had the chance to learn. He secretly helped him.
In return, Jang Chil would discreetly assist Won Seung during tough training sessions.
One day, during a grueling cliff-climbing exercise, Won Seung heard sobbing nearby as he neared the top of a fifty-foot cliff.
It was Number Ninety-Two, a girl with large, round eyes that usually sparkled but now trembled with despair and fear.
“Number Ninety-Two, what’s wrong?”
“I can’t find anywhere to hold on.”
Number Ninety-Two was perched on a small ledge, holding onto a protruding rock, with nowhere else to move.
On such a cliff, retreating was impossible.
This was the worst-case scenario during cliff-climbing training. She seemed exhausted from the climb, and her trembling hand indicated she was about to lose her grip.
If left alone, she would surely fall to her death.
The instructors could save her by lowering a rope, but they didn’t care. They were probably drinking above the cliff.
Won Seung noticed a vine hanging between him and Number Ninety-Two.
“Grab that vine and come over here.”
“I can’t.”
Won Seung observed that the girl seemed quite sturdy. Despite her training, jumping to the vine was too risky.
“Wait. I’ll try something.”
Won Seung pulled out a stick from his back, hooked the vine, and tested its strength by tugging it several times. It felt solid enough to support both of them.
He called to Jang Chil, who was climbing beside him.
“Chilho, find something sturdy to hold onto. I’ll go get Number Ninety-Two, and you help us when we get back.”
“Got it.”
Confident in his physical abilities, Jang Chil nodded and firmly grasped a protruding tree root with his left hand.
Jang Chil’s foothold was stable, as it was a well-protruding rock. Once Jang Chil was securely positioned, Won Seung shouted to Number Ninety-Two.
“Number Ninety-Two, when I get there, hop onto my back.”
“I’m… I’m heavy.”
Number Ninety-Two looked worried.
“I know. But I’ve carried heavier rocks than you. Don’t worry.”
Won Seung leaned back, grabbed the vine, and dashed along the cliff, turning swiftly in front of Number Ninety-Two.
When he offered his back, she quickly hooked her arms over his shoulders and climbed on.
‘Ugh! She really is heavy.’
With a firm grip on the vine, Won Seung scaled the cliff again.
Thud, thud, thud.
In just four leaps, he reached Jang Chil. Jang Chil extended his hand and shouted.
“Grab my shoulder!”
Number Ninety-Two, trained like the others, reacted quickly. She reached out and grabbed Jang Chil’s opposite shoulder, while Jang Chil slipped his arm under her armpit and wrapped it around her waist.
“Whew. You’re really heavy.”
“Sniff. Thank you.”
Number Ninety-Two sobbed, holding onto a rock with her other hand.
“Wow!”
Cheers erupted from all over the cliff. The children, who had been watching anxiously, burst into applause.
The instructors usually scolded the children for helping each other, but Won Seung and Jang Chil’s daring rescue of Number Ninety-Two was astonishing.
Won Seung climbed up the vine to the top of the cliff and lowered it to Number Ninety-Two.
She carefully climbed up, holding the vine with one hand and a rock with the other, finally reaching the top.
‘Those guys really aren’t human.’
The instructors, who were drinking on the other side of the cliff, had no idea what had happened.
*
That evening.
While eating in the dining hall, Number Ninety-Two approached with her tray and offered her portion of meat to Won Seung and Jang Chil.
“Thank you. You saved my life.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
Won Seung returned the meat and even offered his own portion. Jang Chil did the same.
“You need to eat more since you have more body mass.”
Number Ninety-Two looked downcast.
“I don’t eat more than others, but I gain weight easily.”
“Must be your metabolism.”
From that day on, Number Ninety-Two joined Won Seung and Jang Chil.
They stuck together during group training and sat side by side during writing or music lessons.
One day.
After returning from an outdoor training session divided into groups, Won Seung noticed instructors gathered around someone in the training ground, beating them.
Through the instructors’ legs, he saw the child being beaten.
‘Jang Chil?’
It was common for instructors to beat the children, but Jang Chil being beaten was unusual. Jang Chil was a model trainee with good training results and obedient behavior.
‘He might die at this rate.’
Thinking he should intervene, Won Seung hurried over, but then he heard Jang Chil’s desperate cries.
“Aaah! Save me. Save Number Ninety-Two!”
The scream-like plea made Won Seung stop abruptly and turn his gaze to the platform. When trainees died during training, they were placed on a stretcher in front of the platform.
Won Seung’s eyes, trembling uncontrollably, spotted something covered with a rag. He rushed over and pulled back the rag.
Won Seung’s eyes widened in shock.
“!”