Episode 8. Is causing trouble hereditary too?
Ding!
[The Star Gathering is in progress!]
[Constellations are watching the Trial of the Death Hall!]
[Current number of viewers: 412]
As soon as I entered the Death Hall, a system alert popped up.
Hundreds of constellations were watching this test.
Just like the stories said, the ceiling above the hall looked like a dark sky,
and hundreds of stars sparkled in different colors.
Of course, most test-takers were too nervous to notice.
They could barely breathe, let alone look around.
But I was different.
I calmly took in the sharp tension in the air and looked around.
‘Familiar faces.’
Everyone in the Death Hall was staring only at me.
Some looked stiff—like they’d seen a stain on the family name.
Some looked disgusted—maybe remembering the nightmare called “Ma hyun.”
Some were gritting their teeth—still holding deep grudges.
I felt like I’d been dropped into enemy territory.
Yeah.
It felt like this in my past life too.
Back then, I froze.
But not this time.
Standing in that heavy air, I smirked.
This is the last time you’ll get to look down on me like that.
‘Because I’m not the same person you used to know!’
Rumble—!
Suddenly, a terrifying presence filled the hall.
A pressure that felt like it could tear my body apart.
Of course, I knew exactly who it was.
Ma Hyul, the Dark Heaven Patriarch.
His eyes looked like they could pierce through me.
Heh.
Grandpa.
You don’t need to rush like that.
Just wait patiently.
‘I’ll crush everything, then walk up to you with my head held high!’
Meanwhile, Ma Hyul was watching me as I went through the entrance ceremony.
His eyes were filled with complicated emotions.
‘If only Ma Hyeon hadn’t existed…’
That brat…
The one who ruined his mother and messed everything up.
The next clan leader, the Dark Heaven Sect, even Ma Hyun…
Everything could’ve gone smoothly without him.
But everything had been twisted—
Because of Ma Hyun.
‘Damn you, Ma Hyun, that wretched woman.’
Even in death, you keep troubling me.
‘That damn brat is Ma Hyunn.’
The crowd buzzed at my appearance.
The problem child is born from a problem daughter.
The very definition of trouble.
“Ugh, just look at him. So lacking in grace.”
“Well, what do you expect? He grew up without anything.”
“Seriously, anyone who breaks clan rules ends up like that.”
It was Ma Hyul’s first time seeing me since I was a baby.
He had cut ties with Ma Hyun for breaking the family rules.
‘Ma Hyeon probably hates me too.’
Even if we’re related, I didn’t help when his mother died.
I ignored the way the clan treated him.
So Ma Hyul thought it was only natural we’d be enemies.
But then, he blinked in surprise.
‘He… smiled?’
I smiled at him—
The boy he thought would see him as a bitter enemy.
But I smiled like none of it bothered me.
“…”
Blood doesn’t lie.
He looked… just like Ma Hyun.
It made Ma Hyul’s chest ache.
Sigh… may be causing trouble does run in the family.
He flicked his finger, and his most trusted assistant appeared from the shadows.
A man he raised himself from a young age.
In a quiet voice, Ma Hyul asked:
“What’s the status of Shinyi?”
“We’re doing everything we can to track them, but… nothing yet.”
“Tch… got it.”
Why do all these so-called healers live like rats?
They’re never there when you need them.
‘Nothing ever goes right!’
Ma Hyul’s rising anger filled the air.
“The Clan Lord seems to hate Ma Hyun.”
“Look at that face. Let’s not say anything today.”
“Yeah, let’s all avoid getting on his nerves.”
These fools just keep running their mouths.
So frustrating.
Is there no one decent in this clan?
Meanwhile, on the platform, the Death Hall Master called the test-takers.
“Line up in the order you entered!”
Everyone moved at once.
There were over a hundred people.
Not all of them were members of the Ma clan.
Many were from loyal families who served the Ma.
I found my spot and waited for things to settle.
Thud!
Someone bumped into me hard.
That stupid grin… I knew that face.
“Ah, my bad. Didn’t see you there.”
Ma Seungcheol.
He raised his fist like he wanted to punch me.
I see we finally meet again.
In my past life, this guy betrayed the clan and blocked my path over and over.
‘Not this time. I’m not wasting energy on you.’
“What’s the matter? Are you already going blind? Guess dying won’t be a big deal.”
“Huh? This little punk—”
Ma Seungcheol laughed bitterly.
But this was the Death Hall—he couldn’t just attack me here.
And if he was here, that meant Ma Giheon was too.
Right on cue, the guy passed by me.
His eyes are full of killing intent.
“Nice glare.”
“Ma Hyun, you might die here. Are you ready for that?”
“Maybe. Are you ready?”
“Hah! Why would I care about trash like you?”
“Because I’m not the same as before?”
“Tch. Get real.”
He sneered and took his spot.
“Run as much as you can. That’s your only shot at living.”
He turned, expecting to see me flinch.
But I just gave him the middle finger.
Crack.
“That crazy bastard—!”
All these lowlifes are the same.
Fine.
If that’s what you want, I’ll come to you first.
“Silence!”
The Death Hall Master's voice rang out.
The test was starting.
Everyone turned to him.
“I’ll now explain the rules. Listen carefully if you don’t want to die.”
The room went completely silent.
They’d all heard about this test growing up,
but standing here in person was another matter.
“No need to get too nervous. We’ll try to keep you alive.
Of course, if you die before that, too bad.”
Some people started crying quietly.
They didn’t want to die.
The Master’s grin deepened.
‘Heh. How cute.’
He liked that kind of fear.
Because after this test, those scared kids would either grow up or die.
“As you all know, these three trials will decide your future.
Your status, your role, and your value in the clan will all be determined here!
Especially for the Ma clan—this decides who the next heir might be!”
Talent. Potential. Worth.
That’s what the test was for.
“Of course, there are rewards too.
The best performers will receive the Dark Heaven Pill from the main house.
And those who awaken talent with a constellation’s help—
they can pick an item from the First-Class Vault!”
Dark Heaven Pill and the Vault?!
The hall suddenly came alive.
“What?! That pill?!”
“My dad took one! His strength jumped a whole level!”
“Whoa! What about the Vault?”
“I… I don’t know…”
Well, no surprise.
The Vault required a constellation’s favor—
Most of them had no chance.
‘Of course, the Ma clan’s different.’
The Hall Master looked at the Ma clan members.
Out of over ten, only three looked promising.
‘The Dark Wing Sect put in effort this time.’
Ma Seungcheol.
Ma Giheon.
Both were impressive—
Especially Ma Giheon.
He might be as talented as his brother, Ma Jae-heon.
And the last one…
Ma Hyeon.
‘Honestly, he seems pretty average. But still… Something about him feels interesting.’
His energy wasn’t bad, but nothing special either.
Still, the Hall Master remembered something else—
Ma hyun.
She had once killed anyone who challenged her in this test.
Only one person survived—barely.
‘No way she raised her son poorly.’
Heh. This group might be fun to watch.
Ma Hyun suddenly felt a chill.
‘Ugh, someone’s watching me weird…’
It was the Hall Master.
Better keep an eye on that guy.
“Next is the Bloodline Ritual. All Ma clan members, come forward.”
It was time.
This ritual was to prove you had Ma's blood.
A show of magical power using Dark Summoning.
Only the Ma clan could do this.
But really, it was a chance to show off your strength
to the elders and the constellations watching.
This was it.
The moment when my path splits from my past life.