The World’s Greatest is Dead

Chun Uijin and Do Hyung seemed utterly confused about the current situation. Well, I myself would probably feel the same if I were in their shoes. They were likely dragged here suddenly this morning.

‘It seems the Poison King didn’t relay the information.’

The reason those two ended up here was no different. It was one of the conditions I set for opening the secret vault.

‘In exchange for helping to open the Poison Sovereign’s secret vault, I will bring Chun Uijin and Do Hyung along.’

That was one of the conditions, and the Poison King pondered over it deeply upon hearing it. Given that the opening of the secret vault had to be done in utmost secrecy, introducing two additional people into the mix must have been troubling.

‘Nonetheless, he agreed.’

Despite his concerns, the Poison King accepted. He must have decided that adding two more would not pose an issue. So, two people were brought here. To be exact.

‘I needed Do Hyung.’

I needed Do Hyung from the Small Moon Division. No, more precisely, it wasn’t just Do Hyung. The real need was.

‘The Guardian Spirit.’

The Guardian Spirit hovering around Do Hyung, that was what I needed.

‘……That’s my lifeline.’

Who knows what might happen once inside the secret vault. I needed a way to ensure my survival, and after much contemplation, I found that it was the Guardian Spirit.

‘With a Guardian Spirit of the Mountain God level.’

At the very least, I wouldn’t die. Based on my experiences from my past life, that was certain.

‘If I stick close to Do Hyung, I can survive.’

No matter what happened, the Guardian Spirit would act to save Do Hyung. At that time, I would catch the ensuing fortune from close by. That was why I brought Do Hyung along.

‘……As for Chun Uijin.’

The role of Chun Uijin, who I brought along with Do Hyung, was none other than.

‘Precaution for unexpected situations.’

It might look strange if I called only Do Hyung, so I called them together.

“What is going on here?”

Do Hyung furrowed his brows and asked me. Seeing that, I replied as if I found the question preposterous.

“Senior, I was also dragged here.”

Why was he assuming that I understood the situation? It was baffling, yet.

“You can’t not know the situation.”

“Then Young master Bang must surely know.”

“…….”

For some reason, both of them were convinced. Well…… they were right, but…….

‘Their certainty is a bit odd.’

Why did they assume I knew? It was confusing, but…….

“……I do know.”

Since I actually did know, I couldn’t refute. As soon as I began explaining, the two displayed expressions that seemed to say, ‘Of course!’ Why indeed……?

The lingering discontent sprouted, but explaining the situation took precedence.

“The clan leader has given a task…….”

“A task?”

“The clan leader himself said so?”

At my words, the two widened their eyes in surprise. They simultaneously glanced at the Poison King, who confirmed my statement with a nod.

“Thanks to Young master Bang’s consideration, we can proceed with the operation. I apologize for the unavoidable rudeness towards the two of you, considering the significance of the task.”

“……May I ask what the task is?”

Do Hyung asked, slightly tense. Then the Poison King looked at me. We made eye contact and I nodded slightly.

“To open the secret vault left by the former clan leader, we need Young master Bang’s assistance.”

“……!” The former clan leader. Upon hearing about the Poison Sovereign’s secret vault, Chun Uijin and Do Hyung’s eyes widened like lanterns. It wasn’t surprising since they suddenly heard about the secret vault of a hero who lived during the same time as the Sword Saint.

“You mean you need his help to open such a place?”

“Yes.”

Do Hyung’s face showed signs of wariness at that statement. It wouldn’t make sense to him. He couldn’t understand why my assistance was suddenly needed to open the Poison Sovereign’s secret vault. His confusion was understandable. To be honest, it didn’t make much sense to me either. But, “To be exact, we need the help of the Sword Saint’s successor.”

As those words came out, Do Hyung’s expression changed.

“……What?”

“The existing secret vault was created by the former clan leader, and the method to open it was also determined by him.”

While explaining, the Poison King pointed at the wall with his hand. There appeared to be nothing unusual about the wall.

“However, there’s a problem with that method.”

At this point, I interjected.

“……You’re saying that to open it, you need my help?”

“Correct.”

Opening the secret vault required the Sword Saint’s successor. This much I had anticipated. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have specifically sought me out. However, ‘Why is the Sword Saint’s successor necessary?’ I hadn’t known why the Sword Saint’s successor was specifically needed to open the vault, but now, I finally understood the reason.

“To open the secret vault, the assistance of the Sword Saint’s successor is necessary. That’s what the Poison Sovereign left behind.”

“…….”

It was such a straightforward statement and rationale. After all, “He said it was the successor?”

Not the Sword Saint himself, but a Sword Saint’s successor? This was peculiar.

Moreover, “Why would he specifically need the power of the successor to open the secret vault?”

This was the biggest question. Why was it necessary?

No matter how much I thought, I couldn’t figure it out. Maybe even the Poison King didn’t know.

Though it was incomprehensible, “Since Poison Sovereign said it, I have believed it.”

Up to that point, I understood. So then, “What do I need to do to help…?”

What exactly did I need to do? It was all well and good, but what did I need to help with?

When I asked about it, the Poison King’s eyebrows moved slightly.

When I asked what I needed to do to open the secret vault, the Poison King said,

“I don’t know.”

What…? Hearing the answer, I frowned. Did I mishear?

“… Lord?”

“I said, I don’t know.”

Ah, I didn’t mishear. I wished I had, but it seems I didn’t.

“You don’t know?”

He didn’t know how to open it? Then why was I necessary?

“Then how am I supposed to help…?”

With a puzzled expression, I asked further, and the Poison King added, “The former Lord said that if the Full Moon and the Sword Saint’s successor are present, the secret vault can be opened.”

What was that?

“He said the method would be known by the successor, so what do you think, Young master Bang?”

“…”

What did I think? Obviously, “Would I know?”

How could I know such a thing? I had never even heard of it before.

Originally, I would have been greatly troubled if I were genuinely the successor, but I didn’t need to worry.

“… Hmm.”

I briefly glanced into the air.

Up there.

『What is he saying? What does one need to do to open the secret vault?』

The real Sword Saint, not just the successor, and『Ah, that. Yes, that’s right.』

The master of the secret vault, Poison Sovereign, were conversing.

When Yu Chun-gil asked why the Sword Saint’s successor was suddenly mentioned, Poison Sovereign clapped his hands as if I remembered something.

『That was a fake. Don’t worry about it.』

『Huh?』

“What?”

Hearing Poison Sovereign’s words, Yu Chun-gil and I both reacted with blank expressions.

… A fake?

『I just wrote some random excuse and happened to think of you.』

『You maniac? What nonsense is that?』

『Didn’t you say you would never take a disciple? So I just wrote something down.』

“…”

I quickly ran a dry hand over my face.

What was I hearing right now?

“Young master Bang?”

“… Just a moment. My head hurts for a second.”

I held up a hand to stop the Poison King’s words and took a deep breath.

Meanwhile, the old men continued their conversation.

『Even so, why did you write something like that?』

『Did you seriously think I’d expect a real successor to show up? You said you’d never find one!』

『But still!』

It was quite noisy. The conversation wasn’t progressing because they kept arguing.

“… Ahem-!!”

So I loudly cleared my throat. The Poison King and the others directed their attention towards me, and I awkwardly waved my hand.

“Ah, sorry. The air was just a bit stuffy.”

Of course, I did it on purpose.

The fighting ghosts quieted down thanks to my interruption.

I gave them a slight look.

So,

“What should I do?”

I asked the question with my expression, and finally, Poison Sovereign spoke to me.

『Don’t worry. There’s a way.』

『How can I not worry? The mess you’ve created is huge.』

『This brat…』

Oh come on.

It looked like they might start fighting again, but fortunately, Poison Sovereign stopped talking.

『Just do as I say. It will all be resolved.』

“…”

After hearing Poison Sovereign’s words, I took a deep breath and spoke to the Poison King.

“I will try first.”

“Do you know something?”

“Well…… Master didn’t leave any clear instructions…….”

I trailed off, buying time as I looked at the wall.

“Eventually, it seems I’ll have to see.”

With that, I started walking.

* * *

I approached the wall.

They said it was right under the Lord’s chamber?

How deep was it exactly?

Looking down, it was quite a distance below.

Even just seeing the range of the cave revealed its depth.

He wondered how they managed to create such a deep and wide cave under the Lord’s chamber.

“…All the structures in the Blue Moon Sect are fascinating no matter how often I see them.”

The cave was connected to the cellar of every building in the Blue Moon Sect.

At that moment, I felt it again. Poison Sovereign wasn’t just a blacksmith; he seemed to have skills in this area too.

Recalling that, I continued approaching the wall.

“… Is this the correct location?”

I asked Poison King.

“Yes. This is the location where the former clan leader left the secret vault.”

“Have you ever tried to access it?”

I inquired further.

“No. The conditions weren’t met, so it was impossible.”

“….”

The Sword Saint’s successor was required to open it.

Was it not opened because of the false condition left by Poison Sovereign?

Was it an act of respect for the will of their ancestor?

It felt somewhat strange.

“… Have you ever tried to force it open?”

I questioned again. Even if the conditions weren’t met, they could have tried to open it. But if they hadn’t even attempted, it was hard to understand.

“We did try.”

Surprisingly, they said they had tried.

“… But you couldn’t open it?”

I asked, looking around the cave.

Poison King spoke calmly, “Eight people’s bodies exploded and died while attempting to force it open.”

“….”

… I shouldn’t have asked.

『Tsk-tsk… That’s why you shouldn’t mess with things you don’t understand.』

『You, you’ve put unnecessary traps here again.』

『You fool. Wouldn’t it be strange if there was nothing to protect a secret vault?』

“….”

Should I say I shouldn’t do it even now?

It felt like I would be in trouble if I made a mistake.

‘… Explosion?’

What could have caused the explosion? There were no visible traces around.

There were no traces, but the event happened.

That was even scarier.

While I was staring at the wall, the Poison King looked at me and spoke.

“Even with dozens of experts in formations and devices, we couldn’t figure it out. We followed the former clan leader’s instructions and requested them, but if you need time…”

At that moment…

『Child.』

Poison Sovereign spoke to me.

『Take eight steps backward.』

I followed his words without hesitation.

The Poison King looked at me oddly at my sudden action.

Exactly eight steps. As I moved backward, Poison Sovereign continued speaking.

『There should be a small stone on the ground.』

I lowered my gaze. There was indeed a small stone.

『That’s it. Pick it up.』

I picked up the stone.

『Throw it towards the northwest. Not at the wall, but very close to the wall on the ground.』

‘Close to the wall on the ground.’

I threw it lightly. The stone landed near the wall on the ground.

People watched silently in response to my strange action.

Poison King maintained a blank expression.

Do Hyung seemed puzzled about what I was doing.

Chun Uijin, for some reason, seemed expectant.

『Now, approach where the stone fell.』

I followed his words.

『Extend your index finger towards the wall.』

I stretched my hand.

『Move it slightly to the left. A bit more. Just a little more. There. Touch the wall with your index finger.』

The rough texture met the tip of my index finger.

『From that point, draw a cross downwards.』

*Scribble scribble.*

I drew a cross following the texture.

In that moment…

*Screech—!!!! Rumble—!!!*

“… Hmm?”

The cave began to shake violently.

Dust fell from the ceiling.

The martial artists of the Tang family inside quickly took defensive positions.

“What is this…!”

“The cave suddenly…?”

As they tried to guard the Poison King, he calmed them.

“Calm down.”

Poison King reassured the martial artists but kept his gaze heavy on me.

‘… Is this really okay?’

As I was about to panic in the unfolding situation…

*Boom.*

The intense vibrations came to a stop.

*Creak!*

The wall in front of us shifted as if opening a door.

It was clearly an entrance.

“….”

“… Whoa?”

“That, that is…?”

In the moment of surprise at the revealed entrance.

『Oh, well done.』

Poison Sovereign spoke brightly, satisfied.

『You did well. If you made even a slight mistake, three people would’ve exploded and died. Haha.』

『Right? Although he has a strange personality, he’s good at such tasks.』

“….”

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

‘Should I really just run away?’

I seriously thought about it.

TL’s Corner:
Will the Poison Sovereign follow him after this?