The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 304

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Heavenly Supreme Has Died – Episode 304
Talismans are typically used by shamans or sorcerers, though their types and applications vary considerably.
The ones my grandmother—my earliest teacher and ancestor—used were purely for sealing and defense.
Those wielded by Baek Manager were solely instruments of demon exorcism.
Talismans are drawn using the blood of specific animals as ink, born from within through the creator’s spiritual essence.
While the user’s will matters, ultimately the creator’s conviction forms the foundation.
Thus, who made it and how they made it was paramount.
In this regard, the talismans used by those heretics were distinctly alien.
Their purpose was not to seal or exorcise spirits, but rather the opposite.
‘To summon them.’
They crafted talismans to call forth greater numbers of vengeful spirits.
Their sole purpose was invocation, and the spirits they summoned were no ordinary entities.
‘Demons.’
They used these talismans to summon malevolent demons steeped in wickedness.
That is why.
‘The materials of this talisman are….’
The characters inscribed upon it—the blood used to write them is not from beasts.
As I mentioned before, demons despise humans and seek to corrupt them.
And if the materials are meant to gather them together.
‘Human blood.’
Creating talismans with human blood was the heretics’ method of manufacture.
‘This is unmistakably their way.’
The form of the talisman affixed to the stake and the aura it emanated were identical to the methods those heretics had employed before.
‘How is this possible?’
Bewilderment rises within me. How could such a talisman exist in this place?
I could not comprehend it.
‘Am I mistaken?’
If it were merely a matter of drawing with human blood to create a talisman, there could be a chance I’m wrong. Such madmen could exist here as well.
But.
‘Damn it.’
I know better than anyone that this is not the case.
From the very paper used to create the talisman, to the manner of inscription and the way the aura was infused within it.
Everything matched exactly with the methods of those I had witnessed.
As I said, talismans differ completely depending on their creator.
The auras are all different, and the methods are entirely distinct.
Since even minor differences result in vastly different outcomes, for this to be so similar… no, identical, was impossible.
Unless the creator was the same.
“….”
My face twisted as I stared at the stake.
‘…Tsk.’
My composure wavers.
Why of all places would those wretches who tormented me in my past life appear here?
I would have preferred this to be a misunderstanding or mere confusion.
‘…What is happening?’
How could this possibly be connected? No matter how I think about it, I cannot comprehend it.
‘Those men surely….’
In my past life, I—no, we—dealt with them. We used every method available to prevent them from causing further trouble.
It shouldn’t be that such a thing emerges at the very moment I’ve returned to the Central Plains in this life.
“….”
I examined the stake carefully.
An ominous and repulsive sensation emanates from it. It must be the energy coming from the talisman.
‘It doesn’t seem like Demons have swarmed here yet, unlike that abandoned mansion from before.’
Unlike the abandoned mansion, which was already teeming with Demons and saturated with malice.
This space was filled with spiritual energy due to the stake, yet no Demons had invaded it.
The reason could be nothing else.
‘The trap hasn’t been activated yet.’
The stake hasn’t fully absorbed the vital essence.
The trap’s efficiency hasn’t manifested yet.
Looking at the rate at which vital essence is being absorbed….
‘Probably in about three days….’
All the vital essence will be drawn into the stake and the preparation will be complete. At that moment, the trap will activate.
Then.
‘All the Demons in this vicinity will come rushing in.’
The Demons will converge on the stake. This entire space will become saturated with malice.
Just imagining it irritates me.
‘Moreover.’
From what I can see, the problem with this stake isn’t limited to that.
‘This won’t be the only one.’
Just as with the abandoned mansion, there won’t be just this one stake.
‘They scatter human blood to soak the ground, then use stakes to absorb the vital essence from that place.’
In this way, they complete the formation over time.
‘…Ah.’
A chilling thought crosses my mind.
I compare it to the Heretics’ ‘pillars’ I witnessed in my past life.
What were they trying to accomplish with such methods?
There was only one answer.
‘…The Calamity Deity.’
They intend to summon the Calamity Deity.
Whatever their reasons may be.

* * *
Before the night could progress further, I returned to my quarters with Sochul Daeju.
I erased all traces of what had transpired in the dungeon, and left the stake behind.
I had considered bringing it with me, but there was a possibility those men would notice if I did.
‘If they become aware of the stake, it will be difficult to respond.’
It wasn’t about being a double agent or such matters—if they started paying attention to the stake itself, it seemed I would face considerable difficulty.
So, for now, I left the stake behind.
Of course, I didn’t simply abandon it; I took what precautions I could before departing.
“Tch….”
I stood with my arms crossed, lost in thought.
‘What am I going to do about this?’
How should I handle this? Why did those heretics suddenly appear out of nowhere?
“This is driving me mad, truly.”
Why would these men show up so unexpectedly? Wasn’t my previous life enough? Why must they cause trouble here in the Central Plains as well? I couldn’t fathom it.
‘Are they even heretics in the first place?’
It would be strange if they weren’t, but it’s even stranger if they are.
What connection could Patcheon Gung possibly have with the heretics from the world I came from? And if there is one, how could it even exist?
I couldn’t think of any point of intersection.
“Ugh….”
As I let out a frustrated sigh.
[Why do you look so miserable again?]
“…!”
A nonchalant voice came from beside me. It was Yoo Cheon-gil.
“…Where have you been, and why are you only just arriving now?”
I clicked my tongue at the sight of the old man.
[I had something to check on, so I went to look into it.]
“Yes, I’m sure that’s the case.”
He must have wandered off somewhere again on his own. That’s why he’s never around at crucial moments.
“So, what did you go and check on this time?”
I asked without much expectation. I assumed he wouldn’t tell me anyway. But then—
[Gwima. I went to see where that man is located.]
“…Huh?”
Surprisingly, Yoo Cheon-gil actually told me this time.
[What’s with that expression?]
“Oh, I just… didn’t expect you to tell me. Why are you sharing this?”
[Because it’s important information, of course I’m telling you.]
“You usually don’t tell me things though.”
[That’s because it’s obvious you’d do something foolish if you heard it.]
“…It seems like I shouldn’t hear this either?”
[Who knows?]
Yoo Cheon-gil reacted with a slight smile. It was genuinely irritating.
But…
‘Where the Gwima is…’
He had come to see where the Gwima was located.
Recalling that, I asked Yoo Cheon-gil.
“…Where exactly is that place?”
[Why? Should I tell you?]
“Yes.”
I felt I needed to verify it immediately.

* * *
I barely made it back to my quarters before heading out again. This time, without Sochul Daeju.
I knew it was dangerous, but I needed to confirm it for certain, and with Yoo Cheon-gil present, I judged it would be safe.
I moved with the thought of going and returning quickly in secret.
“No one is following us, correct?”
[That’s right.]
I confirmed through Yoo Cheon-gil whether anyone might be tailing me. Fortunately, there appeared to be no surveillance.
I suspected it was thanks to taking only the path Yoo Cheon-gil had shown me when I left.
After that, I continued following his guidance. It was in the opposite direction from the dungeon I had visited before.
I walked for quite a distance through the forest. I also followed along a valley in the mountain path.
As I cautiously made my way forward again and again.
“Is this the place…?”
Whoooooosh—!
The sound of water reached my ears.
I discovered a waterfall at the end of the valley.
The waterfall itself wasn’t particularly large. The path was difficult and rarely traveled, making it a hard place to find.
“There’s something beyond that, you said.”
[That’s right.]
“…You’re certain there are no people inside?”
[There were originally, but they did something and then disappeared.]
“…”
They did something and disappeared. Upon hearing those words, I immediately moved toward the waterfall.
Patter-patter-patter—!!!
The water current wasn’t strong enough to make it difficult to enter. I peered into the interior of the waterfall.
It was night, so nothing was visible anyway. In that darkness, I focused my eyes and opened my Wol-an.
Whoooosh—!!!
A blue light swirled, and the interior became visible.
I could see the space clearly illuminated even without any lanterns.
The moment I entered.
“…!”
I covered my nose. The stench of blood was palpable and thick.
I immediately lowered my head and grasped the soil from the ground. It felt damp and muddy.
When I brushed the dirt away slightly, a reddish moisture clung to my palm. Blood.
‘It hasn’t been long since it was spilled.’
The blood hadn’t been poured onto the ground very long ago.
Confirming this, I pressed my palm against the earth.
Uuuuuung—!!
I felt vitality. Since little time had passed, it resonated clearly.
Moreover, I could sense that this vitality was flowing swiftly somewhere.
‘…As expected.’
It seemed to be the same here as well.
A stake. There was a stake driven into this space too.
I traced the flow of vitality and moved toward its source.
Identifying the stake’s location, I drew my sword from my waist again.
Shing—!
The divine blade emerged. I began digging just as before.
Thunk—! Scrape—!
[…What are you doing right now?]
Yoo Cheon-gil stared at me with an expression of utter bewilderment.
“Can’t you see? I’m digging.”
[That’s what I’m asking. Why are you suddenly digging, and why are you doing it with that precious blade of all things?]
“There’s no help for it. I don’t have a shovel, and this fine sword digs so well.”
[This is maddening. What madman in this world digs earth with a legendary blade?]
“Then what? Should I worry about such things when time is pressing?”
Anything that can dig will do. A legendary blade wouldn’t dull easily and wouldn’t break—it’s perfect for the task.
Scrape—! Thunk—!!
I continued digging repeatedly. I’d probably need half a day to excavate it like last time.
As I concentrated and kept digging into the earth.
“Please keep watch to see if anyone approaches.”
I asked him to watch for intruders, then continued my digging.
No response came.
But he must have heard me. Thinking so, I pressed on.
Scrape—! Scrape—!
‘…About this deep?’
The stake should be visible soon. Just as I recalled this.
[Hae-ya….]
Yoo Cheon-gil’s voice reached me.
“Yes?”
But it sounded somewhat faint.
[Da….]
“What did you say?”
What was that supposed to mean? The moment I twisted my expression and turned around.
[Someone’s coming…!]
Yoo Cheon-gil shouted.
My eyes widened at that. For some reason, Yoo Cheon-gil had become blurred.
My body moved the instant I heard his voice. Forget the digging, forget everything—I tried to move immediately, but.
“Oh my.”
A repulsive voice with an elegant tone reached my ears.
“So it really exists…?”
“…!”
Someone was standing behind me.
“…Kgh… Ack!”
Light seeped slowly through the gaze that watched me quietly.
‘…Gwima…!’
It was Gwima himself.
For some reason, he was looking at me with eyes far more chilling than before.
Right there behind my back.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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