The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 84
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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 084
Cheon Euijin and Do-hyeong clearly had no understanding of what was happening in this situation.
Well, I would be the same in their position.
They were probably dragged here abruptly this morning.
‘It seems Dokuou never informed them.’
The reason those two came here was simple enough.
It was included in the conditions I set for opening the Secret Vault.
‘In exchange for helping open Dokjon’s Secret Vault, I would also take Cheon Euijin and Do-hyeong with me.’
That was one of the conditions, and upon hearing it, Dokuou deliberated at length.
The Secret Vault had to be handled in secrecy, yet here I was asking to add two more people—that must have been his concern.
‘Still, he agreed in the end.’
Dokuou accepted nonetheless.
He must have judged that adding two more people posed no problem.
And so he brought the two of them along.
To be precise.
‘I needed Do-hyeong.’
I needed Do-hyeong from Sowoldae. No, actually, it wasn’t even Do-hyeong I truly needed.
‘The Guardian Spirit.’
The Guardian Spirit hovering around Do-hyeong—that was what I needed.
‘…That’s my lifeline.’
I had no way of knowing what might happen once I entered the Secret Vault.
I needed a means to protect my own life, and after deliberating on it, I found that answer.
‘With a Mountain God-class Guardian Spirit by my side.’
At the very least, I wouldn’t meet my end.
Based on my experience from my previous life, I was certain of it.
‘As long as I stay beside Do-hyeong, I’ll survive.’
No matter what happens, the Guardian Spirit will act to preserve Do-hyeong’s life.
And in that moment, I’ll reap the fortune that comes my way from the sidelines.
That was precisely why I brought Do-hyeong along.
‘…As for Cheon Euijin.’
The role of Cheon Euijin, whom I summoned together with Do-hyeong, was something else entirely.
‘Preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.’
Calling only Do-hyeong might have seemed suspicious, so I called them both.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Do-hyeong furrowed his brow and asked me. Seeing that, I replied as though it were absurd.
“Senior, I too have been brought here against my will.”
I couldn’t understand why he assumed I would naturally know the situation.
“Surely you must know what’s happening?”
“Wouldn’t the Bang Disciple already be aware of this?”
“….”
Both of them seemed certain of something.
Well… they weren’t wrong, but…
‘It’s strange how confident they are about this.’
Why would they think I’d know?
It was disconcerting, I’ll admit…
“…I do know about it, though.”
Since I actually did know, there was nothing more to say.
When I spoke, both of them wore expressions that said they knew it all along.
But why…?
That irritation was beginning to sprout, but explaining the situation took priority for now.
“The Lord of the Clan gave me a task…”
“A task?”
“From the Lord of the Clan himself?”
At my words, both of them widened their eyes in surprise.
Simultaneously, I glanced at Dokuou, who simply nodded without saying anything.
“Thanks to Bang Disciple’s consideration, I was able to proceed with the work. Since it is a grave matter, I must apologize for the inevitable discourtesy toward both of you.”
“…May I ask what this task is?”
Do-hyeong asked, seeming slightly tense. Then Dokuou looked at me.
Meeting his gaze, I nodded slightly.
“To open the secret vault left by the previous Lord of the Clan, I need Bang Disciple’s assistance.”
“…!”
The previous Lord of the Clan.
At the mention of Dokjon’s secret vault, Cheon Euijin and Do-hyeong’s eyes widened like lanterns.
This was no ordinary vault—it belonged to a hero who lived in the same era as the Sword Saint.
It was natural to be shocked upon suddenly hearing of such a place.
“You’re saying you need this friend’s help to open such a place?”
“Indeed.”
At those words, wariness settled across Do-hyeong’s face.
He wouldn’t understand. Why would my help suddenly be necessary to open Dokjon’s vault?
I understood that well enough. Honestly, I didn’t fully grasp it myself.
But.
“More precisely, I need the aid of the Sword Saint’s descendant.”
At the follow-up words, Do-hyeong’s expression shifted.
“…What?”
“The vault that currently exists was created by the previous Lord of the Clan, and the method to open it was also determined by him.”
As Dokuou spoke, he pointed toward the wall with his hand.
It appeared to be a wall with nothing visible on it.
“However, there is a problem with that method.”
It was only after hearing that far that I interjected.
“…Are you saying that method requires me?”
“That’s correct.”
Opening the Repository requires a successor of the Sword Saint.
I had anticipated this much. That’s why he went so far as to request my assistance.
However.
‘But why is it necessary?’
I hadn’t understood the reason why a successor of the Sword Saint was specifically needed to open the Repository.
Only now could I grasp that reason.
“To open the Repository, a successor of the Sword Saint is required. Those were the words left behind by Dokjon.”
“….”
A remarkably plain statement and reason.
Moreover.
‘A successor, you say?’
Not the Sword Saint himself, but a successor of the Sword Saint? That was peculiar.
And furthermore.
‘Why would he specifically require the power of a successor to open his own Repository?’
That was my greatest question. Why would it have to be that way?
No matter how much I pondered it, I couldn’t fathom it. Dokuou likely felt the same.
It made no sense, but.
‘If Dokjon said it that way, then I trust it.’
I understand that much. So then.
“What exactly should I help you with…?”
What should I do? Everything sounds fine, but what am I supposed to help with?
Upon asking this, Dokuou’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
When I asked what needed to be done to open the Repository, Dokuou replied.
“I don’t know.”
Huh…? Hearing the answer, I furrowed my brow. Did I mishear?
“…Lord of the Clan?”
“I don’t know.”
Ah, I didn’t mishear. I had hoped I had, but it seems I didn’t.
“You don’t know?”
You don’t know how to open it? Then why do you need me?
“Then how am I supposed to help…?”
Asking with a bewildered expression, Dokuou continued.
“The previous Lord of the Clan said that if Manwol and a successor of the Sword Saint were present, the Repository could be opened.”
What is that supposed to mean?
“He said the successor would know the method. What do you think, Bang Disciple?”
“….”
What do I think? Well, obviously.
‘How would I know?’
How could I possibly know such a thing? I had never even heard of it before.
In the first place, I wasn’t truly his successor anyway, so ordinarily this would have been quite the headache.
But I had no need for such concerns.
‘…Hmm.’
I rolled my eyes sideways, gazing into empty space.
There, in that void—
[What are you talking about? What’s needed to open the Vault?]
The true Sword Saint, not merely his successor, and
[Ah, that. Right, that’s how it was.]
Dokjon, the Vault’s master, were engaged in conversation.
When Yoo Cheon-gil suddenly asked why the matter of the Sword Saint’s successor had come up, Dokjon clapped his hands as though remembering something he’d forgotten.
[That’s a fake. Don’t worry about it.]
[Huh?]
‘Pardon?’
Both Yoo Cheon-gil and I responded with stunned expressions to Dokjon’s words.
…A fake?
[I was writing some excuse to buy time, and then you came to mind, so I just jotted you down.]
[You mad bastard? What kind of nonsense is that?]
[Well, didn’t you say you wouldn’t take a disciple even if you were about to die? So I just wrote something vague. What’s the problem?]
“….”
I hastily wiped my face with my hands.
What exactly am I listening to right now?
“Bang Disciple?”
“…Just a moment. My head’s pounding right now.”
I cut off Dokuou’s words and steadied my breathing.
Meanwhile, the old men continued their conversation.
[Even so, that’s still wrong. Why would you write something like that?]
[You fool! Did you really think I’d believe some successor of yours would actually show up? I said I absolutely wouldn’t save you!]
[That doesn’t mean you should—!]
It was getting quite loud. The discussion wasn’t progressing; they were too busy bickering with each other.
“…Ahem—!!”
So I hastily let out a loud, forced cough. At my sound, Dokuou and everyone else’s gazes poured toward me. I smiled awkwardly and waved my hand.
“Ah, my apologies. The air quality is rather poor.”
Of course, I’d done it on purpose.
Thanks to that, the quarreling ghosts fell silent.
Seeing that, I gave a slight wink.
And so.
‘What am I supposed to do about this?’
How was I supposed to handle this situation? I posed the question with my expression, and only then did Dokjon speak to me.
[Don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to manage this.]
[How can I not worry? You’ve made such a massive mess of things.]
[This bastard…?]
Ah, well.
I thought we might clash again, but fortunately, Dokjon said nothing further.
[Do as I tell you. Then everything will be resolved.]
“….”
At Dokjon’s words, I steadied my breathing and spoke to Dokuou.
“I’ll give it a try first.”
“You’re saying you know something?”
“Well…. My master left no instructions, but….”
I trailed off, buying time as I gazed at the wall.
“In the end, I think I’ll only know once I see it.”
With those words, I moved forward.
* * *
I approached the wall.
Wasn’t it said to be directly beneath the Lord’s Chamber?
‘Just how far down is it?’
Judging by appearance alone, it had to be considerably deep.
One could tell just from the scale of the dungeon.
It was truly remarkable how such a deep and expansive dungeon had been carved beneath the Lord’s Chamber floor.
‘…The old man’s warehouse was like that too, but no matter how many times I see it, it’s still astounding.’
A dungeon connected to the floors of every building that existed within Cheonwol Gate.
I felt it then as well, but it seemed Dokjon possessed abilities beyond mere masonry—he was skilled in this domain too.
Recalling that, I continued toward the wall.
“…Is this the correct location?”
I asked Dokuou.
“It is. This is where the previous Lord of the Clan left his secret vault.”
“Have you ever attempted to open it?”
“No. The conditions were not met, so it was impossible.”
“….”
It required a successor of the Sword Saint to open it.
Was it left unopened because of that false condition Dokjon had set?
Was it some form of filial piety, honoring the final testament?
Yet something about it felt off.
“…Have you never attempted to force it open with strength?”
Surely one could attempt to open it even if the conditions weren’t met. Yet if they hadn’t even tried, I couldn’t understand.
“We did attempt it.”
Surprisingly, he said they had tried.
“…But you couldn’t open it?”
As I glanced around the dungeon and asked, Dokuou spoke matter-of-factly.
“Eight of them died when they attempted to forcibly open it, their bodies exploding in the process.”
“….”
…Hmm.
This was information I should never have heard.
[Tsk tsk…. That’s what happens when ignorant fools meddle with mechanisms they don’t understand.]
[You, always installing unnecessary things everywhere.]
[Listen here. Would you have left it completely undefended then?]
“….”
Should I say I’m not doing anything, even now?
I have a feeling that if I make a mistake, I’ll be in for a beating.
‘…Exploded?’
What could they have done to cause an explosion? I looked around, but I didn’t see any obvious traces.
There were no traces, yet the incident had occurred.
That was what terrified me most.
So I simply stared at the wall, when Dokuou spoke to me.
“Even dozens of formation masters and mechanism specialists combined couldn’t uncover it. We did request assistance according to the previous Lord of the Clan’s instructions, but if time is needed….”
Then.
[Child.]
Dokjon spoke to me.
[Move backward eight steps exactly as I say.]
I heard the instruction and walked backward without hesitation.
My sudden movement caught Dokuou’s attention, his eyes widening with interest.
Exactly eight steps backward. As I retreated, Dokjon continued.
[There should be a small stone on the ground.]
I lowered my gaze. There it was—a tiny stone.
[That’s it. Pick it up.]
I grasped the stone.
[Throw it toward the northwest. Not at the wall itself, but at the ground near the wall.]
‘The ground near the wall.’
I tossed it lightly. It landed with a soft thud on the ground near the wall.
Everyone watched my strange actions in silence.
Dokuou observed with an expressionless face.
Do-hyeong wore an expression of bewilderment.
Cheon Euijin’s face held an air of anticipation.
[Now approach the spot where the stone landed.]
I followed the instruction.
[Extend your index finger toward the wall.]
I reached out my hand.
[Slightly to the left. A bit more. More still. There. Place your index finger against the wall.]
A rough texture met the tip of my index finger.
[Starting from that point, draw a cross downward.]
Scratch, scratch.
I traced the cross following the sensation.
In that instant.
끼기기기기기기긱—!!!!
쿠구구궁—!!!
“…Huh?”
The dungeon began to resonate violently.
Thud-thud-thud-! Dust and soil cascaded from the ceiling.
The martial artists of the Dang Clan inside immediately took defensive stances.
“What in the world…!”
“The dungeon suddenly…?”
As the situation unfolded, the martial artists hastily moved to protect Dokuou.
“Calm yourselves.”
Yet Dokuou instead reassured those martial artists.
Even as he spoke, Dokuou regarded me with an intense, weighty gaze.
‘…Is this actually okay…?’
By the time I too began to panic at the unfolding chaos.
Thump.
The vibrations that had been resounding finally ceased.
Grrrrind-!
The wall directly ahead suddenly shifted, transforming its shape as though a door were opening.
To anyone’s eyes, it was clearly an entrance.
“….”
“…Uh, uh?”
“That, that is…?”
At the moment when everyone stood dumbfounded before the revealed entrance.
[Oh. Well done.]
Dokjon spoke brightly, clearly pleased.
[Your technique is quite impressive. Had you made even a slight mistake, all three of you would have been blown to pieces. Kehehehe.]
[Right? That fellow’s personality is quite peculiar, but in aspects like this, he’s rather competent.]
“….”
I pressed my fingers against the bridge of my nose.
‘Should I just bail out of here for real?’
I genuinely contemplated it.
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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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