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Chapter 257
Chapter 257
Chapter 257
Often, when people think of the most secretive and private room in Zhe Gak's manor, they imagine the secret storage.
And if Zhe Gak had kept all the valuable items handed down to him through the generations within that single room, he would have surely hidden them in an incredibly difficult-to-find location.
The Dragon’s Stones followed the guide through a series of mechanized devices before arriving at a hidden room.
“Oh my god…”
“It’s this big?”
They entered an underground room much larger than the banquet hall they had just left.
“Please come this way.”
“Ah, okay.”
“Honestly, I’m shocked…”
“It’s incredible.”The guide smiled as they continued to lead the rest of the Dragon’s Stones inside. And like curious children, they began inspecting everything in the secret storage.
“...Are we really allowed to take whatever we want from here?”
“You are. However, Lord Zhe Gak has only permitted each individual to take one item, and we will give them after every individual has made their selection.”
“Everyone here? Can’t the first person to pick it just get it?”
“It is in case a fight occurs due to its limited quantity. Please understand, as we do not want anyone to fight.”
“Hm…”
“They aren’t wrong for that.”
The guide’s claims were only half true.
Only the Dragon’s Stones of the Dragon’s Flowers, who agreed to follow Zhe Gak, would receive something from the storage, while the other Dragon’s Stones would get nothing.
However, all this was done to keep the Dragon’s Stones here.
After all, it wasn’t just the secret storage's items present here. Beneath the floors, countless explosives had been planted.
At Zhe Gak’s or Yu Gyeong’s signal, the guide would separate from the rest of the group, leaving the Dragon’s Stones buried in the earth along with the items from the secret storage.
However, that would only happen if things went awry above ground.
For example, if someone realized that something had happened to their Dragon’s Flower.
“Fufu…”
The guide concealed their malicious intent behind a smile as they looked around.
Everyone around them was a Dragon’s Stone, a title that guaranteed they were stronger than most.
However, even they would be helpless if the entire area caved in.
This was a certainty, especially given that Jang Du and Kang Seol, the strongest Dragon’s Stones, weren’t present.
These two, as well as a couple of other Dragon’s Stones, were elsewhere.
More specifically, they had built walls within the original secret storage and placed Jang Du, Seol, and a few other Dragon’s Stones in that compartment.
“Hm~ hm~”
Jang Du hummed to himself as he followed behind the guides. In fact, he had a total of four guides assigned to him.
“Are you sure you won’t suddenly ambush me?”
“Wh-what…”
“Haha! It was just a joke, don’t be so scared. Still, I didn’t expect it to be so far underground. So that’s why you needed such a large plot in the center of Hong Yeon.”
“It wasn’t all for the secret storage, but a portion of it was…”
“Hm… Even Lady Shin Yo’s personal manor isn’t this big. How incredible.”
“This is all thanks to the sacrifice of our ancestors.”
“Yes, I’d be grateful to my ancestors every day if I were given as much land as this.”
“......”
“Yaaawn… So, are we there yet?”
Jang Du and his guides finally reached the end of the secret storage, where a room prepared for him revealed a mountain of shiny gold items.
“Wow… You’re really giving this to me? Is this really my gift?”
“You are allowed to pick one of the items here.”
“Only one? How cheap, haha! Give me some more!”
“If you would like more, I would first have to ask Lord Zhe Gak. If you wait here…”
“Huh? Really? You’re really going to give me more?”
Despite being the one who asked, Jang Du had a quizzical look.
“...Something’s off.”
“Wh-what are you…”
“How have no rumors about Zhe Gak's hospitality spread when you’re this kind to your guests?”
“H-Haha…”
“Well, better for me. And people change, after all. I’m sure Zhe Gak’s changed too.”
“......”
“What’s wrong? Relax. Why are you so tense?”
Jang Du laughed before stiffening his expression quickly.
“It’s almost like you’re scared of me.”
And then…
- …me, Jang Du!
Shin Yo’s voice echoed underground.
It was loud, everyone in Hong Yeon could have heard that shout.
Jang Du locked eyes with his guide.
Rumble, rumble…
The ground began to shake.
Booooooom!
Then, they heard an explosion from somewhere nearby.
Rumble, rumble…
The air itself seemed to tremble, and the ripples from the aftereffects were hitting hard as well.
“C-Close the doors! And bring it down!”
Thuuuuuud!
A stone wall fell from the ceiling, creating a barrier between Jang Du and his guides.
Immediately followed by the destruction of the earth.
Booooooom!
This time, the large explosion originated at Jang Du’s location.
For explosives meant for just one person, they had prepared a rather large amount.
BOOOOM!
BOOOOOOM!
Rocks fell from the ceiling as the explosions continued to echo.
One of the guides, who seemed to be the leader, began ordering the others after closing the door behind them.
“It’s done. Go report that Jang Du has died, and…”
CRUUUUSH!
A burly hand burst through the stone wall, grabbing the guide’s head.
The hand then lifted the guide into the air by their head.
“H-Huh? L-Let me go!”
Jang Du gripped it even harder.
Crush…
Crushhh…
“M-Monster…”
Jang Du’s already large body had grown twice its original size.
Still, he had clearly been injured by the falling rocks, with wounds covering his body.
“Relax.”
“...What?”
Fwoosh…
Jang Du pulled the guide in closely.
Fwip!
Crush!
“......”
“Wh-what…?”
When you catch a mosquito with your hands, you're left with its corpse and the blood it has sucked. The guide in Jang Du’s hands resembled this eerily closely.
As blood slowly dripped down Jang Du’s hands, he searched for his next victim.
“You’ll die anyway.”
* * *
Seol was currently being guided toward a room furthest from the annex where the Dragon’s Flowers were.
In fact, he was even deeper into the secret storage than Jang Du.
“This is the secret storage.”
“Am I supposed to go down here?”
“Yes, you are.”
After silently staring at the guide’s face, Seol nodded before following him down.
‘Something’s off, though…’
It was far too quiet, considering that all the Dragon’s Stones had been guided here.
Was everyone separated?
Just him?
If that was true, then why?
Seol began asking questions, trying to uncover the truth.
“These halls are large enough to fit a Large Soldier.”
“Lord Zhe Gak just so happens to own a Large Soldier as well.”
“Was it stolen?”
“It’s retired. It can move, but it’s completely non-threatening.”
“I don’t know… I doubt he would hold onto something that doesn’t work.”
“Well, you’re free to have your doubts.”
Seol then quietly followed him.
While Seol had expected the secret storage to be isolated, he began to wonder if it was normal for it to be so deep underground.
In fact, he was being led to an area much deeper than where the other Dragon’s Flowers had been guided.
Sniff…
A faint smell entered Seol’s nose.
[Intermediate Insight activates.]
[You smell gunpowder.]
The smell of gunpowder began to grow stronger.
At this point, it would be more accurate to call it an explosive rather than gunpowder.
‘Is it to bury the warehouse? But why? Hmm… Should I watch a bit longer? They might let something slip.’
Seol continued to follow the guide, feigning ignorance.
If they had prepared this entire massive underground area just to kill him, he would almost be willing to applaud Zhe Gak for it.
‘Ah.’
Seol stopped in place, like someone who had forgotten something.
“...How much deeper do we have to go?”
“Just a bit…”
“It’s okay. I’m fine without my gift.”
Suddenly, a man wearing a large hat emerged from the darkness with a gang of people.
It was Yu Gyeong, the mastermind behind everything, accompanied by Zhe Gak’s subordinates.
“We have prepared a present for you up ahead. Why are you stopping here?”
“...If you must give it to me, you can give it another time.”
“That won’t be possible. After all, the gift was an excuse to discuss a few things with you.”
“Talk about a few things…?”
The reason Yu Gyeong appeared himself was to win over Seol. Unlike Jang Du, who had served by Shin Yo’s side for a long time, the two hadn’t known each other for long.
Yu Gyeong was planning to take advantage of that to win over Seol.
After all, Seol was the only reason Seol Hong was able to rise in standing.
He was just that appealing of an ally to have by your side.
“My master, Lord Zhe Gak, is quite interested in you…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Shin Yo’s Sixfold Voice rang out.
- …me, …Du!
Seol heard the voice clearly.
BOOOOOOOM!
Rumble, rumble…
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Rumble, rumble, rumble…
Explosions rang out one after another.
Seol then looked at Yu Gyeong indifferently.
“Are you not going to detonate the explosives here?”
“...It seems like things have gone awry. Why don’t we move first, and…”
Seol then vanished suddenly, and the hall was soon filled with a flurry of blood.
Fwip!
Fwip!
In an instant, the heads of the warriors in front of Seol flew into the air, Yu Gyeong’s head among them.
Before the heads even hit the floor, Seol left them behind with a few words.
“Thank you for the offer.”
* * *
One explosion followed another.
Although no one had reported the events to Zhe Gak, he already had a clear idea of what had happened.
“Haha, Shin Yo. You’ve ruined everything by acting too rashly.”
“I… ruined everything?”
“Jang Du will not be able to come here.”
“...Why?”
“Due to your reckless actions, Jang Du is now buried deep underground.”
“Argh…”
The Dragon’s Flowers naturally gathered in the corner of the room as Shin Yo and Zhe Gak continued their conversation. Meanwhile, Zhe Gak and his warriors assembled at the other end.
With a common enemy, it was now time to put their strengths together.
“Krgh… What are you doing?”
“Zhe Gak! You arrogant little…”
“Once I get out of here, I’ll—”
Fwoosh!
A dagger pierced through the air, lodging itself into the shoulder of the Dragon’s Flower, who was just talking.
“Grahhhhh!”
“Why don’t you shut that mouth of yours? It’s not like I have time to waste.”
“D-Do you really think that we’ll serve you because of this? You must be a fool!”
“Yeah, I never expected any of you to listen from the start.”
Zhe Gak’s answer was not what the Dragon’s Flowers expected. There had to be a reason for his confidence.
“Whatever happens, stay right next to me,” whispered Chi Woo to Seol Hong. “It wouldn’t be weird at all if anyone died right now.”
Seol Hong’s eyes were in a slur.
“Seol Hong, concentrate.”
“I-I…”
Zhe Gak then pulled out a few scrolls.
Unfurl!
As he unraveled it, everyone saw the letters written in blood.
“Can you tell what this is?” mocked Zhe Gak.
“What the…”
“I-It’s a Blood Oath…”
One of the Dragon’s Flowers recognized it.
“It’s a damned Blood Oath! That fucking bastard! How dare he bring a cursed item here!”
“At least you have eyes. Well, I’m sure you know how to behave since you know what a Blood Oath is, right?”
“Shut up!”
“Ah, why is it this hard to have a conversation? Just squawking like a damned bird over and over again… Hey, Wang Zhang.”
Wang Zhang, the Glutton, a man covered in fat.
Though it was a mystery how he had managed to hide underneath a table, that was not what was important right now.
As he raised his axe, it began to radiate with an intense heat.
Fwip!
Crush…
Blood splattered onto Zhe Gak’s face.
The Dragon’s Flower, who had been arguing with Zhe Gak, had lost an arm, which had flown off and landed somewhere in the room.
“G-Grahhhhhhh!”
“Why are you crying so much? It’s just an arm.”
“Ah… Argh…”
All of the Dragon’s Flowers fell silent.
It was obvious that anyone who angered Zhe Gak would end up like the Dragon’s Flower who had lost their arm.
“Finally, it’s quiet. Now, why don’t you sign here first?”
“Argh… you bastard…”
“I’ll give you four opportunities.”
“......”
“You can refuse me if you want. I’ll just cut off a limb for each time you do.”
Zhe Gak’s words sent a chill down everyone’s neck.
“And if you still refuse, I’ll cut off your head.”
“Y-You must have lost your mind.”
“Haha… Sure, yeah. I’ve lost it.”
Zhe Gak then took a second to stare down all of the Dragon’s Flowers.
“I’ve known that all of you have looked down on me. But… isn’t being feared better than being looked down upon?”
“......”
“Sign the scroll. This is your next opportunity.”
The man scrambling on the floor in pain spat at Zhe Gak.
Ptoo!
“Go to hell.”
“You’ve been revoked of all of your opportunities.”
“...What?”
Wang Zhang immediately swung his axe.
Slaaash!
Roll…
“Kyaaaaaa!”
“Wh-what the… Y-You bastard…”
Zhe Gak had crossed the line.
The frustration swelling within a corner of his heart had turned to evil.
“How refreshing. So, who’s next?”
Thud…
“I-I’ll sign it… Y-You won’t kill me if I do, right?”
“Ah, finally someone who understands the situation. Of course. What is there to hate about a leashed dog, right?”
“Y-Yeah.”
The other Dragon’s Flowers remained silent.
After all, stopping them wouldn’t change anything, and the time spent signing the Blood Oath could be crucial for those trying to avoid it.
“Seol Hong,” whispered Chi Woo.
“Chi Woo…”
“I understand that you’re shocked, but we are in a desperate situation.”
Seol Hong nodded in response.
“We won’t be able to escape on our own. We have to wait for someone to help us. I need you to resolve yourself right now.”
How did things end up like this?
The banquet she had been dreaming of had ended like a nightmare, waking her up into hell.
Scribble, scribble…
The Dragon’s Flower had finished writing his name in the Blood Oath.
And a few seconds later… his eyes began glowing red.
“Gong Seo, who is your master?”
“Master… Maste Zhe Gak…”
“Very, very nice. That has a nice ring to it.”
Gong Seo’s eyes slowly turned black as veins began to protrude all over his skin.
Now, it was time for the others to choose whether to die to Wang Zhang’s axe or to sign the Blood Oath and become a puppet.
“Now, who should I pick…”
Using that slight opening, Shin Yo ran toward the door.
Fwip!
“Krgh…”
A dagger landed on the back of her hand, but it wasn’t enough to stop her.
“There’s no reason to beg for attention like that, Shin Yo.”
“Haah… Haah…”
“What are you trying?”
Shin Yo then leaned her back against the wall next to the door and shouted.
“Jang Duuuuu!”
Thuuuuuuuuud!
At the same time as her ear-piercing scream, something struck the door from the outside, causing a slight dent.
“Wh-what the…” stammered Zhe Gak.
The impact filled his head with an ominous thought: a worry that the door made from Insulating Steel could be broken down.
Beyond the door, a furious voice growled as they gasped for air, causing everyone to freeze.
"Please… Please wait just a bit longer, Lady Shin Yo," said Jang Du, "I will get you out of there, no matter what."