Chapter 257
Chapter 257
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 257
>Chapter Title: The 31st Horse Overturns the Game Board
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People often imagined that the most secretive spot on a family's estate was their private vault.
If they stored all the rare treasures handed down through generations in one place, surely the vault would be hidden in the most inaccessible location imaginable.
The dragonstone holders following the guide passed through several trap mechanisms before finally reaching that secretive place.
"My God…."
"Is the vault really this big?"
The underground space was even larger than the banquet hall where they had stayed.
"This way, please."
"Oh, right."
"Frankly, it's astonishing…."
"Impressive."
The guide smiled faintly and led the dragonstone holders inside. They looked around the vault like sparrows visiting a mill.
"…Can we really take whatever we want from all this?"
"Of course. However, Lord Jega's message was clear: only one item per person, and items will be granted only after everyone has made their selection."
"Everyone here? So it's not first-come, first-served?"
"Items are limited, so disputes could arise. This rule accounts for that—please understand."
"Hmm…."
"Not wrong."
This was half a lie.
The items would only be given to dragonflame holders loyal to Jega; the other dragonflame holders would leave empty-handed.
In truth, this whole setup was just a stopgap to keep the dragonstone holders occupied.
The vault didn't contain only treasures. Beneath it lay a massive cache of explosives.
At any signal from Jega or Yu Kyung, who had orchestrated everything, the space with the guide and dragonstone holders would be sealed off.
Then, the dragonstone holders here would be buried alive with the vault's treasures under a pile of earth.
Of course, resorting to such ruthless measures meant things had gone slightly awry above ground.
For instance, if someone here noticed the dragonflame holders' predicament.
"Heh…."
The guide concealed a blade behind her smile as she scanned the surroundings.
Those present were all dragonstone holders of the dragonflame wielders, so their strength was far from ordinary.
But even they couldn't survive the collapse of a space this vast.
That much was virtually certain. The strongest among them—Jang Du and Kang Seol—were absent.
They were in a different area.
To be precise, the original vault had been sealed and divided into three sections, with Jang Du, Kang Seol, and the remaining dragonstone holders placed inside.
"Hmm~."
Jang Du hummed a tune as he followed his guides. Four guides had been assigned to him alone.
"What if you suddenly attack me?"
"W-What…."
"Haha! Just kidding—don't look so shocked. Still, who would've thought they'd build the vault this deep underground. No wonder they needed such a huge plot right in the heart of Hong Yeon."
"That's not the whole reason, but to some extent…."
"Hmm… Even Lord Shin Yo's estate isn't on this scale, yet it always impresses me."
"All thanks to our ancestors' grace."
"Right, we should be grateful to our forebears. Inheriting land like this…."
"……."
"Yawn… We there yet?"
Before long, Jang Du and his guides reached the vault's end. The space prepared just for him glittered with golden treasures.
"Whoa… You're really giving these? All gifts for me?"
"You may select only one to take with you."
"What? Stingy! Show some more generosity!"
"If you desire more, you'll need to speak with Lord Jega directly. If you wait here…."
"Wait, really? They'll give more?"
Jang Du pulled for more, then made a strange face upon hearing they would.
"…Something's fishy."
"W-What could be suspicious…."
"If they treated guests this meticulously, word would have spread."
"H-Ha…."
"Well, works for me. People change. Looks like Jega has too."
"……."
"What's with the face? Loosen up. Why so tense?"
Jang Du chuckled, then suddenly went stone-faced.
"Almost like you're scared of me?"
Right then.
— …do it, Jang Du!
Shin Yo's voice echoed all the way underground.
A shout so massive it might have reached everyone in Hong Yeon.
Jang Du and the guides' eyes met.
Rumble…
A tremor shook the ground.
KABOOM-!
An explosion roared from somewhere else.
Rrrrrumble…
The entire space quaked, evidently from the shockwave.
"Seal it! Collapse it now!"
WHOOOM-!
A stone wall descended, forming a thick barrier between the guide and Jang Du.
Immediately after, the sound of the ground crumbling followed.
KABOOM-!
This time, a massive blast erupted right where Jang Du was.
For just one man, the explosives were extravagantly abundant.
WHOOOM-!
WHOOOOM-!
Crashing rocks echoed endlessly.
One guide, seemingly the leader, turned her back to the door and said,
"It's done. Report Jang Du eliminated. And…."
CRACK-!
The stone wall splintered as a brutish hand seized the guide's head.
The guide floated into the air, head gripped tight.
"Wha… What? L-Let go!"
Jang Du's muscles swelled gradually.
Crunch…
Craaack…
"M-Monster…."
His already massive frame doubled in size.
He bore wounds here and there from the falling rocks, it seemed.
"Relax."
"…What?"
Swoosh…
Jang Du drew back his forearm.
Splat-!
Thud-!
"……."
"Wha… Wh-what…."
When you slap a mosquito with your palm, blood and its corpse stick to your hand.
The scene of Jang Du swatting the guide was just like that.
Blood dripped from his palm as he sought his next target.
"You're dying anyway."
* * *
Among all the dragonstone holders who visited, Kang Seol was heading farthest from the annex.
Even farther than Jang Du.
"This is the vault."
"We go down here?"
"Yes."
Kang Seol studied the guide's face intently, nodded, and followed him down.
'Something's off….'
For a vault where all dragonstone holders had vanished, it felt strangely deserted.
Had they all scattered?
Or just him?
If so, why?
Kang Seol tested the waters.
"Big enough for a giant robot."
"Lord Jega does possess one such machine."
"Stolen goods?"
"It's decommissioned—moves but poses no threat."
"Doubtful… Hard to imagine they'd display something immobile."
"Believe it or not, that's fine."
Kang Seol silently followed downward.
The location was remote, and the descent felt excessively deep for a vault.
In fact, Kang Seol's position was twice as deep as Jang Du's or the other dragonflame holders'.
Swish…
A faint scent brushed his nose.
[Mid-level Insight activates.]
[Smell of gunpowder.]
The gunpowder stench was thick.
No—closer to explosives.
'Planning to collapse the vault? Why? Hmm… Should I wait and see? Something's coming.'
He pretended not to notice and kept walking.
If they'd built this vast space just to bury one man, he'd applaud Jega.
'Ah.'
Kang Seol halted abruptly.
As if suddenly remembering something forgotten.
"…How far in?"
"A bit further…."
"Stop. I don't want the gift."
Then, a hooded man and his group emerged from the darkness.
It was Yu Kyung, the mastermind, leading Jega's subordinates.
"A gift awaits you ahead—why halt?"
"…Postpone the gift if you must."
"No can do. Plenty to discuss under the gift pretext."
"Discuss…."
Yu Kyung revealed himself before Kang Seol to recruit him. Unlike Jang Du, tied to Shin Yo since childhood, Kang Seol had met Seol Hong recently.
He aimed to exploit that gap and win Kang Seol's favor.
Seol Hong's uniqueness stemmed solely from Kang Seol's aid.
A delectable prize.
"My master, Lord Jega, has taken a keen interest in you, Kang Seol…."
Before he finished, a sonic boom erupted.
— …Jang… Du!
Kang Seol heard the voice clearly.
KABOOM-!
Rrrrrumble…
KABOOOOOM-!
Rumble rumble rumble…
Explosions detonated in succession.
Kang Seol eyed Yu Kyung impassively.
"Not blowing this side?"
"…Seems things aren't smooth. Let's relocate—"
Suddenly, Kang Seol vanished.
In that instant, blood sprayed.
Splurt-!
Splurt splurt!
In a flash, the heads of warriors blocking his path flew into the air—including Yu Kyung's.
Before Yu Kyung's head hit the ground, Kang Seol's words echoed alone.
"I heard everything."
* * *
Explosions boomed one after another.
Jega knew the vault had collapsed without reports.
"Haha, Shin Yo. Rash actions ruin everything."
"Ruin?"
"Jang Du won't reach here."
"…Why?"
"Your haste buried him in rubble."
"Hmm…."
As they spoke, the dragonflame holders swiftly assembled—opposite Jega and his warriors.
With a common enemy, it was time to unite.
"Tch… What the hell?"
"Jega! Such arrogance…."
"If I escape here, you'll…."
Thwip-!
A dagger pierced the speaking dragonflame holder's shoulder.
"Arghhh!"
"Shut your trap. Time's short."
"You think this makes us submit? Fool!"
"Never assumed you'd submit willingly."
Jega's demeanor was off.
Such confidence meant preparation.
Chi Woo whispered to Seol Hong.
"Stay by me no matter what. These guys could turn to mince any second."
Seol Hong stared blankly.
"Seol Hong, snap out of it."
"I… I…."
Jega drew scrolls from his bosom.
Rustle-!
They unfurled, revealing blood-written text.
"Recognize this?"
"What…."
"B-Blood pact scroll…."
Someone identified it.
"Blood pact! Damn bastard! Bringing a cursed item?"
"Sharp eyes. Knowing what it is, you know what to do."
"Shut up!"
"Foolish. All you do is scream… Hey, Wang Jang."
Wang Jang, the glutton.
His massive, fat-covered bulk—how it hid under the table was a mystery, but irrelevant now.
His axe swung with searing heat.
Splurt-!
Crunch…
Blood splashed Jega's face.
The defiant dragonflame holder's arm flew off wildly.
"Gu… Gaaah!"
"Why whine? Just an arm."
"Ugh… Uuugh…."
The dragonflame holders fell silent.
Defying now meant sharing that fate.
"Quiet at last. You first—sign here."
"Ugh… You dog…."
"Four chances."
"……."
"Refuse, and I lop off a limb each time."
Four chances chilled them.
"Then, same answer? Off with your head."
"C-Crazy…."
"Heh… Yes, I'm mad."
Jega glared wildly at everyone.
"I feel how you've mocked me. Better feared than ridiculed, no?"
"……."
"Sign. Next chance."
The writhing man spat in agony.
Ptoo!
"Burn in hell, Jega."
"Chances revoked."
"…What?"
Wang Jang's axe dropped cleanly.
CRUNCH-!
Roll roll roll…
"Kyaaaaah!"
"H-How… You bastard…."
Jega had crossed the line.
His pent-up rage turned demonic.
"Refreshing. Next?"
Thud…
"I-I'll sign… Spare my life?"
"Ah, finally one with sense. Obviously. Why hate a leashed dog?"
"R-Right?"
Others held their tongues.
Blocking his cooperation changed nothing; better use the signing moment.
"Seol Hong."
Chi Woo spoke softly to her alone.
"Chi Woo…."
"I get you're rattled, but it's urgent."
Seol Hong nodded.
"Can't escape alone. Wait for rescue. Steel yourself."
How had it come to this?
The hoped-for banquet vanished like a dream, hell swallowing her instead.
Scribble…
Scraaatch…
A dragonflame holder signed the blood pact.
Red glow filled his eyes.
"Gong So, who’s your master?"
"Lord… Lord Jega…."
"Good. Music to my ears."
Gong So's pupils dulled instantly, veins bulging grotesquely around his eyes.
Soon, all must choose: Wang Jang's axe or Jega's puppet via pact.
"Now, who next…."
Then, Shin Yo burst toward the door.
Thud-!
"Ugh…."
A dagger embedded in her hand but didn't stop her.
"Shin Yo, no need to beg for attention."
"Haa… Haa…."
"What trick is this?"
Shin Yo leaned against the wall by the door and yelled.
"Jang Duuu!"
KABOOOOOOM-!
A deafening blast dented the door massively from outside impact.
"Wh-What…."
Jega's lip twitched.
That shock threatened to breach even the whirlwind-forged door.
From beyond, panting breaths carried a rage-frozen voice.
"Just… bear with it a little longer, Lady Shin Yo."
Jang Du's voice.
"I'll get you out for sure."