The Support Ate it All
Chapter 72: No.104 Black Death (4)

Meanwhile, Go Hyeon-woo and Shin Byeong-chul were making their way along a narrow and dark corridor.

This secret passage had been constructed when the Black Death clan was first established but it gradually faded from memory as time passed.

Eventually, it became a place unknown to anyone, especially after the entire leadership including the previous Black Death clan leader had been replaced.

How Kim Ho came to know of it remained a mystery, but it proved to be an excellent route for infiltration.

Boom!

A distant explosion echoed through the corridor, shaking loose dust and dirt from above.

“Kim Ho must have started his part.”

“Quite the commotion.”

This was proof that Kim Ho was causing a disturbance at the main gate.

And that was to create an opportunity for a smoother infiltration. They needed to hurry to take advantage of this moment.

The two quickened their pace even more.

Once they had crossed through the secret passage, the scene within the Black Death clan was utter chaos.

It would have been more surprising if there wasn’t chaos, considering an intruder had detonated something akin to a powerful bomb at the main gate.

– What’s happening? What’s going on?

– It’s at the main gate!

– Fire! Put out the fire quickly!

The Black Death clan warriors were busy running around the place and paid no attention to Go Hyeon-woo and Shin Byeong-chul because they had changed into the black uniforms they had stolen earlier.

And Shin Byeong-chul had roughly drawn a snake tattoo on the back of their hands.

Though the snake looked somewhat crude, Go Hyeon-woo decided to be satisfied with it.

It’s at least better than Miss Seo’s…

He thought that if Seo Ye-in had drawn it, it might have looked more like a worm than a snake.

Their target, the Black Death clan’s secret treasure room, was located deep underground.

As they walked in the opposite direction of the warriors rushing towards the main gate, they occasionally encountered others who gave them suspicious looks as if wondering, “Where are these guys going?”

Some even stopped briefly to take a closer look at Go Hyeon-woo and Shin Byeong-chul.

Their faces clearly showed they found the two to be unfamiliar.

Each time they were scrutinized, Shin Byeong-chul would point aggressively toward the main gate and bellow out,

“Hey! Didn’t you hear? It’s the main gate, the main gate!”

Then, leaving the puzzled Black Death clan warriors behind, they quickly moved away.

However, such simple tricks ceased to work once they truly entered the underground.

Two men in black stood guard near the entrance.

These two remained unflinchingly at their posts despite the chaos above.

Judging by their stance, these guards seemed to be at least half a full level more skilled than those they had encountered near the inn.

They were likely among the elite warriors of the Black Death clan.

As Go Hyeon-woo and Shin Byeong-chul approached, one of the guards examined Go Hyeon-woo for a moment before drawing his sword.

“An intruder.”

“…..”

When Go Hyeon-woo silently inquired with a glance how he had been so easily identified, the elite warrior responded,

“Many have lost their heads upon entering here without knowing the proper passages. Besides…”

He continued reluctantly,

“…I don’t recall ever seeing someone who looks as much like a pampered scholar as you do.”

When translated into men’s language, the term “pampered scholar” meant that he was unnecessarily handsome.

Shin Byeong-chul who also heard that grimaced and his face crumpled like a piece of tissue paper.

Fu*k. Life is so unfair. Caught for being too handsome? I wish that would happen to me too.

Sadly, Shin Byeong-chul who was clad in the black warrior uniform blended in seamlessly with the others. He was embodying the perfect image of a “low-ranked warrior C” of the Black Death clan and his face was completely devoid of any sense of incongruity.

While Shin Byeong-chul internally cursed the world,

Go Hyeon-woo cracked a slight smile and then slowly stepped forward.

“I should merely be grateful for the compliment on my appearance. However, I do hope for your understanding.”

“Understanding of what?”

Flash!

In an instant, a golden flash sparkled from Go Hyeon-woo’s hand.

The elite warrior was no ordinary fighter and managed to raise his sword in defense immediately, but it was to no avail as he was split in two along with his sword.

Suddenly, Go Hyeon-woo was holding a golden magic sword in his hand.

Go Hyeon-woo looked down at his crumbling opponent and added,

“That I must strike you down.”

Then he turned his gaze toward Shin Byeong-chul.

“Hey, hey! Help! Hurry!”

The latter was desperately retreating after getting overwhelmed by his opponent.

Given that he was no match even for the lowest-ranked warriors, he wouldn’t be able to face an elite one.

Left with no choice, Go Hyeon-woo joined in and swung his sword.

When the second elite warrior fell, Go Hyeon-woo playfully remarked,

“Shin-hyung, it seems you need to train even harder.”

“Well, that’s not entirely wrong, but honestly, it’s more about you guys being exceptionally strong.”

Isn’t it odd for a freshman to be rampaging through a B-rank dungeon?

Shin Byeong-chul had his own perspective to share.

“Also, I wasn’t brought here for my swordsmanship but for my technical skills. I’m considered a high-level talent.”

“I’m aware of that. We have high hopes for you, Shin-hyung.”

Go Hyeon-woo replied with a grin.

He too understood that everyone had their own role to play.

There was also the fact that Shin Byeong-cheol’s skills were quite outstanding in his field.

If he were only good enough to barely contribute, Kim would have dismissed him long ago.

His involvement in the operation was proof of that,

It was as if he had received Kim Ho’s guarantee.

Perhaps feeling spurred by the high expectations placed on him, Shin Byeong-chul pulled out a long chopstick-like tool and began twirling it in his hand.

He was eager to showcase his expertise with mechanical devices.

“Just wait; I’ll show you in a moment.”

The path to the target was a complex maze of corridors of various kinds.

Some passages were guarded by elite warriors in formation, while others were filled with intricate mechanical traps.

The strategy guide specifically advised focusing on areas rigged with mechanisms.

The corridor they were facing was a prime example.

It appeared tidy at first glance, but a faint clanking sound from beyond the walls hinted at hidden mechanical devices.

And likely traps.

The moment for Shin Byeong-chul to shine had finally arrived.

Shin Byeong-chul mimicked the solemn tone of a Black Death clan warrior.

“Watch closely. You’re about to see me, Shin Byeong-chul, in action.”

“Haha……”

Shin Byeong-chul pressed himself against one wall, crept forward and suddenly jabbed two chopsticks into a barely visible crevice before stirring them wildly.

Soon after, a distinct clicking sound emanated from within and the faint rattling that had been lingering in the air ceased all at once.

“Is it over?”

“Yes. Let’s move on.”

Shin Byeong-chul strode forward confidently.

But even though the other party looked confident, Go Hyeon-woo remained skeptical and braced for the possibility of a triggered mechanism.

Yet, the passage remained undisturbed.

As they encountered another suspicious corridor,

This time, Shin Byeong-chul calmly walked forward before suddenly kneeling down.

After tapping the floor in several places, Shin Byeong-chul gestured for Go Hyeon-woo to come closer.

“Step on this.”

Go Hyeon-woo placed one foot on the spot Shin Byeong-chul indicated. Then he used the “Thousand Pound Hammer” martial arts and pressed down firmly.

(TN: A martial art that uses internal energy to temporarily increase body weight.)

Crunch,

The floor gave way under his foot, revealing a small cavity.

At a glance, it contained something that seemed to be the heart of a mechanism.

Shin Byeong-chul nonchalantly stuck a chopstick into it and then stood up.

“Next. Let’s move on.”

Following that, Shin Byeong-chul effortlessly rendered a series of traps completely ineffective.

Go Hyeon-woo couldn’t help but express his genuine admiration.

“Your skill with mechanical devices is remarkable, Shin-hyung.”

“See? Did you see that? It’s all about knowing how to use technology. Just swinging a sword won’t cut it.”

Shin Byeong-chul began to boast and started laying out his knowledge with a smug look on his face.

Go Hyeon-woo nodded his head with a good-natured smile and simply listened to the explanation.

But he suddenly sensed something before he raised his hand to stop the conversation and pointed forward with his chin.

Around the corner of the corridor which bent like the letter “L” they sensed the approach of three entities.

Go Hyeon-woo raised his momentum mouthed the words,

I’ll break through in one go.

As expected, three elite warriors rounded the corner and came into view.

Upon spotting Go Hyeon-woo, they reacted just as the previous guards had.

“An intruder!”

Instantly, two of them drew their swords and charged, while the third turned to flee,

Intending to alert others to the intruders’ presence.

However, by the time they reacted, Go Hyeon-woo had already made his move.

[Rapid Current]

As if a gust of wind had suddenly blown through the still underground air, Go Hyeon-woo shot forward and merged with the gale.

The elite warriors swung their swords reflexively, but Go Hyeon-woo was faster and easily darted past them.

In the next moment, deep gashes appeared on their chests.

“Ugh!”

“Kuh!”

And with the momentum of his speed, he pierced through the back of the one attempting to flee.

The sequence of events was so swift that the bodies of the three men almost simultaneously hit the ground.

Go Hyeon-woo turned to look back at Shin Byeong-cheol with a faint smile.

“Skill is good, but wouldn’t it be better to complement it with force?”

“…Let’s do that.”

Shin Byeong-cheol who was now humbled readily agreed.

As they took turns taking the lead, they soon found themselves in the treasure room of the Black Death clan.

More precisely, at one of the walls of the treasure room.

The entrance was guarded by warriors even more skilled than any they had encountered so far, so they had no choice but to quietly make their way through as if burrowing through a mouse hole.

“Shin-hyung, please step back for a moment.”

When Shin Byeong-cheol took a few steps back, Go Hyeon-woo smoothly drew his sword several times.

The thick stone wall was cut as smoothly as tofu before revealing a layer of mechanical devices.

Naturally, this part was Shin Byeong-cheol’s to handle.

When Shin Byeong-cheol stuck a few chopsticks in and gave a signal, Go Hyeon-woo swung his sword once again.

Finally, a large hole was made in the wall which allowed the two of them to enter.

Inside the treasure room, indeed, were treasures of great value and rarity.

Gold and silver treasures, ceramics, famous swords, secret manuals, elixirs…

As they looked around, Shin Byeong-cheol couldn’t help but drool at the sight.

“Wow… Just selling one of these could fetch an unimaginable price…”

However, if one valued their life, they would have to stop at just drooling.

Each item was heavily affixed with black talismans, which were poison charms specially crafted through the martial arts of the Black Death clan leader.

The slightest touch would trigger the talismans to release a cloud of poison gas and this small room would instantly fill with deadly fumes.

Unless one was fully prepared against poison attacks, it was best not to tamper with anything.

But there was only one item not covered with talismans in this room.

There it is.

Go Hyeon-woo enhanced his vision and looked into every nook and cranny of the interior before he found a small chest hidden in a deep recess.

It was entirely coated in black paint and he almost missed it, despite looking right at it.

It was so cunningly concealed that one might wonder if even the leader of the Black Death clan of that era had accidentally overlooked it before failing to attach a talisman.

[Leader’s Black Chest]

Shin Byeong-cheol took the chest and gently shook it from side to side but no sound came from within.

Just as he was about to shake it more vigorously, Go Hyeon-woo stopped him.

“Let’s deal with this later and hurry. There’s nothing to gain by delaying.”

“That’s true.”

Considering the number of Black Death clan members they had encountered and dealt with on their way here, the longer they took, the higher the chances of being discovered.

So, the two quickly retraced their steps back the way they had come.

Since they have already neutralized the traps and mechanisms, they have gained a good amount of time.

Once out of the Black Death clan and into a safe area, their mission would be complete.

Shin Byeong-cheol was already so relaxed that he started talking nonsense.

“Man, that was surprisingly easy. Nothing weird popped up at all.”

“Shin-hyung, let’s not tempt fate with such talk.”

“Ah, right. I have a big mouth.”

Shin Byeong-cheol playfully mimed zipping his mouth shut.

But as the saying goes, words can come to life…

Not long after, Go Hyeon-woo who was leading the way dramatically slowed down and soon came to a complete stop.

“Why, what is it again….”

Shin Byeong-cheol started to ask but then fell silent.

Upon spotting an old man standing at the end of Go Hyeon-woo’s gaze.

The old man was dressed head to toe in white.

His skin was devoid of any color, making him appear ghostly pale, and even the pupils of his eyes were stark white.

Normally, white conveys a sense of cleanliness and purity, but the excessive whiteness of this old man gave off an eerie vibe instead.

Go Hyeon-woo recognized the old man with such a unique appearance; he had heard about his identity from Kim Ho.

A heavy feeling settled in a corner of his heart.

Go Hyeon-woo silently sighed to himself.

Though he said we’d hardly ever encounter him, it seems our path has just gotten more complicated…

The old man gazed down at the wounds on the body of the deceased Black Death clan members before lifting his eyes to meet Go Hyeon-woo’s.

“Your handiwork is quite clean. Did you do this?”

“That’s right.”

Go Hyeon-woo admitted frankly, then respectfully inquired further.

“By any chance, are you the elder of the Heavenly Demon Cult, Senior Baek Hyeok-seo?”

At the mention of his real name, a flicker of interest passed through the old man’s eyes, and he slowly nodded his head in acknowledgment.

Baek Hyeok-seo. He was the deputy leader of the Black Death clan.

In the past, he was a revered senior of the demonic cult known as one of the Twin Black and White Demons.

“I am indeed the White Snake.”

The hidden boss, White Snake.

Go Hyeon-woo had come face to face with the worst possible opponent one could encounter in the Black Death dungeon.

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