Chapter 24
The stairs descended deep underground.
Even knowing that treasure was buried beneath the earth, it was hard to imagine anyone daring to dig it up at such a depth.
“This in itself must have been no easy task, carving a path underground like this.”
Well, with enough money, what couldn’t be done?
Perhaps this was one of the ways the Gold Coin Trading Company showcased its wealth.
At the same time, anticipation stirred within me.
What kind of treasures could be hidden here, to the extent that they went to such lengths?
“Whenever I expect something, I usually end up disappointed.”
I wondered what kind of treasures this “Gold Vault” would hold.
Descending a bit further, I finally reached the bottom of the stairs.
Waiting there was a massive door.
I didn’t know what it was made of, but it didn’t look like it could be easily broken.
Fortunately, there was no need to force it open this time.
“I wondered where I was supposed to use the key… so this is it.”
Sliding the key into the keyhole, the huge door automatically swung open.
Even installing such a mechanism must have cost a fortune, which only heightened my expectations.
If there turned out to be nothing special, that would be quite a shock.
Luckily, that wasn’t the case.
Expectation?
When the massive door fully opened, the sight that unfolded exceeded any expectation.
“Remarkable.”
That was Sahun’s assessment as he faced the vault.
Even he, devoid of material desire, was impressed by the grandeur within.
And with good reason. This vault wasn’t named “Gold Vault” for just a few scattered treasures.
Treasure literally piled up at my feet.
“My estimate was way off.”
I had some expectation based on the vault’s construction, but it easily exceeded it.
“With this much, one could buy a castle.”
And that wasn’t an exaggeration.
From exquisite weaponry to artworks, the array of treasures was staggering.
Even underground, the radiant light from countless unidentifiable gemstones illuminated the space so brightly that it felt like stepping into another world.
The area seemed to stretch over twenty visual spans.
“Even the top trading houses wouldn’t have this much treasure in a single warehouse.”
I began to understand why martial factions coveted the Gold Coin Trading Company.
Even if they didn’t know about this vault, the scent of wealth would surely reach them.
It would be strange if pests weren’t drawn to it.
Yet, independently of that thought:
“Surprisingly, there’s not much here I can actually use.”
This didn’t mean the treasures were worthless—just that, by my standards, few were immediately useful.
Shiny but impractical, each item was rare but not suited for my needs.
Among the few decent finds were some elixirs, though I didn’t need them immediately.
Internal power? What use would I have for that, when my spiritual strength was already ten, no, a hundred times greater?
Still, I considered the elixirs for Dongchil and Baekho.
“They could be helpful to them.”
Of course.
“But I can’t just hand them over.”
Even if I didn’t need them, these elixirs were priceless; normally, one couldn’t buy them regardless of wealth.
Only primary disciples of major sects would receive such elixirs.
Handing them over recklessly? Even investments for the future have their limits.
Trust and encouragement are important, but rules must exist.
For instance, a system of reward and punishment.
It motivates and reduces mistakes.
“So, if I do give them, it won’t be right away.”
Even if I didn’t give them immediately, I decided to secure them for the future.
Who knew when I might enter here again?
“Elixirs are also perfect for selling in times of urgent funds.”
Many seek them, few sell them. So their price is high.
“Honestly, I should also pick up other things I can sell.”
Thus, I decided to take some gemstones that could easily be converted into silver when leaving.
“Not immediately needed, but maybe I should grab a couple of swords too.”
I had the Melak Sword, so I didn’t need them myself, but Dongchil and Baekho had no usable swords.
I also picked up some iron bars while I was at it.
“There’s no limit on quantity anyway.”
The vault only instructed to take what was necessary, with no strict restrictions.
Even if I took a little extra, it wouldn’t be a problem.
“Even if I don’t need them now, I can sell them later if necessary.”
I started gathering various items.
“Hm.”
As my pockets grew heavier, my heart felt emptier.
Something had felt off from the start.
I couldn’t even tell why.
I knew it was absurd to expect more than this, yet I still felt it.
“What’s the problem?”
At first, I tried to ignore it.
But when the feeling didn’t fade, I changed my approach: calmly observing it rather than denying it.
There must be a reason.
It could be that I was simply capricious and greedy—but that didn’t matter.
Once I found the answer, the unease would vanish.
But as I examined myself, an unexpected question arose:
“Is this really all there is?”
Since unlocking the vault and entering, this doubt had lingered in my chest.
I could verify it, but hadn’t—afraid it would seem greedy despite the treasures before me.
This subconscious question was the root of my uneasy feeling.
Now that I knew the problem, solving it was simple.
“Then I should check right now.”
To see if there was something more hidden.
I called Sahun over.
“I’ll need your help one more time.”
“Just say the word.”
“Can you see if there are any hidden places here?”
“I’ll check immediately.”
Sahun’s form blurred and he disappeared.
This time, however, it took a while for him to return.
And the results he brought back were different.
“Apologies, Master. I searched within a 100-span radius, but could not find anything matching what you mentioned.”
So that was it.
I told him it was fine—not his fault—but inside, my unease lingered.
I had expected confirmation would ease my mind, but it didn’t.
Instead, frustration deepened.
“Sahun wouldn’t have made a mistake.”
He was, after all, a psychopomp with more than enough ability.
If there were a hidden place, he would have found it.
And he had no reason to deceive me.
So I should have just accepted his words.
Yet I didn’t.
That’s why I decided to investigate myself.
A hum.
The divine power dormant in me stirred.
It surged like a wildfire, spreading through my four limbs and enveloping the vault.
A new vision opened, and countless unseen details flooded into my mind, much like using the “Clear Eye” technique.
The history, the stories each object carried—they all rushed in, like confessions.
This was the first time I had ever used divine power this way.
Without the experience gained from creating the Clear Eye, this would have been impossible.
But it was far from easy.
A groan slipped through my lips almost immediately.
The amount of divine power required wasn’t huge, but the sheer volume of information it revealed was overwhelming.
There were hundreds of treasures, each packed with history and story.
It was like processing hundreds of thoughts at once.
A normal person’s head would have exploded immediately.
Even for me, it was not without strain.
Eventually, I reached my limit.
Blood rushed to my head, and overload-induced pain felt like thousands of needles stabbing my skull.
Yet, strangely, I smiled.
“Let’s see who wins.”
I refused to give up.
The worse the headache, the more frustration lifted.
A primal sense told me that I had to push through to the end.
Though I had no logical reason, I trusted the instinct.
Sometimes instinct yields better results than reason.
Even if the result was disappointing, I could lament later.
I continued to push my divine power further.
“Try using Clear Eye together!”
Sahun’s voice.
I didn’t understand why—Clear Eye usually only worked on living beings.
Yet the situation was already beyond logic.
“Fine. Let’s do it.”
I drew upon Clear Eye.
Fatigue multiplied, and the headache worsened.
As expected, nothing visually remarkable appeared.
I needed to find something tangible to keep morale up, but nothing happened.
“Nothing after all, huh.”
I thoroughly examined the Gold Vault.
I understood its layout and which treasures carried which histories, but found nothing hidden.
I was about to give up when something caught my attention.
A spark of red flashed from a point touched by Clear Eye—a mere instant—but the location was curious.
“There’s only a wall there.”
The light came not from a treasure, but from the wall itself.
I looked at Sahun.
“Can you check it?”
“Understood.”
Sahun nodded and disappeared underground.
I withdrew my divine power as well.
“I can’t push any further.”
It was truly the limit.
I waited for Sahun, taking a breather and shaking off the strain.
Fortunately, the aftereffects weren’t severe.
Practice had taught me some technique, and my body had adapted, expanding and solidifying my divine power usage.
“This doesn’t feel like a simple matter of mood.”
I needed to check my body, but it seemed likely.
I chuckled at the unexpected fortune.
“Was it because I hadn’t tried this before?”
Yet, this result wasn’t that simple.
Growth, timing, and luck had all aligned perfectly.
If even one factor were lacking, the result would have been merely pain, not achievement.
“Anyway, I’ve gained something unexpected.”
Even more valuable than most treasures.
I hoped to return with my hands full, but I would restrain my greed.
Whatever Sahun brought back, I would accept it.
Moderation—excessive desire only brings trouble.
“Or so I thought.”
Seeing what Sahun brought, my greed flared.
I had to take it with me.
“…What is this?”
Sahun asked, holding the object.
I answered directly.
“The creature you brought is a mole, and what it clutches as if its own life seems to be a lucky pouch.”
The mole was ordinary aside from its golden-tinted fur.
Its size and appearance were typical.
The pouch was similarly plain, faded with age, with a common design.
Sahun looked disappointed—until I spoke.
“What matters is not the appearance, but what’s inside.”
I was pointing out the hidden value, and Sahun seemed to understand differently.
“Since the mole is a spiritual creature, it may have an inner core. And the pouch may hold something else as well.”
Not entirely wrong.
I had something to tell Sahun.
“You’ve been quite helpful here. Thank you.”
Without Sahun, I wouldn’t have found it.
Who could have guessed a mole, clutching a pouch, lived hidden in a corner of the vault?
In that sense:
“You get to open it.”
Though tempted, I let Sahun take the glory for finding the mole and the pouch.
“Thank you. Then I shall open it.”
Sahun nodded, reaching for the pouch the mole held.
Then, just as his fingers touched it…
An anomaly occurred, shocking even the psychopomp.
Gasp!
