The person who had always supported me, a brilliant strategist, and someone whose personal strength was by no means weak.
My uncle, General Overseer Lee Tae-hong, was such a person.
But the answer had already been decided.
"It's fine, Uncle."
I could not take my uncle as my teacher.
I didn't know the exact time or details, but in my past life, I had lost my mana circuits due to someone's actions.
What had happened at the Iron Selection Ceremony was unavoidable, but if I were to receive direct instruction from my uncle, it would only provoke those who wished to attack me even further.
I wasn't yet fully prepared, and I didn't want to attract unnecessary attention.
"…What?"
"I know Uncle has a lot of responsibilities for the family. I don't want to be a burden."
My uncle furrowed his brows, as if he were displeased.
"A burden? I'm just saying I can take some time for my nephew. You don't have to be so hesitant."
"I heard that the government recently requested cooperation regarding the uncharted territories."
Lee Tae-hong's eyes wavered.
"How do you know that…?"
"I overheard the escort warriors talking. I don't know much about it, but I heard the administration has become incredibly busy. And the administration is where you work, isn't it?"
Lee Tae-hong let out a sigh.
A new government had taken office this year, and every time a new government came in, one of their key policies was the stabilization of the northern uncharted territories.
Nothing had been officially decided yet, but precisely because of that, the administrative branch of the Sungmuiga family was overwhelmingly busy.
That was also why my uncle, who had wanted to visit me sooner, had only now been able to make time.
"Besides, by principle, one isn't supposed to have a master before the naming ceremony. If I receive instruction from you, it would put you in an awkward position."
"Tsk! The others break the family rules all the time—do you think they'd have anything to say to me?"
"They wouldn't say anything outright, but it would still be an uncomfortable situation for you."
I smiled at my uncle as I spoke.
He let out a deep sigh.
"Doesn't it bother you at all? All your other siblings are receiving the best elixirs and training from renowned masters."
"Just because no one follows a rule doesn't mean it shouldn't be followed. Besides… I will prove myself even without elixirs and a master."
"Hah…"
Lee Tae-hong couldn't help but exclaim as he looked at his nephew, who spoke with such conviction.
'Is this child really only nine years old?'
As he stared into my clear eyes, a familiar face surfaced in his mind.
And the moment he realized whose face overlapped with mine, his lips slightly parted in surprise.
'Elder Brother… Yes, he looks just like Elder Brother.'
People with eyes like these were rare.
And those few who had them all left significant marks upon the world.
Lee Tae-hong smiled faintly and spoke.
"But it still bothers me to do nothing for you. Is there anything I can help with?"
I took a deep breath.
That was what I had been waiting for.
"I want to visit the underground vault of the Bigo."
Bigo (祕庫).
The treasure vault of the Sungmuiga family, where countless valuable items were stored.
And among them, the underground section…
"The underground vault of the Bigo holds weapons that have been sealed away for various reasons. Are you aware of that?"
"Those weapons are left there, unable to see the light of day, abandoned without ever finding their rightful owners. Each of them must have its own story… It's just too sad."
I did my best to sound as innocent and childlike as possible.
My uncle narrowed his eyes slightly and studied me.
"You want to see them just because you feel sorry for them?"
"In the future, I will wield many different weapons. Those weapons will share countless stories with me. To cherish the weapons that choose me, I need to understand them first. By seeing them, I think I'll learn how to properly handle my own weapons in the future."
"Heh, this kid…"
Lee Tae-hong chuckled.
It was the first time my words had sounded appropriate for my age, yet they were also admirable.
"That's an admirable thought. Very well, I'll make it happen."
"Thank you!"
"But be warned, some of the weapons sealed in that place are as dangerous as demonic creatures, capable of devouring their owners. I cannot allow you into those rooms."
Masterpiece, legendary artifact, sacred relic, demon-weapon—
Among the many classifications of weapons, sacred relics and demon-weapons could not simply be categorized by rank alone.
Especially demon-weapons—just as my uncle said, they contained mystical dangers capable of consuming their owners.
"Yes, I don't want to see those ones either."
"The regular energy evaluation is scheduled for tomorrow, so tomorrow should work. Normally, it takes an hour, but I'll extend it to two hours for you. Will that be enough?"
I nodded brightly.
My uncle then tousled my hair roughly with his large hands.
'It's set.'
I clenched my fist tightly.
Now, I was ready to find that item.
***
When someone searches for an extremely rare or almost mythical object, people often say:
— "You'd probably only find that in the Lee family's vault."
— "They say the Lee family's vault contains all the treasures of the world."
Such phrases had become common sayings, highlighting just how many priceless artifacts were hidden within the Sungmuiga family's Bigo.
And, because of that, the Bigo was protected by immense security.
From the most advanced modern technology to numerous ancient mystical arts, the massive structure was fortified in every way imaginable.
At a glance, it looked like an ordinary contemporary building, but the surface was covered with intricate geometric patterns.
The enormous Bigo consisted of one underground level and six floors above ground.
"Are you that excited?"
My uncle smirked as he looked at me.
I must have been unable to hide my enthusiasm. I gave an awkward laugh.
"Of course! We're about to enter the Bigo."
"Well, I suppose our family's vault is quite impressive."
Behind us, several administrative officials from the family followed. Their gazes weren't exactly warm, but no one dared to show any displeasure in front of my uncle.
I looked up at my uncle.
"I didn't realize it before, but…"
I was once again struck by how remarkable my uncle was—despite being of illegitimate birth, he was performing his duties as the chief administrator of the family.
No one understood better than I did just how difficult it was for someone born out of wedlock to rise to such a high position in the Soongmu Yi family.
"Stop."
Clank—!
The moment we approached the large wall surrounding the armory, the guards stationed at the entrance crossed their spears.
"State your identity and purpose of visit."
"This is the regular inventory check. Chief Administrator Lee Tae-hong, the head of the military supply division, key personnel from each martial department, and my youngest nephew, Yeong, are here for an inspection. Fourteen people in total."
As my uncle handed over the documents, the guards took them and disappeared inside.
'They do this every week, and yet… they're thorough.'
Only after a brief wait did the guards step aside, lifting their spears.
"Confirmed—! The official documents and identification have been verified. You may proceed."
Normally, there would be a baggage check and an additional screening here, but since this was a routine inventory check, they let us through.
'Good. That's exactly what I was counting on.'
I took a deep breath, feeling the object hidden inside my loose coat.
"Yeong-ah, I'll assign my secretary to accompany you until the entrance. The card key is for access, and the security token allows you to bypass magical security barriers. I'll leave the card key with my secretary, but you must keep the security token with you at all times."
My uncle, perhaps worried because I was still young, gave me repeated warnings before assigning his secretary to my side.
"This way, young master."
The secretary spoke in a curt tone, leading the way.
As I slowly descended underground, I let out a bitter smile.
'…This brings back memories.'
Footsteps echoed across the beige linoleum floor.
The scent of metal and the oil used for maintaining weapons filled the corridor.
I had been excited before stepping inside, but now that I was here, my emotions settled, leaving me calm.
The last time I had ever stepped into this place was right before I was exiled from the family—when I had to return Cheongseong, the sword I had been chosen for during the Iron Selection Ceremony.
How many steps had we taken?
Eventually, an enormous iron door loomed before me and my uncle's secretary.
"We've arrived, young master. I will wait at the entrance. If anything happens, please call for me loudly."
"Understood. Thank you."
Creak—
As I tapped the card key against the locked iron door, it opened with a deep, heavy sound, revealing the underground armory.
"Hmm."
A damp, musty smell hit me immediately.
There was a reason this place was called the Graveyard of Weapons.
Spanning at least 200 pyeong (about 660 square meters), the massive space was packed with countless weapons and relics, all sealed away.
'Let's begin.'
I had come all the way to the armory in search of a particular weapon.
The Black Night Dagger, which I had chosen during the Iron Selection Ceremony, was currently unusable.
'It's not just about needing a usable weapon… I need that weapon's abilities.'
It had been stored in the family's armory for an unknown length of time—so long that its origins were lost.
Though it looked like an ordinary dagger, it had unique traits that had kept it sealed underground until its secrets could be uncovered.
That was until my third brother had discovered it.
'There must be hundreds of daggers here. Finding the right one won't be easy…'
Just then, a black aura seeped from my hand.
For someone like me, who could read the memories of weapons, this wasn't a difficult task.
It would just take time.
And with the two hours I was given, I had more than enough.
'Let's start.'
The black aura extended outward, wrapping around the nearest dagger.
Time passed quickly.
As I sifted through the memories of countless daggers, I stumbled upon an unexpected discovery.
'So, the Great Bandit Clan perished because of our family…'
I tightened my grip around a particular dagger, my eyes gleaming.
The Gol Clan, a lineage of thieves, had disappeared without a trace one day.
But in reality, they hadn't just vanished.
Seeking to elevate their reputation, they had infiltrated the Soongmu Yi family's impregnable armory—and paid the ultimate price for it.
'The dagger techniques of the Gol Clan, huh?'
I returned the dagger to its place.
I was tempted to absorb all the knowledge it held, but I couldn't afford to waste time. Just skimming the last traces of its memories was enough.
'An otherworldly dagger? This armory really has everything.'
I continued my search, analyzing weapon after weapon.
Before I knew it, an hour had passed.
'Not this one either.'
I set down yet another dagger.
Clatter—
Just then, something heavy rolled across the floor, likely knocked over by my sleeve.
It was a small hunk of rusted metal, so corroded it looked more like a wooden block than iron.
'This much rust? Can that even happen?'
I picked up the hunk of metal, intending to place it back on its stand—but then I hesitated.
If I cleared away the rust and restored the handle just a bit…
It might be worth checking out.
I slowly raised my energy.
"Huh?"
A dumbfounded sound escaped from me.
The black energy that had always obeyed my control suddenly surged out in chunks and seeped into the dagger.
Dizziness overcame me, and my consciousness gradually faded.
And then, I lost consciousness.
***
When I opened my eyes, the world before me was completely dyed red.
Even the sky was stained crimson, as if it were bleeding. The moment I turned my gaze to look around, I felt a wave of vertigo.
It was a literal sea of corpses and blood.
Humans and monsters alike lay dead, their bodies strewn everywhere.
'What on earth is this?'
The air was heavy. The thick stench of blood filled my nose, so strong it made me want to vomit.
It was completely different from any memories I had seen through my weapon before.
Was this a memory imprinted within the weapon by its previous owner?
Or was I actually standing here myself?
Everything felt surreal, like a scene from a dream, yet the sensations on my skin were disturbingly vivid.
—Hoo…
Then, I heard a faint breath.
I turned my head toward the sound.
There, in the midst of a mountain of corpses, stood a lone man, drenched in blood.
He wore an ancient outfit, the kind one would only see in museums, and held a chipped longsword limply in his hand.
Thud—!
The ground trembled.
The sound alone sent chills down my spine.
Forcing myself to move, I turned my head toward the source of the noise.
A beast shrouded in thick fog.
With each of its steps, the ground quivered as if screaming in agony. Its breath reeked of poison, filling the air with a putrid stench.
The moment I faced the monster, I nearly forgot to breathe.
'What is that…?!'
It felt like I was being thrown into a bottomless abyss.
Every breath was painful. The air surrounding me stabbed at my skin like invisible blades.
Even someone as inexperienced as me could tell.
This was no ordinary monster.
An overwhelming presence that made the very atmosphere shudder.
A being so terrifying that even nature itself recoiled in fear.
I knew creatures like this.
'A calamity-class monster…'
Ancient beasts that were said to have emerged from the depths of the Blue Hole long ago.
Monsters of legend, feared for having devoured countless civilizations before falling into an eternal slumber.
The man looked at the monster, then slowly raised his sword.
'No. He'll die.'
That monster was pure destruction incarnate. No human could possibly defeat it.
But then—
Swish—!
A single flash.
No thunderous roar, no violent tremor.
Just a single streak of light slicing through the world.
And then, the world itself was split apart.
A diagonal line appeared across the monster's massive body.
And then, it collapsed.
I was so stunned by the sight that I forgot even to blink, staring at the man in utter disbelief.
At that moment, the man turned his gaze toward me.
—…?
A curious expression.
He was looking right at me.
Gasp!
I was frozen, unable to move a single step as I stared at him.
—Who are you?
Slowly.
Very slowly, the man began to approach me. The same sword that had just cleaved the monster in two moved silently.
And then—
***
"Ah!"
Thunk.
I gasped for air, collapsing onto the ground.
A lump of metal fell from my hand with a dull sound.
'What was that? That scene just now?'
The oppressive weight of the air, the suffocating scent of blood—it still clung to my body as if I had truly been there.
Had I just witnessed a memory? Or had I actually experienced it?
Despite being in a cold underground chamber, my entire body was drenched in sweat.
Rumble—
At that moment, the metal object on the ground trembled.
The thick rust covering its surface melted away on its own. The dull, yellowed metal began to gleam, radiating a fresh, sharp aura.
It had taken the form of a dagger.
'No way…'
I pricked my finger on its tip, drawing a small drop of blood.
And then—
"I shall become the master of all diseases."
Like a mage casting a spell, I channeled my mana into a single, concise phrase.
In that instant—
Wooooom—!
A pure light burst from the dagger.
I immediately poured a portion of my mana into it.
The dagger absorbed it as naturally as if it were an extension of my own body.
'Found it.'
I gripped the dagger tightly.
Mujin (無盡).
The legendary treasure my third brother had once obtained.
Now, it was in my hands.