One Piece Swordsman's Heart - Chapter 33

After reading the inscription on the stone tablet, Vir picked it up. The front was covered in text, while the back featured a series of intricate patterns.

These patterns were the key to entering the forbidden area.

Vir didn’t hesitate to explore. He would regret it for the rest of his life if he didn’t.

However, he was worried about the rabbit. While he didn’t fear danger, he didn’t want to bring the rabbit into harm’s way.

After expressing his concerns to the rabbit, it became visibly angry, stomping its feet in frustration.

Through a series of gestures and hand signals, Vir understood that leaving the rabbit behind was not an option. The rabbit simply wanted to come along.

It seemed that their time together had turned the rabbit into his friend, perhaps even his only friend.

Resigned, Vir agreed to take the rabbit with him. Judging by its enthusiastic demeanor, Vir realized that if he refused, the rabbit would probably be more anxious than him. It was clear that this creature enjoyed adventure as much as he did.

They arrived at the volcano and searched for the location described on the tablet. After a while, they found it.

However, Vir didn’t activate the mechanism right away. The tablet was incredibly heavy, and even with his superhuman strength, Vir was exhausted.

He finally understood why Poneglyphs were so durable. Their density made them almost indestructible.

After resting for a while, Vir inserted the tablet into the designated slot. But nothing happened.

Feeling perplexed, Vir withdrew the tablet and pondered for a moment. Then it struck him: he had inserted it the wrong way. Flipping it over, he reinserted the tablet.

As soon as the tablet was correctly positioned, the ground beneath Vir began to tremble. He felt a surge of hope. Perhaps the entrance would now reveal itself.

But as time passed, no doorway or passage appeared. The trembling beneath his feet grew stronger, and Vir had a sinking feeling.

He glanced at the rabbit, which returned his look with a dumb smile, revealing its large front teeth.

Just as Vir was praying that his fears were unfounded, Murphy’s Law kicked in.

The ground beneath him cracked open, creating a massive pit. As Vir and the rabbit fell, he grabbed the rabbit to keep them together.

After a few seconds of freefall, Vir realized they were descending into darkness. He tested his electromagnetic powers and felt a response; the walls of the pit were metallic or contained a lot of metal.

Using electromagnetic force, Vir slowed their descent until they came to a stop.

Looking up, he sought the rabbit’s opinion. It simply pointed downward and smiled.

Vir reduced the electromagnetic force and they continued to descend slowly. After a few minutes, they finally reached the bottom.

To Vir’s dismay, the bottom was covered in sharp metal spikes, each about a meter long.

His face darkened with realization. Was this a trap? It seemed unlikely that someone would go to such lengths to set a trap for a stranger.

Then another possibility crossed his mind, albeit an embarrassing one. His grasp of ancient languages was poor, and he had probably misinterpreted something, triggering a defense mechanism.

Indeed, this was the case. Vir had misread the sacred ground as a forbidden area.

The correct placement and orientation of the tablet, along with the necessary sequence to activate it, were known only to the descendants of that ancient nation. Without this knowledge, the defense mechanism was triggered after two incorrect attempts.

Despite falling into a trap, Vir wasn’t too disheartened. He felt that the actual forbidden area couldn’t be far away.

Drawing his swords and activating “Thunder Mode,” Vir began cutting through the metal walls, trying to find the right direction.

After multiple attempts, he finally noticed a change. The metallic layer was becoming harder to cut through. Instead of feeling dejected, Vir was excited. He was on the right track.

After several breaks, he finally broke through the metal layer.

A red light shone through the crack, stark against the dark surroundings.

Summoning all his strength, Vir slashed through the metal layer, revealing a vast chamber filled with steel pipes and massive machinery.

Stepping into the chamber, Vir realized this must be the forbidden area described on the tablet.

Leading the way, Vir explored the large space with the rabbit following closely behind. After a while, they found a wide passage leading somewhere.

Determined to explore, Vir continued down the passage, unwilling to leave without investigating thoroughly.

After some time, they encountered two doors.

Examining the doors, Vir noticed they were made of a special alloy he had never seen before.

Above each door was a symbol. The first door bore a plant, a book, and a cross symbol. The second door had a fist and a sword crossed.

The symbols were clear: the first door likely led to medical or herbal knowledge, while the second promised power or weaponry.

Without hesitation, Vir chose the second door.

He studied how to open it and found an inscription in ancient text. After painstakingly translating it, he finally understood:

“People are always greedy.

Choose between a healthy body or ultimate strength. Sometimes, you can’t have both.

Push the door, and you will receive one.

To my descendants, do not be greedy for everything. This is my final gift.”

Ignoring the warning, Vir pushed open the second door. A loud rumble came from the first door, indicating the passage beyond had collapsed.

Undeterred, Vir entered the second door, eager to uncover its secrets.

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