storing passwords

[nestochi]

hi,
i have to store some passwords that my application uses to login database servers. since i need the real password, i cannot use a hash.
i've currently tested 3-DES and RC4, and now i can encrypt and decrypt the passwords.
the problem i see is that the master key i use is hard-coded in my application. maybe that is not safe enough.
is there a better way to do this?? i am mostly worried about how to store the master key.

thanks.

Sorry , i made a mistake and posted this twice.