The World’s Greatest is Dead

The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 104

『Hmm…』

Yu Chun-gil lifted the corners of his mouth after listening to my words.

His stiff expression relaxed back to its usual appearance.

However, I had to maintain my rigid face.

『Fame, you say?』

He asked.

It was as if he didn’t understand what I was talking about. I scoffed at his response.

“You know all about what happened in the secret vault.”

The Broken Heaven Palace had targeted the secret vault.

Along with the incidents that took place there. Could Yu Chun-gil have been unaware of it? No, I didn’t think so.

“You knew everything but didn’t tell me.”

He was aware.

He knew they would come to the secret vault.

And yet, he didn’t tell me.

“Isn’t that right?”

『… Hmm.』

Yu Chun-gil’s eyes narrowed further.

It was an attitude that showed neither denial nor affirmation. His expression irritated me.

As I frowned and tried to add more to my words,

『Why do you think that way?』

Yu Chun-gil asked me why I thought that way.

Well, the reason was clear.

“Because your actions in trying to stop me said so.”

There were countless moments where, just as things were about to escalate, Yu Chun-gil would stop me with words.

That wouldn’t have been possible if he didn’t know.

Yu Chun-gil knew the situation was about to unfold.

If that was the case, then he knowingly tried to stop me.

But why?

I didn’t focus on why Yu Chun-gil acted that way.

The important thing was always the reason.

‘So why did Yu Chun-gil do that?’

Even knowing the reason, why did he go through such lengths?

I tried to comprehend, and it didn’t take long for me to realize.

The reason had already been told to me by Yu Chun-gil in the past.

‘He…’

He had told me to become the World’s Greatest.

So, did he wish for me to become the World’s Greatest simply to become stronger?

‘No.’

That wouldn’t make sense.

If it was that simple, the process up until now wouldn’t add up.

‘If that was it, he would have just focused on my training.’

Why go through such complications?

Yu Chun-gil seemed to have a specific purpose he wanted to achieve through me.

This seemed related to that purpose too.

In that case, ‘The reason closest to the truth of the connection?’

Despite knowing of the impending raids, he left them be.

He stayed put even when the battle broke out.

It was only at the last moment that he possessed me to face the enemy.

Was there really a need for such measures?

‘No.’

If I had given a hint to the Poison King by any means,

Or if I had known in advance, I could have reduced the damage even if I couldn’t stop it entirely.

Yu Chun-gil didn’t tell me.

Why?

I mused over several possibilities but eventually reached one conclusion.

“You intended to give me fame?”

『…』

Fame.

Or reputation.

Yu Chun-gil’s intentions were probably that.

‘To become the leader of the Blue Moon Sect.’

Before becoming the World’s Greatest, this was what Yu Chun-gil had asked of me.

To become the leader of the Blue Moon Sect.

That was the immediate goal, but the critical thing here was, ‘I lacked the qualifications to be the sect leader.’

There were too many insufficiencies for me to decide to take that position.

The opening of the Moon Eye?

Being the Sword Saint’s successor?

Though I possessed the qualifications, that alone wasn’t enough.

The most important aspect was, ‘Lack of presence.’

The presence and fame that were lacking to be called the Sword Saint’s successor.

Compared to the other young leader candidates who had appeared earlier, I had the weakest fame.

Even defeating Young Azure Sword?

To others, it was just considered a fight amongst the later generations, not even in comparison to the Seven Geniuses.

It was nearly meaningless unless it was against the Seven Geniuses themselves.

Furthermore,

‘Despite being known as the Sword Saint’s successor,’

Though I knew rumors about me were spreading due to Yu Chun-gil’s fame, in the end, it was still slow.

Even if everything spread, if nothing was shown in the end, it was still meaningless.

Therefore…

‘So, is that why he did such a thing?’

Was what Yu Chun-gil had done not due to that reason?

‘To gain fame more quickly.’

Was he called Pal Du-Hyeok? Just by looking at him, he was an extraordinary master.

If someone caught such a person and rumors spread, it was obvious that the speed of gaining fame would accelerate rapidly.

Indeed, if that was the intention behind it…

“… Who exactly are you?”

I had to rethink who Yu Chun-gil was.

“What is your real goal?”

I could understand if he did such things for fame.

Even if it was hard to comprehend, it was worth a try.

But…

“Those people were involved in your death.”

The mention of Yu Chun-gil’s death by Broken Heaven Palace was direct.

He must have clearly heard it.

“Then why are you just standing by?”

Why was Yu Chun-gil reacting like that?

It was as if he didn’t care, his demeanor calm and untroubled.

It seemed like he only cared about me.

How could that be?

“You clearly asked me to find out the truth about your death.”

The truth about his death.

Even though he told me to uncover it, it seemed pointless.

“Then why are you not interested?”

Yu Chun-gil, in reality, seemed indifferent to it all.

Even now.

His gaze was as if he was listening to someone else’s story.

He focused solely on me, showing interest only in my words.

That deeply displeased me.

“What exactly is your goal? You don’t care about your own death, do you?”

There was no interest in his death.

I thought and asked.

『Hehehe.』

Yu Chun-gil suddenly chuckled.

Seeing that, I unconsciously narrowed my eyes.

『Child.』

Though he laughed, only the corners of his mouth rose, his eyes did not smile.

It was eerie.

It was a thought that crossed my mind occasionally while looking at him.

『For a martial artist, death is something always close by.』

A chilling scent.

The smell of death.

It was a sensation different from what was felt with a dead ghost.

When looking at Yu Chun-gil, it naturally came to mind.

He was always close to death.

Just like me.

『The weak die. My death was no different. I died because I was weak.』

“… Ha…”

He died because he was weak.

That simple yet clear mindset made me laugh dryly.

“So, is it true you didn’t care about it at all?”

『Why wouldn’t I care?』

Yu Chun-gil clicked his tongue shortly and added.

『It was just pushed back in importance.』

“…”

Something more important than the truth of his death.

“What exactly is that?”

What was it that made him act like this?

Gritting my teeth, I asked.

『Child.』

Yu Chun-gil spoke while looking at me.

『I’ve told you before. You must become the moon.』

“… The moon?”

『Yes, the moon. As my sword, you must blossom as the moon.』

They were incomprehensible words.

The Blue Moon Sword Dance based on the night sky’s moon.

Was it to learn that and become stronger?

I couldn’t tell.

Then.

『It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand.』

As if he already knew my feelings, Yu Chun-gil continued speaking.

『In any case, you already know.』

His gaze was intense. So intense it felt like it was burning.

『I have something to achieve through you, and you know you have something to gain using the pretext of holding my life.』

“…”

His words pierced deeply into my heart.

It was a fact both of us had been recognizing, even without mentioning it.

『So, you get what you want through me. I will do the same.』

“… Even if it means going through this kind of thing again?”

Contrary to my will, situations like in the Secret Vault, where I faced direct danger.

Would such situations occur again?

『Ha ha.』

Yu Chun-gil laughed wholeheartedly. It was a genuine laugh, unlike the one before.

『Are you afraid?』

His voice carried a harsh edge.

As I was about to speak again.

『You already knew everything, didn’t you?』

“…….”

『Pretending to realize it now is quite amusing.』

Yu Chun-gil’s words made me close my mouth.

He was right.

I had already been aware of this matter.

While I hadn’t anticipated such a formidable enemy attacking from Secret Vault.

I knew that Yu Chun-gil was plotting something there.

‘Even when he made a move against the Poison King.’

I knew that a greater incident would occur.

Despite this awareness, I didn’t delve deeper into it.

Why?

To be honest, ‘It would somehow be helpful.’

Whatever he did, it would end up benefiting me.

Just like the matter with the Great Rejuvenation Pill and numerous other things.

This time was no different.

‘If he is plotting something.’

I believed it would benefit me.

Thus, I chose to watch for a moment with such thoughts.

In other words.

‘I am just like him.’

I was no different from Yu Chun-gil. I knew that well.

So instead of questioning why he did such things…

‘I asked what his goal was.’

Yu Chun-gil was not concerned with his own death.

That was why I found it odd and asked.

『Kid.』

Yu Chun-gil called me.

『Don’t waste your energy on unnecessary things. You will get what you want, and so will I. That’s all there is to it.』

“…… So, you are saying not to ask unnecessary questions?”

『Hehehe… No, that’s not it.』

Yu Chun-gil approached me. He came up close.

『It’s not the time yet.』

It meant, ‘wait, and I will tell you someday.’

“You are saying I should accept it because you’ve let me have what I wanted?”

『As expected from a smart head. You understand quickly in times like this.』

*Thud, thud!* Yu Chun-gil’s large hand patted my shoulder.

Since he was a ghost, he didn’t actually touch me, only pretended to.

『Hold your curiosity. You will know soon enough anyway.』

After saying that, Yu Chun-gil walked past me.

I stood in place without saying anything.

At that moment.

『Ah.』

Yu Chun-gil stopped and spoke to me.

『Congratulations. For your first time, it wasn’t that bad.』

“……?”

I looked at Yu Chun-gil with a puzzled expression at his sudden congratulations.

But by then, Yu Chun-gil had already vanished.

“Young master Bang?”

The only one left there was Tang Yelan, who looked at me with concern.

“…… Are you okay?”

“…… Ah.”

I had to control my expression and respond to her question.

Of course.

“I’m fine.”

No matter how much I tried to control it, I couldn’t fully hide my expression.

“Let’s go. It seems the walk is… over.”

Hiding my discomfort, I spoke to Tang Yelan.

She nodded at me, still looking worried.

‘What was he congratulating me for?’

I wondered what Yu Chun-gil was congratulating me for while walking.

But I would learn the meaning of his words within less than a day.

* * *

By the time the sun was setting and it was evening.

“…… What?”

I stopped eating and turned to Chun Uijin.

“What did you say?”

I asked with a stunned face, and Chun Uijin, looking quite pleased, replied to me.

“Little Sword Saint. People are calling you that now, Young master Bang.”

“…….”

Not too late into the night.

I suddenly gained a new title.