The World’s Greatest is Dead

I regained consciousness just when the duel was reaching its climax.

“…… You must have used sorcery. Therefore, in the name of the Namgung Family, I shall execute you.”

Just as Namgung Sung was spouting nonsense, I snapped awake. Namgung Sung unsheathed his sword, provoked by the old man’s mockery.

‘Wow… that’s a sword aura.’

The first thing I saw upon waking was that impressive display. It felt fresh.

I had never seen it before, yet I knew instantly what it was.

‘Incredible….’

It was intense and refined, yet deep. I had seen sword qi before, but this was on a completely different level. It felt like it could cut through anything. It was so mesmerizing that I couldn’t help but be captivated.

‘… Wait, what’s going on? Why am I awake?’

I realized, albeit late, that I had regained consciousness.

‘Huh?’

But something felt off. Although my mind was clear, I had no control over my body. My body was still being used by Yu Chun-gil, the old man.

Namgung Sung moved. The sword aura poured out like an avalanche right in front of me.

‘Oh no, if this goes wrong, I’ll die, won’t I?’

How could I block such an attack? Was this really okay? Doubts began to surface.

At that moment.

“Good.”

The damn old man muttered nonsense even while facing the sword aura. It seemed like things were going to get worse.

However,

‘Huh?’

All thoughts vanished in an instant.

When I—no, when Yu Chun-gil moved my body, it happened.

I exerted strength in my hands and swung. Namgung Sung’s sword was already dangerously close. Any hesitation now would be too late.

Despite knowing this, I focused more on the moment rather than being afraid.

Qi flowed from my dantian. The once silent energies exploded like fireworks.

A step forward, the relaxation of my waist, the fully opened chest, and the arm extended to draw a circle.

And the wooden sword was infused with qi. As everything came together, an inexplicable sense of ecstasy rose.

What was this? I didn’t know. Just—

‘… I want to try it.’

That thought surfaced for a moment.

‘Ah.’

And when I had that thought, I fully regained control of my body.

It was as if Yu Chun-gil had vanished, and my body was completely under my own control.

The sword aura still poured out in front of me.

Instinctively, I knew pausing or hesitating would mean death.

So I just did it.

I maintained my exhaled breath, followed the flow of qi, and used the muscles I could feel.

It wasn’t too difficult. I just had to follow what my body remembered.

That was all there was to it.

And so.

From my hand, the moon unfolded.

* * *

『… So, you just did it?』

“Yes.”

Yu Chun-gil had a somewhat dumbfounded look as he recounted the events.

“That’s really it. I just continued the flow which was about to break.”

He felt genuinely aggrieved.

“I mean, I barely managed to salvage a situation that could’ve gotten us killed, and you’re questioning me?”

『……』

Even at my words, Yu Chun-gil remained silent. It seemed not because he had nothing to say, but rather because he was preoccupied with something else, paying no attention to my words.

“Elder. Can’t you hear me?”

『……』

“Really, you can’t hear?”

『……』

“Hey.”

『What the heck is it, kid?』

“Wow… The weather is really nice today.”

As he glared at me, I immediately averted my gaze.

Damn old man, if you can hear, you should at least respond.

I tried to avoid his eyes, but Yu Chun-gil didn’t seem willing to let it slide, as he continued to glare at me.

So, I reluctantly said.

“Why didn’t you answer me?”

『I had something to think about.』

“Then you should have told me not to disturb you because you needed to think.”

『I don’t make a point to say such things… No, you rascal? Are you trying to challenge me? Have you forgotten whose hands your life is in?』

“Wow.”

I uttered in awe at the old man’s words.

“You really are cheap. When you can’t win an argument, you resort to threats. Isn’t that too petty for someone your age?”

『… Then why are you about to kneel?』

“Because I need to say what I have to, but I also value my life.”

『……』

This time, the old man truly seemed at a loss for words, sealing his mouth tightly.

However, soon, he shook his head and spoke again.

『No matter how I look at it, you don’t seem sane.』

“… What?”

Who was calling who crazy? I couldn’t believe it and was about to retort again from my kneeling position.

『But no matter how I look at it, it’s indeed you.』

“…….”

Seeing Yu Chun-gil’s expression, I had to freeze.

His face was shining with a broad smile as he looked at me.

It was like the delighted grin of a child who had found a fun toy, and that made it terrifying beyond measure.

* * *

A day had passed.

When I opened my eyes, it was roughly dawn. I woke up at the same time as always, but the ceiling I wasn’t used to still met my gaze.

I rose from my bed. The surroundings were silent.

Usually, I would hear snoring from both sides, but now, there was no one.

Is this okay? I briefly questioned, but I didn’t ponder it for long.

‘I don’t know if it’s okay or not. Let’s just enjoy it.’

If it’s not okay, I’ll deal with it later.

I changed clothes and stepped outside. The dawn air touched my nostrils. Feeling that, I started to move.

After walking a bit, I saw people who were already up.

They were some of the few who practiced early at the Anhui branch.

Their gazes immediately locked onto me.

-It’s Young master Bang.

-Young master Bang.

“…….”

Scratching my cheek at their words, I mumbled to myself.

Yes, I am Young master Bang, you guys. Words they couldn’t hear, I spat out mentally.

Maybe it’s because the dawn is quiet, but everything seemed unusually clear.

-The one who has defeated the Young Azure Sword…

-Not just defeated. He utterly crushed his groin…

-… Eww…

“…….”

It seemed working out here wasn’t a good idea. Although I had predicted as much, in just one day, the changes had become too apparent. I felt it keenly.

I turned my steps to another place.

『Why don’t you just practice here instead of moving around?』

The words of Yu Chun-gil, who was following behind, were clear.

“… If I go, neither of us will be able to concentrate. I won’t be able to either, so why should I get involved?”

Just a moment ago, he had stopped what he was doing because he was watching my reaction. It was better for me to step out.

Yu Chun-gil, looking at me with a subtle expression, spoke.

『I’ve been curious since yesterday. Can I ask you something?』

“No.”

『Why do you seem unaffected by anything?』

“… Didn’t I just say not to ask?”

『Did it feel like you had a choice?』

“…”

Damn it.

I sighed deeply. It was not a good start to the morning.

“What sort of reaction are you talking about?”

『You received quite a bit of attention and special treatment, yet you seem entirely unmoved. Why is that?』

I snorted at his absurd remark.

“… Why does there have to be a reaction?”

『There’s no harm in it.』

“Right. There’s no harm. But…”

Feeling reactions depended on the situation. Especially for me.

“I didn’t achieve this with my own hands. It’s uncomfortable to try to enjoy it.”

『Oh?』

“On the contrary, it’s unsettling. It feels like standing on a stick over a vast ocean.”

『You don’t seem particularly uneasy for someone who says that?』

“Well, I’m just pretending. Being anxious doesn’t change anything.”

A life where I couldn’t express my anxiety, even if I felt it. Living my whole life that way honed this skill.

Not showing myself. It was my greatest ability.

『Hmm. Is that so?』

Yu Chun-gil laughed strangely after hearing my words. He had been doing that since yesterday.

Why did he keep laughing like that?

It was incredibly uncomfortable.

‘This is why I try not to get involved with ghosts.’

Damn it. Out of all the possible ghosts, why did it have to be this one?

『Don’t curse to yourself.』

“… I didn’t.”

As I mentioned before, ghosts were remarkably perceptive. Quite so.

What should I do now? It seemed that early morning training was out of the question.

‘I wouldn’t have been able to do it for long anyway because of the muscle pain.’

It was troubling not to be able to do something I usually did.

If I couldn’t train early in the morning, what should I do? There was not much time left until morning training anyway.

While I was pondering this, someone approached me from a distance. A face annoyingly handsome from the start of the day came into view.

“Ah, Young master Bang. You are here.”

It was Chun Uijin.

“Good morning. Were you looking for me?”

“Yes… I went to your quarters, but they said you weren’t there…”

I hadn’t been out for long. We must have missed each other in that short time.

“What’s the matter?”

“Well… Do you have a moment? There’s something I want to show you.”

I thought for a moment about Chun Uijin’s words. I had some time to spare, so it seemed fine.

“Sure. Where should we go?”

* * *

I arrived at Chun Uijin’s lodging. It was quite luxurious, though not as much as mine.

Two teacups were placed on the table, and tea was poured.

“… I apologize for not having more to offer.”

“It’s fine. We’ll be eating soon anyway.”

I was not particularly fond of tea in the first place.

“By the way, I noticed there are no servants?”

The quarters seemed to be entirely used by Chun Uijin despite their size. Even the tea and everything else had been prepared by Chun Uijin.

“Yes, I had to remain undercover and… most of the other things were handled by the guard.”

Chun Uijin trailed off, falling silent. It seemed he didn’t want to talk about the guard, whom he apparently despised.

Forcing a smile, Chun Uijin continued, “I’ve already sent a message, so people should arrive shortly.”

Was he referring to members from the Blue Moon Sect? Most likely.

‘The sect leader’s direct line had faced assassination threats…’

Most importantly,

‘Because I am here.’

As the Sword Saint’s successor, my presence here probably prompted their action as well.

“So, what is this about?”

I asked.

“Haha…”

Chun Uijin chuckled awkwardly, seemingly unaffected by my direct approach to get to the point.

I then apologized, “I’m sorry. I tend to be straightforward.”

“Oh, no problem. It was my fault for disturbing you so early.”

What could be so significant to summon me first thing in the morning? Certainly not just for tea.

“The reason I wanted to see you is none other than…”

Chun Uijin walked over to a box placed on one side of the room, aiming to quell my curiosity. The box had been there since I entered the room.

“… I thought it would be right to show this to you first.”

“What is it?”

Just as I wondered what he intended to show, Chun Uijin pulled out a cloth-wrapped item from the box.

『Hmm.』

Yu Chun-gil, who was observing, let out a low breath. I frowned at his reaction.

‘He seems to know what it is.’

The old man seemed to recognize it. What could it be?

Chun Uijin handled it like a treasured item. He carefully unwrapped the cloth and revealed it.

“Huh?”

Looking at the object, I reacted rather foolishly.

It was unavoidable.

The item Chun Uijin showed was a sword. Or rather, what ‘used to be’ a sword.

Time had taken its toll; the blade was completely worn out. Originally a great sword, it was now reduced to a short fragment with only a bit of the blade left on the hilt.

What is this?

Why is he showing me this junk?

“You should know what this is, right, Young master Bang?”

“… No, how would I recognize such an old relic…”

『It’s my sword.』

“Of course, it’s the Sword Saint’s treasured blade.”

『Crazy bastard…』

Who’s the real crazy one here?

Luckily, I changed my answer quickly enough, since who could recognize it as the Sword Saint’s weapon considering its current state.

But then,

‘Wait. Grandpa’s weapon?’

Realizing the truth sent a chill down my spine.

‘The Sword Saint’s prized blade. Chun Uijin. Blue Moon Sect… Anhui…’

The pieces of the puzzle started to fit together.

“The reason I showed this to you, Young master Bang, is none other than…”

I reached a conclusion quickly.

“You’re right.”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, what Chun Uijin thinks is correct. I also came to Anhui seeking this. It was the Sword Saint’s last wish.”

『… Huh?』

Yu Chun-gil reacted as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His face screamed disbelief.

However,

“… As expected!”

Chun Uijin’s eyes widened, as if confirming his suspicions, and I looked at the sword and Chun Uijin, feeling certain.

This would definitely,

‘Be useful.’

If used properly, this could work to my advantage.