The World’s Greatest is Dead

Namgung Hyun.

Was she a year older than me? I couldn’t remember exactly, but I knew she was older.

I hadn’t tried to figure her out specifically, so I didn’t have detailed information on her. I just knew she had a rather annoying personality that matched her good looks.

Sure, she was definitely beautiful.

Even with her furrowed brows, her eyes, nose, and mouth were all neatly arranged, making her exceptionally good-looking. Just by looking at her, it was enough to make other men lose their composure.

If I had to compare, she was only slightly less good-looking than my older sister who ran away from home.

Just thinking about it gave me chills.

‘… That person wasn’t just about good looks, after all.’

With that temperament, it was more than just good looks; it made her a real piece of work.

Anyway…

I rubbed my arms to shake off the chills, and Namgung Hyun spoke to me.

“What did you just say?”

Was her pride hurt by my words? Her expression was no joke.

Right, that was exactly the face she made when I used to pick on her.

“Oh, couldn’t you hear me?”

Then I should kindly repeat myself.

“I said I’m not going.”

“… Why?”

“What?”

She tilted her head as if she couldn’t understand. What kind of weird question was that?

“Why, you ask? Because I don’t want to go, that’s why. Do I need another reason?”

“So, you’re saying you don’t want to talk with me… Why is that? I can’t think of any reason…?”

“…”

I got it. In this short conversation with Namgung Hyun, I identified her issue. Apparently, everyone else used to readily agree to talk with her whenever she suggested it.

I understood. With looks like that, it was entirely possible. Even in my current life, unlike my previous one, I got some benefits thanks to my handsome face.

Moreover, I knew exactly how to deal with people with a disposition like her, and so, nodding my head, I told her straight.

“You have a nasty temper, you look down on others, and you throw a fit at anything you don’t like. Why would anyone want to talk to someone like that?”

“…”

Namgung Hyun widened her eyes at my words. The solution was simple.

Just shoot back what you want to say.

“Am I crazy? Or are you the crazy one? It’s just ridiculous. Asking why—what kind of question is that? If you want to talk, you should have apologized first. This is also looking down on people. I get that you were spoiled at home, but if you want something from me, you should’ve resolved past issues first.”

She took a step back, seemingly flustered by my relentless words.

I followed her and continued talking. Unconsciously, my eyes sharpened.

“This is why I don’t talk with people from these kinds of households. None of them listens properly, not a single one.”

I took a breath and continued spitting out my thoughts.

“If you had experienced being treated as just a parachute member in the Murim Alliance for even two days, you’d understand how fortunate your position is. Well, you must not know that since you acted like that from our first meeting.”

『… Wait… Calm down…』

Grandpa’s voice sounded like he was trying to stop me, but I ignored it.

Ah, speaking of it brought back the struggles I’d gone through, and emotions surged within me.

“And then what? You want to talk now? What a load of crap. Did you leave your brain at home? Unless you’ve gone completely mad, this conversation makes no sense…”

I paused for a moment. There was still so much more I wanted to say, but Namgung Hyun’s reaction was strange.

Her hand, grasping her skirt, trembled deeply, and her cheeks and ears, which had been slightly red, now turned as red as a ripe apple.

Even the corners of her eyes were moist, as if tears were about to flow… Ah, they actually flowed.

Namgung Hyun started to cry.

Seeing that, a saying from my father suddenly sprang to mind.

‘Everything’s good, but be careful of a woman’s tears. They’re dangerous.’

Even someone as skilled at seducing women as my father warned about it, and rightly so.

Seeing a beauty like Namgung Hyun cry, I did feel pretty bad.

But still…

“What do you have to cry about?! Seriously, this is why—!”

Unfortunately, I wasn’t someone who would be swayed by things like that.

And so, I continued to berate her for a long while afterward.

“Sniff… Sniff…”

The sound of sobbing was distinctly audible from behind.

Anyone who saw this scene would probably be startled. After all, who would have expected it?

Who would have guessed that a member of one of the Five Great Families would be sitting near a well, wiping their eyes with the back of their hand and crying?

“Sniff… Sniff…”

They were crying so sorrowfully, not only tears but even snot was coming out.

It was quite dirty. No matter how beautiful anyone was, having snot wasn’t appealing.

In that situation, I was sitting next to Namgung Hyun, offering some consolation.

“Hey, stop crying already. You’ve cried enough, haven’t you? How long are you planning to cry? You might end up quenching your thirst with your tears.”

『That’s not consolation. Is that what you call comforting someone?』

This counts as consolation, doesn’t it?

Worried that they might cry too much, I told them to stop crying. Isn’t that comforting?

『You fool…』

The old man 『Grandpa』 shook his head in disbelief. His gesture irritated me greatly, but I didn’t make a fuss.

After all, it wasn’t anyone else who had made Namgung Hyun cry; it was me. So there wasn’t much I could argue.

“Sniff… Sniff…”

“Darn it…”

There was no sign of stopping. Once it started, there seemed to be no end in sight.

What should I do in this situation? I pondered for a moment and then made my decision.

“Well then, take care of yourself. I’ll be off now.”

I tried to make a quick escape. I didn’t want to stay here any longer, so I attempted to run away.

Grip.

“Geez…”

Namgung Hyun grabbed my clothes like a ghost. I tried to shake them off with force but failed.

‘How can she be this strong?’

I couldn’t break free. Could she really be stronger than me?

Suddenly it dawned on me. Namgung Hyun was also a part of the Namgung clan, a direct descendant, and must be a martial artist.

Of course, she’d be stronger than me.

“…”

Realizing that, I momentarily paused my escape.

Still caught, I spoke to Namgung Hyun.

“… Why?”

My voice was much calmer than before.

At my question, Namgung Hyun looked at me with tear-filled eyes.

“Snot and tears everywhere, it’s a mess. Don’t look at me like that; you’ll drive me away.”

“…”

“I’m kidding.”

Actually, about 70% of it was true, but I pretended it was a joke. If I didn’t, they’d probably cry more.

“So, what is it?”

Why were they holding onto me? I asked, and Namgung Hyun tried to speak.

“Ju…st… wan…ted… to… ta…lk.”

What were they saying?

The words were so garbled, as if they had a mouthful of something. I was about to try to decipher it when:

『She wants to talk for a moment.』

Yu Chun-gil interpreted for me.

“Oh, do you want to talk for a moment?”

Namgung Hyun nodded at my words. The tears, of course, hadn’t ceased.

Talk? I was curious about what she wanted to say to hold me back like this.

“But isn’t there something you should do first?”

There was something I needed to receive before we talked.

“An apology.”

“…!”

“Apologize to me. Formally.”

I erased my indifferent expression and resentful tone. With a stern face, I looked at Namgung Hyun.

“Shouldn’t that come first? Isn’t that right?”

“Then apologize for not showing respect to me at that time.”

At those words, Namgung Hyun’s eyes trembled.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds. Time passed. When five seconds had elapsed.

Thud-! she brushed off the hand she was holding and stood up.

“If you don’t want to, then don’t.”

Without hesitation, I turned my back and was about to move away.

“I… I apologize…”

Namgung Hyun said to me in a teary voice. She sniffled and mumbled, as if something was stuck in her throat. I didn’t particularly want to imagine what she was eating.

“… I officially apologize for the rudeness I showed to you back then. So, please… allow me a chance to speak with you.”

“Hmm…”

I slightly turned my head and glanced at Namgung Hyun.

It was impressive to see her trembling, her pride evidently bruised.

That should be enough.

“Okay.”

As I gave my consent, Namgung Hyun’s face relaxed.

The one who had been crying from anger at my words earlier now showed a serene face just at the prospect of a conversation. It felt a bit pitiable.

Ah, of course.

‘That’s because I led her to this.’

I had intended to pressure the situation to flow like this.

I closed the distance that had widened and approached Namgung Hyun.

I knelt down to meet her gaze. And then I asked.

“So, what do you want to talk about with me?”

“That… that is…”

Namgung Hyun urgently took out a letter from her chest.

“Not so different… Would you like to join hands with me?”

“Join hands?”

Upon hearing the words, I tilted my head.

My eyes still scrutinized Namgung Hyun’s pupils.

“What do you mean by joining hands?”

“… Actually, I want to push my brother out.”

“Oh, I see.”

I smiled slyly. The context of the conversation wasn’t important.

What was important was Namgung Hyun’s reaction.

Thinking I had shown a positive reaction, Namgung Hyun’s eyebrows subtly changed.

“Yes… And just in time… As Young master Bang defeated my brother in a duel… If you join hands with me now, I can offer you many things.”

“What are some examples?”

“For example…”

Her voice trembled. Her eyes subtly rolled from left to right.

It was a typical sign that she was trying to recall something. To be precise, trying to remember something she had memorized.

“Besides the support my brother mentioned from the Namgung family… I can also offer you access to our merchant guild and, if you wish, I can help facilitate an engagement with the Namgung family.”

“Engagement? With whom?”

Speaking with feigned interest, Namgung Hyun pointed to herself with trembling fingers.

“… With me… I mean, marry me…”

“Oh… Lady Namgung?”

With her?

‘Hmm.’

Indeed, Namgung Hyun was from the direct lineage, and becoming a son-in-law in that family wasn’t a bad future.

The problem was.

“And in return for that, what do I have to do?”

If I were to receive something like that, what should I give to Namgung Hyun?

Curious about this, I asked her, and Namgung Hyun replied as if she had been waiting.

“… Young master-nim, could you give me the Azure Dragon Orb that you possess…?”

The Azure Dragon Orb. It must be the blue orb that Namgung Sung was looking for.

“Ah, that orb? You need it?”

“Yes… With just that, I can surpass my brother.”

“Hmm. I see.”

“I think it’s a good story… Because if my brother wakes up now, it would put Young master Bang in a difficult situation.”

Upon hearing those words, I widened my eyes and asked,

“Me? Why?”

Feigning total ignorance, Namgung Hyun slightly swallowed and spoke.

“Well, it’s because… Young master Bang attacked my brother’s vital points even after the duel ended… And… that is something our family cannot overlook.”

“That’s true.”

It sounded reasonable. If Namgung Sung, who was currently unconscious, were to wake up and make an issue out of this, it would certainly bode ill for me. The duel had ended, but I lost my temper and kicked him there.

But forming an alliance with Namgung Hyun here? That implied she would protect me from Namgung Sung’s grasp.

Not bad. It’s not a bad deal at all. As I nodded continuously in response, Namgung Hyun, seemingly feeling accomplished, spoke to me.

“So… shall we join fo—”

“But isn’t your brother already awake?”

At my continued words, she fell silent. She looked as if she had turned into stone. Finding it amusing, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“Haha… Ah… Sorry. It’s just too funny.”

“… What… Do you mean?”

“What do you think it means?”

Clearing my throat, I stopped laughing and forced a change in expression.

“Your brother is already awake, isn’t he?”

“No… My brother is currently bedridden…”

“That’s not true.”

I subtly lowered my voice. Even if I lowered it, Namgung Hyun wouldn’t be able to hear it properly anyway.

“You. You came here following Namgung Sung’s instructions. Everything you just said came from him.”

“I’m… not…”

I ignored Namgung Hyun’s denial. There was no need to listen further.

“The terms themselves weren’t bad, but your acting skills… they’re lacking… Such a pity. Actually, the terms weren’t that great either. Who says who should marry whom? If you’re going to do it, do it properly. I can’t get into it.”

Where did it start to go wrong?

Namgung Hyun suddenly showing up was the first issue.

And claiming she needed to dethrone Namgung Sung immediately to take his place? Ridiculous.

“If this is the best plan they could come up with, it’s quite disappointing… Well, whatever.”

When I looked at Namgung Hyun with a broad smile, she avoided my gaze.

“Anyway, you need the Azure Dragon Orb, right? If that’s the case, it’s fine. I was going to return it anyway.”

“…!”

Namgung Hyun flinched. Was it really so surprising that I planned to return it?

I wasn’t lying. In fact…

“R-really?”

“Yes. It’s an important item. It should be returned to its original owner.”

“Then…”

“So, I already handed it over earlier.”

“W-what?”

Namgung Hyun’s face turned blank at my words.

I returned it already?

“To whom…?”

“To whom else but the Namgung family?”

“…”

It seemed she understood, as her face gradually turned pale.

Indeed.

Namgung Sung’s secretive plan to reclaim the Azure Dragon Orb would likely backfire in less than two days…

“The Azure Dragon Orb would be delivered well-packaged to the Namgung family head.”

At my request, Chun Uijin would deliver it under the name of the Blue Moon Sect.

In other words,

“Tell your brother he doesn’t need to worry anymore, will you?”

This meant that Namgung Sung was in big trouble.

* * *

And, unsurprisingly,

“You bastard—!!”

Before long, we heard the furious roar of someone.