The World’s Greatest is Dead

Sssssss.

The leaves of the trees swirled in the wind. They were still green, imbued with the vitality of the season.

The leaves, mingled by the gentle breeze, brushed against my cheek.

The sensation was so cold.

Could it be because of the weather? Impossible. It definitely wasn’t cold weather right now.

In a little while, the scorching heat would come; it couldn’t be cold.

However, feeling cold at this moment was not due to my skin or body; it was a chill felt by my soul.

A chill.

A chill induced by the soul.

Feeling the coldness constricting my whole body, I stiffened my expression.

One wrong move and it would be noticeable.

I had to endure it somehow.

‘What is this?’

I pondered simultaneously.

‘How on earth did he figure it out?’

Poison Sovereign, who was staring eerily at me from the front.

If I hadn’t misheard, he had definitely spoken to me.

‘He knows I can see him?’

How did he know?

I hadn’t given him any hint, had I?

With all my strength, I managed my expression.

I didn’t even swallow dryly, and I did my best to keep my eyes from twitching.

‘Impossible.’

Don’t be shaken.

‘I didn’t make a mistake.’

I had not made a mistake. Since coming to Sichuan and encountering Poison Sovereign’s spirit, I quickly revisited my actions.

‘Nothing.’

Even after reconsideration, there was no mistake.

This meant that I hadn’t given away anything that could be a clue to him that I could see ghosts.

If so, ‘Is he testing me?’

Was he probing me? That was highly probable, but it was a problem either way.

‘Why would he be probing me?’

Where did he start to suspect? Not making a mistake means he shouldn’t even feel a doubt.

The fact that Poison Sovereign was trying to test me meant he noticed something.

That meant something had indeed given me away, even if just a little.

‘Where on earth…?’

I hadn’t faced Poison Sovereign that many times.

At most, the first time was in Poison King’s office.

Then, it only totaled three times, including the place where Tang Yelan was.

In that time, was there any behavior that could have made Poison Sovereign suspicious?

No matter how much I thought about it, there wasn’t.

But testing me, what was that about?

‘Suuuup.’

Suppressing my enveloping curiosity, I moved forward again.

I mustn’t give away anything.

Whether it was probing or an inexplicable certainty.

In the end, there was only one thing I could do.

‘Pretend not to know.’

Even if I knew, pretend not to know.

Feigning ignorance was the only option available to me.

Just pass by. With that determination, I stepped forward.

『You’re pretending not to know?』

Poison Sovereign chuckled while looking at me.

『Sure enough, being Yu Chun-gil’s successor, you do hide things well.』

My ears perked up at the mention of Yu Chun-gil.

『But, kid.』

Swoosh.

‘……!’

Poison Sovereign appeared right in front of me. If I hadn’t been focused, I would’ve been startled out of my wits.

『I’m not in the mood to consider your circumstances right now.』

With his words, the chill I sensed grew stronger.

I couldn’t help but feel my fingertips trembling.

I endured. I somehow endured it.

‘What kind of aura is this?’

The sensation intensifying in my body was almost laughable.

Yu Chun-gil, that old man too, and even Poison Sovereign.

It was almost unbelievable how ghosts, already dead, could affect me to such an extent.

How did they live their lives to become like this, it was beyond fascinating.

‘Damn it.’

I cursed quietly under my breath.

『Answer me. Can you see me, or not?』

“…….”

This time, I ignored him as well. I didn’t halt my steps either.

I had to escape somehow.

‘Handling one ghost sticking to me is already tough, but to add another one here?’

My thoughts were filled with escaping immediately, but adding Poison Sovereign too?

No way.

‘If that happens, my life is truly over.’

It was an absolute non-negotiable point. So, as I tried to step forward again.

『It seems you have no intention to answer. Very well.』

Poison Sovereign’s words echoed as he stretched his hand towards me.

The tips of his fingers were darkened. The unusually black color felt eerie to the utmost.

‘It won’t reach me.’

I knew Poison Sovereign’s hand would never reach me, but still,

‘……It won’t reach, right?’

A sudden sense of unease had enveloped me.

A fingertip finally came closer to my eyes.

Should I evade? Just as I was pondering until the very last moment.

『Stop.』

SMACK-!

A big hand sprung out and grabbed the wrist of the scrawny Poison Sovereign.

『I’ve just marked my territory, how dare you try to cut in line.』

『… Ha.』

Poison Sovereign grimaced as he looked at the owner of the voice.

Ssshhhh—

The chill, already strong, grew even fiercer.

Goosebumps rose beneath my clothes.

『As expected, it was you.』

Poison Sovereign bit his lips, as if he had predicted this.

Another ghost witnessing this exchanged a savage smile with Poison Sovereign.

Yu Chun-Gil sneered as he spoke to the Poison Sovereign.

『Long time no see, Tang Yun.』

In that instant.

Screeee—

The chill reached its limit, screaming as if it was alive.

“Ugh…”

I swallowed my breath and clenched my fist.

『What unfinished business makes a dead man linger in the realm of the living?』

Poison Sovereign growled, and Yu Chun-Gil chuckled as I responded.

『Says you. Look at yourself. Lingering out of leftover regrets, skulking about. Aren’t you too embarrassed to even hold your head up? You should feel ashamed.』

『… This bastard?』

Poison Sovereign glared at Yu Chun-Gil. In return, Yu Chun-Gil’s face twisted, unwilling to back down.

‘Wow.’

Seeing this, I couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

These old men looked truly terrifying.

Poison Sovereign was slyly frightening.

And Yu Chun-Gil was just incomprehensibly scary.

『What? Are you mad? How about I settle this cleanly after such a long time?』

『Even after all these years, you haven’t changed your crude speech. It’s because of you that the Murim Alliance had a bad reputation.』

『Bad reputation? My foot. Jin took care of everything, so why would I get the blame? Do you know how much funding came in while I was the leader?』

『I’m not interested.』

『Oh? This damn bastard?』

“…”

Such low-level conversation was exchanged. Could this really be the conversation of heroes who saved the world?

A whirlwind of confusion swept through my mind.

『In any case.』

In the midst of their heated banter, Yu Chun-Gil revealed my broad back in front of me.

『I’ve already claimed this kid. Back off, Tang Yun.』

A chilling resonance accompanied his low voice.

『You should know.』

Something surged inside as soon as I heard Yu Chun-Gil’s voice.

It told me to be alert. It warned that the figure in front of me was not an ordinary being.

『Tang Yun, I hate it more than anything in the world when someone touches what’s mine.』

Chills ran down my spine.

With just those words, my back was drenched.

Sweat poured uncontrollably.

Tap, tap.

Yu Chun-Gil’s hand tapped the crown of my head. Of course, there was no sensation.

『… You.』

Seeing this, Poison Sovereign’s brow furrowed even deeper.

Suddenly.

『No way.』

As if realizing something, my eyes widened.

『I see, so that’s it.』

『What is?』

『No wonder you remained in this world.』

Poison Sovereign spoke as if he had finally understood.

『I thought there was something similar. Is that child your hidden offspring or something…!』

“Are you crazy? How could such a handsome face come from that old man-”

Ah.

I immediately shut my mouth after speaking.

Seeing it was such an absurd statement, I reacted without thinking.

『… 』

『…』

Both ghosts’ gazes fixated on me.

Feeling their stares, I awkwardly scratched the back of my head.

“… Oops… uh, my bad…?”

I tried to play it off, yet clearly, it didn’t work.

* * *

I returned to my place.

As I arrived, I could feel the sun was already setting.

I lit a lantern as soon as I entered.

Seated in the slightly illuminated room, I tried to hide my shadowed expression.

And in front of me.

『… You fool.』

Yu Chun-Gil gave me a disdainful look, and beside me, Poison Sovereign sat sending me a peculiar gaze.

“Ahem…”

I awkwardly cleared my throat, but Yu Chun-Gil’s speech wasn’t interrupted.

『You were holding on so well, and you ruined it all over that?』

“… No, it was unavoidable.”

『Unavoidable, my foot. Why was that so unavoidable?』

Yu Chun-Gil spoke as if he couldn’t understand at all.

“No way, that’s not right.”

I could only feel wronged.

“How could a guy like me come from your face, elder? At least explain this.”

Of all the things a poor family could have, the face was the only asset.

Having been born resembling my father who made a living with his face, how could I tolerate being compared to that fierce-looking old man?

I couldn’t tolerate it.

『… Are you insane?』

Yu Chun-gil’s face turned pale at my sincere words.

『Just for that reason? And what’s wrong with my face anyway?』

“What do you mean what’s wrong? Are you asking because you don’t know…?”

『Of course! I’m considered quite handsome! Do you know how many women I attracted with this face in my youth?』

“Did you bury your conscience when you died? Otherwise, this doesn’t make sense.”

『You little…!』

Yu Chun-gil’s forehead bulged with veins in the shape of a cross.

Just as he was about to growl and start an argument.

『… How about you both stop?』

Poison Sovereign slipped in subtly.

『That’s not the main issue right now, is it?』

It turns out even dead ghosts can look fatigued.

Looking at Poison Sovereign, I learned something new.

『So, anyway… child. You’re saying you can see me.』

Poison Sovereign looked at me as he spoke. I nodded with an uneasy expression.

“… Yes.”

『As I thought.』

Poison Sovereign reacted as if he already knew. Seeing that, I asked this time.

“… How did you know?”

How could he possibly know?

In my calculations, it was impossible to be caught.

Since it already happened, I decided to ask clearly.

Then.

『I can see it.』

Poison Sovereign gave an unexpected answer.

“You can see it?”

What did he mean? Did he see that I could see ghosts?

『Child. I mean I can see that you can see me.』

“… What do you mean?”

I requested a more detailed explanation.

Fortunately, Poison Sovereign provided an explanation.

Just.

『It means that when you intentionally try not to look at me, conceal the fact that you can see, or ignore other beings, I can perceive the subtle difference in your behavior.』

It took me some time to understand even after hearing that.

‘So…’

In other words.

‘He realized I was consciously avoiding it?’

The awkwardness that comes from intentional actions.

Poison Sovereign grasped that.

“Is that even possible?”

How can that be possible? I found it hard to believe and asked again.

『It is.』

The response came from Yu Chun-gil this time.

『Even the slightest change is still a change, and you lack the control to manage all such behaviors. Therefore, martial artists at a certain level can naturally notice it.』

“… So, if a spirit is a martial arts master, they can tell I see ghosts?”

『Hmm…』

Yu Chun-gil stared closely at me and added.

『Well, to notice such subtle differences… there wouldn’t be many in the Central Plains…』

『Probably less than ten.』

Poison Sovereign nodded in agreement.

『Would Plum Blossom be able to see?』

『Probably, but that one is also at death’s door.』

『True, it’s about time. Too much lifespan, if you ask me.』

『I thought he’d be the first to die, but he lived quite long.』

“….”

If the Plum Blossom they mentioned was…

‘Could it be Plum Blossom First Sword?’

The current Sect Leader of the Mount Hua, one of the Nine Great Sects, still alive unlike the two spirits in front of me.

If what they said was true.

‘He’s at an incredibly high level, and it’s hard to recognize these things.’

They said less than ten, which was fortunate in a way.

‘…however.’

There could still be spirits capable of recognizing it.

‘Tsk.’

Even if the odds were low, the possibility existed, and I needed a solution.

As I pondered what to do.

『Child.』

Poison Sovereign’s voice came.

『I have a favor to ask of you who can see me.』

As expected.

‘I knew it.’

The reason a ghost would talk to me was obvious. They wanted to use me to resolve their lingering attachments.

Poison Sovereign was no exception. Then, should I accept this request?

‘No.’

I shook my head inside.

Handling even one Yu Chun-gil was overwhelming.

I couldn’t take on more. Hence, I had to refuse any request.

With that thought, I opened my mouth to speak to Poison Sovereign.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept any requests—”

『There is something in my hidden storage that I want you to fetch secretly. If you bring it, I’ll give you the Great Elixir of Shaolin.』

“—but let’s hear what you have to say…”

As always.

Desire tends to overpower reason.

… Damn it.