The World’s Greatest is Dead

『No, uh… never mind.』

The Poison Sovereign, who had briefly been in a daze, fortunately regained my senses not long after.

『So… you don’t trust that guy?』

“Yes.”

『Why not?』

“Excuse me?”

I was momentarily flustered by the repeated question. Why wouldn’t I trust him…?

“Well, you see.”

After pondering for a bit, I answered. In reality, there was no need to even think about it.

“I don’t believe in ghosts.”

No matter what Yu Chun-gil had been, it didn’t matter to me.

“If it’s not human, I don’t trust it.”

Not believing because he was a ghost. To me, there needed to be no bigger reason.

From the start.

‘I don’t even trust people easily, so why would I trust a ghost?’

I rarely trusted anyone. Especially not ghosts lingering due to unresolved regrets.

Trust Yu Chun-gil? Not a chance.

From the start.

‘He’s the kind who tried to implant his mind technique into me and use me as he pleased.’

To trust Yu Chun-gil entirely in such a situation was out of the question.

“So, why were you asking whether I trust him or not?”

『…….』

The Poison Sovereign’s response remained peculiar.

What kind of guy is this? His face displayed pure bewilderment.

“Elder.”

『Ah, yes… well…』

Cough! The Poison Sovereign cleared his throat briefly and continued.

『Originally, I was going to add to what Yu Chun-gil said, but since you don’t believe him, there’s no need for that.』

“What do you mean? If you have more to add, please make it clear.”

『It was a warning. I brought it up to make sure you understand when you get involved with him in the future. As for the rest…』

Stopping mid-sentence, the Poison Sovereign frowned. His furrowed brows hinted at some unsaid conflict.

『It’s something I can’t speak of.』

“Can’t speak of it?”

What did that mean?

Did it imply he was unable to speak due to a problem, or was it simply his own decision?

‘Is it because of the old man, or perhaps his own will?’

Pondering, I looked at the Poison Sovereign and spoke.

“Even if I decide not to remove that thing, would it change anything?”

『…….』

Gesturing towards the black object floating in the water, I spoke. During the process, the Poison Sovereign’s eyes narrowed menacingly.

And then.

『Yes, it’s unavoidable.』

Answering as if clenched in his teeth, the Poison Sovereign’s response made me click my tongue inwardly.

‘Looks like it’s true.’

Judging from his reaction, it didn’t seem like he was lying.

Which meant.

‘It seems pointless to ask more about the old man.’

In that case, I had to note down the significant points in my head.

Firstly, ‘Yu Chun-gil is somehow connected to the Demonic Cult.’

There was a history of conflict with the Poison Sovereign through that association.

Because of that, both Yu Chun-gil and the Poison Sovereign were somewhat reluctant to discuss this matter.

‘It happened over forty years ago, though.’

It had been decades since the end of the Great Demon War.

To still have lingering emotions after such a long time, it was something beyond my understanding.

‘Whatever the situation.’

The crucial point was whether it would affect me or not.

‘Judging by the state, it seems like something I shouldn’t ignore.’

Since this issue involved Yu Chun-gil, it was bound to have some impact on me.

Hence, I needed to investigate it.

‘I’ll remember it.’

Even if I couldn’t uncover it immediately, I should ensure I understood it before it’s too late. I ingrained this deeply into my mind.

And then.

‘The second essential matter.’

That is, whether I could trust the Poison Sovereign’s words now.

‘Just as I don’t trust Yu Chun-gil.’

Similarly, it also meant not trusting the Poison Sovereign.

‘After all, they’re the ones clinging to me due to lingering regrets.’

What they were in life didn’t matter to me.

In the end, what mattered was whether they would harm me or not, the same as at the beginning.

“So, what’s the reason you brought the divine sword?”

『That’s… wait, doesn’t it feel like your manner of address changed?』

“It’s your imagination.”

『It doesn’t seem like-』

“Would you get to the point? Or should I just leave?”

『It’s due to stubbornness.』

Just as I was about to turn my back immediately, the Poison Sovereign spoke to me.

“Stubbornness?”

『Yes, stubbornness.』

“What do you mean by that?”

『Take it out and it’ll be easier to explain.』

“……”

His words made my eyes narrow slightly. Although I thought he might be up to something, there was no harm in taking it out, so I immediately reached into the water.

After a cold sensation, I felt something at my fingertips.

I drew it out.

‘This is supposed to be the Heavenly Demon Sword… huh?’

Seeing the object I had pulled out, I made a stunned face.

“What is this…?”

I thought it was a sword, but it wasn’t.

“This is…?”

“… Isn’t this just a handle?”

It was more like what used to be a sword rather than an actual sword.

Specifically, it was the sword’s handle.

And above it, only a faint trace of the blade remained.

It was in a far worse state than the Full Moon.

『That’s it! That’s the one!』

“… What is it?”

Was this what Poison Sovereign had been wanting to explain about his obsession?

No matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t understand.

“I truly don’t get it.”

It was said that seeing would make it easier to explain, but in this state, what was I supposed to pick up?

I looked at Poison Sovereign with a questioning gaze.

『That is my obsession.』

“So why is…”

『Repairing that sword. That is my obsession.』

“… What?”

I grimaced at his words.

Repair this ruined sword?

And not just any broken sword, but…

“Repairing the Heavenly Demon Sword?”

Repairing the sword of the Heavenly Demon who brought calamity to the Central Plains by causing the Great Demon War?

“What kind of nonsense is this?”

I couldn’t understand why the story was heading this way.

Of all things, the Heavenly Demon Sword?

And you want to repair that?

“… Why?”

Why would anyone want to?

When I asked, unable to grasp the reasoning, Poison Sovereign answered.

『Because it is my obsession and promise.』

“If it’s a promise…”

A promise to whom, I tried to ask.

『Child, there is no need to explain further. There was only the promise of reward if you could extract the sword in the first place.』

Poison Sovereign looked at me sharply and continued speaking.

『Anything beyond this is your choice. Will you do it or not.』

“…”

Would I take this incomplete sword and receive the Great Rejuvenation Pill?

Or avoid getting involved in this troublesome matter?

That was the question Poison Sovereign posed.

However…

『Even if you choose not to take it, I will give you the Great Rejuvenation Pill.』

‘Huh?’

I was momentarily confused by Poison Sovereign’s words.

So, he would give me the Great Rejuvenation Pill even if I chose not to take the sword?

While holding the handle, I deliberated.

It was usually best not to get entangled in troublesome matters, and I could simply get the Great Rejuvenation Pill and leave.

I didn’t understand why Poison Sovereign was making such an offer.

What kind of trouble would I face if I took this with me?

No matter what, there would likely be some.

Of course, just taking the Great Rejuvenation Pill and leaving was the right choice.

As I thought it over, I mentally created a scale to measure the value of recent events against that of the Great Rejuvenation Pill.

And in the end…

“I will at least take it with me.”

I decided to take it first.

If there were significant issues, Yu Chun-gil would have stopped me.

The fact that the old man didn’t object implied it might be somewhat okay.

‘Though I don’t trust either side.’

Since I had come this far, I thought it was right to take some profit.

I gripped the sword, emerging back outside.

My pants were somewhat damp from being in the water.

Feeling uncomfortable, I climbed up.

“So, I just need to take that?”

I pointed to the table that had been bothering me from the start.

Poison Sovereign nodded at my words.

『Yes, take that.』

“…”

I cautiously moved around, observing my surroundings.

I peeked into a few other boxes but couldn’t tell what was inside.

For now, I focused solely on heading toward the table.

As I had mentioned before, meddling with things not permitted by ghosts often led to troubles.

It was best to quickly take what was given.

As I approached the table, I grabbed the box lightly.

『When lifting the box, activate your Blue Moon Mind Technique.』

Following Poison Sovereign’s instructions, I immediately activated the Blue Moon Mind Technique.

*Drrrk.*

The box lifted off the table. It wasn’t particularly heavy.

“… You even set up a mechanism here.”

『Of course. There are several valuable items here.』

“And why specifically the Blue Moon Mind Technique…?”

If the way to handle the mechanism was the Blue Moon Mind Technique, like with the entrance, then others couldn’t take it anyway.

So wasn’t it all pointless, I wondered as I asked.

『That box wasn’t intended for someone to take in the first place.』

“Then why?”

『It was to deal with those who ignorantly stumbled in.』

“… Using the Great Rejuvenation Pill as bait?”

『Exactly.』

Good heavens.

No wonder it was left openly on the table.

‘Even if they didn’t know it was the Great Rejuvenation Pill, anyone could tell it was an extraordinary elixir just by feeling its potent aura.’

The plan was to use it to deal with intruders.

At that moment…

『Originally, if you had chosen not to take the sword, I would not have told you this. Isn’t it fortunate?』

Poison Sovereign’s slight grin as he spoke gave me a chilling feeling.

“… Crazy.”

Somehow.

He had said he’d give me the Great Rejuvenation Pill without taking the Heavenly Demonic Sword.

『So, I was planning to activate the mechanism if things went south.』

It was no different from having thought of killing me.

“… Damn…”

Once again, I realized that one’s spirit couldn’t be trusted.

“… Where’s the exit?”

I asked, trying to hide my cold sweat.

Poison Sovereign pointed to the right wall upon hearing my question.

I noticed an entrance behind the box.

I had thought it was too obvious to be the exit, but it seemed it really was.

I began to walk toward it, and then.

Stop.

I suddenly stopped and glanced back at Poison Sovereign.

『What is it? Do you have something else to say?』

“Yes. I think there’s one more thing.”

『What is it…』

Poison Sovereign looked slightly tired.

I had planned to leave, but I realized I hadn’t asked something important yet.

“So, what exactly was the Tang’s Family Head searching for here?”

Why had the Poison King entered Poison Sovereign’s secret room? I still hadn’t gotten an answer to that.

『Ah.』

Poison Sovereign reacted as if I had forgotten about it too.

『That.』

“Yes.”

『It’s nothing special.』

My reaction was quite different from when I had asked about the Heavenly Demonic Divine Sword.

He seemed quite uninterested. His expression clearly showed that he didn’t think it was worth worrying about.

Was it really nothing special? Just as I had that thought.

『He’s searching for the restored manual of the Sky Filling Flower Rain Art. I hid it here before I died.』

“Pardon…?”

『Ah, well, I didn’t really hide it. To be exact, I tore it to pieces and burned it, but that guy thinks I hid it here, so he’s been looking for it in vain. Isn’t it funny? Hahaha!』

“…”

Poison Sovereign burst out laughing as if it were truly amusing.

Watching him, I had to wipe my face with my dry hand several times.

“… Mad old man, it wasn’t nothing.”

It was indeed something.

* * *

I emerged from the exit of the secret room.

I was curious where the exit would lead.

Fortunately, it led to the guest house where the original entrance had been.

The entrance was different, but the important thing was that I could get out.

“Damn, this is heavy…”

I returned to my room carrying the box.

It hadn’t felt that heavy when I picked it up, but moving with it made it feel heavier than expected.

After struggling a bit, I placed the box inside the room.

I roughly stuffed the black handle into a drawer.

It fit perfectly.

As I was organizing everything, I heard.

『Have you returned?』

“… Ugh…”

I covered my mouth in surprise.

I almost screamed.

With trembling eyes, I saw that Yu Chun-gil had sat himself down in the room.

When did that old man come in?

『Why are you so surprised? It’s not like you haven’t seen this face before.』

As Yu Chun-gil spoke to me in an exasperated tone, Poison Sovereign responded on my behalf.

『Who wouldn’t be startled by seeing your face in the middle of the night?』

Poison Sovereign voiced exactly what I wanted to say. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest.

『You piece of…? You can curse everyone else, but you shouldn’t criticize my face.』

『At least my eyes don’t glow in the dark like some ghost, you goblin-like guy.』

『Ha.』

Yu Chun-gil seemed like he wanted to argue back but then quickly closed his mouth.

His gaze shifted from Poison Sovereign to the drawer I had been touching.

The drawer with the handle inside it.

Yu Chun-gil, who had been staring at the drawer with dissatisfaction, clicked his tongue briefly.

『Open the box now.』

“Yes.”

He finally seemed to lose interest in the drawer and mentioned the box, where the Great Rejuvenation Pill should be.

I grabbed the lid of the box and carefully opened it.

*Whoooosh—!!*

A sweet fragrance wafted out from the gap.

I could smell it even when it was in the box, but the fragrance was much stronger when it was opened.

‘… Is this.’

Was this the Great Rejuvenation Pill, also known as the Divine Pill?

As I completely lifted the lid, the contents of the box came into full view.

I widened my eyes at the sight.

They looked meticulously crafted, perfect spherical shapes as if made by a master artisan with utmost sincerity.

And the color that shone through these perfect spheres.

They looked divine and seemingly sacred.

This must be the Great Rejuvenation Pill, which even the Shaolin Temple could produce only one of every few years.

As I stared in awe, my eyes rolled to count the pills.

‘… One, two, three…’

Naturally, I began counting the Great Rejuvenation Pill inside the box.

The number of Great Rejuvenation Pill before me was…

“… Four…?”

There were as many as four inside, not just one or two.