The World’s Greatest is Dead

There were four.

Indeed, there were four Great Rejuvenation Pills.

Even after counting them again, and in reverse, it was still four.

No matter how much I looked, it was four.

Rubbing my eyes repeatedly, I covered my mouth with my hand at the sight of the numbers again.

“…… Hmmph……”

If I hadn’t covered my mouth, I would’ve let out a sound.

That’s how intense the scene was.

‘Four of them… Four Great Rejuvenation Pills!’

No less than four.

Even securing just one could ensure a peaceful life for a lifetime. But there were four of these items.

A divine pill so renowned that all martial artists called it a fortuitous encounter.

Not just one, but four Great Rejuvenation Pills.

“…… Wow……. Amazing……”

I wiped the drool running down my wrist as I continuously stared at the Great Rejuvenation Pills.

‘…… So this is the famous Great Rejuvenation Pill?’

An incredible remedy that could change one’s future and history as a martial artist with just one dose.

A miraculous item I’d only heard about was right in front of my eyes.

『Its appearance is quite good. It seems to have been well-preserved.』

『Obviously. Do you know how hard it was to snatch that from the monk?』

『If you’ve had enough of looking, close the box again, leaving just one. If left open, the energy might dissipate… Oh, there you go.』

I closed the box even before they finished speaking.

“Why do you mention such dreadful things now…? What if the product’s value decreases?”

『…… Well……』

At my words, Yu Chun-gil sighed and looked at me.

Today, his blue eyes were particularly vivid.

『A product? Your choice of words is peculiar. Are you planning on selling the Great Rejuvenation Pill?』

“…….”

I flinched at Yu Chun-gil’s words, slightly trembling my shoulders.

Shoot.

‘I unintentionally let my thoughts slip.’

I was so astonished that I failed to control myself. How foolish.

Trying hard to alter my expression.

‘It’s no good.’

I knew Yu Chun-gil and Poison Sovereign were looking at me.

It was too late to offer an excuse.

“…… Well, consuming it seems a bit much, don’t you think?”

I decided to go with the straightforward method.

『What?』

Yu Chun-gil furrowed his brows at my words.

『Consuming it seems much? Of course, it should be consumed.』

Hearing this, I furrowed my brows this time.

“Are you crazy?”

『What did you say?』

Consume the Great Rejuvenation Pill? How absurd.

“Do you even know how much this is worth? And yet, you want to waste such a precious item on this miserable body. Have you gone senile?”

Regardless of how much I wanted to become stronger, the option of readily consuming the Great Rejuvenation Pill was difficult to choose.

『Huh. Look at this madman. So, you’re saying you’ll sell the Great Rejuvenation Pill instead of consuming it? And you call yourself a martial artist!?』

“A martial artist, my foot. What’s more nonsensical is to consume such an expensive thing without any thought. Being a martial artist isn’t nobility.”

『You–!』

Yu Chun-gil tried to raise his voice angrily but suddenly paused.

Perhaps he realized that fighting at this moment was meaningless?

Instead of fury, Yu Chun-gil chose persuasion.

『However, considering we have four, can’t you at least take one?』

He used a very unusually kind tone for him.

So chillingly kind, in fact.

『Just consume one. You know that the Great Rejuvenation Pill only works once.』

“Only once? What do you mean?”

Confused, I looked at Yu Chun-gil, who gave me an ‘unbelievable’ look.

『…… You didn’t know?』

“No.”

『…… Huh.』

Yu Chun-gil’s cheek quivered as he let out a bitter laugh. It was obvious he was holding back calling me pitiful.

『…… There is a tolerance even to miraculous medicines.』

It was my first time hearing this. Tolerance to the consumption of miraculous medicines?

Intrigued by this information, I listened intently as Yu Chun-gil continued.

『Given a martial artist’s dantian has a limit to the amount of energy it can absorb at once, once the Great Rejuvenation Pill sweeps through, tolerance develops, and consuming a second one offers negligible benefits.』

“So, you’re saying that there’s no point in taking a second one?”

『It’s not completely pointless, but it’s not worth the effort. As you said, the Great Rejuvenation Pill is quite valuable.』

“…… Hmm.”

This meant that—While one Great Rejuvenation Pill was certainly effective, the efficiency dropped significantly from the second dose onwards, making it unnecessary to consume more.

『Therefore, just take one. After all, there are still three left.』

As Yu Chun-gil’s persuasion grew deeper—『Hey. Stop spouting nonsense.』

Poison Sovereign interjected in the middle.

『When did I say all four were yours?! Why are you babbling about someone else’s belongings!』

I came to my senses at the loud outburst.

Oh, right?

‘He never said all of them were mine.’

Recalling those words, I resolved not to open the box of Great Rejuvenation Pills again.

And then.

『You greedy little wretch? Why ruin a great deal? Why fuss over something so petty! What does it matter if you give it away?』

Yu Chun-gil raised his voice in anger at Poison Sovereign, and Poison Sovereign’s eyes also flared up.

『What? Petty? Wretch? This madman wasn’t holding back insults because it wasn’t his? Do you know how I stole— no, acquired these!』

“…….”

I clearly heard it. Poison Sovereign was about to say he had stolen them.

Could it be, he actually stole the Great Rejuvenation Pill?

‘…… He stole the Heavenly Demon Sword and now the Great Rejuvenation Pill. What kind of old man is he?’

It’s not like he’s without money.

As a former head of one of the Five Great Families, why does he keep stealing things? It is a mystery to me.

『Look! Everyone knows you secretly snatched it from the bald monk!』

I wondered who the monk Yu Chun-gil referred to was. I was curious yet oddly apprehensive.

‘I feel like I shouldn’t hear the answer.’

As soon as I saw it, I had a bad feeling. I was already surprised by the story of Plum Blosson Sword, but hearing about that side as well didn’t seem like a good idea.

『Damn it! I didn’t hide it! It was clearly a transaction! Even that scoundrel Gwaebol acknowledged it!』

Ah, damn, I overheard it.

I had to wipe my face repeatedly, overwhelmed by what I heard.

“…. Gwaebol… He was the former head of the Shaolin Sect.”

The fact I hoped wasn’t true turned out to be exactly that.

I had also heard about Gwaebol at Blue Moon Sect, and it was the same this time too.

『Whether you hid it or accepted it, anyway, as long as you hand it over, it doesn’t matter. Why so much talk? You can’t even use it once you’re dead, anyway.』

『You…!』

At Yu Chun-gil’s words, Poison Sovereign trembled furiously.

I worried he might explode at that moment.

『Puh…!』

Poison Sovereign let out a deep sigh. If that breath had a color, it would surely be red, so full of anger was it.

『… Who said I wouldn’t give it? How about listening until the end?』

Wow, his patience was something else.

If it were me, I would have flipped the table by now.

Contrary to his appearance, Poison Sovereign seemed to be quite patient.

『… Phew. Child.』

Poison Sovereign’s gaze turned toward me.

“Yes, elder.”

『I have a favor to ask you… Why have your titles changed again?』

『Don’t mind it; he’s always like that.』

『Oh, oh… Anyway, I have a favor to ask you.』

“A favor?”

『Originally, this matter would have ended here, but I have another favor to ask you.』

“Hmm…”

I strained my eyes as I listened and looked at Poison Sovereign.

His words felt peculiar.

‘A favor at this point?’

I had already taken out the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword and received the Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill as a reward.

In such a situation, another favor suddenly came up?

‘No, it’s not sudden.’

This wasn’t a sudden favor.

‘From the number of Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill and everything, it was already planned.’

Poison Sovereign had prepared for this, knowing it would turn out this way.

“What favor is it?”

I asked Poison Sovereign, maintaining a calm gaze.

Poison Sovereign cleared his throat and then said to me,

『I want you to deliver the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword you brought. If you do this, I’ll give you the remaining Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill as well.』

‘Deliver?’

All I had to do was hand over the handle I brought to someone?

And for that, he would give me more Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill?

Perhaps.

“… Is the person very far away?”

『No, it’s someone within the Tang family.』

“Hmm…”

Solving something so simple and receiving Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill sounded like a highly cost-effective deal.

“You mean just for that, you’ll give me Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill?”

『Yes, like that bastard mentioned, my body is so worthless even if I die. And.』

Before finishing his words, Poison Sovereign subtly shifted his gaze.

『If that happens, wouldn’t it be fine even if you take one?』

“…”

I tilted my head, contemplating his words.

That person…

‘Yu Chun-gil, sure. But does Poison Sovereign also want me to take Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill?’

Why?

Looking at their behavior, it seems correct, but I didn’t understand the intent.

“So… If I simply deliver this sword, you’ll give me Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill and suggest I take one, right?”

As I continued speaking, I realized there was no loss for me.

Frankly, just to take one Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill was a miraculous thing. If they were offering it so generously, what could be bad about it?

‘Though delivering the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword might take some time…’

If asked whether that’s a reason to refuse…

“… Just delivering, right?”

I concluded it wasn’t.

『Yes.』

After hearing Poison Sovereign’s confirmation, I looked at Yu Chun-gil with lingering suspicion.

He stared at me with his characteristic blue eyes, filled with anticipation, even amidst the dark night.

“… Wow.”

Finding his gaze burdensome, I avoided it and reopened the box in front of me.

As soon as I did so, the previous sweet scent filled the air again.

Fearing the energy might escape, I quickly picked up one piece and closed the box again.

The Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill was only the size of the circle made by touching my thumb and index finger together.

Could something so powerful really be contained in such a small piece?

I stared at it quietly and let out a sigh.

“This precious thing…”

Should I really eat this? I hesitated till the very last moment.

It seemed too valuable to put it in this pitiful body.

“Darn…”

With trembling hands, I placed the Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill in my mouth.

As soon as it entered my mouth, a fragrant aroma spread throughout my body.

But…

‘Should I chew it or just swallow it?’

How am I supposed to eat this?

The only pill I had taken before was the Blue Moon Pill, so I didn’t know the method.

At that moment.

『Step aside.』

Yu Chun-gil addressed me. Step aside, suddenly? I looked at him with a puzzled expression, holding the pill in my mouth.

『If the energy leaks, it would be a waste for you too. Let me use it properly, so step aside.』

“…”

『Step aside? What are you talking about all of a sudden?』

Poison Sovereign frowned, looking at me and Yu Chun-gil, but this wasn’t the time to care about that.

Hearing his words, I nodded immediately. Letting such precious energy leak was unacceptable.

Once I gave my approval, I felt my strength suddenly drain.

Yu Chun-gil seized control of my body.

『Uh?』

Poison Sovereign’s eyes widened as he watched this.

Then Yu Chun-gil sat cross-legged and swallowed the Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill whole.

I could feel it.

The Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill traveling down my esophagus.

The moment the Great Rejuvenation Pill safely settled in my stomach.

*Boom!*

A vibration was felt from deep within my stomach. Soon after.

*Boomooooo—!!!*

An immense energy began to flow from my dantian.

“…… Huh.”

Involuntarily, I let out a gasp. I had never felt such energy before.

It was a storm. It felt like a whirlwind of energy swirling within my body.

So vast and wild that even the slightest disruption would sweep me away, yet so elegant and gentle at the same time.

It was paradoxical and contradictory, but there was no other way to describe it.

*Rumble-rumble—!!!*

The immense energy grew fiercer, as if it was about to engulf me entirely.

Is this okay? Could such immense energy gather in my tiny dantian?

Such doubts arose, but.

“Haahh.”

Those doubts seemed meaningless.

*Rumble-rumble—! Squeak-!*

“Sigh.”

The energy that had been raging around gradually began to subside as if nothing had happened.

This was because the pressure that had built up in my body forced the energy into my dantian.

“…… Can this be used like this?”

It wasn’t about guiding the energy or handling it gently.

“…… How crude.”

This was violence against the energy.

Treating the wild energy even more roughly.

Yu Chun-gil forcibly stuffed the energy into the dantian.

There was no risk of the energy twisting or dispersing in the process.

“Is this possible?”

The more I felt it, the more absurd it seemed.

To handle energy like this?

It was a method I had never even considered.

It seemed like he was just shoving it in, but immense precision could be felt in the process.

“…… I can’t do this.”

I could never do this.

But, “Even if I can’t do it now”, I could use it someday. So, I concentrated on memorizing every sensation.

“Haahh……”

Yu Chun-gil, seemingly determined not to miss a bit, continued to sweep in the energy as my body exhaled.

There was no time to feel the radiant and mystical energy said to be felt when consuming the Great Rejuvenation Pill.

All I could do was watch as the energy got beaten down and shriveled up.

After a little more time passed.

The turbulent dantian soon calmed down.

When the raging energy no longer raised its head.

“Hoo……”

With Yu Chun-gil’s low sigh, a reaction was felt.

*Hah-!*

My body regained control.

I immediately tried to speak to Yu Chun-gil.

『Do not open your mouth.』

Upon Yu Chun-gil’s warning, I silently closed my mouth.

『…… Hmm.』

In the meantime, Yu Chun-gil let out a breath as if he realized something.

『Your body is better than it looks. It absorbed more than expected.』

He sounded satisfied.

『This should be just right.』

Just then.

『So.』

Yu Chun-gil looked at me with a subtle expression.

『Bear with it now.』

“Huh?”

What did he suddenly want me to bear with?

Just as doubt arose.

*Thump-!*

“Ugh…!”

The pain felt from my dantian widened my eyes.

『It’s the process of the energy being absorbed into your body. Since the energy amount is large, it will be a bit rough. Again, do not open your mouth. If you do, the energy will all scatter.』

Yu Chun-gil warned as if he meant it.

Then.

*Thump-! Thump-! Thump-! Thump-!*

An immense, intense pain swept through me.

『Endure it. If you endure, even someone as pathetic as you will become useful.』

Clenching my fists, my body trembled.

It felt like my whole body was being beaten by a hammer.

Such pain.

Lasted until the sun came up.

* * *

*Chirp. Chirp chirp.*

Bird sounds could be heard.

Rolling my half-opened eyes, I saw light seeping through the crack of the window beside me.

Slightly moving my hand.

My trembling fingertips touched the floor.

“…… Hoo… Ooh… Ah….”

I opened my mouth.

I didn’t know how many hours it had been since I last did.

Taking a deep breath, I collapsed to the ground.

The intense pain had subsided.

Confirming that, I breathed heavily as if exhausted.

Then suddenly, I raised my hand and repeatedly clenched and opened my fist.

“…… Hah……”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the sensation I felt.

“Seriously…… Unbelievable.”

Indeed, the Great Rejuvenation Pill must be good.

So good that.

“…… It has made me reach the 1st-rate.”

My former 2nd-rate.

Had now easily surpassed the 1st-rate.