The World’s Greatest is Dead

I adjusted my breathing and turned away with a furrowed expression.

I glanced sideways to check the state of the Poison King. The Poison King was inside the armory, surveying the surroundings. His entire focus seemed fixated on the room inside.

What could be in there? As the outside light seeped in, the state of the room slowly became visible.

‘Bookshelves…absolutely filled?’

Inside, there were bookshelves. Not just any bookshelves, but ones that were partially filled with books scattered here and there. Although they weren’t densely packed, there were enough books to catch one’s attention.

What could those be? What kind of knowledge was stored in those books to be kept in the armory?

I felt a spark of interest but decided not to dwell too much on it. That wasn’t the priority at the moment.

‘What’s the issue?’

I diverted my gaze from the books and stared at Yu Chun-gil.

The old man was the current problem.

‘What’s with that expression?’

Yu Chun-gil had a slightly smiling face, as if he anticipated something. His face was flushed with excitement, and his blue eyes sparkled.

Everything about this situation felt like an ominous sign to me. Whenever something absurd was about to happen, Yu Chun-gil usually had that exact look on his face.

‘This is unsettling.’

I had a bad feeling. I looked around nervously, this time focusing on Do Hyung instead of Yu Chun-gil.

‘There hasn’t been any drastic change.’

The Guardian Spirit remained unchanged. If something significant were about to happen, it would have reacted first.

‘Under normal circumstances, that would’ve reassured me.’

The very reason I had brought Do Hyung along was to react accordingly to any issues by observing the Guardian Spirit’s behavior.

‘But oddly, I don’t feel reassured.’

Why was that?

Rather than trusting a mountain deity-level Guardian Spirit…

‘This old man is more worrisome.’

Currently, the ghostly old man floating around was scarier to me.

‘Hmm…’

I pondered what to do.

My eyes shifted to the devices and formations I had confirmed earlier.

The exchanged hand signals were still bothering me.

‘There’s definitely something going on.’

I was sure something was planned.

‘Does the Poison King know about this?’

Surely, it would’ve been discussed with the Tang Family’s head.

Moreover, ‘Is there a possibility of harm coming our way?’

Regardless of whether the scheme was agreed upon with the Poison King or not, the important part remained the same.

‘Would harm come to me or not?’

That was the crucial matter.

‘Why is that man so excited in this situation?’

Yu Chun-gil surely knew about the circumstances, so it was baffling that he kept that expression on his face.

Additionally, ‘What if this is unrelated to the Poison King?’

What if the upcoming events were unknown to the Poison King?

‘I’d rather not imagine that.’

No matter the possible scenario, the outcome was bone-chilling. It meant a series of events one wouldn’t want to be involved in.

‘Clicking my tongue.’

Come to think of it, every group had its own set of problems. Could this place be any different?

‘In this case…’

First and foremost, it would be wise to negotiate a safe position with the Poison King.

With that thought in mind, I moved towards the Poison King.

『Stop right there.』

Yu Chun-gil blocked my path.

I narrowed my eyes upon hearing the command.

This old man? Apparently, he definitely knew how the situation was unfolding.

I was certain now.

I looked into Yu Chun-gil’s eyes, silently questioning me: What’s going on? Explain it already. If not…

‘I’ll go directly to the Poison King.’

I conveyed the message with my gaze, intending to inform the Poison King about the situation.

『Tsk.』

Yu Chun-gil clicked his tongue in frustration.

『You’re needlessly perceptive, as always.』

His gaze, although seemingly displeased, revealed that he expected this behavior. Those annoying eyes agitated me, but Yu Chun-gil continued to speak.

『This is all for your benefit, so just stay put.』

I was supposed to believe that whatever this was intended to benefit me? I frowned in disbelief, prompting Yu Chun-gil to point somewhere with my hand.

It was towards the Poison Sovereign atop the Tang Household’s mansion.

『If this were an issue causing trouble for the Tang Family, that guy would have already raised a fuss. Since that’s not the case, just wait for now.』

If it was truly a crisis for the entire Tang Family, the Poison Sovereign would have already reacted in opposition.

“Stay calm; it’s not something to worry about.”

Even so.

『’It’s a situation where there’s nothing to lose and much to gain.’』

He confidently asserted that it would only benefit me.

I pondered upon hearing that. As always, that old man gave a definitive answer.

The part I was worried about right now.

He let me know whether it would cause harm to me or not.

He even brought up the potential issues with the Tang family in advance.

‘…… What a truly vile old man.’

He could speak so easily because he knew for certain what I was thinking.

‘If you just looked at his size, you’d think he was nothing more than a brute.’

Not only was he physically strong, but he also dealt well with others.

‘Is this why he was called The World’s Greatest?’

Every time I saw him, I couldn’t help but feel a chill.

What did it feel like for someone with great power to also be very clever?

‘Of course, despite that.’

In the end, he’s dead anyway.

I turned my head away.

I didn’t approach the Poison King anymore.

It wasn’t simply because I trusted Yu Chun-gil.

‘This feeling.’

Because I, myself, was feeling something.

That old man was waiting for something.

I didn’t know the reason he was waiting, but what I was certain of was that.

‘…… Something advantageous to me.’

That old man at least wanted me to become stronger.

Although the process of making it so was incomprehensible and extremely annoying.

‘At the very least, everything he did only brought me benefits.’

The end of every process was like that.

He wished for me to gain something.

Why?

Was it simply for his own purposes?

There was doubt about that.

‘Whatever it may be.’

That I could gain something from that old man.

Just as I knew Yu Chun-gil was trying to use me.

I was also using Yu Chun-gil.

With that thought, I paused briefly.

* * *

After that, I briefly sought out the secret vault.

As mentioned earlier, the secret vault was filled with books.

I couldn’t tell what kind of books they were. At first glance, they seemed like books filled with Tang family martial arts.

Only two people could look at those books here.

‘The Poison King and Poison Flower.’

Only the head of the Tang family, Tang Gyung-ak, and his direct bloodline, Tang Yelan. Among them, the Poison King was busy with his head buried in books as if possessed by something.

The reason was obvious.

‘Does he believe he’d find the Sky Filling Flower Rain?’

In those many books, there must be something about the Sky Filling Flower Rain. Believing that, the Poison King was madly searching through the books.

While the Poison King was engrossed in the books.

“…… Excuse me…….”

Someone approached me. It was Tang Yelan.

“Yes.”

“Young master Bang, why are you here……?”

“Ah.”

Tang Yelan’s question made me recall the situation.

Now that I think about it, neither of us knew why the other was here.

“I am here carrying out a request from the head of the Tang family…… What about you, Young Young lady Tang? Why are you here?”

“…… I….”

Tang Yelan glanced carefully at her father’s expression and then spoke to me.

“This is a place my grandfather told me about. He said to come here and spend time whenever things get tough.”

“…… This is the place filled with secret manuals?”

“Yes.”

At Tang Yelan’s words, I looked at the library again. I didn’t know what kind of martial arts it held, but if they were the ones the Poison Sovereign had specially stored in the secret vault, they must be incredible martial arts.

‘Maybe they’re not martial arts at all.’

It could also be important information related to the Tang family.

Well, it had nothing to do with me, so I pushed the thought aside.

‘If they are martial arts…….’

I recalled what Yu Chun-gil had mentioned.

‘Doesn’t this explain why Tang Yelan is said to be stronger than Poison Dragon?’

Even though I had never seen it myself, Yu Chun-gil had told me.

He had said that Poison Flower Tang Yelan was stronger than the current member of the Seven Geniuses, Poison Dragon.

If that was true, wasn’t this the reason behind it?

Wasn’t it possible that Tang Yelan had become stronger based on the fortuitous encounter from frequenting the Poison Sovereign’s secret vault?

Just when such a suspicion arose.

“Still, I never read the books inside.”

My suspicion was shattered by Tang Yelan’s words.

“You never read them? Why not?”

“Huh?”

To my question, Tang Yelan answered as if it was only natural.

“They’re not my books.”

“…….”

I was at a loss for words in my response.

It was starkly accurate. Such a pure reply left me unable to react.

Could it be true…?

‘… Judging by her expression, it seems like it.’

In Tang Yelan’s eyes, there was not even a hint of deceit.

Her face showed pure incomprehension.

Why should she read a book that isn’t hers?

Well, that’s true…

『Child, unlike you, she’s an earnest and innocent girl.』

Taking advantage of the moment, Yu Chun-gil jumped in. He never missed out on things like this.

“… I see…”

Feigning understanding, I barely nodded, and Tang Yelan slightly smiled as she spoke to me.

“And… that… the sword you mentioned… I’ll make sure to create it for you.”

“A sword? A sword… Ah, yes.”

She suddenly brought up the sword, catching me off guard.

Come to think of it, I had asked her to make one for me.

At the time, I had casually mentioned it, hoping it might lead to something good in the future.

“Yes, I am looking forward to it.”

Tang Yelan seemed determined to really create it, focusing intently.

“Yes. I will definitely make it for you.”

“Yes… yes.”

There was no need for her to be so resolved.

She seemed quite determined.

Well…

‘If she makes something good, it’s a good thing for me.’

I didn’t think too deeply about it.

But then.

“By any chance…”

“Yes?”

“Have…”

“Have?”

“Have you had your meal?”

“Yes, I have eaten.”

How to describe it?

“What did you have?”

“Well… since it was prepared for me, I’m not really sure.”

“Ah, I see. Then, what will you have for dinner…?”

It was indescribable. Somehow.

Somehow…

‘Something seems off?’

Tang Yelan’s state seemed particularly strange.

Normally, even if she asked questions, they were only related to martial arts.

This time, however, she asked something quite different and strange.

Moreover…

‘Why is she so awkward?’

The way she asked was peculiar.

She couldn’t meet my eyes, her head slightly tilted.

It might have been my imagination, but her neck and ears seemed slightly reddened, along with her flushed cheeks.

Her flustered appearance and tense atmosphere were evident.

It was as if…

‘Being flustered because she likes me…’

As I began to speak, I closed my mouth again.

‘… Hmm?’

I squinted my eyes and spoke to Tang Yelan directly.

“Young lady Tang.”

“I like flowers… Ah, yes?”

“Do you by any chance have feelings for me?”

“…”

Tang Yelan froze at my words.

Her face, which had been red, turned ghostly pale in an instant.

Oh. This…

‘That shouldn’t happen.’

That kind of reaction shouldn’t happen?

“… Surely not.”

Just as I was about to blurt out in surprise.

*Boom—!!!*

A loud noise was heard. I turned my head in shock to see that it came from the room where the Poison King was.

Dust fell, indicating a significant impact. Upon checking, I saw that the Poison King seemed to have punched the wall.

“… Hoo…”

Scattered books. A room in disarray.

And amidst it all, the Poison King sighs.

Seeing that, I shuddered.

‘… Wow.’

My skin tingled. It was evident that the Poison King was extremely agitated.

Apparently…

‘He didn’t find it either, huh?’

It seemed he hadn’t found what he was looking for.

Seeing this, the people from the Tang family hurriedly approached.

“Lord, are you alright…!”

As those approaching spoke, I squinted my eyes.

Among them was the guy who had been signaling earlier.