The World’s Greatest is Dead

Thud-!!

To be honest, I never thought it would work.

That was the thought of the old man as he watched the changing wall.

『… Huh…』

The old man sighed in disbelief as he looked at the young man who was panting while holding his sword.

It was absurd.

‘Did he really do it just because I told him to…?’

I mentioned it as a joke, telling him to look for it, and he actually did it. It was unbelievable.

‘…I could let it slide up to the application of Moon Eye.’

The eyes that see truth in the darkness.

By opening the Moon Eye and getting accustomed to the mind technique, one can use this power. It doesn’t just end with seeing the world more clearly; it allows one to see even more. But that required the mind technique to reach a certain level.

However,

『What on earth…』

That brat, Bang Sung-Yun, had opened his eyes without any difficulty.

He added rotation to his mind technique and brought it to his eyes. It might sound easy, but enduring it was a different story.

『How…』

It was absurd that he could do such things without anyone teaching him.

Honestly, up until this point, it was still acceptable.

Based on himself, the old man thought so.

As soon as he had mastered the mind technique in his lifetime, he had opened Moon Eye and was able to utilize it even before half a month had passed.

However,

『What on earth…』

Bang Sung-Yun was different. It meant he wasn’t just a genius with raw talent.

『He definitely doesn’t have the talent for martial arts.』

It was a subtle but definite judgment. His instincts were notably dull.

How to move, how to lead the flow—he was slow in realizing such things.

But,

‘If taught, he executes it perfectly.’

It wasn’t abstract. Once he grasped the sensation through possession, he carried it out flawlessly.

He said if he felt it once, he could memorize and follow it.

‘What is he talking about?’

The flow of the mind technique was so delicate, and there were countless possibilities when it unfolded.

Memorize and execute it all in an instant? And with the body?

It was absurd.

And this time was no different.

『The passage has opened.』

The wall moved, revealing an entrance. Bang Sung-Yun started heading there with a calm expression.

『Hey, young one.』

The old man called out to Bang Sung-Yun.

“Yes?”

『How did you know?』

“What do you mean? Ah.”

Bang Sung-Yun smirked as if he had realized something.

“It was obvious, so I just knew.”

『What?』

“You were pushing me to realize it, dropping hints one by one on purpose.”

『…』

It was true. The old man had indeed urged him to use the mind technique and dropped hints to make him notice.

However, that was not what the old man wanted to ask at this moment.

『That aside… in the end, when you used Moon Eye.』

“Yes, yes.”

『Why didn’t you cut the wall?』

At the moment when the sword imbued with energy brushed against the wall.

Bang Sung-Yun narrowly missed cutting it.

『Why did you do that?』

The old man was perplexed.

Why did Bang Sung-Yun make such a choice?

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t figure it out and thus asked.

“This old man is doing it again.”

Bang Sung-Yun wore a rather annoyed expression as he spoke.

“You obviously knew everything, so why are you doing this again?”

『…』

It seemed like there was some kind of misunderstanding. Did the old man think Bang Sung-Yun had predicted and orchestrated everything including the final strike?

Bang Sung-Yun decided not to bother denying this part.

If he admitted it, the old man would become even more obnoxiously self-important, which was something Bang Sung-Yun wanted to avoid.

『…』

『Just answer quickly.』

“Hmm.”

At the old man’s urging, Bang Sung-Yun made a peculiar expression and then started speaking.

“There are no marks on the wall.”

『What?』

“The blue line is clearly drawn, but there are no other sword marks.”

Bang Sung-Yun caressed the wall. Indeed, there were no other traces.

“I understand that I need to use my energy for something… but without any marks, and since the wall doesn’t regenerate on its own, there’s only one thing left to do.”

His voice, as always, was calm as he explained.

“You have to cut the wall without actually touching it using only your energy.”

『…!』

“Isn’t that right?”

Bang Sung-Yun asked while looking at the old man. After staring into his eyes for a moment, the old man eventually nodded.

『… Yes, that’s correct.』

“What the… You’re just checking the answer sheet or something?”

Bang Sung-Yun chuckled and moved towards the passage.

The old man quietly watched his back.

‘How mysterious.’

It was truly fascinating.

‘That I, myself, cannot understand this human.’

This had never happened when he was alive.

* * *

We went a little further inside through the entrance. I heard a thud behind me and turned to see that the previously open entrance was now closed.

“If it’s closed like that, how do we get out when it’s time to leave…?”

『Don’t worry about it. There’s a way.』

The old man told him not to worry when he asked out of concern.

‘Why does he act like that?’

I found the old man’s expression quite odd.

‘Didn’t I get it right?’

I thought I had answered correctly, but the old man’s face seemed dissatisfied.

Ah, maybe.

‘He doesn’t want to give me the sword…?’

The old man had said he would give something better than the Cold Iron Sword if I solved the puzzle, but perhaps he didn’t want to give it, hence that expression.

‘It’s quite possible.’

Given his personality, it was entirely plausible.

‘If you’re dead, you should let go of your greed.’

Why was the old man still greedy over another person’s Cold Iron Sword? I couldn’t understand.

We walked a bit further, and soon another door appeared. I opened it.

Creak-!

The rusty door was a bit of a hindrance, but with a bit of strength, it opened smoothly.

I stepped inside immediately.

It was the second warehouse. Seeing it, my eyes widened.

“… This is.”

I could see Yu Chun-Gil smiling as he observed the state of things.

『Fortunately, this place is still intact.』

“…”

The warehouse was smaller than the first space, but it seemed to be filled with many things.

They didn’t appear to be valuable items, mostly assorted junk, or so it seemed.

“… Is there really an elixir here too?”

I looked at Yu Chun-Gil with doubt. In a place that looked like a real warehouse, was there really an elixir?

『Your skeptical gaze is quite unpleasant.』

“No, this place doesn’t look like it would have an elixir. What even is this?”

I picked up something that was rolling by my feet.

“What is this… a wrist guard… Ugh! Dust.”

As soon as I lifted it, dust swirled wildly.

“What’s with this thing?”

『Ah, that. I took it from the Tyrant back in the day.』

“… What?”

Who?

I stiffened slightly at his words.

“Who…?”

『There is someone called the Tyrant. Doesn’t talk much, but he’s quite a rough character.』

“….”

That’s not what I was asking.

Did he really think I didn’t know who the Tyrant was?

‘If it’s the Tyrant… he’s the Overlord of Xian.’

The Tyrant, Muk Yeok-Sung.

He was an absolute ruler of the Xian region, and one of the present Five Kings of the world.

“Why is the Tyrant’s item here?”

『Didn’t I just tell you? I took it.』

“Why though?”

『It’s a hobby of mine.』

“A hobby…?”

『Yes, a hobby.』

What kind of hobby would lead to having such an item here? I looked at him with a puzzled expression.

『Why? Do you want it?』

“….”

I hesitated at Yu Chun-gil’s words.

If I said I wanted it, I definitely did.

‘It’s not just anything; it’s the Tyrant’s wrist guard.’

It could certainly be an extraordinary item, and even if not, I could sell it or find another use for it.

“… No thanks.”

I placed the wrist guard gently back on the ground.

『Why? You looked like you wanted it.』

“Didn’t I tell you before?”

I sighed as I spoke.

“One shouldn’t carelessly handle items left behind by ghosts.”

Items left behind by the dead needed to be handled with caution. If the residual spirits attached to them clung to me, it would be problematic.

『Ha, this coming from someone who was so eager for the elixir and the Cold Iron Sword earlier?』

“That was different because the items were meant to be given to me. I also paid a fair price, so it was fine.”

『Then why not this? I was going to give it to you too.』

“Don’t lie.”

I dismissed him flatly.

“You had no intention of giving it to me.”

『Hehe…』

At my words, Yu Chun-gil’s expression turned sheepish.

Indeed, that damned evil spirit never intended to give me anything. He just wanted to see my reaction.

『You’re always very perceptive.』

“Thank you for the compliment. Now, can we stop with the jokes and get the elixir? We don’t have time to waste.”

『Hmm.』

Yu Chun-gil sighed as if reluctantly obeying. Ever since we got here, I couldn’t understand why he kept messing around.

“Hurry up.”

『There.』

He finally pointed with his hand. It was a box hidden among some antiques.

It was much smaller than the one in the first room.

While that one had required both hands to lift, this could be easily picked up with one hand.

‘This one better be real.’

With anxious thoughts, I grabbed the box and opened it—

Squeak.

“… Damn it.”

It wouldn’t open. The feeling was strangely familiar.

Just in case, I channeled my inner qi and applied strength.

Creak.

As expected, the box responded.

“Let me ask you, is this one also from the Tang family?”

『Oh… It seems you’ve developed an eye for these things. Yes, it’s also a remarkable masterpiece from them…』

“I don’t need to hear the whole story.”

『Tch.』

“….”

How childish.

Whatever. As long as it opens, that’s all that matters.

“Whew…”

As the box opened halfway, an incredible fragrance wafted out.

It was incomparable to opening an empty box.

As soon as the box was fully opened.

“… Whoa…”

I let out a breath at the sight of the contents.

It was an elixir.

I was certain. There was no other way something this radiant and pure could exist.

The peculiar thing was.

‘It’s blue.’

The elixir was inexplicably blue.

『Fortunately, that was still here.』

Judging by Yu Chun-gil’s reaction, this seemed to be what he was looking for.

“… This is…”

『Swallow it quickly. Once you’ve dragged it out for too long, its efficacy will… You already swallowed it.』

While Yu Chun-gil was halfway through his sentence, he grabbed it, put it into his mouth, and swallowed it immediately.

“You told me to eat it.”

『Still, don’t people usually hesitate to check if it’s dangerous before eating?』

“If you’re going to pull that crap after coming all the way here, I’d rather just die after eating it.”

『… Quite something.』

He was sincere. If Yu Chun-gil had any ulterior motive at this point, it would be better to just eat it and die.

Moreover,

‘I could tell just by the smell.’

He had never seen a Great Elixir or a Small Elixir, but he could sense that this was an incredible elixir.

『Sit cross-legged.』

At his command, he immediately sat down and got into position.

By the way, “What kind of elixir is this? From its appearance, is it perhaps the Nine Dragons Elixir from Wudang?”

It was a highly prized elixir purportedly refined by Wudang, though not as rare as the mythical elixir.

Moreover, it had a blue tint to it. Could it be?

‘Even if it’s not a Great Elixir, the Nine Dragons Elixir would be more than enough.’

I was in no position to be picky. Just having something to consume was fortunate enough.

As I prepared to circulate my energy.

『Oh, that.』

The old man, Yu Chun-gil, picking his nose, spoke to him.

『This is the Blue Moon Elixir.』

“The Blue Moon Elixir?”

It was a name I had never heard before.

Did such an elixir even exist?

『It’s an elixir that only the Sect Leader of the Blue Moon Sect can consume.』

“… What?”

The added explanation was baffling.

… An elixir only the Sect Leader could consume?

『A long time ago, I stole and hid away what the next sect leader was supposed to consume. Who knew it would be used in this way. Lucky, isn’t it?』

“… What?”

Stolen and hidden away? Furthermore, if it was meant for the next Sect Leader.

‘Doesn’t that mean the Virtuous Moon Sword should have consumed it?’

I widened my eyes and shouted.

“Why didn’t you tell me before I ate it?!”

『I forgot to mention it. And who’s the shameless one here, getting angry after devouring it so eagerly?』

“If I had known beforehand, I would have thought things over!”

『As if you would… Oh, I forgot one more thing.』

“… What is it?”

It was shocking enough, and now there was something more?

As I asked, filled with anxiety.

『In a while, energy will explode from within your body. If you can’t endure it, you’ll die.』

“What?”

『If you die, it’ll trouble me too, so I believe you’ll survive.』

“Wait, you crazy old man, what are you saying?!”

Boom-!

“…!”

I felt a massive tremor within my body.

Without a word, I clenched my chest.

『Haha.』

I could hear Yu Chun-gil’s laughter.

『Endure it, and I promise. Endure it, and…』

Boom-! Boom, boom-!

An enormous shock swept through my body.

『A new world will open up for you.』

With that, my consciousness was engulfed and vanished beyond the explosion.