The World’s Greatest is Dead

The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 122

The night unfolded.

A world charred black.

As if night had really come, everything before him was pitch black.

Utter darkness loomed before Tang Chun-il.

It was an intensely black world.

How could it be night just because a sword had been swung?

He couldn’t understand.

Tang Chun-il, frozen in place, stared at the night. All around was so dark and black that nothing could be seen.

Watching the night, Tang Chun-il suddenly realized.

‘Ah.’

This wasn’t simply night.

This was…

‘Is this a final vision?’

What spread before him, resembling the night, was indeed a final vision.

Bang Sung-Yun’s single stroke had turned it into night.

But it was another name for a final vision.

‘Am I dying?’

‘To some unknown guy?’

‘In such a humiliating manner?’

It was an unbelievable reality.

Thinking of this, Tang Chun-il let out a hollow laugh.

What crossed his mind at that moment wasn’t just the fundamental fear of death.

It was also the face of a certain someone, which he absurdly thought of.

The tender face of his nuna, unusual for someone of the Tang family.

As he slowly accepted the approaching night…

A flicker.

‘What?’

Something flickered in Tang Chun-il’s eyes.

In the night where nothing could be seen, something began to glow slowly.

Multiple lights began to shine slowly, rising in the night like stars.

They grew gradually, emitting a blue light like the moon.

It was an otherworldly phenomenon.

Tang Chun-il thought it was beautiful.

Though unconsciously, the light made him think of that.

‘What could this be? What shines so brightly?’

Staring quietly at the light, Tang Chun-il heard a voice.

“What’s this, a crazy guy?”

At that moment…

*Swish—!*

The darkness covering Tang Chun-il cleared away.

All darkness vanished, leaving only the stars and the moon before his eyes.

No, at first, Tang Chun-il thought so, but as his mind cleared, he determined their true nature.

These weren’t stars and the moon.

This was…

‘… Sword qi….’

The sword qi blooming from Bang Sung-Yun’s blade was so splendid that it appeared like stars and the moon.

The sword before him.

Bang Sung-Yun held his sword right at Tang Chun-il’s forehead.

It meant one thing.

“You’re smiling? What a strange taste.”

“…”

He lost.

He, one of the Seven Geniuses.

He had lost to Bang Sung-Yun.

Realizing this, Tang Chun-il unconsciously wiped the smile off his face.

* * *

I won.

‘I won.’

I won.

I defeated the genius known as one of the Seven Geniuses in a duel.

Even without Yu Chun-gil’s help.

‘With my own hands.’

With my own hands, I had captured the Poison Dragon, Tang Chun-il.

The realization filled me with warmth.

A tingling sensation climbed up my spine to my head.

‘Ha.’

I let out a laugh inwardly.

What should this be called?

Even though it wasn’t a conventional duel, and Tang Chun-il didn’t know my techniques while I knew Tang Chun-il’s techniques.

‘I defeated an expert.’

Yet, the joy did not diminish.

I had defeated one of the seven geniuses deemed the most outstanding among all the next generation martial artists in the Central Plains.

A few months ago, I was nothing but a third-rate martial artist, but now I had reached the level of defeating one of the Seven Geniuses.

It was surprising even to myself.

*Whoosh—!*

I retrieved my sword with a spin and shook it in the air.

The condensed sword qi dispersed. Looking at it, I checked my dantian.

‘… That was close.’

It was empty inside. Even though my inner qi had increased tremendously compared to before after consuming the Great Rejuvenation Pill.

After using it once during training and once in the duel, my inner qi had been depleted.

‘If it had lasted a bit longer, I would have lost.’

If the duel had lasted even a little longer, I would have run out of energy and ultimately lost to Tang Chun-il.

This victory was indeed close to a miracle.

Then,『Heh-heh-heh.』

Yu Chun-gil, who had not spoken a word during the duel, began to laugh as soon as it ended.

He was looking at me with his characteristic rough laugh.

『It was quite amusing. There were more than a few regrettable parts, but overall it was a sight to behold.』

Despite someone working hard, the evaluation felt quite lacking.

Amongst all that, the expression “It was good” stood out peculiarly in my ears.

I had always heard “It wasn’t bad!”

But this time, it was different.

『Hehe- You seem in a good mood. How do you feel?』

“…….”

How do I feel? Hmm.

“…… It’s not bad.”

I sighed out the words, and Yu Chun-gil laughed heartily.

『Hahaha.』

Ah, it’s noisy.

I covered my ears and frowned.

“Young master Bang-!”

“Hmm?”

Someone called out, running towards me. Surprisingly, it was Tang Yelan.

“…… What?”

Since when was she here?

I had been so focused on the situation that I didn’t notice. Moreover, behind Tang Yelan, leaning against the wall and looking this way, was Murong Yeongsun.

‘…… She looks quite upset?’

Murong Yeongsun’s unusually displeased expression caught my eye.

She was always rather rude-looking, but today it was even more so. Why was she looking at me like that?

‘Ah.’

I soon realized the reason.

‘I promised to go but didn’t.’

After having a meal and asking a favor from Tang Yelan, I had said I would talk to her that day, but I didn’t go to Murong Yeongsun that day.

I ended up watching Tang Yelan repair the sword until night fell.

And once night came, I went straight to sleep, claiming I needed to solve the nightmare.

As a result, I forgot my promise to Murong Yeongsun.

‘So that’s why she looks like that.’

That’s why she had that menacing look in her eyes.

*Gulp.*

I swallowed dryly. Should I just pretend to faint? I considered it briefly but knew it was meaningless.

‘…… She wouldn’t fall for it.’

That sharp woman wouldn’t be fooled by such a trick. In that case, the remaining method was…

‘Ignore her.’

I decided to ignore it.

First, I had to ignore and see.

“Young master, are you alright……?”

“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”

Tang Yelan approached me worriedly.

But shouldn’t she be more worried about Tang Chun-il than me?

Though he was her elder brother, Tang Yelan did not pay him the slightest attention.

“Are you really okay……? Any injuries-”

“No, none. I’m fine.”

I blocked her off as she seemed to be getting too close.

As I held out my hand to stop her, Tang Yelan hesitated with wide eyes.

She seemed to realize that she had approached too closely.

Then, “…… What are you doing?”

Only then did she turn her gaze from me to Tang Chun-il.

But her eyes were quite different.

“Orabeoni. What did you do yesterday and today to insult our guest from the Tang family so rudely?”

Tang Yelan looked at Tang Chun-il with angry eyes.

Her gaze felt sharp in its own way.

Additionally, “When…… How long are you going to continue this?”

Her voice was full of frustration and sadness.

“I know it’s because of me. I know you’re venting your anger because you don’t like me. But what have I done so wrong……? What is it that you don’t like about me that makes you feel so miserable?”

Her reddened eyes were full of emotions.

Tang Chun-il looked at her with his sagging body seemingly sapped of energy.

“…… Because I choose to be a blacksmith instead of a warrior, does it really displease you that much-”

“Your unwarranted generosity is as repulsive as ever.”

Tang Chun-il interrupted Tang Yelan’s words. Hearing that, Tang Yelan’s face creased.

“What did you say……?”

As Tang Yelan glared at him, Tang Chun-il staggered and stood up.

“Are you asking if it displeases me?”

Tang Chun-il glared at Tang Yelan.

“It does. It disgusts me that you, a bloodline of the Tang family, would try to escape from your duties. It makes me want to kill you.”

“But-! I…….”

“And the fact that the reason is because of me is revolting enough to make me want to vomit.”

“!”

Tang Yelan, who was about to argue, closed her mouth at Tang Chun-il’s words.

Her face showed she had been hit right where it hurt.

Seeing that reaction, Tang Chun-il sneered.

“Do you think I’m that laughable?”

“…… Orabeoni. It’s not that…….”

“Did you say you made me feel miserable?”

With a sneer, Tang Chun-il laughed. It was a laugh full of despair.

“Who? Me? Or was it……you who made me……?”

“…….”

Tang Yelan couldn’t answer. Looking at that, Tang Chun-il moved.

*Smack-!*

He brushed past the stationary Tang Yelan, bumping her shoulder.

“You wretched girl.”

He spat an insult under his breath and walked away.

His staggering gait looked like he might collapse at any moment.

“…….”

Watching him, I thought.

‘…… This bastard. He just left?’

Our duel had been between him and me, yet I felt strangely ignored.

* * *

Once the situation had calmed down a bit, I returned to my quarters from the training hall.

*Throb.*

‘Oh.’

I flinched from the pain I felt in my body.

I was quite sore. Was it the aftereffects of the duel?

“It didn’t feel like I pushed my body that much.”

The pain was more than I had expected.

Although I sparred with Chun Uijin frequently, this feeling was new.

“Was it because I had used sword qi? Or…”

“Is it because I fought someone of a higher level?”

I did not know exactly how powerful Tang Chun-il was, but I knew he was stronger than me.

This victory was merely due to luck.

But still…

“I won.”

The corners of my mouth kept twitching upwards. I used my hand to suppress it.

I was still thrilled about having defeated Poison Dragon.

Even though I tried to hide it, thinking my expression might give me away.

『…… Tsk tsk tsk…… Foolish boy……』

Yu Chun-gil had already noticed, looking at me with a disdainful expression.

I tried hard to ignore it and maintain my composure.

It was necessary at the moment.

The person in front of me did not look particularly pleased.

Tang Yelan, who had sought me out since morning, had a noticeably poor expression, likely due to recent events.

She seemed deep in thought, looking quite sorrowful and upset.

Should I ask her what’s wrong? The thought crossed my mind, but I decided against it.

If the other person had not said anything first, ignoring it was the polite thing to do.

Besides…

I really don’t want to get involved.

Regardless of her circumstances, I felt there was no need to entangle myself.

“Young lady Tang. What is this?”

I simply shifted my gaze elsewhere.

Pointing to the cloth-covered item on the table, I asked. Upon hearing my question, Tang Yelan seemed to snap back to reality.

“Oh!”

Then she hurriedly unwrapped the cloth.

“Wow?”

I couldn’t help but express awe at what emerged.

『…… Hmph.』

Yu Chun-gil also seemed impressed, letting out a low breath as he looked at the unveiled sword.

A blade of ebony black.

A new blade had been forged over the handle and guard I had provided.

Just looking at it made my hair stand on end.

It was a spine-chilling feeling even from just gazing at it.

“It… It is complete… Young Master.”

Tang Yelan declared with a proud smile.

What she brought was the sword I had entrusted to her.

『…… Heavenly Demon Divine Sword.』

The Heavenly Demon Divine Sword.

It was said to be the divine sword used by the Heavenly Demon in the past.

Just looking at its blade made it seem like it could cut through anything, living up to its divine title.

Is it properly made?

I wasn’t sure if it was well-crafted or not.

Judging by Tang Yelan’s reaction, it seemed well-made…

Not feeling completely certain, I glanced at Yu Chun-gil.

Seeing the old man’s nod reassured me.

『It seems well-made.』

Yu Chun-gil, with a surprised look, continued to stare at the divine sword.

His expression confirmed that Tang Yelan had done her job well.

“… Thank you for your hard work.”

“Do you… like it…?”

Tang Yelan asked in a worried tone. I nodded in response.

“Yes. I like it very much. I’m glad I entrusted this to you.”

“Ah!”

Upon hearing my affirmation, Tang Yelan released a long-held breath.

She smiled with evident relief, looking particularly radiant.

“I’m really… glad…”

“Young lady Tang…? Young lady Tang!”

Suddenly, Tang Yelan collapsed out of nowhere.

Startled, I rushed to her side.

『Don’t worry. She just fell asleep out of exhaustion.』

“……”

Yu Chun-gil’s words were correct. Tang Yelan was sound asleep.

『She must have been highly focused. So much so that she didn’t realize she had exhausted her energy. Such an extraordinary person.』

I agreed. She was indeed remarkable.

That’s why she could engrave a spirit into the sword at such a young age.

I gently laid Tang Yelan down.

Then, I turned my attention back to the sword.

The jet-black blade and the ebony handle.

Its simple appearance had an overwhelming presence that made me tense.

『Go ahead, grab it.』

I wanted to touch it anyway. Yu Chun-gil gave me permission first.

I didn’t hesitate.

Carefully, I grabbed the handle.

Then, *ZZZZ–!!!*

“..!!”

A chilling sensation surged through me.

It felt as if electricity coursed through my body, invigorating every muscle.

“What is this…”

The grip was tight.

As if something had been applied to the handle, the way it stuck to my hand was peculiar.

While marveling at the sensation,『Hahaha-!』

Suddenly, Yu Chun-gil burst into loud laughter.

『… Indeed, it’s you.』

“What do you mean?”

『For such a particular sword to choose you so easily, it’s an unexpected but pleasant surprise. Much better than being rejected by it.』

“… What?”

『Handle it well. This is an unparalleled divine sword, and now, young one, it shall be your loyal companion.』

“…?”

Yu Chun-gil’s words left me stunned. After a fleeting moment, “My sword?”

My loyal companion?

“What?!”

Realizing the implication, I couldn’t help but shout out loud.