The World’s Greatest is Dead

The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 152

“Don’t we have something to discuss?”

*Crack.*

The Small Moon Division Leader gritted his teeth harshly.

Hearing that sound, I thought.

‘This guy’s expression sure is scary.’

I had been feeling this for a while now, but are all the people of the Blue Moon Sect like this?

‘They all look so fierce.’

Though not as fierce as the members of the Tang family, these folks certainly seemed intimidating.

Ah, precisely speaking, they were more on the cold side than fierce.

Anyway, ‘Do they all have to look like this?’

Is it a requirement to look fierce or at the very least difficult to keep eye contact with to hold a position around here?

‘If that’s the case, I’m at quite a disadvantage.’

In my previous life, Kim Minchul was known for his fierce looks.

Because of that, I had lived with nicknames like ‘Goblin’ and whatnot.

‘But this body, it doesn’t look that way.’

In this current life, it wasn’t like that at all.

Far from being fierce, I had a rather gentle face.

Not that it was a problem. In fact, it was good.

‘There’s nothing to lose with a handsome face.’

This part was satisfying, but…

‘This isn’t something to worry about right now.’

Anyway, I focused on the Small Moon Division Leader again.

“It seems like we’ve fulfilled the conditions you mentioned properly. What do you think?”

As I mentioned the last incident, the Division Leader’s brow furrowed even more.

*Twitch!*

The air trembled.

It wasn’t like before, when it was due to the atmospheric pressure. This was more of an emotional expression mixed with qi.

In other words.

‘… Simply by expressing emotion, one can cause the atmosphere to move.’

It meant that even such a small change could make the air tremble.

Tension rose naturally, but I did not show it.

“……”

The Small Moon Division Leader, too, did the same. He silently stared at me.

Blue eyes met blue eyes.

A moment passed like that.

“What exactly do you want?”

The Division Leader asked me.

Hearing those words, I smiled and replied.

“That, as I said before—”

“No, I already understand that’s not your intention.”

“Oh?”

“You surely know better than anyone that I don’t like you?”

“Yes, I do.”

How could I not? It’s obvious when you show your dislike so clearly.

“Then, despite knowing that, why do you persistently reach out to me? That’s what I want to know.”

The Small Moon Division Leader couldn’t comprehend my actions.

The reason?

“Isn’t the reason obvious?”

There was no need to explain further.

“It’s because your position is the strongest and most necessary.”

“……”

He was the strongest existence after the Sect Leader.

Additionally, within the Blue Moon Sect, the one with the firmest standing after the Sect Leader was the Small Moon Division Leader.

If there were any problems with the Virtuous Moon Sword, it was the Division Leader who would act as the Sect Leader’s agent.

While the real commander was the Virtuous Moon Sword, only the Small Moon Division Leader could issue orders directly to the Small Moon Division.

As the master of the Blue Moon Sect’s strongest elite unit.

For that reason alone, borrowing his influence was more than necessary.

“Given my goals, I absolutely need your power.”

“…… Ha……”

At the confident answer, the Small Moon Division Leader sighed deeply.

“So you come to me, whom you know detests you?”

“That isn’t really important. Liking or disliking is a separate matter. What’s important is.”

I said, frowning slightly.

“Whether or not you will lend me your strength. That’s it.”

“… Haha.”

At my words, the Small Moon Division Leader finally chuckled.

And then.

“I can’t understand.”

He quickly added, staring seriously at me.

“Even if you ask to borrow my strength, do you really think I’ll lend it to you?”

“I won the bet, didn’t I?”

So, having set up a wager, why say otherwise now? I asked with that attitude.

“Yes, that trivial bet.”

The Division Leader raised the corners of his mouth.

“Since it’s a mere bet, I can claim to help you with words all I want. But is that enough for you?”

Merely offering verbal support was possible.

That, too, was a reasonable point.

“I was honestly surprised you defeated Lady Chun. I was convinced you couldn’t do it, so I was wrong about that.”

The Small Moon Division Leader admitted it plainly.

“But if you thought it would win my favor, you were mistaken. I still don’t like you.”

“Why?”

“You are not someone worthy of inheriting the Sword Saint’s name.”

“Oh.”

It was a sound that pierced the chest. I hadn’t expected such blunt words.

“To bear his name, you are arrogant and conceited.”

Arrogant and conceited.

Words that didn’t quite fit me, yet it revealed how he saw me.

“So, are you saying you dislike me because I seem unworthy to inherit the Sword Saint’s name?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm.”

I scratched my cheek.

I knew that the Small Moon Division Leader respected the Sword Saint. How could I not know? His reason for disliking me was because of this.

This was already a well-known fact.

‘It was said that the Small Moon Division Leader began learning martial arts after witnessing the Sword Saint’s sword.’

The reason he joined the Blue Moon Sect.

The words he always uttered during his activities in the Central Plains were things I had already confirmed and understood.

‘Everything follows the path left by the Sword Saint.’

What the Sword Saint had said.

What the Sword Saint was achieving.

This was the person who walked such a path.

That was how I understood the Small Moon Division Leader.

Perhaps he was someone who wanted to be his successor more than anyone.

‘He might dislike me more because of that.’

Because he couldn’t, it might have been foolish jealousy.

So, what should I do at times like this?

A brief thought passed.

“So, even though words might be used for a bet, they don’t carry weight-”

“But, let me ask.”

The thought quickly faded.

“Is the name of the Sword Saint so heavy?”

“… What?”

At my words, the Small Moon Division Leader’s body stiffened.

Moreover, *Sssssss!!*

The air felt like it had sunk again, just like the last time.

“What did you say just now?”

“I asked if the name of the Sword Saint was that heavy.”

The skin prickled.

My hair stood on end, and the tingling sensation was particularly irritating.

“My master is indeed an extraordinary person, but he’s already become part of the earth.”

“This brat!!”

Daring to speak about the Sword Saint, the aura of the Small Moon Division Leader became overwhelmingly intense.

What’s fascinating is.

‘It’s better than last time?’

The pressure on my body was strangely bearable.

Last time, it felt like my body would be crushed, ready to be broken at any moment.

“At best, it’s just a name.”

Now, speaking didn’t feel too burdensome.

What happened? Was there some change?

It might’ve been Yu Chun-gil’s doing. After all, he had shouted and freed my body last time.

“The name of the Sword Saint? Sure, it’s remarkable. Being the World’s Greatest and a hero’s name, it has to be.”

Thanks to that, I could speak to the Small Moon Division Leader while piercing through his overwhelming aura.

“It’s not a heavy name for me.”

“You brat. If you try to speak lightly of him with that worthless tongue of yours again, I’ll cut it off immediately.”

“Hah.”

I burst into laughter, seeing the Small Moon Division Leader’s face contort into a fearsome expression.

“I respect your admiration, but don’t force it on me.”

A metallic sound echoed.

The noise came from the sword at the Small Moon Division Leader’s waist.

His hand had already grabbed the sword unknowingly.

If things continued, a sword would indeed be drawn.

Knowing this, I continued.

“The name of the Sword Saint isn’t something I must bear.”

My words didn’t stop.

The Small Moon Division Leader’s shoulder moved.

At that moment.

“It’s just one of the many mountains I need to surpass.”

Pause.

His hand momentarily halted at my following words. It was that moment.

“The World’s Greatest? Most Outstanding Throughout History? A hero of the Blue Moon Sect? So what?”

I stepped forward and matched eyes with the Small Moon Division Leader.

Expressing respect for the Sword Saint might earn his favor.

However, ‘Favor alone isn’t enough.’

What I needed was not just some mere interest.

‘I needed.’

I needed much more than that.

Therefore, simply forming a sense of empathy like that with the Small Moon Division Leader was not enough.

So, what should I do?

‘Well then. There’s only one way.’

I already knew what he respected.

‘Rather than forming empathy by respecting the same person.’

I decided it would be far better to make him recall whatever being he respected.

Indeed.

I was determined to make him perceive me in the same light as Sword Saint Yu Chun-gil.

Think.

What would he have said if he had faced that person?

Or what expression would he have worn?

Recalling the grumpy old man who often appeared behind me, I straightened my posture.

‘What would he have done?’

With a raised corner of my mouth and intense gaze, I looked at the Small Moon Division Leader.

Though he was a formidable opponent who could end me in an instant,

‘So what?’

If it were Sword Saint Yu Chun-gil, he wouldn’t have bothered with such concerns.

He was that kind of person.

“Is there any need for me to be mindful of the Division Leader just because the name of Sword Saint weighs heavily? I have no intention of inheriting his name.”

The name of the Sword Saint meant nothing.

He displayed such an attitude.

“Inheriting is uninteresting.”

That’s what Yu Chun-gil would have said.

“I will soon surpass him.”

The World’s Greatest?

The Greatest of All Time?

Just thinking about them was overwhelming.

However, “Does that seem difficult?”

The burden was solely on me.

It wouldn’t have been so for Yu Chun-gil.

“No, it’s not difficult. I will accomplish it. Therefore.”

*Swish!*

“!”

I drew my sword before the Small Moon Division Leader.

The mystical black sword revealed itself.

And then.

*Whoosh!!!*

The blade was magnificently enveloped in a radiant blue light.

“Division Leader, you are not witnessing a mere bloodling who seeks to inherit the name of Sword Saint.”

My sword reached his neck, yet the Small Moon Division Leader did not move.

He merely stared at me with trembling blue eyes.

“You are witnessing the one who will one day stand alone above the heavens.”

“… You, little….”

The Small Moon Division Leader began to respond to my words.

At that point, I twisted it slightly.

“The matter of inner qi, well, let’s just say it’s a little playful trick. So, choose.”

I handed him the choice.

“Will you blind yourself to the name of Sword Saint and dismiss me? Or will you stay beside me, watching the tricks I will unfold?”

I had no interest in inheriting the name of Sword Saint.

I intended to become a loftier, greater being than that.

So watch from the side.

That’s what it meant.

Cold sweat ran down my back. I spoke to the now silent Small Moon Division Leader, feeling the dampening clothes on my skin.

I had already employed the last means I had prepared to push him.

“Oh, and if you decide to lend me your strength properly.”

I shifted my gaze to my sword.

His eyes followed toward the blade.

“The new three techniques of Blue Moon Sword Dance devised by my master. I will teach them to you.”

“!”

I delicately placed another weight upon him.

I didn’t know how heavy his pride and respect were, but could there be no movement at all after all this?

Just as such a doubt began to sprout.

*Creak.*

The weight moved, albeit very minutely, a change occurred.

Simultaneously, the Small Moon Division Leader spoke to me.

“… What exactly is it that you desire from me?”

On hearing those words, I smiled.

Though it wasn’t very different from what was initially asked.

The meaning inside was clearly different from the start.