The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 116

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Heavenly Supreme Has Died – Episode 116
A meticulously maintained garden. A beautifully adorned lake.
The carp living within it.
The flowers placed along the path, whether planted by hand or not, harmonized in various colors and brightened the surroundings.
It was truly a beautiful place to behold.
Yet the residence I’d come to visit differed somewhat from my expectations.
The surroundings were radiant, exuding an atmosphere that resembled the owner’s character quite well.
‘Why is the residence itself so worn?’
The actual building where people lived felt distinctly different from the surrounding atmosphere.
‘The place where I’m staying seems better than this?’
The residence provided for guests appeared far more luxurious.
One could argue that since the guest building was offered to visitors, it made sense to give them something superior.
‘But this is where blood relatives live.’
The place I’d come to was none other than the residence of the direct bloodline.
The guest quarters could certainly be nicer.
But I couldn’t understand why it was this shabby.
‘Not that it’s actually bad—it’s a hundred times better than my own home.’
Given the Dang Clan’s great reputation, it was a peculiar detail.
Observing this, I proceeded toward the entrance.
Then.
“Stop right there.”
A martial artist guarding the entrance blocked my path.
I spoke to him.
“I am Bangseong-yeon of the Cheonwol Gate. I’ve come to meet Lady Dang Yeeran.”
“…!”
The martial artist’s eyes widened upon hearing my introduction.
“The Young Sword Saint…?”
His soft murmur sounded unusually loud. Normally I wouldn’t have heard it, but my heightened realm made such differences apparent.
“Yes. That would be me….”
I dismissed the epithet I’d never grow accustomed to.
He recognized me and momentarily showed a flustered expression, yet he still didn’t step aside.
“Currently, the Young Lady of the Dang Clan is not receiving guests.”
His tone became subtly more respectful.
As expected… reputation truly is everything…?
“I’m aware, but this is a rather special circumstance.”
“I must reiterate—this is an order from the Lord of the Clan….”
“Which is why I’ve obtained his permission.”
I cut off the martial artist’s words and pulled something from my pocket.
“Gasp…!”
The martial artist’s eyes widened to the size of a lantern upon seeing it.
A green seal.
He seemed to know what this meant.
This was an object Dokuou had entrusted to me.
He’d given it to me beforehand in preparation for a situation like this.
Judging from his reaction, it was certainly a useful item.
“I’ve come with the Lord of the Clan’s permission. May I enter?”
“Y-yes, of course, sir.”
I nodded at the martial artist’s suddenly respectful response.
However…
‘Something feels unnecessarily formal about this.’
The reaction was somewhat strange, but I decided not to dwell on it.
That was the problem.
At that moment, I should have paid attention to that reaction above all else.

* * *
I was guided into Dang Yeeran’s residence.
As I’d felt before, the residence was eerily quiet.
It was well-maintained, but there was an almost complete absence of any signs of life.
‘It’s not quite abandoned, but the atmosphere is exactly like that.’
It was a space devoid of vitality.
Which meant—
‘Dang Yeeran doesn’t seem to actually stay here.’
Even though it was called her residence, she probably didn’t sleep here.
That was my impression.
“This is the young lady’s residence.”
“Thank you.”
The martial artist finished his guidance and disappeared. Watching him go, I slowly raised my hand to the door.
Knock, knock.
After knocking a few times, I sensed movement from inside.
I heard rustling sounds.
—W-who is it?
Though her voice was hoarse and exhausted, it was unmistakably Dang Yeeran.
“It’s me. Bangseong-yeon.”
—…!!
The sounds of movement grew louder.
The signs of flustered activity were unmistakable.
—B-Bang Disciple…? How did you…?
“I had business to attend to, so I sought the Lord of the Clan’s permission to visit. There’s a favor I’d like to ask of you. Would you be willing to see me?”
—J-just a moment! Really, just a moment!
At her urgent tone, I took a small step back.
She said she would come out, so I decided to wait.
In that brief moment, time passed.
Creak—!!
The door opened and Dang Yeeran appeared.
She looked much the same as always.
The only difference was that dark circles shadowed beneath her eyes, suggesting she hadn’t slept.
“Ah, good morning.”
“Yes. Good morning to you as well.”
“W-what brings the Bang Disciple here….”
“Ah, it’s nothing complicated.”
There was no point in wasting time with pleasantries, so I got straight to the matter.
I pulled out the object I’d brought in my possession. It was something wrapped in cloth.
I showed it to Dang Yeeran and spoke.
“Would you be willing to forge me a single sword?”
“…Pardon?”
Dang Yeeran’s expression went blank.

* * *
I entered the room. The residence was worn, but the interior was far better than I’d expected.
Of course, it still lacked any sense of vitality.
“I’m afraid this is all I have to offer.”
Dang Yeeran poured a cup of tea onto the table.
“Not at all. I came by so suddenly. I’m grateful for anything you provide.”
I smiled slightly and took the teacup.
I took a sip and glanced upward.
‘So that’s where he went.’
Above Dang Yeeran, I could see Dokjon staring down at me.
I’d wondered where he’d disappeared to, but it seemed he’d been clinging to Dang Yeeran all along.
‘…This is unsettling.’
His glare remained as sharp as ever.
Or had it become even more piercing?
‘I came because I was asked to. Why is he looking at me like that?’
As if I’d wanted to come.
They were the ones who’d asked me to help, yet this was absurd.
I tried my best to ignore him and continued sipping my tea.
“So… what exactly did you mean earlier?”
Dang Yeeran asked me a question.
“Ah, I meant exactly what I said. You remember what you promised to do last time?”
It was a conversation we’d had at Cheogang before.
I had asked her to forge me a sword.
She had agreed to do this for me whenever the time came, but I hadn’t specified when.
“…Suddenly?”
Since that time had unexpectedly become today, bewilderment was written all over her face.
I would have felt the same.
But.
“Yes.”
I spoke to her without hesitation.
“I was hoping you might forge a sword for me.”
“…What do you——”
Before she could finish, I unwrapped the cloth I’d placed before her.
As I unwrapped it.
“What is this?”
Dang Yeeran tilted her head at the revealed object.
It was what was called the Celestial Demon’s Blade—the sword of the Celestial Demon.
Or rather, what remained of it.
The hilt and crossguard.
Above that, the blade shattered into fragments, barely visible.
It was no longer something that could be called a sword.
“I’m not asking you to forge a new one… I was wondering if you could repair this instead.”
“Repair it…?”
Repair rather than creation.
Though in truth it was nearly a complete reconstruction, so I had called it forging, but.
The official purpose was repair.
Upon hearing my words, Dang Yeeran slowly reached her hand toward the hilt.
“May I touch it?”
At her question, I glanced up slightly.
Dokjon nodded.
“Yes. Of course.”
With permission granted, Dang Yeeran grasped the hilt and lifted it. Then she examined it from various angles.
Next, she carefully inspected the barely remaining blade edge.
“…!”
She suddenly reacted with great intensity.
“…Is this a Muk-steel blade?”
“…Yes?”
Hearing her words, I looked back at Dokjon.
[That’s right. It’s Muk-steel.]
“Yes. It is.”
Ah, so it was Muk-steel. I wouldn’t have known even if I looked at it, so how could I tell?
“Even though it’s damaged… this sword is no ordinary weapon. It could become at least a supreme-grade artifact, but where on earth did you obtain such a blade…?”
I wasn’t particularly surprised at the mention of supreme-grade.
‘If it was a sword used by the Celestial Demon, then it makes sense.’
It wasn’t just any weapon—it was a divine blade wielded by the Celestial Demon herself.
Even if I were using a top-tier magical artifact, there would be nothing strange about it.
The only thing was.
‘Can she repair this?’
Though I’d come here at Dokjon and Yoo Cheon-gil’s request, I had no way of knowing if she was capable of it.
“Ah, it’s my master’s keepsake.”
“…Huh….”
When Yoo Cheon-gil mentioned it, she hesitated.
It was a perfectly convenient excuse to gloss over.
“My master left instructions to repair the sword as well, and since Miss Dang mentioned something about it, I’ve come to ask… Is it possible?”
“….”
Dang Yeeran’s eyes trembled slightly as she heard my words. Then.
“This is… impossible.”
She immediately voiced her refusal.
I looked at her quietly and asked.
“Why? Is it something difficult to repair?”
“It’s not that it’s impossible to repair… The biggest problem is the materials.”
“Do you mean Blacksilver?”
“Yes…. The Dang Clan does have Blacksilver, but I can’t just use it without-”
“Ah, I’ve already received permission from the Lord of the Clan for that.”
“You… what?”
“He said it doesn’t matter what materials I use.”
“…That… really?”
Her expression showed she couldn’t understand even with the explanation.
But this was the truth.
‘I asked just in case.’
When I told Dang Yeeran that I needed to have Yoo Cheon-gil’s keepsake repaired, she’d said any materials were fine.
Could Dokuou really not have anticipated Blacksilver or Coldsteel?
I didn’t think so.
He must have known and given permission anyway.
‘It is strange that he’d let her use Blacksilver just for a favor.’
Had mentioning the Jeol Clan been such a significant matter?
Since he said it was possible, I’d simply take what I could get. It felt a bit uncomfortable, though.
“The materials seem possible then. So would that work?”
“Ah, no…. That’s not it. Even setting that aside, I can’t take on the repair of a top-tier magical artifact at my current level.”
“You can’t take it on, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.”
“My skill aside, most of all, I can’t possibly take on the keepsake of the Sword Saint….”
“What do you mean by ‘someone like me’?”
“Pardon?”
“I cannot speak to Miss Dang’s character, but I came here having judged that at least I can trust you. Entrusting it to other craftsmen would have made me far more uneasy.”
“….”
A curious thing to say.
In truth, had I entrusted it to another craftsman—especially the Lord of Cheogang—it would have been far safer and completed with greater perfection.
I couldn’t understand why he would specifically entrust it to Dang Yeeran.
‘What scheme is this?’
I couldn’t fathom what Dokjon truly desired.
I didn’t understand why he wanted to restore the Celestial Demon’s blade.
And I certainly didn’t understand why he would entrust it to his granddaughter.
I didn’t grasp it either.
‘But there’s something to gain.’
Since there was something to obtain, I had to comply.
“I hope you will take on this task, Miss Dang.”
“….”
At my words, Dang Yeeran’s pupils wavered.
She was gradually yielding. Sensing this, I pressed further.
I needed to push now.
“If you’re concerned about what happened yesterday, there’s no need to worry. I’ve already reached an agreement with the Lord of the Clan about that as well.”
Though I’m being punished, crafting the blade is acceptable.
I had reached a clear agreement with Dokuou. It was possible precisely because Dokuou had been unusually favorable.
“So…please take this.”
“Bang Disciple.”
“Yes?”
“…There’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“Please, I’m listening.”
What could she be asking? If it was work-related, I’d already thought through all possible responses, so I could handle any question.
“Why aren’t you asking me anything about what happened yesterday…?”
“…?”
This question fell entirely outside my expectations.
“Yesterday?”
“Yes.”
“What about yesterday…?”
“That… what happened between me and my brother.”
“Ah.”
Now I understood what she meant.
It seemed to refer to how Dang Yeeran had beaten Dok-ryong last night like catching a rat.
Her implication was clear.
‘Doesn’t it seem strange that I defeated Dok-ryong?’
Dang Yeeran, known to be weaker than Dok-ryong.
So it must have been Dok-ryong, not Dok-hwa, who entered the match on the seventh day.
And so Dang Yeeran defeated Dok-ryong with ease.
Strictly speaking, it was something that should have seemed strange.
‘…But I already knew.’
I had learned of it from Yoo Cheon-gil long ago.
The others were reacting as though they’d been shocked, but.
“I suspected as much.”
“…Pardon? You knew?”
“Yes.”
It was forced upon me, but it was true nonetheless.
“I didn’t know why Miss Dang was concealing her strength, but I judged there must be a reason.”
“….”
“Even if she was hiding it, I didn’t think she would do so with any ill intent. That simply isn’t who Miss Dang is.”
“…Ah….”
“Does that answer your question?”
Dang Yeeran stared at me blankly for a moment after hearing my words.
Was it so strange that I hadn’t asked?
Or was the hastily prepared answer itself odd?
Just as I was about to add something else, since I couldn’t simply refuse.
“If any problems arise during the repair process, I will do whatever it takes to….”
“I’ll do it.”
“Huh?”
“The sword… this. The repair. I….”
Intensity flashed in Dang Yeeran’s eyes.
For some reason, those eyes were.
“I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Just as fierce and raw as when she’d defeated Dok-ryong the night before.
Watching her, Dokjon smiled faintly.
Seeing that smile, I thought.
‘…Damn.’
That grin really did look terrifyingly sinister.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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