The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 308

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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 308
My pupils trembled wildly as I stared at the man before me.
The Demonic Cult.
The sky of the Demonic Cult.
The deity of the demons.
The demon sent down by heaven.
A figure adorned with countless epithets, standing as an object of terror to the people of the Central Plains.
‘The Celestial Demon.’
The Demonic Cult Master, the Celestial Demon.
The existence who had been Yoo Cheon-gil’s equal rival, and had the Central Plains invasion succeeded without him, it might have been accomplished.
Was this ragged beggar of a man truly him?
‘Ah, I had hoped it wasn’t.’
I bit my lip repeatedly. I had already suspected this. Given the circumstances, it could only be the Celestial Demon.
Yoo Cheon-gil or Dokjon. Among those whose presence felt comparable to them, and with the divine sword dwelling within my body, there was only one.
‘The original master of this sword… no, this sacred instrument.’
Sacred instruments.
Tools used by shamans. They were also the connection to the deities they served, and anything imbued with spirit was called a sacred instrument from the beginning.
The divine sword is a sacred instrument.
There was a problem in simply calling it a sword. This was no mere blade.
‘A sacred instrument imbued with spirit.’
It merely took the form of a sword, but it was a sacred instrument.
This spiritual space was proof of that. It was the chamber of a deity.
A divine space within the sacred instrument. The very existence of this space confirmed that the divine sword was indeed a sacred instrument.
“…Are you truly the Celestial Demon?”
[You’re asking with eyes full of conviction. Do you not trust me?]
“…No. I merely spoke hoping it wasn’t so.”
Cold sweat flowed down my face. Merely meeting those blazing crimson eyes was enough to cause it.
It was written in the records. The Celestial Demon was a monster with eyes of crimson light.
That description was accurate.
‘What kind of human eyes are those?’
How could they be so red? It appeared as though blood was pooling within them.
The Azure Moon Heart Technique also changed eye color, so should I consider this the same phenomenon?
‘I don’t know.’
Such things didn’t matter. This was not the time to concern myself with such details.
Splash.
The sound of water continued to echo.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
The sound of water droplets falling from the man’s clothing could be heard.
In this silent space, only that sound persisted.
I hated hearing it. Even that seemed like noise to me.
I don’t even want to open my mouth. If I could, I’d flee this instant.
‘Why is it so suffocating?’
Looking at the Celestial Demon made my insides churn with unease.
The sheer weight of his presence was overwhelming.
‘How can a human soul possibly….’
carry such a burden, like that of a Calamity Deity?
I couldn’t comprehend it. Was the karma the Celestial Demon accumulated in life truly so immense?
No. Right now, such questions weren’t the priority.
‘I felt it in my past life too.’
I shouldn’t entangle myself with such a being.
This was something I’d learned through direct experience and suffering. I must never become entangled with spirits possessing such presence.
I was already bound to Yoo Cheon-gil, but the Celestial Demon was different.
‘That’s just calamity itself.’
A soul touched by the Demon God is simply calamity. An unpredictable creature, and one wielding power at that.
‘What’s infuriating is——’
that such a being had taken residence within my body.
“…Why are you doing this to me?”
Why did you enter my body?
I asked him that.
[Who knows.]
The Celestial Demon spoke to me in a dry, indifferent tone.
[It wasn’t my choice. The sword simply went to you.]
He claimed it wasn’t something he’d chosen, but his words suggested otherwise.
“That’s not true.”
I immediately refuted his words.
“The reason I could grasp the Divine Sword. That was only possible because you permitted it, wasn’t it?”
[….]
The Divine Sword that none but bloodline could wield.
I was certain the reason I could grasp it was because of him.
“Isn’t that right?”
[Hmm.]
A calm sound escaped. Simultaneously.
Whoooosh.
The black water from the ground surged upward and transformed its shape.
It was a chair.
Or rather, a throne? A massive, angular chair materialized, and the Celestial Demon settled into it.
[You’re quite perceptive.]
“…It’s impossible not to notice.”
Perceptive? No. Unless one were a fool, it was unavoidable to understand.
“…What is it that you want from me?”
The Celestial Demon permitted me to grasp the Divine Sword.
Because the spirit dwelling within the artifact allowed it, I could seize it.
The Celestial Demon’s bloodline? That’s not it—the only answer is that I can hold it for this reason alone.
So be it.
‘What does he want?’
What could he possibly desire from me that he would permit such a thing?
Moreover.
‘Why does he still exist?’
The Celestial Demon, who was supposed to have already perished and vanished—why does he remain here?
It was deeply strange.
[Hahahaha.]
The Celestial Demon laughed softly at my question.
Even that laughter unsettled me.
[You speak of desire. Why do you think such things?]
“If there were no desire, there would be no need for this.”
My voice began to tremble. I felt existentially overwhelmed.
That was the sensation I experienced.
Then.
[Kim Min-cheol.]
“…!”
At the Celestial Demon’s words, my breath caught. My words froze, and my mind turned a stark white.
“…That name….”
It was the first time I had heard that name since entering this world. No one had ever called me by it.
And yet.
“How do you know that?”
How could the Celestial Demon possibly speak that name? My eyes widened. To my question, the Celestial Demon merely lifted the corners of his mouth.
[I have no desire from you. If I were to name one thing.]
Whoosh.
Before the Celestial Demon seated upon the throne, something materialized in the air.
It was a sword.
The Divine Sword. It suddenly floated in the void.
[As I told you before. Do not lose the sword a second time. This is a warning.]
“….”
Not to lose the sword? At those words, my brow furrowed.
“…Tell me how you know of Kim Min-cheol.”
[Must I answer?]
“Will you not?”
What could possibly be more important than this? The sword and everything else—none of it mattered to me.
“…How do you know anything about that name—”
[Have you fulfilled the grandmother’s wish?]
“…!”
The moment I heard those words, my body moved. I lunged straight at the Celestial Demon.
Whoosh.
“Ugh!”
A torrent of water erupted from the ground, seizing my ankles.
My body tumbled forward.
[You’re quite impatient. You truly resemble your master.]
“…This…!”
[But you must know your place.]
Crack!
A terrible pain seared through me.
“–!!”
I screamed. Something had pierced my back. What was it? What had struck me?
[Never bare your fangs at me.]
“…Ugh… Ahhhhh–!”
[None who have challenged me have lived to tell of it.]
The pain was unbearable—truly unbearable—yet I ignored it and tried to push myself up.
Screech.
Whatever was embedded in my back ground against my flesh.
[Oho.]
The Celestial Demon gazed at me with amusement.
[Your spirit is admirable. Yes, that’s how it should be.]
Whoosh!
“Gasp!”
The object in my back was withdrawn. When I looked, it was a divine blade, hovering in the empty air.
“Hah… hah….”
Saliva dripped from my lips. My mind reeled. This wasn’t even real pain, yet my spirit was shaken to its core?
‘Damn it.’
I cursed and clenched my teeth. My hand gripped my chest tightly.
Creak.
I intended to break the seal I had bound within myself. I couldn’t accept this. Even if it meant grappling with this Celestial Demon, I would hear what I needed to hear.
Just as I was about to release the seal.
Boom!
The Celestial Demon appeared and settled before me.
[Will you not regret this?]
At those words, I stopped my movements.
[All that you have endured for so long. Can you truly make such a choice, ignoring your grandmother’s final words?]
“…Who are you?”
Just how much did this being know? I stared with wide eyes, but the Celestial Demon merely laughed.
Just as before.
“What on earth is this?”
[Bear with it a moment. It’s not yet time to tell you.]
Not yet time?
“…What are you trying to do to me?”
I was infuriated that they spoke with such obvious purpose yet refused to answer.
[I intend nothing. I desire nothing.]
It was a ridiculous thing to say.
[Simply live. That is all I wish for.]
“…Live?”
[Do not abandon your blade. It shall become your lifeline. Moreover.]
The Celestial Demon pressed my forehead with a finger.
[Do not trust Yoo Cheon-gil too much.]
“…!”
Before I could speak.
“Gasp!”
My eyes snapped open.
“Huff… Gasp….”
I braced myself against the floor with ragged breaths. I forced down the urge to retch.
[Ah, boy. What troubles you?]
Yoo Cheon-gil asked. I rolled my eyes to look at him.
“…Old Man.”
[Yes.]
“How much time has passed?”
[Time?]
“Yes. I’m asking how long it’s been since I closed my eyes.”
[Not much has passed. Your eyes opened right away.]
“….”
The flow of time had twisted. It was the same phenomenon as a spirit dream.
[What exactly did you do?]
Yoo Cheon-gil asked in bewilderment. Just as I was about to answer.
‘Do not trust Yoo Cheon-gil too much.’
“….”
The Celestial Demon’s words sealed my tongue.
Should I tell him? Such a thought flickered through my mind.
“…Old Man.”
[Yes.]
My choice was made.
“…There is a Celestial Demon within my body.”
[What?]
I chose not to heed the warning to distrust.
At least for now, that is.

* * *
“Greetings, Daeju.”
“Ah, yes.”
Gwima, who had returned to his position, waves his hand dismissively. While all his subordinates bow their heads upon seeing him, Chulsim, his aide, asks with startled eyes.
“…Daeju! Your hand…!”
“…Master! My hand…!”
“Ah, this.”
Gwima laughs while looking at his own palm. His skin is torn, and the blood has only recently stopped flowing.
It was clearly no ordinary wound.
“It’s fine.”
Rather, Gwima responds as if he’s in good spirits. Bang Cheon-ho is taken aback by this.
“Let me treat it first….”
“Don’t touch it.”
As Bang Cheon-ho reaches for his hand, Gwima’s eyes turn fierce.
“Gasp…!”
Killing intent erupts and brushes past him.
“Don’t lay a hand on my body. Understood?”
“Y… Yes, I understand.”
“Good, thank you.”
Gwima walks past Bang Cheon-ho. Bang Cheon-ho, barely catching his breath, quickly continues speaking as he watches him.
“Daeju…. The Young Master has sent a letter.”
“Hmm?”
Gwima, who has gently walked over and sat in a chair, reacts to the mention of the Young Master.
Bang Cheon-ho hands him the letter.
“The Young Master?”
“Yes… He seemed curious about the current status of the mission.”
“Ah… Is that so?”
His tone was lukewarm. It was not the response a martial artist of the Demonic Cult should show to the Young Master.
Bang Cheon-ho knew this well but did not point it out.
He understood all too well how eccentric Gwima was as a being.
He was someone who showed loyalty to no one unless they were the Cult Master himself. The Young Master understood this as well.
“Current status, you say… I’m sure I’ll handle it well enough.”
“Shall I send the prepared report?”
“Hmm….”
There was indeed a letter written with the current status up to now.
He could simply send it as is.
“No, don’t do that.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll review it once more and send it myself. Don’t worry about it.”
“Ah….”
Bang Cheon-ho wanted to ask why it had to be this way, but he held back.
He instinctively sensed that asking again would bring the same wrath as before.
“…I understand.”
“Good, now go.”
Bang Cheon-ho bowed respectfully and turned to leave.
Watching him depart, Gwima smiled while gazing at the letter.
Young Master? Such trivial matters no longer occupied his thoughts.
All that remained for him was the small sky.

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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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