The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 93

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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 093
‘Grandchild.’
On a moonless night.
My grandmother called me from a hospital bed in the corner of the room.
‘Grandchild.’
‘Yes?’
I answered briefly and approached her. Her body had grown terribly thin, and her breathing had become shallow.
The distinctive hospital smell mixed with the unsettling sounds emanating from the machines.
I knew it.
Today would be the last day I could speak with my grandmother.
Her withered hand gently grasped mine.
‘My foolish grandchild.’
‘That’s too much, isn’t it? People say I’m pretty enough, yet you call me foolish?’
‘But you are foolish.’
‘…That’s absurd.’
I couldn’t help but laugh at her blunt words.
They say even a hedgehog finds its own offspring beautiful, but my grandmother had no such sentimentality.
‘Are you very busy with work?’
Grandmother asked, noticing the suit I was wearing.
‘Not really. I have plenty of free time. The work is easy.’
It was a lie. The work was dreadfully difficult, and time was impossibly scarce.
I had barely managed to carve out this time because it concerned my grandmother.
‘…I see…?’
My grandmother laughed weakly at my words.
That skilled old woman had likely seen through my lie instantly.
Yet she was simply letting it pass.
A brief silence hung between us.
‘…Grandchild.’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m sorry.’
Suddenly, my grandmother offered me an apology. Hearing it, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
‘Why apologize all of a sudden? You never did that your whole life.’
It felt strange to see my grandmother become kind only at the end.
‘I wished for you to live an ordinary life, but this old woman’s karma runs too deep.’
‘Don’t worry about it. Such things don’t bother me anymore.’
From the day I began seeing ghosts.
I knew my grandmother carried guilt toward me.
I also knew she never once showed it.
Yet now, at the end, hearing this made me feel bitter.
‘I’ll manage on my own…so please stop worrying.’
As I spoke as though it were nothing, the Grandmother’s grip on me tightened.
‘…My child….’
‘Yes, yes.’
‘Is there nothing you wish to do?’
‘…Suddenly?’
Something I wish to do? It was an abrupt question, though I had pondered it before. But.
‘Not particularly.’
My life was too turbulent to entertain such thoughts.
Life had been too barren to nurture dreams.
And what lay before me was far too immense to bear as a goal.
I merely existed, day after day.
That was my life now.
‘…I see.’
Perhaps she was disappointed by my answer.
The Grandmother continued, looking at me.
‘My child.’
‘What is it now?’
‘May this old woman leave you with a final wish?’
‘No.’
‘Please, live doing what you truly wish to do.’
‘…But you just told me not to.’
What was the point of asking if this was what she meant? I let out an exasperated sigh.
‘Why this sudden final wish?’
The very person who despised such things had now spoken a final wish to me.
And she was telling me to live doing what I desired?
It was already too late to find such a thing.
‘If not now, then someday. Please, find what you truly wish for….’
Should I refuse? Should I say it was already too late, that my current life was suffocating me?
Wouldn’t that be better?
My mind filled with such thoughts.
‘I beg of you.’
‘…I will try my best.’
Facing the Grandmother’s earnest plea, I could not bring myself to say otherwise.
I would try my best. Whether she was satisfied with this vague and meager promise, the Grandmother smiled and closed her eyes.
That was my last conversation with her.
Something I wish to do.
Well. I’m not sure.
If I had to think of something….
‘A life far better than this one.’
That was all I could wish for.

* * *
Shwiiing—!
The blade cuts through the air with practiced speed.
More nimble and sharper than before.
Shwik—! Shwiiing shwiiing—!
The sounds ring out, and before the motion ends, I slash again. Flashes of light burst forth repeatedly in the bright daylight.
Shwik—! Shwik shwik shwiiing shwik—!
There is no pause.
I swing the blade without rest. Just as I’m about to continue swinging further.
Plop.
A single drop of sweat falls from my chin.
“…Haa….”
Only then do I pause my movements.
Tremble tremble tremble.
The blade’s tip quivers.
More precisely, my arm is trembling. Is it from swinging the blade continuously? Fatigue washes over me.
“Haha.”
Yet despite this, a smile spreads across my lips.
My arm trembles and heat rises through my body.
Simultaneously, my heart pounds wildly and my breathing grows ragged, but still—it feels wonderful.
“…This is actually working.”
The blade gripped in my trembling hand.
I chuckle at the sight of it.
I can swing at this speed, and this many times.
Realizing this, I can’t help but laugh.
‘Now I understand why people yearn for mastery so desperately.’
The sensation is entirely different. Can yesterday’s me and today’s me truly be so different?
Before, I had to deliberately channel energy into my body.
But now, energy flows through my flesh of its own accord.
Moreover.
‘The quantity has increased exponentially.’
Thanks to consuming the Daehwandan, my energy reserves have doubled compared to what I originally possessed.
Doubled? If anything, that feels like an understatement.
Perhaps because the energy I originally carried was so meager? The difference is starkly apparent.
It feels like I’ve become a different being.
This sudden leap in cultivation has made me feel so much.
“Huuuuh….”
I exhale deeply from within and compose my body.
My racing heart settles not long after.
My exhausted body, worn from the repeated intense movements, recovered in no time.
‘…Has my recovery improved as well?’
Originally, my breathing wouldn’t return this easily, but seeing the change, it seemed certain that it had.
Just as I was about to slowly set down the wooden sword I’d been holding.
[Seems you’re quite pleased with it.]
A chuckling voice came from behind.
“…”
Without a word, I turned my head to see Yoo Cheon-gil leaning against the wall, watching me.
[So, how does it feel to stand at the crossroads?]
At his words, I narrowed my eyes.
Wiping away the flowing sweat with the back of my hand, I asked.
“…Crossroads?”
Crossroads.
A word that felt both foreign and strangely fitting.
[Yes, crossroads. The crossroads where you choose whether to advance further or remain seated—that is what we call the First-Class, is it not?]
Yoo Cheon-gil continued speaking to me without erasing his smile.
[The tomb of warriors. That is what the First-Class is called, you know?]
“…”
Will you advance further?
Or will you remain seated as you are?
Certainly, hearing it that way, it was indeed a crossroads.
However.
“If I said I would stop, would you permit it?”
Even if I said I’d quit at the First-Class, would that old man allow it?
With such doubt in mind, I posed the question.
[As if.]
Yoo Cheon-gil smiled broadly and gave a resolute answer.
Unbelievable.
“…Why ask when you’ve already decided the answer?”
Why ask when you have no intention of allowing it?
Exasperated, I spoke, and Yoo Cheon-gil continued to address me without erasing his smile.
[Listen, boy. What I wish to ask is not about whether I permit it or not, but rather what lies in your heart.]
“…Isn’t my heart not particularly important anyway?”
[Who knows. That remains to be seen.]
“…”
Ambition?
After hearing Yoo Cheon-gil’s words, I thought for a moment.
Ambition. I have it. I cannot help but have it.
From the moment I became entangled with that old man, I decided to use this to climb to greater heights.
However.
“I’m not sure.”
I truly didn’t know.
I desired to reach greater heights, but I had never considered how far I actually wished to climb.
Had the old man said he would make me the Heavenly Supreme? I was old enough not to believe such dreamlike nonsense.
So I answered honestly.
[Is that so?]
At my response, Yoo Cheon-gil exhaled softly and nodded.
[Then tell me when you figure it out.]
I chuckled at his matter-of-fact tone and spoke.
“What difference would it make if I told you?”
[Then it would make a difference.]
“What specifically?”
[Who knows? If you’re curious, try deciding for yourself. Then I’ll tell you.]
“Never mind…”
I shook my head dismissively.
In any case, this old man truly enjoyed meaningless exchanges.
‘Or perhaps there might be meaning to it after all.’
It would be more accurate to say he enjoyed confusing people.
Tsk. I clicked my tongue briefly and began loosening my body.
My breathing had long since recovered, and my fatigue was gradually diminishing.
“By the way, where did Dokjon go-”
I stopped mid-sentence.
[Ho.]
Seeing this, Yoo Cheon-gil let out a short exclamation.
[It seems you’re no longer dull and have become somewhat perceptive.]
The moment Yoo Cheon-gil spoke with satisfaction.
Knock, knock—!
A sound came from outside the Training Hall door.
—Are you there…!
“…Yes. Come in.”
The door opens immediately after I speak.
“Pardon the intrusion…”
Judging by the clothing, he appeared to be a servant of the Dang Clan.
“What is the matter?”
“It is nothing else, but… the Lord of the Clan has instructed that you be brought to him.”
Upon hearing this, I narrowed my eyes slightly.
It seemed the time had come again.

* * *
Following the servant’s directions, I arrived at the Dang Clan’s Gaju Room—a place I had visited before.
I had expected to head straight to Bigo, but for some reason, the Lord of the Clan summoned me to his chamber instead.
‘What’s this about?’
Curious about why he had called for me, I sought out Dokuou.
Knock, knock.
After tapping lightly on the door, I spoke.
“Pardon my intrusion—”
Come in.
“Yes….”
Dokuou answered before I could even finish. Feeling awkward, I opened the door.
Creak.
As I carefully entered, Dokuou, who had been seated at his desk, turned his gaze toward me.
“Welcome—”
He paused.
Dokuou, who had begun to speak, stiffened upon seeing me.
What was that about?
In the moment I couldn’t comprehend his reaction.
[He’s noticed your realm has changed. At his level, he couldn’t possibly miss it.]
Only after hearing Yoo Cheon-gil’s explanation did I understand.
It made sense—I had suddenly jumped from second-rate to first-rate in a single day.
‘…What should I do?’
I deliberated briefly. Upon reflection, there was nothing particularly worth reacting to.
So I simply ignored it.
“I heard you called for me.”
“….”
At my casual remark, Dokuou’s eyes and brow narrowed.
I trembled slightly at his reaction, but it was more important to push forward regardless.
“What is the matter?”
“…There is something I wish to ask.”
“Please, speak.”
Fortunately, Dokuou did not dwell on the matter.
Was he simply moving past it? It bothered me, but I couldn’t very well bring it up myself.
“The Bang Disciple likely already knows, but I have something I must find in Bigo.”
“….”
Upon hearing this, my eyes widened.
I hadn’t expected him to state it so directly.
‘…Did I really not expect him to say it?’
Even if he knew I had caught on, actually voicing it was an entirely different matter.
‘Why?’
Why was he telling me this? My mind, dulled by training, spun rapidly back into focus.
Should I claim ignorance? Or should I take a different approach? After a brief moment of deliberation, I reached a decision.
“Yes. I was aware of it.”
No retreating—I would face this head-on.
I made my judgment and proceeded immediately.
Even after hearing my response, Dokuou’s expression remained serene.
Perhaps he had been confident all along that I knew.
“At present, I must obtain what I seek without fail. To do so, it appears I shall require the assistance of Bang Disciple.”
“…My assistance, you say? Regarding Bigo, I am already doing my utmost.”
“I am aware. However.”
Dokuou paused briefly before continuing.
“…It seems the object I seek is hidden far deeper than anticipated.”
“Hmm…”
“Thus, I may need to increase the number of searchers and extend the duration of the operation, and I wished to seek your permission for this.”
“…”
In other words, the reason Dokuou summoned me was…
‘I need to search Bigo longer and more meticulously. Please understand.’
Was this what he meant to convey?
The words themselves posed no problem.
‘But would the Lord of the Clan himself call me just to say this?’
Something about Dokuou’s behavior struck me as odd.
It felt as though there was another intention beneath the surface.
Yet.
“I understand.”
For now, I nodded in agreement.
He had already presented his position to me. Refusing at this point would be awkward.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Dokuou expressed his gratitude for my response.
After hearing that the next search would commence in about an hour, I left the room.

* * *
I stepped out of the room and walked down the corridor.
As I moved, I found myself turning over Dokuou’s actions in my mind.
‘What could his intention be?’
What hidden meaning lay beneath that trivial gesture?
I continued dwelling on it, unable to let it go—there was something distinctly unsettling about the whole thing.
Just as I was lost in contemplation,
[But seriously, what is that bastard even searching for?]
Yoo Cheon-gil posed the question.
What was Dokuou looking for?
“Oh, that.”
Since I had heard about it, I explained it to Yoo Cheon-gil.
“He said he was searching for the secret manual of the Myriad Heaven Flower Rain—”
[Huh?]
“Wait?”
My eyes widened mid-sentence.
Now that I thought about it…
“Didn’t you say you restored that—”
[Ah, that thing I made?]
“…You made it?”
The word choice seemed odd.
He made it, not restored it?
Thinking he might have misspoken, I pressed for clarification.
[That’s right. I made it.]
Yoo Cheon-gil confirmed, as if I had heard correctly.
[He kept whining and complaining, so I hastily threw together something and gave it to him. For something made in such a rush, it wasn’t half bad. But is he really going to all this trouble just to find that? Tsk, tsk.]
“….”
I needed a moment to process what I had just heard.

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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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