The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 96
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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 096
I smoothed my furrowed expression and steadied my breathing.
I glanced back to check Dokuou’s condition. He had entered Dokujon’s Dungeon and was surveying the surroundings.
My gaze remained fixed solely on the room.
What lay within? As outside light seeped in, the room’s contents gradually became visible.
‘…Bookshelves packed full?’
Inside were bookshelves. Not empty ones either, but shelves with books scattered throughout.
They weren’t crammed completely full, yet a considerable number of volumes occupied the space.
What could they be? What was written in those books that they’d be kept in a dungeon?
Though curiosity stirred, I didn’t dwell on it particularly.
That wasn’t what mattered now.
‘…What is it.’
I turned my gaze from the books to Yoo Cheon-gil.
The real problem was that old man.
‘What’s with that expression.’
A faint smile. A face flushed with anticipation.
And those gleaming blue eyes.
Everything about this situation filled me with foreboding. It was exactly the expression Yoo Cheon-gil had worn right before some inexplicable disaster struck.
‘…I’m uneasy.’
Something felt like it was about to happen. With anxious eyes, I looked not at Yoo Cheon-gil but at Do-hyeong.
‘There’s no sign of anything unusual.’
The Guardian Spirit remained unchanged. If something were about to occur, it should react first.
‘…So logically, I should feel reassured.’
That was precisely why I brought Do-hyeong along.
If trouble seemed imminent, the Guardian Spirit would react first, and I could respond accordingly.
‘Yet somehow, I can’t bring myself to trust it.’
Why was that?
Rather than trust a mountain-deity-class Guardian Spirit.
‘…That old demon unsettles me more.’
I feared that demonic old woman drifting around me more than anything.
‘Hmm.’
What should I do?
My eyes turned toward the mechanism expert and formation master I’d observed earlier.
Their exchange of hand signals still bothered me.
‘Something’s going on.’
Clearly, something was afoot.
‘Does Dokuou know about it.’
Was this something discussed with the Lord of the Clan?
Furthermore.
‘Could this bring harm to us?’
Whether what they’re plotting is something agreed upon with Dokuou or not.
In the end, only one thing matters.
Whether it brings harm to me or not.
That’s the crucial part.
‘Why is that old man so delighted in a situation like this?’
Yoo Cheon-gil couldn’t possibly be unaware of this, and the fact that he wore such an expression even in the midst of the situation was what I found truly incomprehensible.
Furthermore.
‘What if this is something unrelated to Dokuou?’
What if the unfolding events were a situation Dokuou himself was ignorant of?
‘…I’d rather not imagine it.’
No matter what scenario I considered, the outcome was unsettling.
It meant a succession of matters I had no desire to be entangled in.
‘Tsk.’
Well then.
Every organization has its problems. Why would this place be any different?
‘If it comes to this.’
First, I need to negotiate with Dokuou and secure a safe position.
Thinking thus, I turned toward Dokuou when—
[Wait.]
Yoo Cheon-gil blocked my path.
Hearing that, I narrowed my eyes.
Look at this.
‘This old man.’
He clearly understands how this situation is unfolding.
I could be certain of that.
So I questioned him with my gaze.
What is this about? Explain yourself at once.
If you won’t—
‘I’m going straight to Dokuou.’
I’ll go and tell him the situation. I stared at him with that meaning.
[Tsk.]
Yoo Cheon-gil clicked his tongue in frustration.
[You really do have sharp instincts for unnecessary things.]
His eyes held a look of clear displeasure, yet also as if he’d expected this all along.
That gaze irritated me considerably, but contrary to that, Yoo Cheon-gil continued speaking to me.
[I’m having you do something good for you, so just stay put.]
He’s telling me he’s having me do something beneficial? Am I supposed to just believe that?
Unable to help but furrow my brow at the absurdity, Yoo Cheon-gil pointed with his hand at something.
It was Dokjon, positioned above Dang Yeeran.
[If a problem were to arise in the Dang Clan, that one would have already risen to action. Since that hasn’t happened, just wait and see for now.]
If it were a major blow to the Dang Clan itself, Dokjon should have objected.
Since that’s not the case, stay quiet.
Moreover.
[There’s no loss for you, only gains to be had.]
He even boasted that it would benefit only me.
Hearing that, I deliberated. That old man always gives certain answers, just as he always does.
The part I’m worried about right now.
He explained whether there was a loss or gain for me.
He even mentioned beforehand any potential issues the Dang Clan might face.
‘…That old man is truly cunning.’
Because he knows exactly what his counterpart desires, he can speak so easily.
‘Just looking at his build, he seems like he’d be nothing but brutish.’
He excels not only in physical strength but also in handling others.
‘Is that why he’s called the Heavenly Supreme?’
Every time I see him, I can’t help but feel a chill.
What must it feel like for someone with power to also use their mind so well.
‘Of course, in the end.’
He’s dead regardless.
I turned my head away.
I didn’t approach Dokuou any further.
Not simply because I trust Yoo Cheon-gil.
‘This feeling.’
I myself am sensing something.
That old man is waiting for something.
I don’t know why he’s waiting, but what I’m certain of is.
‘…Something that benefits me.’
That old man at least hopes I grow stronger.
Though the process of making that happen is incomprehensible and utterly frustrating.
‘At least he’s only creating situations that benefit me.’
Every outcome has been that way.
He wishes for me to gain something.
Why is that?
Simply for his own purposes?
There’s doubt about this matter.
‘Regardless.’
The fact that I can gain something from that old man.
Just as I know Yoo Cheon-gil is trying to use me.
I’m also using Yoo Cheon-gil.
Recalling that, I simply paused for a moment.
* * *
After that, I took a brief look around Bigo.
As I mentioned before, Bigo was filled with books.
I couldn’t tell what kind of books they were. At first glance, they appeared to be volumes packed with the martial techniques of the Dang Clan.
Only two people here could access them.
‘Dokuou and Dokwha.’
Only the Lord of the Clan, Dang Gyeong-ak, and his direct bloodline, Dang Yeeran, could view them. Among them, Dokuou seemed possessed, frantically poring over the books.
The reason was obvious.
‘Does he believe the Ten Thousand Heavens Flower Rain might be hidden somewhere in there?’
Among all these volumes, there was likely something about the Ten Thousand Heavens Flower Rain. Dokuou, believing this, was desperately searching through the books like a madman.
While Dokuou remained absorbed in the volumes,
“…Um….”
Someone spoke to me. It was Dang Yeeran.
“Yes?”
“Bang Disciple… why are you here…?”
“Ah.”
Only then did I recall the situation from her words.
Now that I thought about it, neither of us knew why the other was here.
“I’m currently fulfilling a commission from the Lord of the Dang Clan… but why are you in this place?”
“…I…”
Dang Yeeran glanced cautiously at her father before speaking to me.
“This is a place my Grandfather showed me. He told me to come here and spend time whenever I was troubled.”
“…You mean that place filled with all those books?”
“Yes.”
At her words, I looked toward the bookstore. Whatever martial techniques might be contained within, if Dokuou had gone to the trouble of creating and placing them in Bigo, they were surely extraordinary techniques.
‘Though they might not be martial techniques at all.’
They could be important matters related to the Dang Clan.
But this has nothing to do with me, so I’ll set it aside.
‘If they were martial techniques….’
I recalled what Yoo Cheon-gil had said back then.
‘Wouldn’t that explain why Dang Yeeran is stronger than Dok-ryong?’
Though I’d never properly witnessed it myself, Yoo Cheon-gil had told me.
That Dokwha Dangyeran was stronger than Dok-ryong, the current Seventh Master.
If what he said then was true, could that be the reason?
Had Dang Yeeran, who frequented Dokujon’s Dungeon, grown stronger based on the opportunities she gained there?
Just as such suspicions took root,
“Still, I never read the books inside.”
Her words cracked the suspicion I held.
“You never read them? Why not?”
“Pardon?”
To my question, Dang Yeeran answered as if I were asking something obvious.
“It’s not my book, is it?”
“….”
I was left speechless by her response.
It was a painfully accurate point. Her answer was so pure and straightforward that I couldn’t even muster a reaction.
Could that actually be true…?
‘…Looking at her expression, it seems like she’s right?’
There wasn’t a trace of deception in Dang Yeeran’s eyes.
Her face showed genuine confusion.
Why should she read something that isn’t her book?
Well, she does have a point….
[Ah, so you’re different from that boy—a sincere and innocent girl, I see.]
Yoo Cheon-gil seized the moment to interject. He never misses these opportunities.
“…I see….”
I barely managed to nod as if I understood, when Dang Yeeran smiled slightly and spoke to me.
“And… that… the sword you mentioned… I’ll definitely make it for you.”
“A sword? A sword…. Oh, ah ah.”
I was confused by her sudden mention of a sword.
Now that I think about it, I had asked her to make one for me.
Back then, I said it lightly, hoping something good might come of it later.
“Ah, yes. I look forward to it.”
Dang Yeeran’s eyes sharpened as if she truly intended to make it.
“…Yes. I’ll definitely do it for you.”
“…Yes… yes.”
There was no need for such a firm pledge.
Yet she seemed to be steeling her resolve considerably.
Well, I suppose….
‘If she makes something good for me, then that’s a good thing for me anyway.’
I didn’t think too deeply about it.
But then.
“Have you… eaten?”
“Yes?”
“Eaten….”
“Eaten?”
“Have you had a meal…?”
“…Yes. I’ve eaten.”
How should I put it.
“What did you have?”
“…Well, I’m not entirely sure. I just ate whatever was prepared for me.”
“Ah, I see. Then, what would you like for dinner….”
It’s indescribable. Something.
Something….
‘Something seems off?’
Dang Yeeran’s state appeared unusually strange.
Normally, whenever I asked her questions, she would only ask about martial arts.
But this time, she asked something entirely different—something quite peculiar.
Moreover.
‘Why is she stammering like that?’
The way she posed her question was subtle.
Her head tilted slightly, unable to meet my eyes.
Whether it was my imagination or not, her neck and ears seemed faintly flushed, and her cheeks held a rosy tint.
Her flustered demeanor was unmistakable.
This was like….
‘Being so smitten that she can’t think straight….’
I started to speak but closed my mouth.
‘…Hmm?’
I narrowed my eyes and spoke directly to Dang Yeeran.
“Miss Dang.”
“Your favorite flower is… Ah, yes. Yes?”
“Do you perhaps like me?”
“….”
Upon hearing my words, Dang Yeeran froze in place.
I watched as her flushed face instantly drained of all color.
Ah. This
‘This shouldn’t be happening?’
This kind of reaction shouldn’t be happening?
“…Could it be, really.”
Just as I was about to speak in surprise.
콰앙—!!!
A loud sound erupted. Startled, I turned my gaze toward the room where Dokuou had entered.
Thud thud.
Dust fell, suggesting a violent impact had occurred. When I checked what had happened.
It appeared that Dokuou had punched the wall with his fist.
“…Hahhh….”
Books scattered everywhere. The room was in complete disarray.
And amidst it all, Dokuou exhaled a heavy sigh.
Witnessing that, my body trembled.
‘…Wow.’
My skin prickled. Just by looking, I could sense that Dokuou’s emotions were in turmoil.
It seemed.
‘It seems it wasn’t there either?’
It appeared I hadn’t found what I was looking for.
Seeing this, the Dang Clan Members rushed toward me urgently.
“Lord of the Clan. Are you alright…!”
Watching them approach, I narrowed my eyes.
Among them was the one who had been sending hand signals earlier.
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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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