The World’s Greatest is Dead

I had poured my best effort into placing the wooden case, and time passed.

Many had glanced my way, but I didn’t mind and placed the case in its spot. Trying to secretly take it away would have been impossible anyway.

Taking no mind, I participated openly in the morning training session.

Honestly, I had heard that I didn’t have to do it, but I chose to anyway. It helped with maintaining appearances and also provided a distraction to keep my sanity in check.

After finishing the training session, I had a meal.

Sitting down in the dining hall and chewing my food, I noticed that everyone was staring at me.

Choosing to ignore it, I continued eating.

However, I could not ignore the voices I overheard.

“It’s Bang Sung-Yun.”

“… the one who crushed the Young Azure Sword…”

“Why is he… in the dining hall…?”

People stared strangely at a member eating in the dining hall. How should I take this? Did it mean my status had changed? Or was there another way to view it?

I didn’t know.

I just continued focusing on my food. Afterward, I entered my room.

I had patrol duties and various other tasks, but I decided to skip them.

“… Oh, damn.”

In my current confusing state, it was impossible to focus on such tasks.

『So this is why you came here?』

I clicked my tongue at the old man’s question. I was in my personal training room.

The moment it became known that I was a descendant of the Sword Saint, I was given this space.

“There’s nothing particular to do at the moment.”

I swung the wooden sword once as I spoke.

I had criticized Chun Uijin for special treatment, yet here I was, using it just fine when it was my turn.

‘Special treatment is the best.’

This was life. Training in a space with no one around—how long had it been?

Probably the first time since the early morning training sessions when Chun Uijin was absent.

It felt genuinely good.

‘There was something I wanted to try anyway.’

I kept swinging the wooden sword through the air. The sensation was quite bizarre.

‘This is interesting.’

The Blue Moon Mind Technique, as the old man called it, had been forcibly engraved into my body.

Perhaps because of this technique, my body felt lighter.

‘I also feel a bit stronger.’

Overall, I had become stronger. One could say my level had increased. From a result-oriented perspective, it wasn’t bad…

‘The problem is…’

Even though I had become stronger, I had no idea what to do next.

“Hmm…”

The mind technique I originally had disappeared, abruptly replaced by the Blue Moon Mind Technique, so naturally, my martial arts had to change as well.

‘What should I do?’

It wasn’t easy to find direction, so I asked someone who might know.

“… What should I do now?”

『Hmm?』

The old man tilted his head at my question.

『Why are you asking me that?』

“Then who should I ask…?”

This was no joke.

“Grandpa… If you have implanted something strange in me, take responsibility for it.”

『What? Look at this impudent brat.』

The old man smirked at my words.

『Do you want to learn martial arts from me? From this Yu Chun-gil, known throughout the world?』

“Yes. Isn’t that obvious?”

To me, the old man’s words were even more absurd.

“If you implanted this, you should at least enable me to use it properly. Were you planning to just use my body and leave?”

『….』

‘Why can’t you answer?’

“Answer me, old man.”

『What, punk?』

“Oh, sorry. My inner thoughts just slipped out…”

I had made a mistake without realizing it. I resolved to curse inwardly properly next time.

『…』

“Anyway, were you really planning to do that?”

Did he intend to handle everything by possessing me all day long?

Honestly, it didn’t matter much to me. If I lent my body, wouldn’t it save me from hardship and let me enjoy a relaxed time? But still.

“That possession thing. Are you sure it works properly?”

I questioned the idea of lending my body.

『What did you say?』

I recalled the final moment during the duel with Young Azure Sword.

“No, it got undone last time, didn’t it? I’m asking if you can really use it properly.”

『…』

The old man stayed silent for a moment at my remark.

Remembering that expression from before, coupled with his current reaction, made things clearer.

“That possession thing, it’s not something you can keep using, is it?”

『Cough…』

A cough meant affirmation.

Upon hearing his answer, I instantly frowned.

“Grandpa. Why didn’t you tell me?”

It seemed that the old man had known about the issue for a while. But the fact he kept his mouth shut until I pointed it out…

“Were you trying to hide it?”

『Hey-hey! Do you think the great Yu Chun-gil would use such a scummy method!』

“Yes.”

『You’re too decisive… That kind of hurt.』

Hurt, my foot. He seemed like he was fully capable of doing so.

“So, why did you do it?”

I could accept that he hid it. I was curious about the reason.

『Who said I hid anything…! I just hadn’t fully confirmed it, that’s all.』

“Grandpa. Then I’ll ask again.”

『What?』

“Can you still use possession?”

『…』

He stayed silent at my question.

Seeing his reaction, I clicked my tongue internally. It seemed I was right.

I had sensed something was off during the duel with Young Azure Sword.

I remembered the feeling of the possession breaking off at the last moment and Yu Chun-gil’s expression back then when he looked at me.

“Is there some problem with it?”

Possession couldn’t be used consistently. Yu Chun-gil’s actions indicated as much.

『Not really… I mean, it’s possible… No, it’s possible.』

“Then, you mean it can be used continuously?”

『It’s just that… To use it for a long time, it seems I would need to interfere with the innate qi…』

“…”

I immediately furrowed my brows. To use possession more, he needed to interfere with the innate qi?

Innate qi was different from the qi in the dantian; it was directly tied to one’s vitality.

But to touch that meant…

“You’re basically asking me to risk my life…”

『No, well… It’s not to that extent.』

Yu Chun-gil, trying to explain, hesitated for a moment before raising his voice.

『No…! Even I was surprised. But to maintain it, there’s no choice but to touch it.』

“Why are you getting angry at me as if I’m the one who farted?”

The shamelessness of it astounded me.

While expressing my dismay, I sorted through the situation in my mind.

‘If possession can’t be used continuously, what do we do?’

That was the one thing I had somewhat relied on, and now there seemed to be a problem.

“…So, are you saying using possession is permanently impossible now?”

『Not permanently. It seems… as time passes, the duration for which I can stay increases.』

“How are you sure of that?”

“……Thank you so much for your very helpful answer.”

I barely suppressed the urge to swear. I held back my emotions as I pondered.

‘Anyway, it means that possession isn’t a power you can use at will.’

So, what was I supposed to do now?

It was troubling. If I couldn’t use that at will, then it felt like nothing could be accomplished.

In every possible scenario, possession had to be included.

Only then would the chances increase at least a bit.

I wasn’t a genius, and even learning martial arts from that old man wouldn’t enable me to do everything. But, if I couldn’t use possession freely here…

‘……What should I do from now on?’

It was overwhelmingly complicated. Damn it. What should I do?

All kinds of worries flashed through my mind.

『From the look on your face, you’re probably worrying about unnecessary things again.』

The old man’s words made me gulp.

“……Of course. My life is on the verge of falling apart.”

『Don’t worry about that. I have a plan.』

Plan? Was there some method? Although I didn’t fully trust it, any hope was welcome.

“……What plan?”

Speaking with the desperation of grasping at straws, the old man suddenly looked at me with a glint in my eyes.

『Didn’t you mention it earlier?』

“Mention what?”

『That you’d like to learn martial arts from me.』

“Well, that was… just me trying to grasp at something.”

Moreover, I thought I might as well learn the Sword Saint’s martial arts and gain some benefits.

Surviving was important, but becoming a master would be great too.

‘Later, I might even be able to open a martial arts school and make some money.’

Such greedy thoughts filled my mind.

『Step aside.』

“Pardon?”

『Step aside for a moment so I can enter.』

He looked at me incredulously.

“No, my body isn’t some chair that you can just…”

『I need to be sure of my method. Step aside for a second. It won’t take long.』

“……Didn’t you just say that you’d have to use innate qi again if you did this?”

『A little bit won’t hurt. I swear on my name.』

“…….”

What name could a dead man with only his soul left to swear upon?

Though such thoughts crossed my mind, the old man’s eyes were resolute.

“……Just a moment?”

As soon as I allowed it, I felt the presence envelop my body. It happened in an instant.

There was that strange feeling again.

It felt like my body wasn’t my own, discomforting yet somehow comfortable.

‘This time, I’m conscious from the start.’

The first time I was possessed, I lost consciousness completely.

The second time, I gained consciousness midway.

And this time, I was entirely aware.

‘What’s the difference?’

It was something I needed to understand.

At that moment, my body started to move. Of course, this wasn’t under my own will.

I watched to see what would happen, and then saw my hand draw a cross in the air.

What was this supposed to mean?

After making a few more such movements,

Whoosh-!

“……Huh?”

The possession was lifted. I looked back to find Yu Chun-gil standing with my arms crossed, staring at me.

“What was that……?”

『Try it yourself.』

“Pardon?”

『Just now, the movement I did. Try to copy it exactly.』

Just now… did he mean the cross-cut?

‘Why even bother doing this?’

Though doubtful about the necessity, the old man’s intense eyes prevented me from voicing my thoughts.

‘Hmm.’

I moved slowly.

‘Just now…’

Clearly, it involved my entire body rather than merely making a cross-cut.

The position of the toes.

How to exert strength from the soles of my feet.

Fixing that strength to my waist and applying pressure to my upper body.

At the same time, keeping my arms free by applying just the right amount of force to my joints.

‘Now, breathe.’

Mirroring the sensation of inhaling and exhaling, I moved my hands accordingly.

Swish.

Swish.

My hand cut through the air twice.

『Hehehe… indeed.』

Watching this, the old man smiled the same way as before.

“Does this really tell you anything?”

『It was sufficient. Yes, this confirms it.』

With an unnaturally wide grin, the old man spoke to me.

『You truly are my hope.』

This incomprehensible faith sent chills down my spine.

* * *

Another day passed.

My routine was largely the same.

I trained as usual and ate as usual.

Oh, there was one difference: I didn’t wield my sword.

The stares from others were too overwhelming.

‘Please, stop staring.’

Everyone seemed curious about how I would handle a sword. As the Sword Saint’s successor, expectations were high.

My crude swordsmanship would never satisfy those hopeful eyes.

So, I settled for simple endurance training.

Even though the absence of swordsmanship disappointed the onlookers, there was nothing I could do.

‘It’s important to maintain appearances for now.’

It was best to keep it up, thinking of the future.

As I wiped my sweat-soaked body with a towel, someone approached.

“Excuse me.”

Turning towards the voice, I saw a familiar face.

A beautiful woman with distinctly unimpressed eyes and features.

If I remembered correctly, her name was…

“Namgung Bonsun…?”

“… Namgung Hyun.”

“Darn, so close…”

“….”

Her expression suggested that she didn’t find it amusing at all. Despite my attempt at humor, her reaction was icy.

This woman, known to be the younger sister of the Young Azure Sword, Namgung Sung, spoke next.

“What brings you here?”

“I have something to tell you. Could you spare a moment?”

She held onto her skirt, her face slightly flushed.

Indeed, like Namgung Hyun, she was quite pretty.

‘Spending time with such a beauty, eh.’

I pondered briefly before shaking my head.

“No, I don’t want to. Why should I?”

“…”

Namgung Hyun’s face immediately fell at my response.