The World’s Greatest is Dead

The Small Moon division leader did not like Bang Sung-Yun.

He hated the sudden claim that Bang Sung-Yun was the Sword Saint’s successor, as well as his aspiration to become the young sect leader.

Furthermore, the man himself was unlikable.

‘Those who live by words rather than the sword.’

He particularly despise those who beguiled others with eloquence. It was even worse when a martial artist did so.

Bang Sung-Yun was exactly the kind of person the Small Moon Division Leader despised.

A martial artist who lived by words rather than the sword.

While the sect leader seemed to like Bang Sung-Yun to some extent, the Small Moon Division Leader did not.

‘He’s a hindrance.’

To the Small Moon Division Leader, Bang Sung-Yun was merely an obstacle. He could not believe Bang Sung-Yun was the successor of a previous sect leader.

No matter how clear the evidence was, the Small Moon Division Leader could not believe in him.

‘He wouldn’t leave such things behind.’

Not words, but the sword.

The proof of conviction was solely in strength.

Sword Saint Yu Chun-Gil validated his existence with the sword, an example of a martial artist. The Small Moon Division Leader respected and admired him more than the sect leader, Virtuous Moon Sword.

But now, a supposed disciple appeared and claimed the opposite?

‘I cannot accept it.’

The Small Moon couldn’t believe it.

Moreover, ‘The Young sect leader position fits Chun Hye-In better.’

In terms of talent, power, and even strategy, Chun Hye-In was, in the Small Moon Division Leader’s eyes, overwhelmingly superior to Bang Sung-Yun.

Her standing was also impressive.

Within the Blue Moon Sect, Chun Hye-In was already half-regarded as the next Young sect leader.

Then Bang Sung-Yun suddenly appeared, claiming to be the Sword Saint’s successor and eyeing the Young sect leader position?

This seemed impossible. The only way it could be feasible was if, ‘If he truly possessed the power to be called the Sword Saint’s successor.’

Before overwhelming power, all strategies and armies were trivial.

Such was the might of his sword.

Therefore, if the supposed successor Bang Sung-Yun wielded such power, the game could change.

‘No chance.’

From the Small Moon’s perspective, that possibility was nonexistent.

With his expertise, he could tell.

Even at his best, Bang Sung-Yun was merely a second-rate martial artist.

Even with awareness of his opened ‘Moon Eye’… it was difficult to view him as powerful.

Though admittedly, ‘The moon’s glow that he displayed was impressive.’

Recognition where it was due. The moon’s glow displayed by Bang Sung-Yun to prove his worth was indeed beautiful, even to the Small Moon Division Leader.

Reluctantly, he had to admit it bore a strong resemblance to the swordsmanship of the Sword Saint.

But that was all.

‘At best, it’s a partial eclipse.’

Even if one mimicked walking, it didn’t mean they could run or, even more so, fly.

That was what the Small Moon Division Leader thought.

“Your head. Block it.”

As Bang Sung-Yun swung his sword at Seom Sung-Gyeong, the Small Moon Division Leader’s eyes widened.

Clang!

With that clear sound, Seom Sung-Gyeong dropped to his knee.

* * *

It was night.

A night cascading from the sky. So dark that one couldn’t see an inch ahead.

Drizzle-!

“Ah……”

Seom Sung-Gyeong let out a sigh. Steadying his trembling vision, he looked up.

‘Just now……’

What was that just now? His memory was foggy.

What had he been doing?

“……!”

As Seom Sung-Gyeong pondered, he regained his senses.

‘Duel.’

He had been in a duel. He immediately assessed the situation.

“……Huh?”

Seom Sung-Gyeong, who had assessed the situation, uttered vacant words. He couldn’t help but do so.

“What is this… exactly…”

He was kneeling. Not only was one of his knees on the ground, but his sword was also rolling on the floor.

What’s going on? Unable to comprehend the situation, his eyes twitched.

Twang-!

“Ugh!”

Pain struck his right arm. More precisely, his wrist. The pain was searing from there.

What’s this?

“Pull yourself together.”

“…!”

At the sound of the voice, Seom Sung-Gyeong raised his head.

“I took the trouble to warn you in advance, so why are you being so dull?”

There stood Bang Sung-Yun.

With a nonchalant face, Bang Sung-Yun was looking at him. Seeing this, Seom Sung-Gyeong involuntarily swallowed nervously.

‘Those eyes…’

The eyes of the young man, who couldn’t have been past his early twenties, were utterly emotionless.

‘… No.’

As Seom Sung-Gyeong stared at Bang Sung-Yun, he corrected his thoughts.

It wasn’t that there were no emotions at all.

‘… Rather, one emotion stood out too clearly.’

Disappointment.

A profound disappointment filled Bang Sung-Yun’s eyes.

“How much of my precious time must I waste on you? Or is this the end?”

Thud. Bang Sung-Yun kicked the sword in front of Seom Sung-Gyeong. Clang! The sword landed at his feet.

“There is no time. If you’re not going to pick it up, I will end it here.”

“…”

At Bang Sung-Yun’s words, Seom Sung-Gyeong glanced somewhere. There stood Chun Hye-In.

Chun Hye-In was looking at Bang Sung-Yun with surprised eyes like everyone else.

She wasn’t even sparing a glance at Seom Sung-Gyeong.

“Grrr…”

Seeing this, Seom Sung-Gyeong gritted his teeth and grabbed his sword.

He got to his feet. Even then, Bang Sung-Yun’s gaze remained heavy.

“Hmm.”

Seeing Seom Sung-Gyeong’s reaction, Bang Sung-Yun spoke quietly.

“If you call that dogged determination, it’s pathetically trivial. Does your sword only swing when it is watched by someone else? Well, I suppose your sword has always been light.”

Grit-!

At Bang Sung-Yun’s words, Seom Sung-Gyeong ground his teeth hard.

“… What do you know to say such things…”

“Hold your tongue.”

Hearing this, Seom Sung-Gyeong clamped his mouth shut. His eyes widened.

He had unknowingly really shut his mouth.

“Anything you say would be an excuse, and the longer it goes on, the more disgraceful it’ll be. Decide whether to pick up the sword or not. That’s all.”

“…”

Seom Sung-Gyeong frowned and lifted his sword.

His arm still trembled.

Seeing that, Bang Sung-Yun spoke in a leisurely voice.

“Come at me.”

Hearing this, Seom Sung-Gyeong took a step forward.

Even then, he couldn’t understand why he was following that damned guy’s words.

Right now, such things didn’t matter to Seom Sung-Gyeong.

What was important.

‘Damn it.’

Were Chun Hye-In’s blue eyes, which had started to look at him once more.

Swish-!!

The sword cut through the air. Though flustered, Seom Sung-Gyeong was indeed a skilled martial artist and swordsman from the Small Moon Division.

Without hesitation, his sword moved correctly.

Swish-! Swish swish-!

A fundamental and near-perfect basic sword form.

Sharpened through tens of years, it was both sharp and clear.

Even a blue aura, characteristic of the Blue Moon Mind Technique, seeped into his sword.

“Huff!”

Seom Sung-Gyeong strengthened his breath and drew a line with his sword.

The smoothly connected sword path showed his high level of skill.

It was a sword technique that seemed meticulously refined to those who watched.

“It didn’t reach…”

“How can it be so perfect…?”

“Senior brother’s sword couldn’t even touch his clothes…”

Their gaze was not on Seom Sung-Gyeong but on Bang Sung-Yun.

Indeed, Seom Sung-Gyeong’s sword skills were exceptional, enough to incite admiration.

However, a sword was meaningless if it couldn’t reach its target.

The continuous trail of the blue sword couldn’t touch Bang Sung-Yun at all.

‘Damn it-!’

Seom Sung-Gyeong swore as he moved his sword.

How could he not touch him even once?

It was a close call.

Bang Sung-Yun dodged Seom Sung-Gyeong’s sword trajectory with slight movements.

“Your emotions have consumed your sword play. Because of that, you’re using unnecessary strength in your lower body.”

A voice rang in his ears.

“Why are you putting strength in your left shoulder while swinging with your right arm? Did it get better by putting strength there?”

“The lack of strength in your planted knee makes your sword trajectory unsteady. You should have put the strength allocated to your left shoulder into your knee instead.”

He continued to give advice in an unpleasant manner.

Seom Sung-Gyeong felt like he was going insane because of his words.

‘Please, shut up.’

He wished that irritating mouth would just close.

What was even more infuriating.

‘Why am I following what he says?’

He couldn’t understand why he kept trying to correct his posture according to Bang Sung-Yun’s words.

Moreover,

‘… He’s right.’

Bang Sung-Yun’s criticisms pointed out problems that Seom Sung-Gyeong wasn’t aware of.

At this point, it wasn’t just a mere test…

‘It’s becoming a guided spar.’

Strangely enough, it wasn’t him teaching Bang Sung-Yun but Bang Sung-Yun teaching him in this guided spar.

Seom Sung-Gyeong clenched his fists, feeling his pride being crushed.

He hadn’t gone through all this trouble, risking the disfavor of the Small Moon Division Leader, for this kind of experience.

Returning now could lead to unpredictable reactions from his Junior sister.

She might even reveal his secrets.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

It was an unimaginable scenario for Seom Sung-Gyeong.

‘… One way or another.’

He had to secure a victory in this spar.

With that resolve, Seom Sung-Gyeong gathered all his strength.

He swung his right arm and adjusted his stance.

Seeing this, Bang Sung-Yun’s eyes twitched subtly.

Seom Sung-Gyeong swung his sword once more.

The Blue Moon Mind Technique slashed through the air, aiming for Bang Sung-Yun’s shoulder.

Bang Sung-Yun prepared to counter once again.

‘Now.’

Seom Sung-Gyeong twisted his sword’s trajectory.

It was a feint. He intended to lure Bang Sung-Yun into dropping his guard, and it appeared to work.

So he thought.

“Tsk.”

A small clicking sound was heard. Seom Sung-Gyeong, focused on the tip of his sword, didn’t notice it.

Hwaaaaaaaa—!!!

The energy around the sword intensified. With a slight twist of his waist and the surging energy, it was evident what Seom Sung-Gyeong intended to do.

“Huh-!”

“Senior brother… no way.”

“In a spar, even that…?”

Everyone held their breath.

A powerful wave of energy surged forth.

Seom Sung-Gyeong, eyes blazing, swung with all his might.

‘It’s going to hit.’

This time, it would connect.

The Blue Moon Sword Dance.

First Form. Moon Wave.

A deep blue moon rose from Seom Sung-Gyeong’s blade—

“You idiot.”

Clang—!

“……Huh?”

Fragments scattered everywhere.

The crescent moon being formed was shattered and scattered in all directions.

Seom Sung-Gyeong examined his sword with vacant eyes.

His stance had long since broken down. His outstretched blade recoiled, leaving his chest wide open.

It was at that moment.

“Truly pathetic.”

For some reason, the voice was charged with anger.

Bang Sung-Yun spoke, his brow furrowing as he moved.

His sword sliced through the air.

It was the same as before.

Whooosh—!!!

An energy seeped into the sword. Seeing this, the Seom Sung-Gyeong thought,

‘The sword…’

For a moment, he felt as if the entire world he saw was painted black.

Night had fallen.

He realized this.

Ah, this was the scene he had seen just before he had fallen last time.

Only then did Seom Sung-Gyeong understand.

The sword approached him.

It slashed down in a straight line.

Blue Moon Sword Dance.

Second Form.

Night Moon.

Night unfurled.

The energy wasn’t black.

It was also the energy of the Blue Moon Mind Technique.

The only difference was,

‘Clear and blue.’

It was far more brilliant and beautiful.

‘……Ah.’

He had thought it was night because he had been captivated by Bang Sung-Yun’s approaching sword.

Since he could only see that, the rest of the world appeared dark.

‘This is……’

The sword drew closer.

And the world went dark like night.

The only thing visible was one.

‘The moon.’

It was Bang Sung-Yun’s sword approaching like the moon.

Just before Bang Sung-Yun’s sword reached Seom Sung-Gyeong’s neck.

Tap.

The sword, which had momentarily slowed, touched Seom Sung-Gyeong’s neck.

A slight cut from which blood trickled.

That was all.

“…….”

With a slight cut on his neck, Seom Sung-Gyeong’s legs gave out.

Flop—! He collapsed onto the ground.

“Huff……. Huff……. Huff…….”

Facing death, his breath turned ragged.

Cold sweat drenched his entire body.

“How can the moon rise in a place without night?”

Then Seom Sung-Gyeong looked at Bang Sung-Yun upon hearing this.

“Your sword has nothing around it to cradle the moon.”

Disinterested eyes.

Facing Bang Sung-Yun’s blue eyes, Seom Sung-Gyeong shivered.

Bang Sung-Yun then turned and looked at the Sect Leader.

“Do I need to continue this farce?”

In a voice filled with utter exasperation, the Small Moon Division Leader hesitated before speaking.

“……Bang Sung-Yun… wins.”

At the division leader’s words, no one at the scene reacted.

They just stared at Bang Sung-Yun in utter shock.