The World’s Greatest is Dead

“Ugh!”

In a dark room, a man spat out blood harshly.

He appeared to be a man around the age of forty.

“Huff… Ugh…”

Though he continuously coughed up blood in pain, he could not move.

He was kneeling before someone.

The room was not large. The man could not raise his head and could only let out a low groan.

At that moment.

“Guard Division Leader.”

“…!”

At the soft call, the man quickly lifted his head.

There stood the one responsible for his current state, looking down at him loftily.

In the dark space without a single lit lantern, only a pair of blue eyes gleamed.

Meeting that chilling gaze, the man spoke urgently.

“I-I am s-sorry…”

At the barely uttered apology, the figure with blue eyes, Virtuous Moon Sword, slowly bent his body.

The man’s body stiffened even more at that action.

It was as if he intended to make eye contact with the man.

Rumble—!!!

An immense pressure swept through the room.

“You’ve got it wrong.”

The Virtuous Moon Sword continued speaking, looking at the man with an expressionless face.

“I didn’t come here to hear an apology.”

“Guh… Guhhh…”

Click-click-click-click-!!

His body was being crushed by the pressure, and in his fear, his teeth chattered madly.

Watching this, Virtuous Moon Sword asked calmly,

“Why did you do it?”

“Guh… Huuu…”

After trembling for a while, the man managed to speak, barely overcoming the pressure.

“The matter with… Pung Yun… it happened because… I failed… to manage… it properly.”

At his excuse, Virtuous Moon Sword’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

Pung Yun.

Just mentioning that name made the division leader tremble.

He was a member of the Guard Division tasked with protecting the Blue Moon Sect Leader’s kin.

The reason Virtuous Moon Sword had come here was because of that person.

‘… Incompetent fool…!’

A clueless fool had dared to betray and plot to kill the one he was supposed to protect.

Upon hearing that report, the division leader was horrified.

The Guard Division must always send reports when they move.

If they go somewhere, report it. If they do something, report it.

But Pung Yun had acted independently without reporting anything.

It was proof that he had planned something from the start.

And what he had done was…

‘Did he try to lay hands on Virtuous Moon Sword’s son?’

Could anyone be so stupid?

Gnashing his teeth, the man pondered his options.

But there was only one way.

“… I am sorry. It is all my fault.”

He prostrated himself deeply.

Knowing full well who his opponent was, and what kind of presence he had, this was the wisest course of action he could take.

‘Accursed fool.’

Even as he lay flat on the ground, he cursed Pung Yun inwardly.

‘Who on earth did this?’

It couldn’t have been a solo endeavor.

And moreover, Mountain Sky Demon?

‘That person was said to be an accomplice.’

The man knew this individual too. Famous for a deep-seated grudge against the Namgung family, he had teamed up with Pung Yun?

‘That can’t be all there is.’

The man was sure it wasn’t the whole story.

There was a lack of reason for the Mountain Sky Demon to join hands with Pung Yun.

This meant—

‘…… It implies there’s someone else.’

It meant there was another person involved who pushed Pung Yun into associating with the Mountain Sky Demon.

‘Who could it be?’

The man couldn’t figure it out.

Because the report written by Virtuous Moon Sword’s son, Chun Uijin, did not include that part.

This was likely why Virtuous Moon Sword appeared and was rampaging.

The man thought so.

“…… Sect Leader, I will surely handle the matter of Young master Chun, including my subordinate’s responsibility, so please, calm your anger….”

However,

“Wrong.”

Once again, Virtuous Moon Sword firmly denied. Then—

He pressed down.

“……!”

Putting his foot gently on the bowed man’s head.

“Division Leader, do you really think I would come to you over something so trivial?”

The man swallowed hard at Virtuous Moon Sword’s words.

To call the matter involving his own son trivial.

Moreover, with an utterly cold tone, it constricted his throat even more.

The strong figure leading the Blue Moon Sect after Yu Chun-gil.

A person known to be the most cold-hearted and ruthless when he wielded his sword.

Indeed, his words were accurate.

He was like a sharp-edged sword.

“Then, why……?”

If not for that, why treat him this way?

The man asked with a trembling voice.

“Division Leader.”

Hearing his words, Virtuous Moon Sword responded in a calm voice.

“You are someone meant to defend the Murim Alliance from the shadows. Is that not so?”

“…… Yes, that’s correct.”

The man answered. Virtuous Moon Sword nodded at that reply.

“Then why did you do it?”

“…… What do you mean?”

“Why did you join hands with Heaven Breaking Palace? That is my question.”

“……!”

The man’s body shook violently at Virtuous Moon Sword’s question.

Silence lapsed for a moment. Then the man urgently added.

“I’m not sure what you mean…… .”

“Your latest reply was sufficient.”

“Wait, wait-!”

Crack-!

The Virtuous Moon Sword pressed down harder, crushing the man’s head completely.

As blood splattered, he turned away from the mangled mess, seemingly unconcerned about his stained foot.

When the Virtuous Moon Sword turned, his eyes shone more fiercely than ever.

Screech.

When Virtuous Moon Sword opened the door and stepped outside, armed warriors were already waiting.

“Inform the Alliance Leader.”

The warriors stiffened at Virtuous Moon Sword’s words.

“Tell him we need to select a new Division Leader.”

The warrior in front responded with a forlorn expression.

“…… Understood.”

There was no opposition. Virtuous Moon Sword’s words and the blood staining him conveyed the message clearly.

Splash.

As he walked away, wiping away the blood, the warriors finally moved inside.

Just when things seemed to be wrapping up—

“Sect Leader.”

A warrior of the Blue Moon Sect cautiously approached him.

“A letter has just arrived from the Tang Clan.”

“…… .”

Virtuous Moon Sword’s eyes gleamed at those words.

Receiving the letter handed over by the warrior, Virtuous Moon Sword opened it.

“…… Hmm.”

The Virtuous Moon Sword narrowed his eyes as he reviewed the contents.

The long letter was full of unnecessary formalities, aiming to maintain decorum.

The part he was looking for was, after all, written in the last line.

To summarize:

– The request is approved. However, there are conditions.

These were the conditions set forth by the Tang family.

“……”

Upon confirming it, the Virtuous Moon Sword gave a brief, intrigued chuckle.

* * *

Softly quiet in the room.

With eyes completely focused on me and an indescribable atmosphere, I had to squint.

‘What’s going on? Why is everyone acting like this?’

Something felt off. Everyone was staring at me intensely with wide eyes.

‘……What is it?’

Had I done something weird? Why were they all looking at me like that?

Oh.

I figured it out.

‘It must be because I’m late.’

Everyone was already gathered, and I had just shown up. If that was the issue, it indeed was a problem.

I had been told to come starting the next day, but various things got in the way, and having an argument with Chun Hye-In from the morning delayed me.

‘Honestly, if it weren’t for that nightmare…….’

I might have arrived a bit earlier. My first impression already felt ruined.

Well, if I were them and the youngest arrived last, I would also see it as ridiculous.

‘Ah, I should have just come quickly instead of doing unnecessary things.’

I delayed by trying to mimic some moves, which only made things cumbersome.

Moreover,

‘It’s so damn difficult.’

I could somewhat mimic Chun Hye-In’s walk, but Yu Chun-Gil’s movements were too difficult.

While controlling the body’s core, which I identified as essential, seemed similar.

‘But the stature is different.’

I was a head shorter than Yu Chun-Gil.

‘……Even aside from that, it’s strangely difficult.’

Even though I calculated the differences and acted accordingly, something still felt off.

‘What could it be?’

The relaxed gait with hands clasped behind.

It seemed slightly duck-footed, but ultimately balanced.

The muscle fluidity visible at that moment.

The breathing motion that betrays habits from his living days, despite being a ghost.

Since I felt it when I was possessed, I could apply it.

Thus, as I had tried to mimic each part while observing.

‘It’s no use after all.’

Trying hard to emulate it didn’t make it feel right.

Indeed, one doesn’t become a master by merely mimicking someone’s walk.

‘Hmm.’

Both clumsy actions and being late.

No matter how I thought about it, nothing looked favorable for me.

‘……Tsk.’

Clicking my tongue inwardly, I loosened my hands.

At that moment.

-……!

I sensed a sudden flinch around me for some reason.

What……?

Wondering why they reacted thus, but having no room to question it, I decided to proceed with my intention.

“I apologize.”

I bowed my head in apology.

“I have nothing to say. I am sorry for being late.”

In such situations, it’s best to apologize straightforwardly and take the blame rather than make excuses.

Adding unnecessary explanations would only make things worse for me.

However,

‘……What is this?’

I bowed my head, but no words reached my ears.

Out of curiosity, I cautiously lifted my head to look at the person in front of me.

“… Ha…”

The man directly in front, Small Moon Division Leader, was frowning deeply as he gazed at me.

I thought it was natural to assume the man was angry, but there was also a hint of surprise in his eyes.

As I continued to stare at Small Moon Division Leader in confusion,

“It’s really ridiculous…”

The man spoke to me with a sigh.

“Are you playing a prank?”

“… Pardon?”

“Honestly, I’m curious how lightly you must take this to pull such a stunt.”

“No, uh… I apologize.”

I attempted to explain but ended up just apologizing. As mentioned earlier, I had no excuses for being late.

Blaming Chun Hye-In would have been the most logical course, but…

‘Then I would have no allies.’

It was clear that blaming Chun Hye-In would only result in further disadvantage for me.

“Bang Sung-Yun.”

“… Yes, Small Moon Division Leader.”

“I cannot acknowledge you.”

“…”

At the stern tone, I swallowed nervously.

Ah, damn it.

‘It looks like I’ve really earned his ire.’

It was as if I had managed to get on the bad side of the division leader on my first day at work.

In simpler terms,

‘My social life is doomed.’

This made it clear that my road ahead would not be smooth.

“It’s commendable to express one’s presence, but to exhibit it in this situation means you stubbornly refuse to bow down, doesn’t it?”

“… Pardon? No, I can bend. I can even fold myself into a crane if that’s what you want.”

“Are you trying to make light of the situation with insincere words?”

“No, that’s not-”

“Listen carefully.”

The Small Moon Division Leader spoke with a deeply furrowed brow.

“No matter what power or presence you possess, unless you change that attitude and mindset, I will never recognize you as a member of the unit.”

“…”

What power and presence was he talking about? I felt drained, barely holding on.

‘What a senile old man.’

It seemed things had worsened due to both my actions in the previous duel and my late arrival. It was all that rogue evil spirit’s fault.

‘Ugh.’

Pretending to be strong with a weak body was genuinely exhausting.

‘Especially since the elder isn’t here.’

In such circumstances, having the Small Moon Division Leader distrust and push me away was not good.

“As the rightful heir to the main sect and by the will of the Sect Leader, you were given this prestigious uniform.”

I pointed at the Small Moon unit uniform I was wearing.

“But unless you show genuine respect and regard for the main sect, not even being the Sword Saint’s successor-”

Bang.

Just as the Small Moon Division Leader continued to reprimand me, the closed door swung open.

“Small Moon Division Leader, sir! A message from the Sect Leader.”

A Small Moon unit member hurried in. Noticing this, the Small Moon Division Leader’s stern expression softened immediately.

“What is it?”

“You are summoned urgently to the Blue Moon Pavilion.”

“… Tsk.”

Upon hearing this, his face twisted in displeasure.

It seemed he wasn’t happy about being interrupted.

“Anyway, regardless of what happens, I cannot acknowledge you.”

The Small Moon Division Leader walked past me, glaring fiercely.

“Until I acknowledge you, you won’t be treated or assigned duties as a member of the Small Moon unit, not to mention missions-”

“Ah, the Sect Leader also asked for Bang Sung-Yun to come along. Something regarding a mission, he said.”

“…”

“…”

Upon hearing this, Small Moon Division Leader’s face contorted as if he had bitten into something unpleasant.

I had no choice but to anxiously gauge his reaction.

It was, to say the least, an exceedingly awkward situation.

TL’s Corner:

It’s not much of a riot as when I was working on malicious broadcast, but the situation MC gets into makes me chuckle quite frequently.

He is observant on certain things but at the same time his situational awareness is shit, making certain situations funnier.