The World’s Greatest is Dead

Guardian Spirits.

Guardian spirits were almost the only beneficial spirits I knew of.

Most ghosts lingered on earth due to unresolved grudges or regrets, preventing them from moving on to the afterlife. Among them, guardian spirits were relatively clear-minded despite having some lingering regrets or unfulfilled wishes.

They stayed not because they were killed by someone or had too many unfulfilled things preventing them from moving on, but because they had a strong desire to protect someone.

Since their intentions were pure and genuine, guardian spirits weren’t categorized as demons. Only a significantly strong desire to protect someone prevented a spirit from becoming a ghost and instead becoming a guardian spirit.

Moreover, no one who possessed a guardian spirit was evil. The very nature of a guardian spirit was incompatible with evil, and they even prevented their hosts from becoming evil. They were the polar opposite of evil spirits.

Thus, if one were to compare them, they might be seen as similar to mountain or land deities, entities with higher spiritual power and presence.

‘What is this?’

The presence behind Do Hyung, who seemed to be his guardian spirit made me sweat nervously. It didn’t even resemble a human. Its form was incomplete, more like a will-o’-the-wisp, subtly wandering around Do Hyung.

‘Why is his guardian spirit of that caliber…?’

It astonished me every time I saw it. Normally, a guardian spirit was a direct family member.

Children who lost parents or someone’s last living blood relative usually had guardian spirits, although they weren’t typically powerful entities.

A guardian spirit’s strength depended more on the spirit’s strong desire to protect, rather than its inherent might.

In other words, ‘The stronger the spirit, the harder it is for it to become a guardian spirit.’

So, what exactly was this?

I bit back my amazement as I observed the light.

‘That’s at least a mountain deity.’

Do Hyung’s guardian spirit wasn’t just any guardian spirit. I had never encountered such an impressive guardian spirit before. At the very least, it was a mountain deity or even a general-level.

How was it possible?

I couldn’t comprehend how the entity behind Do Hyung managed to become a guardian spirit.

Guardian spirits weren’t common, but neither were they so rare that I hadn’t seen my fair share.

A guardian spirit of this level? I had neither seen nor even heard of such an entity before. Hence my resolution,

‘I have to take him along.’

From the moment I discovered Do Hyung, or more precisely, when I confirmed that old man, my mind was set.

I had to take him along, by whatever means necessary.

‘With a guardian spirit of that level…’

Even by just staying nearby, such a guardian spirit would bring luck and protection, a miracle in itself. A guardian spirit of a mountain deity’s level meant immense fortune.

‘This is a miracle.’

An unparalleled talisman of luck. I couldn’t let Do Hyung slip away.

I glanced away from the guardian spirit and spoke to Do Hyung.

“So, have you given it some thought?”

“…”

I asked with a smile, but Do Hyung’s face remained expressionless as he slowly nodded.

After suggesting to Chun Uijin to join the mission to Sichuan, I immediately sought out Do Hyung to invite him as well. His initial response had been one of surprise, requesting some time to think it over.

I took this as a positive sign, since it wasn’t a refusal.

“Bang Sung-Yun.”

“Yes.”

I replied to Do Hyung’s call. Although he had switched to informal speech with me, I didn’t mind.

After all, I had joined the Small Moon Division. Despite being originally a disciple of the Sword Saint, positional rank could be complicated, but…

‘The Small Moon Division didn’t care about such formalities, right?’

Things were different in the Small Moon Division, it prioritized order of entry. In essence, the earlier you join it, the higher your rank.

Frankly, I didn’t care about these details.

“Go ahead, senior.”

When I used rank issues, it was mostly a strategy to resolve certain situations, not something I’d rigidly adhere to.

Do Hyung’s gaze wavered slightly at my calm response.

“I’ve thought about it for a day, but I still don’t understand.”

“What part?”

“Why me?”

He seemed perplexed as to why he was chosen when there were so many senior members. It was a valid question.

“Remember when we first met?”

Of course, I had prepared an answer for this part long ago.

“Yes, I remember.”

“…”

“…”

After several exchanges, I concluded, ‘This guy isn’t easy.’

Even when I had first suggested for him to go to Sichuan with me, he had barely spoken. This guy was more reticent than I had expected.

Fortunately, his silence didn’t seem to stem from any dislike of me.

“Well, it’s just that, um, I felt comfortable with you.”

“…?”

Do Hyung tilted his head, seemingly confused by my words.

He looked as if he absolutely couldn’t understand why I would feel comfortable with him.

‘Damn it.’

This guy was incredibly self-aware, making him harder to deal with.

“I don’t understand.”

“Uh, more like, I found you less uncomfortable.”

“Less uncomfortable about what?”

“Chun Uijin and you were the only ones who didn’t discriminate against me.”

“…”

“Isn’t that right?”

Do Hyung’s eyes narrowed at my words. It was true; only Chun Uijin and Do Hyung had treated me normally.

Wait a minute.

‘… Thinking about it like this makes me feel a bit pathetic.’

A wave of inexplicable sadness washed over me, but I pushed it down.

Perhaps Chun Uijin felt good towards me because of the Anhui incident, and Do Hyung, thanks to his guardian spirit, didn’t seem like a bad guy.

‘… So, what about everyone else?’

The fleeting thought nearly made me rub my face, needing to brush away the sadness.

Anyway,

“I just wanted to go on a mission with people like that… Is that too much to ask?”

“…”

“But if you feel uncomfortable or don’t want to, senior, then… I will search for someone else.”

Speaking with a sorrowful expression on my face, I continued.

“Even if another senior takes your place, they will surely dislike me… Making it a miserable mission, but I will manage…”

“…”

“I mean, if I’ll end up constantly watching my back, not eating well, being too anxious to relieve myself or sleep properly during the mission, but really I’ll be oka—”

“…… Stop……”

Do Hyung raised his hand to stop me. And then he said,

“…… I will do it.”

“Thank you, senior.”

I smiled brightly as soon as I heard Do Hyung’s response.

As expected.

‘People with guardian spirits are all kind-hearted.’

In other words, they were easy targets.

Every person I’ve met with guardian spirits was like that.

Do Hyung was no different.

“I’ll immediately report that you’ve decided to join the mission, senior.”

“…… Are you sure it’s okay? It’s a long-distance mission, there’s no way they’ll permit it without seniors……”

“It’s fine. As I told you before, we already received permission.”

It was a condition allowed by the Virtuous Moon Sword. Saying that made Do Hyung keep his mouth shut.

What could he do when the highest authority had given permission?

‘Though as Do Hyung mentioned, it was a bit unsettling…….’

It would be fine without the seniors. I intended to bring Do Hyung along for this very reason.

A guardian spirit on par with a mountain god? With that, there would be no danger. I was confident about it.

If Do Hyung wished, even if the sky split in half, he would get what he wanted.

Even if his body was tied to a cliff and he fell, a miracle would occur.

Such was the existence of his guardian spirit.

‘…… I must stick close.’

Sticking close, of course, but if I could tie him well to my side, that would be the best.

“In any case…… since you agreed, I’ll see you as soon as possible, senior.”

“……”

Do Hyung nodded with a peculiar expression similar to before.

* * *

While moving after finishing the conversation with Do Hyung, Yu Chun-Gil asked me.

『Is it so good? To go with that Do Hyung fellow?』

I answered with a laugh, unable to understand his tone.

“Yes. It’s good.”

How could it not be good?

『Hmm.』

“To be precise, it’s not Do Hyung himself, but rather what’s attached to him.”

『The guardian spirit you mentioned?』

“Yes.”

『Is it that great?』

“Of course.”

It was indeed great.

‘I really got an unbelievable lucky charm.’

Among the recent events, even including things like the Blue Moon Division and the Cold Iron Sword, it was the biggest gain.

“The uneasy feelings have quite settled down.”

『…… Ha ha.』

“Because of some evil spirit, I had quite the mental strain…… Now I’m a bit better.”

『That wasn’t about me, was it?』

“Why wouldn’t it be? It really got on my nerves…… Hu……”

I took a deep breath as if to say I barely survived.

『Ha, listen to this guy.』

Yu Chun-Gil chuckled at my appearance.

At the same time, he said to me,

『So, it’s okay?』

“What do you mean?”

『You always told me to be careful not to get involved with other spirits, but now you seem fine in front of that guy.』

“Oh, that.”

What was he asking for? So it was that? I answered, picking at my ear with my pinky.

“That’s okay.”

『Why?』

“A guardian spirit cannot interfere with other matters.”

『Hmm? What does that mean?』

“It means exactly that.”

Literally.

A guardian spirit cannot interfere with anything other than the being they protect.

Not even by speaking to another being.

While they could use force to protect the being, they couldn’t take action by themselves.

That’s why I referred to it as a lucky charm.

‘The guardian spirit cannot do anything about my existence.’

As long as I didn’t display malice towards Do Hyung, the guardian spirit would mostly let it slide.

Moreover,

‘If I happen to help Do Hyung, it might even think well of me.’

Even if it wasn’t a huge help, at least it wouldn’t view me negatively.

『…… Ha ha.』

Having heard this, Yu Chun-Gil spoke to me with an odd tone.

『You have an unusually solid belief, young man.』

His voice was tinged with evident curiosity.

I understood. It was strange even to me.

However,

‘That’s what a guardian spirit fundamentally is.’

Indeed, I was certain, just as Yu Chun-Gil mentioned.

Both the guardian spirits which existed as spirits to protect someone.

And the beings under their guardianship.

Both were,

‘People as staunch and righteous as they come.’

They would sacrifice their own life for someone else’s good.

At least,

‘The ones I’ve seen were like that.’

Every single one of them.

Really……

Without a single exception.

“……”

I frowned as a memory I didn’t want to recall came to mind.

“Tsk……”

Clicking my tongue shortly, I resumed walking.

What mattered was that I had obtained a lucky charm.

Thinking of that, I forcibly redirected my thoughts.

“Oh, right. Grandpa.”

『Hmm?』

A thought arose and I called out to Yu Chun-Gil.

“I’ve narrowed down the suspicious people this time.”

『Hmm? What do you mean?』

“The people who seem related to your death, Grandpa.”

『Ah……』

Yu Chun-Gil made a blank face at my words.

『Right. There was something like that.』

“……?”

『Ha ha ha. I just momentarily forgot about it.』

‘Wow……’

Was he really mad?

He forgot about something related to his own death? It was absurd.

『Well, I’ve been quite busy recently, you see.』

Even he seemed embarrassed as he told me, but such an excuse did not quite register with me.

『Stop glaring and quickly tell me. What is it?』

He seemed evidently trying to change the subject, but I simply let it go, finding it bothersome to delve into further.

“…… It’s just an assumption, but I’ve narrowed it down to about four people.”

『Oh.』

Though his attitude annoyed me, I still had to tell him.

“Two at the elder level. One from the internal members. And lastly.”

I said with a calm expression.

“The Virtuous Moon Sword himself.”

These were the suspects I believed had a hand in killing the Sword Saint.

TL’s Corner:
MC’s level of manipulation is just. Devious. Also, glimpses of his past life somewhat explains certain things that help with the flow of the story somehow.