[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith":3,"chapter-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-330":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Childhood Friend of the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1240306,1667,"Chapter 330: The Apostle (1)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-330",330,"\u003Cp>A powder-like substance seemed to fall from its body with every movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was its ashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The body had long lost the essence of life, now just a dark shell of what once was human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I was certain that he was dead, the body still moved before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it wasn’t really normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its robotic movements were definitely not normal at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bastard observed its own body part by part, before it slowly turning its head towards me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Impressive. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing that came out of its mouth was a compliment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice had a playful tone as though it found amusement in the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring its destroyed body, it began to look around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blood red sky, the scent of blood the wind held, and the decaying land and trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them all, the Blood Demon spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ I wondered why I lost connection with him. Now I see. Another ruler already claims this world. No wonder it was difficult to break through. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Blood Demon spoke with amusement, I asked a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is there something you want from me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon chuckled at my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ You’re not very surprised. That’s a bit disappointing. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve already experienced this before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same thing happened back in the tournament of Dragons and Phoenixes, when I first learned the Blood Demon existed in our world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I did think that it was possible for the bastard to appear again using Jang Seonyeon’s body like last time in the tournament,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for it to happen now of all times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was pretending to be calm, but I was rather shocked inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t think that the Blood Demon could reach all the way to this world as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just what is its identity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you come here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Don’t be too hard on me, I too had to put an extreme amount of effort to come here. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was that body that precious to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know if it came to protect Jang Seonyeon’s lifeless body or if it had some business with me, but either way, this was no welcome reunion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon stared at me for a moment after my question, then let out a chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ It is a pretty precious body. One I had high hopes for. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what do I do, I’ve already killed him. Are you going to carry the body back and resurrect him or something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said mockingly, sarcasm dripping from my voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ So, you want to joke around with me, child. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Blood Demon didn’t seem annoyed at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ It isn’t necessarily hard for me to understand the rules of this world. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I silently cursed in my mind, hearing the Blood Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant that the bastard understood the flow of this world, and that Jang Seonyeon would come back to life once I leave this world..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So, the Blood Demon knows that much, huh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew that it was a monster of the past that brought great calamity to the world, but I never expected it to understand this fake world too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ What an amusing world, don’t you think. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Since you came all the way here, is it because you perhaps wanted to get in my way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon said it themselves that Jang Seonyeon was pretty precious to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant the Blood Demon was here to stop me, knowing I intended to get rid of Jang Seonyeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know how powerful the Blood Demon was, but if it was here to stop me, this wasn’t a good situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Are you nervous? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was rather strange to see the burnt hand of the body resting on its chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I charged my Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already used up an extreme amount earlier, dealing with Jang Seonyeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would’ve been more efficient for me to burn him to a crisp at once, but I had controlled my Qi to give him a slow, painful death. That has become a problem now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Those aren’t very good eyes. You should never be nervous, no matter the situation. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nonsense are you spitting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ You said you’re going to kill this child, yes? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not that I’m going to, I already did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had given him a slow, painful death with flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would return back to life once I return back to the normal world, thanks to the rules here, but I already had a plan for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that method failed and Jang Seonyeon did return anyway,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I’ll kill him again and erase him from existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better to force the situation than do nothing and risk greater danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ You must have a deep hatred for this child. I wonder why. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at the Blood Demon after hearing its question, but I immediately wanted to look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just looking at the body made me feel uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t quite identify what this strange sensation was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this oppressive atmosphere coming from the very essence of that bastard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to destroy it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, I suppressed my emotion and responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your goal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Hmm? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you you died and rotted for hundreds of years, why didn’t you stay that way? Why are you still alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Hehehe… ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five heroes of the past who were at the very least strong as the current Heavenly Venerables, said that sealing the monster was the best they could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of that, the Blood Demon still existed in this world, sealed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why was it showing up now, after so long?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you thinking about resurrection?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that its goal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ What an interesting question. Resurrection, you say. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that isn’t it, then you should sit back in a corner. Why do you keep interfering?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Be it Namgung Cheonjun or Jang Seonyeon, both had used the Blood Demon’s power after receiving Blood Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t sure if it were only those two who received such power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was possible that there were more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could also mean that the Murim Alliance is in the Blood Demon’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was one of the reasons why I couldn’t trust the Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Hehe… ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon kept chuckling, as if it was amused by something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it mocking me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Child. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon called me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ You bring great entertainment to this dull, predetermined existence. For that, I’ll grant you a gift. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What are you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ If resurrection was my goal, I would have done it already. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ A seal, you say? Do you really think I’ve suffered all this time because lesser beings bound me? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze at the Blood Demon’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t tell if it was telling the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might have been bluffing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what would it bluff for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As my head was filled with complicated thoughts, the Blood Demon kept speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ I can always stand back up. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Then why didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ There was simply no need. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ That’s right. There was no longer any need. That’s why I didn’t get back up. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bullshit. Then why are you doing all of this now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Doing what? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew that both Jang Seonyeon and Namgung Cheonjun used the Blood Demon’s power, and I was talking to the Blood Demon itself right now, just like last time through Jang Seonyeon’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about all of the things you caused?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ I gave them strength because they asked for it. I did not reach out to them first. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How am I supposed to believe that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Child, you must be mistaken. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thick, foul stench of blood suddenly surged before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was forced to take a step back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without my Qi shielding me, I would’ve collapsed and vomited right there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was definitely Qi, exploding out from Jang Seonyeon’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it really this powerful even though it was using someone else’s body?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon spoke as my eyes widened in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ I do not need the belief from an insignificant existence like you. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon’s body gradually stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The body seemed ready to crumble at the slightest touch, yet it stood, leveling its gaze with mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I couldn’t see its eyes, I knew the Blood Demon was staring directly at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Shouldn’t you be thankful instead? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What should I be feeling thankful for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Despite knowing where my five senses, Qi, and body went, I’m only watching in peace. How generous of me. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its five senses, Qi, and body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what the Light of Might had said before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon’s five senses were scattered across the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also mentioned that both its Qi and body were sealed away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it knows where they are?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if what the Blood Demon said was real, it didn’t make it any more convincing that the Blood Demon could revive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing where they were didn’t mean the bastard could retrieve them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ I’m just waiting for the right time. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right time… I assume it’s waiting for something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So if that time comes, then you’ll resurrect in the end?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ I’m not sure… I haven’t decided yet. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon didn’t resurrect in my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For me, the Blood Demon was merely a monster that brought calamity in the past, and the one who was sealed away by the heroes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that in mind, I asked a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is one thing I want to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon suddenly laughed at my bluntness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ How insolent. You speak as if I came here to chat with you. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Am I wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Why do you think that way? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that weren’t true, you wouldn’t have told me any of this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had spoken of its five senses, its Qi, its body, how it didn’t desire resurrection, and how it was waiting for the right moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were all details that raised more questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon revealed way too much, just for it to have come here to save Jang Seonyeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its calm demeanor also suggested that killing me wasn’t its goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re not going to answer, then screw off. I’ve got nothing else to say to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I wasn’t about to view it in a positive light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever the bastard’s identity and goal were, I didn’t believe it was going to be any helpful for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever its intentions, in the end, it was just another bastard I’d need to eliminate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ What is it that you want to ask? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you a calamity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I encountered the memory of Yeon Il-Cheon, he told me that the Blood Demon they fought was a calamity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A calamity that would bring about the world’s end, fulfilling its destined fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that, Yeon Il-Cheon called me a calamity as well. He said that there was a reason for my transmigration, and that I would ultimately be the one to bring the world to its end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Shin told me to believe in myself, but that was easier said than done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Blood Demon came here for a conversation with me, I decided to ask directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked whether the Blood Demon was a calamity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to check if Yeon Il-Cheon was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon fell silent for a moment after hearing my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few seconds of silence, it spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ I never expected such a question from you. How amusing. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not here to amuse you. Now answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Calamity, huh? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon stepped towards me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it moved, a crack appeared along its neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ What do your eyes see? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Based on appearance alone, you certainly look like a calamity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight of the Blood Demon controlling a lifeless body, walking toward me, was unsettling, even for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Calamity, you say… Who told you about that? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just answer yes or no.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ No, there is no need for an answer, as there is only one. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It reached its arm out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its sword pointed toward me, and I frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I debated whether to disarm it or shatter the weapon entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ It would be Yeon Il-Cheon. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like the Blood Demon knew who told me that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I try to deny it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I honestly couldn’t trust Yeon Il-Cheon that much either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ What a pitiful man. He couldn’t let go of his regrets, so he acted. He has blinded you. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My eyes are perfectly fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ No, you were blinded by a ghost of the past. I will open your eyes. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon’s fingertip reached out for my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was close enough to touch, but I didn’t bother moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could sense the Blood Demon trying something, but I remained perfectly still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the Blood Demon’s fingers were about to touch my eye—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Craaaack-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, the moment I’d been waiting for arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something came out from the ground and separated me and the Blood Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ How unfortunate. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon spoke, disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced down to see what had emerged—a giant tree root. The Blood Demon, upon seeing it, took a step back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ It seems like I’ve used up too much time. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Blood Demon could reach for the tree root, its hand crumbled to dust with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Is this what you were aiming for? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not necessarily, but you were coming closer, so I decided to test it anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ How daring of you. You seemed to have no intention of moving. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was certain that it was going to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This’ too had something it wanted from me, and I knew that the bastard needed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of that, I knew it wouldn’t leave me alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ How unfortunate… I wanted our conversation to last a little longer, but it seems the ruler of this world isn’t pleased with my presence. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cracks began to spread across the Blood Demon’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ It wasn’t enough, but I hope this conversation brought us a bit closer. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are more disgusting than I thought. Just leave quietly and don’t make me feel any sicker.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I snapped back, but the Blood Demon didn’t seem to care all that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as Jang Seonyeon’s body rapidly dissolved, I didn’t lower my guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon still had its eyes on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ The offer I gave you back then is still open. Come visit me if you get to meet the Dancer. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scoffed, letting out a dry, incredulous laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you don’t even know what I’ll do if I visit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no idea who or what the Dancer was, so I couldn’t understand why the Blood Demon kept insisting I visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if I destroy everything there after I accept the invitation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or was it just that confident?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if I do visit, it definitely won’t be for a pleasant reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ I don’t mind that either. Getting out of one’s comfort zone is always a good practice, after all. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Blood Demon’s lower body vanished, its upper body collapsed to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the impact, its body was broken into pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When only fragments remained, they scattered into dust with the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even then, the Blood Demon spoke one last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Let us meet again. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those parting words, the wind carried away the last of Jang Seonyeon’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sigh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a rough sigh afterwards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was finally able to loosen up a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For fucks sake. Every time I try to do something, Someone interferes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this because of my bad luck?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My head hurts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of all things, why did it have to be the Blood Demon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought about what happened in my past life, but it felt pointless given all the new secrets I’d uncovered in this one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just what was that bastard’s fate, the purpose of the world, and what was the seed that Gu Clan had?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even one of those questions was enough to give me a headache, leaving my mind in disarray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I came here. I’ve been wanting to visit this place ever since I first came to the Academy, and ever since I confirmed Cheol Jiseon being in the Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I believed that the ‘thing’ in this world had answers for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned around and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you were going to show up, you should’ve done it sooner. Why wait so long?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where there had been only barren land, now stood a colossal figure towering over me, blotting out the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw it in my past life as well, but it was truly unbelievably big.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to call it a tree because of its grand size and the atmosphere it gave off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, I knew the name of this tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It introduced its name to me one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It called itself the Fifth World Tree of this land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sough-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The branches, stretching all the way to the clouds, began to stir as if responding to my voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The branches, bare and dried, only made it look more desolate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Nice to meet you. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice echoed in my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a very hollow and sad voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded exactly the same as the voice I heard in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its greeting was the same as before, but what followed was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ My apostle. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned at those words.\u003C\u002Fp>",2960,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","462162cc269ba6f8a8bda5fc9381ba706f0ba2bcb76eed50f0db8c0d9c51c0e8","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-331","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-329",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]