[{"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-444":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},1239920,1667,"Chapter 443","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-444",444,"\u003Cp>TL Notes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hi, hope you are well! I'm trying to make this easier to read and get rid of the plethora of character nicknames and titles. Note the following things that I will be using later in the text:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mageomhu instead of Demon Sword Queen;Sword Demon (Gumma)!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>____________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 443: Distortion (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the dust settled, I looked atMageomhu (Demon Sword Queen)with wide eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mageomhu, her gaze fierce, was generating lightning energy as she stared at the shattered wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The presence of that lightning energy felt ominous. There wasn’t any direct damage yet, but the difference in magnitude was palpable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vvvrrrm—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pillars supporting the hall began to tremble subtly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was due to the overwhelming presence of Mageomhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grrr…”“Khugh…”“Hnn…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, those oppressed by her presence began to kneel. Even the resilient Black Flame Squad couldn’t hold out for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely managing to endure, I scrutinized Mageomhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s going on? Why is she acting like this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already strange enough that she suddenly lashed out atSword Demon (Gumma), but to become so enraged—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth is she doing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was reeling from Mageomhu’s unexpected behavior—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fierce explosion came from the wall where Sword Demon had been thrown. An even more intense aura of murderous intent flooded out, far surpassing what I’d sensed earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wretched woman—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the dust, something launched forward with a ferocious roar. It was a sword strike imbued with magi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it clashed with Mageomhu’s swing, a sonic boom erupted, blasting the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shockwave from the magi made my body shake slightly; the power behind it was no small feat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I braced myself against the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I gathered myself, I saw him returning from the distance with a distorted expression. It was Sword Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grrrk-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grinding his teeth, he began to release his rage from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magi spiraled up from the sword in his grip, climbing from his shoulders up to the ceiling, radiating murderous intent as it did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wretched woman, you must truly wish to die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mageomhu said nothing in response to his enraged words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her reaction, I got the sense she didn’t even want to engage with him in conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn wench, do you think being by the High Lord’s side makes you anything special?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to Sword Demon’s sneer, I felt compelled to question it internally—a fundamental question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is this bastard acting so high and mighty?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made no sense to me that Sword Demon would speak so boldly to Mageomhu. Objectively speaking, while Sword Demon wasn’t a weak martial artist—he held a high position within the Demonic Sect—but compared to Mageomhu, he didn’t quite measure up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Demon had always harbored a strange resentment toward Mageomhu, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, it goes both ways.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was anyone within the Demonic Sect who could stand Sword Demon, it was probably only those in the Guilty Sword Squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any case, it was undeniable that these two had an extraordinary level of animosity toward each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you earn your position thanks to some fluttering skirts? Seems you don’t know your place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vrrm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mageomhu’s reaction came, a faint hum emanating from her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Demon smirked at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine then. If I take you down here, I’ll take that position myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Position?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By position, was he talking about the role of vice-commander of the Black Flame Squad?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he have wanted that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back, he had complained to me several times, questioning why she was the vice-commander while he was leading the Guilty Sword Squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time he brought it up, I found it too bothersome to answer and drove him away with a beating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that’s why he despises her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t given it much thought then, but maybe that’s why he felt that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason he wasn’t given the vice-commander role…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no official reasons preventing Mageomhu from leading the Guilty Sword Squad or Sword Demon from being vice-commander of the Black Flame Squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of martial skill alone, there wouldn’t have been much impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason I gave the vice-commander position to Mageomhu was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mageomhu was simply stronger—that was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of manageability, Sword Demon would’ve been easier, but the decision was made solely based on strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed Sword Demon hadn’t accepted that fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Demon straightened his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whiz-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mageomhu grabbed me by the back of the neck and threw me backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell are you doing?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slice-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Demon’s sword slashed right where I had just been. I widened my eyes in realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Demon seemed determined to deal with me first before targeting Mageomhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I barely noticed his speed; it was blindingly fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mageomhu intercepted his sword, while Sword Demon’s expression revealed a hint of disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, lightning surged from Mageomhu’s sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the space wasn’t small, it felt too confined for two high-level martial artists to be fighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the whirlwind of lightning energy, I swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lightning split into what looked like thousands of branches, dominating the surroundings without causing any damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No harm to the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astonishingly, neither the walls nor the Black Flame Squad members suffered any impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in the midst of combat, she controlled her lightning so precisely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh…gah…!”“Vice-Commander…save…! Ghaa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Flame Squad was safe, but the members of the Guilty Sword Squad were not. Mageomhu unleashed her lightning energy without a care for those men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Demon, watching this with an uninterested look, turned his gaze away from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only had eyes for Mageomhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magi coalesced at the tip of Sword Demon’s sword, soon wrapping around his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the lightning was fierce and violent, it couldn’t pierce through Sword Demon’s magang energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was proof that Sword Demon wasn’t weak either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Demon moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a slight leap, the ground beneath him dented, reverberating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t even see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a flash, Sword Demon appeared right before Mageomhu. She also drew her sword, blocking his attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching, I became certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t hold up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Against either of them, I wouldn’t last even a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clash between the lightning and demonic sword emitted thunderous sounds, as though the swords themselves were roaring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact of such a thin blade was hard to believe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force even pushed me back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to follow their movements fully, I was still affected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I could see was the flicker of sparks and traces of sword marks left in the air from the clashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those traces were incredibly extravagant and chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This brief exchange revealed just how many sword techniques had passed between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning struck from the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the pillars was cut clean by an unknown sword strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked around nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear this situation was precarious. At this rate, the hall might collapse, and everyone inside could be killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t care if others died, but my safety was at stake. As I racked my brain on how to handle these madmen—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spark flew, and the two figures broke apart, distancing themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought the fight had ended and examined the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but gasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to my expectation that Sword Demon would be the one injured, he looked unharmed. Instead, it was Mageomhu—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her arm is injured…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood was dripping from the hand holding her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could this be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mageomhu seemed aware of her condition, frowning slightly. The blood indicated it wasn’t a superficial wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Demon grinned, seemingly having confirmed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, it’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a wicked smirk, he raised the tip of his sword, directing it at me while looking at Mageomhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem to value him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could fully grasp what he was saying—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mageomhu remained silent, without denying his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He must be important if you’d sacrifice an arm to protect him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, I began to understand the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the exchange, Sword Demon had repeatedly aimed for me. And Mageomhu, blocking his strikes, had sustained an injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, there was no way she would’ve been wounded so easily by Sword Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I suspected it when you went out of your way to protect him. So, what exactly is he to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is he a hidden son? That’s unlikely, considering he’s not even close to your age.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spinning his sword with a mocking tone, his voice oozed with sadistic delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the air around him grew heavier with murderous intent, as magi seeped from Sword Demon’s feet, gradually enveloping the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whatever he is, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that you now have a weakness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Demon’s purple eyes gleamed, and black smoke began to seep from his mouth. I felt a cold sweat at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That power was reserved for those who’d reached a certain rank among demonic beings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Sword Demon genuinely intended to kill Mageomhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slightly frowning, Mageomhu seemed to realize this as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her, I wondered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why isn’t she drawing Noe-a?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mageomhu’s beloved weapon, Noe-a, was renowned as one of the Five Legendary Swords of the Middle Lands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mageomhu was absurdly strong on her own, but with Noe-a in hand, she was on a different level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she’d drawn Noe-a from the start, Sword Demon would have been no match for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But despite knowing this better than anyone, she still hadn’t drawn Noe-a.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, she was drawing more lightning energy, but she hadn’t changed her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I intervene?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched and unclenched my fists in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was turning bizarre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Mageomhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just the absence of Noe-a that puzzled me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is she…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange things kept happening. From when Sword Demon tried to ambush me, to when Mageomhu got angry, defending me—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as if she were protecting me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Could it be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she somehow realized who I was?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, that’s impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dismissed the thought immediately. It was too absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My face had changed, and I’d deliberately sealed away my Gu Flame to erase any trace of my identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way Mageomhu could recognize me; even if she suspected, it would be too far-fetched to believe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t figure it out. This lack of understanding only deepened the mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why on earth was she doing this for me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As various questions raced through my mind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Demon tilted his head, ready to move again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s bring this to an end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his murderous tone, I prepared to summon my inner energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the time to hide my flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it meant risking myself, I couldn’t let Mageomhu die here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Demon pointed his sword at Mageomhu and leaped again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I gathered my energy in my core—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll slice you to pieces—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Demon’s head suddenly slammed into the wall, as though something had smashed him into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound was unlike when Mageomhu had shoved him earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack, crack, crack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thick cracks spread across the wall in a wide area. That wasn’t all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murderous aura that Sword Demon had unleashed slowly began to vanish, as though something were tearing it apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch…crunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, I gasped, yet I became certain of one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it’s not being torn away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To others, it might appear that way, but I knew better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t tearing; it was burning away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dark, ominous flame began consuming Sword Demon’s aura completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to see Mageomhu’s sword snap and fall to the ground with a crisp, clear sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had broken her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at the broken half lying on the ground—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dry, heavy voice came from afar, drawing my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A feeling much darker than the murderous intent from Sword Demon now filled that space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The source of the voice had, at some point, grabbed Sword Demon’s face, pinning him to the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the tip of the man’s foot, flames spread out as if ready to devour everything nearby at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air stilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heat surrounded the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the trembling Sword Demon pinned against the wall, the man’s violet eyes turned toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under his gaze, I couldn’t help but shudder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly do you think you’re doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the man’s voice reached me—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dark flame erupted from his entire body, filling the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>",2116,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.032Z",1,"novelbin.me","5e9c72e58a23890cb30b047114ff27daa540ce8e08481c22a4af6d9fbdedd01c","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-445","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-443",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]