[{"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-604":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},1240454,1667,"Chapter 603","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-604",604,"\u003Cp>Thunk-! Thunk thunk-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sound woke me up. My ears felt strangely muffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound reverberated again. I instinctively covered my throbbing forehead and looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I regained clarity, the scene before me was disorienting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire world seemed to be painted over in stark white. At first, I thought it might be snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But it’s not snow.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t snow. It was simply… a white world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I touched the ground. The texture beneath my fingers felt peculiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too soft to be stone, yet too odd to be soil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something indescribable, an unknown substance. That seemed like the most fitting judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I furrowed my brow, scanning my surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Where am I?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was I suddenly in a place like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was I doing before waking up here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to recall what happened just prior to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp pain in my head interrupted me, forcing me to clutch it tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever I tried to remember, the pain would hit first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it. What kind of hell is this now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shit…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook my head against the pain and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a standing position, the world looked even whiter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was more unsettling, inexplicably eerie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like I was standing in a place that shouldn’t exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I kept surveying the surroundings—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spotted something far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of this white world, someone stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it a person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shape was humanoid, but I couldn’t be sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Flames?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was human only in form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure was entirely engulfed in flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not just any flames—familiar blue flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, I knew it instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recognized it. Those flames were mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I muttered without meaning to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure, which had been gazing at the sky, turned its eyes toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How does it feel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fiery figure not only looked at me but spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I ask how it feels to live among such pitiful creatures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned at the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who the hell are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had it suddenly appeared, spewing nonsense?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this a dream?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, what kind of absurd dream was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stared at it in disbelief—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disgusting. Revolting beyond measure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame ignored my question, spouting its own thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You shattered the vessel and soared to the heavens, so why do you dwell among the worms on the ground?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its words were laced with questions, brimming with disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about those words made me feel oddly familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Where have I heard this before?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, it felt like I’d heard these kinds of words, this tone, somewhere before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And those flames… they were undeniably mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I pondered this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I finally realized what this thing was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… Could it be you’reBloodlust?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It fell silent at my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the creature that, years ago, had tried to consume my body when I ventured into the afterlife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, it had taken on the form of a demon beast, but now, for some reason, it had become fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re alive? I thought I finished you off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been certain I’d consumed it entirely back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was it still alive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this another space inside my mind or body?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that sound—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk-! Thunk-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s with that noise?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deafening rumble that felt like it could shatter the world itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was far more distracting than the creature in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t explain it, but it gnawed at my nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ignorant wretch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature’s words snapped me back to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve forgotten your purpose and live in oblivion. You’d have been better off surrendering your body to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nonsense are you spouting? Why are you even here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it had been devoured, it should have stayed quiet, but why now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you want to fight me again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it hoping to reclaim my body? I asked with that intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It laughed mockingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The vessel already belongs to you. The opportunity was only once. I am merely a spectator now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then just stay a spectator. Why bother showing up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was alive, it should have been grateful and stayed tucked away in some corner. Its appearance now had to mean something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve been wasting yourself with meaningless pursuits, so I’ve come to warn you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Warn me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames flickered more intensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understand what you truly are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does that mean? What am I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I retorted in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames answered decisively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think the wretches around you could ever understand you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its words struck a chord with the doubts I’d harbored for so long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was no longer human, yet the people around me were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I consoled myself by saying that only my body had changed, not my mind, the gulf between us had always lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the flames had zeroed in on that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They will never understand you, and you will gradually cease to understand them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what I wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did it sense my hesitation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You may suppress your instincts, but deep down, you already know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Know just how superior your species is. And how insignificant the vermin around you are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is the nature of difference between species.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames rested its chin on its hand, mimicking my posture. It irritated me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Until you acknowledge that truth, your path will remain closed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop spewing crap and speak clearly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ground my teeth. What was the point of this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it really asking me to admit I was better than humans?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What utter nonsense.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could anyone agree with such arrogant, vile words?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that’s supposed to open some kind of path?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never been blocked to begin with, you bastard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s what you want to believe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My irritation grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lashed out, gripping its throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I held it tightly, its smirk didn’t waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What now? Resorting to force when words fail? How typical of ‘us.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…If you’re going to keep spouting bullshit, just disappear. I don’t want to hear it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whirrr—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I poured all my strength into my grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart reverberated as if something inside was responding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames began to flow into my hand, being absorbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was theDemonic Sky Absorption Technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature didn’t resist, almost as if it wanted this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it was being drawn in, it spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do not recognize you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re nothing but an unworthy imposter sitting where you don’t belong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It grabbed my wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time, I’ll help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could finish, heat surged through my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah…!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A searing heat overwhelmed me, intense enough to cause even me pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bastard… what are you doing…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you hadn’t entangled yourself in such pointless affairs, I wouldn’t need to help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to back away, but my body wouldn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heat consumed me, spreading throughout my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the inferno, its voice echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words etched themselves into me, like a brand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Devour any kin who invade your domain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heat climbed higher, reaching my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It burned and burned, leaving only ashes in its wake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like it, but I wasn’t afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of fear, I felt something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this emotion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the thought lingered, I realized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not forget.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, it wasn’t fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are not human. We aredragons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was exhilaration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>****************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heat coursing through my body began to subside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—! Thunk—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the heat dissipated, the oppressive sensation clouding my vision lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What just happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What in the world had transpired?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like a dream—vague, distant, yet vividly etched into my memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell kind of mess was that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I tried to make sense of it, a sudden pain ripped through me, making my body stagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely catching myself, I stabilized my posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I hadn’t, I might have toppled over completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell… ugh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was just beginning to wonder what kind of situation this was when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain engulfed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was different from the searing heat I had felt earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the pain was everywhere—inside and out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even my skin throbbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And my bones? Just the slightest movement made them ache as if they’d been crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell? Did I spend the entire day getting beaten to a pulp or something—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively, I raised my arm to block from the left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy impact struck, the sound of the collision ringing out as my body was shoved sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something had hit me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not just anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That sound…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The harsh, echoing sound of the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same vibrating noise I’d heard in the white world just moments ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh, come on. Is this…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noise I’d thought was strange? Was that the sound of my own body being pummeled?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it. No wonder it sounded so ominous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d thought something was breaking. Turns out, that something was me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to see who was hitting me like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar figure came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black hair. A composed and almost gentle appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I addressed him, he responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems your tone has changed. The discipline is starting to take effect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just earlier, you were calling me all sorts of things—‘vermin,’ ‘trash,’ ‘insect.’ Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said that? ToPaejon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Did I?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t remember.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was Paejon even beating me in the first place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Questions flooded my mind, and then fragments of memory surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hair ornament I’d picked up in the snow—the one belonging to Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment I saw that ornament, my memory was blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had I lost control? Gone berserk?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And because of that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Did I actually say those things to Paejon?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Insects, trash… Did I really talk to him like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that why I was in this state now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even imagining it made me feel faint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The area around me was already a disaster zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground was pockmarked with craters, as though someone had slammed it repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And flames burned atop the cold snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone could tell—those flames were mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something wet slid down the corner of my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I wiped at it, I realized it was blood from my nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I must have taken quite the beating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swallowing nervously at the chilling situation, I heard Paejon chuckle as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you, didn’t I? A few hits would jog your memory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-wait a second, Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Experience never lies. Isn’t that right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry! I must’ve lost my memory for a bit—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned my head just in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon’s fist brushed past where my face had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air seemed to explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How does punching the air even make a sound like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat trickled down my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m telling you, I’ve come to my senses!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, my disciple. You’ve yet to truly come to your senses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got to be kidding me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking into Paejon’s eyes, I realized the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know exactly what he’d heard, but it had enraged him beyond reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The fact that you’re still using such crude language proves you haven’t learned your lesson.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m serious! I’ve regained my senses, so just—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t block this one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fist drove into my side, and it hurt like hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no time to dwell on the pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the full force of the blow could settle in, I twisted my body to deflect the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to disperse the force by rotating my body, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Paejon seized my joint, throwing off my balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My vision began to tilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of me, I saw his next punch coming, already mid-swing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this position, there was no way to block it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With my heightened senses, I could see countless threads of energy extending from Paejon, interweaving like an impenetrable net.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding a way through was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was screwed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I didn’t handle this properly, I could die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought flitted through my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t block, and I can’t dodge.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what could I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking was pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When all options are gone, there’s only one thing left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I couldn’t defend or evade, I had to attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, I needed to force Paejon back and create distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whrrr—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that decision, I reached for my energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it…!!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a trace of the immense energy I’d once wielded remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much had I burned through? My reserves were completely dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that was left was a sliver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But right now, I had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wuuuu—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gathering what little energy I had, I funneled it into my fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it would work or not, I swung with all I had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon halted his attack and abruptly turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he suddenly reacting like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the thought crossed my mind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoooosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something erupted from my fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shreeeeeeech—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling sound ripped through the air as if reality itself was being torn apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KABOOOOM—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peak of the glacier behind Paejon was obliterated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holy crap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>****************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dark and silent chamber.A place devoid of light, shrouded in stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At its center stood a grand throne, immense in size and stature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had once been the seat of the ruler of the North Sea, the sovereign of the Ice Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, seated upon that throne was someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssssss—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The frigid air filled the hall, as it always did, carrying the biting chill of the North Sea winds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among those icy gusts—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble… Rumble…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint vibration trembled through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with it, a trace of warmth began to seep in, blending faintly with the cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This warmth was alien, utterly incompatible with the frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drifting heat mingled with the icy air, swirling and brushing past the throne as it moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure seated on the throne slowly opened their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness, pale blue light emanated from their gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This energy…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps stirred by this sensation, the corners of their eyes subtly curved into a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, now… An unexpected guest has arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their voice, tinged with amusement, echoed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chuckle, chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each laugh sent cold mist curling from their lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure rose from the throne slowly, deliberately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stepped down from the throne, their footsteps echoing in the vast chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their face bore a faint expression of delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I was beginning to think it was too easy to be any fun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had thought it too simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hadn’t been meant to be so easily attained, after all. Just as their interest had begun to wane, this had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure continued walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead of them knelt another figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the chamber, before the throne, someone was kneeling on one knee, their head bowed low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure on the throne smiled more deeply as they looked at the kneeling person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even a festival needs some excitement, don’t you agree?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not that you’d understand even if I explained. But that doesn’t matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was of no consequence. Events had already been set in motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the figure had no intention of stopping them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Biwhaegun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At their call, the kneeling person lifted their head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting their gaze, the figure spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you complete the task I entrusted to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes. I have carried out your orders to the letter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure nodded at the reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I trust your word, so I won’t bother confirming. But just in case…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their voice trailed off, and their pupils narrowed into slits, like a reptile’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man kneeling before them bit his lip as he met that gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope there’s no deceit. After all, it would be unfortunate if something were to happen to what you hold dear, wouldn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes. I will bear that in mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man lowered his head once more, his voice subdued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go now. There’s still work for you to do, isn’t there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The command given, the young man rose to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword at his waist, marked with the insignia of Wudang, clinked softly as he moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure watching him let out a faint chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a task they could have undertaken themselves, but they had chosen not to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precious gifts were best saved for later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For in the anticipation of opening them lay the greatest joy.\u003C\u002Fp>",2850,"2026-06-05T15:10:11.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","dc4f90b4b5a449df26063be28bd2d873804c21e65c8dd132236a850f695c869e","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-605","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-603",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]