[{"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-620":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},1240470,1667,"Chapter 619","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-620",620,"\u003Cp>Her words made me frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why is she beautiful?\" What kind of nonsensical statement was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said she wore a mask because of burn scars…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Yuri’s words, I finally understood. It seemed Namgung Bi-ah had been wearing a mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least she followed that part.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Namgung Bi-ah left for the North Sea, I had strongly warned her about one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know what kind of people she would encounter there, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your face is a problem, so I told you to hide it as much as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any world, beauty often attracts unwanted attention. Namgung Bi-ah's face wasn’t just beautiful—it was treasure-level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had told her to cover it up as much as possible. Thankfully, it seemed she had listened to that piece of advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head slightly, as if she understood Yuri's remark, and then casually said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was a lie.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuri froze, her face blank at the completely nonchalant confession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A lie…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, a lie. Sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even her apology was delivered in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an almost comical situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Let’s just get moving. We can’t stay here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the two of them any longer wasn’t going to help, so I decided it was time to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached out and supported Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she could react, I lifted her up in my arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look like it’s hard to move. Even if you don’t like it, just bear with it—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh… okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her firm response caught me off guard, leaving me feeling slightly awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait… weren’t you the one who refused to even touch me when I asked for a piggyback ride because it was dirty?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored Yuri’s incredulous comment from behind and focused on channeling my energy to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy enveloped Yuri’s body and gently lifted her into the air. Now that my body had recovered, such a feat was possible again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was to ensure we could return to the hideout quickly. While confirming the direction, I asked Yuri,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before we leave, I need to ask you something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your brother, the one involved in the rebellion—he called himself Yuseon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my question, Yuri’s expression contorted strangely, as though she had just heard something absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by her reaction, was it the eldest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The likelihood of the Second Gongja leading the rebellion was higher, but this could still make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Give me any information about—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait a moment…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just now, did you say Yuseon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded. I had clearly heard him say that name—Yuseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I confirmed, Yuri’s expression became increasingly twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure… you didn’t hear wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was she talking about? Heard wrong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you truly heard that name, then you must have misheard it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I’m sure of it. He definitely said his name was Yuseon—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yuseon isn’t my brothers’ name.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her answer made me frown this time. Not her brothers? What did she mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stared at her, confused, Yuri spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That name…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused for a moment before continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yuseon is the name of the First Princess of the Ice Palace. My older sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words were completely unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the Ice Palace\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The underground chambers of the Ice Palace—an area accessible only to the royal bloodline, specifically the ruler of the North Sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along its dimly lit corridors, Yuseon walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With every step Yuseon took, subtle changes became apparent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her form grew increasingly slender.The lines of her physique softened, her sharp, cold features transforming into those of a stunningly beautiful woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she resembled Yuri in some ways, the differences were undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today has been quite the harvest,\" Yuseon remarked while continuing forward, addressing someone behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even her voice had changed—a mellifluous, feminine tone now graced her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To think your fixation was not only of the same kin as me but a pureblood. It’s truly remarkable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yuseon spoke with a smile, the person trailing behind her—Woo Hyuk—bit his lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That person isn’t my fixation,\" Woo Hyuk said, struggling to deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuseon burst out laughing at his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vioe-gun, you’re unique.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And because I know that, I’ll let your lies slide. Are you aware of that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air felt stifling.Woo Hyuk was momentarily overwhelmed by the sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuseon stopped walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t that right? If that weren’t the case…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning her head, Yuseon looked back at Woo Hyuk, her narrowed eyes curling into a smile that masked her slit-like pupils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wouldn’t have let your lies slide so easily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The term \"White Fox,\" referring to Namgung Bi-ah, caused Woo Hyuk to furrow his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing his reaction, Yuseon continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won’t bother asking why you did it—it’s a trivial question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was filled more with amusement than anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After all, I already knew you would act this way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Hyuk’s eyes widened at Yuseon’s statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You… knew?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implication rattled him to his core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean? Didn’t you explicitly order me to kill the White Fox?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did. And yet…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, she had expected things to turn out this way? Woo Hyuk’s gaze wavered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is far more entertaining. I was curious to see whether you would act as I predicted, whether you would truly follow my orders.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuseon’s words made Woo Hyuk’s clenched fists tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you honestly think you could act without me noticing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuseon seemed thoroughly amused by Woo Hyuk’s actions, her smile growing wider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is no one in the North Sea who can evade my eyes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, beneath the Ice Palace, she had overcome the curse and merged with \"it,\" becoming one with her newfound existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having shed her crude mortal body, she had ascended into greatness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current North Sea was indistinguishable from Yuseon herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I knew about your attempt to save your master. I knew about your efforts to protect the White Fox.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was for Gwiseon’s sake or Namgung Bi-ah’s, Yuseon knew everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had merely indulged in observing those events for her amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Woo Hyuk, his voice heavy with exhaustion, asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What exactly do you want from me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could this woman possibly want to put him through all of this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What I want? A lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever Woo Hyuk might have thought, Yuseon wanted far more from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are far more important than you realize.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precious. So incredibly precious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the future Yuseon envisioned, Woo Hyuk was indispensable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not just you… the White Fox as well…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another piece had rolled in all on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not merely another of her kin, but a pureblood had appeared before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An opportunity to gather three pieces.An opportunity to consume the pureblood and elevate her value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First Princess…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuseon froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sharp gaze fixed on Woo Hyuk as he addressed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vioe-gun. I’ve told you before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold energy that hadn’t been present before filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frost spread across the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I asked you not to call me that. I even pleaded with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have shown you great mercy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had spared the sibling she loved yet wanted to destroy.She had extended mercy to Gwiseon as well, allowing him to live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such circumstances—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A simplerequestlike this isn’t too much to ask, is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chilling aura made Woo Hyuk turn his head away, struggling to endure it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t understand.Why was she so lenient about everything else but so vehement about this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made no sense to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I apologize, Yuseon-nim.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no other option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satisfied with his response, Yuseon smiled and resumed walking. She continued until they arrived at a grand entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive iron door loomed before them. Yuseon extended her hand toward it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door vibrated with a tremendous force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creeeeak—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy door slowly swung open, as though pushed by an invisible hand. From within, a wave of icy air poured out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a vast, snow-white expanse, as if blanketed by endless snowfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Large enough to encompass the entire Ice Palace aboveground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Hyuk stared in astonishment at the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Congratulations,\" Yuseon said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re likely the first non-bloodline individual to set foot in here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuseon gestured gracefully toward the center of the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suspended in midair was a massive chunk of ice. Though small compared to the vastness of the space, it was by no means insignificant in size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the question formed in Woo Hyuk’s mind, Yuseon spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you think of theIce Essence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Hyuk gasped at her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ice Essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most treasured artifact of the Ice Palace.A relic that the bloodline regarded as both a treasure and a curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this trulythatIce Essence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its shimmering, cold presence captivated him. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as he stared, a question rose within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you showing this to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his question, Yuseon moved calmly toward the Ice Essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just wanted to show you. Isn’t it fascinating?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This small piece of ice, compared to the vast North Sea above—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Causing snow to fall across the land year-round.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And moreover—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sustaining its life by consuming the bloodline itself as collateral.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you saying…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Would you like to know something truly interesting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled by her shocking words, Woo Hyuk could barely react as Yuseon continued toward the Ice Essence and spoke to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vioe-gun, what do you think this is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pointed at the Ice Essence as she asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Ice Essence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An ancient artifact of the Ice Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Woo Hyuk, that’s all it appeared to be. Her earlier words had hinted at something deeper, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuseon smirked and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is anegg.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An egg?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The egg left behind by the Dragon Emperor. It’s nearly ready to hatch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What… are you saying?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I believe this is fate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She laughed—a laugh that didn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pieces gathering at the cusp of its hatching. A pureblood appearing before me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The laughter bubbled up uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even the fact that I was ‘chosen’—all of it must be destiny.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unsettling madness emanated from her.Woo Hyuk could only swallow nervously as he looked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This feels like everything is pushing me to move forward without hesitation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuseon thought back to the pureblood dragon she had encountered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apureblood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a being like herself, who had bloomed the seed left behind by the Dragon Emperor to transcend her race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one who had shattered their vessel and risen to the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A being with inherent value, destined to stand above other dragons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A being worthy of the titleDragon Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a being wasn’t supposed to exist in this world—so how had one appeared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Let go.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling his words sent a shiver of delight through Yuseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power to dominate, an innate force born of destiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he seemed unaware of his authority, those two words alone had forced her to pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dragon who had completed their evolution yet hadn’t fully bloomed.And more than that—a pureblood capable of becoming a ruler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She desired him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She desired him fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she hadn’t devoured him. Not yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because devouring him in that state would have been a waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When the time comes,\" she thought, \"I will crush him in his prime and consume him completely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way, she would destroy not just his value but also the very qualifications that made him unique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, it would become clear—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not him, but she was the one destined to become the Dragon Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, she would claim every piece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the creature yet to emerge from the Ice Essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And so…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would ascend higher, beyond all limits, and bring the North Sea its long-lost spring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was Yuseon’s goal.\u003C\u002Fp>",1993,"2026-06-05T15:10:11.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","7ae08643d8bfdfd91ea9e654a7ec1b991949522dc5925f1d13ea41b3793a9d7c","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-621","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-619",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]