[{"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-635":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},1240485,1667,"Chapter 634","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-635",635,"\u003Cp>Crunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Debris crumbled around me, and the overwhelming stench of burnt remains filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walls, scorched by the heat, were melting. The oppressive cold that had filled the space earlier was gone, replaced by an indescribable heat radiating everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the wreckage, I pushed myself up, forcing my body upright from under the debris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ptoo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spat out a mouthful of blood as I struggled to sit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain shot through my torso, making me grimace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My ribs were undoubtedly broken, and the searing pain in my abdomen hinted at more significant internal damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that, the spot where the sword had impaled me, as well as the gash across my chest, weren’t trivial injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even worse, the cold had infiltrated my body, penetrating deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I immediately began circulating my energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heat spread through me, alleviating the frostbite somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kicking aside debris, I began walking. The explosion had hurled me against the wall, leaving me momentarily unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At most, I’d been out for a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regulating my breathing, I pressed on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was close.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I hadn’t used my energy to brace for impact, my insides might’ve been completely ruptured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all the abuse my body had taken, I had learned to preserve it—well, somewhat. At least enough to avoid worse injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brushing dust off my shoulders, I kept moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why is there so much damn smoke?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I infused a small amount of energy into my hand and waved it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air cleared, pushing away the thick smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, with my vision restored, I continued toward my target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wall ahead had a massive hole blasted through it, and the debris inside was sizzling, resembling molten lava.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And below that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ugh... cough, cough...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang lay collapsed, a gaping hole in his abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked toward him, observing his mangled form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One arm was torn off, and his abdominal wound was severe. His condition was far from good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Regeneration is slow,\" I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His missing arm hadn’t regrown, and neither had the damage to his torso healed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering his earlier regeneration, I had expected such injuries to mend quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it’s not unlimited regeneration,\" I mused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps there were limits, or maybe there was a fixed number of times he could regenerate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hrk...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang groaned, coughing up blood. Seeing Woo Hyuk’s face in that state was a strange and unsettling sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You okay?\" I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I knew the answer. It was a rhetorical question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his gaze toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah... hah... damn it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his grim expression, he let out a weak, bitter laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I didn’t think it would end up like this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every word he spoke was accompanied by more blood spilling from his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed clear that his regeneration had completely stalled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just in case, I activated my senses, maintaining my guard. I wasn’t about to fall for any tricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a mere fledgling... who was only just born... and yet, you’ve managed to meddle this much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words drew a click of my tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me make this clear—I wasn’t trying to interfere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t for people getting dragged into this mess, I wouldn’t have gotten involved. I wouldn’t even have come to the Northern Sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made me wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened to him in the previous timeline?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang had mentioned being on the verge of resurrection, which meant he should have made his move back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had no recollection of such an event in my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Either he succeeded in hiding after his resurrection...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or he failed entirely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or, like now, someone else prevented his resurrection.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which one could it be? There was no way to know at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said you were the third, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes. I am...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Honestly, I don’t care about that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious he’d start a long-winded explanation, but I didn’t have time for that.Not for me—for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to cut to the chase and ask the most important question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who is the Dragon King? What’s his deal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my abrupt question, Mang turned his gaze toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dragon King—a past villain who had caused untold bloodshed, the first calamity to descend upon this world, and someone who was undoubtedly plotting something even now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Hah... hah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, Mang chuckled weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You’re cold, aren’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your dear companion’s body is dying, and yet that’s what you’re choosing to ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words made me frown deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cut the nonsense. Are you going to answer or not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...If I do, will you let me live?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe. If you beg while answering, I might consider it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed bitterly, blood pouring from his torso with every chuckle. I kept a close eye on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s at his limit,\" I thought. His lack of regeneration wasn’t a choice—it was beyond his control now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I observed, Mang suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want an answer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Are you finally—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ptoo!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spat bloody saliva at me, forcing me to tilt my head aside to avoid it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My fist swung reflexively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his head snap back from the blow, I immediately realized my mistake. I hadn’t intended to hit him anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Retracting my hand, I glared at him with irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re not going to answer, fine, but why spit at me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d punched him without meaning to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Hah... hah... heh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the hit, Mang chuckled weakly, his expression dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think you’ve won?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Ninth... you don’t realize the grave mistake you’ve made.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What mistake?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Because of this choice... you’ll ultimately lose to the Dragon King and be devoured... You’ll never defeat him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, I let out a dry chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang fell silent at my retort, but the pause didn’t last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. Like me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried a strange emptiness, his acknowledgment tinged with resignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you truly think you, left alone, can defeat him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Because you’re not here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The other Purebloods were devoured by him. What could a lone child like you possibly do? It’s impossible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, I idly stroked my chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will ultimately...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what’s your point?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off mid-sentence. His words were heading in a tiresome direction, and I needed to steer the conversation back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You failed, so you think I will too? Is that it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not that simple—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bullshit. That’s exactly what you’re saying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrogant bastards. Conversations with them never went anywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I get it—you’re still mad about getting beaten down ages ago. If you were too weak, just shut up and stay down. Stop whining like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Hah?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah, my ass.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the kind of conversation I wanted to have. If he wasn’t going to give me real answers, there was no point in dragging it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Woo Hyuk’s body dies here, it’ll be a problem too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was something I couldn’t let happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to wrap things up. I stared at him and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How do you know whether I’ll win or lose against the Dragon King? You lost to me, didn’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My words hit a nerve, and Mang’s expression twisted in anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think defeating me in this feeble body means you’ve truly won?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Feeble or not, you lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Hah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang let out a disbelieving laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Though I may have lost this fight—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attempt to justify himself brought a smile to my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gotcha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was what I had been waiting for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the ground beneath my feet, I felt a subtle shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the signal that the conditions had been met.Feeling the sensation clearly, I silently commanded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Devour.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you truly believe you can defeat the Dragon King—!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang’s words abruptly stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoooosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From my feet, black energy surged toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guh!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enveloped in the dark aura, Mang writhed, his injured body thrashing. Yet the energy seemed more resilient than even I had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What... what are you doing—!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ugh!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp sound echoed in my ears, the sound of something being bitten down on.It came from within the aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first crunch was followed by another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch—! Crack—! Gnaw—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noises of relentless chewing and swallowing filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaaaaaahhhhhh!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang let out an agonized scream from within the energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gaaaaahhh!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cries were deafening, so filled with pain that they made me grimace—not out of sympathy or pity, but because of what I was feeling in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssssssss—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the tips of my feet, the dark energy began to flow upward, carrying something into my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to describe—neither energy nor something wholly material.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it memories? Thoughts?Or perhaps a fragment of his soul?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever it was, the sensation was unmistakable. It traveled through me, reaching my heart, where it merged with my own spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Disgusting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as though I was taking something I shouldn’t, stealing something that wasn’t mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But guilt? No, it wasn’t guilt—just an inexplicable unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, this confirmed one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this is Authority.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel it clearly now—this was what it meant to seize Authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was devouring Mang’s Authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch. Crack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaaaaahhhhhh!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t something I could have done mid-battle. So why could I do it now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because he admitted defeat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conditions for consuming Authority were twofold:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both conditions had been met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What an absurd condition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t enough to defeat someone in battle; they had to concede and say it aloud. The condition was as frustrating as it was peculiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it because I want acknowledgment for my victories?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded childish and immature, but given how closely the Authority mirrored my own emotions, it wasn’t impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"N-no... no!! Don’t take it... Don’t take what’s mine!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang, shrouded in the black energy of greed, screamed in desperation. But the devouring didn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For what felt like an eternity, the relentless chewing and swallowing continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack. Gulp. Growl—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the devouring ceased. Greed seemed satisfied, letting out a contented belch before retreating back into the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssshhhh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With its departure, I let out a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, I felt full—even though I hadn’t eaten anything myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning my gaze forward, I saw Mang’s face, pale and trembling, as he gasped for breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that’s how it works. Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-you... took... what’s mine...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang’s trembling hand reached out toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Give it... give it back... Return my... power...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His desperate voice carried no weight. I casually swatted his hand away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hand fell limp, flopping to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Give it back? It’s mine now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No... It’s... mine...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, itwasyours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, it belongs to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang’s face contorted with rage at my words. His anger was palpable, but it wasn’t intimidating in the least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that I’d taken what I needed, there was nothing left to fear from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve gotten what I wanted. Now, disappear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh... gaaahhh...!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang tried to resist, but his body, already shattered, couldn’t pose any threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And based on what I felt during the process of devouring his Authority, his time was almost up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I took his Authority, I also claimed the remainder of his vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How... regretful...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light in his eyes faded with each passing second. All that remained was the faint trace of hatred directed at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... curse... you... I’ll curse you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words cut off as his body stiffened like a stone, completely lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Pureblood Dragon had died in disgrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no particular satisfaction in witnessing his death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I placed my hand on his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s not completely dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though faint, I could feel a heartbeat and shallow breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had avoided striking his vital points. Mang’s presence was gone, but the body left behind was Woo Hyuk’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this was far from a safe situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At this rate, he’ll die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was because Mang’s energy had been absorbed, but Woo Hyuk’s body had undergone changes, similar to mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the extensive injuries posed a serious problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking my tongue, I thought back to my original plan. I had intended to take Mang’s Authority and use it to heal Woo Hyuk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was an unexpected issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I now possessed two Authorities, and I knew immediately what they were upon claiming them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…But this won’t save him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The regenerative Authority wasn’t what I’d expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t like Yuseon’s ability to heal others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My newfound regeneration allowed me to rapidly healmy owninjuries, even regrowing severed limbs if needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn’t work on others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang’s second Authority, the power of regeneration, had its limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Was it always like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back to Yuseon’s ability, it didn’t seem like it should’ve been restricted in this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Authority weakened during the transfer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That possibility crossed my mind. Perhaps the process of stealing and assimilating it diminished its effectiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was plausible, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this situation, it’s irrelevant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no point in pondering it now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do I do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I left Woo Hyuk like this, he would die. Even if I somehow got him to a safe place, he wouldn’t survive the journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even if he did, could anyone save him in this state?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even the Divine Doctor could help at this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could I do? What was the answer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my teeth in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it, I could’ve saved him before. But now...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The regenerative Authority was what I had sought, but now it was practically useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought suddenly struck me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It enhances the wielder’s regeneration, doesn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the conditions, I thought of a possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A distant memory surfaced—of the Heavenly Demon and the creation of Demonic Beings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The process of turning them into Demonic Beings granted them strengthened bodies and unique powers—what they called “baptism.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt similar to what I was experiencing now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Could it work?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Summoning my resolve, I let demonic energy rise within me, flowing through my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Placing my hand on Woo Hyuk’s chest, I prepared to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before releasing the energy, I hesitated, staring at his unconscious face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If this works... will you hate me for it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought gave me pause, but weighing that against his impending death, the answer was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll save you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the only choice I had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demonic energy surged into Woo Hyuk’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>",2423,"2026-06-05T15:10:11.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","024584836a1ae96e49e709738ae3e9a008cf7db1b3164e23277935795f08bf27","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-636","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-634",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]