[{"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-639":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},1240489,1667,"Chapter 638","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-639",639,"\u003Cp>\"Graaaah--!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piercing through the beast's savage roar, I launched myself forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite its massive frame, akin to a small hill, its movements were alarmingly swift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature's claw slammed into the ground, tearing into the surface as if it were slicing tofu. The razor-sharp claws carved through the earth effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowly evaded, moving closer toward it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The target: its descending forearm. As it came into range, I twisted my waist and unleashed a powerful punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My fist connected squarely with the beast's forearm. A harsh sound rang out as its hand was flung backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grrrr-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by its reaction, the impact barely registered. My attack had definitely landed, but it only managed to deflect the blow. It neither broke the arm nor delivered a significant injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeech!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Angered by the hit, the creature lunged at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When a massive beast charges straight at you, it's natural to feel a twinge of fear. Even so, I scrutinized its movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No reasoning, just brute force. It has no sense of self?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lacked consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this were Mang's body, I expected some sort of calculated reaction. But as it stood now, this thing was no different from a wild animal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my energy as it barreled toward me. Heat surged through my body as flames erupted forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoooosh!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeeech!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as the fire engulfed its body, it didn’t falter, charging at me without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its enormous maw opened wide as it lunged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wham! BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>GRAAAHHH!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its head snapped sideways, and its massive body staggered violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon had struck the creature's skull, successfully halting its assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha!\" Paejon chuckled as he looked at the reeling beast. \"This one's built tougher than most.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to have realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's covered in something... unidentifiable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seems so,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the red beast before it, this one appeared to have some sort of protective layer around its body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That must be why our attacks weren’t having much effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can't see it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red beast had shown faint weaknesses, but this one revealed none.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of monster is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Debris flew as the creature thrashed about. I dodged incessantly, observing its movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How do I take it down?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to find a way to defeat it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If every strike was blocked by that invisible barrier, continuing to expend energy would only put me at a disadvantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, I'd tire out and become its prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeech--!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oppressive energy made me grimace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A White-Rank beast, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t exaggerating when they called its very existence a calamity. Its destructive power more than lived up to that name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that’s Mang’s real body...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could such a beast be classified as a mere White-Rank monster?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, come to think of it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that its true form?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this grotesque shape truly be Mang’s original body?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, it didn’t make sense. No matter how I looked at it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s just a monster….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Third Pureblood Dragon.\" That was how Mang had introduced himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He claimed to be a dragon, like me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But this… this isn’t even a proper monster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I twisted my body to dodge its incoming claws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t avoid them completely; my upper body was grazed, and pain seared through me as my robe was torn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wound hurt more because it overlapped with the sword injury from earlier. My movements were noticeably slower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grrr!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature wasted no time, swiping at me again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its claws were right in front of me when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone suddenly appeared, intercepting the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeech!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of claws scraping against steel rang out as the intruder deflected the strike with a sharp motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burst of sword energy repelled the creature’s claws slightly. I widened my eyes at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll join you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man had black hair and brown eyes—a giant figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The master who had stood guard at the gate leading to the Palace Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Black Lion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was momentarily stunned by his appearance when another figure appeared and supported me as I descended to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you all right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it was Seong Yul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I apologize for my delay. I was helping evacuate the people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had wondered where he’d gone. It seemed he had been ensuring the townsfolk’s safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...This guy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To think that in a previous life, this killer—or Sword Demon—would now be rescuing people and coming back for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you were evacuating people, why didn’t you stay with them? Why come back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I asked why he hadn’t taken the chance to escape, he replied with his usual expressionless face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because the Young Master is here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You’re insane.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t hesitate to voice my thoughts. When had I ever earned his loyalty?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We hadn’t known each other for long, and his words seemed absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said you would give me a purpose for my life. Until then, I cannot let you die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When did I ever say that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d never said anything of the sort. All I had told him was to use his life for my benefit if he was going to waste it anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This lunatic is interpreting it however he wants,\" I thought, stifling a sigh as I forced myself to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And who’s that guy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have no idea,\" Seong Yul answered, shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t seem like they had coordinated anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The one guarding the Palace Lord’s gate said he’d fight with us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he be unaware of what Paejon had told me? It seemed unlikely for someone so close to the Palace Lord to be oblivious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, could Paejon have lied?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given his temperament, it wasn’t out of the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But judging by his expression, that doesn’t seem to be the case.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Lion’s face, which was clenched in determination, betrayed a mix of grief and resolve. He wasn’t fighting in ignorance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear something had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon’s words seemed to hold some truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Palace Lord has been consumed by Mang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might not be the full story, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Graaaah!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast turned its head toward us, roaring again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It charged once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I prepared to dodge and formulate a plan—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relax your footing. Focus your energy on your back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice rang out in my mind. Instinctively, I gathered energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi solidified across my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive force launched me forward, hurtling me toward the beast at breakneck speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though startled, I clenched my fists tightly, pouring my energy into them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approaching the beast with overwhelming momentum, I struck before it could open its maw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grrrk!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature staggered as my punch landed on its face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well done,\" said the one who had kicked my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon used my airborne shoulder as a springboard, propelling himself toward the creature’s head. Extending his fingers as if aiming, he targeted its crown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In one fluid motion—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his fingers into a fist and drove it downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeeech!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the simplicity of the attack, its power was extraordinary. The beast staggered more than ever before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, I saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small opening appeared where its protective layer had fractured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a weak spot—barely there but undeniably present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t afford to miss it. But before I could act, it was already too late to adjust my position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I deliberated—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something flew toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My apologies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Seong Yul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was he apologizing for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could think further—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bas—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped on me, just as Paejon had, launching himself higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotating midair to gain speed, he plunged his sword directly into the beast’s newly exposed weak point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeeaaach--!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster thrashed in pain as its flesh was sliced by the qi-infused blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon and Seong Yul, floating mid-air, were now in a precarious position, easy targets for the creature’s retaliation. Without hesitation, I channeled energy into my hands, wrapping it around their bodies, and yanked them back toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they were pulled clear, the beast’s massive tail whipped through the air, narrowly missing them by a hair’s breadth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without even performing a landing maneuver, we hit the ground hard, quickly rising to assess the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grrrrrr...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast growled menacingly, blue ichor trickling down its forehead. The attack had landed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not deep enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the success of the strike, the damage was minimal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssshh...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the slight breach in its protective barrier had regenerated almost instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unbelievable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold sweat ran down my back. Its speed and strength were overwhelming, though not entirely unavoidable. It wasn’t impossible to face this monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can’t finish it off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless I could shatter its barrier, killing it was out of the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are all White-Rank beasts like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t tell if this was unique to this creature or a trait common to all White-Ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I should’ve asked Noya about this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought was fleeting. Shin Noya, after all, had single-handedly defeated a White-Rank beast in the past. Perhaps he could have provided insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was nothing more than a lament. Who could have predicted that a White-Rank beast would appear here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a long sigh, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside me, Paejon seemed lost in thought, his face contemplative. After a few seconds, he looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Disciple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you use your ‘Sim-sang’ right now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His question caught me off guard. Sim-sang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You mean... Heart Fist?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon’s brow furrowed slightly at my response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you really name it that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean, there’s already something calledSim-geom, so why not Heart Fist too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph. Well, whatever. Can you use it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two times, at most,\" I replied with a nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then try it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he gave the order, I didn’t hesitate. Pouring my spirit into my hands, I focused on the energy. It coiled around my fist like a living thing before being unleashed toward the monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoooosh! BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeeech--!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature staggered violently as the attack landed. My eyes widened in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast’s reaction to Heart Fist was starkly different from its response to regular attacks. Even when I had used an overwhelming amount of energy to strike it before, it barely reacted. But now, with a relatively light use of Heart Fist, the creature was visibly shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And more importantly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Its barrier is broken.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opening was larger than the one Paejon had created earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah... so that’s it,\" Paejon muttered, nodding as if he had expected this outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sim-sang works against it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to him, my disbelief apparent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you saying its barrier can only be broken withSim-sang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I mixed a bit of Sim-sang into my earlier strike, I noticed the difference. This test confirms it,\" Paejon replied matter-of-factly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I need to use a metaphysical technique just to shatter its defense?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at least now we had a method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we just need to keep breaking it. Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go where?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where else? We have to kill it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And how, exactly, do you plan to do that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His question threw me off. Didn’t we just figure out how to deal with it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I processed his words, Paejon continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me, disciple. Who else here can useSim-sangbesides you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization hit me like a brick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scanned our surroundings. Seong Yul, ever vigilant, was a consummate martial artist at the peak of his craft, and the Black Lion, though a master ofHwagyeong, hadn’t demonstrated any familiarity withSim-sang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you, Elder...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My earlier attempt was my limit. My vessel is not yet fully formed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, I was the only one here capable of breaking its barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...And I’m at my limit,\" I muttered bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t in great shape either. After my earlier clash with Mang, my energy reserves were nearly depleted. Heart Fist was never a technique meant for repeated use. At best, I could use it one more time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was spiraling further out of control. Just as I was wracking my brain for a solution, Paejon stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Five minutes,\" he said. \"I can hold it off for that long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gather the others and secure a passage for escape.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell are you saying right now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t keep the irritation out of my voice. Paejon’s expression remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s simple. You can’t die here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said earlier that retreating isn’t something you teach. What is this now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Call it a tactical withdrawal,\" he said with a smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t give me that bullshit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon chuckled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Despite everything, I still consider myself part of the orthodox faction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s hard to believe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t want to see younger martial artists die here,\" he said with a shrug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what, you’re just going to sacrifice yourself? We’re not going to die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Think of it as me finally acting like a proper teacher.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop pretending to be noble. It’s creepy,\" I shot back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite my growling protests, Paejon’s resolve didn’t waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve seen the end of martial arts, and now this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t make sense. Why would he do this now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grinding my teeth in frustration, I refused to accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t be ridiculous,\" I spat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way I’d let Paejon die here just to save me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wrapping my hand in flames, I constructed aFlame Jade Spear. Compressing and rotating it, I infused it with all the energy I could muster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oho,\" Paejon said, his eyes gleaming with interest. \"You’ve mastered it at last?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t answer. Focusing all my attention on the spear, I steadied my breathing and gave him a curt command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thirty seconds. Hold it off for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paegon smirked. \"Stubborn as always.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he engaged the monster alongside Seong Yul and the Black Lion, I concentrated on reinforcing the spear withSim-sang. The energy solidified, forming a weapon sharp enough to pierce even a White-Rank beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeeech!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a final deep breath, I raised the spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This ends now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three warriors broke away from the monster just as I hurled the spear with all my might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spinning projectile slammed into the creature’s barrier, shattering it. The spear penetrated its flesh, exploding into flames that engulfed its body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, I felt triumph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeeeech!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames began to dissipate as the beast thrashed violently, regenerating its wounds almost immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Damn it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a direct hit to its weak point hadn’t been enough to kill it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grinding my teeth in frustration, I failed to notice the approaching presence behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve done well,\" a deep, resonant voice said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, I froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice was impossibly heavy, carrying an eerie weight that didn’t belong in this desolate battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning my head, I saw a towering figure approaching. A massive hand brushed against my hair as it passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, I thought to call out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fa—?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could finish, a gust of heat surged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A colossal tremor shook the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I turned back, the White-Rank beast, once seemingly invincible, was collapsing. Half its body was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>",2566,"2026-06-05T15:10:11.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","054f83192618d71a24d488b4887f78de4e61c39add14fbf9ab3af71421ec044a","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-640","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-638",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]