[{"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-683":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},1240433,1667,"Chapter 682","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-683",683,"\u003Cp>A chilling sensation brushed across my cheek, sharp and instinctive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My lips curled into a smirk as my senses identified the hostility emanating toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, look at this guy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The intent was unmistakable. I met his golden eyes past his furrowed brows and tilted my head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you knew?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you find out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, but Shinryong only bit his lip, refusing to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he wasn’t going to say anything, why even bring it up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at him for a moment before asking something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why, exactly, should I have denied it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The claim that the youngest Hwagyeong title was just a rumor—why should I feel the need to refute that? I didn’t see the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s because….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Shinryong opened his mouth and spoke slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Because that rumor is false.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youngest Hwagyeong officially recognized by the Martial Alliance was none other than Shinryong himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, of course, that was just the official story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then who was the real youngest Hwagyeong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it me?Perhaps. Reaching the Hwagyeong level before even reaching adulthood was certainly extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But could I say that with certainty?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Who knows.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unofficial records were, by definition, unacknowledged information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I truly were the youngest Hwagyeong, it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t really care.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such trivial titles didn’t concern me, nor did they hold any real meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What significance does something gained this way even have?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The level I’d reached now was nothing more than the result of relying on my regression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The title of youngest Hwagyeong? It was utterly meaningless to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What use would it serve? It wasn’t important at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want it, take it. I’m leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could have that title if he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had my eyes set on something far greater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Shinryong knew something, it didn’t matter to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could spread that rumor all he wanted if it pleased him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to leave, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Benefactor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinryong’s frown deepened as he spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you pitying me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked back at him, focusing on his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emotion swirling in his golden gaze was unmistakable—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Inferiority?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a feeling I knew all too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those were the same eyes I had in my previous life, and even now, they weren’t unfamiliar to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘For Shinryong to look at me with those eyes….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could make a monk like him direct such a gaze at me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious, I asked, “Have we met before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way he would look at me like that without a reason. But what that reason was, I couldn’t figure out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is strange.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the Black Dragon Yeongpung, and now Shinryong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did these so-called geniuses keep giving me this look?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Shinryong remain silent, I clicked my tongue in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know what your deal is, but is it really appropriate for a monk who believes in Buddha to look at someone like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my remark, Shinryong’s eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly adjusted his expression, seemingly realizing something was off about his behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowed my eyes at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your problem? What exactly do you find so upsetting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could possibly be bothering him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just keep doing what you’ve been doing. I don’t care about those rumors or anything else, so just go on with your life. Pity? Who am I supposed to pity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was too busy trying to survive myself to spare any energy for pitying others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I expressed my annoyance, Shinryong’s reaction remained unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I don’t understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What don’t you understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you remain so quiet while these rumors circulate about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was full of genuine confusion, as if he couldn’t comprehend my lack of action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You could set the record straight if you wanted to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s there to set straight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he want me to correct the rumors? Was he expecting me to declare that he wasn’t the real youngest Hwagyeong and that I was?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I choose not to, then that’s that. Who are you to question it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I didn’t care to prove anything, wasn’t that better for him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And anyway, who said I wouldn’t do it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinryong’s expression changed at my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not addressing it now because there’s no need to—right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t denying the rumors or refraining from showing my power out of inability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Shinryong himself pointed out, I could demonstrate it and correct the record at any time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So don’t worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s not much time left, anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t long before the moment to reveal everything arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you saying that if you wanted to, you could easily prove it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wouldn’t be difficult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As even Shinryong had noted, it wouldn’t be hard to show them the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason I hadn’t yet was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The impact is greater when you wait and then reveal it all at once.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t an idiot. I hadn’t been sitting quietly, ignoring ridiculous rumors out of weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was merely waiting for the right moment, and that moment was drawing near.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know why Shinryong was so fixated on me, but it didn’t matter. There was only one thing left to say to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So if you want to see it, wait. Stop wasting your time with pointless things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t be long before I showed them.The perfect stage for that revelation was already being prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t care about anything else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would simply show them when the time came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An era of falling stars, they called it—a time when stars rained down like a meteor shower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though peace had been shattered, people didn’t lose hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why? Because there were so many stars to protect them. Believing in those stars, they continued to breathe and move forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not once did I ever think of myself as one of those stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I simply gazed up at the falling meteors from below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had never considered myself a descending star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But now, there are too many stars, and their value seems so diminished.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oddly enough, I liked it that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the stars continued to fall in droves, I would gather their light and burn alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would shine by myself in the end. Right now, I was merely preparing to ignite that flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I thought about this, I looked calmly at Shinryong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze lowered slightly as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I heard you’re participating in the Bi-mu-je as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded in acknowledgment, and Shinryong slowly clasped his hands together in a gesture of respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he about to show me some form of deference?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll see you there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were calm, but the challenge behind them was unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, I tilted my head and asked, “You don’t like me, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t recall having any particular connection with him, so why did he feel like this toward me from our first meeting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire demeanor radiated dislike for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, his words made it clear—he wanted to fight me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t like I was the type to be universally loved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t care if he hated me. Accepting that, I nodded to myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s because I need to prove my worth through you, Benefactor. That’s why I’m saying this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinryong shook his head slightly as he added those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Worth, huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proving his worth—what a strange phrase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think beating me will prove your worth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not sure. But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s the case, you’ll lose to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off before he could finish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing my words, his face stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That’s quite an arrogant statement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clearly didn’t like my certainty. Declaring his loss outright must have wounded his pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not that I meant it that way.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw no need to correct myself, though. Even if I tried, it wouldn’t change much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I continued to watch him, Shinryong’s voice turned sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Words are meaningless. I’ll show you how complacent your arrogance is. I’ll show you myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, he turned and walked away, his back bristling with anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his retreating figure, I briefly debated calling out to him but decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words didn’t bother me much, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I have mentioned it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mouth was smeared with grease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The evidence of his indulgence in meat was plain on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh well. He’ll figure it out.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had considered stopping him to point it out, but after how he’d spoken to me, I decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was it he’d said?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘See you there?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a quiet laugh, recalling his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Interesting.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he’d initiated it, whatever happened now was on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Licking my lips, I turned and began walking back to my quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the rooftop of a nearby building, Peng Woojin watched the two of us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression, however, had turned cold, entirely different from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time had passed since my return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the sunset painted the skies with its warm hues, I had completed my afternoon training and made my way to where Namgung Bi-ah was being treated by the Divine Doctor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I came to check on her condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah nodded as she quietly ate an apple she was peeling. She seemed fine, as her calm demeanor suggested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her work on the fruit, I asked, “...Don’t most people use a knife for that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s bothersome….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scratch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was peeling the apple’s skin using sword energy instead of the knife lying right next to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t understand why she would bother with that, but if it was more convenient for her, so be it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s nothing to worry about,” the Divine Doctor said as he noticed my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Her external injuries were the bigger concern in the first place…. But the young lady’s body is exceptionally resilient. Her Qi shows no signs of issues.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Namgung Bi-ah with intrigue. Normally, external injuries would affect one’s internal energy as well, but she seemed to have avoided that entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Her recovery rate is remarkable, even beyond what one might expect from a martial artist. While I initially estimated three months, she might heal much sooner than that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a relief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Doctor’s reassurance allowed me to relax a little. As I glanced around the room, I asked, “Where’s Goeseon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not sure. Last I saw, he went out with my disciple. Perhaps for a walk?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded at the explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s probably testing his abilities again.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Hyuk must have gone to see if his powers worked on Goeseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t heard any updates, but the fact that he kept trying suggested he was making some progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I hope it works.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it did, I’d have a capable healer to rely on whenever injuries occurred. That would be immensely useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the Divine Doctor was said to be the best in Zhongyuan—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even he couldn’t restore my severed arm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I mused on this, my gaze wandered around the room, searching for someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…They went out….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Namgung Bi-ah answered my unspoken question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cleared my throat awkwardly. “Ahem. What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’re looking for So-yeol and Seol-ah… aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She chewed her apple calmly as she spoke, her tone unbothered.She was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been wondering where they went, and it seemed she’d noticed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scratched my cheek awkwardly. “It’s not like that….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, looking for the others in front of Namgung Bi-ah made me feel oddly guilty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I averted my gaze, I heard a faint snicker from somewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Was that you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you just laugh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I don’t know….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it wasn’t her, then it had to be the Divine Doctor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you staring at?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange. The laugh had sounded distinctly feminine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you sure it wasn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I don’t know….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her answer wasn’t a denial or confirmation, which only made me more suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It has to be her.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I considered pressing her further, but just as I was about to—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah, that’s right….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah clapped her hands together, her expression overly exaggerated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a hollow laugh at her poor acting and decided to let it slide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Tomorrow… Father is coming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words that followed were far more significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Sword King is coming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head of the Namgung family and Namgung Bi-ah’s father, the Azure Sky Sword King, was coming to Hanam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was critical information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…My younger brother is coming too….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another one of Namgung’s geniuses, the Thunder Dragon Namgung Cheonjun, was coming as well. Hearing his name, I tilted my head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s been a while since I last heard that name.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last time I’d seen him was at the engagement ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I turned him into a Majin and left him to his fate.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the first person I had ever demonified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially, I had planned to use and discard him, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I completely forgot about him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had slipped my mind entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And now he’s coming here?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was peculiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Cheonjun’s presence in Hanam was unsettling for one reason:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m sure I placed restrictions on him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had imposed a command that he was not to leave Anhui and was to stay away from his sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How did he get out of Anhui?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that he was coming here only made things worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Namgung Bi-ah’s information was accurate, this was an impossibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could the restrictions have been broken?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, there were no signs of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I pondered the situation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Master.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint telepathic transmission reached me. It was Nahi’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The \"Spear\" has awakened.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, I frowned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of all times, now?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had hoped to delay this a little longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing a sigh, I replied to Nahi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Put them back to sleep.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a casual suggestion to knock them out again and deal with it later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…With all due respect, Master.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nahi’s tone held a hint of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This is already the fourth time I’ve done so. If I attempt it again, the Spear may go berserk.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t suppress my sigh this time. With annoyance clear in my expression, I furrowed my brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swipe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah reached out and brushed her hand against my cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to her, puzzled, as she popped the rest of her apple into her mouth and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go on….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words widened my eyes slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she overheard the transmission? That shouldn’t have been possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you know I need to leave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your eyes… told me….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes weren’t a mouth, so what could they have possibly said?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at her in disbelief, I saw—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Go on….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah withdrew her hand and gave a faint wave, urging me to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite myself, I smiled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oddly enough, her gesture brought me a sense of calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright. I’ll be back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood and turned to leave. As much as I didn’t want to go, it seemed I had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving a quick goodbye to the Divine Doctor, I stepped out the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My destination was my own quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I entered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KABOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An explosion echoed from the back of the residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Click.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue and immediately spread my Qi to envelop the surroundings in a barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The source of the commotion was a secluded area behind the quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I arrived and saw the scene, I instinctively closed my eyes briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was the area completely trashed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ugh….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Seong Yul lay collapsed near a boulder, groaning softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s he doing here?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting aside Seong Yul’s unexpected presence, I noticed Nahi standing in front of someone, dagger in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the cloud of dust rising around them, a low growl emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Where’s the Cult Leader? Where is he?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KABOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piercing shriek filled the air, followed by a sudden gust of wind that cleared the dust in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the view cleared, I stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is the Cult Leader?! Tell me now! If you don’t—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I don’t, what are you going to do, you lunatic?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman, who had been radiating murderous intent, froze and turned to face me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had short black hair and violet eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her appearance was deceptively beautiful, but her vile temperament overshadowed any charm she might have had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression transformed the moment she saw me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the Cult Leader! The Cult Leader is here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked around excitedly before extending her hand into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From somewhere in the forest, a long, black staff flew into her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You lying Cult Leader! You tied me up and locked me away without even letting me play!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>HUMMMM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she gripped the staff, an overwhelming aura of bloodlust erupted around her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was so intense and chaotic that even the trees nearby began to shake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m going to punish you! I can’t hold back anymore!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman pointed her staff at me and leapt forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KABOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground cracked as she launched herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her murderous intent made my brow twitch slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No choice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prepare to be punished—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Lie down.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>HUMMMM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUD!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman, mid-leap, tripped over her own feet and slammed face-first into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact was so strong that she rolled to a stop right at my feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I moved my foot forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stomp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ughhh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pressed her head into the dirt with my foot, pinning her down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she squirmed under the pressure, she muttered, “Oh no… you’re too rough… but maybe I like it…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her pitiful voice made me pinch the bridge of my nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I shouldn’t have called her.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more I looked at her, the more I regretted summoning her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her name was Bong Soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day, she would be known as the Ghost Spear, a demon who would wreak havoc across the battlefield—and the only living bloodline of the former Sword Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>",3032,"2026-06-05T15:10:12.585Z",1,"novelbin.me","3c0d189c1037ba7cc81d47dbb1fc78a58de31de892d34f951ad1bb1ba642e180","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-684","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-682",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]