[{"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-710":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},1240752,1667,"Chapter 709","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-710",710,"\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol was still at the stage where she could count the number of times she had died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As sweat drenched her trembling body, the Shadow King spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know what you fear most?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The master of the night.The king of assassins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man closest to death himself posed the question, and Tang So-yeol raised her head.What was she most afraid of?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is it death?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Death.The end of life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this might be the answer, she replied, but the Shadow King, maintaining his usual impassive expression, said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The punishment for a wrong answer was severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash—!With a flick of his dagger, the Shadow King severed Tang So-yeol’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment her severed head hit the ground—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if everything had been an illusion. She awoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah… haah… sob…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Tang So-yeol whimpered in terror, the Shadow King spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still not enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that, she died a hundred more times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Tang So-yeol’s expression became empty.She no longer whimpered in fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will ask again. What do you think you fear the most?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, she couldn’t find the answer.It wasn’t death. That much was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, what could it be?At the time, Tang So-yeol still couldn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And death repeated itself once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many times had she died now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had counted up to five hundred, but after that, she stopped keeping track.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a cycle of the same question and her inability to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She answered no.And faced death again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt as if she might know.But because it wasn’t complete, she continued to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t know the answer, but she learned other things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She learned where to stab someone to kill them instantly.And where to stab them so they wouldn’t die but would feel only pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t study this deliberately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She learned it through countless repetitions, committing it to memory through sheer exposure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, she still couldn’t answer the Shadow King’s question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lost count of the number of times she died.Death no longer fazed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am disappointed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King spoke in the same calm voice as always, addressing Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re slower than I expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he saying her progress was slow?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With lifeless eyes, Tang So-yeol looked at the Shadow King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his face was as impassive as ever, she could sense a strange air of disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will you give up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…No… no, I won’t…. I can do it….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King frequently urged Tang So-yeol to give up.And each time, she answered that she could do it. Giving up wasn’t an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was her only chance.If she lost this, she might as well truly die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her answer, the Shadow King appeared to consider something for a moment before finally nodding slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke while pulling out his dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, you have ten chances. If you don’t find the answer by then—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King plunged his dagger into Tang So-yeol’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain no longer mattered to her, and she began to lose consciousness again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will kill Gu Yangcheon, the one you hold so dear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the midst of it, the voice that pierced her ears snapped her back to attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood flowed as Tang So-yeol’s eyes widened in shock amidst the haze of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What… what did you say…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’d better find the answer. You don’t have many chances left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King’s face betrayed no sympathy, even as she tried to plead with him.Thus, her hell began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had tried every possible answer.What else could she say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Gongja has nothing to do with this…! Why him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is not the answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dagger pierced her head, and she met death once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please… please… don’t harm him. I’ll figure out the answer. No, I’ll do anything. Please…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tried begging, clinging to his feet.But his response was always the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll kill you! If you touch him, I’ll kill you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She even swung her own dagger at the Shadow King in desperation.The outcome was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you—I’m right! I’m scared of this—I told you, didn’t I?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing worked. Eight chances passed this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then came the ninth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sob… sob….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She desperately wracked her brain, trying to think of the answer. It wasn’t death. It wasn’t despair.Not poverty. Not sacrifice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what? Anxiety consumed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t care if she died dozens, even hundreds of times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was different. Gu Yangcheon couldn’t be involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood dripped from her tightly clenched fist.She had gripped so hard that her nails pierced her palms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Please, please, please… please!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt no pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With bloodshot eyes, she looked at the Shadow King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had to find the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was she most afraid of?What answer would satisfy the Shadow King?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was it that terrified her the most?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol repeated the question to herself over and over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the Shadow King approached her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knelt down and met her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a question she had heard thousands of times.And yet, this time felt the same as all the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol’s eyes trembled uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, she couldn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what she said, it felt like it wouldn’t reach him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King moved his dagger slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the blade approached her neck, Tang So-yeol thought again.What was she afraid of right now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t death. It wasn’t pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it losing Gu Yangcheon? Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So was that it? Was she afraid of losing someone precious to her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Am I afraid of my own helplessness while I lose him?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he faded away, would she be powerless to do anything?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she failed to save him, would she remain utterly useless?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that what terrified her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King’s dagger, poised to strike her neck, stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will ask you again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice reached her ears.Trembling, Tang So-yeol looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same voice. The same question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crushed by the fear of helplessness, Tang So-yeol muttered unconsciously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Helplessness….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inability to do anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, tears flowed from one of her eyes, the one not yet fully green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, what she feared most was her own helplessness.It wasn’t death. It wasn’t pain. It was that wretched feeling inside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her words, the Shadow King withdrew his dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, that is your fear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his words, Tang So-yeol’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is… is that the right answer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If helplessness was the answer, then she had said it countless times before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She must have said it more than once.She must have used similar words, or even the exact term.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, back then, the Shadow King had killed her, claiming it wasn’t the answer.Why was he relenting now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to her unspoken question, the Shadow King explained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is a difference between speaking unknowingly and recognizing it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To understand and to simply say—it was a difference Tang So-yeol couldn’t yet grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only came to understand the Shadow King’s words much later—when her eyes had fully turned green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And only then did the Shadow King permit her to descend the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What… what just happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd was in an uproar, voices rising in confusion over what had just unfolded on the martial stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had only been a few seconds since the match between Tang So-yeol, the Poison Phoenix of the Tang Clan, and Oil Sword had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a black veil had enveloped the stage, throwing everyone into a state of bewilderment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this? Some kind of martial technique?Even the referee stationed outside the arena hesitated, unsure whether to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saaaah!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After more than a minute, the dark veil dissipated, revealing the two fighters once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spectators, who had been holding their breath, reacted with surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two fighters on stage appeared completely unscathed.Had they not fought at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As such thoughts crossed their minds—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Oil Sword coughed up blood and collapsed to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What—!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oil Sword collapsed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This can’t be…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unexpected turn of events left the crowd reeling. Everyone had anticipated Tang So-yeol’s defeat, yet here she stood, calmly observing her opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough… cough…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oil Sword was now coughing up blood repeatedly, his body trembling. Despite having no visible wounds, he appeared to be in excruciating pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol spoke, her voice steady and clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only four times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oil Sword’s face contorted in fear at her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You only managed to endure four times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… you wench!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t exaggerate. You were even begging me to let you go, remember? I felt sorry for you, so I obliged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of sorcery did you use!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who knows?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol gave a faint smile in response to Oil Sword’s outburst.That smile froze him in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had he just experienced?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he tried to recall, his body trembled involuntarily.The memories were blurry, as if shrouded in fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that remained was a lingering terror.Oil Sword struggled to grasp his current state of mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the midst of this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Focus, senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol addressed him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wouldn’t be fun to end it like this, and there’s still more to show. I let you off easy. Stay sharp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her smile was beautiful, yet to Oil Sword, it no longer seemed so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of anger, fear gripped his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You monster…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The insult slipped out before he could stop himself.But Tang So-yeol seemed unaffected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for the compliment. So, are you going to continue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grit—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sarcastic tone only further fueled Oil Sword’s frustration. He infused his blade with energy, suppressing the fear that gripped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a martial artist at thePeak Level, fear was something he could always conquer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regaining his composure, he glared at her and declared:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whatever trick you used doesn’t matter. If it didn’t kill me outright, then you’re finished.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If her technique had truly worked, she should have ended him while she had the chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that he was still standing meant she had no hope left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, Oil Sword unleashed his energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clear, radiant sword aura enveloped his blade as he swung it toward Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwaaah—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shooting Star Severance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technique earned him his title as Oil Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crescent-shaped arc of energy was as beautiful as a shooting star but carried destructive power far beyond its appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strike tore across the stage, heading straight for Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol tilted her head slightly, the motion reminiscent of someone else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the strike could land, her figure vanished from Oil Sword’s sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this open space, where could she have disappeared to? Oil Sword frantically searched for her presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honestly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her calm voice came from right in front of him—or rather, slightly below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward his lower body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oil Sword instinctively glanced down, attempting to reposition his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve made a mess of the stage, and others still need to use it. Why would you do that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Tang So-yeol was faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could react, her fist buried itself into his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his protective Qi barrier, the blow dug deep into his torso.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact sent shockwaves through his body, hurling him across the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oil Sword tumbled across the ground, rolling to a stop with a series of heavy thuds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud. Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His stance crumbled, and he could barely rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he tried to stabilize himself, a small foot flew toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force of the kick snapped his head back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His protective Qi shattered alongside the blood and teeth that flew from his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power behind her slender frame was monstrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His vision blurred, but he could see Tang So-yeol approaching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom boom! Boom boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fists rained down on his body, a relentless barrage of strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each blow was precise and powerful, her fists infused with Qi that echoed loudly with every hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever Oil Sword tried to escape, she struck his legs to stop him.Whenever he attempted to raise his sword, she struck his shoulder, rendering him immobile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her movements weren’t anticipatory—they were simply faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This… this can’t….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As realization dawned on him, Oil Sword’s world crumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol was faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t need to predict his moves. She only had to react more swiftly than he could act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, like a ragdoll, Oil Sword could do nothing but endure the punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom boom! Boom boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most terrifying part was how she controlled her strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hit him hard enough to hurt, but not hard enough to knock him out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the spectators, it seemed as though she was toying with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oil Sword, one of Zhongyuan’s Hundred Masters, was being played with by a mere fledgling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience was too stunned to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Poison Phoenix… how is this possible…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This can’t be real…. What is happening?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene felt like a nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stage grew still as the relentless sounds of blows and Oil Sword’s cries ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Tang So-yeol stood, holding a nearly unrecognizable Oil Sword by the hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh… guh….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood dripped from him, staining the stage red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol released her grip, letting him collapse to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, she planted her foot on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at the mess you’ve made. Disgusting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hands bloodied, she casually pulled out a cloth to wipe them clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh… cough… ugh….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oil Sword groaned beneath her foot as Tang So-yeol chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now this suits you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man crawling on the ground—it suited him far better than standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She crouched down, closing the distance between them, and whispered in his ear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, live appropriately. Don’t go chasing after things beyond your reach. Understood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She traced a finger along his bloodied face. At her touch, Oil Sword’s body convulsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The match was clearly over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, there were no cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Oil Sword’s faint, labored breaths filled the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol turned away and began walking toward the exit, ignoring the dazed referee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze fell on a young man at the entrance, watching her intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waving enthusiastically, she called out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young master! I won!! Praise me! Hehehe!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her pure, cheerful smile was a stark contrast to the brutality she had just displayed.\u003C\u002Fp>",2448,"2026-06-05T15:10:16.200Z",1,"novelbin.me","90beae7cdbbd5672b729ca9c5370e1b097314f6e5022ede8c6cce5d7b2ef12ce","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-711","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-892",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]