[{"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-764":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},1240564,1667,"Chapter 763","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-764",764,"\u003Cp>Rustle…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster’s body scattered into the wind, leaving only the White Demon Stone behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana stone stood there, unnaturally perfect, as if someone had deliberately placed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It appeared translucent yet sharply white, emanating an immense aura from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even compared to the highest-grade elixir, the Dokcheon Pill, its energy was far more abundant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew obtaining it would be a great help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn’t bring myself to touch the stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just the lingering stares I felt behind me that stopped me from using the Devouring Sky Technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the memory of the moment right before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What was that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did I feel so unsettled?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly did I just hear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Thank... Thank... you….\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before it disappeared, the monster had thanked me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its voice was awkward, but there was no mistaking the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it have been a misheard phrase? A hallucination?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—I knew better than anyone that it wasn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing a monster speak wasn’t particularly surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creatures like dragons couldn’t be lumped in with ordinary monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Mang from the North Sea had spoken to me clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this shouldn’t have shocked me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did it choose to speak to me only at the very end?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And of all things, why express gratitude?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that it had said that—those words—left a suffocating unease lingering in my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did it mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could’ve brushed it off as meaningless, but the thought stuck like a thorn in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scowled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why couldn’t it have just died like any other monster?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why leave me with this unsettling feeling?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Nothing in my life ever ends cleanly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s just how things always were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the knot in my chest, I slumped to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haa….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a long, pent-up sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is… Is it over?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The monster…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t see it… I think… I think it’s truly over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uneasy voices murmured around me as the others surveyed the aftermath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster had long vanished, and only the scorched remains of its red aura lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension settled into a quiet stillness—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until one voice erupted in excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So-So Yeomra has slain the monster!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I snapped my head toward them immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell did he just say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now it makes sense! He approached so boldly—it was to finish the monster off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With a body that beaten and battered? Could it be… he wanted to save us from danger?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So Yeomra… You….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of older men stood with teary eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their collective admiration made me recoil in horror, and I shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you all lost your minds? Did none of you see the thunder from the heavens just now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of bullshit was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone watching would think I killed it alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavenly Lord did all the work, and I ended up with the credit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How the hell did they come to this idiotic conclusion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was just checking something! It was already dead when I got here—don’t misunderstand!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So humble…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I feel ashamed for judging him by his appearance. So Yeomra is nothing like the rumors!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They said he was skilled but ill-tempered, terrifying to look at, and obsessed with women… But he’s actually selfless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This just proves you can’t trust gossip….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I swear, I’m going to start ripping out tongues.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was ready to snap when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stagger—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body wavered, and I collapsed back onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haah… Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body had reached its limit, and I nearly blacked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t pass out yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The immediate threat was gone, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I still have work to do.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most important task remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I forced myself to regain focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haa….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I struggled to steady my breath, Tang So-yeol rushed over and supported me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Of course I am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What part of you looks okay…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My arms and legs are intact. That’s good enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least nothing had been ripped off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was plenty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the blood bubbling in my throat, I swallowed it down and assessed my condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon’s body was already starting to regenerate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t use any energy for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only a tiny amount left, and I couldn’t afford to waste it on healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced up at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Fast.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky cleared quickly, signaling the monster’s death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relief began to spread across everyone’s faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t have time for this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spoke firmly, cutting through the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That thing may be dead, but the attack isn’t over yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reminder wiped the relief from their expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main threat was gone, but fires were still burning elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the point I wanted to make.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assault wasn’t finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We barely managed to evacuate people from the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless monsters were still out there, and battles were happening all over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if possible—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I need more time.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not much, but enough to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy must have noticed by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d seen the sky clear and realized something had gone wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not that it matters. It’s already too late.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking off the thought, I turned back to the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now isn’t the time to relax. We need to focus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’re right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We still have work to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearing out the remaining threats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Protecting civilians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maintaining order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the noble façade, I silently memorized each of their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scanned the dozens of people present and made one realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I barely know any of them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of these faces were unfamiliar to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were probably people who had died early in the war in my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I committed their faces to memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had done that before—not me, not anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew I didn’t deserve to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least this time—I would remember them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I headed straight toward the area where civilians had gathered for evacuation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t far from the Martial Alliance headquarters—close enough to be seen at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One might wonder why it was positioned so dangerously near the site of the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was a reason for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They need to see it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gathered people needed to see the Martial Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Distrust will only deepen.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The evacuees included those who had already lost faith in the Alliance or whose trust had been shaken by the current situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This setup was meant to further deepen the cracks in their faith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was proving to be far more effective than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be careful—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Move with caution!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crowds of people packed tightly into the area, and amidst them, individuals clad in yellow martial robes stood guard, both guiding and protecting the evacuees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were members of the Hwangbo Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyone feeling unwell, report here immediately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doctors had been stationed with supplies of water, and martial artists stood on high alert, prepared for any sudden attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…They even brought physicians….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could they…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people murmured in admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physicians were highly respected and scarce in the Central Plains, especially those affiliated with noble families, who were practically untouchable even by blood relatives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here they were, treating evacuees without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The Hwangbo Clan truly is a noble family among noble families….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard they were the first to act during the attack.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re incredible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How will we ever repay this debt…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gratitude filled their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of those present had already received aid from the Hwangbo Clan, making their admiration all the stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In contrast, the Martial Alliance…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murmured words caused an immediate hush to fall over the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the tension, the man who spoke couldn’t suppress his emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be careful with your words…. Criticizing the Martial Alliance so openly—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Careful? What’s there to be careful about? Look at the state we’re in—what did the Alliance do to prevent this?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Criticizing the Alliance in the heart of Henan was no small risk, yet the man couldn’t hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And others, though hesitant, began nodding in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They claim to protect the Central Plains, but where were they? What were they doing?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly! They were too busy guarding wealthy merchants and officials to care about us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I saw it too…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voices joined one by one, swelling into a chorus of frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of justice is this? Even now, the Alliance Leader is holed up inside, unable to move. How were we ever supposed to trust them to protect us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rising anger gave way to despair—a bitter realization that the institution they had trusted was failing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I watched them quietly, moving without drawing attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, Heavenly Lord moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because, at the moment, I was slung over his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Seriously.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To think I’d end up being carried by one of the Three Elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was beyond uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to recover my strength as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since I couldn’t move on my own, I had to rely on someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Why did they start fighting over this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women had started arguing the moment I asked someone to carry me to our destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the words left my mouth, their eyes practically burst into flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It began with Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped forward without hesitation, ready to carry me, but was immediately blocked by Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their argument? Why should Tang So-yeol get to carry me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol argued that she had always supported me, so it was only natural she would do so again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a logical point, but the other two refused to accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah countered that she hadn’t been around earlier, which was why Tang So-yeol had taken on that role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that she was here, it was her turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah, meanwhile, claimed it was her original job as my attendant, so she was simply fulfilling her duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That statement left me stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her job as an attendant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had quit that role long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention, she was still bandaged up and recovering in bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did it make any sense for her to try carrying me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What started as a logical debate quickly devolved into pure determination—a battle of wills fueled by selfish desire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Bong Soon tried to sneak in and carry me herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the others caught her, the situation spiraled even further out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things were on the verge of turning violent when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll carry him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavenly Lord stepped in, putting an end to the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that, they all fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell was that all about….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was it about carrying someone on your back that sparked such ridiculous fights? I couldn’t understand it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After observing the evacuees for a while, I had Heavenly Lord’s help in heading toward the pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can see it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Martial Alliance headquarters—specifically, the pavilion where the martial arts tournament had been taking place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon arriving, I saw several people gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they spotted us, they drew their swords without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sching—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…State your identity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keeping some distance, I scanned the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hah.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a small scoff as soon as I saw their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Three division leaders?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were over forty martial artists in the group, and three of them were division leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them, who immediately drew his sword, was someone I recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ilcheong Sword.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheong Sword, Jang Seongmyeong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current leader of the Azure Dragon Division and one of the Hundred Great Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That bastard Jang’s right-hand man.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my past life, he was known as the right hand of the Meteor Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…S-So Yeomra…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them widened his eyes as he recognized me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It turned out to be another familiar face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while, Dragon Division Leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled, and the man flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His name was Bumdong, the leader of the Dragon Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“H-How are you here…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bumdong stammered in surprise, while Ilcheong Sword gave me a strange look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought you looked familiar. So you’re So Yeomra.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He acknowledged my identity but still didn’t lower his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know who you are, but I must ask—why have you come here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could sense his wariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as his sharp energy pressed toward me, I stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard the Alliance Leader is trapped here. I came to offer my help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You did?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, his wariness only increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I couldn’t blame him for being suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I appreciate the sentiment, but that won’t be necessary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The situation is unstable, and we cannot allow outsiders inside. If you truly wish to help, it would be better to assist elsewhere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Unstable, huh….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I mulled over his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a completely unreasonable response, which made it even more annoying to deal with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I suppose the situation is a complete mess right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what exactly are you all doing here in this mess?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I paused before rolling my neck, though I stopped midway, realizing it’d probably hurt like hell if I continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Monsters attacked. The city was in chaos. People were screaming and crying in terror. And what were you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as the attack raged and monsters rampaged, what had the Martial Alliance been doing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Protecting merchants, faction leaders, and sponsors first—meanwhile, three division leaders are standing around here doing nothing. No wonder this situation turned into such a disaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I spoke, Ilcheong Sword’s expression twisted further and further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you just… What did you just say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t seem hard of hearing, but if you need me to repeat it, I will. Though, I’ll probably be harsher the second time. Still want to hear it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheong Sword erupted in fury, releasing a wave of murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you just insult not only me but the entire Martial Alliance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think that sounded like a compliment? If you heard it that way, you should see a doctor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This insolent—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheong Sword stormed toward me, looking like he was ready to cut me down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frankly, I didn’t care if he got angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, I wanted him to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would make my job easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, that’s what I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much I rationalized it, I couldn’t suppress my anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept thinking about the people who had thrown themselves at the monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faces I’d committed to memory flashed through my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I regretted memorizing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be this pissed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But what choice do I have?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I remembered them, I had to bear the responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheong Sword advanced furiously, and I braced myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Calm yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavenly Lord’s hand landed firmly on my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I felt his grip, my body stopped moving instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize. Allow me to speak on his behalf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a matter of insulting the Alliance. No one should interfere—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheong Sword turned sharply toward Heavenly Lord but froze mid-sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he finally recognized who he was talking to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, no division leader could fail to recognize Heavenly Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…E-Elder…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheong Sword’s face drained of color the moment he identified him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why… Why are you here, Elder…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his panic, Heavenly Lord replied calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My young master had business here, so I accompanied him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young master…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheong Sword’s gaze flicked back to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, I would’ve clarified or denied it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, I didn’t bother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you staring at?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My facial expression was openly sending him the fuck out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the look on Ilcheong Sword’s face, the message got through loud and clear.\u003C\u002Fp>",2617,"2026-06-05T15:10:17.629Z",1,"novelbin.me","152bc8d79af2b17cfb253d2b49137d4aa211ba04b20e9b4761ed4f91f7de1fa4","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-765","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-763",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]