[{"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-852":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},1240702,1667,"Chapter 851","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-852",852,"\u003Cp>\"What was their last known location?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard it was the western forest. But I'm not entirely sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Tang So-yeol's question, the man answered with a worried expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it possible they went somewhere else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes... They often search areas other than the designated spots. It’s likely they did the same this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol lightly bit her lip. If it were those two, it was entirely possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long has it been since the return time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About four hours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And no prior notice of delay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"None.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Damn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol's elegant brow furrowed deeply. Four hours wasn’t a short time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Where on earth could they have gone?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her narrowed eyes betrayed her thoughts. Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah were not novices; their skills were not something to be worried about under ordinary circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon had specifically instructed them not to be late for their return. For them to break that rule—and by more than just a little—was uncharacteristic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could something have really happened...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange sense of unease gnawed at her. Was it intuition? An inexplicable anxiety began to take root. Around her, other team members were already preparing to initiate a search.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four hours had passed, and per protocol, they were now required to begin an investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deputy Captain... Shall we proceed with the search?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the subordinate’s inquiry, Tang So-yeol bit her lip. If they were going strictly by the rules, they should begin immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had no choice. With a sigh, Tang So-yeol gave her order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Proceed wit—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Midway through her words, Tang So-yeol abruptly stopped speaking and quickly turned her head. She wasn’t the only one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding team members, who had been readying themselves for the search, also turned in the same direction at nearly the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they weren’t just looking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...W-what is this...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ugh...ah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seconds later, many of them collapsed to the ground. Their faces were pale with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uuueegh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One person began vomiting on the ground. A few others fainted. Those who barely managed to hold on were trembling uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only ones still standing were Tang So-yeol and a handful of others, all of whom had reached the Hwagyeong level. Even they were far from unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold sweat drenched their bodies, slowly soaking through their robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was going on? Breathing heavily, Tang So-yeol looked straight ahead. The reason the entire team’s spirits had been shattered was clear. It was the aura emanating from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol furrowed her brow as she identified the overwhelming presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire area was suffused with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the lanterns lit, everything appeared shrouded in darkness. The sheer terror on the team’s faces was all due to this killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the real issue was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How could the killing intent be this strong...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just intense; it was beyond comprehension. The magnitude of it made her question whether a human could even produce such a force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was it? Who could possibly exude such an aura?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol gripped the dagger at her waist. If someone within their ranks was capable of releasing such killing intent, it was unnecessary to even consider whether they were a foe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of all times, when Young Master Gu isn’t here...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought of who might be responsible lingered, but escaping the killing intent had to come first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huuh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She exhaled deeply, mustering her strength to break free from the oppressive aura. Just as she was about to act, a figure appeared in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squinting her eyes, she tried to identify the source of the killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she finally recognized them, Tang So-yeol involuntarily relaxed her grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The origin of the overwhelming killing intent was someone she knew well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure slowly approached, their aura whipping their robes around. Their cold blue eyes were devoid of any emotion, radiating an unfamiliar chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Young Master Gu...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was all of this devastating killing intent really coming from him? She couldn’t believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Gu... No, C-Captain...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol stuttered, her voice trembling. Gu Yangcheon’s gaze shifted toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just locking eyes with him made Tang So-yeol’s body tremble. For a fleeting moment, her breath stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those eyes...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were unfathomable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just meeting his gaze felt like falling into an endless abyss, a hole so deep she couldn’t even fathom where it ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did his eyes look like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Gu Yangcheon always possessed such a gaze? Tang So-yeol’s thoughts were in complete disarray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoooosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suffocating killing intent began to subside. Though not entirely gone, it lessened enough to allow movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not everyone had recovered, though. Aside from Tang So-yeol, the others were still incapacitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had the killing intent shifted away from her? There was no time to ponder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deputy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Y-Yes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice shook as it left her lips. It was fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Report the situation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could she report? Her mind blanked for a moment but quickly snapped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Namgung and Wi have not returned from their reconnaissance mission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The location and time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The western forest. It’s been... four... four hours since.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words faltered as her voice trembled. For some reason, she felt like crying. Yet she held it in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Per protocol... I was about to issue the search order.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol bit her lip and averted her gaze. She had always longed to meet his eyes, but now, facing them was unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It felt like he was someone else entirely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol struggled to endure the suffocating pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Four hours. Western forest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He repeated the report, as if committing it to memory, then turned his head to the left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was peculiar. It sounded like he was speaking to someone, but Tang So-yeol couldn’t see who it was. Her senses were in disarray, overwhelmed by the killing intent permeating the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No answer. Is my voice too soft?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When no response came, Gu Yangcheon turned his body to follow his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm talking to you. So answer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The killing intent thickened once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before I grab you and force it out of you, open your damn mouth, you bastard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his harsh words, the air pressure exploded. Objects around them shook violently, as if an earthquake had struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the very structures around them began to strain under the force, a voice cut through the oppressive atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop this at once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure emerged through the suffocating killing intent, stepping forward from the direction Gu Yangcheon had been glaring at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol frowned at the newcomer. It was Ilcheon Sword, the leader of the Azure Dragon Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Star King, what do you think you’re doing? Releasing such killing intent within the branch grounds!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheon Sword's face was filled with disbelief. Was it because of the killing intent, or had Gu Yangcheon somehow noticed his hidden presence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol couldn’t tell, but one thing was clear: something felt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I said stop this, immediately!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon, however, seemed unfazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me ask again. Do you know something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly are you asking about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheon Sword scowled in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have no idea what you're talking about. I merely came here to deliver a message. But you—what in the world are you doing? How could the head of the alliance exude such overwhelming killing intent—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words carried an undercurrent of shock and disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Gu Yangcheon paused for a moment, then murmured quietly, as if speaking to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, I suppose you’d say that. That’s the right thing to say. And I guess I should just play along and pretend not to notice...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheon Sword narrowed his eyes at Gu Yangcheon’s muttered words, which were laced with weariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol was stunned as well. She had never seen Gu Yangcheon look this drained before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Young Master...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worry crept into Tang So-yeol's voice as she cautiously stepped forward. The oppressive killing intent was terrifying, but not enough to make her back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She moved closer to Gu Yangcheon, but before she could reach him, he spoke softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No, forget it. I’m done with this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those quiet words, Gu Yangcheon vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol didn’t even notice the moment he disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did he go? She frantically searched for his presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp sound rang out not far away, and Tang So-yeol’s head snapped toward the source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, she saw Ilcheon Sword staggering, his head tilted to one side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Urgh...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheon Sword widened his eyes, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What just hit me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cheek stung. Was it possible? Had he been slapped? By him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burning pain on his cheek answered his question. Grinding his teeth, Ilcheon Sword growled,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You insolent—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the blow landed on his abdomen. Something inside him felt like it had shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stumbled back a step, his hand instinctively moving toward the hilt of his sword. He needed to draw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand grasped at empty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This? Looking for this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voice, Ilcheon Sword turned to Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Gu Yangcheon’s hand was Ilcheon Sword's weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Urgh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Ilcheon Sword could comprehend what had happened, Gu Yangcheon swung the sword he was holding, striking Ilcheon Sword square in the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed as his head snapped back, and he barely managed to hold onto his consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to retreat, to put distance between himself and his assailant, but his feet wouldn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon was stepping on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Argh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another blow landed, this one even stronger than before. The impact drained the strength from Ilcheon Sword’s body, and his legs gave out beneath him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He collapsed to the ground with a thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain was excruciating, like his very skin was being torn apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was happening? Why was he on the ground?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind struggled to process the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a dull clink, his sword fell to the ground in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was his own weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me ask you one last time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sound of Gu Yangcheon’s voice, Ilcheon Sword raised his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon stood over him, his face expressionless as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this your doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold tone in his voice sent a chill down Ilcheon Sword’s spine.\u003C\u002Fp>",1732,"2026-06-05T15:10:20.656Z",1,"novelbin.me","ca99621f7d4c6fa994ec87536015d2cd72367a7dee4e5f4693d1fb3c70900ba1","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-853","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-851",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]