[{"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-853":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},1240703,1667,"Chapter 852","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-853",853,"\u003Cp>Drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something trickled down his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheon Sword wiped his trembling hand across his mouth—it was blood. Blood was dripping from the corner of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did it feel? His struck cheek felt like it was about to split open. A fiery heat radiated from it, an intense, burning sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was happening? Ilcheon Sword couldn’t comprehend the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was on the ground. Why was he on the ground?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And those eyes...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilcheon Sword looked up into the cold, unyielding gaze fixed on him. Blue eyes stared down at him, framed by shadowed features devoid of expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grrrk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chill coursing through his body tightened around his throat. His limbs lost their strength, and the oppressive killing intent enveloping the area weighed down on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body froze under the crushing pressure. The sensation was revolting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, he managed to channel energy through his body, regaining some semblance of control. His breath returned, but the pain remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What just...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had happened? He replayed the scene in his mind over and over, but it didn’t make sense. How?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wide-eyed with shock, Ilcheon Sword directed his trembling voice at Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-you... You’ve been hiding your power...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Urgh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head jerked violently from the blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, he had no idea what had hit him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not an answer to my question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon grabbed Ilcheon Sword by the hair, holding his head firmly in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t you know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wh-what... are you talking about...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did he mean? Ilcheon Sword couldn’t grasp it. The only thing his instincts could tell him was:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Something is wrong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about Gu Yangcheon was fundamentally off. Gone was the familiar smirk he always wore. His face was expressionless, gazing down at Ilcheon Sword with a cold, empty stare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*'What... is this Why was it so scary? It wasn't hard to recognize the fear that was brewing in him - it wasn't like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah... Hah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't hold his gaze. Looking into those eyes for too long, he felt consumed, as if he wouldn't get out\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Ilcheon Sword turned him away\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon nodded at this. Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ghhk!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fist slammed into Ilcheon Sword's head again, harder this time. The punch carried an infused energy, creating a shockwave upon landing With a dull thud, Ilcheon Sword's body fell to the ground. Blood poured out of his nose, pooling on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent as everyone stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did he kill him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is he dead?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did our captain kill Ilcheon Sword...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone shared the same thought. With blood flowing freely and Ilcheon Sword lying motionless, it was natural to assume he was dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gu Yangcheon kicked Ilcheon Sword’s limp body lightly and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s not dead. Take him away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not dead? But in that state...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take him and make sure he stays alive. This one can’t die right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wh-what does that mean...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you not going to do it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words \"can’t die right now\" echoed ominously in everyone’s ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quiet. Yet chilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could words spoken with such an indifferent expression feel so cold?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon had always seemed untouchable, like a towering wall. But now... he was something else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Someone else.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the Gu Yangcheon they knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suffocating killing intent, the way he looked at them—all of it was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always been fierce, but he had still treated them as people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it was as if...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s looking at livestock.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even humans, but objects on the ground—insignificant stones underfoot. That gaze sent shivers down their spines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team carefully lifted Ilcheon Sword’s limp body. Judging by his dangling hands, he had truly lost consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon watched without a flicker of emotion, then turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scanned the room, his gaze briefly meeting those of the others. Those who caught his eye flinched, trembling or collapsing as their legs gave out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The killing intent had lessened, but it was still palpable, emanating like a quiet storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Proceed with the search.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The command, spoken softly, rang out unnaturally loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of the subordinates dared respond immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gu Yangcheon didn’t seem to expect an answer. His gaze fixed on a point in the distance, and he crouched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master...! Wait—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol called out urgently, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With an explosion of dust and debris, Gu Yangcheon leapt into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oppressive killing intent began to dissipate as he moved further away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, those left behind could breathe freely again, gasping for air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Young Master...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol bit her lip as she watched Gu Yangcheon disappear into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had it come to this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pondered deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouldn’t have done it. At the same time, he berated himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I shouldn’t have called him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Ilcheon Sword had been watching. In that case, he shouldn’t have summoned him in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because of the killing intent radiating from him? Or was it for some other reason?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He should have figured that out first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he had called him, he shouldn’t have shown his power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouldn’t have pressed him, asking if he knew something. He shouldn’t have crushed him out of sheer irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, there had been a plan. He had crafted a meticulous strategy to make use of Ilcheon Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why did I do that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the preparation he’d done had gone up in smoke, and it was his own doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Really, it was just...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was tired of it all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything felt exhausting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about things. Crafting plans and executing them step by step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a moment, he let go of the carefully held reins of reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had the eyes of those around him looked like then? They must have been filled with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, just like in his past life. The eyes of those who had looked at him then were the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Tang So-yeol had been like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled how she couldn’t meet his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had hated that and tried to live differently. Yet he had abandoned that too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had sworn to himself, \"Never again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why had he given up so easily?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had worked tirelessly for a cause. Everything he’d done until now had been for that cause, to ensure that even if he acted, there would be no fallout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he didn’t even want to think about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, there was only one thing he could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not kill Ilcheon Sword and let him live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all he could manage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, even that felt distasteful. Why should he let such a pathetic creature live?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others around him were the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no reason to keep them alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need them with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t it be easier to kill them all and go his own way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what had crossed his mind then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The funny thing was, even now, he thought it wasn’t entirely wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was off. He realized his thoughts were different from usual, but was that truly a mistake?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is who I’ve always been.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When had he ever been altruistic or rational? If something displeased him, he broke it. He never worried about the aftermath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never held anyone close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never carried anything with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, even if he had carried something, no one should have known he was carrying it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was who he had always been...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think you’ve changed? You haven’t. You’re still the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered those words and felt his eyes grow colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were right. Looking at himself now, he hadn’t changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just pretending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact as he landed tore through the ground, leaving the forest in ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the western forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, it was the opposite direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he was supposed to be looking for them, he had come here instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this the place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His narrowed eyes followed Shadow King’s telepathic response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It’s not certain, but this was the last known location.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was where Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah were last reported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither Shadow King nor the others had been watching them closely, so they couldn’t pinpoint their exact location. But it was enough to know they had been in the vicinity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Namgung Bi-ah involved, things wouldn’t have gone smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Wi Seol-ah there, Namgung Bi-ah likely made the final call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those two, though different in many ways, were surprisingly similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his fists, channeling energy from his heart through his entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The swollen blood vessels throbbed painfully, but he ignored it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pushing his senses to their limit, he spread his aura outward. Through his ears and nose, an overwhelming influx of information poured in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He discarded it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t what he was looking for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sought the faintest trace—some tiny remnant left behind by Wi Seol-ah or Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or even their lingering presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be best if nothing had happened. But he already knew better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those two were both at the Hwagyeong level and had even reached the early stages of Mind Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wouldn’t fall easily to anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew the Celestial Stream Sect’s master was plotting something, and it wasn’t ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had planned to approach cautiously. But now, with things as they were... cautiousness no longer mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoooooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed his senses to their absolute limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly the limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since consuming the White Demon Stone, his sensory capabilities had reached extraordinary heights. He unleashed them fully, spreading them as far as they could go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head throbbed, and his heart pounded faster and faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you sense anything?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He steadied his breathing and asked Shadow King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Not yet.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Shadow King couldn’t detect anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he assume there was nothing here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew there was something. He trusted his instincts, no matter how irrational.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll search here. Can you check elsewhere?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Understood.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sent Shadow King toward the west as a precaution, maintaining his own focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain grew sharper, his body feeling the toll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trickle of blood flowed from his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was from forcing his swollen blood vessels to work beyond their limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Was I mistaken?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could his instincts have been wrong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then... just a little longer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if this wasn’t the right place, he had to exhaust every possibility before moving on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little by little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended his senses beyond their limits, ignoring the strain on his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, after what felt like an eternity—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint trace emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, he retracted his senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiping the blood from his nose and mouth, his eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve found it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A damp and silent space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air carried a faint hint of moisture, each breath saturated with its presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was vast and dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What purpose could such a place serve? It didn’t seem like a naturally formed cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp, angular walls proved it wasn’t natural—nature didn’t create such straight lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning against the shadowed wall, Wi Seol-ah surveyed the area and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unni, do you think we’ll be scolded a lot when we get back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah affirmed her words without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They certainly would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the reprimand would likely be severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That’s a big problem,\" Wi Seol-ah sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shouldn’t we just go back now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seol-ah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Do you know the way back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah fell silent at Namgung Bi-ah’s pointed question. It hit the mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t as directionally challenged as Namgung Bi-ah, but something about this place felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At some point, we lost our way.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where were they now? How far down had they come?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of it made sense anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It feels like something’s been laid over this space.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah nodded, and Wi Seol-ah let out a soft sigh as she watched her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Unni, you’re the one who suggested we turn back to avoid getting scolded, but then you rushed in anyway!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Sorry...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah chose to apologize rather than make excuses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was true; this was her fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Gu Yangcheon’s name was mentioned, her body had moved on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I’m sorry... I shouldn’t blame you for this either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah was no different. If Namgung Bi-ah hadn’t rushed ahead, she would have been the one to charge in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The problem is... we don’t even know how much time has passed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had likely already missed their return deadline by a wide margin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since neither of them had gone back, their absence would have prompted action on the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just hope Young Master doesn’t get involved... But he probably will, won’t he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them were certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon would definitely be searching for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was what worried them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn’t care about the cost or consequences, and they feared it would be their fault if he caused a disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We need to get out of here quickly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah’s golden eyes glimmered faintly as she scanned the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If this isn’t the way, then where is it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already explored countless paths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had descended and ascended, wandered in circles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How far down had they gone? How far up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could such an enormous underground space even exist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was incomprehensible in itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And we lost track of the ones we were following.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had initially snuck in, tailing voices in the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But somewhere along the way, they lost the ones they were shadowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, without an exit in sight, they were trapped in a maze of confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unni?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah tugged at Wi Seol-ah’s sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah turned to her, questioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s... try going this way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah pointed forward with her fingertips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead of them stood a massive iron door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the walls and ceiling, it looked absurdly out of place—huge and imposing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a door they had stumbled upon while searching for an exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the two stood in front of it, hiding their presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should they enter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah hesitated for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No solution came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Something...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about the door nagged at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a thought that struck her the moment she saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That door... there was something behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Shall we go in?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two cautiously moved toward the door, their senses heightened as they checked their surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, they reached the iron door and began inspecting it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It appeared to be nothing more than a rusty, worn-out slab of metal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There didn’t seem to be anything special about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s no handle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no visible way to open the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was it supposed to be opened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Push it? Wi Seol-ah hesitated but decided to try, placing her hand against the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door began glowing brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah instinctively reached for their swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door groaned as it slowly began to open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the small gap, they could see what lay inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah let out a gasp as she caught sight of it.\u003C\u002Fp>",2562,"2026-06-05T15:10:20.656Z",1,"novelbin.me","27284a12860e7af70417c5dc4473ce47314f4d0dc2ea1525741e11a6bf98eb5b","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-854","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-852",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]