[{"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-861":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},1240711,1667,"Chapter 860","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-861",861,"\u003Cp>The black stars ascended into the brightened sky, numbering in the dozens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one was a compressed flame brimming with immense energy, enough to be called stars without exaggeration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the sky covered in these fiery comets, I couldn’t help but curl my lips into a bitter smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…That crazy bastard…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was absurd. His face, looking perfectly fine despite expending so much energy, was almost offensive.No, it wasn’t actually fine—just pretending to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must be struggling too. Do you really need to keep up the act, pretending you’re untouchable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was I fooling? I knew him better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop acting like you’re fine. It’s pathetic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I steadied my breath. The damage from the earlier rebound still stung.Damn bastard. Fighting dirty like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\"Clever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had used his wits well. The only problem was, I hadn’t expected to fall for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.I twisted my shoulder slightly, popping the dislocated joint back into place. I must’ve thrown it out dodging earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My arm and ribs are probably busted too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fractures were numerous. Nothing life-threatening, but not exactly ideal for mobility either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was my energy reserve looking?After that much exertion, it must’ve dwindled somewhat….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whatever the case, I’m at a disadvantage as long as my fire techniques are blocked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I wanted to end this quickly, it was questionable whether I could end it at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His level was high, and he hadn’t even touched the realm of the mindscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally. A worm like him couldn’t possibly grasp the mindscape. His fragile ego alone would prevent him from ever mastering Heart Strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So why am I still losing to him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it really because I couldn’t use my fire techniques? That didn’t make sense.Especially when I was no longer even human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the reason for this imbalance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve grown dull.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words came back to me. Dull… Was that really the reason?Thinking about it made me chuckle a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what? Was I supposed to keep living like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I’d become dull, did that mean he was sharp? That, I couldn’t accept.He wasn’t sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was just hiding how broken his blade was, pretending it was intact.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we were to compare it to a sword, he was the kind who would push harder even knowing his blade was about to shatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want me to go back to that kind of life?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, frowning. He looked down at me and answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Wrong.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Your complacency, your retreat into the comfort of reality—it disgusts me. So much that I want to burn it all down right now.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh.The stars above him began to glow brighter. The time was nearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, what, you’ll take what you want because you don’t like it? Who do you think you are?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly was he? I didn’t think he was simply a memory of my past life.He seemed like it, but the feeling was… off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how many times I asked, his expression didn’t change.As always, he simply looked down at me and moved his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"The answer…\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His thumb pointed downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"You must find for yourself.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of stars fell toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble----!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A meteor shower rained down. Hundreds of flaming orbs hurtled toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I planted my feet and exploded forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom-boom-boom---!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The intense heat roared behind me.I didn’t bother looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard enough focusing on what lay ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many to dodge them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Urgh—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hit my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!!The explosion consumed me, throwing me off balance.I twisted my body mid-air to regain control, barely holding my posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t slow down. My feet kept moving as I struck the air repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom-boom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each Heart Strike, I destroyed a few of the orbs around me, clearing a path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focused only on clearing the ones directly in my way. Destroying them all would only drain my energy before I even reached him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The front is clear, but the left and above are dangerous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I force my way through the front?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That area was deliberately left open. Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll go up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I crouched mid-sprint and launched myself upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was still crowded with orbs, but I had my reasons for taking this route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I ascended, I channeled energy into my body, activating Tua Pacheonmu’s second stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My senses heightened, and my mind opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just barely…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be close, but it was manageable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orbs exploded in the air, shaking my body, but I didn’t deviate from my path.I verified my destination using my intuition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, the open path I’d noticed earlier had been filled with dozens of orbs by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He still can’t redirect the orbs once they’re launched.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Predicting and aiming in advance? Sure.But altering their trajectory mid-flight? Impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s because you don’t know how to use compression and rotation, you idiot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I could use fire techniques right now, I’d show him how it’s done. It was frustrating.Losing to a moron like him just because I couldn’t use fire techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scanned my surroundings. The number of orbs had decreased significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These weren’t meant for single combat; they were weapons of mass destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I searched for him. With my expanded senses, it wasn’t hard to locate him.He hadn’t even tried to hide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble---!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he hide something so massive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I floated in the air to avoid the remaining orbs, while he stood on the ground below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble---!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black flames swirled around him, forming what appeared to be the shape of a wolf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy expanded, growing larger and larger. I knew what this meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The air isn’t ideal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was difficult to stabilize my posture. But I had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved his shoulders, wielding the black flames as if they were an extension of himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a particularly advanced technique—just Flame Formed Wolf Fang (俱炎態牙狼).It hadn’t been refined or altered in any way. It was just a raw attack, fueled by an absurd amount of energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rooooar---!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wolf of flames opened its maw and lunged at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to dodge mid-air, and blocking it head-on wasn’t an option either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll break through.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I couldn’t block or evade, I had to pierce through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I channeled Tua Pacheonmu into my fist and compressed it tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Focus on punching a narrow hole through it, not erasing it entirely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focused intensely as the wolf closed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huup!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I unleashed my fist with all my strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wolf shattered as I punched through it, scattering the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the flames could even dissipate, he was already upon me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw his fist coming.Reacting immediately, I threw my own punch to meet it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clash of fists created a massive shockwave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I managed to block it, compressing my energy to minimize the damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But being mid-air was a disadvantage.With no foothold, I couldn’t stabilize myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force of the impact sent me hurtling toward the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I crashed hard into the ground. The pain was unbearable, but I couldn’t afford to stop.I forced myself to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to prepare—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grab!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Urk!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could fully rise, his hand wrapped around my neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was lifted off the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grgh…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grip was scalding hot. I endured the pain and looked down at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same as before.The same sight I saw when my heart was pierced last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had me by the throat, lifting me off the ground.I looked at him, the way I often looked at my own victims.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I needed to reconsider this method—it felt utterly humiliating when it was done to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You… bastard…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at him, a bitter smile creeping onto my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That nagging feeling I’d had all along?Now, it was undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You… be honest with me. You’re not even tired, are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, even if his energy wasn’t completely drained, he should’ve been at least showing signs of fatigue. Yet, not even a drop of sweat trickled down his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…As I thought. You’re not my past self.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I had suspected was now undeniable.This bastard wasn’t just some black-flamed lunatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if my former self had been brimming with energy,and even if my current body was inefficient,this didn’t make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What the hell are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something fundamentally different about him.Why was he wearing that grotesque guise, relentlessly beating me down?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to understand, I demanded answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"You already know, don’t you?\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke with that same detestable gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You bastard. If I knew, why would I ask?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Because you’re the type to pretend not to know, even when you do.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What are you talking about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"You’re busy feigning ignorance and running away, as always. This is no different. Deep down, you already know what I am.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you choose to pretend otherwise.His voice carried that bitter truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"For a long time—since the moment you were born—I’ve been watching you. Even if you can lie to yourself, you can’t deceive me.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been watching me since birth?A vague realization stirred within me, my pupils trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing my reaction, he continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Now, after so long, I can finally face you. But to think you’d be so pitiful.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes brimmed with the same disdain they held when I first saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Listen well, little demon.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His changed tone made my eyelids twitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"You are not worthy of holding me.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s when I understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"This is your time to prove otherwise.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Flames Firewheel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very technique that resided within me, burning demonic energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the embodiment of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch. Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of something breaking and splitting echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap. Shatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bones were torn, flesh dragged across the ground, and blood filled the empty spaces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Gah… ah… ugh…\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The screams that had echoed throughout the space had long faded.All that remained was a faint, dying breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gruesome sounds of destruction—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Hah… uh…\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—ceased the moment the Celestial Stream Sect Leader’s eyes lost their light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding area was in utter disarray.The Sect Leader’s body was hardly recognizable from its original form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A horrifying shape that was impossible to describe.And yet, despite the condition of his body, he wasn’t dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, his injuries were regenerating.Unconscious but alive.That he could survive in such a state was almost more horrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Huff… huff…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah stared, trembling, at the one responsible for reducing the Sect Leader to such a state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose slowly, his gaze fixed on the Sect Leader’s body.Blood stained his hands, but his expression was indiscernible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his gaze shifted toward her, Wi Seol-ah instinctively raised her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeech—!The sharp sound of her blade cutting through the air echoed. Her stance was defensive, as if protecting Namgung Bi-ah behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah, overwhelmed by the recoil, could barely cling to consciousness. Even staying upright was a struggle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah bit her lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had she raised her sword?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t understand. This man was no one else but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Gu…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her most cherished person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as confusion overwhelmed her, she couldn’t lower her blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was instinctual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Young Master Gu…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She cautiously called his name again, but her words faltered as her eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Who are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood there, his violet eyes staring at her without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no response.No emotion emanated from him either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They locked eyes in silence for several seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You… are necessary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon finally spoke, his words abrupt and disjointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah frowned, puzzled. She was about to ask what he meant when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, you must exist for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted behind her—to Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression and the intent in his eyes became clear to Wi Seol-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…are an obstacle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swung her sword without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her blade was deflected by Gu Yangcheon’s fist. The impact made her hand tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clutching her wrist, Wi Seol-ah realized with certainty:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person wearing Gu Yangcheon’s face was genuinely trying to kill Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>",2029,"2026-06-05T15:10:20.656Z",1,"novelbin.me","c71255049d74751e0b489b59b0144f6c48ad98709b9eccd85e5026be85a7c502","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-862","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-860",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]