[{"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-898":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},1240769,1667,"Chapter 897","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-898",898,"\u003Cp>[“Grrrr…”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low growl, as if suppressing a cry, came from Kurung. The lingering remnants of energy filled the air.A faint floral scent wafted around, accompanied by the sight of a crimson aurora and two moons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst this surreal scene, my eyes were fixed on one figure alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman standing barefoot, treading on the air as though it were solid ground.Her white hair was so long it swept across the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t make out her figure clearly from this distance, but she didn’t seem particularly large.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her skin was pale as snow, and her eyes were a vivid crimson, like flower petals floating in the sky or the aurora itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even at a glance, she had an extraordinary appearance. Yet, what truly shocked me wasn’t her unusual looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason for my shock was that this being before me was unmistakably my mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, I doubted it.The appearance didn’t align perfectly with the image etched in my memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hair and facial features bore some resemblance, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Those ears… and is that a tail?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of human ears, she had those of a beast.And trailing from her waist was a bundle of fur the same color as her hair, lazily hanging down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear that, at the very least, she wasn’t human.That doubt momentarily crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s her.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much I looked, it was undeniably my mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had my mother appeared out of nowhere?And more troubling, it seemed she had been the one to attack Kurung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was going on?I’d heard there was some connection between Kurung and my mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wasn’t it said she’s the one who sent him to me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that a lie? If not, what reason could she possibly have to attack Kurung?Or was Kurung not who I thought he was?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t make sense of the situation. My mind raced with countless possibilities, each more perplexing than the last.It was that strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But regardless—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Mother.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With my mother standing before me, I couldn’t just stand idly by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me out of this thing, now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!I slammed my fist against the barrier in frustration, but it remained unscathed.I frowned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s her intent?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear she wasn’t trying to harm me, but beyond that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What does she want?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had she restrained me like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Grrrrr…!”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kurung roared, rising to his feet. Each small movement he made shook the ground like an earthquake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Abyss.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mother addressed him, her voice resounding far and wide despite her small frame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Why have you broken the rules?”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“GRAAAH—!”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Even now, you can return to where you belong.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“ROAAAR!”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite her words, Kurung let out a ferocious roar, clearly showing he wouldn’t comply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“I see.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mother moved her hand slightly, and in that instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhhhhh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The petals floating in the air began to dance and swirl. And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The sky…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aurora in the heavens began to writhe. Stars and clouds slowly converged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This can’t be real.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom-boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could only gape at the phenomenon unfolding before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nature itself was moving.It wasn’t some martial technique. This was something far beyond anything I’d ever heard of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“You need to be taught a lesson.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“GRRRRR—!”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kurung charged at my mother. His mist-like form took on the shape of a beast with a massive maw and razor-sharp fangs.Combined with his immense size, he exuded an overwhelming sense of intimidation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“How insolent.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my mother simply waved her hand at him as she had before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash! CRASH! CRACK-CRACK-CRACK—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gathered aurora struck Kurung directly. Crimson beams of light poured down from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom-boom-boom! Rumble—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each impact shook the ground violently.I stood frozen, my jaw hanging open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…This is, even compared to the Celestial Sovereign’s lightning—’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power that had once swept away every crimson beast.It wasn’t necessarily overwhelming by comparison, but it was undeniably superior.This was a strength that defied reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“ROAAAR!”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Struck by the onslaught, Kurung let out a wild cry, and the barrier around me trembled.I instinctively knew—this was the moment. If I struck now, I could break free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even knowing this, I didn’t move.Why wasn’t I reaching out to shatter the barrier?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even I couldn’t explain it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Something.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something felt off as I looked at my mother.She was undoubtedly my mother, yet I had a strange sense that facing her now would be a mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That hesitation held me back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was right there.The person I’d longed to see was standing right before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had even protected and saved me just moments ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So why?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was I hesitating to confront her?As confusion clouded my thoughts—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“How strange.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mother’s voice carried a hint of doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Are you toying with me, Abyss?”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Grrr…”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“If not, then why are you sitting there so uselessly?”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beams of light ceased. At the same time, something began to shift behind my mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…A tail.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bundle of fur unfurled, floating into the air.Roughly three tails, each suffused with crimson energy, rose high into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Do you think I don’t know this isn’t your true form? You’re not even pretending to be weak convincingly. So then—”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Is that the issue?”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mother’s gaze turned toward me—or rather, toward the barrier encasing me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran down my spine the moment our eyes met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was entirely different from facing Kurung earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.Thump-thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gem-like crimson eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike before, they were languid and devoid of emotion.Her gaze carried no discernible sentiment, but my body reacted instinctively, radiating a deep sense of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Grrrr—!”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment her attention turned my way, Kurung roared with hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—! The ground quaked violently once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“So I was right.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, my mother let out a soft chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Did you think you could deceive me? If so, you’ve made a mistake.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She extended her hand toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Let’s see what you’re hiding, shall we?”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the gentle tone of her voice, the energy gathering at her fingertips was anything but benign.This wasn’t good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this continued, I might truly die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“ROAAAAAR!”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kurung charged at my mother once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, however, it was different.A much more violent and intense aura erupted in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Oh my.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mother’s lips curved into a smile as she watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“How curious.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She retracted the hand she had extended toward me and redirected it toward Kurung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, beams of light erupted from all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mother and Kurung resumed their battle, and suddenly, the barrier that had been in front of me disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Rumble—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavens and earth trembled.Just watching the clash between the two made my legs feel weak.What kind of battle was this? I stared in astonishment, unsure of what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Run.-Run.-Run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice echoed in my ears three times in succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Kurung?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like the voice was coming from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Run?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that why the barrier disappeared? To give me a chance to escape?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But running from my mother? That sounded utterly ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Run. North.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had to run, it made sense to run from Kurung, not toward him.Shouldn’t I go to my mother and tell her I was here instead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring logic, my body moved on instinct. I grabbed the wrist of the Heavenly Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Run.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had always trusted my instincts, and this time was no different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cheonma’s eyes widened as I gripped his wrist.Using all my strength, I pulled him along and launched myself forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our direction was north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, a black mountain rolled and quaked violently.The ground shook so intensely that the mountain collapsed in on itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Grrr… grrrrr…”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kurung groaned in pain, his cries echoing through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mother, who had been watching silently, erased her smile and waved her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom-boom-boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aurora’s light battered Kurung’s body repeatedly.When enough time had passed and the light finally ceased, there was nothing left where he had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even the slightest trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Hmm.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even at that sight, my mother showed no sign of surprise.She had anticipated as much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“As expected, it was just a fragment.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though its size was enormous, the divine power it wielded was pitifully weak.It was no surprise she hadn’t believed it was the main body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“But why?”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mother tilted her head, puzzled.Why had it gone to such lengths to stage this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even using a clone would have come at a cost. What purpose could it have served?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Was it just to distract me?”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To draw her attention, even for a moment? But why?As she pondered, my mother recalled the events from just moments ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Could that be the reason?”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Abyss had gone to such lengths because of something hidden within its divine power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She remembered it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“A dragon.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two small dragons. One was faint, barely deserving the title of a dragon.But the other—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Hmm…”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could she call it? It was certainly a dragon, but something about it didn’t quite fit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And more troubling—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Familiar.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar energy emanated from within.It felt eerily similar to her own power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why? She couldn’t explain it.Ultimately, it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever the case—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Dragons have no place on this land.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those vile and arrogant beings didn’t belong here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“I thought I had dealt with them all… Strange.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, they had dared to set foot on her domain. But now that she had seen them, it was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Chief.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Yes, my lady.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her call, a voice responded from the dimension behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Send the children to deal with the dragons.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“As you command.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her order, the presence moved immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While she would have preferred to deal with them herself, there were other matters that required her attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, my mother turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was about to step through the torn dimension—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something lingered in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the dragons that had briefly looked at her.That strange being with a familiar aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was certainly a dragon, yet it couldn’t simply be called one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“What is this?”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why couldn’t she shake its image from her mind?She tilted her head for a moment before dismissing the thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever it was, it didn’t matter.To her, it was just another existence that needed to be eradicated from this vast world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always.\u003C\u002Fp>",1729,"2026-06-05T15:10:20.656Z",1,"novelbin.me","f780d0548eee6660f701b0417d96632dd2a1c484c30a575d09a3278c76058a01","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-722","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-721",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]