[{"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-901":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},1240644,1667,"Chapter 900","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-901",901,"\u003Cp>The world was still windless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun was slowly rising, and the breathtaking aurora and crimson waves in the sky were gradually fading, retreating as they embraced the growing light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I watched the brightening sky, a thought crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can it really be said that they’ve disappeared?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stars that lingered after the night had cleared had seemingly left their place.Yet, this world’s daylight was as peculiar as its night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The auroras and stars hadn’t truly vanished; instead, they had melded into the sky itself.Though the time should have been somewhere between dawn and noon, the heavens here were unlike those of Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A crimson sky...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance, it seemed like the hues of a sunset, but upon closer inspection, the color was inherently different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a sky unlike anything I had ever seen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at it in silence, I eventually lowered my gaze.This place had been strange from the moment I arrived, and while an odd sky added to the strangeness, I had no energy to spare worrying about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something far stranger was right in front of me.Looking at the broad back ahead, I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Noya.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my call, the figure walking ahead turned to face me.Sharp eyes tinged faintly with a crimson hue, deep wrinkles etched into his face, and an expression as unyielding as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most respected hero of Mount Hua, the Sage Sword, Shin Cheol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since my regression, this man had invaded my body uninvited, bombarding me with endless nagging and criticism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, he was a voice in the form of a spirit. Now, he stood here as a fully embodied human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where exactly are we going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been over an hour since we started walking aimlessly.Frustrated from simply following his back, I voiced my question, only for Shin Noya to scowl and reply,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn’t I tell you repeatedly to fix that impatient nature of yours? We’ve barely been walking, and you’re already whining. You really do have a rotten temper.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You didn’t even tell me the destination! If it were you, you’d be cursing up a storm by now—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ack!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blow to the top of my head made me clutch it instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whining? Whiiiining?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guhhh...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like my skull had been cracked open—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gahhh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another hit, and I staggered before collapsing to the ground. The unbearable pain twisted my breathing, and I glared at Shin Noya through trembling eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why twice?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who said I’d stop at one? What? Want another if you’re so unhappy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it.Not only did he have a physical form now, but he could also hit me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Violence is wrong, you know…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nonsense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya chuckled gleefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, that was refreshing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sounded way too satisfied, as if he had been looking forward to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve wanted to smack you for so long. What a blessing it is that I finally can.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you call me bad-tempered… Wait, no, I was joking!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his hand rise again, I quickly added the last part.Damn old man—why did his first instinct always involve raising his hand?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re so old, why not age gracefully?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was easy to imagine how foul-tempered he must have been in his youth.I silently resolved never to grow old like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your eyes look strange.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’ve always been like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fair point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Seriously?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s that, kid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His glare made me instinctively lower my head.It was absurd, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I couldn’t dodge it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t been able to avoid his strike. I had seen his arm move, but before I realized it, I was already reeling from the pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A monstrous old man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was how easily he handled that beast, the mental swords in the sky, or the sheer power he exuded—I couldn’t help but question whether he was truly human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is nothing like before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Imaginary Wind Realm, when I had faced the otherworldly Shin Noya, I’d seen a glimmer of hope.Back then, I had been able to strategize and eke out a victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now, there’s no hope.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the progress I’d made, Shin Noya was like an endless abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could I even reach him?\"No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought passed unbidden through my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk, tsk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya clicked his tongue as he looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it’s not just your face that’s grown uglier, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like he had read my thoughts. Embarrassment surged, and I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know what you’re talking about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snorting, Shin Noya turned and began walking again.Following him, I decided to change the topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, are you really not going to tell me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn’t I already say it? Just follow me quietly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you won’t tell me the destination, at least say something else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had been walking endlessly. I had asked countless questions:Where are we?Why are you here in this form?What was that beast we fought?Why did it seem to know you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Shin Noya always gave the same answer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll tell you when we get there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed at the repeated response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is just cruel…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It can’t be helped.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya finally gave a more substantial reply, though his tone was weary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we’re not careful, someone might hear. The eyes and ears of this place are everywhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re so frustrated, you can leave. I won’t stop you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya’s words made my eyes widen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And where would I even go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How should I know? You’re not some toddler. It’s none of my concern.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, if I didn’t like it, I should shut up and follow him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well? What’ll it be?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya glanced back slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frustratingly enough, I only had one answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>********************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We walked in silence for a long time after that.Neither of us was the type for small talk, and with no answers to my questions, there was little else to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long had we been walking?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re almost there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya’s words made me look ahead, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean ‘almost there’? There’s nothing here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I could see was the same empty plain as before.Was there really something out here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Was it around here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya began looking around, scanning the area.What was he searching for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focused my gaze as well, but there was still nothing.Even so, he continued searching, moving as though he knew something was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faintly, I began to sense… something.I didn’t know what it was, but it was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a step forward, I reached out with my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooong—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, I felt it at my fingertips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Noya, is it this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya looked at where I was pointing and frowned.It seemed I was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm… How did you…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It just appeared to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Appeared? It shouldn’t be visible. How could you, of all people, see it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed genuinely curious, his gaze intent. It was as though I had done something I shouldn’t have been able to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll tell you when we get there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Tch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a retort mirroring my earlier words, Shin Noya sighed with exasperation.I wondered if I’d be hit again. At this point, getting smacked once or twice wouldn’t be too bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bracing myself, I prepared my body for the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impudent brat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead of striking me, Shin Noya merely chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then raised his thin, bony hand and extended it into the space before him.As soon as his fingers moved, plum petals began to flow from their tips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The petals danced gracefully in the air, and as they brushed against the odd sensation I felt—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sound like a droplet of water echoed, and the space before us began to shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwaaahhh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What the—?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cursed at the sight unfolding before me.The space rippled and tore, opening into a gaping hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was perfectly sized for Shin Noya to pass through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring blankly at the sudden void, I froze in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya, unfazed, stepped into the opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still hesitant, I paused. That was when Cheonma, who had been silently following beside me, stepped in first without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that, I followed, stepping into the tear in space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhhrrk—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I entered, the portal-like opening vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I took in the scene before me, I couldn’t hide my astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world before me was entirely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had been in a barren plain, with only the occasional weed breaking the monotony. Now, we stood amidst a dense forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I had first arrived in a forest, this place was different.Far more familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was blue, and even the air felt recognizable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem, however—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s heavy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment we transitioned into this space, my body felt heavier.Or rather, it felt like it had returned to normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The outside was too light.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The abundance of energy in the air outside had made my body feel buoyant and invigorated. Here, it was more akin to the conditions of Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chirp! Chirp! Trill!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sounds of birds and insects tickled my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the previous area had been overwhelmingly unnatural, this place was the opposite—entirely too natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Noya… where are we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems we’re fortunate after all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excuse me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya exhaled as if relieved, then turned to me and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Follow me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he began walking again.It was the same as before, so I fell in step with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What was I going to ask…? Oh, right. I was going to ask about that creature.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking the long silence, Shin Noya suddenly began explaining, as though this was his intention all along.Was he really planning to reveal this only after we arrived here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though abrupt, I decided to focus and listen carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That creature is a leader. You probably noticed, but it’s brutish and violent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the exact impression it gave—unrefined and savage.Its very presence radiated such energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was certainly a strange one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling its ability to speak had left me deeply unsettled. As I pondered, Shin Noya addressed me again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Noya?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me ask you. What did that creature seem like to you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What it seemed like?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the first word that came to mind was beast.But as I was about to say it, I found myself hesitating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beast.Could it truly be called that? The thought stirred doubt within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing my hesitation, Shin Noya turned his gaze away and continued speaking, his steps unbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not wrong. For you, and for me, calling it a beast isn’t far from the truth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does that mean… it’s not actually a beast?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my question, Shin Noya gave a small nod of approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems you’ve learned to use your head since the last time I saw you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just insult me outright, you old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grinding my teeth, I refrained from voicing my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you say it’s not a beast, you wouldn’t be wrong. But that’s not the complete answer either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t quite understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it is, then it is. If it isn’t, then it isn’t. This ambiguous response only confused me further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, let me put it this way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Shin Noya spoke, I frowned, noticing something in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re creatures that almost became beasts. That’s how I’d put it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Almost became?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, creatures that nearly transformed into beasts. The leader is an especially strong example among them. Strong enough to have caught her attention and received her authority.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her authority.That word grated against my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Authority…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, it possesses something called authority. Though it calls itself immortal, I’d say it’s more of an annoyance than anything truly eternal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyway, that’s not what’s important. Judging by your eyes, you’re curious about something else entirely. Am I right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where was this place?Where had Cheonma and I been brought?These were the most pressing questions, just as Shin Noya had said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought he might finally explain, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To explain that, you’ll need to listen carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As I said, the leader was a creature that nearly became a beast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, kid. Tell me—what do you think beasts are?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excuse me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His question caught me off guard, and I turned to look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya was watching me, his gaze serious.He wasn’t joking. Taking the question seriously, I answered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Monsters that emerge through the Magyeong Gate. That’s what I think.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I feel pleased about getting it right? Instead, I felt irritated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s the point of asking something so obvious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I frowned at him, Shin Noya continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, where do you think these beasts come from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From beyond the Magyeong Gate, of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also correct. But if you dig deeper, the story changes, doesn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Changes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does the Magyeong Gate truly signify? What lies beyond it that spawns these beasts? That’s what I mean.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Magyeong Gate and the beasts—I had never thought deeply about them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gates had existed since before I was born, and hunting the creatures that came through was common sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how were they connected?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no answer. As I mulled it over, Shin Noya spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beasts, you see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, his tone grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are the remnants of worlds that have already perished.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Creatures that have lost their masters and were erased by the new rulers who replaced them—that’s what beasts are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That means—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A world that loses its master welcomes a new one, and in doing so, wipes out all the living beings it once held. Now, where do those erased beings go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared into his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The answer is simple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya’s voice was heavy and cold as ice.\u003C\u002Fp>",2319,"2026-06-05T15:10:21.117Z",1,"novelbin.me","29e11cf29c01f5eb5ab6cf6f3bab5552dcf062bb39499af003338a70dd0ca61f","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-844","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-843",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]