[{"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-935":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},1240685,1667,"Chapter 934","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-935",935,"\u003Cp>Kwahhh—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sea of flames swept across the ground. It was an enormous amount of blue flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaddddd—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force contained within the flames was so strong that the ground in their path began to sink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no attempt at control whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I poured all the strength I had into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew. The opponent was not someone I could simply control the power against.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I unleashed everything with the intent to burn the trees and earth down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was something I had done only during the massacre in my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not caring about what happens to the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this life, I usually avoided doing such things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, there was no hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I said earlier, the opponent was someone I couldn't afford to leave any room for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even if I don’t do this...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I believed that there would be no harm to the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it proved true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwaaa—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of my flames, petals slowly began to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if they were scooping up the flames with a net to catch fish. The wide-spread petals were absorbing all the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked thin and light, as if they would burn at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could they contain so much energy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I watched, I couldn't help but laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giiing—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rings entwined around my heart spun faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roughly, violently. And destructively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t care about compression or rotation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I poured it all out at maximum power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short click of the tongue came from the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Doing such pointless things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faa—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, the plum blossoms bloomed fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, a gust of wind blew, and the petals shot up into the sky. The shape of that wind pressure was a perfect vortex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entangled leaves in the vortex seemed to drag all of my flames and sucked them up into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was immediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames that had been all around scattered and rose into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once all the flames were extinguished, I could clearly see that my body had reached the intended destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames were nothing but a distraction, a hostage to hold my enemy in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body was already mixed in with the flames, the master of the gust. I had moved behind Shin Noya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ve marked the location.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two things were important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first was to make sure that Shin Noya, who considered this place important, wouldn’t allow my flames to cause harm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was probably the reason he had called me foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the second was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘To draw attention while erasing my presence.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hid my presence as much as possible and concealed myself in the flames to take my position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The priority was to make sure that Noya didn’t notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the moment I made that happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guuu—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame I had gathered in my hand took form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flame Jade Holy Spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spearhead, formed of intense heat, stood sharp, and I threw it with extreme compression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it exploded at this distance, I would certainly take some significant damage, but I knew I had to give it all up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spear flew at high speed as soon as it left my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the spear left my grip, Shin Noya reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He casually looked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, that’s what I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To my surprise, the spear didn’t explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of exploding, it simply pierced right through Shin Noya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was purely a piercing attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth happened? For a moment, I felt a bit stunned, but my eyes narrowed at the unfolding situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The body of Shin Noya, which had been pierced, looked strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the hollow chest, something was stirring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Petals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plum blossom petals were gathering inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that wasn’t all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paaa—.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the hole that had been pierced, petals slowly began to scatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya’s very body was turning into petals, disappearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was stunned for a moment by what I saw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too slow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I immediately reacted to the voice that came from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly twisted my waist and gathered strength in my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to swing faster, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thak—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My wrist was grabbed. It was a large, thin hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all I could see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time I realized it, my view was already turned toward the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The feeling of floating took over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya had caught me and thrown me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the angle? Which direction was I heading?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giiing—! I gathered my energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to prepare for landing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to get ready for the next move, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this how slow your reactions are, kid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cough—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A punch landed squarely on my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My flying body slammed into the ground with the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Krrzzzzz—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I bounced once on the ground before rising again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exhaled a deep breath. It had been a long time since I felt such physical pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clenching my teeth against the pain, I exploded flames in my hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwaaarrrrrk—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames erupted, and my body slightly lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I barely managed to shift my angle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwahhhh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A punch drove into the place where I had been moments before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rock fragments flew toward my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I barely avoided them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had I been a little late, my skull would have been shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rose to my feet and immediately looked ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the broken ground, Shin Noya pulled his fist out and dusted his hands off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he wiped his hands and looked at me, a chill ran down my spine again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...When...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When did he create that illusion with the petals?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was sure I had sensed his presence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t understand it. Moreover...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘His speed is faster.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was almost impossible to read his movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shin Noya I had seen before was clearly different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether he had allowed me to see him or if this old man in front of me was someone else, I didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I never imagined I’d be in this situation without him even drawing a sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at Shin Noya, stunned, I couldn’t believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya tilted his head and spoke to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That wasn’t much of an amusement, was it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that all you’ve got? If so, it’s quite a letdown...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked, and his words were incredibly infuriating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ssshhh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood up and exhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if my breath had become a catalyst, causing my energy to spin faster within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He deliberately pushed it in faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart violently thumped once, and the power surged into my muscles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, I created the flame jade on my palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sphere was instantly formed. I grabbed it all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame jade shattered and exploded outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While maintaining the flames that had exploded, I carefully controlled them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the shape of the flames stretched long, and longer still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resembled a rope in its form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grabbed the rope with one hand and applied force with my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flame Rending Strike (炎劙亂打).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwahgaaaaaa—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swung the flame rope madly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time the rope sliced through the air, the heat left a trail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It shattered trees and struck the ground, leaving flames in its wake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being able to change the form and use it like this was possible because I had reached the tenth star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to that, I could handle the flames with more finesse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy consumption was considerable, but I was still satisfied with how it felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I got a little more familiar with it, I could use it much more powerfully and diversely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It doesn’t reach.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how wildly I swung it, it wasn’t going to hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya was nonchalantly dodging my attacks, without any rules or patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t avoiding every attack, though. He parried some and changed his angles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that he was parrying like that was ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just wrapping his hands in powerful energy and deflecting everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is he crazy?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that he could casually deflect it like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that he was doing it with an expressionless face was equally ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold sweat ran down my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had expected the energy consumption to be high, but I hadn’t thought it would be this draining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t keep this up for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even if I could, it would be meaningless if it didn’t work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew there was a wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, I didn’t expect that wall to be this thick and high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was honestly absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How the hell did he reach this level?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Is he stronger than the Three Celestials?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only Three Celestial I’ve fought properly was Paejon, but still...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even so.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time I felt like there was no chance of winning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what I did, I couldn’t win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That feeling of helplessness surged up within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than retreating, I chose to push forward, putting strength into my legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moving rope was grabbed by Shin Noya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chiiiiiik—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of burning echoed from the rope. There was no smell of burning flesh, though. It was the sound of energy scorching the rope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t believe he just grabbed the rope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tight—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the rope became taut with force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I felt that, I released my energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwah—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya pulled the rope with all his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure was immense. If I hadn’t released the rope, I would have been dragged along with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the energy was released, the rope disappeared from mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t try to reclaim it. In fact, the pressure of being pulled allowed me to use that force to dive in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I charged forward, grabbing the flame jade in my hand and throwing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I threw it, I detonated it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwah—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames spread, momentarily obscuring my vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would only be a brief moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to use that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the brief obscurity, I turned my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwah—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fist shot out from the midst of the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Shin Noya’s fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sensed it through the flames and avoided it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly dove into the space I had created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I created more flame jade in my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gathered the scattered flames and compressed them into my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giiing—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I compressed the energy tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sshiiiing—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I added more rotational speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the flames completely disappeared, Shin Noya’s figure came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I twisted my waist and extended the flame jade forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya had already thrown his punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would take time for him to pull back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to make use of this opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew I couldn’t win. That was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At least, I’ll make him draw his sword.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought that I’d at least force him to draw his sword and then shoved the flame jade into his abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ggrrrk—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exhaled in shock at the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame jade had entered his abdomen, but it hadn’t gone all the way through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssrrrr—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plum petals were blocking the flame jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was I not able to pierce this weak, small plum petal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I widened my eyes in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your compression and rotation have improved compared to before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya spoke to me with a slight smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But, you focused too much on that. You missed what’s truly important. It’s meaningless like this, isn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively, I tried to pull back quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doonshil—.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single plum petal floated in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but fixate on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your focus is slipping. Focus, kid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwah—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya grabbed the flame jade and crushed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same form as when Cheonma did it before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference was that Noya didn’t just destroy it, but stopped it from exploding with the plum petals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, his knee dug into my abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body floated once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shock sent my body flying across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rolled twice and grabbed the ground to push myself up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cough...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clutched my abdomen and let out a shallow breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah... spit!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spat out blood and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stumbled as I rose and looked at Shin Noya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thrown me far away, but was now standing still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was intentionally staying still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I could have finished it just now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could have followed him and ended it right there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...This is damn hard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought I had grown stronger, but the difference was this great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could using demonic energy change things?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I used it, it wouldn’t guarantee a win. Besides, I didn’t want to use demonic energy against Noya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it over?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya spoke in a slightly gruff voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you really done? That wasn’t much of an amusement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You seemed so confident, yet you didn’t amount to much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew he was trying to provoke me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew it all too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quite disappointing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I couldn’t help but feel angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I land a hit on that old man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no answer with regular methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Maybe I should try something unconventional?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The decision came quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re done now...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya stopped mid-sentence, noticing my posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was slowly closing my eyes, fingers interlocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... What are you trying to—.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ssshhh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored whatever Noya was about to say and focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fire ignited in my heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within it, the pain of Tua Pacheonmu was embedded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssrrrr—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four rings that had been rotating around my heart shot out and began to bind the two senses together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kkkiii—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent disturbance occurred in my lower abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>",2323,"2026-06-05T15:10:21.117Z",1,"novelbin.me","7d002d933f8af84871c95a986520f98c972e7df3d06287650eda3f79ecb32e2d","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-936","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-934",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]