[{"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-943":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},1240693,1667,"Chapter 942","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-943",943,"\u003Cp>The torn skin on my palm was hastily wrapped in a bandage.It was one I had stolen from Seol Yeong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the lingering pain, it seemed like it would take some time to heal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I managed to stop the bleeding, but it’s not very effective.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood had already soaked into the bandage, leaving a stain.Even though I had used acupressure to stop the bleeding, it still trickled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the wound that deep?The bone was faintly visible, but considering my current physical state, it was clear that my healing was slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of material is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this level of damage caused just by touching it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what if it had actually cut me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know for sure, but I could guess—it wouldn’t have ended well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, there was something strange about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does this happen even when internal energy is used?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, during the handshake, I hadn’t thought to fortify myself with energy.Would it have made any difference if I had? The thought lingered in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should I try it out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to, out of curiosity, but trying something like that now felt like inviting unnecessary injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If nothing happened, I might have gone ahead with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But right now, I need to use my body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so much riding on my physical condition, I couldn’t afford to take risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I moved my hand back and forth experimentally.The pain was still present, but it wasn’t enough to hinder movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I avoided using this hand too much, I could manage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This should work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I roughly gauged how much strength I needed to adjust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Time to get moving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stretched lightly and turned around. Cheonma was staring at my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you looking at?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked sharply, annoyed by her gaze. Cheonma, unfazed, met my eyes and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you okay?\"\"What if I’m not?\"\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes widened slightly, as if she hadn’t expected that response. It seemed like something she hadn’t planned for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a sigh and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm fine, so stop worrying.\"\"Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satisfied with the answer, Cheonma nodded.Was that all she wanted? Clicking my tongue, I turned away again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was still a long time before sunset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced up at the sky briefly and began walking again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma followed naturally, matching my steps.Should I tell her not to follow me? I considered it but decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t the type to listen anyway.Right now, there were more pressing matters than Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should I take Gubong with me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought about it for a moment but ultimately decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t seem to be in the right mental state for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moving quickly on my own is better this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the plan, Gubong wasn’t necessary for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keeping that in mind, I continued walking.At the same time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeech—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Focusing energy into my core, I set it in motion.Thin threads spread out, wrapping around my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though invisible to the naked eye, my body could feel the distinct and foreign energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if my soul itself was being overlaid with something.As I fully experienced this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Srrrk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something formed within my soul, and my physical body changed.Ears and a tail appeared—something the Turtle had once created for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I touched them briefly, nodding in approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t as strong as what the Turtle had done, but it was better than my initial attempts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming there were no issues with my body, I called out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes?\"\"Come here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, Cheonma approached quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she was going to follow me, I couldn’t leave her as she was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I needed to do something about it, I reached toward her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My hand hesitated just before touching her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory of that morning flashed through my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Tch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sensation I had felt then made me pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma looked at me curiously, her expression puzzled by my hesitation.Ignoring it, I extended my hand further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My palm landed just below her collarbone.I infused energy into her body, spreading threads throughout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saaaaah—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I had done with myself, I tried to overlay her soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something felt off, and I frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The threads extended but crumbled before they could fully wrap around her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, they would completely encase the target, but this time, they failed to connect properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were they disintegrating before they could reach? Or burning away before they touched her soul?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, it was clear—the spell wasn’t working on Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because I was casting the spell on someone else instead of myself?That could have been one explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, that doesn’t seem right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remembering how the Turtle had cast the spell, it didn’t make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that wasn’t the case—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does this mean Cheonma is the issue?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed more likely that she had something preventing the spell from working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it impossible to use the spell on her?No, that couldn’t be true—the Turtle had managed it, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that case—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There must be another way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The method I was using clearly wasn’t right.If this approach didn’t work, there had to be an alternative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Focusing again, I tried increasing the energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saaah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with more energy, the threads dissolved at the same point.It wasn’t a matter of quantity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I adjusted the angle.If a straight line didn’t work, I tried diagonals. When that failed, I curved the threads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This isn’t it either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing worked.But after repeated attempts, I realized one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s a specific point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The threads always dissolved at the same location, as if burned by a flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A flame?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Burned by a flame? The thought sparked something in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssss—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I altered the energy again, not by increasing its amount but by making it more compact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of just adding more, I focused on increasing the density.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the energy remained the same size, I aimed to make it stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How should I do it?The answer came quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I do it right, it’ll work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I wanted it to happen, I could make it happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as I tried, no matter how difficult, it wasn’t impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Denser. As dense as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I worked to eliminate any gaps, making the energy seamless.Though it required intense focus, it wasn’t beyond my capability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it was just about increasing density.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, I noticed that the threads I emitted had become stronger than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I extended them again, repeating what I had done earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hisss—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, the reaction was different this time.The threads reached the point where they had disintegrated before, but this time they didn’t vanish completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t entirely unaffected.There was pressure pushing back against them, but unlike before, they didn’t dissolve immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed they could hold on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single misstep or moment of hesitation would spell failure. My instincts told me as much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssss—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The denser threads of the spell began wrapping around Cheonma’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The threads burned as they moved.I endured the resistance and managed to encase her, though the spell couldn’t reach her soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this the best I can do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pushing further would be greedy.Continuing without restraint would be overreaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue in frustration but secured the threads to complete the spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh!Cheonma’s appearance briefly shimmered, and a pair of deep violet dog ears sprouted from her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma curiously touched her ears, fascinated.Last time, only a tail had appeared. This time, it was just the ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Cheonma seemed pleased as she eagerly played with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey… if you keep touching those, they might—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sway—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, dizziness swept over me, and I staggered.I barely managed to brace myself with my legs to avoid collapsing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hollow laugh escaped me as sweat dripped from my chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t thought it was that exhausting, but it seemed I was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t physical fatigue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…It feels like my insides were shaken up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like being wrung dry.It was as if I had used every ounce of energy I had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this exhaustion from increasing the density of the threads?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that I thought about it, martial arts techniques that relied on compression and rotation could cause similar fatigue even when using the same amount of energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might be something along those lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I steadied my breathing and stood upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though mentally drained, my body was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short rest should be enough to recover. With that thought, I turned to Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s move.\"\"Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no point in lingering, so we pressed on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving Mount Hua, we headed toward Yahwol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before sunset, we reached Yahwol Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suppressed the urge to run or leap and forced myself to walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could have gotten there faster, but holding back was far more grueling than I had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only saving grace was that we reached the fortress before my patience wore thin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Halt!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we approached the gate, a guard leveled a spear at us.It was the same as last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s your business here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was sharp and filled with suspicion.He hadn’t been this wary on our first visit. It seemed like this was a result of the commotion I had caused previously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That had been intentional, so I didn’t mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pulled a token from my robes and showed it to the guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Ah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard’s eyes widened as soon as he saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My apologies…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly lowered his spear and stepped aside, gesturing for us to enter.It seemed the token was proving to be quite useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attitude was different from last time.Was networking the ultimate currency, no matter the world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With mixed feelings, I stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I had noticed before, the fortress was much larger than Mount Hua, and the population was significantly denser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel cautious gazes directed at us.Armed patrols moved through the area, adding to the atmosphere of order and control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we wandered through the streets—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are we going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded slightly in acknowledgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well… I was thinking of visiting the same place as before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Clan.Gubong’s family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were things I needed to discuss with his father, the clan leader. It seemed like the logical first destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We could explore somewhere else.I had already seen both the White and Black Clans, so visiting the other two colors wouldn’t be a bad idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll need to meet them eventually.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether as myself or as Cheonma, I would have to face them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I visit another place before going to the Black Clan?Yes, that seemed like the best choice. I made up my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Where should I go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know the exact locations of the other clans.I would need to find directions. Although I had a rough idea from last time, it wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I considered climbing a tall building to get a better view—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, well… looking for something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, something draped over my shoulder.I turned my head to see what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the arm, I looked up to see its owner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing there was a young man of the Yahwol Tribe, smiling brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You seem like an outsider. Lost, are you? Need some help finding your way?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His friendly smile and tone were disarming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What the hell?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at him, swallowing dryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked young, with a slight frame—not someone who seemed threatening at first glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart told a different story as I looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this monster?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his unassuming appearance, I could sense something immense lurking within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was enough to send chills down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>",1973,"2026-06-05T15:10:21.117Z",1,"novelbin.me","777b6c5d7d6901dbbc6e4ba8c52d3d19d13db0a3e7571181ff0260b3ec375013","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-944","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-942",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]