[{"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-944":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},1240694,1667,"Chapter 943","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-944",944,"\u003Cp>\"What’s with this guy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at the pale arm draped over my shoulder. It was unnaturally cold for human skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure was small, barely tall enough to rest an arm over my shoulder. It seemed awkwardly placed, as if forced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was at least half a head shorter than me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at him silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were a light green, matching the soft hue of his hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The color reminded me of Tang So-yeol’s, but it was even paler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his otherworldly aura, this place was long past the point where such oddities mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is ridiculous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even considering everything, I couldn’t help but find him unsettling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s he hiding?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance, he appeared weak, but my instincts told me otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at him made my chest tighten, my heart pounding wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My spiritual sight opened involuntarily, and the ring of my spell spun furiously, drawing threads of energy toward my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new world unfolded before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if a new sense had been grafted onto my perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond my expanded vision, the threads of my spell etched lines into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They blended with my spiritual sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things that shouldn’t have been visible came into view.I saw his soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I saw defied logic—his small body contained something monstrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His presence was massive, almost absurdly so.The oppressive energy made my instincts scream in alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rummaged through my memories, and then it hit me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That ox they called the chief.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That hulking black ox.The feeling I got when I saw him—it was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is he on that same level?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought sent a chill down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept my narrowed eyes locked on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man’s green eyes curved into crescents as he smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why aren’t you answering? Are you mute or something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I snapped out of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing my emotions, I refrained from using my energy.At this distance, if I did, he’d notice immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was startled. Who wouldn’t be if someone suddenly approached them like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I brushed his arm off.The pale arm slid limply away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling its texture, I thought to myself:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why didn’t I sense him earlier?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at his small frame now, I realized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maintaining that form must have required an enormous amount of energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had missed his presence because he wasn’t strong enough to maintain a noticeable aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And because I let my guard down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My own lapse in vigilance played a part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who are you?\"\"Me? I’m…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his head, as if pondering how to introduce himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a passerby?\"\"Then why don’t you just keep passing by?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped aside, making way for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on now, we’ve crossed paths. How could I just walk away?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He showed no intention of leaving, smiling brightly as he planted his feet firmly on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear I’d gotten tangled up with someone troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, that wasn’t right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He approached me deliberately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a random encounter. There had to be a reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did he pick up on something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had I left a trace when I dealt with Baek Wol? No, I didn’t think so.As far as I knew, I hadn’t left any evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I can’t be certain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was another world, after all. There might be methods I wasn’t aware of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I studied him carefully, enhancing my senses without releasing any energy.I wouldn’t miss even the slightest movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, what are you looking for? Just tell me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked again about my destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t deliberate for too long.Silence wasn’t an option either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you plan to do if I tell you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to stall, buying myself some time to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, I’d guide you, of course.\"\"Why?\"\"Like I said, it’s fate that we met. You seem lost. Just trust me once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more we talked, the clearer it became.This bastard—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He has no intention of letting me go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what, he intended to keep me within reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would happen if I tried to ditch him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I give it a shot?The thought crossed my mind, but I immediately dismissed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s too dangerous right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know what he was capable of, but he wasn’t weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fighting here wasn’t an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making my decision, I spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have business with the Black Clan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My original destination wasn’t there, but I changed plans on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, the Black Clan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He perked up with interest at my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, I’m a guest there.\"\"Ah, I see.\"\"Can you guide me?\"\"Of course! I know every corner of Yahwol Fortress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke with confidence and immediately started walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he moved, I caught sight of a green tail swaying behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go!\"\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him, I slowly followed behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I followed him for what felt like half an hour.He walked slower than expected, so it was taking longer to reach our destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since he wasn’t sticking to the main roads and instead led me through winding alleys, which only added to the delay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, he really does know his way around,\" I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear he knew the terrain well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s intentionally taking the long way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was purposefully extending the distance to our destination, leading me around in circles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowed my eyes and stared at his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strange thing was, despite this roundabout route, we were still heading toward the intended location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced over my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind me, Cheonma was following silently.Her cloak conveniently covered her tail, and her ears were still holding steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s still fine for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the spell the Turtle used, my spell didn’t last as long, so I needed to keep an eye on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This alone was already taxing, and yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this guy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was this green-haired man leading me?What was his reason for suddenly approaching me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is he a leader of one of the other clans?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone from a clan other than the Black or White?It seemed possible, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, that doesn’t feel right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about him didn’t match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His strength doesn’t make sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the leaders I had met, he was on a completely different level.I could only hope he wasn’t one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was he really?What was this green-clad enigma planning by approaching me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stayed on high alert as I followed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, by the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke without turning around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since it seems we’re tied by fate…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That damn fate talk again. What kind of fate was he talking about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shouldn’t we at least introduce ourselves?\"\"That’s a strange suggestion.\"\"We’ve walked this far. Isn’t it about time?\"\"Considering we haven’t said much to each other, I’d say no.\"\"Well, that’s because you didn’t seem like the chatty type. I was just trying to match your pace.\"\"Ah… I see.\"\"So, what’s your name?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked, his voice tinged with amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My name, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I answered, I turned the question back on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why don’t you go first?\"\"Me? Oh, well…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought hard for a moment before finally coming up with something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mongmong. Call me Mongmong.\"\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not I’m Mongmong, but Call me Mongmong?What kind of nonsense was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This crazy bastard didn’t even bother to hide the fact that he was lying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then he expected me to share my name?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a dry laugh and replied, \"I’m Cheol Ji-seon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I threw Ji-seon under the bus without hesitation. Selling out his name was the least of my concerns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, Cheol Ji-seon. That’s a nice name.\"\"It’s nothing special.\"\"Ahaha, I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t seem to believe it anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air between us grew tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We both knew I was lying, so there wasn’t much else to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, what about the lady?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mongmong turned to Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his question, Cheonma tilted her head and looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s my name?\"\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why are you asking me, you lunatic?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them were driving me insane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mongmong burst out laughing as soon as he heard her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha! You don’t even know your own name?\"\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma scowled, clearly annoyed by his reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, come on, really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed so hard tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mongmong’s laughter abruptly stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air seemed to ripple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lifted my head and saw the mansion of the Black Clan in the distance—the place I had visited before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it was still a fair distance away, and the area around us was eerily deserted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this a trap? The thought hit me a second too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssshhh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mongmong’s green tail twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’ll take a bit longer to get there. Why don’t we chat a little more while we walk?\"\"Chat about what?\"\"Oh, just… whatever comes to mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mongmong kept walking, and I focused on his steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw something shatter—not physically, but a change occurring inside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, I heard something happened in the fortress recently. Do you know about it?\"\"I’ve heard rumors.\"\"Oh, it was terrifying. Not just anyone, but the head of a noble family was taken down, you know?\"\"That’s absolutely insane.\"\"My thoughts exactly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lowered my gaze.Mongmong’s pace had slowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You probably already know this, but in this world, the ranks determined by the Master are an immutable law, right?\"\"…That’s true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell is that?I had no idea what he was talking about. Feigning agreement, I perked up my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s no way some nobody would dare touch a noble. If it happened, it had to be another pure-blooded noble who broke the law.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke with conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, only nobles can touch other nobles?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was true, it was a pretty ridiculous rule.But the real issue was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what about me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recalled how I’d beaten both the father and son of the White Clan senseless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there some exception for me? Or was it just a rule in name only, with no real power behind it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It feels like someone among them doesn’t belong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I processed this new information, I kept an ear on Mongmong’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That would mean… someone broke the law.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he said this, Mongmong suddenly turned casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And who could that be? Aren’t you curious?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could respond—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out, grabbing me by the throat, and slammed me into a wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wall crumbled under the force, pinning my body against it.I had to widen my eyes at the sight of his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slender arm had grown thicker, sprouting fur.It was now the arm of a beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What… is this…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I struggled to speak through the pressure as Mongmong, still smiling, asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you? I don’t know kids like you.\"\"What are you talking about?\"\"This is so strange. I’ve been away for a while, and everything’s gone to shit. The Divine Tree is slow to respond, and it’s all so fucking annoying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His childlike voice and casual words contrasted sharply with the heavy emotions underneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it bloodlust? No, it wasn’t that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hunger?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gnawing, insatiable hunger.It was embedded in his smile and tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure on my body intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced to the side.Cheonma was watching silently, her expression hesitant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed unsure whether to leap in or stay put.Noticing her hesitation, I blinked slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a signal to stay put.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma’s shoulders relaxed a bit, lowering slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, let me ask you something,\" Mongmong said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Answer truthfully.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, his voice and tone shifted completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words reverberated through my body, sending a sharp sensation through my insides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dragon Speech?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it wasn’t quite Dragon Speech, but something similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Are you the one who caused all this noise in my fortress?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a twisted, maniacal grin, Mongmong continued speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squeeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure on my chest grew even stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling it, my mouth slowly opened.This was… could it be—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Am I unable to lie?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was his power compelling me to answer honestly?If so, should I prepare for a fight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, it wasn’t me.\"\"Huh?\"\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to my expectations, the lie slipped out effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Mongmong and I froze in shock at what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>",2046,"2026-06-05T15:10:21.117Z",1,"novelbin.me","2bf1e1f6e1b955203eabdeda59a5e04db0eda315b34e159b2347a3aeebe39b5e","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-945","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-943",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]