[{"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-953":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},1240379,1667,"Chapter 952","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-953",953,"\u003Cp>Kuguguguung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crushing weight bore down on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His knees had hit the ground, his head forced so low that he could only see the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—! Thud—! Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heartbeat pounded in his ears, reverberating through his entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the state Yusa was in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huff… Huff…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing was ragged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each breath sent beads of sweat rolling down his face, dripping onto the ground beneath him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What the hell….'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was happening?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he in this position?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, Yusa couldn’t comprehend the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he kneeling?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why couldn’t he say a single word?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made no sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grkkk…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sickening, unfamiliar sensation welling up inside him—what was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hunger he had always felt dulled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never before had his endless starvation felt so faint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he… not hungry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No. That wasn’t it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This is…'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something else had settled over his hunger, smothering it completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something dense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something crushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something that left no room for anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he racked his brain, Yusa realized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…Fear?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His trembling fingers were all the answer he needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That’s impossible.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the thought crossed his mind, he rejected it outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Him? Feeling fear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unthinkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Move. Move, damn you.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the fact that he was kneeling like this was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a General.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, he had been forced to his knees by nothing more than a word?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By a mere Moonlit Night Tribe bastard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Move!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Get up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tear him apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Devour him until there’s nothing left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grinding his teeth, Yusa tried to move his body—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kggggkkk—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But nothing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing that increased was the trembling in his fingertips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kh…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood vessels throbbed visibly in his eyes as he strained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"How pitiful.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The masked figure spoke to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"The desperate struggles of the weak are always such a pathetic sight.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chin was lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure had tilted his face up with a single finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"It makes me want to crush you.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa's heartbeat grew louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, it felt as if his entire body was trembling from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Don’t you agree? Because I certainly do.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pupils quivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even through the mask, Yusa could tell—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bastard was smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbearable humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A General of Mangye, bowing to this thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What the hell is he?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t his master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, he had commanded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of this made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more than the emotions coursing through him, the bastard’s very existence was incomprehensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commands were absolute laws, carved into the soul itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless the one issuing it was of higher status, they simply could not work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…Then why….'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why could this bastard command him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa couldn’t wrap his head around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…Did my master appoint another General?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there a possibility that, without his knowledge, a new General had been added?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He considered it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as quickly, he shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'No… the Sacred Tree no longer bears fruit.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could only become a General by receiving the Sacred Tree’s blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only with that blessing could one be acknowledged by their master and granted power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yarang had been an exception—granted authority without the Sacred Tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that had been an exceptional case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his master had declared it a once-in-a-lifetime event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What is he?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even among Generals, commands could not be exchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only explanation was that this bastard’s soul was on an even higher level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…Who the hell is he?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how he thought about it, Yusa found no answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brows furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the pressure vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force that had been locking him in place was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could move again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had it disappeared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was odd, but he had no time to dwell on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa turned his gaze back to the masked figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still watching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa gritted his teeth and channeled his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fear dissipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hunger returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was starving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to devour him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the thought formed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I’ll eat him. I’ll devour everything.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa’s lips curled upward as he swung his massive arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beastly limb shot toward the figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Feast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the word left his lips, cracks formed across his enormous palm—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shrrrkkk—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a maw splitting open, his hand unfolded, turning into a grotesque mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lunged forward, intending to swallow the figure whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I don’t know what you are, but once I eat you—it won’t matter.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever mystery surrounded him, it would be meaningless the moment he devoured him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant his shackles had been lifted, this had already been decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His power allowed him to consume anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bastard would be no different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or so he thought—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stunned breath escaped Yusa’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because instead of devouring him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own arm had been bitten into.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The form was black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something had emerged from the figure’s shadow and was now clamping down on Yusa’s beastly arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kh…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excruciating pain shot through him as he instinctively yanked his arm back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He managed to pull free—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip, drip, drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood dripped to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Kh….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chunk of flesh had been torn straight out of his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa’s trembling eyes darted to the figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Feast, is it? Not bad.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bastard had spoken the name of his authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t alarmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He merely watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And from his shadow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thing slithered up his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a serpent, it coiled around him, climbing up his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What… the hell… is that…?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just looking at it made his skin crawl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You…! What did you do?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"What did I do? We merely did what we do best.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Best…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Yes. Just as you enjoy devouring others—\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slither…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black form twisted around his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"I happen to be quite good at it myself.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa's expression twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be—?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'An Authority?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that thing an Authority as well?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa glanced at his torn arm. The searing pain gnawed at him mercilessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could it hurt this much? Even that was a mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…It’s not regenerating?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His injured arm wasn’t healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, any other wound would have long since disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead, all it did was ache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t even the slightest sign of recovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa shifted his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the window, the moon hung in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unmistakably nighttime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant his body should be regenerating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, it wasn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even worse—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Why isn’t it working?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Feast—the ability to devour all—wasn’t activating properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much he strained, his palm wouldn’t open into its grotesque maw as it had before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, Yusa turned to face the figure once more and roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell did you do to me?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard had done something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the only explanation for why his Authority refused to obey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Hm.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The masked figure merely tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"I truly don’t know how much lower my expectations can sink.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice struck Yusa like a dagger to the chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa clenched his teeth, his jaw tightening to the point of pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, suddenly, the figure turned his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"I sought you out because I was curious about the so-called Generals of Mangye… but at this rate, I see no reason to waste my time.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did he just say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you running away?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa snarled at his retreating figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Running?\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure barely glanced over his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"That’s not something a weakling like you has the right to say.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t even a need to flee from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what he was implying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"If anything….\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure paused for a moment, as if thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"It would be more accurate to call it… a matter of preference. I simply don’t eat food that disgusts me.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bastard…!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa’s blood boiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His rage surged, and he tried to unleash every ounce of his power—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throb—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kh…!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent pain flared in his arm, obstructing the flow of his energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Authority refused to activate, and even his Qi wasn’t circulating properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And on top of that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huff… Huff…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breath grew ragged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was wrong with his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa clutched his knee, trying to steady himself, but the masked figure merely looked at him with disinterest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"The next time we meet, I hope you’ll be a little more entertaining.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grasped the door handle and stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just before the door shut—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"There will be no second mercy.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kh…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa immediately forced himself up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strange affliction that had overtaken his body for those brief moments had faded—just enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he kicked the door open and burst into the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where—?! Where did he go?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The passage was empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single trace of him remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa scowled, searching for any sign of his presence—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Goddamn it…!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t sense anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something had gone wrong with his Authority, and its effects had disrupted even his perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That bastard—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veins bulged in his forehead as his eyes flared with rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where had he gone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to find him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his eyes darted around in fury—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought struck him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze snapped toward a specific location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prison within the Blue Clan’s domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Yusa sprinted toward the prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His speed was faster than the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa stormed into the prison, flinging the door open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no one to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commotion from earlier had already driven the guards away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if that weren’t the case, Yusa had personally ordered them to keep their distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With urgency, he rushed inside and peered through the bars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Hah….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he saw was completely different from what he had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His widened eyes scanned the cell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black-haired woman, the prisoner he had taken, sat quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And beside her—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Ugh… What? Is it morning already?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man, the one who had introduced himself as Cheol Ji-seon, groggily sat up, rubbing his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, you’ve arrived?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon greeted him with casual indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa’s face twisted in irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cell remained intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shackles on their wrists were the same as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no signs that either of them had left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…It wasn’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pardon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I asked if you were the one I just fought. Answer me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? What are you—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Answer me!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa’s thunderous voice shook the entire prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, startled by the outburst, Cheol Ji-seon hurriedly replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I… I don’t know what you’re talking about, but no, it wasn’t me. I’ve been here the whole time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He denied it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he be telling the truth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That bastard resisted my command too.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The masked figure had ignored his authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this one could do the same…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it really be him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa’s instincts kept pointing toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need to check something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would confirm it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa gathered his strength—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"General—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice called out from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look to the sky—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The urgency in their voice made Yusa immediately whirl around and rush outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when he looked up—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That bastard…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Against the backdrop of the dark night sky and the crimson moon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone stood in midair, gazing down at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had humiliated him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had toyed with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had commanded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bastard!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa launched himself into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His razor-sharp claws slashed straight toward the figure, aiming to rip him apart—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attack sliced through empty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like cutting through a ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did it feel like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa froze, his expression blank with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"General, let me say this again.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure ignored Yusa’s attack completely, speaking as if nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"There will be no second mercy. Next time we meet—do not disappoint me.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like mist dispersing into the night, he vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where— Where did he go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa bared his fangs and roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where the hell did you go—?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwooooooooosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent shockwave erupted from his fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sheer force so powerful that it tore through the mansion—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even reached the prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the howling wind, Cheol Ji-seon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, Gu Yangcheon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Casually wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that moment, he was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I can kill him.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A General—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could have killed him no problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That much, he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>",2123,"2026-06-05T15:10:22.035Z",1,"novelbin.me","b24c814dea37305270dce2433890e2022b8da8061efdde8a09123e4b12fa5ce6","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-954","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-952",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]