[{"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-973":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},1240399,1667,"Chapter 972","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-973",973,"\u003Cp>\"Kwaaaah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man collapsed, his agonized scream ripping through the air.Blood streamed from his ruined eye socket, soaking his trembling body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several figures rushed toward him in a panic, but before they could reach him, I lightly tapped my foot against the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—!Whoooosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crushing force surged outward, pinning them in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Urgh…!\"\"Guh…!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bodies buckled, collapsing under the pressure.One by one, they sank to their knees, writhing.I ignored them, my gaze fixed on the wretch before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kugh… huuugh…!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clutched the gaping hole where his left eye had been. His entire body trembled, his fingers digging into his own bloodied flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I crouched down, leveling my gaze with his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His remaining right eye twitched violently as he met mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Huuu… kugh… why….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, I hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah. That was a mistake.I hadn't meant to rip it out—I just acted on impulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eyeball rolled in my palm.The texture was sickeningly slick, yet firm.A clean extraction, at least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch. Nasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disgusted, I tightened my grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Squish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eye burst in my fist, its fluids seeping through my fingers.I flicked my hand, scattering the remnants onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression shattered.Watching his own eye get crushed, he made a sound that was neither a scream nor a sob.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I met his horror-stricken gaze and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That eye didn't suit you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Huuuugh…!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mistake, sure.But it didn’t matter.I had wanted to break something anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terror radiated from him.He wanted to scream, to lash out.But he didn’t. He couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And why would he?His father, the so-called leader of this place, was sprawled behind him—too broken to even die properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single one of them had the guts to move against me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at the others still standing in the distance.Their faces were pale, their bodies tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Are you just going to stand there and watch?][Your leader is dying like a dog in the dirt, and you’re doing nothing?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They flinched.Only now did they dare look at their fallen master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His condition was beyond saving.Anyone with a shred of sanity could see that.And yet, not one of them took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?Because they were afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afraid of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Tsk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking my tongue, I turned my back on them and strode away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hole in the far wall was already there.I'd made it while pounding their leader into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I approached, I cast one last look at the crumpled heap of a man and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You put on a decent show.][But that's all it was—an act. What a disappointment.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Krrrrrk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mangled body convulsed, his breath ragged.Even now, he still had his pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Let’s hope the next one I meet isn’t such a waste of time.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could even respond, I leapt through the opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—BOOM!!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I was gone, the mansion erupted with panicked voices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only now that they realized—The nightmare had already ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night’s events had passed, and time moved on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the sun began to rise, the pale remnants of moonlight had faded behind the growing dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I moved toward the back of the building, scanning for any signs of movement.Nothing.Even when I focused my senses, there was still nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did I finally let out the cough I had been holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bit of blood dripped down.I wiped it off roughly with the back of my hand, pressing a hand to my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fucking hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This hurts like a bitch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how well I had controlled the battle, the aftermath wasn’t small.Pain throbbed through every inch of my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The internal damage wasn’t severe, but the pain was very real.I had pushed my energy too far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Trying to end things quickly forced me to go even harder.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had poured everything I had into that fight.Knowing I had taken some internal damage, I tried to finish it as fast as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…That bastard was tougher than I expected.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much tougher.Especially—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘His body was too damn solid.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every strike had landed weaker than I thought it would.At first, I assumed his muscle reinforcement was concentrated in his legs.But that wasn’t it. His whole body had been enhanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘With muscles like that, it’s not just durability—his grip strength would be insane too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bastard was clearly a martial artist specializing in close-quarters combat, relying on his legs.His kicks carried devastating power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And like a dumbass, I blocked one with my arm.The bones in my left arm had nearly fractured from the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would heal soon enough, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I hadn’t reinforced it at the last second, it would’ve snapped like a twig.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I hadn’t instantly wrapped my arm in energy, I’d have ended up looking pathetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I flexed my fingers and shook out my left arm.Every movement sent sharp pain through my bones, but it was bearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But the real issue isn’t my body…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my fist, checking something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My energy is gone.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power stored in my heart—completely depleted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had burned through everything in that fight.And yet, despite that, there was still a smile on my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Because this is interesting.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something had changed.Normally, I would’ve been gasping for breath by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But during that fight, I realized something had shifted.Even when I pushed myself past my limit, my energy had lasted longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not that my total energy increased.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what was it? A change in the way I used it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know for sure. But the difference was undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The only thing that’s changed is my mastery of sorcery.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had learned from that old turtle.And I had succeeded in executing Cheonma Divine Art once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could that alone have altered something fundamental?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no way of knowing.But one thing was certain—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Thanks to it, I ended the fight much faster.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same amount of energy had produced significantly greater force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a breakthrough in my cultivation level.It wasn’t an increase in energy reserves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, my raw power had grown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So… sorcery really does enhance martial arts?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The higher my mastery of sorcery, the stronger my martial arts became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was true—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Looks like I need to start bothering that old bastard more often.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The turtle clearly hated me for some reason, but that didn’t matter anymore.Now, I had a reason to stick to him like glue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he despised me, I’d drain him dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had just resolved myself to that when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Tsk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp clicking sound made my eyes snap open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned my head—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something struck my neck.Not a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dry, bony finger had stabbed into my throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I slowly raised my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the shadows, crimson eyes glowed down at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What the hell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You idiot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Shin Noya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was staring at me like he had just found something foul on the bottom of his shoe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t even noticed his approach.Realizing this, I bit my lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just because you spread your senses out doesn’t mean you can let your guard down.The fight’s over, but that doesn’t mean you can let your brain shut off, you moron.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya struck exactly where it hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I had been holding a sword instead of my finger, you’d be dead right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, well, that’s only because you’re Noya. If it were anyone else, I’d be fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shot back a retort, but Noya only scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You do realize that’s a pathetic excuse, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t answer.That silence was as good as admitting it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be careful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yes, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t press the point further, just left a low warning.That was worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scratched the back of my head, forcing a grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he withdraw his finger from my throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you handle things properly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah. I took care of it—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could finish, Noya jabbed a finger into my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I instantly slapped a hand over my mouth.I had nearly screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Kh—fuck…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re acting all nonchalant, but your body’s a wreck.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head, looking at me like I was some kind of mutant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You goddamn lunatic. If you’re hurt, act like it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…And who’s the lunatic here? You could’ve just asked instead of stabbing me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, so you’d have given me an honest answer if I had asked?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Yeah, probably not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I had nothing to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Tsk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya clicked his tongue again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your body, your problem. But at least try not to be completely stupid about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I’m telling you, this isn’t that bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swallowed down a groan and pushed myself upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was fine.Nothing was broken. Nothing was missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rolled my shoulders, aligning my bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya clicked his tongue again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Freak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So? Why are you here? You should just go back already.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back? The sun’s not up yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Right. Guess you don’t leave at night, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded.He had mentioned that before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You still have something left to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not really. I handled everything, but…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced toward the distant manor.The Blue Clan’s territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just want to see how they handle things before I leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once daylight broke, chaos would unfold.I wanted to see it play out before deciding on my next steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know where the Divine Tree is? I don’t think it’s in that direction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A more pressing matter had come to mind.The Divine Tree, hidden somewhere in Yahwol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to find it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya had said it existed somewhere in Yahwol, but I had felt nothing in the Blue Clan’s domain.Actually, was it even something I could sense?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I need to know where it is before deciding what to do.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destroy it.Or do something else with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn’t act until I knew its exact location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, I turned to Noya for an answer—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He responded without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know where it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said it so casually.\u003C\u002Fp>",1669,"2026-06-05T15:10:22.035Z",1,"novelbin.me","3e7660472242f2ca32ff63bb2319e255d2d855d264310f61b4d89cd48fce8a46","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-974","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-972",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]