[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-become-the-zenith":3,"chapter-journey-to-become-the-zenith-journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-115":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to Become 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},1828452,2432,"Chapter 115: Smile That Refuses to Break","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-115",115,"\u003Cp>Smile That Refuses to Break\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do you still smile in such a desperate situation? Why do you always gamble your life for others?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commanding officer’s voice cut through the battlefield like a blade that had no edge—only weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew this man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not as an Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not as a legend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as the reckless idiot who laughed too loud, fought too hard, and never once thought about himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when he had nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when he was just... a man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor twisted his body, letting a silver-tipped spear graze past his ribs instead of piercing through. His hand shot out, grabbing the attacker’s wrist, snapping it with a clean motion before pushing him aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood dripped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrows still stuck in his flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoke rising faintly where silver burned into his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What makes me grin? he asked again, as if the idea tickled him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shadow moved fast beneath the swing of steel. His arm snapped up, crushing air and windpipe at once. A boot lashed out behind him, sending body number three skidding across dirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I show a desperate face now...\" he continued, breath steady despite everything, \"...how can I prove to you guys I can save you all and this girl?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He caught another arrow mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crushed it in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver burned his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scent of scorched flesh rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do I gamble my life for others?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Simple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved again—faster this time—slipping through their formation, tearing through tendons, disarming without killing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because the people I save...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His red eyes flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...have more important lives to live than I do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another arrow pierced his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He staggered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then straightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I’m already stained.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile didn’t fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thousands of lives.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence rippled through the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as they fought him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as they tried to kill him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They heard it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth behind those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One soldier dropped his weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another clenched his jaw so hard it bled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then stop!\" one of them shouted, voice breaking as he charged again anyway. \"Just stop! We don’t want to do this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another voice followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do you always have to be like this?! Why do you always carry everything alone?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor laughed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood dripped down his chin, yet he stood firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because none of you idiots can handle it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light floated inside each word. It wasn’t heavy at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at you,\" he continued, stepping forward again, ignoring the blades cutting into him. \"Crying while trying to kill me... what kind of soldiers are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shut up!\" someone roared, swinging wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavier still came their blows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sloppier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not weaker—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more desperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rhythm broke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Emperor felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"DON’T YOU DARE HOLD BACK!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frozen in place, each warrior heard his voice roar over the clash of steel. A heartbeat passed before anyone dared move again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’ve decided to kill me - THEN DO IT PROPERLY!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think this half-assed resolve will save your race?!\" he continued, stepping forward, blood dripping from his body like rain. \"You think crying while swinging your blades will change anything?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fires lit up his gaze, deeper now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re going to choose extinction over one girl - THEN AT LEAST HAVE THE GUTS TO OWN THAT CHOICE!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if it’s the God of Destruction...\" he said, lifting his bloodied hand, pointing it toward the sky as if challenging the heavens themselves—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t care.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze dropped back to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Until the end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For everyone’s happiness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More violent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No longer just defending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No longer just holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tore through their formation like a storm, his body breaking further with every movement, silver burning deeper into his flesh—but his smile only grew wider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crazier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battlefield became chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vision began to blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Edges softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sounds faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor couldn’t see who fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who lived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or who lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s mind didn’t return to silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another vision took its place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A different battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not drenched in moonlight—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was thick with heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long tail swayed behind him, cutting through the air with tension. Two beast-like ears twitched atop his head, white hair falling messily around sharp golden eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A werewolf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not just any.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body was built for war—muscles coiled like steel beneath skin, every movement filled with explosive force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or what remained of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fallen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Discarded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His allies—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Move!\" he barked, kicking one of his wounded comrades forward. \"If you’re still breathing, you’re still useful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only obsession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon lord in front of him towered like a nightmare made flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he charged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using his remaining pack as distractions—bait—throwing them into the fight to create openings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Efficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brutal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon lord fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as he stood there—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by silence...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breath slowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden eyes dimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Was it worth it...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sky torn apart by fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dragon roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Massive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ancient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A being born at the peak of existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in front of it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two black horns curved from his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wings spread behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dragonid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body radiated strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not forced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not trained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his hands—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twin blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same weapon Victor had once seen... the same place where he got Diana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not kindly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfiltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clashed with the dragon head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every movement precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t struggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was playing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Testing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pushing the dragon to its limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon roared, unleashing everything it had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Claws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wings that could shatter mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the man—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danced through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enjoying it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the dragon slowed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment it had nothing left—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ended it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Final.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive body crashed to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breathing steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks for the battle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the tone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way he said it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exact same way—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>",1164,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.927Z",1,"novelbin.me","3c47b4caf232ebfa3f598953cf80c3544135fb2a23878795f81c5fc09ddb510d","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-116","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-114",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]