[{"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-150":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},1828487,2432,"Chapter 150: A Warning That Cannot Be Ignored","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-150",150,"\u003Cp>A Warning That Cannot Be Ignored\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I suppose,\" he said, reaching for the drink, \"it would be rude not to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor smirked faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that sounds better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, the tension between them loosened—not vanished, not forgotten—but shifted into something quieter, more controlled. The kind of tension that didn’t explode... but waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor watched Shawn lift the mug, the way his movements remained disciplined even in something as simple as drinking. It reminded him of something distant. Old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like them...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a flicker in Victor’s gaze, gone almost as quickly as it appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Men like Shawn—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen countless of them before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commanders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Generals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Men who stood at the peak of human pride and discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Men who carried both honor and calculation in the same breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor almost laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, a faint smile formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then... they would’ve died before bowing like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It stayed on his mind, yet he shoved it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buried too deep, some truths just fade away on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piece of meat went into his mouth, chewed without rush, silence filling the space between bites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can see your sincerity,\" Victor said, his tone calm but carrying a faint edge beneath it. \"But what will you do... if I don’t want to forgive you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slight tilt of his head brought those gold-flecked eyes straight to Shawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If apologizing was enough for things like this... the world would’ve been a much more peaceful place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter spilled through the room, voices rose and fell, glasses tapped now and then - yet none of it reached them quite right. Sound existed elsewhere, muffled, as if behind glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Shawn lifted his face all the way, eyes locking with Victor’s, steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it you want, then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Victor opened his mouth, the barmaid reappeared, sliding dishes onto the wooden surface. Heat rose from the plates, carrying a deep aroma of seared meat that wrapped around them fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t waste time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached forward and started eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hungry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past few days, he hadn’t had a proper meal, and it showed. He tore into the food without restraint, movements efficient but completely lacking in what most would call manners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shawn watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for a brief second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No table manners at all...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought came naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t say it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he took a sip of his drink, eyes still occasionally drifting toward Victor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few moments, Victor spoke again—mouth no longer full, but still focused more on eating than conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should eat too,\" he said casually. \"Since you’re the one paying for this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shawn shook his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s alright. Eat as much as you want. I don’t need to eat right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Suit yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went back to eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t feel empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shawn sat there, watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just Victor’s actions—but everything around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way people avoided getting too close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way no one dared interrupt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way the space around this one man felt... different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He doesn’t even realize it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He does.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marked only by the gradual disappearance of food from the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shawn blinked slightly, caught off guard by the sudden movement. He immediately stood as well, his brows furrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh... is that it?\" he asked. \"Aren’t you going to ask for something more?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then turned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need,\" he said simply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice wasn’t loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it carried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The actions of your brother were nothing more than a dog trying to bite more than it could chew.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no emotion in those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Things like that mean nothing to me,\" Victor continued. \"It didn’t even serve as a proper warm-up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shawn’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in anger—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His scheming was also subpar,\" Victor added, almost dismissively. \"He couldn’t even push Videl into a corner... much less me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And your men didn’t do anything wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shawn didn’t expect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your lieutenant was actually pretty good,\" Victor went on, his tone shifting slightly—not praise, but acknowledgment. \"He managed to make me use two new techniques I just learned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That line stayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it wasn’t mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was evaluation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" So all in all,\" Victor finished, glancing briefly at the empty plates, \"the meal you paid for... is more than enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shawn slowly sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was relief in that breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor turned fully now, ready to leave—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, one more thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shawn’s body tensed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s gaze met his again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve forgiven you... for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words were calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But next time...\" Victor continued, his voice lowering just enough to carry weight, \"if you try to provoke me—whether it’s your brother... yourself... or anyone from your family...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not gradually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An overwhelming pressure descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Invisible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But absolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shawn’s breath caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like something was pressing down on him—something vast, something beyond comprehension. Not killing intent. Not mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something that didn’t belong to this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His legs trembled slightly under the weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one else reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bar continued as it always had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Shawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor stood there, unmoving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Expect no more mercy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words echoed—not in the air, but in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shawn couldn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Couldn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don’t mess with me... I won’t bother you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Final.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope you remember my warning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure disappeared as if it had never existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shawn staggered slightly, catching himself against the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breath came back in uneven pulls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold sweat ran down his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t look at him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And left the bar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shawn remained there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind struggled to catch up with what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t killing intent...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t mana...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands trembled slightly as he slowly sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unshakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of monster have you provoked... you stupid brother...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought came naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His jaw tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need to warn father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That much was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under no circumstances... must we provoke Victor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory of that pressure lingered, like something carved into his bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It never was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was suicide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, Shawn steadied himself. His breathing returned to normal, his posture straightened once more—but the weight in his chest didn’t fully disappear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not anytime soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed the payment on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And left the bar.\u003C\u002Fp>",1164,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.927Z",1,"novelbin.me","b585e51cd58c137cc9da524110ccccfc63a5b58ae06f2c2b401c49c758bccbaa","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-151","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-149",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]