Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1021

Chapter 1021

Of the Heroic Spirit.

A butterfly that materialized without warning identified itself as a Heroic Spirit.

This development was entirely unforeseen.

Having been detected the instant I crossed the threshold was an annoying surprise, and I frowned reflexively.

What was my next move? Should I retreat?

Uncertainty seeped in. Alternatively… could I just eliminate this butterfly and proceed?

‘…Impossible.’

I could see immediately—this was not its true form.

Another entity was manipulating it, purposefully dispatching it to communicate with me.

‘Does this mean they detected my presence the moment I entered?’

Or had they become aware the instant I tampered with the sorcery?

While only two options existed, they were irrelevant for the time being.

The critical question was—

‘Is this butterfly a foe?’

Or is it not?

That was the only thing that truly required consideration.

«A Heroic Spirit, you say?»

«Indeed, revered one.»

«…Right.»

What was I supposed to say? I was briefly lost for a response.

After a slight cough, I addressed the Heroic Spirit.

«…My apologies for the intrusion. I had my purposes.»

I chose to be direct. The butterfly fluttered gently, tracing a circle in the air.

«It is no trouble. In fact, we are the ones who should be reprimanded for failing to offer a fitting welcome to a being of your stature.»

«…….»

Being addressed as «revered» and «great» was profoundly awkward. I rubbed the back of my neck.

«…Well, I appreciate your understanding. So, what is this place exactly?»

«This is known as Mareong Hollow.»

«Mareong Hollow.»

«It is a sanctuary built by those who are bound to the mountain.»

«I see.»

Those who could not leave the mountain, it said.

As I pondered the meaning behind those words—

«If it is not too much trouble, may I escort you to a more suitable residence within?»

«A suitable residence?»

—’In my current form, my movement is restricted, forcing me to greet you in this inadequate manner. However, I cannot permit a guest of your honor to be received so poorly. I earnestly wish to meet you directly to offer my apologies.’

«…….»

I had witnessed many things, but this degree of formality was unprecedented.

I was the uninvited intruder, so why was I being petitioned with such grand courtesy?

‘Well, it doesn’t appear to be hostile, at least.’

But was it truly safe to follow? I wavered for a second before glancing at Cheonma.

She was simply watching the butterfly, showing no reaction.

It was absurd, but without thinking, I had sought Cheonma’s opinion.

If there were danger, wouldn’t she act first? That presumptuous thought had guided my action.

‘What is wrong with me?’

I had just told myself to regain my composure, and yet I was behaving foolishly.

Damn it. I silently cursed myself before speaking to the Heroic Spirit.

«Where are we going?»

There was no path for retreat anymore.

I had already entered, already been found out.

That was the resolve embedded in my words.

«I will lead the way.»

The Heroic Spirit beat its wings softly and began to guide us forward.

**********

And so, I followed the Heroic Spirit.

It moved at a leisurely pace, allowing me to study our surroundings as we went.

The environment was not drastically different from outside.

In fact, it was even more pristine—a perfect example of unspoiled nature.

While the sky retained the crimson hue characteristic of Mangye, the trees and plants within more closely resembled those found in Zhongyuan.

‘Perhaps that is why it feels less foreign.’

It was a commonplace landscape. There was nothing overtly peculiar about it.

‘And yet, that in itself makes it all the more conspicuous.’

I never anticipated encountering such a familiar scene in Mangye.

‘Even at Mount Hua, I witnessed something similar…’

But that had been a deliberate imitation of Zhongyuan.

If anything, this location was even more strange.

‘At the very least, this wasn’t artificially made.’

It had been hidden, not manufactured.

That much was evident—the sorcery had been used only to conceal it, not to forge a new reality.

My Heart Eye detected no residual sorcerous energy, save for the barrier overhead.

‘So they merely draped a veil of sorcery over a place that already existed.’

A magical shroud, blocking it from view.

As I processed this, I turned to the butterfly.

«How much further?»

It felt as if we had been walking for a considerable time.

Wandering an unmarked path for so long was starting to feel disconcerting.

Was this some sort of trap?

I had been vigilant from the start, but one could never be certain.

That was why I asked.

Yet the Heroic Spirit did not reply.

What?

Was it actually planning something?

Suspicion ignited, and I instinctively gathered power into my core, ready to act in an instant.

Just as I was about to ignite my inner energy—

«It is directly ahead.»

The Heroic Spirit finally spoke.

«Up ahead?»

Following its indication, I sharpened my gaze forward—and indeed, I could make out a structure in the distance.

A wooden wall, manned by sentries—bipedal beasts, just like before.

«…You want me to go in there?»

«That is correct.»

«And it’s acceptable for me to enter?»

«If I inform them you are a guest of the Heroic Spirit, they will extend the proper courtesies. Ideally, I would prefer to personally escort you to the final destination—»

«…Hm? Hey, are you alright?»

«…….»

Abruptly, the Heroic Spirit fell silent.

The voice cut out mid-sentence. I called out again, but the butterfly remained mute.

What was happening?

«Hey, what’s the matter?»

I asked once more, but without uttering another word, the butterfly simply drifted away, disappearing into the distance.

«…What is this?»

It had been speaking normally—why had it suddenly vanished like that? It was as if it had become a mere insect and flown off.

…Was I simply supposed to proceed?

Tilting my head slightly, I took a step forward.

‘They said to go, so I’ll find out when I arrive.’

With that thought, I approached the gate.

«…An outsider?!»
«Halt—! Identify yourself!»

The moment I drew near, the bipedal beasts turned their focus to me, their vigilance skyrocketing.

They bared their fangs, and I could feel their intense animosity.

«Alert the inner quarters at once—! We have an intruder—!»
«Wait, just a moment…»
«State your identity!»

Clank—!

The guards all leveled their spears toward me.

They were prepared to impale me immediately.

«Hmm…»

I scratched my head briefly.

«Look, it’s not like that. Just now—»
«I said, state your identity!»
«That’s what I’m trying to—»
«Do not move!»
«For heaven’s sake, then stop interrupting me.»

Crunch—!

«…Ugh!»

I moved my hand—and shattered the spear.

The guard flinched back in shock, but I was quicker.

Crunch—! Crack—!

In a flash, I destroyed all of their weapons.

Thud—!

The shattered pieces fell to the ground, and a palpable wave of fear washed over their faces.

«Hold the line—! We must not allow him through!»
«We must protect this place!»

Even in this desperate situation, their resolve solidified.

Their determination to defend this place, even unto death, was clear.

But.

«Calm down.»
«We will give our lives to defend it—!»
«I said, calm down…»

I shook my head slightly, clicked my tongue, and spoke again.

«Calm. Down.»

Vwooom—!!!

«…!!»
«…Ghk!»

The beasts that had been about to rush me with bare hands froze in their tracks.

I hadn’t issued a command—this time, I had used Dragon Speech to immobilize them.

Perhaps it was the sudden paralysis, but their terror became even more pronounced than before.

Now that the situation had finally settled, I spoke again.

«…Would you all just listen for a moment? Why must you attack first and ask questions later?»

Even I could tell my patience had grown.

If this had been the former me, I would have crushed at least two of their skulls before bothering to speak.

And yet, here I was—letting them all live.

«What was it I said? Ah, yes. I am here as a guest of the Heroic Spirit.»

—!!

The moment I spoke, their reactions were instantaneous.

I could see their eyes darting about.

«They said that if I told you that, you would show the proper respect. Is that true? If it is, move your eyes.»

«…….»

Their eyes shifted even more rapidly than before.

Seeing that, I clapped my hands together.

Clap—!!

The sound broke the frozen state that held them.

Thud—!! Thud, thud—!!

All at once, the beasts dropped to their knees.

«…What?»

Why in the world were they kneeling all of a sudden?

I frowned, looking down at them.

«We offer our humble greetings, honored one…»
«Please, end our lives…!!»
«…What.»

Did the name ‘Heroic Spirit’ truly carry that much authority? Their demeanor had reversed completely.

«…Never mind that. Just take me inside.»

I had no desire to waste more time here, so I waved my hand dismissively.

The beast in front—clearly their leader—rose to his feet.

«…I am Mosong, captain of the Mareong Hollow guard. I am profoundly grateful for your mercy…! I will escort you immediately.»
«Right. Lead on.»

From what I could discern, he was at least a mature peak-level martial artist.

I didn’t know his exact rank, but he was evidently not a low-ranking member.

His steps were unsteady—likely a residual effect of my Dragon Speech—but I followed him inside regardless.

Past the gate, I entered a settlement constructed entirely from wood.

It was nothing like Yahwol.

In comparison to Yahwol…

‘This place is primitive.’

It felt centuries behind in terms of development.

The entire area carried a faintly desolate air.

‘What is this place, really?’

They had called it Mareong Hollow.

A sanctuary for those who could not leave Mount Marryeong.

«…Hmm.»

Since it was within Mount Marryeong, could it be considered a domain similar to Yahwol?

‘A territory governed by a chieftain.’

That seemed the most accurate way to perceive it.

And true to form, all I could see around me were bipedal beasts.

‘They look like Duryung.’

That chieftain had also been a bipedal ox, so perhaps this place was influenced by a similar presence.

«…We have arrived. This is where the Heroic Spirit resides.»

Lost in thought, I hadn’t noticed we had already reached our destination.

The region was much smaller than Yahwol, so the journey was short.

«It’s here?»

I looked around, tilting my head.

All I saw was a plain door set into a wall at the end.

Was there actually something here?

Creak—!

Mosong stepped forward and opened the door.

«…!»

The instant the door began to open, every fiber of my being jolted to attention.

Whoooosh—!!

A deeply familiar presence pierced through to my core.

‘This is…?’

Without a second thought, I pushed my head through the opening.

And inside—

As anticipated, the source of this profoundly familiar presence awaited me.

A well-kept lake.

A small hill rising from its center.

And atop that hill—something standing tall.

That was—

«A Divine Tree…?»

The very reason I had come to Mount Marryeong.

The Divine Tree, the one Duryung was meant to be guarding—

It was waiting for me here.