Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1022

Chapter 1022

The tree was immense—dwarfing every other in its vicinity. Even compared to other grand trees, it would still command awe. It was not as large as the Divine Tree at Mount Hua, yet no common tree could ever possess such an appearance.

And yet—

‘Why is it so deeply black?’

The tree was an unnatural shade of darkness. Not only its leaves, but its entire trunk and every branch were a stark, pitch black. It gave the immediate impression of having been ravaged by flame.

At a glance, that was the obvious conclusion.

‘…But it isn’t actually charred.’

This was not a dead tree. I felt sure of that. If it had been killed by fire, there was no possible way I would be sensing such potent life energy radiating from it. And it was more than just vitality; there was something else.

*Vwooom.*

My heart began to resonate of its own accord. From that tree, I could perceive a sensation that was both pure and sacred. It was identical to the feeling I had experienced near the Divine Tree at Mount Hua. The same feeling I had encountered before the Divine Tree in Yahwol.

Which could only mean—

‘That is the Divine Tree of Mount Marryeong.’

That dark, shadowy tree was a Divine Tree. It looked nothing like what I would associate with such beings, but as I had learned in Yahwol, its appearance was irrelevant.

«…….»

*Splish.*

I took a slow, deliberate step forward, my foot sinking into the lake’s water. It was not very deep. As if pulled by an invisible force, I began to walk toward the tree. I ascended the hill. The nearer I drew, the more overwhelmingly massive the Divine Tree became.

I lifted my hand, intending to touch it—

«…I must first offer my apologies for forcing one such as you to come all this way in person.»

A voice spoke from near the tree. I halted my movement, turning my hand aside to find the source.

Right beside the tree. Had I been so captivated by the Divine Tree that I failed to notice someone seated there?

«I hope your journey was not overly difficult.»

The figure spoke with careful respect. I looked at them and asked, «Are you the Heroic Spirit?»

At my question, the seated person slowly rose. Their body swayed slightly, unsteady, before they found their balance and knelt before me.

«This unworthy one offers a humble greeting.»
«So, you are the Heroic Spirit?»
«Indeed… It is my great honor that you recall this one.»

«…….»

For a moment, I was speechless. I had finally encountered the being who called itself the Heroic Spirit—but…

‘They’re only a child.’

Now that I saw them directly, they appeared far too young. How old could they be? They did not even seem ten years old.

‘…No.’

Naturally, age is difficult to judge by appearance alone, but still—was this not excessive? The Heroic Spirit looked barely seven or eight, draped in a long, white robe. A cloth of the same white hue was tied over their eyes.

«…What are you, exactly?»

What was their true nature? How had they detected me the instant I arrived and summoned me so swiftly?

As soon as I asked, the Heroic Spirit answered. «I am a shaman, a guardian sworn to this Divine Tree.»
«…A shaman?»

A shaman—was it the type I knew of? I had heard tales of those bound to spirits in ancient times. But such traditions had vanished not long after the Magyeong Gate was established. The ascent of the Magyeong Gate had caused the fall of those who served the gods.

‘And yet, a shaman?’

Did such people still exist in Mangye? If that was true—

«How did a shaman recognize me and bring me here?» Why had this Heroic Spirit sought me out? I needed to know.

«The soul of the Divine Tree spoke to me….»
«The soul of the Divine Tree?»

At those words, I turned to look at the black Divine Tree. I did not need to think about it. It was clearly the entity the Heroic Spirit meant.

«The Divine Tree proclaimed that an honored one had arrived and must be greeted with the utmost respect.»
«…….»

That cursed term again. Honored one. I was truly growing weary of that word.

‘…The Divine Tree told them of my arrival?’

Was that possible? The very notion of a shamon guarding a Divine Tree was strange enough. But the idea that the Divine Tree itself had notified the Heroic Spirit of my coming—

Was I simply to believe that?

As I turned this over in my mind—

«Honored one.»

The Heroic Spirit addressed me again.

«That damned ‘honored’…»
«Might this lowly one be permitted to ask a question?»
«…Go on.»

Just from their tone, I knew I would have to request a different form of address later. For now, I waited to hear their question.

And then—

«This humble servant wishes to ask… Over which world do you preside, honored one?»
«…What?»

I frowned. What in the world had they just said?

«…Preside over a world? What does that mean?»
«Pardon?»

The shaman lifted their head. Even with their eyes covered, I could sense their confusion.

«You are the sovereign of another world. I merely wished to know which world that is.»
«…What?»

I blinked, completely taken aback.

«Sovereign…? Why would you think that?»

They had suddenly called me a ruler—I had no notion where this was coming from. So, I asked again.

The Heroic Spirit tilted their head, as if perplexed by my reaction.

«I can perceive it… You carry a soul intertwined with Wood, and thus, you contain an entire world within you. The only beings capable of emanating such a radiance… are those who govern whole realms.»

«…….»

The Heroic Spirit bowed their head once more. Judging by their demeanor, they seemed to believe I was testing them.

But—

‘…What kind of nonsense is this?’

I had no intention of testing them. I was genuinely bewildered.

‘Me? A ruler?’

The words of the Heroic Spirit— They overturned the thoughts I had only just managed to settle.

Suppressing a tremor in my eyes, I turned around. I was looking for Cheonma. Not because I expected an answer—merely out of habit. That damnable habit was becoming ingrained.

So I looked toward the spot where Cheonma should have been.

But—

‘Huh?’

My body locked in place. It had to.

Because the Cheonma who had been following me until just a moment ago—

‘Where did she go?’

She was nowhere to be seen.

**********

At the highest peak of Mount Marryeong—

A place so elevated that fierce winds screamed incessantly, nearly brushing the clouds themselves.

At the very edge of a precipitous cliff, a woman was seated.

She had long, jet-black hair.

With her eyes softly closed, she allowed the wind to rush over her, as if savoring the feeling. Her only movement was to occasionally tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear as it whipped about in the violent gusts.

She remained like that for some time—eyes shut, immersed in the wind—until finally, she opened them and gazed downward.

A vast stretch of seemingly ordinary rocky mountains lay below. But what another might dismiss as mere barren stone, her vision pierced through—seeing all that was concealed within.

Focusing her attention slightly, she found a prepared hill and a black tree.

And standing before it—

A young man, rigid and still, his face clearly etched with unease.

«Haha.»

Seeing this, the woman let out a soft, involuntary laugh. That expression—it was simply too amusing. She hadn’t meant to laugh, but she couldn’t help it.

«That face of his… it really never changes, does it?»

No matter how many times it occurred. No matter how many cycles had passed. No matter how often she had witnessed it— That expression remained exactly the same. So utterly consistent. It was the face he always made when he was caught off guard or completely bewildered.

She had seen it innumerable times, and yet—it never lost its effect.

«That’s a relief.»

So much had changed and been lost, yet this one thing had stayed the same. That, at least—that single thing—was still here. And for that, she was grateful.

Sitting on the cliff’s edge, she swung her legs idly in the open air. A part of her wished to stay a little longer, to remain just a bit closer. But unfortunately, this was not the time. The time allotted to her was far too short. Too insufficient to indulge her own selfish wishes.

So, instead, she chose simply to watch him from a distance for a little while. Even though forgetfulness had shattered her heart and clouded her vision— Even though so much had been lost— For her, this alone was sufficient.

«…….»

She continued to observe the young man for a long moment—until, at last, she turned her head and looked behind her.

Someone was standing there. A place that had been empty mere moments before— was now occupied.

She was not surprised. She had been expecting this.

The woman slowly got to her feet, turning to face the figure.

«Hello.»

She offered the first greeting. But the other person did not reply. They simply stood in silence, watching her from behind a black mask.

At this, the woman offered a faint smile.

«You’re just like me…»

She spoke softly as she closed the distance between them. The space between them vanished, yet the masked figure did not move.

«Just like me, aren’t you?»

Her pale fingertips reached out— and took hold of the edge of the mask.

*Click.*

With a quiet sound, the mask came away. The face beneath was revealed.

«Your taste in men… is annoyingly similar to mine.» «And because of that, we ended up like this.»

Their faces were identical. The only difference— was the color of their eyes and hair. Other than that, they were exactly the same.

«So… what should I call you?» «What name would you like me to use?»

«…….»

The woman already knew she would receive no answer. She had asked the question regardless. But she had never truly expected a response.

«‘How have you been?’ would be pointless.» «‘It’s been a long time’ would sound ridiculous.» «And apologizing to each other is meaningless.»

It would also not be right to say ‘thank you’. Because they had been the same to one another.

«So, let’s just keep it simple.»

There was only one thing left to say.

«Hello.»

Just as she had greeted them at the beginning— she repeated the same word once more.

«Little brother.»

«…….»

The woman greeted the other half of herself— the one she had killed and been killed by, time and again throughout countless cycles.