Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1039

Chapter 1039

“Cheonma?”

In a flash, the surroundings shifted and I found myself back where I had started.

I was slumped by the edge of the lake, staring vacantly.

No matter how I considered it, that had undoubtedly been Cheonma.

The smile on her face was not the same as the one I had encountered in this lifetime.

That was unmistakably the Cheonma I remembered from my previous life.

‘Could it have been an illusion?’

It was possible. However—

‘No.’

I rejected the thought immediately. Others might be fooled, but I could not.

That was Cheonma. The way she looked at me, the subtle curve of her lips, and—

‘That presence.’

That distinct aura that had suddenly permeated the space. How could I ever mistake that? It was impossible.

That was the Cheonma I knew.

Then—

‘…Why?’

Why had she appeared so abruptly? And—

‘Why did she try to strangle me?’

Why had she reacted that way, seizing my throat as if to silence me? And—

‘Had she been there all along?’

Had Cheonma been present the entire time, and I simply failed to perceive her? Or—

‘…Is there a purpose behind this?’

What if, similar to Wi Seol-ah, Cheonma had been residing within another’s form?

‘That is a possibility.’

A flood of scenarios rushed through my mind. The issue was—

‘If that is true—’

It would颠覆 everything. The assumption that the Cheonma of this life was a separate entity from my past life would be completely overturned.

I clutched my chest.

Thump—! Thump—! Thump—!

My heart was pounding erratically. A storm of emotions washed over me—anxiety, dread, sheer terror—all swirling within me.

Simultaneously—

“Haa… Huu…”

My breath caught in my throat. The mere fact that I had encountered my past life’s Cheonma was enough to induce this state.

The eyes that had been observing me. The scornful smirk she had offered.

All of it was pulling me down into a vortex.

Cheonma was the only thing occupying my thoughts.

“Huu…”

I struggled to steady my breathing. In the past, I would have been retching. But with my improved cultivation, I managed to suppress it somewhat quickly.

It cost me a measure of internal energy, but at least I regained my composure.

“Gu-in…?”

A spirit drew near, watching me with concern.

I raised a hand, gesturing for her to keep her distance.

No one should be near me right now.

Wooong—

My energy was chaotic and unruly. I couldn’t command it. No matter how I tried to steady it, nothing responded.

‘Calm down.’

I gritted my teeth, fighting for control, but my focus kept fragmenting.

I shut my eyes, attempting to exert just a little more mastery when—

Sssss—!

Something stirred inside me.

I recognized it—it was the energy gifted by the Divine Tree. It had suddenly activated of its own accord, beginning to merge with my agitated energy.

And then—

WOOONG—!!

In moments, my energy was completely pacified.

I observed the transformation in astonishment.

‘What is this?’

Not only was my energy stabilized, but my trembling mind also became clear again.

The anxiety receded. My thoughts weren’t perfectly sharp, but the mental fog had lifted.

“Huu…”

I let out a long breath, releasing the pent-up emotions.

I opened my eyes and rose to my feet.

“Gu-in…”

“I nearly lost control,” I stated.

I had almost fallen into a state of qi deviation.

No, it wouldn’t have progressed that far, but it was a close call.

I wiped the cold sweat from my brow with the back of my hand.

Then I surveyed my surroundings. I was back beneath the tree by the lake.

I searched the area, looking for her—

‘She’s gone.’

Cheonma was not there.

Had she not arrived yet?

I didn’t know when she would come, but—

‘I will wait.’

I needed to ask her directly.

What was she?

And what was that place?

And most importantly—

‘What am I to you?’

To get those answers, I had to wait for her.

But—

Cheonma did not come that day.

Not only that day—

Several days passed, and Cheonma never appeared again.

**********

Before the elbow, sheathed in violent energy, could connect with the head, the adversary evaded.

KUA-AAAAAH—!!!

A shockwave exploded outward.

Pieces of shattered rock flew into the air, and I launched them toward my foe with a kick.

“Hup!”

With a fierce cry, he swung his axe.

Flames erupted—!!! Fire coalesced along the axe blade, cleaving through the air. The projectiles were consumed and vaporized by the inferno.

The enemy attempted to recover his posture, but I burst through the flames, closing the distance.

My palm struck his abdomen.

Thud—!

I released the energy of the Cheonma Divine Art from my hand.

The chaos born from friction.

A coarse, vicious energy vibrated, turning his insides upside down.

“Ckugh!!!”

Thud! The enemy cried out as his knees buckled.

“Cough…”

His large frame crashed to the ground.

He barely pushed himself up on his arms, but his position was clearly precarious.

“Hm.”

I tilted my head, observing the fallen Du Ryeong.

“Not as powerful as I expected.”

“Ckugh.”

At my casual assessment, his shoulders shook.

“Damn…”

His voice was thick with bitterness. It was understandable.

‘He must be aware of it himself.’

He likely knew how much he had diminished.

In his prime, an attack of that level wouldn’t have landed, and he certainly wouldn’t have been felled by it.

But—

‘His body is falling apart.’

Du Ryeong, far weaker than before, could no longer command his movements properly.

Was he trapped in the memory of his former power?

This felt…

‘Similar to what I experienced when I first returned.’

His sudden weakening created a disconnect with his physical form. Because of this, Du Ryeong couldn’t adapt to his reduced capabilities and couldn’t fight as he once did.

Of course, the comparison was odd, since I had returned to a frail and worthless body myself.

Regardless.

“If this continues…”

What should I do with him? I had been pondering this for days.

My doubts about Cheonma’s disappearance remained, but I knew finding her would be difficult.

‘If she is beyond that dimension, there’s no path to reach her.’

The violet Magyeong Gate.

If she had concealed herself somewhere within the Abyss, I could simply search for her. But if she was there, that was a different matter.

‘…How would I even get there?’

I couldn’t find Cheonma unless she chose to appear. So, handling the immediate situation took priority.

In the meantime, I had been considering how to utilize Du Ryeong.

‘It’s problematic.’

Using Du Ryeong was complicated.

‘He is certainly not feeble.’

But he isn’t strong either. At best, he ranks in the upper tier among the top ten martial artists.

‘It isn’t exactly weak, but…’

Compared to my current strength, it feels somewhat inadequate.

‘Hmm.’

I had told him to come at me with all he had, and yet, he fell without even grazing my clothes.

Of course, it’s because I’ve grown absurdly stronger since arriving in the Abyss.

‘Should I just discard him?’

The idea of employing Du Ryeong at full capacity seemed doubtful.

‘Hmm.’

I had transformed him into a Demon, but now that he’s weaker, his utility is limited.

Could this be any more frustrating?

‘But considering it further, he might still have some value.’

I paused for a moment.

“Ckugh…”

He tried to get up. I spoke as I watched him struggle.

“Remain there.”

“Ck!”

At my command, his body dropped back to the earth. The demonic power I exerted held firm.

“Damn it…”

There was no loyalty, only forced submission, but he complied nonetheless.

‘Uncertain if he will remain this weak, but…’

For the present, this was his state.

Compared to the high-level demonic beasts I can summon…

‘He is roughly on par.’

It wasn’t a perfect match, but close enough.

At the very least, it was clear that deploying him at full strength was not feasible.

‘Tch.’

I clicked my tongue in frustration as I deliberated.

I then turned to him and posed a question.

“Enough of that. You.”

“…Ckrrr.”

“Answer me.”

“…What do you want to know?”

“You. Tell me everything you know about the one who was near you.”

“Near me…?”

“You know, the one you called the Crow.”

“…”

When he had yelled, blaming someone for interfering, Du Ryeong had named the unseen presence as the Crow.

‘Ordinarily, I would have asked Cheonma about this.’

Since she was gone, I had to get the information from the one before me.

“Speak. You heard my question.”

Wooong—!!

“Ckugh!”

He tried to clamp his mouth shut, but I applied demonic pressure. Dark energy flared and swept over him.

“Ckrr…”

Compelled by the force, the enemy, who had been resisting, finally began to talk.