Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1062

Chapter 1062

There are instants when the night unravels.

Not because the moon fades from view.

Not because the stars cease their glitter.

Not from dread of the coming dawn, nor because the sun ascends.

It is when no one remains, watching for the night.

Or when no one recalls it any longer.

Only then does the night come undone.

The woman understood this after reaching her decision, yet she felt no remorse.

It was necessary.

She had to shatter so the day could arrive. What those who remembered her truly required was not the night, but the day.

Therefore.

She was sure of her path. Yet, if any trace of regret lingered, it was that she should have made her choice a little later.

She should have picked a day more idly.

That was her sole lament.

***********

Hooohhh—!!

Black smoke churns. The ascending force erupted from below, and within that surging power, it was as if night itself had manifested.

An immense, overwhelming energy.

Observing this, Taechon narrowed his gaze.

“Haha.”

What could he say? Judging by the sheer volume of energy alone, it was astonishing. How could a being with such a faint aura radiate such a vast force?

It was intriguing, yet…

The actual issue was.

“My judgment was correct.”

What was held inside that energy.

Seeing it, Taechon felt certain about what had puzzled him.

“It’s divinity.”

The power contained within.

That was unmistakably not a level any mortal could possess. A strength only attainable when one transcends the vessel of existence and the world bestows it.

Divinity.

The supreme force, reserved for the rulers of a world, is harbored here.

“You are not the master, are you?”

That entity was not the master. However he considered it, it did not feel like a master. Even bearing divinity, it wasn’t a master. What was this peculiar occurrence?

With a glance, Taechon looked behind him.

“Krrr–!!!”

The creature, speared and immobilized. If one were to name a master, it would be that one who seemed more fitting.

The divinity of Mangye. Among the countless realms, one of the rarest divinities is the power of Mangye.

The divinity of Mangye inherently holds peace, mercy, and death—opposing divine forces simultaneously.

The reason other masters desire Mangye is its unique vessel, capable of containing such divinities.

“Why would Mangye…?”

Why would Mangye try to bestow its divinity upon this unknown being?

Or perhaps not?

“It may not have been an attempt to give it.”

Since Taechon did not know its motives, it was hard to speculate. But something must have happened to Mangye, and it might have tried to seize an opportunity, pursuing something just as Taechon had.

As this idea passed through his mind, Taechon shifted his focus.

If that was true.

“What is that?”

What exactly is that?

He had never heard of it.

“How…”

How could such a potent divinity exist here?

That is…

“It is nearly a descent.”

A descent. A master drawing forth their true form and appearing in the lower realm.

Ordinary lands cannot withstand divinity and are either crushed or, like this, the natural order itself sustains damage.

Even now, it was evident.

The crimson sky of Mangye was being consumed, entangled by that black energy.

Witnessing this, Taechon could not comprehend.

“You… what are you?”

He asked, staring at the being gazing back from within the black energy.

In reply, the woman inside spoke.

“Hmm?”

Her voice was flat. She seemed to be smiling, but perhaps she was also angry.

It was difficult to discern. Feeling this, Taechon’s expression contorted.

Failing to recognize it? Did it mean the presence itself was unrecognizable?

Is this me?

“Ha.”

Taechon released a empty laugh.

He, who had never once descended from the heavens since the beginning of his existence.

And yet, he could not properly identify that being?

“Is this not absurd?”

Taechon smiled.

Even though he had not descended in his true form, how could he fail to perceive what that being was?

He could not grasp it.

Creek.

Taechon tightened his grip on his spear.

“Dragon Lord. What is your connection to that forgotten one?”

“……”

At the name Dragon Lord, the woman slightly extended her hand. In that instant.

Kugugugugu–!!!

The energy that had been forging the night abruptly stopped its upward surge and plunged back toward the earth.

It slumped, collapsing into the night.

It was like watching prey fall, dripping.

It streamed down, soaking the ground. The night had fallen over both the sky and the land.

Splash.

Stepping onto the created mire, the woman looked at Taechon.

“What do you believe it is?”

“You answer a question with another question.”

“My apologies. I wish to respond, but…”

Tsrrr…

The mire swirled into a vortex.

The converging currents slowly gathered in the woman’s palm, forming the shape of a sword.

“I have not pondered it for such a long time.”

“…A long time, you say?”

Did that imply a relation?

It must. Taechon looked at the woman, understanding. That energy belonged to the Dragon Lord.

Behind, the thrashing monster. It was not merely a faint aura emanating from it. This was the genuine energy of the Dragon Lord.

All of it was concentrated there.

The signature arrogance and profound battle spirit. It felt violent and chaotic.

However.

Even sensing this, the reason Taechon could not be certain was simple.

“How could such an energy form an independent divinity?”

It was the Dragon Lord’s energy, but it could not be called his divinity.

It was clear. That was not the Dragon Lord’s divinity.

It was something built on its own.

It appeared to be a divinity cultivated by its own strength. So, then.

“Even so, how is it not the master? How is that possible?”

To have forged such a divinity and not be the master?

Taechon could not understand.

The being he had just battled.

Was it Shin Cheol? He recalled the figure who had displayed that power.

It was the moment they tried to break through the realm of the lower world, seeking divinity with the strength of their true form.

But although his soul’s level had elevated, his body ultimately failed, and he could not reach his goal.

Taechon found that deeply regrettable.

For a mortal to ascend to divinity…

That was a miracle that might occur only once in an eternity of endless time.

And to be so near, yet unable to witness it… That was a pity.

“…This cannot be.”

Not only had this being established an independent divinity, but it had also learned to wield it with such mastery?

“What are you? What is it that you conceal yourself with?”

Taechon, refusing to believe it, continued to question the woman.

“Hmm…”

Listening, the woman simply let out a soft sigh.

“I never cared much for labels like divinity or master.”

Once.

A very, very long time ago. In a past she did not even wish to recall, or one difficult to remember, she had once been obsessed with it.

She thought that upon reaching that place, something would shift.

Regarding what she had left undone. If she could attain that, perhaps she would discover an answer.

She had been so fixated on it at one point.

“But I discovered it is of little consequence.”

Once she arrived, she realized.

It offered no real advantage to her.

Divinity and master.

Even achieving that…

“In the end, you cannot alter destiny.”

It is too shallow and fragile to halt what has already begun to flow.

Thus, the woman had long abandoned this pursuit. It was merely a remnant from that era.

Thud.

The mire soaked in, and finally, a single sword was completed.

From the tip of the blade, drops of black liquid fell, one by one.

“…”

Taechon watched and stirred his own energy.

It was dark.

Despite the brilliance of the extreme aurora unfolding across the world, how could that one place be so profoundly dark?

It felt as if it was drawing all the darkness to itself.

It was ominous.

He should not approach that darkness. This thought came to him instinctively.

“Do you know?”

The woman spoke.

Was it a trick of the mind? Taechon felt the woman’s voice seemed to tremble.

“You have always worn that expression.”

“What…?”

“You appeared afraid. And you seemed hesitant.”

“What are you talking about?”

It was as if she had encountered him before.

Taechon struggled to remember, but only confusion surfaced.

No matter how long he had existed, he could not have forgotten such a being.

He recalled nothing of it.

The woman smiled, familiar with Taechon’s bewilderment.

“Do not trouble yourself. As ever.”

And then.

“It is not truly important.”

“…!”

The night shuddered with the movement of the sword.

Kuaaahhh—-!!!!

Darkness poured forth with a single swing.

The purple-tinged black energy crashed down toward Taechon.

Seeing it, Taechon moved the spear in his hand.

Kwagk-!!!

Blue and black collided, and shockwaves detonated in every direction.

The world quaked.

As the divine powers clashed with a deafening roar.

The woman, watching the energy spill out, thought to herself.

‘Come quickly.’

It would not last long.

And then.

‘But at least let me see you once.’

Even if everything vanished, if she could see that person just once…

The woman, as always, would do anything for that.

**********

At that very moment.

Boom-!!

“Cough!”

Gu Yangcheon, tumbling across the ground, spat blood.

“Cough.”

He staggered, trying to rise, hacking up a mouthful of blood, but—

Thud-!

“Ugh!”

A foot stomped on his head, slamming his face into the earth.

Shaking violently, he could not get up.

“Tsk tsk.”

The one who had stepped on Gu Yangcheon’s head spoke.

“You pathetic fool.”

The goblin, with sparks of flame flickering, glared down at Gu Yangcheon.