Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1079

Chapter 1079

A long, weary breath escaped me as I exited the building.

It was done. The third trial had finally concluded.

As anticipated, I had passed.

But… was that outcome actually a given?

“What was that all about?”

I turned back to stare at the structure, completely bewildered.

The initial test had been a combat spar with an examiner.
The second was a written examination on the nature of demonic beasts.
And the third was an interview—an appraisal of my character.

Yet, the examiner’s parting words lingered with me.

“Your performance on the first two tests was so exceptional that you passed… however, the third was borderline. I would advise you to exercise more caution.”

That was what he’d said.

I was utterly at a loss for words.

“What exactly did I do wrong?”

Failing the character assessment? The third test was notorious for being nearly impossible to fail.

And yet, he said I had only just scraped by?

‘I hardly said a thing.’

When questioned on how I would handle an unreasonable order from a superior—
I had responded, “If it’s illogical, I will not obey it.”

When asked what I would do upon witnessing a superior engaged in corruption—
I had answered plainly, “If he is an idiot, I will beat him to death.”

And when asked how I would react if a comrade was endangered by a demonic beast—
I had inquired, “Is that individual even competent?”

That final answer had truly soured the examiners’ expressions.

“…So? What of it?”

I still failed to see the issue.

Despite somehow passing, their disapproving reactions nagged at me.

Would they have actually failed me if the circumstances had been slightly different?

‘No, that’s absurd.’

They likely just disapproved of my answers, but it surely wasn’t enough to warrant genuine consequences.

Anyway—

“Let’s see now…”

I left the main headquarters and began to walk.

I moved through the city, observing my surroundings. There were numerous matters to address, but my first priority was to establish a base of operations.

“…Which means I need funds.”

I required money, and immediately.

“Hmm.”

How should I proceed?

Technically, I could simply generate wealth using my Authority, and no one would be any wiser.

But that was merely a temporary solution.

I had no idea how long I would be staying here.

But from what I could discern—

‘This isn’t going to be resolved quickly.’

This was not a matter that would be concluded in a single day.

“…Tsk.”

I ran a hand through my hair.

Money, huh…

After a moment’s consideration, a solution came to me.

“There is a way.”

Some methods are constant, regardless of the era.

Even now, one approach to earning money remains straightforward.

If you were raised in a family with a sword division, it was obvious.

“I suppose I’ll go hunting.”

It had been some time since I last hunted.

* * *

I departed the city and made for the mountains.

The sun was just beginning to set, and I was not required to return to headquarters until the following day.

That meant I had the night to take care of business.

Tap.

I stepped onto a tree branch and pushed off.

Then—

Fwoooosh—!

I released the energy I had been holding back, allowing it to radiate outward.

As my Qi Sense expanded, it enveloped the entire mountain range.

Instantly, I became aware of every living creature in the vicinity.

“Hmmm…”

It wasn’t long before—

Grrrrr…

I detected my target.

I propelled myself forward immediately.

My surroundings became a blur as I sped to the location.

Krrrk!?

I saw it.

A demonic beast—a monkey-like creature covered in blue fur.

Without a second thought, I reached out and tore its head off.

Crunch.

Then, I collected the Magic Stone that emerged.

I carefully restrained my Demonic Heaven Absorption Art to avoid absorbing it. Absorbing the stone would cause the beast’s body to vanish.

And that would not do.

‘One down.’

Without pausing, I moved again.

I began to slaughter the surrounding demonic beasts.

Crack—! Snap—!!!

My body, sheathed in flames, shot across the landscape.

Wherever I passed, demonic beasts fell.

By the time roughly half an hour had elapsed—

“Hmph.”

I brushed off my hands and looked over the pile of corpses I had accumulated.

No matter how peaceful Hanam was said to be, no matter how safe—

‘Demonic beasts are everywhere.’

There were always some lurking in the shadows.

And I had just culled most of them.

The reason was simple.

“Now then… how is it you butcher these things again?”

The hides and bones of demonic beasts could be sold for coin.

In Zhongyuan, they were commonly used to forge weapons and craft garments.

The problem was—

“…This is going to be tedious.”

Separating the skins from the bones was going to be a bother.

What should I do?

I arrived at an answer quickly.

Fwoosh—!

I ignited flames, instantly engulfing the demonic beasts.

Fwooooom—!!!

The smell of scorching flesh filled the air.

Soon, the flesh and hide were completely burned away, leaving only bare bones.

“Good.”

It was too much trouble—so I would just sell the bones.

That alone should suffice.

Now, for the next problem—

“…How am I supposed to carry all of this?”

It was time to work that out.

*****

“Thank you! Please come again!”

The night was still deep. The shop owner saw me out with a beaming smile as I left the establishment.

I tucked the money I’d earned into my robe.

‘Well, I managed to sell it all, somehow.’

The bones had fetched a reasonable price.

Transporting everything back and forth had been a chore, but at least my effort was fairly compensated.

The shop owner was happy, too.

He probably hadn’t anticipated an individual, rather than the Martial Alliance, delivering such a large quantity of bones.

Especially bones from blue-furred demonic beasts—that had earned me an extra bonus.

‘…It would’ve been simpler to just use Elemental Telekinesis.’

But that would have attracted too much notice, so I had to move them by hand.

Still, the outcome was satisfactory.

I now had enough for food and lodging.

“Now, where should I go?”

As I glanced around, my eyes settled on a tall inn in the distance.

“Oh.”

My eyes widened.

I recognized that place.

Back when I took part in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, the Martial Alliance had provided that very inn for my accommodation.

‘So it existed in this time, too.’

Should I stay there?

I immediately started walking toward it.

“Welcome!”

“Do you have any rooms available?”

“What type of room are you seeking?”

“The least expensive one you have.”

“Ah… I understand.”

At my reply, the innkeeper’s expression shifted slightly.

Damn it. This world really hasn’t changed a bit.

Still, there were rooms free.

I paid for my stay and a modest meal before heading up to my assigned room.

It was on the second floor.

When I had stayed here in the past, I was given a room on the top floor.

I suppose the lower the floor, the cheaper the room.

Creak.

I stepped inside.

Sure enough, the room was exceedingly small.

‘What? Why is it so cramped?’

It was a good thing I had no luggage—that would have been a nightmare.

“…Ah, well.”

If I got into the Martial Alliance, they would likely provide lodging anyway.

This was sufficient for now.

With that thought, I swiftly arranged my few things and stepped back out.

I was heading downstairs to get some food—

When I noticed someone coming up the staircase.

I didn’t pay it much mind.

I simply moved aside to let them pass—

“Hm?”

But they didn’t continue past me.

Instead, they stopped directly in front of me.

‘What now?’

Why weren’t they moving?

I looked at the person.

A woman—wearing a face veil.

I narrowed my eyes.

My enhanced vision saw straight through the veil.

Unless it was an artifact of relic-level quality, a simple veil couldn’t obstruct my sight.

‘…Huh?’

She had large eyes.

Her frame was slight, and she wore robes of a deep green hue.

‘…She looks familiar.’

She bore a striking resemblance to Tang So-yeol.

The similarity was so strong it gave me pause.

“Do you need something?” I asked.

The woman flinched, visibly startled.

“Oh, no. My apologies.”
“Alright.”

She quickly stepped aside, seeming flustered.

Even her voice sounded like Tang So-yeol’s.

That was that.

Since I sensed nothing particularly important, I dismissed it and went downstairs.

“You can sit here.”

As soon as I descended, the innkeeper’s assistant directed me to a small table.

It was clearly a poor seat, but I didn’t mind.

I was eating alone anyway.

I sat down in silence.

Shortly after, my food was delivered.

I had ordered dumplings and thin noodles.

‘Smells good.’

The aroma was rich and appealing.

I picked up a dumpling and took a bite.

The flavor was solid.

‘…So this truly isn’t a dream.’

Everything felt completely real.

That certainty took deeper root.

I ate my meal calmly.

But then—

“Did you hear? Paejon himself was at the Martial Alliance entrance exam this time.”
“Paejon? You mean, that Paejon?”

Nearby, I overheard a conversation.

They were talking about Paejon.

‘Ah, this is not good.’

I immediately knew where this was headed.

If they were discussing Paejon…

“And get this—he actually took an interest in one of the examinees and wants to take them as a disciple.”
‘Damn it.’

There was a strong possibility they were about to start talking about me.
“A disciple? Paejon wants to take a disciple?”
“That’s right.”
“Why would he do that suddenly…?”
“No one knows.”
“Who is it? Who did Paejon choose?”
“That… no one is certain. But from what I heard, it was one of the younger generation’s prodigies…”
‘Ugh.’

I stuffed my mouth with dumplings to curb my irritation.
‘I should finish eating and go back upstairs.’

Or perhaps I should just block the sound with Qi.

Yes. That seemed like a good plan.

I nodded to myself and was about to shut off my hearing—

“Um, excuse me.”
“Huh?”

I felt a presence approach.

I looked up.

It was the woman I had encountered earlier.

“…What is it?”

What now?

I gave her a puzzled look.

She hesitated, her hands trembling slightly before she finally spoke.
“I… I never do things like this, but…”
“Huh?”
“I really don’t, but…”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Would you…”

She swallowed dryly.
“Would you mind if I… sat with you?”
“…?”

What?

I frowned.

Why in the world did she want to sit with me?
“There are plenty of empty seats. Why?”

There were seats all over.

And judging by her attire, she was clearly well-off.

Wait.
‘Her robes…’

A green martial uniform.

And not just any green—a very specific, familiar shade.

More importantly—
‘She looks like Tang So-yeol. And she’s wearing that uniform…?’

Just as a realization began to dawn—

She spoke again.
“I… I just like you.”
“…What?”

Even I was taken aback by what I had just heard.