Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1085

Chapter 1085

The feast concluded. Although it carried on for a bit after Paejon vanished, it was, thankfully, not prolonged.

The mood had soured considerably following Paejon’s departure. It felt as though the gathering was never intended to be a lengthy affair.

In the end, prompted by the Blue Flame Sword Master, everyone simply ate a quick meal before going their separate ways.

Contrary to initial assumptions, the turnout had been rather sparse.

For instance, my father and the others I had seen earlier—a group of fewer than ten—were not present.

I was told that those assigned to missions were exempt from attending. Had they already left on their duties?

That was plausible. The Azure Dragon Division was famously known for its heavy workload, even in the era I remembered.

Step.

Once the banquet was over, I began to walk at a leisurely pace.

The sun had long since disappeared, and the moon hung directly overhead in the night sky.

“……”

I stepped outside and gazed up quietly at the moon, turning my attention inward to assess my own condition.

‘I’ve done this multiple times already, but…’

Clench.

I tightened my hand into a fist, confirming my suspicions once more.

‘I truly cannot access the power of the Moonlit Night Tribe?’

Was it because this world was part of Zhongyuan? Or was it simply because this wasn’t Mangye? I couldn’t be certain.

Despite the moon being clearly visible, the unique energy of my tribe remained out of reach.

It was a disappointment. Having it would have made things far easier.

‘But it’s alright.’

Yes, it was preferable to be in a position where I didn’t need it. If I were desperate enough to rely on it, that would signify a situation had already spiraled into disaster.

‘Hmm.’

I rotated my wrists lightly.

It was still relatively early—perhaps I should train for the first time in a while. I turned the idea over in my head.

My reasoning was straightforward.

‘I haven’t practiced once since achieving Transcendence.’

After breaking through to a new realm and broadening my inner vessel, I had not found a single opportunity to train.

Too many events had occurred in rapid succession, and my state of mind had not been conducive to focus.

‘I would like to, but…’

I was uncertain if training here would yield any results. This world was still fundamentally different from my own.

‘And some of my abilities are also locked.’

Not only was the power of the Moonlit Night Tribe inaccessible, but a few other skills were also beyond my use.

My only consolation was that my Authority was still functional.

‘That’s a relief, at the very least.’

Without it, matters would have become significantly more complicated. The Authority of the Abyss had been an immense asset to me.

I raised my eyes to the sky again.

The moon was shining brightly above.

What to do? Should I train even if it might be pointless?

Just as I was pondering this,

‘I don’t believe I’ll get the opportunity.’

Sadly, it appeared training was not an option. There were far too many observers.

I let my gaze drift.

Although most had departed after the feast, a fair number of people still remained within the Azure Dragon Division’s compound.

And one of them was skulking nearby.

“Did you want something from me?”

The moment I spoke, a figure concealing themselves behind a tree stepped into view.

I already knew who it was.

How could I not? They had been staring daggers at me with palpable killing intent all evening.

“Senior Namgung.”

“Hah.”

The person I addressed released a dry, humorless laugh.

Silver-white hair and sharp blue eyes.

A young man wearing the martial uniform of the Azure Dragon Division.

It was none other than Namgung Jin, the Sword Dragon—the future Sword King and leader of the Namgung Clan.

“You’re quite observant.”

“It’s a habit of mine.”

From the moment the banquet ended, Namgung Jin had been tailing me.

He had been employing stealth techniques to mask his presence, but I detected him without any difficulty.

He wasn’t even making a proper effort to hide.

It was as if he wanted me to notice—practically inviting me to challenge him.

So, I did.

“You know who I am?”

Hearing his question, I offered a slightly awkward smile.

“How could I not? You are the renowned Sword Dragon.”

“No, what I mean is… do you not remember *me*?”

His face contorted into a scowl.

Ah, this was troublesome.

“……Were we acquainted well enough for me to remember? I’m sorry, but I—”

I attempted to play dumb.

However—

“Your expression says you do.”

Namgung Jin interrupted me before I could finish.

“……”

Damn.

I wished for a mask right then. Was I that transparent?

This was precisely why Shin Noya constantly warned me against trying to act.

“If you run into your senior, shouldn’t you at least offer an apology?”

“I thought I already had?”

…Had I?

I couldn’t recall. I likely did.

“Did you? I have no memory of it.”

His reply made one thing clear—he didn’t care whether I had apologized or not.

“Hmm.”

I ran a hand through my hair.

Ah, what a nuisance.

‘Why are all the men in this family so difficult?’

Seriously, he was making me want to pummel him into the ground.

I had the urge to fold him into a paper crane and toss him into a lake.

But instead, I plastered on a smile and said,

“Then shall I offer my apologies now?”

“That sounds acceptable.”

He seemed satisfied with my response.

Excellent.

If this could be resolved with a simple apology, it was a small price to pay.

“I apologize for what occurr—”

“Get on your knees.”

“…What?”

I narrowed my eyes.

…Had I misheard?

But Namgung Jin repeated himself, eliminating any doubt.

“I said kneel. If you’re going to apologize, do it correctly.”

“……”

Wow.

‘The obsession with seniority is astounding.’

I never anticipated experiencing this.

Not in my previous life. Not in this one, either.

I had never been forced to my knees before.

If I disliked someone, I didn’t make them kneel—I just removed their knees entirely.

And now he was ordering me to kneel?

How novel.

‘In a sense, he might be more insufferable than his son.’

I had assumed he would be better than that degenerate.

Now, I wasn’t so sure.

Was this the strength of heredity?

Then again, Namgung Bi-ah wasn’t like this.

“What? You refuse?”

Since I didn’t answer right away, Namgung Jin pressed further.

I gave a soft chuckle and replied,

“Isn’t kneeling a bit much for merely bumping into someone?”

“Hah. Too much?”

Namgung Jin laughed coldly before his face hardened, and he stepped closer.

«When your senior tells you to kneel, you kneel. Why are you arguing? Did Sword Peak Soi neglect to teach you manners? Or perhaps…»

«…….»

«Are you just unbearably conceited? I wonder.»

He closed the distance, staring down at me. Namgung Jin was a little taller.

His blue eyes glinted under the moonlight.

And the ironic part?

‘His eyes are quite striking.’

Of all the annoyingly perfect features on Namgung Jin’s face, his eyes were the most notable.

Both their color and shape—

Because—

‘They look so familiar.’

Unlike Namgung Cheonjun, his eyes bore a remarkable resemblance to Namgung Bi-ah’s.

The sole difference was that hers weren’t as severe and threatening.

Based on his eyes alone, there was no question the two were father and daughter.

As much as I disliked admitting it.

Then—

«You look similar.»

«……!»

At his abrupt statement, my eyes widened in surprise.

I was completely taken off guard.

Because he had just vocalized the very thought in my head.

What was this? Could he read minds?

As I tried to make sense of it—

«Yes, it’s undeniable. You look exactly like him.»

His face twisted with pure revulsion as he spoke.

«Exactly like that detestable fool. Baek Comrade kept refusing to see it, but no matter how I look at you—»

«……Pardon?»

Who in the world was I supposed to resemble?

I had no clue what he was referring to.

My eyes didn’t look like anyone else’s enough to warrant such an instant association.

«This is infuriating. It’s making me lose my mind.»

The bitterness in his voice was unmistakable.

No, perhaps it wasn’t just bitterness.

It felt more like resentment—maybe even envy.

It had been a long time since I’d met someone who wore their emotions so openly.

In a way, it was almost admirable.

‘Huh.’

What was I supposed to do now?

I had no idea.

«What’s that look for? What? You think I’m talking nonsense?»

«No, not exactly…»

«Of course you do. It must sound like rubbish to you. But what can you do? If you dislike it, you should have arrived here sooner.»

«…….»

«I don’t like you. Not even a little. And I don’t expect that to change.»

…Okay, and?

I simply watched him without replying.

Then, Namgung Jin met my gaze, his blue eyes blazing with intensity.

«That’s why things are going to be interesting from now on. I’m anticipating it.»

Tap, tap.

Just as before, he gave my shoulder a couple of pats.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, soon vanishing from sight.

«…….»

It was only after he had completely disappeared that I lifted a hand to rub the back of my neck.

‘That was close.’

That could have turned out very poorly.

‘I nearly ripped his tongue out.’

Ordinarily, a tongue spouting that much nonsense had no right to remain.

I would have just torn it out then and there.

But look at me now.

It seemed gaining a bit of power had increased my tolerance for this sort of thing.

How praiseworthy. A truly remarkable show of self-improvement.

The only issue was—

‘That makes two times now.’

This was the second occasion I had let it go.

What would I do when a third opportunity arose?

«…….»

I chose not to dwell on it.

I would handle it if and when it occurred.

And truthfully—

I sincerely, sincerely hoped it wouldn’t.

But of course—

Fate was never my ally.

«Come out, junior. Your senior needs to properly instruct you on what the Azure Dragon Division is all about.»

Because the next annoyance always arrives ahead of schedule.