Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1091

Chapter 1091

Green, Blue, Red, White.

That was the established hierarchy for the demonic beasts that spawned from the Magyeong Gate.

Green beasts were little more than enhanced animals.
Blue beasts possessed strength equal to multiple greens combined.

Naturally, since green beasts weren’t particularly formidable, even a group of them could be managed, and defeating a single blue beast was not an insurmountable task.

A martial artist who had reached the Peak Realm could deal with blue beasts without much difficulty.

However—

«Red beasts are a different matter entirely.»

Everything changed starting from the red classification. A single Peak Realm expert—or even two—would be incapable of bringing one down. From this tier upward, demonic beasts manifested unique characteristics, making them extraordinarily resistant to ordinary forms of attack.

«You must shatter their Qi Barrier.»

The Qi Barrier was a defensive trait unique to red-grade beasts.

It neutralized the internal energy of martial artists, rendering the majority of their techniques useless.

After extensive hunting, only one reliable method had been identified.

«Overwhelming force.»

A Heavenly Master had personally determined that an attack from a martial artist at the Perfected Enlightenment Realm or higher, if channeled with sufficient power, could violently breach the Qi Barrier.

In essence, to hunt a red-grade beast alone, one needed to possess that caliber of strength.

When red beasts first began to appear, they inflicted massive casualties.

Since the Blood Demon War, red-grade demonic beasts had not been seen again. Not even when the Heavenly Demon emerged in my past life.

Although, since my regression, their emergence had been slightly accelerated—

«Why now?»

It still shouldn’t be happening at this moment.

This was an era long before I was even born.

By every logical calculation, these creatures should not appear for several more decades.

KRRRRRRHHHH—!!!

The beast confronting me was unmistakably red-grade.

A colossal creature covered in blazing red fur, radiating an intense aura of malice.

Its presence, its form—every detail confirmed it was indeed a red-grade demonic beast.

«This is impossible.»

How had this thing appeared so far out of its proper time?

Unable to comprehend it, I kept my eyes fixed on the cave’s interior.

GRRROOOWWWLL—! GRRRHH!!

«……!»

A low growl echoed from my surroundings.

I had been too focused to notice it earlier, but demonic beasts were beginning to converge here.

Green and blue-grade beasts.

Despite their typically low numbers in these mountains, they were gathering here—

Grrrrrrr.

To my astonishment, the beasts bowed their heads before the red beast.

«Tch.»

I scowled.

This was another known trait of red-grade demonic beasts.

Normally, demonic beasts were highly territorial and aggressive toward one another, but from the red tier onward, they could exert dominance over lower-grade beasts.

There was no longer any doubt—this was a genuine red-grade demonic beast.

I let out a quiet exhale.

I released just a fraction of my killing intent.

GRRRRRRAAH—!!!

Immediately, the surrounding beasts snapped their heads toward me, baring their fangs.

And from within the cave—

Grrrrrrr…

The red beast also turned to glare at me, its hostility swelling.

It had detected me.

However—

FWOOSH—!!
BOOOOM—!!!

A torrent of blue flame erupted from my hands, instantly engulfing the entire cave.

KYYYYAAAAAHHHH!!!!

The beast shrieked as the fire consumed its body, thrashing in agony as it tried to charge.

«This is becoming a nuisance.»

BAM!!

THUUUUD—!!!

A single punch caused the flaming beast’s body to detonate.

Its bones shattered immediately, and the lingering embers spread, incinerating the lesser beasts that had gathered nearby.

«Hah.»

I waved my hand, drawing the flames back into myself.

Not a single trace of the demonic beast remained.

Observing the aftermath, I frowned.

Encountering a red-grade demonic beast wasn’t the true problem.

The real issue was—

«Why did this thing appear?»

Why had a red beast emerged in this era?

That was what deeply unsettled me.

Had red-grade beasts been appearing frequently all along?

No, that was impossible.

If something like this had appeared anywhere—let alone in the mountains of Hanam—it would have been recorded in history.

Which meant—

«This thing was not meant to appear.»

The timeline had been altered.

Something had accelerated the emergence of red-grade demonic beasts.

And if I had to identify the cause—

«Some form of anomaly must have occurred.»

Something that disrupted the natural progression of history.

And that something was—

«Me.»

It was me.

My very existence had changed the timeline.

The appearance of red-grade beasts had been triggered prematurely.

A monster that shouldn’t have existed for decades was standing here now—that was proof enough.

«…….»

I clenched my jaw, my expression contorting.

Which meant—

«Not only in this era.»

Even in the Zhongyuan I originally came from—

If the timeline for red-grade demonic beasts had been pushed forward there as well—

«Was it because of me?»

Had I been the cause?

That single realization sent a powerful wave of unease through me.

«…Damn it.»

I spat out a curse and reached out my hand.

THUNK—!

Something lifted from the cave floor and landed in my palm.

A red-grade spirit stone.

Activating the Demonic Heaven Absorption Art, I drained it completely.

«…….»

CRACK.

The depleted spirit stone crumbled into dust within my grip.

Just like that, every trace of the red-grade beast was erased—as if it had never been.

«Haaah.»

I released a deep sigh and turned to leave.

Red-grade beasts, anomalies, shifting timelines—none of that was important right now.

For now—

I had to go back.

***********

By the time I returned to my original location, after erasing all evidence of the incident, everything had already devolved into utter chaos.

Clang—! Clang, clang—!

The relentless clashing of swords rang out. The earlier argument clearly hadn’t been resolved, and the Blue Dragon Division and Red Dragon Division were still fiercely engaged.

“Urgh!”
“Hup!”

It was a full-blown brawl. The scene was a complete disaster.

“…It’s a damn free-for-all.”

The term free-for-all described it perfectly. The seniors were brawling with the warriors of the Red Dragon Division, while, at the center of it all, Sword Peak Soi and the Poison Dragon (Tang Cheongi) were locked in their own duel.

“Hm.”

What should I do about this?

I scratched my cheek, then nodded to myself.

“I’ll just watch.”

Better not to get involved. This was clearly more trouble than it was worth.

I was about to disregard the entire situation and enjoy the spectacle when—

“Baek Comrade—!!”

“…”

From a distance, Do Yun spotted me and screamed.

“Help meeee—!! Gahk!”

He barely dodged a swinging blade, all while continuing to shout at the top of his lungs.

Ah, damn it.

I shook my head and immediately turned to leave. It was still fine—

“The top recruit of the Sect Entrance Exam! The prodigy personally acknowledged by Paejon! Baek Yangcheon, my dear comrade! Where are you going?! Didn’t you say you could easily handle the Red Dragon Division?!”

“…Has he lost his mind?”

I exhaled in disbelief at Do Yun’s continued nonsense.

Had he gone completely insane?

I turned back, utterly dumbfounded, and saw Do Yun looking absolutely terrified.

The warriors of the Red Dragon Division had now turned their attention toward me, their expressions darkening.

‘Ah, shit.’

There was no easy way out of this now.

“Baek Yangcheon?”
“That’s the guy? The one they say might surpass the Dragon and Phoenix?”
“The recruit that caught Paejon’s eye…?”

The warriors of the Red Dragon Division glared at me. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t have been an issue, but—

“Easily defeat us?”

Do Yun’s reckless words were the problem.

I could see their grips tightening on their swords.

“Haha…”

I scratched the back of my head.

The warriors began to advance on me, and I raised my hand.

“Just to be clear—I never said that. So—”

I stopped scratching my head and continued.

“Lower your swords. Unless you want to regret it.”

“…..!”

The moment I infused my words with killing intent, the Red Dragon Division warriors hesitated.

This was something I could have let pass.

But right now—I was in a foul mood.

I wasn’t feeling generous enough to tolerate fools pointing their swords at me.

However—

“This bastard—”
“Just because the Sect showed him some favor, he thinks he’s impressive.”

If anything, my words had the opposite effect—their hostility only intensified.

‘Ah, for fuck’s sake.’

I sighed.

At that moment—

Shiiing—!

“Come here, recruit. Let me show you the difference between—”

One of the Red Dragon Division warriors spoke.

He didn’t even finish his sentence before my fist connected with his jaw.

Crack—!

“Ghuk—!”

One down.

Before the first man even hit the ground, another warrior swung his sword at me.

His reaction speed was commendable.

As expected of a sect warrior, he was skilled.

He had clearly surpassed the Peak Realm.

But—

Thwack—!

“Guhhk…!”

A flick of my wrist sent my knuckles driving into his solar plexus.

His body convulsed, and he folded over, retching.

Two.

Without even checking if he had fallen, I swung my leg.

BAM—!!

Three.

The last warrior was sent flying without even a chance to cry out.

Thud.

In the span of a breath, two were down, and one was hurled across the battlefield.

Good.

‘If I’d been any angrier, I might have killed them.’

My emotions had interfered with my control.

The sight of their unconscious bodies brought silence to the entire battlefield.

“…What the hell?”
“What just happened…?”

The onlookers, who had been watching the fight, stood frozen.

I was just a recruit.

A newcomer.

Yet, I had taken down three of their warriors in seconds.

They stared at me in shock, struggling to process what they had just witnessed.

I looked back at them and spoke.

“…Let’s stop here. This isn’t the time for infighting.”

I issued a warning, but—

“This bastard…”

Once again, it had no effect.

Ah, damn it.

“Hmm.”

Back in Zhongyuan, my temper was notorious enough that this would have made them back down immediately.

But clearly, that wasn’t the case here.

In that case—

‘I’ll have to teach them a lesson.’

I was already irritated.

I might as well vent my frustration and brand my presence into their memories.

Just as I prepared to step forward—

Vrooooooom—!!!!

“…..!”

A profound tremor suddenly shook the ground.

I snapped my head around.

“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”

I could feel something that shouldn’t be here.

And it was right behind me.

Vroooooooom—!!

“Huh?”
“What the—?! Why are the Demonic Gate Seals reacting?!”

Even the warriors’ seals were vibrating violently.

None of them had ever felt tremors like these before.

This wasn’t something that happened with green or blue-grade beasts.

CRACK—!

Before anyone could even process it, a Magyeong Gate suddenly burst open behind me.

“E-Everyone, battle positions!!”

The shaken warriors immediately scrambled into formation.

But—

“Wait… That color…”
“Why is it… that color…?”

The Magyeong Gate that had appeared—

Was a sinister, blood-red hue.

For the first time in their lives, they were seeing a red-colored Magyeong Gate.

‘This is fucking insane.’

I gritted my teeth.

Because I already knew what this meant.