Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1093

Chapter 1093

Kuaaaaaahhhhh—!!!!

The heat was unbearable—a blistering, suffocating wave that ignited the crisp autumn air in an instant.

Kwaaaaarrrrkkk-!!!

As if to prove the intensity of the inferno, the pillar of fire consumed everything it touched, turning the very ground beneath it to molten slag.

Kuwaaaaaang-!!!

Trapped within the heart of the blaze, the monster released a continuous, piercing shriek of pure agony. Yes, it was agony.

«It’s in pain.»

For a creature to scream like that within the flames meant the attack was having a real effect.

«What is this?»

The situation was unexpected. The energy barrier surrounding the monster was still intact, visibly shielding it from the fire.

«Yet, it’s still hurting.»

Despite the protection, the beast was clearly writhing in suffering. I couldn’t comprehend how that was possible.

«It’s not even that powerful.»

As fierce as the flames were, they weren’t nearly strong enough to break through that defensive energy.

«Deputy Commander…!»

Soi looked toward my father, her face bright with relief. The others reacted in much the same way.

«Deputy Commander…!»
«The Divine Dragon is here!»

The warriors of the Azure Dragon Division cheered as if their savior had arrived. The Iron Dragon Division members were more subdued, but the same profound relief at being saved was plain on their faces.

Relief.
That was the dominant emotion in the way they all looked at my father.

«…Hmph.»

Watching this, I understood the position he had carved out for himself within the Martial Alliance.

His mere presence was enough to reassure them. That fact alone spoke volumes.

«If I look at this, I can understand why.»

Even the sheer, radiating heat he gave off was enough to evoke such a feeling.

It was a truly absurd conflagration. The blazing light poured down relentlessly, a towering pillar of destruction.

However—

Kuwaaaaaahhhh—!!!

Even so, it couldn’t penetrate the barrier, and the Red Stone Beast began to thrash about with even greater fury.

It would break free soon.

I wondered—what was my father’s plan?

I watched with keen interest—

«Hmm.»

My father, seeming to notice something, abruptly cut off his fiery assault.

Kuwaaaaaaahhh—!!!

The moment the attack ceased, the creature’s body, which had been pinned, was freed.

Kuaaaaaaaahhhh—!!!

It drew in a deep breath, its pent-up rage culminating in a deafening roar—

Kwaaaang—!!!
Kuwok!!

—Or it tried to.

Before the sound could fully form, a devastating strike slammed into the back of its head, driving the beast into the ground.

Its enormous body toppled over completely.

My father had lunged forward and delivered the blow.

«Huh.»

Sparks flew. A shockwave burst from the point of impact.

«…The Gu Clan’s Flame Embodiment.»

A technique of the Gu Clan. It was originally a flame-based martial art designed for long-range attacks.

But my father hadn’t fired it—he had detonated it at point-blank range.

The destructive power was dramatically amplified because of it. Though, considering the amount of fire he had just been channeling, the recoil must have been significant for him as well.

Bang! Bang, bang—!!

Yet, my father appeared completely unfazed. He continued to wreathe himself in flames and pummel the monster.

Fire flickered in his burning eyes.

The spiraling inferno around him relentlessly hammered into the creature.

Bang! Crack—!! Bang, bang—!!!

Deafening impacts echoed through the air. A wild ferocity that starkly contrasted his expressionless face.

And flames so intense they seemed to warp the seasons themselves.

My father’s attacks were truly monstrous.

«Extreme compression.»

The fire I used specialized in widespread destruction through dispersion.

But my father compressed his flames endlessly, increasing their density to an incredible degree.

That was how he could manifest such overwhelming power in a direct confrontation.

«But still—»

Just as before—

Kuaaaaaaaaahhh—!!!

The barrier held, and the monster thrashed wildly in retaliation.

Its massive claws tore through the air. My father raised an arm to block.

Boom—!!!

His protective energy managed to deflect the blow, but due to the difference in their size, he was sent flying backward.

Crack.

He dug his feet into the earth, slowing his momentum.

Adjusting his trajectory mid-slide, he redirected himself toward our position.

Flap.

His Deputy Commander’s cloak fluttered as he flicked his hand.

Flick, flick.

Each motion released embers mixed with his potent internal energy.

«Soi.»

His deep voice called for her.

«Yes, Deputy Commander.»
«Report.»

He spoke without turning to look at her.

«…A conflict arose during joint training. The Azure Dragon and Iron Dragon Divisions engaged in combat. During the skirmish, a rift from the Magyeong Gate opened. We were holding our ground until reinforcements arrived.»

Soi delivered a swift summary of events. My father gave a single nod.

«So, that thing is what emerged.»
«Yes, sir.»
«…A Red Stone.»

Kuwaaaaaaahhh—

The Red Stone Beast fixed a murderous glare on my father, consumed by a desperate need to destroy the one who had caused it such pain.

«Hmm.»

Seeing this, my father clenched his fist.

Fwoooooosh—-!!!!

A violent blaze erupted around his body once more. It was just as wild and unrefined as before. But—

«What have you figured out?»

Despite the raging flames, his voice was calm—colder than anyone else’s.

«…Martial arts don’t work on it. Something is blocking them.»

Soi had perfectly identified the monster’s unique trait. Martial techniques were useless. Upon hearing this, the warriors around them paled.

«It doesn’t work…?»
«Then how are we supposed to kill that thing?»
«Dammit… what is this?»

«Quiet.»

At the swell of panic, my father’s voice dropped to a low, dangerous register.

«Shut up. I need to focus.»

«Oh…»

So he could talk like that, too.

I stared at him, fascinated. I had seen my father angry before, but never quite like this.

The icy warning instantly silenced everyone.

«Martial arts don’t work, huh.»

Repeating the words, my father fixed his gaze on the monster.

Kuaaaaaaaaahhhhh—-!!!

But the beast had no intention of waiting. It roared and charged at him once more.

At that moment—

«Poison Dragon. Soi.»

My father called for Tang Cheongi and Soi.

«Support me. I need to analyze it. And…»

He turned his back—then looked directly at me.

«Yangcheon. You as well.»
«…Huh?»

Boom—!

Leaving those sudden words hanging in the air, my father transformed into a streak of flame and shot toward the monster.

«He wants me to assist?»

I stood there, momentarily stunned by the unexpected command. But before I could fully process it, Soi and Poison Dragon had already rushed forward, following my father into the fray.

Without a moment’s hesitation.
They had already charged in.

«Ah.»

Well, that left me no choice.

Resigned, I leaped into action as well.

Kuaaaaaaaaahhh—!!!

The monster’s relentless attacks continued. Even though its energy barrier prevented direct hits, it could still be pushed and deflected.

«I’ll handle the upper body. Restrain its legs.»

Blocking the Red Stone Beast’s arms, my father issued the command. Soi and Poison Dragon swiftly moved to its lower half, working to bind its powerful legs.

The hulking beast’s movements were suddenly restricted.

Seeing this, I swung my own arm.

I narrowly evaded a swipe of its claws, making a show of deflecting it at the very last second.

«Tsk.»

It wasn’t easy.

My internal energy, after all, was that of the Gu Clan.

If I applied too much force, my flame arts would instinctively activate. There was no chance my father wouldn’t notice that.

So, I carefully held back, modulating my strength as much as possible.

Because of that, I couldn’t properly block the Red Stone Beast’s attacks.

I focused on evasion, my eyes constantly moving as I calculated every dodge.

Fortunately, the monster’s attention was entirely focused on my father.

That made avoiding its attacks much simpler.

Thud—! Boom, boom—!!

The clash continued.

Even while managing the beast’s assault, my father landed several more devastating blows.

Crack—! Bang, bang—!!

His flame-wreathed fists hammered against the energy barrier again and again.

And with each strike that connected, I could see the energy flicker and thin slightly.

Though he hadn’t broken through, my father didn’t let up.

No matter how resilient the barrier was, he continued the assault. Over and over.

By the time he had landed more than twenty consecutive blows—

Crack.

«…!»

A fracture.

It lasted for only a fleeting moment, but it was undeniably there.

The barrier quickly regenerated, sealing the damage instantly.

But a crack had appeared.

«I see.»

Upon witnessing this, my father gave a single, understanding nod.

Then, he withdrew.

«Hold it off for a moment. I found it.»
«Understood.»

With a calm, matter-of-fact tone, he gave the order. Hold it off?

Soi responded instantly, already moving to keep the monster occupied.

What was he planning?

While dodging attacks, I focused on my father, sensing a massive buildup of energy.

Fwoooooosh—–!!!!!!

An overwhelming heat erupted from his body.

Chiiiiiiiik—!!!

The flames surged upward, instantly dominating the air above.

«Ah.»

Red Heaven.

The Gu Clan’s secret art—the formation of a fiery domain.

«No way.»

My eyes widened as I realized his intention.

The heat intensified, flames coiling tightly around him.

Then, my father stretched out his palm.

Fwooooooooosh—!!!!!

The flames violently converged into his hand.

«…Flame Jade.»

A sphere of condensed fire took shape.

It was the Gu Clan’s secret technique, one I used often myself.

Flicker. Flicker.

The density was unimaginable.

There were subtle differences between my Flame Jade and his.

My father wasn’t necessarily stronger, but…

The precision of his control was on another level entirely.

«…Unbelievable.»

He planned to break the energy barrier.

He had deduced that the barrier sustained damage from cumulative impact.

And so, he prepared the Flame Jade, aiming to shatter it in one concentrated blow.

«He figured that out in such a short time?»

We hadn’t even been fighting for long. How had he identified the barrier’s weakness so quickly?

My father’s talent was almost absurd.

«Step back.»

With his characteristic bluntness, he ordered me, Soi, and Poison Dragon to retreat.

We immediately created distance.

My father then prepared to hurl the Flame Jade at the Red Stone Beast—

Then, suddenly.
He stopped.

His body froze mid-motion.

«What?»

Why did he stop?

I was confused.
I couldn’t understand.

Was someone coming?

Curious, I subtly heightened my sealed senses to investigate.

And immediately—

«Ah.»

I understood.

«Someone is coming.»

And not just anyone—someone immensely powerful.

Kuaaaaaaaahhhhh—!!!

Seizing the opportunity, the Red Stone Beast lunged at my father, its claws swinging in a deadly arc meant to tear him apart.

It closed the distance in an instant, its talons poised to strike—

Then.

Shhhhkk.

A sharp, clean slicing sound cut through the air.

Ku…?

A choked, gurgling gasp.

The Red Stone Beast’s head was severed from its body.

Thud—!!

Its massive head tumbled to the ground.

As the headless corpse of the monster collapsed sideways, my father’s gaze remained locked forward, never having wavered.

Standing there, without shifting his eyes, my father offered a deep, respectful bow.

And then, he spoke:

«I greet the Alliance Leader.»

At those words, everyone turned to look.

There, walking toward us—

A frail-looking old man, gripping a golden sword.

Sword Master.

The current Leader of the Martial Alliance.

A living symbol of peace.

A monster who had led the Martial Alliance into its golden age.

With his golden eyes gleaming, he fixed his gaze on the remains of the Red Stone Beast.