Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1094

Chapter 1094

Kuuuuung—!!!

The enormous form of the Red Stone Beast crashed to the earth, its fierce cries now stilled.

A strange, viscous blood poured from its body, seeping into the soil.

The dampness spread beneath my feet, an uncomfortable sensation that should have made anyone recoil.

But no one’s expression shifted.

Grkkk.

In the presence of the man before them, no one dared act recklessly.

Step.

Light footsteps broke the heavy silence.

A small frame.

A body that appeared almost fragile next to the warriors around him.

Thin, without visible muscle, and advanced in years.

Simply an old man.

A man whose build suggested no background in martial arts.

Yet, to those aware of who he was, he could not be underestimated.

He was an emblem of peace.

The very leader who had brought about the Martial Alliance’s golden age.

It might be unclear who the strongest in the world was.

But if asked who wielded the strongest sword, there would be only one reply.

“Sword Master Wi Hyogun.”

One of the Three Masters—the supreme master of the blade—had made his appearance.

The Sword Master from memory.

He did not look very different from what I recalled.

His posture was a little less stooped, and his hair was not entirely white, still streaked with black.

Beyond that, he was nearly identical.

Saaaah.

The blood pooling from the creature diverted away from the Sword Master, pushed back by the intensity of his aura.

“…Strong.”

Tension seized my muscles.

The instant I saw him, my instincts responded automatically.

The Three Masters.

Compared to my first encounter with the true form of the Tyrant Master (Paejon), what I felt now was far more intense.

The golden sword in his hand shone with an unearthly light.

The Moon Spirit Sword—the very foundation of Wi Seol-ah’s sword art.

Fsssh.

The Moon Spirit Sword dissolved into particles of light, purging the residual blood.

Then, the Sword Master moved toward my father, who remained bowed.

Reaching out with a slender hand, he softly touched my father’s hair.

“You have done well.”
“It was my duty.”
“I am relieved I arrived in time.”

The elder’s golden eyes passed over us.

“I felt a disturbance and chose to investigate. It appears I was correct.”

“A disturbance?”

The Alliance Leader’s residence was far from this place.

Yet, he had sensed this conflict from such a distance.

And more importantly—

“He cut it down in one stroke.”

I studied the clean cut across the beast’s neck.

I had witnessed it clearly.

The energy barrier had been fully operational.

Still, the Sword Master had sliced through it as though it were nothing.

Had he targeted the barrier’s weakest point?

No.

“It may have been a less fortified area, but it was not a true vulnerability.”

It was sheer, overwhelming force.

A single slash had cleaved through both the energy barrier and the beast’s neck.

“…Hmph.”

While everyone stood immobilized, awed and trembling in his presence, the Sword Master passed by us and approached the creature’s remains.

“…Red.”

He observed its blood-matted fur and immense size, far beyond that of its blue-furred kin.

Sensing the significance of its existence, the Sword Master’s face tightened.

“This is a Crimson-Rank Beast.”

At those words, those nearby shuddered.

“Did he say… Crimson-Rank?”
“Why would a Crimson-Rank emerge…?”

A classification lost to time, unseen for centuries.

A kind of monster so uncommon that people now had to consult ancient texts to understand it.

Yet the Sword Master had identified it at a glance.

The shock in the air was tangible.

“A Crimson-Rank Beast…?”
“A monster of that caliber…?!”
“Silence.”

As murmurs swelled, my father’s voice cut through with a sharp warning.

His low tone pressed heavily on the surroundings.

“The Alliance Leader is present.”
“Ah… Y-yes…”

The atmosphere grew stiff.

My father’s expression remained unchanged.

But the force of his voice alone was enough to quiet them all.

The Sword Master, however, kept his attention fixed on the monster’s body.

A prolonged silence followed.

Then, he spoke.

“Retrieve the corpse. The remains must be transferred to the Wind Dragon Division for examination.”
“By your order.”

The Wind Dragon Division was expert in tactical arrays and creature research.

It was logical to send the body there for analysis.

As soon as the command was given, warriors advanced toward the Crimson-Rank Beast’s remains.

Then—

“They have come.”

The Sword Master looked up toward the sky.

Simultaneously, my father lifted his gaze.

I had sensed it as well, but had dismissed it.

The Sword Master gestured lightly.

Instantly, the blood on the ground shifted, clearing a vacant area.

Soon after—

Thud-!!

Several figures descended from above, landing exactly within the cleared space.

“The Divine Dragon Division…!”

Someone whispered.

Only then did I fully realize who had arrived.

“Divine Dragon Division.”

Their flowing martial robes.

Unlike the standard uniforms of the Martial Alliance, theirs were pure white, edged with gold, radiating authority.

More importantly—

“Masks.”

All four wore masks.

Their physiques hinted at gender, but beyond that, nothing was discernible.

“They are exceptionally skilled at masking their presence.”

They had completely suppressed their auras and any hint of killing intent.

That alone made it evident—

These were not common martial artists.

“…So these are the Divine Dragon Division.”

If Wi Hyogun symbolized peace,

Then the Divine Dragon Division embodied the very essence of the Martial Alliance.

The most elite force, selected personally by the Alliance.

Unlike other divisions, where identities were open, the Divine Dragon Division operated in total secrecy.

Their origins, their ties—whether from renowned clans or powerful sects—were completely hidden.

Naturally, if someone’s style was distinctive, one might speculate.

But for the most part, they concealed their identities and executed missions in absolute shadow.

“It was even dissolved once.”

After Wi Hyogun retired as Alliance Leader, the Divine Dragon Division had disappeared.

Of course, in the era I came from, it had been restored—ironically, by the Blood Demon.

“Hmph.”

Seeing the Divine Dragon Division in person gave me an odd sense of nostalgia.

“The Crimson-Rank Beast’s corpse must be delivered to the Wind Dragon Division for analysis.”

At Wi Hyogun’s directive, the Divine Dragon Division sprang into action.

They began collecting the beast’s remains.

Not long after, others arrived.

“I, Blue Flame Sword Master, pay my respects to the Alliance Leader.”

It was the leader of the Azure Dragon Division.

“I, Commander of the Iron Dragon Division, greet the Alliance Leader.”

A large man, likely the head of the Iron Dragon Division.

“I apologize for my delayed arrival.”

Though they had been close, they arrived after the Alliance Leader, a fact that clearly troubled the Iron Dragon Division’s commander.

“There is no need for apology. I was merely unoccupied at the moment.”

Wi Hyogun offered a faint smile before turning away.

Then—his body began to ascend.

A sword formed of light had materialized under his feet, carrying him upward.

“It seems this era is not as it should be.”

His sigh carried profound regret.

At those words, I stiffened.

They struck directly at something within me.

“Circumstances have become complex. Effective immediately, all internal training within the Martial Alliance is suspended. Division leaders will see this order enforced.”
“Understood!”
“Understood.”

Both commanders bowed, accepting the instruction.

Then, Wi Hyogun turned slightly, his eyes settling on someone.

“Deputy Commander of the Azure Dragon Division.”
“Yes.”

He was addressing my father.

“Report to the Alliance Leader’s office without delay.”
“I will obey.”
“And…”

Then, Wi Hyogun’s gaze shifted once more.

“You will come as well.”
“…Pardon?”

Unexpectedly, he was looking directly at me.

**********

Martial Alliance Headquarters

Word raced through the Alliance like a blaze.

Not only had a Crimson-Rank Beast appeared abruptly, but it had emerged during a joint training exercise between the Azure Dragon and Iron Dragon Divisions.

The sudden arrival of a Crimson-Rank Beast—enough to unsettle the entire Alliance.

It would not be long before even the Beggars’ Union took notice.

The Alliance would attempt to control the rumors, but containing them fully would be impossible.

Rumors were relentless.

There were already countless concerns vying for attention, but—

“How did I get pulled into this?”

Now was not the moment to dwell on any of that.

I glanced sideways.

Next to me stood my father—Gu Cheolwoon.

A man a full head taller than me.

But he was not the real issue.

“…The Alliance Leader’s Office.”

Standing before its doors was troubling enough for me.

“Why? Why does he want me here?”

Wi Hyogun had summoned me.

And I could not fathom the reason.

“I concealed it thoroughly.”

Suppressing my energy had not been a problem.

I had moved at my father’s command, but had done nothing conspicuous.

Nothing that should have attracted Wi Hyogun’s notice.

“Then why summon me?”

Just as I was deep in thought—

“We are entering.”
“Huh? Ah, yes.”

My father reached for the door.

“Deputy Commander of the Azure Dragon Division, Gu Cheolwoon, entering with one additional person.”
“Enter.”

With permission given, the door swung open.

Creeeak.

Inside, Wi Hyogun was seated at a desk.

The room was orderly and austere.

His golden eyes fixed on me.

Perhaps due to the subdued light, his gaze seemed to burn even brighter.

“Approach.”
“Yes.”

My father stepped forward first.

“I understand this is a great deal to process, but I called you here because I require answers. Specifically…”

Just as my father neared the desk—

“Yangcheon.”

Wi Hyogun looked straight at me.

“I have a question for you.”

And then.

Shhhhhhh—!!!

“…!!”

Dozens of swords manifested in the air—

Each one directed squarely at me.

A wave of killing intent poured down from above, crushing me.

“Who are you, truly?”

Wi Hyogun’s golden eyes glinted as he posed the question.

“Ah… damn.”

A sinking feeling settled in my stomach.