Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1128

Chapter 1128

Namgung Hyung’s expression was troubled as he spoke.

Why was he mentioning Hyun Soyeon now?

I turned to him with a questioning look. He frowned before explaining.

“…Only two people knew the location of this tunnel: myself and Hyung-nim.”

“…Ah.”

“And yet, he’s here waiting for us. You understand what that implies.”

Hearing this, I frowned.

Only two individuals were aware of the tunnel.

Now, Father was sitting here, anticipating our arrival as if he knew precisely where we would appear.

There was only one logical conclusion.

Before I could fully process it—

“Correct.”

A soft, delicate voice sounded from beside Father.

Hyun Soyeon emerged, her lovely face visible just behind him.

“…Hyung-nim.”

Namgung Hyung stared at her, his expression one of disbelief.

She returned his gaze with an uneasy smile.

“I’m sorry.”

“This is quite the betrayal, you realize?”

“I had no other option.”

“No option? What is that supposed to mean?”

Namgung Hyung’s voice turned icy.

Was he angered because his plan had collapsed?

Or perhaps—

‘Is he upset because Hyun Soyeon betrayed him?’

It was likely both.

But for me, that wasn’t the central issue.

‘More significant than her betrayal…’

Why had Father chosen to listen to her?

That was the true problem.

I quickly evaluated our surroundings, searching for any concealed dangers.

‘There aren’t many people around.’

If I decided to, I could likely fight my way out.

But—

‘The same is true for them.’

If a conflict broke out here, reinforcements would swarm in immediately.

‘Hmm.’

I hesitated.

Should I simply surrender?

If I abandoned Namgung Hyung now, I could probably escape any serious consequences.

But…

‘It’s a bit too late for that.’

At this stage, it wouldn’t change anything.

I held back a sigh of frustration.

That was when—

“I had no choice,” Hyun Soyeon said, looking at Namgung Hyung. “I warned you, didn’t I? I said now wasn’t the right time. I asked you to wait a little longer. But you wouldn’t listen.”

“Ahaha.”

Namgung Hyung laughed.

But it wasn’t his usual carefree laugh.

It was the sound of someone stifling a darker emotion.

“You heard my answer then, too. I said I was going through with it. That I refused to remain in this damned hellhole any longer.”

“Yes, you did say that.”

Hyun Soyeon took a step toward him.

“And since I knew you wouldn’t listen, I did what was necessary.”

“What?”

“I couldn’t stop you by myself. I couldn’t think of any other solution. You understand, don’t you?”

She smiled.

It was the same radiant smile that always made me pause—because it was identical to Namgung Bi-ah’s.

“I couldn’t take this to the family head.”

“…Ah, so you went to him instead?”

“Yes. And it cost me dearly. But it seemed like the best available option. Oh, although—”

She shifted her gaze to me.

“…The companion you brought was unexpected. That was a miscalculation on my part.”

“Haha…”

Namgung Hyung let out a low, humorless chuckle.

“I don’t get it.”

Swoosh.

Namgung Hyung rose from his kneeling position.

The last traces of playfulness vanished.

His expression was severe—utterly serious.

I narrowed my eyes.

‘…Interesting.’

This was different.

The typically lighthearted and relaxed Namgung Hyung was gone.

His demeanor was colder than anyone else’s.

It was almost disturbing that he could ever have acted so casually with a face like that.

“If that was the case, you should have gone directly to the family head.”

“……”

“I was clear with you. If you wouldn’t assist me, then at the very least, do not interfere.”

Namgung Hyung had pleaded with her just as he had with me.

But there was one key difference.

“More importantly, you were the last person I expected to do this.”

His voice was thick with betrayal.

“You, of all people, should have been the final one to stand in my path.”

“Haa…”

Hyun Soyeon released a sigh.

“You are far too naive.”

Her expression shifted.

For a moment, my eyes widened.

‘She looks exactly like Namgung Bi-ah.’

When her face grew serious, the resemblance was uncanny.

“If you flee now, have you considered the consequences?”

“What?”

“The patrols who failed to detain you will be punished. Young Master Baek, who became involved, will also face repercussions. All because of you.”

Her words were sharp and precise.

Namgung Hyung’s face tightened.

But Hyun Soyeon wasn’t finished.

“I don’t care if you wish to escape this hell. But do not drag others down with you. Please, return quietly.”

She was attempting to reason with him—to calmly persuade him to stand down.

At least, that was how it appeared.

However.

“If you come back now, I will pretend I never saw—”

“Hyun Soyeon.”

“……”

Namgung Hyung cut her off.

He stated her name flatly.

“Enough with the excuses.”

His face was contorted with irritation.

Hyun Soyeon flinched.

“Why bring other people into this? Just say what you mean.”

Namgung Hyung’s gaze turned piercing.

“You don’t care about anyone else. You’re just afraid the family head will have me killed.”

“……”

“So stop lying and admit it. That’s the real reason, isn’t it?”

He was so blunt, so cold, that Hyun Soyeon visibly froze.

‘Whoa.’

Honestly, this was becoming quite engaging.

Not only had Namgung Hyung discarded all formalities, but he had clearly caught her off guard.

This wasn’t about patrols or duty—she was terrified he would be killed.

‘Really?’

This was getting intriguing.

And then—

“…Young Master Hyung.”

Hyun Soyeon’s tone changed.

Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.

“If you know that, then please don’t do this.”

“I’m sorry, but—”

“Young Master Hyung, it is already too late.”

Namgung Hyung did not respond to her words.

He simply squared his shoulders, his face unreadable.

“It is already too late for that. And I’ll say it again.”

A slow, potent energy began radiating from him.

“I am leaving this hell tonight. No matter what the cost.”

“……”

His resolve became a palpable pressure filling the air.

The faint distortion of the atmosphere—the visible heat waves shimmering around him—made Hyun Soyeon bite her lip before she spoke.

“…Do you truly believe the Lord of the Namgung Family is unaware of this?”

She was asking if Namgung Jeohwi could truly be ignorant of his son’s escape attempt.

“Of course not.”

Namgung Hyung laughed again, calmly.

“That old man might seem incompetent, but he knows everything that happens within the Namgung family. Even while hosting a banquet, he would have a contingency prepared.

And from what I can see…”

Srrrk.

Namgung Hyung reached into his robes and drew something out.

Noe-a.

“My assumption is that you, Hyun Soyeon, are the final contingency my father put in place.

And you, clever as you are, already knew that, didn’t you?”

“……”

“So let’s end this here.”

“…End what?”

“This pretense. I won’t do anything. I won’t know anything.”

Clench.

Hyun Soyeon bit down hard on her lip at his words.

I won’t know anything.

Was he saying he would pretend not to realize Hyun Soyeon was merely another tool deployed by Namgung Jeohwi?

Or—

‘Is he saying he’ll pretend not to see her feelings?’

The fact that she longed for him—was he aware of it?

He knew, but he was choosing to disregard it.

‘So this guy… isn’t a fool after all.’

For some reason, that realization was surprising.

At that moment—

“Let me ask you something first.”

Chi-i-i-i-iik.

The air sizzled as Namgung Hyung tensed his body and turned his focus toward someone.

Father.

“If I wish to leave here, must I defeat you?”

“……”

Father reacted to his words.

Slowly, he stood up from the chair.

And then—

“Are you finished talking?”

Crack.

He rolled his shoulders, loosening his muscles.

“Yeah, we’re done. Thanks for waiting, Divine Dragon.”

“……”

Father did not answer Namgung Hyung.

Instead, he turned to Hyun Soyeon and asked—

“Lady Hyun.”

“…Yes?”

“I will keep my promise.”

“…Please do.”

A promise?

I had no idea what arrangement they had made, but judging by their demeanor, it was not favorable to Namgung Hyung.

‘What did she trade away?’

What was significant enough for Father to agree to it?

“Namgung Hyung.”

Father finally addressed him.

“What?”

“The question you asked earlier—I will answer it.

Yes, you are correct.”

Tap. Tap.

He rolled his shoulders again, tiny embers flickering from the movement.

“If you wish to leave, you must defeat me.”

His voice was heavy.

And at that moment—

“…Oh? Is that so?”

Namgung Hyung tightened his grip on Noe-a.

Crackle—!

A spark flashed from the blade.

And then—

BOOOOM—!!!

Lightning erupted from Noe-a, enveloping Namgung Hyung’s entire body.

‘Ah.’

I recognized that form.

That was—

‘…Thunder God’s Descent.’

A technique that achieved complete fusion with Noe-a, maximizing the power of the artifact’s spirit.

‘So Namgung Hyung could use it as well?’

I had only ever seen Ma Geomhu in my past life—or Namgung Bi-ah in this life—use it.

So The Strange had also mastered it.

“In that case… I suppose I have no alternative.”

Lightning roared around him as Namgung Hyung radiated lethal intent.

Father, unmoved, settled into his stance.

And me?

I began to think.

‘What should I do?’

Could I simply stand back and let them fight?

I looked at Father, not Namgung Hyung.

It didn’t take me long to reach a decision.

“Wait, wait…”

I sighed and stepped forward.

BZZZT—!!!

As I moved, I seized Namgung Hyung’s wrist.

The instant I made contact, lightning surged from his body, violently attempting to repel me.

“Wh-what the—?!”

Namgung Hyung flinched and tried to pull away.

But—

“Calm down.”

I completely ignored the lightning.

“…What?”

Namgung Hyung stared at me, stunned.

I didn’t acknowledge it.

Instead, I turned to Father and spoke.

“Both of you are here acting on behalf of others.

So the principals should step back. Don’t you agree?”

“……”

Father stared at me, his expression stern.

“What do you mean?”

I answered immediately.

“What I mean is—”

I pulled Namgung Hyung behind me and stepped forward.

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

I stood before Father, the height difference between us obvious—he was a full head taller.

Nevertheless, I looked up at him and declared.

“Forget about him.

Fight me instead.”

“……”

Father’s eyebrows twitched sharply.