Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1163

Chapter 1163

The qualification is sufficient. You are capable, so attempt it.

I found myself unable to readily reply to his statement.

‘…What is he implying?’

Is he stating that I have attained the necessary qualification?

“Are you referring to achieving mastery?”

Was he asking if I meant mastery over the Nine Flames Firewheel? I sought to clarify his meaning.

“That is merely the foundation. You should be aware of this.”

Gu Seongyeol responded with an expression that seemed to ask, “What nonsense are you speaking?”

“I don’t comprehend.”

What did he mean by that?

I was utterly lost. I could not grasp his point.

‘He claims I have earned the qualification.’

Am I now considered qualified? You can do it, can’t you? Why did Gu Seongyeol’s demeanor feel so peculiar to me?

“I have no knowledge of how to accomplish that.”

If I knew, I would have attempted it long ago.

Particularly after all those life-and-death battles. I would have tried it then.

‘It was clearly something extraordinary.’

It was a state that instinctively commanded reverence. It was an existence that could not possibly be described as human—something from a higher realm.

Perhaps “Mastery” was an appropriate term? Shin Noya would likely despise the description, but it was the only word that came to mind.

If I could achieve that—

‘It would simplify everything.’

I was certain it would provide significant aid for the trials that lay ahead.

‘But how does one even begin?’

I had no clue.

Why was Gu Seongyeol so insistent that I could do it? I continued to stare at him, bewildered.

“…Hm?”

Noticing my confusion, Gu Seongyeol narrowed his eyes.

“You truly are unaware?”

“Would I be standing here like this if I were?”

“…”

*Whoosh.*

‘This is…’

Had my tone angered him? Abruptly, Gu Seongyeol summoned flames into his palm.

“Ah, that isn’t what I intended…”

I was on the verge of apologizing when—

“But didn’t the Master speak in a strange manner?”

I could not prevent myself from adding that final remark. This cursed mouth of mine always creates trouble.

Perhaps it was those very words that caused the issue.

*Whoosh—!*

“…!”

Gu Seongyeol’s hand suddenly shot forward and pierced my chest.

My eyes widened at the casual way his hand sank into my flesh.

Right where my heart is.

‘This is insane.’

Did he intend to kill me? I sensed no initial murderous intent, so my reaction was delayed.

However—

*Thump—!*

‘What is happening?’

The heart he held within his grasp began to beat.

There was no pain. Only a sensation of warmth.

*Thump. Thump.*

*Thump…*

“…”

“What… did you just do?”

“Ah, I understand now.”

Gu Seongyeol gave a nod, my heart still enclosed in his hand. It appeared he had deduced something.

*Whoosh—!*

His hand retracted from my chest. Strangely, there was no wound left behind.

“A barrier was in place.”

“…A barrier?”

I asked, my fingers touching the spot where my chest had been pierced.

One.

“You are the final one.”

“What?”

This man was still uttering things that made no sense.

Gu Seongyeol looked at me with an unnervingly lucid gaze.

“You are the last inheritor of the Gu family’s legacy. My assumption was not entirely off the mark, was it?”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

If you’re going to speak, then speak plainly. I could not decipher the random phrases he was throwing at me.

“What do you mean by ‘final one’?”

“I pondered how you, who has not yet become a Master, reached this stage. Someone must have assisted you. Who was it?”

“….”

I froze at his certainty. A flood of possibilities rushed through my mind.

“Moreover, it is not a mere spark. The essence of the afterlife has fused with you. What is preventing you from falling apart?”

“….”

The body that had been remade in the image of a dragon.

The power I obtained from The Mangye.

I had already transcended humanity, and all of it was contained within this vessel.

And it was all being sustained by the Demonic Heaven Absorption Art.

It seemed Gu Seongyeol had perceived this.

‘So this is what led to his misunderstanding?’

A body overflowing with a confluence of powers.

And naturally, that elevated my state. Witnessing this, I believed Gu Seongyeol must have assumed I could also reach the level of a Master.

As I was thinking this, he spoke again.

“The barriers that have formed are now obstructing your true nature. That is the wall.”

“…What?”

That was an unexpected declaration.

‘The very things that made me so powerful… are now becoming obstacles?’

The sources of my strength were now supposedly hindering me. I frowned upon hearing it.

“To be clear, it is the same as the regrets you have not chosen. What is it you wish to become?”

“….”

His words resonated deeply with the internal conflict I had been struggling with.

“Where do you wish to remain? Or… where do you still remain?”

“…What does that mean?”

“Will you bear everything and control it? Or will you void everything and leave only a single thing behind? You must resolve this before you can obtain what you deeply desire.”

Gu Seongyeol dissipated the flames wreathing his hand and spoke.

“Even if you carry a great deal, it will never be complete. Because the forms are different, gaps will persist. That creates imperfection. Decide soon. It does not appear there is much time remaining.”

I found myself unable to respond to his words.

The inner conflict I had been grappling with recently was precisely what he had identified.

There isn’t much time left.

What did that signify?

‘My power? Or…’

Was it referring to my circumstances?

The manner in which Gu Seongyeol spoke made it feel undoubtedly connected to my strength, but…

I still had my doubts.

“Why are you telling me all of this?”

“…”

Why would Gu Seongyeol be sharing this with me? That was the question.

“We are not exactly close, are we?”

I was from the Gu family, the son of Gu Cheolwoon, who is Gu Seongyeol’s son.

He may have aided me, but I was still not someone he would ordinarily impart such teachings to.

The Gu family was not a warm or benevolent place, and I knew it. Gu Seongyeol knew it too.

I could comprehend receiving teachings from Paejon, but—

‘Why is this old man doing this?’

Gu Seongyeol had demonstrated Mastery before me.

It was intended for my father, but—

‘It feels like he wanted to show me something.’

The form and the power he utilized.

His intention to show me seemed evident.

That is why I was doubtful.

“What do you want from me?”

He must desire something; otherwise, why would he do this?

I asked him directly what he wanted.

“….”

Gu Seongyeol did not answer.

‘That’s right.’

It is correct to say I possess the qualification.

What? Is there something I can do for him?

As I was wondering, he posed a question.

“I will ask you one thing.”

Gu Seongyeol inquired of me.

“In the world from which you come… what became of my wife?”

“…”

My eyes widened at the question.

What was he asking?

‘Is he asking about my grandmother?’

Could it be…

“…Was this your intention all along?”

He had been concerned with my mastery, my condition, and offering guidance, but now it turned out it was all for…

‘For his wife?’

Was he seeking information about his wife?

‘This is absurd.’

I had already sensed he was somewhat eccentric from our previous encounters.

But also…

‘…Should I even answer this?’

I heard the question, but I was uncertain if I should respond.

Well, perhaps it doesn’t matter? After all…

‘Things I am not permitted to say…’

Maybe it was filtering itself, since I hadn’t been given explicit permission.

“I do not know.”

“What?”

So, I answered truthfully.

“I know nothing of your wife. I only encountered her after arriving here.”

“…”

“I would like to say more, but that is the extent of my knowledge. I never heard anything about her from my father… or the Clan Leader’s son.”

I have met my grandfather, but it could scarcely be called a meeting.

As my ancestors described it…

‘At that time, my grandfather was no longer truly my grandfather.’

A being who had shed all emotion, preserving only the duty to protect the gate while maintaining his obligations.

My ancestors said he should be considered separate from the person who existed before.

So, I set my grandfather aside.

‘As for my grandmother…’

She was a presence I had never encountered in my life. The same applies to my aunt, Gu Seon.

Therefore, I knew very little.

After my honest answer, Gu Seongyeol’s expression shifted.

It was bitter.

His face clearly revealed profound bitterness.

“So, that is how it concluded.”

“…Clan Leader?”

“Thank you for telling me. You should rest now.”

“Pardon?”

The brief emotion he showed was instantly withdrawn.

He turned his back and began to walk away. Wait, is that all?

As I stood there staring after him.

“Ah, one more thing.”

Gu Seongyeol halted and turned to look back at me.

“Avoid the underground area for a time. Consider this advice, not a warning.”

“…!”

*Whoosh!*

He uttered those words and promptly vanished into the flames.

“…This is insane.”

I let out a forced, dry laugh.

“What a perceptive man…?”

He must have been aware that I had business in the sect’s underground area.

‘But “advice,” not “warning”?’

It was a confusing suggestion to simply “stay away.”

“Hmm.”

What should I do?

‘I was planning to go today.’

But now, it feels somewhat inappropriate to proceed.

Hearing something like that makes me feel I genuinely should not go.

‘…For the time being.’

I shifted my gaze. My eyes settled on a place far from here, a location quietly overseen by the sect.

‘If not the underground, then I shall go there.’

Since he advised against the underground, one other option remained.

It was the place I had originally planned to visit upon arriving at the sect, and now I had a valid reason to go.

The front lines.

The cursed land, swarming with ma-mul, rigorously controlled under the banner of the righteous sect.

It seems…

“I suppose I should go?”

It appears I will be heading there today.