Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 851

Chapter 851

“What was the last place they were seen?”
“I believe it was the western woodland. Though I cannot say with absolute certainty.”
At Tang So-yeol’s query, the man replied with an anxious look.
“Is there a chance they ventured elsewhere?”
“Yes… They frequently check locations beyond their assigned routes. It’s highly probable they did so again.”
“I see.”
Tang So-yeol gently worried her lower lip. Knowing those two, it was exactly the sort of thing they would do.
“How long past the scheduled return are they?”
“Approximately four hours.”
“And no word was sent ahead to warn of a delay?”
“None.”
“…Damn it.”
Tang So-yeol’s refined forehead creased into a deep frown. Four hours was a significant delay.
‘Where could they possibly be?’
Her slitted eyes betrayed her racing mind. Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah were not inexperienced; their capabilities were such that ordinary circumstances would not warrant concern.
Gu Yangcheon had given them explicit instructions not to be late. For them to disregard that command—and by such a wide margin—was utterly unlike them.
‘Has something actually occurred…?’
A peculiar feeling of disquiet began to eat at her. Was it a premonition? A baseless yet potent anxiety started to coil in her stomach. Around her, the other squad members were already mobilizing to start a search.
With four hours elapsed, protocol now demanded they launch a formal investigation.
“Deputy Captain… Should we begin the search operation?”
At the subordinate’s question, Tang So-yeol bit her lip. By the strict letter of the regulations, they should commence without delay.
She had no other option. Letting out a sigh, Tang So-yeol began to issue the command.
“…Proceed wi—”
Mid-command, Tang So-yeol’s words cut off abruptly as she snapped her head around. She wasn’t alone.
The surrounding team members, poised for the search, also turned almost in unison toward the same direction.
And they didn’t just look.
“…W-what is this…?”
“…Ugh…ah…”
A moment later, many of them dropped to their knees. Their complexions were pallid with dread.
“Uegh!”
One individual began to retch onto the ground. Several others lost consciousness. Those who managed to remain upright were shaking violently.
The only ones still on their feet were Tang So-yeol and a few others who had attained the Hwagyeong level. But even they were not unaffected.
A cold sweat drenched their forms, gradually saturating their garments.
What in heaven’s name was happening? Gasping for air, Tang So-yeol stared ahead. The reason for the entire team’s shattered morale was evident. It was the aura radiating from a distance.
Tang So-yeol’s brow furrowed as she recognized the crushing pressure.
Killing intent.
It saturated the entire atmosphere.
Even with the lanterns burning, the world seemed draped in shadow. The sheer horror on the team’s faces was a direct result of this murderous aura.
But the true problem was…
‘How can killing intent be this powerful…?’
It wasn’t merely strong; it defied understanding. Its sheer volume made her doubt if it was something a person could even generate.
Who was it? Who could possibly emit such a force?
Tang So-yeol’s hand closed around the dagger on her hip. If someone within their midst could unleash such an aura, there was no need to ponder if they were a friend or foe.
‘And of all times, when Young Master Gu is absent…’
Thoughts of who might be responsible flickered, but the immediate priority was to break free from this suffocating pressure.
“Huuuh…”
She exhaled deeply, gathering her strength to resist the oppressive aura. Just as she prepared to move, a silhouette emerged in the distance.
Squinting, she tried to make out the source of the killing intent.
“…Huh?”
When recognition finally dawned, Tang So-yeol’s grip on her dagger involuntarily slackened.
The origin of the overwhelming killing intent was someone she knew intimately.
A figure advanced slowly, their aura whipping their robes about. Their cold, blue eyes were empty of all feeling, projecting an alien frost.
“…Young Master Gu…?”
It was Gu Yangcheon.
Could this devastating killing intent truly be emanating from him? It was unbelievable.
“Young Master Gu… No, C-Captain…”
Tang So-yeol stammered, her voice quivering. Gu Yangcheon’s gaze shifted toward her.
*Flinch.*
Merely meeting his eyes caused Tang So-yeol’s body to shudder. For a fleeting instant, her breath caught in her throat.
Those eyes…
They were bottomless.
Just looking into them felt like tumbling into a boundless void, an abyss so deep its end was unimaginable.
Why did his eyes look like that?
Had Gu Yangcheon always possessed such a gaze? Tang So-yeol’s thoughts spun into chaos.
At that moment…
*Whoooosh.*
The suffocating killing intent began to recede. Though not completely gone, it diminished enough to permit movement.
Not everyone had recovered, however. Aside from Tang So-yeol, the rest remained incapacitated.
Had the killing intent been redirected away from her? There was no time to consider it.
“Deputy.”
“…Y-Yes…”
Her voice shook as she spoke. It was pure fear.
“Report.”
What was there to report? Her mind went blank for a second before snapping back into focus.
“…Namgung and Wi have failed to return from their scouting mission.”
“The location and duration?”
“The western woodland. It has been… four… four hours now.”
Her words stumbled as her voice continued to tremble. For some reason, she felt like weeping. Yet she suppressed the urge.
“As per protocol… I was on the verge of ordering the search.”
“…”
Tang So-yeol bit her lip and looked away. She had always yearned to meet his gaze, but now, facing it was intolerable.
“It was as if he were a completely different person.”
Tang So-yeol fought to withstand the smothering pressure.
“Understood.”
Gu Yangcheon gave a slight nod.
“Four hours. Western woodland.”
He repeated the report, as if searing it into his memory, then turned his head to the left.
“Do you know something?”
His tone was odd. It sounded like he was addressing someone, but Tang So-yeol could see no one there. Her senses were in turmoil, overwhelmed by the killing intent saturating the air.
“No answer. Is my voice too quiet?”
When no reply came, Gu Yangcheon turned his body to follow his gaze.
“I am speaking to you. So answer me.”
*Crack…*
“…!”
The killing intent intensified once more.
“Before I seize you and wrench it from you, open your damned mouth, you bastard.”
With his harsh words, the air pressure erupted. Objects in the vicinity trembled violently, as if struck by an earthquake.
*Rumble!*
As the very structures around them groaned under the strain, a voice sliced through the oppressive atmosphere.
“Stop this immediately.”
A figure emerged, stepping forward through the dense killing intent from the direction Gu Yangcheon had been glaring.
Tang So-yeol frowned at the newcomer. It was Ilcheon Sword, the commander of the Azure Dragon Division.
Why was he here?
“Star King, what is the meaning of this? Releasing such killing intent within the branch headquarters!”
Ilcheon Sword’s face was a mask of incredulity. Was it due to the killing intent, or had Gu Yangcheon detected his concealed presence?
Tang So-yeol couldn’t discern the reason, but one thing was certain: something was very wrong.
“And I said stop this, now!”
Gu Yangcheon, however, appeared utterly unperturbed.
“I will ask again. Do you know something?”
“What are you even referring to?”
Ilcheon Sword scowled in irritation.
“I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about. I came only to deliver a message. But you—what are you doing? How can the leader of the alliance radiate such an overwhelming—”
His words were laced with shock and disbelief.
Hearing this, Gu Yangcheon paused for a beat, then muttered under his breath, as if to himself.
“Yes, I suppose you would say that. That is the correct thing to say. And I imagine I should simply play along and act unaware…”
“…What?”
Ilcheon Sword narrowed his eyes at Gu Yangcheon’s murmured words, which were filled with a profound weariness.
Tang So-yeol was equally stunned. She had never seen Gu Yangcheon appear so drained.
“…Young Master…?”
Concern seeped into Tang So-yeol’s voice as she cautiously stepped forward. The oppressive killing intent was terrifying, but not enough to deter her.
She moved closer to Gu Yangcheon, but before she could reach him, he spoke softly:
“…No, never mind. I am finished with this.”
With those quiet words, Gu Yangcheon vanished.
Tang So-yeol didn’t even perceive the moment he disappeared.
Where had he gone? She searched frantically for any sign of him.
*Slap!*
A sharp sound rang out nearby, and Tang So-yeol’s head jerked toward the source.
There, she saw Ilcheon Sword reeling, his head snapped to the side.
“Urgh…!”
Ilcheon Sword’s eyes widened in confusion.
‘What just struck me?’
His cheek burned. Was it possible? Had he been slapped? By him?
The searing pain on his cheek confirmed it. Gritting his teeth, Ilcheon Sword growled,
“You impudent—!”
*Boom! Crack!*
“Ugh!”
This time, the blow landed in his abdomen. Something within him felt like it had splintered.
He staggered back a step, his hand instinctively flying to the hilt of his sword. He needed to draw it.
But…
‘What in the world…?’
His hand clutched at empty air.
His sword was gone.
“What…?”
“This? Are you looking for this?”
“…!”
At the sound of the voice, Ilcheon Sword turned to face Gu Yangcheon.
And froze.
In Gu Yangcheon’s hand was Ilcheon Sword’s own weapon.
‘How…?’
*Crash!*
“Urgh!”
Before Ilcheon Sword could process what had happened, Gu Yangcheon swung the captured sword, striking Ilcheon Sword squarely across the face.
Blood sprayed as his head jerked backward, and he clung desperately to consciousness.
He tried to retreat, to create distance between them, but his feet were immobilized.
Gu Yangcheon was standing on them.
*Slap!*
“Argh!”
Another blow landed, this one even more forceful than the last. The impact sapped the strength from Ilcheon Sword’s body, and his legs buckled beneath him.
He collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.
The agony was unbearable, as if his skin were being flayed from his bones.
What was happening? Why was he on the ground?
His mind struggled to make sense of the situation.
With a dull *clink*, his sword dropped to the ground in front of him.
It was his own blade.
“Let me ask you one final time.”
At the sound of Gu Yangcheon’s voice, Ilcheon Sword lifted his gaze.
Gu Yangcheon stood over him, his face as impassive as ever.
“Was this your doing?”
The icy tone in his voice sent a shiver down Ilcheon Sword’s spine.