Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 858

Chapter 858

Thump-thump—!!
My heart hammered against my ribs. Of course it was supposed to beat, but this was different. It was an immediate, visceral certainty that I was in deep trouble. This was not a good feeling.
«Damn it.»
I hadn’t meant to swallow it, so how did it get inside me? It definitely wasn’t my own choice.
«Shit.»
This was absolute nonsense. Anyone could see it was dangerous; I had no desire to eat the thing.
I quickly tried to regulate my breathing and assess my condition.
Buzz—!!
A foreign energy, originating from my heart, began radiating outward.
This was very bad.
I fought to suppress it, to calm the raging storm, but the energy would not obey.
Rumble—!!
It was building.
Boom—!!
«Urgh.»
Shockwaves detonated within me. It felt like a chain of explosions was tearing through my insides. I grabbed my chest and dropped to one knee.
Every vein in my body swelled and throbbed. It was as if a giant hand had closed around me, squeezing with impossible force, threatening to crush me into nothing.
«…Ugh…»
I was just about to choke back a groan of agony—
«…Damn it.»
I dragged my screaming body forward, forcing it into motion. I poured every ounce of will into my legs and managed a clumsy leap.
Clang! A sword slammed into the ground where I had just been crouching.
Scowling, I looked up. It was the Celestial Stream Sect Leader. Even with his ragged breaths, his body was coiled and ready for a fight.
‘That cunning old man.’
Just as I’d suspected, he was sharp. The instant he sensed something was wrong with me, he attacked. His quick judgment was impressive.
[«I never imagined you would swallow the Dragon Pearl.»]
Pure fury burned in his eyes.
[«You must be furious, but given your state, your Awakening isn’t proceeding smoothly, is it?»]
Awakening? A curious choice of word. Was something supposed to blossom? Though his cryptic remark nagged at me—
«Shit.»
This wasn’t the time to figure it out. I forced my locking joints to move.
I barely avoided another sword strike, my footwork clumsy and unsteady. My legs were like lead, my knees were rigid, and my muscles shrieked in protest.
I was moving at a fraction of my normal speed. Simply mustering the strength to move was a monumental task.
It was pure hell.
Swish—!!
A flying sword shot toward me, and at the same moment, the Celestial Stream Sect Leader lunged forward, his aura blazing.
I was finished. There was no way to avoid this.
‘I’ll have to take the hit and minimize the damage.’
I twisted my body to present a less vital target.
Clang—!
[«Tsk!»]
Something intercepted the space between me and the Sect Leader. Two swords struck him in rapid succession.
Crackle—!!
A burst of lightning qi and a flash of golden light obscured my view.
It was Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah.
[«You damned meddlesome women…!»]
The Celestial Stream Sect Leader snarled, his glare fixed on the two of them. I felt a surge of my own anger.
«You two… I told you not to get involved….»
«I’ll take the left.»
«Alright.»
They completely ignored me, exchanging a quick word and a nod.
And then—
Whoosh—!!
A tremendous surge of power erupted from both of them. The qi surrounding Wi Seol-ah began to shift and transform.
Seeing this, I shouted, the veins in my neck bulging.
«You…! I told you not to use that!»
«Young Master.»
Wi Seol-ah cut off my outburst, turning to look at me. Her eyes held a strange, gentle smile.
«Scold me later. For now, I’m sorry.»
As she spoke, her hair turned a stark, snowy white.
At the same time—
Crackle—!! Namgung Bi-ah’s lightning qi exploded outwards.
Thunder Fang was in her hands, summoned before I could even blink. The crackling energy seeped into her hair, making the very air hum.
[«Hah.»]
The Celestial Stream Sect Leader watched them, his lips pressed into a tight, thin line.
[«How pathetic….»]
His tone was dismissive, but his gaze lingered for a moment on Wi Seol-ah. Mine did too. I’d suspected it from the start, but now it was undeniable—there was something strikingly similar between Wi Seol-ah and the Celestial Stream Sect Leader.
It wasn’t just their looks; it was their aura, most of all.
As much as it troubled me—
‘Get up.’
My priority was to stand.
I forced my body into a stable stance. Even if my muscles refused to cooperate, I couldn’t just lie down. Even if my body tore itself apart, I had to move. With that resolve, I strained against the pain—
Suddenly.
Grip—!
Something seized me by the back. Startled, I glanced over my shoulder.
No one was there. The space behind me was completely empty.
Yet, it felt as if a firm hand had taken a solid hold of me. What in the world was this? The question flooded my mind—
[«Move aside.»]
A familiar voice echoed.
Whoosh—!!
The invisible grip on my back yanked me backward with immense force.
And then, everything went black.

****************

A short time later, my eyes opened.
The moment they did, I knew exactly where I was.
«Hah. You damn bastard.»
I cursed under my breath, my face twisting into a scowl. It was a place I had become sick of from visiting so often.
The dark, dense floor and the now irritatingly familiar iron gate.
This was the same place where, not long ago, I had been utterly destroyed.
But there was a difference. Unlike before, when everything was shrouded in darkness, the area was now unnaturally bright.
Puzzled, I tilted my head back to look up.
«What the hell is that?»
Something hung in the sky.
It was a massive, white sphere.
At first glance, it looked like a sun. But it wasn’t. It was far too close to be the sun.
That thing was clearly the source of the light. But why had it appeared now?
The question had just crossed my mind when—
Creak.
A sound came from behind me. I turned my head immediately.
My expression hardened. As expected, that damned bastard was there.
Looking at him, I spoke.
«You goddamn son of a bitch.»
My voice was laced with naked killing intent.
«Don’t you get tired of showing up twice in one day?»
The figure clad in black sat in a chair, his gaze fixed on me.
He didn’t respond. He just stared at me with an air of detached superiority.
What right did a bastard like him have to look so condescending? It didn’t suit him at all.
«Hah…»
A sigh escaped me, heavy with the promise of violence.
I already knew what he wanted.
«I don’t have time for this right now.»
Gritting my teeth, I clenched my fist.
«Hurry up and let me out of here. Before I make good on my promise to kill you.»
The killing intent I had been holding back finally broke free and surged out.
Power gathered at the soles of my feet, and only then did he finally react.
The whites of his eyes, stained black, and his violet pupils turned toward me.
Then—
As he felt the full force of my intent, he smiled.
[«Now, this is more to my liking.»]
I exploded into a sprint, the ground shattering under my feet as I charged him.

******************

Creak-crack—!!!
A brutal noise reverberated through the air.
It was the sound of clashing swords. Blades of different hues collided with insane ferocity, striking at each other like madmen.
Dozens of flashes lit up the air in a fraction of a second.
The sky was thick with flying swords, and the ground was a chaotic mosaic of swirling colors.
Clang! Clang-clang–!!
Nothing was clear. Only brief sparks were visible as the very air seemed to shred apart.
Crackle—!!!
Suddenly, lightning qi erupted like a clap of thunder.
The Celestial Stream Sect Leader swung his sword wildly at the sight of it.
Crash!
A shockwave of pure force rippled out, meeting the lightning head-on. It was a tidal wave of condensed energy.
Amid the chaos, Wi Seol-ah thrust her sword forward.
Moon Slice Reflection.
A thin crescent of light sliced through the tidal wave, creating an opening through which Namgung Bi-ah shot forward.
Thunder descended from the tip of her sword.
Boom—!!
A blinding flash consumed the area.
The explosions were relentless. Though the battlefield was large, it was completely saturated with violent, raging energy.
[«Rrraaaagh—!!»]
A monstrous roar erupted. The smoke from the concentrated energy dissipated instantly, revealing the enraged figure of the Celestial Stream Sect Leader.
[«You damn women—!!!»]
Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah tightened their grips on their swords.
The Celestial Stream Sect Leader’s body was a mess of wounds, clear evidence of the battle’s intensity.
However—
Sssss.
His regenerative abilities were so advanced that the injuries visibly closed up before their eyes.
Meanwhile, the two women were clearly nearing their limit.
«…Hah…»
Wi Seol-ah exhaled a heavy breath. Sweat streamed down her face and dripped from her chin.
The exhaustion was overwhelming, made worse by her inexperience in maintaining this powered state for so long.
She remembered what Gu Yangcheon had told her.
Even if the situation demanded it, she was never to use this technique. He had said to run instead, and that he would come to save her.
She remembered his words perfectly, but Wi Seol-ah had chosen to ignore them.
From the moment she activated this power, she had known. She understood it would consume her innate energy.
But right now, it was necessary.
Wiping the sweat from her chin, Wi Seol-ah glanced to her side.
«…Sister.»
Namgung Bi-ah turned at the sound of her voice.
«How long can you hold out?»
Namgung Bi-ah looked just as drained. She was already injured, using her qi to staunch her wounds while fighting, which was far from sustainable.
After a brief moment of thought, Namgung Bi-ah answered.
«Not long. But I will endure.»
«Understood.»
Neither of them suggested running away or leaving the other behind. They knew the danger, but they had something to protect.
For that, their own lives were meaningless.
Swish.
The golden swords orbiting Wi Seol-ah returned to her side. Six in total.
Namgung Bi-ah readjusted her grip on Thunder Fang.
Crackle—!!
Her lightning qi flared even brighter.
Though their bodies were exhausted, their wills were sharp. This was their proof.
[«Tsk.»]
The Celestial Stream Sect Leader clicked his tongue in disgust.
[«How persistent.»]
Suppressing his rage, he glanced at his arm. While his wounds seemed to be healing quickly, the reality was different.
[«It’s slower…»]
Something felt wrong. His body felt unnaturally heavy.
By any measure, his fight with the Star King had been more grueling, yet this situation felt stranger.
What was causing it? The Sect Leader’s gaze settled on one person.
Wi Seol-ah.
[…]
It was her. That peculiar energy. Ever since it had made contact with him, things had felt off.
What was it? And not just the energy—what was she?
He stared at Wi Seol-ah, his eyes narrowing.
Somewhere deep down, he already knew the answer.
[«A mere vessel dares to act so arrogantly.»]
«…What did you just say?»
Wi Seol-ah’s face contorted into a frown, aware the comment was meant for her.
The Celestial Stream Sect Leader said nothing more.
He fell silent, gathering the remainder of his strength.
This needed to end now.
[«It seems no reinforcements are coming…. Something must have happened.»]
If help was coming, it should have arrived by now. Their absence could only mean something had gone wrong.
He needed to assess the situation.
Hooo—!!
The Celestial Stream Sect Leader channeled all his remaining power into his feet. Seeing this, the two women braced, expecting a furious assault.
[«Hah!!»]
The Sect Leader shot forward like a bolt from a crossbow. He was incredibly fast.
Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah moved on instinct. They unleashed twin attacks, aiming to cut off his advance.
Thud! Thud!
«…!»
«Gasp!»
Their eyes widened. Their strikes had connected.
But that wasn’t what shocked them.
The Celestial Stream Sect Leader, as if anticipating their moves, had avoided a fatal blow and brushed right past them, darting toward his true target.
They realized his goal too late.
Namgung Bi-ah immediately wreathed herself in lightning qi and gave chase, but—
[«Stop.»]
The Celestial Stream Sect Leader had already reached his destination.
In his grasp was the unconscious body of Gu Yangcheon.
[«Move, and this boy dies.»]
At his words, the two women froze solid.
Satisfied with their reaction, the Celestial Stream Sect Leader allowed himself a smirk.
As expected.
These women were incapable of fighting properly while trying to protect this boy.
All he had to do was control the boy.
[«For all your skill, you’re disappointingly predictable.»]
Even the Star King had been the same. While he fought fiercely to protect the women, this tactic neutralized that advantage completely.
These two, however, lacked his experience, making them easier to manipulate.
[«Drop your weapons and kneel.»]
Crunch!
When they didn’t immediately respond, he tightened his grip.
Finally, the two women relented, allowing their power to dissipate.
Seeing this, the Celestial Stream Sect Leader’s smirk widened.
It seemed his plan had worked.
But then—
[«Now, kneel.»]
«…»
«…»
For some reason, they only let their power fade. They did not kneel.
Instead, they stared at the unconscious Gu Yangcheon with strange, unreadable expressions.
The Celestial Stream Sect Leader’s brows furrowed in irritation.
[«Can’t you hear me? Must I break this boy’s neck before you—»]
«Take your hands off me, insect.»
Startled, the Celestial Stream Sect Leader stopped short. He looked down at his hand.
The voice had come from Gu Yangcheon.
But the boy was still unconscious, his eyes closed.
Had he imagined it? The thought had just formed when—
Gu Yangcheon spoke again, his eyes snapping open.
The Sect Leader met his gaze.
In that instant, Gu Yangcheon raised a hand to the Sect Leader’s face.
«Disgusting.»
Boom—!!!
Black flames erupted over the Celestial Stream Sect Leader’s face.