Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 927

Chapter 927

A disturbance was apparent near the gatekeepers.

Observing this, I remained still and waited.

Gubong, on the other hand, appeared agitated, though it was of little consequence.
I kept a firm hold on his arm so he couldn’t attempt to flee.

“Sir… What is the meaning of this—?!”

He was clearly unsettled by my grip, but I had my motives.

“You can never be too careful. You might decide to bolt. Consider it a preventive measure.”
“…And where would I possibly run to at a time like this…?”
“Hard to say.”

Moreover—

“Even if you did run, it’s not as if I couldn’t catch you… but honestly, that would just be more trouble than it’s worth.”
“…”

My blunt response caused Gubong’s face to darken immediately.
Just as our exchange was nearing a confrontation—

«What’s going on over there?»
«…What are they doing here…?»

The already chilly and strained mood grew even heavier.

Dread was visible on every face. Those nearby abruptly stepped aside, clearing a path.

It was done willingly, but their movements resembled a scramble to escape—a clear desire to avoid proximity.
An unnatural, rigid tension settled over them.

And through the gap they had opened—

Thud—!

Approaching footsteps echoed.

A banner fluttered atop a tall pole, accompanied by a group of about a dozen people marching beneath it.

I observed them with a curious tilt of my head.

‘They’re not the same.’

This wasn’t the white-garbed family I had encountered the day before.
These individuals were dressed entirely in black, the polar opposite.

Strangely, each of them had their faces concealed, making it impossible to distinguish their features.

Odd figures. Who are they? I watched with a confused expression.

“…Damn it…”

Gubong muttered under his breath as he spotted them, and I felt the arm I was holding grow tense.

“What’s this? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t try to escape?”

Despite his earlier assurances, he now seemed uneasy.
I gave him a faint smirk.

“Relax, it’s not like you can get away. Just stay where you are.”
“…Release me. This is no time for games—”
“Games? Do I look like I’m playing?”
“…Sir?”

He stared at me with widened eyes, as if finally understanding something from my demeanor.

“Don’t tell me…”
“Ah, don’t give me that look.”

His expression was honestly a bit overwhelming.

“It wasn’t entirely planned… well, not exactly. I didn’t know which faction would show up, you see.”

As for the details, I wasn’t completely sure.
I hadn’t fully expected things to unfold this way.

It was just that—

“Let’s call it a hunch, I suppose.”

It wasn’t prediction—it was anticipation.
A feeling that it might turn out like this.

And now, that anticipation had been realized.

“You…!”

Gubong clenched his teeth and tried to wrench himself free, but I held fast.

“Oh, quit struggling. What do you think you’ll accomplish now?”
“You have no idea…! I don’t know how you found out, but this won’t do Mount Hua any good—”

If anything, it would only bring them harm.
Gubong cried out desperately.

“Yeah, that may be true.”

I interrupted, already knowing what he intended to say.

“No matter what secrets you’re hiding. Even if those secrets are toxic to Mount Hua. Yes, that’s possible. But—”

I lowered my eyes and looked directly at Gubong.

“What does that have to do with me?”
“…What?”
“Don’t fool yourself. I was never here for Mount Hua.”

Even the anger I felt yesterday on their behalf—
Even my rage toward Gubong—

If it was all purely for Mount Hua, that assumption was wrong.

“I.”

It was for Noya.

“Couldn’t care less about Mount Hua.”

Whether it stands or falls is none of my concern.

Gubong’s eyes shook at my words, and fury began to burn in his gaze.

Seeing this, I shrugged.

“But don’t worry. The old man asked me to help, so I won’t ruin everything.”
“How dare you—!”

Gubong lost control and started to shout—

“It’s been a long time.”

“…!”

But a voice interrupted, cutting him off completely.

It was rough and dry, utterly devoid of feeling, as if emerging from a deep well.

Gubong’s attention shifted.
It was the figure leading the group that had approached earlier.

Their face was still hidden, their entire body shrouded in black.

The attire wasn’t half bad, honestly.

“Dark Noble.”

“…”

The man’s words caused Gubong to tremble as he bit his lip.

“The leader demands your presence.”

Hearing this, Gubong forced out a reply.

“…I am no longer the Dark Noble. I renounced that title.”

His denial drew no reaction from the man.

After a short silence, the man spoke again, his tone deliberate.

“The leader has questions regarding this affair. You will come with us.”
“I told you—I abandoned that name. I am not one of you anymore.”

Resolutely, Gubong moved his hand to his waist, prepared to draw his sword if needed.

“I will not go back. Not even if I die.”
“…”

The masked man tilted his head, looking from me to Gubong.
After a moment’s thought, he spoke once more.

“The leader said, ‘Should he refuse, bring him by any means necessary.’”
“…”
“We are only obeying that command.”
“So… you intend to take me by force.”

Clang—

Gubong tightened his grip on his sword, the blade humming faintly in its scabbard.

“I belong to Mount Hua.”

His gaze was resolute.
This was different from his earlier hesitation.

“…I will not yield to weakness again—!”

Bang—!

“Gah!”

Gubong crumpled mid-sentence.

I had struck the back of his head, knocking him out.
I caught him before he fell and slung him over my shoulder.

I looked down at him in disbelief.

“What’s with him? He was perfectly compliant earlier, and now he’s got a sudden burst of pride?”

Why did he have to choose now of all times to make a stand? So troublesome.

“People ought to be consistent. Wouldn’t you agree?”

I glanced toward the man, but he only stared silently at the unconscious Gubong.

“No reaction, huh? How dull.”

Clicking my tongue, I tossed Gubong in his direction.

The man caught him smoothly, as if he had been expecting it.

Finally, he turned his gaze to me.

“What? Do you have something to say?”
“The leader has also—”
“Told you to bring me as well, is that it?”
“…Yes.”
“Was it me specifically, or just anyone who happened to be around?”
“…”

No response.
Clearly, he wasn’t going to tell me.

Not that it made any difference.

“Alright then, let’s go. I may as well meet this leader of yours.”

I had planned to follow them from the start.
That was the whole point of this exercise.

I merged into their formation and walked with them.
Deeper and deeper into the unknown.

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

Elsewhere, as Gu Yangcheon and Gubong were led away—

A solitary figure stood atop the high fortress walls, silently watching.

Behind a black mask, a pair of calm eyes surveyed the entire fortress.

«Let’s go. Might as well see this leader of yours.»

At the sound of that voice, a set of brown ears twitched, and a tail of the same color flicked.

Without a word, her focus remained entirely on Gu Yangcheon as he moved farther away.

Soon, he would vanish into the inner areas, beyond her sight and grasp.

What action should she take?
If she remained where she was, she would lose him.
Especially if he entered the shadows—there was no telling what might occur.

“…”

As she weighed her options silently, the woman began to move.

She resolved to track him.
She could not allow him to slip away.

With that decision, she started to slip stealthily into the fortress.

“Hey.”
“…!”

A voice close by made her retreat swiftly.

But—

“Why are you always following me?”

Even as she put distance between them, the voice sounded as if it were right beside her.

Grab—!

“—!!”

A hand seized her mask.

And then—

Fwoooosh—!!!

She was thrown clear of the fortress at breathtaking speed. The wind roared in her ears as she was hurled far away. She lost all sense of distance.

Before she knew it, she had tumbled across the ground, rolling over the earth.

She barely found her footing, only to see someone standing before her.

“Hello.”

A woman with black hair gave a slight wave, her tone almost teasing.

“We’ve crossed paths before.”
“…”
“Last time, I allowed you to leave.”

The woman tilted her head, a puzzled look on her face.

“So why have you returned?”
“…”
“Why were you watching him?”
“…”
“You.”

And in that instant—

“Do you hold hatred for him?”

Rumble—!!!

A tremendous force erupted from the woman’s shadow.
The crushing aura spread across the earth, staining the ground black.

“…”

Despite the overwhelming pressure, the masked woman remained silent.

She simply lifted her hand, and energy began swirling in her palm.

Ziiing—!!

The gathered energy solidified into the form of a sword.

“Hm…”

The violet-eyed woman watched, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

It was a remarkable sight.
There was something familiar about it, as though she had seen it before.

But where? She couldn’t quite remember.
It likely wasn’t important.

The black-haired woman also extended her hand.

Ziiing—!!!

Energy surged from the ground, coalescing in her grasp.

In moments, it too took the shape of a sword.

“This does feel somewhat different, though.”

It was clearly not the same, just from a glance.
But—

“It makes no difference.”

Even if the methods weren’t identical, it changed nothing.

The approach might vary, but the result would be the same.

“You. Are you his enemy?”
“…”

Again, no answer.

“Is that it?”

She interpreted the silence as agreement.

“Then I cannot allow it.”

With those words, she stepped forward.

Crack—!!!

From her foot, darkness spread like a night-blooming flower.