Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 949

Chapter 949

The individual who had opened the door was now waving his hand.

My expression remained unchanged as I observed Mongmong.

His brightly cheerful disposition, his hair the color of light green, and the faint redness around his eyes were all identical to how he had appeared that afternoon.

“It feels like quite some time since we last met, doesn’t it?”
“I wouldn’t say it’s been long at all.”
“Ah, is that so? Well, if you insist, then I suppose it must be true.”

He still carried that unmistakable aura of someone not entirely in touch with reality. He radiated a bizarre, excessive excitement, as if absolutely everything in his world was going exactly according to plan.

The question of how he had materialized so abruptly didn’t even occur to me.

‘I had a feeling he wouldn’t be far.’

I hadn’t actively searched for his presence, but I was certain he had been observing me from the shadows.

‘Without a doubt, he’s been monitoring me.’

Ever since my suspicions about him first arose, I knew he wouldn’t keep his distance. Even if he had left briefly to attend to some matter, he would have returned to verify more.

And, just as I predicted:

‘I was correct.’

My assumption had been right on target. He truly had been watching me.

Accepting this, I addressed him.

“You don’t strike me as a local. Is it really appropriate for you to stroll into a prison so casually?”
“Huh?”

Mongmong tilted his head at my question. His guileless gestures perfectly matched his youthful appearance, creating an almost exaggerated impression of naivety.

However.

“Oh, please. There isn’t a single place here that I cannot enter.”

Despite his harmless exterior, I couldn’t even guess what might be concealed within that small stature of his.

“You’re already aware, aren’t you?”
“…”

Mongmong smiled as he spoke to me. His words caused me to hesitate for a brief moment.

“You heard it from the child of the Black family, correct? My identity.”
“…Yes, I heard.”
“How very interesting.”

Mongmong moved closer to the cell bars, his gaze fixed directly on me.

“And yet, even knowing who I am, you continue to hold your head high. How is that possible?”

His light green pupils contracted into vertical slits.
The instant I saw that, a jolt of alarm made every hair on my body stand on end.

A cold shiver traveled down my spine. Had I not restrained myself, I might have instinctively shattered my restraints and dropped into a defensive posture.

Something deep within my chest stirred aggressively.

It recoiled at his attitude, urging me to unleash it, to crush him, to force him into submission and make him lower his gaze.

I clenched my teeth, exerting significant effort to suppress the impulse.

‘Why does he continually provoke this reaction?’

He was deliberately agitating something inside me, something that roared for dominance.

Nevertheless, I kept myself in check and began to prepare to bow my head in a show of respect.

But before I could make a move—

“Ah, please don’t. I was only joking.”

Mongmong stopped me just as I was about to act.

“I really don’t care for such formalities. Just relax, alright?”
“…”

What a peculiar person.
He didn’t intervene until the moment I actually intended to follow through.

‘That was a test.’

What would have happened if I hadn’t moved?
I had a strong feeling the outcome would not have been pleasant.

“Anyway, Cheol Ji-seon.”
“…?”
“Cheol Ji-seon?”
“Ah, yes.”

I answered belatedly, recalling the alias I was using. I had nearly forgotten it.

“Hmm.”

Mongmong gave me a strange, appraising look.
It wasn’t exactly suspicion.

It felt more like he was silently commenting:

‘If you’re going to use a false name, you should at least remember to respond to it.’

‘He is not a simple opponent.’

I almost let out a sigh of frustration. For all his cheerful and foolish antics, there was a penetrating sharpness in his eyes that was impossible to overlook.

He was scrutinizing me, analyzing every movement and every word. His entire demeanor, down to the rhythm of his breathing, indicated this was far more than a simple social call.

Finally, Mongmong let out a soft chuckle.

“Well, it’s of no real importance.”

He acted as though it mattered little, but I wasn’t deceived.

‘It is absolutely not “of no importance.”’

I could tell he was still attempting to deduce something about me, so I refused to lower my guard.

“Ah, it’s nothing major. I simply made a small error earlier, didn’t I?”
“You did.”
“…Ah… yes, I suppose I did.”

My casual agreement seemed to catch him off guard, causing him to falter for a second.

“Well, because of that, I thought you might require some assistance. I could offer you my help.”
“Help me…?”

Feigning interest, I looked at him and replied.

“How exactly would you help me?”
“Anything you wish.”
“If I asked you to release me from this cell, would you?”
“Of course. That is a simple matter.”
“Do you believe the leader of this establishment would permit it?”
“Huh?”

Mongmong tilted his head, appearing genuinely bewildered by my question.

“Why would I ever need their permission?”

He said it as if the concept itself was utterly alien to him.

“This territory is mine, after all. Such formalities are entirely unnecessary.”
“…I understand.”

I nodded, sensing the immense, unshakable confidence behind that simple declaration.

‘The picture is becoming clearer.’

I was starting to grasp the nature of the person I was dealing with.
However, the specifics were still too vague to form any definitive conclusions.

‘He is still wearing a very thick mask.’

Removing it would require a meticulously crafted strategy—nothing to be rushed into at this stage.

“So, what would you like me to do?”

His attitude suggested he was completely sincere in his offer to grant any request.
His excessively pure and disturbingly earnest expression only heightened the sense of unease.

“Hmm.”

I pretended to ponder his offer for a moment before speaking.

“I am fine as I am.”
“Huh?”

Mongmong’s eyes widened in clear surprise at my refusal. He had evidently not anticipated it.

“Why? Why would you refuse? I told you I would help.”
“I have no pressing needs, and I would prefer not to incur a debt.”
“Don’t think of it as a debt. I’m offering because I wish to.”
“Even so…”
“Really, it’s no trouble. Just tell me what you want!”
“…Hmm.”

He seemed almost desperate for me to ask a favor of him. It made me wonder about his motives.

“…In that case.”

I carefully modulated my tone and spoke, watching his reaction closely.

“Could you arrange for me to meet with the leader of this place?”
“Huh? The leader?”

Mongmong tilted his head again, his confusion evident.

“Yes, the leader.”
“For what reason?”
“If I am to request my release, I would prefer to do so directly. There are also other matters I would like to discuss.”
“Matters to discuss…”

Mongmong’s eyes narrowed slightly at my words. I watched him carefully.

Asking to meet the leader so suddenly was bound to arouse suspicion.
I was aware that Mongmong was closely observing me, but I had chosen this tactic deliberately.

‘What will your next move be?’

I wanted to witness how he would respond.

“…Hmm.”

After a long silence, Mongmong finally spoke.

“Very well, I will arrange it.”
“…”

Mongmong agreed to the request with a light nod. Seeing that, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘He is utterly unreadable.’

He played the part of the innocent so perfectly it was convincing.
Yet, I had no insight into what he was truly thinking beneath the surface.

He was, without question, a formidable and challenging adversary.

And beyond that:

‘…His aura is intensifying.’

Perhaps because it was now night, I could feel Mongmong’s presence steadily growing stronger.

I remembered what Noya had told me:

“The Moonlit Night Tribe draws power from the night, and each of their generals possesses a unique authority.”

If that was true, then this individual—Mongmong, or rather, Yusa—was not only growing stronger under the cover of darkness but also wielded a singular power of his own.

If that was the case…

‘Would I be able to defeat him in a confrontation at night?’

It was a fundamental question.
I had felt a similar doubt when I encountered the leader of this place. Could I truly overcome these people of the night?

That question remained unanswered.
And so, as I looked at Mongmong before me, I pondered it once again.

‘Could I kill him?’

I studied him intently, considering the possibility.

‘Tsk…’

The more I assessed him, the greater my frustration grew.
I couldn’t get a clear measure of him. My inability to gauge his true strength was proof enough of his formidable power.

‘It seems it is too soon to know.’

Even if I were at my peak condition, the outcome was uncertain.
For the time being, at least, it did not seem like the right moment for a confrontation.

“Alright, shall I go and bring them now?”
“…Yes, please do.”
“Excellent! Just wait here a little while!”

With that, Mongmong turned and stepped out, closing the door behind him.
His presence vanished almost instantly.

Sensing this, I concentrated my awareness.

Had he truly departed? Or was he concealed somewhere nearby?
I waited a short while longer, and once I was certain, I channeled my inner energy.

*Whirr!*

Power surged from my core, and I used it to break the shackles binding my arms.

*Crack!*

With a sharp sound, the restraints shattered.
My hands and body were free, and the suppression on my energy was lifted.

I clenched my fists to confirm the sensation.

*Hisssss.*

It was less about igniting a flame and more about concentrating intense heat.
I focused that heat into my palms until they burned fiercely.

Then—

*Ssssss—!!!!*

I lightly grasped the cell bars, and they began to melt.
Using that, I tore away the ends.

*Creak!*

After squeezing through the opening, I took the detached bars and reattached them.
Since they had been melted, welding them back into place was a simple matter.

With precise control of the heat, I ensured the repair was seamless and left no evidence.

“Done.”

Once the bars were secure again, I turned to Cheonma, who had been sitting quietly, observing everything.

Looking at her, I said:

“You recall what I told you before?”

Cheonma nodded.

“Just remain here. If anything occurs, follow the instructions I gave you.”
“…When will they arrive?”
“Likely before too long.”
“What if they do not come? May I go and locate them?”
“…”

In her mind, “locating them” undoubtedly meant tearing the bars apart and breaking out.

That would be a problem.

“If I tell you not to, will you restrain yourself?”
“…”

She offered no reply.
I sighed quietly at her silence.

“Do your utmost to remain here.”

Having said that, I reached into my sleeve.

[It truly will not take long.]

I withdrew a black martial arts robe and a white mask, cracked with age. I placed the mask over my face.