Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 992

Chapter 992

If the master had truly sensed something amiss and spoken with purpose, then when exactly had she become aware?

No—given how unusual her presence there was to begin with, there had been countless moments where she might have deduced the truth.

The real question I needed to ponder wasn’t whether she had noticed.

Why had she chosen to react in this specific manner?

With so many openings to grow suspicious, it was only natural that she had pieced it together.

But why behave as she did at that time?

“When the next full moon rises, go to the hilltop.”

……

I remembered her words, my forehead creasing in thought.

If she had identified me as an intruder, she could have taken action immediately.

From what I witnessed, she undoubtedly possessed the strength to do so. So why hadn’t she?

Was there a reason she was unable to?

Could something have stopped her from dealing with me right there?

Noya mentioned she wasn’t present in her actual form.

It was likely a projection of thought or an avatar fashioned from a fragment of her power.

A full descent would have been troublesome, and since that would demand too much, she had manifested in a diminished state, even arming herself with an unfamiliar artifact.

If she was that severely weakened, was it simply that she couldn’t oppose me?

No. That can’t be right.

I immediately dismissed that idea.

Weak or not… something feels wrong about that.

If this was the approach she selected, that was the most peculiar part of all.

A full moon and a hill?

Why had she given that message not to the Black Leader, but to me?

And more importantly—

Was it actually intended for me?

Even if it wasn’t for the Black Leader, could I be certain it was for me? Just because he hadn’t comprehended it didn’t automatically mean I was the one meant to receive it.

……

I had to dismiss that thought as well.

Whether it was instinct or intuition—or perhaps a mix of both—

Every aspect of her behavior indicated that she had delivered that message to me.

It wasn’t based on logic or careful thought.

…Just a gut feeling.

Even though it was purely instinctive, I felt an odd certainty.

As I kept trying to unravel my jumbled thoughts—

Ugh…

A low groan came from in front of me.

Hearing it, I quickly loosened my hold on my energy.

Hah… hah…

As the pressure from my command faded, the Black Leader sucked in ragged breaths.

Has my mastery over this technique improved?

Before, I needed intense concentration, or the effect was too faint—or the strain on my own body was too severe.

But now, even when using my command, there was hardly any backlash, and controlling it came easily.

What… the hell…

Perhaps because I had applied force so abruptly, a clear alarm showed in the Black Leader’s eyes.

Seeing that, I addressed him.

Black.

……

Answer me.

…Why are you doing this?

The Black Leader’s voice was thick with unease. I gave a dry, humorless laugh.

It wasn’t a situation for laughter, but I needed to keep up the appearance of control, so I forced the expression.

It seems you still don’t grasp your situation. Do I need to make it clearer?

I took a step forward as I spoke.

The Black Leader’s face contorted.

…What do you want from me?

What do I want? I believe I made that clear before.

It wasn’t a full explanation, nor did it need to be. However he chose to interpret it was irrelevant.

His reaction meant nothing.

Creak—!

Argh!

As I channeled the demonic energy, the Black Leader gripped his chest in agony.

His response was distinctly different from when I had used my command earlier.

The demonic energy was firmly rooted.

Although I hadn’t achieved his complete obedience, that was unimportant.

So long as I could dominate him through raw power.

Black.

Grgh…

Black. Answer me.

Ugh… Yes…

Even after he responded, I didn’t pull back my energy. Instead, I moved closer and held his gaze.

Do you know why I sought you out?

Ugh…

He couldn’t know. There was no way.

I hadn’t told him.

Because I will create a paradise. And for that, I have a use for you.

Paradise.

A paradise for whom? I remembered that paradise was meant for those lost to Mangye.

Besides, the paradise I spoke of now—

The one the Blood Demon described.

It was a repurposing of the paradise the Blood Demon once claimed to dream of.

A paradise… What are you talking about…

The Black Leader’s reaction showed plain confusion at the mention of paradise.

Naturally. I didn’t fully understand it myself.

However.

You don’t need to understand.

Understanding wasn’t required.

Even if you fail to grasp my will, it changes nothing.

Whether he understood or not.

Or even if he never understood at all.

None of it mattered.

The only thing that did—

If you follow me, you will obtain what you desire.

Making certain he gained a significant advantage.

More than just an advantage.

Don’t you want to become a general?

…!

I knew the Black Leader’s ambition, his thirst for authority. If I appealed to that and provoked him correctly—

Using him would be effortless.

I’ll place you in that position.

……

Even while suffering under the demonic energy, the Black Leader raised his head to look at me.

His eyes shook.

Despite the pain, he was stirred.

Surprisingly easy to influence.

And also—

You already knew, didn’t you?

I was sure that, on some level, he had already come to terms with this.

Because—

If you hadn’t, you would have acted differently.

The fact that he had done nothing up to this point.

That was proof enough.

That’s…

The Black Leader tried to speak, but I cut him off.

Are you going to say you were constrained by my energy? Preposterous.

I scoffed as I withdrew my hold.

His body was released.

You had every chance to act.

If he had truly wanted to, he could have gone to Yusa. I avoided mentioning the master, uncertain how much he knew of her.

You could have even approached that pitiful general.

I made sure to refer to Yusa in a deliberately dismissive tone.

But you didn’t. Why do you think that is?

……

The Black Leader gave no answer.

It made no difference if he didn’t.

As I said, you already know. I am your hope.

……

The one who will grant your desires, who will raise you to where you aspire to be—that is me. And you know that, don’t you?

I moved in close, holding his gaze. His pupils were dark like obsidian.

There was a menacing quality to him.

But I felt no fear.

Was it because I had joined the Moonlit Night Tribe and grown stronger? No.

If we’re comparing ominous auras, I’m not exactly lacking.

Calling his presence ominous was almost amusing.

Next to mine, it was insignificant.

Sssssssss—!!

I let my energy flow from my shoulders—pure demonic energy, unadulterated by anything else.

Because it was so pure, it was perilously clean.

And because it was so clean, its menacing nature was magnified.

In fact—

What is this? Was it always this potent?

Was it because I had joined the Moonlit Night Tribe under the night sky? The power radiating from me was far greater than I had expected.

I was even surprising myself.

But this wasn’t the time for that. I stifled my reaction and kept my eyes on him.

I saw him flinch and shudder violently at the sight of my aura.

What the…

Was he genuinely overwhelmed by the energy? Well, if it startled me, he stood no chance.

What exactly… do you want me to do…?

Submit. If you swear loyalty to me, I will grant your desires.

……

Kneel. Do so, and I will give you the world.

The more I spoke, the deeper the conflict in his eyes grew.

I waited calmly for him to decide.

After a short pause—

The Black Leader slowly got to his feet.

He moved away from the chair he had been sitting in and came toward me.

Swish—!

Then, before me, he went down on one knee.

I sneered at the sight.

How amusing. Only one knee? Is this meant to defy me?

I had commanded him to kneel fully, yet he had only gone halfway. What was he trying to prove?

…If you truly intend to fulfill my desires, then I will pledge my loyalty. However, I would like some assurance. This is my way of asking for it.

Assurance? Hah.

Crrrkkkk—!!

With a scornful laugh, I summoned even more energy.

Damn. I can release this much now. The more I do, the more astonishing it is.

I should see just how strong I’ve become.

I hadn’t had an opportunity to properly gauge it in my rush.

But knowing my limits would let me use this power more securely, so I needed to test it on someone.

Fine. What proof do you require? It’s ridiculous, but I’ll allow it. What do you want?

I spoke as though bestowing a favor.

Hearing that, the Black Leader clenched his trembling hands into fists, masking his doubt, and spoke.

If you truly have the power to do it… then I want you to demonstrate it.

How?

……Are you aware that the General is currently in Yahwol?

Tch.

At his words, I let out a soft, derisive sound. I already knew what he was going to request.

I know.

Yusa was in Yahwol.

I had known for a while.

That person… no, him…

The Black Leader faltered mid-sentence.

He seemed to be struggling, so I finished for him.

Do you want me to kill him?

…!

His eyes widened.

Seeing his reaction, I tilted my head.

That’s a simple request. Very well.

I nodded as I let my energy writhe around me.

I had planned to do it anyway, so this was a convenient pretext.

Of course—

Not Yusa.

The same applied to the man before me.

In fact, if I had to choose which to deal with first—

This one should come first.

The Black Leader was destined to die before Yusa.

The only distinction was…

It wouldn’t be by my hand.

It would be by another’s.