Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 993

Chapter 993

After departing from the Black Leader’s home, I did not hesitate.

My visit had served two purposes: to exert control over him and to verify whether the demonic energy had successfully established itself within him.

From my assessment, the outcome was acceptable.

«The advancement is gradual, but unmistakable.»

The taint was genuine. The demonic energy had rooted itself.

«Initially, I suspected it wasn’t adhering correctly.»

That, however, appeared incorrect. The process was merely sluggish.

«It is slowly consuming him.»

It was just significantly slower than it was with humans.

The true puzzle was why the demonic energy was acting unlike itself.

«Could it be because he belongs to the Moonlit Night Tribe and is not human?»

I had only ever employed it on humans, so I had no basis for comparison.

It was possible demonic energy was simply less potent against the Moonlit Night Tribe.

This wasn’t due to a disparity in power or cultivation level.

That much was clear.

«The Black Leader ranks within the upper echelon of the Ten Great Masters.»

The other leaders were no different. Based on their prowess under the sun, they were undoubtedly at that caliber.

Therefore, strength was not the differentiating factor.

«Even warriors of that standing could be transformed into demons.»

Those equal to, or nearing, the Ten Great Masters could be corrupted with ease.

Moreover, they had been made to bow to me.

«Is he simply an anomaly?»

The Black Leader was unique.

Despite his transformation into a demon, the demonic energy had not forced his submission to me.

Was it only him? Or were the others like this as well?

I did not know.

«If I lack knowledge, then I must acquire it.»

Without information, I needed to collect it.

That was my objective for tonight, and with that purpose, I traveled through the shadows toward another destination.

Tap.

The soles of my feet met firm ground—this time not a rooftop, but the floor of a structure.

The instant I landed, I sensed the focus of innumerable stares locking onto me.

«Identify yourself?!»

«An intruder…!»

«What? An intrud—gak!»

The guards stationed nearby choked out exclamations as they recognized me.

«Cheonma…!»

«Alert the commander at once!»

«Cheonma is here—!»

«…You are too loud.»

Kuuuuuuuuu—!!

I let my energy flow out, allowing it to slice through the atmosphere. The expanding pressure made the soldiers’ faces go pale.

I had not issued a command.

I had simply released my aura.

«I have no patience for meaningless noise. Be silent. Let the night keep its peace.»

Crack. Crackle—!!

«Guh… Ughh…!»

«Hurgh…!»

As my aura intensified, their reactions grew more severe. Those who had been barely standing began to fall one by one.

Some lost consciousness completely, overpowered by the weight.

Even those who remained on their feet vomited or lost control of their bowels.

«Hah.»

A faint smile formed behind my mask.

«This is acceptable.»

I had not even blended in any intent to kill—this was pure energy control.

And yet, the contrast was dramatic.

What would occur if I infused killing intent into this?

I was interested, but I saw no reason to experiment.

Was it because I wished to avoid needless slaughter?

No.

These fools meant nothing to me. Their survival was irrelevant.

«It is merely that I must preserve my energy.»

I had no desire to squander power where it served no purpose.

There was an experiment I wished to conduct, and I needed to be at full readiness.

Disregarding the figures collapsing around me, I raised my eyes.

A huge gate stood in the distance.

And behind it, an estate even larger, matching the gate’s scale.

Similar to the residences of the Black and Blue Leaders, this one was dominated by a specific color—buildings of white lined the property.

I studied them slowly.

«Hmm.»

Was he inside?

Should I seek him out directly? Or compel him to come to me?

I weighed the choices.

Crack! Rumble—!!

The more my energy swelled, the more the ground fractured and the pillars shook.

«Quite destructive.» This was entirely unlike my infiltration of the Black Leader’s home.

At that time, I had proceeded with the utmost caution.

I had been fully conscious of the risk.

I had trodden carefully, making certain that neither Yusa nor the master, who were in Yahwol, would sense my presence.

That was why I had also been prudent with the Blue Leader.

That was why I had been cautious with the Black Leader.

But—

Crunch.

I took a step, and the earth splintered under my foot.

It no longer mattered who noticed me.

Or what repercussions this disturbance might bring.

It was inconsequential.

In fact, I desired for them to see.

I wanted them to witness.

I had deliberately hidden myself until now, only to act so boldly.

Because—

«It is peculiar.»

This was another test.

Not only concerning the demonic energy I used on the Black Leader.

But also regarding the disquiet around the master.

«Why did the master give me a message intended for the Black Leader?»

«When the next full moon rises, come to the hilltop.»

I recalled those words as I gazed upward.

Auroras painted the sky, and above them, two moons hung.

One was already a slim crescent.

The other was almost full.

«Since she said ‘next,’ she must have meant the following moon, not this one.»

The next full moon.

And the hill.

I still could not decipher the meaning of the master’s message.

«Why?»

If she had identified me as an irregularity, there would have been no reason to deliver such a message in the first place.

«Was it because she was not in her true form?»

That did not seem a sufficient explanation either.

If that were so, she would not have left a message for me.

«She would have moved against me instead.»

If she truly meant to stop me, she should have acted.

But she did not.

«That implies she does not plan to oppose me—she desires something from me.»

But what?

«Was she not supposed to have lost all her memories?»

The mother I once knew was gone.

Only the persona of the master should have remained.

But what if that was not entirely true?

What if some remnant of memory persisted?

If she had even made arrangements with Shin Noya, then—

Perhaps, however faint, there was still a chance.

That was why I had chosen this path.

«If I create enough turmoil…»

Would the master reveal herself?

If she did, and if she moved to confront me, that would pose a problem.

But—

«If she does not.»

If, after all this commotion, she still does not appear…

«Then perhaps… I can allow myself to hope.»

Hope.

A fragile sliver of it.

A hope that I might still reclaim my mother.

That sentiment flowed through me.

Crack.

I took another step.

I did not release my full might.

I simply walked, ensuring my presence extended completely toward the great estate before me.

«Hmm.»

I amplified my energy slightly and tilted my head.

I hadn’t pushed to my limit, but this approach felt insufficient.

Was there something more I could do?

I contemplated as I advanced.

Then, an idea emerged.

«There was something I wished to try regardless.»

It was something I hadn’t yet attempted, as I hadn’t mastered it.

But now, in these circumstances, it seemed an ideal opportunity.

Having reached that decision, I gathered my strength and concentrated.

Whirr—!!!

I activated the Nine Flames Firewheel Technique and simultaneously initiated Tua Pacheonmu.

Immediately, pressure and friction collided.

The sheer force generated from the intense friction was staggering.

Tighten.

My veins swelled as my body grew taut.

It was the strain that accompanied the use of Cheonma Divine Art.

«Oh…»

I felt the burden on my body and regarded it with awe.

«Not bad.»

It was markedly better than before.

Was it because I had joined the Moonlit Night Tribe?

My body had become far more resilient, my muscles enhanced. Even under tremendous strain, the load felt considerably lighter.

Creak—!!!

A sensation as if my entire body were being ripped apart washed over me.

A destructive power that threatened to make me explode if I loosened my control for even an instant.

But I suppressed it.

That was the core of Cheonma Divine Art—harnessing that force and crushing it into obedience.

«At this level…»

I might be capable of attempting what I had envisioned.

Normally, I used Cheonma Divine Art to focus its power into a single punch.

It wasn’t a formal technique, nor a proper martial arts move.

It was simply about maintaining control over the force and releasing it in an explosive strike from my fist.

To call that a technique would have been generous.

I had wanted to weave the power into a true move, but—

«If I tried crafting a real technique from it…»

The power was too immense.

I lacked the fine control needed to integrate it into complex motions.

«Which is why I just throw punches.»

A simple punch—that was my current limit.

But that also meant—

«I can integrate it into simple actions.»

So.

«What if I channeled this power into my footsteps?»

Just walking.

A simple, everyday action taken to move forward.

What if I infused it with Cheonma Divine Art and Tua Pacheonmu?

I had always been curious.

Before, I wouldn’t have been able to even try.

But now?

I could.

Rumble—!!!

I directed that accumulated force into my steps.

Boom—!!!

«Uaaaaaagh!!!»

Screams broke out around me.

My pace slowed.

«…This is my current limit.»

If I tried to move faster, I would lose control.

Even at this speed, it was already precarious.

This was only feasible because my Moonlit Night Tribe physique could support it.

Unlike releasing everything at once, sustaining and gradually emitting power was far more challenging.

But.

«I succeeded.»

It functioned exactly as I had imagined.

Aaaaaaaagh—!!!!

The pressure radiating from me was unlike anything before.

Every step crushed the very air around me.

«Guh… Ugh…»

Even those who had endured finally succumbed and fell.

The area of effect was vast—soldiers hurrying toward me from a distance began dropping before they could get close.

No one was permitted near me.

This was domination.

The footsteps of one who stands above all.

If I had to give it a name—

«Domination Step.»

And since it was forged through Cheonma Divine Art…

Cheonma Domination Step.

Yes. That name suited it well.

«Hmm.»

Pleased, I nodded to myself.

I had to admit—it was a fitting name.

Feeling satisfied, I continued forward.

KRAAAAAAH—!!!

Abruptly, a thunderous roar split the air.

«You bastard—!!!»

BOOOOM—!!!

An immense presence crashed down from the sky, impacting the ground before me.

A powerful shockwave erupted outwards.

Debris flew, and a cloud of dust rose, obscuring my view.

Rumble—

A low growl vibrated through the air as the dust settled.

And there, standing in the cleared space, was the one I had been anticipating.

The one who commanded this place.

Someone I had met once before.

The White Leader.

«…Hm?»

I tilted my head in confusion as I observed him.

«What…?»

I tried to meet his gaze, but my eyes were drawn upward.

And upward.

And upward.

Only after looking up for a considerable time did I finally see his face.

He—

«You dare… do you have any idea where you are?!»

—loomed over me, his size unnaturally, overwhelmingly massive.