Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 994

Chapter 994

‘…What in the world happened to its size?’

I raised my head to look at it, then halted briefly, my gaze climbing upward without end.

Just how did it get so enormous?

The creature that stood before me was absurdly large—practically as big as a structure.

By bulk alone, it clearly exceeded any Blue-rank beast I had faced.

‘Unbelievable.’

How had it grown to such proportions? I studied it, attempting to understand this sudden change.

Maybe it wasn’t the same one I remembered? The idea crossed my mind, but—

‘No, it’s definitely identical.’

I recognized its energy and aura—there was no doubt. It was the same being.

The chieftain of the White Faction.

That coarse, untamed presence was unmistakable. This thing radiated the very same energy.

The only difference was—

‘It’s far more powerful.’

Immensely stronger than when we last met.

‘How much has it actually grown?’

Even accounting for the night, the disparity in strength was too vast to ignore.

‘It has at least doubled.’

Of all the members of the Moonlit Night Tribe I had encountered, this one had undergone the most drastic change—both in sheer scale and the crushing pressure it emitted.

Its very essence had expanded along with its body.

‘Hah.’

Fascinating. So such a radical evolution was possible.

As I studied the beast with interest—

“Grrrrrrr!!!”

A low, visceral growl erupted from its throat.

The force of its voice shook everything around us.

“You wretched—”

Its words were coarse and thick, as if choked with phlegm, grating through the air.

Its voice had never been clear, but now it was utterly monstrous.

“How dare you—do you have any idea where you are—?!”

It had become a true beast in every way.

‘Even the Blue-rank ones weren’t this far gone.’

I had seen them grow fur and change form, but none had fully lost their humanity like this White-rank leader.

The Blue-rank ones still held some trace of their former selves.

‘But this thing—it’s nothing but a wild animal.’

A gigantic, bipedal white tiger.

Calling it humanoid didn’t feel right. It was just a massive white tiger standing on two legs.

No matter how I looked, there was nothing human left in it.

“Grrrrrr…”

Its low growl vibrated through the air.

“Hm.”

I tilted my head slightly as I watched it.

“This is a far cry from last time.”

Snort—!

It exhaled sharply through its nostrils, a powerful gust whipping my hair back.

“Arrogant fool. To show yourself before me so boldly. You must truly hold me in no regard.”

Krrrrk—!! Crack—! BOOOOM—!!

As it spoke, the beast violently swung its enormous arm. Its claws ripped through the air, carving deep gashes into the earth.

“Did you believe that because you ambushed me once, you were special? Or did crushing the Blue-rank one make you think I would be just as simple?”

“Oh?”

I narrowed my eyes at its words. Why was it only bringing up the Blue-rank one?

That part felt strange.

‘So it doesn’t know about the Red-rank.’

It seemed unaware that I had already defeated the Red-rank leader.

Which could only mean—

‘Yusa must have concealed it.’

That cunning bastard must have kept the incident to himself.

Realizing this, I looked up at the beast and spoke.

“You’ve misunderstood something. Why would it be surprising for me to walk in openly?”

“What…?”

“There is nowhere under this sky that is forbidden to me.”

With those words, I brought my arms down from behind my back.

“Does an owner need permission from what he owns? Nothing could be more absurd.”

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr—!!!

The White-rank beast reacted fiercely to my words. Its already huge muscles bulged further as it bared its fangs.

“You insolent cur.”

Krrrrrrrrrrrrk—!!!

Its aura erupted violently.

The very air around it began to warp under the intensity of its power.

“This sky belongs to you? The true master watches from above, and you dare betray the mercy you were granted!”

Swish—!

Its massive tail sliced through the air.

Boom—!!

It struck the ground like a whip, shattering the earth where it landed.

“I don’t know what you hope to accomplish with this chaos, but you’ve miscalculated.”

Its fur stood on end, sharp and rigid.

“Even if you got lucky with a sneak attack once, assuming it would work again is your greatest error.”

“Is that so? What makes this time different?”

“The full moon is nearly here.”

Crack—!!

The ground fractured under its feet.

“And when it rises, my blessed fangs will tear you apart.”

ROOOOOOOOAAAAARRRR—!!!

The gigantic beast lunged straight for me.

*********

Kwaaaaaah—!!! Boom—!! Boom—!!

A deafening explosion rocked the area. The ground shook violently, and surrounding buildings began to collapse and crumble.

“Run for your lives…!!”
“Get out, now—!!”

The soldiers were thrown into total panic, scrambling to escape. Their faces were masks of pure terror, and who could blame them?

Who wouldn’t be terrified when a creature the size of a mansion was running amok?

“Graaaaaah—!!!”

The leader of the White Faction, a massive tiger-like beast, swung its enormous arm.

Kwaaaang—!!!

Its claws tore through the air, bringing another building down. A sturdy mansion crumbled as if it were made of sand.

“Do not run—!!!”

With another roar, it charged forward, closing the distance in a flash.

‘Fast.’

I had to acknowledge its speed.

Despite its colossal size, it had kept its agility.

“Grrrrr!!!”

It reached for me with its huge hand.

Watching it come, I clenched my fist.

Boom—!

A tremor ran through my arm.

I channeled the full power of Tua Pacheonmu into my strike.

Our fists met.

Kuaaaaaa—!!!

A shockwave burst out, sending ripples of force in every direction.

‘Well, would you look at that.’

A smirk touched my lips as I saw the result.

Even after putting all of Tua Pacheonmu’s strength into that blow, the White Faction leader was only forced back a little. It showed almost no sign of injury.

‘Its toughness is unbelievable.’

It had been reinforced in every aspect.

Power, speed, stamina, energy—every single attribute had improved dramatically.

‘This might be the strongest faction leader I’ve come across yet.’

Even with the night’s advantage, the White Faction leader was overwhelmingly powerful. The Red Faction leader had seemed strongest by day, but now…

‘This can’t just be because of night and day.’

Judging by its confidence, there was more to it.

‘Does it grow stronger as the full moon draws near?’

That seemed likely. Its increased arrogance was probably a side effect of that surge in power.

To be honest, I knew very little about the Moonlit Night Tribe.

But among all these upgrades, one weakness was clear.

‘All its attributes have improved, but…’

Its movements were clumsy.

It was operating on pure instinct, more like a wild animal than ever before.

Screeeeech—!!

‘Hmm.’

From behind my mask, my eyes shifted.

‘That should be sufficient.’

I had learned everything I needed. With that realization, I stopped moving.

Just then, the White Faction leader swiped its claws at me.

“Grrrr—!! Got you—!!”

Its massive claws filled my vision.

If I didn’t move, I would be shredded.

An instant before its claws could reach me—

Tap.

I moved my hand.

Crunch—!!!

“….!!!”

The beast’s blue eyes widened in shock. My body, which should have been torn apart, was completely unharmed.

Instead, it was its own arm that had been ripped off.

“Graaaahh!!”

It howled in agony.

“Be quiet.”

Before it could scream again, I stepped in close and drove a fist upward into its jaw.

Crack—!!

The impact snapped its head back toward the sky.

Its enormous frame wobbled, balance lost for a moment.

And with a body that large, that meant plenty of weak points were exposed.

I tensed my muscles.

Sky-Shattering Surge.

Pain flared through my body, but my strength multiplied.

It felt easier to channel than before.

I felt my blood channels expanding as energy gathered.

In a heartbeat, Tua Pacheonmu’s power condensed into my palm.

At a glance, it resembled Flame Prison, but—

This was far more raw, containing a devastating force.

Heaven-Crushing Strike.

Holding the heavens in my grasp, I shattered them against the beast.

Boom—!!

A small sound, followed by a world-shaking impact.

Kuaaaaaa—!!!

The explosion dwarfed any before it.

The massive beast was hurled backward.

It crashed through its own mansion, destroying multiple buildings in its path.

“Grrghhh…”

Embedded in the rubble, it groaned in pain.

A gaping hole was blown clean through its body—just like the one that had appeared on the Blue Faction leader.

I smirked.

“Tough, for how you look.”

It was sincere praise. The first time I’d used Heaven-Crushing Strike on the Blue Faction leader, it hadn’t been nearly this powerful.

At least twice as strong.

The enhanced body of the Moonlit Night Tribe had allowed me to unleash that much force.

And yet, the White Faction leader had survived it.

And more than that—

Ssssshhhhh—!!!

Blue smoke billowed from its torn flesh and the hole in its torso.

It was regenerating. Quickly.

The Moonlit Night Tribe was already known for their incredible healing, but this was exceptional.

And—

‘Its severed arm is starting to grow back, too.’

It was slow, but unmistakably regenerating.

I wondered if this was unique to this one, but—

“Is that all you have? If so, I’m unimpressed.”

There was no reason to watch any longer.

“This is crude and ugly, hardly worth watching. Calling it a mere trick would be too generous.”

I tightened my grip.

Its regeneration was fast. It would be back on its feet soon.

Not that it changed anything.

I had already seen enough.

Giiiiiiiiing—!!

I activated Tua Pacheonmu again and initiated Sky-Shattering Surge.

Pain surged, but my body, now accustomed, pushed it to the limit.

At the same time, I triggered Ninefold Flame Wheel, causing my energy to clash violently.

Power collided with power.

The pain from Sky-Shattering Surge was worse than before.

‘But I’m used to this.’

Enduring pain was something I knew better than anyone.

I had never tried to use Sky-Shattering Surge while simultaneously running another technique, but—

It felt correct.

The energy flowed faster.

The pain was greater, but the casting speed was what counted.

‘I’ve been wanting to test this anyway.’

Now was the perfect opportunity.

My body held up, allowing the energy to cycle even quicker.

Rumble—!!

A storm built inside me.

I controlled it with pure will and incantations, preventing an explosion.

I twisted my waist.

Planted my foot firmly.

The form and path of this technique were different from before.

I hadn’t had time to create a new movement for the occasion.

So, I borrowed from the first stance of Tua Pacheonmu.

One-Fist Sky Breaker.

A simple punch, executed with absolute precision.

And into it, I poured the Cheonma Divine Art.

Would it work?

The thought didn’t even cross my mind.

Instead, something else did.

‘What should I call it?’

I didn’t know if this attack would succeed or fail, but that wasn’t my concern.

I was more interested in giving it a name.

After a moment’s thought—

Ah, right.

Heavenly Demon’s Fist.

I decided on the spot.

And I liked it.

Heavenly Demon’s Fist.

Nodding slightly in approval of the new name, I launched my fist forward.

Screeeeeeeeeech—!!!

The released energy screamed through the air.

In that instant—

The night was torn in two.