Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 326: The Abyss (1)“…You were waiting for me?

”Jang Seonyeon’s voice trembled ever so slightly as he spoke.

“Not for long.

I just got here myself.

”Gu Yangcheon replied with a smile.

Jang Seonyeon frowned at those words..

His response meant that in the end, he had indeed been waiting for him.

How did he…Jang Seonyeon questioned silently.

“Why do you seem surprised?

”Jang Seonyeon lifted his head at Gu Yangcheon’s question.

“Didn’t you come here for the same reason?

”“…!

”“What an amusing reaction.

So this is what you were like at this age, huh.

”Ignoring the words he couldn’t quite grasp, Jang Seonyeon focused on what Gu Yangcheon had said moments earlier.

-For the same goal.

As Jang Seonyeon repeated those words in his mind, he suddenly recalled what Gu Yangcheon told him before.

-You will die here.

That’s what Gu Yangcheon had said to him.

The memory of those words made Jang Seonyeon clench his fist.

“I don’t understand.

”“Your expression tells me you understood it completely.

Why else would you have come to me?

Just get on with it.

We have to hunt those Demons, after all.

”Hearing Gu Yangcheon, Jang Seonyeon ground his teeth.

Was it his peculiar way of speaking?

Was it that mocking smile on his face?

Or was it the malicious intent he didn’t even bother to conceal?

Jang Seonyeon wasn’t sure if it was Gu Yangcheon’s talent that stood in his way.

No.

He knew the answer all too well.

He had just been pretending not to.

Jang Seonyeon already knew the truth.

Gu Yangcheon’s very existence was the problem.

A talent that seemed gifted from the heavens, paired with the malice he wielded.

From the beginning, now, and into the future, Gu Yangcheon would stand in his way.

Jang Seonyeon needed to stand above everyone else, to shine brighter than anyone.

Yet this bastard had always stood ahead of him, blocking his way—and even outshining him.

Even with the help of the Beggar’s Sect, he could only uncover so much about Gu Yangcheon’s background.

What’s worse, the Beggar’s Sect even seemed to be hesitant on helping Jang Seonyeon, fueling his frustration.

Gu Yangcheon was a giant obstacle that stood in Jang Seonyeon’s way.

Jang Seonyeon spoke, concealing his trembling fists.

“Isn’t it the same for you, Master Gu?

”“What are you talking about?

”“The fact that you were waiting for me.

Aren’t you supposed to hunt Demons as well?

”Gu Yangcheon smirked at Jang Seonyeon’s words.

“That’s right.

I do need to hunt them.

”“Then why don- ““And I’m hunting one right now.

”Jang Seonyeon frowned at Gu Yangcheon’s response.

It was because he didn’t sense any Demons nearby.

“Not everyone is human just because they wear a human face.

When someone is driven purely by instinct, they’re no different from a Demon.

”As always, Gu Yangcheon’s mocking words stabbed right into Jang Seonyeon’s gut.

The emotions held in Gu Yangcheon’s eyes were far too obvious.

The same went for his attitude.

Jang Seonyeon despised how Gu Yangcheon acted recklessly, without a care for how others perceived him.

Jang Seonyeon, on the other hand, was constantly preoccupied with maintaining his kind facade and worrying about how others saw him.

Jang Seonyeon wondered how this bastard could behave so freely.

And yet, despite his reckless behavior, he was always surrounded by people.

Jang Seonyeon began to wonder if he was the problem.

But every time that thought crossed his mind, it only deepened his hatred for Gu Yangcheon.

No, He wasn’t the problem.

That had to be the case.

“So, are you going to kill me then?

”Gu Yangcheon responded to Jang Seonyeon’s words with a flat tone.

“Why are you playing the victim now?

You’re such a funny bastard.

”Jang Seonyeon steadied his emotions before responding, locking eyes with Gu Yangcheon.

“I still don’t understand.

”“What?

”“Why do you hate me?

What did I ever do to deserve so much of your hatred?

”Jang Seonyeon’s frustration was clear, and Gu Yangcheon understood it.

It was true that Jang Seonyeon received the Blood Qi from the Blood Demon and used foul methods to secure his position, but he hadn’t caused any trouble for Gu Yangcheon until the tournament.

His methods have been toxic, but his talent was undeniable.

Even without his underhanded tactics, Jang Seonyeon might have reached the Peak Realm before turning twenty—he was a genius, after all.

Given all this, it made sense that Jang Seonyeon couldn’t comprehend why Gu Yangcheon hated him so much.

“It’s too much to explain.

Just accept it as it is.

”I wasn’t in the mood to explain further.

What would he even gain from knowing why I hate him?

Would he even understand if I told him about my past life?

In this timeline, Jang Seonyeon hadn’t committed those sins yet, and in truth, there were some people I spared because they changed.

Of course.

“You hate me too.

So, let’s call it even.

”It didn’t mean I was going to include Jang Seonyeon as well.

“So, what are you going to do about it?

”“You’re not even going to deny it?

”“…Are you suggesting we fight to the death here?

”“That sounds like a good idea.

But are you confident you can win?

”Jang Seonyeon’s face twisted as he watched me speak with a mocking smirk.

It was oddly satisfying to see his composure crumble so easily.

“…Or are you here to assassinate me?

Even though the Academy instructors are watching from all sides?

”“Tell me about it.

I was wondering about that myself.

What were you planning to do?

”We might be out of their direct sight, but the instructors were definitely scattered everywhere.

Peek.

I shifted my gaze slightly, glancing behind Jang Seonyeon.

There he was, standing.

Cheol Jiseon.

There was something strange about the barrier surrounding him.

It seemed he had cloaked himself in something extra since he wasn’t skilled enough to fully conceal his presence.

What is it?

It didn’t quite feel like a barrier, but I could hear something faint.

Sound Art?

’Oddly enough, it seemed like sound was used.

When I focused, I could make out an echoing sound.

Judging by that, Cheol Jiseon was likely using it to avoid the instructors’ eyes.

It was the same method he had used in my past life.

This only piqued my curiosity further.

As Jang Seonyeon said, there were instructors everywhere around us, so did he have a plan to cover up the mess if he killed me?

He wasn’t the type of bastard to do things when he couldn’t deal with the consequences.

That meant he had an escape plan.

Because of that, I didn’t think the bastard came all the way here recklessly without a plan.

With that in mind, I shifted my gaze back to Jang Seonyeon, tearing my eyes away from Cheol Jiseon.

“You said you don’t understand why I hate you, right?

”“…”“If I had to give you one reason, it’s because I can already see exactly what you’ll do from here on out.

”“What…?

”“You may think that you are doing a good job hiding it, but your nasty greed is so big that it’s visible to my eye.

”I hopped down from the rock I’d been sitting on and continued speaking.

“All of the Young Prodigies, you see them as a joke, don’t you?

”“…”“You believe you can make them all bow to you, because you think you’re that great.

”He was like that in my past life, and I doubted it would be any different this time around.

“You’ll probably join the Murim Alliance after graduating.

Then you’ll start at the lowest rank, despite being the son of the Alliance Leader—because it’ll make you look humble.

”Jang Seonyeon’s expression slowly shifted as I kept speaking.

“It won’t matter to you since you’ll climb the ranks at a rapid pace… and I’m sure the bastards around you will take care of any rumors.

”“…How do you…”Jang Seonyeon quickly covered his mouth.

He had almost asked how I knew all of that.

“And what’s next?

You’ll start saving people from Demons, pretending to be a noble hero.

Up until that point, everything seems fine.

”Saving people.

It was a good thing to do.

Even if Jang Seonyeon was a horrible person, I might have been able to forgive him if that were truly his goal.

But Jang Seonyeon was still Jang Seonyeon.

“The Demon attacks—you’re the one who’s going to orchestrate all of it, aren’t you?

”“…!

”“Of course you would.

”Jang Seonyeon’s eyes widened in shock.

This wasn’t a prediction.

In my past life, Jang Seonyeon was talented—no doubt about that—but even he paled next to Wi Seol-Ah, who became the youngest army captain.

Still, Jang Seonyeon managed to snag the title “Meteor Sword” and became a Captain too.

He was hailed as a hero, swooping in like a comet to save people from Demons time and time again.

To the world, he was the new shining hero.

But I knew better.

Every last Demon attack was staged by Jang Seonyeon.

It was all a twisted performance.

Well, not all of it.

The deaths?

They were real.

The people torn apart by Demons?

All too real.

But Jang Seonyeon playing the hero after rescuing the survivors?

That was pure theater.

And to prove all of this…“…What are you… talking about…”Jang Seonyeon’s face shook, shaken by my words.

“Master Gu, you’re delusional.

How could anyone possibly do such things?

”“Of course, I don’t know.

It’s just my prediction.

”Like he said, how could anyone possibly control when and where a Gate of Demons appears?

But the answer stood right there, in front of me.

It was lurking behind that bastard.

The one who could manipulate the Abyss itself—open and close its gates at will.

Zhuge Jihee.

Whether it was Cheol Jiseon or Zhuge Jihee, whoever that slippery bastard was—Jang Seonyeon owed everything to him.

The world is always hungry for a hero.

The handsome and powerful Jang Seonyeon, with his prestigious background, quickly gained the status of a hero after rescuing others from the Demons.

But in reality, he was feeding people to the Abyss, sacrificing their lives to the Demons to craft his heroic image.

But that wasn’t the only reason I despised Jang Seonyeon.

It was a sad act, but hardly surprising—I had long lost faith in the so-called Orthodox Faction.

I simply wondered.

I wondered if Jang Seonyeon would really be different this time.

His words echoed in my mind.

-What did I ever do to deserve so much of your hatred?

That’s when a thought struck me.

The one I should have killed the moment I met him.

The reason I spared Zhuge Hyuk, the mastermind of the Demonic Cult.

Why did I let him live?

And why, then, must I kill Jang Seonyeon?

I glanced at Jang Seonyeon, his head bowed in silence, and spoke.

“Fine.

I’ll give you a chance.

”“…”Jang Seonyeon hesitated at my words.

“If you walk away now, without causing harm, I might reconsider my view of you.

”Was I searching for a reason to spare Jang Seonyeon?

No.

I simply wanted to rid myself of these contradictions.

The reason why I let Zhuge Hyuk live and the reason why I had to kill Jang Seonyeon.

It was simple.

The Zhuge Hyuk I encountered wasn’t the Man of Heaven from my past life; he was just a boy.

Likewise, I saw Namgung Bi-ah as an individual, not the Demonic Sword—just a girl seeking peace.

I wasn’t a good person.

I knew that better than anyone.

I will kill whoever is necessary.

The bastard in front of me was included in that list, but I still wanted to confirm it.

“How about it?

”Jang Seonyeon remained silent, his gaze still fixed on the ground.

What decision would he make?

I waited, amusement flickering on my face, but my patience waned, and I finally spoke.

“Why don’t you say any- ““It doesn’t matter anymore.

”Jang Seonyeon slowly raised his head.

“…!

”I froze, unable to speak, when I saw his expression.

It was expressionless.

It wasn’t the crumbled expression he had worn earlier, nor the false smile he displayed for others.

It was nothing.

Jang Seonyeon’s face showed no trace of emotion.

Then,Crack-!

“This is…!

”The ground beneath Gu Yangcheon began to shift and warp.

Cracks spread rapidly across the land.

Swoooosh!

As the earth changed, a powerful wind whipped through the area.

Something opened.

As the scene unfolded before him, Jang Seonyeon spoke to Gu Yangcheon.

“This is my first time witnessing it, and it’s just as fascinating as I imagined.

”“You…!

”Gu Yangcheon attempted to move, but his body was paralyzed by the shifting environment around him.

“You won’t be moving so easily now.

”Whatever had opened beneath the fractured earth was strong enough to restrain even a Peak Realm martial artist.

Seeing that Gu Yangcheon was completely immobilized, Jang Seonyeon exhaled and spoke.

“As I thought, I was right to eliminate you.

You’ve been a hindrance from the start.

”Gu Yangcheon’s eyes widened in shock, unprepared for the sudden immobilization.

“So, you planned to kill me from the start?

”“Yes.

I didn’t like those eyes of yours.

”Jang Seonyeon casually swept his hair back, as if growing weary of the conversation.

“It irritated me to see a so-called young prodigy from a worthless clan stare at me like that.

”“…”“And I didn’t want to admit it, but you really did possess monstrous strengths.

”Jang Seonyeon’s lips curled into a cold smile as he spoke.

“How annoying it was…”He was a completely different person now, a far cry from the façade he wore at the Academy.

“You asked earlier how I was going to go about doing this with all these instructors here, yes?

”“You…”“It wasn’t easy, I’ll admit.

So I decided to put on a grander show.

I even found someone who shares my interests.

But none of that concerns you.

You’ll be gone soon enough.

”The cracks in the earth widened slowly, taking on a distinct shape as they spread.

It was strange, the way the ground beneath me shifted into form, but there was no mistaking it—it was the gate to the Abyss.

Jang Seonyeon marveled at the gate, shaped by human hands.

“As I expected… I was right to find you.

You will be essential for me from now on.

”He was more satisfied than he ever could have imagined.

A shiver ran down Jang Seonyeon’s spine, overwhelmed by the sheer power emanating from it.

Even Gu Yangcheon wasn’t able to move an inch inside.

I told you, I wouldn’t let you escape.

Jang Seonyeon wanted to put him on his knees.

He hadn’t achieved that yet, but for now, this was enough.

At least, he could watch him disappear right before his eyes.

Soon, the world and Wi Seol-Ah would be his—“Is this enough for you?

”“…What?

”Just as the gate to Abyss had fully opened, a calm voice, entirely different from before, interrupted Jang Seonyeon’s thoughts.

“What did you just… ““Hey, you can close it now.

”The moment Gu Yangcheon spoke,Swoosh!

Gu Yangcheon vanished in an instant before Jang Seonyeon’s eyes.

But he shouldn’t be able to mo-“Cugh!

”Jang Seonyeon’s vision blurred as his body convulsed violently.

When his sight returned, he realized he was atop the gate, having been dragged there by Gu Yangcheon.

“Y…Yo… You…!

”“I’m glad.

”Gu Yangcheon smiled brightly as his hand clenched around Jang Seonyeon’s throat.

“If you’d chosen to leave quietly, it might’ve been more troublesome for me.

”“H…How.

”Craaack-!

As terror gripped Jang Seonyeon, the Gate of Demons beneath him began to stir.

It seemed like a sticky swamp, yet at the same time, it felt like a giant mouth, ready to swallow him whole.

“Surprised that I managed to move?

”“L-Let go…!

”“I was surprised by it too.

Somehow, I was able to move through it.

But that’s not really what matters here.

”“I told you, to let me go at once!

At this rate, you will also-!

”Despite Jang Seonyeon’s panic, Gu Yangcheon only continued to smile.

“I was planning to go there anyway.

Bet you didn’t know that, did you?

”“What do you…!

”“How about we go on a journey together.

”At Gu Yangcheon spoke, still smiling,Chooomp-!

The gate to the Abyss snapped shut, swallowing them both in one violent motion.