Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A curse upon humanity.

I mulled over Noya’s words.

‘A curse.

’What sort of curse could it be?

‘The warriors’ strength has diminished?

’The power gained by martial artists had, according to Noya, dropped significantly across the board.

This left me with several questions.

Was it that their limits had lowered?

Or was it the strength itself that had decreased?

I didn’t know.

But if what Noya said was true—‘Then we’re in trouble.

’It meant that things ahead would be unimaginably challenging.

The abilities that came so easily to warriors in Noya’s time were now unattainable.

That was…‘They couldn’t even defeat the Blood Demon with that level of power.

’It was a downright nightmarish situation.

‘Well, the Blood Demon is still sealed…’At least, that was what I tried to tell myself.

But based on the Blood Demon’s reactions and its attempts to break free, I had a feeling that wasn’t quite true.

The Blood Demon seemed to be in a state where it could break the seal at any time.

Despite this, it was biding its time, as if…‘It’s waiting for something.

’It felt as if it was just holding out for the right moment.

But what could that be?

And then—‘And what about Cheonma?

’It wasn’t just the Blood Demon that posed a problem.

Cheonma was a threat too.

Exhaling sharply, I twisted my body, feeling the ground compress beneath my feet.

Crack—under the pressure, the ground caved in.

Inside me, the energy of Tua Pacheonmu surged and twisted.

Pain crept in.

Even though I’d undergone metamorphosis, the pain still remained.

It still hurt, and the suffering was ever-present.

But this level of pain?

I barely blinked.

I stretched out my arm.

Boom!

A shockwave burst through the air where my fist moved.

And with it—Fwoosh—A burst of blue flame flickered briefly.

“Tsk.

”I clicked my tongue.

That flame hadn’t come out because I wanted it to.

‘It’s hard to control…’Was it because my body had merged with this strange blood energy?

Every martial technique I used seemed infused with fire.

Not that it was entirely bad.

Compared to the usual crimson flames I used, this blue flame was overwhelmingly powerful.

What’s more, the usual recoil from using my blood energy was now gone, along with its side effects.

Infusing my martial arts with the Nine Flame Wheels’ fire strengthened my techniques, making it beneficial in combat.

But—‘It’s hindering my training.

’The state made it hard to train in Tua Pacheonmu.

With flames emerging in every move, I couldn’t fully concentrate.

Pat, pat.

I shook out my hands, redirecting the energy of Tua Pacheonmu from my limbs back into my heart.

‘Hmm.

’Looking around, I released my Qi Distortion technique, returning my body to its original form to check my physical condition.

Though my elevated vision made me a bit dizzy, I’d somewhat adjusted after the recent battle with Paejon.

Getting hit had taught me a lot, but when I checked on my own, I discovered other things.

‘It seems that using Qi Distortion does strain me.

’This became apparent in my fight with the Hermit.

Unable to reveal my true body, I’d had to use my previous form by force.

At first, I’d thought Qi Distortion wouldn’t consume too much energy, so I didn’t see it as a problem.

But—‘It’s much more of a hassle than I thought.

’It turned out that the impact of Qi Distortion on my body was much greater than I’d anticipated.

‘It’s not the energy itself—it’s the hassle of maintaining it.

’Normally, it wasn’t an issue.

But constantly using Qi Distortion to maintain an altered body was an annoyance.

Even though it used only a small amount of energy, I had to keep re-centering myself to sustain it.

During battle, it was bothersome.

‘…Should I just let it go?

’Should I just abandon it and live as I am?

That thought crossed my mind.

‘Probably not…’There were too many problems with that.

The biggest issue?

I’d stand out too much.

I touched my cheek, feeling a strange sensation as my fingertips brushed my skin.

‘…Tsk.

’From a distance, I looked like any other person, but up close, the differences were clear.

My skin had subtly transformed.

‘Not as bad as my arm, though…’It wasn’t as severe as my left arm, with its altered color and scales, but my skin had still changed.

‘And my hair and eye color, too.

’Perhaps because of the changes in my Nine Flame Wheels technique, both my hair and eyes, which had been gradually turning red, had shifted to blue.

How was I supposed to explain this back home?

‘Especially with Father here.

’Of all people, the last person I wanted to explain this to had shown up.

Should I just run away?

Really, should I just go?

This seemed like the perfect opportunity for the long-awaited escape.

For a moment, I seriously considered it.

At this point, it seemed like I could just take off without any issue.

However—"[Is that really the best you can think of?

]" Noya interrupted, as expected, bringing me back to reality.

Then common sense kicked in, reminding me that it was far too late for that.

‘…With things as they are, shouldn’t I be allowed to run?

’It was a joke, but Noya didn’t respond.

The old man seemed at a loss for words.

Effort would be enough.

That was always Noya’s belief.

But if even the heavens denied me that chance, I had no path forward.

The more I thought about it, the more unfair it seemed.

‘They just threw a fit over a small failure.

’They’d blocked every path, all because things didn’t go exactly their way.

It was frustratingly petty, but in the midst of it all, a question arose.

‘Noya.

’"[Yes?

]"‘So, Lady Tang called it a curse?

’"[Didn’t I already say so?

]"‘Whatever, anyway.

’Now wasn’t the time to argue over that, but even now, Noya was quick to nitpick.

His keen perception was annoying.

‘If that’s the case, then so be it, but I still have my doubts.

’"[What do you mean?

]"‘No, just…’Noya explained it as the world casting a curse to lower the quality of warriors, based on what he’d heard from Tang Jemoon.

‘…Something.

’Something else nagged at me.

-What do you think happens to a world without its master?

This was something both Yeon Ilcheon and the Blood Demon had spoken of.

A world that had lost the master who should’ve reigned over it.

That was the world we lived in now.

And this mad world seemed determined to overturn that reality.

When I considered their reckless actions, it wouldn’t be surprising if a curse or something worse had been laid upon it.

‘A world without its master—is that really fine?

’The thought weighed on me.

If the master of this world was a central connection to all life…Then with the master gone, could this world truly be okay?

‘Could it be that this isn’t a curse… but rather an effect of that absence?

’Assuming human limits had decreased, I couldn’t help but wonder if that was the true reason.

‘…But it doesn’t matter.

’Right now, there were other things to focus on.

‘Noya.

’"[Yes…?

]"Calling on him, I tightened my grip, and Eternal Bind responded, moving on my left arm.

A subtle shift.

At my will, Eternal Bind began to flow and move.

It slithered down my arm, wrapping around my hand until it formed a shape resembling a knuckle guard.

Unbreakable, indestructible.

Using Eternal Bind’s power, it became a formidable weapon.

And—‘This feels comfortable enough.

’Its texture was similar to that of a bandage, making it an ideal weapon for someone like me who disliked clunky knuckle guards.

If I could grow accustomed to it, Eternal Bind would be a valuable asset.

I’d already tried it once, and it proved effective.

“So, the world cursed humanity, right?

” I asked.

"[Yes, and?

]"“Then here’s what I want to know.

What about me?

”"[What?

What do you mean?

]"“I’m no longer human, am I?

”"[…!

]"Why did I feel so calm, despite hearing something so shocking?

I’d pondered this throughout my training, but I couldn’t understand it.

It was just—I didn’t feel as affected as I’d expected.

“If it’s a curse upon humans… shouldn’t I be unaffected now?

”"[…What?

]"Noya looked at me as if he couldn’t believe what I was saying.

But that was how I felt.

If it was a curse meant for humans, then perhaps I wouldn’t be affected anymore.

‘I’m not human anymore, after all.

’Admitting it was tough, and I loathed the thought.

But if I wasn’t human anymore, wouldn’t that mean I was free from it?

Of course—"[It’s not something so simple, I imagine.

]"Noya was right; it likely wasn’t that simple.

Even so, I found myself hoping it would be.

"[Young one.

]"“Yes?

”"[I don’t understand.

Why are you happy about this?

]"“Happy?

”"[Yes… Why?

]"Happy?

Checking myself, I touched my mouth.

Sure enough, the corners of my lips were slightly raised.

It wasn’t a situation to smile about, so why was I?

I thought it over carefully.

“…Ah.

”After a bit of thought, I understood why I was happy about this.

It must have been a sense of relief.

Relief that, since I wasn’t human, I might be free from the curse.

That was probably it.

Was it because I could grow stronger on my own?

Perhaps.

After all, there was something enticing about moving forward while everyone else was held back by their limits.

But—That wasn’t why I was smiling now.

The reason I was smiling was because, if I could grow stronger on my own…‘I’d have a reason to bear the burden alone.

’A reason to endure it alone without dragging others down.

Sure, it annoyed me that I’d have to struggle on my own, but knowing that the people I cared about might be spared—Oddly enough, that thought brought me relief.

"[Young one.

]"Noya’s voice held a note of pity.

‘Don’t look at me like that.

I’m honestly fine with it.

’"[Who said I was looking at you that way?

]"‘You’re probably just feeling guilty that I’m the one who has to clean up after you.

’"…"Noya didn’t respond.

It was obvious.

Even with his stubborn and petty nature, he wasn’t truly a bad person.

‘Don’t worry about it.

While I’m at it, I might as well clean up your mess too.

’"[Quit calling it a ‘mess,’ will you?

It’s unsettling.

]"‘A mess is a mess.

’I knew why Noya seemed a bit subdued recently.

Though they had sealed the Blood Demon, they hadn’t properly dealt with it.

As a result, their descendants were suffering from its influence.

That guilt weighed on him.

But—‘Why?

’I didn’t understand it at all.

They’d done everything they could to seal it away, so why couldn’t they just proudly leave the rest for us to handle?

Why feel guilty?

I called it a “mess” as a joke, but in truth, that’s how I saw it.

The only issue was that I’d end up dealing with the aftermath.

But as I’d said before—‘If I’m going to stop this bloodshed, then it’s unavoidable.

’Knowing that Cheonma had connections to the Blood Demon, and having seen in other worlds that even the Divine Sword was somehow linked to it—And then—‘Even the Martial Alliance is entangled with the Blood Demon.

’Based on their blood energy, it was obvious.

Whatever I did, it would eventually lead me there.

So there was no need for Noya to feel so guilty.

I’d do it because it needed to be done.

My reason hadn’t changed.

In fact, wasn’t this a relief?

‘At least it’s me, not them.

’It was fortunate that the ones who had to fight through the muck weren’t the ones who deserved peace and happiness.

"[Speaking of which, young one.

]"“Yes?

”"[Are you sure it’s fine to leave that one as is?

]"“That one…?

Ah!

”I was about to relax my stance when I remembered who Noya was talking about.

Thunder Fang.

Or rather, whatever it was that was inside Thunder Fang, something that seemed to be pretending to be Namgung Myung.

I’d left it in the drawer and stepped out.

It had been so noisy that I’d shoved it in the drawer.

Conveniently, the further I went, the quieter it got.

“Isn’t that a blessing?

If it had clung to me like you do, my ears would’ve been in for it.

”Since the Hermit dumped it on me, I figured I could just leave it there.

It didn’t feel right to give it to Namgung Bi-ah just yet.

‘…It’s a headache just thinking about it.

’The thought of Thunder Fang made my head ache.

As a weapon of the Namgung bloodline, only those it chose could wield it.

Why had it accepted me?

It was all so convoluted.

I’d tried to look into it, but Namgung Myung had been so noisy I’d just stashed it away.

"[You really are something else.

]"Noya seemed surprised that I’d actually stowed it away, but—‘It’s not like we’re going to be friends anytime soon.

’To be honest, I felt indifferent about it.

It wasn’t even a weapon I’d planned to use.

And besides—‘I’d like some peace and quiet.

’I already had one cranky old man to deal with; that was more than enough.

"[You brat…]"The whole situation was complicated enough as it was.

‘…And then there’s tonight.

’There was also the matter with Father.

The shock of seeing him suddenly appear in Sichuan was overwhelming.

And then he’d said he’d be back tonight to scold me, telling me to prepare.

‘I really just want to escape.

’It was a thoroughly frustrating situation.

Honestly, I’d prefer to get scolded, deal with it, and get it over with.

But he’d disappeared, saying he had business to attend to, leaving me to stew in anticipation.

‘Where on earth did he go?

’It was baffling enough that he’d shown up out of nowhere.

Where could he have gone in Sichuan?

I couldn’t help but wonder.

******************Sichuan Province.

At its center stood the Baekhwa Trading Company’s Sichuan branch, one of the most dazzling buildings in the area.

The entrance was framed with lavish decorations, and well-trained staff filled the premises.

It was no surprise; after all, the head of the trading company, Mi Horan, was known for her zero-tolerance approach, overseeing her staff with meticulous precision.

And overseeing this Sichuan branch was the branch manager, Daemokri, who had recently been indulging in grand aspirations.

The reason?

Daemokri, feeling the effects of age, was beginning to sense his own obsolescence creeping up on him.

With performance slipping and rumors circulating that his attempts to curry favor had reached the higher-ups, there was talk of selecting a new branch manager for Sichuan.

As unease brewed with each passing day—“What… did you say?

”“It’s… It’s the eldest son of the Gu family.

He’s here.

”“What could bring someone like him here?

”The eldest son of the Gu family.

He had arrived.

Not a legitimate child of Mi Horan, not even born of the main family, yet he was the sole male heir of the Gu family and a likely successor to the position of family head.

Rumor had it that, due to his extraordinary talent, he had recently earned the nickname “So Yeomra”—the Young Flame King.

And, supposedly, he was the youngest to achieve Haegyeong rank.

Of course, Daemokri dismissed this as a joke.

A martial artist under the age of twenty reaching Haegyeong?

It sounded absurd.

But regardless—The key point was that he had come.

Within the company, there were whispers that the head showed particular favor to him.

For Daemokri, it was an opportunity he couldn’t refuse.

Perhaps he could score a few points and secure his position.

It was supposed to be a casual meeting with that aim in mind.

“Mother will be pleased.

”Recalling Gu Yangcheon’s words, spoken with a bright smile, Daemokri felt a shiver run down his spine.

The atmosphere he exuded—The way his words and gaze constricted him without effort.

They were said to share no blood, yet Daemokri couldn’t help but sense the same intimidating aura that Mi Horan projected in Gu Yangcheon.

What he did understand was—‘…This is an opportunity.

’It might be a chance, an opening for him to align himself with the eldest son.

Principles as a merchant?

Pride built over the years?

Daemokri knew none of it mattered.

Gaining a client like him was a monumental chance.

The problem, however, was that he couldn’t provide what Gu Yangcheon desired.

And with the oppressive air radiating from Gu Yangcheon, Daemokri realized he had no choice.

He decided to align himself with the eldest son.

When he heard that Gu Yangcheon had sent a message to Baekhwa’s head as promised, Daemokri felt assured he had made the right decision.

That was only a few days ago.

“I heard the young master conducted some transactions here.

”Now, Daemokri regretted that decision.

“G-Gu family head… th-that… you see…”If he had known that choice would lead to this situation, he would never have made it.

“You don’t have to answer.

”Though Daemokri was only now realizing his mistake—“But I would advise you to respond.

”“…”“Because I’m not certain I can hold back.

”It was already too late.