Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Thunk-!

Thunk thunk-!

“What’s that?

”A sound woke me up.

My ears felt strangely muffled.

Thunk-!

The sound reverberated again.

I instinctively covered my throbbing forehead and looked around.

“Huh?

”I was taken aback.

As I regained clarity, the scene before me was disorienting.

“What is this?

”Everything was white.

The entire world seemed to be painted over in stark white.

At first, I thought it might be snow.

‘But it’s not snow.

’It wasn’t snow.

It was simply… a white world.

I touched the ground.

The texture beneath my fingers felt peculiar.

‘What is this?

’It was too soft to be stone, yet too odd to be soil.

It was something indescribable, an unknown substance.

That seemed like the most fitting judgment.

I furrowed my brow, scanning my surroundings.

‘Where am I?

’Why was I suddenly in a place like this?

What was I doing before waking up here?

I tried to recall what happened just prior to this.

“Ugh…!

”A sharp pain in my head interrupted me, forcing me to clutch it tightly.

Whenever I tried to remember, the pain would hit first.

Damn it.

What kind of hell is this now?

“Shit…”I shook my head against the pain and stood up.

From a standing position, the world looked even whiter.

It was more unsettling, inexplicably eerie.

It felt like I was standing in a place that shouldn’t exist.

As I kept surveying the surroundings—“Huh?

”I spotted something far away.

At the center of this white world, someone stood.

Was it a person?

The shape was humanoid, but I couldn’t be sure.

Because—‘…Flames?

’It was human only in form.

The figure was entirely engulfed in flames.

And not just any flames—familiar blue flames.

‘That’s…’Yes, I knew it instinctively.

I recognized it.

Those flames were mine.

“What is this?

”I muttered without meaning to.

Then—“…!

”The figure, which had been gazing at the sky, turned its eyes toward me.

That wasn’t all.

“How does it feel?

”The fiery figure not only looked at me but spoke.

“What?

”“I ask how it feels to live among such pitiful creatures.

”I frowned at the words.

“Who the hell are you?

”Why had it suddenly appeared, spewing nonsense?

Was this a dream?

If so, what kind of absurd dream was this?

As I stared at it in disbelief—“Disgusting.

Revolting beyond measure.

”The flame ignored my question, spouting its own thoughts.

“You shattered the vessel and soared to the heavens, so why do you dwell among the worms on the ground?

”Its words were laced with questions, brimming with disdain.

Something about those words made me feel oddly familiar.

‘Where have I heard this before?

’For some reason, it felt like I’d heard these kinds of words, this tone, somewhere before.

And those flames… they were undeniably mine.

As I pondered this—“Oh.

”I finally realized what this thing was.

It wasn’t just anything.

“You… Could it be you’re Bloodlust?

”“…”It fell silent at my words.

I was right.

It was the creature that, years ago, had tried to consume my body when I ventured into the afterlife.

Back then, it had taken on the form of a demon beast, but now, for some reason, it had become fire.

“So you’re alive?

I thought I finished you off.

”I had been certain I’d consumed it entirely back then.

How was it still alive?

Was this another space inside my mind or body?

And that sound—Thunk-!

Thunk-!

‘What’s with that noise?

’A deafening rumble that felt like it could shatter the world itself.

It was far more distracting than the creature in front of me.

I couldn’t explain it, but it gnawed at my nerves.

“Ignorant wretch.

”The creature’s words snapped me back to it.

“You’ve forgotten your purpose and live in oblivion.

You’d have been better off surrendering your body to me.

”“What nonsense are you spouting?

Why are you even here?

”If it had been devoured, it should have stayed quiet, but why now?

“Do you want to fight me again?

”Was it hoping to reclaim my body?

I asked with that intent.

“Hah.

”It laughed mockingly.

“The vessel already belongs to you.

The opportunity was only once.

I am merely a spectator now.

”“Then just stay a spectator.

Why bother showing up?

”If it was alive, it should have been grateful and stayed tucked away in some corner.

Its appearance now had to mean something.

“You’ve been wasting yourself with meaningless pursuits, so I’ve come to warn you.

”“Warn me?

”“Think carefully.

”The flames flickered more intensely.

“Understand what you truly are.

”“What does that mean?

What am I?

”I retorted in frustration.

The flames answered decisively.

“Do you think the wretches around you could ever understand you?

”I froze.

Its words struck a chord with the doubts I’d harbored for so long.

I was no longer human, yet the people around me were.

While I consoled myself by saying that only my body had changed, not my mind, the gulf between us had always lingered.

And the flames had zeroed in on that.

“They will never understand you, and you will gradually cease to understand them.

”Nonsense.

That’s what I wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come.

Did it sense my hesitation?

“You may suppress your instincts, but deep down, you already know.

”The flame smirked.

“Know just how superior your species is.

And how insignificant the vermin around you are.

”“Shut up.

”“That is the nature of difference between species.

”The flames rested its chin on its hand, mimicking my posture.

It irritated me.

“Until you acknowledge that truth, your path will remain closed.

”“Stop spewing crap and speak clearly.

”I ground my teeth.

What was the point of this?

Was it really asking me to admit I was better than humans?

‘What utter nonsense.

’How could anyone agree with such arrogant, vile words?

And that’s supposed to open some kind of path?

“I’ve never been blocked to begin with, you bastard.

”“That’s what you want to believe.

”My irritation grew.

I lashed out, gripping its throat.

Crack—!

Though I held it tightly, its smirk didn’t waver.

“What now?

Resorting to force when words fail?

How typical of ‘us.

’”“…If you’re going to keep spouting bullshit, just disappear.

I don’t want to hear it.

”Whirrr—!

I poured all my strength into my grip.

My heart reverberated as if something inside was responding.

The flames began to flow into my hand, being absorbed.

It was the Demonic Sky Absorption Technique.

The creature didn’t resist, almost as if it wanted this.

As it was being drawn in, it spoke.

“I do not recognize you.

”“What the—”“You’re nothing but an unworthy imposter sitting where you don’t belong.

”“Then what do you want?

”“One thing.

”Crunch—!

“…!

”It grabbed my wrist.

“This time, I’ll help you.

”“What the hell—!

”Before I could finish, heat surged through my body.

Fwoosh—!

“Gah…!?

”A searing heat overwhelmed me, intense enough to cause even me pain.

“You bastard… what are you doing…?

”“If you hadn’t entangled yourself in such pointless affairs, I wouldn’t need to help.

”I tried to back away, but my body wouldn’t move.

The heat consumed me, spreading throughout my body.

Inside the inferno, its voice echoed.

“Remember.

”The words etched themselves into me, like a brand.

“Devour any kin who invade your domain.

”The heat climbed higher, reaching my head.

It burned and burned, leaving only ashes in its wake.

Was this death?

It felt like it, but I wasn’t afraid.

Instead of fear, I felt something else.

What was this emotion?

As the thought lingered, I realized it.

“Do not forget.

”Yes, it wasn’t fear.

“We are not human.

We are dragons.

”It was exhilaration.

****************Thunk-!

‘Ah.

’The heat coursing through my body began to subside.

Boom—!

Thunk—!

As the heat dissipated, the oppressive sensation clouding my vision lifted.

What just happened?

What in the world had transpired?

It felt like a dream—vague, distant, yet vividly etched into my memory.

What the hell kind of mess was that—Boom—!

“Gah!

”As I tried to make sense of it, a sudden pain ripped through me, making my body stagger.

Barely catching myself, I stabilized my posture.

If I hadn’t, I might have toppled over completely.

“What the hell… ugh…”I was just beginning to wonder what kind of situation this was when—Pain engulfed me.

This was different from the searing heat I had felt earlier.

Now, the pain was everywhere—inside and out.

Even my skin throbbed.

And my bones?

Just the slightest movement made them ache as if they’d been crushed.

What the hell?

Did I spend the entire day getting beaten to a pulp or something—Crash!

“Ugh!?

”Instinctively, I raised my arm to block from the left.

A heavy impact struck, the sound of the collision ringing out as my body was shoved sideways.

Something had hit me.

And not just anything.

‘That sound…’The harsh, echoing sound of the impact.

It was the same vibrating noise I’d heard in the white world just moments ago.

‘Oh, come on.

Is this…?

’The noise I’d thought was strange?

Was that the sound of my own body being pummeled?

Damn it.

No wonder it sounded so ominous.

I’d thought something was breaking.

Turns out, that something was me.

I turned my gaze.

I needed to see who was hitting me like this.

“Huh?

”A familiar figure came into view.

A man stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching me.

Black hair.

A composed and almost gentle appearance.

It was Paejon.

“Elder…?

”“Oh.

”When I addressed him, he responded.

“It seems your tone has changed.

The discipline is starting to take effect.

”“What?

”“Just earlier, you were calling me all sorts of things—‘vermin,’ ‘trash,’ ‘insect.

’ Hmph.

”“What are you talking about?

”I said that?

To Paejon?

‘…Did I?

’I couldn’t remember.

Why was Paejon even beating me in the first place?

Questions flooded my mind, and then fragments of memory surfaced.

“Oh…”The hair ornament I’d picked up in the snow—the one belonging to Namgung Bi-ah.

From the moment I saw that ornament, my memory was blank.

Had I lost control?

Gone berserk?

And because of that—‘…Did I actually say those things to Paejon?

’Insects, trash… Did I really talk to him like that?

Was that why I was in this state now?

Even imagining it made me feel faint.

The area around me was already a disaster zone.

The ground was pockmarked with craters, as though someone had slammed it repeatedly.

And flames burned atop the cold snow.

Anyone could tell—those flames were mine.

Drip.

Something wet slid down the corner of my mouth.

When I wiped at it, I realized it was blood from my nose.

I must have taken quite the beating.

Gulp.

Swallowing nervously at the chilling situation, I heard Paejon chuckle as he spoke.

“I told you, didn’t I?

A few hits would jog your memory.

”“W-wait a second, Elder.

”“Experience never lies.

Isn’t that right?

”“I’m sorry!

I must’ve lost my memory for a bit—!

”Whoosh—!

I turned my head just in time.

Paejon’s fist brushed past where my face had been.

BOOM—!!

The air seemed to explode.

How does punching the air even make a sound like that?

Sweat trickled down my back.

“I’m telling you, I’ve come to my senses!

”“No, my disciple.

You’ve yet to truly come to your senses.

”“You’ve got to be kidding me.

”Looking into Paejon’s eyes, I realized the truth.

He was furious.

I didn’t know exactly what he’d heard, but it had enraged him beyond reason.

“The fact that you’re still using such crude language proves you haven’t learned your lesson.

”“I’m serious!

I’ve regained my senses, so just—!

”Bang—!

I couldn’t block this one.

His fist drove into my side, and it hurt like hell.

But there was no time to dwell on the pain.

Before the full force of the blow could settle in, I twisted my body to deflect the impact.

Whoosh—!

I tried to disperse the force by rotating my body, but—At that moment, Paejon seized my joint, throwing off my balance.

My vision began to tilt.

In front of me, I saw his next punch coming, already mid-swing.

In this position, there was no way to block it.

With my heightened senses, I could see countless threads of energy extending from Paejon, interweaving like an impenetrable net.

Finding a way through was impossible.

I was screwed.

If I didn’t handle this properly, I could die.

That thought flitted through my mind.

‘I can’t block, and I can’t dodge.

’Then what could I do?

Thinking was pointless.

When all options are gone, there’s only one thing left.

If I couldn’t defend or evade, I had to attack.

Somehow, I needed to force Paejon back and create distance.

Whrrr—!

With that decision, I reached for my energy.

‘Damn it…!!

’But there was nothing.

Not a trace of the immense energy I’d once wielded remained.

How much had I burned through?

My reserves were completely dry.

All that was left was a sliver.

Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t be enough.

But right now, I had no choice.

Wuuuu—Gathering what little energy I had, I funneled it into my fist.

Whether it would work or not, I swung with all I had.

And then—“…!?

”Paejon halted his attack and abruptly turned his head.

Why was he suddenly reacting like that?

Just as the thought crossed my mind—Fwoooosh—!

Something erupted from my fist.

Shreeeeeeech—!!!

A chilling sound ripped through the air as if reality itself was being torn apart.

And then—KABOOOOM—!!!

The peak of the glacier behind Paejon was obliterated.

“…What…?

”Holy crap.

What the hell was that?

****************A dark and silent chamber.

A place devoid of light, shrouded in stillness.

At its center stood a grand throne, immense in size and stature.

It had once been the seat of the ruler of the North Sea, the sovereign of the Ice Palace.

But now, seated upon that throne was someone else.

Sssssss—The frigid air filled the hall, as it always did, carrying the biting chill of the North Sea winds.

Among those icy gusts—Rumble… Rumble…A faint vibration trembled through the air.

And with it, a trace of warmth began to seep in, blending faintly with the cold.

This warmth was alien, utterly incompatible with the frost.

The drifting heat mingled with the icy air, swirling and brushing past the throne as it moved.

And then—“…Hmm…”The figure seated on the throne slowly opened their eyes.

In the darkness, pale blue light emanated from their gaze.

“This energy…”Perhaps stirred by this sensation, the corners of their eyes subtly curved into a smile.

“Well, now… An unexpected guest has arrived.

”Their voice, tinged with amusement, echoed softly.

Chuckle, chuckle.

Each laugh sent cold mist curling from their lips.

The figure rose from the throne slowly, deliberately.

Step.

They stepped down from the throne, their footsteps echoing in the vast chamber.

Their face bore a faint expression of delight.

“Yes, I was beginning to think it was too easy to be any fun.

”They had thought it too simple.

It hadn’t been meant to be so easily attained, after all.

Just as their interest had begun to wane, this had happened.

The figure continued walking.

Ahead of them knelt another figure.

At the center of the chamber, before the throne, someone was kneeling on one knee, their head bowed low.

The figure on the throne smiled more deeply as they looked at the kneeling person.

“Even a festival needs some excitement, don’t you agree?

”“…”“Not that you’d understand even if I explained.

But that doesn’t matter.

”It was of no consequence.

Events had already been set in motion.

And the figure had no intention of stopping them.

“Biwhaegun.

”At their call, the kneeling person lifted their head.

Meeting their gaze, the figure spoke again.

“Did you complete the task I entrusted to you?

”“…Yes.

I have carried out your orders to the letter.

”“Good.

”The figure nodded at the reply.

“I trust your word, so I won’t bother confirming.

But just in case…”Their voice trailed off, and their pupils narrowed into slits, like a reptile’s.

The young man kneeling before them bit his lip as he met that gaze.

“I hope there’s no deceit.

After all, it would be unfortunate if something were to happen to what you hold dear, wouldn’t it?

”“…Yes.

I will bear that in mind.

”The young man lowered his head once more, his voice subdued.

“Go now.

There’s still work for you to do, isn’t there?

”“…”The command given, the young man rose to his feet.

The sword at his waist, marked with the insignia of Wudang, clinked softly as he moved.

The figure watching him let out a faint chuckle.

It was a task they could have undertaken themselves, but they had chosen not to.

Precious gifts were best saved for later.

For in the anticipation of opening them lay the greatest joy.