Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Huuuk—!

The hallway was filled with a chilling cold.

Tududuk—!

The sound of the palace collapsing echoed amidst the aftermath of a fierce battle.

While silence prevailed, faint and subtle noises reverberated within.

Drip.

At some point, even those faint sounds stopped.

A stillness had descended.

Suddenly, all noise ceased.

Even the raging cold was no longer felt.

I didn’t panic.

I simply stared at the woman in my grasp.

Her lips, streaming blackened blood.

Her rolled-back eyes exposed as she lay unconscious.

Though it was clear she had lost consciousness—[How did you know?

]—she spoke to me.

What was peculiar was that it wasn’t the voice of the woman, whose tone I’d always thought elegant.

Instead, a deep, gruff male voice reached my ears.

Hearing it, I smirked.

“Oh, yeah.

Nice to meet you too.

”[…]The entity went silent for a moment at my greeting.

Her frozen expression gave no hint of her thoughts.

Not that it mattered to me.

Seconds passed.

[I’ll ask again.

]It questioned me once more.

[The ninth pureblood.

][How did you know I was within the Apostle’s body?

]Hmm.

I furrowed my brows at those words.

There was already a wealth of information packed into that brief sentence.

Apostle.

Ninth Pureblood.

I had to consciously suppress the corners of my mouth from curling upwards.

I spoke to the entity.

“An Apostle, huh… So this woman is your Apostle?

”[Haha-.

]The thing let out a short laugh.

[I know you’re not surprised.

Are you really going to play this ridiculous charade?

]Ah, I’ve been caught.

Indeed, as it said, I wasn’t particularly shocked.

I’d experienced so much in life that events like this hardly fazed me anymore.

Moreover, this was something I had somewhat anticipated.

I didn’t know about the Apostle or the Ninth Pureblood part, though.

My assumption had simply been that there was something inside Yuseon.

I had noticed that it was related to the Ice Essence, but beyond that, I knew nothing.

[Do you intend to not answer my question?

]Hearing the words, I tilted my head slightly.

What a terribly impatient personality.

“It wasn’t exactly a groundbreaking mystery.

”Even what I had deduced wasn’t hard to figure out.

The reason was simple.

Because—“This woman.

”Yuseon.

“She doesn’t cut it.

”She was too weak to be a dragon.

[Cut it?

]“That’s right.

She doesn’t cut it.

”Though I’m not in a position to say, Yuseon lacked too much to be called a dragon.

That was my first suspicion.

In the past, I might not have known.

But after several bouts and battles with her, I realized it.

I don’t know the principle or effect of her Authority, but Yuseon, when wielding it, was strong.

However, compared to when she wasn’t using it, the difference in her level was stark.

…Not bad, but not outstanding either.

She wasn’t that strong.

Ah, of course.

Considering her age, she might be considered extraordinary.

But compared to me, she was lacking.

While she had reached the Hwagyeong level, compared to the superhuman standard of a dragon, she was feeble.

Without her Authority, she wasn’t much different from a regular martial artist.

Though calling someone at Hwagyeong a regular martial artist sounds odd.

Regardless, that’s how it was.

Calling her a dragon felt like a stretch.

The recent battle confirmed it.

‘She’s not cut out to be a dragon.

’While Yuseon undoubtedly possessed exceptional talent as a human, she didn’t seem qualified to become a dragon.

That led me to think: What happened to make Yuseon a dragon?

The reason she overcame the barrier and became a dragon.

And yet, though she’s called a Pureblood, Yuseon isn’t a Pureblood.

I wanted to know why.

Writhing.

When Greed briefly consumed her Authority, I finally noticed something.

‘There’s something inside her.

’Yuseon was harboring something.

Just like me.

What was it?

What could it be that she harbored?

What made it so faint, yet so vivid?

What was certain—‘It’s this thing that made her a dragon.

’That much was clear.

And with that certainty, I didn’t have to ponder long.

Because Greed had already made me familiar with its energy.

I couldn’t not recognize what I’d sensed just moments ago.

The Ice Essence.

Yuseon carried the aura of the Ice Essence.

That wasn’t unusual.

After all, the bloodline of the Ice Palace inherently wielded ice arts.

Carrying an aura similar to the Ice Essence was natural.

As the Palace Lord mentioned—‘While the Ice Essence’s curse lingers in the bloodline, its aura is expected.

’But what I felt in Yuseon was different.

It was far more twisted.

Far denser.

What could it be?

I had been curious for so long, but now—“Meeting like this is refreshing.

”[…Heh.

]Acting slightly (?

) more assertive had finally paid off.

“What should I call you?

Ice Essence?

Will that suffice?

”*[Call me whatever you want.

That’s not the point.

]Crack!

“…!

”Kwoooooom—!!

Ice spikes erupted from the ground, forcing me to leap back just in time.

Thuk, thuk, thuk—!

The spikes tore through the ceiling, forming a barrier-like structure.

“What’s this now?

”*[The distance felt a little too close for a conversation.

]Crunch.

As it spoke, Yuseon’s body began to change.

Her twisted form was forcefully regenerating.

Ripped skin healed.

Shattered bones mended.

It was a crude, violent spectacle.

*[Pleased to meet you, Ninth.

I am the Third Pureblood.

]Crunch.

Even her previously crushed torso was fully restored.

[I am called Mang (망).

]“Mang.

”Hearing its words, I recalled Yuseon’s use of her Authority.

-Mang…!

She’d uttered something like that when using her Authority.

That must’ve been its name.

And also—‘The Third Pureblood.

’Referring to me as the Ninth while numbering itself suggested—“So there are seven others besides you?

”Excluding Yuseon, who isn’t a Pureblood, there must be more who bear the title.

To my query, Mang responded.

[There were, long ago.

]A past-tense answer, accompanied by affirmation.

Long ago.

“So, they’re gone now?

”*[Haha.

]Mang chuckled briefly.

[Gone.

Except for one… no, two now.

]The number increasing to two likely referred to me.

But who was the other one?

Moreover—‘There were eight Purebloods.

Seven disappeared, and one remained.

’That seemed to sum up the situation.

Such ancient matters aside, what mattered now was the thing standing before me.

This thing—‘Isn’t the Blood Demon.

’It wasn’t the Blood Demon.

Having faced the Blood Demon before, I could tell.

The aura felt similar yet distinctly different.

Why was that a problem?

‘The Ice Essence was supposedly left by the Blood Demon.

’The so-called Dragon King they mentioned was, in my view, the Blood Demon.

He had left the Ice Essence in the North Sea, triggering the eternal cold.

But if this thing wasn’t the Blood Demon—‘Then what the hell is this?

’It was a perplexing situation.

“What are you?

What are you doing in her body?

And what is a Pureblood?

”The Ninth Pureblood.

I still didn’t fully understand what a dragon was, let alone what Purebloods were.

‘The Palace Lord said dragons broke their vessels and rose above.

’That was a cryptic statement.

The idea that only eight, excluding me, had undergone such a process was remarkable.

To this, Mang replied:[An odd thing, Ninth.

You seem mistaken about something.

]Mang’s voice carried a chill.

[Why would I answer such questions for you?

]It had no intention of answering me.

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but scoff.

“You’re prickly, aren’t you?

You could share a little.

”[Do you think I hold goodwill toward you?

]“You’re a Pureblood too, aren’t you?

Can’t we help each other out a bit?

”As I spoke, I glanced at the ice barrier in front of me.

Could I break it?

I was just debating whether to try when—[Alike?

How absurd.

]Mang continued.

Its voice was thick with an inscrutable chill.

[You are a distortion.

An existence that should never have been.

]I frowned at Mang’s words.

An existence that shouldn’t have been?

“What do you mean by that?

”[We were meant to be eight from the beginning.

That was the rule established by the world.

]Only eight were meant to exist.

This was supposedly a rule?

It made no sense to me.

“You say that, but seven are already dead.

Wouldn’t that mean the numbers naturally get filled?

”Ha.

Mang let out a laugh, as if my response was utterly absurd.

[The fact that you fail to understand this is proof that you are a distortion.

]I didn’t reply this time.

Instead, I adjusted my posture and threw a punch.

With a burst of energy, my fist slammed into the barrier.

Bang—!

Crack—!!

The punch sent cracks running through the wall, scattering fragments.

A few more hits, and it would likely shatter.

[Such violence...

]“Keep talking.

I’ll keep doing what I need to do.

”It wasn’t a threat.

I simply thought this was something I had to do.

“So, what’s your point?

”I clenched my fist again and asked, “If you’re not going to tell me what I am, then shut up.

”I wasn’t frustrated or annoyed as I had been in the past, wondering why I wasn’t getting answers.

If you’re not going to say anything, then fine.

“I’ll figure it out myself.

”Even if that meant taking cruel and violent measures, I was more than willing.

Boom—!

The barrier shook violently.

My fist had sunk deeper, and the cracks had grown wider.

Just one more hit.

This time, I decided to put in a bit more strength.

I concentrated my energy for a heavier strike when—[Stop.

]Mang’s words made me pause, and I turned to look at him.

“What?

Do you have something to say now?

”Was he finally ready to speak?

I tilted my head and waited, but—[Cease this pointless behavior.

We don’t need to do this.

]“That’s still not an answer.

”I swung my fist again without hesitation.

BOOM—!!!

A larger shockwave rippled through the corridor this time.

Watching the scattering debris, I glanced sideways.

He’s not counterattacking.

Even after all this, there was no retaliation.

What could that mean?

Was it because it wasn’t worth it?

Or—Maybe he’s in no position to counterattack.

It could be either.

But—Whatever.

I’d find out if I kept punching.

This time, I decided to use Heart Fist (심권) and stirred my soul.

Ssshhh—!

A faint vibration rippled through my soul as I prepared to strike the barrier again when—[We share the same enemy.

]I froze.

Mang’s words made me stop mid-motion.

“Keep talking.

I’m listening.

”…I kept my energy charged, ready to break through the barrier at any moment.

[Do you not intend to confront the Dragon King?

]Now that was interesting.

That statement implied several things: First, the Dragon King wasn’t him.

Second, he knew I was preparing to face the Blood Demon, not Cheonma.

And lastly, it subtly hinted that his enemy was also the Blood Demon.

If the Dragon King was truly the Blood Demon, that is.

Feigning ignorance, I asked, “The Dragon King?

I heard he left you here.

What’s your connection to him?

”…Mang remained silent.

Seeing this, I shifted my elbow slightly.

[The reason the Purebloods went from eight to seven was because of him.

]“Oh.

”Now, that was valuable information.

The reason the number of Pureblood dragons had dwindled—It was because of the Blood Demon?

“Explain.

What do you mean?

”[He devoured the other Purebloods for his own greed.

]I furrowed my brow.

That statement could only mean one thing.

The Blood Demon was one of the Purebloods.

The being who first appeared as a calamity in Zhongyuan, who had been lurking in secret for centuries, even planting blood energy in me—That same dragon—‘Devoured the other Purebloods?

’And now, he had left this thing, Mang, here.

Why?

“Why did he leave you here?

”If he devoured the others, why spare this one?

That was the critical question.

Because—“The Ice Essence...

it’s your heart, isn’t it?

”…Mang fell silent at my words.

The Palace Lord had described it as the Dragon King’s egg or heart.

But I had said it was only half-correct.

The reason was simple.

‘It’s not the Dragon King’s heart.

’It was infused with immense energy, a power so vast I couldn’t fully grasp it.

But its essence was fundamentally different from the Blood Demon’s power.

So, whose energy was it?

Looking at Mang as I pondered the mystery, I realized the answer.

‘It was all this guy’s power.

’The energy within the Ice Essence belonged to Mang.

Why the Blood Demon had left it here, I didn’t know.

But one thing was certain—it wasn’t his power.

I decided to ask, “Why do you think we share the same enemy?

”[It’s simple...

]Mang spoke.

[The Dragon King intends to devour all the Purebloods.

He will come for you, too.

Thus, he is your enemy as well.

]A straightforward reason, indeed.

Yet it was enough to pique my interest.

“Why?

Why is he devouring the other Purebloods?

”Dragons were said to be arrogant beings.

Seeing their kin often bred hostility, leading to inevitable clashes.

But the fact that Mang specifically referred to Purebloods suggested there was more to it.

[To grow stronger.

To achieve what he desires...

he needs power.

]“What is it he desires?

”[I cannot say.

]BOOM—!

…!!

My fist shattered the barrier further.

One more hit—just one more strike, and it would crumble completely.

“Then keep your mouth shut.

”[Truly, you are incorrigible...

]“I’ve lived a rough life.

Patience isn’t my strong suit.

”[I’ve already told you—we don’t need to fight like this...

]“If you want to act like an ally, you should’ve just explained properly.

The way you’re going about this, it’s like you’re asking for a fight.

”Half-answers were exhausting.

If he wouldn’t talk, I’d simply get rid of him.

‘And honestly...

’Looking at Mang, I thought to myself,‘He doesn’t feel trustworthy.

’Though I paid attention to what he said about the Blood Demon and Purebloods, I wasn’t particularly attached to his words.

Hearing about the Ninth and Third Purebloods was interesting, sure.

But—‘It’s unsettling.

’If he was truly desperate, he would’ve said something concrete by now.

Instead, he seemed to be playing his own game.

It wasn’t blatant, but there was a sense of manipulation.

That made any curiosity I had dissipate.

‘What a hassle.

’I was tired of this.

Repeating these meaningless questions.

So I decided to keep things simple.

The simplest solution.

“If I beat him, maybe he’ll start talking.

”I’d make him talk until he spilled everything.

That was usually the most effective approach.

Huuuk—!

Surrounding my fist with fiery energy, I prepared for a final blow.

[You truly are an obstinate one.

]Crack—!!

“…!

”A sudden gust of icy wind forced me to leap backward.

It was an overwhelming cold, incomparable to anything Yuseon had emitted.

After putting some distance between us, I looked at Mang again.

[Just as you interest me, I too find you intriguing.

]Mang, in Yuseon’s body, began to speak again.

[A Pureblood born in defiance of the rules.

A power that devours Authority itself.

How could I not be interested?

]“So, I’m quite the anomaly, huh?

”[More than just an anomaly.

Your power far transcends logic.

It’s as if...

]Mang, still in Yuseon’s form, pointed a finger at me.

[...

you were chosen to stop the Dragon King.

]A power designed to face another dragon.

The implication was so clear, I couldn’t help but laugh.

If what he said was true, then—‘What does the world want from me?

’What did this world desire from someone like me?

The Blood Demon, a calamity unleashed upon the world.

If he had survived and sought to fulfill his will again, wouldn’t the world have to support him?

*[I will tear his throat out and devour him.

][...

not only devoured me, but crushed my heart and abandoned me in this land.

I will make sure he pays.

]Mang’s voice carried seething rage.

[So, I can align with you.

We can help each other achieve our goals.

]“You called me a deviation from the rules.

Can we really work together despite that?

”[Regardless, you are still a Pureblood.

]Mang shifted his posture, no longer pointing at me.

Instead, it extended its hand as if to offer a handshake.

*[Ninth.

Join hands with me.

Together, we can overcome the Dragon King.

]“Hmm.

”I feigned contemplation, pretending to mull over the idea.

Join hands?

“And how do you plan to help when you’re sealed inside the Ice Essence?

”I asked, voice laden with doubt.

[The Dragon King made one mistake when leaving me here.

]Mang spoke as if to reassure me, dismissing my concerns.

“What mistake?

”[Though he sealed my body and energy within the Ice Essence, he didn’t realize...

][...

that I would have the opportunity to recover my energy over time.

]Mang’s words made me frown.

Its body and energy had been split and sealed?

That explained the overwhelming energy I’d sensed within the Ice Essence.

‘So that’s why.

’The immense power within the Ice Essence was Mang’s.

What’s more, this sounded oddly familiar.

In the past, an old hero of Shaolin, Cheolyeong, had mentioned something similar.

‘The Blood Demon’s senses, body, and energy were torn apart and sealed separately.

’The parallels were uncanny.

Could it really be a coincidence?

‘Maybe, or maybe not.

’It could just be a coincidence, or perhaps it was all connected in some way.

But what bothered me more was something else—something far more significant.

I looked at Mang and asked,“The Ice Essence is supposed to prevent the eternal cold, right?

But I’ve heard the other half is causing the cold.

Is that your doing?

”[Huh?

]Mang tilted its head slightly, seemingly amused by my question.

[A strange thing to ask.

]Its expression suggested it thought my question was nonsensical.

[Of course.

It was necessary for me to recover my energy.

]“...

”Hearing its response, I wiped all emotion from my face.

So, the eternal cold caused by the Ice Essence?

The Ice Palace clan’s life force being drained to maintain the balance?

That was all intentional.

[That was his greatest mistake.

]Mang laughed.

[Perhaps the Dragon King intended to retrieve me once I’d fully recovered, but he couldn’t have known he’d seal himself as well.

Thanks to that, I’ve had time to recover.

][Now, only a little remains.

I will resurrect soon.

So join hands with me, and we can...

]“No thanks.

”[Hmm?

]I shook my head.

That was all I needed to hear.

[Ninth...

]“That’s enough.

I wasn’t planning on working with you anyway, but now I’m certain.

”I smirked.

“It’s because you’re such a piece of shit.

You make me sick.

Get lost.

”Ha.

Mang let out a hollow laugh.

[You truly intend to go about this the hard way...

]Mang trailed off mid-sentence.

[You...

what are you doing?

]It had likely noticed my actions.

Whoooosh—!!

A wave of heat surged around me.

I formed a swirling sphere of flames above my hand, preparing to hurl it at my target.

But my focus wasn’t on Mang, who inhabited Yuseon’s body.

It was on the ground below.

Or rather, on the distant depths where immense energy emanated.

That had to be it.

The location of the Ice Essence.

[You can’t be—!

]Mang reacted with a harsh tone, seemingly realizing my intentions.

I met its gaze and gave a sly smile.

“I’m coming to meet you now.

”With that, I hurled the blazing sphere at the ground.

KABOOM—!!!

An explosion ripped through the earth, leaving behind a massive crater.