Childhood Friend of the Zenith
Chapter Summary
The final color in the ranking of demonic beasts: green, blue, red, and white. For ages, white-ranked beasts had not appeared alongside the red-ranked ones. For example, the Mist Dragon (Murong) that Shin Noya had slain had blanketed an entire region in mist upon its death, transforming it into an uninhabitable forest.
The creature's appearance was strikingly similar to Dol-dol's riding dragon, though not identical.
Its head shape was eerily similar, but the body was completely different.
While Dol-dol resembled a snake, this creature’s body was more akin to that of a tiger or lion, with a tail reminiscent of a serpent—a hybrid monstrosity.
Looking at the bizarre beast, a single thought arose.
White.
The final color in the ranking of demonic beasts: green, blue, red, and white.
For ages, white-ranked beasts had not appeared alongside the red-ranked ones.
Even in his past life, Gu Yangcheon had never encountered one.
"What the hell is that…?
"The words escaped his lips in disbelief.
"Grrrrrrr—!
Aaaaaahhh—!!!
"Its deafening roar sent vibrations through his body.
The creature was enormous, covered in gleaming white scales.
Its size was so vast it seemed as if several red-ranked beasts had combined into one.
Even a single red-ranked beast was larger than most buildings, so how could one describe a creature of this magnitude?
Gu Yangcheon grimaced as he assessed it.
Crash—!
The sheer weight of its movements caused tremors that rippled through the surroundings.
Boom!
An iceberg crumbled, and the nearby forest was obliterated.
Historical accounts described white-ranked beasts as calamities that could bring disaster just by existing.
‘If something like that moves, of course it’s a catastrophe.
’It felt as though a mountain was alive and moving—not quite as grand as Mount Tai, but close.
‘Where in the world did that thing come from?
’Crack—!
Amidst the piercing cold, the beast continued its rampage.
"Aaaaah—!
"Boom!
Its tail lashed out, crushing people beneath it.
In its wake, only pulverized remains were left.
Gu Yangcheon extended his senses and shifted his gaze.
‘The Magyeong Gate?
’He couldn’t be entirely sure if this was truly a white-ranked beast.
However, if it were a demonic beast, it must have emerged from the Magyeong Gate.
But there was no sign of a gate opening.
Which meant—‘It was already here.
’Where had it been hiding?
A creature of this size couldn’t simply be concealed.
‘Is it really white-ranked?
’He couldn’t think of any other possibility.
Never before in his past life—or throughout recorded history—had such a beast been witnessed.
White-ranked beasts were rare, but their impact was anything but small.
For example, the Mist Dragon (Murong) that Shin Noya had slain had blanketed an entire region in mist upon its death, transforming it into an uninhabitable forest.
The Water Dragon (Suryong), defeated by Tang Jemoon, had unleashed torrents of water that created a massive river infested with beasts near Sichuan.
Even the Burning Cliffs near Xingang were the result of Kwon Wang Yeon Ilcheon slaying the Great Fire Dragon (Taihwaryong).
These creatures had the power to reshape geography, and their strength was on that scale.
Facing it now, Gu Yangcheon understood.
‘How the hell did they kill something like this?
’Hearing tales of Shin Noya single-handedly slaying a white-ranked beast had seemed plausible then, but now it felt absurd.
To kill that alone?
Shin Noya’s feats suddenly seemed even more incredible.
The problem was—‘Tsk.
’He didn’t have the luxury to dwell on it.
"Kraaaaahhh—!!!
"The beast let out a feral scream, turning its attention toward something.
In the chaos, Gu Yangcheon followed its gaze.
"Shit.
"The beast was targeting someone.
Gu Yangcheon recognized her instantly.
Amid the fleeing crowd, Namgung Bi-ah was visible.
Tang So-yeol carried her on her back.
The beast’s trajectory was headed straight for them.
"Grrrrrr—!!!
"It closed the distance quickly, swinging its massive fist-like appendage.
Gu Yangcheon reacted instantly, launching himself forward with all his strength.
Boom!
"Grrrk!?
"His fist struck the beast’s head, causing it to recoil slightly.
The loud impact echoed as its head swayed from the blow.
But—‘Damn it.
’Gu Yangcheon scowled, feeling the resistance from his punch.
‘It didn’t go through.
’The sensation confirmed it—the attack hadn’t landed properly.
Just as red-ranked beasts had a protective barrier-like coating, this one’s body was similarly shielded, rendering his attack ineffective.
And then—Whoosh—!
"…!
"Something was rushing toward him.
The beast’s tail.
For a creature of its size, even its tail was as large as a typical red-ranked beast.
‘It’s fast.
’Despite its bulk, the tail moved with startling speed.
Dodging was impossible.
Gu Yangcheon raised his energy, erecting a wall of qi in an instant.
Swoosh!
Boom!
A force from afar struck the beast’s tail, diverting it.
Taking advantage of the moment, Gu Yangcheon landed on the ground.
As he steadied himself, the one who had deflected the tail approached him.
"Your return seems a bit rough.
"It was Paejon.
He had used his fist-strength technique to save Gu Yangcheon.
"…What’s going on?
"Without a word of thanks, Gu Yangcheon asked about the situation.
Paejon chuckled as if he had expected the bluntness.
"What is that thing?
""Good question.
I was sleeping peacefully, but that thing had to interrupt me.
""Interrupt?
"If Paejon had been disturbed in his rest, that meant—‘Did it attack the hideout?
’A white-ranked beast suddenly assaulting their hideout?
The situation made no sense, but the energy emanating from the creature was undeniable.
He already knew the answer.
‘Mang.
’The beast’s body was drenched in Mang’s energy.
Thickly so.
The reason Gu Yangcheon had flown here, leaving Woo Hyuk behind, was the same—the lingering traces of Mang’s energy.
Whatever had happened, Mang was behind this.
‘If you’re going to die, why not just die cleanly?
’The situation was becoming increasingly troublesome.
"Kraaaaahhh—!!!
"The beast roared again, shaking the ground with its voice.
‘What a mess.
’Suppressing a curse, Gu Yangcheon surveyed the area.
Countless people were trembling in fear, paralyzed by the beast’s overwhelming presence.
In the midst of it all—"Young Master!
"A soft voice called out.
Turning, Gu Yangcheon saw Tang So-yeol approaching, carrying Namgung Bi-ah on her back.
Namgung Bi-ah appeared unconscious, her condition visibly dire.
Seeing this, Gu Yangcheon’s brow furrowed.
Tang So-yeol, her voice trembling, spoke to him.
"My sister…!
""What happened?
""She… She protected me and…""…"Gu Yangcheon raised a hand, cutting her off.
"Later.
"Now wasn’t the time for lengthy explanations.
"Her condition?
""…!
"Tang So-yeol hesitated but quickly responded.
"She wasn’t struck in any vital areas.
I think her injuries worsened after being buried under debris.
""I see.
"He suppressed the boiling emotions within him, forcing himself to remain calm.
Now wasn’t the time to lose his composure.
Just then—"Father—!!
"A cry echoed nearby.
"Father—!!
""Princess, please…!
"It was Yuri, held back by soldiers as she screamed toward the beast.
Gu Yangcheon turned to Paejon and asked directly.
"Is the Palace Lord dead?
"Had the beast killed the Palace Lord?
Was that why Yuri was crying out?
"Hmm.
"Paejon paused, seemingly deliberating.
"I’m not sure.
"His answer was ambiguous.
"I haven’t fully assessed the situation.
But from what I’ve heard… it’s less that the Palace Lord was killed, and more…"Swoosh.
Paejon gestured with his hand toward the massive beast.
"That thing… they say it is the Palace Lord.
""What?
"Gu Yangcheon stared at the demonic beast, stunned.
‘The demonic beast is the Palace Lord?
’It sounded absurd, completely nonsensical.
Yet, hearing it made details he hadn’t noticed before begin to surface.
"Kraaaaah—!!!
"The monstrous roar reverberated, carrying an unmistakable energy.
Mang’s energy.
And then—‘…So that’s what it meant about its body.
’Mang had infused his energy into Woo Hyuk and mentioned that his original body had been preserved in another Ice Essence.
Now that Mang had been destroyed, the timing of the energy’s emergence aligned perfectly.
“Tsk.
”Was this Mang’s physical body?
But if so, what did it mean that it was now the Palace Lord?
He didn’t know.
But there was no time to dwell on it.
With a sharp crack of his knuckles, Gu Yangcheon took a step forward.
"Are you planning to take it down?
" Paejon asked.
"Yes," Gu Yangcheon replied with a firm nod.
Even as he spoke, doubt lingered.
He was exhausted, and running away seemed like the most logical course of action.
But—‘…It doesn’t sit right.
’In his past life, he had never seen a white-ranked beast.
No matter how far away the North Sea was, an event of this magnitude would have left traces—if the beast had been hunted successfully, someone would have heard about it.
If there was no record of it, then—‘This mess is something I caused.
’Mang’s death had destabilized the Ice Essence and triggered this catastrophe.
That meant part of the responsibility lay with him.
"Kraaaah—!
"The beast lunged toward him.
Boom!
Its massive maw opened wide.
Crackle—!
"…Huh?
"Energy began gathering in its jaws.
A chill ran down Gu Yangcheon’s spine.
Danger.
His instincts screamed at him.
Whoosh—!
Suddenly, he felt himself being yanked by the collar and lifted into the air.
He didn’t even have time to react.
The moment his feet left the ground—KABOOM—!!!
An incomprehensible burst of energy swept across the ground.
Crack!
Crackle—!
In an instant, the surface froze solid, the freezing energy spreading rapidly.
Suspended in the air, Gu Yangcheon widened his eyes as he watched.
"That thing’s insane," he muttered.
"That’s my line, you idiot," Paejon sighed, having appeared beside him.
"If you see that, you run immediately.
What were you thinking, just standing there gawking?
""I reacted as quickly as I could….
" Gu Yangcheon muttered defensively.
Paejon had been faster, grabbing him by the collar and throwing him into the air.
That was what saved him.
Though, admittedly, the attack’s speed had been dodgeable.
"Hah….
"Paejon sighed deeply, shaking his head at Gu Yangcheon’s excuse.
"Fine, I get it.
You’re saying you want to take it down.
"He cracked his neck and started stretching.
"Are you joining me?
" Gu Yangcheon asked.
"Heh.
"Paejon laughed dryly at the question.
"…It’s the curse of having a reckless student.
If my disciple insists on stepping into a death trap, what choice do I have?
"Death trap.
Hearing the term from Paejon was rare.
If even he deemed the situation nearly impossible, then it truly was dire.
"Then why not stop me?
" Gu Yangcheon countered.
"If it’s that bad, why go along with it?
"Paejon clicked his tongue, making sure Gu Yangcheon could hear his displeasure.
"Stopping you wouldn’t work.
And besides…"He paused, looking directly at Gu Yangcheon with a mix of exasperation and pride before softening his expression with a slight smile.
"I’ve never taught you how to run away, and I have no intention of starting now.
""…"It sounded like something profound, but seeing Paejon’s expression, Gu Yangcheon couldn’t feel moved at all.
‘…Judging by his face, this old man’s just enjoying himself.
’The excitement on Paejon’s face was unmistakable.
It was the same look he had whenever he fought seriously—or beat his students senseless.
That clear emotion was almost terrifying.
"Oh, and one more thing, disciple," Paejon added.
"Yes?
""Explain what’s going on with your body later.
"Whoosh—!
With that, Paejon vanished, his figure blurring out of sight.
"…Ha.
"Left alone, Gu Yangcheon let out a hollow laugh.
So much for keeping things subtle.
Paejon had immediately noticed the changes in his cultivation.
‘What a sharp old man….
’Tricking him was as difficult as ever.
As Gu Yangcheon prepared to launch himself toward the beast, something fell to the ground with a soft thud.
"Hm?
"He looked down and saw a red jade bead.
It had fallen from his robes, likely from a torn pouch during the chaos.
Without bending down, he used his energy to lift the bead into the air.
Hum—!
The bead floated before him, faintly glowing.
‘What’s this…?
Ah.
’He remembered.
It was something Madam Mi had given him before he left for the North Sea.
‘She said to use it in dangerous situations.
’He had never asked how to use it or what it did, just that it was for emergencies.
It looked like an ordinary red jade bead, but he suspected it was a powerful artifact.
The faint light emanating from it suggested it reacted to energy.
After a moment of deliberation, Gu Yangcheon tucked the bead back into his robes and leaped after Paejon toward the beast.
He had no intention of using it.
Though the situation was dangerous, using the bead would mean admitting to Madam Mi that he’d been in peril.
For some reason, that thought bothered him.
So he decided against it.
Firmly resolved not to use it—though he had no idea just how simple its activation would be, nor what the artifact’s true effects were.