Childhood Friend of the Zenith

—Run!

—Rumble!

—Aaaaaah!

The streets of Hanam, once beautiful.

As the most developed area in Zhongyuan, it had always been bustling, day and night.

But now, Hanam was in ruins.

Buildings collapsed, and the streets were reduced to rubble under a sudden attack.

Market stalls that had lined the roads were long destroyed.

Shops and inns at the heart of Hanam crumbled under the onslaught.

—Destroy them!

—Push forward!

Don’t hesitate!

Men dressed in black rampaged, sparing neither buildings nor people.

Where had these attackers come from?

Why was the sky so ominous?

And why were they trapped in this nightmare?

People wondered, but there was no time for answers.

Disasters never came with explanations.

“D-Dad....

” “Shh—!

” A young girl sobbed in her father’s arms.

Fearing they would be heard, he held her even tighter.

They hid behind a collapsed wall, barely breathing.

“...

H-Hic...

hic....

” His daughter’s terrified breaths were shallow and rapid.

Covered in sweat, the man turned to look back.

The men in black combed the area.

Were they searching for survivors?

‘Please....

’ Clenching his eyes shut, the father prayed.

They might find them any second.

He had to survive—no, his daughter had to survive.

As the thought crossed his mind— —Crunch.

“...!

” Footsteps approached from behind the wall.

‘Dear gods....

’ His body trembled.

They would be discovered soon.

Should he grab his daughter and run?

Would they even make it?

The attackers were martial artists.

They’d catch him in an instant.

Maybe begging for mercy was better.

Pleading for his daughter’s life might work.

Desperation clouded his thoughts as— —Step.

The footsteps drew closer.

“...

” With trembling hands, there was only one thing he could do.

He prayed.

He had promised his daughter when this began.

Don’t worry—the Murim Alliance protects this land.

Nothing will happen to us.

That’s what he had said.

‘But when...?

’ When were they coming?

—Help us!

Cries of despair echoed from every direction.

What was the Alliance doing?

The father’s fear turned to despair as the footsteps drew closer— —We’ve found them!

Over here!

Hope shone from afar.

Figures in light blue robes appeared, surrounding the area.

Those robes bore the emblem of the Murim Alliance—the protectors of Hanam.

They were pulling someone out of the rubble.

It looked like the innkeeper.

Not far.

‘...

Please!

’ Find us.

Save us.

Desperately, he prayed.

“...!

” Their eyes met.

The martial artists of the Alliance locked eyes with him.

They were saved.

That was the first thought that crossed his mind.

The Murim Alliance would rescue him and his daughter.

Relief flooded his heart.

‘Huh...?

’ But his hope soon turned into despair.

The martial artists—the ones he had trusted— ‘Why...?

’ They looked away.

Even after seeing him, they ignored him.

Focused on helping the innkeeper, they didn’t spare him a second glance.

They had seen him.

He had prayed so hard for this moment.

Why were they abandoning him?

‘Why...?

’ Despair wrapped around his throat like a noose.

Still— “Please save us!!

” He couldn’t give up.

Maybe they didn’t hear him.

Maybe he had imagined their gaze.

His mind screamed no, but he couldn’t stop.

“Please!

Save us!!

” His desperate cries drew movement from behind.

The attackers had noticed him.

“Even if not me...

my daughter...

Please, save my daughter...!

” Pouring his soul into his plea, the man shouted.

Even if he was stabbed in the back, as long as his daughter survived— That was all that mattered.

But— —Damn it....

The martial artists hesitated, looking between the innkeeper and the man.

—Commander...

Their hesitation revealed their struggle.

—This terrain isn’t suitable for combat.

Our priority is evacuating the innkeeper.

—But...!

—That’s an order.

—...

The Alliance warriors exchanged a few words and then moved quickly.

“Wait!

No—wait!!

” The man screamed in despair.

They were abandoning him.

The Murim Alliance—their protectors— Why were they leaving them?

It was unreal.

Like a nightmare.

And in that nightmare— “Ha...

haha.

” A sinister laugh came from behind.

The man turned stiffly.

The attackers approached, sneering at him.

“Abandoned, huh?

” The man clutched his daughter tightly.

He had to run—but his legs wouldn’t move.

“M-My daughter’s still young...

S-She’s just a child....

” His trembling voice fell on deaf ears.

One of the attackers glanced at his daughter.

For a moment, his expression softened— “My daughter was just that age too.

” Hope sparked.

Would sympathy work?

“But she was killed by those righteous bastards.

” And it died just as quickly.

“She was beautiful...

I still remember her voice calling out to me.

” His voice dripped with venom.

The hatred was palpable.

“You trusted the Murim Alliance?

” The attacker sneered.

The scars on his face—burned and disfigured—came into focus.

“If you did, that’s why you’re going to die.

” “P-Please...!

Kill me if you want—just spare my daughter!

” The man begged, clutching his daughter as the sword rose— —Fwoosh!

Blazing light filled the space.

—Boom!

Warmth surrounded them.

Had he died?

No—he wasn’t in pain.

Slowly, the man opened his eyes.

“H-Huh?!

” Flames danced around them.

Blue, crackling flames.

They weren’t burning—only shielding.

“What is this...?

” His daughter touched the fire.

“Daddy, it’s warm.

” “No!

Hye-yeon, don’t!

” He grabbed her quickly.

But— ‘Huh?

’ The flames weren’t hot.

And where was the attacker?

Confused, he heard a voice.

“Hey.

Don’t touch that.

” Through the flames, a figure stepped forward.

“You’ll burn your hands off.

” —Fwoosh!

The flames vanished, revealing the scorched ground and the attacker’s charred remains.

“Dad?

” His daughter called out, but he could barely react.

He moved to shield her eyes— “I can’t see anything.

What’s happening?

” The girl’s eyes were already covered.

The ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) blue flames that had flared earlier were shielding her vision.

Seeing this, the man quickly turned his gaze to the one who had saved them—the source of the flames.

“Th-Thank you, Honored...

Hero.

” He started to bow, but paused.

The figure was far younger than he had expected.

A young man with black hair and piercing blue eyes.

Barely an adult—perhaps in his early twenties, at most.

And yet— ‘...

I’ve seen him before.

’ No, rather than having seen him directly, his appearance seemed familiar.

A martial artist at that age wielding flames like this...

Surely not— “S-So Yeomra...?

” “Hmm.

” The young man, Gu Yangcheon, frowned slightly at the nickname.

No matter how many times he heard it, it never felt natural.

‘Guess I’ll just have to get used to it.

’ But there was no choice.

He had to accept it.

“You seem to recognize me, so no introductions are necessary.

” “Ah...

Thank you—thank you so much....

” The man trembled as he bowed repeatedly.

Gu Yangcheon looked at him with a slightly uncomfortable expression.

“No need to thank me.

Just remember this.

” “...

Huh?

Remember...?

” “So I can bring it up later.

Make sure you don’t forget.

” “O-Oh...

Okay....

” The man didn’t quite understand, but he nodded anyway.

Seeing that, Gu Yangcheon smirked and shifted his gaze to the girl in the man’s arms.

“Hey.

” His voice was sharp enough to make the girl flinch.

“Listen to your dad and stay alive.

” “...

Y-Yes...

T-Thank you....

” Terrified, the girl stammered as she replied.

Her words came out garbled, her tongue tripping over itself.

At least her eyes were still covered, so she wasn’t crying yet.

For a moment, Gu Yangcheon considered patting her head.

‘Tch.

’ But his hands were still dirty with blood.

Touching her with them didn’t feel right.

Suppressing the impulse, he turned to the man and said, “If you head north, the Hwangbo Clan’s men are stationed there.

Ask them for protection.

” “The Hwangbo Clan...?

” “Yes.

They’ll be a better option than the Murim Alliance.

” “...

” The man’s eyes trembled at those words.

Normally, the Murim Alliance would be the safer choice.

But he couldn’t bring himself to voice that thought.

Distrust filled his gaze.

Gu Yangcheon noticed and added, “Just head that way.

That’s all.

” “Ah...

Honored Hero, could you perhaps...

” The man hesitated, trying to make a request.

“Sorry, but I’m busy.

” Gu Yangcheon cut him off before he could finish.

He already knew what the man wanted.

To accompany them and ensure their safety.

But that wasn’t an option.

“There are still a lot more people to save.

” “...

” Hearing the reason, the man stopped himself from asking further.

Instead, he bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Honored Hero.

Truly, thank you.

” “Enough with the thanks.

Just get moving.

” Gu Yangcheon waved dismissively.

The man quickly picked up his daughter and hurried away.

As their figures disappeared into the distance— “...

” Gu Yangcheon frowned.

‘Thank you.

’ The words weighed heavily on him.

He had intended to hear them, but he didn’t feel deserving of them.

‘Tch.

’ He looked around.

The area was charred black.

He had burned everything far too thoroughly to even attempt cleaning up the mess.

‘...

I need better control.

’ It wasn’t easy.

Fighting to save people— ‘How the hell would I know how to do that?

’ He had burned countless enemies to ashes before, but saving people?

That was uncharted territory.

‘...

Damn it.

’ If he had been free to annihilate everything, it would’ve been easier.

But having to control his power, restrain it, was exhausting.

It almost made him want to quit on the spot.

—Thank you.

“...

” The words lingered in his mind, wrapping around him uncomfortably.

‘Snap out of it.

’ He forced himself to stay sharp.

‘You think you’re some kind of hero?

’ No.

This situation was his doing.

This wasn’t a rescue—it was cleanup.

He wasn’t a hero.

He was only pretending to be one.

Steeling himself, Gu Yangcheon bit his lip and started moving.

—Fwoosh!

Flames surged around him as he leapt into the air.

Time was running out.

And there was still too much to do.

***************** —Rumble!!

A building collapsed, scattering debris.

“Haaaah...!

” People screamed, cowering below.

—Fwoooosh!!!

A massive blaze swept through the falling wreckage.

“Eek...!

” The sheer size of the flames startled everyone.

But the fire consumed the debris, preventing any casualties.

However— Not everything was stopped.

—Boom!

Another chunk of debris came crashing down.

This time, there were no flames to block it.

“Hnnngh!

” —Thud!

Huge figures emerged, clearing away the rubble.

Clad in yellow martial robes, they were the warriors of the Hwangbo Clan.

Seeing this, Gu Yangcheon gestured with his hand.

—Fwoooosh!!!

Flames erupted in response.

The flames spread instantly, covering the entire area.

It looked like an inferno ready to consume everything.

It was a terrifying sight—one that suggested everyone might be burned alive.

But that didn’t happen.

“...

It’s not...

hot.

” “Mother!

Are you okay?!

” Despite the fire surrounding them, no one screamed in pain.

The blue flames merely passed over the civilians.

And then— “Gaaahhh!!

” “Nooo!

Aaaah!!

” The flames ignored the civilians and targeted only the attackers, incinerating them where they stood.

‘Two in front.

Three more beyond.

One on the upper right.

’ Gu Yangcheon’s eyes darted around, his senses expanding.

Cold sweat dripped down his back.

‘Fuck.

’ This was exhausting.

Controlling the flames to avoid civilians while targeting only enemies— It was far harder than he had imagined.

This was no simple feat.

A proper war would have been easier.

‘Huff.

’ He steadied his breath and moved the flames again.

The fire flared toward another figure, but this time it veered away.

‘Blue armband.

Confirmed.

’ Black robes embroidered with purple—but with a blue armband on the left arm.

It marked a member of the Iron Night Assassins who had infiltrated the enemy ranks under orders.

The flames avoided him and burned the others instead.

After several rounds of this— —Fwoosh!

Gu Yangcheon finally lowered his hand.

“Haa....

” It seemed brief, but it had taken longer than expected.

Judging by how much energy he had spent, it was evident.

Breathing heavily, he bent forward as the tension drained from his body.

—Crumble...

Buildings collapsed one by one.

He had been too focused on protecting people to spare a thought for the structures.

Years of work crumbled before their eyes.

People should have been devastated.

But instead— “Th-Thank you!!

” “Thank you so much...!

” They were too busy expressing gratitude for surviving.

“There’s no time for this!

Evacuate immediately!

We’ll guide you!

” Before the civilians could calm down, the Hwangbo warriors stepped in and led them away.

“Honored Hero...!

Thank you!

I won’t forget this debt...!

” “So Yeomra!

” “...

” The voices calling out gratitude felt irritating.

Gu Yangcheon waved them off dismissively.

‘This power stands out too much.

’ The blue flames were already eye-catching, but using them in such a large-scale rescue effort only drew more attention.

It was like free publicity—perfect for spreading his name.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he muttered, “...

Give me a status update....

” His voice carried traces of exhaustion.

The man in the blue armband, now kneeling before him, answered, “We haven’t confirmed the total casualties, but all survivors in this area have been evacuated.

” His tone was steady and professional, making it easier to follow up.

“...

What about the other factions?

” “Twelve from Mount Hua and an undetermined number from the Shaolin Sect have joined the fight.

Additionally, around thirty members from the Murim Alliance are involved, along with scattered forces from other clans and sects.

” “...

” Gu Yangcheon scoffed at the report.

‘Even at best, it’s only two or three hundred.

’ That was the total number fighting back against the attack.

Sure, the assault had only just begun—but was this all they could muster?

‘Ridiculous.

’ Hundreds of martial artists had gathered for the tournament, and yet less than half were participating.

‘Even if we tied down some elites....

’ He had prepared barriers and traps to contain the stronger forces.

Still, even factoring that in— ‘No, this is something else.

’ This attack had exposed deeper problems.

‘The Black Dragon Sword incident.

’ The massacre caused by the Black Dragon Sword.

So many martial artists had died— Not just ordinary fighters, but the future of prestigious clans.

The Murim Alliance had tried to contain the fallout by hosting a meeting afterward.

But trust wasn’t so easily restored.

‘That’s when it started.

’ The cracks had appeared then.

Even after changing leadership and implementing reforms, distrust lingered.

Now, when chaos erupted, many had chosen self-preservation over action.

‘They left it to someone else.

’ Let someone else take the risk.

And so the chaos grew.

‘...

Unbelievable.

’ Gu Yangcheon had expected to subdue the attack quickly.

He had planned for this operation to move smoothly.

‘Twice as long.

’ But it was taking twice the expected time.

‘Damn close call.

’ Scanning the area, he noted the eerie silence.

Hanam’s once-bustling center had fallen quiet.

Other areas were still under attack, but this one was clear—for now.

—Hummmm...

Expanding his senses again, he found no immediate threats.

‘For now, it’s handled.

’ He exhaled sharply, glancing at the sky.

“Relay the message.

Proceed as planned.

” “Yes, sir.

” The assassin disappeared, leaving Gu Yangcheon staring into the darkening sky.

It was almost night.

Blackness stretched across the heavens.

And amidst the darkness, red lines glowed brightly.

“...

” He rolled his neck, loosening the tension.

—Hummm...

The red lines converged, forming a massive pattern in the sky.

An ominous sight.

He had never imagined witnessing something like this.

But the pattern wasn’t the real issue.

‘What is this...?

’ He felt it instinctively.

The fading light, the still wind, the silent earth— It was a sign.

Something was coming.

Confirming his suspicions, the pattern suddenly pulsed— —Wooooong!

‘It’s here.

’ —Kuaaaaahhhh!!!

A crimson beam shot down from the sky, piercing the earth.