Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"Filthy Orthodox sect bastards.

"Ilcheon Sword had undoubtedly shouted this just now.

Moreover, there was no one present who failed to grasp the meaning behind those words.

"Leader, please, come to your senses!

""What...

what is this...?!

""...

So noisy," Ilcheon Sword muttered, ignoring the desperate pleas of the Azure Dragon Division members.

His lips curled into a sneer, a stark contrast to the typically solemn and composed expression he once wore.

"If only I had endured a little longer...

Just a bit more...

How regretful.

"Clunk.

Ilcheon Sword made an attempt to move his body, but in that instant, a spear pierced through his thigh.

Thwack—!

"Don't move recklessly.

""Urgh!

"Ilcheon Sword grimaced in pain, but even that wasn’t enough to silence him.

"Heh heh heh...

Just a little more...

If I had just pushed a little further...

I could have wiped out those disgusting Orthodox sect bastards...

"He spoke as though truly lamenting his failure, and his words gradually caused the faces of the Azure Dragon Division members to crumble.

Reality was starting to set in.

"Our leader...

Why...?

""Why did you betray us?!

""Why?

You’re asking why?

"Ilcheon Sword's dazed eyes focused as he responded.

"Because you all have no future.

But he does.

""...

What nonsense...!

""The cult leader will save the world.

I was merely a stepping stone for that.

And yet.

"Crunch—!

Bearing the pain of his pierced thigh, Ilcheon Sword forced himself upright.

"You dared to ruin my plans...!

"His gaze, wild and unhinged, resembled that of a madman.

"If things had gone according to plan, I could have cut down the Star King with ease...

You revolting pests.

"Keheheheh...

Drool dripped from his mouth as he laughed—a grotesque and unsettling sight.

It was a far cry from the Ilcheon Sword they once knew.

An alien, disquieting presence.

That was how he appeared now.

"Insects daring to oppose the great vision of the cult leader...

How ignorant you are.

You know nothing.

""A...

Ahh...

"The Azure Dragon Division members, overwhelmed by the shock, could barely speak.

What were they witnessing?

The Ilcheon Sword they had once revered was nowhere to be found.

What stood before them now was a fanatical zealot, a man whose mind had fallen into complete madness.

"Unforgivable...

I cannot forgive this.

"Ilcheon Sword's deep violet eyes gleamed as he moved.

He seemed completely indifferent to the wounds covering his body.

"Hmm...

"The one who had embedded the spear in his thigh, Pi Yeon-yeon, sighed softly.

"This one really needs to die.

Sis, can I kill him?

"Fwoosh—!

Before Tang So-yeol could even grant permission, the spear was already pulled out.

Observing silently, Tang So-yeol spoke coldly, her eyes sinking with an icy resolve.

"Kill him.

""Got it!

"Swish—!

With the command, the spear moved swiftly.

As the energy imbued within it surged to cleave Ilcheon Sword’s neck—[Tsk.

]A faint click of the tongue echoed from somewhere.

Bang—!!!

"...!!

""What?!

""Who...!

"Before the blade could strike, the spear was blocked by an unexpected force.

"Huh?

"Pi Yeon-yeon's eyes widened at the sight.

A mere finger—an index finger, no less—was stopping her spear.

The Azure Dragon Division members, who knew just how powerful the energy within that spear was, stood stunned.

Who could possibly block it with just one finger?

Moreover—"...

When...?

"When had this person appeared?

No one had noticed.

This was not someone who had been there all along.

They had suddenly arrived, intercepting Pi Yeon-yeon's attack without anyone sensing their presence.

[How disappointing.

]A deep voice spread through the air, sending chills down the spines of everyone who heard it.

[Despite claiming to prove your worth, I merely observed.

But you’ve proven far more incompetent than expected.

]"Ugh...

""Ahh...!

"Every word pressed down on the air, suffocating those nearby.

The Star Dragon Division members gritted their teeth, drenched in cold sweat.

"Ugh...!

""Kuh...!

"The Azure Dragon Division members, unable to withstand the oppressive atmosphere, vomited blood.

What was this being that had suddenly appeared?

The momentary confusion did not last long.

The figure’s appearance was too distinct, and it was impossible for those from the Orthodox sect not to recognize them.

"Cheonma...!

""It's Cheonma!

"Cheonma (Heavenly Demon).

The current target of the Murim Alliance's greatest efforts.

The identity of the leader of the Demonic Cult, often referred to as the "Heavenly One.

"A being who had previously struck Zhongyuan alongside descendants of the Jegal family, leaving immense devastation in their wake.

The very reason the Star Dragon Division had been formed.

And now, this being had appeared here.

Slink—Rumble—!

The sound of weapons being drawn and auras igniting erupted all around.

An enemy to be captured and killed.

Everyone lunged forward with that singular intent.

[Kneel.

]"...!!

"Boom—!!!

A deafening pressure filled the air.

At the words of Cheonma, those present dropped to their knees.

Just a single word.

The sheer force behind it was enough to compel them.

Why had they knelt?

Even as confusion filled their minds, their bodies betrayed them.

Woooom—!!

Amid the sea of kneeling figures, one woman stood unyielding.

Tang So-yeol.

Clutching a dagger and a throwing knife she had drawn at some point, she charged toward Cheonma.

Yet her visibly slowed movements betrayed the pressure affecting her as well.

Cheonma glanced at her casually, waving a hand.

Thunk—!

“Urgh!

”Tang So-yeol's body was struck and sent tumbling backward.

Rolling across the ground several times, she finally stopped, coughing harshly.

“Cough…!

”[Stay still.

I am not in a pleasant mood right now.

]Cheonma, shifting his gaze from Tang So-yeol, scanned the surroundings.

[So many insects.

Disgusting enough to make me nauseous.

]At his words, everyone trembled involuntarily.

Even without understanding why, they felt fear coursing through them.

The pressure emanating from him, the aura he exuded—it was fundamentally different.

Just meeting his gaze felt like it could drive one to madness.

In response to this overwhelming presence, Ilcheon Sword spoke.

“L-Lord Cult Leader…!

”His eyes were filled with boundless reverence and adoration.

“O, great one of the heavens…!

This lowly servant greets the heavens of our cult…!

”Thud—!!

With each word, Ilcheon Sword slammed his head onto the ground, repeating the act over and over.

Thud!

Thud!!

Blood began to seep from his forehead, but his loyalty remained unshaken.

[Hmm.

]Cheonma looked down at Ilcheon Sword, his expression unreadable.

[Ilcheon Sword.

]“Yes… Yes, my lord…”[You are quite unlike the one who spoke so confidently before.

]“…!

”[You promised to present me with their severed heads, yet what is this pitiful sight I see now?

]“T-That…!

I am sorry…!

”[No need.

I didn’t say it expecting an apology.

You did your best.

]“Aah… Lord Cult Leader… Thank you…”Cheonma’s hand moved.

Crack—!!

“Hiiik!

”In one swift motion, Cheonma tore Ilcheon Sword’s throat out.

The man couldn’t even utter a final word before death claimed him.

[You simply failed to meet my expectations.

]Thud.

He tossed Ilcheon Sword’s severed head to the ground.

Blood dripped from Cheonma’s hand as he continued.

[There is no place for the incompetent in our cult.

]Wooooooom---!!!

Cheonma’s black robes fluttered in the rising wind.

Was he preparing something?

The tension in the air grew as everyone watched him with anxious expressions.

[And the same goes for the rest of you.

]Cheonma clasped his hands together.

A palpable sense of dread began to take hold.

[Originally, I intended to kill all of you here and claim the Star King’s head as well.

However...

]A chuckle accompanied his words.

[The woman’s spirit is remarkable.

]His gaze fell on Tang So-yeol, who was staggering to her feet.

[And you fools disrupted this trash’s plans so thoroughly that I’ll extend some mercy.

]What was he saying?

Everyone stared at him with tense eyes, still unable to move.

Their bodies remained paralyzed, bound by the suffocating pressure.

The air itself felt like it was crushing them.

What kind of existence was this?

How could a living being exude such an aura?

Huff… Huff.

Their breathing grew labored, drenched in sweat and exhaustion.

Cheonma, his hands still clasped, slowly began to part them.

And at that moment—Woooooooooooom----!!!!!!

“Gasp…!

”“Argh…!!!

”The scene unfolding before them was too shocking for coherent reactions.

Cracks began forming in the empty sky.

Like stars painting the night, the sky tore open, revealing countless glowing eyes.

They were everywhere.

"What...

what is that...?

" someone stammered, their voice trembling.

Despite their confusion, the truth was evident to all.

It was simply too terrifying to believe.

Shaking bodies turned toward the sky, and someone finally spoke.

“The Magyeong Gate…?

Why is the Magyeong Gate…!!

”“How could a human summon the Magyeong Gate…?

”The eyes in the sky were unmistakably the Magyeong Gate, filling the heavens with its ominous presence.

As the crowd stared in horror, Cheonma’s voice deepened with laughter.

[Insignificant worms.

]Rumble—!!!

The Magyeong Gate began to tremble, emitting a deafening vibration.

Roar—!!

Roarrrr---!!

From within came the growls of beasts, hungry and feral.

Their cries echoed, filled with rage and bloodlust.

[This is a gift from me to you.

]Cheonma’s words seemed to shake the heavens themselves.

[Enjoy it to your heart’s content.

]Screeech---!!!

With that, a storm of violent calamities descended from the sky.