Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"You're back.

" "I greet the Sect Leader….

"Upon arriving at the Mount Hua Sect, Shin Noya was already waiting for us.

The disciples quickly bowed in respect upon seeing him.

"Well done.

" "Ugh…"Shin Noya nodded slightly with a faint smile.

That overly kind expression annoyed me for some reason.

"It's late.

Leave the clean-up for tomorrow and get some rest.

" "Sect Leader…"At the mention of rest, Gubong stepped forward slightly.

It seemed like he had something to say, but—"Rest.

I'll hear the details from the one behind you later.

"Shin Noya pointed at me as he spoke.

Hearing that, Gubong's eyes widened.

"Sect Leader, but there’s still a report—" "The report can wait until tomorrow.

Now go.

" "But…" "Go.

" "...

"At Shin Noya’s firm words, Gubong bit his lip.

He seemed to have more to say, but—"…Understood.

"He swallowed his words and bowed his head instead.

"Dismissed.

"At his command, the disciples bowed in respect and began to disperse.

Even as Gubong left, he kept glancing back at Shin Noya and me.

Especially at me.

His expression was clear.

It looked like he wanted something from me.

Judging by that, it was probably—‘He's hoping I won’t say anything about what happened.

That must be it.

’It was obvious.

He was practically pleading with his eyes, asking me to stay quiet.

‘And why should I care?

’A man making a face like that?

It wasn’t going to work on me.

Naturally, I intended to spill everything.

"Let’s go.

"Shin Noya said as he headed inside.

Watching him leave, I turned to Cheonma.

"Go wait somewhere.

"I didn’t specify where, but Cheonma gave a small nod and disappeared.

*******The room was unlit.

Not even a trace of light remained.

The space felt cold and lifeless.

This could only mean one thing.

‘This old man has been outside all this time.

’Shin Noya hadn’t waited inside—he’d been standing outside the entire time.

I snapped my fingers.

Snap!

Whoosh!

A flame ignited instantly, lighting the room.

"What are you doing sitting in the dark?

Are you trying to save on firewood?

"Feigning ignorance, I teased him, and Shin Noya let out a short cough.

"I just couldn’t be bothered.

"Judging by his expression, it was obvious he’d been caught.

I ignored it.

We both knew, but neither of us acknowledged it.

I casually perched on the desk.

Curiously, tea was already prepared, as if he’d expected me to join him.

As we sat in silence, sipping tea—"So," Shin Noya began, "What did you think?

"What did I think?

What was that supposed to mean?

Of course, no explanation was needed.

This cunning old man believed I already understood his intentions.

Annoyingly, he was right.

"It was complete crap.

"I answered honestly.

Shin Noya’s face twisted into a ridiculous grimace at my response.

"That’s one hell of a report.

" "Sorry, but after everything today, it’s hard to keep the curses in.

" "...

"Shin Noya looked slightly embarrassed.

It seemed even he knew he was partly to blame.

"Still… wasn’t it effective?

" "‘Effective,’ my ass.

If I go through something like that twice, I’ll drop dead.

" "Hahaha.

"Normally, a punch would’ve come flying by now, but Shin Noya just laughed.

After a brief chuckle, he grew serious.

"I’m sorry.

"Hearing that, I widened my eyes.

This old man was apologizing?

It was unexpected.

And honestly, it felt a little uncomfortable.

"…Forget it.

"I replied awkwardly, feeling strangely off.

"What’s with the apology?

It doesn’t suit you.

" "As I said, I thought this was the quickest way.

"I clicked my tongue at his words.

I could somewhat understand now.

Experiencing it for myself, I could see his reasoning.

But still—‘Even so.

’I couldn’t shake the feeling that Shin Noya had been a bit rash in his decision.

To be precise—‘It’s unlike him.

’This wasn’t the Shin Cheol I knew.

It had been bothering me since earlier.

Maybe that’s why I kept wanting to change the subject.

"Forget it….

You’ve got something else you’re curious about, don’t you?

"At my words, Shin Noya nodded.

The reason he sent me in the first place.

It wasn’t just to learn more about this world.

There was another reason, one I already knew.

So—"When I first went to the place called Yahwol Palace,"I slowly began recounting what Shin Noya was curious about.

*******The story wasn’t long.

I kept it as concise as possible, so it ended with just one cup of plum tea.

"...

"Shin Noya sat quietly, lost in thought.

Was it because the events aligned with his expectations?

Or maybe they were slightly more complicated than he’d anticipated.

Or perhaps, there was another reason.

I watched him in silence.

The way he pondered reminded me of myself in some ways.

It wasn’t about appearances, but for some reason, the thought crossed my mind.

‘…Or maybe.

’Maybe I subconsciously wanted to resemble him.

"I see," Shin Noya finally said.

"So, that’s how it was.

"His expression held both understanding and a hint of complexity.

I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

After all—‘I already know what he’s going to say.

’At this point, there was only one thing left for him to say to me.

After a brief pause,"Yangcheon.

"Shin Noya called my name.

My ears perked up, and I frowned.

-Yangcheon.

Normally, Shin Noya referred to me as “kid.

” For him to call me by name was almost unheard of.

It carried weight.

"If you have a favor—" "Don’t.

"I cut him off.

As I said earlier, I already knew what Shin Noya wanted to say to me.

Ever since I entered Yahwol Palace and understood the situation, I’d known.

In that case—"Don’t apologize, and don’t ask for favors.

"Would Shin Noya be any different?

Did he think I didn’t know what he was about to ask?

I didn’t think so.

"None of that is necessary.

Just keep doing what you always do.

""...

"It was irritating to see that old man, who obviously knew everything, acting so apologetic and asking for favors.

I chuckled and spoke.

“The man with the nastiest temper in the world, doing something so embarrassing?

What’s wrong with you?

” “…What did you just say, you brat?

”Shin Noya’s face twisted into an incredulous expression at my words.

Seeing this, I stood up.

“I’ll handle it myself.

It’s not like I was thrilled about it anyway...

and it seems like something necessary if we’re going to return.

”The first part was sincere; the latter was a lie.

Necessary to return?

I didn’t really think that.

It might have a slight connection, but that was about it.

But still—“So, straighten up.

Watching you act weak is disgusting.

”I hated seeing that old man pretend to be fragile.

“I’m leaving.

”Without saying anything further, I grabbed the door and stepped outside.

As I did—“Thank you.

”Shin Noya’s voice reached me.

Once again, I didn’t respond.

*******Every time I sleep, I remember that moment.

Decades ago, on a night when the rain poured endlessly.

Hiding between the trees, barely avoiding the rain, trying to hide my tears amidst the water running down my face.

-Huuu...

huu….

I crouched down, clutching my stomach.

My body hurt, and I was exhausted.

I couldn’t even cry anymore; I was too hungry and drained.

What should I do now?

My mind was blank.

-Huuu...

Would I just die like this?

Abandoned and left to die, the thought terrified me, yet I started to resign myself to it.

Ah.

It wouldn’t matter if I died like this.

No one would remember me anyway.

Not my father, not my siblings, not anyone who knew me.

I would crumble into the ground and be forgotten.

I was useless.

So, it would be fine.

I killed my own will to live and thought this to myself.

-I want to live...

Then I crumpled my face and cried.

-Please, save me…Even so, I wanted to live.

I desperately wanted to survive.

Shaking violently, I sobbed at the edge of death.

-Good grief.

That’s when I heard a voice in front of me.

Startled, I froze.

I quickly became wary.

Were they here to kill me?

Terrified, I tensed up, but—-Unlucky little thing.

What appeared was an old man in tattered clothes.

An elderly man with silver hair and crimson eyes.

His gaze was fierce, and he carried some sort of mysterious object in his arms.

It was round, shimmering with a reddish-purple glow.

At first glance, it looked like a jewel.

-I came because I thought there was something interesting about a black-haired kid.

Guess I shouldn’t have bothered.

The old man clicked his tongue and looked at me.

I stared back, confused.

Wasn’t he here to kill me?

As I began to question it—-You there.

Didn’t you say you saw something worth investigating?

You lunatic.

Do you think every black-haired kid is the one we’re looking for?

You said he’d be remarkable, but he’s useless.

The old man suddenly started speaking into the air.

Seeing this, I became even more terrified.

Ah, I see.

He’s a madman.

Once I realized that, I began to notice things I hadn’t before.

‘...

His ears.

’The old man didn’t have the characteristic ears or tail I’d seen before.

What was he?

He was a species I’d never encountered.

‘Could he be...?

’Could he be the monster my mother mentioned—the one that comes to take you when you’re close to death?

Was I about to die?

As the thought crossed my mind, I reached out with a tiny hand.

My small hand grabbed the hem of the old man’s tattered trousers.

-Hmm?

The old man looked down, startled.

-Save me… -What?

-Save me… Please… I want to live…I sobbed.

Unable to hold it in any longer, I cried until even the tears I thought had dried up began to flow.

-Ha…The old man let out a hollow laugh.

-I’m in no position to take care of anyone.

His voice was filled with annoyance.

Yet—-Black hair, huh?

That’s rare.

The old man eventually placed a hand on my head and said,-…Is this fate?

Or is there something you’re after?

Speaking as if he didn’t know himself, he sighed and asked me,-Child, what’s your name?

-...

My name.

Hearing the question, I clammed up, afraid I’d be abandoned if I answered.

-…I don’t know.

All I could manage to say was that.

It was an odd answer to anyone, but—-I see.

The old man didn’t seem to care and said something else.

-Should I give you one?

-...

I nodded.

I didn’t have the right to refuse.

-Hmm… Let’s see.

After a moment of thought, the old man clapped his hands and said,-Ah, I was looking for someone, and this happened.

His surname was… Gu.

And a name that means you won’t be a fool… Gubong.

Yes, from now on, you’ll be Gubong.

That was the moment the boy received the name Gubong.

And the moment Gubong was saved by the old man.

"...

"The memory ended, and Gubong opened his eyes.

He sat up immediately.

“…Phew.

”He let out a long sigh.

Perhaps because of everything that had happened yesterday, he had dreamed of his past—something he hadn’t done in a long time.

It wasn’t a memory to be forgotten, but dreaming about it now didn’t feel good.

Because it also had to do with the person the Sect Leader was always waiting for.

Gubong frowned.

"…Damn it.

"He cursed, his thoughts drifting to someone staying at Mount Hua.

Just as Gubong scowled and muttered—"Why the harsh words as soon as you wake up?

Did you have a nightmare?

" "It wasn’t a nightmare, just… huh?

"Gubong’s eyes widened at the voice.

A voice he wasn’t supposed to hear.

He quickly turned his head.

There—"Good morning.

"The Sect Leader’s guest, the very person occupying Gubong’s thoughts, was standing there.

"Are you awake?

"Gu Yangcheon greeted him with a smile.

"…What the…?

"Gubong was bewildered by the strange situation.

Then—"Now then, let’s get to work.

" "Ugh!?

"Gu Yangcheon suddenly grabbed Gubong by the collar and hauled him up.

It all happened in an instant.