Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"What’s with this guy?

"I glanced at the pale arm draped over my shoulder.

It was unnaturally cold for human skin.

The figure was small, barely tall enough to rest an arm over my shoulder.

It seemed awkwardly placed, as if forced.

He was at least half a head shorter than me.

I stared at him silently.

His eyes were a light green, matching the soft hue of his hair.

The color reminded me of Tang So-yeol’s, but it was even paler.

Despite his otherworldly aura, this place was long past the point where such oddities mattered.

Still—"This is ridiculous.

"Even considering everything, I couldn’t help but find him unsettling.

"What’s he hiding?

"At first glance, he appeared weak, but my instincts told me otherwise.

Looking at him made my chest tighten, my heart pounding wildly.

My spiritual sight opened involuntarily, and the ring of my spell spun furiously, drawing threads of energy toward my eyes.

A new world unfolded before me.

It was as if a new sense had been grafted onto my perception.

Beyond my expanded vision, the threads of my spell etched lines into the air.

They blended with my spiritual sight.

Things that shouldn’t have been visible came into view.

I saw his soul.

What I saw defied logic—his small body contained something monstrous.

His presence was massive, almost absurdly so.

The oppressive energy made my instincts scream in alarm.

"This…"It felt familiar.

I rummaged through my memories, and then it hit me.

"That ox they called the chief.

"That hulking black ox.

The feeling I got when I saw him—it was the same.

Which meant—"Is he on that same level?

"The thought sent a chill down my spine.

I kept my narrowed eyes locked on him.

The young man’s green eyes curved into crescents as he smiled.

"Why aren’t you answering?

Are you mute or something?

"I snapped out of it.

Suppressing my emotions, I refrained from using my energy.

At this distance, if I did, he’d notice immediately.

"I was startled.

Who wouldn’t be if someone suddenly approached them like that?

"I brushed his arm off.

The pale arm slid limply away.

Feeling its texture, I thought to myself:"Why didn’t I sense him earlier?

"Looking at his small frame now, I realized it.

Maintaining that form must have required an enormous amount of energy.

I had missed his presence because he wasn’t strong enough to maintain a noticeable aura.

"And because I let my guard down.

"My own lapse in vigilance played a part.

"Who are you?

" "Me?

I’m…"He tilted his head, as if pondering how to introduce himself.

"Just a passerby?

" "Then why don’t you just keep passing by?

"I stepped aside, making way for him.

"Come on now, we’ve crossed paths.

How could I just walk away?

"He showed no intention of leaving, smiling brightly as he planted his feet firmly on the ground.

"Shit.

"It was clear I’d gotten tangled up with someone troublesome.

No, that wasn’t right.

"He approached me deliberately.

"This wasn’t a random encounter.

There had to be a reason.

What was it?

"Did he pick up on something?

"Had I left a trace when I dealt with Baek Wol?

No, I didn’t think so.

As far as I knew, I hadn’t left any evidence.

"But I can’t be certain.

"This was another world, after all.

There might be methods I wasn’t aware of.

I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.

I studied him carefully, enhancing my senses without releasing any energy.

I wouldn’t miss even the slightest movement.

Then—"So, what are you looking for?

Just tell me.

"He asked again about my destination.

What should I do?

I couldn’t deliberate for too long.

Silence wasn’t an option either.

"What do you plan to do if I tell you?

"I decided to stall, buying myself some time to think.

"Well, I’d guide you, of course.

" "Why?

" "Like I said, it’s fate that we met.

You seem lost.

Just trust me once.

"The more we talked, the clearer it became.

This bastard—"He has no intention of letting me go.

"No matter what, he intended to keep me within reach.

What would happen if I tried to ditch him?

Should I give it a shot?

The thought crossed my mind, but I immediately dismissed it.

"It’s too dangerous right now.

"I didn’t know what he was capable of, but he wasn’t weak.

Fighting here wasn’t an option.

Making my decision, I spoke calmly.

"I have business with the Black Clan.

"My original destination wasn’t there, but I changed plans on the spot.

"Oh, the Black Clan?

"He perked up with interest at my words.

"Yes, I’m a guest there.

" "Ah, I see.

" "Can you guide me?

" "Of course!

I know every corner of Yahwol Fortress.

"He spoke with confidence and immediately started walking.

As he moved, I caught sight of a green tail swaying behind him.

"Let’s go!

" "…"Watching him, I slowly followed behind.

************I followed him for what felt like half an hour.

He walked slower than expected, so it was taking longer to reach our destination.

Especially since he wasn’t sticking to the main roads and instead led me through winding alleys, which only added to the delay.

"So, he really does know his way around," I thought.

It was clear he knew the terrain well.

Which meant—"He’s intentionally taking the long way.

"He was purposefully extending the distance to our destination, leading me around in circles.

I narrowed my eyes and stared at his back.

The strange thing was, despite this roundabout route, we were still heading toward the intended location.

I glanced over my shoulder.

Behind me, Cheonma was following silently.

Her cloak conveniently covered her tail, and her ears were still holding steady.

"She’s still fine for now.

"Unlike the spell the Turtle used, my spell didn’t last as long, so I needed to keep an eye on it.

This alone was already taxing, and yet—"What is this guy?

"Who was this green-haired man leading me?

What was his reason for suddenly approaching me?

"Is he a leader of one of the other clans?

"Someone from a clan other than the Black or White?

It seemed possible, but—"No, that doesn’t feel right.

"Something about him didn’t match.

Especially—"His strength doesn’t make sense.

"Compared to the leaders I had met, he was on a completely different level.

I could only hope he wasn’t one of them.

"So, then.

"What was he really?

What was this green-clad enigma planning by approaching me?

I stayed on high alert as I followed him.

Then, suddenly—"Oh, by the way.

"He spoke without turning around.

"Since it seems we’re tied by fate…"That damn fate talk again.

What kind of fate was he talking about?

"Shouldn’t we at least introduce ourselves?

" "That’s a strange suggestion.

" "We’ve walked this far.

Isn’t it about time?

" "Considering we haven’t said much to each other, I’d say no.

" "Well, that’s because you didn’t seem like the chatty type.

I was just trying to match your pace.

" "Ah… I see.

" "So, what’s your name?

"He asked, his voice tinged with amusement.

My name, huh?

Before I answered, I turned the question back on him.

"Why don’t you go first?

" "Me?

Oh, well…"Yes, you.

He thought hard for a moment before finally coming up with something.

"Mongmong.

Call me Mongmong.

" "…"Not I’m Mongmong, but Call me Mongmong?

What kind of nonsense was that?

This crazy bastard didn’t even bother to hide the fact that he was lying.

Ridiculous.

And then he expected me to share my name?

I let out a dry laugh and replied, "I’m Cheol Ji-seon.

"I threw Ji-seon under the bus without hesitation.

Selling out his name was the least of my concerns.

"Oh, Cheol Ji-seon.

That’s a nice name.

" "It’s nothing special.

" "Ahaha, I see.

"He didn’t seem to believe it anyway.

The air between us grew tense.

We both knew I was lying, so there wasn’t much else to say.

"Then, what about the lady?

"Mongmong turned to Cheonma.

Hearing his question, Cheonma tilted her head and looked at me.

"What’s my name?

" "…"Why are you asking me, you lunatic?

Both of them were driving me insane.

Mongmong burst out laughing as soon as he heard her.

"Hahaha!

You don’t even know your own name?

" "…"Cheonma scowled, clearly annoyed by his reaction.

"Oh, come on, really.

"He laughed so hard tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.

But then—"Interesting.

"Mongmong’s laughter abruptly stopped.

"Very interesting.

"Voom.

The air seemed to ripple.

I lifted my head and saw the mansion of the Black Clan in the distance—the place I had visited before.

However, it was still a fair distance away, and the area around us was eerily deserted.

"Hmm.

"Was this a trap?

The thought hit me a second too late.

Ssshhh—!

Mongmong’s green tail twitched.

"It’ll take a bit longer to get there.

Why don’t we chat a little more while we walk?

" "Chat about what?

" "Oh, just… whatever comes to mind.

"Mongmong kept walking, and I focused on his steps.

Crunch!

I saw something shatter—not physically, but a change occurring inside him.

"So, I heard something happened in the fortress recently.

Do you know about it?

" "I’ve heard rumors.

" "Oh, it was terrifying.

Not just anyone, but the head of a noble family was taken down, you know?

" "That’s absolutely insane.

" "My thoughts exactly.

"I lowered my gaze.

Mongmong’s pace had slowed slightly.

"You probably already know this, but in this world, the ranks determined by the Master are an immutable law, right?

" "…That’s true.

"What the hell is that?

I had no idea what he was talking about.

Feigning agreement, I perked up my ears.

"There’s no way some nobody would dare touch a noble.

If it happened, it had to be another pure-blooded noble who broke the law.

"He spoke with conviction.

"So, only nobles can touch other nobles?

"If that was true, it was a pretty ridiculous rule.

But the real issue was—"Then what about me?

"I recalled how I’d beaten both the father and son of the White Clan senseless.

Was there some exception for me?

Or was it just a rule in name only, with no real power behind it?

"It feels like someone among them doesn’t belong.

"As I processed this new information, I kept an ear on Mongmong’s words.

"That would mean… someone broke the law.

"As he said this, Mongmong suddenly turned casual.

"And who could that be?

Aren’t you curious?

"Before I could respond—Crack!

"…!

"He reached out, grabbing me by the throat, and slammed me into a wall.

The wall crumbled under the force, pinning my body against it.

I had to widen my eyes at the sight of his arm.

The slender arm had grown thicker, sprouting fur.

It was now the arm of a beast.

"What… is this…?

"I struggled to speak through the pressure as Mongmong, still smiling, asked:"What are you?

I don’t know kids like you.

" "What are you talking about?

" "This is so strange.

I’ve been away for a while, and everything’s gone to shit.

The Divine Tree is slow to respond, and it’s all so fucking annoying.

"His childlike voice and casual words contrasted sharply with the heavy emotions underneath.

Was it bloodlust?

No, it wasn’t that.

This was—"Hunger?

"A gnawing, insatiable hunger.

It was embedded in his smile and tone.

Crack.

The pressure on my body intensified.

I glanced to the side.

Cheonma was watching silently, her expression hesitant.

She seemed unsure whether to leap in or stay put.

Noticing her hesitation, I blinked slightly.

It was a signal to stay put.

Cheonma’s shoulders relaxed a bit, lowering slightly.

"So, let me ask you something," Mongmong said.

[Answer truthfully.

]Suddenly, his voice and tone shifted completely.

Rumble.

His words reverberated through my body, sending a sharp sensation through my insides.

This…"Dragon Speech?

"No, it wasn’t quite Dragon Speech, but something similar.

[Are you the one who caused all this noise in my fortress?

]With a twisted, maniacal grin, Mongmong continued speaking.

Squeeze.

The pressure on my chest grew even stronger.

Feeling it, my mouth slowly opened.

This was… could it be—"Am I unable to lie?

"Was his power compelling me to answer honestly?

If so, should I prepare for a fight?

But then—"No, it wasn’t me.

" "Huh?

" "Hm?

"Contrary to my expectations, the lie slipped out effortlessly.

Both Mongmong and I froze in shock at what had just happened.