Childhood Friend of the Zenith
Chapter Summary
”The man who had been speaking to Cheonma turned his gaze toward me. ” “For someone talking to himself, you seemed to be looking straight at me. ”At his words, Cheonma turned to look at me, her expression silently asking, What does that mean?
The words I couldn’t hold back filled the air.
My voice echoed through the suddenly silent surroundings.
It hadn’t been particularly loud, but the sheer quiet made it resonate far and wide.
The moment the words left my mouth, I instinctively covered it.
Ah, shit.
I fucked up.
"I should’ve kept my mouth shut.
"I’d said it without thinking.
Now, all eyes were on me, their gazes filled with shock and disbelief.
It was painfully clear that they were wondering what the hell I had just done.
As I swallowed nervously, trying to assess the situation—“What did you just say?
”The man who had been speaking to Cheonma turned his gaze toward me.
Blue eyes and sky-colored hair.
Something resembling rabbit ears sat atop his head.
His pale, flawless skin matched his sharp, striking features.
“Were those words directed at me?
” “…”He asked me with a slightly furrowed brow.
I hesitated for a moment before opening my mouth.
“Ah… I have a habit of talking to myself.
” “For someone talking to himself, you seemed to be looking straight at me.
” “It’s a misunderstanding.
” “…”He didn’t look convinced.
Honestly, I wouldn’t believe it either.
Goddamn it.
“This damn mouth of mine.
”As always, my mouth had gotten me into trouble.
And it had done so once again today.
“Hmph.
”The man stared at me quietly.
With his arrogant demeanor, his face exuded an innate sense of superiority.
After observing me for a moment, he turned back to Cheonma.
His gaze, which had briefly landed on me, showed no hint of interest.
From the start, his attention had been solely focused on Cheonma.
“You.
What is your name?
”He directed his question to her once again.
Cheonma tilted her head slightly at the question.
Then, pointing to herself with her finger, she said,“Me?
” “…What?
” “Uh…”Her casual response caused a stir among the crowd.
At the same time, the man’s pristine forehead creased.
“Your speech is short.
” “So is yours.
” “Hah.
”At her retort, the man let out a dry laugh, seemingly in disbelief.
“Do you not know who I am?
That can’t be the case.
” “Who are you?
” “…What?
”When she asked who he was, his expression twisted further.
“You must be an outsider.
”At his words, Cheonma turned to look at me, her expression silently asking, What does that mean?
I had no choice but to intervene.
“Yes, we are not from Yahwol.
”As I stepped forward, the man’s gaze shifted back to me.
“Then, does that mean this woman belongs to you?
” “…What?
”What the hell kind of nonsense was this?
Startled, I widened my eyes before quickly schooling my expression.
“No, that’s not what I—” “How much?
” “…What?
”For a moment, I was at a loss for words.
What the fuck did this bastard just say?
“I asked how much it would take for you to give her to me.
”He spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, looking me straight in the eye.
“How much for her?
” “…”What the hell was I supposed to do with this?
This guy was even crazier than I’d imagined.
“Has he lost his mind?
”Buying Cheonma with money?
Why?
He’d been minding his own business, then suddenly stopped to spout this bullshit.
Did he even know what he was trying to buy?
“…I mean, she is pretty.
”Of course, she looked exactly like Wi Seol-ah, so she would be.
But—“Wait a second.
”I frowned as a thought struck me.
How did he even know she was pretty?
“Most people can’t fully perceive Cheonma’s face.
”Gu Heebi couldn’t, and neither could others.
They didn’t recognize that she looked just like Wi Seol-ah.
Yet, this bastard was calling her beautiful and clinging to her.
“Does that mean he can perceive her fully?
”How could he?
Ah, maybe—“Is it because this is a different world?
”Since we were no longer in Zhongyuan, maybe perception worked differently here.
“If that’s not the case…”I turned to look at Cheonma—specifically, her ears.
“Is it those?
”Could it be because of the enchantment she’d placed on herself, altering her presence?
Was that causing all this trouble?
Shit.
Feeling a pang of unease, I swallowed dryly and said to him,“…She doesn’t belong to me.
We don’t have that kind of relationship—” “Then it’s even less of a concern.
Step aside.
” “…”This bastard… I could feel the veins on my forehead threatening to burst.
I silently chanted the word patience over and over in my mind.
At that moment—“I am Cheong Seon of the Blue Clan.
”The man introduced himself to Cheonma.
Hearing that, I clicked my tongue internally.
“As expected.
”I’d suspected it, and I was right.
He was a noble.
From the way everyone bowed the moment he appeared, it had been clear.
“So, he’s from the Blue Clan.
”Of all the clans, it had to be that one.
I’d been planning to visit them later today anyway.
Judging by his demeanor, he wasn’t the leader.
He was likely just another family son, like Gubong.
“And?
”Cheonma tilted her head again, seemingly unimpressed.
Cheong Seon narrowed his eyes.
“Your speech is still short… But no matter.
I can overlook that much.
”As he spoke, he straightened his clothes, the gesture giving off a semblance of refinement.
“You said you’re outsiders.
That’s fine.
I can educate you once I’ve brought you back.
Now, what is your name?
” “…”Cheonma didn’t answer.
Instead, she looked at me again.
What the hell was I supposed to do now?
Ignoring her gaze, I turned to Cheong Seon and said,“Let’s not do this.
It’s not like she’s the only woman in the world—”I tried to keep my tone light, even smiling as I spoke, but then—Sching.
The men around Cheong Seon drew their weapons and pointed them at me.
I felt the cold steel press against my neck, sending a chill through my body.
“How dare you speak so brazenly in Lord Cheong Seon’s presence?
” “Kneel before the young lord.
”“Ah.
”Hearing that, I sighed internally.
Seriously.
“Should I just—”My gaze sharpened as I looked at Cheong Seon.
“—kill him?
”As that thought crossed my mind, a faint ripple of energy escaped my body.
Ssshhhhh.
“…What the—?!
” “Ugh…!
”The men near me flinched, their bodies trembling as they sensed my intent to kill.
Realizing what was happening, I quickly suppressed the energy.
“Damn it.
”I had almost lost control again.
The suffocating frustration made it hard to regulate myself.
At least I managed to keep it contained to those nearby.
Cheong Seon, however, stared at me with a strange expression.
“What are you doing?
” “That… just now…” “What was that…?
”The men didn’t seem to understand what they had just experienced.
“What the hell is going on here…?
”Cheong Seon glanced around with a furrowed brow.
Suddenly, his gaze fixed on something— my chest.
The embroidered plum blossom on my white robe seemed to have caught his attention.
“…You.
”Cheong Seon shifted his gaze from the plum blossom to Cheonma.
His expression changed, his eyes now filled with irritation.
“So, you’re from Mount Hua.
”Annoyance seeped into his tone.
What the hell had Mount Hua done to earn such universal disdain?
At this point, I couldn’t help but wonder.
“Click…”Cheong Seon seemed deeply displeased, but even so, his eyes remained fixed on Cheonma.
“Disappointing, but… this much should be fine.
”As if convincing himself, he suddenly stepped closer to Cheonma and extended his hand.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re from Mount Hua.
What matters is the future.
You just need to become mine.
”His greedy hand reached for Cheonma’s wrist, but—Grip.
“…Huh?
”He never made it.
Before he could touch her, I grabbed his wrist.
“I understand your urgency, but you’re moving a little too fast.
” “What are you doing…?
” “We haven’t even had a proper conversation, and you’re already trying to make contact?
That’s a bit much, isn’t it?
”I spoke with a smile, but the look in his eyes turned venomous.
“I asked what the hell you think you’re doing.
” “What do you mean?
Isn’t it obvious?
I’m stopping you.
”He’d been pushing his luck, so I stopped him.
Saying it outright made Cheong Seon’s face twist with anger.
“…Hah.
”He laughed, but it was a hollow laugh, his eyes devoid of humor.
What a piece of work.
“Do you have any idea whose wrist you’re touching right now?
” “Not particularly, nor do I care.
Also—”I took a deep breath, suppressing the energy threatening to burst out as I spoke.
“If you’re such an important person, shouldn’t you be more careful?
People are watching, after all.
” “…”If no one were watching, I’d love to show him exactly what happens.
But for now, I had to hold back.
“You filthy lowborn…”Cheong Seon sneered, and I felt the tension in his wrist as he tried to pull free.
But—Squeeze.
“…?
”No matter how much strength he used, his arm didn’t budge.
His eyes widened in shock.
“Would you stop trying to show off your strength?
It’s embarrassing.
” “You…!
”His face flushed red as he visibly exerted himself.
Tch.
Watching him struggle, I chose my moment and let go of his wrist.
Stumble!
“…Kuh!?
”He lost his balance and fell flat on the ground.
His long, lanky body sprawled across the dirt made for quite the pathetic sight.
“Oh no…”I let out an awkward laugh.
“You don’t seem to have much strength.
I should’ve helped steady you.
My apologies.
” “You… You bastard…!!
”Cheong Seon shot up to his feet.
“How dare you… humiliate a noble…?
” “When did I do that?
” “You disgusting wretch… Do you even realize what you’ve just done?
”I couldn’t help but chuckle at his words.
“If I say no, will you let it slide?
” “…Grit…”He ground his teeth, his face turning an even deeper shade of red as he glared at me.
“You insolent fool.
Do you even know who my family is?
We could erase you with a single word.
”“Wow… That’s terrifying.
”Should I start trembling in fear?
I briefly considered it but found the thought amusing and spoke instead.
“But.
”I leaned in closer, just enough that my words wouldn’t carry to anyone else.
I saw him flinch.
“Do you know who my mother is?
” “…What?
” “I mean, your family might be impressive, but…”With a sly grin, I continued.
“Do you know who my mom is?
” “…What about her?
”He looked confused by the sudden mention of my mother.
“Well.
”I smiled faintly.
“I’m not telling you.
” “You bastard…!!
”Crunch—!!
Cheong Seon exploded with rage and lunged at me.
“Seize him!
Tear him limb from limb and feed him to the animals—!
”As he shouted threats and rushed toward me, I moved instinctively.
Hah.
Hadn’t I endured enough?
If I held back any longer, I might explode from sheer frustration.
“Yeah, I’ve already beaten a White Clan member.
”What difference would it make if I beat the shit out of a Blue one now?
Of course, it would create problems.
“But who cares.
”I’d held back three times already.
It was time to let loose.
With that thought, I clenched my fist, ready to strike.
Thwack!!
“Kuh!?
”Before I could act, Cheong Seon was slapped so hard that he flew several meters away.
“…Huh?
”But it wasn’t me.
It was someone else’s hand.
Looking past the fallen Cheong Seon, I turned to the culprit.
It was Cheonma.
She was the one who’d slapped him.
“You…?
”Startled, I stared at her in disbelief.
But Cheonma wasn’t looking at me.
Her expression was the same as before, unchanged in the slightest.
And yet, despite the familiarity of her face, a chill ran down my spine.
“…Cheonma?
”This wasn’t the Cheonma I had grown accustomed to.
No, this was the Cheonma I remembered from my past life.
The one who had once been untouchable in her arrogance and unmatched in her dominance.
“You.
”That Cheonma was now standing before me, her aura palpable as she walked toward Cheong Seon.
“Do you want to die?
”