617 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: The World's Greatest Martial Artist's Childhood Friend - Chapter 617: Dragon. A sound was heard. Right next to me. Just as I realized that— Swish—! My arm had already moved. Buzz—! A vibration resonated in my soul. I was about to use my Heart Fist. There was no hesitation. I had used the Heart Fist earlier too. The recoil that would follow later… Those thoughts had to be ignored for now. This was someone who approached unnoticed to my side. Whether they harbored hostility or not was not the immediate concern. At that very moment, as I was about to unleash the Heart Fist— Snap—! A grotesque sound came from my arm. When I turned my gaze to look at my arm— “!” Rip—! The outstretched arm was torn off, leaving only the shoulder. Thud—! The arm fell to the ground. Splash—! Blood spurted from the shoulder. "Yangcheon!" Upon witnessing this, Woo Hyuk widened his eyes and shouted. I bit my lip hard. Then, I quickly used a movement technique to distance myself. Drip, drip. Blood flowed from the shoulder I was clutching. The pain followed immediately. “Hoo… hoo….” Despite the situation, only ragged breaths escaped instead of groans. ‘What is this?’ What had just happened? Ignoring the pain, I looked forward. To the side where Woo Hyuk had been confronting someone stood a figure. A young man with white hair. “Well.” The young man glanced my way, a smile on his face. Upon seeing that smile, chills ran through my whole body. “Such a rudeness in greetings? I’m not a fan of such things.” It was unpleasant. Just looking at him made me feel repulsed and disgusted. An urge to grab and tear at his throat right away surged from within. An enmity rising from the depths of my being. -Kill him immediately. A voice whispered instinctively, urging me forward. I had to suppress it with all my might. I couldn't win. I knew that much from just one exchange. Keeping my nervous gaze sharply focused on the young man— “I was just planning to watch, but it turned out to be a bit entertaining.” The young man began to speak again. Meanwhile, a frown crossed my face as I noticed something he was holding. ‘Why is she there?’ Yuri. Yuri was unconscious, held in his grasp. “But like this, it isn’t much fun, is it?” His gaze shifted. Toward Woo Hyuk this time. “Biwoygun.” “...” At the young man’s call, Woo Hyuk bit his trembling lips. “We had an agreement, didn’t we? So why is this happening?” “...” “Does that mean the collateral doesn’t matter anymore?” “No…. It’s just….” “If not, is it regret? Seems like some lingering regret exists.” Eavesdropping on their exchange, I furrowed my brow. Through their words, I seemed to grasp the identity of the young man. 'So he’s...' A member of the Bing Palace’s traitorous lineage. He must be one of those involved in the rebellion. A young man, so he was likely either the First or the Second Prince. ‘But there's something...’ There was something off. What is this feeling? It was different from just the daunted feeling of facing a strong opponent. This was— ‘Similar to the Palace Lord.’ The sensation reminded me of when I previously met the Palace Lord at the hideout. It’s not just the appearance derived from their lineage. A sense of discomfort radiating from his very existence. It was like that when I saw the Palace Lord too, but this was on another level entirely. ‘This feeling... Was it this?’ While sensing his aura, I suddenly recalled something. When I first arrived in the North Sea, I felt an eerie coldness and unease from the ground. That very aura— ‘Is precisely the same as his.’ If I felt something similar with the Palace Lord— Then this aura felt the same as what I encountered initially. It was the source of the North Sea's discomfort. What in the world is he? Why does my whole body reject him so much? And also— ‘What should I do now?’ How could I escape this predicament? As these tumultuous thoughts swept over me— “If Biwoygun has any lingering regrets... those regrets.” The young man’s gaze shifted squarely onto me. In that instant— “Could it be over there?” The young man's figure disappeared. I lost track. Couldn’t follow his movements— Grab—! “Ugh!” My neck was seized. And I was lifted into the air. “This isn’t quite how I intended to greet you.” Forced to meet his eyes, I made eye contact with him. “Nice to meet you.” …! My heart jolted at his grinning words. Light blue eyes with horizontally slit pupils. Subtle scales appearing on his cheeks. Even if no one else did, I was familiar with that appearance. “Didn’t expect to meet a kin here.” His words made me frown. ‘A dragon…?’ A dragon. He was a dragon. And unlike the curse affecting the Palace Lord, his form seemed complete. Meaning— ‘Is he like me?’ Could it be that he, like me, had completed his transformation and become a dragon? While I was bewildered by the unexpected situation— “But…” His eyes scanned over my body. “Much less impressive than I thought. Is this really what a kin looks like?” His voice was laden with clear disappointment. “Maybe it's an internal injury… Whatever it is, I had needless expectations. When you arrived in the North Sea, I didn’t think you’d be so lackluster.” Hearing this, I widened my eyes. Had he already known that I had come to the North Sea? The grip on my neck intensified. The pressure was immense—enough to cut off my breath. Being lifted by the neck was infuriating, more than I'd imagined. I learned something. If I survived and returned, perhaps I should use this tactic more often. I found myself inadvertently thinking that when— “What could it be?” He was observing my body more closely. Specifically— “Why are you so disappointing? You’re definitely kin…” He seemed to be meticulously identifying each flaw I had. ‘Is he insane?’ I couldn’t remember the last time someone called me disappointing in this lifetime. Aside from my appearance, of course. “Hmm…” Was the difference truly stemming from my inability to grasp anything substantial from all this? I couldn't understand. “So that's it, that's why.” Even though I was in the dark, he seemed to have figured something out. Squeeze—! “Ugh….” The pressure on my neck increased. “So you were this insignificant.” His slit pupils gleamed intensely. “Have you evolved only to wish to remain human?” I tried to clutch his wrist with my remaining right hand, but it wouldn't budge at all. It wasn't merely a matter of strength difference; it felt as though I couldn't muster any power within my body. “How could you? Wanting to be on the same level as those insignificant creatures? We shouldn't be, should we? We are meant for greatness.” “Damn it… what are you… babbling about…” “I can't comprehend it. To remain so lacking as to not make the obvious choice.” His gaze shifted. The smile he had worn vanished, and a chilling something emerged in his eyes. “So much for the meeting I eagerly anticipated.” It was a hint of killing intent. It seemed light, but it was unmistakably murderous intent. 'I’ll die.' It was dangerous to let events continue like this. My survival instincts spoke louder. Though even without that cue, anyone could tell it was a dire situation. “My interest has waned.” I realized that if this kept up, my neck would snap, leading to certain death. I tried desperately to loosen his grip by clutching the wrist, but it was futile. What should I do? How could I get out of this? “A being unable to comprehend its position—such a kin is hardly worth keeping alive. Just die.” And so— Snap—! Just as he was about to break my neck, With my hand still gripping his wrist, I spoke to him. [Let go…!] “…!!” Whoosh—! In an instant, a vibration emanated from my heart, and a gust swept from my body. An unintended dragon’s utterance. I doubted any words from it would be of use. Yet after hearing my pronouncement, he momentarily froze. Thud—! “Cough…!” Astonishingly, he indeed loosened his grip. As my previously bound form fell to the ground— “Gasp….” Lacking an arm, I found it difficult to regain balance. As I struggled to catch my breath with my now freed airway— “…This is impossible.” The figure who had just held me muttered, disbelief in his tone. “You.” I lifted my head to meet his gaze. “Are you pureblood?” Surprise and astonishment filled his voice. “That can't be right, can it? There shouldn't be any pureblood left on this land….” “…What have you been… babbling about….” Pureblood? It was incomprehensible to me. Where would one find such a mutt in the world as I? My being comprised of various disparate elements fused together. What purity could ever exist in this body of mine? But— “Aah….” Despite my sentiments, his eyes seemed to twinkle with realization. “I always knew that merely shedding a meager form wouldn't make everything attainable.” Then, with an inscrutable look on his face, he continued speaking to me. “Rather, I’m fortunate. Because I got to see you here.” While he continued his ramblings, I was subtly trying to assess my surroundings. Woo Hyuk was roughly ten steps behind me from this position. The location where I presumed Nam Goong-bia to be was much farther. ‘I'm not sure what he realized about me.’ Right now, I had to figure out an escape. Could I rescue everyone? Objectively, that was impossible. Even winning a direct conflict seemed out of reach in my current state. “There was always curiosity.” So what should I do? Maybe try to tap into my innate Qi? Misusing it could lead to death, but now was the time to use it, even at the risk of my life. As I was drawing energy into my body with firm resolve— “I always wondered how three fragments of the Dragon Emperor converged on this land. It was because of you.” Pause. His words froze me solid. “…What? What did you just say?” I fixed my gaze on him. Dragon Emperor. The word had unquestionably come from his lips. Observing my reaction, he momentarily appeared puzzled before wearing a broad grin. “Our mighty pureblood seems oblivious to everything. Ignorant unlike your precious blood.” “What are you saying? If you're going to talk, make sense.” “That won't happen. There's nothing more enticing than a dim-witted competitor.” Competitor? “Especially if that competitor possesses the most precious bloodline.” “You bastard… again with…” I struggled to right myself, grappling against my restraint. “If it were up to me, I would consume you right now….” By that time, he was no longer in front of me. He had swiftly moved, and now stood before Woo Hyuk. “But for now, I will hold back. I want to confirm something.” With that, he grabbed Woo Hyuk by the collar. Woo Hyuk remained silent, offering no resistance. “By crushing and devouring you, a pureblood kin, I will prove I am truly the chosen one. But to do so…” Wooong—!! I lifted my head to the sky, drawn by the eerie sensation. “…What?” It twisted. The space of the sky itself was distorting. “You, in your current feeble state, won’t do. I need to meet you when you’re at your peak to justify it, don't you think?” Crackle—! Cracks formed in the heavens, gradually shattering. The space was collapsing in real time. What on earth was happening? “So, I'll just withdraw for now.” Amid the baffling circumstances, he spoke to me, wearing his signature smile. Withdrawing? Was he really saying he was leaving just like that? It appeared to be a fortunate turn of events. But despite that, I had to suppress a strong urge to voice my displeasure towards him. “…Are you planning to take him?” Referring to Woo Hyuk he was gripping. “Of course. Biwoygun is indispensable to me.” He responded with an expression of utter certainty. “You know, don't you? We never relinquish what is ours.” Gnash. I gritted my teeth. Even if he intended to take Woo Hyuk, I was utterly powerless to stop him. I had no choice but to let them go. This knowledge left me in utter despair. "Consider it a consolation, if you will." He spoke. "I won't kill my darling younger sibling who brought you here, nor will I touch the other fragments. For now, I'll retreat." "The other fragments…?" I tried to question him further, but there was no time. Whirl—!! The shattered pieces of the world began to swirl around him. Like debris caught in a gale, they spun rapidly, resembling the eye of a storm. Within that tempest— -Oh, by the way, my name is Yuseon. His voice echoed through. -I hope by the next time we meet, you have made up your mind. Otherwise, it won't be entertaining. Craaack—! The storm grew larger and quickly expanded. There was no means of escape. The wind, mixed with shards, reached right in front of me. -This is a small gift to that end. His voice continued. -I hope you find it to your liking. It engulfed me roughly. ****************** Sometime later. I opened my previously shut eyes. The first thing I saw was the now familiar snow-laden sky. “…!” I jolted upright immediately. I was alive? It certainly seemed like the world was crumbling. ‘What about Woo Hyuk? What about him?’ I wondered what the situation was. As I attempted to assess my surroundings— “Huh…?” I felt something strange and glanced to my side. ‘…My left hand?’ The left hand that had been torn off by him was restored. The bindings were intact as well. It was as if the dismemberment had never occurred, its appearance pristine. It wasn’t just that. As I circulated my energy through my body— ‘What is this?’ I gulped, overwhelmed by astonishment as I examined my condition. I immediately realized that all internal injuries had been healed. How could I explain this? Not only had my arm been restored, but the internal injuries I expected to take a considerable time to heal were no longer present. It was beyond comprehension. Gazing down at my left arm, pondering these occurrences— “…Ah….” I froze. A voice stopped me. It came from behind, where I had been lying moments ago. That weary voice was unmistakable. Unmistakable because it was a voice I’d been yearning to hear. I turned my head. There she was. “…Hello….” A woman gazed at me, her wrists shackled. Silver hair and distinct azure eyes. Despite looking exhausted, her beauty remained undiminished. I must have been resting my head on her lap until now. Partially buried in the snow surrounding her. "You..." “You’ve… woken up…?” The woman spoke as she looked at me. “It’s been a…” I didn’t let her finish. My body moved of its own accord, embracing her tightly. I stayed there, clinging as if never wanting to let go. Then— “Ah… yes.” Nam Goong-bia whispered quietly. “I’ve… missed you too.” A response to words unspoken.