618 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 618: The Dragon He inspected his body thoroughly. After repeating his actions several times to confirm his condition, he realized that there was no longer any discomfort in his left arm. The internal injuries were healed too. ‘How is this possible?’ He had been worrying about how he would handle his injuries, only to find that everything had already regenerated. ‘What exactly happened here?’ It should have taken at least three months, maybe even half a year, to recover from such injuries. Even the finest chi masters predicted a half-year recovery. Yet here he was, healed overnight. ‘And furthermore….’ He stared at his left arm. It was the arm that had been ripped apart by the enemy’s grasp. Yet now? ‘It’s perfectly fine.’ It looked as if nothing had ever happened to it. There wasn’t even a hint of foreign sensation. How could something like this be possible? ‘Just like the place I was in moments ago.’ He surveyed his surroundings. Although it was covered with snow, it had once resembled a garden. Now it was nothing but a field of snow. Could it be that he had been transported from the place he originally was? ‘It’s possible, but…’ It didn’t feel entirely plausible. The space itself might have been an illusion all along. The reason being: ‘That feeling.’ The sensation of the space collapsing. And the atmosphere inherent in that space. It was a feeling I had encountered somewhere before. There was no need to ponder it for long. It was a sensation deeply etched into my memory. ‘The realm of the Dark King.’ The dark space the Dark King used to create. Where I died hundreds, thousands of times. That was exactly it. ‘Is this what they call powers?’ The powers granted to one by being a dragon. The Dark King referred to these powers as his own. The memory of reviving over and over despite countless deaths. It mirrored my current circumstances in a strange way. ‘So maybe the power I used before was something like a power too?’ That could also explain how my arm was restored to its original state. Although I still don’t understand why my internal injuries were healed as well. “Sigh…” After examining my body, a sigh escaped my lips. Regardless of what happened, the important thing is… ‘I survived.’ I managed to keep my life. My arm wasn’t torn off, and I didn’t lose my life. Thinking about it makes cold sweat drip down my spine. How long has it been? Since I was in a situation where my life was so endangered. Even more so, a situation where I survived by the mercy of my opponent. [Are you a pureblood?] The words left by the opponent lingered in my mind. ‘Pureblood….’ What on earth did he mean by that? He, too, was a dragon. Everything that had happened pointed to that. ‘What does pureblood mean, is he saying he’s not a pureblood?’ Pureblood. The meaning behind the term was puzzling. Given that I shattered the vessel and achieved transcendence, it seemed too ambiguous to call myself a pureblood. But he addressed me as a pureblood upon seeing me. ‘To be exact.’ It was when I, unknowingly, used dragon language. He heard it and called me a pureblood. What was the difference? ‘Could it be he can’t use dragon language?’ I thought of the concept of dragon language as merely a part of my powers. His reaction upon seeing the dragon language was unsettling. As if there was some significance to dragon language itself. And. When I was identified as a pureblood, the reaction he displayed. ‘As if he found a target.’ Is being a pureblood really that important? Puzzles build up in my mind. The most crucial point here is. ‘Ultimately, it means there are other dragons besides me.’ That's what I should focus on. Not just beings like the Dark King or the Palace Lord, but entities that can be recognized as dragons akin to myself. Additionally, circumstantially, there’s another one besides the Blood Demon. Furthermore. A being that, like me, became a dragon through transcendence. Or perhaps… ‘Is it that dragons are not born, but change through evolution?’ Such a thought crossed my mind. With that thought, I grabbed the shackles in front of me and crushed them. Crack-!! With a bit of force, the shackles crumbled easily. Even though they were forcibly broken, I felt no adverse effects. ‘They said there’s an energy suppression effect.’ Yet, there was nothing noticeable. I brushed off the debris. “…Huh….” In front of me, there was a curious reaction to the crushed shackles. It was Namgung Bia. She looked startled. “What’s wrong?” “They… they didn’t break before…?” Judging by her demeanor, it seemed she had tried to break them continually. Her reaction suggested the shackles were effective. “...” The wrist where Namgung Bia had the shackles was red. I gently took hold of her wrist. “Does it hurt?” “I know it doesn’t.” I just felt like doing it. At the same time, I checked Namgung Bia’s upper body and waist. Between the fabrics, I could see bandages wrapped around. They were different from the compression bandages she usually wore. “…How’s your body?” “I’m fine.” It was a question I asked because she didn’t look fine at all. “Sigh…” I sighed and stroked my forehead. Thankfully, I managed to find Namgung Bia ‘alive.’ Considering the constant worry about potential dangers, it wasn’t a bad outcome. But it wasn’t all good news. I held Namgung Bia's wrist and asked, “What happened to get you in this state?” “...” The wrist I was holding started to tremble. “I told you to stay out of trouble. Surely, you promised, didn’t you?” I told you not to do anything pointless. If trouble erupts, ditch everyone around and escape. And, don’t get hurt. Make sure to eat well. These were the promises made back when Namgung Bia insisted on going to the Northern Sea. “From any of those, what did you keep?” “…I did… eat well….” “Don’t joke, you’ve clearly lost weight.” She looked thinner than the last time I saw her when she said she was eating well. “If you were going to ignore everything I said, why did you even come?” You didn’t keep a single promise. It was absurd. “When I told you that if anything happened, to run without looking back. Yet you jumped in recklessly and almost died.” “...” “And what’s this about protecting the princess? What exactly have you been doing? If I had known you’d end up like this, I wouldn’t have let you go…” I was about to continue speaking when I closed my mouth. Namgung Bia had clasped my arm with her hand. “…I’m sorry… don’t be mad.” There was so much I wanted to say. Truly, I had many things to say, yet somehow, this seemingly insignificant action left me speechless. “…Phew….” That’s enough. I made an effort to think that way, forcibly. ‘As long as she’s alive…’ Being alive was all that mattered. As long as she wasn’t dead, nothing else was important. However. “…Alright, let's save the rest for later.” I didn’t mean to say I wouldn't discuss it at all. It simply wasn’t the right time. “...” Upon hearing this, Namgung Bia subtly averted her gaze. Seeing that, I rose to my feet. This wasn’t the time to simply engage in conversation. “For now… let’s get him awake first.” I walked over to the side. Yuri lay unconscious there. I approached her calmly and placed my hand on her forehead. With a hum— I sent a bit of my energy through her. Instantly, “Gasp…!” Yuri, who had been fainted, quickly regained consciousness and sat upright. She sprung up and looked around with wide eyes. “Where… is this?” “Are you conscious?” “Gu Gongja…?” Her eyes fell upon me. Soon enough, she grabbed my sleeve tightly. “What about Biyo-gun? What… what happened to him?” She immediately asked about Woo-hyuk upon waking. I bit my lip in response, unable to help myself. I recalled the scene of Woo-hyuk being taken by that guy. “We lost him.” “…You lost him…?” “What happened to you? How did you suddenly get captured and appear like that?” “Captured? What do you mean?” Yuri wore a puzzled expression at my question. Judging by her state, she seemed unaware she had been captured. ‘She didn’t sense him approaching either. It makes sense.’ Though I was injured, I hadn’t noticed them closing in either. Whether it was due to a vast difference in skill level, or they used another method remains to be seen. But in any case, I failed to notice their presence. “…Your kin were involved. They’re the ones who knocked you out.” “Huh…?” “It appeared to be a male. Probably one of the first or second princes.” It was just as Yuri anticipated. The young white-haired man who seemed like a dragon. I lost to him. It was tantamount to having Woo-hyuk snatched right from under me without being able to resist. [How dull.] His words rang in my ears. I thought I had discarded my pride long ago. Yet, being trampled like this felt utterly unpleasant. It was an overwhelming defeat. And. [I see you still haven’t made up your mind.] [Ah, I see. Thus.] The fact that it was because of an unresolved issue within myself made it all the more infuriating. ‘What does he know?’ What purpose did he have for taking Woo-hyuk? What was he planning to do with Woo-hyuk? Moreover. How did someone from the Ice Palace kin become a dragon? What is his objective? What did he discern from looking at me? These thoughts kept circling in my mind. The oppressive gaze, the condescending eyes, lingered in my memory. The instinctive desire to kill him was still stirring my mind. Swoosh. A touch reached my hand. Looking down, it was Namgung Bia’s hand. “Calm down….” “...” My gaze drifted towards Namgung Bia’s waist. It was where she was injured. Seeing that helped clear my head. I realized this was no time to be lost in thought. “…First, we need to head back.” Not just for anything but for Namgung Bia’s physical condition. Additionally, I needed to inquire something with the Palace Lord. As I thought about this and prepared to rise, Yuri halted me with her words. “Wait a moment….” With a slight sigh, I turned my attention to her. It seemed that losing Woo-hyuk was troubling her. “Right now, it’s impossible to find him. For the time being—” “No, who is this lady…?” “Huh?” I wondered what she meant when Yuri pointed at Namgung Bia. What was she saying now? “What do you mean who? You said she was your escort. What are you talking about?” Yuri had once said that Namgung Bia acted as her escort, albeit briefly. Now she doesn’t recognize Namgung Bia? Puzzled by her question, I asked back. “Escort? What does that mean…?” Yuri still wore a bewildered expression. “Princess.” “Uh?” At Namgung Bia’s words, Yuri’s eyes widened instantly. “That voice… Oh…? No way.” It seemed she finally recognized Namgung Bia, forgetting that she had fainted, and sprang to her feet. “White Fox…? Is it White Fox?” “Yeah.” Namgung Bia nodded at Yuri’s question. And upon hearing that confirmation, Yuri covered her mouth with her hand. “What…?” “What’s wrong?” “Why, why. She’s pretty?” ...What?