626 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: The World's Best Martial Artist's Childhood Friend - Chapter 626: Authority The unlit room was shrouded in darkness. In the midst of this quiet ambiance, Yuseon sat upon her throne. Her eyes were closed as she propped her chin with her hand. Beyond her closed eyes lay only darkness. Despite the room's persistent silence... Yuseon's mind was a chaotic battlefield. […Yura….] A voice whispered. [Kill.] [Devour.] [Consume the fragment.] The endless stream of voices made Yuseon raise her chin-supporting hand to her forehead. “…Noisy.” She had lost track of how long it had been since she last slept. Probably ever since she was chosen by the Ice Spirit. Though her body had exceeded its human limitations and transformed, lack of sleep did not deplete her physical strength. Yet, she found herself wearied. It seemed more of a mental exhaustion than a physical one. Reflecting on this, Yuseon allowed a slight smile to play on her lips. “Weak… Truly weak.” Despite transcending her humanity, to be exhausted by something so trivial was laughable. She had become a grand existence chosen by the Ice Spirit. She ought not to be acting so frivolously over such matters. “Hmm…” Concluding this, Yuseon waved her hand. Woong-. Each time her fingertips brushed the air, ripples formed. Sensing the subtle touch, Yuseon repeated the motion. [Chew and swallow.] [Thus….] “Alright, I've heard you, now be quiet.” The continuous echo prompted Yuseon to frown. “No need to rush me. I’ll do it regardless.” For that was the essence of their 'contract.' To this, the Ice Spirit questioned. [But why not devour it?] Why had she not consumed the fragment? At this, Yuseon thought of a young man. [Yuseon.] A youth who never acted according to her desires. He did not sit well with her. Yet, he was the person she most wanted. “…I am merely waiting for the right time.” Yuseon spoke, her voice tinged with a hint of weariness. “So, please remain silent. I wish to be left in peace for now.” She voiced her irritation. [...] Then, the cacophony subsided into silence. The space became somewhat tranquil. Wearing an odd expression, Yuseon tilted her head. Could it be that it understood her words? “That can't be.” She knew such things wouldn't reach the Ice Spirit. So what could this be? As she pondered the mystery, Woong-! “Oh?” A sensation prompted a reaction from Yuseon. “…Oh my?” Something had entered within her senses. Realizing this, she widened her eyes, Thunk-! “…!” There was a sound from outside the window. Crack-! Crack-crack! Swoooosh-! Rain. It was pouring from the sky, violently and swiftly. “…What is this…?” The snow that had been falling moments ago was gone, replaced suddenly by rain. Moreover… '…Why?' Yuseon found herself startled that she noticed it only now. An event happening within her 'domain' should not escape her notice. How could she recognize such an anomaly only now? “This…” As Yuseon showed signs of surprise at the perplexing situation, Trudge-. “…!” A distinctly perceivable sensation made her head turn swiftly. Toward the door from outside the window. Trudge-. The sound grew louder. Footsteps leisurely approached from the hallway. They gradually neared where Yuseon was situated. Trudge-. And stopped. The footsteps halted right in front of the door. [Hmm.] The voice echoing in her ears made Yuseon frown. Clank. Someone grabbed the doorknob. Clank-! Clank-! After several attempts at opening it, […What? Why isn't this opening? Am I doing it wrong?] Pausing for a moment as though it wasn’t working properly. Creak-! A rough noise erupted from the door, and it was ripped off its hinges. One half of the door was obliterated, and the one responsible looked somewhat stunned at the torn door. “…What the heck, why is it so weak?” “...” Their eyes met. The other had slit pupils, similar yet different from Yuseon’s own. In this absurd situation, as Yuseon silently stared at the person, the youth holding the door sheepishly spoke. “Sorry, still not great with controlling my strength.” “…You.” Whoosh. Crash-! The youth casually tossed aside the half door. The sound echoed loudly down the hallway. “...” “...” They stared wordlessly at one another for a few seconds. Just as the awkward atmosphere continued in this somewhat chaotic setting... “It’s been a while.” The stranger spoke first to Yuseon. “...” “Though saying it’s been a while is a bit much, only about two days, right?” Yuseon looked at him, assessing his claim. Indeed, not that much time had passed. His appearance was largely unchanged since then. “…Oh dear.” But Yuseon could sense changes about him. While his outer appearance hadn't altered much, internally much had shifted. Thump-! Thump-! The beating of Yuseon’s heart corroborated this. “It seems you've made your decision.” He had been one who couldn't find his balance and devalued his own worth. But now he was different. He was centered, as well as free from the urgency and hesitation typically possessed by humans. He exuded the composure that befits a great entity. “There was worth in extending kindness.” “Should I thank you for that?” “If you do, I’ll gladly accept it.” Yuseon said with a smile. To which the youth responded with a grin. “Go to hell.” Raising his middle finger, Yuseon tilted her head in irritation. “Unfortunately, I have nothing to go to, so that might be difficult.” “You fire back well, you're tougher than you seem.” “You’re mistaken. I was raised with utmost delicacy, you know.” “Hmm.” As they exchanged their trivial banter, Yuseon posed a question to him. “How did you manage to get here?” It was a question laden with meaning. Not just why he had come, but how he arrived peacefully to this place. It was a mystery, after all. For him to reach here without any disturbance seemed impossible. If there had been even a minor clash with the warriors guarding outside, Yuseon should have sensed it immediately. Before he got this far, the moment he stepped into the palace, he should have been within Yuseon’s sight. Yet Yuseon only noticed him as he was walking through the corridor. “Guess.” In response, Gu Yangcheon replied with a smirk. His answer implied that he had no intention of revealing the method. Just as Yuseon was about to probe further, “Is that your true form now?” This time, Gu Yangcheon queried Yuseon. His tone was one of curiosity. Back then, Yuseon had taken on a male appearance. Now, she appeared in a female form. “I wonder.” Yuseon gave a vague reply. “This was my appearance as a human, but I suppose it doesn't really matter.” “Hmm.” “Gender isn’t a significant matter for us.” Differentiating between male and female was a matter for humans and other animals. “What matters is being a dragon. Gender is irrelevant.” “Are you saying you can choose at will?” At his words, Yuseon chuckled. Ssss. Her body began to transform slowly. The visage from their first encounter. Into the cold, white-haired male form. “Oh.” The youth uttered in admiration at her complete transformation. Simultaneously, he seemed to realize something. “That’s not martial arts, is it?” His assured comment made Yuseon's expression shift subtly. “You’ve got a keen eye.” She thought she had disguised her true intent. But it seemed he had recognized it immediately. How boring. Yuseon mused. Sss. Rising from her throne, Yuseon’s body returned to her female form. Trudge. She descended the steps, slowly approaching the youth. “So, what brings our pureblood guest to me?” The distance dwindled. “Our previous meeting wasn’t exactly pleasant, was it?” “True. You did tear off my arm.” “And you did rip off the precious door of my palace, so consider us even.” Ha. Hearing this, Gu Yangcheon let out a laugh. “Comparing a torn-off arm to a door panel? How absurd.” “Besides, didn’t I grant you a gift?” She had mended his grievously injured body. Even regenerated his lost arm. That should have sufficed, no? That was what Yuseon meant, but Gu Yangcheon wiped the smile off his face. “The former is true, but the latter isn't, is it?” Flinch. “...” The careless words made Yuseon's movements briefly halt. “I’m not sure how you healed my internal injuries, but the latter wasn’t your doing.” His ensuing words gradually creased Yuseon’s expression. As she suspected, he had pieced it together. Now that he had found his balance and established his identity, it didn’t take him long to notice. ‘To realize it this quickly.’ His prompt visit was unexpected, but this was even more surprising. “You’re rather perceptive.” “That’s not a compliment I hear often, but I’ll take it.” As they continued their conversation, Yuseon pondered. Just how much had he figured out? While part of her was curious... ‘Even if he knows.’ She was confident nothing would change. Though he had the potential to aim for the throne of the Dragon Emperor as a pureblood. He wouldn’t escape her ‘authority.’ She was certain of that. “So, why have you come to seek me?” She was so assured that she could still smile. “After I showed you such kindness, did you come back just to die again?” “Your words are terrifying. Who said I’d die?” “If not for that, I’m curious.” She genuinely didn’t understand. Feigning exaggerated confusion, Yuseon continued speaking. Meanwhile, she, too, wiped away her smile. “If you’d given it time, you’d just flee disgracefully. Why come here?” She had said to Gu Yangcheon that she would find him. And she intended to do just that. The time wasn’t ripe, so she had been content to enjoy the wait. Yet Gu Yangcheon had come to her on his own. Could it be... “Did you think that, with newfound strength, you could defeat me? That’s rather disappointing.” Yuseon remarked as she flicked her fingers. Then, Crack-! “…?” A strange sound echoed. Wondering what was happening, Gu Yangcheon checked the source. Boom-! From his left shoulder came an explosive sound, and his arm was blown away. Thud! Blood from his shoulder spilled onto the ground. A sudden turn of events. Witnessing this, Yuseon spoke. “Know your place. Just because you’re a dragon doesn’t mean we’re of the same caliber.” Her words were accompanied by a haughty expression. After hearing her, Gu Yangcheon merely looked at Yuseon. Despite what should be immense pain, Gu Yangcheon stared at her with an impassive face. As if the missing shoulder was no concern at all. Trickle. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, apparently affected by the recoil, but he did not wipe it away. “The pain is quite something. This must be the authority, then?” “…Pardon?” Yuseon’s eyebrows twitched at Gu Yangcheon’s remark. “Then, as now, it’s tremendous power. Is this what you call authority?” “...” Her words made him grit his teeth internally. It seemed her guess had been correct. He had indeed realized what she had done. “Is this entire space your authority?” “...” Yuseon didn’t respond. Even if he had realized it, it made no difference. After all. ‘He has entered my domain.’ Having intruded into her ‘nest,’ he had no chance of winning. Reflecting on the situation, Yuseon retorted, "Care to make a guess?" She echoed the words Gu Yangcheon had used earlier. This prompted a chuckle from him. Laughing even as his arm lay severed and blood dripped down his mouth, it was an unsettling sight. "No need; I'm not that curious." “…You." "Didn't you ask why I'm here?" Woong. Gu Yangcheon's eyes gleamed. Was it mere illusion? Yuseon felt the air shift, a strange sensation creeping in. "Firstly, I wanted to try something out, and there was no better place than here," he said. "What do you mean…?" "Secondly, I remembered something you once said." "What did I say?" she inquired. "You told me once," Gu Yangcheon reminded her. "Dragons don't tolerate having what's theirs taken from them." "And so?" "And so what." With his remaining arm, Gu Yangcheon brushed back his hair, revealing his eyes more clearly. "I came to get back what was stolen." "…" "Give it back." What could he possibly ask for? Yuseon pondered, but it didn't take long to realize. There was only one thing he might demand from her. "…Biyoe-gun?" "Correct." Gu Yangcheon grinned as if he had given the right answer, while Yuseon's face twisted into a monstrous sneer. His gleaming eyes reflected a predatory cunning. Remarkably, despite losing an arm, despite his precarious situation, he exuded confidence. Yuseon, observing his renewed resolve, found herself underestimating him. Such audacity. "How dare you…." Boom-! Responsive to Yuseon's burgeoning ire, the surrounding space trembled. And then. "Hmm?" Gu Yangcheon's body floated into the air, drawn toward Yuseon’s grasp. Smack-! Yuseon clamped down on Gu Yangcheon's neck as he soared toward her. Crrrack-! Her grip tightened fiercely. Maintaining her distorted scowl, Yuseon spoke to Gu Yangcheon. "Illusions have limits…! How dare you covet what's mine?" Though she had maintained her composure, her response was unusually intense. "I'm caught again. This is getting annoying." Yet Gu Yangcheon remained indifferent. "Make no mistake. I didn't steal your belonging." Woong! Woong! The vibrations intensified. "He was always mine. I merely reclaimed what was mine." "Hmm." "It was never yours." Crrrack-! Something shattered within. Where was it this time? Gu Yangcheon focused on his sensations, discerning that the pressure targeted his heart. Intending to crush it, perhaps. Recognizing this, he nodded. "Fine, then keep it." "…What?" Yuseon was momentarily taken aback by his nonchalant remark. Simply keep it. Such light words from someone who claimed to come retrieve what was his from enemy territory. "Keep it, that fellow." As if it didn't matter much at all. In truth, it wasn't crucial. "It doesn't matter if he's yours." Whether Uhyuk or Biyoe-gun truly belonged to Yuseon didn't concern Gu Yangcheon. "What does it matter?" What did it change if it was Yuseon’s? "If I didn't come for my own, I came to take what’s yours." "What…?" Even though it wouldn’t make any difference. As Yuseon redirected the conversation with humorless jest, Gu Yangcheon gripped the wrist of Yuseon's hand clutching his throat. It was a repeat of their previous scenario, but Yuseon remained immovable. He exerted strength, but escaping Yuseon’s grip was a monumental task. Despite his increased energy and elevated prowess, the outcome remained unchanged. Yet that was of little concern to Gu Yangcheon. Staring at Yuseon, he spoke. "Did you know? I'm quite greedy." This was a recent revelation for him. He couldn’t stand losing anything. He needed to achieve everything he wanted. If that didn’t happen, he’d crush and take it by force. "So if you claim it’s yours, it doesn’t concern me. I’ll just take it." If it belonged to someone else, he'd simply take it. He would obtain what he desired. He followed primal instincts. In casting aside his hesitations, he realized he’d always been this kind of person. "Whether it’s because of being a dragon or if I was always this way, I'm not sure." Perhaps that’s why he had developed this ‘power.’ Amusingly, as Gu Yangcheon came to understand his authority, these thoughts crossed his mind. "I have to have what I desire. Especially if it’s yours." "..." Yuseon was silent for a moment after his declaration. And then her expression slowly vanished. Her demeanor chilled to a quiet calm. She felt foolish for the anger she had shown earlier. "You are correct." Yuseon nodded, acknowledging his point. What value did words hold? He had come to reclaim something taken from him. There was no point in refuting such a simple truth. Instead. All she needed to do was prevent him from taking it. Puuuck-! Yuseon's remaining hand plunged into Gu Yangcheon's chest. Her target was his heart. Piercing it, she skewered straight through the organ. And thus. Gu Yangcheon's head sagged forward, limp and lifeless. This was the preordained conclusion. From the moment he entered her domain, his fate was sealed. Though a somewhat anticlimactic end, it was the truth. ‘…So trivial.’ Yuseon felt absurdity in her fierce reaction, embarrassed by this anticlimactic closure. Sighing, she attempted to withdraw her hand. Squelch. “…?” Yet, inexplicably, her hand was stuck. Her fingers, embedded within Gu Yangcheon’s heart, felt bound, unable to move. Clamp-! “…!” Likewise, the hand grasping his throat was similarly entrapped. "What is this…!" Startled, Yuseon exclaimed. "Gotcha." The voice came from Gu Yangcheon’s supposedly limp form. As Yuseon attempted to muster strength in response... "Bite." Gu Yangcheon had spoken first. "Greed." And a deep, consuming darkness enveloped the space.