632 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: The World's Greatest Companion - Chapter 632: Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archive Episode 632: Flame Gem Sacred Spear Amidst the rising tension of anger I've been sensing from the net, there's an unexpected conversation that starts: "So, one last question." "What is it?" "Will you join me?" The question made me let out a dry chuckle. Trying to persuade me even now? It's laughable, to say the least. I suppose this persistence implies how badly he needs me. Or more precisely, my power. The ability to consume and negate the dragon's powers, to engulf and steal—he needs that ability. “This is your last chance. I won't be lenient any further.” “Hmm.” Feigning contemplation, I idly stroked my chin before responding. "I've got one more question for you." Pointing a finger towards him, I asked, "You said you'd free the body once you recover it—after letting it go, will it survive?" "Hmm?" Hearing my question, he tilted his head slightly. "It seems you need something, a piece or whatever. Once it's removed, can it survive?" "Oh, I see." After a bit more explanation, realization dawned, and he nodded knowingly. "The blessing will remain." "Blessing?" "Yes, the blessing of being useful enough to conclude a life." In essence, what he meant to convey was death, sugarcoated in flowery terms. "There won't be another blessing like—" He paused mid-sentence as if realizing something. "Ah, I see." He acknowledged my refusal once again. It seems he grasped my intentions quite clearly from our brief exchanges—quick on the uptake, that one. "..." Silence ensued—a signal in itself. Boom. Whoosh—! We both lunged at each other, closing the gap rapidly. Whirr—! The inner sight clicked on once more, revealing the threads of energy emanating from his body. Seeing that, I swiftly tilted my head. Swish—! His sword skimmed past, just missing my hair. Snap—! The severed strands froze instantly. An immediate follow-up attack ensued. I spun around to deflect his sword, using the momentum to aim a kick at his waist. Boom—! The resulting sound was harsh, though not entirely successful. My kick was intercepted by an ice wall that seemed to materialize mid-air, diminishing its force. The blocked attack left me slightly off balance, and seeing this, he swung his sword down fiercely. A direct hit seemed inevitable. At that moment, I snapped my fingers lightly. A spark ignited at my fingertip, flying towards the blade. Ting—! “…!” An insignificant distraction, yet it was enough to skew the sword's trajectory. Thud—! Thanks to that, his sword struck the ground instead of my head. I quickly regained my footing and launched a punch. Blaze—! "Twin Heaven's Fury." Technique Two. "Torrential Heaven's Fist." A sharp gust of wind erupted towards him. Crash—! Once again, an energy barrier intervened, standing in the path of my attack. Crack—! The force of the assault shattered the barrier as it extended forth. “…!!” Seeing the crumbling barrier, his eyes widened. The technique relied on refined execution for power, though it was not perfect. While lacking in sheer destructive force... "It doesn't mean it's weak." The gale-covered fist struck his abdomen. The issue was… Thump—! "Guh!" I felt a shock reverberate through my own abdomen as well. Boom—!!! A wave of force exploded, sending us both flying back. Crash—! Clatter—! I slammed back into a wall with debris falling around me. Fortunately, it wasn't debilitating, allowing me to dust myself off and rise. However... "He managed to kick me in that state?" Despite being hit by the Torrential Heaven's Fist, he still managed to land a kick, pushing me away. I quickly studied him, still in disbelief at the situation. "Cough. Ptooey." He was grimacing, coughing and spitting out blood. Though he clutched his abdomen in apparent pain... Hum. His upper body started healing visibly. Seeing this… "It seems he can use that power too." This implies he might be able to use other abilities as well. Yet, he hasn't used anything else during our battle. Perhaps he's being wary of my abilities. Quite troublesome. Even disregarding this— "It won't be easy to bring him down." While my attacks weren't as decisive, I had the speed advantage, albeit marginally. It appears we're quite evenly matched. However, the growing concern is— "My body is progressively slowing down." My movements were becoming sluggish. It's not due to fatigue. My power is somewhat depleted but not critically so. What was happening? While I was pondering over the issue with my sluggish body— "Ridiculous, isn't it?" He finally spoke up. "To think I can't even effectively kill someone like you. Normally, I would've devoured you in one gulp." Hearing his words, I relaxed my shoulders slightly. "Then why don't you just stop bluffing and run?" "I can't do that. After all, the outcome of this battle is set—how could I flee?" He chuckled, a smile I found increasingly detestable. At that point. "You must've noticed by now, right? How your body is not responding as before." “...” His words provoked a brief internal curse. So it was his doing, this unease? But how? "It's not poison." After mastering the art of imperviousness to toxins, there's no way poison could affect me. If it's not poison, then what? While I was puzzled, he provided the answer. "You know, dragons don't usually leave their nests. Do you know why?" "Because staying gives you some kind of strength advantage?" "No." He casually pointed to the ground. "By remaining here, I'm not getting stronger—rather, you're the one growing weaker." "…Oh." His explanation elicited a small realization in me. This was new information. "Though it might seem insignificant, this is my nest. Just a little longer, and you'll likely slow to a crawl. You can't beat me here." "Hmm." I was already frustrated at how my body was acting contrary to my will. "A bit of a problem." This was indeed troublesome. Challenges from the very environment itself—it was unexpected. Even more troubling was that his constant regeneration was a thorn in my side. At this rate, just as he predicted, the prolonged fight would only disadvantage me. Though it was fortunate he wasn't using his abilities, ‘That means my own ability isn't all that useful either.’ The conditions to steal are too bothersome. Right now, that's not something I can do. Which leaves me with only one option: 'I must end this quickly.' But how exactly to do that? I pondered for a moment. "Why, have you reconsidered my offer—" "Ah." Thankfully, a possibility occurred to me. It might not work, but there was one approach I hadn't yet tried. 'Shall I give it a shot?' It was something the Master of Dominion had warned me never to reveal, something reserved for the realm of the mind. During my first attempt, it had nearly caused my body to explode, all internal organs rupturing. Since then, I had only practiced in my thoughts, never manifesting it. But perhaps now was the time to try it. After briefly weighing my options— Swoosh. I cautiously extended my right hand into the air. Fwoosh---!! Flames began to gather at my palm. "Hmm?" Seeing this, skepticism flickered across his face. But it soon twisted into a derisive smirk. He expected another repeat of the same technique he had faced before. Indeed, the Flame Gem was something I had frequently used, and he had easily parried it earlier, so I understood why he might dismiss it. Yet— "Are you still struggling in vain? Even so—hmm?" His mocking was cut short as his eyes widened in shock. Fwoosh. The Flame Gem, gathered and complete, began spinning faster. I focused all my concentration on my palm, imbuing it with intent. Whoooosh—! Far quicker than its usual rotational speed. So fast that— The surrounding cold was drawn in towards the Flame Gem. At that moment— Fwooosh. The cold air ignited into flames, merging with the spiraling core. With increased rotation and compression, the flame-laden Gem roared into life. “…What's this...!? What are you trying to do!” Alarmed, he swung his sword from a distance. Swish—!! He had no idea what I was attempting, so he dispatched a sword aura to break my concentration. A strategic decision, but ultimately the wrong move. Splat---!! Blood sprayed as the sword aura collided precisely with my chest. This strike was far more significant than the earlier glancing blows. Simultaneously, icy shards formed along the sliced wound. It was a critical hit in terms of damage, but— I refused to relinquish control over the Flame Gem. And that perseverance paid off. 'I've done it.' The technique didn't fail. With my preparation complete, I grasped the charged Flame Gem— Clench-! Without hesitation. In that instant— BOOOM---!!!! The amassed flames erupted, heat consuming the area. ****************** “Guh-!” He raised his sword, defending against the surging heat. The heat wasn't aggressive. It seemed it wasn't meant as an attack. Rather, it was simply— 'Hot.' Incredibly, unbearably hot. Where the searing heat touched the cold air, steam billowed. Amidst the obscured, vapor-dense air, he grimaced deeply. Though the heat had supposedly dissipated, the entire space felt like it had dramatically risen in temperature. ‘What in the world did he do…’ As he maintained a defensive stance, staring ahead— Whoosh—! Fwoosh—! A gust swept through, blowing away the steam. When he saw the area cleared of vapor, he was overtaken by shock. “…!” There stood Gu Yangcheon, ice spread across his chest from his sword wound. "Not as bad as I thought." And in his hand, something glowing with blue flames. Namely, it looked very much like— 'A spear...?' A long spear, crafted entirely from flames, in his grasp.