674 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

# Chapter 674: The Northern Rabbit - Archive of the Web Novel Seven days and nights had passed. Ha Nam was still bustling with people. Before anyone realized, summer had reached its peak, the hottest time of the year had arrived. Of course, no matter how many people there might be. I stayed mostly inside my lodging, avoiding the outside world. And even when I did step out, it was only during the night, so I had no way of knowing what changes were happening. All I could do was immerse myself in my training and wait for time to pass. Boom-! Boom boom-! A heavy iron bar dropped to the ground, causing a great noise. My body was drenched in sweat and my breaths were ragged. "Hoo... Hoo..." I calmed my breathing and relaxed my body. Once the weight was gone, I felt considerably lighter. At the same time. Sssssss-! The iron bar that had fallen to the ground quickly vanished into mist. Surprisingly, the iron bar was an object created through my abilities. 'The duration has slightly increased.' In the past few days. Having used my ability several times, I had made considerable progress. If it were a simple shape like an iron bar, I could now maintain it for almost half a hour. However, if the colors varied or the shape was complex, its duration reduced drastically. 'Even this much is significant.' Objects created by my ability were not vastly different from the real thing. That alone made them quite valuable. ‘The condition for use... is knowing the object in detail.’ I cannot create something if I don't know it well or if it’s uncertain. And the more information I have about something, the more precisely I can create it. ‘It's quite a good power.’ Even if I've lost regeneration, it's fortunate that I've managed to harness this ability instead. If I hadn't, it would have been truly frustrating. "Hoo." I caught my breath and wiped my body. It had been a while since I pushed myself this hard, and the heat was no joke. While I wiped myself, I waved my hand slightly. Saaaa-! Then, a faint energy spread from my fingertips and filled the room. It was cold air. The cold energy that remained in my body after obtaining it from the Ice Spirit. It filled the room and began to lower the temperature. “Now it feels a bit cooler.” Although it wasn’t particularly useful in combat, it was good for things like this. Cooling my body with the cold air, I turned my gaze aside. “Hoooo....” There, besides me, others were also resting, seemingly exhausted. They were Woo Hyuk and Seong Yul. Seong Yul seemed on the verge of collapsing, staggering as if he might fall, while Woo Hyuk was panting in a similar state yet not to the point of collapse. Looking at the two, I said. “Shall we call it a day for the morning training?” “… Alright...” “You mentioned morning, does that mean there's also afternoon training?” Seong Yul replied, seemingly used to it, while Woo Hyuk looked at me with surprised eyes. “Then do you want to end it with this?” “… You've increased your training volume, haven't you?” “I've obviously increased it. I've progressed my level.” “...” I don't understand why he looks surprised. Isn't it natural to increase one's training volume as one advances? “Oh, perhaps you don't know since you're more about enlightenment.” True. I've heard that people like him, unlike simple martial artists, focus more on enlightenment. Once they reach a certain level, they seek formal enlightenment rather than physical training. ‘I don't think that's bad.’ I understand that everyone has their own way of pursuing their growth. Whether Woo Hyuk does the same remains to be seen. “I brought you out because I was frustrated while you were cooped up. From tomorrow, do as you wish.” “...” “Whether you follow along or not, it's up to you.” Woo Hyuk didn't answer me but gave a small nod. Will he come out again tomorrow? From the look of things, it seems like he might. “And...” Just as I was about to speak more to Woo Hyuk. “Huh?” “Never mind. Let's talk about this another time.” It didn't seem like the right time to bring it up, so I held back. I could just bring it up before the martial arts competition. It's been about ten days since we returned to Ha Nam. Woo Hyuk had almost vanished into his residence, not even returning to Wudang, and was living a near reclusive life. And the reason was none other than Gwi Seon. ‘To be precise, it was because of my ability I had passed on.’ The power I had stripped from the Mang and given to Woo Hyuk. Regeneration. Woo Hyuk sought to use Regeneration to heal Gwi Seon. All because of a subtle suggestion I had given Woo Hyuk. I mentioned that Regeneration could not only heal his own body but also others'. Upon hearing it, Woo Hyuk immediately sought out Gwi Seon, trying to heal his arm. Of course, it doesn’t seem to be going smoothly. Just by looking at Woo Hyuk's expression, it was clear it wasn't easy. Nevertheless, Woo Hyuk seemed to be continuously attempting something. ‘I hope it works.' It wasn't from a desire to see Gwi Seon recover out of a kind heart. If Woo Hyuk succeeded in healing Gwi Seon, there would be much information to gain on my end. ‘If he succeeds.... It's proof that abilities can grow with use.’ Just as I am becoming more adept at using 'Wind'. If Woo Hyuk could ensure the growth of Regeneration, it would be verification that abilities get stronger the more they're used. Also. ‘I need to examine if there are side effects to passing on abilities.’ I turned Woo Hyuk into a follower and passed him Regeneration. Since he hasn't shown any overt reactions to the demonic energy yet, everything seems fine for now. But because it was a new method, I needed to continuously check Woo Hyuk's condition. ‘If it turns out using abilities this way doesn’t pose any problems.’ I might be able to distribute abilities to followers, much like the Heavenly Demon once did. ‘In fact, looking at Woo Hyuk, it seems it’s already possible.’ I just currently lack the abilities to distribute. ‘...Then, how on earth did the Heavenly Demon manage it?’ If what bestowed upon the followers truly were abilities. And if she had granted them in the same manner as I can. ‘The number of abilities the Heavenly Demon possessed might have exceeded a hundred.’ Regardless of how she contained it within her small body. ‘How did she gather them?’ And moreover. ‘Why did she distribute them?’ The doubts about the Heavenly Demon's actions and her true nature lingered in my mind. 'The Heavenly Demon...' Gritting my teeth, I remembered the incident from seven days ago. Since then, I had not sought out the Heavenly Demon or even Gu Heebi. While I had people keeping an eye on the Heavenly Demon, I myself didn’t visit her. Rumor had it that she had already sensed their presence but chose not to interfere or show concern. Apparently, she was just doing ordinary things like household chores and hunting for food. 'Damn it.' The thought of the Heavenly Demon doing housework was baffling. 'What on earth is she up to?' What is her intention? Why did Gu Heebi, or rather, the old man known as the grandfather, leave the Heavenly Demon behind? Gu Heebi claimed the previous family head entrusted the Heavenly Demon to him. Could that be true? It's hard to tell. How could someone presumed to be dead be alive, and why would a figure from the Gu family entrust the Heavenly Demon? I intended to ask Father about this after meeting with Gu Heebi. '…Father has yet to arrive in Ha Nam.' Although the members of the Gu family who traveled with him arrived earlier. 'Where has Father gone?' While pondering his whereabouts, Mi Buin handed me a letter, saying it was from Father. A single, neatly folded letter. Inside, it bore Father's rugged yet tidy handwriting. [Running late.] "Ha." I was at a loss for words upon seeing it. The message was unmistakably from Father, given his style. 'He urged me to come quickly, yet he arrives late.' I was worried something might have happened to him, but... '...I'm not particularly concerned.' Recalling Father's martial prowess, I didn't feel any significant worry. "Whoo…." Letting out a sigh, I shook my head. 'There are already enough things to worry about. Matters are getting overwhelming.' Not only with the Heavenly Demon and the grandfather, but there were also immediate concerns. 'In a few days….' The reason I came to Ha Nam. It's only a few days until the martial arts competition hosted by the alliance. 'Nahi mentioned it.' News came yesterday that the construction of the martial arts stage within the alliance premises had been completed. It was time to prepare. However. “...” Even though the planned time has come, for some reason, my emotions are unsettlingly calm. No, calling it empty might be more accurate. This is a stark contrast to the intense tension I had been feeling just days before. Why is it this way? Why do I feel this way? I raise the question, but deep down, I know the answer. ‘It's probably because of the Heavenly Demon.’ The Heavenly Demon I met a few days ago. Or rather, it might be a situation where she is no longer the Heavenly Demon. If, just if. The Heavenly Demon can change like Jegal Hyeok or Namgung Bia.... ‘What am I fighting for?’ The question clouds my mind like a dark shadow. This is likely the cause of the emptiness. “Ha…. I'm really a fool.” I sighed, lamenting at the realization I had just come to. I should be relieved if the one causing this bloodshed disappears, but am I regretting it? ‘It's not regret.... it's just emptiness.’ It's a feeling hard to put into words. Is this what a lack of urgency feels like? Slaaap-! I slapped my cheek immediately. Though Woo Hyuk and Seong Yul looked surprised, I paid them no mind. ‘Get a grip.’ No matter what happens, things don’t change. Or rather, they shouldn’t. ‘Just because the Heavenly Demon disappears doesn’t mean it ends.’ I may have thought so before. But not anymore. ‘There's still Hyeolma (Blood Demon).’ The one called the Dragon Emperor, a suspected pure-blooded dragon. The one who caused the Blood Demon War centuries ago was still around. His schemes remained unknown, and even if the Heavenly Demon changed, my task remained the same. Yet. ‘Even knowing this.’ The emptiness within doesn't easily fill. “...Ugh.” I clicked my tongue briefly and donned my martial attire. “I'm leaving first.” I informed Woo Hyuk and Seong Yul and moved on. It was close to mealtime. I had arranged to have lunch with Namgung Bia and Wi Seol Ah, so I had to start moving. ‘Dang So Yeol mentioned she had something to do.’ While Moyong Heea always has reasons not to join for lunch, it was unexpected for Dang So Yeol to suddenly disappear. Lately, I've heard she's been going out often. What is she doing on her own? ‘She’ll probably return by dinner. She can handle herself.’ It seems foolish to worry about a grown woman, especially when Dang So Yeol is a martial artist of considerable rank. So, I headed towards Wi Seol Ah's lodgings. "Uh?" As I was about to open the door, I sensed a presence outside. "I greet you, Master." Opening the door slightly to the training area, I saw Nahi waiting outside. "What is it?" "There are guests seeking an audience with you, Master." Hearing her words, I frowned. Guests? Of all times, now? Why do things always arise just before mealtime? Annoyingly, at that. "...Who is it?" I asked, holding back my irritation. Then. “Leader Beomdong of the Wyvern Brigade.” A more irritating name came from Nahi's lips.