761 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Chapter 761 - Moon Rabbit** It's pitch black. Darkness where nothing can be seen. While staring blankly into it— “-...Young Master-!” -Young Master...!!!” Voices. I hear them and open my eyes. “...Huff...” The darkness fades away as my vision brightens, and I become alert. I immediately turn my head to scan my surroundings. The light was dazzling. Are there any casualties? I needed to assess this quickly. My senses quickly survey and return. '...That's a relief.' I breathe a sigh of relief after confirming the situation. There's no reduction in presences. Our group seems uninjured, and even the martial artists behind appear unharmed. The ground was shattered, and everything around was in ruins, but for a rush of movement, the situation isn't bad. At least no one has died. '...Good thing I managed to use my power.' The creature's strength was certainly an extraordinary power. I instinctively intercepted it, able to deploy my protective net just in time. If not, it could have been disastrous. 'Ah. This isn't the time to relax.' I shake my head to regain focus. It wasn't time to be relieved. Next to me is Tang So-yeoul, from whom I ask for an update. “...I think I can block that power for now, so let's prepare our next move...” “N...No, Young Master...!! Don't move...!” “Huh?” There's something strange about Tang So-yeoul's expression. She has a face that looks on the verge of tears. What's going on? Even others have similar expressions. Namgoong Bia looks at me with a hardened gaze, and Wi Seol-ah has let her sword slip from her hand, covering her mouth in shock. Why on earth is everyone like this? “What? Why are you...?” Stagger. “...Ugh?” Thud-!! Dizziness overwhelms me as I fall to my knees, and blood gushes from my mouth. What's happening to me? I cover my bleeding mouth and check my condition. That's when I realized. 'Argh.' It seems I couldn't block everything entirely. Looking now, my entire body is soaked with blood. Many bones are broken, and there are issues with my internal organs. “Huff... Huff...” It might have been from using my net suddenly. Though I blocked most, the remnants I took head-on with my body. Through the growing pain, I glanced at the creature. [Chiik... Chiik...] Its condition isn't favorable either. I wondered why it hadn't used this power earlier. It must have a rebound effect. It seems exhausted, the creature slumped on the ground. Seeing this, I stood up. “Young Master...!” Tang So-yeoul yelps in surprise as I stand. “Sit down...!! You need treatment first...!” “There’s no time for that.” Spit. I spat out a mouthful of blood, circulating energy through my body. It hurts. My energy pathways seem damaged, and my internal energy isn't flowing well. Yet, I moved. Since I can move, I must. My limbs are intact. I can walk, I can breathe. That means there are still things I can do. “If we wait any longer, it’ll be the end.” With a creaking body, I raised my hand. This was an opportunity. Now that the creature is down, it must be eliminated. I prepared to draw out my flames for this purpose. [Chi... Chiik...] The creature made a sound. Oddly, it seemed like laughter. Then— Thump-! “...Damn.” A gust of wind blew. I looked up. The empty air came into view, revealing a sight. In the completed demon gate, the sigil was fulfilled. “Shi...t.” I cursed. Was I too late? [Craaaaa.] [Sheeeeed,] Cries came from within the demon gate, erasing my doubts. 'Too late.' I got distracted by the power. The creature had completed it. With this, dozens of monster-level threats would appear. I turned my gaze. “Run away.” “...Run...? Run where.” I sensed the martial artists' hesitation. Their expressions questioned how we could flee leaving this behind. They were truly stubborn. “Will you fight against that? You can't win. We need to regroup with others.” I shouted bitterly. “But it’s not like those creatures won't follow if we flee. It'd be better to buy time for others to escape...” The martial artists were adamant about not leaving, and I firmly declared, “I'll handle that.” “...!” The martial artists paused at my words. “Lord So-yeol.... What do you mean?” “I’ll buy you the time, so go and aid in the evacuation.” I intended to face them alone. Upon hearing this, everyone looked shocked. “Lord So-yeol-!! We all recognize your strength here. But thinking you can handle this alone in your state—is absurd.” “There’s a way. So, don't worry.” I understood. It was obvious this seemed like madness. But— 'I have a real plan.' It wasn't a joke; I truly had a method. A last resort I’d use if everything went awry. It required no onlookers. Hence, having these people leave was beneficial for me. That's why I said I'd handle it alone. “When I came along this path, and when I saw the creature, I was ready to die.” An unfamiliar martial artist spoke to me with reddened eyes. “If someone has to sacrifice themselves, let it be me. I cannot let someone of your caliber die here.” “...No, it’s not about sacrifice, there is really a...” “With you alone, it’s insufficient. I, Woo Cheon-myeong of the Woo Cheon family, also share this resolve.” “These people. They don’t seem to listen to me.” “Lord So-yeol, thank you for saving us earlier. You are... truly the hope of the younger martial artists and a future leader of the righteous factions. You musn’t bear all this alone.” “...Damn, listen to people for once.” What strange ideas are they entertaining? There's no time, so couldn't they just leave, please... “Everyone, get lost! I'm telling you, I have a way... Guuh...!” In shouting, I clutched my ribs. Ah, this hurt a bit more severely. “...Young Master.” In the midst of my pain, I turned my gaze. There was Tang So-yeoul, on the verge of tears. “Young Master, you're such a liar.” "You... suddenly... what's..." "You said nothing would happen... but it was a lie." "..." I was at a loss for words. Even I didn't expect things to reach this level. "I'm glad I didn't listen to you and came here. Otherwise, I might not have seen you again." "...That wouldn't have happened, you know?" "Please stay still. Now, we will protect you." They seemed to have been protecting me already. Seeing how they fiercely fought the creature earlier, it's clear I wasn't the one doing the protecting. "No... I mean... that." My head throbbed. I couldn't get through to them. Why doesn't anyone believe me? 'What should I do.' How can I turn this situation around? I was racking my brain when— Crackle. The sound of lightning crackling caught my attention. It came from the direction of Namgoong Bia. “…Huh…?” As the martial artists were buzzing with energy. Two people. Wi Seol-ah and Namgoong Bia were walking forward before I knew it. Damn. They're heading over there? "Hey! We need to stop them first...!" [Graaurgh!!] Of all times, the demon beasts began emerging from the gate. Monstrous creatures, towering and fierce, compared to the blue beasts. Each unique in shape and species, they pierced through dimensions to appear before us. Watching that, I stiffened to pull them back. Crack-! Whoosh---!! "Ugh…!" A sudden gust of wind hit, causing my body to sway. An overpowering wind pressure. Squinting against the fierce gale, I focused my gaze. Astonishingly, the origin was Namgoong Bia. However, her state was peculiar. Electricity coursed through her hair, emanating a thick killing intent. Though I couldn't see her expression, her energy suggested she was immensely irritated. And then— 'Is she wielding Thunderbolt?' In her right hand, she gripped the sword, electricity sparking fiercely from it. Her entire demeanor seemed wrapped in electrical energy— '...Thunder God's Descent?' It was identical to when the Demon Sword Princess wielded Thunderbolt's power. The atmosphere and presence as if everything would be cleaved at any moment. Contrary to her earlier words about not drawing Thunderbolt, Namgoong Bia had unsheathed it for some reason. Not to mention Wi Seol-ah. Even compared to when she fought the Divine Dragon as an invalid, her spirit now was more intense. Not overshadowed by Thunderbolt's electricity, the golden aura made her state shine even more. Through this aura I sensed an anomaly. "...That’s." Among the golden aura, a different essence lingered. I could see it. The white energy blending within Wi Seol-ah's aura. The moment I saw it, I tensed my body. '...This isn't good.' Putting aside the question of how she’s using it already— That's not an energy Wi Seol-ah should be using. 'Damn.’ It’s unacceptable. Judging by their stances, they're thinking of clashing with the monsters head-on. This won’t do. Using that energy will do Wi Seol-ah no good. Despite knowing this, both were advancing toward the beasts. And the martial artists around, seemingly determined, braced themselves. 'This is bad.' It’s a disaster. If it comes to this, prying eyes or not, there’s no choice. No choice. I immediately focused to activate my power. Focus on the ring in my heart. Not the ring of the Flaming Nine-Suns Technique, but the one crafted through sorcery. By now, it's increased to four rings, which should hold much more rotational force, serving as a last resort I could employ. Tap. Moving my hand to form the required shape. “Young Master? Why suddenly—” Then all of a sudden, everything went silent. '...Focus.' Whirring-!! The rings began to rotate. Steadying my breath, I was about to attempt the method when— "Young Master." A voice broke through the silence I had established. It was a voice that seemed to carry the weight of years. "I apologize." I stopped my movement and immediately opened my eyes. I instantly recognized the voice. "The old man is very late." An elderly figure stood before me—an individual I had awaited earnestly. His attire bore the insignia of the Gu family. The moment Tang So-yeoul caught sight of him, surprise registered on her face. By the reactions, it seemed no one had noticed his arrival. No further words or introductions were needed. "I shall handle this promptly." The elder lightly waved his hand. Rumbleeeee---!!!! "Please, rest for a moment." As a thunderous boom echoed, a massive divine retribution descended upon the demon beasts.