763 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**The World's Best Martial Friend Chapter 763: Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archive** Swoosh... The monster’s body scattered into the wind, vanishing without a trace. I stood there, staring at the white mana stone left behind on the ground. It was perfectly shaped, as if someone had deliberately placed it there. Though it looked somewhat transparent, the stone's bright whiteness was striking, and I could feel an abundant energy emanating from within. Compared to Dokcheon Elixir, a top-level spiritual pill, this stone contained much more energy. I knew that acquiring it would be quite beneficial. “...” But I couldn’t casually touch the mana stone. Not only was I unable to use the Demonic Energy Absorption Technique because of the prying eyes from behind, but I needed a moment to steady myself after recalling the recent events. ‘What’s this?’ What is this unsettling feeling? What had I just heard? [Th… Thank… you….] “...” Before the monster disappeared, it had thanked me. Its speech was clumsy, but clear enough to understand. Perhaps I misheard or it was an illusion? No, I knew better than anyone that wasn’t the case. ‘What was that?’ It wasn’t that surprising for a monster to speak human language. After all, treating dragons merely as monsters seemed problematic. I had even conversed with Mang in the North Sea, so this wasn’t entirely shocking, but still… “Why….” Why did the creature, which hadn’t uttered a single word before, speak to me at the very end? And it wasn’t just any words, but a thank you. Because of what it said, my heart welled up with unease once it disappeared. What did it mean? I could easily ignore it, yet the question lodged stubbornly in my heart. ‘How infuriating.’ I ended up frowning. Why can't these creatures just die without troubling me with unnecessary thoughts? ‘Nothing ever resolves cleanly.’ That’s just how my life is. Damn it. Ignoring my tangled thoughts, I collapsed to the ground. “Phew….” I let out a sigh I’d been holding in. And then— “Is… Is it over?” “The monster…?” “I don’t see it anywhere…. It seems like it’s really… really over.” Others began to survey the situation, their voices filled with tension. The monster had long disappeared, leaving behind only the traces of burnt-red monsters scattered around. Quietly. Or settling into silence, someone shouted with enthusiasm. “The demon slayer has vanquished the beast!” Huh? I quickly turned my head at those ridiculous words. What on earth were they talking about? “Indeed…! He approached it with that body, intending to finish it off?” “With a body that was nearly dead…? Did he actually risk himself to save us from danger?” “Demon Slayer… you.” The older men’s eyes began to redden collectively. Feeling a chill at this rather creepy scene, I shouted, disgusted. “Have you all been drinking together? Didn’t you see the thunder clapping from the heavens?” No more nonsense. Anyone would think I did it alone. All the hunting was done by the Heavenly Exalted, yet I was the one getting the applause. How could they come to such an absurd conclusion in this situation? “I just came to check things out. It was dead long before I arrived, so don’t misunderstand.” “With even humility….” “I’m ashamed to have judged you merely by appearance… Demon Slayer, you’re nothing like the rumors.” “They say he’s skilled but has a horrible temper, looks terrifying, and is consumed by lust… Who knew he was a self-sacrificing young man.” “Talking about how one can’t believe everything they hear….” “…I suppose I have to rip out some tongues now.” Just when I could no longer hold back and tried to stand— Sway- “Ugh!” My body swayed and then collapsed again. “Gasp… Gasp.” I was nearly in trouble. My physical limits seemed to have been reached, and I almost lost consciousness. ‘No way.’ This can’t happen. I couldn’t afford to pass out yet. Although dealing with the monster ended the immediate danger— ‘…There’s still something left to do.’ The most crucial task was still at hand. Recalling that, I barely managed to regain my composure. “Phew….” Taking a deep breath, Dang Solyeol hurried over to support me. “Are you alright…?” “…Of course, I’m fine.” “What on earth do you mean by fine….” “All my limbs are intact. That means I’m fine.” At least I wasn’t missing any parts. That was enough. Ignoring the sensation of blood rushing through my veins, I swallowed hard and surveyed my body. The dragon physique had already started regenerating. I hadn’t used my energy. Though only a minuscule amount was left, I had to preserve it, so using it for regeneration wasn’t an option. I looked at the sky. ‘…How swift.’ The clearing sky signaled that the monster was indeed dead. While the others started to relax, seeing the brightening sky— “We can't be idle right now.” I spoke to them in a low voice. “It seems we’ve dealt with whatever that creature was, but the attacks aren’t over yet.” “...” As soon as I reminded them, their expressions hardened. We had extinguished the main fire, but other dangers were still ablaze. That was the intent behind my words. The attack hadn’t ended. We managed to evacuate people from the center, but hadn’t yet subdued all the invaders, so battles were likely occurring everywhere. Moreover, if possible… ‘It would be good to buy a little more time.’ Though it might not be possible for long. The creatures must have realized by now, seeing the sky, that something had gone wrong with their plan. ‘Even if they realized, it's already too late.’ Shaking my head clear, I spoke to the others. “Now isn’t the time for relief; it’s time to do what needs to be done.” “…Indeed.” “We still have tasks at hand.” Everyone nodded. Suppressing the remnants of the flames and protecting civilians. Those willing to wield their swords for stability. While wearing a distasteful facade, I memorized each of their faces. As I quickly scanned through the dozens of faces doing the same, I realized something. ‘…Almost all unfamiliar faces.’ Most of these people were strangers to me. They were likely individuals who would have died early in the war in my previous life. “...” I took in each of the faces, committing them to memory. In my previous life, I hadn’t been able to do so—nor had anyone else, for that matter. Though I knew I lacked the right, I chose to remember them this time. ****************** I moved straight towards the area where civilians were gathered for evacuation. It wasn’t too far from the main headquarters of the alliance and was situated to be easily observed. Some might wonder why it was built so close to a location under attack, but there was a reason behind it. ‘They need to see, don't they?’ The setup allowed the gathered people to look directly at the Martial Alliance. That way— ‘Their mistrust will deepen.’ For those developing mistrust towards the alliance during the evacuation, or those whose faith was dwindling in the current situation, this setup served to deepen their feelings of betrayal. And the method was surprisingly effective. “Please be careful—!” “Watch your step while moving!” A large crowd was gathered, with figures in yellow martial robes managing both protection and guidance. They were members of the Hwangbo family. “Those with any discomfort, please report here immediately!” Physicians were bustling about, distributing water, while martial artists stood guard, vigilantly observing the surroundings for any potential attacks. “They’ve even provided us with physicians….” “How could they….” Many were expressing admiration at what they saw. Physicians were rare in the current Central Plains, and those allied with prominent families weren’t easily accessible even to their own. Yet here, those physicians were tending to the refugees. “…The Hwangbo family truly is a noble lineage….” “They say they acted before anyone else when the attack occurred.” “They’re truly remarkable.” “How will we ever repay their kindness….” Gratitude was written all over the faces of the gathered crowd. Most of them had received aid from the Hwangbo family, which only amplified their appreciation. “In contrast, that so-called Martial Alliance…!” The remark drew a momentary silence from the surroundings. Even sensing the shift in atmosphere, the man who spoke couldn’t suppress his emotions. “Be careful…. No matter the circumstances, criticizing the Martial Alliance….” “Calm myself, you say? What have they done as the situation reached this state?” Criticizing the alliance in the heart of Hanam was quite perilous. Yet, the man couldn’t contain himself, and others seemed to silently agree, hesitantly nodding in concurrence. “They strutted around claiming to protect the Central Plains, but what were they doing when we needed them…!” “…You’re right. They were busy guarding traders and merchants with powerful patrons, ignoring the rest of us.” “I saw it too…!” As more voices joined, the volume grew. “What is justice when even the leader is confined and unable to act? Who has truly been protecting us….” The heated voices of anger ended in forlorn sighs. A poignant emptiness at the crumbling trust in what they once believed. Observing these disillusioned folks, I quietly moved. Or rather, it was correct to say the Heavenly Awakened One was moving. What I mean is, I was being carried on the back of the Heavenly Awakened One. ‘…Hmm.’ Living long enough to be carried on the back of one of the Three Sages, I see. The situation was nothing if not utterly uncomfortable. But I had no choice. I needed to recover my strength quickly, which required rest. Travel needed to be done separately, so I needed to borrow someone’s strength…. ‘…Why did they start fighting?’ As soon as I asked for someone to carry me just to our destination, three women suddenly began quarreling to do so. Perhaps it was a mistake to speak those words aloud. The moment I did, the women's eyes suddenly ignited with fierce determination. It began with Dang Solyeol. She approached to carry me without hesitation, but Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah simultaneously blocked her. Their reasoning? Why should Dang Solyeol be the one to do it? Dang Solyeol logically argued that she’d always supported me, so she should carry me this time as well. While her logic was sound, the two women refused to accept it. Namgung Bi-ah claimed she’d done it only because Wi Seol-ah wasn’t available, and now she intended to take her turn. Wi Seol-ah interjected, claiming her original role as an attendant which she ought to fulfill. I was utterly taken aback by their explanations. Wasn’t it long ago she abandoned that role? And here she was, barely able to sit up, bandaged and bedridden. Who would carry whom, I found it absurd. The conversation started with what seemed like a logical debate, but it quickly became clear it was driven purely by their desire to carry me. Amidst all this, Bong Sun even snuck in to try and carry me, only to get caught, plunging the situation into further chaos. As tensions escalated to violence, I pondered how to manage this ludicrous situation. “I’ll carry him.” The Heavenly Awakened One stepped in and resolved the issue. They were on the brink of fighting, yet the Heavenly Awakened One’s intervention silenced everyone instantly. ‘What even is this about….’ I couldn’t fathom why carrying someone caused such a dispute. Anyway. While fleetingly observing the refugees’ reactions, I, with the Heavenly Awakened One’s aid, headed towards the pavilion. ‘I see.’ Within the Martial Alliance headquarters, the location where the martial arts tournament was held had a raised pavilion. Upon arriving, multiple people clustered together came into view. The moment they spotted us, they drew their swords. Shing-!! “…State your identity.” Maintaining some distance, I scrutinized them. ‘Ha.’ A laugh escaped me the moment I recognized their faces. ‘Three wardens?’ There were over forty martial artists gathered, with three among them of warden-level expertise. The man who first drew his sword was a familiar face. “Ilcheongum.” Ilcheongum, Jang Seongmyeong. The current leader of the Blue Dragon Unit and a remarkable master part of the top hundred masters. ‘The right hand of Jang, that bastard.’ A man notorious in my past life as the comet sword’s right hand. Just then— “…So, So Yeom-ra…?” One of them recognized me, their eyes widening. “Oh.” It was a face I knew. "It's been a while, Commander of the Flying Dragon Unit." I greeted him with a smile, and he flinched, visibly shaken. This man was none other than Beom Dong, the Commander of the Flying Dragon Unit. "How... how are you here...?" Beom Dong stammered in surprise, and next to him, Ilcheongum gave a peculiar expression. "I thought your face looked familiar. So, you're Soyom-ra?" Though they now knew my identity, they still hadn't sheathed their swords. "It's clear who you are. But I must ask, how did you come to be here?" There was a note of caution in their voices. Feeling the tension, I took a step forward. "I heard that the Head of the Alliance is trapped here. I've come to offer my assistance." "You? Really?" His skepticism only grew with my answer. And honestly, in their position, I might find it suspicious too. "Yes." "While your intent is appreciated, there's no need." "Why not?" "Given the current circumstances, this isn't a time for outsiders to come and go. If you're willing to help, it might be better to apply your efforts elsewhere." "...Given the circumstances…." Pondering their words, I considered my options. It wasn’t a wholly unreasonable stance, which made it tricky to decide how I should respond. "Indeed… the current situation is quite a mess." "Thank you for understanding—" "But what exactly are you doing here in this mess?" "...What?" I habitually cracked my neck, then thought better of it, afraid that doing it now might bring unbearable pain. "The town is in chaos from the creature’s attacks. Citizens are screaming, wailing... so what exactly are you doing here?" Despite the attacks and rampant chaos, what was the Martial Alliance up to? I already knew the answer before asking. “They’ve been busy dealing with the patrons, the hosts, and while the three leaders here are wasting time, things fall into disarray.” With every word, Ilcheongum’s expression soured further. "What... are you daring to say?" "You don’t seem old enough to be hard of hearing, but I can repeat myself if needed. Though I warn you, it might be harsher than before. Are you sure you’re okay with that?" "You—!" Ilcheongum radiated hostility as if on the verge of exploding. "Are you insulting me, the Commander, and the entire alliance right now?" "Does this sound like praise to you? If that's how you heard it, I suggest checking with a physician immediately." "You insolent—!" Ilcheongum stepped forward as if intending to cut me down right then and there. Watching him, I thought to myself. Whether he was angry or not didn’t really concern me. In fact, I kind of needed him to stay just like this. It would make my task easier. That’s what I believed, at least. ‘This is really aggravating.’ No matter how much I told myself otherwise, I couldn't tolerate it. I recalled the people who’d charged recklessly at the monsters. The faces I memorized came flashing through my mind. Memorizing them had been a mistake. If I hadn’t, I wouldn't have been so infuriated. ‘But what choice do I have.’ Having remembered them, I had to take responsibility. As Ilcheongum approached in anger, I too prepared to brace my heart, but— "Calm yourself." I felt the reassuring weight of the Heavenly Awakened One’s hand on my shoulder. It was a touch that seemed to still my entire being. "My apologies. Allow me to apologize on his behalf." "This is not a matter for others to intervene, given his words insult the alliance—" Ilcheongum started to raise his voice at the Heavenly One but then hesitated, likely recognizing who he was addressing. After all, he was the head of the Alliance. It was impossible for him not to know the Heavenly One's face. "...Sir…?" The moment he confirmed the Heavenly One’s identity, Ilcheongum turned pale. "Ho-how are you here, sir…." To the astonished Ilcheongum, the Heavenly One simply said, "Our young master here had some business to attend to, so we dropped by." "You mean… the young master." Ilcheongum’s gaze shifted to me. Under any other circumstance, I would have denied it or offered an explanation, but this time, I didn’t bother. "What are you looking at?" "..." It was an invitation for things to go south for him, and judging by his expression, he understood the implication quite well.