776 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: Chapter 776 of "The World's Greatest Persona's Childhood Friend" - The Northern Bunny The first thing I noticed was the sound of my heart beating. Thump-! It was the usual beat but somehow felt deeper and more intense. Unconsciously, I clutched at my chest. From the back, the man seemed unremarkable. At first, it was nothing, but the more I looked, the more uneasy I felt. Thump-! Thump-! The vibrations intensified, growing too strong to ignore even without focus. 'Hah.' A dry laugh escaped my lips. 'Of course, it was too easy.' Everything seemed to go according to plan, too smoothly. Yeah, my life could never be that simple. Pressing my hand firmly to my chest, I frowned. Thump-! My heartbeat grew louder, and the senses within my body began to stir. Ooohng--!! A sound only I could hear spread through my ears as tinnitus. "Hoo." I held my breath, trying to prevent the sound from escaping my lips. It wouldn’t do to let him hear my ragged breath. - Divine Dragon Division, you say? - Is that person the new Divine Dragon Division…? - Then, what happens to the martial arts festival? The Divine Dragon Division had declared the festival winner would be recognized, but who is this person? As questions arose among the crowd, Wudang Seom Seon began to speak as if to clarify. "I understand you are all surprised. But I ask you to trust in us. This newly introduced Divine Dragon Division is truly an extraordinary individual." The identity remained unknown, and the introduction differed from the plan. Although they acknowledged the surprise, they only asked for trust. Naturally, there was no one who could view this favorably. Questions, doubts, and a faint thrill lingered within. Why thrill amid this? Is it because he’s labeled as Divine Dragon Division, making it seem positive? 'What is it?' Wudang Seom Seon's continued explanations no longer reached my ears. I was solely focused on observing the so-called Divine Dragon Division. A pounding heart and instincts that reacted. Though not entirely clear, the sensation was vividly felt. The reason I could confidently conclude that this unknown character was linked to the Blood Demon clan. 'Blood Energy.' From him exuded the same energy the Blood Demon had instilled in Jang Seon-yeon and Namgung Cheon-jun. Even though it was faint, I could distinctly sense the Blood Energy. If one weren't careful, it would be easy to overlook. But I could definitely feel it. Because. 'That Blood Energy exists in my body too.' To be precise, as the dragon's form became part of me, the Blood Energy harmonized with my essence. It was now more akin to my energy than the demonic aura. Consequently, I could sense the presence of that energy. 'That one holds Blood Energy.' The so-called Divine Dragon Division introduced by Wudang Seom Seon bore Blood Energy, signifying a possible affiliation with the Blood Demon clan. 'Not just possible, it's almost certain.' Indeed, unless he belonged to that faction, it would be impossible to sense such an aura. Thus, another question arises. 'Who is he?' Who is this person suddenly manifesting as a formidable Divine Dragon Division? 'Can't tell from the physique alone.' From his gait and muscle structure, one could discern he was a swordmaster. One might assume recognition upon seeing his face, given his prowess. 'But I can't even see his face.' Even that was obscured by a mask, making identification impossible. 'Should I try and confirm it?' I wondered if I should use my senses to probe beyond the mask to unveil his identity. 'Risky.' It was too much of a gamble. It was evident at a glance that the mask was not mere decoration. Perhaps it had similar effects to the mask I use for disguising as the Heavenly Demon. Even if it weren't, using my senses in this situation was dangerous. 'A figure of his caliber would likely detect it if I recklessly tried.' Sending out a probing sense out of curiosity would probably alert him. Thus, the only certainty I could grasp was one thing. 'That he's associated with the Blood Demon faction.' I had already identified that the Blood Demon had extended his influence into the Martial Alliance's interior. In reality, it was odd he hadn't appeared, even after causing such a ruckus. 'Strangely reassuring.' Calling it fortunate might sound strange. Ironically, I felt relieved. 'If he hadn’t appeared, that would have been more troublesome.' One can only identify the opponent if they manifest clearly. If nothing happened, it would be challenging to know what to plan for. So, his appearance, although complex, presented a potential opportunity for me to act. 'At least it's confirmed he's there.' The Blood Demon had already infiltrated the orthodox faction. He is maneuvering with some intent. Certainty about this makes charting a path forward easier. '...Hoo.' I strategize my goals. The reason I took on the position of the leader, despite its fuss, was partly for this. 'The problem is.' Though I understood this, what exactly was his intention? Simultaneously. 'He knows a fair amount about me.' The Blood Demon faction is undoubtedly aware of my existence, which means they likely understand the current situation. 'And, will he make a move?' Perhaps his current actions could be their strategic move. Thump- Thump- With a pounding heart and a mind racing with countless thoughts. "If another crisis like this befalls us... " Wudang Seom Seon's words continued in repetition, which I still did not hear. My gaze remained glued to the Divine Dragon Division. And as I stared intently for a while. Swish-! '...!' The division's gaze suddenly turned toward me. Our eyes met for a brief moment. His masked gaze was inscrutable. Though only for an instance, the division quickly averted his eyes again. Even from that brief eye contact, I couldn't shake a peculiar feeling. 'What was that?' The fleeting glimpse I got from the eyes of the Divine Dragon Division. For some unknown reason, they seemed eerily familiar. It was as if I had seen them somewhere before. ****************** Immediately after the ceremony concluded. Amid the dispersing crowd, a slew of information began to circulate. - The legend of the Martial Alliance, the tactician Muk Yeon has returned. A genius who once led the alliance to its zenith alongside Wudang Seom Seon. Though now an elder, the living legend Muk Yeon has returned to the frontlines after hearing of the alliance's crisis. As rumors subtly spread, he showed his presence directly at the ceremony, proving the talk true. Many responded to this with a positive reaction. Understandably so. He was the one who achieved an overwhelming victory over the Evil Sect in the first war between the Martial Alliance and the Evil Sect in Guangdong, crushing their momentum. Then led many subsequent wars to victory. A person who managed to snatch victory even from overwhelmingly unfavorable situations. The living testament of an unbroken myth. The Alliance was strong because the Sword Sage was there. The Alliance didn't lose because Muk Yeon was there. These were words impressed upon the martial world during the Alliance's golden days. So, when Muk Yeon announced he would step down from his strategist position following the Sword Sage's retirement, many expressed their regret. Their departure made people worried about the Alliance's future. 'And as it turned out, they were right to worry.' The concern proved true as the Martial Alliance started to slowly decline thereafter. The figure who rose to become the leader after the Sword Sage. Jang Cheon, known as the Joyful Sword, possessed decent political and managerial skills but was considered merely adequate. Compared to the brilliant era before, he was seen as somewhat lacking. To be fair, he wasn't terrible. Even if losing strength bit by bit was inevitable, maintaining such stature could be seen as a feat in itself. For that reason, the Joyful Sword can be deemed a not-so-bad leader. However. 'It was burdensome for him to manage the feats set by his predecessors.' Whether it was an issue from the Sword Sage's era. Or if the Joyful Sword made some mistake. Or maybe it was just bad timing. The Martial Alliance was visibly shaking as days went by. That instability reached a peak due to several incidents over the years, bringing us to today. It would be unfair to blame it entirely on the Joyful Sword. 'Even the Sword Sage would have struggled to fix this.' When everything around you is unraveling while not even being your fault, what could be done? Anyway, after the Joyful Sword stepped down for various reasons, the next leader spot was claimed by Wudang Seom Seon, but... 'The unluckiest of them all is this guy.' Currently, the most unfortunate one is Wudang Seom Seon. With unresolved mishaps from during the Joyful Sword's time and issues caused by other individuals. And. 'I'll continue causing a lot of chaos.' I planned to live diligently to stir things even further, meaning Wudang Seom Seon would become the most troubled leader in the Martial Alliance's history. Or the most incompetent one, perhaps. There were already murmurs about this even now. Considering the circumstances. 'Muk Yeon will significantly sway public sentiment.' The reappearance of a legendary figure served as a beacon of hope for the people. Perhaps Muk Yeon could straighten out the current state of affairs. People surely hoped so. Indeed, most people believed that way. 'Could this be part of Muk Yeon's own plan?' Not that I truly understood the old man, but it seemed possible. For someone aware of their worth, it could very well be a maneuver to utilize. Moreover. - They said the Star King is leading the Sacred Dragon Division in preparation against the Evil Sect? Those who wreaked havoc in Hubei through raids. Stories were circulating about hunting them all down for revenge. With my involvement adding to this, throwing Muk Yeon into the mix kindled the flames even more. What happened in Hubei was the Evil Sect's fault. The Star King not only saved Hubei but also intends to battle the Evil Sect. This means, the enemy is clearly the Evil Sect. It was an action intended to ensure there was no confusion about who the enemy was. Not the Martial Alliance but the Evil Sect as the adversary. The Martial Alliance seemed determined to declare this narrative.... 'The odd part is, it actually worked.' Such a cunning tactic worked remarkably well. By linking Muk Yeon and me, they altered public perception. 'The real enemy is the Evil Sect.' Those who once pointed their spears at the incompetent Martial Alliance now turned them towards the Evil Sect. There were still voices advocating not to be swept along, emphasizing the Alliance was indeed at fault, but such opinions were becoming more dispersed. - Are you trying to defend those damn Evil Sect bastards! - Damn it!! If those bastards hadn't attacked, none of this would've happened! A shift in ideology led to division and ensuing dissent. Observing this, I couldn't help but be a little impressed. 'Indeed, those who've rolled around in politics are a different breed.' Do you know what's the simplest and most effective way to sway public sentiment in politics? Not merely deflecting the spearhead aimed at oneself elsewhere. 'Making them aim at each other.' Create a scenario where conflict arises among them, minimizing harm to our side. 'Incitement, while terrifying, is a deceptively easy task.' My method boils down to incitement, as does the Martial Alliance's strategy this time. 'It's a shame.' Honestly, I had anticipated this outcome. I had hoped for a bit more of an ignition to make future moves easier, but it wasn't achieved. 'Furthermore.' Just like setting the final touch, the matter of the Divine Dragon Division was thrown into the mix. - It seems like the Alliance is truly gearing up to make a move. - The revival of the Divine Dragon Division... Could we truly find peace again? - If they could do just as much as the previous Divine Dragon, it wouldn't be too challenging...! The commotion from the latest incident quickly shifted to other matters with these remarks circulating. As I observed this situation, I let out a short sigh. The reason for the sigh was simple. "I should have figured things out more thoroughly." It was an expression of regret toward myself. "Had I done so, I could have orchestrated this more effectively." I should have delved deeper into Muk Yeon's whereabouts. If possible, I needed a plan to eliminate him before he re-emerged. 'Similarly, more clarity on the Divine Dragon Division was necessary.' Given Wudang Seom Seon played the Divine Dragon Division's card through the martial arts festival, I should have assessed its value. Of course, it's not like I didn't prepare, but the result speaks volumes otherwise. "Tsk." Was this a misstep? It wasn't quite a loss, but it was indeed a poignant miscalculation. 'Or maybe...' The problem might not be what I initially thought. If breaking down this process to a fundamental factor... 'I'm lacking in power.' The issue was power, or rather the lack of it that obstructed my ability to resolve problems. Gritting my teeth, my brow furrowed. 'I'm still so weak.' Facing off against a monster at the White Grade had been a harsh reminder of my current limits. The necessity for more strength became clear once more today. I had regained my martial prowess much earlier than in my past life by more than a decade. My body was better conditioned, and my skills were sharper, yet it was far from satisfactory. "This won't do as is." Complacency was not an option, as my goals loomed dauntingly high. Today reinforced this idea unequivocally. "I need to become stronger." Just reaching the lower ranks among the top-tier martial artists? Nowhere near enough. I needed to push further. Some might say this is an audacious ambition, drawing puzzled frowns, but. "At least until I reach the level of the Three Schools and Five Factions." I had to aim for that level to achieve anything meaningful. Clenching my resolve, I circulated my energy through my body. Every cycle brought pain, a reminder that my internal injuries were not completely healed. Feeling this, I rose to my feet. "Alright then." After the completion of the ceremony, I briefly greeted the others before heading straight to my quarters. Naturally, uncovering details about both the Blood Demon and the Divine Dragon Division was crucial. However, there was a more pressing concern; recognizing that my current state was dangerous required me to find a solution. Thankfully, I had a method I could still rely on. In the storage area within my quarters. I slowly approached the items stored there and reached out my hand. "...Let's see." Rustle-! Pushing aside the covering revealed what lay beneath. Numerous large stones piled up. Stones enveloped in a reddish glow. These were mana stones from the red-colored beasts captured during the recent attack. To others, they may just seem like the beasts' stones, but to me, each was as potent as a miraculous elixir. Compared to Dokcheondan, the cost-effectiveness of mana stones was overwhelming. A pile of dozens of such mana stones lay before me. Of course. 'These won't cause any significant change.' My energy vessels had expanded to such a degree that absorbing mana from these red beasts wouldn't lead to a major transformation anymore. At the most, it would merely replenish the energy I expended. But that wasn't my main concern. 'It's just a dessert after all.' The red mana stones were merely an addition. My true purpose wasn't them. Amidst the piled red stones, there lay a distinctly larger one. Much bigger and of a different color. A white stone. It was a mana stone left behind by the beast at the White Grade. A remnant of the beast, stored carefully. It harbored an incomparable energy to any other elixir or medicine. "…" Reaching toward it, I paused momentarily. It contained a formidable amount of energy that made me hesitate to consume it right away. Several days had passed since the battle ended, meaning the mana stone had been stored just as long, and the sole reason for my delay in consuming it was its overwhelming energy. To properly absorb it, my body needed to be prepared. Initially, I planned to rest for at least two weeks and then consume it safely, but. "Things have become a bit complicated." With a tight schedule, I found myself needing to consume it sooner than expected. "Eating this won't suddenly propel my skills through the roof." However, it would likely help mend my internal injuries to some extent. Even though it was regretful to lose some of the energy due to my incomplete recovery, considering the Divine Dragon Division issue and the current situation, it was better to consume it now. With that judgment, I extended my previously halted hand. Tap. My hand met the surface of the white mana stone. A chill ran through my fingers. Ooohng--!! I immediately initiated the Demonic Heavenly Absorption Art. At that instant. Rooooar---!!! An immense surge of energy began to invade my heart.