785 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 785: Hidden Rabbit - Web Novel Archive "One at a time, step forward." Right after uttering those words. Initially, I expected a storm to be unleashed. Wouldn't they immediately explode and rush at me? I honestly thought so, but... "Ugh." "That guy truly...!" Surprisingly, the leaders didn't recklessly charge but merely revealed their anger. It's evident they want to swing their swords at me immediately. The killing intent and energy they're emitting are all directed towards me. Yet, they don't directly rush in. 'This is unexpected.' Internally, I swallowed a bit of surprise. These guys are more... 'They're calculating things.' They seem to be ones capable of thought. Despite my provocations, they aren't rushing in recklessly. Ordinarily, it would be insufficient if a sword fight didn't break out immediately. Still, the reason they're hesitating is nothing else but— 'They can't quite gauge the situation.' Even if martial artists are often seen as simple-minded, they still possess eyes and ears beyond pure instinct. Whether they've seen something. Or heard something. These guys must know something. They're probably recalling. 'The things I've done.' Facing high-level monsters and decimating ambushers. It's not about those acts. What's important here is— 'Defeating the King of Dao.' How I messed up the King of Dao during the martial arts festival. They would have heard about that. If they have a brain, they would've tried to understand me the moment they heard I was coming as a leader. So even now, they're quickly calculating in their heads. 'Will this battle be beneficial to them?' If they charge recklessly without enduring the humiliation— Is there any harm to them? They are weighing that thought numerous times. 'Even for leaders, they still have some sense.' Had it been other hot-headed ones, they would've rushed without evaluating the opponent's power or situation. Yet, the societal position makes even restless fools think. However— 'Their calculation is all too evident.' The eyes of Ssanguihwangeom rapidly darted around, scrutinizing every corner of my body. A short instant of attack power was dismantled. In addition to the incident with the King of Dao, they seemed to be weighing heavily on my capabilities. 'I'm quite curious.' How might I appear in their eyes? My aura and power have increased compared to a few days ago. Nonetheless... 'My level hasn't risen, so that might give them an idea.' Since there was no significant change in my level, there wasn't likely to be much difference. This was evident as Ssanguihwangeom's hesitation deepened. Noticing this, I let out a smirk. I see. That guy. 'He can't see.' He can't discern who I am. To what extent my level is. Whether I'm an opponent he can take on. It seems completely beyond him. Observing this, I glanced beside me. Eunranggeom, holding his sword, was looking at me as well, but there was a slight difference in the direction of his gaze. Rather than me, he seemed to be watching Muk Yeon. While Ssanguihwangeom was busy assessing my level— Eunranggeom was preoccupied with gauging Muk Yeon's reactions. Seeing this, I spoke up. "What are you doing?" "...!" As soon as I spoke, the two of them flinched. "Not coming? Then you're making me look quite the fool." Scratching my cheek, I glared at Ssanguihwangeom. "I even told you to come. If the opponent chickens out and doesn't attack... What does that make me?" "You—!" Provoked once more, Ssanguihwangeom began to move as if incited. However— "...Urgh." He doesn't charge all the way in. 'Hmm.' He's holding back. What should I do? It's still not enough. Should I burst out my aura and pressure them? Ah, that's a bit regrettable. 'Going that far would complicate things.' I, too, have my own cards to play; fighting for real, beyond applying pressure, would be troublesome. Especially— 'If they're too intimidated, that's no good.' Causing too much harm to the leaders would be problematic. This means that I need to spar them moderately.... 'Hmm.' How to do that? I ponder for a moment, but— '...I don't know.' No conclusions come to mind. What can I do? 'Well, there hasn't been a time when I've spared moderately.' Setting a concept of moderation feels quite benign given my life's path. Having reached this point, calling it moderate seems a bit ambiguous. So, let's— "Is tackling one too difficult for you?" Let's just say it directly. "If so, come at me all at once, you cowards." "!" Boom—! With a piercing explosion, a flash appeared. It seems they'd lost their patience with my outrageous behavior as Ssanguihwangeom and Eunranggeom drew their swords simultaneously. Three streaks of light shot towards me in an instant. As I prepared to move my shoulders at the sight— Clack—! Clang—!! "...Guh!?" "Tch." In an instant, another flash intervened, blocking their swords. The advancing distance halted before it reached me. Before them stood another individual. Cheongryong Leader, Ilcheonggeom. He blocked their swords and stopped in front of them. Ssanguihwangeom and Eunranggeom scowled at the intervention of Ilcheonggeom. "Cheongryong Leader?" "What on earth are you doing...!" Their reactions questioned why he'd block them. Ilcheonggeom, who was gradually retracting his sword, responded. "Calm down." "Calm down? Calm down, you say." "Didn't you hear what that scoundrel just said to us? And yet, calm down, you call that a statement...?" "If not, then what?" Swish—! Ilcheonggeom seized his sword, glaring at Ssanguihwangeom. Simultaneously, a fierce aura burst from Ilcheonggeom's feet, overwhelming him. "...Ugh...!?" With the sudden intensity, Ssanguihwangeom widened his eyes, slightly trembling. A rougher and stiffer force than anticipated. "If it continues, are you saying you'll spill blood here?" Ilcheonggeom's eyes turned sharp. "Golden Dragon Leader. Have you forgotten whose presence you're in?" In whose presence. He must refer to Muk Yeon. "...But, Cheongryong Leader...." "There are no other matters. Strategist Muk is sitting here as a representative of the leader. This action is akin to ignoring the leader," said Ilcheonggeom. "Grit." At Ilcheonggeom's words, Ssanguihwangeom gritted his teeth hard. "How can we endure such disrespect—!!" Unable to contain himself, he attempted to speak, but his words were abruptly cut off. Screech. Drip. A line of blood trickled down Ssanguihwangeom's neck. Ilcheonggeom's cherished sword was pressed against his throat. Ssanguihwangeom hadn't even been able to react as the sword moved. In this tense and deadly situation, Ilcheonggeom spoke quietly. "Any further actions is treason." "..." Sincerity filled his eyes. His gaze conveyed that saying even a single additional word would result in his being cut down. That glance grazed Eunranggeom before resting on me. "The same goes for you, Eunranggeom. Star King, this applies to you as well." Ilcheonggeom's voice growled ominously under the weight of the atmosphere. "Although you are not yet a full leader, since your position is already decided, you are also part of the alliance. Would it not be wise to stop such unnecessary conflict now? Or, do you truly wish to see blood spilled?" If that’s the case, he is ready to intervene and stop it himself. Such was the intention radiating from Ilcheonggeom. I looked at him calmly and thought to myself. ‘Is this enough?’ I reckoned this should suffice. So, I slightly raised my hand and spoke to him. "Yes, you’re absolutely right. If the seniors wish to stop here, I will also comply." I spoke offhandedly, letting a little of my energy dissipate. The energy permeated the skin, forcing a cold sweat, and I casually wiped the sweat that had gathered on my forehead with the back of my hand. A deliberate act. Ilcheonggeom seemed to catch on to my intention. "...If Star King says as much, what say you, two leaders?" "..." "..." With Ilcheonggeom directly intervening, it was clear that outsides wouldn’t easily be resolved, and no progress had been made in the discussion, but the situation couldn't be pushed any further. Realizing this, the two individuals had no choice but to acknowledge the fact, despite grinding their teeth in frustration. "...Understood." There was no other option but to retreat. The leaders, having understood this, took a step back. Seeing this, I was finally able to speak to the person in front of me. "It seems the situation has concluded." "..." At my words, someone cautiously rose to their feet. If Ilcheonggeom was blocking Ssanguihwangeom and Eunranggeom, standing before me was none other than Myung Goong. He, too, appeared just before chaos erupted, positioning himself before me. The difference being— 'Ilcheonggeom aimed to block.' Myung Goong seemed to be more in a protective stance. For reasons unknown, that was the vibe he exuded. "Should I thank you?" I queried Myung Goong. "...No. My intention was not so different from Ilcheonggeom's." Myung Goong clarified, explaining that he was aimed to block rather than protect me. Looking at him, I nodded slightly. It's odd enough that he seemed intent on defending me, but what mattered more was— ‘He's fast. Remarkably so.’ It was the realization that Myung Goong's skills were beyond my expectations. At that flashpoint when things were about to escalate, Myung Goong moved a fraction of a second after Ilcheonggeom. Yet, he arrived here first. Considering that the distance to me was further, it meant he started later but arrived earlier than Ilcheonggeom. ‘Hmm.’ What could it be? An unexplainable unease came over me as I tried to observe Myung Goong more closely. At that moment— "...I believe the meeting should adjourn for now." A voice came from where Muk Yeon was. He was rising, his expression unmistakably one of discomfort. "Strategist Muk." Ilcheonggeom, looking worried, approached him, but— "It seems I spoke too hastily. I apologize for my error.... I will ensure to gather my thoughts more thoroughly before visiting again. My apologies." Muk Yeon, covering his lips as if overwhelmed, began to walk away. No one attempted to stop the elderly man from leaving the room. With such visible discomfort, he departed, leaving others looking bewildered. Ah, of course. 'Crafty old man.' To me, it was nothing more than amusing theatrics. It was Muk Yeon who had orchestrated this situation. The uneasy predicament was his creation. He intended to use me to pressure the leaders. Ultimately steering towards the conditions I had laid out. It was all the ploy of that old man. 'Hah.' Although I suspected it wouldn't be easy, who knew he'd be so cunning. I narrowed my eyes as I watched Muk Yeon exit. Is he challenging me? ‘Fine. Let’s see what you’ve got.’ Regardless of how much planning he'd done, I wasn't considering backing down. I turned my head to look behind me. At Ssanguihwangeom, who seemed to still be fuming, Eunranggeom stood there, looking a bit stunned after Muk Yeon had left. I stared at the powerful fools before shifting my gaze to Ilcheonggeom. Ilcheonggeom was watching me. I looked directly at the eyes that met mine, and after a short gaze, I gave a slight smile. "Though the outcome isn’t ideal, it seems the conversation is over. I’ll take my leave now. Is that alright?" "..." "I heard I am to return tomorrow.... In that case, I'll see you tomorrow, seniors." I lightly bowed my head and turned my gaze away. I expected some reaction to come my way but decided not to care. ‘The bait has already been cast.’ Whether the prey would bite or not was no longer in my hands. All that remained was to wait for them to bite. Creak—! However, ‘In any case,’ While grasping the door handle and opening it, I had one thought in mind. ‘It probably won’t take long.’ From what I saw, it seemed they'd already taken the bait. ****************** "...Damn—!" Bang—! Crash— The well-organized room. The books inside the study collapsed, and chaos erupted everywhere. Clang—! Every item inside shattered with the slightest touch, whether teacups or tables. Boom—!! Someone inside, grabbing whatever they could, hurled objects in a rage. For a while, they continued their rampage, unrestrained in their fury. It was only when he had nothing left to grab that the man finally managed to stop his outburst. "Damn it... damn it." Creak—! The clenched fist emitted a harsh sound, and soon enough, blood started to drip from it. "What should I do about that damn brat?" In his mind flashed the face of the insolent young man. A face that was mocking them all unabashedly. -You cowards. Bang! Crack-! Unable to hold back, his fist slammed through the wall, causing cracks to splinter from the point of impact. A man who usually kept his emotions in check, he couldn’t hold back this time. How could things be this way? "Dare to...!" Not only did that unknowable brat appear out of nowhere, but suddenly he was seated as a leader, promising to bring in external forces to form a Sword Division. It was said that the alliance's strategist facilitated it and the leader approved? Furthermore. ‘A special division dedicated to the martial cleanup?’ A unit that would spearhead the future cleansing of the martial world? That was— ‘Naturally, that should have been my duty...!’ It was a task meant for no one else but him. After all he had endured in the alliance, the multitude of trials to climb to his current position. It was him who bore all those tasks. ‘Yet, they thrust it into the hands of such a young brat.’ Gritting his teeth—!!! His teeth ground together viciously. Though he tried to calm his viciously twisted face, the rage wouldn’t dissolve easily. The troublesome brat was one concern, but there was another issue. The alliance's emblem, which the leader secretly revived. It, too, was a cause of his fury at that moment. "...The leader's escort went with the Sword Wielder and the leader of Divine Dragon Division?" There was a planned agenda today for Wudang Seom Seon. Before embarking on the agenda, it was said he moved with the Sword Wielder and the leader of the Divine Dragon Division. The Sword Wielder served as the leader's bodyguard. A role that he, too, acknowledged. After all, he had been a protector of the alliance for many years. At least that much he could accept. But— ‘Why, of all people, the leader of Divine Dragon Division?’ Why had the leader of the Divine Dragon Division suddenly accompanied him? A bodyguard? Until now, the dedicated Sword Division and bodyguard role had been his charge. So why suddenly entrust it to the upstart leader of Divine Dragon Division? ‘Are they trying to exclude me?’ Repeatedly, nothing makes sense. Not only did the new division assume symbolic duties, but the newly appeared leader of the Divine Dragon Division usurped his roles. Moreover, from the beginning— ‘Why am I not the leader of Divine Dragon Division?’ How come he didn’t get assigned the Divine Dragon Division? It felt as though every circumstance was designed to oust him entirely. Nothing sat well with him. For all he had done for the Alliance, it was as if his efforts were being entirely dismissed. The unknown leader of the Divine Dragon Division. The damn young brat who disrespected him. It all annoyed him. Thus— "Therefore..." The man spoke as he turned around. Beyond the wrecked room, someone was kneeling on one knee. "You’d better speak clearly." A man twisted like a demon. Ilcheonggeom glared murderously at the kneeling individual. "Leader of Flying Dragon Division." He addressed Cheomgeom Beomdong, the leader of Flying Dragon Division. "Is what you said true?" "...It is." With a sense of earnestness, Beomdong carefully raised his head, looking at Ilcheonggeom. "The Star King. That brat is currently undergoing severe internal injuries." At Beomdong’s words— "..." Ilcheonggeom's eyes began to gleam with interest.