861 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 861: The World's Greatest's Childhood Friend Realizing the true nature of the entity, understanding suddenly dawned on me. Why did this creature appear so unexpectedly? And more perplexingly, why did meeting it render me unable to use my pyrotechnics? "So it was you." Gu Yeomhwa-ryun Gong, the mentality of the Gu family that enabled me to wield flames. It was this entity. Despite not comprehending why it took on my form from a past life or why it's suddenly tormenting me, the critical point is that I finally identified its identity. “…Ugh…” I grasped the arm of the being clutching my neck. Despite launching a vast energy several times, there was no sign of exhaustion. Of course. Being made of pure energy, its strength should be unending. “…You've been fine all this time; why throw a fit now?” I spoke, searching desperately for a way out. "Did I do something wrong? I've treated you well, haven't I?" Though I didn't pamper it dearly, it was something indispensable. And yet, it now seeks to betray me? Of course, I'm infuriated. At my annoyed protest, it spoke. [I have mentioned it before.] The grip on my neck tightened. “Urgh.” [This is a testament to your qualifications.] What am I supposed to prove? What qualifications are being tested? And... “If I can't prove myself, will you take my body?” I spoke with a half-smile, and it mirrored my expression. [If you're unqualified, it's only natural to reclaim what I should.] "This is outright robbery." I've lived this life to the fullest, and now it's going to be taken from me? This is downright unfair. [If you dislike it, prove it. Prove that you have the rightful claim to wielding the flames.] How should I do that? As I listened, I rolled my eyes, searching for ideas. My strength was already depleted. I had no focus left for my held neck. Proving some unknown qualification seemed an impossibly petty challenge in this situation. ‘How can I prove I can wield flames when I can't use them?’ To test my qualifications, I need to be on equal footing. To ask if I can light a flame but then restrict my ability to do so — how absurd. WHOOSH--!! Heat emanated from the front. The entity had encircled its hand in flames. It was the same as before. The hand that had pierced my heart last time. Upon death, I snapped back to awareness, almost falling into a state of disarray. How will it be this time? The entity mentioned. There wouldn't be a second time. So does that mean I'll truly lose my body this time? That seems likely. I can feel it. This might truly be my last chance. ‘I need to find a way.’ I must escape, qualifications and proof be damned — I can't remain trapped here. Brute force won't work. This situation calls for wit and strategy. ‘…I can't see a way?’ There was no apparent solution. At this rate, it's genuinely dangerous. The heat on its hand grew stronger, and although I still held some energy, even with my strength unfurled, I knew I couldn't repel that flame. ‘Damn it.’ I involuntarily grimaced. Nonetheless, I refused to surrender and continued to rack my brain. [...] As I stood there quietly, the entity spoke. [In the end, your potential is limited to this point. Though I harbored slight expectations, you are predictably insignificant.] I did not respond. Silently, I drew energy from my heart. I would seize the opportunity during its attack. That was my only option. While I focused every nerve on that decisive moment. [Blame yourself for your insufficiencies and fade away quietly.] His shoulder moved. My eyes narrowed. Is it now? I concentrated all my senses on one spot. Then— [If I gain control of your body, I will start by eliminating those unnecessary women you surround yourself with.] Snap. The words caught me off guard, clouding my senses. “…What did you say?” I couldn't have misheard, yet I asked again — my mind was suddenly ice-cold. "What did you just say?" The pressure on my neck eased. My stiffening joints returned to normal. Firmly, I gripped the arm holding me, almost tearing it apart. “What did you just say, bastard?” BOOM--!!! A murderous intent, unleashed from my heart, inundated the surroundings like an explosive mist. The entity, watching me, spoke. [Could it be you misunderstood, or do you simply refuse to acknowledge it?] As my hostility grew, its purple eyes intensified. [Those women you keep close have no purpose being by your side. You're only keeping them around to assuage your unnecessary guilt. Surely, you can't be unaware of this?] “…So? If you take my body, you'll kill them all?” [Hahaha.] The entity chuckled. Its voice too bright and carefree. [No need to do that.] “What?” [It’s already in motion.] “…!” The words widened my eyes. Already in motion? A sinister chill gripped me, quickening my breath. WEEEEE---!!! A massive white orb vibrated in the air. While it's been static until now, it began to move, though I paid it no more mind. [Now, die.] The flame lunged, intent on piercing my heart. Thunk-! Just before it reached my chest, I seized the entity’s arm. [Hmm?] Surprised, it tilted its head. Surprise mirrored in my reaction, too. I had caught it. The flame was scorching enough to burn my hand, yet it was bearable. Holding it in place was not difficult. What was happening? Though perplexed, rather than waste time understanding, I exerted force. CRUNCH--!!! I twisted and wrenched the flaming arm. The entity was sent sprawling, and simultaneously, I seized the arm grasping my neck and ripped it away. CRACKLE Despite its formidable strength, it peeled away without resistance. [...] One hand twisted, and the other torn. Seeing this, the entity regarded me with a peculiar expression. [...Unnecessary machinations.] It whispered quietly as it looked, not at me, but elsewhere. What was it gazing at? Though curious, I paid no heed. “Phew…” An unexplainable surge of strength welled up within me. What was the origin of this energy? Was it the middle dantian or the lower dantian? Or is it something else entirely? My perception is hazy. The pain had subsided long ago. What on earth was happening? WOOOONG---!!!!! The vibration drew my gaze upwards where the orb, which had been hovering all along, was now vibrating more intensely. And the more it quivered, the more power surged within me. 'It's that.' That's it. The source of this mysterious power was undoubtedly emanating from there. But what exactly was it? Why was it suddenly bestowing me with strength? Everything about the situation was puzzling. Despite the unknown variables, one thing was clear from all this. "I promise." I leaned forward and spoke to the entity. "I will definitely kill you." Rather than probing the force's origin, employing it was my priority. THUD-!! I crushed the ground beneath my feet and lunged forward. I closed in rapidly. In a heartbeat, I was upon it. I twisted my waist, channeling strength into every joint. Its arms had been broken, rendering proper defense improbable. With this in mind, I targeted its chest directly, but— WHOOSH-!! Flames erupted from its arms and instantly restored its broken limbs. The entity raised its arms and blocked the attack. BOOM--!!! My energy exploded. The impact forced the entity backward. This was different than before. It who had never been pushed back now was. So I pondered. 'Is this a bluff? Or genuine?' I couldn't dismiss the possibility of deception. However, 'Regardless, the answer is singular.' Whether it was a bluff or not, there was no retreat. I continued closing the distance. The power had indeed increased. My speed doubled, and my strength was considerable. WHOOOOSH---!! The flame loomed. The entity, flying backward, clasped its hands to gather fire. Seeing that, I accelerated my approach. I encased my fist in flames and launched a punch—a punch imbued with divine intent. SLAM-! The unfinished fireball received a hit, and at that moment— KABOOM---!!! An immense explosion erupted, flames soared everywhere. Hot. The heat was intense, yet bearable. [Ha.] At the slightly crude attack, the entity let out a breath. [You shamelessly use that disgusting energy. Do you not feel any shame?] That disgusting energy—clearly, the entity recognized the nature of my current strength. I grinned. "You've seen everything, right?" [What?] "If you've watched me until now, you should know." I twisted, unleashing a powerful kick. The entity crossed its arms to defend itself. "I don't care about things like that." Unclean power or otherwise—that was irrelevant. The only thing that mattered was whether it benefited me. That was all that counted. Whether righteous or evil, the endless battles ultimately all appeared the same to me. 'If it benefits me, then that's justice.' Justice didn't have a separate meaning; that's what justice means to me. BOOM--!! Black flames erupted. Instead of jumping into the air, I evaded to the side despite the difficulty. Aerial combat was risky. Fighting on the ground was necessary. The problem was that the entity understood this as well. WHOOOSH--!! As expected, the entity soared into the sky. Surrounded by scattered black flames, its ascent remained unimpressive. Should I counter with divine power? That appears most efficient, but... 'Just because my strength has increased doesn't mean I've found a solution.' This unknown strength cannot resolve everything. Though my inherent power seemed intensified, the recovery rate of my energy wasn't significantly enhanced. 'In that case.' I always arrived at the same conclusion. 'I need flames.' If only I had them, these concerns would be nonexistent. 'Tsk.' Unable to ignite flames, I found myself in this predicament. 'What should I do?' The desire to wield flames wasn't enough. If it truly is the pyrotechnics residing within me, without its permission, the flames... "...Huh?" I paused my thoughts, widening my eyes. An odd feeling flickered through my mind. Like a bolt striking from my crown to my toes. [...Despicable.] The entity spoke. [You're despicable for hiding behind the guise of atonement and for vainly struggling to forget the past. Everything about you reeks of hypocrisy.] Listening to its voice, I stared into its eyes. Right now, I couldn't use flames. Why not? Because it doesn't allow it? Thump-! The more I entertained that thought, the more my heart pounded. WHOOSH--!!! Enormous flames erupted from the entity's body. Far more intense and grand than when it summoned dozens of fireballs. [Even as you wish to give up, enduring forcibly as you place others before your own will. All of it is despicable.] Facing the endlessly heating black flame, I steadied my breath. Why hadn't I considered it before? [Relinquish it. If you intend to use it that way, relinquish that body. I shall burn the world in your stead.] The entity concluded, lowering its hand. Then— KABOOM---!!! Flames filled the sky, descending upon me. "…" As if the sky were collapsing. It was intense. Vast as well. Normally a terrifying sight, yet I didn't feel fear. Why was that? Upon reflecting, the answer was obvious. Why would I fear my own flames? "…" Calmly, I extended my hand towards the falling flames. No change occurred. The flames continued to pour, engulfing me. SZZZ-! My body ignited. The flames consumed me, intent on devouring every part beyond bone, yet— I didn't consider it sheer agony. While my skin burned, I reached out, caressing the flames. […What is he doing?] The entity's brow furrowed, unable to comprehend my actions. Still, I didn't stop. 'Ultimately, it's just energy.' The flames thrown by the entity, after all, were energy. Moreover, it was originally the pyrotechnics I wielded. Which means... 'I'm more familiar with this power than any other.' This meant it was a force I'd always known. In other words: 'I just need to reclaim it.' Since it was originally mine, wielding it was as easy as can be. WHOOOOSH---!!!! Why had I been so certain there were no flames? Was this not fire too? CRACKLE---!!! As I attempted to subdue the energy, it struggled, refusing to be tamed. But no matter. GRIP-! I seized the energy and pulled it towards me. "...If you don't want to die." As the old saying goes, a disobedient creature is best corrected with a stick. "Obey and listen quietly." Humming quietly, I gradually harnessed the energy. In the process, my body was already in disarray from the heat. I ignored the creeping pain. SCREEEECH--!!! I gathered all the struggling flames until the very last one. At that moment: BOOM---!!!! The black flame, which had been trying to devour me, suddenly changed direction. SHHHHHH---!!!!! It gathered at my fingertips, adhering to my will. Compressing and spinning it, I shaped it perfectly. It became a blazing crimson spear. Though crafted from black flames, it took the form of a brilliant red spear. This was the azure flame I hadn't seen in ages. Remarkably, ‘I didn’t even need to imbue my intent.’ Normally, I would have needed power to maintain its form, but not this time. The flames moved truly in accordance with my will. Yes, this is how my original flames used to feel. I should feel nostalgic, but rather than that, It merely felt warm. [...] The spear, crafted by commandeering all of the entity's flames. The expression on its face as it looked at the spear was curiously indifferent. What kind of expression was that? I couldn't understand. I threw the spear at the still-standing entity. The spear pierced through its chest without hesitation.