862 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 862: Heaven's Greatest Successor's Childhood Friend Tap, tap. There's a sound of something crackling and burning around. With a foggy vision, I looked towards the source of the sound. From the sky, embers descend slowly. Following them, something else fell to the ground. Thud. The small sound echoed in the vast space. Tap. Tap. The ember that hit the ground seemed to form a path. I followed it towards my destination. Upon reaching my destination, I saw something lying on the ground. Its chest was pierced through. Cracks slowly started to form around the hole in the chest. Crrrack-. Not only that, but cracks were spreading across the entire space. “Huff…” The breath I exhaled carried heat. I touched my chest at the sensation. Hum. The long-lost warmth began to return little by little. There was no sense of joy in this feeling that I hadn't experienced for days. Rather, a strange calmness pervaded me now. My weary body felt more disconnected than fatigued, as if I were floating. The usual heartbeat was faintly perceptible for some reason. Even the slightest lapse, and it felt like I might drift away somewhere. The sensation of being one with the flame. It was the feeling I had when I first consumed the poison of the 'Dokchendan.' Back then, I struggled to maintain it at all costs. Now, I didn't care. I was too busy looking at the one who had fallen. [Huff... huff...] The faint sound of breathing. A dimming gaze that signaled the end was near. From the chest that started to break down, to the disintegrating body. He was slowly approaching his true end. Is it right to call this end 'death'? This being was merely an echo. Countless thoughts passed through, but now was not the time for such reflections. “Hey.” At my call, his gaze turned towards me. Looking at him, I spoke. “Why did you spare me?” [...] He didn't answer my question. His eyes were the eyes of resignation, of acceptance. That made me angrier. “I asked why you spared me.” Even if in this life my abilities exceeded my past life's, he was not the me of my previous incarnation. “You could have done more, couldn't you?” He could have ended this long ago. Even when he used the flame techniques to drop the inferno on me, he held back. If he had truly intended to kill me, I would already be dead. Yet. “Why did you do it?” He continued to give me opportunities. He kept provoking me, trying to make my rage boil. Like he wished for me to realize something? “To give me a revelation?” As if hoping I would grasp something. What was it he wished for me to understand? I didn’t ponder for long. I already knew the answer. “Did you want me to realize your flame is my own?” The flame within me belongs solely to me. Upon realizing and harmonizing with it, I could claim his flame as my own. It was simple. Just recognition. But did he go through all this trouble just to teach me that? Why? When I tried to question it, unable to grasp the reasoning. [...Wrong.] Only then did he answer. [You would have never realized it on your own.] “…Why do you think that?” [Because you have too much.] “...” His voice, heard through strained breath, was weary. [You've burdened yourself so much with what you possess that you can't see anything else. Because that's who you are.] I couldn't refute it. It was true. “…So, you did this to make me realize?” Did he push me to the brink of death just for this enlightenment? Before the terrifying thought could root itself further. [Don't be mistaken.] His voice, cutting and ferocious, matched his intent to kill. [I simply wanted you dead.] His voice was laced with undisguised murderous intent. [The new chance you hoped for during a brief slumber... the hope to atone for something no one remembers... it’s all just loathsome.] “...” [Moreover.] He dragged his fingers across the ground with a scraping sound. So intense was the motion that his fingertips shattered. [The perpetual flight from the responsibilities you carry; that's what disgusts me. I despise you.] Upon hearing this, I quietly clenched my fist. These words were too bitterly cold to respond to. [Do you know why I stand before you in this form?] “…No.” [It's because you failed to escape from it.] The reason he still resembled my past self. Insinuating that I had failed to transcend beyond that point in my previous life. I couldn’t deny it either. As that’s truly the case. [You are still incompetent and insignificant. You haven’t managed to escape anything truly. Do you believe you are struggling to free yourself? That's false.] His eyes were filled with reproach. [Do you know the burdens assigned to you?] I wanted to say I knew. Yet, the words wouldn't come. [You don’t know. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be how you are.] He was convinced as if he had certainty. How could he be so sure? He once claimed to have witnessed more within me than I ever could. Is it because of that? [The burden you carry is transmitted through blood. The head of the Gu family and the young master of the Gu family inherit this.] My eyes narrowed. [Do you know what you gain by becoming the young master of the Gu family?] I nodded. The authority to open the gate beneath the Gu family. Additionally, the freedom to venture beyond the confines of the clan. That was my understanding of the boundary. [You erase the barriers the world imposed upon the martial artists.] “...!” I had to widen my eyes in shock. “…What?” [Do you honestly believe your rapid ascent is due to relying on dark arts? Wrong.] [It merely aided, but the true key was the authority granted by becoming the young master.] Years ago, Elder Noya said that the world no longer desired martial artists to grow excessively powerful, and thus, it had placed restraints on them. During the time before the Blood Demon era, it was said that the martial artists' abilities were significantly lower due to this restriction. '...The barrier disappears if one becomes the young master of the Gu family?' This was news to me. It seemed he already anticipated my surprise, as he continued speaking. [Of course, you ran away from your father before even hearing any discussions.] "..." [No, what's more, this was your father's doing. That child probably cherished you greatly.] What in the world could he mean? When did my father ever treasure me in such a way for him to say that? My mind was too cluttered to process it properly. Why would such powers be granted simply by becoming the young master? What is the Gu family, really...? Is there something more than what I've known? While I was contemplating all this, he unexpectedly cut in with an outburst. [Don’t mistake this curse as a privilege or a benefit. It's merely a respite offered by necessity.] “What does that mean?” [It's a process designed to quickly form the vessel. It's all about making it easier.] Forming a vessel. That phrase stuck with me. Is it to make the young master of the Gu family stronger, more swiftly? “…Why?” [Because the vessel needed to withstand the karmic burden cannot be frail.] Thump, thump. My heart began pounding harder. [Once the young master achieves the completion of the Nine Wheels Flame Technique... you earn a qualification.] “…That qualification, is it possibly...?” [The right to become the family head.] "..." Only upon attaining the state of the Nine Wheels Flame Technique as the young master does one qualify to become the family head. I wasn't aware of these conditions. [It’s natural you didn’t know. Not only were you unqualified, but your father likely didn’t want you to know either.] A chuckle escaped him. [Isn't it absurdly foolish? The method to protect one's child is so twisted, too twisted.] To protect a child. It seemed he was referring to me. Did my father do something to protect me? I couldn't understand. I needed to wait for an explanation. [You probably never thought about it, even once.] His face filled with a sneer. [You, who reached the position of the young master yet ran away from the clan. Why didn’t your father come to bring you back?] "..." [Did he lack the ability? Ridiculous. There aren't many in this world who could defeat your father. Do you believe you were among them?] I had failed to capture the Heavenly Demon and even in my past life, I couldn't even touch my father. That's why I thought, He simply gave up on me, which is why he didn't come for me. That was my belief. But. [He was merely at ease.] His account was different. [He idly watched, not wanting to lock you away within again.] [How foolish, isn't he?] Snap. His hand finally broke apart. [Running from a bloodline's curse amounts to nothing. In the end, someone had to bear it. So let me ask you.] He steadied his trembling voice and queried. [During your past life when you achieved the Nine Wheels. You didn't become the head, did you. Then.] Crack, crack... The pace of his disintegration quickened. [In your failure to bear the burden, who do you think took it on?] "…" It felt like a dagger was lodged in my chest, driving further with each pulse. Despite not wanting to recall, it inevitably surfaced. My father, collapsing under the weight of my fists. His presence dissipating, growing frail, and ever older. “Aah…” Breathing became impossible. [The time had arrived. Even when the moment came, nothing was fulfilled. Your father should have stepped down for the burden but did not.] [The world isn't considerate enough to be mindful of such sentiments.] [So, what do you imagine your father endured?] My hands trembled. And then, [Whatever it was, it's called the wrath of the world.] His final words pierced me through. [It's not something a mere human can bear lightly.] [Yet he held on. For nothing but your worthless self. You probably didn't acknowledge it, nor did you want to. Because that's who you are.] "…" The strength in my legs faltered; I could have collapsed then and there. I endured it somehow. There was still something I needed to ask. “…What… is the burden of the family head?” [Why, do you want to bear it now of all times?] "…" [It’s too late a question. If you wish to know, ask your father. Though, I doubt he’ll explain it properly.] His words, dripping with scorn, should have irritated me, but I was unfazed. [This is why I detest you.] I could vaguely comprehend his resentment toward me. I detested myself fiercely too. My vision blurred. What was happening? Was my sight leaving me as well? [So I’ll ask again.] Unsure of what was happening, I wiped my eyes with my hand. And just at that moment, [Why are you alive?] Tears slipped past my cheeks. “Ahhh…” Acknowledging it, I couldn't stop myself and ended up covering my face with dry hands. [Why on earth are you alive?] I couldn’t find an answer. I wanted to ask myself why I was alive. Atonement? Was that all there was to it? If so, maybe it would have been better if I’d just died. Then, was it purely because I liked the changed world? Did I appreciate the world that didn't know of my sins? Or perhaps. Was it simply because I enjoyed seeing the children? I didn’t know anything. Nothing came to mind. [Answer me.] “…I just…” Truly, nothing came to mind. So what I ended up saying was finally just one thing. “I wanted to live...” [...] Without attaching any additional reasons, I just wanted to live. Foolishly and obstinately, that was my answer. Atonement, longing, fear. Including all these, the reason was the same. I didn’t want to die. So, I wanted to live. The words I uttered, mixed with sobs, were pathetically raw yet. [Hah…] He listened to my words, and for the first time, a smile appeared on his face as if he finally found peace. [Who knew it would be so difficult to hear those words.] “…What?” [Now just go away. I can’t stand to look at you anymore.] I wanted to ask what he meant by that. But just as he spoke, my vision suddenly began to crumble away. ***************** Crackle. Crackling. In this space where no voices could be heard anymore. Only the sound of burning embers was present, and a figure resembling Gu Ancestor lay there. [Sigh…] He let out a breath that signified exhaustion. He was truly worn out. Not in hundreds of years had he felt this much fatigue. […Such foolish people, aren't they.] Was that unnecessary stubbornness something he inherited from me? His disdain at how they dismissed his words was palpable. Why couldn't even one of them be honest? Not a single one was to his liking. And then. […I’m sorry.] Acknowledging that it was all his fault, Gu Ancestor quietly apologized. The crackling of the fire started to intensify. Soon, this space might collapse. He’d then slip into a long slumber once again. As he contemplated this and closed his eyes, Footsteps resounded from behind. Gu Ancestor slightly opened his eyes at the sound. He wasn’t surprised, knowing full well who it was. [Unnecessary interference.] At his words, the figure laughed. [Even if you hadn’t meddled, that child would eventually have realized it. Didn’t I warn you from the beginning not to get involved in my matters?] “I apologize for that.” [Ha!] Hearing this, Gu Ancestor lifted himself up. [I told you before, you should address me with more respect.] He looked at someone as though glaring. It was a woman. A woman with black hair, violet eyes, and holding a child who didn’t seem to have the best temperament. She spoke to Gu Ancestor. “I address no one with respect. Well… I did occasionally do so for one person.” [What an insufferable woman. Does she not know that child is mine?] Instead of answering, she laughed again. Gu Ancestor clicked his tongue briefly at her laughter. [You’re no different. You have no eye for men.] “I set my sights high. And I have no regrets.” [Tch…] Foolish individual. Gu Ancestor swallowed his words. There was no point in quarreling with this woman; it wouldn’t change anything. If anything, pity would be a more fitting sentiment. For she was the wretched one who gave everything up for a worthless man. For that reason, Gu Ancestor could not bring himself to hate the child. [If you were so worried, why didn’t you just reveal yourself?] “I can't do that.” Though she was still smiling, her smile seemed to change subtly. “That wouldn’t be good for him.” […Tch.] “I just stopped by to see you before you fall asleep. Even if it's not really you... I wanted to see your face.” The idea that Gu Ancestor's face might resemble someone was enough to understand her meaning. The woman, appearing satisfied, turned her back and walked away with the sleeping child in her arms. Gu Ancestor watched her back, then lay back down. That was the end of their conversation. His slowly closing eyes seemed to embrace the slumber that awaited. Before slipping into another long sleep, Gu Ancestor thought about the woman and said, [This is a small consolation I'm giving you.] A hidden gift, bestowed for the woman’s sake upon his incapable descendant. Whether he would realize this gift, Gu Ancestor didn’t know. He hoped he’d notice before it was too late. With that hope, Gu Ancestor fell into a deep sleep once more. It seems you were trying to write beautifully, but ended up deleting everything instead, haha. I guess writing isn't my strong suit... Rather than thinking about something as final as death, why don't you take my guidance instead? *Setting/Genre: Modern world, Guide universe, Fantasy* *Keywords: Superpower... Kang Hae Ah +1 11.10 Enjoying Infinite Quest as a Leisurely Lord & Various Requests +26 11.10 Yesterday Joy 11.10 🥬Reverse Dungeon, One Day in Jalong a Conspiracy🥬 +23 11.10 Redden Season's Greeting Profile Cut +21 11.10 🎉Redden Season's Greeting Video +2 11.10 Resolved^^ +1 11.10 Request for Yose Mount - Jeolgeumchun Daejehui - Heehaeng Eonjeong 11.10 🥬Romantic Fantasy / Coveting - [Otis]🥬 +17 11.10 Wanted to Write This So Got My Underwear +2 11.10 (Away) 🥬 Honey-Smeared S-Class Guide Special Request Heaven's Greatest Successor's Childhood Friend Chapter 862 (862/1058)