908 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A night passed, and once again it was dawn. As the night flowed into the moment when the sun rose, I stepped out of my quarters. I surveyed the surroundings amidst the refreshing air. Things I hadn't noticed before were now visible. The subtle sound of birds chirping or the calls that could be heard steadily since morning. - Ha! - Ha! The scene, as though they had just begun their early morning training, made me heighten my senses and observe. It wasn't much different from what I saw yesterday. These individuals, who didn't quite seem human, gathered to practice swordsmanship together. - Higher! Don't lose strength in your lower body! At the front, someone who appeared to be an instructor was shouting, inspecting the students. Even amidst the sweat-drenched atmosphere, plum leaves continued to fall endlessly. If there weren't many artificial elements, it looked convincing enough to be mistaken for the Huashan Sect of the central plains. - Hot! Hot! - Ha! - You there! Firm up your arm! - I'm sorry! - Are you not focused? If you're going to use it like that, it might as well be useless, so I'll remove it. - I'm, I'm sorry! "..." Remove what? I heard a rather harsh comment. Must've misheard it...? “What are you looking at so intently?” A voice came from behind, and I turned my head. Shin Noya was walking out of the quarters with a tired face. “Just watching, because I could see them.” “Is watching others struggling entertaining for you?” “Yes. Indeed, seeing others struggle is the best.” “…Judging by that expression, you're not joking.” “Don't you also enjoy it, Noya?” “Indeed.” Shin Noya nodded as if in agreement. Yes, indeed, there was nothing like watching others struggle. With a smirk, I looked back at the training ground. “How did you set up the system?” Curious about the method of training, I asked him. “There isn't much of a system. They just do it roughly.” “…What do you mean by roughly?” “You know, the simple method. Teach one or two and have them teach the ones below them.” “Ah.” It was indeed a very simple method. And also. ‘It's a dangerous method.’ It was the easiest yet most dangerous method of managing a sect. Even if the correct teachings were passed down, it depended on how well they were received. ‘Judging by their form, it doesn't seem too bad.’ Judging by the intensity of their training and the forms of the disciples receiving it, there fortunately didn't seem to be any major issues. “…Hmm.” I wondered about the level of those teaching. As I was about to ask Noya again. “No….” I had to stop. Shin Noya's expression was odd. Does one call it sulky or sinister? It was a strange expression, to say the least. “...” I sighed inwardly. I knew why this old man was like this. “Are you still sulking?” “Who said I'm sulking?!” As I pinpointed it, Noya retorted, raising his voice. It's obvious from his behavior that he is. “You didn't even lose directly. Why are you so mad?” “Who's mad…!” “Then you’re sulking, aren't you? Could it be that your pride was hurt or something—” I turned my head. Whoosh—! Boom---!! “Seriously…?” I narrowly dodged the fist, but the force from the punch whipped through the air. It seemed slower than usual, but clearly, it was infused with a significant amount of energy. Looking at Shin Noya, I couldn't help but stare at him incredulously. “Dodged it?” The man looked back at me and spoke confidently. “If I hadn't dodged, I would’ve died. Are you in your right mind…?” “You underestimate yourself too much. That wouldn't kill you so easily.” “Ridiculous.” “This brat…?” As Noya raised his fist again, I shouted urgently. “Ah, if you have complaints, take it up with the person who lost! Why are you taking it out on me!” “I didn’t lose, I said!” “But you did lose!” Bang-! “Ugh!” In the end, I took a hit. It was much stronger than usual, forcing me to collapse. “Urgh…” Holding my aching crown, I glared at Shin Noya. “Just wait.... As soon as I get stronger, see what happens.” “Do you think you can even reach my toes if you get stronger?” “Uh-huh, but I won, didn’t I? Oh, sorry.” Feeling the mood turn grim, I apologized quickly. Damn old man, doesn't let any jokes pass. ‘Feels unfair.’ Why did I have to get hit for that? Truly, it was unfair beyond belief. And the reason Noya was this irked was none other than. ‘...Because I won against Noya in a duel.’ Because of another Shin Noya residing in Yeong Pung’s body. After the Shin Ryong Martial Tournament, where I won against him. We had talked about it slowly last night. Hearing about it, Noya had scoffed. The funny thing was. -…I lost? He wasn't even concerned about whether he had another counterpart. He only cared that he lost to me. -Yes. You cried pathetically when you lost. The outcome of the duel was my victory. An elusive victory I barely managed to claim. ‘Although, it was more that he let it slide….’ I was aware. The duel then was as if Noya was merely playing with me. Despite using an opening and utilizing byojeong for victory, it was only possible because Noya let it happen. ‘If Shin Noya wished, he could've cut my throat at any moment.’ I knew then, and I know more certainly now. Given the desire, Noya could have ended my life at will. Of course, there’s a distinct difference between the Shin Noya now and the one I met then. Even so, this fact seemed unlikely to change. But putting that aside, “Why do you keep getting mad at me?” Hearing this, Noya resumed grumbling at me without pause. "Losing to a brat like you is what's irritating." "So, you're basically telling me to let it go?" "Exactly." "Why so proud, old man?" "You remember how you sent someone off as a blow-off yesterday? At least I'm doing it with words, which is better." "...Bringing up the past is unfair." Leaves you speechless. "At least I had some justification. Yours is just baseless." "Who says it's baseless?" "Excuse me?" He claims it's justified? I waited to see what he'd say. "The fact that I'm in a bad mood. That's my justification." "..." What an infuriating answer. Ah, my head hurts... "...This is driving me crazy." I spoke, holding back a sigh. "Why do you ignore all the important stuff and only latch onto this?" There were countless things we discussed yesterday. But this guy doesn't seem to care about any of it. Especially. "Is losing to me the only concern? Aren't you even curious about me being Noya’s reincarnation?" The words from Na Tian Il Geom. That I was supposedly the reincarnation of the original Noya. Or perhaps, the body meant to be reincarnated. That was drastically shocking, but Noya didn't seem to care much. "What's so important about such trivial matters?" "Tri... trivial?" How is that trivial? It's baffling. Then. "Never mind." Noya seemed to realize something was off with his answer and pondered for a moment. Of course, even to him, it sounded absurd— "If it's true, it gives credence to the resemblance, which is a bit annoying, I guess." "For heaven's sake, just drop dead." I was a fool to expect anything from this man. I continuously rubbed my face with one hand. “Ha ha ha.” The old man, having said his piece, was busy laughing as if he found it entertaining. Then, Noya erased his laughter and asked me a question. "Young one." “Yes.” "Before criticizing me, you didn’t seem that shocked either. Am I wrong?" “...” I avoided his gaze slightly. I couldn’t help but wear an awkward expression. "By the look on your face, you're either expecting it already or you..." Noya placed his hands behind his back. "Already knew." “...” Hearing Noya's words, I bit my tongue hard inside my mouth. It wasn’t easy to meet his eyes. Those eyes, which seem to know everything, are truly annoying. They bothered me when he was a spirit, and they’re even more unsettling now that it's face-to-face. “I didn’t know.” How could I know? Frankly, it was something I couldn’t even predict. Yet, my reaction was such because... 'It didn't really matter anyway.' Yes, perhaps it’s better to view it that way. Whether it was a guess or certainty, it wasn’t like that. It just seemed that it wouldn’t matter all that much even if it were true. In fact, if I were the reincarnation of such a being, wouldn’t that elevate my worth a little more? Wouldn’t it bring me closer to those I wanted to protect? Those thoughts and feelings were the most significant. Only. "Hmm, is that so?" I would never admit these thoughts to Noya. 'Is this all predetermined or something?' The fact that the plum flower stone holding Noya came into my possession. That I obtained byojeong. Getting involved in this situation. Was it all predetermined? Such thoughts had been crossing my mind recently. And— 'If not that, then could it be someone’s scheme?' I’ve recently fallen into these somewhat terrifying musings. That’s why I'm uneasy. Worried that everything I do now could be in vain, someone else’s intention. That keeps nagging me. 'Erase it.' I frowned and erased the thought. It was a useless concern. “Phew.” Exhaling deeply, I shifted my gaze afar. I looked around, trying to think of something else, catching sight of the giant tree I had visited before. It was supposedly the sacred tree. "But Noya." "What is it?" I pointed towards the sacred tree and asked Noya. "It was mentioned that you planted it yourself... are there plum trees here too?" It was fascinating to see such a large plum tree, given that there were trees I had never seen in the central plains. Especially since it was said to have been planted by him, it raised more questions. To my wonderment, Shin Noya, with a smile, provided an explanation. "Ah, that one? Of course, there's not." "What? Then what is that...?" "That's something infused with the will of the one who planted the seed. Since I planted it, it bloomed as a plum. Had someone else planted it, something else would’ve grown." "Is something like that possible?" For the type of bloom to differ depending on who plants it. I wondered if such a thing was true. "That's why it’s called a sacred tree. Isn't a tree of such size inherently peculiar?" “…It is.” "It's quite an impressive artifact." Looking at the sacred tree, Noya spoke with evident pride. “It was a precious one to them, stealing it was no easy task.” “Must’ve been a lot of work-. Huh? What?” I quickly turned my head, catching his words. Steal? What? "Oh." Noya, realization dawning on him, wore an 'oops' expression. "Did I not mention it?" As if realizing late, he gestured towards the sacred tree. “That was something your mother, the Master of Myriad Worlds, originally possessed.” “…Excuse me?” “But I stole and planted it here. Ha ha ha. Thanks to that, I had to constantly fight and flee for about fifty years.” "..." Noya spouted madness without batting an eyelash. ‘Wow. What the hell.’ I thought to myself after hearing that. ‘Should I just bail right now?’ I probably made a wrong decision from the start. ****************** Kuhuhuhuhuhu. Kuhuhuhu. An eerie sound echoed inside the vast cave. At the heart of the dark, damp cave, something sat, catching its breath. Surprisingly, this eerie sound was the sound of breathing. [Kuhuhuhu.] A gigantic figure with the head of a beast and the body of a human. The leader was breathing heavily. Was he injured? No. It was simply a breath filled with rage. Then. “Still sitting around here?” Someone emerged into the cave. [...] Upon confirming the visitor, a light ignited in the leader’s eyes. […Tosang.] The man took a step forward at his call. As he moved, black feathers fell from somewhere. "Leader, the master is very concerned." […Kuhuh….] Hearing this, the leader bowed his head in acknowledgment. […My apologies.] With the leader's apology, the man referred to as Tosang gave a small nod. "If you are to apologize, it should be to the master, not me, in person." [...] "Also, the master has instructed you to wait, so put aside unnecessary ambitions." [However….] "Leader." As the leader began to speak, the man interrupted him. "Do you intend to act against orders out of rage?" At Tosang's words, the leader closed his mouth. Although he wanted to rush out and shred those people to pieces, ultimately, the master’s command was paramount. “Answer me.” […I will bear it in mind.] With the leader’s response, Tosang nodded. “I understand your mindset, but worry not.” Tosang spoke, thinking of someone else. “Yarang has made a move.” […!] Tosang's words immediately ignited a fervent reaction within the leader. “In due time, what you desire will come to pass.” With these words, Tosang turned and walked away. Before long, he completely vanished from the leader’s domain. Kuhuhu! The leader exhaled softly through his nose. Flames flickered out, revealing his emotions. - Yarang has made a move. That single statement made the leader’s heart pound with increased vigor. Feeling his racing heart, the leader spoke. […Next time for certain.] He would capture them and eliminate them. [All for the sake of the Master of Myriad Worlds.] The leader slowly closed his eyes. He was waiting for his night to come. --- Murim, 1 Comments 3.1 / 80 Yeonwoo 2024.10.29 02:48 신고 Reincarnation, yet they're just the same. 0 Only logged-in members can post comments. 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