927 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

927th Chapter A low murmur emanated from the direction of the gatekeeper. I waited patiently while observing. Although Gu Bong seemed restless, it didn't bother me much. I had a firm grip on his arm, ensuring he couldn't escape. "Esteemed guest. This is-!" He appeared bewildered by my restraint, but there was no help for it. "You never know. It's for safety, in case you try to flee." "...Where exactly would I suddenly escape to...?" "Who knows?" Besides. "In case you do run, it's not that hard to catch you... but it's a hassle I'd rather avoid." "..." Being frank, Gu Bong's face swiftly contorted. As we were in the midst of this non-argument argument. -Oh. What's that? -…Why are they here…? The atmosphere, already quiet and chilly, grew even more subdued. Fear was evident on everyone's faces as those nearby began to part, creating a path. It was a voluntary act but more akin to a retreat, as if avoiding contact. There was something forced about the commotion, a stiffness that was apparent. And beyond the newly formed path. Thud-! Someone was approaching. A long pole with a flag attached, followed by a dozen or so people beneath it. Seeing them, I tilted my head in curiosity. 'They're different.' Unlike the white clan I saw yesterday, these were entirely opposite in appearance. They were clad in extremely dark black garments. The unusual part was that all their faces were concealed, making their appearances indistinguishable. What strange creatures are these? I stared with a perplexed gaze. "...Damn..." Gu Bong let out a low curse upon seeing them. I felt tension in the arm I was holding. "What's this? You said you weren't planning to escape." Contrary to the words he spoke to me earlier, his reaction was unsettling. I chuckled at the sight. "Oh, just stay calm since you can't escape anyway." "…Let go. This isn't the time for jokes-." "Jokes? Who's joking?" "…Esteemed guest?" He widened his eyes at me, sensing something from my demeanor. "Could it be…." "Ah, don't look at me like that." His gaze was quite burdensome. "I didn't intend for this specifically…. Well, I half expected it, but I didn't know which side it would be." I couldn't tell what it was based on their color. Moreover, I hadn't completely anticipated it would turn out this way. I merely had hopes. I didn't predict it; I hoped. It would be nice if things turned out this way. And now, that hope was realized. "You…!" Gu Bong grimaced and tried to break free, but I had no intention of letting go. "Oh, just stay still. What do you plan to do now that we're here?" "You know nothing…. I don't know how you figured it out. This does not benefit the mountain in any way…!" It is, in fact, detrimental. Gu Bong tried to shout, but. "Right. It might be." Knowing this well, I interrupted him. "Whatever secret you hold and if that secret harms the mountain, yes, it might. But." I lowered my gaze to meet his eyes. "But what does that have to do with me?" "...What?" "Don't be mistaken. I've never been here solely for the mountain's sake, even once." Getting angry for their sake yesterday. Showing fury at Gu Bong. If one were to say it was purely for the mountain, they'd be wrong. "I got angry for Noya." "I have little interest in the mountain." I am not truly concerned about where you reside. Whether it falls or not. Seeing Gu Bong's eyes quiver, fury began to rise in his gaze. And as I shrugged at that threatening glance. "But don't worry. Some old man asked for a favor, so I have no intention of ruining anything." "Really…!" Gu Bong couldn't hold back his words. "It's been a while." "...!" With the sudden interruption of a voice, Gu Bong had to shut his mouth. The voice was damp and dry. Void of any emotion, it felt like it was coming from the depths of a deep well. Gu Bong's eyes shifted. It was the leader among those who were approaching earlier. Their face still obscured, completely clad in black from head to toe. I found the attire slightly appealing. "Dark Young Master." "..." The words, seemingly from a man, made Gu Bong's lips quiver as he bit them. "The leader is looking for you." Gu Bong answered the summons reluctantly. "...I am not the Dark Young Master. I no longer go by that name." The man's unresponsiveness to his denial suggested it was insignificant to him. After a brief silence, he indifferently added more words. "There is something the leader wants to ask regarding this matter. Please come with us." “Didn’t you hear? I’ve abandoned that name and thus am no longer one of your people." Showing resolute intent, Gu Bong placed his hand near his waist. With the slightest provocation, he seemed prepared to draw his sword. “I will not return to that place. Not even in death.” “...” The man's eyes flicked from behind his mask, resting briefly on both Gu Bong and me. He appeared to ponder for a moment. “The leader ordered us.” Having seemingly resolved his inner debate, he spoke once more to Gu Bong. “If you refuse to comply, we are to bring you by force. That was the directive.” “...” “We are merely following the leader's orders.” "So, you intend to take me by force after all." Clang-. Gu Bong tightened his grip on the hilt. A sound immediately emanated from his sheath. "I am a man of the mountain." Determination flashed in his eyes. Unlike before, he was resolute. “…I will no longer harbor a weak resolve-!” Boom-! "Ack." Mid-sentence, Gu Bong collapsed. I knocked him out with a blow to the back of his head. Caught him before he hit the ground and lifted him with a bit of effort. Looking at him in disbelief, I remarked. "Geez, this guy was ready to kneel last time, and now he's standing on his pride all of a sudden?" Why wouldn't he do it when it mattered, but throws a fit now? So bothersome. "People need some consistency, really. Don't you think?" I sought agreement from the man, yet he simply stared at the fallen Gu Bong. "No response. How dull." I clicked my tongue and tossed Gu Bong to the man. Unperturbed, he caught Gu Bong as if he had anticipated it, then finally locked eyes with me. "Well. Do you have something to say?" "The leader has...” “Told you to bring me, too?” “…That is correct.” “Was it specifically me, or was it to bring anyone nearby if there were others?” “...” Silence followed, indicating he wouldn't divulge anything. I hadn't expected him to answer honestly anyway. Though frankly, it hardly mattered. “Let’s go then. Might as well meet this leader, whoever they are.” I intended to follow all along. This was the situation I orchestrated. I seamlessly blended into the group. Then followed them to some very deep, unknown place. ************ Meanwhile, as Gu Yangcheon and Gu Bong were being led away by someone. Someone stood high on the towering city wall, silently watching the scene unfold. Peering through a black mask, the eyes beneath observed serenely as if the entire fortress was within their view. -Let’s go then. Might as well meet this leader, whoever they are. In response to the voice, the grayish ears perked up, and the similarly colored tail swayed gently. Without uttering a word, she kept her gaze locked on the departing Yangcheon. As he continued further away, he would soon go beyond her sight and hearing inside those walls. What should she do? If she let him be, she might lose track of him. Especially if he ventured into that particular darkness, who could say what awaited? "..." Contemplating in silence, the woman straightened her posture slightly. Follow. She couldn’t afford to lose him, nor did she desire to. With that resolve, she attempted to discreetly infiltrate the fortress. "Hey." “…!” She recoiled at the sudden voice from her side, widening their distance. Yet. "Why do you keep following?" No matter the distance, the voice felt close. Grasp-! “--!!” Someone’s hand seized her mask. And with that. Whooosh-!!! She was flung from the wall at a tremendous speed. Enduring the gust, she rapidly distanced herself from the scene. It was unknown how far she'd been propelled. Thrown outside her known territory, by the time she realized, the woman was rolling across the ground. Her body rolled on the dirt. Barely regaining her balance, she looked up and saw someone standing in front of her. "Hello." A woman with black hair waved softly. "Met you last time, too." “...” "I let you go back then." The woman tilted her head. Her expression conveyed confusion. "Why return?" “...” “Why are you watching him?” “...” “You.” In a flash. “Dislike him?” Rumble—!!! A formidable energy erupted from the woman's shadow. The surging energy enveloped the ground, causing the earth to begin turning black. “...” Despite the ominous display, the woman showed no reaction. She calmly opened her hand, and power began to coalesce at her palm's center. Zzzzzing—!! The gathered energy took the form of a sword. “Hm….” Lilac eyes gleamed at the sight. It was fascinating. Besides, it seemed somewhat familiar. Where from? It didn't quite come to mind. It probably wasn't too important. The woman with black hair opened her hand in response. Zzzzzing---!!! The energy gathered from the ground into her hand. And it too morphed into a blade-like shape. “This seems different.” Something was certainly distinct. Seeing it, I could absolutely tell. Still. “It doesn’t matter.” Dissimilarity posed no issue. Different processes didn't change the outcome. "Are you his enemy?" “...” No response came. “Is that so?” And so, she took the lack of reply as an affirmation. “Then that won’t do.” The woman took a step forward with those words. Crack—!!! Beneath her step, the night bloomed like a flower. November 11th 11:11🥢 Sugar-free donuts +3 +11 11.11 Requesting an erotic rom-com ☝️.pdf 11.11 [Drama] Requests for "Never Mind" or "Top Consultant" by 'SimpleLife' +8 11.11 Keyword cooking +2 11.11 First Sapphire Mining! 11.11 🥬"If Not the Lead, I Die", "Come Back, My Hero", "Reversal Dungeon"🥬 +10 11.11 Re: Be the Light of the Dark Sea +8 11.11 This Is the End, You Foolish One 11.11 Happy Monday +1 11.11 Away/Complete (RO) Request for "Violet Affair Drama Night Orange” 11.11 Not Your 'Steasy'🥬🥬 Requesting The childhood friend of the world’s greatest 927th Chapter (927/1059)