929 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A metallic clang resonated. Something solid and cold came into contact with his hands. What is this? “Heugh…” With a shallow groan, Gu Bong opened his eyes. Had he lost consciousness? Since when? While swiftly trying to gather his thoughts, Gu Bong's eyes widened to the size of the lamp in front of him. Memory resurfaced. He had been dragged along with Gu Yangcheon by the people from his family since the entrance. And then... what happened next? Foggy memories scrambled chaotically in his mind. Forcing his spinning head to focus, Gu Bong surveyed his surroundings. Where am I? Another metallic scrape rang out. “…!” As he attempted to move, he felt a sensation of constraint. It was then that he realized his predicament. Taking in his situation, Gu Bong's eyes darted around in alarm. “What in the world...!” What on earth is happening here? Startled, Gu Bong tried to move once more. “You've awakened.” A voice came from in front of him, causing Gu Bong's body to freeze. It wasn’t intentional. It was as if an external force had compelled him to stay still. A shiver cascaded over Gu Bong's body, unbidden. Before long, the area around him began to darken, seemingly without reason. Darkness enveloped him not because it truly was dark, but because that’s how Gu Bong perceived it. This unpleasant and nauseating sensation... A feeling Gu Bong hoped to never experience again. More than just the sensation itself, it was the entity that invoked it, an entity deeply etched in Gu Bong’s memories. An entity Gu Bong loathed and dreaded to his very core. And now, that entity stood right before him. “How have you been?” “….” Within the enveloping darkness, obscuring any discernible features, only the silhouette hinted at them being supported by a mere elbow rest. Gu Bong gulped dryly. He knew this person, even with minimal details. How could he not recognize someone who haunted his nightmares even now? Summoning words he didn’t wish to speak, Gu Bong addressed him. “…Black Warden.” At the utterance of those words, the darkness seemed to shift slightly. Although the expression remained elusive, the subtle rise and fall of the shoulders led Gu Bong to suspect the man was laughing. “Black Night.” “….” “How have you been?” Gu Bong's face twisted at the question from the darkness. “…I’d rather ask what this is all about first.” “What do you mean? Is it strange for a father to see his son?” “…Father… Father…” The uncommon and cumbersome term brought a dry laugh from Gu Bong. “It’s not even amusing.” “Black Night.” “Don’t call me that.” Clang. Gu Bong exerted strength. He attempted to free himself from the handcuffs binding him. However, it wasn't easy. ‘…Is it Yosuk stone?’ It seemed the handcuffs were made from Yosuk stone. The more strength he applied, the weaker he felt. “There's no point in that. You should conserve your strength rather than expend it needlessly.” “….” At the darkness's advice, Gu Bong bit his lip and released his efforts. Indeed, it would be a futile struggle. Among those in the Manwol realm, few could break through Yosuk stone with sheer strength. And Gu Bong was not among those few. Resigned to his situation, Gu Bong asked, “…Why was I brought here?” What purpose did they have for capturing him? This was the question troubling Gu Bong. “Haven't you abandoned me well enough until now?” Decades had passed. His life, clinging unwaveringly to his spot on the volcano, had been this way. Why seek him out now? Gu Bong couldn’t comprehend. His mind buzzed with questions when suddenly— “Did something happen to my brother?” Gu Bong tentatively inquired. “If you’re bringing me back because of that….” “Your habit of misunderstanding remains unchanged.” Gu Bong's sentence cut off abruptly. The darkness had extended its hand, compelling Gu Bong's movements. “Ugh…” Gritting his teeth against the sudden pressure, Gu Bong attempted to resist. But it wasn't easy. ‘Even now….’ Even after all this time, was the gap still so vast? Could he still not move properly right before this man? “Black Night.” “…Don’t… call me by that… name….” Gu Bong spoke through gritted teeth, prompting the darkness to nod. “Since you’re so adamant, I won't. Regrettably, your desired scenario has not come to pass.” The contents within began to tremble along with the words. “Your brother remains robust and, even if that weren't the case, there would never be a reason to summon you back for something like that.” “….” The words bore unbending finality. It was something he ardently wished for, yet hearing it stated so bluntly, Gu Bong felt a rotting sensation in his gut. “Does our family seem so feeble as to beckon back a runaway failure?” “If that’s so, then why did you call for me?” Clang-!! Gu Bong leaned his body forward, glaring at the darkness. “Like before, you could have simply ignored me. Why drag me here?” Drawing nearer, the darkness caused Gu Bong's eyes to flicker slightly. “True. I paid no mind to your actions.” A burning smell wafted. Or perhaps it didn’t; his senses were distorted now. “You fled so fervently, so with a semblance of finality, I overlooked your last desperate act as a kindness. Did you relish it? The life of a loser.” “…I…” “Your childish game seemed to amuse you enough, so I ignored it. But an incident has occurred.” Dry and coarse. Yet vicious and intense, the darkness’s voice squeezed Gu Bong tightly. “The inept head of the Baek family experienced a misfortune. Have you heard?” “….” He had heard. How could he not? It was talked about yesterday with such uproar. There was news that Baek Wol, the patriarch of the White family, suffered a severe injury from an assault. “The attacker was said to be a Wolya person with black fur.” “…!” Upon hearing those words, Gu Bong’s breath halted, and his eyes widened. Only then did Gu Bong begin to grasp why he had been brought to this place. "In addition, I heard there was some issue involving you and that fool's offspring." The darkness slowly moved to its knees. "So, I thought perhaps..." Sssssss...! An energy-formed hand reached towards Gu Bong's chin. It changed shape to resemble a hand and lifted his chin upwards. "A vain hope it was." "...Did you... Did you hope I was the culprit...?" "If I said I hoped, that would be misleading. I never held such expectations for you. It was merely a whim." "..." "But." The hand released the chin. "It has become irrelevant now." The subtle interest in the voice vanished. In an instant, upon realizing Gu Bong wasn't the culprit, he changed his demeanor. Relentless. How is it that even after all these years, he remains the same? "...How are you so unchanged?" Gu Bong spoke in a trembling voice. "Since the moment you tried to kill me. You haven't changed at all." Gu Bong's words were tinged with resignation, prompting darkness to tilt its head. "You were the one who ran first." "I was, indeed. Wanting desperately to escape that wretched place. So I ran." Gu Bong raised his head to look at the darkness. "And now, I think the choice I made back then was the only right choice." Reflecting on that moment, he immediately thought his decision had been correct. As Gu Bong spoke, the darkness responded indifferently. "You talk as if the choice was yours." "Are you suggesting the choice was yours then?" "You're still delusional." The darkness gave a low chuckle. "It's a simple matter. Does it truly seem as if the decisions were solely yours?" "...What do you mean." "Do you honestly believe you got lucky with your escape?" "..." "That you even entered a place as insignificant as a volcano. That you’re breathing at this moment. All because I permitted it." "That's nonsense...!" "The fact that you draw breath and live is evidence enough." Grit—! Gu Bong gritted his teeth. The infuriating part was that he couldn’t find a suitable retort. Knowing the power these people wielded, Gu Bong instinctively acknowledged the truth in Darkness’s words. "If desired, I could erase you at any time. If you wish, I could dispose of the master you claim to follow." The darkness's words made Gu Bong's eyes flare with intensity. "What did you just say." Clang. Veins bulged on the arms restrained by the cuffs. "Hmm." Seeing that, the darkness's eyes narrowed. "Your gaze is bothersome." "What do you intend to do to the sect leader?" Clang-! Clang-! Gu Bong exerted all his strength, attempting to break the cuffs. It appeared as if there was not even a scratch, yet Gu Bong persistently applied pressure. As if he didn’t care if his arms broke in the process. This reaction piqued the darkness's interest momentarily. "It seems your so-called master is more important than the father standing before you." "I never once considered you a father." Gu Bong's face contorted. Pain and fury seemed to overflow. "From the moment I met him in the forest after fleeing the sect. To me, he became my father, not you." "Hmm." The darkness nodded upon hearing the words. Not out of agreement. But because the notion he had been pondering became abundantly clear. "So, I spared you, and now you dare lash out at your father." At that moment. Thud-! "Ugh!!" Energy clasped tightly around Gu Bong's throat, lifting him into the air. "It doesn't matter. I've confirmed what I needed." "Ahh… argh." "I intended to be lenient and send you off quietly, but seeing your attitude has changed my mind." "Ugh… guh…." Regrettably, the cuffs remained intact. While slightly cracked, at this rate, he would break before the cuffs did. "My son. You asked earlier." The darkness looked at Gu Bong as it spoke. "Whether something had happened to your brother." "...Urgh…" "Even if there was a problem, you would never be sought out. You’re just not worth it." "..." The words hit his heart like a sharp stab. Reaffirming something he already knew, yet the reminder was painful. And then. "Your brother is likely headed to meet the one you brought." "…What…?" The darkness’s words caused Gu Bong's body to tremble. "…What… what does that mean…?" "I imagine he’s learning a lot right now. Don't you think?" "Arghhh…!!" Hearing there was trouble involving Gu Yangcheon, Gu Bong struggled desperately. He knew the strength of Gu Yangcheon. But this was that person's domain. And if something happened to Gu Yangcheon— 'I couldn’t face the master.' Gu Yangcheon was someone they had waited for, for numerous years. Regardless of personal feelings, he couldn’t allow harm to come to him. "Arghhhh!!" Gu Bong strained with all his might. His entire body bristling, it was a desperate act. "I already told you. It’s meaningless—" As he gritted his teeth and exerted force— Creak—! "Hmm?" The cuffs binding Gu Bong’s hands shattered. Seeing this, the darkness's eyes widened. He broke cuffs made from Yosuk stone? "Ho." The darkness observed its child with newfound interest. "This is unexpected." "...Grrrr!" Gu Bong bared his fangs and lunged towards the darkness with an outstretched hand. Upon seeing this, the darkness subtly moved its hand. Energy shifted into the form of a physical appendage again. His plan was to sever Gu Bong's limbs to stop him from moving. Preparing to launch the attack at Gu Bong's shoulders— -Is it here? It seems it is here, right? Suddenly, a voice rang out from somewhere. Crash-! In an instant, a hand pierced the oppressive dusk and emerged. "…What—" Just as the darkness was taken aback— The hand that had pierced through swiftly clasped around the darkness’s face. And then. Shatter-! Smash---!!! With the face in its grip, it drove the darkness into the wall. "...Grr… huh?" Gu Bong, who had been growling seconds ago, froze in disbelief as if he had turned to stone. "This is it, isn’t it? Geez, it took a while to find this place. Why are you hiding so tightly? You really ticked me off." The figure breaking through the domain was none other than Gu Yangcheon. He was inexplicably drenched in blood, yet he didn’t seem to be injured. In his remaining hand, he clutched someone’s hair tightly. “….” Whether the person held was alive was uncertain; they appeared limp and devoid of movement. Something was dripping continuously. At a glance, the state looked unusual. What is that exactly? Gu Bong squinted his eyes at this vaguely familiar sight. Moments passed before the realization hit him. "That’s…." The black hair, the black ears, and the black fur. That familiar appearance…. Wasn’t it his older brother? Although the face wasn’t clearly visible, it sure looked like it. “...” What on earth is happening all of a sudden...? Gu Bong stood frozen like a statue, only able to witness the scene before him. At that moment. “Hey. Hello.” Gu Yangcheon, acknowledging Gu Bong, waved cheerfully. The issue was that both of his hands were occupied. “...” Whenever Gu Yangcheon waved, his blood-covered brother swung along with the motion. Gu Bong’s father lay embedded in the wall thanks to Gu Yangcheon. In a word, this was… “…A complete mess.” A complete mess, indeed. A mess beyond belief. Gu Yangcheon, in his unexpected manner, had turned everything on its head while holding the remnants of a chaotic scene.