945 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The Master of the Myriad Worlds. Beneath her, there exist four beings who are blessed and endowed with powers. Here, they are referred to as generals. Each general governed their own nation. The Myriad Worlds is vast, and while there are countless regions, there are only four places that can truly be called nations. These are the generals' nations. Within these, a place called Yawol, where most of the Worya Tribe reside, is led by a general named Yusa. 'Yusa.' As the name crossed his mind, he recalled an image of someone. Overlaying it with the names he had heard, he realized. ‘It’s not even a similar name.’ "Monmon," he said, but the name didn’t resemble the person at all. Taking the form of a youthful green figure and calling it Monmon. 'What a peculiar temperament.' Indeed, he was a strange fellow. And he was strong. Though their encounter was brief, the memory left a vivid impression. Even a mere glimpse of his presence filled the surroundings, leaving the strength he possessed in question. If that's what it means to be a general... ‘It's certainly not going to be easy.’ Was it not that the leader's peculiar strength was unique, but rather that the generals generally possess such power levels? As he absorbed these details into his mind, piece by piece, he pondered. “Are you listening?” “Ah.” A voice addressed him from the front. The speaker was the black-clad ruler, father of Gu Bong and a nobleman. After his encounter with Monmon, he had come directly to discuss the matter here. “Yes, I'm listening.” “...” He didn't seem to believe me. But I had missed the last thing he said. Surely, as long as I caught the important details, it should be fine? With a slightly awkward expression, I replied, “Anyway. It seems like this general named Yusa came to see me…” I was aware of the existence of the generals, but I didn’t expect to meet one so soon. “Could it be because of the recent events around here?” “...” The leader watched me silently, offering no words. He seemed to be in deep contemplation, yet what occupied his mind remained unknown. And so, I waited briefly until a response emerged. Soon after. “What did the general ask you?” The leader set aside my query and posed his own question. “What did he ask?” He inquired whether I was the one responsible for the recent events. “…And?” The leader’s expression turned stern as he sought further elaboration. “So, I said no.” “...” Hearing this, his expression grew subtly inscrutable. What’s with that face? “Why?” “So, you answered no?” “Yes, I said no.” “...” “Why doesn’t he believe me?” It was apparent he didn’t trust me. And I really had said no. With a slight chuckle, I addressed him. “Do you also think I did it?” “Well, I’m not sure.” “No, it’s not about not knowing.” I tapped the table with my fingertips. It was a signal to get his focus straight. “That's not the critical issue for you. That's why you're meeting me now, isn't it?” “...” With a grin, I spoke, and strength surged into the leader’s gaze. At that moment, Swish-h-h. A shadow unfurled like a mist across the floor. The expanding darkness gradually moved to fill the room. Watching this, I simply stamped my foot slightly. Thump-! Crunch! “…!” With the impact, the darkness shattered. The leader’s eyes widened like lanterns. “Hey, let’s not complicate things unnecessarily.” “…You.” “We’ve been through this before already. Isn’t it unnecessary to go down this path again?” He had a habit of trying to cast strange spells like illusions or mind manipulation. ‘I’m not weak-minded enough to succumb to that.’ Such things catch hold of those with feeble spirits. Though I’m slightly broken, my life was far from easy, making me not prone to such. “If we just get straight to our business, wouldn’t that be so much easier? Isn’t that right? I’m not here for needless power struggles.” “…Hah.” The leader retrieved the strength he had been pouring into the floor. He seemed more baffled than understanding. “What on earth are you?” “Can’t you see the clothes?” I pointed confidently to the plum blossom embroidered on my chest. His lips curled. “Nonsense. The sensation emitted by them, those from Huashan, cannot be felt from you.” “You speak coldly. What’s different?” “Will.” “...” At his words, I clammed up. “Determination, the spirit of struggle, and resolve. Even though it doesn't suit them, that is evident among those from Huashan, yet absent in you.” “Then what is evident in me?” And so, I asked what he perceived in me. To my inquiry, the leader met my gaze and said. “Nothing is visible.” “What?” His absurd answer twisted my expression, but he continued speaking. “Nothing is sensed. Like an empty field. Therefore, you are not of Huashan.” “...” It made me feel like crap. How could it be so insulting? To make it worse... ‘I can’t argue otherwise.’ I found myself unable to refute his statement. An empty field. Words that strangely stirred something within. Or was it perhaps... -You are not of Huashan. Was that what gnawed at me inside? I couldn’t be sure. I didn’t know, but I let it pass, allowing it to drift away. I had to. Yet. “Does that really matter so much to you?” I couldn’t alter my tone. The way I spoke was laden with discomfort. After I said it, I had to swallow down my surprise. I realized my emotions were surging more strongly than anticipated. It was frustrating how dumb I was for not even being able to hide that, but amusingly, that was my best attempt to conceal it. “I know well the likes of you.” Suppressing my emotions, I spoke. “You’ve got that look of someone hiding their ambitions. Folks who search endlessly for a way to climb to greater heights, even when they claim they’re just observing.” “...” “These types, cautious as they are, don’t rush in when they find a path. They watch and wait. Isn’t that true for you as well?” Our faces were close. We were close enough to exchange blows, had either of us wished it. Yet, I was sure this man wouldn’t attack me. “So, what do you think? Still need to keep prodding around the edges? What do you perceive in me?” “Utterly amusing.” Scree—eech. The leader stood up. He was taller than I expected. A full head taller than me. “Do you truly believe you can be the bridge?” “That’s for you to decide, not me. Isn’t that why you’re here trying to draw out my secrets?” “Do you honestly think you can achieve anything without revealing your true identity?” As the leader spoke, his lips twisted. For the first time, his emotions were clearly visible. “I already told you before. I’m from the Huashan.” “Are you going to keep playing games?” Crackling—a palpable energy filled the room. Not the false energy from earlier, but something genuine. This wasn’t simply aura. The energy used here felt distinctly different from the internal energy stored in one’s core. ‘It seems Gu Bong, Seol Yeong, and perhaps the disciples of Huashan use something similar.’ For others, it felt too foreign to be called internal energy. Yet it made the heart ticklish, akin to... ‘Something resembling a spell.’ Though not exactly like sorcery, it was closer to that than internal energy. “To be spared because you seemed somewhat useful, you just don’t know your place, just like those of Huashan.” “Spared? Place?” I let out a laugh. “…Why is it people always say the same things, no matter where I go?” As always, such remarks don’t change. Grr-kk! I endured the pressure, staring at the leader. The mocking smile disappeared from his face long ago. “I’m not sure how you slipped out of the general’s sight, but if he’s set his eyes on you, it’s already too late.” As the leader continued speaking, the energy in the room intensified. The sensation of it scratching against my heart grew stronger. It was odd. “Like this, might it be more beneficial for me to simply dispose of you now…?” “So, what are you going to do about it?” The feeling was akin to an itch deep inside, one that spread under the influence of their energy, just as with the previous black-clad leader. It felt as though something needed doing. ‘What is it?’ What needed to be done? ‘What’s going on?’ What was the argument about after all? It seemed more like the situation was about to escalate to physical conflict. I genuinely didn’t intend to fight here. Why cause trouble and squander a well-set opportunity? I planned to handle things diplomatically to accomplish my tasks. Yet, I was provoking the leader unnecessarily. ‘Why?’ I pondered my actions. Why I was behaving this way, acting on instinct instead of reason. ‘Could it be because of that?’ The moment with Yusa. From the moment we met to the moment we parted. If I were to pinpoint the problem, it began then. From then on, my temper flared. Especially. ‘From the moment I heard those words.’ The instant I heard something akin to a dragon's words. That was the turning point. This leader before me was holding his head high. And the way he kept scratching at my patience was irritating. ‘…What a bother.’ These are the emotions I had been holding back. Ever since transforming into a dragon, I’d been plagued with inexplicable exhilaration and needless feelings. This had become more pronounced since mastering the Nine Flames Wheel Art. Today’s feelings were particularly intense. I scratched my neck with a finger. Perhaps too forcefully, as my nail dug into the skin, drawing pain. Trickle. Blood dripped down my neck. That prompted the Heavenly Demon standing behind to make her presence known. “Don’t be mistaken.” The leader’s energy flowed along the line of his shoulder. The black aura resembled his hair. “No matter what secrets you hold, I am the law here.” Woo-wong-! The vibration resonated through my heart. That familiar feeling of being lifted began to take over. It was recognizably familiar. ‘This is.’ The peculiar sensation reminiscent of when Monmon spoke to me with bizarre energy. That sensation when the words held energy that enveloped as if restraining me. Yet, it couldn’t quite reach and dissipated gently at that time. ‘…Certainly an unusual feeling.’ Easily memorable even from just once experiencing it. It wasn’t merely dragon words. This was something different. It didn’t just stop at restraining body or actions. ‘Hmm….’ Indeed. ‘It crushes the soul itself.’ That seemed more accurate, didn’t it? To put it simply. “So you dare not lift your head—.” [Sit.] Like this. Thunk-!! “…!!” “Oh.” Heeding the words, the leader collapsed into his chair as if knocked down. Sat as though pushed by an unseen force, the leader widened his eyes at me. “…This…?” Suddenly seated, he trembled, his expression shocked. Of course, I wasn’t the only one surprised. ‘It worked?’ It seems effective. I hadn’t felt anything when experiencing it, so I was curious. Yet applying it to someone else proved effective. ‘It is akin to dragon words.’ Though the means felt somewhat similar, the effect was different. ‘It’s more definite.’ For someone of his caliber, there should be limits to restraint by dragon words. Curiously, with only words, I had managed to subdue him so effortlessly. While marveling at this. Tug. A sensation of a knot loosening swept over my heart. “…Ugh.” He regained his freedom of movement. I hadn’t intentionally released him. ‘The duration is short.’ Despite its effectiveness, it didn’t last long. Or possibly, I hadn’t executed it properly. Questions began to surface. This wasn’t the time to ponder over that. “What on earth….” The leader looked at me with a face bordering on astonishment. “Who on earth are you…?” His tone had changed. ‘What’s going on?’ Why the sudden shift? He should be furious, ready to fight. Instead, he seemed deflated. ‘Is it because of what just happened?’ The mimicry of Monmon or Yusa must have caused some kind of issue. That would explain his reaction. Amusing as it was, there was an opportunity here. “My identity?” I responded with a smile. “What do you think?” This was a great turn of events. If he was mistaken about my identity, then there was nothing better. I decided to take advantage of his misconception.