946 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

# The World's Greatest Roaming Companion: Chapter 946 "What do you think I am?" The leader reacted to my question. He was still trembling, and most importantly, the way he looked at me had changed. It was no longer a look of mockery or subtle disdain. Now, his eyes were filled with confusion, a large question, and an unknown fear. It was odd how he suddenly changed. ‘Was what I just did so strange?’ Thinking of the reason for this change, it was likely something I had just done. Still, I couldn't quite understand why. ‘What's the big deal?’ I thought it was merely a power similar to word magic. Of course. ‘Even though word magic is a strange power.’ Just by infusing words with power, you can restrict the actions of the opponent. That alone makes it a bizarre power, but for the leader to react this way, there must be a bigger reason. ‘What is it?’ I wanted to understand the reason, but... “You don't know, do you?” At the same time, I needed to take advantage of the present. “You can't possibly know.” “…What on earth….” The leader was flustered. I couldn't miss this opportunity. “Do you remember what I said at first?” I pushed my words onto him forcefully. “Do you want to stay in the same place, or would you rather rise higher?” “...” The leader didn't answer. But it didn’t matter. I knew his ears were wide open. “I told you, I know your kind all too well.” Those consumed by desire. Those who will use any means necessary for it. Even if it means going against the heavens or breaking their own beliefs. People like that don't care about such things. From what I observed, this leader was such a person. If that wasn't the case, it wouldn't make sense. ‘If it weren't, he wouldn't have left me standing here unharmed.’ There was no need for consideration or calculation. If there had been any suspicion about me, he would've reported it to that guy Mong in advance, or at the very least, deemed me a threat and tried to eliminate me sooner. But. ‘He didn't.’ He chose not to. Which means. ‘He hopes for something from me, or.’ He’s gauging whether I could be useful for what he desires. That means the leader definitely has something he wants. ‘I realized when dealing with Gu Bong.’ One of his sons was lying on the ground. Another had escaped. Yet, the father completely ignored his own children and was only watching me. Even when I wrecked one of his sons. Did he mention offering me the next leader's position? ‘Is he insane?’ I thought he was genuinely mad. Of course, since this is a different world, I considered there might be cultural differences. But. ‘That's nonsense.’ Judging by Gu Bong’s reaction, that wasn’t the case. He simply seemed like a strange man. He wants something and is willing to do anything to get it. In such a situation, I came onto the scene. The leader seemed to find something necessary in me. In that situation. ‘What if I showed him something more?’ If I showed him something unexpected. How would the leader react? I already had a hunch about the answer. “You know the way, don't you?” I asked, my words filled with certainty. The leader's brow furrowed. “…That is.” I was right. It was just a casual statement, but the leader’s reaction gave me confidence. “How far do you want to go? Show me your ambition.” “...” The leader's eyes wavered. But the confusion faded, replaced only by hesitation brought on by ambition. This was the opportunity. “Listen closely.” Screech. I stepped closer and met his gaze. “This is me giving you an opportunity, not just throwing you a lifeline.” Making it impossible to refuse. “This is me giving you the chance to walk beside me.” “...” Creak. With strength in my heart, I let my energy slightly ripple. Not just ordinary energy, but demonic energy, so my eyes were likely turning purple. “...” The leader said nothing. The silence was uncomfortable, but for now, this was enough. I withdrew my body that had been leaning in and added more words. “The choice is yours. But.” I didn't forget to smile. “I won’t give you much time to ponder. Decide by the next time we meet. Then.” Swish. I turned my back and headed to the door. “I'll show you how I can achieve what you want.” Without hesitation, I gripped the doorknob. Pulling it open, the Heavenly Demon slipped outside as if waiting. The ones waiting outside seemed startled as they peered inside, but nothing out of the ordinary was happening, so it wasn’t an issue. Creak. The door slowly closed. The leader, still with a stiff expression, could only watch me. No words came. Click. And with that, the door shut completely. ‘Phew.’ Only then did I release the breath I had been holding. Simultaneously, I gathered the scattered energy. ‘Fortunately, it seems I didn't give away anything.’ I had scattered my energy just in case something happened. It was fortunate it hadn’t been necessary. Had something happened. ‘…It would've been troublesome.’ Not just troublesome, it would have been a complete disaster. ‘There must be a general or someone around.’ Mong Mong. Or Yousa. The ruler of this nocturnal circle must be somewhere, and it would've been me who faced difficulties had something happened. ‘…I managed to get through it.’ Although this wasn't the original purpose, the way things progressed wasn’t bad. The fact that the leader was deeply troubled by my words was a significant gain. Moreover... ‘It seems the answer is set.’ I was almost certain about what choice he would make. You could tell just by looking at his expression. ‘Of course, I'll prepare just in case, but…’ Would he truly choose a different path? I didn’t think so. So... ‘...I need to think it through properly now.’ When the leader makes his choice, I need to be ready to provide the solution he's seeking. ‘...I haven't prepared it yet.’ For now, it was more of a spontaneous move. So I had to start planning from this moment. However... ‘I don't think it will be that difficult.’ After all, I already knew the answer. --- I left the Black Family and headed outside. By then, dusk had long since settled, and night was gradually approaching. The streets anticipated the night, lighting up with lanterns, and people seemed oddly more energetic than during the day. ‘Chosen by the night, they say.’ These beasts called Wolya, or moonlit beasts, are said to be children of the night. Were they eagerly awaiting the night? I walked among them, observing my surroundings. Of course, the Heavenly Demon was with me. ‘...Hmm.’ I glanced at the Heavenly Demon. Although she had ears, she lacked a tail and had to continue to cover herself with her cloak. She seemed fascinated by the night market, looking around with wide-eyed curiosity. Wonder and amazement. The Heavenly Demon's eyes were filled with such purity and innocence. Just like… ‘...Wi Seol Ah.’ The way Wi Seol Ah used to look at me. It was so similar that I found myself narrowing my eyes. I tried to ignore it and looked at where the Heavenly Demon was staring. "...What are you looking at?" I wondered what she was so focused on. Curious, I followed her gaze to a street stall. Just like those in the Central Plains, there were various foods on sale, with many unfamiliar but delicious-smelling dishes. “...” Glancing at it, I looked back at the Heavenly Demon. She was still staring intently at the stall. Could she really be...? “…Do you want to eat that?” “Yes.” “...” Her honest answer made me run my hand through my hair. Is it possible that her gluttony matches her looks? Even in this situation, she wanted to eat something. Both exasperated and resigned, I sighed and dragged the Heavenly Demon toward the stall. Why am I doing this? I questioned my actions even as I carried them out. What am I even doing here? Doubts kept arising, but my actions continued. At first, I thought it was because she reminded me of Wi Seol Ah. “What do you want to eat?” “…Can I choose just one?” “Of course. Do you have money?” “No.” “Then how do you expect a choice on someone else’s dime? Pick just one.” “Okay.” But as I watched the Heavenly Demon carefully selecting her food, I felt different. ‘It’s unsettling.’ It was deeply unsettling. Just watching made my insides itch. As if treating the Heavenly Demon like this was wrong. An inner voice scratched at me, urging me to stop. Stop it. Do it right. That’s what my mind shouted. ‘What the hell do they mean by doing it right?’ Ridiculous. Right. If doing it right meant this, then I should have done it differently. ‘I should have killed her long ago.’ When the opportunity arose, I should have eliminated the Heavenly Demon. No matter the means, I should’ve done whatever it took to eradicate her. ‘What am I even doing?’ What am I doing? In a completely different world, what is this nonsense? ‘…Who would have thought I’d end up buying food for the Heavenly Demon?’ Who could have predicted that such a lofty and arrogant entity would be treated this way? “…Tsk.” Recalling this, I clicked my tongue shortly, which made the Heavenly Demon flinch. “…I'll choose quickly.” Then she quickly replied, glancing at me. “...” Is the Heavenly Demon actually watching her manners around me? The pressure and frustration made me want to clutch my forehead immediately. This wasn’t supposed to happen. ‘…I wonder how the children are doing.’ How would the state of the Central Plains be? Even with time differences, time continued to flow, and if they realized I had vanished, I couldn't imagine how they'd react. ‘I need to return as soon as possible.’ Knowing all this and yet engaging in this child’s play with the Heavenly Demon. “…Hoo….” I couldn’t help but let out a sigh. “That one.” Meanwhile, the Heavenly Demon pointed decisively at something. A skewer with something chunky stuck to it. When looking at it, it seemed like meat, but I couldn’t tell exactly what kind. “That one?” “Yes.” “Could I please have one of those?” The stall owner promptly handed over the skewer upon hearing my words. I paid and handed it to the Heavenly Demon. She eagerly moved to take a bite with anticipatory eyes. “Make way—!!” “Clear the path, I said!” Voices echoed from a distance. “What’s going on?” What now? I looked over with puzzled eyes and saw a flag afar. “Hmm?” Upon seeing it, my eyes widened. It was a familiar flag. ‘That’s…’ I had seen it before. When I climbed up a high place in Yawol to assess the situation, I saw it in passing. ‘Was it blue or some other color?’ If I recall correctly, it was from one of the two families, excluding the white and black. Which means… ‘Nobility.’ That means they're also nobility. Upon realizing that, I subtly stepped back. They might not notice, but being cautious is better than being sorry. I distanced myself slightly and waited for the carriage to pass. Through the crowd, the carriage approached in my direction, brushing past me. I looked at it in mild fascination. ‘It's not a horse?’ The animals pulling the carriage were surprisingly not horses. Two giant wolves. These beasts, no less intimidating than horses, pulled the carriage. Grrr. As they snorted and slowly passed by. The carriage was almost completely past us when... Screech. Suddenly, it stopped right before us. ‘Hmm…?’ I frowned at the sudden halt right in front of us. I sensed something. ‘This is ominous…?’ Instinctively, I felt something bad was about to happen. In that moment. Squeak-! The carriage door swung open. From inside the carriage emerged a handsome man with striking blue hair. He had an incredibly sharp and refined appearance, somewhat reminiscent of Woo Hyuk. As soon as he appeared, the people around us immediately dropped to their knees. What is this? Just as I was struggling to grasp the bizarre situation, the man spoke. "Girl." He was looking directly at the Heavenly Demon as he addressed her. "You are beautiful. Become mine." That's what he said. "This crazy bastard, what's he saying now?" The words slipped out of my mouth before I realized it.