949 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A figure appeared as the door swung open, waving a hand. Observing Mong-Mong, my expression remained unchanged. Bright, lime-green hair. The hair, mirroring the expression of innocence, and a hint of flushed eyes. The same as I saw during the day. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" "Not as long as you'd think." "Hahaha. Is that so? I guess you're right." He still seemed as if he were out of his mind. Whatever was amusing him, he was undeniably delighted. How did he suddenly appear? Such questions didn't arise. 'I knew he was around anyway.' Though I never bothered to identify his presence, I was sure he was watching me from nearby. I was certain of it. 'He has seen me already.' Once doubts began to arise, he wouldn't easily leave. Even if he left after checking something, he'd definitely want to confirm more. Those were the thoughts that stemmed from it. ‘I was right.’ It seemed my speculation was correct. He was indeed watching me. Upon confirming this, I spoke to him. "I don't think you're supposed to be here. Is it okay to just walk into a prison?" "Huh?" At my words, Mong-Mong tilted his head in confusion. Such a gesture fitting his appearance made him seem even more naïve. However. "Well, there's nowhere I can't go in here." Despite the innocent demeanor. I couldn't even begin to imagine what could be inside that small body. "You know that too." "..." Mong-Mong said with a smile. I had to pause briefly upon hearing it. "You heard from the Black-Eyed Kid, right? About who I am." "…Yes. I heard." "Hahaha. Fascinating." Mong-Mong approached closer to the bars and spoke to me. "Even knowing who I am, you still hold your head so high. How is that possible?" The lime-green pupils elongated vertically. The sight made my whole body tense up. It was chilling. Had I not controlled myself, I might have broken the shackles and prepared to attack. Something in my heart stirred. Trying repeatedly to display its power as if displeased by his attitude. Forcing it back down, I thought to myself why he kept behaving this way. Attacking him now, forcing his head down. It was shouting those things. ‘Tsk….’ I somehow endured it. At the same time, I tried to show respect by lowering my head in front of Mong-Mong. However. "Ah, don't do that. Just kidding." Mong-Mong blocked as soon as I attempted to act. "Aww, I don't like those formalities. Relax." "..." He's a funny guy. Standing still just to block when I moved. ‘He wanted to see how I'd react.’ If I hadn’t moved, what might have happened? I didn’t think it would have turned out well from what I could gather. "Anyway, Cheol Jiseon." "…?" "Cheol Jiseon?" "Oh, yes." I responded belatedly. That's right. I was pretending to be Jiseon, wasn't I? I had forgotten. "Hmm." Mong-Mong stared at me with a peculiar expression. He didn't seem suspicious. Rather, it seemed like. ‘He knows it's an alias, so at least act right.’ It was closer to such a meaning. ‘He's not an easy one.’ A chuckle almost escaped my lips. Although he appeared innocent and foolish, there was something sharp in his eyes. His demeanor was continuously assessing something about me. Even from his gaze to his impulses. His simple visit was not meaningless. Then Mong-Mong chuckled softly. "Well, that's fine." As if dismissing it as unimportant, he tried to pass by it casually. ‘Nothing is truly insignificant.’ I stayed alert, aware he was still trying to learn more. "Ah, it's just that, I made a mistake earlier today, right?" "That you did." "…Ah…uh-huh." His casual agreement caught him off-guard for a moment. "Well, since I was wrong, I thought I'd offer some help." "Offer help...." As if piqued by interest, I responded and spoke to him. "How will you help?" "I'll do whatever you want." "If I ask you to let me out, will you?" "Oh, sure. Absolutely." "Will the leader here allow that?" "Hmm?" Mong-Mong's expression turned puzzled at my remark. "Why would I need permission for that?" His tone implied a lack of understanding. "After all, this land is mine. No need for such formalities." "…I see." I nodded. From his matter-of-fact demeanor, I quietly sensed a lot. ‘I’m starting to get an idea.’ An inkling of what kind of entity he was emerged. However, my clues were too scarce for any certainty. ‘The layers are still thick.’ His mask was particularly thick to delve inside. Should I employ some tactics to dig deeper? No, not yet. "So, what should I do for you?" His sincere attitude suggested he was willing to grant any wish. His eyes held a pure yet ominously intense feeling. So pure it was almost menacing. "Well." I appeared to ponder after hearing his words. Then I said to him. "No, thank you." "Hmm?" Mong-Mong's eyes widened in surprise when I refused. It was an unexpected face. "Why? Why are you refusing? I said I can help." "I don't really need anything, and I don’t want to impose." "Aww, it’s no imposition. I'm offering because I made a mistake." "Still…." "Just say it without worry!" "…Hmm." Refusing seemed to encourage him more to fulfill my needs. Why was he behaving like this, I wondered. "…Then." Adjusting my expression, I addressed him. As I spoke, his eyes sparkled. "Can you arrange a meeting with the leader here?" "Hmm? The leader?" Hearing my words, Mong-Mong tilted his head, reflecting uncertainty about my sudden request to meet the leader. "Yes, the leader." "Why?" "Well, if I am to ask for release, I'd prefer to speak directly to the leader... plus, there's something I need to discuss." "Discuss…?" At my response, Mong-Mong slightly narrowed his eyes. I carefully observed his reaction. Requesting to see the leader and having something to say was a strange move to anyone observing. Moreover, knowing Mong-Mong was keeping a close watch on me, I was aware that this would only increase his suspicion, though... ‘Let's see how he reacts.’ This was more about observing Mong-Mong's response. "...Hmm." Mong-Mong pondered for a while and then agreed. "Alright, let's do that." "…" With a light nod, he accepted. Watching him, I internally clicked my tongue. ‘I can't read him.’ Acting so innocently, he played the part well. I couldn't even begin to grasp what thoughts were running through his mind. This is a testament to how challenging an opponent he was. Furthermore. ‘…His presence is gradually strengthening.’ Perhaps it was because it was night. I could feel Mong-Mong's presence intensifying little by little. I recalled Noya’s words. - The Wolya clan gains strength at night, and each general has their own powers. If so, does that mean this Mong-Mong—no, Yusa—gains strength at night and also possesses powers? Then the question was... 'Do I stand a chance against them at night?' It was a fundamental curiosity. From what I felt with the leader, could I really defeat them at night? That question remained unanswered. I looked at Mong-Mong standing before me and pondered once more. ‘Indeed.’ Indeed, could I kill him? I considered this as I examined him. ‘Tsk….’ The more I looked, the more my face scrunched in concentration. I couldn't understand him. A sign that he was incredibly strong. ‘Perhaps it’s still too soon.’ Even if I were in perfect form, it was still uncertain. At the very least, now didn’t seem like the right time. "Should I bring him in now?" "…Yes, please." "Alright! Just wait for a bit!" Mong-Mong finished speaking and exited, closing the door behind him. His presence vanished abruptly. Sensing that, I focused more. Was he truly gone? Or could he be hidden somewhere? After waiting a bit more to be sure of my senses, I felt confident enough and summoned my energy. Woom! Feeling the energy rise from my heart, I broke the shackles binding my arms. Crack! With a pleasant sound, the shackles shattered. My hands and body were freed. The suppression of my energy lifted as well. As I confirmed this, I gathered strength in my hands. Chiiiiik. It felt more like amassing warmth than igniting a flame. I directed the heat to my palm, allowing it to glow intensely. Then, with that heat. Chiiiiiiik---!!!! As I lightly grasped the bars, they began to melt. Using this, I tore away the ends. Creak-! I stepped through the gap I created and ventured outside, then reattached the severed bars behind me. Having melted them off, reattaching was not too difficult. By managing the heat, I made it less conspicuous. “That should do it.” After fixing the bars, I turned to look at the Heavenly Demon inside. She was sitting quietly, watching me. As I saw her, I reminded her. "Remember what I told you earlier?" The Heavenly Demon nodded. "Just remain still. If anything happens, follow what we discussed." "…When will they come?" "It won't take too long, I think." "And if they don’t come, shall I go find them?" "…" The implication was tearing through bars and coming here regardless. That was a bit troublesome. "If I told you not to, would you listen?" "…" There was no response. I sighed as I saw this. "If possible, just stay put." I said this as I reached into my garment. And then. [It truly won't take long.] I pulled out a black martial outfit and a slightly cracked white mask and put them on.