975 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 975: The Childhood Friend of the World's Greatest Jet-black hair. A white mask. Clothes as dark as the hair they resembled. An imposing figure with bulging muscles. Coupled with a sinister aura that seemed to creep ever closer. "..." Heuk Saek found himself at a loss for words as he gazed at the man within his private quarters. ‘What on earth…?’ The more he looked, the stranger it seemed. It felt as if he might be drawn into those violet eyes staring back at him. 'It’s almost as if they’re absorbing light...' It seemed as though the surroundings grew darker, as if sucking in light only to cast it forth as darkness. What could he call this sensation? Dissonance? Alienation? No words quite encapsulated the feeling. Heuk Saek strained to break through it, attempting to grasp at any semblance of understanding. 'Ah.' It wasn’t long before a word lodged itself firmly in his mind. 'Discomfort.' He was uncomfortable. Even just being in the presence of this entity was deeply unsettling. Moreover, he felt an ominous foreboding. Merely observing the being filled him with an inexplicable dread. Suppressing these emotions with great effort, Heuk Saek finally spoke. "Since when have you been here?" [Not long, so worry not.] The man spoke smoothly, naturally pulling out a chair and sitting down. Though the man occupied the seat meant for the territory leader, Heuk Saek refrained from commenting. He refrained, partly because the man’s actions seemed so natural, but mostly because he found himself unusually tongue-tied. As the man sat silently in the chair, he suddenly addressed Heuk Saek. [So, how was it?] "..." A calm voice. The tone made Heuk Saek's face crease with irritation. Didn't this man realize where he was? This was his domain—an area where even other leaders dared not tread lightly. They, too, rarely ventured beyond their own territories for the same reasons. 'How audacious.' Such sheer audacity. 'Is he truly that confident?' Even deep within my domain, does he believe he can prevail at will? Heuk Saek narrowed his eyes, analyzing the man before him. His eyes were dead, revealing nothing of their meaning. Despite the void, an unexplainable brilliance shone through. Like a darkness consuming light only to radiate it back, those eyes were unsettlingly intense. What was the cause of this man's unbridled confidence? Heuk Saek pondered, trying to unravel this mystery. 'Indeed, the place where 青色 suffered was his own domain.' Even within his territory where 青色 fell, confidence was apparent. 'It indicates how assured he is.' This man could very well kill me if he wished. Does such ability explain his fearless demeanor? Furthermore, 'Even the sense of a commander was absent of this.' The sensation did not register even from Yusa, the enemy of all, a supreme ruler and formidable force only one of four in Man Gye. It felt distant, perhaps even void of feeling. An unnamable sensation distinct from the menace that Yusa evoked—of potential devouring danger. From this man stood nothing. A feeling as though he was nonexistent even while present. The discomfort stemming from this bizarre feeling constantly tightened around Heuk Saek’s throat. ‘...Who in the world?’ Just what was his identity? And why did he perpetuate these events? He could not wrap his head around the successive unfathomable occurrences. As Heuk Saek recalled this, his brows knit together. [Didn't you hear what I said?] "...!" The man queried once more. [I asked you how it was, did I not?] Heuk Saek froze at the query. The man's voice contained a serene resentment that made his body react uncontrollably as if to say, 'This is dangerous.' My instincts continued to sound alarms about the threatening nature of what stood before me. As his voice echoed and was met with silence, the man tilted his head in curiosity. As he seemed about to rise, "...I did as you instructed." Heuk Saek spoke to the man. Hearing this, the man settled back into his chair. [Did as I instructed?] "Indeed. According to what you said..." After a brief pause, Heuk Saek chose his words and addressed him, "...I told the general at the gathering. That you have an agenda and to fulfill it, you will seek out the other leaders…" [You said to utilize that?] “That’s correct.” The man let out a brief laugh at Heuk Saek's words. What was so amusing? Heuk Saek frowned slightly but the man quickly erased his laughter, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the table's surface. His gaze was momentarily captivated. [So you followed my instructions, correct?] "..." Heuk Saek bit his lip in response to the man's words. [That implies you're interested in joining us, correct?] The man's sarcastic tone made Heuk Saek's brow furrow deeply. "...That..." [It's too late to deny it. You must realize that too?] The words cut in, leaving him heated without words for rebuttal. [How do you feel now? Is your mind a bit clearer?] "...What is your intention?" [Hmm?] Heuk Saek ultimately asked, "Who and what exactly are you aiming for?" Before the gathering, this man had sought out Heuk Saek. Quietly. Without anyone noticing. He had entered the room, and Heuk Saek had found himself without any capacity for reaction. No time to react at all, for it was astonishing enough that he realized how he had already been caught unawares. More surprising yet... [Well, if we delve into that story,] The man had looked at Heuk Saek, saying, [Why don’t you first have a seat?] "...!" Clank—! Heuk Saek’s body involuntarily sat back down. Feeling this, he nearly gasped. Just as that time, '...Even the command...!' A power so absolute, it could directly manipulate the soul to compel obedience. A force only above the level of generals within Man Gye authority could wield. ‘This person...!’ Just like before, the man indiscriminately wielded such command. The notion of using such power was astonishing, yet the fact that he could wield it meant... ‘This being must be at least at the level of a general.’ At least a general, if not more. Furthermore, ‘...Could he possibly be above that?’ Could this being indeed be something greater than a general? The very thought was unfathomable to Heuk Saek, leaving him speechless. Just beyond general rank lies the venerable and divine master of the heavens. Apart from them, nothing exists beyond that echelon. The notion that this entity could surpass a general was simply preposterous, hence leading to the inevitable conclusion that he was on par with a general. ‘...Indeed.’ A question emerged in Heuk Saek’s mind. If so, what was Yusa's reaction during the gathering? ‘Why.’ Why did he react in that way? He couldn't comprehend Yusa's response. To merely be surprised by meeting another general-level being seemed unlikely, as his gaze had been peculiarly distinct. While pondering this, somewhat bewildered, Heuk Saek was addressed by the man. [I know what it is you desire.] The man said to Heuk Saek. [As I mentioned earlier. The reason I sought you out remains unchanged. I shall grant you your desire.] “…What are you saying?” Heuk Saek asked nervously. “I desire nothing at all.” [Nonsensical. If you desired nothing, why would you heed my words?] “That’s…” [Deep down you've acknowledged it. That the presence before you might be the one...] Creak. The man extended forward, closing the distance between their eyes. [...who could fulfill your deepest wish. Isn’t that right?] “….” Gritting his teeth, Heuk Saek quietly clenched his fists. [Shall I spell it out, since you persist in denial?] The man chuckled and spoke. [You wish to become a general, don’t you?] “…!” Heuk Saek's eyes widened at the revelation. [You couldn’t resist clinging to a lifeline when it appeared, right?] He needed to refute those words—to stop him from speaking further. Despite considering this, Heuk Saek kept silent. [Yusa annoys you.] He began belittling the general, of all things. This needed to be stopped as well. [Of course it irritates you. He barely shows up for decades, then when he does, he acts like a ruler and leaves. Doesn’t that rile you? Am I not right?] “I…” [The other leaders don’t please you either. They’re all fools, you wouldn’t even want to be equated with them or treated the same, isn’t that so?] “….” He kept bringing up truths. Truths Heuk Saek could neither deny nor dispute. Not just because they were factual, but because the man’s assured demeanor and gleam in his eyes kept sealing Heuk Saek's lips. [That’s right.] The man’s eyes shone brighter. [That’s correct.] His gaze continuously drew Heuk Saek in. [You are unique. Different from the others.] The man spoke, pointing a finger towards Heuk Saek. [That is why I have chosen you.] Creak. The man rose completely. Standing, his violet eyes gazed down dominantly upon Heuk Saek. Realizing this, Heuk Saek attempted to move his legs once more. [Remain still.] ---!!! Once again, his legs became rigid, like stone. [I am not finished speaking.…] The man gently clasped Heuk Saek’s throat. As if to imply he could break it at any moment. [What did you ask me earlier? Ah, yes.] His stare remained steadfast. Heuk Saek yearned to avert his gaze. He knew he should, yet his paralyzed body wouldn’t allow it. [You asked about my objective.] A chuckle arose. [My goal is to transform this Man Gye into a true paradise.] Hearing this, Heuk Saek’s eyes wavered.