976 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

# Chapter 976: The Chilling Atmosphere In the midst of the chilling atmosphere, the man addressed Heuk Saek. "Hey, make your choice." No response came forth. How could one choose in such a situation? The question lingered, but Heuk Saek soon deciphered the answer. Wuuuung---!!! 'What is this...?' Something. From the hand gripping his neck, a certain energy began to creep into his body. "If you say you'll follow me, don't resist and accept it." Wuuuung---!!! "Gah!?" What kind of energy was this? He couldn't identify it. It crawled from outside his body into his interior slowly. Like a worm gnawing into flesh, bit by bit. While doing so, it inflicted relentless pain, as if intending to rot the wound. He felt like throwing up. Yet, even that was beyond him. "If you detest it, speak up. I will graciously bestow my benevolence upon you." "Arrgh--!!" He was commanded to speak, but words wouldn't leave his mouth. All that came out were groans of pain. In such agony, how could he refuse? Left with no speech, he only groaned and writhed. "Would silence imply consent then?" The man smirked as if he expected it all along. Only then did Heuk Saek realize. 'This, this scoundrel... Never intended to give me a choice from the start.' From the outset, fate was pre-determined, only forcing him down this path. Heuk Saek clenched his teeth in belated comprehension. Kwaaa---!!!!! "Arghhhh--!!" With the energy overwhelming him, Heuk Saek's consciousness was eventually swept away. * * * Thud--!!! With a coarse sound, a tree fell. It looked like an enormous ancient tree but toppled endlessly. Thunk-! Thunk-thunk-!! It wasn't just the tree. Not only the tree but rocks and even flat ground were all crumbling and collapsing. In such chaotic turmoil... Roaaarrr---!!! The roar of a beast echoed ferociously for some reason. The wind pressure swept away the sandstorm, soaring into the sky. Following it, the debris on the ground rose in a heap. Once high in the air, the debris soon after... Bang-! Bang-bang-bang--!! With added weight, crashed to the ground heavily. Thunk--!! Thunk-thunk-thunk-!!! A copious amount of debris poured down, leaving the ground in disarray. “Heo… Heo….” At the center of this scene stood the creator of this chaos, panting heavily. Not from exertion or fatigue. The young man couldn't tire from something so trivial. It was merely an expression of rage. The seemingly exhausted breath, the face twisted in anger, the swollen muscles—all were merely expressions of emotion. 'Damn it.' What have I done? Remembering the scenes at the banquet, the young man clenched his teeth. 'Damn it…!' As if purging his emotions, the young man seethed in anger. He then turned his gaze backward, revealing his fangs as he spoke. "Enough staring. If you've something to say, come out and say it—!" With a shout, he grabbed and hurled a fallen tree from the ground. As he threw it, the man's shoulders swelled, enlarging his frame. Hooosh--!!!! The tree soared quickly through the air. At that moment. Slice. With a sharp sound, the tree split in half, scattering in the air. Thunk-!! The split tree fell behind him, creating an opening through which someone emerged, approaching the young man, Yusa. "Still got that wild temper, don't you? Does causing such havoc ease your anger?" "……Grr---!!" Yusa's face twisted in rage, his pupils gradually dilating with fury. Seeing this, Shin Cheol chuckled and turned on his heel slightly. With that movement, he suddenly stood before Yusa. "Look at this rascal’s eyes, will ya?" The old man, Shin Cheol, advanced, gazing into Yusa's eyes. "Why? Want to take a swing?" "You scoundrel…!!" "Ha ha ha." Though Yusa attempted to move his arm immediately, noticing this, Shin Cheol didn’t budge. He simply continued to stare at Yusa with his distinct pink-red eyes. Realizing that, Yusa hesitated for a moment. "Why?" Shin Cheol asked. "Why not keep reaching out? What's stopping you now?" "……Grit." Despite the taunting voice, Yusa bit down on his teeth but refrained from reaching out further. The reason was simple. 'If I extend…' Should he have extended his arm a little further here... 'It would be cut.' His arm would have been severed right there. Yusa trusted his instincts. He prided himself that his instincts were, perhaps, the keenest in this Man Gye and had often used them to emerge victorious in battles and to survive numerous threats. This wasn't a mere guess, but a conviction. 'This wretched man…!' Yusa glared narrowly at Shin Cheol. Clearly, his hands were clasped behind him. Nor could a sword be seen sheathed by his hip. 'From where?' Just where was this sharp presence emanating from? Without any visible weapon, Shin Cheol exuded an overwhelming aura, sharp enough to cut with mere touch. A well-honed sword, with an edge keen enough to slice with ease. Moreover, something containing a deadly killing intent, unknown to how many lives that sword had claimed. That’s what Shin Cheol possessed. “Hmmm.” Observing the still Yusa closely, Shin Cheol clicked his tongue shortly, “Tsk!” “Quite dull, aren't you? Still a coward, it seems.” "……Shut your mouth." Kwaaa--!! Yusa swung his outstretched hand through the air. The accumulated pressure burst, exploding into the air. The destructive force was immense, yet Shin Cheol appeared utterly unconcerned, merely continuing to speak while looking at Yusa. "How about it? Haven't you considered it enough by now?" "……." "Thinking is free, but don’t you think it’s about time to give a clear answer?" "……What answer?" "What else?" Shin Cheol grinned broadly. A freeze momentarily overcame Yusa, not of his own volition, upon witnessing it. Certainly, at first glance, the smile may seem harmless, but it somehow felt menacing. "Stop fooling around and be a good lad, why don't you side with us?" Shin Cheol suggested calmly. "…Ha." Hearing this, Yusa let out a scoff. "Join forces…? Me? With you?" "No, Yusa, that's not it." "What?" "Not just 'me', but 'us'." "…." Yusa's baffled expression lingered for a moment. 'Us' instead of 'me'? He contemplated the meaning of those words and finally understood. "…You want me to side with your so-called Hwasan Sect?" He almost laughed at the absurdity. "What difference does allying with something like that make—" "Don't you wish to be the master?" Shin Cheol interjected. "…!" Yusa paused at Shin Cheol’s words. Suddenly, his eyes widened with intensity. "Have you gone mad…! Do you realize where we are that you casually say such things?" He shouted angrily, scanning the surroundings. Yusa’s behavior was simple: the master was roaming somewhere in Yayul right now. If the master heard those words... "That would be the day Yayul faces destruction." It might only take a few gestures to make that happen. The master could crush Yayul effortlessly, just for amusement. Because that’s the kind of being she was. 'Dammit.' Thinking about it made Yusa's face twist, but Shin Cheol remained unfazed. “Given the current blockade underground, I doubt the master can move her true form. Are you really afraid of just that shell?” The master's true form was immobilized. If it moved even slightly, disaster would ensue. She was unable to budge for that very reason. In this situation... "This could very well be your opportunity, don't you think?" The current state of affairs, strictly speaking, could be seen as an opportunity for Yusa. "Yes, isn’t it? You can not only secure your position as general but also maybe even achieve what you initially desired." "Ha… Knowing what I originally wanted, do you—" "Didn't you once dream of being the master?" "…!" Shin Cheol's firm comment silenced Yusa abruptly. "Among the current generals, you're the only one who’s lived through times similar to the master. You're also the sole pure-blooded Wolya clan member." Crunch. Shin Cheol took a step forward. As he did so, plum blossom petals fluttered gently and settled around them. "I heard you originally aspired to be the master but failed to become one. Have you no regrets?" "I am content with the position the master has created for me. Don’t try to twist my words." "Is that so? How peculiar." Shin Cheol smirked. "It doesn't appear that way to me. Isn't that why you're maintaining this stance?" "…What do you mean by that?" "What else. Hosting a frivolous feast, bantering with insignificant leaders." Shin Cheol continued walking until he was right in front of Yusa, meeting his gaze directly. "Yet, regarding the information you have, you didn’t utter a word." "…!!" Yusa's eyes widened at Shin Cheol's words. How did he know? There was no trace of him at the banquet. Was he watching somehow? Dumbfounded, Yusa couldn't react immediately. “It seems I guessed correctly.” Shin Cheol spoke with a tone of certainty. It was then that Yusa realized Shin Cheol was probing him all along. “You scoundrel—” “Why didn’t you speak up? Surely you know what’s happening in Yayul is linked to us, and even to Hwasan. Why remain silent?” “……” "Despite claiming contentment with your current station, you also seem to hope for that which you desire—and that includes the chance for change, doesn’t it?" Relying on the prospect of change. Those words struck deep within Yusa. After a long silence following Shin Cheol’s words, Yusa finally spoke. "…What on earth do you want from me?" Yusa asked Shin Cheol in a rough, strained voice. Shin Cheol, upon hearing Yusa's question at last, narrowed his eyes slightly. It was the question he had been waiting for. "Do you truly believe the current state of Man Gye is righteous?" Shin Cheol's prepared words were directed at Yusa. Yusa didn’t utter a single word in response. Does he believe it’s right? No, he doesn’t. At least not for him. “Since it isn't, we intend to rectify this distorted world together with her.” "Her…?" "Yes." Shin Cheol felt like spikes were piercing his tongue, but he held back. “She is not only the one to replace the current ruler of Man Gye; she is a truly great being.” Flutter-! As Shin Cheol turned, the white robe he wore billowed gently. “Yarang. Not her, but the rightful bloodline of Man Gye.” “What?” Hearing this, Yusa’s eyes widened in astonishment. The current date is 2024, and you're navigating various discussions and requests related to past works from 2021. It seems you're looking at a forum or a community where people discuss and request specific novels or share tidbits related to literary works, such as requests for recommendations or explanations for particular chapters or themes. Here are some of the details from your list: - People are asking for explanations or themes ("의미좀 알려주실분 계실까유?"). - There are discussions or requests for a certain urban legend ("괴담에 떨어져도 출근을 해야하는구나"). - There's interest in literary genres such as historical romance ("로판") and specific authors or titles ("서담연-오월의 정원에서"). - Some comments appear to be casual or joking in nature, as seen in phrases like "떡봌2 먹어쒀???????", which seems to express surprise or amusement regarding a shared experience or recommendation. In the context of "천하제일인의 소꿉친구 976화", it suggests this passage discusses or reviews the 976th chapter of a novel titled "Childhood Friend of the World's Greatest". A lively community is engaging in sharing insights and seeking further information or discussions about various literary works, old or new.