992 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: The World's Greatest - Chapter 992 If the master's remark was indeed from noticing something strange, when did she become aware? Come to think of it, it was odd that she even saw me there in the first place. There were countless opportunities for her to notice. The point I must consider is not that she noticed. ‘Why did she choose this particular method?’ Given the numerous opportunities to notice, it shouldn't be surprising. Yet, I couldn't understand why the master chose to act this way towards me in that situation. ‘Come up to the hill on the next full moon.’ “…….” Remembering the words, I furrowed my brow. If she had known that I was an unwelcome visitor here, she could have done something about it right there. It seemed like she had enough power to do so. So what could it be? ‘Was there a reason she couldn't do anything?’ There might be a reason she couldn't eliminate me on the spot. ‘Noya mentioned, it wasn't her main body that came.’ It was something like a thought or apparition, a fragment of her power. If she descended directly, it could cause problems. Additionally, direct descent was something she couldn't easily manage. She appeared in a significantly weakened state, perhaps to the point where she couldn't confront me directly. ‘No, that’s not it.’ I had to immediately refute that. ‘Apart from being weakened. Something's strange.’ If this was the chosen method, it was the strangest one. A full moon and a hill? Why was this conveyed to me and not to Heuk Saek? Furthermore, ‘Was it meant for me?’ Even if it wasn't conveyed to Heuk Saek, could it truly be meant for me? Just because he didn't understand it, doesn't mean it was for me. ‘…….’ I had to refute even this. Whether it was intuition or instinct. Perhaps both. Every reaction indicated that it was intended for me. This wasn't arrived at by logic or calculation. ‘……Purely a gut feeling.’ Though it was merely an instinctive sense, I somehow felt a strong certainty about it. While pondering complicated thoughts like this, “Ugh…….” A groan arose from the front. Hearing that, I quickly released the tension in my heart. “Haah…… Haah…….” Releasing the pressure from Myung, Heuk Saek started to breathe heavily. ‘Has the power of Myung increased?’ In the past, it required more focus or had less intensity. Contrary to what I should have had to manage, the power now wasn't a strain and was manageable even if I used Myung. “What on earth…….” Perhaps because of the sudden attempt to press with power, Heuk Saek looked bewildered. Looking at him, I spoke. "Heuk Saek." “…….” "Answer me." “……What is going on?” Heuk Saek spoke with an uncomfortable expression. I let out a small chuckle at that. Although it wasn't a situation to laugh, I forced myself to appear composed to show calm. “Seems you haven't quite figured out your place. Need a proper imprint to wake you up?” As I approached, Heuk Saek's face contorted. “…What exactly do you want from me?” “What I want? I believe I told you last time?” It wasn't exactly an explanation; I didn't know how he received it. It mattered not how he took it. His reaction was insignificant. Grrr-!!! “Ugh!!” As I shifted my energy, Heuk Saek clutched his chest, groaning in apparent agony. His reaction differed slightly from the earlier pressure exerted by Myung. There was no inherent transformation to absolute obedience in him. Even without it, with proper control, energy was sufficient to subdue him. "Heuk Saek." “Uughh……” “Heuk Saek. Answer me.” “Ughh… Yes…” Even as Heuk Saek responded, I didn’t release my power. I drew closer to face him. “Do you know why I sought you?” “Ugh…” He couldn't know. Surely, he didn't. Without telling him, how could he know? “I intend to create a paradise. And for that, I intend to use you.” Paradise. I recalled when it was said to be for those who vanished from Man Gye. Moreover, the paradise I speak of to Heuk Saek now is… ‘Something the Blood Demon mentioned.’ It was a repurposing of the words of the Blood Demon, who claimed to dream of a paradise. “A paradise… what…” Heuk Saek reacted in disbelief when I mentioned paradise. It was a natural reaction. Even I found the notion incomprehensible. However, “It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand.” Whether he understood or not, it was inconsequential. “Even if you don’t grasp my intent, it’s alright.” No matter how he took it, Even if he never understood, It held no significance. What mattered was, “If you follow me, you shall achieve what you dream of.” It was enough to grant Heuk Saek ample benefit. Not just a benefit, but “Don't you aspire to be a general?” “…!” Knowing Heuk Saek’s desires and ambitions, it would be simple to manipulate him by exploiting them. Using him wouldn’t be challenging. “I promise to bring you to that rank.” “…….” Despite the agony from the energy, Heuk Saek looked up and gazed at me. In his eyes, there was hesitation. Amidst the suffering, he seemed easily swayed. Surprisingly, he was a simple being. Furthermore, “You must have known all along.” I suspected he was aware of this situation in some way. The reason being, “You remained still, knowing what was at hand.” Remaining static, even amidst this predicament, was evidence enough. “That was…” Heuk Saek tried to speak up, but my words came quicker. “Do you attempt to excuse your actions on the influence of my power? Nonsense.” Uttering those words, I released the energy. As his body regained its freedom, “You could have moved at any time.” He might have sought Yusa if he wanted. I didn't bring up the master because I was unsure of what this guy knew about her. “You might have even confronted that so-called general.” Mentioning Yusa, I intentionally demeaned him. “But you didn’t take any action. Why is that?” “…….” Heuk Saek remained silent. It didn’t matter if he didn’t respond. “As I said earlier, you already know. Your hope lies with me.” “…….” “You know that I'm the one who can fulfill your desires and lift you to where you want to be. Isn’t that right?” He looked into my eyes. His eyes were as black as black stones. He possessed a sinister aura, but I wasn't afraid of it. Was it because becoming Moonlit Night had made me stronger? No. ‘If we compare ominousness. I’m on par with him.’ To deem him ominous seemed laughable if compared to me. I exhaled power through my shoulders, pure demonic energy without any other elements. It was clean and because of its purity, the ominousness was amplified. Moreover, ‘Is this how it originally was?’ Perhaps it was due to the Moonlit Night, but the energy that surged was far more immense than I expected. It was surprising even to me. However, being surprised now wasn't an option, so I suppressed it and kept watching him. He visibly shuddered, greatly startled by my aura. “What….” Was he startled by the aura? True, if I was taken aback, how must he feel? “What do you expect me to do…?” “Submit. Pledge loyalty to me, and I will fulfill your desires.” “…….” “Kneel. And I will grant you the world.” The more I spoke, the more hesitation filled Heuk Saek’s eyes. I decided to wait until he made his decision. After a brief pause. Heuk Saek slowly got up. He moved from the chair to my side. Ssss-! He knelt on one knee before me, which made me sneer. “How amusing. Kneeling on only one knee, is that a challenge to me?” I asked why he only knelt halfway when I had asked for full submission. “……If you promise to fulfill my desires, I can pledge loyalty to you as much as I'd like, but I’d like some assurance. This is a gesture for that.” “Assurance? Ha.” I released more energy as if mocking him. Wow. Is this how it gets released? The more I do it, the more surprised I am. ‘I need to check how much stronger I’ve become.’ I moved abruptly without checking properly, so this needed verification. To use safely, I’d have to assess it, perhaps on someone else. “So, what more must I show you? Disgusting, but I will show mercy. What do you want?” Preparing to indulge him, Heuk Saek clenched his trembling hand and spoke to me. “If you truly have the power to achieve this, I’d like you to show me that it’s possible.” “In what way?” “……Do you know the General is at Yawol?” Heh. I chuckled unconsciously at his words. I could guess what he was about to ask. “I am aware.” Yusa is at Yawol. This was something I knew long ago. “Him… that man….” Heuk Saek stopped mid-sentence. Was he hesitating because he couldn't continue? Feeling that way, I spoke instead. “Would you like me to kill him?” “……!” Heuk Saek's eyes widened at my words. I nodded at his reaction. “What a simple matter. Very well.” Nodding as I subtly released the energy within. It was a task I'd have to do regardless, so it was convenient. Of course, ‘Not Yusa.’ The one in front of me was the same. And if we were to nitpick, ‘He would be before Yusa.’ Heuk Saek was scheduled to die before Yusa. The difference being … Heuk Saek would die not by my hand, But by another’s.