997 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The luminous brilliance descended from the sky, gently lowering like fireflies taking rest. Standing underneath, I watched it, almost mesmerized. It was in awe that I observed the sky I'd conjured, the sky I had created with sheer force. "Haha." I couldn’t help but let out a laugh, for it was indeed remarkable. "This worked." The Nine Flames Wheel Art had finally blossomed to its full potential, and accomplishing it required numerous attempts. I had no prior knowledge of how to, nor had I learnt it. It was a mere vision I had seen, stumbling through it clumsily until now. Finally, I understood. ‘There was no need to learn or deliberately pursue it.’ The power required no specific effort or deed to acquire. ‘Just a realization, simply an awakening.’ A truth that became apparent once reached, much like an awakening to the authority of a dragon. Fwoosh. I opened my palm, summoning a blaze. Blue flames flickered to life. Yet, there was an evident deviation from its original hue. ‘Brighter.’ Not just slightly brighter; it was significantly luminous. Originally a deeper azure, now closer to a clear sky, imbued with an almost divine sheen. Clench. I closed my fist, extinguishing the flames and looked skyward once more. The sky, brightened by energy, reflected my thoughts. ‘Transcendence.’ Transcendence. The pinnacle, known among martial artists as an apex attainable only upon mastering one's martial art. In my previous life, it was an unfathomable height. Chiiiiik-! Watching the revolving wheel of flames behind me rendered me momentarily dazed. ‘…Have I?’ I reached transcendence. A realization dawned upon me through the Heavenly Demon Divine Art - a profound enlightenment that shattered limitations the moment it was achieved. ‘…I've transcended.’ When I noticed, my realm had already expanded. Fwoosh. With strength infused into my body, I began transforming into flames. Not merely enveloped by them, but truly turning into them. A foreign sensation. Although I was familiar with the feeling upon reaching mastery, adaptation to this extent was unforeseen. Moreover, recalling the technique I used earlier caused a subtle twitch in my fingertips. The ultimate secret art of the Nine Flames Wheel Art. A power my father once demonstrated against a formidable beast. ‘Nine Flames Great Mountain Formation…’ A force attainable only on reaching the realm of transcendence within the Nine Flames Wheel Art. Chiiiick-!! Executed through my fingertips, the sky-colored flames intensified, becoming gradually brighter. Then, they turned to a pure white, warming my palm. This was not white flames. I wasn’t employing the energy of destruction. The heat merely accumulated, bringing forth the white hue. “……” This is the essence of ultimate art. The power that cleared the skies is this very force. The blinding light produced is also a testament to it. Then. ‘What capabilities lie within this power?’ Though I employed the ultimate art, discerning its precise significance was necessary. Fortunately, instinct bestowed this awareness, likely shaped by the experience imparted by my father. Reaching out to the sky. In that moment. Whoaa---!!! The once calm blue sky started swirling as if dusk had faded into daylight. Coalescing into a whirlpool, converging onto my hand. Kwaaa--!!! The luminous accumulation commenced like a radiant beacon, ultimately drawn to my grasp. The whiteness of the sky was not any mere daylight but. ‘Red Celestial Sky.’ The great domain of the Nine Flames Wheel Art - the Red Celestial Sky. Simply amplified by the ultimate art’s effect. The Red Celestial Sky heralds an increase in heat and enhancement of flames. A technique evolved from the flaming wheel techniques, intertwined with the ultimate art. ‘It truly feels as if I’ve crafted a sky.’ An awe-inspiring vista unfolded. Dissipating it, I concentrated the energy into a single hand. Chiiik-!!! The sky amassed into my hand. The creation was a flame orb with a refreshing azure hue. ‘Impressive.’ Even though it was my own creation, I couldn’t help but marvel at it. Its graceful cohesion and unprecedented color, alongside the altered quality of the energy, left me astounded. Is this the fruit of transcendence? With the flame orb nestled in my hand, I took a step forward. That instant. Splash. “……” My vision reverted to a lake once more. A moment ago, the lake reflected the excitement and arrogance—should I fall in, I feared losing myself within its profound depths. ‘It’s shallow now.’ Suddenly, it had become so shallow that the bottom was visible. How did it become this way? What changed? In the moment of contemplation. "So you have time to ponder different matters, I see?" A voice resonated. Across, a distance away from the shallow lake where I stood, was Shin Noya, arms folded behind him. "You surpassed limits and finally reached that echelon. How do you feel?" "……." How did I feel? "I don't quite know." Lost for words. What is it that I'm really feeling right now? Pure wonderment? Or disorientation? I was questioning myself due to the confusion. "Well done. That is the right approach." Noya smiled faintly, satisfied with my answer. "Embrace that peculiar, enigmatic emotion. And grasp the fleeting void." Swish. Noya unfolded his arms as he spoke. In his hand was a sword. I widened my eyes in realization. ‘Gui Jeong…?’ It was Gui Jeong. I urgently checked my left arm. It wasn’t there. The sword, which should be bound to my arm, was now in his possession. How? I hadn’t sensed it. Gui Jeong had shed its bandage form, revealing its sword essence. In Noya’s grasp, the overwhelming energy began emanating. The lake below rippled as the pulse of energy intensified. Water splashes brushed my ankles. “……!” My vision returned to its usual state. Observing it all, I widened my eyes. Despite dispelling the brilliance I've drawn into my hand, the surroundings remained untouched. Fwoosh-! Chiiiik-! Residual embers were igniting everything—rocks and trees alike smoldered, filling the air with the scent of char. Could it be? ‘Is this my doing?’ Though I had no memory of it, the flames bore my signature. To confirm, I reached out my hand, and they eagerly converged to me. Controlling the airborne flames, I turned my gaze to Noya. Noya, emitting an overwhelming aura, was still approaching me. "You seem to have regained your senses. Shall we resume?" "……." Why was I fighting with that old man? Understanding the situation took considerable effort. Certainly. ‘After grasping the white flame…’ The Heavenly Demon Divine Art. More specifically, the Demon’s Might Palm art crafted along with the Compelling Art of the Heavenly Demon. Using it to subdue the white flame must have propelled my awakening beyond a certain barrier. And then. ‘My memory is hazy.’ What happened next? My gut must have led me to Noya under the strange influence I was under. I trusted he could provide a solution. And so I sought him out in such haste. Seeing me rush in, Noya had grabbed me and we ended up outside here. Jikin-! A sharp pain caused me to clutch my chest. Blood stained my palm—somehow, I had been wounded. That too must have happened recently. I recalled being cut by Noya's mind-blade. Fortunately, regeneration had already set in. Being a night species and as dawn had yet to break, my regenerative abilities were heightened and mending my wounds efficiently. But the real issue was… ‘…Do I need to continue fighting?’ Regardless of recovery, was engaging Noya further necessary? The reason for his spar wasn't in question—it clearly was for my sake. ‘Perhaps to knock some sense into me.’ As old wisdom suggests, sometimes harsh measures serve as the best medicine. Being struck by such a master notably cleared my head. The looming arrogance and overwhelming surge of emotion evaporated. What left beneath was the thrill of having reached a new realm. Would it make sense to concede now, claiming I had regained clarity? Rationally, that would be appropriate, but. "Huu." Letting out a long breath, I clenched my fist. This was an indulgence. ‘I want to try.’ To see the extent of transformation. To understand what this so-called transcendence, which I had yearned for, truly entailed. I did not want to waste this chance. I focused my energy and stared hard at Noya. Vroom---!!! The azure wheel of flame rotating vigorously behind me surged with intensity. As heat surged through, my body was invigorated. Fwoooosh---!! Flames climbed along my shoulders. I infused the clear flame orb I held with the radiant flames. Fwoooosh--!! Instantly, it shone brightly. Its size remained unchanged. But I could feel the force contained within, reaching its peak. What is the essence of the Nine Flames Wheel Art’s secret art? It is not about acquiring new power. It is about. ‘Making what you possess even more intense.’ To burn through anything. To spin faster, for the flames to become hotter. Though straightforward and simple, the returns were anything but minor. I clasped the flame orb, watching as its form evolved. It morphed into a spear shape, and I grasped it firmly. I did not even need the power of imagination. Creating such a perfect flame spear so easily astounded even me. "Huu." Clutching the verdant spear, I locked eyes with Noya. To test how strong I had become made me tingle with excitement. ‘With Noya.’ Because I believed no matter what force I wielded, Noya could withstand it. With that feeling, I put strength into my feet. Vroom-! Sparks flew as flame-tinged energy burst forth. Kuooooooo---!!! I roared fiercely in defiance of Noya’s energy. ‘I will pierce through.’ Prepared for mind-blades that could strike from any direction, and vigilant of his swift swordsmanship. I aimed to push through with a single piercing strike. ‘Here I go.’ Without releasing the spear, I intended to drive through, drawing upon all my strength. Kuaaaaa---!!! I charged at Noya amidst the fierce energy explosion. Just at that moment of full-force assault. "Guh-cough-!" "Huh?" The unexpected noise caught me, and I halted abruptly. Suddenly, Noya concealed his mouth with his hand and began coughing profusely. The fierce energy he radiated vanished all at once. What was this? Why now? Was he attempting to catch me off guard? But making such a feeble attempt would only invite derision. Bemused, I looked at Noya and asked. "Noya, what are you suddenly doing-." "Cough…! Urgh…." Noya coughed more violently, dropping onto one knee. Drip-drop-! Blood dripped from his mouth, staining the ground. "Noya…? Noya-!" Realizing something was seriously wrong, I dashed over to him. "Noya…! Why are you like this! Get a hold of yourself…!" “…….” No response. Noya had lost consciousness. “Noya!” His lips were stained with a deep crimson blood as he lay there. Comments 3.1 / 81 히데토 2024.10.18 15:29 Report The protagonist’s flames appear sacred at the beginning; it’s like the Sacred Fire of the Heavenly Demon Sect. 0 연우 2024.10.30 08:02 Report Ah. Seems like Shin Cheol is reaching his limits. 0 Only logged-in members can post comments. 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