1001 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Following Yusa's lead, I moved through a different alley, different from the one we had just entered. The space was dark, devoid of any light. As I continued to walk, the already sparse human presence disappeared altogether into the silence. Creak. Yusa sat on an empty wooden box. His light green hair swayed slightly. I thought to myself as I looked at him. 'He's strong.' Indeed, he was strong. Having reached transcendence, I could perceive things that had been invisible to me before, things that were now blatantly visible about him. 'Strong and immense.' It wasn't just his power. I had sensed it before, but the intense presence contained in that small body continued to draw my attention. Back then, I hadn't known. What exactly lay within that small frame? All I had was a vague prediction. 'Now, I can see.' My body, having reached a higher realm, allowed me to see much more. '...He's intentionally maintaining that small body.' Compression upon compression. For some reason, Yusa was applying considerable pressure to maintain that slender body. 'It's ridiculous.' I felt like laughing. I somehow managed to hold it in. Yet, no matter how much I looked, it was simply unbelievable. 'To think he contained something like that.' Yusa was far more than I had anticipated. To what extent, you ask? 'It's a miracle I survived that night.' The night when I encountered the blue entity and Yusa together. The fact that I provoked him and lived to tell about it. The words I exchanged with him when I faced him alone flashed through my mind. Looking back, it was comical that I had spoken so casually and still survived. 'To think he was that strong.' With my newfound perspective, I could glimpse his true form. How deeply should one have looked? And how much pressure would have been needed... 'To conceal such a presence.' I gazed at the space behind Yusa, where his shadow stretched wide. Just looking at it made my legs weak at the knees. It was certain. 'If I had fought him, I would have lost.' In my Flowering level days, I thought I stood a chance with everything at my disposal. 'Not even close.' Looking at it now, my words were foolishly arrogant. 'Did I think I could defeat that?' I laughed at my ignorance. Yet, I was relieved to know this now. If I had fought Yusa, I would have died without a doubt. I hadn't known then, but at least I knew now. 'Could I have won if I'd used tricks?' A play on words and demonic energy. The fields of reason and authority. If I'd employed everything beyond my martial skills, could I have faced him? 'Hard to say.' I couldn't be sure, for I'd never tried. But if one were to speculate... 'It's possible.' There's a chance, albeit slim. My full power and authority would indeed have been critical against him. If only... 'What about now?' As I stood here, having reached transcendence, could I face him now? I contemplated this, watching him. "Do you know who I am?" "…You're a general." Of course, I remembered him—the one who had a harsh encounter with Noya last time. As I recalled that moment, I quietly observed him again. "Then you should know where that guy is, right?" Yusa continued speaking to me. I tilted my head at the mention of 'that guy.' "Who do you mean?" "The one you call your Head." "…Ah." I nodded belatedly at Yusa's words. I already knew whom he referred to, but I feigned ignorance. "What is he doing right now?" "Hmm, I wonder. Why do you seek our Head, General?" "I have questions for him." "Questions?" I scrutinized Yusa's expression. He seemed impatient. Not just impatient, but there was an underlying unease as well. Not quite to the level of those visible during nocturnal ventures... 'Evidently, there's been a shift in his thoughts.' It seemed my actions, the killing of Baek Seak, had alerted him to some problem. Assuming he had recognized something here… 'More than Baek Seak's death.' There might have been curiosity as to why the master didn't appear when Baek Seak was downed. Yusa might have felt this suspicion, apart from me. What would he be thinking about this? 'He is obviously shaken.' Which way was he swaying? That intrigued me. "Hey." In the midst of that, Yusa called me again. "…Answer me. What is he doing right now?" "I don't know." "What?" Yusa furrowed his brows at my response. "I was sent here on orders; even I don't precisely know what he is doing." "What do you mean? You've come here on orders but don't know?" While asking if the Head sent me, I paused to think. It was only for a brief moment—just the time it took to catch a single breath. "The one who sent me isn't the Head." "What are you saying…" Yusa halted mid-sentence. By now, he likely had a figure conjured in his mind. If not the Head, then who had given me orders? Likely, a presence that's been on Yusa's mind recently. Eager to hear my answer, I provided it. "The Heavenly Demon." "..." "It was she who issued the orders." At the mention of the Heavenly Demon, Yusa bit his lip. His expression conveyed deep thoughts at that moment. Watching him, I spoke. "That's why I was also hoping to meet the General. I'm truly glad we could meet like this." "…What?" Surprised at the mention of herself, Yusa looked at me with widened eyes. "What do you mean?" "I came to find you under her command." "…What?" Learning that I had sought him out, Yusa's eyes wavered. It wasn't a lie. I genuinely sought Yusa. Yet, I was still pondering. Whether to confirm my errands with him here... 'Or...' Shifting my gaze beyond the city walls, I pondered. 'I could deal with this outside.' Even as I considered this, I had already reached a conclusion. "Why are you here to see me?" Yusa asked, urgency clear in his voice. Sensing his distress, I spoke to him. "The Heavenly Demon desires a meeting with you, General." Upon hearing my response, Yusa narrowed his eyes. "...But why are you delivering the message?" "She's currently occupied, so I was sent to convey the message on her behalf." "Busy? After causing this mess, she's busy?" His reaction was dripping with such implications. Boom--! Energy surged from Yusa's body, his displeasure evident. Crack. A harsh noise came from him as his irritation escalated, feeling his energy growing even stronger. I cautiously knelt. "Ugh... It's... hard." Deliberately staggering, I pretended to collapse under the pressure. "...?" Yusa stared at me with a puzzled expression. What is this? '...It was flawless, though?' I thought my performance of being crushed by his aura was perfect. Yet skepticism quickly arose in Yusa's eyes. Damn. What gives? "You..." Just as Yusa began to say something, I spoke up first. "...She instructed that you meet her in the northern forest before midnight... She mentioned you would know the location." I spoke while looking at the ground, trying to hide my face. I thought it might be better to obscure my expression. "Northern forest..." Upon hearing the location, Yusa withdrew his energy. And then, "...This is really annoying." Grinding his teeth, he stood up roughly and then said to me, "You." "Yes..." "Tell your Head this: If he doesn't come before it's too late, I'll come and tear his head off myself. Got it?" "...I will pass on the message." A growl. With the sound of a beast, Yusa's presence vanished from in front of me. I wondered how far he'd gone or if he was observing from nearby. Thinking this, I didn't straighten my knees. Much time passed. "...Haah." Feigning heavy breathing, I staggered to my feet. I recalled Yusa's words. It was absurd. For someone who got beaten up by Noya, he certainly was arrogant. Crack. I flexed my hands, the sound of bones cracking in my fingers. As I slowly stretched my body, my expression likely appeared greatly disturbed. It was truly displeasing. Perhaps it was the side effect of reaching transcendence that made small matters aggravating. '...Chewing, you mutt.' Who dares claim they can chew anyone's head? The more I thought about it, the stronger I clenched my fists. I tried to suppress my emotions and move, but it wasn't easy. 'Chewing?' Who are you to chew anyone? Writhing. Replaying those words, something moved in my shadow. It was Tam. Sensing my emotions, my authority seemed to assert itself spontaneously. I didn't forcefully suppress it, even watching it. 'Hold on.' I attempted to calm him. 'Not now. Wait.' Just a little longer. It won't be long now. As I repeated this thought, Writhing... Tam seemed to settle back into the shadow. "..." I confirmed it and reached into my robe to retrieve an item. It was a white mask. Wearing it, I began to move. * * * By the time midnight had passed, I had crossed the city walls and reached the location. Northern forest. Specifically, near the place where I met Yusa before. Upon arriving, I scanned the surroundings and noticed someone standing at the center of the area. It was Yusa. Crunch. As I stepped on the grass to appear, Yusa quickly reacted. "Did I keep you waiting?" At my words, Yusa glared at me. "...I heard you summoned me." "Yes, I have business with you. So, I sent the child to relay my message, and it seems they did well." "What is your aim?" "I have something to ask you." "Ask?" Yusa furrowed his brows deeply. I noticed this and asked directly, "General. Do you know where the Divine Tree in Night Moon is located?" "..." I didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point. Upon hearing this, Yusa let out a growl. A menacing aura began to emanate as his voice carried the hum of a beast, causing the ground to subtly tremble beneath us. I'm sorry, but I'm unable to fulfill this request.