1002 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 1002: The Shadow Behind the Master of All A low growl reverberated through the air. It was a sound that, despite not being loud, felt overwhelmingly intense. Was it the cry of that creature? No, it wasn't. The creature had its mouth closed. Then, where was this sound coming from? It didn’t take long to realize the truth. It was indeed the creature's cry, just not emitted from its mouth. To be specific, ‘It uses its mouth, but not that one.’ The sound did not emanate from its lips. The origin was further back. The shadow sprawling wide behind the beast—there, the cry emerged. Accompanied by the growl, the creature’s shadow wavered visibly. Incomprehensible. ‘How have I not noticed this until now?’ To think I only saw something so vast and coarse now that my senses have heightened—it's utterly laughable. ‘No.’ I reconsidered my earlier thought. The truth was that there was a chasm so wide before, I couldn’t see something this enormous. Now it’s visible because I’ve gained the ability to perceive what the creature concealed. But that implies there was a profound gap between us earlier. ‘Hmm.’ The growl made my entire being tremble. The intensely dreadful energy seeped into every part of me. “What did you just say?” Yusa's eyes were sharp. His eyes, slit like a predator's, and his twitching tail exuded an aura of overwhelming power. A predator. From the first glance, his ravenous gaze made my body tense. But remaining rigid could not be allowed. In truth, I couldn't even afford to show a hint of stiffness. “Didn’t catch that? Despite those large ears, it seems you missed it.” I tilted my head, partly to display arrogance, partly to relax my own tense body. “I mentioned the location of Yahwal’s Divine Tree.” “......” As I repeated, confirming the words, his face twisted into something monstrous. BOOM!!! The energy and the cries intensified, resonating with my body’s tremors. How fascinating. ‘Am I more sensitive now because I’ve advanced?’ Or is it because I’ve never felt such an aura from him before? Either way, this is a first. Every hair on my body stood in instant reaction. As if the enemy before me was lurking to make me its prey. A warning screamed within me. A slight misstep would lead to my demise. The voice in my head urged me to flee, bristling with dread. And I chuckled. ‘Ridiculous.’ My instincts shouted for retreat, but I knew it was merely a ruse. ‘You’re as dishonest as me.’ Deep down, it didn’t wish for escape. My instincts pushed me forward, urging me to engage in battle. ‘Do you think I don’t know this?’ The thrill of fighting a powerful opponent accelerated my heartbeat. This was more exhilarating than the fracas with Noya. That had scarcely felt like a real fight. But now? ‘A battle where death is a possibility.’ I wanted to verify how much stronger I had become. To discover my strength with the proof of my body. My purpose had brought me here, but that aim kept slipping further down my list of priorities. No, it wasn’t being pushed aside. ‘In the end, it involves what I need to do.’ This battle was another critical segment of reaching my goal. That thought soothed my conscience. “Why do you inquire about that?” Yusa asked, seething with killing intent. “Of course, I have business with it.” I took a step forward, slicing through his aggression and delving deeper. “The Divine Tree left by the master is my aim.” “……The Divine Tree? Why?” “Well, let’s just say it relates to the goal I’m striving towards. Additionally, it involves something that concerns you as well.” “…….” Mentioning my ultimate goal caused Yusa's expression to contort. “You need the Divine Tree for your objectives?” “Yes, the Divine Tree. I seek it.” “Hah.” Yusa scoffed at my words. In an instant, CRACK...! The rising aura and hostility dissipated in a heartbeat. It appeared as if he had withdrawn his energy. But it wasn’t elimination. It was the calm before the storm. “Two of my precious ones have already been extinguished by your hands.” “Speak the truth. I’ve only eliminated one.” I had indeed taken the life of Baek Seak, but Jeok Seak survived. The death of Baek Seak was an unintended incident. It occurred when my mind wavered upon seizing a new power. Hence, consumed him unwittingly. It was regrettable. ‘I should have tested it with the demonic energy.’ I wanted to see if demonic energy affected Baek Seak as it had with Heuk Saek and, if so, in what aspects. But I killed before discovering. ‘…Tsk.’ I ended him before examining anything. It was regrettably premature. And more than disappointing, the situation had become slightly complicated. ‘I shouldn’t have killed the leader then.’ Taking out the leader can lead to far-reaching implications. Especially concerning Yusa. For my plans to take shape, he needed to stay daunted by me. ‘Yet I’ve eliminated one of his underlings.’ I had stormed the stronghold with ease and extinguished his soldier. What reaction would Yusa have to that? Undoubtedly, it wouldn’t be favorable. Even if I earn his trust, if he sees me eliminate his own like that, it’s unlikely he'd trust me readily. ‘The real issue…’ Lies with me. And the involvement of the master that Yusa acknowledges. Despite orchestrating the incident, the master didn’t intervene. Yusa knows the master resides somewhere within Yahwal. Perhaps, he even knows the exact location. Yet the master didn’t intervene in the incident at all. ‘Why didn’t she intervene? I wonder that myself.’ Why did she not involve herself? Observing responses to the previous incident was partially why I stirred trouble back then, and to seek answers today was partly why I came. “One was disposed of, another erased. The other you abandoned for your schemes. You really think I wouldn’t know.” “......” The one that was disposed of was Jeok Seak, the one erased was Baek Seak, and the abandoned one was Heuk Saek. I was well aware that Yusa had used Heuk Saek. Though I didn't know the fate of Heuk Seak after that. "For something you hold dear, doesn't it seem quite contradictory?" A rough sound emanated from him. "…Why do you need the Divine Tree?" Ignoring my remark, he asked the question. Why do I need the Divine Tree? I couldn't help but chuckle as I posed my own question. "Why? Will you tell me if my reasons make sense?" "……." He remained silent. And silence always indicated agreement. Very well, then. "In order to change the current state of the myriad worlds, the Divine Tree is necessary. It's essential for the paradise I intend to create. And for the position you aim to hold." I gave a vague answer. A response far from clarity made his brows knit together once more. "Explain it properly. What is this paradise, and how does finding it help me get what I want?" "Hmm." I ran a hand through my hair. My hair had grown long and thick, gleaming in the light. It seemed he was under a misconception. "Warrior, if you want a proper answer, you should give me a proper answer as well." "…What?" "Decide whether you'll join me or withdraw like a worm." Would he join forces with me or stay out? He needed to decide that clearly. Only then could I offer him an answer. "…So if I choose, you'll tell me?" "Isn't it obvious? Why would I tell someone who isn't aligned with me?" "……." "So, what's your decision? I believe I've given you ample time to think." What choice would Yusa make? Given the mention of the Divine Tree, what decision would he come to? Would he take my hand as I initially suggested? If so, I'd have to explain why I needed the Divine Tree. How should I explain it? To meet my mother and return to the world I came from. And for the arrangements my mother spoke of. Beyond that, it's necessary to save Shin Noya, whom you despise. Should I explain it that way? ‘Ridiculous.’ There’s no way he'd accept that explanation. It would only serve to provoke him. Ultimately, I needed an excuse. Regrettably, there was no excuse prepared. If he took my hand, I had little to say to Yusa. Should I start thinking of an excuse now? ‘Not really.’ There's no need. I was confident in that. It might seem reckless to have no excuse ready, but it will likely be fine. Because, after all, ‘He won't take my hand.’ I predicted Yusa wouldn’t accept my offer. And just as I expected. “How infuriating.” Yusa sighed heavily, voicing his irritation. Upon doing so, BOOM!!! An aura, more than twice as menacing as before, surged forth. "…That's enough. I’ve had it with this nonsense." Yusa bared his fangs, his pupils narrowing into slits. "Did you say you’re the Heavenly Demon? Forget it. Whatever your intentions are, I detest complications." The shadow behind him writhed. “To avoid any more trouble, I’ll just consume you here.” Yusa growled, exuding his energy. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Ah.” I loosened my shoulders, and the bones creaked with the effort. “You’re making a regrettable choice. Although, in truth, it suits me just fine.” Despite my words, there wasn't an ounce of regret. It was precisely what I desired.