1021 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Chapter 1021:** **The Spirit.** A sudden appearance, a butterfly introduced itself as the Spirit. It was an unexpected appearance. Caught as soon as he entered the place, the situation had become awkward, causing him to frown slightly. What should he do? Should he leave again? He found himself wrestling with indecision. Or perhaps, if he dealt with this butterfly, would the problem be resolved? '...Not a chance.' He could tell just by looking. This wasn’t the actual entity. It was better to assume something else was being used to specifically communicate with him. ‘Does this mean they noticed I invaded as soon as I arrived?’ Or perhaps they sensed it the moment he touched the enchantment. There were two possibilities, but that wasn’t what was important right now. What's crucial is... ‘Is this butterfly an enemy?’ Or not an enemy? That was the only thing that mattered. "A spirit, you say?" "Indeed, noble one." "...That." What should he say? For a moment, he couldn’t think of what words to use. He cleared his throat and spoke to the Spirit. “…I apologize for barging in like this. I have my own reasons.” He decided to be frank. The butterfly fluttered in the air without concern. “It’s no bother. Instead, scold us for not providing the appropriate welcome for such a great being.” “...” The exaggerated words, calling him noble and great, made him scratch the back of his neck awkwardly. “…Thank you for understanding. So, what exactly is this place?” “This place is known as Mareongdong.” “Mareongdong.” “A place for those unable to leave the mountain.” “Hm.” Those who couldn't leave the mountain. As he contemplated those words. “If you don’t mind, might I guide you into a space we've secured within?” "Into a space?" -Although I have come in this insignificant form due to my limited mobility. I cannot stand not to present myself properly before such a noble figure. I beg for the opportunity to meet you directly and apologize. “...” He had never heard such formal language in his life. Despite him being the intruder, they were treating him with extreme courtesy. ‘It seems they are not hostile.’ Could he follow them inside like this? He hesitated and glanced at the Heavenly Demon. She was simply observing the butterfly without any particular reaction. Unexpectedly, he found himself seeking the Heavenly Demon’s response. If there was a problem, wouldn't she react before he did? It was a narrow-minded act born from thoughts like these. ‘What am I doing?’ Right after telling himself to get it together, he was acting foolishly. Damn it. He cursed inwardly and then spoke to the Spirit. “Where should I go?” Having come this far and been discovered, there was no retreat. He spoke with that mindset. “I will guide you.” The Spirit gently fluttered its wings and started to show the way. * * * He followed the Spirit as they moved forward. The pace wasn't fast, so he could observe his surroundings. Thus, he saw a region that wasn't much different from the outside. If anything, it seemed to be more pristine, with nature more harmoniously composed. The reddish-purple sky was a distinctive feature of Man Gye, but the trees and plants inside resembled those of the Central Plain. ‘Is that why it doesn't feel so novel?’ It was just ordinary nature. Nothing particularly outstanding caught his eye. ‘That's why, somehow, it draws my attention.’ To see such familiar landscapes in Man Gye again. ‘I also saw them at the Hwasan Sect...’ That was a space distinctly crafted in the image of the Central Plains, so if anything, this place seemed more unusual. ‘Here, it doesn’t seem manufactured.’ It's simply concealed. The space itself hasn’t been artificially created. As evidence, even using his mind’s eye, he couldn’t feel the traces of enchantments. The only thing discernible was the ceiling. ‘In other words, they only covered the original space with some form of ceiling.’ They obscured it with a ceiling woven from enchantments, making it inconspicuous. Realizing this, he asked the butterfly. “How much further?” He's been walking for quite some time now, trudging along paths that weren’t paths, leaving him uneasy. Could there be some trick at work? He had been on guard against unknown situations from the start. One never knows. Thus, he asked, but the Spirit’s reply was nowhere to be heard. What was it? Were they truly attempting something? As doubt crept in, he immediately gathered energy in his heart, preparing himself to react. “It’s right over there.” Then the Spirit spoke. “Over there?” At the mention of ‘there’, he looked straight ahead, and as the Spirit indicated, something came into view in the distance. Walls composed of wood and, just like before, animals standing upright were guarding them. “...You want me to go there?” “Indeed.” “Is it alright for me to go?” “The guardians will show respect if you mention you're a guest of the Spirit. If possible, I wish to escort you to the end... Uh...” “Hm? Excuse me?” “...” From mid-sentence, her voice became inaudible, so he called out again, but the butterfly remained silent. What was going on? “Excuse me, why are you...?” Just as he was about to ask again, the butterfly flew off briskly, disappearing elsewhere. “...What was that?” It had been conversing perfectly well a moment ago. Now, it left just like that as if it had become a real butterfly. ...Was he simply allowed to proceed? He tilted his head before continuing his approach. ‘Since they said to go, I guess I'll find out.’ He decided to check it out, approaching the wooden gates. “...An outsider!?” “Who goes there--!” As soon as he approached, the bipedal beasts glared at him with intense vigilance. They showed their fangs, radiating quite a bit of hostility. “Report to the inside immediately...! We have an intruder-!” “No, wait...” “...State your identity!” Clang-! All the sentinels pointed their spears at him. They looked ready to strike at any moment. “Hmm...” He scratched his head briefly. “Well, you see. Just a moment ago...” "State your identity, now!" "That's what I'm trying to do..." "Don't move!" "Damn it, stop interrupting then." Crack-! "...Ugh!" With a swift movement, he shattered the spear in his hand. The sentries were shocked by his action, but he moved even faster. Crack-! Smash-! In the blink of an eye, all their weapons were destroyed. Thud! Their weapons clattered to the ground, and startled, the expressions on the guards turned grim. "Stand firm at all costs...! Do not let him inside!" "...We must defend!" Despite the situation, the guards braced themselves with determination. Their resolve to prevent him from entering, even at the cost of their lives, was commendable. Still, "Calm down." "Guard it with your life!" "I said, calm down... sigh." He shook his head slightly, clicked his tongue briefly, and addressed them again. "Calm down." Wooong---!!! "...!!" "…Gasp!" The beasts, who seemed ready to charge at him with bare hands, froze in place. It wasn’t a direct command. This time, he used his voice to stop them. Perhaps the unexpected immobilization provoked an even greater fear than before. Now that everything had quieted down, he continued his words. "...Could you just listen for a moment? Why are you attacking without listening?" Even he noticed how his temperament had softened. Originally, he would have started by breaking a couple of heads first. But here he was, keeping them all alive. "What did I say? Oh right. I came here as a guest of the Spirit." --! Upon these words, the reactions of the beasts were profound. Their eyes rolled around visibly in their sockets. "I was told you'd show courtesy if I mentioned that. Is that right? If so, roll your eyes." "......" All the beasts’ eyes rolled even more vigorously and quickly. Realizing that, he clapped his hands briefly. Clap!! With the sound of the clap, the beasts who had been immobilized relaxed. Thud-!! Thud, thud-!! One by one, the beasts dropped to their knees. "…What?" Why were they kneeling all of a sudden? He frowned, looking at them. "We greet the noble one..." "Please spare us...!!" "...No." Was it the name of the Spirit that mattered? In an instant, as if they truly had heard him, their attitude flipped. "…Enough of that. Just guide me, please." Not wanting to waste more time, he gestured dismissively, and the beast kneeling closest to him rose. "...I am Mosong, the captain of Mareongdong's guards. Thank you for your forgiveness...! I will guide you immediately." "Ah, yes." From what he observed, in martial arts terms, this one seemed to be at a matured ultimate level. He couldn’t quite discern his position, but it didn’t seem low. He moved slightly off-balance, possibly due to the aftereffects of the command, and he followed, observing his fluffy back fur. Once inside, the place was filled with wooden structures. Completely different from the architecture of Night Moon. Compared to there... ‘It's rather lacking.’ It felt as if it were several centuries behind. A slightly desolate landscape was apparent. ‘What is this place?’ It was called Mareongdong, wasn’t it? A gathering place for those who couldn't leave Mareong Mountain. ‘…Hmm.’ Given that it's inside Mareong Mountain, it might be similar to places like Night Moon. ‘A space ruled by a leader.’ Viewing it that way made it easier to understand. Everyone he saw were all bipedal beasts. ‘Just like that leader.’ Since that leader, too, was a bipedal cow creature, he suspected these were also influenced in the same way. "…This is the place where the Spirit is." While thinking this, he arrived at his destination before he knew it. The area was much smaller than Night Moon, so it didn’t take long to reach the end. “Here...?” He glanced around, tilting his head. What he found wasn’t impressive, just a door at the end of a wall. He wondered what could possibly be here. Creak-! Mosong, who introduced himself, grabbed the door and opened it. "...!" As the door slowly opened, his body’s hairs stood on end. Whooosh-!! A familiar sensation burrowed into his entire being. ‘Is this...?’ He immediately peeked through the gap in the open door. And inside, there as expected, was the being emitting that familiar energy. A well-maintained lake and a hill formed in the middle. And something erected on that hill. It was none other than... "The Divine Tree?" The reason he sought Mareong Mountain was precisely for this. The Divine Tree, which should have been guarded by the leader, welcomed him unexpectedly. If you ask me when I love myself the most, it’s right now~~!! 💗 Listening to this song makes me so happy 🥹 Everyone, give it a listen: [YouTube link] 🩵 The one I brought last time was a long/short version 🩷 개인적으로… --- **Gochu Bajasak +35** - **11.12 Infinite Self-liberation** - **11.12 Request for Stalker-maizing Customization** - **+11 11.12 Shh, but it's Shh** - **+7 11.12 The Truth Behind Dongduk Women's University Bust** - **+16 11.12 Shh, the Bell Came** - **+16 11.12 What Should I Buyㅠㅠ** - **+10 11.12 Is this really Mom's...??** - **+14 11.12 Re: [Rakuten] This Life is a Genius Chef** - **+23 11.12 💣** - **11.12 Supporting Male Lead** --- **Childhood Friend of the World's Greatest, Chapter 1021** (1021/1060)