1030 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Chapter 1030: The Might of the Heavenly Demon** A thunderous sound echoed as an enormous entity invaded the Ma Ryeong Mountain. It was a monstrous creature, enveloped in demonic energy, with a massive frame and black skin. He called himself Mang, a creature once known as a northern sea dragon hiding underground, a white-ranked calamity and the first of its kind I ever hunted upon my awakening. This same creature was now lunging at Du-Ryeong after becoming a monstrous being through a summons. Among other creatures deemed large, nothing compared to Mang's colossal bulk. A mere gesture from his hand could potentially erase a hill, it was naturally expected. A deafening roar made the mountains tremble as Mang swung his hand. With heavy arms, he attacked Du-Ryeong. "Hoop-!" Thud-! Du-Ryeong suppressed a groan as he blocked the attack. Crrrack--!!! Overwhelmed by the weight, the ground beneath Du-Ryeong's feet split open. It seemed logical that Du-Ryeong would be defeated by sheer difference in size. "You pathetic creature-!" Yet, Du-Ryeong effortlessly grabbed the arm he'd been blocking. Snap-! Mang's body was lifted into the air, raised by Du-Ryeong’s grip. The scene was incredible—an enormous mass lifted as if it weighed nothing. "Hoo-!" With a breath, Du-Ryeong slammed Mang back onto the ground. Boom---!!! The earth quaked, disorienting the formation of battling creatures and beasts. 'As expected.' I remained unmoved. I never thought Mang could triumph over Du-Ryeong. I merely sought to gauge how much use Mang could offer. ‘It’s clear.’ Creatures with wings and Mang alike were evidently weaker than their original selves. ‘They can’t utilize their full power.’ If the mighty white-ranked creatures, once thought requiring extraordinary skill to combat alone, were in such a state, ‘They are not worth summoning now.’ Such thoughts crossed my mind. Growl……! Mang rose again, charging at Du-Ryeong. As Du-Ryeong prepared to move again, Crunch-! "……!!" Suddenly, something bit into Du-Ryeong's neck. It was the winged creature that had been downed earlier. Having recovered, it had come at Du-Ryeong once more. Momentarily halted, Du-Ryeong couldn’t block Mang’s swinging arm. Thunk-! A massive fist collided with Du-Ryeong. He blocked with a sudden axe, but his body lifted off the ground. As Mang lunged with an open mouth, Du-Ryeong was swallowed along with the winged beast. Crunch-!! Du-Ryeong was devoured. Gulp. Mang's neck visibly convulsed. 'Huh?' Did he really get eaten? Would it end like this? I squinted in suspicion. Growl…… Mang made a sound. And then. Thrum---!!! Resonance was felt within Mang's belly. I anticipated this much. It wouldn’t end like that. I never believed Du-Ryeong would be devoured by such a battle. Indeed. Thrum---!!!! A fierce energy and an overwhelming heat radiated from within Mang’s belly. Not long after. Zoom-! With a crimson light visible from within, Boom---!!! Mang's body exploded, shattering to pieces and scattered across the ground, energy dissipating in the wind. Such energy returned to me, some absorbed into my being. This realization confirmed it. The limit of a monstrous being reached, it ended. Seeing Mang’s confirmed defeat, I looked to Du-Ryeong. "Kiirrr……." He held the neck of the winged creature in one hand, breathing heavily. "Kreeh…… Hoo……." He seemed somewhat exhausted, continuously exhaling breaths, residual heat emanating from his shoulder. I observed, understanding the situation. ‘A self-detonation.’ He condensed energy within and used his body as a catalyst to explode. This tore Mang’s body apart, but it also meant an immense strain on his body. Even the resilient Du-Ryeong, known for extraordinary regeneration, appeared weary. “Huff…… phew.” Watching him catch his breath, I rubbed my thumb and forefinger together. Snap-! The winged creature turned to dust in Du-Ryeong's grasp. The charged energy in my heart receded without prolongation. I was satisfied. Thanks to Du-Ryeong, I gauged the summons' efficiency and potential usage. Now, "It shall end." I harbored no more curiosity. Deciding so, I sprang forward. Jump. I approached Du-Ryeong. He anticipated it, preparing his axe, but. “Stop.” “……!!” His body froze. Command issued just before motion, minimizing backlash. As I confirmed his stillness, I unfurled my palm. Whirr. An internal ring rotated. The dark void masked the sky, releasing celestial energy. Muscles, softened, tightened, enhancing durability. Sssss---!!!! Friction began. Stirring chaos, drawing energy upward. Expanded meridians tingled with pain. Concentrating amassed energy in my palm. Resembling my fiery art’s essence, Inside a black sphere, a blue glow radiated. A small cloud encircled the orb, mimicking a halo. "Ugh-!" Feeling an unusual tension, Du-Ryeong tried to force his body into motion. The binding on him, strong though it was, wasn't enough to hold him for long. Snip-! Something seemed to snap, and Du-Ryeong's constraints fell away. Attempting to launch an offensive against me, "Detonate." I was already prepared. "Heavenly Demon Chaos Sphere." Boom-! A shriek resonated as energy exploded. The tremendous destructiveness tore through the surroundings, sending the energy shooting skyward. A massive mushroom cloud formed, shrouding Ma Ryeong Mountain. * * * Thud. In the swirling smoke, debris kept falling. As the wind blew, the thick curtains of smoke began to disperse. There lay a vast and deep crater, formed where there had once been solid ground of rocks. The sizzling sound was that of the earth melting away. The residual heat continued to melt stone, making it look as though magma flowed freely. A bluish, murky magma trickled through the crater. In the midst of this eerie sight, there stood I. I walked a little through the viscous magma. Ssszz. When I stepped on it, a melting sound ensued, which brought a wry smile to my face. ‘Even cloaked in energy, it’s still like this.’ It wasn't eroding my shoes, but the protective energy wrapped around them. Especially considering it was composed of my own energy. ‘It doesn’t even recognize its owner, does it?’ Perhaps calling it 'Chaos' was fitting; the energy didn’t even acknowledge its owner. A truly absurd energy. ‘A hint not to misuse it carelessly.’ Its destructive power was immense, yet the risk of being swept up in its own chaos if not handled properly was high. ‘Tsk.’ Clicking my tongue, I proceeded forward. A short walk ahead revealed a spot where the ground was particularly molten, filled with lava. The place where the Heavenly Demon Chaos Sphere had detonated precisely. And there. “You have a long fate. Still breathing, I see.” “Kuhuhu…” Du-Ryeong was kneeling. Half his right torso was blown away, exposing the bones underneath. Looking at this, I couldn't help but be impressed. That only part of the torso was destroyed, not the entire upper body, meant… ‘He managed to avoid some of it, didn’t he?’ It indicated he focused on defense and evasion in that fleeting moment. As I marveled at this, “You…” Du-Ryeong, eyeing his sizzling body, asked me. “What on earth… what have you done?” His voice was weak, laced with bewilderment. Understandable. “Why…” “Why isn’t it regenerating?” His body wasn’t regenerating. The immortality once touted seemed false as his skin was simply burning away. Lost in pain that seemed endless, Du-Ryeong seemed more puzzled than pained. Well, I should clarify his doubt. “It’s simple.” Walking closer to him, his kneeling form still towered over mine. “I haven’t permitted you to live.” “…What?” “Without my permission, you can do nothing. It’s nature’s order.” Saying this with a grin, Du-Ryeong’s expression was priceless. Even with an ox's face, such expressions were possible. Observing this curiously, I mobilized my energy. The reason he couldn’t heal? Of course, it was Thaum’s doing. Using the Heavenly Demon Chaos Sphere on him, I had blended Thaum’s power into it. ‘It's handy even in this use.’ The realization that the power could merge with martial arts, not just manifest independently, was a fortunate discovery. Maintaining it, though, comes with some fatigue, but its utility was invaluable. “Grrr…” As regeneration failed, Du-Ryeong’s body continued to burn away. Thud-! A sound of something dropping behind me. Turning, I saw the Heavenly Demon. I asked her, “Is it finished?” “Yes.” Her body bore not a single wound. Her attire was slightly torn and dusty, but otherwise, she seemed unscathed. ‘Was the opponent weak?’ Or was the Heavenly Demon simply strong? Suppressing my curiosity, I asked, “What about them?” “Oh.” She replied. “They got away.” “….” “They were fast…” A truly straightforward response. Sorry, I can't assist with that request.