1044 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Chapter 1044: Resonance of the Crystals** A vibration resounded—jang-ga-ga-ga-ga---!!! It was palpable from all directions. The crystals protruding from the ground were the culprits, emitting a strange energy in the surroundings. They were the reason my senses felt out of place. And those very crystals were vibrating maniacally. It wasn't just one. Dozens were visible even now, and thinking about the numbers picked up by my sixth sense before, the count was incomprehensibly vast. I wasn't entirely sure what these crystals represented, but a sense of an ominous foreboding was undeniable. The frantic tremors of these crystals suggested something was amiss. 'What's happening?' I frowned, bewildered by the unnerving trembling of the crystals. The vibration intensified, transforming from a mere tremble to a force capable of shaking the ground. 'Tsk.' There was no time to deliberate. Given the situation, the choice was clear. *Wooosh-!* I ignited my body. Immediately, I rotated the ring, enveloping it in heat. *Bang!* I lunged forward at the enemy. I didn't know what they were attempting, but... 'First, I need to eliminate them.' I charged with the intent to swiftly eliminate the threat. *Slam!* Upon reaching the enemy, I twisted my waist. Flames gathered in my fist, making my heart pound. Gueomgijweonsang Form. Flames solidified at the tip of my punch, strengthening its form. I embedded my intent into the extreme and unleashed it upon the enemy. *Rumble—!!!* A cataclysmic blaze shot forth, but— *FWOOOOOSH—!!* "...!" Alas, the flames fell short, unable to touch the enemy. The wing that had developed on their split torso deflected the flames entirely. 'Ugh.' I let out a gasp of disbelief. My eyes rolled in surprise. While their wing blocked the flames, the enemy's body was regenerating rapidly. The speed was akin to witnessing the leader use their authority to ascend in immortality. Does that mean it's some kind of power? I activated my 'Tam' to analyze further, but... 'No.' The 'Tam' showed no response. It wasn't a power. Could it be a simple yet incredible regenerative ability? At such speed? 'Oh, this is bad.' I sensed complications. Intuitively, I knew something dire was unfolding. *FWOOOOSH—!!!* I intensified the flames, but still, they were thwarted. It was laughable. What is this even? *Shhh-.* I exhaled softly, releasing my energy. If the flames couldn't penetrate... *KIIII—!!!* Despite maintaining the flames, I gathered energy in my other hand. A friction arose. I accumulated chaos. I crafted a Heavenly Demon's Aura and unleashed it immediately. *Boom—!!!* An explosion erupted. A third of my energy depleted in an instant. Using it simultaneously drained efficiency, but there was no other choice. I aimed solely to disable that. Yet, my efforts only met resistance. *Crack.* It wasn’t pierced. 'Damn it.' How is it so sturdy? I was at a loss. Even though my energy continued to deplete unstoppably, there wasn't a scratch on it. 'Since when were wings made of steel?' No, calling it steel would have undermined the strength further. If it were merely steel, I could have melted it away. 'What is this?' Its rigidity was absurdly beyond comprehension, and an unknown aura enveloping it prevented my attacks from having any effect. Though I tried diligently to penetrate it, time passed, and ultimately, the enemy's body fully regenerated. At that moment— *Whip-!* "Tsk!" Their wing moved, aiming directly at me. I swiftly retreated, distancing myself. Gusts followed in its wake. *WOOOOOSHHH—!!!* Dry earth ascended, forming a shape that morphed into a massive vortex. When the gust soared into the sky, concealing its form, "Heh heh heh." a low laughter echoed, and the enemy's figure reappeared. Though unfamiliar to me due to regeneration. '...What is that?' Though they returned, their appearance had changed considerably. The first change I noticed was the wings. Where there had only been one pair of black wings, another pair had developed, making it two pairs total. And— 'The energy.' I couldn't sense any energy from them. What happened? What was happening? Watching cautiously, the enemy spoke. "What a shame." They addressed me. "If only there had been a mere ten, no, five more years. It would've been perfect by then. Who would've thought an obstacle would appear." "What do you mean?" "The master said." *Swish.* The enemy rearmed themselves with their trident. "Even if upheaval occurs, if an obstruction appears, trample over it and proceed. Thus, they commanded." *Jang-ga-ga-ga-gang---!!!* The ground quaked violently. The vibration became so intense, one might think everything would soon collapse. However, the problem wasn't the tremor itself. 'It's not the vibration that’s concerning.' The reason for this resonating vibration had to be addressed. The moment this thought settled— *BOOOOM—!!!!* Unable to contain the turmoil, the crystals unleashed energy. From their bluish light, energy poured forth, reaching a scale capable of enshrouding the sky. 'The visible wasn’t the end after all.' As expected, those crystals harbored something significant. *Stomp-!* I fortified my footing. Whatever was happening, leaving it as is wasn't an option. To counteract the situation, I leaped forward. Increasing speed, I utilized my energy and martial prowess. Cheongcheon (Azure Sky). I initiated the domain technique, employing pure flames to construct a clear sky. Above it, Hwa Ryun Seong (Blazing Star). Another mystical art unfolded. As soon as the Blazing Star manifested in the void, my body attuned itself. Despite it still being day, my body shifted, embodying the traits of a moonlit night. My physical form strengthened considerably. Simultaneously— 'Changcheon.' *Kuuuuggg—!!!* I invoked the Changcheon technique of the Heaven Shattering Art, further enhancing my body with surging power. My physical form had surpassed its usual capabilities. I had embedded every physical enhancement technique I’d mastered into my being. Though the transformation bore heavily upon me, the characteristics of the moonlit night helped shoulder the burden to an extent. At this rate, I had roughly half an hour. His current power level was maintainable—*Wooosh---!!!* Flames surged through his body as he hurled himself toward the enemy. The flames added speed, his entire body resembling a descending meteor as he launched. *Kuwaaah---!!!* The impact exploded. Even as he exerted immense force on the enemy, I widened my eyes in disbelief at the unfolding scene. *Fwoosh-!!* Despite pouring all his energy into the assault, the enemy absorbed it effortlessly, standing firm. Their energy clashed adamantly against his own, pushing back my efforts. *Crrrack--!!!* Sparks flew. The ground shook like waves rolling forth. The profound clash warped the very air. Even I was amazed by my own capabilities, and yet, it was blocked? 'Unbelievable.' I grimaced. Instantly, he withdrew the flames from his body and... 'Pacheon.' He redirected the withdrawn flames into the energy of the Heaven Shattering Art. The spherical, greyish energy was thrust toward the enemy again, but— *Swish-!* The enemy spread their wings and— *Crrrackkk---!!!* "......!" They unleashed countless feathers toward him. Seeing this, he refrained from extending the Pacheon and instead detonated it. *BOOM—!!* An explosion engulfed the feathers. While obstructing the attack, he threw himself into the explosion. There was no time to lose. With this thought, he pierced through the heat, reaching out. Attempting to grasp the enemy's throat, but— "Fascinating." Came the enemy's amused voice. "Cease." "......!!" The command that followed. Upon hearing it, his body became rigid. Petrified like a stone. Strictly speaking, it wasn't just the body that stiffened. This was... 'His soul was frozen.' It was as if his soul, nestled somewhere within, came to an abrupt halt. Though it was a disturbing sensation he'd never experienced before, he recognized it well. 'Order.' This was an Order. A restriction and law embedded from the roots of the myriad worlds. It was the command of the soul, said to be used only by those of a general rank or higher. A force that made those with lower-ranked souls obey unconditionally. That power was now directed at him. Which meant... 'This bastard...' Could they truly be of higher ranking than him? How? Perplexed and unable to process it, his mind raced. *Kuuu---!!!* The energy suffusing the sky suddenly shifted. The Azure Sky faded, replaced by an ashen sky, revolving with the gathered energy. A vast vortex filled the sky. It was ominous. That life-infused energy felt incredibly foreboding. Caught in an unforeseen situation, unsure of what to do next— "In this situation, you're still looking elsewhere." *Swish-!!* "--!!" A sudden sensation of blood spurting from his body. The enemy had sliced him with a trident. *Thud*, Blood dripped, staining the ground. "Ugh..." A groan escaped as he grasped his torso. "Tch." Seeing this, the enemy exhaled sharply. "You broke the Order in that state? Impressive." If he'd remained still, it would have been fatal. Gathering all his strength, he managed to break free from the binding and retreated. *Hiss.* Steam rose from his body. Thanks to the moonlit night physique, recovery commenced immediately. "Damn..." Gazing at him, the enemy muttered in disappointment. "Are you still not accustomed to the vessel...?" *Guung.* At his words, the energy amassed in the sky shifted. "However, I can't squander the mercy bestowed by the Master." In an instant, the distance between them vanished. The enemy, far away, was suddenly right before him. 'Insane.' He gritted his teeth. His body hadn't fully healed yet. He thought of evading but his movements lagged. The trident's tip rapidly closed in, about to strike his head when— *Kiiii---!!* Something tore through the space from behind. *Kuwaaah—!!!* A white energy assailed the enemy. "Ugh...?" Caught off-guard, the enemy's attack faltered, and they were pushed back. *Thud*. The trident they held immediately crumbled to dust. The enemy contorted his face in fury, casting a monstrous glare toward the figure behind him. "How did you get here...?" Upon hearing those words, he turned around. "...You?" A woman appeared, wielding a sword, standing behind him. From the sword's tip emanated a faintly glowing white energy, and she wore a black mask. Within it shimmered golden eyes. Gazing at her, a tremor passed through him. "…Yarang." The enemy muttered a name that deviated from his thoughts, naming the woman. I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that request.