1052 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**The Peerless Friend 1052nd Chapter: The Northern Hare - Web Novel Archive** WHOOOOOOM--!! A body cloaked in flames sliced through the air. I traversed the space at a rapid speed, pushing myself to my limit. Although I moved much faster than usual, the acceleration took a toll. Crack-! 'Damn it.' Each time my speed increased, my vessel convulsed. Hell, it seemed there was no hope of it getting better. On the contrary, it was even more painful. It felt like the vessel might shatter under the strain. Flying in this condition seemed like it would lead to a disaster. "Can you keep up?" Contorting my face from the pain, I glanced back and asked. We had to go, no matter what. Turning back to see, I saw them following. Heavenly Demon (Cheonma) and Yarang nodded. Even at full speed, they seemed to be keeping up well. Although I was channeling energy to assist with the speed, still. 'The Heavenly Demon is naturally fast.' I wasn’t sure about Yarang, but Cheonma didn’t seem particularly slow by nature. In retrospect, maybe that time they were carried was just an act. I clenched my teeth and continued to endure the pain while running. 'What's happening?' The instant I heard the turtle’s voice, I flew with all my might. It mentioned something about a situation at the volcano. Considering the urgency in its voice, this could be serious. 'What on earth...?' I squinted my eyes, trying to understand what might have happened. 'Could it be...' ZGVPdDc2cnQxMFU0bVlrbnZITXlVazVtd0c5cS9VN1pWcWcvUTVtbEJGQnNRQldNeUlETVVLa0tFb3hqQndkVg Is it possible the master of all realms invaded? It wasn't impossible. His mother, who bore no memories, intended to eliminate the dragon. Although she wavered on sealing the Abyss currently, there was a clear possibility she could move the main body. 'If that's the case, will the volcano be okay?' If the master moved personally, could the volcano hold up? It's unknown how it managed until now, though they said they were aware and let it pass. 'Will it still be the same now?' There’s no certainty that the current situation would be the same as before. The problems had already begun multiplying. Two generals were erased, and events were set in motion with two divine trees. Even if his mother prepared for him regarding the divine trees, it was a different story with the generals. Having inflicted damage on two generals and clashed with another, it wasn’t unusual for the master of the ten thousand realms to act. But. 'What if the master didn't move?' If the issue at the volcano wasn't caused by the master but something else. That would be... '... an even bigger problem.' With the situation being so unpredictable, I had no feel for how to respond. More than anything, the turtle's voice hadn't been heard since that first time. *Clench.* I gritted my teeth and increased my speed. 'Faster.' I had to go faster than now. At this pace, it would take a day or two to get there. Was there another method? There was nothing left unused, as I was already using all my strength. 'If that's so.' I turned my head back. Looking at the two following. I was using energy on them as well. ‘I’ll have to leave them behind.’ It was the most logical method. Dragging Cheonma and especially Yarang along in this situation was irrational to begin with. As I reminded myself of that, I slightly released the energy. Or tried to. At that moment. WOOOOONG---!!! 'What?' A trembling sensation emanated from Yarang’s body. There was also a response within my heart—Tham. Tham suddenly started stirring. This implied. ‘She’s using her power.’ Yarang was using her power. What for? I observed in bewilderment. She lightly swept the air with her hand. WHIRRRRL--!!! Then light materialized in front. I turned my head to face forward again, and— “...!?” In front, the air tore open, revealing a dimensional passage. It was a magical gate. It had a similar feel to the violet magic gate Heavenly Demon had shown before. Practically, only the color was different, giving a similar impression. What was this? I halted mid-air, unable to proceed with the sudden appearance of the magic gate. Turning back, I questioned Yarang. “What is this for? Are you telling me to go in?” Nod. Yarang nodded at my words. “.....” In the throes of urgency, she was telling me to enter a magic gate. It was incredibly puzzling. ‘Does this mean it’ll help?’ Was entering here supposed to help me arrive faster? “Will it help us get there quicker if we use this?” Nod. Yarang nodded once more at my question. Entering the magic gate would let us reach our destination faster? There was certainty in her nod. “.....” Doubt or not, there was no time for hesitation. I turned back around and plunged into the magic gate. Gold energy enveloped my body. --- At the far northern edge lay a forest. It was a place commonly known as the Forest of Lushness. It was sparsely populated and notorious for its wild beasts with fierce natures. Rumor had it that outsiders who defied the rules of the ten thousand realms gathered there. Even though the Yaweolgung Palace was nearby, they chose to live far from it. It was a place outside their laws. They do not follow the laws set by the Great Master, living apart, continually risking the master's wrath. Hence, people refrained from venturing into the Forest of Lushness. Crunch. Someone’s foot landed in such a place. In the gentle breeze, silver hair fluttered, and three pairs of wings on their back marked them as an extraordinary being. “...” Upon landing, they surveyed the surroundings. With alien blue eyes, they scanned the forest. Around them, the air shimmered as though in a whirlpool. After a long look, the man’s corners of his lips curled as he spotted something. “Found it.” Catching something beyond the natural order. To ordinary eyes, it seemed endlessly natural, yet within, the man discerned a tangled discomfort. “Remarkable.” The man purely admired it. Within naturalness lay a force diverging from laws. He nodded in acknowledgment upon witnessing it. “No wonder Yusa couldn't touch it.” Though seemingly simple at a glance, it comprised countless insights. Had it not been for the eyes bestowed by the heavens, he too would have remained oblivious. Even if he had grasped the situation. "He wouldn't have dared to interfere." The collection of rules—no one would have dared to touch it. Thus, it aroused curiosity. “Why is the master of all realms…” Why does he show mercy towards such anomalies? Anyone could see they had deviated from the rules. The world’s ruler should, more than anyone else, despise and exclude such a divergence. Yet, the master seemed indifferent to it. Unless. “Is there a reason?” Surely, the master must have realized it. Even though the current state of the ten thousand realms was chaotic, there was no way the master didn’t know. “It just means he's overlooking it.” What could be the reason for the master to do that? The man could not comprehend it. “No matter.” But now, even that didn’t matter. For the moment has arrived for him. “Now…” The man smirked, extending his hand. The barrier before him was unsettling to gaze upon, yet that was all there was to it. Nothing mattered before overwhelming power. He reached out slowly. He did not know what lay within. However, since the heavens commanded him to retrieve what was inside, it was bound to be of utmost significance. As the man’s fingers reached further. *Thunk-!* “Huh?” Stopping his hand, the man turned around. *Boom-!!* A loud noise was heard. The ground shook with a rugged vibration, causing the man's brow to furrow. “This is…” The sensation was familiar. And not a particularly pleasant one. The issue was. “What is this?” Why was this sensation being felt now? It shouldn't be occurring here, at least. He was puzzled. As he dwelled in his curiosity, the sound grew nearer. *BOOM---!!!* Now, it was so close that the sound came from a visible distance. The man tilted his head slightly. Not long after. “Crow----!!!” With distant shouting, the source of the noise emerged. And. “...Hmm?” The Crow tilted its head, observing the emerging entity. It differed from what he had anticipated. “What is that creature?” Something different from what he expected had appeared. The horns on its head, its rugged physique, and even its voice seemed somewhat familiar. “It’s not the Chief...?” The being he anticipated. It didn’t look like the Chief. Moreover, that creature… "It should’ve been slain by the dragon." He had assumed it would have been killed by the entity that puzzled him the most—the dragon, thus it shouldn’t have been the Chief. "Strange." What on earth was it? As he narrowed his gaze, unable to comprehend the situation— *Fwoosh-*!! Something formed in the giant's hand. Black flames flared up, and soon he held a massive axe. “Heh.” Witnessing this, the man's eyes widened. That axe was unmistakably the Chief's. Which meant. "Is it really the Chief?" This implied that this creature was indeed the Chief, one of the generals. “Why...?” Why did it appear here? "You bastard--!!" As the man tried to make sense of it, the Chief charged, swinging the axe downward. Black flames viciously spread, plunging toward the man. “Tsk.” With a short click of the tongue, an explosion erupted. *BOOOOM---!!!* Dark flames ignited.