1062 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 1062: North Rabbit - Web Novel Archive There exists a moment when the night collapses. Not when the moon disappears. Nor when the stars no longer shine because of it. It's not out of fear of the approaching day, nor because the sun is coming. The night collapses when there is no one left waiting for it. Or when there is no longer anyone who remembers it. Only then does the night truly crumble. The woman realized this after she made her choice. But she felt no regret. It had to be this way. For the day to arrive, she had to crumble. What those who remember need is not night, but day. Therefore. She was convinced that she had to do this. However, contrary to her determined heart, If there was any bit of regret, it was perhaps just that. That she should have chosen a bit later, And spent just one more day lazing. That was the sole point of remorse. * * * Whooooosh---!! Black smoke surged. The released vigor rose from below to above. The rising energy made it seem as if night had descended. Vast and distant energy. Taechun narrowed his eyes upon witnessing this. “Haha.” What should he say? It's indeed surprising when you consider the sheer quantity of this energy. How could someone with a small rank emit such overwhelming vigor? While it was curious, The problem was rather that, “It wasn't a mistake.” Contained within that very energy. Seeing it, Taechun reaffirmed the doubt he had harbored. “A divine presence.” The sublimity contained within that energy. It's a presence that a mere mortal could never possess. A power that can only be gained when one transcends the permission of the world and the vessel of existence. Divine presence. The sublime energy that only the rulers of a world can possess is contained there. “What in the world are you?” Thus, he couldn't understand. “You're not a ruler.” It wasn’t a ruler. No matter how he looked, it didn’t feel like one. Even possessing divine radiance, it wasn't a ruler. What should this bizarre phenomenon be called? A glance. Taechun looked behind him. “Grrrrr---!!!” The creature impaled by his spear, unable to move. If something were to be called a ruler, that one seemed more fitting. The divine presence of the myriad worlds. A divine presence counted among countless worlds, meant for peace, mercy, and even its opposite, death. That’s also why other rulers covet the myriad worlds. They provide a vessel to hold such a divine presence. “Why did the myriad worlds…” Attempt to pass its divine presence to this inexplicable existence? Or... “Perhaps it didn’t intend to pass it on.” Since he couldn't fathom its intentions, contemplating its deeds was ambiguous. It was undeniable that something happened with the myriad worlds, and it could be that the existence was trying to gain something, much like himself. With this thought, Taechun shifted his gaze. Then. “What is that?” What on earth is that? An unheard of phenomenon. “How…” How can such a powerful divine presence exist in this place? That is… “Almost like a manifestation.” A manifestation. When a ruler pulls out its true form and appears in the lower realm. Typically, the ground cannot withstand the divine presence, causing it to crumble, or it impacts the natural world as it is doing now. Even now, the crimson sky of the myriad worlds is being consumed and entangled by the black vigor. Watching this, Taechun couldn’t comprehend. “What exactly are you?” Thus, he inquired of the presence gazing at him from within the black energy. To his question, the woman inside spoke. “Who knows?” Her voice was monotonous. It seemed as though she was smiling, or perhaps conversely, she sounded angry. It was hard to grasp. Feeling this, Taechun grimaced. Unrecognizable? Does that mean her very presence can't be recognized? Me? “Hah.” Taechun let out a mirthless laugh. Since the dawn of time, he has never descended from his place in the skies. Yet, he couldn’t properly recognize that presence? “It's nonsensical.” Taechun chuckled. Even if he hadn’t descended with his true form, what was that presence that he couldn’t perceive? It was incomprehensible. Creak. He grasped his spear. “Yongje. What’s your relation with that forgotten one?” “……” Mentioning Yongje, the woman slightly extended her hand. In that moment, Rumble Rumble Rumble--!!! The energy that had been creating the night ceased its ascent and began to fall back to the ground. As if collapsing the night. The ink-like essence dripped downwards. It flowed and stained the ground. Night was created between the sky and the earth. Splash. Stepping on the created ink, the woman gazed at Taechun. “What do you think it could be?” “Responding to a question with a question isn't a good approach, you know?” “Sorry. I’d like to answer, but…” Swirl. A whirlpool formed in the ink. As the flow gathered more intensely, it converged in the woman’s hand, forming the shape of a sword. “It’s just that too much time has passed to recall it now.” “…Too much time has passed?” Did that imply a connection? It seemed so. Taechun, looking at the woman, understood this. It was Yongje's aura. The beast writhing behind him. The small presence felt from it was nothing. The real aura of Yongje was all clustered there. That distinctively arrogant and dark vigor. The violent and chaotic presence felt within it. But. Even as he sensed this, Taechun couldn't be certain for one reason. “How did you manage to possess such energy and establish an independent divine presence?” It was indeed Yongje's energy, yet it couldn’t be called his divine presence. It was clear. It wasn’t Yongje’s divine presence. What had been independently constructed. It was a divine presence she raised with her own power. Hence. “And yet not a ruler. How is that possible?” Having created such a divine presence and yet not being a ruler. Taechun couldn’t comprehend that. The being he had fought just before. Was it called Shincheol? Recalling his performance. He was on the verge of breaking through the lower realm’s boundary seeking his true power and divine presence. However, while his soul's presence ascended, ultimately his body collapsed, unable to achieve his purpose. Taechun felt a deep sense of regret. For a mortal to ascend to divine presence. It was a miracle so rare that it might happen once in countless eons. He was regretful that he hadn’t witnessed it up close. “…This is an impossibility.” Not only did she construct an independent divine presence, but she wielded it with such mastery? “What in the world are you? What guise are you wearing?” Taechun couldn't believe it and kept questioning the woman. “Hmm…” The woman merely sighed softly as she listened to him. “The whole talk about divine presence and rulers… I’m not fond of those terms.” Once upon a time. Just once, in a distant and almost forgotten past, there was a time when she was obsessed with such ideas. She thought that if she ascended to that place, something might change. That she might find some clue to what she couldn’t achieve. She had once been fiercely obsessed with those thoughts. “But it turned out to be largely meaningless.” She realized it after reaching there. It was a pursuit without advantages for her. Divine presence and rulership. Even if one achieves them. “In the end, you can't change fate.” To block what has already begun to flow is beyond reach, thin and frail. Thus, regarding this matter, she had long since given up. This was merely a remnant of that time. Drip. The ink fully soaked, finally forming a single sword. Black droplets fell one by one from the tip of the sword. "…" Watching this, Taechun moved his energy. Darkness. The aurora spread across the world was so bright. Yet, how could that place be so dark? It felt like it was pulling all the darkness towards itself. It felt ominous. He had the thought that he shouldn’t approach that darkness. As he pondered this, “Do you know?” The woman spoke. Was it a trick of the mind? Taechun thought her voice sounded somewhat shaky. “You always had that expression.” “What...?” “Like you were afraid. Like you were hesitating.” “What are you talking about?” enN1WnIzcFhHMVJuR0JvdkNPc013MnJEa21weXVnMEpZV016Q0FRR0NtbCtTbGs2dWVDRVpTQVVFc1ZheVZHWA It was as if she was suggesting they had met before. Recalling his memories, Taechun was left only with questions. Even after living for such a long time, he didn’t remember forgetting such a presence. Nothing came to mind. The woman, as if accustomed to Taechun’s puzzled state, laughed. “Don’t worry too much. As always.” Like that. “It’s not something of much importance.” “…!” With the movement of her sword, the night trembled. Kuwaaaa----!!!! With a single sweep, darkness poured out. A black energy tinged with a violet hue fell towards Taechun. Upon seeing this, Taechun moved his spear. Crash-!!! Blue light and black light collided, exploding with shockwaves in all directions. The world shook. As divinities clashed, they unleashed thunderous roars. Watching the unfolding energy, the woman thought to herself. ‘Come quickly.’ She couldn’t hold out for much longer. And. ‘Still, show yourself once more.’ Even if everything had vanished. If she could just see that person once more. The woman, just like always, could do anything. * * * At that moment. Thud-!! “Gah!” Guyangcheon was rolling on the ground, coughing up blood. “Hack.” He spat out a mouthful of blood, struggling to get up. Crunch-! “Ugh!” His head was stomped, his face pinned to the ground. He trembled, unable to rise. “Tsk tsk.” The figure standing on the back of Guyangcheon's head spoke. “Useless wretch.” A goblin, fiery and glaring, stared down at Guyangcheon.