1089 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**The World’s Greatest Companion - Chapter 1089: Northern Rabbit** A day had passed. It was time to head back to Cheongryongdae. This time, I was supposed to be assigned accommodation, so I had to leave the inn where I had been staying since morning. At most, three days. I was leaving behind the inn where I stayed using the money earned from subjugating monsters. There wasn't really any sentiment attached to it. It was just a place to sleep, after all. Just leaving would be enough, but I still felt I should have breakfast, so I ordered some noodles. Just as I was about to casually eat. A slight pause. I felt someone’s presence nearby. Looking to see what it was, I noticed a familiar silhouette staring at me with widened eyes. Upon closer inspection, it was someone I had seen before. 'Wasn't she called Dang Seon?' A member of the Dang family. She was known as the current generation’s Venomous Phoenix. She was the one who expressed interest in me before. Dang Seon, who bore a striking resemblance to Dang Soyeol, froze upon seeing me. Seeing this, I reacted first. “How have you been?” “Pardon!? Oh, yes… Of course.” “That's a relief.” I nodded lightly. I wasn't intending to have a lengthy conversation. Dang Seon, seemingly the same, bowed slightly to me. Following suit, I nodded back and observed her attire. ‘She doesn’t seem to belong anywhere.’ She was dressed in the martial robe of the Dang family, indicating she wasn’t affiliated with the Alliance’s sword division. Staying in this accommodation likely meant she wasn’t affiliated with anyone. “Well then… I shall take my leave….” “Yes.” With thoughts drifting away, I considered this might not be someone I'd cross paths with again. As I thought to let go of Dang Seon, a voice interrupted. “Sister….” Someone approached Dang Seon. It was another familiar young man. Of course. ‘The Poison King… No, the Poison Dragon.’ The Poison Dragon, Dang Cheongi. He was destined to become the head of the Dang family and inherit the title of Poison King. He approached Dang Seon, wearing a familiar martial robe. ‘Right, Dang Seon was said to be the sister of the Poison Dragon.’ I had never heard of the Poison King having a sister. Then again, it would be strange for me to know such details. 'Moreover, she's someone I'm unfamiliar with.' The current Venomous Phoenix was someone I’d never know of in the future. The name Dang Seon as well. If she were famous, I should remember or know of her, but it appears not. ‘She must have died.’ She must have died due to some incident or was an insignificant figure lost in anonymity. ‘In any case.’ The resemblance is striking. Dang Seon strongly reminded me of Dang Soyeol's face. ‘…Hmm.’ The difference being mainly the chest, but that's not particularly important. Watching her with a mix of mild longing and indifference, suddenly. “What are you staring at?” The young man next to me, Dang Cheongi, frowned as he spoke to me. “Pardon?” “Do you have business with us, or rather, with my sister?” “…Cheongi? No such thing….” “Sister, really, I did arrange an accommodation for you. Why are you staying in such a place? It took me ages to find you.” “…Haha.” At Dang Cheongi's words, Dang Seon laughed awkwardly. From what he said, it seemed there was some issue between Dang Cheongi and her. But then. “If you had gone where I arranged, you wouldn’t be involved with someone like this.” ‘Someone like this?’ I didn't expect Dang Cheongi to say such a thing right in front of my face. Astonished, I was. “Cheongi.” At that, Dang Seon’s face contorted. “That’s rude, apologize immediately.” Her voice was stern and sharp. At her words, Dang Cheongi flinched and widened his eyes. “…Sister.” “Now.” With frustration-laden words, Dang Cheongi bit his lip and furrowed his brows before finally saying. “Enough. I'll fetch a warrior from the Dang family, so stay put.” “Cheongi!” Ignoring her words, Dang Cheongi turned his back and exited the inn. Saying nothing more while watching him leave, I simply remained silent. “Sigh.” Dang Seon let out a quiet sigh, then turned to me with an apologetic face. “I’m sorry. My brother is truly immature… I apologize on his behalf.” “Oh, it’s fine.” I forced a smile. “It seems he cares a lot about you.” Having experienced situations like this before, I had become somewhat numb to it due to my experience with Namgoong Cheonjun. Such an attitude was tolerable for me. ‘Fascinating, really.’ Of all the figures in the Four Great Families, I considered the Poison King to be the most human. Finding this to be his youthful demeanor was quite surprising. Of course. ‘Still better than the Sword King, I suppose.’ Remembering the Sword King’s insolence, the Poison King seemed almost saintly by comparison. “I don’t mind, so please don’t worry.” I spoke to Dang Seon as I stood up. I didn't want to get entangled further. Too many unnecessary entanglements had already formed in the few days since I arrived. With that thought, I began to walk past Dang Seon. “Oh.” As I went by, Dang Seon seemed to want to say something and tried to stop me. But I didn’t bother to wait, and in the end, Dang Seon didn’t stop me. Leaving her behind, I exited the inn with a slight nod. ‘Come to think of it.’ I wasn’t sure about Dang Seon, but the martial robe worn by Dang Cheongi. It was. ‘A Tielongdae robe, wasn’t it?’ A martial robe distinct from Cheongryongdae. For some reason, it stuck in my memory. Why was that? ‘It doesn’t seem like I’d get involved with Tielongdae.’ Why did it nag at me so? Moreover, why did a foreboding feeling linger? The answer unraveled itself shortly after. As always, my uneasy premonitions have never been wrong. * * * “I am Jo Yahyeok, the deputy commander of Tielongdae, and I shall be leading today’s joint training.” “…….” The moment I stepped into Cheongryongdae, I was ushered off somewhere. I had arrived early, expecting morning training, only to be taken off to a joint training session immediately. As I followed along, I found myself amid other martial practitioners gathered in the mountain. “Today, as briefed, we will have joint training between Cheongryongdae and Tielongdae.” The deputy commander of Tielongdae, a man named Jo Yahyeok, announced this, and while the Tielongdae members nodded in agreement, the faces of those from Cheongryongdae told a different story. '...These folks.' They looked as if they had no idea about this either. From my perspective. 'Could the Sword Master have forgotten again?' Cheonyeol Sword Master. Perhaps he forgot to mention it. I could almost hear a laugh echoing around — Oh dear! Haha! As if to prove this, the Sword Peak juniors, including fellow member So Yi, along with the older alliance members, all wore grim expressions. 'Damn it.' Our Sword Division surely is a mess. It's complete chaos. 'And joint training, huh?' The moment I arrived, there were talks of joint training. Something unheard of before. Based on what I managed to gather, it seemed like a training session for those who had been in the alliance for three years or less. 'Why with Cheongryongdae and Tielongdae, of all groups?' Sensing someone's gaze, I turned my head. From where the Tielongdae members were gathered, someone was glaring intensely — at me, specifically. Dang Cheongi, the Poison Dragon. He was staring daggers at me. ‘Well.’ It seemed I was marked. Apparently, he remembered the incident from earlier in the day. ‘What’s wrong with these people, really.’ Whether it’s the Sword Dragon or the Poison Dragon, they're all peculiar. It's baffling why those destined to become heads of their respective families turn out this way. I stifled a sigh and glanced around. 'Dad isn’t here.' My father, the deputy commander, seemed absent today. I heard he's also in his third year, but he isn’t here. Besides that. 'The Sword Dragon isn’t here either.' It seemed the Sword Dragon, whom I had beaten up, was still recovering and didn’t join us either. That was somewhat of a relief. “Oh, I’m nervous. Aren’t you nervous too, Baek Chinwoo?” Do-yoon, who had been by my side, was slightly trembling as he grinned at me. 'Hmm.' I nodded at Do-yoon. “A little, maybe?” “Haha! You liar. You don’t look nervous at all.” He wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t particularly anxious. After all, this joint training was nothing more than a monster subjugation exercise. 'Just hunting monsters, isn’t it?' It was an activity where lower-ranking members banded together to hunt monsters. Mostly a social gathering to build rapport within the Sword Division. ‘And it’s only against green and blue ones.’ Even red monsters aren’t much of a challenge, so green and blue? Even less so. I was preoccupied with thoughts other than joint training. Moreover. ‘This guy is bothersome too.’ The guy, Do-yoon, who kept acting friendly beside me. He bothered me a bit. There was something about him that nagged at me. As I continued to gaze at Do-yoon. “What is it?” “Nothing. Let’s focus now since the training will begin.” “Oh, I suppose we should.” Just as Do-yoon spoke, Jo Yahyeok shouted. “Then, we shall begin the training. Everyone, take out your demon-crystals.” Everyone promptly drew their demon-crystals from their pockets, ready for use as if they’d been waiting. “The training is simple, as explained before. You will hunt monsters. We will assess and score the process based on various criteria.” Several people stepped forward, aside from Jo Yahyeok, who identified himself as the deputy commander. They seemed to be at a higher rank. ‘Hmm.’ Looking at the fluttering demon-crystals, I pondered. ‘How far should I go?’ Should I put in the effort or just act like I'm doing something while sneaking away for a bit? That dilemma lingered in my mind. * * * Meanwhile, as the groups were forming and preparing for training. Back in the mountainous area behind the alliance, referred to as the mountain range’s core. *Crack—!* A crackling noise erupted, disrupting the stillness. While it wasn't unusual for a monster to appear in the mountains. *Crack—Crrraack—!!! The quiet was shattered by the emergence of a Demonic Gate. However, it wasn’t the usual green or blue color. *Crraaaaack—!!! The gate glowed a deep, menacing red. Grrrroowl— From within, a roar echoed, vastly different from the typical green or blue monsters’ growls. It was an anomaly.