1093 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: The World's Greatest Martial Artist's Childhood Friend Chapter 1093: Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archives --- "Rooooaaaarrrrr---!!!!" Hotter and hotter. A scorching heat suddenly turns an autumn day into a blazing furnace. "Crackle-!!!" The intensity of the flames is so overwhelming that the ground beneath is melting away in the fiery onslaught. "Rooooooarrr-!!!" The beast, caught directly in the blaze, lets out agonizing cries. Yes, it was pain. 'It feels pain.' Screaming in the inferno means the attacks are indeed piercing through. 'What is this?' I was taken aback by the unexpected situation. The protective barrier, still enveloping the beast, should have stonewalled all the flames. 'Yet still, it feels pain.' Even in such a state, the beast was feeling pain. But why? It made no sense. 'It's not even that powerful.' Though the flames emitted tremendous heat, they weren't potent enough to break through the barrier. “Vice-Leader……!” So-i beamed brightly at her father. Others reacted similarly. “Vice-Leader……!” “The Divine Dragon has arrived.” The members of the Blue Dragon Unit cheered as if they had witnessed a savior. Although the members of the Iron Dragon Unit were more reserved, they shared the relief of being saved. Relief. Such emotions were prevalent in the glances directed at my father. ‘……Hmm.’ Watching this, I could clearly grasp the standing my father held within the clan. His mere appearance sufficed to instill relief. It was telling. ‘Seeing this, perhaps I can view it the same way.’ The heat emitted alone warranted such feelings. It was indeed a flame of astonishing peculiarity. The relentless barrage of light resembled a pillar of fire. However. "Roooaaaaarrrrr---!!!" Ultimately, it couldn't penetrate the barrier. Consequently, the beast began to rampage. At this rate, the fool would break free soon. What is he planning to do now? Out of curiosity, I observed intently. “Hm.” Perhaps sensing the strangeness, Father abruptly halted the torrent of flames. "Roooaaaaarrrrr---!!!" As the attack ceased and the beast's form was freed, it roared, releasing pent-up fury—. "Boom--!!!" "Urk!!" ……or at least it tried to. An ensuing strike sent the beast crashing onto the ground. Its massive bulk toppled over. Father had soared in and struck the back of its head. ‘Hmph.’ Sparks flew amidst a shockwave. ‘……Burning Rebirth Art, is it?’ The martial art of the Gu family. Originally designed for long-range flame attacks, yet Father opted for a close-range detonation. This drastically increased its destructive power. But considering the prior attacks, the backlash on him should have been significant. Bang-! Bang bang-!! Father unfalteringly cloaked himself in flames and began to pummel continuously. Flames flickered in his fierce eyes. And the flames kept battering the beast relentlessly. Bang-! Crack-!! Bang bang-!!! Sound exploded, unbefitting the stoic face and fierce stance. And flames so intense they seemed to rewind the seasons. Father’s assault was truly bizarre. ‘Extreme compression.’ Where my flames specialize in widespread destruction, Father continually compresses his to increase density. That’s why he can exhibit such overwhelming power in one-on-one combat. ‘However.’ Yet, the outcome was the same as before. "Roooaaaaarrrrr---!!!" It still couldn’t break the barrier, and the monster tussled back in resistance. Massive claws cleaved through the air. Father watched and raised a hand to defend. Thunk-!!! The defensive energy parried the attack, but Father’s comparably smaller frame was pushed back. Crrrrkk. He skidded across the ground, reducing momentum. Father angled his trajectory toward us. Flutter. The Vice-Leader’s symbolic robe fluttered as Father shook his hand. Pat pat. With each pat, flames mingled with energy erupted. “So-i.” A deep voice called forth So-i. “Yes, Vice-Leader.” “Report.” Without glancing back, Father spoke. “……During joint training, a conflict arose. While the Blue Dragon Unit and Iron Dragon Unit were engaged in battle, a barrier incident occurred. We stalled until reinforcements arrived.” So-i swiftly summarized and reported. Hearing this, Father nodded. “So that appeared to be him.” “Correct.” “……Redstone Beast.” "Roooaaaaarrrrr-." The Redstone Beast glared at Father with eyes brimming with murderous intent. It wanted nothing more than to destroy the one who tormented it so. “Hmm.” Seeing this, Father clenched his fist. Flaaaaaare----!!!! Violent flames once again enveloped his form. It looked rough and unrefined, again. “Any discerned peculiarity?” His voice, contrasting the surrounding flames, was calm and cold. “……Martial arts don’t work on it. Something seems to obstruct the attacks.” So-i had precisely grasped the Red Monster’s trait. Martial arts were ineffective. This revelation made others shudder. “They don’t work……?” “Then how the hell do we capture such a creature?” “Damn it…… What is this.” “Silence.” Just as the atmosphere was about to become chaotic, Father spoke softly. “It’s noisy. Shut your mouths; I need focus.” ‘Oh…….’ I was surprised the stoic man could utter such harsh words. I had seen Father angry a few times, but never like this. At his menacing warning, silence enveloped the area momentarily. “Martial arts don’t work, is it.” Reflecting on those words, Father silently gazed at the monster. "Roooaaaaarrrrr----!!!" Yet, the monster wasn’t planning on staying put, roaring and charging at him once more. In that moment. “Dok-Ryong. So-i.” Father summoned his twin blades and Dok-Ryong. “Assist me. I’ll examine the creature. And also.” He turned to look my way. “Baek Yangcheon. You too.” “……What?” Thunk-! Without another word, Father erupted into flames and launched himself at the monster. ‘I’m to provide support as well?’ Though momentarily stunned by the unexpected command, So-i and Dok-Ryong were already racing towards the beast alongside Father, leaving no room for hesitation. There was no turning back. Once you've leaped in, all that's left is action. ‘Ah.’ I had no choice then. Resolving myself, I too leaped forward. "Rooooaaaarrrrr---!!!" The creature's blows came again and again. Even with the barrier in place, while it was impervious to penetration, it could still be deflected. “I'll handle the upper body. Bind the legs.” Father instructed while parrying the arms of the Redstone Beast. Upon receiving the order, So-i and Dok-Ryong moved swiftly to target its lower body, effectively binding its coarse legs. Taking cues from their actions, I swung my arm to intercept its claws, narrowly avoiding being hit. ‘Tsk.’ It wasn't an easy task. After all, my martial energy stemmed from the Gu family’s teachings. A misjudged power exertion could unleash fiery bursts, and Father would certainly notice. Thus, I strove to modulate my strength precisely. This made it challenging to fend off the Red Monster’s attacks efficiently. I dodged its blows, using the fact that its focus was solely on Father to my advantage. Thud–! Tremble tremble–!! A tense standoff ensued. In this tense moment, Father landed several blows on the creature. Crack–! Bang bang–!! His fiery fists persistently battered the creature's barrier, dissipating its energy with each impact. Though the efforts seemed fruitless, Father did not falter, striking continuously despite the impervious defense. Then, after more than twenty strikes. Crack. ‘……!’ A fissure appeared in the barrier. It was fleeting but unmistakable. Though the crack quickly regenerated, it had been visible for a moment. “That’s it.” Father nodded resolutely upon witnessing this. Then he withdrew slightly, opening up some distance. “Hold it for a moment. I’ve found it.” “Yes.” He issued the command calmly. Hold this thing off? With that, So-i hurried to keep the creature at bay. What on earth is he planning? As I evaded attacks, my attention was piqued towards Father. Flaaaare-----!!!!!! An immense heat erupted from Father's body. Sizzle---!!! The flaming heat spiraled towards the sky, wrapping the air around. ‘Ah.’ The Crimson Sky (赤天). A secret martial technique of the Gu family formed a domain. ‘No way?’ Observing this, I widened my eyes, thinking I understood the intent behind his actions. Vast heat and encompassing flames. Father extended his palm towards the unleashed flames. Flaaare---!!!!! The fire congregated on his palm. ‘……Fire Jewel.’ It compressed into a sphere—another family secret art I often employed. Flicker. Flicker. Impossibly dense. While there were subtle differences from the Fire Jewels I wielded, indicating Father's superior technique, the raw potential was evident. ‘……Incredible.’ Father intended to shatter the barrier with this. Having noticed that repeated, significant impacts weakened the barrier, he now prepared to breach it in a single blow using this Fire Jewel. ‘To discern that in such a brief interlude?’ How many exchanges did it take to deduce that secret of the barrier? Just when I was about to be astounded by Father’s talent. “Step back.” At his curt command, So-i, Dok-Ryong, and I retreated. Father then prepared to hurl the Fire Jewel at the Redstone Beast. And then he paused. His throw suspended, his body poised. ‘What’s going on?’ Why halt? I was baffled. Couldn’t fathom it. Was someone approaching? To satiate my curiosity, I expanded my senses slightly. And then. ‘Oh.’ I understood why Father had stopped. ZGVPdDc2cnQxMFU0bVlrbnZITXlVdGNwZEp3RCtKcXJENSs0ZTIrYTJjeUJNcXFMTTdhUUEzTGY0YXhNUDFLMA ‘Someone is indeed coming.’ And not just anyone—a formidable presence was drawing near. "Rooooaaaarrrrr---!!!" The Red Monster charged at the suddenly stationary Father. Its claws swiped just as it reached him, but even then, Father remained unmoved. As the claws neared Father’s head. Slash. A sharp noise sliced through the air. Kuo……? With a singular gasp, the Redstone Beast’s neck was severed clean. Thud---!! The massive head hit the ground. Despite the head falling to the side, Father’s gaze remained fixed forward. Staring ahead, he then performed a formal bow and spoke: “I greet you, Lord of the Martial Alliance.” At his words, everyone turned their gaze forward. There, a frail elderly man wielding a golden sword was approaching. The Sword Sovereign. The leader of the current Martial Alliance and a symbol of peace. The monster who led the alliance into its golden age. With eyes gleaming like gold, he glared at the now fallen Redstone Beast.