1113 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A day had passed. Chirp. Chirp. Listening to the cries of insects and birds coming from the window's crack, he sat up. These were the sounds announcing the arrival of dawn. Crack. He twisted his stiff body slightly. He focused to dispel the fatigue from his slightly bleary eyes and circulated his energy to rid any remaining tiredness. Did he sleep for about an hour? Not much, considering he wanted a good rest after several days, but he was at a level where such concerns hardly mattered. His body could go fifteen days without sleep, and he could dismiss this level of fatigue with just a few cycles of energy circulation. “Awake?” "...Ah, yeah." As he rose, he made eye contact with Do Yoon, who was beside him. He must have gone to sleep at the same time after finishing his training at dawn. The fact that they awoke at the same time meant... “Haven't you slept?” "Ah, ahaha... It wasn't intentional. It just happened." "You should really sleep. You'll burn out like that." "That's not something Baek Chin Woo should be saying, is it?" "..." He was momentarily at a loss for words. It would be awkward to say, "You and I are on different levels." So, he simply got up without responding verbally. “Where are you going?” Do Yoon inquired, knowing quite well there was only an order to standby for now, so there was no real need to move. However, “I have something to handle.” He spoke with a face full of frowns. Yes, something to handle. He had an errand to run early this morning, as he needed to see his father. * * * Knock, knock. He moved through the hall to reach the residence where his father would be. It wasn't far, so it wasn't difficult to find. He approached lightly, knocked on the door with his hand, and spoke. "Ku... no, this is Baek Yang Cheon." "Come in." "..." He felt a similar nervousness as he imagined visiting his father's main residence in the future. Why did he feel so tense when they should be of similar age? Even though... “He must be weaker than me now.” His father's level was astonishingly strong for someone his age. While not in the ranks of the teenage masters he knew, he wouldn’t be considered an advanced master yet either. Even though he could probably win against his father quickly now. “…Still, I feel nervous.” Perhaps it was something ingrained in him, as tension always rose when facing his father. Creak. He opened the door and entered. His father was already dressed and examining a pile of letters. Where did all those letters spring from? He was just bewildered when... “You’ve come.” His father looked at him with piercing red eyes. “Sit.” “…Yes.” At the weighty command, he sat down in front of his father. As he sat, he noticed a tea cup already placed there. Had his father known he would be coming and prepared it in advance? He cautiously reached for the cup, and his father showed no reaction. It was indeed meant for him. He took a sip. As the warmth spread through his body, some of the tension started to dissipate. "You must know why I called you." "..." The tension that was easing quickly rose again. “Ahem…” Trying to clear his throat, he attempted to look away, but then. “Yesterday. I'd like to know why you were with her.” “...” His father straightforwardly shot the question. If he was referring to her, it had to be his mother. 'Why was I with her?' The answer was obvious. “She suddenly appeared and asked for food, saying she was hungry.” “…” Being completely honest, he noticed his father’s brow furrowing slightly. “In fact, I’d like to ask…” “...” He was truthful, yet his father's expression was not pleasant. Was he displeased about something? So, he offered an awkward smile and changed the topic. “Where is that young lady now?” “Miss Mi is with her.” “Ah, I see.” “Are you curious?” “Pardon? No, not really.” It would be a lie to say he wasn't curious, but he refrained from digging further. 'It's not my world anyway.' No matter what he did here, it wouldn’t change anything, he thought. Furthermore, 'It would be troublesome if I altered a future that should occur.' He was uncertain of what events would lead to the future he experienced, but he aimed to avoid unnecessary involvement here. The same applied to the subject of his mother. No matter how much he had longed to see her, 'I must avoid getting too entangled beyond necessity.' Despite these feelings, he struggled to maintain his reasoning. However, 'I do want some questions resolved.' Curiosity regarding his mother in this world was something he wished to explore. 'Why is my energy sense acting up?' The reason his energy sense misbehaved only around his mother was also problematic. This was why he was hesitant to approach her if possible. 'In any case.' He decided to let it pass for now. “Is that what you called me here to discuss?” Could his father have summoned him just to ask about this? He doubted that. 'Surely it’s not something as trivial as jealousy.' Ridiculous, he thought, quickly dispelling that notion. As expected, his father wasn't the type to entertain feelings of jealousy. "......" His father remained silent, simply gazing at him steadily, instead of replying. Hmm. ‘What is this?’ What did that look mean? Could it really be... ‘Is this about jealousy?’ Even though he was certain that wasn't the case, the situation was peculiar enough to make him wonder if it might be true. Especially given the conversation he'd had with Hyun So Yeon before sleeping. To her, the relationship between him and his mother seemed extremely odd. ‘If my father saw it the same way...’ The consequences wouldn’t be minor. He swallowed down the anxious perspiration as he prepared to quickly clarify things with his father. “Anyway—” “Do you recall the Demonic Arts Manuscript you saw yesterday?” “What?” Before he could speak, his father broached a different topic. “The reason I called you is because we’re going to investigate the manuscript.” “Oh... Oh? Ah, I see. So that was it.” “What is that supposed to mean?” “No, nothing. I'm just relieved, that's all.” Indeed, it wasn’t because of jealousy after all. Indeed, his father wasn't someone to exhibit jealousy. Even if he was a much younger man, the idea of such a stone-cold figure feeling jealousy was almost laughable. Jealousy directed towards him and his mother? On reconsideration, it was absurd. Relieved, he sighed internally, but soon voiced a concern. “But are just the two of us going for the investigation?” He pinpointed the odd aspect, prompting his father to nod affirmatively. "Yes, just the two of us." “Ah... ha...?” “Is there a problem?” An investigation with just the two of them...? The very thought made his throat feel parched. A problem? There were plenty. Nonetheless, “No, there is none.” “Then prepare yourself; we depart in half a mark.” "…Understood." The issue lay in his lack of legitimate grounds to refuse. * * * Creak. Click. With Baek Yang Cheon exiting, “...” Goo Cheol Woon, left alone, blinked. Suddenly, his gaze fell upon the tea table. There were two teacups, but his sat full, untouched by any lips. “...” The sight made him recall the conversation he just had. Why had he called for Baek Yang Cheon? This was what troubled him. If the goal was to gain clarity on the situation, it made sense. The matter involving the Demonic Arts Manuscript could also justify it. Whatever the reason, there seemed to be enough cause, so he didn’t think it was particularly strange. “...” Tap. Taptap. Goo Cheol Woon began tapping his fingers on the table as if something was bothering him. It was a habit that had lingered since childhood. Taptaptap. Something was definitely amiss, but for some reason, it wouldn’t come to mind. The annoyance swelled within him, causing his brow to furrow. Why was he feeling so displeased? Was it the mere presence of Baek Yang Cheon? He didn’t deny it. From the moment he met Baek Yang Cheon, there was an inexplicable irritation. Yes, it was an annoyance. He felt it the instant he laid eyes on him, just another rough-looking peer claiming to be a significant figure. It should have stopped at that, yet something bothered him. But what was it exactly? He asked himself, but no answer arose. He had no clear name for it. That summed up his current state of mind. Just an irritation. Especially exemplified by yesterday's scenario. What played out in his mind was the image of a lady. An annoyingly bothersome woman. Why did she, oblivious to her status, meddle unnecessarily? He was neither in a life nor circumstances that would warrant such concern. He had needlessly involved himself in something, and that was the problem. He wished it would pass quickly. And vanish. That desire lingered oddly now. A scene came to mind. ‘Have this too.’ A woman who, with boundless gluttony, often drew reprimands, handed her food to Baek Yang Cheon without eating herself. ‘Ah, no! That’s mine!’ Yet she greedily sought out his own food. That was what irked him. Why did it bother him? Goo Cheol Woon could feel the annoyance rising. ‘Where is that young lady now?’ The question Baek Yang Cheon asked. ‘Are you curious?’ His own response to that inquiry. Words he typically wouldn’t have spoken. Why did he react like that? “...” Tap. Taptap. Tap… Goo Cheol Woon paused his tapping abruptly. “Phew...” His low sigh carried hints of heat. Annoyed. But was it Baek Yang Cheon that irked him? Or something else? He wasn’t sure. Swish. He rose from his seat. He cleared away the trivial thoughts, locking them away internally. What this all meant was unclear, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. ‘Confirming comes first.’ Understanding the issue concerning the Demonic Arts Manuscript. And exploring what might be about Baek Yang Cheon. This was the task before him, he reminded himself as he stood up. First, he had a job to do. And with that in mind, he stepped outside the door. Alone in the now desolate room. Visible on the tea table where Goo Cheol Woon had sat were the harsh marks left by his tapping fingers, which had burrowed into it.