432.5 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

### Chapter 433: The Lake of Regret (3) A deep hum resonates from Nahi's body—the unmistakable sign that the binding spell was successfully woven. Only then does she release her hold and rise to her feet. "Ugh..." Nahi gasps, her breath ragged and strained. The attempt to harness the spell had left her ribs cracked, and her energy brutally spent. It wasn’t even a particularly powerful spell. There was no necessity to go to such lengths for something so trivial. "Huff... huff..." Nahi continues to sob, her eyes brimming with tears as she meets my gaze. "Who... exactly are you?" Her question brings a chuckle to my lips. It's a query I've encountered so frequently that it feels tiresome. "What difference does it make?" The response is as predictable as the question and had grown just as wearisome. "... What did you do to my brother? Why does he follow you?" "Curious, are you?" At the mere suggestion, I step forward, causing Nahi to flinch instinctively. It seems my earlier attack had left a mark, despite no intention to strike her again. I kneel, bringing myself eye level with Nahi. "Bear with it for a bit. Soon enough, you'll be just like him." "... I'm not my brother," she insists defiantly. Perhaps so. "That's for you to figure out," I reply dismissively. Surely Nahi had approached Tang Deok numerous times, attempting to converse, perhaps even resorting to sending secret messages. Yet, Tang Deok likely hadn't replied—or rather, couldn't have. I dust off my hands, noting that all the binding spell did was promise mutual ignorance of each other's affairs. If things turned out well, I'd simply dispel it. 'It would be easier to just kill her...' Given her association with Tang Deok, she was unlikely to be an upstanding individual. As a member of the Tang Clan's assassins, her hands were undoubtedly stained with blood. However— 'I could benefit from having eyes and ears.' Amidst the uncertainty surrounding the Tang Clan, having a suitable spy could be advantageous. As long as I ensured no repercussions fell upon me if discovered. That part wouldn't be hard; it was an arena I had confidence in. Besides, Nahi could harbor information unknown to Tang Deok. Killing her now would be a waste. Even if I do— 'She should spill everything she knows before dying.' Having made my decision, I rise. "Stay put. Don't entertain any thoughts of leaving." "…" "Oh, and if you plan to run, go ahead." She’d be caught soon anyway, as long as she wasn’t scared of the consequences. I kept the rest to myself, confident Nahi grasped the unsaid warning. Turning my back, I approached the lake, feeling the venomous aura intensify with each step. ‘Hmm.’ A distance that once masked the aura now throbbed with it as I neared. "What are you planning to do in the lake?" Nahi's voice interrupts, curious. "I never said you could ask questions." "Is there something inside?" Her persistence was wearing on me. With a disdainful glance, I warned, "One more word, and I’ll tear out your tongue." "…" My threat was genuine, infused with just enough menace that Nahi trembled visibly, despite holding her tongue. Satisfied, I continued toward the lake. Splash. The sole of my foot kissed the lake's surface, a harsh hissing erupting as if something was set ablaze. The venomous aura erupted violently, attempting to consume me. ‘Hmm.’ Observing it, I pondered. Had I prepared a change of clothes for when I emerged? "…" Ah, I hadn’t. Momentarily, I considered instructing Nahi to ready some clothes but decided against it. 'I'll figure something out.' Hissing, I pressed forward through the caustic aura, heading for the lake's center. The closer I came, the more potent the venom became. ‘If it's this bad outside, inside must be far worse.’ I revised my calculations, cutting the anticipated duration I could manage by half. From a distant perspective, I now understood the truth: this lake... ‘It's containing the venomous aura within.’ If the venom were truly this potent, it should easily have spread for a considerable radius. The fact that its presence outside was negligible implied the aura was being restrained somehow. Venturing further into the lake would quickly breach my defenses. When that happened, I’d dissolve without a trace left behind. The very thought was terrifying, yet my mind remained oddly calm. With steady resolve, I surveyed my surroundings. ‘Where was it?’ Even so, retreat wasn't an option that crossed my mind. To avert the coming bloodstorm within a decade, I needed to hold onto life with all might. Yet, why was I so reckless? Standing atop the lake, a certain sensation gripped me. That I would find it. That I could do it. The conviction pressed deeply into my heart. ‘What is this feeling?’ Raising the corner of my lips, I mused. So, that's it. ‘Something is calling me.’ Indeed, something was beckoning. This inexplicable feeling I'd encountered before, albeit less distinctly in the past. Now, though, it resonated more strongly. 'Something is summoning me.' Most of my past fortuitous encounters began this way. In the past, they simply seemed coincidental, following an instinct. Yet now, I understood. Why such a difference? Was it because I'd reached a certain state of enlightenment? Or perhaps due to the increased energy within me? Or was it— ‘Because I've become a demon?’ Whatever it may be, I held no definitive answer. This sensation too could be deceitful. Yet I had no choice but to proceed. In pursuit of safety alone, I'd achieve nothing of significance. There was no room for hesitation. Sssssss-! Summoning my energy, I enveloped myself completely. And then— Splash! I plunged into the poison-laden lake, engulfed in its depths. Inside the water, I slowly opened my eyes, feeling a subtle tremor resonating within. Though it appeared indistinguishable from ordinary water, the pressure enveloping my body signified otherwise. Sizzle! Initially, I estimated my endurance here would barely last a quarter of a point in time, but— 'What nonsense that was.' The reality was far more severe. Even if I halved that estimate, it would still be cutting it close. I expanded my senses, diving down to the lakebed using my remaining energy. 'It's deep.' Deeper than I had anticipated. Though the sediment appeared unremarkable, an entrance had to be somewhere around here. 'Time...' At most, I had about a minute left before I exhausted my air supply. If the harsh water penetrated me, death would be immediate. 'Where is it?' I knew something was calling me, pulling me in unequivocally. 'If you're going to call, do it clearly.' Time ticked on, the situation growing dire. I considered retreat, resurfacing to regroup, when something unexpected happened. Something emerged from my clothing. "...!" Before I had time to react, out popped the Scarlet Serpent. 'This creature...?' I had forgotten it was nestled within my garments. The surprise of its sudden escape was one thing, but now it was— 'Swimming?' Amidst toxin-laden water, it swam effortlessly. Perhaps its nature as a Crimson-grade beast allowed such, or maybe its inherent toxicity offered resistance. Regardless, my priority was escaping the lake's confines. At that moment, however, the serpent wound its tail around my arm, attempting to tug me somewhere. Despite its weak grip, making any real impact was futile. 'What could it mean?' Why this sudden insistence on pulling me somewhere? The serpent's determination intrigued me as it struggled to guide me. But I needed to get out; otherwise, I might actually perish. A laughable dilemma—the mind insisted on escape, yet my body drifted in the direction it pulled, as if entranced. 'This seems bad.' Aware of the risk, I frowned. The distance was not extensive. Everything underfoot looked similar, the difference mere pebbles scattered here and there. I had approximately twenty seconds before my internal defenses would collapse entirely. The boundary between life and death. A harried gesture from the serpent pointed somewhere. This momentary distraction cost me ten seconds. Pointing to an ordinary patch of earth, my senses detected nothing unique. Nevertheless, I extended my hand toward it. Crack. My energy started to dwindle, the protective shield over me crumbling at the edges. Just as this decline was about to uncover my vulnerability— Plop. My fingertip brushed the surface, and suddenly— Boom! Everything reoriented dramatically around me. Thud... "Gah..." Tumbling to a stop on an unknown floor, my breath came in gasps. "Huff... huff..." Catching my breath, I surveyed my surroundings. "This place..." I found myself not underwater. The previously charred earth vanished, replaced by smooth stone beneath my feet. Astonishingly, not a drop of moisture clung to me, as if the recent plunge had never transpired. Avoiding air with latent poison had been a concern, but, mercifully, that threat seemed absent now. I lifted my head. A row of long pillars appeared, embedded with softly glowing objects. My eyes widened in recognition. "Are those... luminescent pearls?" The instant recognition surprised me. The luminous gems were indeed luminous pearls—luxurious and rare baubles that emitted light from all directions. I’d seen them once before, during an incursion into the hidden treasury of the Geumcheon Enclave. As I marveled at these treasures, the Scarlet Serpent coiled up my body once more. Having made it safely, the serpent seemed weary, drooping its head. In gratitude, I murmured, "...Thank you." Hiss? Acknowledging its aid, I then questioned, "How did you know?" Hiss? It cocked its head, as if puzzled by my inquiry. Clicking my tongue at the unanswered question, I inspected my surroundings. By sheer coincidence or not, I was inside what appeared to be a secret chamber, having breached a mystical barrier. It puzzled me how I transitioned so abruptly from the depths of a lake to this hidden chamber, but then again, I'd long become accustomed to such phenomena. "This does feel like a treasury..." In contrast to the past, the ambiance differed here. Notably absent were such pearls during my previous visit. This suggested— 'Someone had been here before me...' If that was true, then— 'They took only the pearls and left the jade stone?' This made little sense, yet was not problematic. Such precious stones held no value to the ordinary, whereas luminous pearls were straightforward trophies. 'Doesn't matter either way.' Ultimately, my objective was the jade stone. The pearls, luxurious as they were, were only a secondary prize I'd certainly collect given their worth. Nodding to affirm my priorities, I shifted my focus. The jade stone surely lay somewhere here... Swish. As I attempted to locate it, the serpent on my shoulder bared its fangs toward something, alerting me. "And now what...?” Turning my head in the serpent's direction— "...!" There, beyond the reach of the pearls' light, something stirred in the shadows. The silence of the chamber was abruptly disrupted, a foreign presence shared it with me. No sooner did I register it, than I attempted to summon my energy— Thud-! "...Ack!" The protest of exhaustion from my depleted core slammed into me with paralyzing pain. 'Damn it.' The agony was so intense, I nearly lost consciousness for a moment. "Whew..." Supported by one knee, I struggled to breathe. [Who are you?] From beyond the shadows, a voice reached me. "Not Shin Cheol, I see. Who are you?" "...!" Hearing that familiar name, my eyes widened in surprise. The tone was searching for Shin Noya, employing an approach to spatial transfer that seemed utterly familiar. My gaze hardened as I stared into the darkness, toward the figure that appeared beyond it. Could it be...? I had a hunch about the identity of the entity. "... Excuse me, but by any chance," I began, speaking tentatively. In response to my words, a translucent figure began to approach. This kind of situation wasn't new to me. Most times when Shin Noya was mentioned, the response was uniform, without exception. Moreover, given the chance that we were in the Tang Clan's domain... It was as if all the pieces slotted perfectly into place, and I soon identified who the figure likely was. "Could you be Senior Tang Jae Mun... huh?" "Yes, that's correct." However, there was one thing I hadn't anticipated— "I am Tang Jae Mun." "..." The startling news was that Tang Jae Mun was not "he," but "she."