1175 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Crackling—! Something inside is breaking apart. The sound of something shattering, like a broken vessel, echoes sharply in the ears. “Ghhhh...!!” It engulfs. The vision turns an intense white. It's all white. And yet, it's searingly hot. As the heat rises, threatening to consume the entire body, an unexpected emptiness emerges. The once-full energy center empties in an instant. Despite the burning heat, the now vacant space feels cold and piercing. ‘What is this?’ What on earth is this? An unforeseen predicament. It almost felt as if the heart would shatter from a blow to the chest, but such concerns seem irrelevant now. Not only are the energy channels expanding uncontrollably— Crash— Crash—! Skin, along with bones and flesh beneath, react dramatically. As if some kind of forced alchemical transformation is occurring, the body changes. Crackling—! The shattering repeats endlessly. ‘This is...’ Through the countless changes, one realization dawned: ‘...The energies are clashing inside.’ All of the energies within. From the energy of the Guhyeomhwaryeong Cultivation technique. To natural energy and demonic energy. Along with the power of spells and the white flame's force. They're all colliding, causing friction. This is the aftermath. Boom—! Boom boom boom—! “Gah.” Vibrations erupt from within. This isn't merely at the level of vibrations—it's a full-blown explosion. It's such a force that it seems possible I might burst and die. The pain, compounded by an already battered body, shakes the consciousness to its core. ‘Damn it—’ My knees have long since given way. I'm barely holding on by supporting myself with my hands against the ground. Boom—! Boom boom boom boom—!! The heedless explosions show no signs of stopping. “Ghh... Urgh...” What exactly happened? Why did the energies suddenly riot within the body? Why, of all places, is it in the middle energy center? ‘At the heart.’ If it were just below the navel, it wouldn't be such a worry. But an impact here could shatter the essence of life. I'm barely enduring, though even that is proving challenging. “You seem to be struggling quite a bit.” Pejon's voice reaches the ears. There's no possibility of responding. “What did you consume to store such energy within your body? You don't seem aware of it yourself.” Energy? What's being referred to here? ‘No way.’ The face contorted. Could it be because of that egg? I wondered if the tussle with that creature was the cause. It sucked out energy, so I did the same. I consumed the energy hastily to prevent the container from overflowing. ‘Is that the cause?’ If that egg is the reason for this state, it makes sense. But the issue is. ‘How did Pejon know?’ How Pejon realized was beyond comprehension. “This family's descendants are all abnormal, I tell you. Tsk tsk.” Pejon utters incomprehensible words. I wanted to ask what those words meant, but— Rumble—!! “Ugh!” The erupting pain made that, of course, impossible. Holding onto consciousness was the best I could do. “Endure. You might die if you don't, but try to withstand it.” Such comforting advice. As if that wasn't obvious. ‘Anyone can tell just by looking.’ If you don't endure, you'll die. I felt that instantly upon experiencing it. Several energies were colliding. If not harmonized, it would be the end. No matter how transcendent the body might be, enduring such internal turmoil was beyond possible. “Haaa...” Huddling up, the spent energies from the fight with Pejon swirled dizzily within the crumpled frame. ‘This is why I shouldn't have overindulged.’ Accepting whatever is given leads to this outcome. Ultimately, it's my doing. ‘Why suddenly?’ Why are the energies that had been stable after acquiring the seed's energy suddenly in turmoil? ‘...Wasn't the Madocheon Heugong technique managing it?’ The clash of diverse energies was supposedly mitigated by the Madocheon Heugong. Going further, it was said to be assisted by the abyssal force. ‘Did it malfunction?’ It was perplexing how something that functioned well suddenly deteriorated. ‘What are you doing?’ Engaging the abyss would be meaningless; no response came in this world. Rumbling—!! The energies entwine endlessly. They seem intent on devouring each other. “Hu...ro...” Grasping at the heart. The energy channels are maxed out, and the veins are taut. Why? Why is this happening? ‘Why?’ What's causing the energies to rampage? The Madocheon Heugong. The abyss that resides within. It was purported to harmonize the energies for me. ‘Is it because the abyss vanished?’ No, the Madocheon Heugong was operating correctly. ‘Then what?’ There must be a reason. The consumption of that creature's energy. That's the sole answer. ‘Was consuming the energy the trigger for the rampage?’ Could that seed's energy be the issue? ‘It didn’t feel particularly unique.’ There was no sense of it being a distinct energy. When it permeated the heart, it didn’t feel foreign. Simply an enormous amount of energy. That should have been enough to describe it. ‘...’ Just as I barely managed to endure the pain... ‘...This.’ A thought crossed the mind. That seed. The seed was significant. ‘The abyss is the master.’ One of the two masters of all worlds. The abyss had warned not to touch the egg. Whatever that seed is, it's something even the abyss fears. ‘Even before the seed's energy.’ Grandfather said, and others echoed the same sentiment. ‘I possess the same energy as the master.’ Whether it's the white flame or something else, I possess something of equal stature as the master. ‘The introduction of that seed ushered in change.’ Put differently, it means— ‘The abyss's influence no longer holds.’ In essence— ‘My stature ascended, the abyss's power waned, and the energies clashed.’ This hypothesis emerged. Rumble—!! “Ghh...” As the seed's energy took root and advanced my level, the power of the Abyss was lifted. The hypothesis was that the energies that were moderated by the Abyss began to battle against each other, seeking to destroy. ‘…It seems right.’ At the moment, nothing else comes to mind. The question remains: ‘Why did it react to Pejon's strike?’ Perhaps it was because— ‘My body reached the brink of death, causing the energies to go haywire.’ That’s the only way to view it. ‘Does that mean Pejon planned this?’ Why would he? Was there any need? “Stay focused.” Judging by Pejon’s reaction, it seems correct. It appeared he anticipated what would happen to my body. ‘He orchestrated this fight on purpose.’ To exhaust my energy, or— ‘To set the energies in motion.’ It was a deliberate provocation to draw me out, to stimulate. “...But isn’t it a bit excessive?” Even Pejon seemed taken aback, showing a confused expression. The number of energies warring within me exceeded expectations. “…How many are there? One, two... three... four...?” Pejon’s eyes narrowed as he counted. “You rascal. What in the world have you been consuming? Even two is unusual, and you’re still alive with several more?” I find it astonishing myself. I managed to ignore it thus far, but I won’t deny my body is peculiar. “…Can you endure it?” Is this madman serious? Questioning if I can endure something he instigated? This is baffling. The problem is— ‘What happens if I can't endure?’ The situation has already unfolded. If I cannot withstand it, death awaits. Then, what choice do I have? ‘I must endure.’ Gritting my teeth tightly. “…Do…” “What did you say?” Pejon leaned in, trying to catch my words. “Disciple, what did you…” “If it doesn’t work… make it work…” “...!” Pejon’s eyes widened at my words. Of course, it’s familiar. It’s what he used to tell me daily. “Ha.” Perhaps as a result, Pejon chuckled. “You have a way with words that I like.” I ignored Pejon’s reaction. ‘Hey.’ I murmured as I observed the clashing energies. ‘So now you’re acting up because the tiger left?’ Thinking they’re acting out since the abyss is gone. ‘You crazy fools.’ Time to show them. ‘There’s still a tiger here, you bastards.’ Whoosh---!!! From the start, the Abyss wasn’t the tiger. The true master of the den was very much alive; it made no sense for them to run amuck. I applied the magic of the Madocheon Heugong. If the Abyss had been harmonizing the energies with the Madocheon Heugong— ‘Why can't I do the same?’ I could do it too. Wheeeee—!!! The energies of Guhyeomhwaryeong Cultivation and Tua Paseonmu took motion. I created friction directed by my will. Using the Thousand Demons Divine Art. Though their resistance was significant, ‘Silence.’ I forcefully pulled out energy. I thought my energy channels would tear as a result. Using that power, I seized the other energies. Resistance followed, yet again. But so what? ‘Either way, it means death.’ Entering a state of self-destruction doesn’t terrify me. There’s nothing to fear. The important thing is whether it can be done or not. I seized all the energies. That doesn’t mean they ceased rumbling. ‘What now?’ What to do now. Holding onto this wouldn’t resolve anything. A method was needed. Thinking hard. How could this be resolved? “...” In the rapidly spinning mind, a solution appeared. No, it wasn’t a solution, per se. ‘Keep it simple.’ I don’t know about complex methods or energy regulation. So what should be done? How should it be handled? ‘Who could know such a thing?’ Would anyone else gather their energies like me? Even if I blindly searched, I needed to figure it by myself. Instinctively, I knew— ‘There's no point keeping them divided.’ Clear they'd clash again. I don’t have the confidence to manage them consistently. Then— ‘Combine them.’ Unifying all the energies into one stream. As soon as I conceived the thought, I grasped and merged the energies. Thud. “Huh?” Pejon's eyes widened as he watched me. “Insane fool.” He seemed to recognize what I had done. I had merged the energies into one. In that instant, Rumble---!!! The energies went into a frenzy inside, and my vision flickered in and out. * * * Roar---!!! While a beam of light pierced the sky from far away. In the deep, deep formation, a solitary egg lay. Originally red, it had turned blue under Guyangcheon’s influence, responding subtly. Zhummm. Zhummm. The egg that had been vibrating subtly soon stopped its movements. And at that moment. Crack—! A fissure formed on the egg, and it began to fracture.