1185 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"Found." "Got it." A voice permeated not just his ears, but deeper—into his very essence, sending chills racing down his spine. It was a voice he had heard before, a voice that shouldn’t have been heard at all, especially since he had heard it recently. ‘This is...’ He narrowed his eyes, concentrating on the direction the sound originated. The owner of the voice... ‘Wasn’t he called Taecheon?’ Within the martial world, a demonic realm known as Taechon-gye had been opened, overseen by the Martial Alliance. He had encountered another master there—a man from the ten thousand worlds. That man's name was Taecheon as well. ‘This voice… it’s his.’ The voice exactly matched the one from the man he met in the ten thousand worlds. No, rather than saying it was the same, it wasn’t even accurate to call it a voice. A different expression was necessary. This was... ‘The same.’ The presence encapsulated in the sound was unmistakable. It was Taecheon's presence. ‘Why?’ Why was someone like Taecheon here? At least, his voice wasn’t something that should be echoing in this place. Especially from... ‘The side where Gu Seon’s presence is.’ Gu Seon’s presence alongside Taecheon’s voice—what madness was this? ‘Ah, damn it.’ The blood in his veins ran cold. It was the realization of a potential outcome. ‘Don’t tell me…’ Was Gu Seon's disappearance all about... ‘Luring me in?’ Was he the target? From the sound of “found,” it seemed that way. As cold blood coursed through his veins, his mind heated up. Should he go? He couldn’t fathom the intent. Normally, this would require deliberation, yet— Whoosh-! His body had already made the decision. * * * Crossing the space was not difficult. Once he reached the zenith of his Flamearts, his enhanced physical form allowed him to traverse such distances with ease. Whoosh. Escaping through the forest, he emerged into another woodland at a great distance. The energy he'd expended swiftly replenished. Though the moonlit forest was beautiful, it carried an unsettling atmosphere. Hum. His heart responded, and his upper dantian released its coiled energy. The tautness in his body and energy signaled the strangeness of this place. Thud. His airborne body settled onto the ground. As his feet met the earth, Whooosh-!!! The forest reacted instantly. Thump-! His heart raced. “……” He walked forward calmly, ignoring the forest's reactions, until a vast lake appeared to greet him. Located in the mountain range, it was Seongeon Lake. A shallow lake known for its clarity, reflecting everything from its depths to the shimmering moon above. Someone was standing there. ‘Gu Seon.’ The singular princess of the Gu family—Gu Seon. She stood there, looking as serene as ever. “……” He placed his foot upon the lake’s surface, channeling his internal energy to walk atop the water. Step by step, he advanced. Upon reaching a certain distance, “……” Gu Seon’s gaze met his. They locked eyes and he gave a wry smile. “This is almost laughable.” His words emerged colder than he intended. Frustration bubbled to the surface as he confronted Gu Seon. Or rather— “What’s the point of this? Crossing worlds to do this kind of nonsense?” He addressed Taecheon, not Gu Seon. Whoooosh-! A breeze swept over the lake, rippling its once-calm surface. "There you are. I've found you." Gu Seon spoke softly, her voice almost ethereal. “Did you come here looking for me? Then why not just come directly? Why misuse someone else’s body like this?” He narrowed his eyes, words lashed out. Opening his spiritual insight, he scrutinized Gu Seon. ‘Her energy state.’ Her presence remained unchanged. No disturbances in energy flow. “What’s your intention?” He harbored doubts. What was this? Though aware of Taecheon’s identity, the key was realizing this was a fabricated world. ‘Is this Taecheon the same one I know?’ He might be. Or not. Nothing was definite. Pondering deeply, he continued to confront Taecheon. “Who are you?” “What?” Taecheon spoke. “You smell of ten thousand realms, yet you are not of them. The essence of a dragon, yet not quite. Who are you?” “……” Doesn’t he know me? Or is this an act as well? Could this world create an entirely independent master? “Did the dragon betray me? No, it can’t be. The dragon isn’t afforded such leisure. Then who are you?” “……” He heard mention of the Blood Demon. Did Taecheon know him? Yet— ‘He speaks of betrayal.’ Does this imply a shared alliance between them? ‘But for what purpose?’ What would compel Taecheon and the Blood Demon to unite? The reason eluded him. "Answer me, unseen master." Whoooosh-!!! The lake began swirling, determination embedded within each ripple. "Who are you?" “Well. Just a passing mutt." “……” “Now enough with this nonsense. Leave that body and disappear. If you’re curious, come yourself. Stop causing unnecessary harm.” These beings, treating others' bodies like their own. It was sickening. “Vanish. You’re not meant to wield that flesh.” Whoosh-!!! He conjured a white flame. A potent wave of heat erupted over the lake. “……” Taecheon’s expression soured at the sight. Had he discerned the power within this flame? “No long since you’ve become a master, huh?” Taecheon chuckled. "Only recently awakened to your rank, I see. I understand now. It's why you were late to recognize." “What are you babbling about?” “It’s fortunate.” His laughter deepened. His ominous grin forced his brows to furrow. Moments later— “Before the gatekeeper arrives. I must rid myself of you.” ROAR—!!! An immense presence erupted from Gu Seon’s body. "I appoint you as a apostle." Taecheon declared. In that instant— The sky enveloped the world. Whoooosh---!!! The moonlight refracted as if time stood still, and the external noise abruptly ceased. The space had been severed—a barrier now cloaked the area. With his spiritual insight, he surveyed his surroundings. ‘A spell.’ The space was bending, aiming to isolate itself from the outside world. It was a broad expanse created through sorcery. But for what purpose? He didn't even need to ponder its intent. "……Why? Do you want a showdown?" Intent on eliminating him, Taecheon's meaning was unmistakable. “……” Taecheon remained silent. Silent, but far from inactive. He felt it. Boom. Boom. A transformation began within Gu Seon’s body. Beyond the physical, a deep, swirling energy could be sensed. His feet set into motion. He planned to unleash the white flames towards Taecheon. BOOM-!! “……!” The force of the gust threw him back. Screech-! He planted his feet within the water’s flow to slow himself. Regaining his stance, he prepared to launch another attack. Whoosh... The transformation was already complete. ‘That form.’ His eyes widened. Gu Seon's body had changed. Her once crimson-tinted hair now bleached to white. Her once red eyes were now a dull, gray hue. Furthermore. Swoooo-!! Two pairs of wings unfurled from her back. He bit his lip at the sight. ‘It’s that.’ The form he witnessed Taecheon take in the ten thousand worlds. Similar to when he descended, leveraging the crows as vessels. And the energy was no different. Swooosh-!!! The overwhelming energy he felt was the reverence Taecheon commanded in the past. “There’s no time to waste.” Her gray eyes locked onto him. Whoosh-!! “……!” He twisted his body. The lake split in two. At some unknown moment, Taecheon had unsheathed a sword. He diverted his gaze from the parted waters. Whoosh-!! He shrouded himself in white flames. Energy rapidly drained. His upper dantian tightened. Thud. The splash of water rippled gently. By the time he heard it, his body was already in Taecheon's vicinity. His fist clenched tightly and drove forward. “…….” Though Taecheon noticed his approach, the creature's movements were sluggish. His strike landed directly on Taecheon’s side. Whooosh--!!! The flames exploded, and the resulting shockwave surged forth. Splash---!!! Taecheon, having been flung by the impact, scowled. Yet, it seemed he had managed to shield himself with his wings. Had he reacted in the briefest instant? However, the state of the wings was dismal. One of his left wings had burnt and was half-gone. “This…” Taecheon appeared to recognize something within the flames. Seizing his slowed response, he dashed forward once more. As he advanced, Taecheon spread his wings wide. Swish----!!! His feathers launched in all directions. He leaped to evade, grasping a white flame in his hand mid-air. Whoosh-!! He formed a blazing core. A pure white incandescent core. He altered its form. Attempting to create a holy spear, as usual. BOOM-! “……What the…?” His eyes widened. The spear he was forming dissipated. ‘Damn it. My energy…’ His energy was entirely spent. The residual energy wasn’t sufficient to forge the spear. What a frustrating inefficiency. Thunk-! ‘Ugh!’ The recoil of his craft returned. The failure of his technique echoed throughout his body. Pain caused his form to waver slightly. He aimed to regain his balance. Slash-! “……Gah!” Taecheon seized the opportunity, slicing through him mid-air. His body fell into the lake. Splash-!! The shockwave surged as the water erupted. “Ugh.” He wasn’t submerged. He spat out the water he swallowed. ‘It’s not deep.’ He dodged half of the attack. Though cut, the wound wasn’t severe. And he realized something else. “You. You’re struggling to use that body properly, aren’t you?” “……” He deduced from the recent attack. The creature seemed hindered in movement. He didn’t understand why, but Taecheon could not fully wield the vessel. Originally, dodging that attack should have been impossible. “Is your body unresponsive? Right?” Just as he was not in peak condition, nor was the opponent. Which led him to only one conclusion. ‘What to do then?’ He steadied his energy. ‘I need to end this fast.’ Quick resolution required. No time for tentative moves. And then he thought— ‘……Shall I try it?’ He considered the swiftest method at his disposal. Regardless of its feasibility, it needed to be attempted. The realization that he had become a master, along with newfound knowledge, guided him. That which Guseonlyeol suggested he try. ‘Master Infusion.’ Fully revealing his power as a master. Could he manage it with this meager energy? Doubts lingered, but— ‘…….’ Actions preceded hesitation. He didn’t compute the method. He knew inherently what needed to be done. Thump-! The drum of his heart resonated with his upper dantian. Under the sky encircled by Taecheon. Whoosh-! A small flame calmly enveloped his form.