1248 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Horns protruding from his head. Unusual skin, gray eyes, and slitted pupils. A form that no one could mistake for a human. "Chu Youngyeon?" I recognized him. It was an unforgettable impression, despite his current state. The core essence was unchanged, making recognition easy enough. “Haven't seen you in a while, and you’ve sure taken a turn for the strange, huh?” “You...!” An ominous energy emanated from him. Although he seemed weakened, the air was tense with a palpable menace. As I brushed my arm and inspected my hand, I wondered, 'Did I get cut?' I had caught something flying towards me, and now my hand was beaded with blood. The flesh was clearly torn. The pain came belatedly. With an unfazed expression, I brushed it off. “Tsk.” I clicked my tongue and glanced back. “Huff... huff...” Tang Cheongi was watching me with labored breaths, while Poison Phoenix stood protectively around him, gazing at me. I felt like I had a good grasp of the situation. “Young Master Baek...?” “It was noisy, so I came to take a look. The situation isn’t too pleasant, is it?” I turned my gaze back to Chu Youngyeon. “That’s a creature, right?” Creatures called demons. Half-human, half-monster, they said. I had a pretty good idea of what that meant now. “Well, he’s certainly not human.” Calling him human in that state would be insincere. As I observed Chu Youngyeon with a dispassionate face. “Hahahaha...!” He suddenly burst into laughter. “At last... at last, I’ve found you...” “Hmm?” He sounded genuinely pleased, which made me tilt my head in curiosity. “Were we really close enough to miss each other?” At least, that's not how I remembered it, but his delight took me aback. What’s this about? “...Of course. I longed for you so much.” Chills ran down my spine. Was he crazy? “I lived days fearing you might be dead... constantly agonizing over it.” “Why are you like this, it’s creepy... Could it really be something romantic?” “How couldn’t it be...!” Crash! The ground under him crumbled violently. “I had to kill you with my own hands! The idea that I couldn’t do it... that drove me mad with fear!” “...Ah.” So that’s what he meant? I sighed with relief, brushing my hand across my chest. Perhaps it’s odd to be relieved, but at least to me, it was comforting. “I will kill you. I will devour you, leaving not even your bones.” “Our friend here is really angry.” What’s got him so worked up? “Was pissing yourself during our fight that embarrassing? It happens when you take a hit, nothing to be ashamed of.” “...!” His face contorted at my words. Grinding sound. He bore sharp fangs, gnashing his teeth. “I’ll kill you.” Ah, did I provoke him too much? Regretting it a bit. Boom! He suddenly lunged at me, smashing forward. Crash! Sharp claws slashed towards me, carving the walls as they came. I tilted my head to dodge. Swish! The cave split open. I sensed the strong energy embedded in the air pressure. ‘Hmm.’ I frowned. Having fought recently, I could feel it. ‘His physical abilities have vastly improved.’ Faster and more aggressive than before, it seemed. Swish-! Swish, swish-!! Narrowly, I kept dodging his relentless attacks. “You slippery rat...!” Chu Youngyeon became only more aggressive with his attacks. I rolled my eyes. His left shoulder came into view. ‘Left side.’ Just as I prepared to dodge based on his attack path, I recognized I couldn't evade this one. Changing my stance immediately. Boom!!! The impact rattled my body, slamming me into the wall. Crack--!!! “Puh.” Brushed off the debris and lifted my head. Too fast to dodge, I had no choice but to defend hastily. I examined my aching arm. In shielding the attack, I took everything with my arm, which now appeared loose and lethargic. ‘It’s broken.’ More than broken—it felt as if the bone had shattered completely. ‘Tsk.’ With a grimacing face, I heard his voice. “Are you still doing that?” Chu Youngyeon spoke with heated eyes. “Do you still believe you can defeat me without using your energy?” “...” Taking the hits without using energy must have led him to misunderstand. “You were like this before. Arrogant fool. Only at the last moment did you finally reveal your energy... You scumbag.” He continued to curse at me, seemingly harboring quite a bit of resentment. ‘Hmm.’ Checking the injured arm during his tirade, it was clear it wouldn't be usable for now. ‘Can I win?’ Things were starting to seem bleak. Surveying the surroundings, there were no useful allies to be seen. The others were preoccupied with fighting monsters or too frightened of the demon. At least one seemed useful. “I’ll help.” Poison Phoenix, who promptly stood beside me. “How’s the arm...?” “Not bad.” “...” She seemed unconvinced. Understandable, given my dangling arm. While that was my thought, Poison Phoenix inquired further. “Young Master Baek.” “Yes.” “...You’re not related to the demons, are you?” I looked pointedly at him upon hearing the question. “At least, I’m not related to this one.” “...” My response, indicating no association with Chu Youngyeon, left the Poison Phoenix with a peculiar expression. It seemed to imply a possible connection with other demons. I had said it with purpose, for his subsequent reaction. “...Understood.” Gave the impression of letting it slide for now. ‘Hmm.’ Watching Poison Phoenix, I turned to Chu Youngyeon. He exuded a stronger aura than before, his eyes gleaming. “I’ll kill you.” The look of someone filled to the brim with the desire to kill me. ‘Formidable.’ What to do? Contemplation arises. A curious thought amid all this, though. ‘Why don't I feel uneasy?’ There was no anxiety in me during this situation. Normally, one would feel anxious or pressed, realizing it would be difficult to win. Yet here, I felt none of those things. It was as if... ‘I don’t think I’ll lose.’ A strange certainty filled me. How could this be? Even with no energy. ‘Even with a broken arm.’ It was an inexplicable instinct. While I was gazing at him, Chu Youngyeon spat out some words, waving his hand. “...So you still think I’m lacking, don’t you?” He made a casual gesture with his hand. “Then I must show you. Just how great and valuable what I've gained by abandoning my humanity truly is.” “No way.” Upon hearing this, Poison Phoenix's eyes widened. “Young Master Baek...!” He grabbed me urgently. “What’s the matter?” When asked why he was reacting that way, she spoke to me with a pale face. “It’s dangerous...! We must leave here immediately...!” “That won't do.” I turned back to Chu Youngyeon. He was gesturing, a smirk curling his lips. “I’ll gift you what I’ve received from a great being. Will you still refrain from using your energy after seeing this?” Rumble—!!! The space around us distorted. Cracks were beginning to form at his fingertips. “Behold.” He spoke with a voice full of self-confidence. “This is what power is.” “...” My eyes widened at the word ‘power.’ “Oh, really?” I smiled as if welcoming a friend. "...Are you smiling?" Chu Youngyeon's brow furrowed at my reaction, but briefly. "You're still holding onto your pride, aren’t you? Hmm, perhaps being clueless makes you so." Flash—!!! From the distorted space, gray energy sprang forth. It wrapped around his hand. “This is an unbreakable fist.” Something closer to silver rather than gray. He wrapped it around his hand and made a fist. “...Ugh!” Poison Phoenix urgently positioned herself in front of me. “Lady Tang?” Why is she doing this? I stared at her, puzzled. “Young Master Baek... His target is me. While I distract him, please take my brother and others and escape.” “...What?” “Humans can't defeat demons...! Especially with that power...!” She said desperately. “Oh, really? It means something with that power, then?” “...There’s no time to explain. Please, just run...” “But it’s alright. Actually, if it's power, that’s even better.” “There’s no time to say such—!” Thud. “Young Master Baek...! Wait...!” Leaving Poison Phoenix behind, I stepped forward. “This is as far as your attitude goes!” Chu Youngyeon rushed at me as before. The silver energy turned into a flash, targeting me. His fist almost at my nose. “Why just stand around idly? Just wake and smell the food. It’s mealtime.” I muttered. “Tam.” In response. Crunch. Energy erupted from the shadows, gripping and swallowing Chu Youngyeon’s arm. “...What?” His arm was ripped away in an instant. He stared in disbelief at his devoured arm. “What is... this...?” An expression of utter incomprehension marked his face. Seeing this, I let out a small chuckle. Finally, I understood. 'No wonder.' The reason I felt so sure of victory. That explained it. “I felt bad for not feeding it lately.” Chu Youngyeon was a demon. And if he possessed such a thing called power. “A meal has kindly come to me. Quite considerate.” I was their natural enemy.