1259 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The night descended. As if to completely obscure my vision, the pitch-black darkness veiled my eyes. I scanned my surroundings as I glanced over the enveloping shadows. ‘...This place.’ It was a familiar setting. The noise of the battle I was just having with my father seemed meaningless now, for this space was quiet and tranquil, almost unsettlingly so. Glancing aside at the darkness, I noticed the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader flinching. “This is...” He seemed to recognize the place as well judging by his expression. In the midst of this, he looked at me for cues. However, this was something I had known all along. ‘Of course. No wonder.’ The dissonance I felt around Mi Hyoran... I could finally figure out the odd sensation that eluded me even when my senses were heightened. ‘...So that person was here.’ Anywhere and nowhere—such was the nature of that person. It made sense. ‘Even he couldn’t escape?’ He would be considered among the fastest in the central plains, yet even he couldn't elude the Demon Gate. Perplexed, I steadied my breath. “Strange.” A voice cut through the silence. Shortly after... *Srung.* A sharp object touched my neck. “You don’t seem surprised.” “...” I glanced slightly to the side. Someone stood behind me. Their appearance seemed small and fragile, a seemingly unfamiliar figure at a first glance. ‘...As expected.’ She was. No, he was indeed a person I recognized. “What are you?” He asked, and I chuckled as I replied. “Never thought I'd meet the King of Assassins here.” “...” A shiver ran through my body. His murderous intent overwhelmed me. It was menacing despite the energy already sapped from my body. The King of Assassins. Yes. This person was the King of Assassins. ‘...Why are you here?’ In my previous life, we had little interaction, but in this life, he was someone rather close, bonded by mutual goals that offered a symbiotic relationship. He had pledged loyalty to me, as I held something that he desired. Meeting such a person in this life... And in such circumstances... ‘Interesting.’ I found myself smiling inwardly because of it. “How amusing.” His voice sent chills down my spine. “You know me.” “I know a bit.” “How do you know?” “If I said I heard it from my master, would you believe me?” “...” *Puut.* Damn. Blood trickled from the tip of his sword that had slightly pierced my neck. “There won’t be a second chance.” “...” Savage. He stopped just short of a crucial area. A little more and it would have been fatal. “What are you?” “I’ve been hearing that a lot lately... It’s hard to say. But, is it wise to be doing this? It seems dangerous outside.” *Thud.* At my words, the dark screen disappeared. To my surprise, we reappeared in front of a hideout. ‘Wow.’ What is this? I haven’t heard of the King of Assassins here being able to do such things. To traverse through space itself... ‘Then what happened to Father?’ Even though I wondered about Father’s condition, facing the King of Assassins here left no room for other thoughts. ‘...So that’s why.’ No wonder his identity remained undisclosed until now; it was an uncanny event. “It’s time you gave me an answer.” “...” Before I spoke, I gazed intently at the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader. “This might be something no one else should hear. Are you alright with that?” “Are you trying to pull something?” “No, it’s about a dragon. Are you sure it’s alright—?” *Creak!* In an instant, shadows sprang up. Once more, darkness enveloped us. It felt as though walls had closed in from all directions. The quality was different from mere energy barriers. “What did you say?” A chilling voice crawled into my ear. *Crunch!* “...!” A hand flew out and grabbed my neck. Though she appeared small, her grip exerted an immeasurable pressure. “You mentioned a dragon.” “...Gah....” “How do you know about dragons?” This was on a whole different level from the earlier malice. What emanated from him was raw, evident rage. This was the fury of a martial master of the highest order. Even the mere presence of it was overwhelming. “...You must release me to get an answer.” I was now certain that he couldn’t kill me. I understood the source of his desperation and actions. “...” The King of Assassins' gaze seemed to pierce through me. Then. “...Bijuu has involved something strange.” He suddenly released his grip. “Hoo.” Rubbing my neck, I spoke to him. “You’re rougher than I expected. I thought you’d be cooler.” “Answer me. I said there won’t be a second chance.” “Come now. Second or third, it doesn’t matter anymore, does it?” “What?” “You won’t kill me, senior. Because—” Something approached at these words. A dagger that should have claimed my head, yet, I knew. That he was doing it deliberately. “Because I’m the one who can fulfill your wish.” For it was slower in motion than sound. Proving this, It stopped short of my throat. “...The one to fulfill my wish?” “And you know what that wish is, don’t you, senior? I suppose that’s why you’re here. Isn’t it?” “...” The King of Assassins remained silent. I already knew the answer. ‘It's strange.’ As brilliant as the Blood Demon’s schemes might have been, could they really have caught The King of Assassins' speed? I doubted he was the type to fall into such a situation. So, there could only be one conclusion. ‘Deliberate.’ He possibly allowed himself to be caught on purpose. He was the type who yearned to die. ‘He might’ve hoped for a chance to die like this.’ By his reaction, it seemed like I was correct. “You...” “That’s why, I shall fulfill your wish, senior.” “...What?” “You wish for death, don’t you? You wish to escape the curse of the longing spirit, to be freed from its chains, isn’t that right?” “How do you know that...?” “I can lift that curse for you.” He had once told me that it was possible. “Because I’m a dragon.” “...!” “The curse can only be broken by a dragon. I can relieve you of it.” “You’re saying you’re a dragon?” “Yes.” As I spoke, I narrowed my eyes. Initially, The King of Assassins should have been able to discern that I was a dragon. However, he seemed to look at me with skepticism now. ‘What is this?’ How could he not know? Perhaps because he’s drained of power? Or maybe... ‘Is it because this world is false?’ I wasn’t certain of the reason. Nonetheless, it appeared that he indeed hadn’t figured it out. “How will you prove it?” At The King of Assassins' inquiry, I looked into his eyes. He was desperate. It was as if he clung to a newfound thread of hope. Feeling that urgency, I spoke to him. It wasn’t merely a declaration. ‘Let’s see if this works.’ I harnessed the faint trace of power left within me, infusing my voice with it. [Kneel.] “...!!” At the utterance of the dragon’s word, The King of Assassins' knee bent to the ground. His eyes widened with shock at this demonstration. “This is all I can show at the moment, given my poor condition.” I continued as I slowly approached him. “Even with just this, senior should understand. Isn’t that right?” “...” We locked eyes. “I will fulfill your wish, senior.” So— “Could you help me first?” I was simply presenting him with an offer he couldn’t refuse. * * * The weather before nightfall. That was the time when my companions returned. “Young Master Baek...!!” Poison Phoenix rushed over to check on me. “Are you alright...?” “Yes? Oh, yes. No problems here.” Having all the scouting teams withdraw left me in a bind, but it seemed things had gone well in the end. Yet, their concern for me was oddly poignant. “Young Lady Tang, were you alright?” “Yes... We didn’t encounter any problems.” “That’s a relief.” I nodded, pretending to express the concern that I hadn’t really felt. “...Thank you for worrying about me.” “...” Her gratitude felt warmly welcoming, which made me feel a bit guilty. “...Let’s get inside. We need to set up a formation before it gets dangerous.” The Iron Dragon Deputy Leader instructed us as everyone had gathered. Finally, we were able to move inside the hideout. As soon as everyone was in, the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader issued an order. “Set up the formation.” “Understood.” *Creak! Thud!* As the doors closed, the formation experts began their tasks, gesturing with their hands. *Vrooom-!!!!* It appeared they were attempting to establish a formation using the rocks and trees around. “...Focus—!” “Don’t make any mistakes in the calculations! Concentrate harder!” The formation experts were working fervently. Some were scribbling on the ground with great determination, while others were busy inspecting the walls, sweat pouring from their brows. “...What are they doing?” I asked the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader. “As you can see, they’re setting up a formation. Since we know that enemies have appeared nearby...we need to reinforce the concealment of our hideout.” “Ah.” So, that’s what they were doing? Strengthening the existing formation? “Hmm...” Watching the busy workers, I scratched my head. ‘Is there really a need to go through all this?’ I observed them with inner sight activated. “I’m off. I need to quickly report this to the Deputy Leader... Baek Yangcheon?” “Young Master? Where are you going...?” The Iron Dragon Deputy Leader and Poison Phoenix seemed taken aback. I was approaching the formation experts. “Hey! If you go there now...” “Move the rock over there.” Ignoring the Iron Dragon Deputy Leader’s warning, I nudged a stone with my foot. “What!!” The formation experts were appalled. “How could you tamper with...!!!” *Whoosh-!!!* The barrier around us rippled. “Oh no...!!” “The energy is warping... We must stop it!” “What’s there to stop?” I pushed my way through the panicking group and placed my hand on the wall. “It was flawed from the start.” The threads covering the wall were tangled. I lightly fixed those messy knots, organizing and tightening the loose ends. As a final touch, I reinforced the connections, like tying a bow. *Fwooooooosh---!!!!* The barrier rose rapidly, enveloping our hideout in a thick protective layer. “Huh?” “What... what is this?” The formation experts stared at the barrier in shock. They trembled as if unable to comprehend the occurrence, prompting me to remark. “Is this really so difficult? How can you not manage this...?” I couldn’t comprehend why they struggled with something so trivial.