1261 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Rumble. In a dimly lit space, a cacophony of noise continually reverberated. Bang! Thud-thud! It sounded as if someone was relentlessly pounding against the cave walls, attempting to crush and demolish them. One might expect a reaction to such repeated disturbances, yet the young man, Gu Cheolun, walked through the space unaffected. As if he was used to it. Proceeding down the passage, he descended a slope to reach the entrance. Rumble. When Gu Cheolun cleared away the stone door and entered, someone inside was waiting for him. “You’re here.” A polite address filtered through. Whether using casual speech or polite formality, it mattered little. “I’ve returned to report.” “I see. How did it go?” Euryung Sword Queen. She prompted Gu Cheolun to continue speaking. “I confirmed the death site of the apostle. While surveying the surroundings thereafter, I encountered martial artists and engaged in battle, but lost them at the final moment.” “Hmmm?” Her eyes changed at those words. Lost them? That phrase lingered. “You lost them?” “I apologize.” “No need to apologize... it’s just unusual.” Shuffle. Euryung Sword Queen stood. She wore garments that accentuated her form, yet Gu Cheolun's gaze remained solely fixed on her eyes. “It’s not like you to lose them... who was your opponent?” Given the circumstances, she felt he wouldn’t have lost easily. A strong belief she held. “Iron Dragon Deputy Lord. And—” Gu Cheolun paused briefly before adding. “Baek Yangcheon.” “...Baek Yangcheon?” Hearing the name, she tilted her head. Where had she heard this before? Ah. She remembered. “He’s Bijuu’s disciple. He survived?” “Yes.” “How peculiar. He wasn’t sighted until now... it’s remarkable he’s been alive all this while.” Interest sparked in her eyes. “Then, is Chu Youngyeon’s demise connected with him?” “I cannot say for certain, but it seems likely.” “Oh... is that so. Then.” Euryung Sword Queen moved closer to Gu Cheolun. Nearly close enough for their noses to touch. At that proximity, she spoke. “You’re saying you lost to that child? That doesn’t seem possible.” “There was someone else involved.” “Someone else?” “The King of Assassins intervened.” “...Hmm.” The mention of the King of Assassins made her nod. She showed a look of understanding at last. “...I see. So... the King of Assassins, after the Bijuu incident, has been with that child. Is that why you’ve returned to report?” “Yes. I intended to seek advice on what to do next.” “Hmm, the King of Assassins poses a challenge. Let’s observe for now. Please wait temporarily.” “Understood.” With those words, Gu Cheolun turned his back. Just as he was about to leave the space— “By the way.” She called out to Gu Cheolun, causing him to halt. “It really was because of the King of Assassins that you lost, right?” The question, repeated once more. At that instant, Gu Cheolun recollected Baek Yangcheon. Baek Yangcheon wielded a certain familiar flame. Though its color was entirely different, Gu Cheolun recognized it immediately. It was— The flame only those of the Gu family lineage could use. Recalling this, Gu Cheolun replied. “Yes.” “Got it.” Upon confirming his answer, Euryung Sword Queen turned away. Only then did Gu Cheolun resume his steps and exit. “Hmm.” She went back to her seat with a complex expression. “This is peculiar...” Gu Cheolun. That he lost someone? Could that be? Although she found it strange, recalling Baek Yangcheon, she glanced downwards. “I wouldn’t normally believe it. But I find myself thinking otherwise.” Below the space, there existed a large tree. Amazingly, the tree seemed to cradle someone as if they had lost consciousness. “Perhaps.” The identity of the one enveloped by the tree was— “Bijuu. If it’s your disciple, maybe it’s possible.” Dishonored Venerable Bijuu. That’s who it was. * * * At a time when everyone was sound asleep. Only when the night deepened further did I emerge again from my quarters. Venturing quietly outside, I could see the King of Assassins already waiting. “You’ve been waiting? You should’ve gotten some rest.” Just words. I knew well that the King of Assassins didn’t sleep. Crack! I stretched slightly, easing the stiffness in my muscles. Then, I asked him. “Since you’ve come, should I take it you’re ready to go?” The King of Assassins responded to my implication. “...I have one question.” “Yes?” “Why do you wish to hunt the apostles?” Was he asking for the reason? It was simple. “It’s necessary.” “Necessary?” “Yes. To be specific... it seems we must deal with the apostles to escape here.” “Deal with them? You believe it's possible?” “Come on.” I gestured dismissively. It was an absurd statement. “What do you mean by that?” “What?” “It’s something you could manage as well, senior.” “...” The King of Assassins fell silent. That reaction was sufficient. ‘Impossible for the King of Assassins? Nonsense.’ Though I’d faced only two apostles, Chu Youngyeon and my father, they shared a trait. ‘A barrier that blocked ki.’ An enigmatic shield against martial artists’ ki, something possessed by apostles. One thing— ‘It’s akin to the barrier of the red beasts.’ Though different, we could ascertain that even this force had weaknesses. If it’s like the red beasts' barrier... ‘Find the weak point in its flow.’ There are ways to either overpower it with a massive amount of ki or identify a breach in its flow. The King of Assassins could accomplish either. ‘There’s no way the King of Assassins didn’t know this.’ He wouldn’t have overlooked this fact. Surely, he’d realized it long since. “If you wanted to eliminate the apostles, you could do so anytime. But you choose not to. The reason, probably, is that they can't kill you either.” Thus, there was no need for urgency—a presumption I toyed with aloud. “...Ha.” The King of Assassins let out a breath, as if exasperated. “You’re quite the strange one.” “Thank you for the compliment. So, if possible, just lend me a hand. I’ll handle the rest.” “...Are you asking for help in hunting?” “No. I’ll manage the hunting myself.” “Then?” “There’s only one thing I need you to do. Locate the apostles for me.” “What?” His expression was one of confusion. Seeing it, I continued. The reason I asked the King of Assassins for help with the apostles was simple. “If it were you… I'm sure you would know where the apostles are around here.” “...” “Am I wrong?” Apostles likely aren’t gathered in a single place. If they’re like the demonic beings of the Demonic Cult in my past life, then perhaps... ‘Some would be living independently.’ An apostle might be in this region. And if there truly is one around... “You know about the apostles in this area, don’t you?” I was certain he had already figured it out. “...” The King of Assassins’ gaze shifted as he looked at me. “What on earth are you?” An expression as if he were seeing something incomprehensible. That I would come to see such an expression on the King of Assassins’ face was amusing to me. “Well, I guess…” I pondered how to respond briefly but quickly found an answer. “I suppose you could call me your savior.” “...” His brow furrowed at my words. * * * Growl. Growl, growl. The sounds of beasts echoed softly. Everywhere, there were beasts of all shapes and sizes positioned strategically. Their numbers were unsettling. With their ravenous eyes, the beasts panted heavily. Amid them, a man sat atop one of the creatures, speaking. “...It’s about time I fed them.” He had a stag horn protruding from the left side of his head. With a troubled expression, he spoke. “Obtaining food is quite troublesome.” While feeding them other beasts was viable, the creatures regarded something else as a delicacy. Humans. The need to find humans to feed them was pressing. “These creatures hide themselves so well.” Humans had become difficult to locate. This scenario had persisted for months. “There hasn’t been any news from above.” Ever since the 'Dishonored Venerable’ incident, there’s been nothing but orders to stay inactive. Months had passed with just that command. Should he remain idle? “Hmm...” The man deliberated. Perhaps it was time to move the beasts and search elsewhere. There was one place he was aware of. “A gamble, though.” It was a place guarded by a deranged woman—the kind of place even other apostles feared. ‘Perhaps...’ Mi Hyoran. Seeking her location seemed a better option. She had gathered the most surviving humans, so locating her would be significant. ‘They’re hidden remarkably well.’ Wherever she had taken them remained a mystery. “Hmm.” Swallowing dryly, the man was deep in thought. Growl…! Suddenly, the beasts lying on the ground perked up. They seemed to have sensed something, their bodies trembling. What was this? The man’s heart also began to faintly tremble, as if sensing something. Thump. “What in the world...” Was it a sudden panic? The body felt fear instinctively. Why, he wondered? Just then— Sssssss-!! “Huh?” In the distance, at the entryway of the area, a black barrier formed circularly. “What is that...?” What could it be? As he focused his gaze, the barrier dissolved shortly after, revealing two individuals. “...Humans?” Suddenly, humans appeared in place of beasts? He widened his eyes in disbelief. “Oh.” One of the humans inside—a young man with fierce, beast-like azure eyes—looked at him and smiled warmly. Yet. ‘What’s this?’ The man was taken aback by the young man’s expression. The expression was akin to— “I’ve found you.” A starved beast that had just discovered a delectable prey.