1321 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"What is that...?" It was a colossal sight, overwhelming enough to fill an entire mountain. The vast figure covered in black scales loomed large against the mountainous backdrop. Tolly was already large compared to other monsters. Even among red-grade monsters, his size was nothing to scoff at, comparable to that of white-grade creatures. This wasn’t the case before I came from the central plains to this place. Back then, he was already so big that I almost thought he was unusable. "Why is he like that now?" His current size was absurd—a presence that seemed to fill the sky and swallow the entire landscape. "...Wow." It left one speechless. Indeed, it was an immense spectacle. "What is that...?" "A m-monster...!" Even the warriors of the demon troupe reacted no differently. They were horrified seeing Tolly's size, and soon enough, fear settled in their eyes. Yes, if I were in their shoes, I’d be just as terrified facing such enormity. [Gr-gr-gr-grr-.] The sound of his roar vibrated the earth. This was madness. And yet, I had to frown while witnessing it. 'That's supposed to be my true form.' The actual body of the dragon. Just like many had said, the mind and body are separate entities. Even though the Blood Demon is active without a physical form, it’s due to the mind being awake. 'Then.' If that enormous body is truly my actual form... '...When I recover my true form and can wield its power.' What would become of Tolly? That question lingered subtly. Just then. [Grr-!!!] Suddenly, Tolly raised his head. Even just his open mouth was the size of a hill. From it, something began gathering light. Fwoooosh-!!! The air suddenly heated up. 'No way.' I slightly anticipated what the creature might do. [Gyahhhh---!!!] With a roar, light burst forth from Tolly's mouth. Boom-!!!! Flames swept over the ground, consuming everything. The tremendous impact shook the earth violently. "Insane." A trench-like mark was left behind, as if a meteor had struck. The Apostles that had been in that area vanished without a trace, not even their bones remained. "...This is crazy." What is that? At the very least, it wasn’t something I knew. While Tolly could easily overpower red-grade monsters, I didn’t expect him to demonstrate such power. 'That was...' On par with a white-grade creature—it was of no lesser level. Sssss. I stared at the ground, charred black and melted. More importantly. '...My meal.' The demon troupe had turned to ashes, leaving me unable to absorb their energy. I watched in vain as my prey evaporated in an instant. Whooosh-!!! With a gust of wind, Tolly's enormous form vanished, and a small dot fluttered down from the sky. Coming to realize, it was him. "Dad!" He descended with a face full of pride. Seeing that, I swept my hair back. "How was that!?" He was eagerly waiting for praise. "Am I great or what!?" "...Yeah, you are great." Honestly, I was surprised. I never expected him to exhibit such strength. Especially considering— 'He didn’t use my energy.' Usually, when Tolly exerted his strength, he drew from my energy, which ended up sapping my own strength. 'Is he using the power of the true form?' Could it be that he was using the power inherent within himself? Or perhaps... 'Is it possible all the power I haven’t gathered yet resides in him?' That thought crossed my mind. "What's wrong, Dad?" "It's nothing." I roughly ruffled his hair. Unlike my coarse hair, his felt soft and silky. '...Hmm.' I narrowed my eyes. Upon interacting with Tolly, I had to forcibly suppress the rising instincts within me. -Grumble. It beckoned. The appetite continuously stirred, as if urging me to devour what was before me. As if whispering to reclaim my power now. 'Not yet.' However, it’s not time yet. This wasn’t the moment for such actions. 'What matters now.' I turned my head. The wreckage from the impact didn’t matter. What mattered was— 'They will know.' That massive silhouette had risen to the sky, and such a tremendous shock would have surely been noticed by now. After all, they knew we—no, I—would come. "Be prepared." The Dark King warned. "Yes." I was already aware. I could feel their presence from far off. "Make a choice. Will you create some distance?" "...It would be preferable, if possible." I was going to approach slowly, but what was coming felt ominous. It seemed wise to put some distance between us for now. Just as I thought so— "Hmm." The Dark King said while crumpling his eyes. "The power isn't being unleashed." "..." "It seems something is suppressing it." His matter-of-fact remark made me click my tongue. Damn it. 'No wonder it seemed too easy.' Whether it was the Sword Queen's domain or something else altogether, I couldn’t tell, but the Dark King's abilities were sealed. If that's the case... 'What about mine?' I moved my hand. As I exerted strength in my heart, I could feel it. Mine weren’t sealed. 'If that’s the case.' Do we have to flee on foot? Maybe it would be better to run at full speed. Just as I was about to turn slightly and give strength to my legs. "Damn-." The voice and gust of wind that came made me lick my lips. "A familiar face indeed. Is it not?" "..." The winds stirred in the sky, revealing an elderly man with a large frame. It was Cheolhyun Buseon. Contrary to his usual maniacal grin, he stared at me with a hardened face. 'If he’s here, running isn’t an option.' Speed was the problem. Except for the Dark King, in my current state, it was impossible to escape from that man. At that moment. "...I’ll ask." Cheolhyun Buseon asked me in a seething voice. "Where is he?" "Who?" "The one who saved you." "...Huh?" Could it be? 'Is he talking about Father?' It seemed likely. Cheolhyun Buseon appeared to be searching for my father. "Tell me the identity of that monster." "...And what if I do?" "What do you mean what..." Upon hearing the request, a sly grin tugged at the corners of Cheolhyun Buseon's lips. "I'm going to find him and fight. There’s an unresolved bout from that time." "You're planning to seek him out and fight? Against my father?" I replied, incredulous and somewhat amused. The audacity slipped out, drawing Cheolhyun Buseon’s attention to me. "Yes, I lost. But it’s audacious of him not to finish the fight after defeating me. Such arrogance... I've never encountered anything like it. Who exactly is he?" Surely, he should know. He was right there, after all. It's just that the timelines don’t quite match. "The martial arts he wielded were of the Gu family. That irritating flame is unmistakable. Yet, it wasn't the head of the Gu family. The former head was exceptional but... not to that degree." To that degree. His expression was unusual. His words implied that even someone as mighty as the world's current best felt a wall blocking his path. "So tell me where that monster is. I have yet to settle this." His eyes glistened with yearning and greed, a desperate desire to see him again. But why? 'Meeting him doesn’t guarantee a victory.' Back then, Cheolhyun Buseon had felt akin to a force of nature, and the Sword Master was also present. Despite both of them joining forces, my father had easily overpowered them. '...Could he really be that strong?' I knew my father was powerful, but I didn’t expect him to crush two transcendent warriors so effortlessly. "I'd love to tell you, honestly." I scratched my cheek. "But it’s not a place you could find even if I told you." "Is that so?" Whooosh. The wind gathered. "Then I’ll have to make you talk." "Look, I can't—" Whump-! A fan unfolded abruptly before my eyes. As the wind threatened to slice through like a blade— Clang-! A dagger appeared in front of me, deflecting Cheolhyun Buseon's attack. "Hah." Seeing this, Cheolhyun Buseon let out a sarcastic laugh. "Dark King. I never expected you to protect someone." It was the Dark King. He clutched the dagger, standing between Cheolhyun Buseon and me. "Step aside. I’ve important business here. Little time to tangle with you." The Dark King said nothing in return, as though deeming it unworthy of a response. "Still." At his attitude, Cheolhyun Buseon’s expression soured. "An irritating fellow." Cheolhyun Buseon’s aura surged. Crack-!!! As the tension built, an intense battle commenced. 'Damn.' Watching, I was about to intervene when— -Go. The Dark King’s voice echoed in my mind. 'Dark King?' -If I don’t stop him here, he’ll keep pursuing relentlessly. I’ll hold him off here. 'But other demon warriors—' -They’ll latch onto you. What of it? Does it matter? "..." He was right. Taking the Dark King’s words, I drew up my remaining energy towards the main base. As soon as the power felt tangible in me— Boom-!!! I leaped off with force. Fwoosh-!! Flames curled around me, accelerating my speed. I surged up to the sky, reaching great heights. "Eek!" Tolly, hanging around my neck, was startled. It seemed he was surprised by the sudden acceleration. "Hey." "Yeah?" I addressed Tolly as he clung on. "Do you see that over there?" "Where?" "That mountain." "Yeah, I see it." "Go gnaw on it." "Huh?" "Quickly." After a few commands, Tolly released his grip from around my neck. And then— Rumble-!!! He quickly transformed back into his massive form like earlier. [Grra-!!] He roared, thrusting his head into the mountain. KABOOOM---!!! With a tremendous boom, a gaping hole appeared in the mountain. -Aah!? Screams of monsters and demon warriors echoed as I caught their gazes. "Good to see you." The Sword Queen regarded me with a serene expression. I greeted her through the hole he had made.