1324 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Crackling flames lick the skin, their bright blue hue illuminating the surroundings with a vibrant radiance. Whirrrrr-!!! The ring behind spins madly. Something bound near the heart is trembling. Only after filling what was empty did the hunger finally cease. “……Phew.” I let out a previously held breath and turned sideways. My father appears, devoid of the horns and tail he once had, looking just like his younger self that I remembered. While looking at father, I thought to myself. ‘…That was a close call.’ They almost ended in disaster. ‘Why is there so much to clean up?’ This was far more burdensome compared to the case with Namgung Jin. I couldn’t probe internally, and using the Demonic Absorption Technique, I couldn’t absorb any energy. So father had to provide energy directly, leaving me to rely solely on absorbing the energy from the Apostle sent by the Sword Queen. Yet the crucial point was: ‘…He endured this?’ It was about the mental strength father possessed. Absorbing the Apostle energy, rooted not only in the surface but deep within the vessel, would’ve caused immense pain during absorption. More than just enduring this, father kept channeling energy to me. ‘What insane mental strength.’ Had it been me, I would have long since passed out. Yet father endured it all to the end. Thanks to that, ‘I've even gained some energy.’ Unlike the previous times where I used my own energy to revert someone to human form, this time I applied father’s energy and what remained in his body. Where before the focus was on the point of corruption into demonhood, ‘This time, it was purification.’ Thus, I employed the White Flame. While initiating the burn, father's Nine Flame Wheel Cultivation resisted, but father suppressed it. And in this way, we succeeded. In a fleeting moment, somehow. ‘The Sword Queen noticed at the end though.’ Yet it was near the end, so we managed to complete it. “…….” The Sword Queen, stepping over petals, gazes at me. Looking at her, I asked. “Will you be alright?” “What do you mean?” “I mean, is it okay for you to be outside the main camp like this? Isn’t it bad for you?” “……” Her expression shifts slightly at his words. “…Did you know?” “I had an inkling.” The reason the Sword Queen doesn’t leave the main base. It made sense that there was a reason for her not to distance herself from the so-called central Mount Tai. “Is there something that becomes problematic if you go outside?” “……” “Hm.” Whether it’s okay up to this distance or farther, I didn't know. Perhaps, ‘It could all be false.’ Gazing at the Sword Queen, I examined my hand. ‘The amount of the bet…’ About halfway full. That’s not bad. Initially… ‘…Even without fully absorbing my father’s energy, it’s halfway.’ Considering the energy used to revert to human form, it's remarkable to be halfway. It was a testament to just how much energy my father originally possessed. ‘Hm.’ Though, ‘I can’t exactly save it.’ Click. ‘Until I grasp the situation more clearly…’ I’ll have to use some. Whoooosh---!!! I envelop myself with azure flames, intermixing white flames within. The blue glow blends with pale azure. “Shall we continue our earlier conversation?” “……” “That Blood Demon. Where exactly is he now?” “…Hah.” The Sword Queen breathes a deep sigh. Her breath sent chills down his spine. “That won’t do.” Vvvvmmmm. A grey sword force gathers on her blade. “I must teach you a lesson.” “Oh, I’m not fond of that.” I awkwardly scratched my head. “I’m not too keen on being scolded.” “……” The conversation ends there. "Tolly, take that guy and head down. Go." I spoke as I released my energy. “Get something to eat.” Boom-!!! I draw upon my momentum, rushing at the Sword Queen. “……” The Sword Queen moves, her sword trembling. ‘This is…’ Whoooosh---!!! Narrowing my eyes, I evade the sword. Ah, how troublesome. ‘It’s the Illusionary Sword.’ The Sword Queen was wielding the Illusionary Sword. As one from Mount A-mi, I thought she might use a different sword style. ‘She must have switched it up and changed her style.’ A troublesome sword indeed. Amidst the rushing intent, the tip of the sword quivers. Though I tried to employ perception, it’s still difficult to grasp. ‘She’s lavishing it with false moves.’ The fluttering petals are reminiscent of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique. ‘That side is a bit more orthodox.’ While this is more akin to the four seasons of nature, with a sprinkle of truth hidden within a mixture of false moves. Whoosh-! Whoosh, whoosh-!!! Moreover, her technique is advanced. The tempered sword force is problematic, but, ‘A presence can be felt.’ The imagery within the sword. She appears to be toeing the line of that realm. The one fortunate aspect here is, ‘The imagery is skewed.’ Perhaps due to the influence of becoming an Apostle, or maybe because she herself realized she went against her own beliefs, the imagery in her realm is weak. Using the Heart Sword, any sharpness would be dulled. This is... ‘Inner Demon.’ The Sword Queen’s sword resonated with an inner demon. I seized that opening. Slam-! “…!” I struck through the false moves to hit the sword. My arm was half-sliced in the process, but it didn’t matter. Sssss-! It began regenerating slowly. As long as it wasn’t severed completely, there were no issues. I reached to seize the Sword Queen’s neck. Whoosh---!!! “Tsk.” Petals burst, pushing me back. Her aura flowed outward. It wasn’t just about pushing me back. The skies stirred with movement. ‘This is…’ Dark clouds twisted, fracturing overhead. A familiar phenomenon. It was, ‘When first entering the Infinite World.’ The scene that mother produced. That meant. ‘It’s coming.’ Fwoooosh---!!! I thrust forward, releasing heat to boost speed. Perceiving danger, as expected, Boom---!!!! Lightning poured from the cracks. Massive and swift, I evaded the force pouring down to burn me away. ‘Haha.’ I could laugh at this madness. Should this be classified as a power? ‘Rather than just power,’ It felt like something eerie that manipulated space itself. Calling it power seemed inadequate for something gained upon becoming a master. 'The probe doesn't react.' Tam had no response. Meaning, this wasn't the work of an ability or power. Crack! Crackle--!!! The relentless barrage of lightning scorched the ground, obliterating the Apostles beneath without leaving a trace. “Is it alright to treat allies like that?” I remarked, observing the situation, but the Sword Queen, her expression hardened, only waved her hand. Watching her, I discerned, ‘Does she have excess energy?’ It didn’t seem so. ‘How to exploit this?’ With every hand movement, a bolt fell. Locating her was easy. Certain. ‘Weaker than mother.’ What I had witnessed back then was something truly awe-inspiring, an insurmountable force on a completely different level. That was what I saw back then. ‘This is.’ This seemed manageable. Whoosh-! I ignited flames, charging directly. Lightning closed in on me from above. It didn't matter. ‘Now.’ Whooom-!! Releasing energy, I surged forward with increased speed. Before the lightning struck, I had already closed the gap. Expecting my advance, the Sword Queen swung her sword. "Stop." “……!” I invoked a Word of Power. Blood boiled instantly. A backlash from using it against someone of high rank. I ignored it. I could ignore it once. I placed a hand on the Sword Queen's face. “Brace yourself.” Boom---!!! They plummeted to the ground. Boom---!!!! The impact erupted, flames flaring. From such a high altitude, the ground shattered, and Mount Tai shook violently. Like a meteor crashing down. Crackling. Rising from the cracked and dented ground. “Phew.” My breath was tinged with heat as I looked down. “…….” The Sword Queen lay sprawled, seemingly unconscious, but I knew otherwise. “What are you doing?” I asked, looking at her. She appeared to have lost consciousness, though I knew she hadn’t. “Get up, will you?” “…….” Upon my words, the Sword Queen opened her eyes. “You caught me.” “…Were you trying to fool me?” “No.” The Sword Queen slowly sat up. “Why don’t you continue your attack?” Her expressionless question made me roll his neck and reply. “I don’t think I can kill you anyway.” “……Oh?” “It looks like you’re not even wounded… which means.” I needed to find another way. I couldn’t kill the Sword Queen here. Should I try to draw her out? Just as I was pondering it, “……You’re quite intriguing.” The Sword Queen spoke to me. “Are you searching for a method even in this situation? Without any panic?” “There’s nothing to be surprised about.” I had experienced so many absurd things. Was there really anything to be surprised about at this point? And. “It’s more important to find a way during the time one would be shocked.” “…You’re a strong person.” “No.” Far from it. “I’ve just grown accustomed to struggling because I’m too weak.” If I were truly strong, none of this would have happened. Truly. “Are you still unwilling to tell me where he is? That bastard?” “…Why are you so adamant about finding the Blood Demon?” “Why do you think? To get out, of course.” I had some other questions as well. “You already know, don’t you?” “…….” “If you won’t answer…” I paused mid-sentence, flames flickering to life. I needed to prepare. I could feel an ominous presence. ‘Is it because we crashed to the ground?’ The presence of Apostles and beasts became apparent. At the same time, ‘Oh no.’ Whoosh----!!! The wind fiercely roared. Someone appeared in the sky, fanning himself with a weary face. “What a mess you’re in, aren't you?” Cheolhyun Buseon addressed the Sword Queen.