356 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The back of the Dragon's Den was cloaked in a dark, enigmatic space. In an instant, a figure emerged from the shadowy abyss that seemed to mirror the dark veil spread across the sky above. Crack. Donning a half-mask, the dark-haired figure known as the King of Darkness made his appearance. One shoulder lay empty, the other hand gripping a severed arm. No blood flowed. It seemed the bleeding had already been staunched by an internal force. "…" With a calm demeanor, the King of Darkness scanned his surroundings. Amidst the dense thicket of trees, a woman leaned against one, waiting. She appeared slightly past her prime, her long black hair and elegant features a testament to her beauty. The King of Darkness addressed her first. "Kept you waiting. I'm sorry." "…It's fine…." The woman, who had been waiting silently, was Hua San Jianhou So-yi. She widened her eyes upon confirming the King of Darkness, noticing his severed arm. "Are you alright?" At her concern, a subtle smile curled at the King of Darkness's lips. "As always, you're kind—worrying about me." So-yi frowned slightly at his words. The moment she encountered the King of Darkness, an assault had just commenced. Simultaneously, an inexplicable dark barrier had sprawled across the area. Jianhou hurried to where the Guardian Children were but was obstructed by an unknown entity, unable to proceed any further. A man with white hair and eyes that resembled marbles blocked her path. "It's been a while." "…!" The man's identity was none other than the King of Darkness himself. "Why are you here, elder…!" As Jianhou stared at him in shock, trying to speak, the King of Darkness's fingertip rested on her throat. Much was unknown about his martial prowess, yet Jianhou had a vague understanding. Unlike other shadow warriors, the King of Darkness did not wield daggers. Having already reached a level of mastery akin to that of his mentors, there was no need for such weapons. Though wielding arms could indeed maximize efficiency, the King of Darkness seemed to dismiss them as unnecessary. If this fingertip desired, her neck could be severed effortlessly. Amidst the rapidly unfolding chaos and with the safety of the Guardian Children in question, her senses faltered. That fleeting moment led to the current predicament. No, perhaps the King of Darkness had calculated even that instance. In such a scenario, Jianhou had only one thing to say. "…Please release me." There might have been a way to escape, but there was no time to find it. Thus, she chose to plead. "If you came to kill me, I will close my eyes peacefully… But now…." "Jianhou, I do not intend to take your life." "Then why…!" "Which is why it is more problematic if you act." She could not fathom why he restrained her. He would spare her life, but she implored him to save the children—yet he refused. The King of Darkness had no intention to kill her. Therefore…. Swoosh. Jianhou swiftly calculated the situation. She could have made a more rational decision, but there seemed no time for that now. Just as she summoned her inner force and reached for her sword— "You put me in a difficult position." The King of Darkness twisted the hand on her neck. Crack. The sensation across her throat, despite her protective energy, was neutralized effortlessly. And that was the end. Jianhou lost consciousness immediately. When she awoke, the crucial battle had ended. Many had closed their eyes for the last time. The Dragon's Den lay in ruins. "Why did you do it?" "What do you mean." "…The children. Dozens of them died." To So-yi's accusation, the King of Darkness remained expressionless. To put it another way, his face displayed an incomprehensible blankness. "And?" The answer fell from his lips, prompting an angry contortion of So-yi's face. "Do you think it was my fault?" "Had you not stopped me…!" With those words, the King of Darkness's form vanished. He reappeared behind So-yi. "You seem deeply mistaken. Do you really believe you could have reversed the situation had I not intervened?" "Even if not, I could have saved more children." To her defiant words, he slightly nodded. "That's a justified statement, but… ." His fingertip tapped gently on her back. "Do you truly think I had any obligation to do so?" "Elder… ." His voice was frigid. "I understand the righteousness and chivalry you hold dear, but expecting that from me is selfish, isn't it?" "This matter is not the same…." "It is. Whether one lives or dies, the essence remains the same." His voice carried unwavering determination. "I understand your frustration and injustice, but you should be aware that you ought to thank me." "…What do you mean by that?" To her inquiry, he sighed softly. "It sounds like bragging, so I’d rather not say." "Elder." "Let’s change the subject." He deliberately shifted the conversation, dismissing further discussion on the matter. However, So-yi had no intention of letting it go. "I still have much to say…." "You seem to be under a grave misconception." As she prepared to voice her thoughts, an overwhelming aura of killing intent emanated from the King of Darkness's stance. The oppressive force made even So-yi hesitate. "That kid from before, and now you." His eyes, once obscured by the mask, slowly lightened to a chilling white. "Do you know why, despite provoking me, you both still have your heads attached?" Though his facial expression remained unchanged, the relentless onslaught of killing intent made it challenging for So-yi even to breathe. She never saw herself as arrogant or overly proud. However, despite everything, she didn't consider her own level to be low. Receiving the moniker of Jianhou (Sword Queen) was proof enough of her skills, or so she thought, Yet, she hadn’t expected such a vast gap between herself and the King of Darkness. "Though it was a surprise attack." If it were nighttime and the King of Darkness truly intended murder, Rumor has it that he could even dispatch the world's three great masters. Jianhou never put much stock in such tales, But after witnessing him now, she couldn't help but think there might be some truth to them. “It is because you are associated with a friend of mine. That small reason is what spares your lives.” Friend. Jianhou already knew whom he referred to. Her mentor, akin to a parent. The current leader of Mount Hua, the one known as the Plum Blossom Immortal. It was during Jianhou's earliest memories that she had first seen the King of Darkness. When she was very young, Less than ten individuals had visited Mount Hua. At that time, before the Plum Blossom Immortal ascended to the leader position, He was called the Frantic Sword of Mount Hua instead. Those who had claimed to be friends of the Frantic Sword of Mount Hua, Were individuals who would later be known as unprecedented powerhouses. Among them was someone who later became one of the esteemed three great masters. “Huh….” With a resigned sigh from Jianhou, the oppressive killing aura receded instantly. “Plum Blossom Immortal. Knowing the nature of the child under his care, I can understand.” The King of Darkness walked past Jianhou, taking a few steps forward. “I am different from him, so do not impose your values on me. There will be no next time.” The King of Darkness was not a part of the orthodox sect. Though not labeled as a demonic practitioner, calling the king of assassins orthodox was a stretch. He knew this about himself. And he certainly didn't consider himself orthodox. He did what needed to be done without reservations. The sanctity of life was not something an assassin was concerned with. “If you need someone to blame for their deaths, then feel free to blame me. I can live with that.” The King of Darkness, passing by Jianhou, lifted his own severed arm. Attaching it to the severed stump of his shoulder, Jianhou was visibly taken aback. “…!” An unknown viscous substance emerged where the arm and shoulder connected, sealing the wound, and just like that, the arm moved as if it had never been severed. Then, Raising his reattached arm high towards the sky, Jianhou wondered about the implications. Crunch. The King of Darkness clenched his fist, and— Crack-! “…!” Cracks began to form in the dark barrier shrouding the sky. This meant that the force isolating them from outside help, Dimming the light to assist in the assault, was indeed the power of the King of Darkness. Jianhou looked on in disbelief. The King of Darkness met her gaze and spoke. “What’s with that look?” “How did you… with that arm….” Even a master of the highest order couldn't reattach a severed arm like that. It defied medical explanation. Seeing her reaction, the King of Darkness tilted his head. “You must be aware by now that not only humans exist in this world.” "Then you, elder…?" “Well, I'm not sure. I still consider myself human.” Jianhou watched him silently swallow dryly. What she witnessed from him was clearly a warning. And Jianhou felt that strongly. “I know you are searching for something.” “…!” His words made Jianhou flinch. “I would rather you refrain, but since you’ll act regardless, and I can't kill you, I’ll endure.” “Do you know something, elder?” What Jianhou searched for, It was not only the whereabouts of a friend but what transpired with the past Shinryeong Federation. Could it be that the King of Darkness knew? Jianhou's eyes burned with questions, but, The King of Darkness merely turned away. “Even if I know what you seek, I have no intention of telling.” “…Elder….” “If you were in danger, I foresee that madman would go berserk.” As he spoke, he recalled the faces of three people. The first, a giant likely laughing heartily in some mountain ravine. The second, who had already passed away. And the third, A young one with deep ties to the first two. ‘Young one… Can’t call them that anymore.’ The youth, with their black hair and distinctive gaze inherited from their clan, Already seemed far beyond the point where you could call them 'young.' Supposedly the youngest to reach such a height. The King of Darkness hadn’t believed the rumors much, Yet seeing him with his own eyes, he found those tales surprisingly true. ‘The Flower Realm.’ An awe-inspiring Flower Realm. Such a warrior, not exceeding a thousand in all the Central Plains, was estimated. A level one might not reach until ripe old age, Surpassed by this youth—barely beyond twenty. It was a matter destined to mark history. Even for the King of Darkness, who thought himself devoid of emotional fluctuation, it was a wonder. What more needed to be said? However, aside from this, the King of Darkness was troubled by something else. ‘It was no delusion.’ He was sure of it. From the young heir born of the esteemed family, The King of Darkness sensed a familiar aura akin to his own. ****************** "Achoo…!" Following a sudden sneeze, I rubbed my nose thoughtfully. Is someone talking about me? Why does my nose itch so much? “…Being talked about behind my back isn't a rare occurrence after all.” Then, I promptly dismissed the thought. Having my name spoken was nothing new; why bother now? With that concluded, I looked at the person seated before me. “What are you doing here?” “...” There was no reply. Only a bowed head, shivering slightly as if exhausted. With a soft sigh, I called out to her once more. “Sister.” “...” At my voice, I noticed her shoulders flinch. So she was listening, at least. "Are you just going to keep crying?" "Who said I'm crying…!" As soon as I spoke, the woman raised her head defensively. It was Gu Yeonseo. "Your eyes are swollen and red—wipe them properly before you speak." "...Hoo..." At my remark, Gu Yeonseo quickly rubbed her eyes with her sleeve. "Sigh, you really are miserable." "...You're the strange one." I teased her, and she responded with a trembling voice. "You saw that, didn’t you... How can you be so calm?" People met their end right before her eyes. The necks of the students were severed, or they were slashed and bled out. Moments before, there had still been the sound of breath. And in mere seconds, that breath ceased. "...I almost died." Gu Yeonseo had almost perished. She was caught by the huge hand of an attacking man, On the verge of being cut down by a sword. If not that, she might have suffered a terrible fate. And the one who saved her, hilariously enough, was Gu Jeoul Yeop. Gu Jeoul Yeop's stealthy ambush had saved Gu Yeonseo. Later, he'd hidden his presence and survived. "But you—" "What about me?" During that time, I was probably busy dispatching those other men. It's not that I don't understand Gu Yeonseo's confusion. The first real confrontation outside her sheltered upbringing had been at the Dragon's Den. The furthest she traveled apart from the local clan meetings or within Shanxi. Who could have imagined enduring such a trial? Even so. "You survived, didn't you." "You…!" That's all I could say. I understood her fear. And even her tears. Still, it's better than being among the dead. But saying that wouldn't help. “Heobi’s sister would have thought the same.” “…!” Bringing up Gu Heobi sparked something in her. That maniac would have indeed believed so. Drenched in blood and regardless of what had happened, ‘I’m alive, so it’s fine.’ He would have shrugged it off and risen again. Gu Yeonseo wasn’t the only one who faced battle. “…Why bring up my sister?” Her eyes turned fierce at the mention of Gu Heobi. Just like the Gu family nature. When she scowled, she looked truly intimidating. "Here and now—" "Didn't you want to be like them? Then get up. You look pathetic crying." The able-bodied students were busy clearing debris or tending the injured. Perhaps they hadn’t undergone as severe an ordeal as she had, and thus they could act as they did. No one could fully grasp her personal struggles. Not that anyone necessarily would. “Sister, did you at least thank the person who saved you?” "..." "You didn’t, right? It’s embarrassing. Sister, why not just leave the family crest? Stop going around announcing 'I’m part of the Gu family~!' because it's humiliating." "You little…." Gu Yeonseo growled at me, her anger palpable. "You think you know everything, but you don’t…!" "Of course not, how could I possibly know?" I know nothing. We're blood, but not closely knit. And if even I don’t know, that means others care even less about her circumstances. Nearby whispers have already started because of her behavior. It's infuriating. “If you want to keep crying, then do that. Eventually, someone from the family will come for you. Then you can hold onto them and return to your clan. But—” I turned my back on Gu Yeonseo as I spoke. “Don’t go around calling yourself a martial artist future. Relay that to the clan head as well.” "..." I didn't wait for her response. I just walked away, spreading my senses. A little later, when I was further from Gu Yeonseo, I heard her sobs, But soon enough, I sensed her stand and move towards the students clearing the debris. I exhaled a breath of relief. The oppressive dark energy that shrouded the sky had vanished. People from the alliance would come soon. Then it wouldn’t be long before each clan received word of what transpired. It would stir a significant upheaval. ‘The Dragon’s Den…’ Whether it would continue to exist seemed doubtful. I had aimed for early graduation, but now that seemed pointless. While it achieved the desired outcome, it wasn’t the good news it seemed. ‘…This can't be a good thing.’ An event that hadn't happened in my past life had occurred. And in an unfavorable way. It was headache-inducing. I continued walking. What was left... was to speak with Bi Eui-jin, I thought that was best resolved quickly. As I continued my stride, I sensed Mo Yong Hee-ah running towards me from a distance. “What is it? Why are you running?” “Young master….” Her breath was slightly ragged, indicating she had been running in earnest. “Why? Is there another issue…?” Asking, I realized my voice trembled slightly. Having heard of her confessed mishaps before, Fear gnawed at me every time she seemed burdened. However, what Mo Yong Hee-ah said wasn’t alarming. “…Lady Wi is awake.” “…!” Wi Seol-ah had awakened. At those words, without so much as a reply, I dashed forward. I had someone to see before meeting Bi Eui-jin.