Childhood Friend of the Zenith - Chapter 626

A room with not a single light on.

In the silence, Yuseon sat on a throne, her eyes closed, resting her chin on her hand.

Beyond her closed eyes lay only darkness, and the room remained steeped in quiet.

But unlike the stillness of the room, Yuseon’s mind was in turmoil.

[…Swallow…]

A voice echoed.

[Kill.]

[Consume.]

[Swallow the shard.]

The incessant whispers made Yuseon lift her hand from her chin to her forehead.

"…Noisy."

How long had it been since she had last been able to sleep? Likely ever since the Ice Essence had chosen her.

Her body, no longer bound by human limitations, didn’t require rest, so the lack of sleep posed no physical problem.

Yet, she still felt weary.

Not physically—

But mentally.

Thinking about this, Yuseon allowed herself a faint, bitter smile.

"Weak… so weak."

Even after shedding her humanity, to feel exhausted over something so trivial—it was laughable.

She had become a great being, chosen by the Ice Essence.

Such petty concerns should no longer bother her.

"Hm…"

Deciding so, Yuseon waved her hand.

Wuuum.

Each time her fingertips brushed the air, ripples formed. Feeling the faint vibrations, she repeated the motion.

[Devour it.]

[So that…]

"I understand, so be quiet for a moment, will you?"

Yuseon frowned at the recurring commands.

"I will do it. You need not rush me."

There was no need for constant reminders. She had made a contract for this very purpose.

To her words—

[But why?]

[Why haven’t you consumed it yet?]

The Ice Essence questioned her, its tone filled with curiosity. Why hadn’t she swallowed the shard yet? Yuseon’s thoughts drifted to a certain young man.

[Yuseon-nim.]

A man who continued to act against her wishes.

A man who displeased her.

And yet—

The one person she wanted most to possess.

"…I’m merely waiting for the right time."

Yuseons voice carried a faint weariness.

"So please, be quiet. I’d like to be left alone for now."

Her tone was tinged with irritation.

[…]

The once incessant voice fell silent.

As the room grew calmer, Yuseon tilted her head, her expression curious.

Could it be… had it actually listened to her?

"That can’t be it."

She knew the Ice Essence wouldn’t heed her words like that.

Then what was going on?

As Yuseon pondered for a moment—

Wuuum!

"Oh?"

She reacted to a sudden sensation.

"…Oh my."

Something had entered her perception.

At the same time,

Thunk!

"…!"

A sound came from outside the window.

Thud-thud! Crash!

Whoosh—!

Rain. Rain was pouring outside the window, harsh and fast.

"What is this…?"

Where had the snow that had been falling moments ago gone? Why had it suddenly turned to rain?

Moreover—

"…Why?"

Yuseon felt a flicker of astonishment at how she had only now noticed this.

Anything happening within her "domain" shouldn’t have escaped her notice.

And yet, this strange phenomenon—she was only realizing it now?

"This is…"

As Yuseon briefly displayed her confusion—

Step.

"…!"

The clear sound of footsteps drew her attention, her head snapping toward the door.

Step.

The sound grew louder.

Footsteps echoing leisurely down the hallway, steadily approaching her location.

Step.

Then they stopped.

The steps, which had been drawing closer, halted just outside the door.

[Hm.]

The voice that reached her ears made Yuseon furrow her brow.

Clink.

Someone grasped the doorknob.

Clink-clink!

They tried to open the door several times.

[What’s with this? Why won’t it open? Isn’t this how it works?]

The attempts faltered momentarily, as if the person was confused.

Crunch!

A harsh sound erupted from the door, and then—

The door was ripped from its hinges.

One side of the door was utterly destroyed, and the one responsible stared at it with a slightly sheepish expression.

"…Oh, crap. Why is this thing so weak?"

"…"

Their eyes met.

Yuseon saw slit-like pupils, blue and sharp, reminiscent of her own but distinctly different.

As she stared at him in silence, the young man holding the shattered door gave an awkward smile.

"Sorry. Still getting the hang of controlling my strength."

"…You."

Whip!

Crash!

The young man casually tossed the door aside, the sound of it clattering down the hall echoing loudly.

"…"

"…"

For a few seconds, they simply stared at each other in silence.

In the midst of the awkwardness created by the chaotic scene—

"It’s been a while."

The young man spoke first, addressing Yuseon.

"…"

"Though, saying it’s been a while feels odd. It’s only been, what, two days? Right?"

Yuseon studied him, her gaze searching.

It hadn’t been long since they last met, as he said.

His appearance was largely unchanged.

"…Oh my."

Yet Yuseon could feel the differences.

Though his outward form remained the same—

He had changed. In many ways.

Thump.

Thump.

Yuseon’s racing heartbeat was proof of that.

"It seems you’ve made your decision."

The man who had once been adrift, undervaluing his own worth—

Now he was different.

He was centered, composed.

The impatience and hesitation characteristic of humans were gone, replaced by the poise of something far greater.

"Showing mercy seems to have been worth it."

"Should I thank you for that?"

"If you do, I’d gladly accept it."

Yuseon smiled as she replied. The young man, too, smiled in response.

"Go to hell."

His raised middle finger accompanied his words, prompting Yuseon to tilt her head in mild irritation.

"Apologies, but I have nothing to kneel on. That’ll be impossible."

"You’re more feisty than I thought."

"You misunderstand. I was raised with utmost grace."

"Hmm."

As their playful exchange continued, Yuseon asked him.

"How did you get here?"

Her question carried many layers of meaning.

Why had he come here?

How had he managed to reach this place?

She had to ask.

It didn’t make sense for him to arrive so peacefully.

If he’d had any conflict with the guards outside, Yuseon should have noticed immediately.

From the moment he stepped foot within the palace, his presence should have been in her perception.

Yet she only became aware of him when he was already walking down the hall.

"Guess."

Gu Yangcheon answered with a smirk, refusing to explain.

Hearing this, Yuseon opened her mouth to press further, but—

"Is that your true form now?"

This time, Gu Yangcheon asked her a question, his tone curious.

At the moment, Yuseon had taken a female form, while the last time they met, she had appeared male.

"Who knows?"

Yuseon answered vaguely.

"This was my appearance when I was human, but it doesn’t really matter."

"Hmm."

"Gender doesn’t mean much to beings like us."

"The distinction between male and female applies only to humans and beasts."

"The only thing that matters is being a dragon. Gender is irrelevant."

"Are you saying you can choose freely?"

At the young man’s question, Yuseon chuckled lightly and then—

Hisss…

Her body began to transform, gradually taking on the appearance from their first encounter—a cold, imposing man with white hair.

"Oh."

Seeing the complete transformation, the young man let out a sound of admiration. At the same time, he seemed to realize something.

"That’s not martial arts, is it?"

He spoke with a tone of certainty, and Yuseon’s expression shifted subtly.

"You have sharp eyes."

She had tried to play it off, to reveal it subtly. But the young man had noticed immediately.

How dull.

For a moment, Yuseon thought it was disappointing.

Hiss.

Rising slowly from the throne, Yuseon reverted back to her female form as she descended the steps, step by step, toward the young man.

"And so, my dear pureblood, what brings you here to seek me out?"

The distance between them closed.

"Our previous meeting wasn’t exactly pleasant, was it? Or am I wrong?"

"No, you’re right. You ripped my arm off out of nowhere."

"Well, considering you tore apart the precious doors of our palace, I’d say we’re even."

"Ha."

Hearing her words, Gu Yangcheon laughed openly.

"Ripping someone’s arm off and comparing it to a door? That’s absurd."

"Besides, I even gave you a gift, didn’t I?"

She had restored his broken body, even regenerated his lost limb. Surely that was enough compensation?

As Yuseon spoke with such intent, Gu Yangcheon’s laughter faded, his expression turning cold.

"The first part is true. The second? Not so much."

Flinch.

"…"

Yuseon’s steps halted momentarily at his offhand remark.

"I still don’t know how you healed my internal injuries, but the second part isn’t true, is it?"

As he continued, Yuseon’s expression twisted further.

It seemed he had figured it out.

She had thought it wouldn’t take him long to notice now that he had solidified his identity and moved past his hesitation—

But to have realized this quickly?

"Sharp indeed."

"That’s not a compliment I hear often, but I don’t mind."

As they exchanged words, Yuseon pondered how much he had realized.

While part of her was curious,

"Even if he has realized…"

She was confident it wouldn’t change anything.

Even if he were a pureblood capable of claiming the title of Dragon Lord, he couldn’t escape her Authority.

With that conviction, Yuseon smiled and asked,

"And so, what brings you here?"

Confident in her dominance, Yuseon could afford to smile.

"After the mercy I showed you, have you come back to die?"

"Quite the morbid thing to say. I have no intention of dying."

"If not, then I can’t understand why you’re here."

Feigning exaggerated confusion, Yuseon continued, the smile fading from her lips.

"If I’d given you time, you could’ve run away disgracefully. So why come back here?"

"I’ll be back."

Yuseon had told him that. She had intended to return when the time was right.

For now, she had been content to wait.

And yet, Gu Yangcheon had come to her directly.

Could it be?

"Did you think that, just because you gained some strength, you could defeat me? That would be disappointing."

As she spoke, Yuseon flicked her fingers slightly.

Crack!

"…?"

A peculiar sound rang out.

Gu Yangcheon glanced toward the source of the noise—

Boom!

From his left shoulder, something exploded, and his arm was severed cleanly from his body.

Thud-thud-thud!

Blood from the wound dripped onto the floor, forming a crimson pool.

In the face of the sudden turn of events, Yuseon spoke.

"Know your place. Even among dragons, we are not equals."

Her expression exuded overwhelming arrogance.

Gu Yangcheon, however, simply stared at her, his face blank.

Despite the pain he must have been feeling, there wasn’t even a twitch of discomfort.

Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, but he didn’t bother to wipe it away.

"This feels real—the pain, too. No wonder I couldn’t notice it before."

"…What are you talking about?"

Yuseon frowned at his cryptic words.

"Back then, and now too. It’s incredible. Is this what they call Authority?"

"…"

At his remark, Yuseon clenched her teeth internally.

It seemed her suspicion was correct.

He had realized exactly what was happening.

"So this entire space—your Authority?"

"…"

Yuseon didn’t answer.

Even if Gu Yangcheon had figured it out, it didn’t matter.

After all,

"He’s in my domain."

As long as he was within her "nest," his chances of victory were nonexistent.

With that thought, Yuseon spoke.

"Why don’t you try to guess?"

She turned his earlier words back on him.

Gu Yangcheon chuckled, the sound unsettling as blood dripped from his mouth and his severed arm lay on the floor.

"It’s fine. I’m not that curious."

"…You."

"What did you ask earlier? Why I came?"

Hum.

Gu Yangcheon’s eyes glimmered faintly.

Yuseon felt an uncanny sensation, as if the very air had shifted.

"First, I wanted to try something out, and you’re the only one I could test it on."

"What…?"

"Second, I remembered something you said."

"Something I said?"

At her puzzled response, Gu Yangcheon replied,

"You said dragons don’t tolerate having what’s theirs taken."

"And?"

"And what do you think?"

With his one remaining arm, Gu Yangcheon brushed his hair back, revealing his clear, piercing gaze.

"I’ve come to take back what was stolen from me."

"…"

"Give it back."

What could he possibly be asking for? Yuseon pondered briefly before the answer came to her.

There was only one thing he could want from her right now.

"…Vioe-gun?"

"That’s right."

As if to confirm, Gu Yangcheon smiled, while Yuseon’s expression twisted into a vicious scowl.

Seeing her reaction, Gu Yangcheon clapped his hands mockingly, though with only one hand, it amounted to a hollow gesture.

"Wow, that look on your face—it’s terrifying."

"How dare you…"

Boom!

Yuseon’s emotions triggered a violent tremor in the space around them.

And then—

"Hm?"

Whoosh!

Gu Yangcheon’s body was lifted into the air and pulled toward Yuseon’s outstretched hand.

Grab!

She caught him by the neck.

Crunch!

Her grip tightened as she spoke through her twisted expression.

"Don’t delude yourself… How dare you covet what’s mine?"

Though Yuseon had maintained her composure until now, her reaction this time was undeniably intense.

"Here we go again. This part always feels terrible."

Even in this situation, Gu Yangcheon remained composed.

"…Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t steal what’s yours."

Rumble!

The tremors grew more intense.

"He was mine to begin with. I was merely taking back what already belonged to me."

"Hm."

"It's not yours."

Crunch!

There was a sensation as if something was being crushed.

Where this time?

Gu Yangcheon focused on his body, and he realized the pressure was now on his heart.

Was she planning to crush his heart? Sensing this, he nodded.

"Alright then, make it yours."

"…What?"

Yuseon was momentarily startled by his casual response.

Just take it?

Such nonchalant words from someone who had stormed into enemy territory to reclaim what was his—

It seemed absurdly flippant.

"Go ahead, make it yours—him."

It was as if it didn’t matter at all.

And to Gu Yangcheon, it really didn’t.

"It’s fine if he’s yours."

Whether it was Woo Hyuk or Vioe-gun, even if they truly belonged to Yuseon, Gu Yangcheon genuinely didn’t care.

"What does it matter?"

So what if it was Yuseon’s?

"I didn’t come here to reclaim what’s mine. I came to take what’s yours."

"What…?"

The meaning wouldn’t change.

As Yuseon reeled at his ridiculous wordplay,

Clench!

Gu Yangcheon used his one remaining hand to grab Yuseon’s wrist, the one gripping his neck.

It was a situation reminiscent of their last encounter.

But the problem remained: Yuseon didn’t budge an inch.

Grip.

Gu Yangcheon continued to apply force, but breaking free of her grip was nearly impossible.

Despite his increased energy and elevated cultivation level, the outcome was the same.

Still, Gu Yangcheon didn’t seem bothered.

Looking directly at Yuseon, he spoke.

"You know, I’ve realized something—I’m really greedy."

It was a revelation that had struck him recently.

He didn’t want to lose anything.

He had to have everything he desired.

And if he couldn’t, he’d crush and take it by force.

"So, even if he’s yours, it doesn’t matter to me. I’ll just take him."

If it belonged to someone else, he’d simply steal it.

If he wanted something, he’d get it.

Primal instincts guided him.

With hesitation gone, it seemed this had always been his true nature.

"Whether I became arrogant and selfish because I’m a dragon, or I was always this way—I’m not sure."

Perhaps it was this greed that had given him his "Authority."

Gu Yangcheon couldn’t help but find the thought amusing.

"But one thing is clear. If I want something, I’ll take it—especially if it’s yours."

"…"

Yuseon fell silent, her expression gradually freezing.

Her once-heated demeanor cooled, and she felt that her earlier outburst was foolish.

"You’re right," she said, nodding at Gu Yangcheon’s words.

Words were meaningless.

He was here to take what was hers.

What reason was there to deny such a simple truth?

All that mattered was ensuring he couldn’t take it.

Stab!

Yuseon’s free hand plunged into Gu Yangcheon’s chest, piercing his heart.

Just like that—

Thunk.

Gu Yangcheon’s head drooped, his body going limp.

This had been the inevitable conclusion from the moment he entered her domain.

It was a predetermined outcome, and it had simply come to pass.

Though anticlimactic, it was reality.

"…Getting so worked up was foolish."

The exaggerated reaction seemed laughable in hindsight.

Yuseon sighed and began to withdraw her hand when—

Grip.

"…?"

Her hand wouldn’t move.

The hand piercing Gu Yangcheon’s chest felt stuck, as though bound.

Clench!

"…!"

The same went for the hand gripping his neck.

"What is this…!"

Yuseon gasped in shock just as Gu Yangcheon’s voice, low and steady, came from his seemingly limp body.

"Got you."

Startled, Yuseon tried to exert more force, but—

"Devour."

Gu Yangcheon acted first.

"Greed (탐, Tām)."

A blue darkness enveloped the space entirely.