Childhood Friend of the Zenith Chapter 518

As I muttered sothing without realizing it, I felt a bit surprised.

"What…?"

Tang So-yeol, hearing my words, seed about to collapse, so I quickly supported her. Why did she suddenly faint?

I lifted her lightweight body into my arms; if I hadn’t, she would have fallen to the ground.

Tang So-yeol, her face flushed bright red, had lost consciousness.

So far, it was manageable.

Though soone had fainted, so it wasn't exactly fine… But there was an even bigger problem.

'…What now?'

After supporting her, I felt all eyes on from every direction.

At the scene, dozens of martial artists were positioned around Tang So-yeol's quarters.

There I stood, with the unconscious Tang So-yeol in my arms, surrounded by them.

"…"

It was the perfect mont for a misunderstanding.

I felt their presence sharpening. A slight bead of sweat trickled down my forehead.

Shing.

The sound of a sword being drawn ca from sowhere.

"Hmm."

Hearing it, I nodded to myself. It seed like clearing up this misunderstanding peacefully was no longer an option.

Right after Tang So-yeol had fainted.

Dozens of martial artists released a fierce aura, so I carefully laid down Tang So-yeol, whom I had been holding.

After setting her down, I called over a maid who had been watching with concern and told her to take care of Tang So-yeol. The maid hesitated for a mont before she finally attended to her.

anwhile, I had to figure out what to do as I faced off against the martial artists who looked ready to charge at .

I had two options.

Get captured quietly and explain the situation.

Or subdue them all and leave.

The ideal choice was the first, but I didn't want to waste ti on that.

So, should I go with the second?

'That's a bit botherso too.'

I hesitated.

Killing them all would be easy.

But subduing them all without hurting anyone was a bit of a hassle.

I’d have to hold back to avoid injuring each one.

'…Fifteen at the First Class level, four at the Peak, and one Master at Peak.'

As expected of a prestigious clan, the martial artists were quite skilled.

It seed they had deployed an entire sword squad from the Tang Clan to act as her guard.

If they attacked all at once, it would be troubleso.

What do I do now?

As I clenched and unclenched my fists, observing their positions, soone cautiously approached.

From what I sensed, he was the highest-ranked among the guards here.

As I stared at him, he ca closer and offered a respectful fist salute.

"I am Seong Yi-hyeok, head of the guard unit affiliated with the Tang Clan. I greet a mber of the Gu family."

So, he was the captain.

Judging by his high level, I had thought he might hold a significant position.

As expected, he was indeed the captain of a sword squad.

"I am Gu Yangcheon."

I introduced myself in turn.

Seong Yi-hyeok also appeared tense as he faced .

"May I ask for an explanation of the situation?"

Hearing this, I nodded internally. Fortunately, it seed he wasn’t going to jump to violence imdiately.

"We were talking, and then Miss Tang suddenly fainted."

"Suddenly, you say…."

"Yes."

Even though I was telling the truth, his gaze still held doubt.

Of course, if I were him, I wouldn’t believe it either.

If it were , I might have started by breaking the other person’s limbs.

Honestly, Seong Yi-hyeok’s calm deanor was unusual.

"I understand if it’s hard to believe, but that’s the truth."

Seeing my slightly awkward expression, I continued.

"It’s alright. I believe you."

Seong Yi-hyeok's unexpected answer took by surprise.

He believed ? I was the one caught off guard by that.

"…Pardon?"

"The young lady spoke quite a bit about you."

Quietly, Seong Yi-hyeok added, "To the point it could get tireso," though I pretended not to hear it.

Talked about , huh…

"She didn't say anything… negative, did she?"

"She ntioned a few things."

"…"

I half-expected him to say he was joking. He didn’t.

I frowned slightly, glancing at Seong Yi-hyeok, who rely chuckled.

"She spoke more good things than bad."

"…I see."

By then, I already felt a bit hurt.

It seed too late to smooth it over.

I slightly pouted, to which Seong Yi-hyeok replied,

"At the very least, from what I’ve heard from her, I don’t believe you’re soone who would harm her."

Feeling slightly irked by his words, I replied sharply.

"Are you really basing your judgnt on just that? For a guard, that seems irresponsible."

If he was truly her guard, he shouldn’t judge so lightly.

Setting aside that things had cald down, his attitude as Tang So-yeol's guard didn’t sit well with .

Hearing my words, Seong Yi-hyeok only laughed.

This guy—he's laughing?

"I wasn’t trying to make you laugh."

"Yes, thank you for your concern. Actually, hearing that makes even more certain of my judgnt."

"What are you talking about…?"

"I can tell by the way you look at her."

"…"

"I believe that, just as we hold her dear, you wouldn’t fall short in doing the sa."

At Seong Yi-hyeok’s words, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

Damn it, all of them keep saying they can tell just by looking, as if they’re mind readers or sothing.

And yet, I couldn’t et his gaze directly.

I hated to admit it, but I couldn’t deny it either.

Even though it was an impulsive reaction that I’d normally laugh at.

This ti, Seong Yi-hyeok turned his face expressionless again and gave another respectful fist salute.

"Please, continue to take care of our lady."

"…Yes."

As I answered, sothing stirred within .

How should I put it?

It was an emotion I couldn’t quite describe.

******************

After spending a few minutes, I finally left Tang So-yeol’s quarters and continued walking.

"…Phew."

As I walked, I wiped off the cold sweat that had ford. It seed like I managed to handle things smoothly.

Although I was worried about Tang So-yeol suddenly fainting, when I briefly held her and checked her energy, there didn’t appear to be any serious issues.

If it becos necessary, I might ask the Divine Doctor to examine her.

After all, fainting suddenly is unusual.

[No matter how you look at it, isn't this your fault?] "What did I do?" [Forget it. You’re always like this.]

Why is this old man picking a fight again?

I held back from responding, knowing this wasn’t the ti for banter with Shin Noya.

Besides, the Tang Clan was already in enough turmoil.

Looking at the gemstone in my hand, I thought.

‘If Tang So-yeol refuses to accept this…’

What should I do? I’d taken it from Elder Il, but now I had to figure out how to use it.

‘Should I just eat it?’

Maybe it’d be best if I just took it myself. That would be the most efficient use.

Honestly, just consuming it would be simpler.

The only issue is…

‘The conditions don’t match.’

Since I'm not female, there’s a risk the energy might backfire.

But I knew one thing. If I ate it, I wouldn’t suffer any side effects.

[You seem quite confident.] “Yes.”

As I sensed the energy, I could tell.

If I consud this, I’d be able to fully absorb it.

Whether it was because of the influence of my Madoc Tanhubgong technique or the transformations I’d undergone, I sohow instinctively knew.

I could consu it without any problem.

The amount of energy within the gemstone was comparable to that of a White Demon Stone.

For sothing artificially refined, it contained an impressive amount.

Additionally, it had the added effect of enhancing toxicity.

However…

‘Toxicity, huh…’

Thanks to my Mandokbulchim* ability, I had a faint trace of toxicity embedded in one corner of my body.

I could use it if necessary, but with my demonic energy, it wasn’t sothing I particularly needed.

It was difficult to mix with the techniques I was using now.

Connecting it with my flas was also inconvenient.

In short, consuming this gemstone would increase my energy, but it wouldn’t have much other significance.

‘The issue is that now isn’t the right ti to increase my energy.’

There was no reason to consu an elixir at this mont.

I still needed to manage the energy I hadn’t fully integrated.

It also took effort to harmonize my body with my energy.

Having too much energy would only be excessive.

‘That’s why it would’ve been best if Tang So-yeol took it.’

If I had a heart full of altruism, I might have shattered it for the sake of those who sacrificed themselves for it.

But that wasn’t .

I knew the extent of the sacrifices made and the purpose behind its creation.

Even knowing that, it wasn’t sothing that mattered to .

‘So what?’

Why should I care?

I didn’t need to feel guilt for others’ sses.

[Disappointing. This kind of person is my successor?] ‘Oh, you must be so pleased.’ [This life is already ruined…]

The dead have no place to find life, so what’s he complaining about?

I understood Shin Noya’s dissatisfaction, but this was my way.

I continued examining the gemstone in my hand.

If Tang So-yeol didn’t want it and I wasn’t planning on consuming it…

"Hmm."

Turning my head, I asked,

"Then do you want to eat it?"

Flinch.

At my question, soone nearby shivered.

It was Nahi. Not surprising, since I’d told her to co.

As soon as our eyes t, Nahi knelt down imdiately.

Her expression looked different from usual.

"Not interested?"

"What do you an by that?"

"This was made by Elder Il. From the feel of it, I think it might have so connection to you."

"...!"

At my words, Nahi sharply raised her head and stared at the gemstone.

At the sa ti, she clenched her fists tightly.

I could tell right away—Nahi recognized what this was.

Her expression contorted instantly.

I didn’t know the details of how she had ended up working under Elder Il.

All I knew was that she’d been used as one of the subjects in those experints.

Despite her youthful appearance, she was actually older than she looked.

Additionally, she was still under Elder Il’s curse.

I didn’t ask about the rest since I wasn’t particularly curious.

‘I already broke the curse, though.’

I had overridden the curse with demonic energy, sealing it with a pact.

She should no longer be bound by Elder Il’s curse.

"Do you need it?"

"…"

Nahi’s eyes turned red as she glared at , filled with resentnt.

How ridiculous.

"Why are you looking at like that?"

Why was she staring at with such wide eyes?

Her dry voice responded,

"…How could I…how could I possibly consu that…?"

"Why not?"

"I rember those who died for this. But you’re telling to consu sothing made from their blood and flesh…!"

Nahi shouted, her voice filled with anguish.

To her, it was a cruel prospect.

Both Tang Deok and Nahi harbored intense feelings of vengeance toward the Tang Clan and those involved in this sche.

A sense of revenge for those who died? Sothing like that, perhaps.

I understood.

I understood the feeling, but…

"So what’s your reason for not being able to consu it?"

"…You…!"

Clench—

"Ghh…!"

At my words, Nahi tried to resist, but the curse activated, clutching at her heart.

The curse prevented her from opposing .

Watching her, I approached.

At her request, Elder Il was dead.

And the other elders—Third Elder and Fourth Elder—would soon et similar ends.

‘Not that I was the one who did it.’

I had intended to, but my father appeared and handled it.

Everything turned out well in the end, so it was fine.

The Tang Clan was shaken.

If this incident beca known in Zhongyuan, it could create enough upheaval to dethrone the Four Great Sects.

It was that significant.

"Gasp…gasp…"

Nahi coughed harshly, and I lifted her chin with my hand.

"Honestly, I was thinking of just consuming it myself, but it felt like a waste. And there are so things I’d like to confirm."

With Tang So-yeol refusing it, the only other suitable person around was Nahi.

As I watched her tremble, I thought.

‘Perhaps Elder Il spared Nahi’s life with this in mind.’

He might have left her alive as a future test subject.

One thing that concerned was…

‘There’s a chance she’s over thirty.’

Considering her connection to Tang Deok, it might be possible.

Even if she were over thirty, though…

‘It doesn’t matter.’

If any issues arose, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

If she truly ended up dying from it…

‘That’s fine too.’

Unlike when I looked at Tang So-yeol, I gazed at Nahi with cold, emotionless eyes.

Perhaps she understood sothing from my expression, as Nahi bit her lip.

"…Do you really intend to make consu that?"

"Not interested? If you consu this, you’ll gain imnse power."

"Ridiculous! I’d rather…! I’d rather die right now!"

Nahi was serious.

Even if it wasn’t the revenge she’d originally sought, in the end, those she wanted dead were dead.

A curse that would cause her heart to burst?

She no longer cared if she died now.

Sensing her resolve, I smiled.

"Why? Do you feel like you can die now that your revenge is complete?"

"If you know that…then just…!"

"Who said your revenge is over?"

She froze.

At my words, Nahi’s expression stiffened.

"What…what do you an by that?"

"Elder Il is dead, and it seems that so naless old n will also die soon. Does that an your revenge is complete?"

"Stop tornting with your words…"

Nahi’s gaze wavered. She spoke as if she were ready to die, yet my words unsettled her.

It was amusing.

"Don’t be mistaken. Those old n were nothing from the beginning."

"That’s nonsense…! I saw it with my own eyes…!"

"Sure, you saw it. But what do you think you understand from just that?"

This was a plan that proceeded without the knowledge of the Clan Head.

Regardless of how influential Elder Il and the other elders were in the clan, could they have carried out such a plan alone?

This had been ongoing for decades.

Ever since the Poison Lord’s ti until now.

That alone made it clear.

‘Are you telling the Tang Clan alone could secretly amass all those test subjects? Nonsense.’

That would be impossible.

Reflecting on this, the connections beca apparent.

There had to be more to why Tang Deok had fallen to demonic influence.

"No matter how powerful the Tang Clan is, they couldn’t handle sothing like this in secrecy."

"…That’s…!"

"This would be impossible unless soone was turning a blind eye."

"…"

Nahi bit her lip.

Seeing that, I smirked inwardly.

"You already knew, didn’t you?"

"…!"

At my firm words, Nahi flinched.

Yes, Nahi had known as well.

Even soone as dull as could deduce the situation from a few clues.

There’s no way she hadn’t known.

If she claid her revenge was complete despite knowing that, it ant—

"You just gave up because you couldn’t go further."

"That…!"

Nahi was about to retort, but I cut her off.

"Revenge? You think it’s over just because you removed the ones in front of you? Pathetic. If that’s all, you might as well die. I have no need for you."

If she wasn’t going to follow through, I didn’t need her.

Anyway, Nahi was just a tool to be used and discarded.

As I was about to stand up and walk away—

"Then, what…what should I do…?!"

Nahi shouted.

The curse didn’t activate.

I had adjusted it so it wouldn’t trigger.

"Do you even know who you’re up against, Young Master…! That place isn’t sothing you can simply challenge…!"

"The Martial Alliance."

"…!!"

At my nonchalant response, Nahi’s eyes widened.

Seeing her reaction, I chuckled.

"Why are you so surprised? Isn’t it obvious?"

Yes, it was obvious.

The reason the Tang Clan could handle things so covertly and conduct these experints for so long…

Ultimately, it would’ve been impossible without the Martial Alliance’s silent approval.

Isn’t it obvious?

‘Do you think they didn’t investigate the nurous disappearances of test subjects?’

No matter how wealthy the Tang Clan was, their influence had limits.

As a part of the righteous sects, they were naturally under the jurisdiction of the Martial Alliance.

With experints of this scale, the Martial Alliance would undoubtedly have found clues.

Yet, the experints had continued smoothly until now.

Which ans it was clear.

‘The Martial Alliance is involved in this.’

It wasn’t surprising.

I’d known they were politically corrupt and self-serving.

I just hadn’t imagined they’d go as far as this.

‘So that’s why Tang Deok joined the Demonic Sect.’

The Heavenly Demon’s goal was to overthrow the Martial Alliance and dominate the world.

Seeing that, Tang Deok likely joined the Demonic Sect, hoping to destroy the Tang Clan and take down the Martial Alliance with it.

Though it was just speculation.

‘In that case, it’s not bad.’

Not bad at all.

I addressed Nahi once more.

"In this situation, do you still think your revenge is complete?"

As I chuckled, I heard Nahi grinding her teeth.

"The opponent is the Martial Alliance. That’s not sothing you should involve yourself with for my sake…"

"‘Helping’ is a strange way to put it."

"Then…what are you…?"

"I’m saying you should join , since I have to take them down anyway."

"…Excuse ?"

At my blunt words, Nahi, who had been growling monts earlier, suddenly looked blank.

She looked as if she hadn’t heard correctly.

Should I repeat it?

Well, I guess I should.

"I intend to destroy the Martial Alliance."

"…!"

"So if you’re going to seek revenge, do it right."

Destroy the Martial Alliance.

When I heard that the Tang Clan was rotten, and that the Martial Alliance was involved in this, I had decided it.

Given the Blood Demon’s connection to the Martial Alliance, it would be absurd to leave it untouched.

So—

"Don’t bother with your pitiful pride. Take what’s given to you and help out. Don’t be a nuisance."

I had no intention of engaging in sentintal conversations with Nahi.

I never had; she was never given any other choice.

If I told her to do sothing, she would do it.

That was the only option left for Nahi as a demon.

____________________

TL Notes: Invulnerable to All Poisons (만독불침 / Mandokbulchim)