Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A powder-like substance seemed to fall from its body with every movement.

It was its ashes.

The body had long lost the essence of life, now just a dark shell of what once was human.

Though I was certain that he was dead, the body still moved before me.

Well, it wasn’t really normal.

Its robotic movements were definitely not normal at all.

The bastard observed its own body part by part, before it slowly turning its head towards me.

[ Impressive. ]

The first thing that came out of its mouth was a compliment.

The voice had a playful tone as though it found amusement in the situation.

Ignoring its destroyed body, it began to look around.

A blood red sky, the scent of blood the wind held, and the decaying land and trees.

Seeing them all, the Blood Demon spoke.

[ I wondered why I lost connection with him. Now I see. Another ruler already claims this world. No wonder it was difficult to break through. ]

As the Blood Demon spoke with amusement, I asked a question.

“…Is there something you want from me?”

The Blood Demon chuckled at my words.

[ You’re not very surprised. That’s a bit disappointing. ]

“I’ve already experienced this before.”

The same thing happened back in the tournament of Dragons and Phoenixes, when I first learned the Blood Demon existed in our world.

I did think that it was possible for the bastard to appear again using Jang Seonyeon’s body like last time in the tournament,

But for it to happen now of all times.

I was pretending to be calm, but I was rather shocked inside.

I didn’t think that the Blood Demon could reach all the way to this world as well.

Just what is its identity?

“How did you come here?”

[ Don’t be too hard on me, I too had to put an extreme amount of effort to come here. ]

“Was that body that precious to you?”

I didn’t know if it came to protect Jang Seonyeon’s lifeless body or if it had some business with me, but either way, this was no welcome reunion.

The Blood Demon stared at me for a moment after my question, then let out a chuckle.

[ It is a pretty precious body. One I had high hopes for. ]

“But what do I do, I’ve already killed him. Are you going to carry the body back and resurrect him or something?”

I said mockingly, sarcasm dripping from my voice.

[ So, you want to joke around with me, child. ]

But the Blood Demon didn’t seem annoyed at all.

[ It isn’t necessarily hard for me to understand the rules of this world. ]

Fuck.

I silently cursed in my mind, hearing the Blood Demon.

It meant that the bastard understood the flow of this world, and that Jang Seonyeon would come back to life once I leave this world..

‘So, the Blood Demon knows that much, huh.’

I knew that it was a monster of the past that brought great calamity to the world, but I never expected it to understand this fake world too.

[ What an amusing world, don’t you think. ]

“…Since you came all the way here, is it because you perhaps wanted to get in my way?”

The Blood Demon said it themselves that Jang Seonyeon was pretty precious to them.

That meant the Blood Demon was here to stop me, knowing I intended to get rid of Jang Seonyeon.

I didn’t know how powerful the Blood Demon was, but if it was here to stop me, this wasn’t a good situation.

[ Are you nervous? ]

It was rather strange to see the burnt hand of the body resting on its chin.

I charged my Qi.

I had already used up an extreme amount earlier, dealing with Jang Seonyeon.

It would’ve been more efficient for me to burn him to a crisp at once, but I had controlled my Qi to give him a slow, painful death. That has become a problem now.

[ Those aren’t very good eyes. You should never be nervous, no matter the situation. ]

“What nonsense are you spitting?”

[ You said you’re going to kill this child, yes? ]

“Not that I’m going to, I already did.”

I had given him a slow, painful death with flames.

He would return back to life once I return back to the normal world, thanks to the rules here, but I already had a plan for that.

If that method failed and Jang Seonyeon did return anyway,

Then I’ll kill him again and erase him from existence.

Better to force the situation than do nothing and risk greater danger.

[ You must have a deep hatred for this child. I wonder why. ]

I stared at the Blood Demon after hearing its question, but I immediately wanted to look away.

Just looking at the body made me feel uneasy.

I couldn’t quite identify what this strange sensation was.

Was this oppressive atmosphere coming from the very essence of that bastard?

I wanted to destroy it immediately.

However, I suppressed my emotion and responded.

“What’s your goal?”

[ Hmm? ]

“If you you died and rotted for hundreds of years, why didn’t you stay that way? Why are you still alive.”

[ Hehehe… ]

The five heroes of the past who were at the very least strong as the current Heavenly Venerables, said that sealing the monster was the best they could do.

Because of that, the Blood Demon still existed in this world, sealed up.

But why was it showing up now, after so long?

“Are you thinking about resurrection?”

Was that its goal?

[ What an interesting question. Resurrection, you say. ]

“If that isn’t it, then you should sit back in a corner. Why do you keep interfering?]

Be it Namgung Cheonjun or Jang Seonyeon, both had used the Blood Demon’s power after receiving Blood Qi.

I wasn’t sure if it were only those two who received such power.

It was possible that there were more.

It could also mean that the Murim Alliance is in the Blood Demon’s hands.

This was one of the reasons why I couldn’t trust the Alliance.

[ Hehe… ]

The Blood Demon kept chuckling, as if it was amused by something.

Was it mocking me?

[ Child. ]

The Blood Demon called me.

[ You bring great entertainment to this dull, predetermined existence. For that, I’ll grant you a gift. ]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“…What are you…”

[ If resurrection was my goal, I would have done it already. ]

“What?”

[ A seal, you say? Do you really think I’ve suffered all this time because lesser beings bound me? ]

I froze at the Blood Demon’s words.

I couldn’t tell if it was telling the truth.

It might have been bluffing.

But what would it bluff for?

As my head was filled with complicated thoughts, the Blood Demon kept speaking.

[ I can always stand back up. ]

“…Then why didn’t you?”

[ There was simply no need. ]

“No need you say?”

[ That’s right. There was no longer any need. That’s why I didn’t get back up. ]

“Bullshit. Then why are you doing all of this now?”

[ Doing what? ]

I knew that both Jang Seonyeon and Namgung Cheonjun used the Blood Demon’s power, and I was talking to the Blood Demon itself right now, just like last time through Jang Seonyeon’s body.

“What about all of the things you caused?”

[ I gave them strength because they asked for it. I did not reach out to them first. ]

“How am I supposed to believe that?”

[ Child, you must be mistaken. ]

Rumble-!

“…!”

A thick, foul stench of blood suddenly surged before me.

I was forced to take a step back.

Without my Qi shielding me, I would’ve collapsed and vomited right there.

This was definitely Qi, exploding out from Jang Seonyeon’s body.

Was it really this powerful even though it was using someone else’s body?

The Blood Demon spoke as my eyes widened in shock.

[ I do not need the belief from an insignificant existence like you. ]

Jang Seonyeon’s body gradually stood up.

The body seemed ready to crumble at the slightest touch, yet it stood, leveling its gaze with mine.

Though I couldn’t see its eyes, I knew the Blood Demon was staring directly at me.

[ Shouldn’t you be thankful instead? ]

“…What should I be feeling thankful for?”

[ Despite knowing where my five senses, Qi, and body went, I’m only watching in peace. How generous of me. ]

Its five senses, Qi, and body.

That’s what the Light of Might had said before.

The Blood Demon’s five senses were scattered across the world.

He also mentioned that both its Qi and body were sealed away.

But it knows where they are?

Even if what the Blood Demon said was real, it didn’t make it any more convincing that the Blood Demon could revive.

Knowing where they were didn’t mean the bastard could retrieve them.

[ I’m just waiting for the right time. ]

Right time… I assume it’s waiting for something.

“So if that time comes, then you’ll resurrect in the end?”

[ I’m not sure… I haven’t decided yet. ]

The Blood Demon didn’t resurrect in my past life.

For me, the Blood Demon was merely a monster that brought calamity in the past, and the one who was sealed away by the heroes.

With that in mind, I asked a question.

“There is one thing I want to ask.”

The Blood Demon suddenly laughed at my bluntness.

[ How insolent. You speak as if I came here to chat with you. ]

“Am I wrong?”

[ Why do you think that way? ]

“If that weren’t true, you wouldn’t have told me any of this.”

It had spoken of its five senses, its Qi, its body, how it didn’t desire resurrection, and how it was waiting for the right moment.

These were all details that raised more questions.

The Blood Demon revealed way too much, just for it to have come here to save Jang Seonyeon.

Its calm demeanor also suggested that killing me wasn’t its goal.

“If you’re not going to answer, then screw off. I’ve got nothing else to say to you.”

Still, I wasn’t about to view it in a positive light.

Whatever the bastard’s identity and goal were, I didn’t believe it was going to be any helpful for me.

Whatever its intentions, in the end, it was just another bastard I’d need to eliminate.

[ What is it that you want to ask? ]

“Are you a calamity?”

When I encountered the memory of Yeon Il-Cheon, he told me that the Blood Demon they fought was a calamity.

A calamity that would bring about the world’s end, fulfilling its destined fate.

On top of that, Yeon Il-Cheon called me a calamity as well. He said that there was a reason for my transmigration, and that I would ultimately be the one to bring the world to its end.

Elder Shin told me to believe in myself, but that was easier said than done.

Since the Blood Demon came here for a conversation with me, I decided to ask directly.

I asked whether the Blood Demon was a calamity.

I wanted to check if Yeon Il-Cheon was right.

The Blood Demon fell silent for a moment after hearing my question.

After a few seconds of silence, it spoke.

[ I never expected such a question from you. How amusing. ]

“I’m not here to amuse you. Now answer.”

[ Calamity, huh? ]

The Blood Demon stepped towards me.

As it moved, a crack appeared along its neck.

[ What do your eyes see? ]

“Based on appearance alone, you certainly look like a calamity.”

The sight of the Blood Demon controlling a lifeless body, walking toward me, was unsettling, even for me.

[ Calamity, you say… Who told you about that? ]

“Just answer yes or no.”

[ No, there is no need for an answer, as there is only one. ]

It reached its arm out.

Its sword pointed toward me, and I frowned.

I debated whether to disarm it or shatter the weapon entirely.

[ It would be Yeon Il-Cheon. ]

It seemed like the Blood Demon knew who told me that.

Should I try to deny it?

I honestly couldn’t trust Yeon Il-Cheon that much either.

[ What a pitiful man. He couldn’t let go of his regrets, so he acted. He has blinded you. ]

“My eyes are perfectly fine.”

[ No, you were blinded by a ghost of the past. I will open your eyes. ]

The Blood Demon’s fingertip reached out for my eyes.

It was close enough to touch, but I didn’t bother moving.

I could sense the Blood Demon trying something, but I remained perfectly still.

Just as the Blood Demon’s fingers were about to touch my eye—

Craaaack-!

At last, the moment I’d been waiting for arrived.

Something came out from the ground and separated me and the Blood Demon.

[ How unfortunate. ]

The Blood Demon spoke, disappointed.

I glanced down to see what had emerged—a giant tree root. The Blood Demon, upon seeing it, took a step back.

[ It seems like I’ve used up too much time. ]

Before the Blood Demon could reach for the tree root, its hand crumbled to dust with ease.

[ Is this what you were aiming for? ]

“Not necessarily, but you were coming closer, so I decided to test it anyway.”

[ How daring of you. You seemed to have no intention of moving. ]

I was certain that it was going to come.

‘This’ too had something it wanted from me, and I knew that the bastard needed me.

Because of that, I knew it wouldn’t leave me alone.

[ How unfortunate… I wanted our conversation to last a little longer, but it seems the ruler of this world isn’t pleased with my presence. ]

Cracks began to spread across the Blood Demon’s body.

[ It wasn’t enough, but I hope this conversation brought us a bit closer. ]

“You are more disgusting than I thought. Just leave quietly and don’t make me feel any sicker.”

I snapped back, but the Blood Demon didn’t seem to care all that much.

Even as Jang Seonyeon’s body rapidly dissolved, I didn’t lower my guard.

The Blood Demon still had its eyes on me.

[ The offer I gave you back then is still open. Come visit me if you get to meet the Dancer. ]

Ha.

I scoffed, letting out a dry, incredulous laugh.

“When you don’t even know what I’ll do if I visit?”

I had no idea who or what the Dancer was, so I couldn’t understand why the Blood Demon kept insisting I visit.

What if I destroy everything there after I accept the invitation?

Or was it just that confident?

“Even if I do visit, it definitely won’t be for a pleasant reason.”

[ I don’t mind that either. Getting out of one’s comfort zone is always a good practice, after all. ]

As the Blood Demon’s lower body vanished, its upper body collapsed to the ground.

Because of the impact, its body was broken into pieces.

When only fragments remained, they scattered into dust with the wind.

Yet even then, the Blood Demon spoke one last time.

[ Let us meet again. ]

With those parting words, the wind carried away the last of Jang Seonyeon’s body.

“…Sigh.”

I let out a rough sigh afterwards.

I was finally able to loosen up a bit.

“For fucks sake. Every time I try to do something, Someone interferes.”

Was this because of my bad luck?

My head hurts.

Of all things, why did it have to be the Blood Demon?

What’s going on?

I thought about what happened in my past life, but it felt pointless given all the new secrets I’d uncovered in this one.

Just what was that bastard’s fate, the purpose of the world, and what was the seed that Gu Clan had?

Even one of those questions was enough to give me a headache, leaving my mind in disarray.

That’s why I came here. I’ve been wanting to visit this place ever since I first came to the Academy, and ever since I confirmed Cheol Jiseon being in the Academy.

I believed that the ‘thing’ in this world had answers for me.

I turned around and spoke.

“If you were going to show up, you should’ve done it sooner. Why wait so long?”

Where there had been only barren land, now stood a colossal figure towering over me, blotting out the sky.

I saw it in my past life as well, but it was truly unbelievably big.

It was hard to call it a tree because of its grand size and the atmosphere it gave off.

Moreover, I knew the name of this tree.

It introduced its name to me one day.

It called itself the Fifth World Tree of this land.

Muah.

Sough-

The branches, stretching all the way to the clouds, began to stir as if responding to my voice.

The branches, bare and dried, only made it look more desolate.

Then,

[ Nice to meet you. ]

A voice echoed in my ears.

It was a very hollow and sad voice.

It sounded exactly the same as the voice I heard in the past.

Its greeting was the same as before, but what followed was different.

[ My apostle. ]

I frowned at those words.