Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 324 (Part 2)



324 (Part 2)

The reaction was completely different from when Jang Seon-yeon had appeared earlier.

Seeing that the newcomer frowned.

“What’s going on? Woo-cheol is there something happening today?”

“I heard it’s a day for announcements. That’s why everyone is gathered right?”

“Announcement?”

Behind the small-framed youth a large man stepped forward to explain.

Pae Woo-cheol.

He was a prodigy that Jang Seon-yeon had also kept in mind.

Behind him a handsome young man who was part of the group chuckled and brought up another topic.

“Looks like they’ve set the rankings.”

That was Jang-ryong.

The one who had coldly rejected Jang Seon-yeon’s approach as if he had no interest was now standing there with a completely different expression.

“Seriously they do everything. They could just do it moderately.”

The one who heard Jang-ryong’s words spoke bluntly as if he found it ridiculous.

He continued walking.

As the fierce-looking young man approached the gathered students quickly made way.

Gulp.

From somewhere the sound of someone swallowing dryly could be heard.

‘…That guy.’

Jang Seon-yeon had to frown at that sight as well.

From a distance the young man seemed to have spotted Jang Seon-yeon.

He smiled.

That smile was quite frightening to say the least.

Jang Seon-yeon knew it was a clear sneer.

He had to grit his teeth once more.

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“Long time no see?”

“…Nice to meet you Gu Mister.”

Jang Seon-yeon greeted him back though his face showed no warmth.

It was equally torturous.

“Your expression says it all.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes just keep pretending you don’t know.”

The mocking words left no room for a response.

Conversations with that guy felt like they were draining his soul.

It could be because the malice piercing him was so vivid.

“Oh Hyung-nim.”

“What?”

“You’re first place.”

“Really?”

He could have been the biggest wall blocking his path.

Il (仔).

Gu Yang-cheon.

The person sitting at the highest rank among all the students.

The top scorer of the entrance exam.

Even in a bad sense he was the most famous figure in the current Shin-ryong-gwan.

‘…Jin-ryong.’

He was the person Jang Seon-yeon wanted to get rid of the most.

‘…Why?’

Questions arose.

He had known for a long time that Mu-woo was exceptional.

After being treated that way at the dragon and phoenix branch how could he not know?

That guy was a monster.

He had to admit it.

Jin-ryong was a monster.

He could acknowledge that but—

‘He excels in theory too?’

That was absurd.

He thought there was no way he would put in that kind of effort.

Yet Gu Yang-cheon’s theoretical score was even higher than Seol-bong’s.

‘…Is that even possible?’

How could that be? Could it be that there was some backdoor deal with the principal or the instructors…?

“Hey.”

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“…I.”

“You seem quite resentful huh?”

At Gu Yang-cheon’s words Jang Seon-yeon barely regained his composure and turned his expression.

Seeing that Gu Yang-cheon chuckled.

“Try a bit harder next time. Though I don’t know if there will be a next time.”

“…Gu Mister.”

“That’s all because you lack the drive. Just make sure to eat well.”

He continued to irritate him with a teasing tone.

In the midst of it all he seemed to have no interest in rankings.

That didn’t sit well with him.

‘Is it a given?’

That he would rise to such heights.

Was that what it meant?

Jang Seon-yeon didn’t like that.

He was holding his ground and chasing after them doing everything he could.

That guy acted however he pleased showing his true nature.

And yet he didn’t care about the gazes of others.

‘…’

…

….

..

With the emotions rising faintly.

He clenched his fist.

It was the thought of envy that crossed his mind.

That he Shin Seong envied that guy.

That couldn’t be allowed.

‘I have to get rid of him.’

He truly needed to eliminate him.

Before it was too late before the wall blocking his path grew larger and larger.

He had to clear it away for sure.

Jang Seon-yeon’s gaze turned to one of Gu Yang-cheon’s companions.

Amidst all the gazes directed at him.

There was a figure hiding behind the large frame of Pae Woo-cheol seemingly terrified.

‘Cheol Ji-seon.’

The most important key to this matter.

A person who would be useful for the path he would take in the future.

Thinking of that Jang Seon-yeon was able to endure the humiliation he faced now.

He knew that the sneer Gu Yang-cheon was wearing.

Was not far from turning into a scream.

“Congratulations Gu Mister.”

Knowing that Jang Seon-yeon was able to smile now.

“Truly impressive.”

At Jang Seon-yeon’s congratulatory words Gu Yang-cheon wore a stunned expression.

“You’re such a disgusting brat… If it were me I wouldn’t be able to smile out of anger. Yet you’re laughing.”

“Haha how could I be angry at something worth congratulating?”

“If I stay any longer I might really lose my appetite. Let’s go.”

With that Gu Yang-cheon turned his back seemingly losing interest.

Then his companions followed suit without hesitation.

It seemed that not just Gu Yang-cheon but everyone there had no interest at all.

Jang Seon-yeon had to keep working hard.

Just a moment of carelessness and the killing intent might burst forth.

He forced a smile while looking at Gu Yang-cheon’s back.

And he recalled.

‘Wait for it.’

I will definitely make you kneel.

As he walked toward the dining hall he scratched his back.

‘It’s so itchy.’

The subtly pricking killing intent was quite bothersome.

It wasn’t all good that his sensitivity had heightened.

He had to feel even that ridiculous killing intent.

‘Ha.’

Seeing Jang Seon-yeon’s face was torture.

Facing the energy that guy emitted was even more annoying.

‘If he had stayed longer I would have really lost my appetite.’

There was nothing that could decrease his appetite more than looking at that guy’s face.

While he was walking diligently Pae Woo-cheol spoke to him.

“Hyung-nim you’re truly amazing…! First place huh?”

“This is already the third time.”

It was my name that was called.

I didn’t understand why he was more excited than I was.

“Where were you?”

At my question Pae Woo-cheol made a troubled expression.

“…I think I was somewhere in the middle. I’m not sure. I didn’t pay attention.”

“You should have memorized your own score you fool….”

Having seen him struggle to keep up with just the theoretical training I didn’t think he would have scored very high.

As expected it seemed he was in the mid-range. That seemed likely.

‘And yet first place.’

Honestly I had expected that part so I wasn’t particularly moved.

What worried me a bit was that I had treated the instructors poorly.

I thought they might deduct points for that.

Fortunately it seemed the instructors weren’t that uptight.

‘Or maybe they just gave me this much after deducting points.’

I said that but—

My theoretical knowledge about demonic beasts was overwhelming.

How many demonic beasts had I seen under the Heavenly Demon?

How many spirit stones had I consumed for qi?

I had to do at least this much.

“Stop the flattery. Let’s go eat; I’m hungry.”

“I heard there’s meat today.”

“Why do you like that? Aren’t you a Taoist?”

“What’s a Taoist? Is it something to eat?”

“…Forget it. Just eat it yourself.”

I had gotten somewhat used to Jang-ryong’s nonsense by now.

The real Jang-ryong kept coming around despite the differences in our groups.

He probably intended to keep hanging out together.

‘And.’

Putting Jang-ryong aside.

I quietly glanced at Cheol Ji-seon who was following me with his mouth tightly shut.

– Are you going to keep doing that?

“…!”

As I spoke through telepathy Cheol Ji-seon flinched.

It was too obvious that his expression had been sour for a while now.

– I told you it’s okay.

I knew what he was worrying about.

So I had to push him a bit.

– Don’t worry about it. Just do what Jang says.

“Uh?”

Cheol Ji-seon who had let out a sound without realizing it quickly closed his mouth.

“Sorry… I bit my tongue.”

“Are you okay?”

“Uh-huh.”

Seeing that I let out a sigh.

What should I do if he can’t do it even when I tell him to?

– Do you know my friend…?

At my question Cheol Ji-seon shook his head.

That meant he didn’t know.

– If you don’t do this I’ll kill you.

“…!”

He said he wanted to die.

With a clear killing intent behind my words Cheol Ji-seon’s face turned pale.

I didn’t want to go this far.

But if he stayed in that state it would be troublesome for me.

– So let’s do well okay?

As I said that with a smile Cheol Ji-seon nodded repeatedly.

Looking at Jang Seon-yeon’s expression it seemed he wouldn’t act out or anything.

The important thing was how well Cheol Ji-seon would perform.

I could feel it from Jang Seon-yeon’s expression and the killing intent that had been poking at me.

That there was really not much time left.

Just in case I had prepared other measures as well.

Now I just had to wait for the right moment.

They were moving well on their own.

What I had to hope for was.

That there wouldn’t be any unexpected changes.

That was all I needed to wish for.

And so.

Days passed.

“The practical training is about to begin.”

The time that both he and I had been waiting for had finally come.