Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 356 (Part 1)



356 (Part 1)

In the black space created behind the Shinryong Hall.

In a space that looks like a black curtain spread across the sky.

Pitter-patter.

A figure with black hair wearing a half-mask the Dark King (暗王) revealed himself.

With one shoulder completely empty. In the remaining hand of the Dark King was a severed arm.

No blood flowed. The bleeding had already stopped due to qi.

“…”

With a blank expression the Dark King stepped outside and gazed somewhere.

Amidst countless trees a woman was waiting leaning against one.

She appeared to be slightly over thirty with long black hair and a beautiful appearance.

Seeing her the Dark King spoke first.

“I kept you waiting. I’m sorry.”

“…It’s fine….”

The woman who had been quietly waiting was the Volcano Sword Master So Yi.

As time passed and the Dark King emerged from the space her eyes widened.

Because one of his arms was severed.

“Are you alright?”

At the Sword Master’s words the Dark King slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

“You’re still so kind worrying about me.”

The Sword Master frowned at the Dark King’s words.

When the Sword Master first met the Dark King it was at the moment the ambush had just begun.

As an unknown black curtain descended around this area.

The Sword Master had tried to quickly head towards where the Kwan Do Saeng were but at that moment someone blocked her path rendering her unable to move.

An unknown being with white hair and white eyes. The man who blocked the Sword Master spoke to her.

– It’s been a long time.

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– …!

The identity of the man was the Dark King.

– How could Elder…!

Just as the Sword Master was about to speak to the Dark King with a surprised expression.

The Dark King’s fingertip was already touching the Sword Master’s throat.

Though nothing was known about the Dark King’s martial arts.

The Sword Master vaguely understood.

Unlike other assassins the Dark King did not use a single sword style.

He must have already reached a level of mastery akin to that of his parents or teacher Maehwa Seon so he had no need for it.

Of course even so possessing a weapon would yield greater efficiency.

But the Dark King was a person who seemed to have no need for such things.

If this fingertip desired it.

Her throat could be severed at any moment.

The rapidly changing situation and the safety of the Kwan Do Saeng caused her qi to waver.

That momentary difference created the current situation.

No perhaps.

If it were the Dark King he might have calculated even that difference to create this situation.

In such a circumstance the only thing the Sword Master could say was one.

– …Please let me go.

There might be a way to escape.

But even finding that would take too long.

So she chose to plead.

– If you came to kill me I will close my eyes quietly…. But right now….

– Sword Master I have no intention of killing you.

– Then…!

– That’s why it’s even more troublesome for you to move.

The Sword Master could not understand why the Dark King was treating her this way.

If he wanted her life he would give it to her.

Instead she pleaded to save the children but the Dark King refused.

The Dark King claimed he had no intention of killing her. Then….

Swish.

The Sword Master’s judgment was swift.

She could have made a more rational calculation.

But it seemed there was no time for that now.

Just as she was about to draw her sword while raising her qi.

– You’re making this troublesome.

The Dark King twisted the hand that was at her throat.

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Thud.

Though she had hastily raised her qi the sensation brushing against her neck rendered her defensive qi ineffective as if it were nothing.

That was the end. The Sword Master lost consciousness immediately.

When the Sword Master regained her senses most of the important matters had already concluded.

Many had closed their eyes.

And the Shinryong Hall had just become a mess.

“What happened?”

“What do you mean?”

“…The children are dead. Dozens of them.”

At the Sword Master’s words the Dark King still wore the same expression.

To put it differently it was an expression that seemed incomprehensible.

“So.”

The words the Dark King spat out in response twisted the Sword Master’s face.

“Do you think that’s my fault?”

“If Elder hadn’t stopped me…!”

Thud.

As soon as the Sword Master spoke the Dark King’s figure vanished.

Once again the Dark King appeared behind the Sword Master.

“It seems you’re greatly mistaken. If I hadn’t stopped you do you really think you could have saved this situation?”

“…Even if I couldn’t save it I could have saved more children.”

At the Sword Master’s words the Dark King slightly nodded.

“That’s a valid point but.”

The Dark King’s fingertip touched the Sword Master’s back.

“Do you think I have a reason to do that?”

“…Elder.”

His voice was cold.

“Your sense of righteousness and cooperation is understandable but to expect that from me is selfish don’t you think?”

“This is different…”

“It’s not different. The matter of life and death is all the same.”

The Dark King’s voice was firm.

“I understand that it’s frustrating and unfair but I want you to know one thing. You should actually be grateful to me.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

At the Sword Master’s words the Dark King quietly sighed.

“I don’t want to sound like I’m boasting.”

“Elder.”

“Shall we talk about something else?”

The Dark King cut off the conversation as if he would no longer discuss this matter.

But the Sword Master had no intention of letting it go.

“My story is still….”

“It seems you’re mistaken about something.”

Just as the Sword Master was about to speak an overwhelming killing intent erupted from the Dark King’s toes.

That immense pressure even made the Sword Master hesitate.

“Even that little kid from earlier. And you now.”

Whether it was the effect of the mask or not the darkened eyes gradually turned white.

“Do you think the reason you’re still alive despite annoying me is something trivial?”

Though his expression hadn’t changed at all from the beginning.

The continuously erupting killing intent made it hard for the Sword Master to even breathe.

The Sword Master did not think of herself as arrogant or overly proud.

However she still did not consider her level to be low.

Her pride was at a level that could be recognized because she bore the alias of Sword Master (劍后).

To think that there would be such a gap in levels with the Dark King.

‘Though it was an ambush earlier.’

It was night and if the Dark King wanted to kill her.

There was a saying that even the three lords of the world could be killed.

The Sword Master had never really believed this rumor.

But seeing the Dark King now she couldn’t help but think that it might be true.

“Because you are related to my friend. That small reason is what keeps your life intact.”

Friend.

The Sword Master already knew who that referred to.

Her teacher and a figure like a parent.

It must refer to Maehwa Seon the current Sect Leader of the Volcano.

The moment the Sword Master first saw the Dark King was back then.

When the Sword Master was very young.

There had been a visit to the Volcano by a group of just under ten people.

At that time Maehwa Seon had not yet ascended to the position of Sect Leader.

He was still called Hwasan Gwanggeom instead of Maehwa Seon.

The people who came claiming to be friends of Hwasan Gwanggeom.

Would later be called absurdly powerful individuals.

Among them was even someone who would rise to the position of the three lords today.

“Ugh….”

As the Sword Master finally let out a groan the suffocating killing intent dissipated in an instant.

“Maehwa Seon. Since that child is in his arms I can understand what kind of nature he has.”

The Dark King took a few steps past the Sword Master.

“I am different from him so do not impose your values on me. There will be no next time.”

The Dark King was not an orthodox sect member.

Though he was not called an unorthodox sect member it was hard to call someone known as the king of assassins an orthodox sect member.

The Dark King was aware of this as well.

He did not consider himself an orthodox sect member.

It was necessary so he had no qualms about it.

The importance of life was not a topic for an assassin to discuss.

“If you need to blame me for their deaths then think so. I’ll let that slide.”

As the Dark King walked past the Sword Master he lifted the severed arm he had been holding.

He brought it to the severed shoulder.

The Sword Master could only gasp in shock.

“…!”

An unknown viscous substance began to emerge from where the arm and shoulder connected and before long it was completely attached.

Once it was all attached the arm even began to move.

At that moment.

The Dark King raised the attached arm high into the sky.

The Sword Master wondered what that meant.

With a crack.

The moment the Dark King clenched his fist with the outstretched hand.

Crack-!

“…!”

The black curtain that had been covering the sky began to crack.

This meant that the power that had helped the ambush while blocking outside assistance and obscuring the light was the Dark King’s power.