Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 495 (Part 2)



495 (Part 2)

“Last time when that little monster came.”

Little monster. It referred to the one his disciple had brought as a friend.

Namgung-hyung thought it was quite a well-chosen name even though he had come up with it himself.

What else could it be if not a monster?

Namgung-hyung truly believed that his disciple would sweep through the world. The talent was at that level and he was the kind of person who could figure out ten things if you taught him just one so he expected him to achieve great things.

A bit lazy and prone to sleepiness was a flaw but he thought that talent would cover even that.

‘The level is completely different.’

Was it called So Yeom-ra?

The little monster that had been causing a stir in the Central Plains recently was on a completely different level compared to his disciple.

A martial artist on the verge of completion or perhaps already completed.

The rough and unrefined atmosphere was somewhat bothersome.

But Namgung-hyung could see the hidden blade within.

Thin and sharp.

A blade that seemed like it could slice through everything around it with just a flick.

After all.

‘The child of a monster cannot be anything but a monster.’

As Namgung-hyung looked at the young man known as So Yeom-ra he recalled the Clan Head of that family.

Remembering the time he met that person sent chills down his spine.

How could he forget the sight of the earth and sky ablaze?

Long hair dyed red like the heat and the red eyes that burned alongside it.

Grabbing the neck of the dual-sword wielder known as Samaoje Hyuk Eo-chun had looked at Namgung-hyung and said

– “You’ve lost your chance.”

With those words he vanished like a spark. It was just a fleeting moment yet Namgung-hyung could never forget that image.

He couldn’t win.

The way he effortlessly subdued Hyuk Eo-chun who was struggling just before his defeat and the vast presence felt around him.

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Namgung-myeong was certain.

He could not defeat him. Just recalling it stirred intense emotions within him.

[That kid’s strength isn’t just that.]

Namgung-myeong spoke to Namgung-hyung in his characteristic cool tone.

[With a greater monster attached to the child of a monster it’s only natural for him to grow stronger.]

Feeling something from Namgung-myeong’s voice Namgung-hyung had to make a strange expression.

He felt like he understood it was a story from that time.

“Are you really not going to tell me that story?”

The day So Yeom-ra had come.

Namgung-hyung was astonished to realize that So Yeom-ra could hear Namgung-myeong’s voice.

No one had been able to hear Namgung-myeong’s voice until now.

The problem was judging by what Namgung-myeong was saying it seemed that So Yeom-ra also had something like Namgung-myeong yet Namgung-hyung could not hear anyone else’s voice.

Moreover.

[It’s a story you don’t need to know.]

Namgung-myeong was avoiding the story of that day.

It was as if he didn’t want to share it with Namgung-hyung.

In response to that Namgung-hyung spoke with a hint of irritation.

“Then at least hide your emotions when you speak. You’re making me anxious.”

[…]

Embarrassment.

There was an inexplicable sense of embarrassment in Namgung-myeong’s voice as he avoided the conversation.

It was the first time he felt such a sense of alienation from Namgung-myeong who always seemed cold yet dignified.

“I can’t understand why you’re so embarrassed that you can’t lift your head.”

[Who says I’m embarrassed?]

“You’re acting like an embarrassed thief caught in the act.”

[… Be quiet.]

Seeing him not deny it it seemed there was indeed something bothering him.

Namgung-hyung wanted to dig a little deeper but he held back.

After all he was about to call someone who could ask without needing to question Namgung-myeong.

At that moment.

Woo-woong-!

As expected a presence was caught by Namgung-hyung’s senses from a distance.

Seeing it approach quickly it was a martial artist and one of them was Woo-hyeok’s presence.

However.

‘Three?’

In addition to Woo-hyeok he sensed two more presences.

The larger presence seemed to be So Yeom-ra.

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But who could the other one be?

Just as Namgung-hyung was about to check he increased his energy pressure slightly.

Jolt-!

“…!”

A tingling energy brushed past his body.

It was an energy he could not mistake.

After a few seconds passed.

“Master.”

From a distance Woo-hyeok lightly landed on the ground.

He was carrying some beast on his back and it looked like a wild boar at first glance.

It seemed he had brought it for Namgung-hyung and it was quite a cute little thing.

As Namgung-hyung briefly examined the wild boar his gaze soon fixed on something else.

A young man with a fierce expression it was So Yeom-ra whom he had seen before.

And beside him….

A girl with hair and eyes the same shade of white as his own.

With fair and delicate skin and beautiful features.

“… I see.”

Seeing that Namgung-hyung immediately recognized who she was.

“You must be my niece.”

She was probably the daughter of his half-brother.

Now known as the Sword Dance Heroine she was the one engaged to So Yeom-ra.

As he looked at her Namgung-hyung stood up.

Conversely Namgung-bi-a widened her eyes slightly as she looked at Namgung-hyung.

“…?”

“It seems Hyung-nim has raised a good child. Her aura is sharp.”

“… Hyung-nim…?”

Namgung-bi-a tilted her head at Namgung-hyung’s words.

Seeing that Namgung-hyung chuckled.

He could tell that they hadn’t spoken about him in the family.

It was still the same old place.

Yet since he held no ill feelings towards Namgung-bi-a Namgung-hyung could at least smile.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s a need for a warm greeting…. I am….”

Just as Namgung-hyung was about to lightly introduce himself.

[Descendant.]

Namgung-myeong’s voice echoed.

‘Old man?’

[Draw your sword.]

‘Huh? What do you mean…?’

Swish.

‘What…?’

At the same time as Namgung-myeong’s words Namgung-hyung’s hand moved.

This was not Namgung-hyung’s will.

It was dangerous.

The hand reaching for the sword showed no hesitation and if he drew it and swung it at Namgung-bi-a blood would surely be shed.

Trying to hold back somehow Namgung-hyung forced himself to exert strength.

Clang-.

“…!”

The sword did not come out. He had clearly tried to grab it and draw it.

Namgung-hyung had not stopped. He was also surprised by the current situation.

The reason the sword did not come out was simple.

Someone was pressing down on the handle of the sword in the sheath preventing it from being drawn.

That was why Namgung-hyung was astonished.

It meant that he had not noticed until that person approached him.

The fact that they had blocked the sword before it could be drawn meant they had realized he would draw it and had come closer.

Understanding this Namgung-hyung looked at the opponent with wide eyes.

And he had to be surprised.

As he looked into the eyes of the one who had blocked his draw a face came to mind.

“… Now.”

A voice pierced his ear.

It seemed like they were forcibly suppressing their anger. It felt like they were forcibly holding back their killing intent.

“What were you trying to do?”

Though filled with heat there was somehow a blue hue in their eyes.

At that moment So Yeom-ra who looked just like the man with red hair was slowly raising the heat as he looked at the Mudaeng Gwaeseon.