Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The shadows of the forest deepened into complete blackness as any remaining moonlight was obscured by the darkening clouds, hinting at an imminent downpour.

Crr…

The demons held their breaths.

Despite their lack of intelligence and insatiable hunger, they were still able to recognize a presence they dared not approach.

Slip.

A piece of their clothing rustled, breaking the silence.

Woong-

The sword in their hand began to echo out, a sign of Sword Resonance.

As the dark clouds began to part, rays of moonlight seeped into the forest and revealed the figures of two people.

A beauty with white hair and blue eyes.

And an equally stunning woman with golden hair and eyes.

The white-haired Demonic Sword raised her weapon at her opponent as blue Lightning Qi violently surged forth from the sword. Her expression was infinitely calm, but the thick smell of blood exposed her dangerous nature.

-What is it?

Her voice was cold and firm, but the killing intent laced within was palpable, causing the surrounding demons to conceal themselves even further.

A gust of wind carried the thick scent of blood to her. The numerous corpses of the Shaolin Sect and Wudang Sect created large puddles of blood at every step. Although it had been an ambush, the Demonic Sword had slaughtered all of them without a scratch.

Dignity.

That was her first impression of the Demonic Sword.

She flinched in response to the Demonic Sword’s query. Despite her hesitation, the Demonic Sword remained ready to strike at any moment.

The Demonic Sword felt a droplet of cold sweat run down her back after feeling threatened for the first time in a while, a testament to the other woman’s strength.

As the clouds once again veiled what little moonlight was left, the woman began to glow a radiant golden aura—analogous to the woman’s hair.

She was the Celestial Sword, the descendent of the Sword Emperor, and the last hope of the Central Plains: Wi Seol-Ah.

The Celestial Sword had appeared just as the ambush had ended, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

The Demonic Sword eagerly channeled her Lightning Qi, as she had always wanted to clash swords with the Celestial Sword at least once.

Rumble…

The rising Qi and killing intent from the Demonic Sword caused even the wind to stop. However, the Celestial Sword calmly deflected the Demonic Sword’s qi, then spoke lightly while maintaining eye contact.

-I have something to say.

-…You… to me?

The Demonic Sword’s Lightning Qi faltered at the Celestial Sword’s unexpected words. She had only ever communicated through combat.-What is it?

Still, as the Celestial Sword was someone who ‘He’ cared about, the Demonic Sword listened carefully. After a long pause, the Celestial Sword responded.

-…The Murim Alliance’s Army will seek you out tomorrow.The Demonic Sword was puzzled by this statement, and even doubted her own ears for a moment. It was absurd for these words to have come from the last hope of the Central Plains.

-…What are you doing?

She raised her guard even more. Although the Demonic Sword had a reputation for appearing clueless, that was never the case. It was illogical for the Celestial Sword to have told her such a thing.

Zaaap-

The Thunder Fang erupted with Lightning Qi, as if expressing anger.

Rumble.

A bolt of electricity rumbled towards the Celestial Sword.

Swoosh-!

The golden aura enveloping the Celestial Sword blocked the offensive, and the clashing qi vibrated the nearby air.

-I’m not joking around.

-…If you’re not… Then why?

The Demonic Sword demanded an answer, perplexed, but the Celestial Sword remained silent.

-…The Heavenly Venerable will be involved in this ambush.

-And?

-Even if it’s you and the Black Flame, you won’t be able to escape easily.

The Celestial Sword’s words suggested a massive ambush involving multiple elites and even the Heavenly Venerable. The Demonic Sword began to understand why the Celestial Sword had come.

-Celestial Sword.

-Yes…

-Are you worried about the Black Flame?

-…

The Celestial Sword flinched at the question.

It was laughable. The last hope of the Central Plains was a hypocrite that leaked crucial information to the Demonic Sword while surrounded by a graveyard of what was once her allies.

Did the Central Plains know of the Celestial Sword’s actions?

They probably don’t.

The Demonic Sword had no intention of delivering such information to him, either. It wouldn’t matter even if she did.

-’He’ will go even if I tell him.

Even if he knew that he was walking towards death, he would still.

Zap.

The Demonic Sword retrieved the qi blanketing the Thunder Fang as her killing intent dissipated.

-It’s the Leader’s command.

The Heavenly Demon’s words were absolute. Yet, she knew it wasn’t just the Heavenly Demon’s command that was driving him, though she couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason.

The Demonic Sword was unable to understand what relationship the Celestial Sword had with him, nor did she want to. The only goals in her life were her freedom and the perfection of her sword. No, she felt like she knew a little now, but it was too late to ponder upon it, much less express it.

The Celestial Sword wore a strange expression after hearing the Demonic Sword’s answer.

What emotions were the Celestial Sword feeling? Even after all this time, the Demonic Sword still found it difficult to empathize.-…He’ll die if he goes ther-

-He won’t die.

-…Pardon?

The Demonic Sword was never given a clear path. Whether to live as a hero or to walk a different path, the choice was never hers to make. It was disappointing. She believed that the Celestial Sword would be similar, but it seemed that the Celestial Sword was just a human after all. Though she herself was a human who willingly became a Demonic Human.

Then, what was she feeling now?

The Demonic Sword would die without ever realizing that she was jealous of the Celestial Sword.

-He won't die.

-…Demonic Sword.

-I will not let him.

She spoke while brushing her hair aside.

What did she mean by her words?

The Demonic Sword had to mull over what was just said despite speaking those words with her own mouth. The Celestial Sword also froze with an incomprehensible expression on her face. Seeing the Celestial Sword’s shaking pupils, the Demonic Sword felt as if she could easily end the Celestial Sword’s life if she were to strike in that moment.

Should she?

The Demonic Sword thought about raising Thunder Fang, but decided against it in the end. She wasn’t in the mood for such a thing. Taking another look at the Celestial Sword, the Demonic Sword noticed that although the golden qi was pure and brilliant, the Celestial Sword’s eyes were spiritless and told the Demonic Sword that the Celestial Sword could collapse at any given moment. Even the Celestial Sword’s golden aura seemed somewhat unstable at a closer look.

The Demonic Sword found it humorous that such an eminent martial artist was unable to commit herself to martial arts. She once again pondered over how easily it would be to cut down the Celestial Sword.

[ If I do. ]

[ Would he hate me for it? ]

The Demonic Sword’s hand halted at the sudden thought.

When was it?

When did she begin having such notions?

These thoughts made her feel uneasy. Suddenly realizing something, the Demonic Sword spoke promptly.

-It seems… that I don’t like you.

That must be the case. The Demonic Sword thought there could be no other reason. As the Celestial Sword stood there, unresponsive, the Demonic Sword realized that the last hope of the Central Plains was far from perfect. How had the Celestial Sword become afflicted with Inner Demons despite being so powerful? It was baffling.

-You could go to him yourself if you’re that concerned.

The Celestial Sword was capable of delivering her message herself. That was what the Demonic Sword would’ve done if she was in the Celestial Sword’s shoes. All she had to do was cut down everything in her path.

Seeing the Celestial Sword do nothing but bit her lips in reply, the Demonic Sword commented.

-Coward.

-…!

After finishing with that word, the Demonic Sword turned and walked away, having lost any remaining interest in the Celestial Sword. She remembered him telling her he wouldn't forgive her if she was late again. She decided not to inform him about the conversation with the Celestial Sword. The reason was the same as she had said earlier: she just didn't want to tell him. It was her way of complaining.

After the Demonic Sword left, the Celestial Sword looked up at the sky alone. She was unable to see any moonlight, having long been obstructed inky-black clouds. Along with that...

-Coward.

The word felt like a stab to her heart.

-…Coward, huh…?

The Demonic Sword was right.

I am a coward.

She failed to choose a path and ended up hiding, so how was she not a coward? It was exhausting and she felt like she couldn’t breathe. Even so, she had to move forward.

For how long? And how far? Why? She asked herself out of habit, but—like always—no one was there to answer her questions.

-Captain…!

After having closed her eyes for some time, she heard a voice. The Celestial Sword opened her eyes and turned to see the members of the Murim Alliance apporaching.

-Uggh…!

One of the members blocked his nose. Despite being far away, the smell of blood was too strong for them.

-Captain… where is the Demonic Sword…?

-By the time I arrived, she seemed to have already escaped.

-Oh no! It seems like we were too late, even though the Captain moved quickly. How unfortunate. Good work, though, Captain.

The Celestial Sword nodded in response, and the others didn’t doubt her at all.

-…The bodies of our allies should be scattered around. Let us bring them back.

-Your wish is our command. Move!

-Understood!

As they bustled around, the Celestial Sword also began to budge her stiff body. She couldn't afford to show exhaustion; she was the hero of her people: the Celestial Sword.

A few days later, the Demonic Sword kept her word. She sacrificed herself, and he lived.

********************-…

“…Sis?”

Wi Seol-Ah's voice brought her out of her thoughts. As always, she wasn't fond of this memory.

How much time did she have left?

She knew that she had to do everything she could in her limited time.

-I’ve told you before…

“Huh?”

-…The Moonlight Dance is a Sword Art containing the moon, but you can’t chase the moon.

“Yes.”

Wi Seol-Ah nodded at the sudden comment, sensing urgency in the woman’s voice.

-I hope you grasp the meaning of that as soon as you can.

“…Yes.”

To not chase the moon with the Moonlight Dance—what did it mean? It was strange the woman didn't state the answer directly. According to the woman, Wi Seol-Ah had to discover the answer herself in order to achieve Wi Seol-Ah’s desire.

My desire.

Wi Seol-Ah thought to herself. What was it she desired?

Since the start, her desire had remained unchanged: to protect him. That was why she learned the sword. He had always been her desire and she would never let that desire remain unfulfilled.

No matter the cost.

********************A young man laid on the ground, exhausted after a ferocious battle. The sight of the sky filled his eyes.

“Wow… Fucking hell.”

I was so tired my body refused to listen to me. Even my fingertips barely responded.

Sigh.

I put aside my aching body and let out a sigh. I felt spiritless on top of my physical exhaustion.“He’s seriously disgustingly strong.”

It felt like I was seeing stars.

“Ughh…”

I tried to lift my body, but it wasn't easy. I'd been hit in more than just one or two spots.

That damned old man.

I had clearly landed a solid hit on his stomach, but Bi Eejin seemed perfectly fine..

“What did he say? Not bad? Is he a pervert?”

Moreover, he had said something like ‘Not bad’ and shrugged the damage off like it was nothing.The real problem came afterwards.

I couldn’t even leave a scratch on him.

Initially, he seemed surprised by my increased speed, but after a few clashes, he deflected all my attacks as if he had already grown accustomed to my body enhanced by Blood Qi. I wasn't sure I could’ve achieved victory against such an opponent even if I was uninjured, and fighting in an injured state only made the battle more painful.

…Even so, for there to be that much difference.

Bi Eejin.

Every one of his moves conveyed that he had already seen through my whole attack sequence, not just each instance. I had experienced it in my past life, but encountering him again in my current state only served to highlight the disparity in our skills. My defeat was clear.

“…He took it huh.”

He even took the bands I had. I couldn't use Blood Qi for long, as it pained my already injured body. Our fight ended as soon as I ran out of Qi, leaving me lying on the ground. How long had it been since I last suffered a defeat? It was even the first time I had been defeated by a member of the younger generation.

…Though he isn’t one.

Even if Bi Eejin was the Dishonored Venerable, he had undergone Eternal Youth, giving me a significant advantage over him. Of course, I did have my injury as an excuse.

But even if I was in a perfect state, would I have won against him?

I didn’t know what the outcome would have been if I had used all my Qi in the fight, but I wouldn't have been satisfied with that. I felt a bit frustrated by this defeat, but I quickly got over it, as my past life was filled with defeats. Even though it's a bit sad if I think about it in that manner.

-You are very strange. Unlike your cultivation talent, your close combat capability is rather poor.

That’s what Bi Eejin said right before he left after taking my bands.

My close combat capability is quite poor, huh?

Recently, I had been feeling similarly. I had gotten used to using my flames and controlling them with the overwhelming amount of Qi I possessed, leaving my close combat capability unpracticed.

-I won the bet. As promised, we’ll meet later.

“…”

Of all times, I was reminded of the Dishonored Venerable’s words. He was trying to give me a hint, but it was seriously unnecessary.

I can’t let such a thing happen.

Learning a whole new fighting style was too difficult when there wasn’t even enough time for me to master what I already possessed.

It would be better for me to go visit Father.

It would be better to learn from Father, as he had reached the peak of the martial art I was training. Though I couldn’t imagine him teaching anything…

“Let me just… rest a little…”

Then I’ll go get the bands.

Just as I had that thought, I spoke after picking up my head.

“…Ugh, how inconvenient.”

I sensed a presence getting closer. My exhaustion had dulled my senses, making it difficult to notice the presence beforehand. What a hassle. Now was a bad time.

They are close.

Extremely close.

If I had to guess where they were…

Right… next to me?

Swoosh!

I saw a hand reaching toward my body, aiming for my band.

…But.

Tap.

“Why are you so slow?” freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

“Ugh…!”

I successfully caught the opponent’s hand due to how slow their ambush was. If they got caught by me despite my condition, it meant they were very slow. It even made me wonder how they had made it this far into the exam. I wanted to continue resting, but the situation demanded I forced myself upright. I endured the pain of my screaming muscles as my opponent struggled to escape my grasp with their lacking strength.

“Who are you?”

“I-I’m sorry…!”

The opponent had long black hair that covered his face. His panic, as if he didn’t expect to be caught, seemed pitiful. He’s a guy, but how could he be this soft—

“Hmm?”

I saw his teary, shaky eyes through the hair covering his face. Confirming his eyes, I grabbed his neck and overpowered him.

“Kegh…! Wa- “

“You.”

I let go of his wrist and lifted the hair covering his face, revealing what was hidden underneath.

“Ha?”

I let out an incredulous laugh as soon as I saw his face. I had wondered how I would find him, but this bastard had come to me on his own two feet.

Hmm…

Could I even call him a bastard? In my past life…

How did he end up in this state?

I could’ve sworn he had the appearance of a woman.