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Childhood Friend of the Zenith (Web Novel) - Chapter CH.1086: The World of Ascension (16)
Chapter CH.1086: The World of Ascension (16)
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The second day dawned.
I still hadn’t been assigned a proper lodging.
Since I had already taken down a demonic beast and secured money, accommodations weren’t an issue. So, the moment the banquet ended, I returned and rested.
Well, calling it "rest" was a stretch. In reality, I had spent more time wandering around.
Since I didn’t need to sleep, I used the night to gather some information.
I had to figure out what was happening in the current era and assess my situation properly.
Thanks to that, I managed to pick up a fair amount of information.
‘There’s really... nothing here.’
This was an era of extreme nothingness.
There were no major conflicts, no pressing issues. The only demonic beasts appearing were of the green and blue classifications.
In other words—an era of peace.
A transitional period before the world moved into the Era of the Meteor Generation.
Historically speaking, this was a time so uneventful that there was hardly anything worth recording.
‘So what the hell am I supposed to do here?’
What was my purpose in this place?
Why had my mother sent me here?
I had no idea.
There wasn’t enough information for this to be some kind of preordained arrangement, either.
‘My best guess is that it has something to do with my father.’
It was obvious that my mother’s plans involved my father in some way.
Not only did all the signs point to it, but my intuition also told me as much.
That was why I had been trying to stay close to him.
‘...But now that I am, what exactly am I supposed to do?’
I still had no idea.
—
"Baek ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) Yangcheon. Entry permit verified. You may proceed."
"Thanks for your hard work."
Stepping through the gates, I entered the Martial Alliance.
I had come early in the morning because I had been instructed to join as a new recruit.
Without resting a single moment after last night, I made my way straight back to the Azure Dragon Division.
I could feel occasional stares, but I ignored them.
It was obvious they were because of Paejon.
"Did you hear? Yesterday, Paejon—"
"They say he showed up at the Azure Dragon Division’s banquet..."
I had no idea where the rumors had started, but apparently, the news that Paejon had attended the Azure Dragon Division’s banquet had already spread everywhere.
And the fact that he had done so because of me was also widely known.
‘Damn, that was fast.’
Rumors always spread like wildfire.
Suppressing a sigh, I quickened my steps.
By the time I entered the Azure Dragon Division’s grounds, the others were already gathered.
I had thought I arrived early, but apparently, they had arrived even faster.
"Hey! Over here!"
Do Yun waved at me, grinning.
Naturally, I walked over and stood next to him.
"Why is everyone here so early?"
"What do you mean? You’re the one who’s late."
"...Huh?"
That couldn’t be right.
I had arrived well before the appointed time.
As I stared at him in confusion, Do Yun gave me an equally baffled look.
"Uh... dude, it’s obvious. You’re supposed to show up half a keun (about 15 minutes) early."
"...?"
My face twisted in disbelief.
There was a set time, so why the hell would I come earlier than necessary?
That made no sense to me.
Seeing my expression, Do Yun scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Uhh... never mind. Forget it. I guess that makes sense...?"
‘...This bastard.’
I could tell immediately.
Do Yun had just given up on explaining it to me.
He had taken one look at my face and decided it wasn’t worth the effort.
"Anyway, focus. The seniors will be here soon."
Everyone looked tense, likely because of what had happened yesterday.
It seemed Soi getting angry had put everyone on edge.
As I observed the heightened atmosphere, I sharpened my senses.
The timing felt just about right—
And sure enough, I sensed the approach of several presences.
"Good, you’re all here early."
A bold voice and an overwhelming presence.
The Blue Flame Sword Master stepped out into the clearing.
And—
‘My father’s here, too.’
Unlike last night, my father followed behind him, stepping up onto the podium.
Alongside them, several warriors of the Azure Dragon Division took their seats.
"Good morning. Did everyone sleep well?"
"Yes—!"
"...Yes."
Everyone shouted energetically in response.
Everyone except me.
The Blue Flame Sword Master smirked at my silence.
"Good enthusiasm. Sorry for calling you here so early, but since we’ll be working together from now on, there are a few things we need to check."
Check?
What exactly was he trying to check?
As I watched him curiously—
"The Azure Dragon Division has a long-standing tradition."
As he spoke, he flicked his fingers.
Swoosh—!
Suddenly, the sword at his waist unsheathed itself and sliced through the air.
"...Huh?"
"Airborne Sword Technique...!?"
Everyone gasped at the sight.
A skill that could only be performed at the Hwagyeong level or higher.
‘...What a pointless trick.’
There wasn’t even much force behind it.
It was purely for show.
The Blue Flame Sword Master’s sword flew through the air, drawing a massive circle around where we stood.
Screech—!
A clean, precise circle was etched into the ground.
The sword then flew back into its scabbard.
"It’s nothing complicated. Whenever we welcome new recruits, we have a tradition of evaluating their skills.
We call it the Azure Dragon Sparring Match."
Evaluating skills.
In other words—
"To put it simply—yeah. The seniors will pick one of you, and you’ll have to demonstrate your skills. Simple, right?"
‘...So basically.’
To put it even more bluntly—
‘Get in the ring and fight a senior.’
The reasoning made sense.
Since we’d be fighting alongside each other in the future, it was natural to gauge each other’s abilities.
But that wasn’t all there was to it.
‘They’re setting the hierarchy.’
This was about establishing dominance.
Martial artists only respected strength.
This was a simple and effective way to make sure the juniors knew their place.
‘Well, I guess it is efficient.’
From an objective standpoint, it was a logical system.
Tension surged among my fellow recruits.
As I observed them—
"Alright. Let’s begin. Our previous youngest member will go first."
At the Blue Flame Sword Master’s words, a beautiful woman seated at the far end of the group stood up.
Soi.
"Our previous youngest—who do you want to fight?"
"I..."
Soi glanced down, scanning the group.
One by one, the recruits averted their eyes, clearly unwilling to go against her after witnessing her fury yesterday.
But then—
Ignoring all of them, Soi’s gaze locked onto me.
‘...Huh?’
No way.
‘Am I the one?’
Just as I was about to narrow my eyes, sensing that Soi was about to pick me—
“I choose Baek—”
“Daeju-nim—!”
Someone suddenly shot up from where they were sitting.
It was Namgung Jin.
His abrupt interruption made the Blue Flame Sword Master turn to look at him.
“What is it?”
“I’d like to go first.”
“Oh?”
The Sword Master had initially looked irritated at the interference, but his eyes widened at Namgung Jin’s words.
“You have spirit. I like that. Very well. Who do you want to fight?”
At his words, Namgung Jin’s gaze shifted.
Ah, hell.
I wanted to believe he wasn’t looking at me, but the situation was far too obvious.
“I’d like to test the skills of Baek Yangcheon.”
With a grin, the bastard pointed straight at me.
Damn it.
‘So this is how it’s going to be.’
I had a feeling something was bound to happen—
And sure enough, it did.
“Baek Yangcheon, huh...?”
The Sword Master turned his gaze to me.
He glanced between me and Namgung Jin, then broke into a wide smile.
“Alright. Go ahead.”
He seemed to find this amusing.
As soon as permission was granted, Namgung Jin stepped forward.
By then, the other recruits had already instinctively moved far outside the marked circle.
Namgung Jin’s piercing blue eyes curved into a crescent as he walked toward me.
“Baek junior.”
“...Yes.”
“I’m absolutely delighted to meet you so soon. You must feel the same, right?”
“...Would you believe me if I said no?”
“Hm. Well, I’m happy regardless.”
If he already had his answer, why even ask?
“Yesterday, you seemed so unwilling to kneel on your own, so I thought I’d help you out.”
“...Ah.”
So he wanted to force me to my knees himself.
“Sounds good, right? I’m such a kind senior, don’t you think?”
“Yes. Truly considerate. Hah.”
I ran a hand through my hair, messing it up.
I debated for a moment.
“Don’t worry too much. I won’t kill you.”
“...Hmmm.”
“For someone like you, I’ll stop at simply teaching you a lesson. Oh, though you might not be able to walk for a while.”
“......”
“See? You should’ve just kneeled when I asked nicely.”
I stopped scratching my head.
"Great."
This was enough.
“This makes it three.”
“Hm? What was that?”
“Nothing. Just something I was thinking about. But I’m done now.”
“Hah, you’re actually thinking while standing in front of me?”
“Of course. I have to.”
I grinned.
“If I didn’t, you might actually die today.”
“...What?”
The moment Namgung Jin’s face twisted in anger—
“Begin!”
The Sword Master gave the signal.
Namgung Jin immediately reached for his sword.
However—
“Let’s see what level you’re at—”
Click.
“...Huh?”
His sword didn’t budge.
What?
Why wasn’t it coming out?
He looked down at it in confusion.
“...What?”
Of course, it wouldn’t come out.
I had placed my palm against the end of the hilt, holding it in place.
Namgung Jin realized what was happening and started to react, but—
“Wha—”
BAM!
“Guh—!”
My fist slammed into his stomach.
Thud!
He collapsed to his knees from the impact.
“Uwaaagh—!”
And then vomited all over the ground.
“See?”
I looked down at him with a calm expression.
“You weak little bastard. You talk all big, but you’re about to die.”
Then I kicked him square in the face.
