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Childhood Friend of the Zenith (Web Novel) - Chapter CH.1108: The World of Ascension (38)
Chapter CH.1108: The World of Ascension (38)
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Great Magyeong Gate
The Great Magyeong Gate—a massive Magyeong Gate that appears in cycles.
Unlike regular Magyeong Gates, its size is on an entirely different scale, and the number of demonic beasts emerging from within is beyond comparison.
An overwhelming size and an unrelenting flood of monsters.
If left unchecked, the devastation would not only spread to the surrounding region but could threaten the entire area.
In the distant past, shortly after the Blood Demon War ended, a Great Magyeong Gate appeared, and due to inadequate countermeasures, the Yoryeong region was reduced to ruins.
However, in the present, the response system for handling demonic beasts is well established, and since the creatures emerging are classified as Green and Blue, the danger is relatively low.
With a properly organized Sword Division, containment wouldn’t be too difficult.
"If a head of a prestigious clan were to go, they could handle it alone."
A martial artist at the Hwagyeong level or beyond would find no issue in dealing with a Great Magyeong Gate.
But—
"...If it’s a Red Great Magyeong Gate."
That changes everything.
"The scale becomes entirely different."
As the name suggests, a Red Great Magyeong Gate signifies the emergence of Red-ranked demonic beasts among the usual influx of monsters.
The already massive horde would pour forth, and within it—Red-ranked beasts.
Even a Haegyeong-level martial artist wouldn’t stand a chance.
The first time a Red Great Magyeong Gate erupted, the one who confronted it was none other than the Heavenly Master.
Even with his overwhelming might, he had been unable to fully contain it.
"And now it’s happening here?"
Not just any Magyeong Gate—a Great Magyeong Gate.
And to make things worse, it was of the Red grade.
It was impossible not to be shocked.
"So this is why the Namgung Clan requested support from the Martial Alliance."
Now it made sense.
At least, that part was understandable.
But—
"Why did they only send us?"
Considering the severity of the situation, it made no sense for them to send only our group.
Especially for a matter involving a Magyeong Gate.
"They should have sent the Wind Dragon Division."
The Wind Dragon Division was responsible for researching demonic forces and formations. Given the nature of this mission, it should have been assigned to the Wind Dragon Division, not the Azure Dragon Division, which specialized in combat.
Or even the Flying Dragon Division.
Yet—
"They sent in a squad full of recruits."
It was utterly incomprehensible.
"What is the Sword Master thinking?"
Just as I struggled to make sense of our presence here—
“Focus.”
“....”
I snapped back to attention at the voice.
It was Soi, speaking to me as I stood in a daze.
“What are you thinking about in the middle of a mission?”
“...I apologize.”
“Stay sharp.”
With that, Soi turned back to face forward, and I swallowed a sigh.
"Seriously."
Right now, we were climbing the mountain path indicated by the Namgung Clan.
Following the guidance of the Namgung Clan’s personnel, we steadily ascended a rough and treacherous path.
And the higher we climbed, the more I realized—
"This terrain is awful."
The Great Magyeong Gate was forming at the mountaintop, where the rift was preparing to open.
The location was terrible.
"A place this rugged is a perfect hunting ground for the demonic beasts, but a complete nightmare for us to fight in."
Of all places, why here?
The Namgung Clan had terrible luck.
I turned my gaze toward the group.
The ones climbing right now were Do Yun, Soi, my father, and me.
Namgung Jin remained at the clan estate, along with Mi Horan and Hyun Soyeon.
My mother, of course, hadn’t come along. I had no idea where she was resting.
"Hmm."
We climbed for a long time in silence.
Just hiking up the mountain with no other distractions, except for the increasing temptation to fly.
Then—
“We’ve arrived.”
One of the Namgung Clan members leading us spoke up.
“That’s it.”
I followed his pointing finger and looked ahead.
"Hah."
My eyes narrowed.
It was exactly what I feared.
"A Red Great Magyeong Gate."
There it was.
A Great Magyeong Gate—an enormous rift, unlike any standard Magyeong Gate.
Even after climbing the mountain, the rift loomed so large it seemed like a hill in itself.
And five crimson mist-like chains bound the gate in a circular formation.
"...That means it will fully manifest in five days."
Those chains would disappear one per day.
That was the pattern of a Red Great Magyeong Gate.
In five days, the gate would completely rupture.
The problem was—
"...These people don’t know that."
That was the issue.
This phenomenon was something only those who had witnessed a Red Great Magyeong Gate would recognize.
Right now, no one here was aware of it.
Which meant—
"By the time the scouting team reports back and reinforcements are sent, it’ll be too late."
Five days wouldn’t be enough.
By the time reinforcements arrived, the gate would already have broken open.
“...It really is a Great Magyeong Gate... and it’s red.”
Soyu murmured as she approached the gate.
The vibrant crimson color seemed to mesmerize her, and she stared at it, almost entranced.
Then, suddenly, she reached out.
Her fingertips were about to touch the gate—
Thud!
My father grabbed Soi’s wrist.
“Step back.”
“A-Ah...! I’m sorry.”
Soi quickly withdrew, and my father examined the Magyeong Gate.
“What is the energy surrounding it?”
“We haven’t fully identified it yet, but compared to when it first manifested, the amount has significantly decreased.”
“...The energy has decreased?”
“Yes.”
“Has there been any other reaction?”
“No.”
“When did it first appear?”
“Less than a month ago.”
“....”
The moment I heard that, I immediately understood.
"This is my fault, isn’t it?"
The gate had emerged around the same time I arrived here.
As I observed the Magyeong Gate again, Soi spoke.
“It’s fortunate that it hasn’t opened yet... but judging by its state, we don’t know when it will. If it does, we have no idea what will happen. We should request reinforcements.”
She was right.
The moment a Red-ranked Magyeong Gate appeared, it should have been reinforcements arriving, not just scouts.
But—
"The Namgung Clan wouldn’t have wanted that."
Receiving reinforcements from the Martial Alliance to resolve this would have weakened the Namgung Clan’s standing.
That was likely why Namgung Jeohwi, the clan head, had only requested a scouting team.
"But what do we do now?"
The situation was looking worse than expected.
At that moment—
“...The chains. They’re disappearing.”
My father muttered as he watched the Magyeong Gate.
“Do you know the cycle in which they disappear?”
“The sentries watching it reported that... one disappears every midnight.”
“One per midnight. Every day?”
“Yes.”
“...I see.”
My father spoke with a calm expression.
“The Gate Will Open in Five Days.”
“This gate will likely open in five days. If we report it now, it’ll be too late.”
“...!”
Hearing those words, my eyes widened.
He figured it out instantly?
Well, given the information about the disappearing rings and the overall situation, it was a reasonable deduction.
"Still, though."
The certainty in his voice was surprising.
“Five days...?”
Soi’s eyes widened as she processed the statement.
“You’re saying the Great Magyeong Gate will open in five days?”
“Most likely.”
“Then I’ll immediately send a request for reinforcements.”
“Sending it is the right move, but it’s already too late.”
If the gate was set to break open in five days, reinforcements wouldn’t arrive in time.
“For now, we’re returning.”
With that, my father turned around, signaling the end of the investigation.
And just like that, we returned to the Namgung Clan’s estate.
**********
“...You’re saying five days?”
As soon as I reported to the head of the family, Namgung Jeohwi’s expression stiffened.
“It’s the estimate.”
“...Hmm.”
“Of course, since it wasn’t the Wind Dragon Division directly involved, I can’t be entirely sure.”
For a professional confirmation, the Wind Dragon Division should have been involved, but since they weren’t, I added that explanation.
However,
“Five days, huh.”
Namgung Jeohwi was already deep in thought upon hearing the words.
“We’ve sent an inquiry letter to the Martial Alliance. Normally, we’d need to observe for a few more days, but if our prediction is correct, we won’t have that much time, so I’ve decided to act.”
“Thank you. If what the deputy says is true, we need to be cautious, so I appreciate your consideration.”
“Thank you for your words. Also...”
After briefly organizing his thoughts, my father spoke again to Namgung Jeohwi.
“If possible, I’d like to see the report from your own investigation, to be prepared for any unforeseen situations. Is that possible?”
The reports from Namgung family’s direct investigation. Namgung Jeohwi’s expression hardened slightly at the request.
It seemed like he was a little upset by being asked for the reports from the main family.
“I’ll have it ready by today.”
“Thank you.”
Namgung Jeohwi accepted it.
Afterwards, when we left the head's office, my father spoke to us.
“There won’t be any more investigations or activities for today, so you should rest.”
“Understood.”
“Yes.”
After issuing the order, he disappeared on his own.
Soi, who had been watching, still wore a worried expression as she moved to another spot.
“Baek, what will you do?”
Do Yun asked me.
“I don’t know. What about you?”
“I...”
Do Yun glanced at the direction where my father had disappeared.
“...I’m thinking of resting for now.”
He said he’d rest. I didn’t quite believe him, though.
“Alright. I’ll just train for a bit.”
I didn’t press him for details.
Leaving Do Yun, who was going to rest, behind, I moved on.
Though the excuse was training, there was someone I needed to meet.
I moved toward that person.
“...So, why did you come here...?”
A young man, gently touching his slightly swollen chin with his fingers, looked at me.
I faced the awakened Namgung Hyung.
