Childhood Friend of the Zenith

BOOM—!!!

A fist lashed out. The impact had already torn through the air, leaving only raw sensation behind.

It shot forward with the intent to tear apart, speed so overwhelming that the delayed sound of its arrival came after the force itself.

BOOOOM—!!

The movement was sharp—precise—yet devastating. Each strike carried traces of what had been learned, blended with new rotations and unpredictable variations.

Tap. Tap.

Yet the opponent deflected each attack with almost insulting ease, slipping past them without so much as a misstep.

Ziiing.

Mind’s Eye activated.

Tzzzt—!

A spike of pain struck my skull the moment it kicked in.

Fucking hell.

The Mind’s Eye had locked onto my opponent, predicting countless attack paths—too many to count.

Could I find the right counter among all these possibilities? No. The human brain—my brain—had its limits.

Shhkk—!!
—!

From one of the predicted paths, a fist shot toward me.

I barely managed to block, but before I could adjust—

THUD—!!

The real impact came right after—a second, unseen fist smashing into my ribs.

“…Ho.”

The owner of the fist—

Paejon Bijuu—let out an amused hum.

“You wrapped yourself in Qi Armor—in that tiny fraction of a second?”

He sounded impressed. I had instinctively reinforced my body, forming a barrier of hardened Qi the moment I blocked.

Not that I could hear him properly. The impact may have been absorbed, but I hadn't braced for the pressure wave behind it.

BANG—!!

A violent surge of internal energy sent my body hurtling toward the ground.

CRASH—!!!

The earth caved in on impact, leaving a massive crater in my wake. Clouds of dust billowed up as I pulled myself back to my feet.

“…Tch.”

Even with the mask on, I almost spat out the dust. A stupid reflex.

Fwooooh.

I exhaled deeply, tilting my head up.

Paejon was descending slowly, arms relaxed.

“That’s all you’ve got? That can’t be it.”

He grinned—his mocking, wolfish grin—clearly enjoying himself.

“Come on. Show me everything you’ve got. Squeeze out every last bit of strength.”

Damn old bastard.

I cursed him internally.

How the hell did I end up in this mess?

I wasn’t even sure myself.

**********

This wasn’t the plan.

The moment I sensed Gu Ryun and his men approaching, I knew my options were limited.

“Time to bolt.”

Get the hell out of here first. I could figure out why the egg had turned blue later. The last thing I needed was more complications.

That was Plan A.

“Once I’m back in the Gu Clan…”

I’d find Gu Seongyul. And I’d ask him directly.

He’s been strangely lenient toward me so far.