Childhood Friend of the Zenith-Chapter 545

Sword Demon (검마 / Geomma)

Sword Demon (검마 / Geomma): Master of the Heavenly Demon Cult's combat unit, the Ghost Sword Squad (귀찰검대 / Gwichal Geomdae).

His age is somewhere between thirty and forty, though no one knows the exact number—I’ve never asked.

Before succumbing to demonic influence, he was a rogue martial artist known for indiscriminately killing anyone in his path. His cruel and bloodthirsty combat style made him infamous.

The stories of him flaying his subdued enemies alive were enough to make anyone’s blood run cold.

The name he earned during that time was “Ghostly Murder Sword (살귀검 / Salgwigeom).”

It was a fitting name, perhaps too fitting. Compared to that, the title Sword Demon seems almost elegant.

With his madness, it’s no surprise he fell into demonic ways.

The Heavenly Demon Cult, preparing for war, must have been the perfect place for the Sword Demon to unleash his violent instincts without restraint.

After becoming a demonic being, it’s said he received a special ability from Cheonma (천마 / Cheonma) called the Eyes of the Fighting Ghost (투귀의 눈 / Tugi-ui Nun).

“It lets you perceive your opponent’s movements more precisely.”

He could read the flow of energy and clearly discern his enemies’ movements. It resembled a heightened sixth sense, though far more intuitive.

“Not that I would know for sure.”

Having never used it myself, I couldn’t say what it really felt like.

Upon assuming command of the Ghost Sword Squad, he led from the front in every battle.

Compared to the Demon Sword Queen (Mageomhu), his madness was of a different flavor entirely.

“He despised the Demon Sword Queen.”

The reason? He had failed to claim the position of deputy commander of the Black Flame Squad.

Whether that was the real reason or not, every time he saw the Demon Sword Queen, he lunged at her like he intended to kill her.

You’d think someone like him would be better suited for the Ghost Sword Squad, with its focus on assassination missions, than the Black Flame Squad, which rarely saw action.

Why he coveted that position, I’ll never know.

“If you were so ambitious, why not aim for commander?”

Had he sought my position, like Green King, that might have made more sense. But the Sword Demon seemed to have no interest in being a commander.

He continued to clash with the Demon Sword Queen over her position, but she never lost it to him.

Ultimately, he was killed in battle by the Divine Sword.

If I had to sum him up in one sentence:

“A maniac consumed by bloodlust.”

That one line says it all.

The sound of crashing debris filled the air as someone emerged from the shadows.

I tilted my head. I had struck with the intention of knocking him out, but it seemed my attack hadn’t done much damage.

“So he deflected it, just barely.”

The sensation in my hand made it clear. At a glance, it seemed like he hadn’t reacted, but his instincts had allowed him to deflect my attack ever so slightly.

“Of course, someone destined to become the Sword Demon would be different.”

Footsteps echoed as he revealed himself.

The blood trailing from his split lip and reddened cheek stood out starkly against his pale skin.

With one hand clutching his sword, his murky yellow eyes locked onto me.

I met his gaze and nodded.

“So it’s true.”

Yellow eyes. There was only one meaning behind those eyes.

“Heavenly Killing Star (천살성 / Cheonsalseong).”

A fate ordained from birth to kill until the moment of death.

Those born under that destiny were said to have those exact eyes.

“This is my first time seeing it.”

By the time I met him in my past life, he had already succumbed to demonic influence, and his eyes had turned purple.

The Heavenly Killing Star’s traits are obvious from birth, making it rare for them to live long.

“They’re hunted down as soon as they’re discovered.”

A destined killer. Who would allow such a person to live?

It was a wonder he had survived to his age.

“He won’t die now. He’ll endure and eventually become the Sword Demon.”

The thought didn’t bother me.

In fact, it was fortunate to discover him now.

It wasn’t a bad thing.

“What... are you?”

His voice was low and detached, his gaze unfocused.

In the last two days, I’d been asked that question more than once.

I chuckled and replied.

“Third son of the Gu family, and the one here to capture you.”

“...”

A low growl escaped him as a surge of killing intent erupted from his body.

“Ah.”

It was overwhelming, suffocating the air around us as if to declare his identity as a Heavenly Killing Star.

“So that’s how it works.”

I stared, intrigued. I was beginning to understand the power he would wield in the future.

“He always wrapped his weapon in something like this, didn’t he?”

Condensing his killing aura around his blade.

Sometimes using it as armor to protect his body.

What I once thought to be martial technique now seemed like an innate trait.

As I watched with interest, he spoke again.

“...Don’t... interfere.”

His words made me laugh.

“Seriously? You’re the one ruining my meal, and now you’re the one complaining?”

His yellow eyes darkened further, the aura around him growing heavier, suffocating everything around us.

I glanced around at the sound of shuffling feet. The patrons had fled, but the innkeeper remained frozen in fear.

“Hey, old man.”

“Y-yes?”

Startled, the innkeeper’s face twisted in terror.

Reaching into my coat, I pulled something out and tossed it to him.

“Huh?”

The man’s eyes widened as he caught it.

“That should cover the damage.”

It was a small fortune, enough to rebuild the inn if needed.

“And while you’re at it, pack me some dumplings.”

The money included payment for the food.

“Y-yes, sir!”

His despair transformed into determination as he rushed toward the kitchen.

“He’s really going to pack dumplings in a situation like this?”

Well, it didn’t matter.

“Not like it’s my problem.”

I turned my attention back to the fight.

The tip of a sword sliced past my face, narrowly missing.

If I hadn’t moved, it would’ve cut me.

“Hmm.”

Fast. No hesitation.

Of course, it didn’t stop with one swing. The blade moved relentlessly, the strikes coming with an almost obsessive precision.

Every swing was filled with the desire to kill.

The speed was such that afterimages lingered in the air. Despite the overwhelming aura pouring from his body, his swordplay was unnervingly clean and precise.

Every attack targeted a vital point.

“His level… it’s a bit odd.”

He had clearly surpassed the peak realm, judging by the strength and speed of his movements. But something felt off.

“He’s on the edge.”

Caught between the pinnacle of the peak realm and the next stage—Hwagyeong (화경 / Flowering Mastery).

As I avoided another swing, I pressed forward.

He responded by swinging wildly, unwilling to retreat.

Amid the storm of sword arcs, I slipped my hand through an opening.

Thud!

“...!”

My palm struck his chest squarely, sending him stumbling backward.

“Guh…”

He coughed violently, struggling to catch his breath. While the physical pain was minor, the disruption to his internal energy would leave a significant backlash.

“Well, now.”

I couldn’t help but feel impressed as I watched him. Despite being caught between realms, his ability was still remarkable.

Considering his age, it was astounding.

Though I didn’t know his exact age, he was undoubtedly a late-stage juvenile in martial terms.

Which made it even more puzzling.

“How has someone like this remained unknown until now?”

Seeing him in person only deepened my curiosity.

I had come to Guangdong specifically because this was around the time he was said to have started making his mark.

In other words, a fighter of this caliber was only now emerging. It was unusually late for someone of his level.

As a Heavenly Killing Star, I could understand if he had lived in hiding. But that only raised more questions.

“He couldn’t have survived alone.”

Someone must have supported him—whether to nurture his strength or ensure his survival.

Otherwise, a Heavenly Killing Star couldn’t have lasted this long.

Still…

“Whatever the case.”

This was good for me.

“The timing is perfect.”

Just as he was starting to make his move, I’d found him.

It was the ideal moment to capture the one who would become the Sword Demon.

“I’ll kill you…! I’ll kill you!”

His face twisted further in rage, his killing intent growing even denser.

Boom!

The air shook as he surged toward me, his aura coalescing into his blade.

It looked dangerous, certainly.

But…

Smack!

“Guh…”

It didn’t matter if the attack didn’t land.

I intercepted his sword path and struck him across the face. He staggered.

“There’s nothing more to see here.”

Dragging this out would be pointless.

“Let’s finish this.”

With that, I nodded to myself.

“I’ve already wasted too much time.”

It had taken two full days to corner him. While I’d managed to capture him, it was no small thanks to luck.

Now, I needed to end this quickly and move on.

I stepped forward.

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His body tensed despite the pain. His eyes, filled with madness, locked onto me.

I smiled.

“Still a wicked bastard, huh?”

A perfect candidate for turning into a demonic being.

I liked people like him. They were easier to use.

Raising my energy, I prepared to finish him off.

“It’ll be less of a hassle if I take out an arm or a leg now.”

With that thought, I moved.

At the same time, he shifted his sword.

His killing aura and sword energy merged into his blade, every swing aiming for a vital spot.

As I dodged, I aimed for his leg…

“Hmm?”

Just then, something caught my attention.

The trajectory of his blade.

It wasn’t just random slashing.

The arc of his swings formed a smooth curve, his footwork landing precisely with each strike.

The oppressive aura had hidden it until now, but as I observed closely, the movements stood out.

“What’s this?”

That motion…

It felt wrong.

I shifted my position, closing the distance between us.

Swish!

The blade grazed my cheek, and I felt the warm trickle of blood.

Surprise flashed in his eyes as I advanced suddenly.

As he swung again, I didn’t stop.

Clink!

“…!!”

I caught his blade between my thumb and forefinger, halting it completely.

Without hesitation, I struck his jaw.

Thud!

“Urgh…!”

The blow landed perfectly.

With a groan, he collapsed to his knees.

Thump.

I didn’t bother helping him up. A hit like that wouldn’t be enough to truly harm him.

And I had no time to waste worrying about it.

Looking down at him, I frowned.

“What the hell is this guy?”

A sword brimming with killing intent.

Eyes that marked him as a Heavenly Killing Star.

An aura steeped in madness.

He was undoubtedly the Sword Demon I knew.

But then…

“Why is he using the techniques of the Orthodox Sects?”

And not just any Orthodox Sect.

The blade carried the signature of one of the Nine Great Schools, the guardians of the Azure Sea.

The Kunlun Sect.

There was no mistaking it—their mark was etched into his swordsmanship.