Journey to Become the Zenith

The First Bow

”I have heard the situation from Azriel,” Budha said calmly.

The monk stood quietly within the endless white world, his gray robes hanging loosely over his lean frame. Unlike Azriel, whose very existence felt sharp and violent like a blade stained with countless wars, Budha felt still.

Not weak.

Just... still.

Like a deep lake without ripples.

Anos narrowed his golden eyes slightly while studying him.

The bald monk did not possess Azriel’s oppressive aura, nor did he radiate the same bloodthirsty confidence. Yet for some reason, Anos instinctively understood one thing.

This man was dangerous.

Very dangerous.

”Do you want to face me in battle to learn Spirit Aura,” Budha asked softly, ”or do you want me to teach you?”

The moment those words entered his ears, battle instinct immediately surged inside Anos.

Fight him.

That thought appeared naturally.

Almost automatically.

He wanted to see how strong this calm monk truly was.

He wanted to know what kind of techniques Budha possessed.

But before Anos could answer, Azriel suddenly smirked from the side.

That irritating expression instantly made Anos pause.

The vampire emperor crossed his arms while looking completely entertained already, as though he had fully predicted Anos’ reaction.

Anos clicked his tongue internally.

”...Before I answer,” Anos spoke while looking toward Budha again, ”can I ask something?”

Budha nodded calmly.

”You may.”

Anos folded his arms.

”What kind of incarnation were you?”

Azriel immediately grinned.

”Oh? Curious now?”

Ignoring him completely, Anos kept his eyes fixed on Budha.

The monk remained silent for several seconds before finally answering.

”In my world... I was many things.”

His voice was calm, yet strangely heavy.

”A prince during my youth. A warrior after that. Then eventually... a monk.”

Anos raised a brow slightly.

”A prince becoming a monk?”

Budha smiled faintly.

”The world I lived in was consumed by endless war. Kingdoms rose and fell within years. Millions died for power, revenge, greed, or fear.”

His eyes looked distant for a moment.

”I spent most of my early life killing.”

Even Azriel became quiet while listening.

Budha slowly continued.

”In the end, after countless battles, I realized something. Most people fight believing victory will fill the emptiness inside them.”

His gaze shifted toward Anos.

”But victory itself changes nothing.”

The white world became silent afterward.

Anos did not respond immediately.

Somehow... those words felt strangely familiar.

Because even after becoming the Demon Lord Anos, after standing above countless beings...

There had still been emptiness.

Azriel suddenly snorted.

”Don’t listen too much to the monk. He talks like an enlightened sage now, but back then he was terrifying.”

Budha sighed softly.

”That was a long time ago.”

Azriel laughed.

”This old monk once shattered an entire mountain range using only his fists.”

Anos’ eyes narrowed slightly.

”With pure martial ability?”

Budha nodded calmly.

”Yes.”

That answer alone told Anos enough.

This monk was absurdly powerful.

Anos studied him again before asking another question.

”Among the 777 incarnations... where do you rank?”

Azriel instantly looked interested.

”Oh? That’s actually a good question.”

Budha seemed thoughtful for a moment.

”In direct combat...” he said slowly, ”I am below Azriel.”

The vampire emperor smirked proudly.

”As expected.”

”But,” Budha continued calmly, ”if the battle becomes prolonged, there are very few incarnations capable of defeating me.”

Azriel’s smug face twitched slightly.

”Tch.”

Anos noticed that reaction immediately.

Interesting.

That meant Budha possessed abilities different from pure destructive strength.

A different path entirely.

”What about your era?” Anos asked. ”Was it advanced compared to Azriel’s time?”

Budha shook his head.

”No. In terms of civilization, it was simpler. But the people of my world pursued the body and soul relentlessly.”

Anos noticed the wording immediately.

Body and soul.

Not mana.

Not magic.

Something else.

Still, remembering what Azriel said earlier, Anos chose not to dig deeper for now.

Instead he asked another question.

”Then... did you practice this Aura as well?”

Budha smiled slightly.

”A little.”

Azriel burst out laughing instantly.

”A little?!”

The vampire emperor pointed directly at Budha.

”This monster once fought for thirty days straight without stopping.”

Budha calmly ignored him.

”Discipline was necessary in my world.”

Anos stared at the monk silently.

The more he listened, the stranger these incarnations became.

Azriel was a battle-crazed vampire emperor capable of slashing through dimensions.

Budha was a former prince turned monk who apparently punched mountains apart barehanded.

And these people...

Were all versions of himself.

The thought felt surreal.

Azriel suddenly narrowed his crimson eyes toward Anos.

”So?” he asked with a grin. ”Are you finally done asking questions?”

Anos exhaled slowly.

Then he looked toward Budha once more.

The monk waited patiently without showing the slightest impatience.

No arrogance.

No mockery.

No pressure.

For some reason, that calmness made Anos unconsciously straighten his posture slightly.

Then finally—

”Can you please teach me.”

The words left his mouth naturally.

Without hesitation.

Anos bowed his head respectfully before the monk.

The instant he did—

Silence.

Complete silence filled the white world.

Anos slowly looked up again.

Then immediately frowned.

Azriel and Budha were staring at him with utterly stunned expressions.

The mighty vampire emperor’s mouth was literally hanging open.

Even Budha’s calm face had cracked slightly.

Anos blinked.

”...What?”

Azriel pointed at him slowly like he had just witnessed the end of the universe itself.

”You...”

The vampire emperor looked genuinely shaken.

”You actually said please.”

Anos stared blankly.

”...Yes?”

”And you bowed!”

Azriel sounded horrified.

Anos frowned deeper.

”Why are you reacting like this?”

Budha finally recovered slightly before speaking.

”In all my time here...” the monk said quietly, ”I have never seen an incarnation bow sincerely before.”

Azriel immediately nodded.

”Not once.”

The vampire emperor still looked disturbed.

”Forget bowing. Most incarnations would rather die than politely ask another incarnation for help.”

Anos rubbed his forehead.

”You’re exaggerating.”

”We’re not,” Azriel answered instantly.

The vampire emperor crossed his arms before continuing.

”Most incarnations only respected strength. Even when asking for techniques or battles, they demanded it like lunatics.”

Budha gave a helpless smile.

”Many incarnations only cared about conflict. Few were willing to lower themselves before another.”

Anos became thoughtful.

Was his action truly that strange?

Back then as Demon Lord Anos... yes, he never bowed.

Never asked.

Never relied on anyone.

But Victor’s current life had changed many things.

Videl.

Lane.

Clara.

Brinda.

The people around him now...

They slowly changed how he viewed strength itself.

Azriel suddenly narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

”You really are different.”

Budha nodded calmly.

”There is more restraint within you than the others.”

Anos sighed softly.

”Or maybe I just learned that pride alone doesn’t solve everything.”

Azriel stared at him for several seconds before suddenly laughing loudly.

”That sentence alone would probably shock half the incarnations into silence.”

Even Budha smiled faintly afterward.

Hearing what the other two said made Anos sigh.