Turning
chapter-730

“Cavalry! It is indeed a daunting task to battle monsters, but I need you to focus intently and listen to me. I have assessed the situation and am ready to issue orders."

Kishiar, having just released his sword radiating a blue aura, called out to everyone. His voice, though not raised excessively, had the power to command attention instantly. This time, too, it effortlessly roused the spirits of the Cavalry members, who were ensnared in confusion and dismay.

"Everyone knows that when monsters appear, cracks accompany them. I don't suppose anyone is surprised by this obvious fact. Or is there anyone here who is?"

"No, Commander!"

Shouts came from various directions, even as some struggled to fend off monsters, their roars and thudding footsteps resounding in the background.

Yet, Kishiar's face bore a relaxed smile, devoid of urgency, reassuring those watching him.

"Good. As it stands, there are fifteen monsters here—no, fourteen, I reckon? And soon to be thirteen, judging from over there."

"Ah... ha ha...."

Even the tense recruits and Imperial soldiers managed a strained laugh at Kishiar's witty joke.

"Fortunately, the crack has vanished, so no more monsters will appear. And they're confined within the area we're surrounding. They're too big to escape unnoticed, so we don't need to count them anymore."

The implication was clear to all: if they could deal with the monsters here, they could resolve the situation without endangering civilians.

This hopeful message visibly shifted the mood. The faces of the Cavalry members, previously dismayed, now filled with calm determination and resolve, as Kishiar raised his hand.

"So, our only task now is to maintain our current encirclement and deal with these monsters. Are we capable of that?"

"Yes, Commander!"

The number of Cavalry members present was significantly fewer compared to those at the capital's headquarters, as they were merely the members dispatched to the southern branch. Even though their leader, Kurga, had not yet returned, their faces were resolute.

'It's strange that Kurga hasn't returned yet. He should have been back before us, to inform the other members and investigate the death of the second prince of Herne… There is a high possibility that Kurga had encountered trouble on his way back.’

It wasn't surprising, given that the same culprits had targeted Duke Peletta's carriage. But Kishiar must have anticipated this and taken measures upon realizing Kurga's absence.

'I don’t know about the Knights of the Herne Duchy, but Kurga is not weak enough to be easily defeated. I have to believe that nothing serious has happened.'

As Kishiar surveyed his troops, he once again raised his sword.

"Alright then, let's begin the annihilation. Cavalry, switch to lure-and-attack formation! Yuder and I will take the center."

Lure-and-attack formation.

The eyes of the Cavalry members, who had been holding off monsters, sparkled with determination.

Their training in the Cavalry had not been limited to practical combat. Kishiar had taught them literacy, as well as theoretical knowledge usually reserved for knights and soldiers, including the types of monsters and how to counter them.

The types and countermeasures of monsters were based on the valuable lessons recorded through the hard-earned experiences of the Peletta Knights, followers of Kishiar. Initially, those who had just joined the Cavalry wondered why they had to learn such things, suffering through the training. However, after experiencing its utility in the West, they ceased their complaints.

The lessons introduced various advantageous combat forms against monsters, including the lure-and-attack formation ordered by Kishiar. "This method is especially effective against large, slow-moving monsters. A small group of our strongest will engage each monster individually, while the rest will scatter to lure away and stall the remaining monsters," it was explained.

But this wasn't just about indiscriminately stalling or luring. The crux of this tactic was the coordinated movements of the remaining troops, ensuring the elite few could focus solely on their monstrous adversaries.

Although this method had its drawbacks, its efficacy was unmatched if executed correctly. Should the timings not align, or if the monsters were not lured effectively, or if the elite group failed to swiftly dispatch their foes, the situation could quickly turn perilous for all.

It required perfect trust and execution, with each member fulfilling their role without deviation. And Kishiar, along with Yuder, boldly declared they would undertake the role of the elite few, focusing solely on combating the monsters. This was a decisive choice, despite knowing Yuder's vulnerability to monsters.

"Are you sure about this?" Yuder asked with concern.

"What do you mean?" Kishiar inquired.

"I thought you would have me stay back," Yuder admitted, half-expecting Kishiar might tackle the monsters alone. But Kishiar just smiled, as if to dismiss the notion.

"Would you have obeyed such an order?" he challenged.

"No," Yuder replied, to which Kishiar smiled knowingly.

"I just need you to buy me time to wield my sword while I assess the monsters. That's enough," Kishiar said earnestly, his face a blend of seriousness and slyness.

Yuder, albeit slightly depleted in strength and knowing his efforts might not significantly harm the monsters, understood his role was not about brute force. His experience in drawing the enemy's attention and creating openings was what mattered. And in this regard, no one was more experienced than Yuder Aile.

Kishiar trusted Yuder implicitly to create the opportunities he needed. This was the first time Kishiar felt confident in someone else's ability to handle the attack on his behalf.

'This is good,' he thought. With Nathan Zuckerman also due to return, they would have additional support. Yuder nodded firmly, resolved.

"Understood. Leave it to me."

Kishiar's eyes twinkled with amusement as he unwrapped the cloth bound around the hilt of his divine sword, revealing its true form beneath the unassuming exterior.

"Set up the formation! Lure one monster each to Commander and Yuder!"

Unaware of Yuder's weakness, the other members of the Cavalry had already started moving without hesitation. The first to bring a monster for combat was Yergin Schiller, who had earlier dealt with a southern merchant alongside Yuder.

Despite some wounds on her body, Yergin exhibited skilled movements, using the power of the wind to draw the monster towards them. Her eyes lit up at the sight of Kishiar's sword.

"That sword...! Could it be a divine sword?! Wow... Ah! Oops."

"Be careful."

Yuder, noticing her momentary distraction due to excitement, lightly used the power of the earth. With a minimal effort, he created a small depression in the ground, causing the massive monster to stagger and its attack to falter.

Yergin, having nimbly dodged the creature with her wind manipulation, expressed her gratitude to Yuder.

"Thanks, Yuder! I'm not sure if our Commander is a swordmaster or has abilities like Jimmy, but being part of this historic moment, capturing monsters with a divine sword, feels amazing! Now, please take care of the first one!"

As she darted back after her playful remark, Kishiar, responding with a smile, raised his sword.

"I shall."

The divine sword Orr, filled with an aura of anticipation, was suddenly enveloped in a blue light, unleashing sharp attacks in accordance with its master's intent.

It took three strikes for the first monster to fall, losing limbs and other body parts in the process, completely pierced by Kishiar's attack.

"Wow!"

As the monster collapsed with a thud, cheers erupted from afar. The joy of their strategy's success and the rapid spread of hope that they could indeed prevail filled the air.

Then, the second and third monsters, lured by the Cavalry members, began to approach. Yuder, alternating between his sword and a bit of his power, did his utmost to prevent the monsters' desperate attacks from reaching Kishiar.

[BL] Cloudless Sky

Jin Soram, the top-ranked hunter representing South Korea's Rift Phenomenon Management Headquarters, is stronger than anyone else and lazier than anyone else. As soon as he arrives at the office, he buries himself under a blanket and falls asleep. When he goes out on a mission, he causes accidents and returns to the office, often shirking his duties.

"Do you know how it feels to play a game that's already messed up? ...Anyway, the next round will come, so this time, I'm just going to play it recklessly."

In fact, his true identity is someone who has regressed through three lives, trying to save the world from the Great Rift but failing each time. After repeating a life where he couldn't sleep peacefully even for a day, he became completely exhausted before this life even began.

"I know. You worked hard, Jin Soram."

And then there's Han Tae-un, the man who saved Soram and died in all three previous lives. As he did in every life, he comes to Soram's side once again. The Great Rift is approaching soon. It's impossible to resolve it in this life without any preparation. Soram vows to save Tae-un in this life and die himself. At least, he won't let Tae-un save a failure like himself again.

"For now, until then, let's sleep..."

As Soram sluggishly lives his life waiting for that moment, a gradual change occurs in his heart.

'I thought this was a messed-up round... but I want to live a little longer here.'

[BL] Bermuda

Leonardo Blaine, the true war hero of the Raina Logia Empire and the commander of the Armsilver 11th Squad, is dishonorably discharged for disobeying orders during the final battle that could have led the Empire to victory in the territorial war. People criticize and point fingers at him, and after being released on parole from prison, he disappears without a trace.

Three years later, his name has been forgotten by the world. The Council has been persistently pursuing him, but he has proven difficult to capture. Frustrated by this, Hugo Agrizendro, the commander of the Council's army, decides to personally apprehend him.

"Since when have you been watching me?"

Leonardo was calculative and astute, so it wouldn't be surprising if he had been observing Hugo for some time now. However, Leonardo's answer was something that even Hugo had not anticipated.

"From the very beginning."

[BL] The Mist (Same author as Turning)

In the autumn of his 18th year, after winning the high school kendo championship finals, an unexpected accident occurred.

Due to that incident, Kang Mu-heon lost one of his legs, his closest friend, and his promising future. He closed off his heart and shut himself away alone.

A few years later, the world's first real virtual reality game <THE MIST> was announced, where even those with physical disabilities could play in healthy bodies.

By chance, Kang Mu-heon encountered it and began a new life as the mage Kapros, facing unexpected meetings, reunions, and days of change....

***

"Why was someone like you born into this world to make me so miserable? Do you understand when I say it like this?! You were born with talent for the sword, a bright personality, everything - you must have been laughing at me always lagging behind! Did you even know how pathetic I felt because of your stupid hypocrisy? A genius? What does any of that matter!"

Seung-jo's cries stabbed at his heart, wailing as if he were crying even though he wasn't, but there was no time to think further. He quickly clutched my stomach, got up, and ran towards him.

He looked surprised for a moment, but he was desperate.

Just as the car was about to reach us, he shoved Seung-jo hard. Right after Seung-jo fell and rolled away with wide, startled eyes—

Screech!

Bang! With an impact that felt like his whole body was being shattered, he flew through the air.

And in that brief yet long moment of floating in space, he remembered his reflection in Seung-jo's eyes for the last time.......

***

[ Then in THE MIST, may you become the master of infinite possibilities. ]

Whoosh!

When his vision returned after everything went white, he was standing in the middle of a bustling town. Amidst the clamor, countless people were busily going about their business here and there.

He looked down at himself, standing dazed and wearing clothes of unknown origin. When he touched the sleeve, he felt the texture of fabric as real as reality. His hair felt the same, and even when he touched the wall of a nearby house, he could clearly feel the solid, cold surface.

Is this... VT?

It seemed like a joke. It truly felt as if he had come to another world and was touching everything.

As he stood there unable to think due to the shock, he suddenly remembered the biggest reason he had decided to play this game, and snapped back to attention. His two legs were still as they had been when he first stood.

'Can I really walk?'

He first stepped out with his left foot, then very slowly put strength into his heavy right foot. It felt like cold sweat was running down his spine.

And then,

He lifted it,

Moved it,

And took another step to touch the ground again.

So easily. As if there had never been any problem with this leg from the beginning.

"Ah..."

At that moment, something that was neither joy nor emotion shot up his spine. Suddenly feeling a lump in his throat, he lowered his head and leaned against the wall. His right foot, bearing his weight, was doing its job perfectly.

"..."

Holding back the tightness in his throat, he took another step.

It didn't hurt. It wasn't heavy. His leg was no longer a useless piece of wood that ached.

Damn it, to be able to walk so easily like this.

To be able to run so easily like this.

He had wished even in his dreams for the day to come when he could walk and run like this again.

And so he walked again, kept walking, slowly getting faster, until finally he started running like a madman through the entire town.

***

"Kap. ...There seems to be a misunderstanding. That's not what I meant."

Just as he was thinking he should throw a punch, Yu-wan sighed with a troubled look and said.

A misunderstanding? How could it be a misunderstanding when he said with his own mouth that he didn't think of me as a friend?

"I didn't expect to receive such a question suddenly, so my explanation was probably too brief. Let me rephrase."

Yu-wan reached out his hand, his face completely changed from before - intense yet resolute - as he stared at him. As he didn't reject the hand suddenly approaching his face and kept his gaze fixed, his cool large hand touched his cheek completely.

A shiver ran down his spine at that moment.

"I'm sorry to say this to you, but I don't see you only as a friend. ...This is the complete answer."

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