Turning
chapter-733

"Nathan. You've finally arrived."

"Yes. Adjutant Nathan Zuckerman, reporting back now."

The exchange between the lord and his adjutant was strikingly calm, making it difficult to discern whether they were in the midst of a perilous battle against monsters in the city or in a peaceful indoor setting.

However, those who had witnessed what Nathan Zuckerman had just done were silently doubting their eyes. And for good reason, as the attack Zuckerman had just unleashed was not something an ordinary knight could perform.

"Wait a minute. Didn't the attack by Sir Zuckerman look like an aura? Could it be... that Sir Zuckerman is an Awakener like us?"

"Shouldn't the first question be whether he was a swordmaster?"

The murmuring Cavalry members were soon joined by the Imperial Army, exchanging words with excited expressions.

"I knew from the underground arena that this knight's skills were extraordinary. But a knight who can use aura... Could he actually be a true swordmaster?"

"If that's the case, it would be quite a sensation."

"Regardless, the important thing is that we no longer need to worry about that monster!"

True to their words, Nathan Zuckerman immediately joined the battle upon assessing the situation. His role was not to relieve Kishiar, but to support the Cavalry members who were struggling to maintain a defensive formation.

His sword no longer glowed blue, but it was enough. Just the addition of one man's strength made it significantly easier for the Cavalry members to combat the monsters compared to before.

When only two monsters remained, Kishiar and Nathan each took one as if by agreement. A few with an eye for swordsmanship realized that the sword techniques of the two men were quite similar.

This was because Nathan Zuckerman had learned swordsmanship from his lord, but no one had realized that yet.

Yuder Aile, along with the other Cavalry members, supported the two swordsmen, using various attributes generously. To onlookers, it seemed as if his presence alone created more opportunities and lured the monsters better than the entire Cavalry combined.

Yuder Aile, who had successfully marked the vital parts of the monsters while dodging them, leaped high into the air, stepping on the wind. The monsters' legs stretched out unnaturally long in a last-ditch effort to catch his ankles but stiffened in a twitch.

It was because Kishiar and Nathan Zuckerman had simultaneously pierced and sliced through the bodies of the two monsters.

One monster immediately lost strength in the leg that had reached for Yuder, falling like a pruned branch. However, the other was different. Its leg stretched abnormally long in a desperate attempt to strike at Yuder.

It was a similar situation to when Kishiar had been grazed by an attack. But this time, there was no time for Kishiar to intervene.

Just when everyone anticipated a minor injury to Yuder, something astonishing happened.

"Ah...!"

Yuder Aile swiftly twisted his body in mid-air, shooting wind downwards. As he changed his position, the monster's leg aiming for his ankle hopelessly entangled itself around Yuder's sword.

With a chillingly fierce look in his eyes, Yuder tightly gripped it and shouted.

"Cavalry! All-out attack!"

At his command, all the Cavalry members reflexively exerted their power. It was a reflex born of constant drilling, but the result was definitive.

An intertwining of forces beyond comprehension struck directly at the monster's body and the leg that had ensnared Yuder's sword.

Then Kishiar La Orr seized the opportunity, unleashing his aura in a powerful strike that shredded what remained of the monster's flesh.

After the blinding light that swept through, too intense to keep one's eyes open, passed, a powerful voice echoed through the dust and monster fluid-covered area.

"...I confirm that the last monster has been dealt with. Everyone, you have worked hard."

"Ah...!"

Upon hearing Kishiar's voice, those around finally collapsed in their places, panting heavily. Someone shouted in triumph, raising their weapon towards the sky.

"Woooh!"

"We did it! We really did it!"

Nobody had died. There was no civilian casualty, nor any collateral damage such as building collapses.

The outcome, unbelievable for a monster battle in the heart of the city, filled everyone with joy.

"..."

Yuder watched Kishiar's back as he observed the rejoicing people. Kishiar's golden hair, caked with black monster fluid and dust, and his sweaty nape seemed unfamiliar yet oddly fitting.

Just before, he had been infuriated to the point of turning white, but now, looking at his back, Yuder was reminded of the Harvest Festival. Then, Kishiar had stood alone, dressed in dazzling formal attire, appearing both terribly lonely and unaffected, his expression inscrutable like a solid mask.

But now, his back seemed entirely different, though he was the same person. He stood like a great tree among the people trusting and cheering for him. His dirty, disheveled appearance and clothing suited him better than the splendid formal attire. Although only his back was visible, and his facial expression unknown, the movement of his shoulders and back with every command and breath was enough to surmise his emotions.

It was the back of a man physically exhausted but emotionally feeling the tangible result of a battle and victory achieved by his own hands. The sensation of boiling blood not yet cooled was all too familiar to Yuder.

"...Phew."

Yuder exhaled deeply and sheathed his dirty sword. Just then, someone beside him spoke.

"A strange crack and monsters in the middle of the city. Looks like we won't be able to leave here for a while."

"...Yes. It seems our stay will be longer than planned, so I'm thinking of contacting the North."

Yuder replied, turning his head. Nathan Zuckerman, equally covered in monster fluid and looking quite a mess, quietly met his gaze.

What was going through his mind was unknown, but one thing was clear. Yuder knew he had to apologize for not properly utilizing the opportunity Zuckerman had personally conceded.

"I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"I was here, yet Commander got injured. I have no words."

Would Kishiar have gone to such lengths to block the monster if it had been Nathan there instead of Yuder? Yuder thought not. So, this was entirely his fault.

Yuder recalled the moment Kishiar's arm was hit. It was dreadful. He had never felt so infuriated in this life for being almost unable to attack the monster directly.

Nathan Zuckerman's head turned slightly. He noticed that one of Kishiar's sleeves was charred black and melting away as Kishiar continued to issue follow-up instructions to the members and others. Then, he turned back to Yuder and spoke.

"Do you think I am disappointed because of that?"

"Isn't that the case?"

"Well, looking at our lord's current state, it seems that what I hoped for when I first sent Sir Aile to him has already been sufficiently fulfilled."

Yuder frowned briefly, puzzled by what Kishiar's injury meant in this context. He then considered that Nathan Zuckerman's words might be a form of consolation.

"...I'm not sure what you mean, but an injury is still an injury. Once he finishes giving instructions, I will take care of the rest. Please, Sir Zuckerman, accompany the Commander inside and see to his condition."

"I agree with your sentiment, but I'm not sure if that will be possible."

Before Yuder could ask what he meant, Nathan Zuckerman preempted his question with an answer.

"I suspect our lord will give me the exact opposite order. When you changed direction abruptly in the air, I saw your right hand twist awkwardly. Doesn't it hurt?"

Yuder looked down at his right hand, which still throbbed faintly after sheathing his sword. As Nathan said, in the last moment, when he had explosively reversed direction in the air using the power of the wind, his right hand, holding the sword, had twisted slightly. The strain had probably worsened when he used his strength to keep hold of his sword, ensnared by the monster's leg. However, Yuder didn't consider it a serious injury.

But as Yuder was about to respond, Kishiar, who had turned his head as if he had sensed their conversation, spoke to them.

"Nathan. Take Yuder inside first and have his right hand checked."

[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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