Turning
chapter-734

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

Nathan Zuckerman blinked as if asking if he had seen it too. He had the knack of conveying his intentions clearly with an impassive face.

Yuder acknowledged that he, indeed, has an exceptional ability to read the minds of Kishiar, befitting an old adjutant. However, that didn’t mean he planned to leave Nathan Zuckerman to follow that order. Yuder immediately spoke up.

"My hand is fine. Shouldn't we prioritize examining the Commander's arm instead?"

"I've already given it a temporary fix."

Kishiar gestured with one hand, directing the Cavalry members elsewhere, and replied calmly. There was no need to ask when he had done this, as both Yuder and Nathan Zuckerman knew that Kishiar possessed divine powers.

However, people with divine power can only temporarily mend their own wounds. Stopping the bleeding might be feasible, but the healing ends once their own strength and energy diminish.

"That's good. It seems appropriate for you to see a priest or physician now."

"I've bought myself enough time not to do that. There are many urgent matters to address right now, so it's more logical for those in immediate need to receive treatment first."

"No. There is no one who would seek treatment before the person they serve."

"There could be situations where that's possible."

Kishiar, with a twisted smile, gestured towards a spot. There, injured Cavalry members were gathered, attending to each other's wounds and wrapping bandages brought from the branch office. Some, who appeared more severely injured, were being assisted to move, evidently following Kishiar's recent order to prioritize their treatment.

Yuder, anticipating such a response, remained determined.

‘...’

Though slightly overwhelmed, he didn't give up. Yuder tried to persuade Kishiar again. Meanwhile, Nathan Zuckerman had briefly left and returned, but Yuder paid no attention to that.

“So......”

Just as Yuder was about to speak again, a large hand casually grasped his shoulder, blocking him. The person stepping forward was Nathan Zuckerman.

"Listening to this, it seems like the conversation is being prolonged over a simple solution."

"Do you have another plan?"

"Yes. I just briefly checked outside the encirclement, and it seems a guest worthy of the Duke's attention has arrived. I'll handle things here, so please escort the Duke there and get treated on the way. That will solve all problems."

Nathan Zuckerman added an explanation, as if understanding what Yuder was about to say.

"Although I'm not part of the Cavalry, I've dealt with post-monster incidents several times in Peletta. I don’t think this place requires a different approach. As for other urgent matters, our lord must have already given orders, and for the rest, it's just a matter of coordinating with others."

Nathan Zuckerman, as the representative of the Peletta Knights and Kishiar's adjutant, had worked closely on many occasions. Thus, he was familiar with all the Cavalry members here.

Surprisingly, he too was undoubtedly capable of handling this situation.

'But Nathan Zuckerman staying behind alone, leaving an injured Kishiar in this situation?'

It seemed unbelievable, but then again, that knight had already made a similar choice before.

"...Are you truly not angry that Kishiar was injured despite sending me ahead?"

Nathan Zuckerman had claimed not to be angry, but Yuder hadn't believed he was sincere. However, if he truly wasn't... At that moment, when Yuder's expression subtly shifted, Kishiar burst into laughter.

"Indeed, Nathan, a wise suggestion that saves time and satisfies everyone."

"Yes. And I am unharmed and perfectly fine."

"Alright, I'll follow your advice."

Thus, Yuder found himself accompanying Kishiar. It all happened so quickly, leaving no room for further discussion.

Outside the still-maintained encirclement by the Imperial Army, it was quite chaotic. There were people who had evacuated because of the Star of Nagran, a few soldiers and knights in the uniform of the security force, a handful of crazed onlookers, and others insistently trying to push their way through.

'Well, I had anticipated this.'

Yuder's gaze shifted to a carriage stopped behind the chaotic crowd. The carriage, bearing the crest of the Herne family, was familiar.

'As expected. That's why Nathan Zuckerman said that.'

As if sensing his gaze, the door opened, and Myra El Herne, the First Princess of Herne, stepped out. Unlike before, she approached them quickly without wearing a robe to cover her face. The knights following her quickened their pace in response.

The Herne family's influence in the South wasn't as strong as the Tain family in the West, but it was still significant. People, realizing someone of importance had arrived, quietly made way. Myra, with a pale face, spoke as she approached.

"I saw a large monster falling from the sky while returning to my quarters after talking with the knights. I immediately turned my carriage here, but they wouldn't let me in, saying it was dangerous."

"That's so. I'm sorry about that. We needed to block access around here because a battle was underway," Kishiar replied.

Myra, biting her lip, observed Yuder's disheveled appearance and Kishiar, who was also in a notably bad state. She seemed to have many questions, but quickly realized it wasn't appropriate to discuss more in such a public place.

Instead, she asked just one more question, loud enough for the anxious people around to hear.

"So, is everything under control inside? Have all the monsters been dealt with?"

"Yes. We've taken care of them all. We're currently dealing with the corpses. There's not much destruction, so once the cleanup is done, everyone can return."

"That's a relief."

People around who heard the conversation between Kishiar and Myra murmured among themselves.

"Did you hear? No major damage!"

"How could there be no damage with such huge monsters falling?"

"Are they really saying there's no damage?..."

"And the Cavalry at the arena..."

"The Cavalry..."

As the cavalry's name echoed around and the crowd grew louder, they moved inside the branch office.

Myra's expression turned to shock at the sight of the craters, dismembered corpses, and black fluids that filled the scene.

"Truly... the Cavalry killed them all. So many and so large, and so quickly..."

Hearing it was one thing, but seeing the actual battlefield was evidently a different experience. The knights accompanying her, previously brimming with arrogance, quickly quieted down as well.

Kishiar responded with a quiet smile.

"I've only done what needed to be done."

"In fact, I came with the knights to offer assistance, but it seems that was unnecessary."

"We still need help, actually. We're short on hands for the cleanup."

"Then use the people I've brought with me. Do you need a priest as well?"

"Did you bring a priest too?"

"I summoned a priestess on the way here, so she should be arriving soon."

"She will arrive quicker than those we would have called."

"Moreover, she is discreet enough to be trusted with treatment. She is not from the Herne family but connected to me. The Empress herself knows who she is, so you can be at ease."

In a foreign land with few acquaintances, such aid was most valuable. Finding someone to trust with treatment in a place lacking local natives or influential families was a considerable challenge, especially when injured.

Kishiar seemed well aware of this, his smile growing a bit broader.

"It seems we have formed a beneficial alliance. I'll gratefully accept your help."

"Thanks to the Cavalry swiftly dealing with those dreadful monsters, Charloin remained unharmed and peaceful. If anything, I too have received help, so it's only right that I do my part."

Her demeanor was remarkably steadfast, considering she had just seen her brother's corpse. Her ability to prioritize what she must protect over her personal feelings, thinking first of the people of the South, was impressive.

If such a person had been the Duke of Herne, perhaps the great earthquake in the South in his previous life wouldn't have led to such devastating consequences.

It wasn't long before the priestess Myra had summoned appeared. A middle-aged woman in priestly robes, she seemed slightly surprised at the assembly of people waiting inside the branch office, but quickly composed herself and spoke.

"I am Galleum, a priestess from the Charloin Mataroa village branch. Who needs my assistance?"

"Right here," Yuder pointed to Kishiar without hesitation. Kishiar raised his eyebrows slightly, as if he was a bit late in responding, but he didn't refuse the treatment.

[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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