Turning
chapter-740

"Kiolle. Do you really have to persist in this..."

"Sir Kiolle, what is the meaning of this...! How can a knight of the Imperial Knight Palace Guard dare challenge me, someone who is not a knight, to a duel!"

"Is that so? Then hurry up and tell me. For someone so close to those who ran away from the Bright Palace and never returned, what is your true intention for appearing at such a time?"

"I have been saying there's no hidden intention whatsoever!"

Baron Renbow's outcry, a mix of incredulity, fear, and indescribable emotions, was met with a growling Kiolle, who turned his head and pointed at a servant standing beside Pruelle.

"You there! Where is the sword I entrusted to you earlier? Bring it to me at once! I shall protect my father from this liar!"

"My lord. The eyes of the public are upon us. Please calm yourself! You surely do not intend to actually propose a duel? I cannot bring you the sword!"

"There's no law for this in the world. It's an overreaction to just ask for a conversation with Duke Diarca, don't you think!"

The scene was one of unparalleled chaos.

However, Pruelle, observing everything with a cool detachment, thought differently from the rest.

'It seems that Kiolle Diarca's intention is less about dueling and more about provoking Baron Renbow to gauge his reaction.'

If one truly intended to duel, they would not cause such a scene; rather, they would simply bring two weapons, declare a duel 'under the eyes of god and the sword,' and seek agreement.

Noble duels usually involve three witnesses for fairness, and if one were serious, they could easily request any passing noble to oblige. However, after declaring his intent to duel, Kiolle only caused a ruckus, never taking the necessary steps for an actual duel.

The difference between merely threatening an action and actually carrying it out was evident.

Pruelle couldn't help but think Kiolle was well aware of this distinction and was deliberately causing this commotion.

'I thought he was just recklessly causing trouble, but perhaps not.'

Until now, Pruelle had judged Kiolle as 'the youngest of the Diarca family, inept and arrogantly indulging in knightly fantasies,' as per the public rumors. Yet, there are others like Duke Peletta Kishiar La Orr, who, despite being more harshly judged than Kiolle, are in fact, meticulous and patient, adept at concealing their strength.

'The mention of the Bright Palace earlier was also suspicious. Kiolle, even as the Crown Prince's guard, seemed hostile towards the sage's party from the beginning. Hmm. If he's come to such a conclusion independently, not swayed by his family, that's impressive. And contrary to rumors, he isn't as brash in speech.'

Having met Kishiar first and shattering his prejudices, Pruelle mistakenly thought he couldn't take Kiolle lightly. Not knowing why Kiolle couldn't clearly propose a duel or properly insult his opponent, it was an unavoidable judgment.

Then, Kiolle raised his voice again.

"Very well. Let me be more direct! Baron Renbow!"

As Baron Renbow flinched in surprise, Kiolle boldly continued.

"Baron Renbow, do you have any idea how many times I have seen you and the ignorant commoners of the Bright Palace conspiring together?"

"What, what?"

"I know that you, Baron Renbow behaved as if you were a subordinate to those commoners, repeatedly leaving and returning from the outside to aid them! I have counted the number of times you sneaked into the palace to meet someone without even seeing His Highness the Crown Prince, which is six times! Even after those people disappeared, didn't you come to the palace once, cunningly choosing a time when I was not on duty?"

"What are you saying right now! When have I ever..."

"Isn't it deliberate that you encountered us as we wandered alone without even a servant? Did you not inquire when my father would be alone at the estate?"

Such an outburst could only be described as the height of paranoia.

However, Baron Renbow was genuinely startled by these words. He was so taken aback that, unlike before, he couldn't protest vehemently, his eyes wide as a rabbit's, quickly glancing around as if searching for someone.

Although brief, Pruelle, who had been closely observing, clearly saw this reaction. Even Duke Diarca, who had been distressed by his son's commotion, suddenly narrowed his eyes and twisted his thin lips. His gaze turned into that of a predator intently observing Baron Renbow.

"...Hmm."

Ironically, the only one who failed to notice Baron Renbow's reaction amidst this situation was Kiolle, who was heatedly involved in the moment.

"Even in this situation, do you claim to be innocent? I, Kiolle Diarca, have personally observed these events! If you dare say I am wrong, then speak up! Deny that you have betrayed your loyalty and become a subordinate to the commoners!"

Kiolle shouted, puffing out his chest with passion, sweat beading on his forehead from the intensity.

Baron Renbow, without blinking, stammered and gasped for breath. The people thought he was so shocked by Kiolle's tremendous insult that he had lost his ability to speak.

However, his reaction was slightly different from everyone's expectations.

Baron Renbow, who had been repeatedly opening and closing his mouth as if to say something, suddenly clutched his hair and twisted violently.

"Ch-choking!"

"Baron Renbow?!"

Duke Diarca's servant shouted in panic. But Baron Renbow, beyond comprehension, doubled over and collapsed to the ground.

"Baron Renbow has collapsed!"

"Don't panic! It might be an act! Confirm thoroughly!"

Kiolle, more panicked than anyone, stuttered unattractively. Pruelle quietly blended in with the servants and approached the fallen Baron Renbow. He was convulsing in pain, repeatedly muttering like a broken object.

"I, I must... the sage... the sage asked me to..."

"What? What are you saying? Come to your senses, Lord!"

As the servants shook him, Baron Renbow's eyes fluttered open. He desperately appealed to Duke Diarca, who was looking down from a distance. His fixed, unblinking eyes sent a chill through everyone.

"Th-the sage... meet the sage, please, Your Grace. He... he desperately needs your help... I was only for Your Grace... no, His Highness the Crown Prince... no..."

"Look, look at these strange words and behavior! Baron Renbow's condition is not normal! Didn't I say something was suspicious!"

As Kiolle spoke hesitantly yet loudly, the servants could not help but acknowledge that the youngest lord's suspicions were not entirely unfounded. They exchanged glances, realizing something was truly amiss with Baron Renbow. Even as he convulsed, his neck and eyes, which remained fixed on Duke Diarca, did not move, an eerie sight as if he were under some curse.

Pruelle, having been briefed before the mission about the sage and his party's abilities, reached a different conclusion.

‘The sage was said to be a brainwashing expert. Is this the effect of brainwashing?’

Just moments ago, Baron Renbow, who had seemed perfectly ordinary, had suddenly collapsed in a state of confusion. While it was unclear why he had exhibited such a reaction, it seemed evident that he was under some form of mind control, and the power exerted on him had abruptly triggered a change.

Duke Diarca, who had been observing Baron Renbow calmly and quietly, finally spoke.

"How strange, Baron Renbow. When I first met you, you did not seem like someone lacking in manners. I had always respected your cautious and careful nature... What could have caused such a change in you?"

"No, no... I, I, I am... Ughh!"

It was then that a sudden commotion erupted not far away.

A loud crashing sound, as if a tree were being felled, followed by a sharp scream, pierced the air.

"Ah!"

Everyone reflexively turned their heads toward the sound.

A woman, waving her gloved hand threateningly, was attacking someone who was rolling to avoid her.

While others might not have recognized her, Pruelle immediately knew who she was.

'Deputy Commander Ever...!'

[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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