Turning
chapter-745

He had always considered himself adept at enduring insults and disregard, but now he painfully realized how far he still had to go as a young man.

The members of the Cavalry, upon meeting Pruelle's gaze, moved along with him to apprehend the sage and Diemon.

"Oh no! It hurts! Don't touch me! Sage!"

Before Ever could even lay a hand on him, Diemon thrashed and screamed. The sage remained silent, even as hands reached to seize him, perhaps because he sensed that Duke Diarca would feign ignorance. His slightly darkened, composed expression unnerved Pruelle.

'What is he thinking?'

Just as his hand was about to grab the sage's shoulder, the sage spoke to Duke Diarca, who was conversing with Kiolle.

"It's all a misunderstanding."

The Duke did not look back.

"The only regret I have is that I remained silent, believing that His Grace Duke Diarca would someday understand, despite knowing his overly negative perception of us."

This time, Kiolle, in a dramatic gesture, shuddered and pulled his father away. Yet, the Sage, undeterred, spoke again for the third time.

"You have never once inquired about my abilities, Your Grace. Soon, you will know. And then..."

"Oh, this man really talks too much!"

Finn blindfolded the sage and gagged him. The Sage ceased his mumbling and stood up, led away by the Cavalry members, his arms firmly held. Just as people began to lose interest in his pitiful figure, a sudden announcement came.

"Your Grace, urgent news!"

A knight of the Diarca household rushed in, shouting. The Duke, about to chide him for the noise, changed his expression upon hearing the whispered words.

His gaze swiftly moved beyond the lake of the Fourth Wall District, towards the distant, shimmering Imperial Palace in the First Wall District.

"Kiolle, it seems today is not the day for our walk. I will hear your earlier question later. We must go now."

"Where to?"

Kiolle, sensing the unusual atmosphere, blinked confusedly. The Duke did not answer but turned his head towards the captive sage. His brows furrowed in displeasure.

With his eyes and mouth covered, the sage, as if sensing something, smiled.

"The Crown Prince urgently requires his healers. We should postpone investigating this man."

The statement resounded among the Cavalry.

Ever later wrote of the subsequent events.

“Elle felt that the sinister premonition he had experienced was related to this incident. We protested, insisting that we could not hand over the captured individual, but the Duke's party countered, citing the priority of imperial family member’s health and suggesting that we investigate the sage's other captured companions instead.”

Duke Diarca halted the members' actions by arguing the lack of concrete evidence implicating the sage as the culprit and the fact that the sage himself had not admitted any guilt. Even as Finn attempted a final protest, knights threatened him with swords for restraint. Of course, such threats wouldn't intimidate Finn, but this act itself was a testament to the Duke's resolute intent.

To the Cavalry, any argument about their right to investigate the sage, an Awakener, was futile against the Duke’s power. He hinted they might all be accused of disrespecting and insulting the imperial family member if they refused his 'proposal.'

Ultimately, the members agreed to arrest only three individuals, excluding Diemon and the sage, and had no choice but to watch as they vanished from sight.

"What transpired in the Bright Palace remains unknown, as His Majesty the Emperor has yet to speak. Our knowledge is limited to what we've uncovered through Kanna and others' inquiries. We confirmed that two carriages secretly visited Diarca's residence at dawn today and then slipped away. One headed beyond Second Wall District, while the other escaped the capital."

One carriage was within the Second Wall District, the other had fled the capital. It was plausible that the Sage either re-entered the palace or escaped the city.

"The fault is entirely mine. I should have prepared and responded more cautiously. It's only right that I face criticism for failing to fulfill my duties as the Deputy Commander. I will report back as soon as we interrogate the three captives and ascertain the sage's whereabouts. I regret that I cannot bring you better news."

Ever and the Cavalry members deeply regretted and blamed themselves, evident in these short sentences.

Upon lifting his gaze from the letter he had been perusing, Yuder watched as Kishiar neatly folded it and placed it on the desk.

"Now, what shall we do?" pondered Kishiar.

"Ever dislikes being spared from criticism if she feels she has failed in her responsibilities. However, if you, Commander, prefer not to reprimand her, I suggest assigning her a more challenging task as a form of punishment. Others might consider hard training or harsh scolding as punishment, but that won't work for Ever," Yuder advised.

Kishiar, in a soft voice, inquired, "I've always sensed you understand and are closer to Ever Beck than others. Did you act similarly in a previous game?"

It then occurred to him… Had he not detailed the previous Cavalry to Kishiar? He had briefly mentioned past and future events, but not in such detail, judging it unnecessary.

After a moment of silence, Yuder nodded, "Yes. Ever was also the Shin Deputy Commander in a previous game, so I'm certainly more familiar with her than others. To say we're close is an overstatement, though..."

"Even after spending so long together, you still don't consider each other close?"

"That's the reality."

Yuder remembered Ever's missions and how they were executed, but they had never engaged in casual conversation or dined together. Despite both joining the Cavalry at its inception, they maintained formal titles and a certain distance in their interactions until the end. Yuder had always trusted Ever's exceptional capabilities, but personal details were a different matter.

What she liked, who she was close to, whom she married - such things weren't of interest to the Yuder of that time.

"...Such things don't necessarily define closeness. But still, having spent time together, I can more accurately predict how Ever will act in certain situations than I can with other members."

Upon hearing Yuder's explanation, Kishiar remained silent for a while. Just as Yuder, wondering if he had misspoken, was about to speak again, Kishiar enveloped him in an embrace, accompanied by a sigh that resembled laughter.

"So... what about now?"

"..."

"Do you still think the same way?"

The answer to that question had been settled long ago. Yuder, with a bitter, faint smile tinged with past regrets, shook his head.

"No. I believe I am quite close to Ever now. Though I'm not sure if Ever feels the same, I think it's unlikely that she doesn't."

"That's good to hear. From what I can tell, Ever also seems to hold you in close regard. I would have been saddened had you said otherwise."

Kishiar's perspective probably made it so, but Yuder couldn't help feeling a bit embarrassed. He brought to mind Ever from his previous life and uttered a thought he had often contemplated.

"One of the biggest mistakes I thought I made, as the previous game was coming to an end, was..."

"Not paying attention to those around you?"

"Yes."

Yuder had not trusted or wished to know about those around him. He was always sharp, always prioritizing tasks above everything else. He hadn't considered moving the other pieces on the board, trying instead to play all roles by himself.

It was no wonder he had faced defeat.

Yuder didn't voice this last thought. He didn't want Kishiar to sit alone somewhere unseen, as he had in the past, ruminating over his words and feeling upset.

Instead, he changed the subject.

"...So, how do you plan to respond to the letter?"

[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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