Turning

Chapter 771

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Chapter 771

"It would be best if nothing happens, but if it does repeat, this time it will go as planned. I'll help ensure that."

His words felt like unfounded confidence, yet they were overwhelmingly positive and warm.

Since nothing had yet happened, it was uncertain whether his words would come true or not.

However, Yuder had no doubt that Kishiar La Orr would keep his word. Even if his words seemed light and absurd, Yuder knew the sincerity behind them wasn't light at all.

This deep assurance came from knowing that someone was there to trust and rely on, even if something happened to Yuder himself. It was fortunate that this person, who believed in Yuder's words and memories without condition, had the capability and will to achieve goals on his behalf.

Thus, Yuder felt a bit pathetic for still holding back things he couldn't easily tell this man, who so firmly believed and supported him.

Yuder then left Kishiar's embrace, gauged the direction to head next, and used his power. As he leaped upon the winds, he immediately felt a presence following him.

Yuder crossed a distance of dozens of houses in an instant, much faster than before. He leaped over Charloin's night guards, who were diligently guarding the gate without noticing someone flying overhead, and passed the wall dividing the city from the outside without trouble.

As he flew across the desolate plains, unseen in the lantern light, relying on the moonlight and stars, Yuder felt the faint breath of the man following him. It was a presence so slight that it was imperceptible unless focused on, but for Yuder, that was enough.

Soon, a new town appeared, smaller in scale and more like a countryside settlement than Charloin, yet with a considerable population.

Yuder paused his movement atop the highest tree in the area, watching Kishiar stop following him. Kishiar’s golden hair was slightly disheveled, yet he didn't seem too exhausted, almost sparking a sense of rivalry in Yuder.

"Is this Mclara?"

"Yes."

"It's not near the harbor. What should we know about this place?"

"This is where the poor, driven from Charloin, usually settle. The area is cramped with old and dangerous buildings and is more populated than it seems."

"So, even the appearance of a monster before the disaster could complicate things greatly."

"Yes. The biggest issue here is that only a few Imperial soldiers maintain order, so preparing for that is crucial. The local lord is somewhat greedy, but he's easy to talk to, so sending someone should quickly resolve things."

"Is this from the previous game?"

"Yes. But obviously, we're not acquainted now. Back then, the Southern branch of the Cavalry was here."

"I see."

Yuder didn't explain why the branch couldn't move to Charloin at the time. Kishiar would probably guess the reason.

"If he's the type to accept bribes to allow a Cavalry branch without objection, he shouldn't be too difficult to handle."

See? Without saying anything, he already understands everything.

Yuder nodded and pointed towards the lord's mansion, not far from there.

"Yes, the place where the lord resides is over there. Next to it is where the Imperial Army stays, and frankly, there are no other decent facilities beyond these two."

"I understand."

Yuder then lifted off towards the next place to inspect. As he headed towards the next area, the distant sea gradually faded from view, and the grass and trees started to become sparse. It meant they were nearing the desert.

"I never thought I'd personally assess the desert terrain of the south. Quite fascinating."

The man who had been following behind quickened his pace and moved alongside Yuder, whispering.

"Have you never seen it before?"

"No. The villa where I stayed in my childhood was near the sea, and no one was brave enough to show a troublesome child the dangerous desert. I asked a few times and then tried to escape on my own, but my mother had foreseen this and had people ready to stop me. It's a rather regrettable memory."

Kishiar, referring to his younger self as a troublesome child, smiled.

'Considering the reactions of the servants I met when I visited the palace where he stayed during his princely days, and the fact that he wasn't taken to the desert despite his requests, he must have been quite a handful.'

Even now, Kishiar often behaved in unexpectedly bizarre ways.

The foresight of the former Empress, who had anticipated and prevented Kishiar's escape attempt, also seemed remarkable.

'But Kishiar isn’t one to give up on his intentions after just one failure. Perhaps things were different in his childhood.'

"Didn't you try to escape again after that failure?"

"Hmm... If I tried to escape again, the kind and gentle child who helped me would have been in big trouble. So, I gave up. I couldn't hurt others just for my own amusement, right?"

The young child who had helped the young prince in the southern villa.

Although the term was unfamiliar, the story seemed somewhat familiar. A face suddenly flashed through Yuder's mind. After a moment of silence, he asked.

"By any chance, is that child... someone I know?"

"Of course. He grew up to be my excellent adjutant."

"..."

It was indeed Nathan Zuckerman.

The disparity between the image of the large, stern knight and the kind, gentle child was significant, but Yuder chose not to comment. He was thankful he had seen the mage Hellem treat Nathan Zuckerman with affection, like a small child, beforehand.

As Yuder remained silent, Kishiar chuckled softly and changed the subject.

"The south is still known for its abundance of ancient mysteries. It's said because of the many ruins, but the landforms contribute to that reputation as well. Here, the sea is close, yet one can see a vast desert. It’s neither low on water nor does it rain much. The coexistence of such opposites, both dry and wet, is surely a mystery, isn't it?"

"Now that you mention it... Yes, it is."

It was so common that Yuder hadn’t thought of it as strange, but the south indeed had both the sea and the desert.

"People in the south believe that this is a remnant of the great catastrophe that struck a thousand years ago."

"I didn't know that."

"It's too obvious to us. But if you ask someone from the south, you’ll get a different perspective. It seems there are quite a few legends around here."

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 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."

Check out the new project 2:

[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.'