Turning
Chapter 826

Chapter 826

At the same time, outside the temple where many had evacuated.

Kiolle da Diarca sat hidden in a secluded corner, clutching his head in agonizing pain.

"Why... why do I have to go through this here...?"

It was a day when nothing went right. As per Yuder's advice, he had attempted to find the Crown Prince and flee, but the Crown Prince's expected location was eerily vacant. Despite Kiolle's repeated instructions to stay put until his return, the Crown Prince had blatantly disregarded his words.

Normally, he would delegate the task of finding someone to his subordinates. But now, that was impossible. Since arriving in the south, Kiolle had abandoned even the other Imperial Knights who should have accompanied him, all to keep the Crown Prince's presence a strict secret. He couldn't even have servants accompany him.

Alone with the Crown Prince, there was no one else he could turn to for help. It was maddening.

The constant explosions and flying debris nearby sent his heart racing and sweat pouring. Yet, Kiolle mustered the courage to search for the Crown Prince amidst the chaos.

While moving deeper into the danger, opposite to the direction of the fleeing crowds, Kiolle wondered what honor he was seeking in this madness.

His doubt peaked when he finally found the Crown Prince.

"Cease all foolish acts. I will prove the sage's innocence!" The Crown Prince declared

"What? Who are you to say that?"

"Stand aside, Non-Awakener kid!"

Before the fierce Awakeners with blazing eyes, the Crown Prince, whom Kiolle had desperately sought, boldly revealed his identity.

"How absurd. You lowly beings, do you think you can address me so and remain unscathed? I am the Crown Prince of this empire... Ahh!"

Mid-sentence, the Crown Prince, who had bravely stepped into the fray, was struck from behind by a dark object and collapsed.

"Well done, Gakane! He seems brainwashed. Keep him as far away as possible!"

The dark object entangled the Crown Prince's waist and flung him into the distance. He rolled to a stop at Kiolle's feet, like a fallen leaf.

Stunned, Kiolle looked down at the Crown Prince, clutching his cheeks and silently screaming in his head. "Aaahhh!"

"Over there! It's dangerous, take that person and retreat immediately!"

Yet, his silent scream was abruptly halted by someone's shout. Trembling, Kiolle clumsily hoisted the Crown Prince and retreated. Watching small fragments of power effortlessly demolish the temple walls and ground, he screamed internally again.

This was no human fight. To Kiolle, it felt like being in the midst of a struggle between colossal monsters.

How could he possibly escape this? Perhaps a crazed beast from the Cavalry could, but Kiolle was just an ordinary human. Frustrated but acknowledging his limitations - he couldn't even muster a fragment of aura - he doubted his ability to escape while carrying the unconscious Crown Prince.

Eventually, he sought refuge in a corner between buildings, deeming it the safest option. As soon as he laid the Crown Prince down, his legs gave out, and his body shook uncontrollably, not from exhaustion but from surging shock and fear.

In a moment of disbelief, Kiolle da Diarca was grappling with the reality of his recent actions. ‘Such an absurd turn of events... How did this happen?!’ he thought.

He couldn't believe that he had, all alone, without any other servants or companions, braved a dangerous situation. More so, he had carried the Crown Prince on his back right through the midst of a monstrous battle!

The Kiolle of the past, who valued life, dignity, and honor above all, would never have done such a thing. ‘Is this not loyalty, then what is?’ he wondered. In his mind, he was torn between marveling at his unbelievable feat and suffering over why he ended up in such a dire situation.

‘Why did I... Why did I do this... Is it all because of my father who entrusted me with a role akin to a knight... No, because of the Crown Prince who failed to keep his promise... No, no! If it weren't for those deceiving scoundrels!’

His torment always ended with a selfish desire to escape and find comfort.

‘To move any further from here is not a good strategy. Soon, the monster from the Cavalry and Duke Peletta will arrive. It's wiser to endure until then than to exert myself unnecessarily…’

Although he was simply too scared to move, Kiolle comforted himself thinking that staying put was the wiser choice. He regained his composure and felt satisfied with his calm and intelligent decision.

He remained unaware that his judgment felt like someone who trusted and relied on Yuder, Duke Peletta, and the Cavalry more than anyone else.

Suddenly, the Crown Prince groaned.

"Ah, Your Highness, are... are you alright?!" Kiolle asked anxiously.

There was no response. It seemed it would take a while for the Crown Prince to fully regain consciousness. Whatever that dark thing was, it had hit the Crown Prince hard.

Had the Crown Prince been awake, he would have furiously sought out the one who dared strike him, and perhaps even revealed his identity in his eagerness to aid the sage. Thinking about it, maybe it was better for him to wake up after everything was over...

‘No, what am I thinking!’ Kiolle shook his head vigorously, banishing the bad thoughts that had briefly surfaced. Even in a dire situation, such thoughts were inappropriate for a knight.

Sounds of explosions still came from afar. Kiolle, regaining some composure, carefully laid the Crown Prince down and adjusted his position. He had carelessly placed him down earlier, making him look like an abandoned corpse.

If the Crown Prince woke up and realized that, Kiolle might have received a slap.

‘Hah. But why are they causing such a commotion over there? What are they after?’

Finally regaining some semblance of calm, Kiolle began to ponder properly.

He recalled Yuder Aile, a demon and monster of the Cavalry, warning him about deceitful healers and even more dangerous individuals. Indeed, while bringing the Crown Prince, he had caught a glimpse of the sage's face among the chaos.

Fortunately, they seemed too distracted to notice Kiolle... But why was that person at the funeral of the second son of the Herne family in the first place?

‘Could it be that they came knowing the Crown Prince was in the south? No, that's unlikely. Then, are they here to plot something foul against one of the nobles, or perhaps targeting the Cavalry?’

Surprisingly, this line of thought accurately penetrated the core of the sage's actions.

‘When my father sent that man, he did instruct him to bring back proof of his innocence and capabilities. But to resort to such measures?... No. It's entirely possible if he's a charlatan. That's what a charlatan does!’

Then, what about the other Awakeners who were attacking the sage?

Kiolle quickly reached another conclusion.

‘They must be victims of his previous scams. Considering the charlatan's deeds, it seemed he had done this more than once!’

While this was also essentially accurate, Kiolle himself could not have known the full truth.

‘Even so, to dare cause such a commotion at the funeral of a member of one of the four great Ducal families, the Herne family... If my father knew, he would never employ that man again. Well, that's a relief!’

As Kiolle was reveling in the sage's misfortune and smiling to himself, he heard the sound of a group of people running nearby.

‘Is it them?!’

He quickly hunched over, retreating further back while shielding the Crown Prince, holding his breath until the sound completely faded away. He gripped the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at a moment's notice.

And just as his tension reached its peak.

"What are you doing here?"

"Ah!"

Contrary to the running sounds he heard from the front, a gloomy and sluggish voice echoed from right behind him.

Startled, Kiolle leaped up, letting out an inarticulate cry as he swung his sword, but his opponent easily dodged it and neutralized him with a simple gesture.

Feeling that unpleasant sensation again, the one where his sword seemed to move against his will just like it had in a past encounter, Kiolle immediately realized the identity of his adversary.

"You, you! Why do you appear from behind?"

"I asked the question first. Shouldn't you have left immediately upon finding the Crown Prince? Why are you still here? Are you injured? Or perhaps too scared?"

Yuder Aile asked with an emotionless face. Despite the lack of any visible emotional trace, Kiolle inexplicably sensed that Yuder was regarding him as a complete fool at that moment.

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[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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[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.'