"Ah, you've come."

"Yes, Priest. And what about Pharmacist Enon?"

"He is at the headquarters."

Langbarton and Ella were still unconscious, their eyes closed. Gakane scrutinized their restrained forms, designed to prevent any self-harm, with a furrowed brow.

He had been investigating the whereabouts of the Sage outside when they had bitten their tongues, missing the horrific scene. Yet, the sight before him was enough to imagine the dreadfulness of that moment, sending a cold shiver down his spine.

Even in their unconscious state, the total absence of a certain vitality that should be inherent in any normal person was strikingly apparent, as if it had been completely drained away.

'It's evident that they were not in their right minds when they bit their tongues...'

Gakane, gazing down at them, opened his mouth to speak.

"...It must have been the Sage who brainwashed them into biting their tongues, right?"

"Probably."

"It's terrifying how just one ability can determine life and death. But why did they immediately attempt to kill themselves upon capture, unlike other Awakeners from the Star of Nagran?"

"Perhaps back then there was no need, and now there is. If someone recognizes them as frequent visitors to the Crow Prince's palace, it could be disadvantageous. It's about eliminating both the evidence and the witnesses."

Lusan, having learned about the Sage during the treatment process, interjected. Kanna, agreeing with Lusan's words, yet thinking like a true Awakener, offered a different perspective.

"Your words, Priest, are one reason, but I think differently. If killing them was more advantageous, the Sage would have already killed the other Awakeners from the Star of Nagran. But that hasn't happened yet. I suspect... it might be a matter of whether or not the victims met certain conditions to trigger the Sage's lethal ability."

"Conditions to trigger the ability?"

To Gakane's question, Kanna hummed, pondering.

"Gakane, you know I've been investigating those associated with the Star of Nagran, right?"

"Of course. Who else in the Cavalry knows more about them than you?"

"Right. After much scrutiny, I'm beginning to understand how the Sage's abilities are activated. The fact that followers of Nahan were also captured this time was greatly informative."

With that, Kanna made a request to Lusan and Gakane.

"Please keep what I'm about to say confidential. It's still speculative, but I'd rather it not be discussed elsewhere."

"Of course. I swear to god, I'll keep it secret."

"Same here. Um... Should I even refrain from mentioning it to the Commander or Yuder?"

Gakane, seeking something to compare to a divine oath, was met with Kanna's laughter.

"No, if the Commander or Yuder ask, you should tell them. I'll be reporting to them soon anyway!"

"Ha ha... Alright, everyone but the Commander and Yuder."

"Anyway, from what I've deduced through my readings of the conditions of the Awakeners from the Star of Nagran, the Sage's ability is definitely brainwashing. However, it's not like the Sage can command anything at any time."

"Oh... So there are limits to using the ability, just like us?"

"Yes. If the Sage could easily use brainwashing to the extent of causing death, people like Nahan wouldn't have emerged, right? No matter how much trust there is, it's rare for someone to die immediately upon being commanded to do so. An ability that overcomes the instinct to live requires immense power, and I believe it also necessitates certain preconditions."

Though not as terrifying as the abilities of the Sage or Nahan, the Cavalry had several mental ability users. Kanna, as their leader, had a significantly higher understanding of mental abilities compared to other members.

"Mental abilities vary in effectiveness depending on the subject. You've faced Nahan yourself, Gakane, so you know that strong-willed individuals are less susceptible. However, under certain conditions, the power can exceed its usual limits. You understand this far?"

"Yes. So, what are these preconditions? Loyalty?"

"That's part of it. But what comes next is more important."

Kanna lowered her voice.

"I've been asking the Awakeners from the Star of Nagran about their first encounter with the Sage. Surprisingly, I found a commonality in their experiences. My guess is that the Sage used his ability at the first meeting."

"Used his ability at the first meeting...? Openly brainwashing?"

"There was an unspoken rule that new Awakeners to the Star of Nagran must meet the Sage personally for their membership to be approved. After that, they received group norm training from the Sage, and only then were they assigned tasks according to their aptitudes."

This detail was consistently mentioned by all who were part of the Star of Nagran. However, Kanna read something more covert that the storytellers themselves had not realized.

This insight was a result of her abilities taking a significant leap forward after recently thwarting invaders at the Sun Palace. Initially, her power only allowed random access to information from touched objects. Now, she could selectively extract specific types of information and reconstruct memories or thoughts based on the past information of the subject.

If pushed further, she could even glean a little information about a third party who had interacted with her target. Essentially, the 'target' acted as a kind of intermediary. However, this method was ineffective unless the third party had left a deep impression or a significant experience on the 'target'.

In this case, all Awakeners of the Star of Nagran had such profound impressions and unique experiences with the Sage, enabling her to gather considerable information even indirectly.

"For a secret organization formed for survival, such a rule makes sense. But think about it. The Sage personally meeting and training every new Awakener without anyone else's assistance... Considering his abilities, doesn't that seem like an ideal scenario?"

"Indeed. There's no better way to exert brainwashing than through teaching. It's natural to believe and follow the words of a teacher."

Gakane's eyes grew serious. Kanna flashed a sharp smile.

"Exactly. Trust. According to the information I gathered, the Sage would always start the training by revealing that he too was a power user who had left his homeland and lived a hard life. He always used the same phrase with the new Awakeners. It's the most famous quote about 'faith' from the Sun God scriptures."

"Light does not change direction, and darkness comes to all. Amidst all fears, believe in those who forge ahead... the 'Testament of Faith' from Scripture, Chapter 3, Verse 98."

Lusan, reacting to the mention of the scripture, promptly responded. Kanna declared it the correct answer.

"Yes."

"The last words left by the Messenger Orhe before he returned to the sun. It's a part particularly favored by priests leading groups because of its emphasis on believing in those who forge ahead."

"Ah... I didn't know that. But I do think that phrase started making people believe in the Sage."

Before joining the Star of Nagran, the Awakeners, filled with distrust and guardedness from all their experiences, began to open up and believe in the Sage after hearing those words. After the training, there wasn't a single person who resisted the idea that the Sage was benevolent and trustworthy.

Kanna continued, her face turning bitter.

"You see, brainwashing doesn't work if it's too complicated. What could be a simpler and more beneficial phrase for the Sage than 'trust me'?"

"That way, he could have brainwashed everyone in the Star of Nagran."

"Yes. Afterwards, those who seemed most affected by the brainwashing were filtered out during the training process and made into close aides, continuously strengthening the brainwashing."

According to what Kanna had read, apart from the phrase 'trust me', the Sage hadn't directly said anything universally common to the Awakeners.

"Thinking about it, the Sage probably had only one chance to brainwash each person. Strengthening an existing brainwash seems possible, but completely changing it seems not. For example... if someone was brainwashed to like roses, you could deepen it to make them swallow rose thorns, but suddenly making them like lilies instead seems impossible. Do you get what I mean?"

"I think so. It's like continuously strengthening the belief to the point of biting their own tongues, but not changing to believe in a different person... Maybe that's why the brainwashing didn't work properly on Nahan..."

Gakane's mind drifted to a previous argument he had heard between the Sage and Nahan.

"Maybe Nahan joined before the formation of the Star of Nagran and missed the training process, or perhaps he was brainwashed differently in the early days. That could explain why the Sage couldn't control him despite the chaos and didn't use his powers."

"Exactly, Gakane. You're thinking just like me. Thanks for understanding."

After saying this, Kanna looked down at Langbarton and Ella with a touch of regret.

"These people must have been brainwashed by the Sage repeatedly without their knowledge. Their faith, compounded over time, must have made them feel the Sage's affairs as their own, or maybe even more important. That's why they were used as shields by the Sage."

"..."

"I don't know how true my speculation is yet. But it's something I can never forgive."

Kanna clenched her fist.

[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."

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.'