"...Did anything like this happen in the previous game?"

Amidst the roaring and screams from monsters falling and buildings crumbling, that voice alone pierced distinctly into Yuder's ears.

Caught off guard by the unexpected events, Yuder felt a slight warmth return to his blood, which had gone cold, the moment he became aware of Kishiar's presence. He took a small but deep breath and shook his head.

"No."

"Indeed, that would make sense. If you had known, you would have warned us earlier."

That was true. If Yuder had been certain such an event would occur, he would have rushed out alone, as he did during the Pethuamet crisis in the West, to prevent it. However, Yuder did recall a disaster strikingly similar to the current situation.

A wind began to disturb the air around Yuder. He muttered quickly and softly, words meant only for Kishiar's ears.

"While I have never seen monsters emerge this way, the crack I witnessed reminded me starkly of the signs of an event I remember."

"What event?"

"The Southern Earthquake, recorded as the Empire's first catastrophe in the previous game."

Originally, the Southern Earthquake was not expected to happen for several more years.

A single quake, dozens of days of aftershocks, and the massive tsunami that engulfed three regions in its aftermath.

The disaster damaged most buildings in the southern cities, killed and injured countless people, and resulted in the loss of innumerable cultural artifacts and ruins.

Usually, before such a disaster occurs, it is possible to predict to some extent signs that something unusual will happen through changes in the surrounding natural environment. However, the Southern Earthquake was unexpected, which worsened its impact.

In hindsight, Yuder thought he should have noticed something unusual from the start. However, an earthquake is a natural disaster, and it is usually not thought that there might be some special or strange cause for a natural disaster to occur suddenly.

At the time, Yuder was busy suppressing the old nobility and concentrating power for Emperor Katchian, dealing with uncooperative and hostile nobles, and aiding in disaster recovery.

Moreover, the Southern branch of the Cavalry was located slightly away from the most affected areas, delaying their response. This led to criticisms of the Cavalry's ineffectiveness, a move instigated by the old nobles in their power struggle with Emperor Katchian. Although the Emperor shielded Yuder, it still took considerable time for Yuder, an expert in natural elements, to take charge in the south.

Politically motivated delays exacerbated the aftermath of the earthquake, yet no one mentioned this fact.

'Anyway, the important thing is that although such cracks were observed back then, monsters never appeared. The timing and process are different now. But to say they are completely unrelated...'

With the newfound suspicion that the Southern merchants might be behind these strange occurrences, Yuder couldn't dismiss a possible connection.

Yuder succinctly relayed this information to Kishiar.

“At that time, several cracks like this were seen, followed by an earthquake throughout the South. There had been no appearance of monsters, and the timing now is much quicker, but if this crack and the Southern merchants are connected, it seems difficult to dismiss the relation entirely.

"So you think it might have been caused by the same people as before."

"Yes."

In his previous life, he had never properly interacted with the people of the Southern countries, so he had no way of knowing how far their influence extended. As Emperor Katchian's loyal sword, he had spent too long focusing solely on the information given to him, deliberately ignoring anything beyond that.

He had thought it enough just to strengthen the Cavalry and do the tasks assigned to him, but now those times seemed regrettable.

However, Yuder did not consider these unexpected events a failure.

The appearance of the strange crack had accelerated, but it confirmed that this was not a natural occurrence and solidified the possibility of the Southern merchants' involvement. Monsters might be falling like rain from the sky, but for now, the area affected was only around the Southern branch of the Cavalry. Thankfully, the citizens had long been evacuated, so no one was harmed, a blessing in disguise.

More importantly, Yuder was no longer alone in sustaining the Cavalry.

Now, under Kishiar, he could fully focus on resolving these monster incidents and the impending disaster-related investigation.

Because Kishiar was here.

Holding onto that thought, Yuder pulled out the black stones he had found amongst the belongings of the dead Southern merchants.

"These are items carried by the deceased Southern merchants. I find it difficult to identify them, so a detailed investigation will be necessary after this is over."

Kishiar's gaze briefly shifted to the barely visible remains of the Southern merchants, crushed under the monsters.

"Understood. You did well to collect them amidst this chaos."

"It's not something to be praised for. I couldn't prevent their suicide."

"Not everyone can handle every situation perfectly as planned. I too had assumed they weren't the type to give up their lives so easily like assassins, so if we're to blame, it's my fault too."

"That's not true. You were far away, Commander. Please, consider this my responsibility."

Yuder's firm response brought a smile to Kishiar's face, incongruous with the situation. As Yuder hesitated, Kishiar spoke.

"Their deaths are regrettable, but it's not the worst scenario. Aton, whom we captured before your arrival, is still alive. You're pushing the responsibility onto yourself to prevent the others who helped and me from being implicated in this monster incident, aren't you?"

"..."

"It's not right to bear it alone."

"That's not it..."

Ah, Kishiar La Orr.

Yuder felt his intentions had been read correctly, though he still tried to argue. Yet, his objections were quickly halted by Kishiar's words.

"Hmm... Did I ever say that taking responsibility is one of my favorite things in the world?"

"..."

Kishiar gently brushed his hair with a tender touch.

"You know, the weight of responsibility is very heavy. But it's something that is only assigned to those who are deemed capable of bearing it. And, unfortunately, that's an area where I haven't been greatly relied upon until now."

It sounded like sophistry, yet still.

"With this opportunity, I can test how much I can endure and protect. And the thought that my assistant will witness it makes my heart race. It's not bad at all."

His heart pounded in response to the jesting words that seemed to suggest it was unfair for him to monopolize such a great opportunity.

Could it really be a good opportunity? But looking at that face, it truly seemed so. Strangely enough.

Amidst the deafening pounding in his ears, Kishiar smoothly twirled the hilt of the sword he grasped and straightened it.

"Let's leave the rest of the discussion for after we finish this, and for now, shall we go together?"

Before the words were even fully uttered, Kishiar raised his sword high and swung it down.

Once again, Yuder witnessed the perfect trajectory of the sword he had seen before. The tip of the sword drew a silvery line through the air.

Instantly, a monster that had approached them, mouth agape, was enveloped in a blue light and split into two.

"----!"

Yuder saw the neatly cleaved monster above his head smoothly slide apart in both directions and collapse. Bone and flesh, like the smooth surface of a glass, split with clean cuts, an utterly surreal sight.

Thump... Thump.

No terrifying scream, incomprehensible to human ears, was heard. The organs that could have produced such a sound had already been split in two. Yuder turned to look at the giant corpse of the monster, felled by a single sword strike. It twitched as if not yet completely dead, but astonishingly, not a single drop of its spilt fluids reached Yuder.

It was a sword technique bordering on miraculous.

The power of a swordmaster.

[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."

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.'