Then, the second and third monsters, lured by the Cavalry members, began to approach. Yuder, alternating between his sword and a bit of his power, did his utmost to prevent the monsters' desperate attacks from reaching Kishiar.

Kishiar managed to dispatch up to the fifth monster without even swinging his sword more than a few times, using unilateral and overwhelming power. The speed of his actions was truly astonishing.

Thanks to this, the Cavalry members had the luxury of becoming accustomed to the lure-and-attack formation in actual combat, a tactic they were trying for the first time. Initially a bit hasty and mistimed, they gradually became composed and started to move in unison, like a single large entity.

The imperial army and the candidates, witnessing Kishiar's overwhelming swordsmanship and the divine sword in his hand, regained their confidence and composure, infused with newfound hope. The anxiety to hasten matters faded, allowing them to move the Awakeners of the Star of Nagran inside the building without disrupting the encirclement. It was a remarkable achievement, made possible by meticulously executing each step in a task they were performing for the first time.

No casualties needing urgent evacuation had arisen yet. Although many must have seen the monster falling from the sky, rushing toward the headquarters seemed unlikely at this point.

The fact that monsters had appeared remained unchanged. However, the results differed significantly depending on whether one acted in panic or maintained calm and composure.

To Yuder, it seemed that Kishiar was well aware of this and was using it more effectively than anyone else.

‘His very first words were already a calculated move. Everyone knows that a crack appears briefly when a monster emerges, but he deliberately downplayed the anomaly in the crack, focusing only on the familiar aspects to quickly dispel the chaos.’

Normally, the cracks that tear open during a monster's emergence disappear as soon as the monster fully materializes, usually so swiftly that it's hard to discern the crack.

However, cracks that appear right before a disaster, which do not immediately release monsters, show an abnormal persistence. In the west, monsters had explosively emerged after such cracks disappeared; this time, there was a delay before the monsters emerged, but it was not typical.

Nevertheless, a 'crack' appeared followed by 'monsters'. Kishiar deliberately emphasized this point to prevent people from becoming excessively anxious about the unusual aspects. He helped them accept the current situation as familiar, enabling them to regain their usual strength and response capabilities.

The ability to succinctly end all this turmoil with just a few words was not an easy task, even for a seasoned leader.

‘After calming the people, he deliberately exerted more force to eliminate the monsters conspicuously. Even if this meant excessively expending energy, it was a necessary action deemed for the benefit of those present.’

Kishiar's swordsmanship and abilities were indeed formidable, but he, like Yuder, had already expended a significant amount of power before arriving here. Rather than using such overwhelming and excessive force from the beginning, it would have been a safer decision for him to go a little slower to understand the monster's nature and information.

But Kishiar chose not to proceed as expected. He opted for a more perilous approach for the sake of the members present and others, entrusting Yuder with the task of understanding the monsters and ensuring his own safety.

Yuder understood that even a slight faltering in his support could put Kishiar in immediate danger, yet Kishiar had made this decision regardless.

The reason was clear.

'Because he believed that I would firmly support him. And conversely... Kishiar was confident that he could prevent me from having to directly exert my strength against the monsters.'

Yuder watched Kishiar, who was wholly focused on the battle, brushing away the blinding shards flying towards him.

In this perilous situation, armed with only a sword, Kishiar appeared more liberated than ever. His unbelievable speed and tremendous strength against the much larger monsters made it all possible.

However, Kishiar's apparent freedom did not mean the task was easy. Yuder, even as a mere observer, could feel the intense concentration Kishiar was applying to the task at hand.

Each movement, laden with power, might seem to others as just great strength or a tremendous aura, but the reality was different. Kishiar was not someone who, like ordinary people, could freely attack using all his strength.

If he failed to maintain the balance of the powers within his body, problems could arise, making it imperative to stay within a safe limit. Even Yuder could hardly guess how difficult this was.

'Yet still…'

The sight of the man swinging his aura-wrapped sword, evading the monster's attacks, seemed incongruously liberating. It was as if a beast, long restrained by a leash, had finally been set free to run wild for a moment.

Yuder thought that perhaps this moment marked the first time in Kishiar La Orr's life that he could purely focus on facing his enemy. While such an experience was common for Yuder, it was likely not the case for Kishiar.

His swordsmanship, honed in solitude and intense practice, was purely beautiful, even without a dazzling aura.

The divine sword in his hand hummed softly with each strike, resonating as if excited by a long battle, like an eager beast.

Frankly, Yuder wished he could continue to watch, but he remembered the importance of his role in ensuring Kishiar could keep his complete focus on the battle.

'I've never seen this monster before... but that doesn't mean it's difficult to understand.'

The monster they were facing was quite large. Its body resembled a mud clump rolling downhill, with limbs – or perhaps tails, or squid-like tentacles – protruding long and unclear. The key point was that, despite appearing randomly placed, the limbs clustered in four to five areas.

When assessing a monster, one should first notice such common features. Understanding where the eyes, nose, and mouth are, and identifying unique aspects of its appearance, makes it easier to strategize.

'This one doesn't have a fixed position for eyes, nose, or mouth on each individual. These seem to be less useful organs compared to its limbs. And considering the monster corpse that Kishiar split in half earlier…'

Yuder's gaze returned to the pile of monster carcasses Kishiar had accumulated. Among them, the very first one that Kishiar had slain and split precisely in half revealed something resembling soft bones connected to four clusters of legs, attached to some part inside. Though the halved state made it difficult to discern its original form, a focused look allowed Yuder to somewhat understand its structure.

His eyes, currently shining with a golden hue from exerting power, meticulously scanned that area.

Though he would have preferred a more detailed examination by touch, there was no time for that now. Still, from experience, he was certain that this area was likely a weakness.

'Even the monsters that didn't die immediately when Kishiar split them in half seem to have their core located in a spot he couldn't damage instantly. Instead of targeting the center indiscriminately, I need to identify the point where these leg clusters intersect. Given the randomness of the monster's leg positions, the location of the core must be similarly unpredictable.'

Yuder Aile's attacks hardly affected the monsters.

But his reign as a Cavalry Commander capable of slaying countless monsters was simple. It was his tenacity in observing and re-observing the monsters, which others shunned, to identify their weaknesses and devise methods to defeat them.

Once a weakness was identified, the next step was to prepare weapons capable of indirect attacks and to create, through his power, a terrain advantageous for an assault, corralling the monster into it. It was a trap-like method, perfected through immense capability and thorough preparation.

While he couldn't apply this method now, the information would certainly be helpful to Kishiar.

"Commander! You must target between the clusters of the monster's legs. The core connecting these clusters exists inside the torso, so first identify and attack that spot."

As Yuder relayed this information, he swung his power-infused sword at the monster Kishiar was engaging. Seizing a brief moment when part of the monster's legs were trapped on the ground, he thrust his flame-powered sword into the torso, pushing it away, igniting whatever fur or scales were there, leaving a blackened brand.

A terrible scream filled the air.

'Done.'

As Yuder leaped back upon achieving his goal, Kishiar advanced in turn, precisely targeting the branded area with his sword.

For a fleeting moment, their gazes locked.

[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.'