Kishiar had listed many names on the dispatch roster, in addition to the members' names. Among them were Enon, Hellem, and even Alik, a disciple of Thais Yulman.

"Why are you calling for Alik?" Yuder inquired.

"After confirming from the West that the ability suppression device he created was useful, I contacted him to prioritize its production over his other tasks," Kishiar explained.

"Did you, indeed?"

"Though we could keep him there and only have the device sent to us, the uncertainty of variables made it wiser to summon the creator himself. We can source the materials here as well."

Yuder recalled giving Marty, who struggled with ability control in the West, one of the first prototypes of Alik's suppression device. While it hadn't worked for Yuder, fortunately, it was of satisfactory help to Marty.

Kishiar, too, had briefly acknowledged this success in a report. It was astonishing that he hadn't forgotten about it and had separately contacted Alik. His thoroughness in overseeing the entire strategy and preparing moves, while also demonstrating remarkable insight, was impressive.

Alik's suppression device, designed for the Awakener, would be of great help in the current situation, which required dealing with and investigating a large number of such individuals.

"The response to this incident is essentially complete for now. With more dispatches than expected, the speed of movement will be key," Kishiar noted, after sealing the last part of his written correspondence with a coded signature.

Yuder watched the messenger bird, which had fed to its heart's content, take off into the night sky, bearing the letter in a pouch tied to its leg, destined for the capital.

In the few days since arriving in the south, numerous events had transpired. They were simultaneous yet intricately connected, like scattered bombs detonating in unison. The underground fighting ring in the south trying to devour the region. The death and danger to the successor candidate of the Herne Ducal Family, which had greatly influenced the imperial politics in his previous life. The strange crack and monsters, reminding him of a disaster he believed would come only years later.

The strife within the Star of Nagran that even affected the Cavalry, and the Southerners who were secretly entangled in all these events.

To Yuder, the most critical among these were the bizarre crack and the Southerners.

‘I've found or halfway solved solutions to prevent the others from recurring. But these two are different.’

The Southerners, suspected of causing the crack, were either dead or captured. Even the leader, Aton, had been safely transported here by the Cavalry and was still unconscious, with interrogation scheduled for the following day.

But could he be certain that the phenomenon of the bizarre crack would not recur?

If the seeds of a disaster, similar to his previous life, had already been sown, and today's events were just the beginning?

Then what Yuder had to face was no longer within the realm of human affairs.

Only he remembered the great earthquake in the South, a tremendous disaster that he must somehow avert.

"The messenger bird is long out of sight, yet you're still deep in thought. What’s on your mind?”

His complex thoughts halted at the gentle voice from behind. Yuder closed the window and turned around. The man, leaning against the desk and looking at him, quietly smiled.

Finally, a hint of fatigue crept into Yuder's eyes, which had until then maintained an unwavering, iron-like vigor.

He hesitated slightly before replying, "I was reflecting on today's events and pondering over the phenomenon of the bizarre crack."

"That means among all that happened today, the crack worried you the most. Do you think they're related to the 'disaster' you said is coming?"

Indeed, with Kishiar, there was seldom a need for lengthy explanations.

"Yes. I don't think it's an undue concern."

"It's hard to believe, even having seen it with my own eyes, that people could invoke this crack. If it's happened once, it's certainly possible again."

Kishiar produced a stone with a black hue from his pocket, a relic retrieved from the possessions of the Southern merchants who had chosen death.

"This seems to be a fragment of an ancient dragon's bone."

"A dragon's bone, you say?"

"You remember the medium Thais Yulman created for storing the power of the Red Stone, don't you? This has similar properties to the ancient dragon's heart fragment used in that, but of a lower grade. Simply put, it's one of the materials capable of containing power."

Thais Yulman had successfully created a medium to transfer the pure power of the Red Stone, using a mix of an ancient dragon's heart fragment, ancient fairy dust, and an element called Eucalractium. The dragon's heart fragment and fairy dust were premium materials known for their ability to store power.

"Even if it's of a lower grade, a dragon's bone isn't common. It's mostly used as a core in magic artifacts, so ordinary people rarely see the raw material."

"If it can contain power, does it still hold something inside?"

Kishiar shook his head. "No. It's empty, without any energy."

"Then..."

"It's one of two possibilities. Either the energy it once contained has been completely depleted, or it was intended to hold something else."

Kishiar, mumbling to himself, played with the black stone, tossing it lightly in the air before catching it and putting it back in his pocket.

"We'll know more once the dispatched personnel arrive."

Even as the black stone disappeared from view, Yuder's thoughts on the crack and the impending earthquake didn't completely fade. Were there aspects he had missed in the heat of battle? Should he delve deeper into his past memories for anything that might help now? Numerous plans and memories churned chaotically in his anxious mind.

Watching Yuder's unsettled expression, Kishiar took off his dust-covered coat and hung it on the chair.

Yuder, slightly taken aback, swallowed his surprise and asked, "Commander? Why are you..."

"Hm? I need to wash. We've done everything we can for today. I can't stay dusty forever."

With a playful wink, Kishiar gestured towards the adjoining room beyond the desk. Yuder suddenly realized where they were.

'Ah... this room used to belong to the noble who owned this building, with an attached bathroom and bedroom.'

The Southern branch's building was originally an old noble's mansion, left unused and vacant. Despite its wear, elements throughout hinted at its once-grand past.

In the temporary office that Kishiar was using, originally the master bedroom of the house, the members had converted the largest bedroom into a makeshift meeting room and office, turning the slightly smaller adjoining room into a bedroom. Unusually for an office, a bathroom was just beyond a single door.

Yuder, careful not to stare too intently at Kishiar as he unbuttoned his shirt, quickly averted his eyes. Even though he was well aware of what lay beneath those clothes, now was not the time to focus on that.

"I've stayed too late. My apologies. Please, rest comfortably."

"Are you really planning to leave just like that?"

"..."

His feet, poised to turn away, halted at the sound of that low voice. It felt as though he was bound by some power, yet he knew all too well that wasn't the case.

"You're thinking now is not the time for this, right? Planning to go back and immerse yourself in work again without even lying down."

"..."

Yuder had doubted several times whether Kishiar truly lacked the ability to read minds, but this time was the most convincing.

Yuder, rather than denying it, remained silent. Kishiar let out a laugh, akin to a sigh, much like when he had embraced him earlier.

"It's okay."

"..."

"Look at me."

"..."

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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."

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.'