Chapter 861
General Gino's aura was not particularly strong among the legendary swordmasters of history. In fact, his sword mark on the wall of sword marks in the capital was noticeably shorter compared to the one left by the First Emperor, and its power was not as profound as those of other swordmasters recorded in history.
Yet, the reason he was called the most respected swordmaster on the continent was not just due to his incorruptible nature and the upright life he led as proof of it.
Gino Bordelli, born into a humble noble family in his youth, lived a life of constant wandering until he reached middle age and became a swordmaster. Despite his noble status, he sought a life closer to the common folk, learning the sword wherever he could. His sword, honed and perfected through this journey, was said to embody the greatest freedom and restraint of the continent.
He was a swordmaster who could slice an apple into six pieces with his aura alone, an almost miraculous feat given its difficulty and complexity. His technique was unbound by convention, supported by immense perseverance and delicate finesse.
That was Gino Bordelli.
Though he had not engaged in combat for a long time, his experience never rusted. General Gino's sword maintained its own pace, never acting rashly. Unlike young Awakeners who were not yet accustomed to their abilities and often got swept up in the excitement of battle, he was different.
Instead of leading the charge against monsters, he focused on helping Awakeners who were in danger during fights. Many who disregarded their own safety were spared severe injuries thanks to the General's efforts.
"Be cautious. There are still many foes to face. It would be a pity to withdraw now due to an early injury."
With just his presence and a sword in hand, he inspired respect effortlessly.
Those who witnessed him naturally calmed their excessive excitement and, as if by a silent agreement, followed him. The atmosphere, once like a raging herd of buffalo, softened. United in a single purpose, they resembled a finely honed sword.
The empire's greatest swordsman thus began to fulfill the role Kishiar had entrusted to him, step by step.
"So it is General Gino himself. My presence here is no longer needed."
"Eh? Ah, you are..."
Meghna, who had been gathering the injured and non-Awakeners left behind while watching his revered master's back, turned in surprise at the unexpected low voice. Nathan Zuckerman, whose arrival had gone unnoticed, was staring expressionlessly towards where General Gino was.
Neither General Gino nor Meghna expected to see him again so soon, as he had vanished in the opposite direction the moment he arrived.
All Meghna knew about Nathan was that he was a former servant of Duke Peletta turned knight and, surprisingly, another swordmaster. Having never witnessed it herself despite her master's recognition, she harbored some doubts. But not realizing his approach until he spoke right beside her...
'It's true.'
Even though she was not yet a swordaster, Meghna Kurlieva was one of the empire's finest swordsmen, ranking among the top ten. To completely deceive the senses of a knight of her caliber was something she had only ever experienced with her master.
Therefore, this knight, who had lived quietly in service without gaining any fame, truly possessed skills on par with Gino Bordelli.
“Has Sir Zuckerman cleared the area where he was assigned?” Meghna asked cautiously.
Nathan Zuckerman, his expression unchanging, replied, “Yes. I prioritized handling the monsters approaching the area where the non-Awakeners were gathered. Now, I plan to observe the situation from a higher vantage point and then address the most dangerous areas first.”
The task seemed perilous to undertake alone. However, when Nathan Zuckerman spoke of it, it sounded as simple and natural as listing household chores.
Meghna wondered, does becoming a swordmaster relieve one of all tension? She swallowed her doubts and nodded in agreement.
“Understood. I’ll relay that to the General if he inquires. Please signal if you require assistance from our side. Though, as a swordmaster, you might not feel the need for it,” she said.
“I don't think so,” Nathan unexpectedly replied, addressing Meghna’s concern that her words might have offended a swordmaster’s pride.
“I alone cannot fend off all those monsters. I would gladly welcome cooperation from Adjutant Kurlieva.”
“Oh, is that so? Then, that's good to hear,” Meghna replied awkwardly.
As Nathan, seemingly about to turn away with his sword, paused his step, he looked at Meghna with an indecipherable gaze before speaking.
“Duke Peletta, my lord, always said that the hands of many ordinary people are much stronger than the power of one great individual. Even the most extraordinary swordmaster is still bound by human limitations and can never be absolute.”
There was a moment of silence.
“I prefer to be known not as a swordmaster, but as a knight serving my lord. I hope you can see me that way,” Nathan said before swiftly leaping away. Meghna watched the direction he disappeared into, lost in thought for a long time.
A knight serving his lord, not a swordmaster. His words somehow awakened a long-forgotten sense of her own name and existence.
‘Is that so? I’m not a swordsman aspiring to be a swordmaster, but an adjutant serving the General, currently responsible for commanding and safeguarding this place in his stead.’
“Adjutant Kurlieva!”
Just then, someone urgently called out to Meghna. She quickly turned and ran towards the voice. Now, her eyes, adeptly commanding with her hand, no longer followed her master's path.
“Ugh... Ugh... What on earth is this…”
Meanwhile, Kiolle struggled with the Crown Prince in his arms, his face twisted in distress from the fiercely pounding hail. With each step, the sensation of his feet sinking into the mud was dreadful.
“It hurts... It's cold... It smells... Disgusting...”
Until recently, the barrier erected by Yuder that trapped Kiolle and the Crown Prince had been incredibly robust. Regardless of the loud noises outside or the falling debris, the wall had resiliently repelled everything. Its sudden disappearance coincided with an enormous sound and the inexplicable crack in the pitch-black sky.
Kiolle was at a loss, floundering in confusion. Initially, he had expected Yuder to appear soon, but no matter how long he waited, he did not show. With the hail coming down so fiercely, he couldn’t just leave the Crown Prince lying there; his only option was to carry him to safety.
Kiolle draped his coat over the Crown Prince's head and carried him on his back. Despite appearing young and frail, the Crown Prince, being in his late teens, was not light. His steps were slow and tense, wary of the unknown dangers that might appear at any moment.
Kiolle, fighting back hot tears, fervently cursed Yuder Aile.
"That damned monster... Promising an unbreakable barrier until his return, and then just leaving us like this... Is he telling me to just fend for myself now?"
As if responding to his curses, a hail of ice struck Kiolle’s forehead three times in quick succession, then bounced off his back, hitting the Crown Prince as well.
Kiolle, blinded by the sudden pain, screamed. He jolted at a groan from behind.
"Uh... Where is this...”
“Your Highness, Crown Prince? Are you conscious?”
"...Knight Kiolle?"
Finally, Crown Prince Katchian regained his senses. Opening his eyes, he blinked for a long time, struggling to grasp reality. He only frowned when another hailstone struck his shoulder.
"Where exactly are we? I remember... I was going to help the sage, but... where is this dreadful place? When did you come and bring me here?"
Kiolle quickly answered, ensuring the Crown Prince would not suspect him.
"We are still in the temple, Your Highness! I was so shocked when I heard that rioters had appeared."
He told him that he had found him unconscious after being attacked and had been hiding with him. Kiolle conveniently left out his encounters with the Star of Nagran and Yuder Aile, embellishing his own efforts in the story.
However, the Crown Prince grew angry before Kiolle could finish his explanation.
"What? Then what about the sage! You mean to say you brought me here without even checking on the sage?"
"Your Highness, this is not the time for that. We need to escape to a safe place as quickly as possible!"
"Be quiet. Who asked for your opinion?"
Fire flashed across Kiolle's cheeks at his rebuke. The Crown Prince, fuming, shook the hand he had slapped against his cheek.
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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.'
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."
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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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.'
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