Turning

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Chapter 793

"Was that traveler the sage?"

"Yes."

Hosanna nodded in affirmation.

"Thanks to the sage and those who followed him, we survived. Lord Nahan's face and my leg were irreversibly damaged, but still, being alive is a matter to be thankful for."

Yuder was reminded of Hosanna's own disability - his inability to use one of his legs properly. It seemed that the injury had occurred during that same time.

"Did your leg suffer the same fate as Nahan's face, a 'punishment' from that same period?"

"Ah... Yes. But it's nothing compared to what he endured..."

'They tried to escape using the illusion of fire, and for that, one was branded with the fire's mark and another crippled leg as punishment. Despite being treated as a disgrace by the family, such harsh punishment was unnecessary.'

The so-called 'punishments' were almost akin to torturing a convict deserving death. In fact, they were abandoned in a burning building, not much different.

It's not something to be proud of for a noble of the Empire to have a mixed-race child with someone from the Southern countries. But it wasn't a reason for such extreme treatment. It might have been better for them if Nahan had disappeared into the Southern countries as an adult, without dirtying their hands. Why go to such extremes?

'Hmm. There must be a reason. Maybe it's a family that devoutly believes in their religion?'

Yuder kept his thoughts to himself, continuing the conversation naturally.

"So, the promise between the sage and Nahan was made because of the life-saving bond back then?"

"Well, yes and no."

"What do you mean?"

"Unlike me, Lord Nahan wasn't initially grateful to the sage. He dismissed it as a pointless act, both towards me and the sage. He refused to go to the Southern country... For months, he showed no will to heal or eat, almost like a living corpse."

Despite successfully escaping from his family, Nahan's joy faded. He abandoned eating and refused treatment, wasting away in confinement. Hosanna feared that Nahan wished for death.

"Fortunately, the sage mercifully didn't cast me aside, allowing me to endure that period. Truly... I'm deeply grateful for that."

Hosanna said this with a complex expression. He believed the sage showed them genuine mercy, but Yuder had a different view.

'That person, who even used those who trusted him as human shields, wouldn't show mercy without a reason.'

Yuder decided to confirm his suspicion.

"Back then, how many followed the sage?"

"Three... no, about four."

"And how many are still alive?"

"Two... I think."

"If their number was that small, they must have faced many difficulties. I don’t know if they were used to a life of wandering, but probably they weren't."

"Yes... Unlike me, most of them were suddenly awakened and had to leave their homes."

"Then, in the daily life challenges they faced, you must have been quite helpful."

"Well, helping with chores like cleaning and preparing meals didn't seem like a big deal, so I continued to take care of them…"

Hosanna appeared puzzled as to why such a trivial matter was being asked. Yuder simply nodded silently in response.

'As I thought. Hosanna was being used as a free servant.'

Indeed, tasks like preparing meals and doing laundry for a few people in the outdoors weren't considered significant. However, this was only true for someone accustomed to such work.

Even Cavalry members, hardened by rigorous survival training, would struggle with fatigue as their period of homelessness prolonged. For a sage, who had never ventured on long travels and was used to a more sophisticated life in the capital, such assistance in mundane tasks would have been unexpectedly vital. To maintain an air of elegance, unseen efforts must be made.

One can only imagine how relieved the sage, weary from the strenuous and dirty life of a wanderer, must have felt upon encountering Hosanna, a young man accustomed to servitude and survival even in harsh deserts.

While it was difficult to gauge exactly, it's plausible that this comfort was enough to overlook a patient who had lost the will to live, merely lying there.

It was a crucial but easily overlooked detail, so minute that even the parties involved might not realize its significance.

"So, when exactly did Nahan make a promise with the sage?"

"It seems to have been around the time when Lord Nahan's facial burns were almost healed, and we needed to decide whether to leave or stay. One day, the sage came to speak deeply with Lord Nahan."

The sage, it was said, did not make long speeches in front of Nahan, who would not even respond to questions.

"The sage said that there was a burning flame in Lord Nahan's heart. A flame that could have warmed someone, but remained unused because no one accepted it."

It was an allegory, almost perfectly mirroring Nahan's situation. Probably, the sage had crafted these words based on the information naturally extracted from Hosanna. His choice of words, reminiscent of sacred texts, was typical of the sage.

"Did Nahan react to that?"

"At first, he disliked it. He even got angry, wondering if they had investigated our background. But then the sage suggested using that fire to burn something else... that there are many in the world who need such a fire. When he spoke of future tasks, Lord Nahan showed the first sign of response."

Finally, the sage openly shared with them his past actions and future intentions.

The sage, persecuted for being an Awakener and forced to leave his homeland, and his companions, who followed him for similar reasons. This was similar to Nahan and Hosanna, who had been tortured and abandoned upon their awakening.

The sage expressed his desire to help others like them, providing a safe haven for them to hide and rest. He hoped for their assistance in this endeavor.

Hosanna was quickly moved, but Nahan was different. Nevertheless, the sage offered the proposal with a compassionate face.

"The sage said, we are all brothers and sisters as Awakeners... so please kindly observe what your brother is doing. You can decide later whether to stay or leave..."

What part of these words moved Nahan remains unknown. However, he accepted the proposal for the time being and observed the sage.

"And not long after, there was an incident where Lord Nahan saved someone who was being beaten and left to die by relatives and villagers, just for being an Awakener. Lord Nahan's abilities were truly a help when we were escaping with that person. Everyone was astonished. And then, that night... Lord Nahan went to see the sage."

"That day must have been the day of the promise."

"Yes. Lord Nahan told the sage that he wanted to help as long as the sage's heart remained true. The sage was overjoyed at this and suggested that to commemorate the day, Lord Nahan should give us all names."

"The Star of Nagran."

At Yuder's murmur, Hosanna nodded with a proud yet nostalgic expression. His eyes grew slightly misty.

"Right. It was Lord Nahan who came up with that name then. It was a name that embodied our goal to eventually depart for our own perfect paradise with other troubled Awakeners. And... it was the day his name was chosen too."

"His name as well?"

"Originally, he was called by a different name. A name that was hardly ever used, and one Lord Nahan truly detested. So, on that day, he chose 'Nahan' as his new name. It signified killing his former self and being reborn."

He remembered hearing that the word 'Nahan' meant revenge. That conversation echoed in my mind.

"..."

"After the name 'The Star of Nagran' was decided, the sage made a promise to Lord Nahan. Since Lord Nahan had named it, he asked him to do his utmost for that cause. He said that if we did, we could really go to paradise, together."

That was their promise.

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Read up to the latest chapter (1232) and more than 1000 chapters of BL novels here

[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."

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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.'