Dia mengamat-matai rekannya-rekannya, yang tampak tegang namun tetap yakin, lalu berbalik pandang ke arah Kishiar, yang tak terguimbang-gempang terus-menerus memberikan penjelasan dan instruksi.
Meski sudah mendengar cerita mimpi Yuder, Kishiar tak berubah nyata. Bukan berarti ia menyembunyikan perasaannya atau memaksakan diri untuk tidak bicara. Rasanya, lebih seperti ia sedang menunggu waktu berlalu, mengikuti keputusannya sendiri, hingga ia bisa yakin lebih lanjut.
Dan memang, Yuder merasakan hal yang sama.
‘Tidak ada cara lain. Untuk saat ini, masih terlalu sedikit informasi tentang sifat mimpi itu. Bukan sesuatu yang bisa dipahami semata-mata dengan usaha, jadi menunggu memang satu-satunya hal yang bisa kami lakukan.’
Mereka sama-sama peduli pada siapa satu, namun berusaha tidak mengulangi kesalahan masa lalu. Yang tersisa hanyalah menunggu agar informasi lebih banyak terkumpul, tanpa menyembunyikan perasaan dan sikap mereka.
Menunggu yang tak pasti, namun anehnya, fakta ini tak terasa menyusahkan atau membuat cemas lagi. Yuder mengira itu karena ia telah membagikan cerita mimpi itu dengan Kishiar.
Berbicaralah tak menyelesaikan apa-apa. Tapi kadang-kadang, sekadar melakukan sesuatu sudah memberi makna tersendiri.
Ketenangan Kishiar yang tak pernahgojek setelah mendengar tentang mimpi itu, serta cara pandangnya yang kadang lebih dalam, atau sentuhannya yang lembut tanpa menghindari pandangannya, memberi makna yang tak terduga bagi Yuder.
‘Ekspresi terakhir yang kudapati di balik cahaya itu masih mengganggu pikiranku… Tapi jika memang ada sesuatu yang ingin ia sampaikan, ia akan melakukannya di kemudian hari, seperti yang kudlakukan.’
Yuder bisa memilih untuk tidak mundur dan mengungkapkan pikirannya karena Kishiar selalu berada di sisinya, tak pernah terburu-buru dan selalu memberi kepercayaan.
Jadi, ia pun bertekad untuk melakukan hal yang sama.
Merupakan pengalaman baru baginya, menyadari bahwa tidak perlu terus menahan diri meski ia pasti terasa sakit.
Menerima kelambatan yang tak terhindarkan sebagai sekadar... menunggu, bukan sebagai pelarian, Yuder dengan tenang mengamat-matai pria yang mungkin merasakan emosi yang tak jauh beda darinya.
"Yuder!"
Setelah pertemuan usai, Yuder langsung dikelilingi oleh rekan-rekan dekatnya. Dengan Kanna, Gakane, Ever, Devran, saudara-saudara Eldore, bahkan Pruelle dan Revlin hadir, hampir terasa seperti tidak sedang berada di selatan tetapi di ibukota.
Kishiar telah memasukkan seluruh personel yang sebelumnya mengikuti misi di ibukota ke dalam daftar dukungan ini. Seperti Ever, ini untuk memberi kesempatan bagi mereka untuk memulihkan rasa sesal dan dendam yang mas masih tersisa.
Mengetahui hal ini, bahkan saudara Eldore yang biasanya riang terlihat tenang dan serius sepanjang pertemuan hari ini. Melihatnya sudah cukup untuk memahami betapa berartinya misi dukungan ini bagi mereka.
"Kamu kelihatan agak kurus dibandingkan sebelumnya. Apakah kamu makan dengan cukup?"
Ever bertanya sambil tersenyum tipis. Wajahnya pun terlihat lebih kurus. Yuder mencurigai ini akibat luka hati dari insiden dengan sang bijak.
"Aku baik-baik saja. Tapi bagaimana denganmu, Ever… Kamu telah mengambil banyak misi penting belakangan ini. Apakah kamu benar-benar yakin?"
"Bukan berarti kamu ingin mendengar aku mengatakan diriku tidak yakin, bukan?"
Ever mengerutkan hidungnya dan tertawa sinis.
"Komandan memberi kami kesempatan untuk memulihkan diri. Entah itu si bijak atau siapa pun, kami tak akan membiarkan mereka lolos lagi."
"Kami merasakan hal yang sama."
Hinn menyela dengan wajah serius. Di sampingnya, Finn mengangguk, mengepalkan tinjunya yang kecil namun tak mengerikan.
Yuder mengalihkan pandangannya dari tatapan api itu. Devran, agak malu, menggaruk kepalanya lalu mulai bicara.
"Uh-hum, ada gundukan pekerjaan di sini. Mungkin aku tidak tahu banyak hal lain, tapi aku cukup terampil mengamat-matai lingkungan dengan diskret. Serahkan saja padaku."
Namun, ekspresi malu itu hancur saat ditanyai dengan jenaka licik oleh Finn.
"Devran, apa rencanamu untuk bermain pelukan kali ini? Karena kita di sini, mungkin seorang nelayan?"
"Bukan, Finn. Kali ini akan menjadi sebuah warung. Mereka bayar cukup baik, kamu tahu."
"...Kamu anak nakal sebenarnya! Aku tidak melakukan ini hanya untuk uang, bisa dengar? Jangan memandangguk-guk gaya mengumpulkan informasi orang lain seperti itu!"
"Siapa yang bilang mendapatkan uang ekstra di samping pekerjaan utama itu menguntungkan?"
"Dan siapa yang berteriak ria-ria ingin melewatkan latihan di depan Yuder untuk kerja sampingan?"
"Hey, kalian anak-anak!"
Saat Devran mulai melayangkan kutukan, saudara Eldore melompat-lompat seperti tupai. Saat Devran mengejar mereka, yang lain mengutuk dengan campuran rasa cemas dan tawa.
Mengambil kesempatan itu, kali ini Revlin dan Pruelle mendekat kepada Yuder.
"Yuder! Dengar, akhirnya aku lulus sebagai anggota resmi!"
"Aku juga."
Berkat pengalamatan mereka sebagai anggota sementara, sikap mereka tampak jauh lebih santai dibandingkan sebelumnya. Namun yang paling berubah adalah ekspresi wajah mereka.
"Aku dengar. Selamat kepada kalian berdua."
Dengan kata-kata ucapan selamat dari Yuder, ekspresi keduanya semakin dalam rapan.
"Um... Haha. Saat mendengar kabar itu, langsung teringat pada hari pertama aku bertemu denganmu, dan tiba-tiba ingatan itu muncul. Itu sebabnya aku ingin menyampaikannya secara langsung."
"Ah, aku merasakan hal yang sama!"
Revlin yang tertawa malu, ragu-ragu sambil menggerakkan tangannya, lalu bertanya.
"Jadi.. soalan tentang hal itu... Yuder… Bisakah kamu berbicara dengan kami lebih santai? Seperti yang kamu lakukan dengan anggota lain!"
"..."
"Uh, aku mendengar bahwa jika kita bertanya langsung kepada Yuder, ia akan melakukannya… Tapi jika rasanya tidak nyaman…"
Revlin menjadi tertawa malu, menganggap keheningan sebagai jawaban negatif. Namun, keheningan Yuder hanyalah karena permintaan itu begitu tiba-tiba dan tak terduga.
"Tidak, tidak apa-apa-ala. Jika itu yang kamu inginkan, aku akan melakukannya."
"Ah! Legraaang! Aku selalu iri dengan anggota lain yang bisa bergaul seperti ini, sekarang aku begitu senang…"
Pertemuan dengan si kedua ini cukup intens, namun Yuder tidak mengharapkan mereka merasa begitu emosional.
'Kayaknya… ini mengingatkanku pada masa-masa bersama Sunz dan Emon.'
Namun, tidak ingin merusak semangat baru, Yuder hanya mengangguk diam. Pruelle tersenyum pada hal ini.
"Luar biasa. Aku tidak pernah berpikir hari seperti ini akan terjadi dulu."
Pruelle dan Revlin bertukar pandangan, tersenyum dengan emosi baru. Namun, kemudian ekspresi Pruelle sedikit suram.
"Meskipun aku belum sempurna menyelesaikan misi pertama setelah menjadi anggota resmi."
"Itu…"
"Tidak perlu menghiburku. Aku tahu betapa banyak kekuranganku. Tapi… aku sedikit khawatir dengan Wakil Komandan Beck..."
Pruelle mencurigai dengan mata tertuju pada Ever, yang sedang sibuk menengahi kekacauan antara saudara Eldore, Devran, dan tampaknya terlalu sib untuk memperhatikan hal itu.
Pruelle tertawa kecil saat melihatnya, lalu tiba-tiba tiba-tiba gemetar saat pandangannya bertemu dengan pandangan diam Yuder.
"Ah! Tentu saja, aku tahu seseorang yang baru seperti aku seharusnya tidak peduli dengan seseorang seperti dia! Hanya, setelah kejadian terakhir, dia sepertinya sedang berusaha keras... Dan itu cukup... Ah, apa yang kudiskuskan. Bisakah kamu melupakannya?"
"Aku mengerti kekhawatiranmu akan kondisi Ever."
"Ah, benar-benar?"
Pruelle tiba-tiba tertegun karena ekspresi sederhana kepedulian itu. Ia menatap Yuder seolah melihatnya baru, lalu tiba-tiba menampar wajahnya sendiri.
"Apa yang kuduga, mengatakan hal seperti ini saat Komandan ada di sini!"
"Kamu sepertinya lelah. Mungkin sebaiknya kamu istirahat."
Saran itu disampaikan dengan concern akan betapa lelahnya Pruelle, namun Pruelle menggulingkan kepalanya dengan keras. Melihat wajah merah padunya, sulit dibayangkan bahwa ia adalah seorang intelijen.
"Bukan, bukanlah itu. Aku benar-benya ingin bertanya sesuatu. Berdasarkan informasi yang dibahas dalam pertemuan, Ratu Pertama Herne sedang bekerja sama dengan Kavaleri. Apakah kamu pikir dia seperti kita?"
"Hm… Apakah pernah bertemu dengannya atau mendengar tentangnya sebelumnya?"
"Belum, belum pernah. Kami memang tidak pernah berada di pusat kehidupan sosial. Aku hanya dengar rumor, semata-mata tentang bagaimana dia adalah putri tunggal keluarga Herne yang sangat dihormati."
"Aku juga. Orang tua dan saudaraku tidak terlalu mengagumi keluarga Herne... Tentu saja, mereka juga tidak terlalu suka dengan keluarga lain."
Meski ia menyampaikan itu dengan tertawa santai, ia mengingatkan bahwa di luar hubungan dengan keluarga kekaisaran, hubungan antar empat rumah adipati agung tidaklah harmonis.
"Namun, jika memang ada seseorang seperti kita di sana, aku pasti ingin membantu."
Revlin berkata dengan wajah yang bersinar, seolah pengalaman mereka bisa berguna bagi orang lain. Kecuali fakta bahwa Putri Myra Herne bukanlah seorang Pembangkit, pendirian itu cukup terpuji.
[BL] Langit Tak Berawan
Jin Soram, pemburu peringkat teratas yang mewakili Markas Pengelolaan Fenomena Celah Korea Selatan, lebih kuat dari siapa pun dan malas dari siapa pun. Begitu tiba di kantor, ia langsung merapatkan diri dengan selimut dan tertidur. Saat bertugas, ia sering menciptakan kecelakaan dan kembali ke kantor, sering melewatkan tugasnya.
"Apakah kamu tahu bagaimana rasanya bermain permainan yang sudah terganggu? ...Apa pun, ronde berikutnya akan datang, jadi kali ini, aku hanya akan memainkannya dengan liar."
Sebenarnya, identitas sebenarnya adalah seseorang yang telah kembali tiga kali, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi, m versi,
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Chapter 780
He observed his colleagues, visibly tense yet confident, and then turned his gaze to Kishiar, who continued his explanations and instructions without any hesitation.
Even after hearing about Yuder's dream, Kishiar hadn't changed much. It wasn't so much about hiding his feelings or deliberately not speaking. Rather, it felt like he was waiting for the time to pass, following the decision he had made, until he could be more certain.
And, in fact, Yuder felt the same way.
‘It can't be helped. For now, there's just too little information about the nature of that dream. It’s not something that can be understood with mere effort, so waiting is the best we can do right now.’
Knowing that they were both concerned about each other, they tried not to repeat the mistakes of the past. All that remained was to wait for more information to gather without hiding their feelings and attitudes.
It was a wait without promise, but strangely, this fact no longer felt overly stifling or anxious. Yuder thought it might be because he had shared the dream story with Kishiar.
Talking about it didn't solve anything. But sometimes, the mere act of doing something gives it meaning.
Kishiar's unchanging calmness after learning about the dream, and the way he looked at him with sometimes deeper eyes, or touched him gently without avoiding his gaze, gave such meaning to Yuder.
‘The last expression I saw in the backlight bothers me, but... If there's something he wants to tell me, he'll do it eventually, just like I did.’
Yuder could decide not to step back and speak his mind because Kishiar had always been by his side, not rushing him and giving him trust. So, he planned to do the same.
It was a new sensation to realize that it was okay not to force himself to endure even though it was certainly painful.
Embracing the unavoidable wait as just that, a wait, and not as an escape, Yuder quietly observed the man who might be feeling emotions not so different from his own.
"Yuder!"
After the meeting, Yuder was immediately surrounded by his close colleagues. With Kanna, Gakane, Ever, Devran, the Eldore siblings, and even Pruelle and Revlin gathered, it almost felt like they were not in the south but in the capital.
Kishiar had included all the personnel who had been on the mission in the capital last time in this support list. Like Ever, it was to give them another chance to redeem themselves for their lingering regrets and resentments.
Knowing this, even the usually playful Eldore siblings were quiet and serious throughout the meeting today. Just seeing that was enough to understand how much they valued this support mission.
"You look a bit thinner than before. Have you been eating well?"
Ever asked that as soon as she saw him, though her face looked much thinner than before. Yuder suspected it was due to the heartache from the incident with the sage.
"I'm fine. But what about you, Ever... You've taken on quite a few significant missions this time. Are you sure you're okay?"
"You're not asking that because you think I'll say I'm not confident, are you?"
Ever wrinkled his nose and laughed playfully.
"The Commander gave us a chance to redeem ourselves. Whether it’s the sage or anyone else, we won't let them slip away this time."
"We feel the same."
Hinn interjected with a stubborn face. Beside her, Finn nodded, clenching his small but terrifyingly powerful fist.
Yuder turned his gaze away from their fiery eyes. Devran, feeling shy, scratched his head and began to speak.
"Uh-hum, there was a mountain of work piled up here. I might not know much else, but I'm quite good at discreetly observing my surroundings. Leave that to me." ʀÀ₦ՕΒƐś
However, that shy expression of his shattered completely under Finn's innocently devilish questioning.
"Devran, what are you planning to disguise as this time? Since we're in the South, maybe a fisherman?"
"No, Finn. It's going to be a tavern this time. They pay well, you know."
"...You little rascals. I'm not doing this just for the money, okay? Don't talk about someone's special information gathering techniques like that! Huh?!"
"Who was it again that said making extra money on the side was quite profitable?"
"And who was the one excitedly talking about skipping training in front of Yuder to do a side job?"
"Hey you brats!"
As Devran began to shout in anger, the Eldore siblings scampered away like squirrels. As Devran chased after them, the others expressed their concern in voices mixed with worry and laughter.
Seizing the moment, this time Revlin and Pruelle approached Yuder.
"Yuder! Did you hear that I finally passed as an official member?"
"Me too."
Thanks to their time as temporary members, their demeanor had become much more relaxed compared to before. But above all, it was their expressions that had changed the most.
"I heard. Congratulations to both of you."
At Yuder's congratulatory words, their expressions became even more deeply reflective.
"Um... Haha. When I heard the news, I immediately remembered the day I first met Yuder, and suddenly that memory came to mind. That's why I wanted to tell you in person."
"Ah, I felt the same way!"
A blushing Revlin hesitated, fidgeting with his hands before asking.
"So, about that... Yuder... Can you talk to us more casually? Just like you do with the other members!"
"..."
"Uh, I heard that if you ask Yuder directly, he'll do it... but if it's uncomfortable..."
Revlin's face turned red, thinking the silence was a negative response. However, Yuder's silence was simply because what they asked was so unexpectedly straightforward.
"No, it's fine. If that's what you want, I'll do it."
"Ah! That's a relief! I've always envied the other members who could talk like this, I'm so happy right now... I mean, happy!"
The encounters with the two had been quite intense, but Yuder hadn't expected them to feel this strongly.
'Somehow... this feels reminiscent of the time with Sunz and Emon.'
However, not wanting to dampen the spirits of the new members, Yuder simply nodded silently. Pruelle smiled at this.
"It's amazing. I never thought such a day would come back then, but it really did happen."
Pruelle and Revlin exchanged glances, smiling with fresh emotion. But then, Pruelle's expression turned slightly somber.
"Although I didn't perfectly complete the first mission I was assigned after becoming an official member."
"That's..."
"There's no need to console me. I'm aware of how much I lacked. But... I'm a bit worried about Deputy Commander Beck..."
Pruelle's eyes cautiously drifted towards Ever, who was busy mediating the commotion between the Eldore siblings and Devran and seemed too preoccupied to notice.
Pruelle chuckled softly at the sight, then suddenly became startled and tensed up when his gaze met Yuder's silent one.
"...Ah! Of course, I know someone like a newcomer shouldn't worry about someone like her! It's just, after the last incident, she seemed to be pushing herself too hard, and that's a bit... Ah, what am I saying. Can you just forget it? I think I spoke too presumptuously."
"I understand your concern for Ever's condition."
"Ah, do you, really?"
Pruelle was once again surprised by the simple expression of concern. He blinked at Yuder as if seeing him anew, and then suddenly slapped his own cheek.
"...What was I thinking, saying such things while the Commander is here?"
"You look quite tired. Perhaps it would be best to rest."
While the suggestion was made out of concern for Pruelle's apparent fatigue, Pruelle vehemently shook his head. Looking at his flushed face, one would be hard-pressed to believe he was a man of intelligence.
"No, it's not that. I actually wanted to ask you something. Based on the information discussed in the meeting, the First Princess of Herne is collaborating with the Cavalry. I wonder, could she be someone like us?"
"Hm... Have you ever met or heard about her before?"
"No, never. We've never really been in the forefront of social circles. I've heard rumors, but nothing more than she's the esteemed only daughter of the Herne family."
"Me too. My parents and brothers were not fond of the Herne family... Of course, they weren't particularly fond of other families either."
Though he added this with a nonchalant laugh, it was a reminder that apart from dealings with the imperial family, the relationships among the four great ducal families were not exactly amicable.
"However, if there's someone like us there, I would definitely want to help."
Revlin spoke with a bright face, suggesting that their own experiences could be helpful to another. Excluding the fact that Princess Myra of Herne was not an Awakener, it was a commendable attitude to have.
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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!"
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