Giant Step (2) The flickering green light had died down a while ago, but a heavy silence followed. “……” “……” It was like the reaction of a student scolded by a scary teacher. Seeing grown adults acting that way might normally stir up some sympathy, but for some reason, it only made me more annoyed. … Read more
Giant Step (1) As soon as the meeting time came, the man who had just entered donned a deer horn mask and stepped out into the hallway. He quickly headed for the room with the round table. Unlike usual, the round table was empty. “Looks like I’m the first one here.” The man glanced around … Read more
Rivals (4) At first, I felt utterly bewildered. But once Lee Baek-ho left and I stood there blankly, reality slowly started to sink in. He really left. Right up to the end, that fucker was the same as ever. ‘What’s with the disappearing act, seriously…’ But, now I feel like I can finally breathe. I … Read more
The Rival (3) In the community, all special abilities are sealed. That’s why the lie-detection ability that had troubled me so much outside doesn’t work here. Not that it would matter even if I could use it—thanks to Auril Gavis’s gift, I could counter it anyway. But that’s not what’s important right now. ‘…Is he … Read more
Rival(2) Lee Baek-ho. Age twenty-three. A freshly discharged soldier with young, black hair and the eyes of an old country boy. He called me “hyung.” [Me? It’s been… over ten years.] At least ten years – no, actually, now that another four years have passed since he said that, it must be at least fourteen … Read more
Rival(1) Today, Lee Han-soo’s room felt unusually foreign. “It feels… cramped.” I felt an inexplicable sense of suffocation in this room that had always been filled with cosiness. And I’m not even in my massive barbarian body. Well, whatever. First, let’s turn on the computer. Temporarily setting aside the strange feeling of alienation, I quickly … Read more
The Return of the Lion (4) A certain pub in District 7, always bustling with explorers. A place that sells cheap alcohol, leaving empty bottles rolling around the floor, and whenever there’s a spare moment, drunks start brawling. Bang—! Suddenly, the door to that pub swung open with a crash. In every world, there are … Read more
The Return of the Lion (3) The march for the triumph ceremony the marquis had planned was simple. From the Dimensional Square of Lavigion, where we had returned, we would pass through the commercial city of Commelby and then march in a grand procession towards the imperial capital of Carnon. Ba-bam, ba-bam, ba-ba-bam-! A military … Read more
The Return of the Lion (2) The Sky was somewhat gloomy. But sunlight still leaked through. A warmth that pushed away the cold that had seeped into my bones. This was a place with no shivering cold, or hunger. “Now… it feels a little more real. I’ve really… made it back alive…” As always, returning … Read more
The Return of the Lion (1) Once the conversation was largely over. I borrowed Amelia’s dagger and sliced open the Dragon Slayer’s belly. Sssssk-. As if I had used a surgical scalpel, the belly opened neatly. Once the disembowelment was complete, I nonchalantly pulled out the bastard’s heart. Perhaps due to the extreme cold of … Read more