The thunder rumbled outside, its echoes reverberating through the walls of my room. Raindrops pelted against the windowpane, creating a symphony of nature's fury. The flashes of lightning illuminated the darkness, casting eerie shadows across the room. I tossed and turned, my thoughts swirling like the tempestuous winds outside… Exhaustion after a deadline paired with a storm has never been a good match. Yet, I didn't find it too obnoxious either, knowing full well that I couldn't let my guard down in the relentless pursuit of my goals. While I partly blamed my tumultuous history, I couldn't place all the blame on the past, for these sharp instincts of mine had saved me from countless troubles before. That being said, tonight… it was different. Tonight, amidst the raging storm, a sense of unease gripped me more than the usual shell shock I casually had. It was as if an invisible force tugged at the fringes of my consciousness, beckoning me towards something unknown, something bey
With her short hair tied up, the young adventurer equipped her daggers and stepped outside, having a clear destination in mind. Before leaving, she made sure to inform the innkeeper of her departure after breakfast. As she ventured into the chilly air, she couldn't help but notice the coldness surrounding her. It was the first thing that struck her upon examining the body she now inhabited. Her body was cold. Her expression was cold. However, neither the temperature nor her demeanor were a result of the pitying gazes she received from others. Despite wearing a robe, she chose not to don the hoodie, unashamed of the distinctive streaks adorning her head. Stiriacrus. It was a rare disease that froze a person's core, leading to the frigidness she experienced. However, rather than being classified as an illness, Stiriacrus was more akin to a curse, one that would become deeply entrenched within a person until their demise. To put it simply, this curse hindered mages from controlli
After equipping herself for her first journey in this strange world, Serein realized that something was floating at the periphery of her vision. It remained almost permanently stuck at the corner of her eyes, regardless of how many times she moved her head. ‘Eye floaters? Or maybe cataracts?’ she pondered, trying to steal a glance at it. As Min Suhyun, she never had eye problems, although her vision was not the strongest. She had only ever heard about other people experiencing such issues. She wondered if, aside from Stiriacrus, this body also had other health problems when suddenly, out of the blue, a half-transparent screen appeared before her, causing her to jolt in surprise. "What the...?" she barely hold back her exclamation. Presented before her was a familiar sight—the desktop screen she recognized—but without the taskbar. Instead, three folders were lined up in the left corner, and something resembling a health bar adorned the top right corner. One of those folders was na
The Adelweirn Flower, a precious and elusive bloom, held the key to Serein's mission. In this particular time frame, she was aware that there would be someone else vying for the same prize. Determined to outpace this mysterious character, she hastened her steps, determined to reach the flower before it could be taken to the Amaranth Kingdom. Once all the necessary ingredients were gathered, the cure for Stiriacrus could be successfully created. It was a mythical illness that plagued the land, and finding the cure was of utmost importance. However, fate had a cruel twist in store. Even after consuming the precious cure and experiencing the miraculous healing, the Queen Regnant of the Amaranth Kingdom was destined to meet her demise through another cause. —Obviously, This fact, the twisted outcome orchestrated by Min Suhyun's writing, was known only to her. "I feel bad for the Queen, but surviving two months wouldn't bring such drastic change to the kingdom or anyone else." Either
The Red path soon came into view. Serein watched as five people withered in pain and slowly died along with the two horses. "Arghhhh!!! Save me! Save me—!" The armored man's voice died out as his body slowly melted from the rising acid on the ground. Serein covered her face with a cloth, which she used to cover her mouth and nose. With her scarf acting as a mask, her brows furrowed slightly as she tried to get closer. 'This strong acid...' A pitcher fly trap. Blasphemous Woodland was essentially a gigantic pitcher fly trap disguised as a rainforest. "Cherry... hurry up and go." As she approached, Serein heard the weakened voice of a young knight whose right leg seemed to have touched the acid. From a distance, she could see him leaning pitifully on a robed girl who refused his plea. "Stop saying nonsense and save your energy, idiot! I'll get us out of here!" The girl sounded desperate as her bright pink hair was no longer concealed by magic. Seeing this sight confirmed the
"We're getting close," Serein muttered to herself. She held back a tired sigh as she continued to carry the knight on her back, navigating the forest's treacherous terrain. While her stamina wasn't lacking, the challenge of bearing the weight of someone nearly twice her size during each leap from branch to branch left her feeling drained. Not to mention, she had to be careful not to slip and send them both tumbling to their doom below, where thick acid awaited, ready to devour them as nourishment for the forest. The acrid smell of the acid rose up, making them both slightly lightheaded. Serein couldn't help but wonder how they'd ended up in this perilous situation. ‘Well, either way,’ she thought, "we're almost there." As they moved deeper into the forest, they could hear the sound of rushing water. Finally, they reached the top of a massive waterfall. "What now, Guide-min?" Cherry asked with a hint of anxiety. "We're going to jump," Serein replied calmly, her voice belying th
"Once again, thank you, sir… I will certainly pay you more once we get back," Cherry said, showing her gratitude. If others heard about this, they might think that it's good to get more from this generous noble girl. Bright pink hair that still looked expensive despite being dirty from all that had happened to its owner. Creamy skin tone, soft to the touch, got tainted with mud and littered with small cuts. Yet still, it spoke of how much care had been spent maintaining such beauty before it was ruined by these harsh experiences. Hazel eyes shifted upwards and met with magenta orbs that were staring back at her almost pleadingly. 'Such beautiful clear eyes this princess has.' And that honeyed voice? That dangerous tone could have lured innocent people into agreeing with her request for free. However, Serein understood the true meaning behind those words, hence why she opened her mouth to negotiate. "Make that 500, pay for my food and a place to stay, in addition to one wish to
'A Wyrm,' thought Serein. She expected the creature to be extremely huge since it was said that a full-fledged Wyrm would be able to even eat an adult elephant. Yet the monster that was approaching was not even as big as her skinny arms. However, there were two of them at the moment, so she still needed to be cautious. The wyrms, one was bluish-green with blue eyes, while the other was greenish-blue with green eyes. “Humans?” “How can humans be here?” They hissed with hostility, but they were nothing more than hatchlings now. 'Right, I forgot about the details.' One of these Wyrms would eat the other due to their greedy nature, needing more power, not knowing that by doing so, it would also get the penalty of eating its own kind and go berserk in the nearby village. 'Arlia, who was supposed to visit his friend there, came too late, though he ended up killing this monster anyway.' [Wyrm speaks only with wisdom, but few appreciate being told they’re food.] That was the only d
“If you were any smarter,” he retorted, echoing her earlier words, “You’d realize that I am not negotiating.” His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. “You know it too, despite all of your empty threats, you’re the one disadvantaged if this matter goes any longer. So, either take it or the deal is off.”Amidst the temporary lull in the conflict, Serein remained vigilant, her senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the atmosphere. The air crackled with tension, the quietude belying the underlying currents of hostility and mistrust. She couldn't afford to be lulled into complacency by the semblance of peace.The leader's words reverberated in her mind, each syllable ringing with unyielding resolve. His demeanor exuded a steely determination, a stark reminder of the ruthless pragmatism that governed his actions. There was no negotiation, no room for compromise; it was a simple ultimatum, delivered with unwavering conviction.Serein's hazel eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of defi
"We'll negotiate for the return of the egg you seek," Serein proposed, her voice steady despite the tension thick in the air. "Cease your attack now, or we'll no longer defend it. Instead—-" The man's laughter echoed across the chaotic scene, his demeanor shifting from indifference to outright hostility. His eyes bore into Serein with undisguised malice, challenging her resolve. "Why would you 'protect' something you've stolen?" he jeered, his words laced with venom. Serein paused, weighing her options amidst the relentless assault. Finally, she spoke, her voice calm yet firm, "Believe what you will. But know this..." The leader was taken aback by the sudden shift in demeanor from the human before him. Gone was the desperation he had detected earlier, replaced by an air of regal confidence that seemed to emanate from her very being. The leader, accustomed to dealing with mere mortals begging for their lives or scrambling for a shred of mercy, found himself intrigued by this unexpe
— Whooooshhh! The gusts of wind whistled through the air, accompanied by the sharp clang of metal meeting metal, creating a cacophony that echoed across the ship. It was a symphony of chaos, a tumultuous blend of natural elements and the clash of weapons, perfectly encapsulating the dire circumstances unfolding on deck. — Clang! Clang!! On one side, the ship's crew fought desperately to defend against the relentless onslaught of merfolk attackers. Their movements were fueled by fear and determination, each strike a desperate attempt to repel the invaders and protect their vessel. Meanwhile, the merfolk moved with an eerie grace, their attacks calculated and precise. They seemed almost playful in their approach, toying with their human adversaries as if engaged in some twisted game. Their movements were fluid, their strikes swift and deadly, as they closed in on their targets with ruthless efficiency. The contrast between the frantic efforts of the ship's defenders and the effortle
Cevahir's soft call carried a hint of frustration, barely audible amidst the chaos. "Fuckers," he murmured, his voice strained with the effort to convey his desires. He’s not sure what happened, but he knows that his siblings are in danger. And him, despite his injured statem longed to take action, to do more than he was currently capable of, but the weakness brought on by his wounds held him back. "Don't you dare taking them from me," a low growl escaped his lips. His words tinged with resolve despite his physical limitations. Though prideful and determined, he couldn't deny the reality of his weakened state.That being said, if anyone were to see his dimmed eyes, In that vulnerable moment, the fragility of his heart was laid bare, its protective layers stripped away. All pretense fell away, leaving behind raw emotion and stark vulnerability. In that fleeting moment of desperation, he found himself consumed by a singular focus—‘Someone save them.’Cevahir's desperate desire to spe
“Little Human! Little Human!”The urgency in Pam's voice cut through the chaos like a blade, commanding Serein's attention. As he slithered up her leg and onto her back, she couldn't suppress a shiver, feeling his presence against her skin. However, there was no time to dwell on discomfort. With a quick mental steeling, she focused on the task at hand.Serein had just dispatched another merfolk with precision, her movements fluid and decisive. The clang of metal against metal echoed in the air as her blade found its mark, sending her opponent crashing to the ground with a resounding thud. The ship's deck bore the marks of their struggle, but she paid it little heed as she turned her attention to Pam's urgent cry for help.“Little human, help!” Pam's plea rang out, a note of desperation underscoring his words. Despite the urgency, Serein couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for the young wyrm clinging to her back. She knew he trusted her to come to their aid, just as she had done i
Death. That dark thought loomed over Cevahir's mind like a dark cloud, creeping in and casting a shadow over his resolve as he struggled to maintain composure in the face of their new adversaries. Despite his efforts, weakness seeped through his facade, betraying the inner turmoil he battled to conceal.He wants to protect them, he needs to do that. Protecting them was paramount. It wasn't just a matter of duty; it was a deeply ingrained instinct, a primal need that pulsed within him. But it wasn't the humans he felt compelled to shield; Sam and Pam.it was the two young wyrm siblings whose well-being he had willingly taken upon himself to safeguard. They were his responsibility, his choice, and he would do whatever it took to keep them safe from harm, even if it meant facing death itself.The memories of Pam and Sam's hatching remained vivid in Cevahir's mind, a poignant reminder of the bond forged between them from the very beginning. Despite the accusations hurled at him by the
— Ooooong!With a soft hum, a gentle pink glow began to radiate from the center of the trio, casting a soft, ethereal light that danced across their figures. As the glow intensified, it enveloped them in a warm embrace, suffusing their bodies with a tingling sensation of rejuvenation. The light seemed to seep into every pore, filling them with a sense of buoyancy and vitality. It was as though a gentle breeze had swept through, lifting their spirits and infusing them with renewed energy. The glow shimmered and pulsed, creating an aura of serenity and empowerment around them. It was a moment of transcendence, as if they were bathed in the light of hope itself, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.As one of the three who received the boost, Serein felt a surge of energy coursing through her veins, enhancing her agility and speed as she seamlessly transitioned from defense to offense. With swift and precise movements, she launched a counterattack against the soldier before her. T
The Selkie's words cut through the chaos with a chilling nonchalance, his comrades continuing their ruthless assault on those aboard the ship. Whether through direct confrontation or mercilessly tossing them into the sea, their fate was sealed in the domain of the sea monsters, where mercy was a foreign concept."The notorious degenerate who stole the sky's eggs in the past has come to steal our future leader. Such an uninspired predicament," the old Selkie remarked with a hint of amusement, his tone dripping with disdain. "To think that you'd pull off such a foolish stunt rather than laying low. What a fool."Despite the insult, the half-blood remained composed, his focus diverted to shielding Pam from harm, even in his invisible state. However, his efforts were in vain as the young wyrm, unable to bear the insults hurled at his brother, erupted in defiance."Ceva-chi is not a fool!" he shouted, his voice filled with indignation and loyalty.Summoning his courage and determined to pr
After Cevahir's chilling revelation, the group realized that preparing for battle was imperative. However, with the conflict between the sea monsters and pirates raging on, it seemed wiser to remain low and avoid unnecessary risks. No one was eager to throw their life away in the midst of the chaos."They are angry," Cevahir's assertion echoed in their minds like a solemn bell tolling, underscoring the gravity of the situation with each resonating chime. This wasn't mere random aggression; it was a meticulously planned onslaught, orchestrated with precision and intent that sent shivers down their spines.Yet, Min Suhyun couldn't shake off the feeling of being ensnared in her own narrative web. If only she had paid closer attention to the details beforehand, perhaps then she could have avoided this predicament or known a way to address it before it reached this critical point. But even if she had done all of that, the problem wouldn't have been resolved.Unlike the main characters who