A moment of silence came between Aera and Yujin. While they were still looking at one another, a sudden gust of wind blew, but both of them managed to keep their gaze fixed in the same direction. It was as if both of them were even in a state of shock when Aera only told Yujin about his apparent death if he even was to head to their raid tomorrow."What you said just a moment ago. Was that even true?” Yujin's question was a startling one that finally allowed him to break the eerie silence that had been between him and Aera.After what seemed like an eternity, Aera was finally able to get the words out, "If you do not wish to believe me, then go ahead and have your meet and greet with the soul reaper tomorrow." The silence that followed seemed to border on hesitation. Following that, Aera abruptly turned her back on Yujin and started walking away from him.Then all of a sudden, Yujin took the initiative to bring Aera back. He simply could not allow Aera to leave in such a manner withou
"You expect me to believe this nonsense?" Yujin said calmly, shattering Aera's hope that he would eventually come around and believe her.Then, with a wicked chuckle, Yujin tossed his head back and laughed. After letting out a hearty chuckle at Aera's confession, he blew off some steam by exhaling deeply. “Especially coming from someone who has repeatedly tried to kill me, do you seriously think I would believe that?"Aera was almost reduced to silence by Yujin's comments. She felt both shocked and ashamed at the same time. Aera was so shocked that she was at a loss for words and could only react by dropping her jaw.“I take back what I said about not being interested. After what you did to me, I am even more curious as to where you get the nerve to keep your thick face. And now you think I would be such a fool as to believe you again?”The tone of Yujin's words had grown so hostile that Aera had lost her chance to respond.In his final words, Yujin turned to Aera and said, "I do not
Yujin could be seen cringing in the corner in silence as a result of Robalt's words. He had absolutely no idea that Robalt would respond in such a way that would be able to intimidate him so successfully. It was not until eventually when Robalt said, "Come on, kid. The trip to the crystal fortress is going to be a lengthy one. I’m sure everyone is already out there searching frantically for the two of us.” as he abruptly rose from his seat and got up to leave.“Wait, weren’t you—” When Yujin reacted unexpectedly, Robalt stopped dead in his tracks.. Upon hearing Yujin's response, Robalt turned his gaze beyond his shoulders and looked back at Yujin. "What?" he asked.Despite the fact that Yujin attempted to provoke Robalt into aggressive behavior, Yujin was somewhat taken aback by the fact that Robalt did not even bother to act aggressively. It appeared to Yujin as though Robalt had just displayed the composed demeanor of a true commander in front of his eyes, and as a result, Yujin
“You wanted me to be the one to take it? Are you seriously out of your mind? What gives you the impression that I would actually comply with what you say, huh?” Yujin abruptly asked. His tone of voice contained a mixture of arrogance and a hint of self-doubt at the same time.Draken was in no way discouraged from pursuing Yujin in order to actually start working on that mission, and he did not face any kind of resistance in doing so. He believes that all that was necessary was for him to further convince Yujin regarding the issue. "I knew you would not simply act on and obey me because I was the one who asked you to do it. However, you should be aware that even if we complete the map details of the dungeons, it will be difficult for you to successfully complete the raid. This is especially true considering the fact that you have a skill with which you are not even very familiar.”Yujin fell silent for a moment. He gave the information that Draken had just shared with him some serious
The others had been warning Yujin ever since they started their journey that it would take them more than half a day to reach the crystal fortress. However, because they had managed to gather so early, everyone was in agreement that they should take the shortcut that would bring them to the crystal fortress in fewer than two hours.Everyone seemed to have a clear idea about the shortcut, except for Yujin.He had no prior knowledge of the situation, and the fact that he had not been informed left him with a sense of being secretly duped. "How the heck could they have even neglected to inform me of this?" Yujin mused to himself as he watched the others prepare for their journey. Yujin had his eyes on the rest of his crew while paying close attention to what they were doing.At one point, Yujin had the strong urge to scream out and ask the others why on earth they did not even inform him about the plan. He felt as though he had been completely left in the dark. However, he holds his to
Yujin may have actually lost his balance as a result of the impact; however, he had the good fortune to be able to grab onto the door's bar just in time to prevent himself from being completely ejected from the cargo van.It was supposed to be just in the nick of time before Yujin was dropped off, but thank goodness he was able to see through that chance. If he hadn't, he would have wound up getting shredded by the train that was coming from behind them.It turned out that the route that they had been discussing, which would get them to the crystal fortress more quickly, was actually the underground tunnel. Yujin was not entirely certain how they had entered it, but he reasoned that it must have been around the time that Amil had mentioned that they were about to pass through the hell’s gate.The moment of impact must have been when they were dropping down into the tunnel that led them down to the railroad. And based on how things looked at this moment, it seemed like the train was ac
"Hey, doctor Ichinose, or should I say dad if that is what you would rather hear me say?" Yujin spoke up at precisely the same time that he observed his father descending the stairs leading to the fortress' main entrance.Even though Yujin was aware that it was not inconceivable for him to run into his father while he was in this location, he was still somewhat taken aback to see him so soon after his arrival. He would prefer to visit his mother first, rather than actually meet with his father instead.But because he was already in this circumstance, Yujin had no choice but to actually go through with what had been planned, even though he may have to exercise a little bit of caution in his actions knowing that his father is not the lenient type like his mother is..Doctor Akihiro Ichinose worked in the research division of the Crystal Fortress. Together with Yujin's mother, Doctor Karin Ichinose, he was working toward the development of advanced medical practices for the thirteenth c
Although he was walking ahead of his son, Akihiro had both of his hands tucked into the side pockets of his lab coat. It seemed as though he was acting in the typical manner that Yujin had come to know him for. Yujin, on the other hand, could not help but notice that there was something a little bit strange going on around him for some reason.Even though he was still unable to determine what it was, he was confident that it was up to no good at all. At that very instant, Yujin was already pondering the question of why it appeared as though the fortress was unusually quiet. Despite the fact that he was not a frequent visitor to this location, the only time in recent memory that he was here was during the period of monsters’ domination.The calm atmosphere that he perceives is, for some inexplicable reason, giving him the impression that something untoward is about to take place in the very near future. He could not exactly come out and say that he has a sneaking suspicion that his fat
Yujin surged forward, his body propelled by a surge of adrenaline, as he unleashed a flurry of strikes with his energy sword, each blow resonating with fierce determination. The beast, a formidable adversary, stood its ground, its monstrous form looming before him. The clash of steel against scales reverberated through the air, a symphony of violence and defiance. Yujin's heart pounded in his chest, his every movement a testament to his unwavering resolve. In this battle of wills and strength, he refused to yield. The monstrous creature evaded with uncanny agility, a testament to its formidable prowess. Undeterred, Yujin's resolve burned fiercely as he brandished his energy sword, poised to cleave through the beast's sinew and bone.Yujin's grip tightened around the energy sword, its blade shimmering with an iridescent fury that seemed to mirror the tumultuous emotions coursing through him. The energy orb shimmered with an intensity that surpassed its previous radiance, mirroring t
The final words that Yujin uttered were barely audible before he fell into an eerie silence. It seemed as if the very air itself was holding its breath in expectation as the weight of the unspoken words hung heavy in the air. It was a steady rhythm of terror and disbelief that pounded in his chest as his heart raced. An oppressive haze of pressure pressed down on him as the weight of the terrible fate that had befallen his fellow students and even the faculty staff of the entire establishment pressed upon him like a weight. He was in a state of great shock because the gravity of the situation was so much greater than he had anticipated. The foul odor of death permeated the atmosphere, serving as a gloomy reminder of the bloodbath that had just taken place. It was a spooky sight to see dead bodies lying around the ground in such a disorganized manner. It was a massacre, the likes of which are only mentioned in the most sinister of stories in hushed tones. The beast, a hideous creatu
[INSIDE YUJIN’S THOUGHTS]Yujin stirred from his slumber as the scent of aged timber wafted through the air, teasing his senses and coaxing him back to consciousness. In the very instant Yujin's eyes fluttered open, he found himself once more within the confines of the classroom, nestled within the hallowed halls of the thirteenth colony's esteemed educational institute. To his astonishment, a sense of desolation greeted him as he stepped into the room. Not a soul could be found, not a whisper of life. The emptiness hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over his expectations.His mind wandered, contemplating the whereabouts of the other students in this moment. Yujin was left perplexed and bewildered, wondering where on earth the other students could have possibly disappeared to at this juncture. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Yujin promptly rose from their seat and cast his gaze out through the window. In the ordinary course of events, his eyes would swiftly alight upon a mo
Aera stood there, her heart pounding in her chest, unable to fathom the words that had just escaped Doctor Karin's lips. The air around her seemed to still, as if time itself had frozen in that very moment. How could this be? How could reality twist and contort in such a way? Aera's mind raced, desperately searching for a logical explanation, but finding none. The world she thought she knew was slipping away, replaced by a surreal landscape of uncertainty and disbelief. Anticipation coursed through her veins as she yearned for the moment when Doctor Karin would, perhaps, alter her stance and align herself with her fervent desire to fix the broken pillar. Doctor Karin's inquiry ignited a flicker of hope within Aera. "Yes," Aera murmured, her voice barely audible. “Yes, it is," she added, her voice tinged with a hint of hope. The words hung in the air, a delicate thread connecting them in a moment of shared understanding. Aera's response was swift, her gaze fixing upon Doctor Karin a
The worn wooden door groaned in protest as it swung open, granting passage to Aera. She stepped into the dimly lit room, her presence casting a shadow across the worn floorboards. Doctor Karin awaited her arrival. As Aera stepped into the room, a sense of déjà vu washed over her. There, in the same spot as before, sat Doctor Karin, engrossed in a stack of books generously supplied by the stray dog headquarters.Aera pondered, her mind swirling with the possibility that it was Draken who had proposed the notion of stowing away those books within the confines of Doctor Karin's chamber. The suggestion was undeniably astute, for within the confines of that room, where Doctor Karin languished in detention, she managed to carve out precious moments to peruse those written works on a daily basis.Aera stood there, her eyes fixed on Doctor Karin, a mixture of displeasure evident on her face."It's you again," Doctor Karin, however, said, her voice tinged with a disappointment at the presenc
The question hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. The dilemma had gnawed at their resolve.“So does this mean that no matter how fervently we endeavored to aid Yujn in reclaiming his consciousness, and restoring him to his former self, it would all be in vain? Would he inevitably succumb to his monstrous nature once more?” Robalt asked.The room fell silent, the weight of their shared apprehension palpable. Each person present grappled with their own doubts, and confusion. They had witnessed the transformation firsthand, the terrifying metamorphosis that had rendered Yujn unrecognizable. It had been a harrowing sight, one that had left an indelible mark on their minds, most especially Robalt. Yet, despite the odds stacked against them, they had refused to give up. They had rallied together, pooling their knowledge, their resources, their unwavering determination. They had delved into the depths of their understanding, seeking any glimmer of hope, any shred of insight that could
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the bustling city streets. People hurried along, their footsteps echoing against the concrete ground.The morning sun cast a soft glow through the curtains, gently rousing Aera from her slumber. As she blinked away the remnants of her dreams, a vivid image lingered in her mind. Yujin, his eyes filled with an unspoken plea, had reached out to her, urging her not to abandon him. With a newfound resolve coursing through her veins, Aera knew that she could no longer stand idly by. The time had come to confront the formidable obstacle that stood between her and Yujin's heart—his mother. Aera's determination burned like a flame within her, fueling her every thought and action. She would not allow herself to be deterred by the countless tales of Yujin's mother's unwavering disapproval. No, she would find a way to persuade her, to make her see the depth of her love for Yujin. The path ahead was treacherous, fraught with uncertain
Aera stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. The words before her seemed too good to be true, too fantastical to be real. Doubt gnawed at her, whispering in her ear, questioning the authenticity of what lay before her. She gazed at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "Are you truly awake now?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of doubt. Aera's senses returned to her, and she mustered the courage to finally ask the question that had been lingering in her mind. Her cheeks were still tinged with a rosy hue, a telltale sign of the lingering embarrassment she felt. The memory of that impulsive kiss she had shared with Yujin played on a loop in her mind, causing her heart to flutter and her thoughts to scatter. How had she allowed herself to succumb to such a reflexive act? It was as if her body had acted independently, driven by an unseen force that she couldn't quite comprehend. The intensity of the moment had left her breathless, her senses heig
Aera was still processing the evaluation that Draken had provided her with earlier in the conversation. In the isolation chamber, she was the only other person there except Yujin.Her head was cluttered with unrelated ideas at the time, and almost all of them were related to Yujin. After considering all that Draken had shared with her, Aera couldn't help but feel a twinge of embarrassment when she realized that she had just recently begun to consider the possibility that Draken's explanation was accurate.It's possible that what Dr. Karin saw in Aera was the possibility of a love connection between her and Yujin. This possibility is what drives Aera to put her pride in danger in order to assist Yujin.Aera thought that this must be what Dr. Karin was thinking about her as a driving motive for assisting Yujin. After all, individuals who are in love are known to do the most unselfish things conceivable, and Aera believed that this must be what Dr. Karin was thinking about her.When Aera