Turning-Chapter 841

“Yes. Whether Hosanra is barely conscious or not, I believe his illusion abilities would have read his mind equally. In that case...”

“You’re saying he’s now learned the secret that was once bound by an oath.”

“That’s correct.”

Naham had the ability to draw out the fears formed within another’s mind. Hosanra, who once considered Naham so important that he would do anything for him, undoubtedly held fears closely tied to him.

Things Hosanra knew but Naham hadn’t—his origins, hidden truths.

If that truth had been revealed, how would a rampaging Awakener react?

“Soon, a rampage several times more powerful than now will begin. The moment the shadow barrier is even slightly pierced, the illusions he creates will engulf this area. And among them, the very first target will naturally be...”

“House Hern.”

“Yes. That’s what I think as well.”

Most rampaging Awakeners lost all reason and spewed their power uncontrollably until their own destruction. In that state, they often couldn’t even recognize who was in front of them.

But for mental-type Awakeners, perhaps because they originally had stronger mental fortitude, they occasionally regained some semblance of awareness with time. The more powerful they were, the higher the likelihood. Of course, that didn’t mean the rampage would stop. Those who reached that point couldn’t stop themselves anymore—they had to be stopped, one way or another.

And naturally, a half-sane madman was far more difficult to deal with than a completely mindless one.

And if the half-sane madman they had to face now was Naham...

“It seems he hasn’t regained his senses just yet, but the little reprieve we have from that won’t last much longer. That’s why swift action must be our top priority.”

“Do you have a plan?”

“I’ll tell you after I speak with Kurga and Gakein.”

Before long, Kurga and Gakein emerged from the darkness. Tense and exhausted from waiting, they were startled to see Yuder appear with Kishiar.

“Yuder!”

“So you were the one who broke in...! No wonder! I’m so relieved you look unharmed.”

“Did you take care of the Sage? What about the others?!”

“It’s fine. You don’t need to worry about that side. Where’s Hosanra?”

“Over here. He’s still not conscious.”

Yuder curtly cut off their questions and turned to examine Hosanra, who lay collapsed. A flickering force twisted like a mirage over his barely breathing body. It was like a boiling pot barely held shut.

‘Definitely... he looks like he’s right on the verge of rampaging. But honestly, he seems more likely to die before even getting that far.’

The power that had taken so long to recover had become a mess. If he entered rampage in this state, he’d likely die from being unable to handle the strain before he could even use his abilities.

‘If only I had a spare suppressor, it could be a temporary solution...’

Though even that might not work in this condition.

Keeping Hosanra here was too dangerous. With that conclusion, Yuder turned his head.

“Gakein. Can you pinpoint Naham’s exact location?”

“Sorry, Yuder. His energy is too thick in here—it’s hard to tell. I didn’t even realize you came in...”

Gakein shook his head with a tired face. Yuder stared at him and opened his mouth.

“I heard that. But from what I see, I think you can do it.”

“...What?”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“I saw you manipulating the shadows earlier. With that level of skill, there’s no way you can’t. You’re just failing because you keep thinking the power that formed this space isn’t yours.”

“B-But...”

“The Commander only boosted what was already visible in you. This is your domain, and Naham is no more than a fire ant caught in your hand. Think of it that way and try again.”

“Fire ant? Naham...? That actually kind of fits...”

Kurga mumbled with a twitch of his lips beside them.

“No matter how big your hand is, it’s still your hand. It makes no sense not to know what’s in your own grip. Don’t be afraid. You can do it if you try. It won’t even take much effort.”

“...”

“If you do this, we can save time. Only you can do it.”

At Yuder’s words, Gakein’s pupils trembled. He closed his eyes tightly, then nodded with clenched lips.

“Got it! I’ll try.”

“Tell me the moment you find him.”

With that, Yuder turned to Kishiar and Kurga.

“The moment Gakein locates [N O V E L I G H T] him, I’ll head straight to face Naham. Once I begin handling him my way, this space likely won’t hold much longer. Commander, I’d like you to entrust Hosanra to Kurga and have him taken out while I deal with Naham. The moment I signal you, please collapse this entire space. Then protect House Hern and prevent Naham from getting near them. That’s the plan.”

“What? But that’s too...”

“Don’t you think this places too much of a burden on you alone?”

Kurga protested in confusion, and Kishiar responded quietly.

“Unless you have a brilliant way to deal with Naham without hurting him, how do you intend to break through the illusions filling this space?”

“You’ve seen me escape them once already. And I have experience dealing with such people. You know this.”

Speaking briefly for Kurga’s sake, Yuder knew that in his past life, he had dealt with more rampaging Awakeners than anyone. He couldn’t say he never got hurt, but he also never suffered any lingering injuries.

Even with Naham as the opponent, he had no doubt he would win.

“Think about it. There’s no more efficient plan than this. We don’t have time to come up with another strategy.”

Kishiar surely knew he had already expended a considerable amount of power. On the other hand, Yuder had only assisted Ever while facing the Sage and still had plenty left in reserve.

Even if Yuder were to get hurt, the consequences would be minor. But Kishiar was different. He had to move while overlooking the entire battlefield. He had gained more freedom in using his power than before, but that didn’t mean his vessel was fully intact.

Yuder knew well that the greater the power used, the greater the cost being paid in real time. How could he ask Kishiar to bear even more?

To be honest, Yuder was more worried that Kishiar’s vessel might break than about Naham himself.

“...”

Kishiar remained silent. His unknowable gaze fixed on Yuder.

‘Do I have to say it...’

Yuder hesitated for a moment, then sighed and spoke.

“...I’m not choosing this method just because I think I can win by pushing my body like before. I can’t do anything unless I’m fully sure you’re safe. That’s all. So please, just this once, let me insist.”

Finally, Kishiar lowered his gaze, then let out a faint smile. In the look of the man staring down at his hand, old emotions surged momentarily, then settled.

“There’s no helping it. After hearing that... how could I refuse?”

“...”

“But still, let me be the one to clear the path to Naham. That much, I can do. Don’t turn down that part.”