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Turning Chapter 954
🕑 Added 2024-03-02 05:51:51 +0000 UTCChapter 954
At the same time, Yuder was deep in the ocean, sharing a similar thought to Kanna.
"Indeed, the fatigue of the mind is a greater problem than that of the body."
Although he had never been in this exact situation in his previous life, he had experienced many prolonged battles. In this life, he had overcome situations in the West with ease, but in his previous life, wasn’t there a long march of death and defeat, spanning over a month?
From that experience, he realized that as long as the mind remained strong, even a body at its limit could survive. Conversely, if the mind gave up, even a physically strong person could lose a battle they should have won.
The mind, therefore, was trickier and more difficult to manage than the body. If one thought it was hard, even a healthy body would suddenly feel the strain. If one believed they could endure no more, they would indeed reach their limit.
Nahan's illusory powers were not to be underestimated. His actual strength was only slightly greater than Kanna's, yet he could threaten Yuder because he knew and could manipulate this aspect better than anyone.
Thus, when Yuder decided to face the six anomalous cracks and the giant monster in a prolonged battle, his greatest concern wasn’t reaching his physical limits.
It was the possibility that, like now, after a long fight with no visible results, the morale and attitudes of the Cavalry members might change. That was the most challenging aspect.
"Yuder! The vibrations have started again. Is it coming out?"
After a brief rest on the water, upon hearing the news that the ninth battle would likely start, Steiber quickly came down and moved his lips rapidly. Yuder quickly assessed his condition in a short and swift manner. Steiber's hands still moved well enough not to look strange to others, and perhaps because he had gone up to the water earlier to briefly eat some bread, his complexion also looked fine. However, despite taking good care of his physique to the extent that the aftermath was not severe, an undeniable fatigue was evident in his eyes.
The long wait between the eighth and ninth battles had made maintaining tension difficult, bringing to the forefront the fatigue they had been suppressing.
"Yes. But we might need to observe a bit more before starting the battle in earnest."
"Damn it. Why is it slowing down now? Is it kneading dough inside or something?"
Steiber cursed, uncharacteristically. This was another sign of his exhaustion. Other members, with similar expressions, stared intently at the dark seabed. They seemed too drained to even join in his cursing.
"We rested on land, but everyone’s movements have slowed even more."
The awkward waiting period was both a rest and not a rest, like a slowly spreading poison.
Those who had experienced such situations even once knew to be more cautious and measure their condition when faced with them again. But those without experience could not do the same, leaving it up to the leaders and the experienced to lead well. Yuder was worried whether the members would follow his instructions as well this time. Even he found it hard to be sure.
‘In the past, I would have slapped them on the back of their heads to snap them out of it and change the mood, but this time... I don’t want to do that.’
If he were Yudrain from his previous life, he wouldn’t have bothered with such concerns. In a situation where a moment's inattention could cost a life, there was no need to use such roundabout methods.
But now, it was different.
The Cavalry members before Yuder had trusted him and put in hours of effort without any complaints. He knew none of them had been lazy or tried to flee, yet he didn't want to resort to quick solutions just because they were more efficient.
He wondered, what would Kishiar have done in this situation?
‘Perhaps, he would have found the most effective words of encouragement for them, obtaining his desired result.’
But even though Yuder had learned everything from him, he never quite mastered this aspect. The most effective methods he knew when managing weary members were firstly, a physical reprimand, and secondly, exclusion from duties.
However, there was a last resort when neither of those two options was viable.
Yuder gazed at his hands, lost in thought.
‘Maybe the best course for the ninth time is for me to act alone…’
The last resort. To resolve it alone through strength.
It wasn't an easy method, but its effectiveness was certain.
"Yuder."
Just then, Steiber tapped Yuder's shoulder. Turning his head, Yuder listened as Steiber spoke.
"If we still have time while waiting for that thing to emerge, can I suggest taking a short break outside... but you won't go, will you?"
“...”
Why is he asking this again?
In truth, Steiber and the other members had been repeating the same question to Yuder since noon, suggesting he take even a short break outside. Of course, Yuder had not agreed then, as monsters were continuously emerging without a break.
After the eighth battle and before the ninth, he had contemplated going out, but he chose to stay, concerned about any changes in the crack while he was away.
Complacency could be momentary, but the consequences of an unforeseen earthquake could last years. Unlike the other members who were nearing their physical limits, Yuder didn't find it difficult to endure, so he had no regrets about his decision.
‘Even so, I never expected I could hold out this long…’
In his previous life, he had no need to venture into the sea, as the southern earthquake had already devastated the area. Even when preparing for this event, he was too busy with other matters to leisurely test how long he could last underwater.
Creating eight massive currents and pushing them to the surface was undoubtedly exhausting. But enduring underwater was a different matter. To Yuder, it felt no different than asking how long he could breathe and withstand the wind on land.
‘Besides, it seems the longer I stay here, the more I adapt.’
Yuder speculated that this might be due to his inherent affinity for natural elements, combined with the power of the Red Stone he had absorbed during the hailstorm.
That day, the power spread and spread until it finally penetrated the mana hole that exists beneath the stomach. It was the first time Yuder had used such a great power. The abilities he remembered having were clearly not to this extent, yet handling the power felt surprisingly easy, comfortable, and smooth.
He had often felt progress each time he surpassed his limits by absorbing the power of the Red Stone, but this time was the most significant.
The fact that the dark red veins spread through his body were not visible outside his clothes was proof enough of his immense power.
But such details were not something he could easily explain to others. Yuder simply responded in his usual straightforward manner.
"Yes, I have no intention of going out," Yuder replied firmly.
"Thought so," Steiber said, almost as if he expected this answer. Just as Yuder wondered why Steiber had asked if he already knew the answer, Steiber signaled to the other members who had just returned from resting outside the water.
Unbeknownst to Yuder, they had gathered unusually close to him. As Yuder's eyes narrowed in confusion, the members brought their hands, which had been hidden behind their backs, forward.
"Look! We knew you'd say that and brought these."
“...”
Yuder was momentarily speechless at what they held.
"...Potatoes... and bread?"
Yes, it was indeed potatoes and bread.
However, these were not in their ordinary state. They appeared protected, with a bubble-like empty space around them, as if enveloped in a shield. Yuder immediately understood how this had been possible.
The members had delicately pushed away the surrounding water using their power over water, then fixed it in place. The fact that this protection had not broken during their descent was a testament to the collaborative effort, which would have been impossible alone.
"Stop staring and eat quickly! It's hard to maintain this!"
Yuder, still looking at the potatoes and bread, heard the members' collective outcry. Swallowing his astonishment, he picked them up. His own power interacted with that of the members, but the bread remained unchanged.
Why had they gone through such a challenging task, expending their energy needlessly? Before Yuder could articulate his thoughts, Steiber broke into a hearty laugh.
"Don’t be too hard on us. We all combined our strength just to feed you. How can we eat our fill if you don't? Have at least one. You need to eat to face the ninth challenge. The potatoes were freshly roasted on land and sent here."
Yuder turned to look at the faces of the members, who seemed to be watching him as if they were guardians until he ate.
He had thought they were exhausted, and indeed they were, but there was one thing Yuder had to admit he was wrong about.
The Cavalry members were certainly tired, but their faith had not wavered in the slightest.
Comments
hien
how is yuder not turning into a prune underwater help do his abilities also defy biology
Ahbrimone
I remained strong THIS WHOLE STORY until this point. I was broken by the calvary members bringing Yuder 🥔🍞 food. 🥹😭 Now I’m here at work trying to keep a straight face with trembling lips and teary eyes.
