GCLopes

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 58: Fury

"Where are they?" Jamie muttered.

Thomas gazed into the distance, his eyes scanning the carriages departing the grand estate. Ornate vehicles bearing the crests of noble houses rolled past, but none bore the emblem of the Golden Fiddle Company. "They were so excited," he remarked, concern edging into his voice. "There's no way they just fell asleep in the carriage."

"No chance of that happening," Jamie agreed, his jaw tightening. "Let's go find them."

"Are you sure? I can go...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 57: The High Diplomat

Jamie exhaled slowly, forcing himself to regain control. "Yes," he acknowledged, his voice just audible over the renewed swell of conversations and music. "My ex-fiancée."

"Your what?" Thomas repeated, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Before I left my family," Jamie elaborated. "We were promised to each other."

Thomas's eyes widened slightly. "I see. And after you became a bard?"

"After I renounced my family's path and was cast out," Jamie continued with a resigned s...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 56: Imperial Academy

Maria von Hafestadt was entering the ball.

With measured, deliberate steps, Maria descended the grand staircase, each step echoing softly in the hushed anticipation of the room. Her long, ebony hair was elegantly styled, pulled back to cascade over her shoulders like a dark waterfall, shimmering under the glow of the chandeliers. Her skin was as fair as snow, smooth and radiant.

Yet it was her eyes that truly captivated them. Sharp and piercing like those of a predator, they left ...

I'll Be The Red Ranger - Chapter 193: Years Later

- James York -

James adjusted his suit jacket one final time, his reflection staring back at him from the polished surface of the mirror. It had been years since he'd donned such formal attire, years spent in military fatigues and functional uniforms at the height of the war.

‘It's been over three years since the Republic was established,’ James mused silently. ‘Three years since we lost him.’ A sigh escaped his lips. Despite his position as a head of state, he felt the bu...

I'll Be The Red Ranger - Chapter 192: Pivot

- Oliver -

Oliver's heart clenched as recognition set in. The metallic tang of blood hung heavily in the air, mingling with the sterile scent of the underground facility. Lian, the leader of the Children of the Past, lay motionless with a hand through his abdomen. His once-vibrant eyes stared lifelessly, and a crimson pool slowly expanded beneath both of them.

As Darius removed his hand, letting Lian fall to the ground, blood dripped from his gloved fingertips, each droplet joinin...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 55: The Entrance

Jamie offered Thomas a reassuring smile. "Better get used to it," he said lightly, clapping a hand on his friend's shoulder. "This will be the first of many times."

Thomas returned the smile, a flicker of confidence in his eyes, though words seemed to escape him. He nodded, accepting Jamie's encouragement but still appearing slightly overwhelmed by the grandeur unfolding before them.

They continued toward the mansion's grand entrance. A path of smooth, white stones led the way, wi...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 54: The Carriage

At last, the day of the autumn ball arrived.

Since returning from their inaugural mission, Jamie and his companions had settled into the rhythms of their new lives. Training sessions filled their mornings, the clashing of weapons and disciplined shouts echoing in the small village outside Hafenstadt. In the afternoons and nights, Jamie would tend to the tavern while some patrolled their territory.

The routines gave a semblance of normalcy, a steady cadence in a world that was any...

I'll Be The Red Ranger - Chapter 191: Damian & Darius

- Oliver -

[Blue Crystal - Activate]

In an instant, his armor materialized around him.

"Are you insane?" Damian shouted, his eyes wide with disbelief upon seeing Oliver disrespect the Empire’s command. "We were given explicit orders not to activate them!"

He stared at Oliver, confusion etched across his face. Before he could react further, Oliver moved with blinding speed, a blur of motion enhanced by the suit's capabilities.

In a heartbeat, O...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 53: Guild Leader

For the next hour, Jamie meticulously recounted every detail of their harrowing expedition.

The Guild Leader sat regally behind her ornate desk carved from dark oak, her piercing eyes fixed unblinkingly on Jamie. She was an imposing figure, a tall woman with a commanding presence. Her hair was a cascade of silvery strands that framed her sharp features. Most striking was her leonine tail, which swayed gently behind her chair, the tufted end flicking subtly as she listened. Her expressio...

I'll Be The Red Ranger - Chapter 190: The Orders

- Oliver -

As they exited the laboratory, the massive doors swung shut behind them with a resonant clang that echoed throughout the underground facility.

Ahead, emerging from the same path they have taken, ten figures approached. Oliver squinted, trying to discern their features through the half-light. Though he couldn't identify each face, the newcomers bore the same emblematic hourglass insignias of the Children of the Past.

"Leader, the transmission base...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 52: Mercenary Guild

With their companions released to rest after the expedition, only this final task remained.

 As Jamie and Thomas stepped out of the Golden Fiddle, the midday sun hung high in the sky, casting brilliant light across the bustling streets of Hafenstadt. Despite the early hour, fatigue tugged at their limbs.

As they approached the Commercial Quarter, they were welcomed by the sounds and scents of the city. Vendors called out, hawking wares. The aroma of fresh bread mingled with t...

I'll Be The Red Ranger - Chapter 189: The Lab

- Oliver -

"Besides, our objective at this moment is closer," he explained. "Our first objective is the original laboratory where the Nameless were created."

Unlike the other installations scattered throughout the subterranean complex, the laboratories were easily reachable on foot without needing transport. However, the path to it was fraught with danger. Soldiers patrolled the area relentlessly, their silhouettes moving methodically against the harsh glow of ind...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 51: The Bonus

‘Yes,’ Jamie sighed, gazing into the crackling embers of the dying fire. ‘Perhaps it's her way of saying, “I know who you are.”’

The ethereal cat perched beside him, tilted his head inquisitively, his luminous eyes reflecting the flicker of the flames. "What do you mean, she knows who you are?" he asked.

‘‘Beer’ is the original name of the drink,’ Jamie explained quietly, his thoughts turning over the implications. ‘Anyone from my world would recognize it. Us...

I'll Be The Red Ranger - Chapter 188: Invasion

- Oliver -

Lian's voice rang out one final time. "Forward! Together, we will bring down the Empire!"

As his words reverberated, the massive metal gates groaned to life. Their rusted hinges protested as they peeled open, revealing the sprawling streets of Seoul beyond. A cold wind swept in, carrying with it the distant sounds of the NEA base, alarms blaring, mechs whirring, and the hum of drones patrolling the skies.

An electric surge rippled through the crow...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 50: The Message

"Thomas," Jamie called out, turning his gaze toward him. "Do you know how to extract the crystal?"

Thomas shook his head, a hint of regret in his eyes. "I don't. I've never actually been out in the field for that," he admitted.

"I do," Camille interjected softly, raising her hand. "During the war, there were times we had to eliminate Monster Crystals."

A flicker of relief crossed Jamie's face. "Excellent. Camille, you'll handle the crystal." He turned to the others, his voic...

I'll Be The Red Ranger - Chapter 187: The University

- Oliver -

With the message sent, Oliver left the bar.

Unhurried, he ascended from the subterranean levels to the main district of Selene. The once-vibrant lunar metropolis felt subdued. The usual sounds of casinos, drunks, and parties were dampened.

Strolling through the winding avenues, Oliver glanced occasionally at his communicator, hoping for a response from Nico. The silence was both a relief and a source of anxiety. He knew time zones were convoluted...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 49: Burn!

Thomas PoV

Thomas crouched low, his knee pressed firmly against the earth. His gaze was fixed intently on the clearing ahead, where shadows danced among the towering silhouettes of trolls. The creatures lumbered about, unaware of the impending peril.

With Jamie and Aldwin having slipped around to the far side to ignite the fire, Thomas had lost sight of them, the thick underbrush and undulating terrain obscuring his view. Minutes stretched like hours as he and his...

I'll Be The Red Ranger - Chapter 186: The Card

- Oliver -

‘I need to warn him,’ Oliver thought, the realization jolting him into action. He rose swiftly from the hotel bed.

But as he prepared to move, his gaze fell upon the sleek gauntlet encasing his forearm. The device that connected him to the NET. He hesitated, a knot of apprehension tightening in his stomach. Pacing the length of the room, he mulled over the possibilities.

‘If I send him an obvious message, they'll have access,’ he mused sil...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 48: Bold & Reckless

Thomas met Jamie's gaze, the gravity in his eyes leaving no room for doubt. "Zero," he stated bluntly.

Jamie stood silent for a moment, the weight of the scenario settling heavily upon his shoulders. The forest around them was unnaturally still.

"Let's fall back," Jamie decided, his voice firm yet hushed. Without hesitation, they retreated several hundred meters, moving swiftly but cautiously through the dense underbrush until they reached a secluded spot where they could speak fr...

I'll Be The Red Ranger - Chapter 185: Infiltration Status

 - Dante -

Dante's grin stretched from ear to ear, a rare display of unrestrained satisfaction that lit up his face. The success was palpable. Five out of the six Rangers had managed to infiltrate the organization. At last, he had concrete results to present, something tangible to silence the skeptics who had doubted him. The prospect of vindication was sweet, and he relished the thought of proving them all wrong.

As soon as the Rangers had delivered their re...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 47: The Crystal

"I've found it!" Jay exclaimed triumphantly. "Fire and acid are a troll's weaknesses. But you can also kill them by severing their head!"

As Jay continued his excited revelation, Bertram and Aldwin collapsed onto the forest floor, gasping for breath. Their chests heaved as they tried to steady their racing hearts, the adrenaline of battle slowly ebbing away.

Thomas stood nearby, his stance vigilant and eyes sharp as he scanned the surrounding woods for any additional threats. ...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 46: Firebreath

From the dense foliage, an entire tree hurtled toward them, uprooted and flung as if it were nothing more than a twig.

"Take cover!" Jamie shouted, diving to the side.

The massive trunk crashed down amidst the five companions, exploding upon impact and sending shards of wood and showers of leaves in every direction. Jamie threw himself to the ground, rolling to avoid the splintering branches that whipped past him, narrowly escaping being crushed or impaled. The ground trembled ben...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 45: At The First Dawn

As the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, the five companions gathered once more in the familiar clearing near the southern village of Hafenstadt. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew-kissed grass and the distant murmur of the sea.

Jamie and Thomas stood side by side, clad in their usual attire: worn boots, sturdy trousers, tunics, and a simple leather armor. Today's only difference was the larger backpacks slung over their shoulders, packed with provisions and e...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 44: A New Player

Maria von Hafenstadt PoV

Within the imposing walls of Hafenstadt lay a district reserved exclusively for the nobility, a secluded neighborhood of grandeur and opulence where the city's elite resided in their mansions. Each noble family possessed their own castles or fortresses scattered across the empire, symbols of their power and influence. Yet, they often returned to the bustling metropolis when affairs of state called or when they sought to engage in the intricate d...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 43: First Mission

At his command, Bertram and Camille stepped forward into the heart of the clearing. The area was a natural arena, surrounded by towering oak and ash trees whose branches intertwined overhead. The scent of earth and leaves filled the air.

Jamie, Thomas, and Aldwin settled themselves on the soft grass at the edge of the clearing, their gazes fixed intently on the pair. A quiet hush fell over the group as the combatants prepared themselves.

Bertram adjusted his grip on a sturdy woode...

I'll Be The Red Ranger - Chapter 184: Warn Him

- Oliver -

“Welcome to the Children of the Past”

Oliver stared at the metallic card. The words seemed to etch themselves into his mind. His fingers trembled as he gripped the card tighter, knuckles whitening. The world around him blurred, and a sudden weakness overtook him. His legs buckled, unable to support himself, he sank slowly to the dusty floor.

Silence enveloped him. The subterranean chamber was empty save for the sounds of the street above. No v...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 42: Training

"Excuse me, but I must ask. Where might one purchase a barrel of this beverage?"

Jamie looked up from his conversation with Thomas. They had been huddled over a corner table, discussing the next steps for their new recruits.

At the entrance stood a woman, her figure framed by the sturdy doorway of the tavern. She wore a dress adorned with delicate floral patterns, the fabric swaying gently as she moved further inside. There was an elegance to her, poise in the way she held herself...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 41: Beer

"Hardly," Jamie quipped, a grin spreading across his face. "You still need to taste our first batch of beer. Come on!"

With the sun already dipping low in the sky, Jamie and Thomas began their leisurely stroll back toward the tavern.

Julie, Thomas's bright-eyed daughter, walked between them, her small hand nestled securely in her father's. Above them, Jay—the dumb cat—hovered playfully. He weaved through the air with effortless grace, occasionally darting ahead only to circle ...

I'll Be The Red Ranger - Chapter 183: Welcome!

 - Oliver -

‘What is this place?’ he thought, a profound sense of dread settling into his bones.

"Tim, do you copy?" Martin spoke, pressing the communicator attached to his collar.

"Loud and clear," Tim's voice crackled through the device.

"I'm taking the newbie to the loading and unloading area. There's some product scheduled to depart shortly. It's good for him to see how it all works. Who knows, maybe the military will finally start paying ...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 40: The Brothers

"Vengeance, huh?" Jamie mused aloud, his gaze steady upon her. A faint smile played on his lips, bridging the distance between skepticism and intrigue. "I can work with that." He extended his hand toward her, his fingers open and inviting.

Camille hesitated, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Wait... you're not even going to ask me about my Class?" she queried. Jamie could perceive a swirl of emotions crossing her delicate features. Surprise, doubt, perhaps even mistrust. It was clea...