Gloom 4

A Secret Vow

lvl 70 Overlay lvl 1

The boy would always make sure that his gloves and elbow guards were in good shape before leaving. He treasured his gloves more than anything because they were tight enough to hide secrets. With this layer of protection, no one could see the bandages on his hand and the wound beneath them. He would be treated as if he was normal, and he would be greeted just like everyone else. That was all he asked for.

Past and Future

lvl 60 Overlay lvl 1

The wings of the paper kite in her hands were broken, brutally reminding her of her beloved's tragic passing. She kneeled next to the fire of war, eyes full of sorrow. "If you are the only one left to do this, then our sacrifice would..." Gunfire raged on, painting the sky red without dampening its majesty. She looked up at the sky, eyes full of fury.

The Great Cosmic Enterprise

lvl 70 Overlay lvl 1

In a virtual exhibition hall sculpted from data, the exhibition representatives exchanged opinions. Two figures moved between the booths, delivering everything needed by each party. "Hmm, are you...?" "I've seen you on TV." They talked about games, food, each other's morphologies, and all the beautiful things in the universe. Though their meetings were few and far between, they were as close as old friends— "By the way, have you thought about my proposal..." "The Express is not for sale!"

Baptism of Pure Thought

lvl 80 Overlay lvl 1

The afternoon sunshine is just right, and the floral scents fill the air. Though he tries to keep his thoughts pure, cognitive stagnancy inevitably attracts particulates of mind like gathered dust. "Healing one's thoughts is just as vital as the maintenance of one's health." The fools' clamoring fades alongside fatigue as he sinks into the water, letting all thoughts loose, his mind elucidated and ordered. "Truth eludes all filths, accepting only those of pure thoughts."

Geniuses' Repose

lvl 70 Overlay lvl 1

She pointed at that green rice cake. "The experiment has ended. Time to take a break. I just can't miss this freshly made dessert." She saw the puppet girl frowning in deep thought. "Well, in your current body, you can only look but not eat. I'll make you a box of new ones when the time comes." She saw the mechanical aristocrat hesitating at his own cup. "Don't worry. It's only machine oil. Perfectly safe for you to consume."

Long May Rainbows Adorn the Sky

lvl 70 Overlay lvl 1

"Emotions are like clouds, and we are the sky that carries them. If the sky is overcast, then our emotions will fluctuate all over." The physician listens with care to the visitor's sorrows, offering words of gentle solace. "Please close your eyes and breathe slowly... Imagine yourself in a warm and soft place..." As if infused with magic, a seven-colored rainbow radiance spills from beneath the wings of the winged beast. "A breeze would drift across the plains, carrying the fragrance of wildflowers. Moist clouds would pass by, laden with sunlight..." The visitor gradually sinks into a peaceful dream, responding only with the quiet rhythm of steady breaths. After seeing the last patient, the physician gently closes the door of the ward. In the distance, the boundless evernight still surges, with many ruins standing like the scars of the earth. "In the next life, may dawn shine upon all..." Before departing, she makes a wish to the sky — "May the sky forever hold that rainbow radiance."

Dance! Dance! Dance!

lvl 60 Overlay lvl 1

"Why couldn't Hook do a spinning dance move, just like how Clara does?" She clenched her tiny fists and pouted her cute lips, her chubby little face looking redder than ever under her signature felt hat. "Please, Mr. Svarog, can you please help Hook with this?" Without saying any words, Mr. Svarog began to hold out his robotic arm. "I'm g—gonna be sick!!! Put me down now! Please!"

Trend of the Universal Market

lvl 50 Overlay lvl 1

The planet is receiving a revaluation... "Will this project show that it's mutually beneficial to collect any outstanding debts?" "But we only need to convey one message — our existence." "If it were to have a value of its own, then it must create value for the corporation."

Victory In a Blink

lvl 60 Overlay lvl 1

The Titankins' all-consuming roars sweep across the battlefield. Two lightning-quick figures slaughter their way out of combat. "I alone will be enough to handle them." Every punch unleashed by the warrior sends spears of blood through the bodies of the enemy. "Brute force and nothing more. Watch my blade!" As a blade of pale silver slices in a curve, monsters drop like falling leaves. "A contest of speed?" The two charge at the other side simultaneously. Howls of anguish sound as the stealthy beasts behind them are struck down at once. Two voices can be heard at the same time. "That was my kill!"

Cruising in the Stellar Sea

lvl 70 Overlay lvl 1

Coursing 'tween the sea of stars, THEY cruise with the speed of a rainbow's chromatic flash. A journey of hunting undying abominations, collecting cures and miracles, and seeking deliverance. Akin to a vow unbroken, THEIR voyage will be, ad infinitum.

The Seriousness of Breakfast

lvl 70 Overlay lvl 1

Though the table is set... Some people want a cup of tea first. Some people want to take a picture first. Some people want to read the newspaper first. Some people want to write a page in their notebook first. Some people want to play on their phone first. "All of you, eat while the food is hot!"

What Is Real?

lvl 70 Overlay lvl 1

"If all the clocks are displaying the wrong time..." "If those bound to promises fulfilled their vows through betrayal..." "If those who sink into the realm of dreams never truly fell asleep..." "If the dead return to life, only to discover their names have been stripped..." "If... if..." He blows out the flame, and in darkness, there is but the eternal ticking of the timepiece.

River Flows in Spring

lvl 60 Overlay lvl 1

The young boy took a short break from his sword practice. The sunlight was baking his already heated neck. He slowly got into the water, whose coldness touched his bare feet. When the bell chimes and birds tweet, even the people far away would know that springtime had arrived.

Perfect Timing

lvl 40 Overlay lvl 1

On a bustling street, he walks and walks. The sunlight closely follows his footsteps. He makes a stop and picks up an umbrella to shade himself from the sun ...and from that prying gaze.

Resolution Shines As Pearls of Sweat

lvl 60 Overlay lvl 1

The limelight cast on the boxing ring is bright, but no brighter than all those beads of sweat running down his back. He has long been determined to use his two fists to protect those he cherishes the most. After all, they are the ones who ignited his determination in the first place. They are the ones who have always been there for him, be it inside or outside the boxing ring.

Time Waits for No One

lvl 60 Overlay lvl 1

She had spent many days next to the window. Flowers were blooming outside when she made gentle medicines with mint and nepeta. Rain was falling outside when she made strong medicines with mosla and ginger. Leaves were falling outside when she made sour medicines with peony roots and dry plums. And snow was falling outside when she made bitter medicines with skullcaps and anemarrhena. Time flows endlessly, but this window and the person sitting next to it remain forever the same.

Indelible Promise

lvl 60 Overlay lvl 1

A weathered past. A sworn duty to defend home. A dream to blaze a trail across the world— These were entrusted to the unworldly youth by a pair of rough, calloused hands. "Soon, we'll be able to go to a larger world." The boy happily accepted his inheritance. Guarded by youth, he could not yet feel the weight born by the object's significance. "Of course. Before that time comes, however, guard this place well, Misha." He thus engraved that promise deep inside his heart, holding to it forever and always.

A Secret Vow

lvl 1 Overlay lvl 1

The boy would always make sure that his gloves and elbow guards were in good shape before leaving. He treasured his gloves more than anything because they were tight enough to hide secrets. With this layer of protection, no one could see the bandages on his hand and the wound beneath them. He would be treated as if he was normal, and he would be greeted just like everyone else. That was all he asked for.

Dance! Dance! Dance!

lvl 70 Overlay lvl 1

"Why couldn't Hook do a spinning dance move, just like how Clara does?" She clenched her tiny fists and pouted her cute lips, her chubby little face looking redder than ever under her signature felt hat. "Please, Mr. Svarog, can you please help Hook with this?" Without saying any words, Mr. Svarog began to hold out his robotic arm. "I'm g—gonna be sick!!! Put me down now! Please!"

The Seriousness of Breakfast

lvl 60 Overlay lvl 1

Though the table is set... Some people want a cup of tea first. Some people want to take a picture first. Some people want to read the newspaper first. Some people want to write a page in their notebook first. Some people want to play on their phone first. "All of you, eat while the food is hot!"

Eyes of the Prey

lvl 1 Overlay lvl 1

In reality, most prey don't realize when danger is encroaching. This one's no exception. The sniper's scope slowly centers on a man throwing banknotes stack after stack, who seems completely oblivious to his impending demise. "So that's what greed looks like. That amount is equal to several of my contracts already... No wonder someone wants him dead." As if these thoughts were broadcasted out loud, the man in the scope turns his head, looking straight into the eyes of the sniper. "I've been waiting for you. Would this much be enough for you to hear me out?"