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rurann · 3 months ago

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Ruthless x Empathetic (Geshu Lin x Reader)

Chapters:

Next: Chapter Two

Tag list

Summary:

All you wanted was to help the wounded, to be a healer in a chaotic world. But after a fateful encounter with the cold and feared General Geshu Lin, your life takes a dark turn as he becomes dangerously obsessed with you.

[I made this because of the lack of Geshu Lin fanfics!]

Tags: Explicit

Love Triangles, Obsession, Obsessive Behavior, Stalking, General x Medic, Yandere Geshu Lin

[Tags will be updated as the story goes but I intend to have this story rated Explicit.]

Chapter One

The Ruthless General

Your dream was to heal as many people as you could. You had witnessed your older brother take his last agonizing breath in the clinic, and since then, you harbored the dream to become a medic and bring recovery to everyone.

It was probably due to your immense determination towards your goal that you soon became blessed with a Tacet mark and the Glacio attribute at a very young age. By the time you reached your older teenage years, you became a well-known, reliable medic in Jinzhou. This popularity aided you in getting a spot among the Midnight Rangers. As soon as you reached eighteen, you received the military letter of recommendation.

After undergoing the necessary programs, you were finally thrust into the real, harsh battlefield as a rearguard, a combat unit specializing in healing the wounded.

Wounded soldiers, who had faced the gruesome Tacet Discords in Norfall Barrens, came rushing into your tent. Each of them elicited their own noises of pain - either by grunting, groaning, screaming or wailing. You had seen and heard it all. It reminded you of your dear big brother.

After numerous waves of TDs, it finally stopped. All of you were given a chance to rest at the main base in Desorock Highland.

You dragged yourself to refill your bottle with water somewhere in the base. You almost chugged everything in that bottle in one drink. It finally dawned on you that you were sweating lightly all over.

“You may take a full rest if you need to.”

The masculine voice staggered you out of a trance. You looked over to see it was a man with rather long teal hair, tied high in a ponytail. You recognized him in an instant.

Jiyan. He was one year older than you, and he was very wise in your eyes. He impressed you so much at first sight. He was still a young adult and he already joined the Midnight Rangers as a doctor. His medical prowess and knowledge were astounding as well. He helped you a lot during your training as a newly enlisted soldier. It was safe to say that he was your mentor when it comes to medical subjects.

“Oh, Jiyan, it’s you…” you let out a sigh. You refilled the bottle again and addressed him. “I’m doing fine. How about you?”

He approached you calmly, his teal eyes soft with concern. “I've been through worse. But you… you've been working nonstop since we arrived. Even healers need to rest.”

You gave a small nod, though your mind was still racing with images of the wounded soldiers. “I know, but… I can’t. Some of them were so close. If I hadn’t…”

You trailed off, gripping the bottle tighter as your knuckles turned white.

Jiyan placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder. His grip was very gentle, the same way he’d guided you through your toughest moments during training. “You did more than enough. You’ve saved lives today. That's what matters.”

You glanced up at him, the tension in your chest loosening slightly. His presence was like a calming wind, as it had always been. Still, the weight of responsibility pressed down on you, relentless. “I suppose… but it's hard to shake off these images…”

Jiyan gave you a small smile. “That's the burden of a healer. You feel every loss as if it's your own, but you mustn’t forget the ones you saved. You need to take care of yourself, too. Otherwise, how will you keep saving others?”

You stared at him for a moment before sighing, your shoulders finally relaxing. “Yeah, you’re right.”

Other than being a knowledgeable medical healer, Jiyan proved to know how to get someone’s spirits up as well. As you watched him walk away, his words lingered in your mind, offering a sense of reassurance that you didn’t know you needed. He had a way of grounding you, reminding you of the balance between healing others and caring for yourself. You felt the tension in your body ease a little more, and for the first time since the battle ended, you walked with the weight on your chest lightened.

You went back to your tent and took the time to clean up and prepare for what little rest you could get. As you scrubbed away the grime of battle, you felt the tension in your body slowly ease, and for the first time in hours, you felt a glimmer of peace.

“General Geshu Lin!”

The sudden call outside snapped you out of your thoughts. You peered out of the tent to see a figure approaching—the renowned General of the Midnight Rangers, Geshu Lin. His presence commanded the space around him, with his flowing white hair and sharp amber eyes that seemed to cut through anyone who dared meet them. The subtle scar that crossed his lips only enhanced the intensity of his expression. Dressed in his signature black uniform, he was a striking figure, one that demanded both respect and fear.

The atmosphere shifted the moment he arrived. The rangers in the camp stood straighter, their expressions turning tense. Even the wounded seemed to gather some strength, driven by the authority that surrounded him.

“General,” one of the rangers stepped forward with a hesitant but respectful tone, “the Tacet Discord attacks have weakened significantly. What are your next orders, sir?”

Geshu Lin stopped in his tracks, his sharp gaze surveying the area before finally resting on the ranger who had spoken. His shadow loomed over them, casting a cold and imposing aura.

“We will seize this opportunity to strike them while their numbers are diminished,” he said, his voice as steady as it was commanding. “Prepare everyone within fifteen minutes.”

Your heart dropped at his words. The idea of going back into battle so soon, after barely having the chance to rest, sent a wave of dread crashing through you. As if reading your thoughts, another ranger dared to voice the concern on everyone’s minds.

“But, sir, many of us are still recovering. We’ve barely had a moment to rest.”

Geshu Lin’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with a cold edge that silenced any further complaints. His gaze cut through the ranger who had spoken as he replied, “If you value Jinzhou and your families, you will not question my commands. The enemy will not wait for us to recover. We must stand tall against all threats, no matter the cost.”

A few of the rangers straightened, their fear replaced by a grim sense of duty.

“Yes, sir!” they answered in unison.

You swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words settle heavily in your chest. The call to battle had always been relentless, but with Geshu Lin leading, there was no room for hesitation. His resolve was as unwavering as the cold steel of his broad blade.

You and the other rearguard rangers sprang into action, accelerating your efforts to heal the wounded with a newfound urgency. Every second mattered now. The faster you worked, the sooner the vanguard rangers could press forward under General Geshu Lin’s command.

In no time, the vanguard rangers stood in formation behind the general, their faces set with grim determination. You watched from the side, heart heavy with unspoken prayers for their safety as they marched deeper into the Norfall Barrens. The barren wasteland seemed to swallow them whole, a black abyss that held nothing but danger. You could only hope that every single one of them would return.

As the vanguard disappeared from sight, you hurried back to your tent, located in a safe zone at the edge of the barrens. This area had been reclaimed just days ago, a hard-fought victory led by General Geshu Lin and the Midnight Rangers against a seemingly endless army of Tacet Discords. You prepared yourself for the inevitable—more wounded would be coming soon.

Minutes later, the first wave of injured rangers arrived at your tent. Bloodied and bruised, they stumbled in, collapsing onto the makeshift beds. You didn’t hesitate. With your Resonance abilities, you quickly got to work, healing torn flesh, mending broken bones, and soothing the aches that came from battle. But as you worked, you overheard bits of conversation from the injured, and your heart sank.

“They ambushed us,” one soldier muttered weakly, his voice trembling. “Came from every direction the moment we entered the deeper territory…”

“They were waiting for us,” another added, his eyes wide with fear. “We didn’t stand a chance.”

But what struck you most was the mention of Geshu Lin. The soldiers spoke of him with awe and… resentment. They recounted how he had single-handedly cut through half of the Tacet Discords in a single swing of his broadblade. His power was unparalleled, but he kept rushing forward. He did not glance at his soldiers as he advanced ruthlessly. Tears fell from the eyes of some as they recalled comrades who had fallen, struck down before they could even raise their weapons in defense.

Your hands moved faster, desperate to heal them all, to keep them alive so they wouldn’t be added to the growing list of casualties. Exhaustion began to claw at you, each burst of healing taking a little more out of you. Your arms felt heavy, and your vision blurred, but you couldn’t stop. No. Not yet. You mustn’t faint when everyone is relying on you.

The last ranger staggered out of your tent, his wounds healed, and you slumped against the side of the cot. Just as you were about to call for backup, your Terminal beeped. A message flashed across the screen: Mission success. We’ve reclaimed a large territory in Norfall Barrens. Casualties are heavy, but we’re retreating.

Relief washed over you, but it was bittersweet. The message confirmed their victory, but also hinted at the price they had paid. You knew you couldn’t relax just yet. There would be more wounded on their way back, and likely more stories of loss.

The relief of victory quickly vanished as you saw the true cost of the battle. As the soldiers returned to the base at Desorock Highland, their weary, hollow expressions told the story of a pyrrhic triumph. There were no celebrations, no cheers of success—only the quiet murmur of soldiers, weighed down by exhaustion and loss.

You moved quickly through the base, checking on the survivors as they trudged back from the battlefield. But as you passed by groups of rangers, you couldn’t help but overhear the low voices filled with bitterness.

“It’s the general, you know...”

“Yeah, he just charged forward, slaying monsters like nothing, but he didn’t even glance at us. We were left to deal with the Tacet Discords coming from all sides.”

“I don’t care what anyone else thinks. He’s the reason we lost so many this time.”

You swallowed hard, the murmurs sinking into your bones. It wasn’t the first time you’d heard whispers like this about Geshu Lin. His reputation was as cold as the steel of his broadblade. A ruthless leader, famed for his unmatched power on the battlefield, but infamous for his lack of concern for his comrades. Many admired his strength, but few respected the way he wielded it—without mercy, without hesitation, even if it meant his soldiers paid the ultimate price.

No one dared to voice these complaints openly, though. Despite the casualties, despite his seemingly callous leadership, General Geshu Lin was the strongest Resonator in the Midnight Rangers. He alone had faced and obliterated the Tacet Fields and Overlord Discords that would have otherwise wiped out entire battalions. His power was undeniable, and the Rangers needed him—even if it meant enduring his relentless, unyielding command.

That’s when you heard your name called sharply, breaking through your thoughts. You turned to see a familiar figure approaching—Changmin, a seasoned rearguard ranger. He was easily twenty years your senior, his graying hair and weathered face telling the story of decades spent in the field.

“The general is injured. I need you to heal him pronto,” Changmin said urgently as soon as you reached him.

Your heart skipped a beat at the request.

“General Geshu Lin?” you asked, and then you realized how dumb you might sound.

Changmin confirmed with a firm nod. “I saw it myself. A deep cut on his left arm. But, as usual, he’s refusing treatment.”

Standing beside Changmin, another senior ranger chimed in with a sigh, “He insists he’s fine. Says he doesn’t need any assistance. It might be hard for her to heal him without his consent.”

Changmin's brow furrowed deeply, frustration was evident in the creases of his weathered face. “He always refuses help. But have you seen the wound? If it isn’t treated properly, it’ll just add to the many scars he already has.”

The other ranger let out a weary sigh before looking at you. “Just do your best to convince him. If he still refuses… well, maybe he prefers handling his injuries alone.”

You nodded, feeling a growing unease in the pit of your stomach. The thought of approaching Geshu Lin, someone who exuded both power and distance, was daunting. You imagined him yelling at you the moment you stepped foot in his tent.

As you made your way toward Geshu Lin's command tent, the soldiers gave you wary looks, likely surprised to see you headed in that direction. It wasn’t often that anyone approached the general for anything outside of official orders.

When you arrived at the entrance, you hesitated for a brief moment, gathering your resolve. Then, with a steadying breath, you stepped inside.

The tent was sparsely lit, the faint glow of lanterns casting long shadows across the room. And there, seated at a makeshift desk, was Geshu Lin himself. His back was to you, but you could see the tension in his posture, the way his left arm hung stiffly by his side, the bloodied bandages around it doing little to hide the extent of the damage.

“General,” you called softly, your voice barely breaking the silence.

He turned slightly, his amber eyes locking onto yours with an intensity that made your heart race. For a moment, neither of you spoke. You could feel the weight of his gaze, sharp and assessing, as though he could see straight through you.

“I was told you’re injured,” you said, trying to keep your voice steady. “Please allow me to help you.”

“Go back to your station,” he replied coldly, turning back to his desk.

You threw a short glance at the bloodied bandage on his arm and said, “Respectfully sir, I can heal your wound almost instantly. It will take only thirty seconds.”

In his deep voice, the general replied, “Do not waste your medical equipment on me. I can do it myself.”

“I am a Resonator with healing Glacio abilities, sir,” you informed him. “I can heal you without any tools. It will only take seconds.”

He fell silent and for a moment, you thought he would refuse again. Then, to your surprise, he turned to face you fully. His eyes scrutinized you as if trying to gauge the degree of your determination. His gaze was intimidating, an invisible force that made you feel vulnerable under his scrutiny.

He spoke, “I don’t see a Tacet Mark on you.”

You got shy right away. Oh, so he was looking for my Tacet Mark.

With your eyes looking to the side, you answered with a pale blush, “I have one, but it’s just hidden under this uniform.”

“Your abilities can be better used on anyone else,” the general said dismissively, either ignoring your sudden bashfulness or not noticing it.

Feeling fed up by his stubbornness, you retorted, “Please, general. I insist.”

Then, there was a long moment of silence as he narrowed his eyes at you. The silence made you realize how rude you might sound. Uh oh, was I being forceful? Did I sound disobedient to him?

His eyes were like orbs of glacial fire, unyielding and fierce. With every passing second, your heart pounded against your chest. You couldn’t hear anything, not even the hustle and bustle outside of this camp, except for your own heartbeats.

“Fine,” Geshu Lin suddenly spoke up. “You have one minute.”

The relief washed over you like a wave, followed instantly by nervousness. Healing the general was not a small task, but doing so under his watchful gaze? That was a whole new level of pressure.

You moved swiftly, standing by his side, and began to inspect the wound. As you peeled back the bandages, you saw the deep gash—far worse than he had let on. You closed your eyes, took a deep breath to compose yourself and then began. Time seemed to still around you as you focused all your energy on the task at hand.

Summoning your Resonance ability, you felt the characteristic Glacio coldness spreading through your veins, reaching your fingertips and palm. You placed your palm on that large gash. A pale blue glow enveloping your hands illuminated the night air around you.

You observed as your Resonance skill utilized Glacio properties to heal the gash. The general would have surely felt the intense cold, but he remained stoic, his attention solely on your healing abilities.

The wound slowly began to close; the torn flesh seemingly stitching itself back together under the icy, healing touch of your hand. It was a spectacle that would have induced gasps from the onlookers, had there been any. But at that moment, it was just you and the general.

Suddenly, you felt a twinge of pain zip through your head. You barely winced, trying to withstand the pain so as not to alert the general. It was a side effect of intensive healing you had been doing that day - a reminder of the power you were wielding and the toll it took on your body.

“Enough,” Geshu Lin commanded out of the blue. Apparently, your wince did not go unnoticed.

He withdrew his arm away from your hold. You noticed the bright glow of your Glacio connecting from your palm to the gash on his arm, and you saw it stretched to nothingness as the general pulled away more and more.

You looked directly into his eyes, and in this close proximity, it looked as if you were scowling at him. You persisted with a tiny firm tone in your voice, “I am fine, general.”

You paused to grab hold of his arm and pulled it back to the previous spot where you could see it clearly between you two. You said, “It’s about to finish, so please do not move.”

The general’s brows furrowed in anger and you quickly averted your gaze to the gash. The Glacio properties were glowing and reconnecting your palm to the wound. It resumed its healing progress steadily.

Meanwhile, you began to feel intense warmth under the general’s intense glare. You could sense his burning stare. You could feel it burning a hole through your skull. Apparently, he was unamused by how forceful you were.

You couldn’t help but feel a wave of fear under his icy cold glare.

“Insolent,” you heard him murmur, but he made no move to withdraw his arm.

In your mind, you thanked the Sentinels above that he did not yell at you and kick you out of his tent. With that, you focused back on your Resonance skill.

In the dimly lit tent belonged to the general, the two of you were standing there closely with him leaning slightly on the makeshift table. He held his arm in the air between the both of you, and you had one hand holding his arm steady from below and another hand hovering over his wound, connecting your healing Glacio properties to his injury. You two were so close to each other, yet you both only focused on the healing process.

You channeled the last rush of your Resonance skill toward the wound. The flesh knit together faster under your touch, and within moments all that was left was a pale line where the deep gash had once been. The glow subsided around your hands, and you took a step back, pulling back both of your hands.

The general raised his arm close to his eyes, scrutinizing the healed injury. You clarified, “It is done. The pale line will fade away in a few hours, sir.”

Geshu Lin remained silent, his gaze still focused on his healed arm. A range of emotions flickered in his eyes, but not one of them was decipherable. It was as if you were looking at a painting crafted by a masterful artist who wove shades of emotions on a canvas too complex to discern.

The silence stretched on as Geshu Lin examined his arm. You stood there, your hands clasped tightly in front of you, unsure whether you should say something or simply leave. The tent felt stifling, the air thick with unspoken tension. For a moment, you wondered if he would dismiss you without a word, if all your effort to heal him would pass unacknowledged.

Finally, Geshu Lin lowered his arm, his sharp amber eyes locking onto yours once more. The intensity in his gaze hadn't lessened, and it dawned on you that perhaps you had overstepped by being persistent like a fly and grabbing his arm as if they were friends. You internally cringed.

“You’re persistent,” he said, his voice low but carrying the weight of an unspoken challenge.

Your pulse quickened, but you met his gaze with as much steadiness as you could muster. “I am here to do my duty, general. Whether it's healing you or the soldiers, I won’t back down from what’s necessary.”

For a brief moment, you thought you saw the corner of his mouth twitch—almost a smile, but it disappeared just as quickly as it came. Geshu Lin stepped away from the table, rolling his newly healed arm with a precision that spoke to the countless battles he'd endured.

“You’re bold,” he added, this time with a hint of something like approval in his tone. “Most wouldn’t dare speak to me the way you just did.”

You gulped down nervously. It had occurred to you once again that your persistence, bordering on defiance, might have come across as insubordination. Your heart raced again. You half-expected him to file a harsh complaint about you to a senior rearguard member of Midnight Rangers.

“If I overstepped…” you began, but he raised a hand, silencing you.

“You did what needed to be done. That’s more than I can say for most.”

He turned his back to you, his long white hair flowed briefly with his movement. For a moment, you thought he was dismissing you non-verbally. But then you noticed him turn his head to the side, indicating that he still wanted to address you.

“You fought me today,” he said, not looking back. “But don’t make a habit of it.”

There was no malice in his words, but the warning was clear. He would tolerate your defiance this time, perhaps even respect it. But that respect was something you’d have to navigate carefully.

“Yes, sir,” you replied softly, feeling utterly relieved.

The general turned his head to the front and said, “You are dismissed.”

With that, you bowed your head, turned and left. The rush of the past few moments finally caught up to you, and your knees almost wobbled as you rushed back into your tent. You zipped the tent fully closed and sat down, catching your breath, the weight of the interaction settling on your shoulders.

The general was unlike anyone you had ever encountered. His power, his cold demeanor, the way he seemed to carry the weight of the entire world on his back—it was overwhelming. You could understand why no one dared to lash out at him about his ruthless behavior on the battlefield. He was ruthless to the enemies and, according to the soldiers, also ruthless and uncaring to his allies if he felt they were too slow. And yet, he was okay with you. You had definitely overstepped your boundaries, but he disregarded it. Why?

As you sat there, catching your breath, a thought began to form in your mind. Maybe, just maybe, there was a reason behind Geshu Lin’s relentless nature—something that drove him to push others and himself beyond their limits.

But for now, you allowed yourself a moment of rest. Perhaps you were just lucky to escape his wrath unscathed. And hopefully, that would be your last interaction with him. You hoped so. You couldn’t deal with this kind of stress and nervousness again in your life. No way. That fear of overstepping your boundaries to a general was too much for you. All you wanted was to heal everyone.

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rurann · 2 months ago

Text

Ruthless x Empathetic (Geshu Lin x Reader)

Chapters:

Previous: Chapter One

Next: Chapter Three

Tag list

Summary:

[I made this because of the lack of Geshu Lin fanfics.]

Tags: Explicit

Love Triangles, Obsession, Obsessive Behavior, Stalking, General x Medic, Yandere Geshu Lin

[Tags will be updated as the story goes but I intend to have this story rated Explicit.]

Chapter Two

Under His Care

The next day began with an uneasy tension gripping your chest as you cautiously approached the base’s cafeteria. The lingering nerves from your interaction with General Geshu Lin the previous evening gnawed at you. You couldn’t get a good night's sleep as you tried to make sense of why it still left you feeling so unsettled. After all, the general hadn’t scolded you or even raised his voice. So why did the mere thought of crossing paths with him again fill you with apprehension?

Well, maybe not apprehension. Maybe you were just too shy to see him after the way you were being persistent with him.

You shook your head, trying to brush off the anxiety as you approached the cafeteria. Peeking around the corner, you scanned the room like a mouse surveying for danger. A few soldiers sat at scattered tables, laughing and eating breakfast as if there wasn’t a war looming over their heads in just a few hours. Everything seemed calm.

But you weren’t looking for just anyone. You searched for the tall, imposing figure with the long white hair. Your heart raced as your eyes flitted over each face, but the cafeteria appeared tranquil. If Geshu Lin had been there, you would have known. The air would be thick with tension, and the soldiers would sit in silence, careful not to draw his attention.

You sighed in relief, stepping out from behind the corner, ready to walk in—

“This is amusing.”

You nearly jumped out of your skin, spinning around so fast you almost lost your balance. Your wide eyes landed on a familiar face, and your heart skipped a beat.

Jiyan’s tall form loomed before you, his expression dripping with amusement. He raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by your reaction. “Didn’t know you were such a jumpy one.”

You let out an exhale of relief. As you tried to compose yourself, you said, “Jiyan, you scared me.”

He chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned casually against the wall. “Looks like you were scouting the cafeteria like you were preparing for battle. Expecting someone?”

Your cheeks flushed, and you quickly looked away, embarrassed at being caught sneaking around like a child. “No, I was just… making sure if there is a good seat.”

The tip of Jiyan’s lips curved in a subtle smile. He pushed himself off of the wall and stepped towards the cafeteria as he told you, “In that case, why don’t we find a table? I hope there is an empty one.”

You finally shook off your nervousness and followed Jiyan into the cafeteria, the breeze of his presence calming your jittery thoughts.

As you both found an empty table near the window, you sat down and tried to relax. After all, you had been so tense recently, caught up in the intensity of your heavy duties. Maybe it was time to loosen up a little.

Jiyan sat across from you. He had a natural ease to him, serious but approachable, as if he could carry the weight of the world without letting it crush him. You admired that about him, though you'd never say it out loud. You’re just getting to know him.

“I couldn’t find the right time to get to know you during the training,” Jiyan began, his voice a low rumble. “I was surprised to see your profile. It says you have just turned eighteen and have gotten your Tacet mark when you were much younger. That’s impressive.”

You averted your gaze bashfully. “I didn’t know they’d put that detail into my profile.”

Jiyan began tearing into his breakfast with his chopsticks. “I apologize if it’s an invasion of privacy to you-”

“It’s alright,” you cut him off with a rueful smile. “Such details might be important to the higher-ups.”

“But the details aren’t that specific,” Jiyan pointed out. “It did not state at what age your Resonance manifested.”

You stared at him in contemplation. “Hmm. I think I was ten when I got it.”

As you finally took the first bite of your breakfast, Jiyan blinked his eyes at you in amazement. “Were you scared?”

You smiled at his thoughtfulness. As you chewed your meal properly, the teal-haired man before you finally had his first bite as well. He made no indication to rush the conversation, even though time was limited for all of you. Not when the war against Tacet Discords was looming over everyone’s head.

“I was frightened,” you stated, gazing at your breakfast. “I couldn’t control my Glacio at that time. I was scared that I would end up freezing my parents in a panic.”

Jiyan stared at you for a long while, chewing his breakfast soundlessly. His silence provided you ample time to respond. “Thankfully, there was another veteran Resonator nearby, and he taught me how to control it.”

“That’s good to hear,” commented Jiyan. “Was that the moment when you finally decided to use your Resonance as a support?”

You nodded your head, although you knew you had dreamt of it even before you got your Tacet mark. “Yeah. It feels nice to see someone you heal get back on their feet. I hope my support as a rearguard contributes greatly to the battlefield.”

Jiyan spoke, “I’m certain it does. Every ranger you tend to will come back to the war stronger. You and the rest of the support help a lot.”

A genuine smile blossomed on your face like a sunflower to the sun. Jiyan never failed to amaze you with his comforting choice of words. Talking with him was so easy and calming. He was like a cool breeze in a warm season.

“You say that as if you’re not a rearguard yourself, Dr. Jiyan,” you teased with a grin.

Jiyan chuckled. “I am just a normal doctor. Compared to a supporting Resonator like you, I am just a normal man.”

You laughed softly at Jiyan's modest words. “A normal doctor who’s highly respected among the Midnight Rangers. I don’t think ‘just a normal man’ fits you very well.”

Jiyan smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “I believe you got the wrong man regarding highly respected. You’re probably referring to General Geshu Lin.”

Something dawned on you the moment the general’s name was mentioned. With your smile slowly dropping, you asked curiously, “I haven’t seen him in the cafeteria yet. Is he always this late to breakfast?”

“He never comes to the cafeteria,” Jiyan apprised. “The cook will prepare breakfast for him at five in the morning, and a ranger will deliver it to the general’s tent.”

Your eyes widened in astonishment. “At five in the morning?”

Jiyan replied, “He usually wakes up early and trains after breakfast at five. Everyone can see him training at a hidden spot just northeast of the base, but no one dared to disturb him.”

Taking in that information, you harrumphed, “Hmm, I see.”

The calmness of the morning was soon replaced by the hum of soldiers preparing for the battle ahead. The cafeteria quickly emptied as the Midnight Rangers moved with purpose, heading toward the central courtyard where everyone was expected to gather. You and Jiyan joined the steady stream of soldiers, and the air grew thick with tension as anticipation for the day’s war against the Tacet Discords loomed overhead.

Once outside, soldiers were lined up in their respective formations. You stood among the rearguards, a smaller group that would stay back to heal and provide support when needed. Despite your efforts to stay calm, your heart thudded in your chest as you looked around. Everyone was so focused. Even the lighthearted conversation you shared with Jiyan earlier now felt like a distant memory, replaced by the cold reality of war.

The moment was broken when you spotted a shift in the crowd. General Geshu Lin had arrived.

Your eyes were instantly drawn and glued to the imposing figure moving through the ranks. There he was – the general himself, tall and commanding, with his long white hair flowing as he walked. His presence rippled through the assembled soldiers, their backs straightening, heads turning as if drawn by an invisible force. The air around him seemed to crackle with tension, and it was clear that even the most battle-hardened rangers were on edge in his presence.

It was hard to comprehend that this was the same man whom you tended to last night. You were being an annoying little medic to him – he even muttered ‘insolent’ to you – and yet he did not chew you out or yell at you for overstepping. It was then you realized that, yes, he was cold and unapproachable, but you had never once seen him raise his voice to anyone. He merely intimidated everyone around him.

Geshu Lin wasted no time. He headed straight for the veterans and battlefield strategists who had already gathered in a small circle nearby. A hologram of a specific spot in Norfall Barrens was prepared beforehand. It appeared that that’s the site where everything would go down. You, standing close enough with the rearguards, couldn’t help but overhear bits of their discussion.

“—Intel confirms their movements near the northern valley. They’ll likely use the terrain to their advantage,” said one of the strategists, his voice clipped and precise.

“The Discords won’t move in a predictable formation,” another chimed in. “They’ve shown signs of erratic behaviour. We need to prepare for an ambush.”

Geshu Lin’s voice cut through the conversation like a blade, calm but with a quiet authority that demanded attention. “They’ll try to flank us at the first opportunity. We’ll divide the forces into two main fronts. One to hold their attention in the valley, and another to sweep in from the east.”

You swallowed hard, absorbing the gravity of the situation. The Tacet Discords were dangerous, unpredictable creatures born from the chaotic disruptions in frequency energy. They appeared to be creatures with nothing on their mind but kill. You had seen some of them before and noticed how mindless they behaved. Annihilation was the only thing in their head.

As the discussion continued, another veteran spoke up. “What about the rearguard unit, sir? We have advanced further into Norfall Barrens, where the rearguards’ camps were miles away from the site. Our wounded soldiers will have a problem reaching the medics.”

Geshu Lin’s cold eyes flickered with thought before he declared, “Five rearguards will join each vanguard unit. They will stay close enough to provide immediate support but out of sight. This way, they can tend to the wounded before the Discords have time to overwhelm the frontlines.”

You felt a sharp pang of anxiety as you processed his words. This meant some of you would be much closer to the battlefield than anticipated. You exchanged nervous glances with the other rearguards, who had overheard the same decision. This was how it felt like being in a war. You did not know what would happen. One day, you could be at the back, providing support. The next day, you could be at the very front with a greater risk of death. A war had always been unpredictable and merciless. You could not say no. It was your duty, after all.

One of the more seasoned strategists, an older man with a scar running across his cheek, frowned profoundly and said, “General, with all due respect, that area is riddled with uneven terrain. There are countless places for the Tacet Discords to hide. If we send rearguards with the vanguard, they could be ambushed from behind. We’d be putting them at risk.”

Geshu Lin’s eyes were steady, unwavering as he turned to face the strategist. “We’ll use the terrain to our advantage.”

A murmur rippled through the strategists, a mixture of surprise and curiosity at the general’s unshaken confidence. Geshu Lin continued, his voice firm but calm as ever.

“We will claim the terrain before the Discords can. If we take the high ground and secure key points along the ridges and slopes, we deny them the chance to use it for ambushes,” he said as his gaze swept across the group. “The rearguards will hide in the natural alcoves and rock formations. That will give them the advantage of cover, and they’ll be prepared to receive any wounded rangers immediately. At the same time, other troops will ensure there are no blind spots. No place for the Discords to flank.”

The room fell silent as everyone absorbed his plan. It was risky, but the more you thought about it, the more sense it made. By taking control of the terrain quickly, the Midnight Rangers could turn the area’s natural features into their stronghold rather than leaving them as potential hiding spots for the enemy.

The older strategist, after a long pause, nodded his head slowly. “Understood, General. We’ll adjust our formations accordingly.”

Geshu Lin gave a curt nod in return, and without another word, the strategists and veterans dispersed to relay the new orders to the rest of the troops. One of the strategists relayed the plan to Changmin, a senior medic, right away.

In the latter’s hands, he held a list, the paper slightly crumpled from being rolled and unrolled several times. He studied it for a moment, his brows furrowed in concentration. Then, taking a pen from his pocket, he began marking off names with quick, decisive strokes.

After a few minutes of marking the list, he straightened up, his stern expression giving nothing away. He turned to face you all, his voice loud and commanding as it rang out over the crowd. “Five rearguards will be assigned to each vanguard troop, including the main force led by General Geshu Lin himself.”

You held your breath, nerves coiling tighter in your stomach as you waited to hear the names. The silence was almost unbearable as he began reading from the list.

“Yin Lei, Liang Mei, Hua Jin, Bai Yu, Song Lin,” he called out in a firm tone. One by one, each rearguard whose name was called stepped forward with varying expressions as they joined their assigned troops.

Changmin continued down the list. “Feng Li, Xian Zhi, Chen Min, Zhou Ping, and (Y/n).”

Your heart skipped a beat as your name echoed in the air. You weren’t sure whether to feel proud or terrified. All you knew was that you were now among those selected to stand closer to the frontlines. Your legs felt heavier than usual as you stepped forward, joining the others who had been named.

There was a slight murmur in the crowd as those not selected exchanged glances of relief or disappointment. You couldn’t help but glance over at Jiyan, whose name had not been called. He stood silently, his gaze meeting yours for a brief moment, offering a silent nod of encouragement. The calm steadiness in his eyes was reassuring, even as you felt the weight of your new assignment settle on your shoulders.

Changmin continued, “The other rearguards will stay with the secondary line or wait in your tents. Dr. Jiyan will be in charge of all of you. Listen to any incoming orders. You might be asked to provide backup for the primary troops. Stay alert and be ready to move if necessary.”

Jiyan nodded his head, prepared to take on the new duty. With that done, Changmin turned to the selected rearguards and said, “Now, to those who are selected, I have chosen which troop you will be assigned to.”

Changmin cleared his throat as he began assigning the selected rearguards to their respective vanguard troops. His eyes scanned the list once more before he started.

“Yin Lei, Liang Mei, Hua Jin, Bai Yu, and Song Lin,” he announced. “You will join the main force under General Geshu Lin’s command. You are to follow closely, provide medical support from enemies’ sights, and remain hidden until called upon.”

The five rearguards nodded solemnly. They gathered their gear and stood off to the side, ready to integrate with the main troop led by the formidable general himself.

Changmin moved down the list, his pen tapping against the paper as he assigned the rest. “Feng Li, Xian Zhi, Chen Min, Zhou Ping, and (Y/n), you will be assigned to Vanguard Troop Two, led by Captain Shen Xue. This troop will be stationed to the east of the battlefield. Your task is the same – stay close, provide support, and be prepared for any unexpected developments.”

You nodded before you and the rest hurried to meet up with Vanguard Troop Two. Captain Shen Xue, a stoic man with short, dark hair and sharp features, was already waiting for you in the queue. He gave each of you a once-over with a quick, assessing glance.

“Rearguards,” he greeted with a curt nod, his voice steady but firm. “Feng Li, Xian Zhi, Chen Min, Zhou Ping, (Y/n), I expect you to stay vigilant and act swiftly. We’ll be stationed in a high-risk zone, so there won’t be much room for mistakes. Do your job, and we’ll keep the frontlines intact.”

You and your squadmates nodded in unison, absorbing his words. The captain didn’t linger on formalities or small talk; he was straight to the point. After a few more brief instructions, Shen Xue gestured for all of you to line up with the rest of the troop.

It didn’t take long before the familiar figure of Geshu Lin strode to the very front of the gathered forces, his presence as commanding as ever. The general’s long white hair moved gently with the wind, and his cold, piercing gaze swept over the assembled rangers.

Geshu Lin stopped in front of his main troop’s line and blinked, something shifting in his expression as if realization suddenly dawned on him. His sharp voice cut through the silence. “Rearguards, raise your hands.”

The rearguards assigned to his main force obeyed immediately, raising their hands without hesitation. The general’s eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized them. After a moment, he asked, “Are any of you a Resonator?”

The rearguards exchanged brief, uneasy glances before answering in unison, “No, sir.”

Geshu Lin’s expression remained unreadable as he processed the rearguards’ response. Then, without warning, he walked past his own troop and strode down the lines of assembled rangers. His long hair trailed behind him as his sharp gaze swept over the troops. His eyes moved purposefully, scanning each soldier with an intensity that made the air feel even heavier.

You watched him carefully, your curiosity piqued. What is he looking for? You could feel the tension ripple through the ranks as he approached closer to your position. You braced yourself, hoping that whatever was on his mind didn’t involve you. Yet, as if drawn by some unseen force, the general’s footsteps led him directly toward Vanguard Troop Two.

He moved with quiet precision, his eyes glancing past several of your fellow squad-mates. For a moment, it seemed like he would continue walking, passing your troop without incident. But then, just as he neared, his gaze landed squarely on you. Your heart skipped a beat, anxiety shooting through your veins as he suddenly stopped and stood right in front of you.

You looked up at him, your wide, startled eyes meeting his cold, piercing gaze. His towering presence made you feel impossibly small, his expression giving away nothing. You wondered what you had done to draw his attention. Did you make a mistake earlier? Did he disapprove of something? Your mind raced as you tried to decipher the reason for his sudden focus on you.

Then you realized. Is he going to scold me in front of everybody for being insolent to him last night?

Before you could react further, Captain Shen Xue noticed the interaction and quickly approached. He stopped beside Geshu Lin and asked, “What’s the matter, General?”

For a moment, Geshu Lin didn’t respond. His cold gaze remained locked on you as though he were assessing something beyond what you could comprehend. The silence stretched uncomfortably, your anxiety climbing higher with every second that passed.

“You,” Geshu Lin said to you, his voice cutting through the tense silence. “You will join my troop. Your Resonance skills are better suited for the frontlines.”

Your breath caught in your throat. The shock of his words hit you like a wave, and for a moment, all you could do was stare up at him, unsure if you had heard him correctly. You, reassigned to the main force? His troop at the frontlines? A whirlwind of thoughts spun in your mind, and you couldn’t decide if this was an honour or a punishment.

Geshu Lin paused, his cold gaze flickering away from you as he looked elsewhere, his sharp voice ringing out again. “Who was in charge of reassigning the medics?”

Changmin, the senior rearguard, cautiously stepped forward. His posture stiffened as he spoke, “It was me, sir.”

Silently, Geshu Lin turned his back on the assembled troops and began walking toward his main force. His long white hair breezed after him as he moved. Over his shoulder, he commanded, “This Resonator will be in my troop. Swap her in.”

“Yes, sir,” Changmin replied, his voice steady as if he was glad he didn’t get scolded.

As the general disappeared into the distance, Changmin pulled out the same list and scanned through it. With a quick pen stroke, he made an adjustment, then looked at you and gestured for you to follow him. Still reeling from the sudden change of events, you found yourself moving without thought, your feet carrying you forward as if on autopilot.

You ended up standing in front of the main force, your heart pounding in your chest as the weight of your new reality began to sink in. This was no ordinary assignment. You were now in the presence of Geshu Lin’s elite. The responsibility, the danger, all of it felt heavier than before.

Changmin offered a brief explanation. “Song Lin, you have been reassigned to Vanguard Troop Two. (Y/n), you will take over her place.”

Song Lin, one of the rearguards originally assigned to the main force, stepped forward. Surprise was vivid on her face. She gave you a slight nod before heading off to join Vanguard Troop Two, leaving you standing in her former spot.

You swallowed hard, trying to gather your thoughts. This was happening. You were now part of the general’s troop, standing at the very front of the battle line.

You couldn’t help but glance at Jiyan, who was standing in the rearguards’ queue. He was already looking at you. Once you two made steady eye contact, he mouthed to you soundlessly, “Be careful.”

You nodded, feeling pale all of a sudden. You couldn’t believe this. One moment, you were back there, and now you were at the very front. You felt your heart being seized by a cold, gripping sensation. Fear. Anxious. Horror. What did you do to have brought yourself here? Was it because the general had seen what you were capable of last night? Is this called a butterfly effect?

A noise from the front snapped you out of your thoughts. You lifted your head, and there he was – Geshu Lin, standing before you, his back broad and imposing. He had a large, deadly broadblade in hand, its cold metal gleaming in the dim light. You watched in awe and nervousness as he calmly attached it to his back, his movements precise and practised. The blade seemed almost too large for one person to wield, yet in his hands, it looked as natural as breathing.

Then, his voice rang out, commanding and unwavering. “Rangers, it’s fight or die. We move forward.”

The response from the troops was immediate and unified. “Yes, sir!”

With that, the entire troop began to move, marching steadily toward the battlefield. You felt your legs moving, too, but the cold grip of fear hadn’t loosened its hold on your heart.

As you approached the site, a vast stretch of rugged terrain came into view. You recognized it from the hologram you saw previously. It was an unforgiving landscape, littered with jagged rocks, uneven slopes, and scattered ridges that would be perfect hiding spots for the Tacet Discords. The wind howled through the valley, giving a sense of foreboding.

But the Discords had yet to appear.

A senior strategist, a man with greying hair and sharp eyes, quickly approached Geshu Lin’s side. Keeping his voice low, he said, “General, TDs are nowhere to be seen yet. This could be the perfect opportunity to set up our formation.”

Geshu Lin, who had been surveying the landscape with a cold, calculating gaze, nodded slightly. Without a word, he moved ahead, his broadblade still resting on his back as if anticipating the moment he would need it. His presence, as always, felt larger than life, keeping your gaze glued to him almost all the time.

The strategist began issuing commands swiftly, relaying the formation plan the group had discussed earlier. As planned, the vanguard troops were divided into two main fronts – one to hold the Discords in the valley and the other to sweep in from the east.

You were part of the rearguard that would stay close but out of sight, hidden in the alcoves and rock formations along the ridges. It was a strategic position, covering the injured while keeping you near enough to assist when needed. But it also placed you dangerously close to the front lines, and that frightened you. You might not show it, but you were terrified.

As the troops began to take their positions, you scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of movement. The Discords could strike at any moment. From the corner of your eye, you saw Geshu Lin moving with purpose, positioning himself at the forefront of his main troop.

The wind picked up, carrying a distant, unsettling sound. You weren’t sure if it was the TDs or just the valley playing tricks on your ears, but it made you shiver. Beside you, one of the rearguards muttered under their breath, “It’s too quiet…”

You couldn’t agree more. Every second of silence felt like the calm before a storm. You glanced at Geshu Lin again, feeling reliant on him now. He stood motionless as though he was waiting – listening.

Just as the silence began to stretch, a piercing scream shattered the stillness, causing everyone to jump. Instinctively, you turned to see a gigantic, mayfly-like creature burst forth from a hidden crevice, its iridescent wings glistening in the dim light.

Panic surged through you as the Tacet Discord, known as a Cruisewing, zeroed in on Hua Jin, one of the medics selected for Geshu Lin��s troop. It swooped down with a terrifying speed, its long, stinger-like appendage aimed straight at him.

Time seemed to slow as you watched in horror. The creature stung Hua Jin in the ribs, and he gasped, collapsing to the ground in an instant. Chaos erupted as soldiers shouted, their voices mingling with the frantic beating of wings. You could feel your heart racing, adrenaline coursing through your veins.

Without a second thought, you instinctively dashed forward, urgency propelling you toward Hua Jin. You had to reach him; you had to heal him. But the Cruisewing loomed dangerously close, its wings buzzing ominously. You knew you had to act quickly, but fear gripped you tightly.

Then, something shot past you, a blur of motion that made your breath hitch. It was General Geshu Lin. He appeared beside Hua Jin in the blink of an eye, his cold demeanour unshaken even amidst the chaos. With a swift and practised movement, he drew his broadblade and swung it with deadly precision. The Cruisewing barely had time to react before the blade sliced through the air, cutting it in two.

The creature crumpled to the ground, its body collapsing lifelessly beside Hua Jin. You stood frozen for a moment, disbelief washing over you as you processed what had just happened. Everything was too fast. Your poor medic self couldn’t keep up.

That was the first time you had gotten so close to a Tacet Discord. And that was also your first time seeing a powerful Resonator in action before your eyes. General Geshu Lin… was outstanding in his own way.

Hua Jin's pained groan finally snapped you out of your trance. Your heart raced as you rushed to his side. Kneeling beside him, you inspected the wound. The Cruisewing's sting had left a deep gash, and you could see the traces of venom spreading around it, dark and pulsing ominously against his skin.

“Rangers, bring him behind that boulder,” Geshu Lin commanded. He pointed to a large boulder nearby, its sheer size providing a potential shelter. “And get back to your formation. Enemies incoming.”

You glanced up, following his gaze, and your heart dropped. A horde of Tacet Discords surged toward you from the distance, their grotesque forms moving with a disturbing grace. They poured down the hill like a dark tide, some of them massive, their bodies armoured and imposing. One of them stood out with thick, shell-like plating, a true embodiment of terror that sent a chill through your bones.

This was the first time you had seen such a horrifying army of Tacet Discords up close, and the sight was enough to make your blood run cold. The sheer scale of their numbers and the brutal power they exuded filled you with dread. If there were no Midnight Rangers and no Resonators, this army could take down Jinzhou easily.

You joined the other rangers as they lifted Hua Jin, struggling to keep him steady as they manoeuvred him toward the boulder. Your heart pounded in your chest as you felt the ground tremble beneath you, the approaching Discords growing nearer with every passing second.

Once you reached the boulder, you quickly set Hua Jin down and crouched beside him. The rest of the rearguards were about to tend to Hua Jin with their tools, and you quickly interjected, “It’s okay. I can handle him from here. Save your tools.”

The rearguards gave you a nod of acknowledgement before they moved to another location, readying themselves for the next wave of wounded. You turned your attention wholly to Hua Jin, your hands already glowing with the familiar resonance of your healing ability. The cold energy surged from your palms, sinking into his flesh, gradually closing the venomous wound inflicted by the Cruisewing. Hua Jin winced but gave no further sign of pain.

Suddenly, a deafening roar reverberated through the air, followed by a blast so powerful it nearly knocked you off your feet. You jerked your head toward the battlefield, eyes wide with shock. Dark purple flames crackled and danced across the ground, leaving scorched earth in their wake. Geshu Lin had unleashed his Resonance Liberation – an overwhelming surge of power that ignited the battlefield just as the Tacet Discord army closed in.

The war had begun.

The vanguards met the advancing horde of Discords with fierce determination, their guns firing like crazy at the twisted monstrosities. The air was thick with the sounds of battle – metal against bone, the screeches of the Discords, and the shouts of rangers giving orders and rallying each other.

You poured more of your Resonance into Hua Jin, sealing his wound completely, leaving behind a pale, icy scar of Glacio. He studied it briefly, then looked at you with a grateful nod.

“Thanks,” he murmured before getting to his feet. His eyes were wide, scanning the battlefield as he hurried off to another boulder, ready to assist the wounded as they came.

You remained behind, pressing your back against the gigantic rock that provided you with a great hiding spot. This was your spot now. You had to stay here, waiting for the inevitable flood of injured rangers needing your healing. The sounds of battle raged on, and you couldn’t help but steal glances at the chaos unfolding before you.

Geshu Lin was at the forefront, his movements precise and deadly as he cut down Tacet Discords left and right. The purple flames from his Resonance Liberation still lingered on the battlefield, creating a scorching barrier between the vanguards and the incoming horde. But despite his overwhelming power, more Discords poured in, seemingly endless.

One of the armoured beasts, its hide impenetrable like stone, charged at a group of rangers. Its massive, clawed limbs dug into the earth as it barrelled toward them, and for a moment, you feared for their lives. But just as it was about to reach them, Geshu Lin was there, his broadblade flashing in the air. With a swift, decisive strike, he cleaved the monster's head clean off, sending its body crashing to the ground.

You watched in awe, barely comprehending the sheer power of the man leading the vanguard.

Before you could gawk any longer at the general’s skill, movement from the corner of your eye snapped you back to reality. Wounded rangers were limping toward the rearguards, struggling to reach safety. You blinked, refocusing, and quickly rushed to meet them. The battlefield thundered around you, but you blocked it out, setting your focus entirely on the task at hand.

With a deep breath, you called upon your Glacio Resonance, feeling the familiar cold energy surge through you. Your hands glowed faintly as you began healing the wounded soldiers, patching them up one by one.

“Another army of Tacet Discords incoming from the left!” someone shouted, their voice hoarse with alarm.

Your head snapped toward the left. Eyes wide, you spotted it – another wave of Discords charging from that direction. Larger. Fiercer. Your stomach dropped.

Fear coursed through you like ice, but you didn’t let it take hold. Not now. There were soldiers in front of you, hurt and bleeding. You couldn’t waste time.

You pressed your hands against a ranger’s arm, sealing his wound shut. You couldn’t afford to think about what was coming. The only thing you could do was keep healing. Keep them alive.

The ground trembled again as the new horde grew closer. You could hear their shrieks now, their guttural howls mingling with the cries of your fellow rangers. But you forced yourself to stay calm, to keep working.

“Stay with me,” you told another ranger, his breathing ragged as you closed a nasty gash on his leg. He nodded, though his eyes were glazed with pain.

All around, the sound of gunfire and metal clashing with Discord flesh raged on. You cast a quick glance at the battlefield, spotting Geshu Lin once more. He hadn’t stopped, still cutting down Discords like a force of nature.

But that didn’t make the army charging from the left any less terrifying. They were coming, and fast.

The sight of the monstrous horde surging toward you made your heart pound painfully in your chest. Panic clawed at the edges of your mind, threatening to overwhelm you. You quickly averted your gaze, focusing back on the wounded soldiers at your feet.

One breath. Then another.

Suddenly, a blast hit the battlefield with a force that shook the ground beneath you. It was so powerful that even the rushing rangers halted in their tracks. A hot breeze followed, washing over you and filling the air with heat and dust.

Your head snapped up, curiosity sparking through the fear. What was that?

It was Geshu Lin.

The general had unleashed another wave of his Resonance Liberation, an attack so fierce it obliterated half of the incoming Tacet Discord army in one devastating blow. Dark purple flames coated the ground where his energy had struck, their eerie glow lighting up the chaos.

You stared in awe as the aftermath settled, and Reverberations of the fallen Tacet Discords flickered faintly, ghostly echoes of their defeat. But what struck you most was Geshu Lin himself. His broadblade now burned with those same dark flames, and the air around him charged with energy, almost crackling. He looked unstoppable.

But it wasn’t over.

The other half of the Discord army still pressed forward. You felt the tension in the air shift, the other rangers glancing warily at the oncoming monsters. Even with Geshu Lin’s power, the fight was far from won.

You turned back to the soldier beneath you. His wounds were closing, but the exhaustion was beginning to wear on you. Each use of your Resonance drained you a little more. But you couldn’t stop. Not yet.

Another wounded ranger stumbled toward you, blood running down their arm. You waved them over, saying, “Please lie down. I will tend to you in seconds!”

There was no time for fear. Just survival.

Hours blurred into each other as you worked. You barely noticed time passing. Your focus was on the wounded soldiers in front of you, one after the other, each needing your Resonance to close their gashes, mend their broken bones, or seal deadly stings. The battlefield was a blur of chaos and noise, but you had no time to let it sink in.

Every now and then, you’d feel the familiar surge of energy in the air – Geshu Lin unleashing yet another mighty blast of his Resonance. The waves of dark energy crackled across the battlefield, buying precious seconds for the rangers to regroup, though each blast seemed to echo a grim truth. The Tacet Discords weren’t stopping.

You were exhausted, barely catching your breath between wounded rangers who stumbled toward you, bloodied and broken. Still, you pressed on, the icy Glacio Resonance flowing from your hands like second nature. You had to keep them alive.

And then, out of nowhere, a soft beep cut through the din. A message.

Your Terminal buzzed at your back, and you quickly wiped the growing Glacio and blood off of your hands on your uniform before tapping it. A small hologram popped up, floating in the air beside you. Jiyan’s message. You checked the time, your eyes widening in shock. Six hours had passed since the battle started.

His voice was calm, but the urgency in his message was apparent.

“Intel reports the waves of Tacet Discords aren’t stopping anytime soon. I’ve been cleared to move the other rearguards closer to the site. Let the injured know they can head to our makeshift tent, just down the road from the battlefield.”

You quickly glanced around, spotting more wounded rangers struggling to move, some on the verge of collapse. Relief washed over you. Finally, backup. But the never-ending onslaught of Discords meant the battle was far from over.

You sent a brief verbal response to Jiyan before you turned to the nearest ranger. His arm – which was bent abnormally – was devoid of pain for the time being since you had tended to him using your Glacio skill briefly. It helped him withstand the pain as you helped the other injured rangers who were in a much more critical condition. You spoke quickly, “There's a makeshift tent down the road. Can you walk?”

He nodded weakly.

“Good. Head that way. More medics are there, and they’ll take over.”

One by one, you began directing the wounded yet capable soldiers toward the tent while you received those with critical conditions. As you watched them stagger toward safety, you couldn’t help but feel a knot of dread forming in your chest.

The waves were unrelenting. What if they never stopped?

Then, out of the corner of your eye, you saw a veteran strategist sprinting toward the centre of the battlefield, weaving through the chaos. He halted just shy of Geshu Lin, who was locked in combat with a swarm of massive Tacet Discords, their grotesque forms looming over him. The general, undeterred, was carving through them like they were nothing.

“General!” the strategist shouted, voice strained as he fought to be heard over the clamour. “Intel reports the waves won’t stop! More are coming! We need to pull back and regroup our forces!”

For a moment, you held your breath, watching as Geshu Lin dispatched the last of the ten towering Discords with a few lethal swings of his broadblade. Dark flames still clung to his blade, crackling ominously. He didn’t even glance at the strategist when he spoke, voice low but resolute.

“No retreat,” he said. “We reclaim this site at once.”

The strategist’s face paled, but he didn’t argue. You felt the weight of Geshu Lin’s decision settle over the battlefield like a heavy fog. Retreat was not an option. Not under his command.

Your heart pounded as the enormity of the situation sank in. The Discords kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. But retreat wasn’t on the table.

You continued tending to the wounded, hands trembling as your Resonance took its toll. The constant use of Glacio was wearing you down, and the signs were showing. Ice crystals began to form at the tips of your fingers, slowly creeping toward your palms. You tried shaking it off, clenching and unclenching your fists to restore warmth, but the frost always returned.

With each passing second, the cold intensified.

A sudden scream cut through the chaos, sharp and panicked. It wasn’t far from you. Your heart skipped a beat, but you kept your hands pressed against the wounded ranger in front of you, your Glacio healing him just enough to stabilize the bleeding. Still, your gaze darted to the battlefield.

There, not too far away, a ranger had fallen, sprawled on the ground in a heap. Standing over him was a Tacet Discord you recognized all too well – a Fusion Warrior.

The monster was humanoid in shape, but its arms were grotesque, massive limbs made of Fusion-infused rock that tapered to a sharp, deadly point, like a giant spearhead. It moved with terrifying speed, faster than anything its size should. You’d seen these before. They didn’t just attack. They targeted. They locked onto their prey and struck with a speed that made escape nearly impossible.

The wounded soldier scrambled to his feet, sprinting toward safety, toward you. But then you saw it – just behind him, the Fusion Warrior braced itself to strike.

"Behind you!" you screamed, your voice raw with urgency.

The ranger barely had time to turn before the Fusion Warrior zipped forward, faster than anything that large had a right to be. Its jagged, stone-like arm pierced him straight through the abdomen. His scream tore through the battlefield as the Tacet Discord lifted him off the ground, his body hanging limply from the monster’s spear-like arm.

Panic surged through you. Without hesitation, you shot to your feet, heart hammering as you darted toward them. The battlefield felt different once you stepped into its heart – a visceral wave of death, blood, and decay hit you all at once. The stench was suffocating, but you pushed through. Your mind was fixed on saving the ranger.

With a swift motion, you summoned your weapon. Your rectifier materialized in the air beside you, its form glowing with the icy blue of your Glacio Resonance. You didn't waste time. With a sharp flick of your wrist, you unleashed a gust of Glacio, a chilling blast that slammed into the Fusion Warrior, shoving it away. The monster released its grip, and the ranger fell to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.

You rushed to his side, quickly forming a Glacio shield around you both. The shield shimmered, a translucent barrier of ice standing between you and the horrors outside. You barely had time to breathe, hands already embracing him in an attempt to help him get on his feet.

Then, you felt it – a sudden impact. Your shield shuddered but held. You glanced up. The same Fusion Warrior. It had recovered quickly, and now it was striking at your shield, trying to pierce through. Its rock-hard arm bounced off the ice, but the cracks spreading through your shield told you it wouldn’t hold much longer.

"Get down!" one of the rangers shouted.

You didn’t hesitate. Instinctively, you ducked, grabbing the injured man beside you and pushing his head down with your hand. Your heart raced, pounding in your ears as gunfire erupted around you. The nearby rangers unloaded their pistols at the Fusion Warrior, bullets bouncing off its stony form like pebbles against a mountain.

It didn’t flinch.

A golden light began to seep from the monster’s body, a faint glow that quickly spread across its jagged surface. Your stomach dropped. You knew that light. This wasn’t just any Tacet Discord. This was a Phantom. Rare. More robust than most, with a resilience that bordered on invulnerability.

You didn’t have time to think. The Fusion Warrior locked onto you, its glowing form charging up for another attack. You watched in horror as it prepared to strike, so focused on you like a predator eyeing its prey. Your Glacio shield flickered, barely holding.

And then – it zipped forward.

The world seemed to slow as the Fusion Warrior’s rock-hard arm slammed into your Glacio shield one last time. There was a sharp crack, like ice snapping in a frozen river, and your shield shattered into a thousand glittering pieces. The shards evaporated in the air before they could even touch the ground.

Your breath caught in your throat. The Fusion Warrior braced itself, ready to strike again. There was no time to react, no time to form another shield. You were defenceless.

But before the monster could land its fatal blow, a broadblade, dark and deadly, pierced through its abdomen with brutal force.

You blinked, stunned. The Fusion Warrior froze in mid-attack, its body impaled by the blade. Slowly, it was lifted off the ground, suspended in the air by the sheer strength of the one who wielded the weapon.

It’s the general.

With a swift, ruthless motion, the general slammed the Fusion Warrior back down into the earth. The monster let out a low, echoing shriek before its form disappeared in an instant, enacting a loud ‘poof’ sound. In its place, the faint echo of its presence – the Reverberation – flickered unmovingly.

You exhaled a breath you didn’t realize you were holding. The danger was gone, just like that. The ranger you were shielding groaned, still in pain but alive. You firmly held him to your side as you began to head towards your spot, knowing he needed immediate attention.

Still, you couldn’t help but glance over your shoulder at the man who had saved you. Geshu Lin moved with the calm precision of someone born for this kind of chaos. His broadblade gleamed, still carrying the eerie glow of the monster’s end. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t slow down. Just strode right back into the heart of the battle as if he hadn’t just saved your life in a single, devastating blow.

You tore your eyes away. Focus. There are more lives on the line. More wounded rangers need your help.

The injured ranger at your side groaned again, his weight sagging heavily against you. He was in bad shape, barely conscious, and his breathing laboured. You shifted your grip on him, pulling his arm tighter over your shoulder, and forced yourself to push through the exhaustion.

“You’re going to be fine,” you murmured to him, though it felt like you were saying that to yourself too. To convince yourself. Your body was screaming, your Glacio Resonance draining your energy with every passing second. The icy numbness creeping up your arms was spreading faster now, and your fingertips had long since lost feeling.

But you couldn’t stop.

You managed to get him back to your spot behind the boulder. You eased him down carefully, and your hands moved on instinct, channelling more Resonance you had left into healing him.

The ice crawled up your palms, biting at your wrists. You grit your teeth, suppressing a shiver. The cold was relentless, but so was the battle raging around you. It felt like it would never end.

An hour crawled by. Grueling. Endless.

Your hands trembled from the effort of healing, your body aching from the constant drain of Resonance. The numbness was spreading past your wrists now, ice biting deeper with each spell you cast. Still, you kept going. You had to. There was no other choice.

Then, a voice rang out over the battlefield – clear, commanding. It was the veteran strategist again.

“This will be the last army, everyone! Stay strong!”

The words echoed like a lifeline.

A chorus of cheers and battle cries rose from the Midnight Rangers, their spirits lifting despite the exhaustion etched into their faces. Even you, buried behind your boulder with your hands freezing solid, felt a spark of renewed energy.

The end was in sight.

You could do this. You could hold on. Just a little longer.

The ranger lying down behind the boulder with you stirred, his breathing steadier now. You glanced at him, relieved to see the colour returning to his face. He’d live. He might not walk right for a while, but he’d live.

Your eyes scanned the battlefield, catching sight of the new wave approaching. The last wave. It was bigger, more ferocious than any before, but something about knowing it was the final one made it bearable.

“Hang on, everyone,” you whispered to yourself.

As you prepared to brace for the oncoming horde, a blast of heat swept across the field, accompanied by a deep, rumbling roar. Your head snapped toward the source, and you spotted him once again. Geshu Lin.

He stood at the front lines, flames erupting from his Resonance Liberation, his broadblade ablaze with the fire of battle. His presence alone was like a beacon of power, a promise that this was the final stand.

But the Discords were relentless. You could see them closing in, their grotesque forms twisting and screeching as they rushed forward.

Your muscles tensed, cold sweat mixing with the icy numbness spreading through your limbs.

One more push.

And so, you pushed through, your focus narrowing to the wounded soldiers at your side. The biting iciness that had crawled up your arms was a distant, muted ache now. Your hands were nearly numb, but it didn’t matter. Not now. You just had to keep going.

The sounds of battle raged on in the distance – the clash of metal, the shrieks of Discords, the roar of flames. But you forced yourself to block it out. The rangers in front of you needed you more. Their bloodied bodies and their laboured breathing all demanded your attention. You couldn’t let them down.

Minutes dragged into what felt like hours. The cold was creeping into your bones, making every movement feel like a battle in itself. But you didn’t stop. Not until the last wound was sealed, the last breath stabilized.

Then, something changed.

The sounds of battle began to fade, bit by bit. The furious din of clashing steel and monstrous howls ebbed away, replaced by…silence. Almost eerie at first. But then, you heard it – the distant cheer of voices rising in unison.

You paused, blinking in disbelief. Is it over?

Looking up from the wounded ranger beneath your hands, your eyes scanned the battlefield. The Tacet Discords… they were gone. Annihilated. Where once their grotesque forms had filled the landscape, only the shimmering echoes of Reverberations remained. The Midnight Rangers were erupting in cheers. Some of them embraced, others patted each other on the back. The relief was palpable, like a wave of hope washing over the field.

We won. A tired grin tugged at your lips. We actually won this time.

The weight of exhaustion hit you all at once. Your half-frozen and tired hands threatened to fall to your sides. The battle had been brutal and relentless, but it was over – finally.

Then, the veteran strategist’s voice cut through the noise. “Everyone, let’s head back to base! Bring the wounded on stretchers so they can be treated properly. The rearguards off-site will come to retrieve the bodies.”

You exhaled a shaky breath, the tension leaving your body all at once. Slowly, you stood and began organizing the rangers under your care, helping them onto makeshift stretchers.

And as you watched the last of the injured being carried off toward safety, a quiet, weary sense of victory settled over you.

Fortunately, you survived another war.

That’s when you heard your name being called. You turned, catching sight of the rearguards in the same main troop with you rushing over. Their eyes flickered to your half-frozen arms; concern etched into their faces.

“Are you okay?” Liang Mei asked, her voice edged with worry.

You tried to wave it off, quite literally, lifting your arm into the air. But the action felt ridiculous. Your limb, encased in ice, barely moved, the frosty layer clinging stubbornly to your skin. You attempted a reassuring smile as you said, “I’m fine. A proper rest will thaw these out.”

Liang Mei raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. Beside her, Yin Lei shook his head. “Let’s get you to the base. The sooner we reach it, the sooner you can rest.”

Hua Jin stepped closer, his brow furrowed. “I’m worried about your hands. Is this... because of your Resonance? Too much usage?”

You nodded, still flexing your fingers, trying to regain some sensation. “Yeah. It’ll go away, as long as I don’t use my Resonance again for today.”

Liang Mei took a step toward you. “Can you walk? I can help.”

You smiled at her, appreciating the concern. “I can walk, thank you. Now, let’s go.”

With that, the group fell into step, letting you follow behind. Most of the Midnight Rangers had already begun the long trek back to the base. Some rushed, eager to leave the battlefield behind. Others moved more slowly, burdened by their injuries or simply drained of strength. The trail of soldiers stretched far ahead, a sombre line of survivors.

You fell into the rhythm of walking, your breath coming out in short, cold bursts. The icy numbness still crawled up your arms, but you clenched your hands into fists, trying to push it away. You could make it. You just needed to hold out a little longer.

As you trudged forward, lost in your thoughts, a sudden warmth radiated from beside you. A familiar broadblade engulfed in dark flames appeared near your side. Startled, you glanced over and saw him – the formidable general, Geshu Lin, walking next to you, his weapon still burning with the intense heat of his Resonance.

You faltered, coming to a stop as surprise and confusion flooded your mind. The rest of your group continued ahead, but you stood still, your gaze locked on the imposing figure beside you. Geshu Lin, too, halted, his broadblade still ablaze with those strange, dark flames.

You stared up at him, unable to read his expression. His towering frame cast a shadow over you, and his face remained as indifferent as ever – cold, detached, as though the chaos and destruction of the battle hadn’t fazed him at all. Even when he had obliterated the Tacet Discords earlier, and when he had saved you from the Fusion Warrior, his demeanour hadn’t changed.

For a short moment, neither of you spoke. You couldn’t understand what he was doing or why his broadblade was so close to you. But the warmth... it seeped into your frozen hands, offering a relief you hadn’t expected.

Then, in that low, commanding voice of his, Geshu Lin finally spoke. “Warm your hands with these.”

His words, though unexpected, held no room for argument. You hesitated only for a second before slowly extending your hands toward the fire. Once your frozen hands were raised over the flames, the warmth hugged around your fingers, melting the ice that had encased them. Relief flooded through you as the numbness faded.

You cast your gaze up to meet his, still unsure why he was offering this small kindness. The general didn’t strike you as the type to concern himself with others, least of all a medic like you.

“Thank you,” you murmured, unsure what else to say.

Geshu Lin didn’t respond. His expression remained unreadable, but he kept the broadblade steady, letting the warmth flow toward you as you absorbed the heat. The silence stretched between you, thick with the weight of unspoken words.

As you stood there, you felt the ice around your hands thawing at a steady pace. You flexed your fingers repeatedly, willing the warmth to spread faster. The general watched quietly, his grip on the broadblade steady, ensuring its flames remained just close enough to provide relief.

In no time, the last remnants of ice disappeared, and you pulled your hands away from the heat. Geshu Lin also withdrew his weapon, the dark flames flickering out and dissipating into the cool night air. He strapped the broadblade securely to his back, a seamless motion that spoke of years of practice.

That’s when your eyes fell on his left arm. You froze, your heart sinking at the sight of several long, open cuts marring his skin, each one a stark reminder of the battle. Scars crisscrossed over old wounds, a testament to the violence he had faced. You couldn’t help but gasp, your concern spilling out before you could rein it in. “General, you are hurt.”

“It is nothing,” he replied, his voice flat and dismissive.

“Sir, I can heal you,” you insisted, urgency creeping into your tone. “It’ll only take a moment.”

He turned to you, his expression as unreadable as ever. “I refuse.”

You blinked, taken aback by his stubbornness. “But-”

“Not every injury requires treatment,” he interrupted, his tone brokering no argument. “Focus on yourself. Your Resonance ability will be needed in the upcoming battle. We might go to war tomorrow again.”

You fell silent, contemplating his words. Maybe his stubbornness came from knowing you had pushed yourself too hard today. If you heal him, the biting ice will materialize again, and his effort to warm your hands will go to waste.

You flexed your fingers again, feeling the sensations return slowly. As your breath steadied, you looked up and caught the general’s gaze. He was watching you quietly. But when your eyes met, he turned his attention to the horizon, where some of the Midnight Rangers faded into the distance.

Without another word, he resumed walking, his broadblade resting casually on his back. You fell in step beside him, your legs moving almost on autopilot as you kept pace with him. The remaining soldiers of Midnight Rangers were behind you two, heading toward the base as well.

It felt strange. Surreal, even. Here you were, walking alongside the most formidable figure in the army. The general didn’t seem bothered at all by the fact that a typical medic was at his side. A twinge of discomfort crept in. Did he see you as an equal, or was he merely indifferent?

Fearing you might be annoying him, you instinctively stepped to the side, increasing the distance between the two of you. The last thing you wanted was to be an unwelcome distraction, especially to the man who had saved you.

As you and the general walked toward the base, the night seemed to grow quieter, the weight of the recent battle settling in. Every step felt heavy with unspoken thoughts, but neither of you broke the silence. It wasn’t long before a few veteran Rangers made their way toward Geshu Lin, falling into step beside him.

One of them, a tall, grizzled soldier, cleared his throat before speaking, “General, what are your orders for tomorrow? We’d like to prepare ahead of time.”

You watched them, walking a careful distance from your side. Geshu Lin didn’t respond immediately. His gaze remained fixed on the path ahead, his face as unreadable as ever. He seemed to be lost in thought, though whether about the question or something deeper, you couldn’t tell.

Then, his voice cut through the stillness. “We’ll rest tomorrow. Full rest.”

The soldiers around him exchanged surprised glances, clearly not expecting that response. Geshu Lin continued, his tone firm but calm. “Those who wish to return to Jinzhou will be granted leave. But station a troop at the reclaimed site. We can’t risk a Tacet Discord ambush.”

One of the veterans blinked in disbelief before responding, his voice filled with gratitude, “Understood, sir.”

The veterans intentionally slowed down their walking pace to let the general walk ahead. As you kept up to pace with the white-haired general, you processed the discussion. Rest? It wasn’t a word often heard in the general’s vocabulary. The soldiers had clearly been taken aback too, and you couldn’t blame them. Geshu Lin was known for pushing his forces – and himself – beyond the limits.

You glanced at Geshu Lin, his focus still trained straight ahead. His long white hair fluttered slightly in the wind, a striking contrast against the night. There was something you wanted to say – needed to say, really. He had saved you from the Phantom Fusion Warrior. You owed him more than just your thanks.

But the words stuck in your throat. You were shy, and for a very good reason.

The Midnight Rangers surrounded you, still marching back to base. Their presence made you hesitate. You knew they'd wonder why someone like you would dare speak to the general. Would they mock you for it later? Or worse – would Geshu Lin himself dismiss you?

Still, you couldn’t shake the growing need to express your gratitude. You owed him that much. Just say it, you urged yourself.

Minutes later, the base’s outline appeared on the horizon, its flickering lights casting shadows across the barren landscape. As you approached, the familiar clatter of soldiers preparing for rest or practice broke the quiet – metal against metal, boots on gravel, and the occasional sharp bark of commands.

One by one, the Midnight Rangers peeled away, disappearing into various corners of the base. You glanced around and realized the two of you were nearly alone. It was now or never. But before you could work up the courage, you noticed Geshu Lin was already looking at you.

His eyes locked with yours for a heartbeat. Then, without a word, he broke the gaze and veered off, taking a different path.

Something snapped inside you.

“Sir!” you called after him, the word escaping before you could second-guess it.

Geshu paused but didn’t turn around immediately. The silence stretched, making your heart race. You wondered if you had made a mistake, if you had crossed a line. But then, slowly, he turned his head just enough to glance at you over his shoulder.

You took a breath. “I just… wanted to thank you. For saving me earlier. I don’t think I’d be here… if not for you.”

The words tumbled out faster than you intended, your nerves making your voice a little shakier than you’d hoped. For a moment, you felt the weight of your words hanging in the air between you, vulnerable and raw.

Geshu Lin’s expression remained unreadable. His sharp features held that same indifferent, almost cold look, eyes fixed on you with an intensity that made your stomach flip. For a long, unbearable moment, he said nothing. The silence stretched, and you began to second-guess yourself, a knot of regret tightening in your chest.

Then, out of nowhere, he spoke with his voice low but clear, “From now on, you will no longer be stationed with the rearguard in upcoming battles.”

Your heart sank for a second, misinterpreting his words. Had he decided you were a liability? Were you being removed from the battlefield altogether?

But then he added, “You will maintain your position as a medic... in my main troop.”

You blinked, stunned. Your eyes widened in disbelief as the weight of his words hit you. Main troop? The general's own unit?

“I’ll inform the person in charge about your reassignment,” he continued without waiting for your response. His tone was matter-of-fact, as though he hadn’t just upended your entire world with a single sentence.

Before you could gather your thoughts, before you could process the implications of what he’d just said, Geshu Lin turned and resumed walking, his broadblade gleaming faintly in the dim light as he disappeared into the camp.

You stood there, rooted to the spot, the realization slowly sinking in. The main troop. His troop. It was an honor, one reserved for the most elite soldiers and specialists, those the general trusted with the most critical missions. And now, somehow, you were one of them.

Your hands trembled slightly – not from the cold, but from the sudden rush of adrenaline and disbelief. The steady life continued around you, oblivious to the monumental shift in your fate. It was hard to comprehend. One moment, you were thanking him, and the next, he had placed you in the heart of the battlefield, under his direct command.

Why? The question burned in your mind. Was it a test, or a show of faith? Or was this simply his way of repaying a debt for the lives you’d saved?

Worry gnawed at you, a sharp edge of fear creeping in. The front lines. It wasn’t just a promotion – it was a death sentence in disguise. The gruesome Tacet Discords, with their twisted forms and relentless attacks, would be your new reality. Every battle would place you face-to-face with them, and every moment would carry the risk of not coming back. Your life, fragile as it was, would be hanging by a thread.

You were scared. Terrified, even.

Your hands trembled again, this time from the weight of that realization. Could you handle it? Could you really survive in a world of constant danger, where hesitation could get you – or worse, your comrades – killed? Doubt clawed at your mind. For a moment, you wanted to march right back and beg Geshu Lin to reconsider.

But then, somewhere deep inside, a small voice whispered.

You’ll be fine. Just like how he had saved you back then, he would save you again.

That thought somewhat calmed you down. Maybe, you will survive under his care.

Please leave a comment on what you think about this story/chapter. I really want to know your thoughts on this.

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