Emberlib
Stories
48
Chapters
6,598
Words
14.4 M
Comments
5,861
Reading
49 d, 23 h
-
"Hey." “...” "You got sawdust stuffed in your ears or something? Why aren't you saying anything?" For days now, Egru had been giving Gilbert the cold shoulder. The bitter resentment from being abandoned to that writhing mass of tentacles still coiled tightly in his chest. No matter how much his Affinity might drop, he knew he had to stand firm this time. Until Gilbert acknowledged his wrongdoing and offered a sincere apology, Egru was determined to ignore him with every fiber of his…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
Egru ordered a glass of milk and cream sausages, D'Élysée chose the roasted turkey, and Gilbert simply tore down an entire ox’s hind leg that was hanging from the ceiling. A generous spread soon followed, featuring hearty cabbage soup, fresh bread, cheese, and a crisp green salad. "Just give a shout if it's not enough, Mr. Elf," the innkeeper said with a hearty laugh. "Soup and bread refills are on the house." "Th-Thank you!" Egru replied, his face lighting up with a brilliant smile. It's so…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"Alright, everyone, listen up! Allow me to tell you about my noble sword—!" a drunken adventurer shouted, stomping his foot on a tabletop for emphasis. "This is a legendary blade, secretly forged by the blacksmith known as the Axe King!" "That's a creative way of saying it doesn't have a blacksmith's mark! You got scammed, you fool!" another traveler retorted, holding his own sword high. Its blade was so long it nearly scraped the ceiling. "If you want to see a true legendary blade, look at this!…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"Hyung, are you okay?" "Ugh..." Before his eyes even fluttered open, Egru was assaulted by a skull-splitting hangover. It was a horrendous aftereffect; he hadn't known that fruit wines, in particular, packed such a vicious punch. "Nngghh..." Levian had been right. There was a very good reason he'd been forbidden from even looking at alcohol. This was a new kind of agony. His head throbbed, and a wave of nausea churned in his stomach. The world, which had seemed so magical the night before, was…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"In truth, I must cast aside all shame and ask a favor of you." Marquis Chelsea began, moistening his lips with some difficulty. "The Giel Principality is in desperate need of aid from benevolent adventurers such as yourselves." "If the Chancellor himself has come, it must be no trivial matter." "You are correct," the marquis replied, as if he had been waiting for the opening. "Not far from here lies an A-Rank dungeon, one of considerable scale, known throughout the West Continent. It is a place that…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"Forget it. I'm going my own way." In the end, Gilbert turned his back without another word. "Go on and play the fool, acting all nice. I don't care anymore." "Gilbert!" "Hyung." D'Élysée caught Egru just as he was about to run after him. "Just let him go. There's no need to placate a whiny brat." "B-But he said there was a dangerous dungeon..." Egru looked back frantically at Gilbert's retreating form, which was quickly being swallowed by the forest. It was too dangerous for him to go…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
The press of their lips was an entirely new sensation. The skin, so thin the color of the blood beneath was almost visible, was soft and moist. But unlike his usual bold advances, this time, D'Élysée was the one who pulled back, startled. His pulse was rioting. It felt as if his heart had relocated to the inside of his mouth. A mere touch, a simple press and release, yet his lips burned as if they’d been seared with hot coals. In response to the brief kiss, Egru simply offered a guileless smile.…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"W-Wha..." The utter confusion on Egru's face was plain to see. It wasn't that he disliked the idea; he simply couldn't understand it, his expression a mixture of doubt and uncertainty. Like an illiterate man before a library, he was lost in a field he knew nothing about. A faint smile touched D'Élysée's lips. This meant that with a bit of gentle, skillful persuasion, he might just give in. "Listen, hyung. A lover is just a term for someone you love with all your heart. Don't you think that's…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
Egru hastily straightened his clothes. He smoothed down his disheveled hair and scrubbed his face with his sleeves. "D'Élysée, d-do I look okay?" "Yes, you're beauti... I mean, you look magnificent. In fact, 'magnificent' doesn't even begin to cover it." "Thanks. Y-You too." Beaming, Egru tried his best to compose himself. This was his first official meeting; he absolutely could not afford to make any mistakes. O-Okay, just step out of the carriage with dignity... Click. The carriage…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"A slave?" D'Élysée repeated the female hero's question, his voice dangerously low. "Are you asking that based solely on the fact that he is a demon?" A bitter, incredulous laugh escaped his lips. Unfiltered rage began to simmer inside him. If he hadn't been here, his naive brother would have been completely at this woman's mercy. The thought of how hurt he would have been, unable to even utter a word in his own defense... "How utterly nauseating. To think I shared a table with a filthy bigot." A…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"Hyung, we're here." The guest room provided by the Giel Principality was immaculate, exuding an air of classical elegance. Harmonious patterns adorned the green wallpaper, pearlescent beads were woven into the light brown silk curtains, and the rich color of the well-oiled antique furniture added to the cozy atmosphere. D'Élysée gently laid Egru down on the bed. His verdant eyes took in his brother's small form in a single glance. Egru stared at the ceiling through half-closed lids, letting out a…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
Even with just one hand inside, the small briefs felt completely full. D'Élysée focused on the sensations at his fingertips. He gently soothed the frightened member between his thick fingers; it was as soft and warm as freshly made jelly. D'Élysée pulled Egru deeper into his embrace. His own sun-kissed, solid chest pressed against his brother's pale one. "Hic..." The feeling of his nipples being crushed against the hard muscle made Egru squeeze his eyes shut. Their hearts, now pressed…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
'Huh?' Egru froze. 'It won't go in...' It felt like he was trying to push his own buttocks with his fist. 'Is this not where it's supposed to go?' He reached behind him, his fingers gently probing to confirm the location of the opening. He repositioned the tip of the penis, rubbing it this way and that against the slick entrance. Each movement caused a sticky, viscous fluid to smear and pull away. But as time wore on, the tense wrinkles only clenched tighter. All he was accomplishing was…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"Hah, hah..." As D'Élysée slowly pulled his lips away, Egru's head lolled to the side. His ragged gasps gradually began to calm. His body, ravaged by a storm of intense pleasure, felt as limp as waterlogged cotton, yet it was a tranquil sort of fatigue. His amber eyes blinked slowly. He was so wonderfully drowsy that he felt if he fell asleep right now, he might just get a glimpse of heaven. D'Élysée pulled his hips back, the distinct muscles of his back and waist flexing. The phallus, which…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"I brought breakfast to the room. I figured it might be hard for you to move." D'Élysée backed into the room, pushing the door with his body. On the silver trays in his hands were slices of toast that smelled richly of butter, sweet jam, sausages, and boiled eggs. The delectable aroma made Egru swallow hard. If his appetite was this strong, he must be doing okay. "We still have plenty of time, so there's no need to rush, hyung. The dungeon exploration team is scheduled to depart at noon."…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"You can do anything you want to me, hyung." D'Élysée smiled quietly, pressing a kiss to Egru's cheek. Just as he began to gently rub his brother's soft belly, a cheerful knock echoed through the room. "Lord Egru, and the unnamed adventurer." It was the attendant assigned to them, his voice as bright and energetic as the morning itself. "His Grace the Duke requests your presence in the audience chamber in twenty minutes." "D-D'Élysée! We have to wash up, quickly!" "There's no need to…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
A heavy silence lingered between Egru and D'Élysée after they returned to their room. "Hyung, did you enjoy the formal dinner?" "Yes, it was delicious..." "Then why do you seem so down?" D'Élysée asked, stroking the shoulder of his brother, who had his back turned to him. "Are you not going to look at me anymore?" The hurt in his voice made Egru's lips part, but before any words could escape, a firm knock echoed from the door. Scrambling out of bed, Egru walked past D'Élysée toward the…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"Wait...!" "You cannot become a hero." Before D'Élysée could intervene, Tutu spoke. "I will tell you plainly. The sooner you realize you lack the talent, the sooner you can find another, more suitable path." "What?" Egru's eyes were vacant, clearly shaken by the blunt assessment. While D'Élysée scrubbed a hand over his face in frustration, Tutu continued in a level voice. "The kind of person the Hero Union seeks is one who can help others. This naturally requires a foundation of exceptional…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"...How much did you hear?" Jade asked, his voice laden with a significance that betrayed a guilty conscience. "Hear what?" Egru asked in return, his expression one of pure bewilderment. He had only just opened the basement door, and Jade's voice had been too low for him to make out any of the words. Besides, he had little interest. I need to start training! As if nothing was amiss, Egru strode confidently into the room. He picked up a wooden practice sword from a rack on one side of the training…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
"Let us depart at once, Lord Egru! I will tell you the rest of the story on the way!" Kunte beamed, though Egru was still thoroughly confused. "If we travel diligently, we should arrive next week. We'll have to take a boat to an island, you see. It would have been better if the old gentleman could come himself, but he's in no state to move." Kunte stretched his short arms and legs. "That's what happens when a mere human tries to unnaturally extend their lifespan. The mind may endure, but the body…
-
260.4 K • Ongoing
-
-
The various products made with chicle took Ming, Japan, and Europe by storm. In particular, shoes with chicle soles and cart wheels with chicle tires came to all but monopolize the market. In this situation, a select few began to smell money. “I don’t know exactly when, but I think there’s a fortune to be made here. The smell of money is thick in the air.” “The problem is that the reek of blood is mixed in with it.” The first to catch this ‘blood-tinged smell of money’ were the…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
Having finalized the ‘what, for what purpose, and how’ of the weapon’s use, Da Vinci, Kang Baek-du, and the artisans embarked on the full-scale development of the ‘Self-Propelled Incendiary Bomb.’¹ The most straightforward part was the propulsion system. “Will the propeller even work properly underwater?” “I bet it’ll just fizzle out with a hiss.” While Da Vinci and a few artisans worried about this, Kang Baek-du, a naval officer, and the craftsmen who had built the rockets…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
Da Vinci’s paintings were of such exceptional skill that they would leave his name in the annals of history. His depictions of the human skeleton and various organs possessed a precision and realistic proportion that were astonishingly close to life itself, even capturing the very grain of the muscles that composed the body and its organs. It was for this reason that Da Vinci, who had initially worried whether such detail could be faithfully printed, was able to set aside his concerns completely after…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
Hyang’s decision to entrust Da Vinci with this new task was not born solely from a cold-hearted desire to ‘squeeze him dry until the very end.’ It would be a terrible waste to let a talent of Da Vinci’s caliber burn out so quickly… With that cunning calculation simmering beneath the surface, Hyang had initiated his ‘Recharge Plan’ to restore Da Vinci’s vitality. The first step of this plan was the ‘Recording of the Human Structure.’ *** Since the establishment of the Medical…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
The Royal Court—no, the Emperor—is creating something called an encyclopedia! And they are seeking participants! Not long after, this rumor began to circulate through the markets of Seoul and across the entire Empire, causing people to gather in small groups, murmuring amongst themselves. “An encyclopedia? What in the world is that?” “I have no idea. But if His Majesty the Emperor is the one making it, it must be no ordinary thing.” “Hmm… you really think so?” “Is the…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
A mixture of firm resolve and supreme confidence played across Michelangelo’s face. Opportunities to lay hands on a masterpiece like this are rare! I must seize this! Yes! To work on such a magnum opus, a man must be of my caliber! No! It is impossible for anyone but me! Observing Michelangelo’s expression, the official cleared his throat before continuing. “Ahem! His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus, who is overseeing this endeavor, has stipulated that the following conditions must be strictly…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
Ten days later, a colossal sculpture stood at the entrance to Seokguram Grotto. “Well, I’ll be…” The stonemasons from the Imperial Bureau of Royal Artisans, who had gathered to support the restoration, could only stare with dumbfounded expressions. The sculpture, shaped like a great, open book, was nothing short of a masterpiece. Michelangelo had only borrowed the hands of his apprentices and the other masons for the initial rough shaping; every subsequent process had been carried out by him…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
The conference room instantly descended into chaos, a pandemonium of ministers shouting at the top of their lungs. Even after some time, the tumult showed no sign of abating. Finally, Han Myeong-hoe, seated at the head of the table, slammed his hand down. Bang! “Silence! Be silent!” At Han Myeong-hoe’s roar, the ministers all fell quiet. Han Myeong-hoe fixed his glare on the men, who now looked like turtles pulling their heads into their shells, and continued his rebuke. “What is this…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
Ultimately, the matter was escalated all the way to Hyeon. “For it to have come through the Prime Minister, it must certainly be an urgent issue, but hmmm…” Hyeon reviewed the report, which had been submitted under the joint signatures of the Ministers of General Affairs, Finance, and Education. He rested his chin on his hand, his fingers drumming against the armrest of the throne as his words trailed off. There’s something bothering me, but what is it? What was it? Feeling a lingering…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
“Hmm…” With a soft hum, Hyang meticulously examined the sketch Da Vinci had submitted. It has changed, just as I thought! In the history before Hyang’s intervention, the helicopter Da Vinci had sketched featured a rotor that looked like an aerial screw, almost a drill. However, the helicopter in the sketch before him now had a rotor that resembled a pinwheel, much like the helicopters built in the 20th century. This is its own kind of fun, I suppose. Seeing just what has…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
“So, this is the framework you came up with?” At Hyang’s question, Da Vinci bowed his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.” “Hmm…” Letting out a soft hum, Hyang reviewed the sketch again, then pointed out a problem. “This pinwheel is used for ascent and descent, correct?” “That is so.” “Then how will it move from one place to another? Is this not a flying machine? What is the difference between a flying machine and a simple balloon? A balloon need only go up and down, but a…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
“Pardon?” “For Your Majesty to join in our delusions… it will surely bring stain upon your exalted name!” Horrified by Hyang’s words, Da Vinci and Gong Yajang frantically waved their hands, trying to dissuade him. But Hyang, wearing a mischievous smile, refused their protestations. “There is something I once said to Jang Yeong-sil that I suppose I must now say to you. Have you no sense of common courtesy? Are you going to have all this fun by yourselves?” “But, Your…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
“Petroleum?” Seeing Hyang’s interest, the artisan who had spoken up continued his explanation with excitement. “Yes, I believe petroleum would be excellent. Its firepower should be more than enough to replace coal. No, it is most certainly capable of it.” “Petroleum…” “If it’s petroleum… hmm…” At the mention of the word, the other artisans began to nod in agreement. *** In this era, petroleum was not an unfamiliar substance, neither in the East nor the West. The…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
The petroleum-based fuels they created were not completely identical to the grades Hyang was familiar with from his past life, but they were still quite good, boasting excellent firepower and convenience. Well, considering the fuels I know were continuously improved over more than a hundred years, this is a natural result. Having reached his conclusion, Hyang registered ‘Petroleum Refining’ in the Challenge of Records. The verdict from the review committee, which included Hyang, was ‘Grinding…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
The new power source was quickly becoming an object of widespread interest. However, just as its advantages were clear, so too were its disadvantages. “Its efficiency isn’t much better than a steam engine, and more than anything, it’s far too maintenance-intensive!” “It still has too many shortcomings to be put into practical use right now!” As these cold, hard assessments piled up, one institution after another began to abandon the new engine. The most prominent among them were the…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
Before mounting the new power source, there was something Wan wished to confirm. “I want to see with my own eyes if this new airframe can truly fly.” “Yes, Your Majesty. We will prepare it.” At Wan’s command, the artisans began to disassemble the flying machine and load it onto the iron horse. In a way, Wan’s order could be seen as wasteful, as they were repeating a test that had already succeeded. However, not a single artisan complained. “A flying machine! A flying machine! If…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
The Empire was vibrant, with Seoul, New Frontier, and indeed its entire territory bustling with activity. It was a time that would come to be known as either ‘The Age of the Great Leap Forward’ or ‘The Age of Madmen.’ The duality of this moniker was an interesting story in itself. *** Imperial historians and those with a favorable view of the Empire described the era as ‘The Age of the Great Leap Forward’ or ‘The Age of Progress.’ However, historians with a negative or revisionist…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
The group of gentry, united in their goal to oust the ‘Half-Emperor’ and find a true monarch, began to scour the entire Ming domain for a suitable candidate. This, however, was no easy task. There were almost no viable candidates left among the Princes of the First and Second Rank. *** The imperial princes (fanwang) of the Ming were largely divided into two tiers: Princes of the First Rank (qinwang) and Princes of the Second Rank (junwang). The title of qinwang was bestowed upon the emperor’s…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
To replenish the empty state coffers, the officials of Japan moved quickly. The first thing they turned their hands to was mining exploration. They knew well that the Iwami Ginzan silver mine, operated as a joint venture with the Empire, was what had allowed the Ouchi to ascend from a mere regional lordly family to a royal house. This was one of the key reasons why Ouchi Norihiro, upon formally becoming King of Japan, had so swiftly carried out the haihan-chiken¹—the abolition of feudal domains and the…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
As traditional values crumbled and the old privileged classes vanished into the pages of history, Japan’s centralization proceeded step by step. The Empire’s perspective on this development was somewhat peculiar. “Now the foundations of their nation will be properly laid.” “Indeed.” For the regimes that had emerged since the Three Kingdoms and Later Three Kingdoms periods, the primary goal had always been the centralization of power. The Empire itself had achieved complete…
-
226.0 K • Ongoing
-
-
"It is time we taught those Spaniards a lesson!" ...Why do we have to teach them a lesson? "We need to show them exactly who the master of these parts is!" Are we managing our turf now? "Vicente, you'll join us, won't you?" "Ah! Of course, my lord Baron! I've done it once already, what's a second time?" Done what, exactly? "If we're not limiting ourselves to naval battles, there might be casualties..." "Don't you worry! We can handle most injuries now!" "Eleanor, are you planning…
-
265.9 K • Ongoing
-
-
Spanish Florida. Numerous mission outposts and military forts dotted the coastline, interspersed with Spanish settlements of a few hundred people and their allied tribes. "...Is this how it's to be? We'll have to tear it all down and start anew." "What do you mean by 'tear it down'?" "Florida is the gateway from that so-called 'Virginia' in the north down to the Caribbean. If we properly fortify it and station a fleet there, it will be far easier to keep an eye on our enemies." But that…
-
265.9 K • Ongoing
-
-
"Gonzalo… Rodriguez?" "Yes, that's my name. A slave trader," Gonzalo said. The harbor master glanced past him at the small vessel in the bay before speaking. "Come on in. You've done a brave thing, crossing the Atlantic in times as dangerous as these." A brave thing, indeed. Crossing the sea was always a test of courage, but these days it had become a perilous adventure, especially for Spanish merchants. "Did you not encounter any Englishmen?" The reason was clear: the notorious Francis…
-
265.9 K • Ongoing
-
-
"What's happening? Why is the shore so noisy all of a sudden?" "Ah... Saintess! It seems some people have arrived from the Spanish territories!" "From the Spanish territories? All the way across the Atlantic?" "Oh no, not from there. From... from Florida." Eleanor turned in surprise. Sure enough, amidst the boisterous crowd gathered on the beach, she could see a few small boats and a group of half-naked people. It was obvious they had traveled a long way in those little vessels. And if they had…
-
265.9 K • Ongoing
-
-
Stepping off the Nautilus, Asuero shed tears of emotion as he surveyed his surroundings. A magnificent coastal fortress and a straight, long road greeted him. He whistled as he walked along the smoothly paved path that cut through the dense forest. A sense of anticipation—a thrilling, rewarding anticipation for the future—filled Asuero's entire being. He wept as he recalled the arduous life he had endured until now. It was the way of the world for tribulations to befall the righteous and for all…
-
265.9 K • Ongoing
-
-
"You... d-de... mon..." His voice was devoid of strength. "G-go... away..." His eyes were devoid of conviction. He trembled from head to toe, looking up at the being before him. The truth was reflected in his eyes. A man was standing there. No, a man? Could one assign a human gender to him? Could one attach a human name to him? He was not human. He was surely a demon, or... or... Asuero's body shook uncontrollably, his mind unable to contain the truth. A soul-crushing fear and anguish rose…
-
265.9 K • Ongoing
-
-
I built this community to survive. And I will probably live for at least a few hundred years. I've been here for nearly a decade, and not a single wrinkle has appeared on my face. What that means is... "..." "..." "..." ...Unless it is destroyed for some extraordinary reason, this community will also endure for hundreds of years. And the story of a community that was never meant to exist enduring for centuries means, in short, that I am changing history. "I am against it." Every…
-
265.9 K • Ongoing
-
-
"How far has the expansion progressed?" "The Seminole tribes who have allied with us are celebrating their victory in the war. It won't be long now before they control the entire Florida peninsula." "Good. That is an excellent result. First, let's bring in more slaves to cultivate that land." For a long time, a plague that had killed countless people began to spread from Florida. This time, it was not a story of smallpox or other diseases spread by Europeans. Of course, the colonial policies of…
-
265.9 K • Ongoing
-
-
"Good heavens, L-Lord! Lord! We have to do something, anything…!" "The Great Chief has gone inside! The Great Chief went in there!" "Bring buckets of water! What? Just bring anything that can put out a fire, water, sand, anything!" Azak's mind went blank. This was not part of the plan. This was a variable he had never once considered. How could it be? For a man as great as the Great Chief to personally leap into the flames to save a man like that… it made no sense. Azak's hand, gripping the…
-
265.9 K • Ongoing
-
-
One look at the current situation and the answer is obvious. Just think about what prompted the development of the automatic water pump in the first place. The pump ‘itself’ isn't a particularly complicated machine to replicate. It's a device that just has to suck water in and spit it out. A 21st-century water pump isn't all that different from the ones I have now. The problem was the… engine that ran it. There were swamps aplenty that needed draining and I could replicate as many pumps as I…
-
265.9 K • Ongoing
-
- 1 2 … 132 Next