30 Sep 2016

Dominion’s End V2C5: The Phoenix of Good Fortune

by | posted in: Dominions End | 38

Dominion’s End Volume 2: Aberrant City

Original novel in Chinese by: 御 我 (Yu Wo)

Chapter 5: The Phoenix of Good Fortune—translated by Elkin (proofread by Arcedemius; C/E edited by lucathia)

After eating the evolution crystal, I could finally take it easy, lie back, and relax. Even if I recovered too quickly, it might be because one particular evolution crystal was especially powerful. It has nothing to do with me, okay?

Lying there on the bed was extremely dull, and I really wanted to secretly slip out of bed and walk around to exercise. However, a certain somebody kept staring at me relentlessly, so I had no choice but to just lie there like a good boy.

I said expressionlessly, “Can you please stop staring at me?”

He replied with a bright smile, “Nope. Dàjiě wants me to take good care of you!”

I looked him over. Ben was a fourteen year old youngster who was fairly short. Fortunately for him, he wasn’t too skinny or frail—if anything, he looked like he carried a bit of bulk. His somewhat dark skin and sunken eyes marked him a possible mixed blood, but his extremely local accent suggested that he had grown up in this country.

Although he called Jin Feng “Dàjiě,” there was no way he was her little brother. Feng had mentioned that she only had an older brother, Jin Zhan, and a little sister called Jin Xiaoyue, making her the middle child. Her family structure was identical to mine… No wait, what am I talking about? Feng’s a girl and I’m a guy, so how can we be the same? We both just happen to be part of a trio of brothers and sisters.

Pretty much everyone here called Feng “Dàjiě,” and this wasn’t in the sense of “older sister” but rather, “big sis,” the head of a syndicate or organization.

Continued

31 Aug 2016

Dominion’s End V2C4: The Jin Family

by | posted in: Dominions End | 57

Dominion’s End Volume 2: Aberrant City

Original novel in Chinese by: 御 我 (Yu Wo)

Chapter 4: The Jin Family—translated by Elkin (proofread by Arcedemius & Trespasserby; C/E edited by lucathia)

Bang!

My eyes flew open and I sucked in a deep, sharp breath. The air surging into my lungs triggered a coughing fit, and I started coughing like I was hacking up my lungs. It was only when I finally caught my breath that I had the energy to look around to figure out what had happened.

Every part of me was in absolute agony, proof that I wasn’t dead yet. However, the darkness threatening to swallow my vision was a sign that I was injured very, very seriously. The pain had been bad enough before I had passed out, but the dial was now cranked up a few more notches. My chest had even lost all sensation.

I blinked quickly, clearing the blood that had trickled into my eye. It didn’t help much. I was still looking at a sea of red, but I could just about make out my surroundings.

The first things that came into sight were high-rise buildings. I was surrounded by abandoned cars, and the majority of shops lining either side of the road had broken windows. Garbage littered the road. The city was a picture of desolation.

This is the city? A chill crept into my heart as I realized that I was lying by the roadside, drenched in blood. If I just lay out in the open, a tasty tier one morsel in this city where aberrants roamed freely, wasn’t I just asking to be eaten? Move!

Rolling over took all the energy I could muster. The moment my chest hit the pavement, agony ripped through me, almost sending me back to unconsciousness. Something didn’t feel right. Then, the memory of being crushed by the bird and the sound of something shattering rushed back to me. I touched my chest. The ice shard had been smashed to smithereens, leaving behind fragmented bits stuck to my skin. When I also remembered that my new ice spear had snapped, I wanted to cry. Why is making a weapon so hard?

Continued

31 Jul 2016

Dominion’s End V2C3: Red as Blood, Dazzling as Flowers

by | posted in: Dominions End | 28

Dominion’s End Volume 2: Aberrant City

Original novel in Chinese by: 御 我 (Yu Wo)

Chapter 3: Red as Blood, Dazzling as Flowers—translated by Elkin (proofread by EvlNabiki & Arcedemius; C/E edited by lucathia)

Today was the third day after Dàgē’s departure. These past few days, I had left Yunqian’s training to Shujun, wanting to get the ice spear to a somewhat usable state as soon as possible.

This new weapon had to last me a good three to five years, so I took it very seriously. Every layer of ice crystals was compressed into a very fine layer, and that meant that I had to expend even more effort. Thankfully, I was more powerful than before, so I was able to compress more layers each time. Judging from the progress, it would probably take me around a month—oh wait, there’s a spearhead as well this time, so that would add another ten days to the count.

Dàgē had wanted to go to Zhongguan City while I stayed behind to mind the house, and since I needed to craft my spear and all, everything worked out just fine.

But what about afterwards? I can’t keep watching the house every time, right? Even if I keep getting my share of crystals, I’ll miss out on actual combat experience, which is a no go.

But we’ll need someone to mind the house. What a headache…

“Èrgē, it’s time for dinner!” Shujun poked her head in and looked curiously at the ice spear, giving an admiring sigh. “Your long spear is becoming prettier and prettier!”

Yes, no matter how fugly it was, it would still look presentable when wrapped in layers of compressed ice. And this time, I had made sure to compress it extra well, so the clear ice had turned a little milky white, which was perfect for concealing the true nature of the spear—that of a broken knife tied to a broomstick handle.

Continued

29 Jun 2016

Dominion’s End V2C2: The Bitterness and Sweetness of Coffee and Chocolate

by | posted in: Dominions End | 48

Dominion’s End Volume 2: Aberrant City

Original novel in Chinese by: 御 我 (Yu Wo)

Chapter 2: The Bitterness and Sweetness of Coffee and Chocolate—translated by Elkin (proofread by EvlNabiki; C/E edited by Amgine & lucathia)

As my hands worked to compress the ice crystals, my ears picked up gossip like, “Èrgē is so handsome, both men and women fall for him. Dàgē even said that he isn’t sure about his preferences!” On the fifth day of my despair over her upbringing, there was finally a little change.

After dinner, Dàgē grimly called me to his room for a chat. Everyone in the mercenary troop looked at Dàgē, and then at me. Going by the looks of worry on their faces, it was as if the two of us weren’t going to have a chat, but a death match instead.

I nodded and followed after Dàgē as the sounds of gossip came from behind again, though this time it wasn’t the voices of the girls, but of the mercenaries.

“Do you think the gēge or the dìdi will win?”

“Before, I’d definitely declare that Boss would be the victor, but Shuyu was pretty strong last time! I mean, he sent Boss crashing into the wall with a kick!”

“Don’t tell me the person who’s boss is gonna change?”

Continued