[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower":3,"chapter-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-131":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Problematic Child of the Magic Tower",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1334927,1778,"Chapter 131","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-131",131,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 131: Artificial Island, Ivemir (8)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creeeeak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy metallic sound echoed as the basement-connected door swung open, sending dust and rust scattering into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group grimaced as they stared into the dark, eerie basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had merely opened the door, yet an ominous and sticky aura already permeated the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This place looks seriously uninviting. Are we really going in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The AI control room was located deep within the underground levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it felt this oppressive at the entrance, the pressure would only intensify the deeper they went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under normal circumstances, they would have hesitated—perhaps even reconsidered multiple times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But we have no other choice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting on the surface to die was far worse than taking the fight to their enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having made up his mind, Oscar responded briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re going.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar began descending the stairs leading into the basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staircase was so long that its end was nowhere in sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after walking for 30 minutes, there was no sign of reaching the lower level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar, are we trapped in some kind of illusion? Like an infinite staircase or something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I don’t think so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar recalled the map they had seen earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to the map, the distance between the first floor and the basement level is around 2.1 kilometers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Are you kidding me? What the hell did they build down here to dig this deep?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You got a glimpse earlier. There are three key facilities in the basement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first was the waste and pollution treatment facility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second was a semi-permanent mana generation facility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the last was their destination—the AI control facility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never seen the AI control facility before, but the other two require a massive amount of space.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can see why waste disposal needs space, but semi-permanent mana generation? Is that even possible?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In theory, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason it was possible was that the artificial island had been built in the center of a vast lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar pressed his index finger to his lips, then tapped his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Listen carefully. Do you hear that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his words, the group fell silent and focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a faint noise hidden beneath their breathing reached their ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoooosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica furrowed her brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That sounds like… water falling?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. It’s coming from an artificial waterfall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive waterfall plunging from a height of 2.1 kilometers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the foundation of the artificial island’s mana generation system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The reason the facilities still have power even after 200 years is that the power plant is still functioning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see… That’s a system most places couldn’t replicate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only the Imperial Family could afford to build a hydroelectric power plant on this scale.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, they reached the bottom of the staircase, where a vast space made of gray bricks came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ceiling was so high that it felt like they had stepped into a massive underground sewer system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that they were further down, the waterfall’s roar was much louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar felt the pressure in his ears and spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The AI control room is this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The path was wide and straightforward, so there was no risk of getting lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the moment they turned a corner, all four of them halted in their tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve come a long way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But this is as far as you go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We cannot allow you to proceed any further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three voices completed a single sentence, spoken by the dozens of mages blocking their path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From behind, Kilian’s deep voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Oscar turned, he saw that dozens more mages had appeared at their rear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A perfect encirclement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran muttered in despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many people has that monster killed?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……It didn’t kill them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to their communications, only 19 people had been confirmed dead in this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the number of enemies before them far exceeded that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even we didn’t die to that thing, yet it’s mimicking us right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Now that you mention it, that’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant their enemy could replicate any target it had observed—even without killing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘……Even the ones we just killed are standing there.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That implied that their foe had an almost infinite supply of mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar listened to the roaring waterfall, he fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s likely using the power generated by that waterfall to create these illusions.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was the case, then rather than engaging in a pointless battle of attrition, eliminating the source was the smarter move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar swiftly scanned their numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Fifty-three.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exact same number as the enemies they had fought earlier in the upper-level corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant the enemy could summon a maximum of 53 copies at any given time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having made his decision, Oscar spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The three of you—head to the power plant and shut it down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt the shocked gazes of his comrades bore into his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you insane? What are you planning to do alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The number of summoned mages has never exceeded 53.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……So there’s a limit to how many illusions it can create?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. If you three head toward the power plant, it will be forced to split its forces.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, it would prioritize sending more troops after the larger group rather than a lone opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant Oscar would have an opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding the strategy, the three nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No choice, then. You’re the strongest among us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll disable the power plant and then regroup with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That means we need to break through one side first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, the four of them charged toward the smaller group ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, they wiped out twenty illusions, and as they ran down the corridor, a fork in the path appeared before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, who had been running without slowing down, shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t let your guard down! There might be stronger ones in the important facilities!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry about us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Worry about yourself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seriously, these guys hated losing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar let out a dry chuckle, exchanged glances with the three, and then took the opposite path from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He aimed two fingers at the mages rising from the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『Wind Bullet』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as they dissolved into smoke, the enemies did not stop talking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest, we used to be afraid of the Masters of the Four Great Magic Towers. We had to stay hidden until they left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But things are different now. Even if we were to fight them head-on, we’re confident we would win.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Oscar scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think you can beat a Tower Master in a direct fight? With this pathetic level?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps that remark got under his skin, as the old mage blocking Oscar’s path twitched his eyebrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Foolish. You do not understand my true power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My power reaches the heavens, and my knowledge is as deep as the sea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s only natural that you don’t comprehend. Humans are mere mortals who die so easily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opponent showed no real intention of attacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only kept spouting words as if leaving a will before his death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s pretty confident, isn’t he?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if he didn’t care whether Oscar reached the Artificial Intelligence Control Room or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—rather, it felt like he was hoping Oscar would get there sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this the place?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A location where even the sound of waterfalls could barely be heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar stared at the door before him, another mage rose up beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you hesitating to go in? Weren’t you confident?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I was going in even if you didn’t say anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar put a hole in the mage’s forehead as well and stepped through the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stench of rot filled the room, and at its center stood a massive, transparent cylindrical tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, something that resembled an insect was moving around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ah, you’ve finally arrived.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thing pressed up against the tank looked like an earthworm, yet also like a fragment of a brain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Welcome to my room. You’re the first visitor to this place in 200 years.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar scanned the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t much that stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…A broken lever mechanism?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scattered across the floor were shattered metal fragments, utterly destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing his gaze, the creature spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Oh, that? Yeah, I broke it. Pulling that lever was seriously painful.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you do feel pain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Of course. Despite my appearance, I’m still a living being.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thing wiggled proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[From what I hear, it seems like you’ve already figured out what I am, haven’t you?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…A homunculus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That’s right. Wow, it’s been ages since I last heard that name. Brings back memories.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its voice took on a nostalgic tone, as if it were reminiscing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you done talking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I still have plenty more to say. What, are you in a hurry? Should I just kill you now?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an entity that had tried to attack and kill him outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If possible, eliminating it quickly would be the best way to prevent future trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar completed the spell he had been preparing in secret and extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『Wind Blade』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp blade of wind shot toward the cylindrical tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, not even the faintest crack appeared on the glass-like structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Fool. This is reinforced glass. It’s so absurdly strong that even sword energy can’t leave a mark.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, physical attacks wouldn’t work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then how about this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a deep breath, Oscar slowly stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What? Why? Are you coming closer to get a better look?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to mock him, the creature pressed itself right up against the glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If this tank itself acts as a protective barrier…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he just had to bypass it and directly deal damage to the creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clenching his fist tightly, Oscar threw his strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar-Style Martial Arts, Secret Technique: First Form—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wave Sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the reaction inside the tank was entirely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like waves crashing, the water inside churned violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ah?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a sharp, space-tearing scream echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyaaahhhhhh!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Aaaaghhh!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Guaaahh!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyaaaak!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a bizarre scream, as if multiple voices were crying out in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he heard it, Oscar felt his entire body convulse, his meridians twisting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mouthful of blood surged up and spilled from his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just hearing that scream is enough to do this to me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar wore a look of disbelief, the creature, now pressed against the opposite side of the glass, muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Y-You… You can make me feel pain?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For over 200 years, it had never once experienced pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, this long-forgotten sensation awakened emotions it had buried deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1787,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","7f383b7d91503805317f8fb7c120a7c4c9e512807d6935e18e9cb1c028da0508","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-132","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-130",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]