[{"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-158":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},1334854,1778,"Chapter 158","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-158",158,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 158: Saint Hill (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The characteristic warmth of winter morning sunlight seeped through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, this would be the time for coffee and reading research papers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But right now, Oscar was lying in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He blinked and even rolled his eyes in a full 360-degree motion, as if experiencing something unfamiliar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly sitting up, he checked the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>10:14 AM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meaning was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I slept.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a full thirteen hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to that, his body felt lighter than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that all the accumulated fatigue from his time on the artificial island had been wiped away in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more important than just getting good sleep was something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I didn’t dream.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar pulled out the object he suspected was responsible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A curse-protection talisman—a gift from Kiri.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The business card-sized charm was about one-third burnt and shriveled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It was supposed to be a one-time use… but can I use it twice more?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason wasn’t hard to guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing an already manifested curse was likely much easier than preventing a new one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar stared at the talisman with fascination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Black Tower’s curse magic, huh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That faction had existed for a long time, but in his previous life, he hadn’t paid much attention to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, this kind of item didn’t even exist back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, the Black Tower’s main focus was death and corpse research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But now, their specialties are machine golems and curse magic.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carefully put the charm back in his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his calculations were correct, he had two more nights of dreamless sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone felt like a ray of light in his exhausting life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’d be great if I could get the Black Tower Master’s protective charm too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he was only human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he confirmed something was effective, he wanted the best version of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing up, Oscar stretched his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mmhh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he regularly massaged his muscles with mana, his trapezius—always stiff—felt as soft as a baby’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head, which had been feeling heavy recently, was now as light as a feather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his skin looked smoother in the mirror, almost radiant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After stretching for a while, Oscar chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sleep really is the best medicine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew a good night’s sleep could change his condition this much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a quick shower, he headed to the Special Task Force office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stepped inside, he smiled brightly and greeted the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good morning! Did everyone sleep well?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three people already at their desks, reading reports, all turned to stare at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica was the first to speak, her tone sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you eat something weird?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean, why are you acting all creepy this morning?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did I even do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don’t get it, go look in the mirror.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar turned to check his reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, he saw himself smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……I don’t see anything strange? I think it looks nice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s the problem! The fact that you're smiling!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica squinted at him, like a stray cat bristling in suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You always walk around with a neutral face—at best. The only time you smile is in a quick smirk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do I?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was news to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But beside her, Fran added his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Honestly, even having a neutral face is a huge improvement. You used to always scowl. You never smirked—just clicked your tongue all the time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of person were you, past-Oscar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sighing lightly, Oscar shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"People change.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s true… but please, don’t change any more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you start walking around acting like a normal, cheerful guy, my whole worldview is going to collapse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So basically, he wasn’t a normal person in their eyes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out an exasperated chuckle, he shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran clapped his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes! That face! That annoyed, dumbfounded expression! That’s the real you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough nonsense. Just sit down already.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seated at the meeting table, Oscar glanced at the pile of reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anything interesting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing on my end either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar gave a small nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, most of the reports that came into the Special Task Force were useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since their office archived nearly every event happening in Sirin, they got reports on everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Missing cat… suspected cheating fiancé… fraud case…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of these weren’t cases that required their involvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still, reading through them was part of the job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the next few hours, the four of them quietly read the reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hours of silence, Killian made a noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned to him as he tilted his head and held up a document.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This one seems off. I think it was sent here by mistake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it? Let me see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar took the report and scanned it quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To: Special Task Force Chief, Oscar Cruciang\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From: Pedro X.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subject: Report on Saint Hill's Strange Behavior\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I write this letter, you’re probably attending the Mages Night event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Wind Rider recently submitted a report to me, and I think you should take a look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least from my reading, the contents seem quite suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below is the full report, so read it and judge for yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The report was from Senior Pedro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar began reading the report attached beneath his brief greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the Head of the Delivery Department,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hello. My name is Hank Over, a civilian Wind Rider employed by the Wind Tribe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am submitting this report because the current state of my jurisdiction, Saint Hill, has been unusual lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As you know, the village is located northwest of Sirin and has an extremely closed-off community.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They strictly forbid external contact, but they have consistently used White Tower’s delivery service through the mailbox installed at their front gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Primarily, they use it to respond to letters from outsiders or order essential supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, they have not used the service for over two months now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, I dismissed it, thinking it was just one of their odd behaviors, but something about it feels off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, I am submitting this report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The report ended there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Oscar finished reading, he handed the report to Fran and Veronica, and Killian spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm. It’s definitely suspicious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White Tower’s delivery service—though it may be a bit boastful to say—was something you couldn’t stop using once you started.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the only service of its kind, allowing people to order goods from the comfort of their homes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a community as isolated as Saint Hill, they should have had no choice but to rely on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know what this Saint Hill place is? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know it. It’s not the kind of place you’d forget.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar shrugged, recalling some unpleasant memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a cult community. Their leader established an entire village with his followers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might sound ridiculous, but in reality, the group had a long history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been around since Oscar’s previous life when he was a child—at least fifty years, if not more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew this because, as a child wandering the streets, they had once tried to recruit him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Join us, and we’ll give you new clothes, a place to sleep, and food every day,’ they had said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even as a child, Oscar was sharp enough to refuse immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about their eyes had seemed off—these were not people he wanted to be around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A village made up of cult followers, huh... What do they believe in?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know. I only remember the name of their religion—Salvation Church.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had roamed the streets singing about the \"Salvation Church\" all day, which was the only reason he remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Veronica finished reading, she was frowning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is strange. Isn’t the empire’s state religion El-Terraism? How can a cult like this exist openly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They don’t go around officially recruiting people, so as long as they keep to themselves, there’s no need to eradicate them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, they secretly conducted missionary work, as they had tried with him long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered them so vividly because he had witnessed their deaths firsthand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was probably the first time he had seen a human skull get crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, if they ever run into El-Terra’s paladins, they’re executed on the spot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar let out a dry chuckle and stared at the report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Personally, I’d rather not get involved with these people...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Saint Hill was precariously situated on the very edge of White Tower’s territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking his tongue, Oscar grabbed his robe and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go. If we leave now, we’ll arrive in two days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And by mistake, he meant he had overestimated Fran’s driving skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were supposed to arrive by morning on the second day, but they only reached their destination after sunset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you want me to do? The road was winding, it was my first time here, and there was thick fog everywhere!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran vented his frustration, but unfortunately, no one in the group sympathized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should’ve studied the route beforehand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica Fricks (21, unlicensed)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It would’ve been faster if we stopped and ran.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian Lockwood (21, unlicensed)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You heard them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar Crucian (21+30, unlicensed)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by people who had never touched a steering wheel, Fran was about to lose his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, unbelievable. Couldn’t you at least try to empathize? Ugh, never mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved them off, looking sulky as he stepped out of the car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he glanced at the structure ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this it? The place called Saint Hill?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"According to the map. I’ve never been here myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the white mist, a towering structure resembling a grand temple became visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar clicked his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For a cult, they sure built an entrance fit for the state religion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where did they get the money and manpower to build something like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who knows? Maybe there are more wealthy cult fanatics than we think.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approaching the temple, Oscar first checked the White Tower’s white mailbox at the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, he found a few letters—weeks old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not responding to letters is one thing, but not even reading incoming mail?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is unsettling. What if they all died from some plague?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A plague?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mention of a disease made all four of them think of Cadena Flu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the most recent and deadly epidemic they could recall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the timing doesn’t match, does it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn’t. According to the report, they stopped using deliveries only two months ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After closing the mailbox, Oscar resumed walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clank, clank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the temple’s massive front gate was locked tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t budge, as if barred from the inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello? Is anyone in there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice echoed through the misty forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Step aside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian clenched his fist, ready to break down the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clank, clank, clank!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive temple gates began to open with a sound like grinding gears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Excuse us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar and Killian stepped in first, followed by a tense Fran and Veronica.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1890,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","10db5d3142b06ca38c5445600360f255af43567b0a2c8506235558a1e4cabc60","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-159","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-157",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]