[{"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-179":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},1334875,1778,"Chapter 179","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-179",179,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 179: Ghosts (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint mist blanketed the streets that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of it, the glow of the streetlights blurred faintly, adding to the somber atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I slip up, I’ll lose him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slipping into an alleyway, Oscar began tailing Joe Madison from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghost spotted on 23rd Street. I repeat, ghost spotted on 23rd Street.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held the communication crystal close to his lips, repeating the message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he spoke, his eyes and steps remained fixed on Joe Madison’s trail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The code word ‘ghost’ clearly referred to the target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he transmitted the message like this, every watcher in the area would swarm in like hornets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...But why is the response so slow?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped the device in his ear impatiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief delay, a response finally came through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[12th Street... Bzzz... all clear.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[crackle... 7th Street is also... no signs of... activity.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did they not hear him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar narrowed his eyes, glancing at the crystal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inside was now murky red—a stark contrast to the clear blue it had been before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Today... Bzzz... the ghost is late...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Perhaps... the investigation is closing in... and they got spooked... or maybe not?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same message he had already heard back at the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s when Oscar realized the communication crystal had been compromised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn hacking.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As with most magic-based communication, the biggest vulnerability was the channel source override.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once that was breached, it was easy to fall into a situation like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is why I can’t trust machines.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar yanked the device from his ear and tossed both it and the crystal into a back-alley trash bin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he used direct message magic instead, he would have sensed the interference immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But magic engineering tools, for all their convenience, were far too slow at detecting tampering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Joe Madison, who had been loitering through the alleys, suddenly took off running.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if determined to give Oscar no time to hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking his tongue sharply, Oscar swiftly drew upon his magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『Messenger of the Wind』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small bird, carrying a message that he was pursuing the ghost, took flight into the night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The recipient was Commander Grace, who would surely dispatch reinforcements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And as for me—I’ll catch that bastard.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s silhouette melted into the thickening mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell is going on...?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the White Watcher Headquarters, Commander Grace scowled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How long until the magic communication channel is restored?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Estimated time is about seven minutes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Watchers had acted swiftly against the sudden interference, but their opponent was one step ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Whoever did this isn’t a first-timer. Who the hell is it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep crease formed between Grace’s brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up until now, it had seemed like nothing more than a ghost hunt—mere superstition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a blatant act of terrorism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone was deliberately obstructing them with clear malice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Start evacuating the citizens immediately. Once the communication channel is restored—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a bird pecked at the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Messenger of the Wind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grace, startled, opened the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bird opened its beak and cried out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is 23rd Street! Ghost spotted and being pursued! Requesting backup! Requesting backup!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Watchers’ eyes widened in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Grace was the first to react, sharp and decisive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who’s stationed at 23rd Street?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“U-uh... It’s Oscar Crucian today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar Crucian?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bad feeling crawled up Grace’s spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Trace Oscar Crucian’s current location. Now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-yes, mam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Watcher with the most advanced magic detection capabilities ran a quick scan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face paled instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“T-there are too many traces.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too many? What the hell are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...It’s a decoy. There are already seven separate trails of Oscar’s magic detected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic channel hacking and magic decoy tactics?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grace’s eyes grew cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could it be... that their target was Oscar Crucian from the very beginning?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, realizing it now was better than never.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they centered their search around 23rd Street, they could still catch his trail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grace was about to issue an order when another subordinate burst into the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“C-commander! It’s an emergency!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now what?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Civilians across the city are rioting! They’ve become extremely aggressive—and the violence is spreading rapidly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Citizens turning aggressive and rioting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, one place flashed through Grace’s mind: Saint Hill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No way...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a Dark Tracker, Grace knew all too well about the horrors of Saint Hill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The NewTech syndicate and the Black Fingers had conducted horrifying human experiments there,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>using the Seed—a device that turned people into mindless berserkers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They targeted orphans and vagrants as test subjects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If that same experiment is unfolding in Sirin...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grace’s face grew more urgent than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, the ghost didn’t matter anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, this situation is classified as Code Black. Contact the Magic Tower immediately and request as many mages as they can spare!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“C-Code Black?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the alert level issued only during mass-casualty terrorist attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Sentinels hesitated, Grace bellowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing! We’re moving to the scene as well! Restrain and isolate any rioting citizens!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“B-But what about 23rd Street?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of hesitation crossed Grace’s face for a brief moment before she responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Send ten White Sentinels to 23rd Street to track Oscar’s trail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, that was the best judgment she could make.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash, splash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar grimaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t believe I’m back here again.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place Joe Madison fled to hide was none other than the underground sewer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following him down into the sewers, Oscar cast a brief glance behind him, a trace of concern in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This could break the trail… but they’ll find it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he had sent the Messenger of the Wind, all the White Sentinels would be deployed to 23rd Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trail might be tricky to follow, but with that many people, they were bound to find it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar turned his gaze forward once more, watching the back of Joe Madison as he ran ahead at a steady distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At least, that guy is definitely human.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was sure of it for a simple reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Joe had truly been a ghost, he wouldn’t have bothered lifting the manhole cover to descend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would’ve just slipped right through the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And his goal… it seems to be me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the beginning, Joe had been intentionally erasing his tracks and choosing routes designed to mislead and confuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, he wanted to delay the White Sentinels’ pursuit as much as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s gaze grew cold and sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If he’s making it this obvious just to lure me in…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was most likely part of Black Finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Oscar was contemplating how long he should humor this farce, Joe Madison began climbing a ladder to the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving him a slight head start, Oscar followed and emerged above ground, frowning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This place is…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abandoned, half-constructed buildings lined both sides of the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he remembered correctly, this area had been designated for a new residential district about seventy years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the construction company went bankrupt, the investors backed out, and the project was abandoned—leaving this as the outskirts of Sirin, a desolate and forsaken place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You followed me all the way here? How diligent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joe Madison, having successfully lured Oscar, slowly turned around with a smug expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar stared at him blankly, prompting Joe to raise an eyebrow in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, you’re not even a little startled?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I mean… I haven’t spoken a word in the past week, you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already knew you were human.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar stretched casually, his tone indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re with Black Finger, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joe Madison smirked faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his lips curved upward, something in his eyes showed clear displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just as dull as they said you’d be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“‘They’? Who—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing someone’s presence, Oscar cut himself off and subtly turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the shadows of a building’s first floor, a man in a tattered suit slowly emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Oscar recognized him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, peppermint scent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Long time no see. The last time we met was with the Archbishop, wasn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neil Brion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So even after Newtech had been dismantled, this rat had survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neil shook his head slightly as he regarded Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a shame. I distinctly recall saying we should meet under better circumstances next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is that my fault? It’s yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neil stared at him briefly, then spoke with a sinister edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I should have killed you sooner. Turns out you’re annoyingly hard to put down. But today will be different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced at the two of them and let out a dry chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, you two plan to kill me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think we can’t?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. Seems a bit out of your league.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feigning disinterest, Oscar used the idle chatter to quickly assess their abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Neil Brion is level 5. Considering he was Newtech’s executive director, he was likely more of a strategist than a fighter.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, the ghost-like figure was level 6.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So he’s the muscle. Judging by their presence, these two are the only ones here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s gaze narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then was it the ghost who hacked the magic communication channel? Peppermint scent wouldn’t have the skills for that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if that were the case, the ghost’s skill set seemed strangely broad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Luring me in with a disguise while simultaneously hacking the magic communication channel?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t something an ordinary talent could pull off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing Oscar’s suspicion, the ghost smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m a man of many talents.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dirje.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he ran his hand across his face, Joe Madison’s features vanished, revealing an entirely different countenance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Faceless Assassin, Dirje.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an unfamiliar name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar slowly nodded and asked calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where do you rank in Black Finger’s hierarchy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me? Hmm. If we’re talking about a direct fight… I’d be in the top ten, at least.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And if we’re talking about a sneaky fight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh. No less than the top five.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar couldn’t fully trust his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, based on the confidence in his voice, it was clear that Dirje was indeed one of the more powerful members of Black Finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A level 6 assassin ranking only in the top ten?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was difficult to create a hierarchy among level 6 individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was more concerning was Dirje’s implication that, even with underhanded tactics, he wouldn’t be able to beat more than three people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That means there are at least three people stronger than him—level 7 or higher.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar pieced this together, Neil Brion interrupted, clearly annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop talking nonsense, Dirje.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the harm? The dead can’t talk, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shrugging his shoulders, Dirje summoned his mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s see… This one’s called… Vix the Heartseeker.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gripping a conjured spear of darkness, Dirje assumed the stance of a trained spearman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…An assassin using a spear?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warrior could be judged by their form alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar could tell at a glance—the man had trained in spear techniques for at least ten years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s start off light with this one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Dirje’s figure vanished before Oscar’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1875,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","4d636aa21429943f924acfa16b5441f113b29d65c3ab35603e8c966a3be8f0ee","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-180","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-178",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]