[{"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-186":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},1334882,1778,"Chapter 186","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-186",186,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 186: Ghosts (9)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walker's eyes slowly rolled around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemies began to move in perfect synchronization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All around, various types of magic began to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘As expected.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The roles of the enemies were clearly divided for anyone to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’ve split into those aiming for me, and those trying to kill Neil Brion.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d used their heads quite well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, trying to break through him in a full-frontal assault was close to impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Binding Chains!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shackles of Silence!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, magical chains flew in from thin air and coiled tightly around his wrists and ankles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mages who had instantly restrained Walker shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We got him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now! He can’t use magic at the moment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finish it quickly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before those words were finished, monstrous figures had already approached the vehicle, swinging their respective weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead of attacking Walker, their choice was to assassinate Neil Brion, seated in the back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walker quietly watched the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lightly stomped his foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tremendous shockwave exploded outward, sweeping over the enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they tried to endure it, they’d break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quite literally — skin and muscles would tear, bones would snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, the enemies retreated and cautiously kept their eyes on the vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on? Didn’t they say he was restrained?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He still is restrained.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then how is he able to use magic?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flustered, the mages hurriedly looked at Walker’s sword sheath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword was still quietly resting in the sheath, not yet drawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Which means… he hasn’t ‘unleashed the world’ yet. But how?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As confusion filled their minds, Walker, who had caught their gaze, muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know about my ability, huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that they looked directly at his sheath first made it obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew in detail about his “World Release” and the abilities it granted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that power was known only to a select few in the Public Security Bureau — and even fewer in the Imperial Household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very few enemies had encountered this power and lived to tell the tale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant, as Oscar had said, there was a high probability of a traitor within the Imperial ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Disgusting.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Political strife within the Imperial family was nothing new, but now even demon puppets were getting involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out a faint sigh, Walker moved his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But there’s one thing you all overlooked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap. Clink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chains binding his arms and legs broke effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if it were a lie, the chains fell away, and the eyes of the four mages wavered in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s impossible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once bound, there’s no way to break free on your own!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true—if the binding actually hit after activation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Binding Chains and Shackles of Silence were high-level magic specialized in curses and weakening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once caught, escaping on one’s own was nearly impossible—a truly troublesome magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if it had no counter, that magic would’ve dominated the world already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For masters above level 7, there existed individual countermeasures against such magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walker was no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhhk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walker slowly drew his sword from the sheath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The revealed blade was darker than the pitchest black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Black Sword…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since when…?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing that Walker had already released the World — the infamous “Black Sword” — the enemies panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that state, Chief Walker’s physical abilities would be massively enhanced, and he would gain the overpowered trait of magic nullification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walker looked at the enemies indifferently and replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You ask stupid questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The operation he carried out with Oscar had been designed under the assumption that information might leak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, they had already accounted for a possible ambush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant the timing of when he unleashed the Black Sword was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From the very beginning. The moment I got in the car, I’ve been maintaining the Black Sword without a break.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Un… unbelievable monster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shocked by his massive mana and the ability to maintain it, the enemies clenched their teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, this would be the time to retreat — but instead, they exchanged glances and renewed their resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For that day!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To establish a new order in this land!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those cries, they pulled out pills from their clothes and each swallowed one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As their mana began to go berserk, Walker frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If they do that, their magic circuits won’t survive…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the reason soon became clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like balloons inflating, their skin began to swell grotesquely as they charged toward the vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had read about this in reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A technique that turns the user into a giant bomb, sacrificing their life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the danger instinctively, Walker shouted urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doran! Get out of the car!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Responding to his command, Doran hurriedly pulled on the driver’s side door handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click, click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, due to the overwhelming surge of mana, the control system of the vehicle had completely failed, and the doors wouldn’t open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, Walker was left with only two choices:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Save his subordinate’s life—or save the life of the hostage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s no reason to hesitate.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a single swing of Walker’s sword, the vehicle was sliced vertically in half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately reached through the severed gap and yanked Doran out—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KABOOOOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An enormous magical explosion engulfed the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kuh, kuh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coughing from the acrid smoke, Walker barely managed to form a barrier with his sword aura to minimize the damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he slowly lifted his body, which had been shielding Doran, the vehicle had already been reduced to a charred wreck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘An attack that completely disregards the attacker’s own life...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the destructive power was massive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he hadn’t already drawn his black sword, even he might not have survived without a fatal injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough! Cough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Doran, whom he had been shielding, began to cough in his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With trembling eyes, Doran glanced at the backseat of the vehicle—and spotted Neil Brion, unmoving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-No…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy sense of guilt spread across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-I’m sorry… This is all… because of me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chief Superintendent had chosen to save him—and failed to rescue the heinous criminal from the explosion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neil Brion was a key figure—someone irreplaceable—who could reveal the truth behind the Black Fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Doran spoke, Walker simply shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. And I don’t say that to comfort you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to prove his point, Walker stood up and approached the wreckage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swung his sword once more—slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scorched prison uniform was torn apart, revealing what was inside: a wooden dummy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doran’s eyes widened in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...A dummy? C-Chief? I thought we were transporting Neil Brion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone else is in charge of Neil Brion’s transport. By now, they should be…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On their way far past them, heading straight toward the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the name of this mission: “Ghost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Capital of the Calderan Empire: Caldium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This city was, without a doubt, the heart of the continent and a mirror of the age—where all cultures bloomed and converged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yaaawn… Been a while since I’ve been to the capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran murmured as he let out a long yawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Oscar suddenly called on him a few days ago, he had been driving nonstop for a week.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, they were waiting at the inspection checkpoint on the bridge leading into Caldeum’s fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’re still not going to tell me? What exactly are we doing in the capital?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll find out once we get there. No point in asking now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar trailed off, two men in the capital’s guard uniforms approached their vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one of the guards tapped on the window, Fran rolled it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please state your purpose of visit and present your identification.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were any other place, things might be easier—but the capital required this level of security.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it was the city where the Emperor resided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m a mage from the White Tower. I’m just here for… casual sightseeing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then please fill out all the fields in this document.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard handed over a stack of papers so thick that Fran grimaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Without completing it, you won’t be allowed entry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the rear window lowered and Oscar handed over his ID.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for that. His identity is guaranteed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard’s eyes widened as he checked the ID.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept glancing back and forth between the photo and Oscar’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understandably so—Oscar was one of the most talked-about mages across the entire continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Apologies for the delay, Professor Oscar. We’ve confirmed your identity and purpose. You’re free to enter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contrast in attitude was stark, and Fran shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Man, being a professor really has its perks. Straight access to the capital?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wouldn’t you be able to get in too, if you mentioned your family name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doubt it. Maybe if it were my older brother, the Vice Leader—but me? Not a chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital’s security felt even tighter than during the war years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again, while it was peacetime for the common folk,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Imperial Court was still engaged in a shadow war against the demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, so where to now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s start by getting a hotel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until Walker arrived in the capital, they had to lay low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there really was a mole within the royal family, then everyone was a suspect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How’s this place? It’s one of our family’s affiliated hotels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I figured as much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the name gave it away: Sirius Hotel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any country bumpkin fresh from the sticks could tell it was affiliated with the Sirius Merchant Guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, as a member of the family, they were given two top-floor suites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s rest a bit and then grab lunch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sounds good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After they each went to their rooms, Oscar contacted Walker via communicator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Oscar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. When do you expect to arrive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Around three days. About 75 hours, give or take.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, Walker had been ambushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the encounter, their vehicle had been damaged, and he had to find a new one—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>which delayed his arrival to the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Be careful until then. With the mole confirmed, you’re not entirely safe either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry. I’ve taken plenty of precautions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Is Neil Brion unharmed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I take him out regularly and force-feed him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After realizing he’d been tricked, Neil Brion had gone on a hunger strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Attempting to starve himself to death—not something just anyone could endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hmm. As long as he stays alive, that’s enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leave that to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced out the window, at the capital streets below, and spoke firmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will personally deliver that man to His Majesty the Emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countdown to Walker’s arrival in the capital: D-3.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1801,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","1d8e0994844eb839be693912c1e6c462c32df1db94595ddc1d278652c69540a0","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-187","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-185",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]