[{"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-331":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},1334727,1778,"Chapter 331","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-331",331,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 331: The Violet Brigade (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a place steeped in a gloomy and desolate aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patterns engraved into the black floor looked like circuits, and crimson blood flowed along them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a dungeon once used by fanatics as a gathering place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, it was merely one of the many hideouts of the Violet Brigade, called by the bleak designation E-13.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps echoed from beyond the long, dark corridor, and two figures entered the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this, looks like most of the people are already here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t be helped. We were far away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ones who revealed themselves were Kaya and Oran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They swept their gazes over the more than twenty members who had taken positions throughout the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It was a sudden summons, yet quite a lot showed up.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The ones I don’t see just haven’t arrived yet? Well, some of them might not have intended to come in the first place.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t a group tightly united by some grand objective to begin with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each had their own reasons, but in the end they simply needed somewhere to lean on because they couldn’t live ordinary lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t see the Captain or the Mad Fiend… haven’t they arrived yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran muttered while looking around, but no one answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, one person among the seven men and women clustered along one side of the wall opened his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a man with a black greatsword slung across his back, his face twisted in displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re late, shouldn’t you start by apologizing and greeting your seniors first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or are you thinking you can act however you want just because you’ve got a hotshot partner backing you up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran glanced sideways at Kaya beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her arms folded as she surveyed the cavern, she didn’t look like she had any desire to participate in this conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, it’s not like their rank even matches that of a senior in the first place.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya Lockwood was counted among the strongest within the Violet Brigade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, no lunatic would pick a direct fight with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there were quite a few who held grievances about the various privileges she received.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In the senior’s case, unless it’s a direct commission from the Captain or a full assembly, she doesn’t even bother showing her face.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Special treatment in every sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She went where she wanted, did what she wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Needless to say, she wasn’t the type suited for organizational life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘On the other hand, those guys…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran fixed a sullen gaze on the group that had picked a fight with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faction made up of four Level 6s and three Level 7s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Individually they were nothing special within the Violet Brigade, but since they always moved around in a pack, they strutted about with puffed-up shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the ones who, when he had first joined the brigade, tried to rope him into their group while pretending to be friendly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the moment he started running duos with Senior Kaya, they began picking fights every time they met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he just kill them all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would that be so wrong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Oran seriously contemplated it, the black-greatsword man’s face stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you ignoring a senior’s words too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, constantly calling yourself ‘senior’ is kind of grating to hear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scratching the back of his neck with an annoyed expression, Oran spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s already been over two years since I joined the brigade. How long are you planning to keep demanding senior treatment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bastard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, thinking he had been disrespected in front of the others, grabbed the sword at his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, Oran’s eyes sharply changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior, if you draw that, you’re dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Momentarily overwhelmed by the pressure, the man bit his lip hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That punk, when did he get that strong?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They used to be around the same level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, he used a tricky weapon called mana thread, but even so, he had been below him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, he didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—maybe he just didn’t want to admit that the other might be stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips suddenly felt dry and a thirst rose in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the surroundings, he could feel over a dozen gazes thrown their way, as if people had found an entertaining spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having come this far, he couldn’t grip his sword and back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya Lockwood, who could at least mediate this situation, stood a step away with a dry gaze, as if she were someone unrelated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘All or nothing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he backed down here, he’d only be laughed at by everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the man, eyes wide, was about to draw his sword—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puhaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden burst of laughter rang through the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who instantly seized everyone’s attention was none other than the Designer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that I hear it, he’s right. It’s been over two years since Oran joined; treating him like a junior is a bit much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Designer, what now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man glared at the Designer with a low growl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receiving that gaze without a care, he shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only said what’s correct. By the way, aren’t you going to draw your sword?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ha, I’ve lost the mood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man released the hilt and straightened his posture, turning his body away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Consider yourself lucky, Oran.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, yes sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucky, huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the man return to his group, Oran then turned his head toward Kaya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you just watching like it’s someone else’s problem?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can handle it on your own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm, that may be true, but Oran might feel a little hurt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cut the creepy talk before I hit you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuddering at Oran’s cutesy tone and frowning, Kaya looked at the Designer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she frowned again when she saw him give a light wink in their direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What’s with that. Since when did you get close to him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? I’m not close. I thought he helped because of you, Senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the two failed to make sense of it and looked suspicious—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inner door of the cavern opened, and the Captain and the Mad Fiend appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone’s here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chzzk, chzzk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the noise mask stepped forward, several impatient members opened their mouths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A sudden full summons—something happen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a snap of the Captain’s fingers, the faint torches lighting the entire cavern vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their place, only a single blue mana thread connected to his mask glimmered dimly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mana thread?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it related to Oran Quil or something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eh, not me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oran vehemently denied the unexpected attention, the Captain spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This thread was attached not by Oran Quil, but by Sasha Maestro.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sasha Maestro? That’s the White Tower Master’s name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t they say she reached Level 8? A monster, they called her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heard she crossed the Red Mountain Range with just one Level 6 mage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And after that, instead of stabilizing, why is that brat…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain looked over the murmuring members for a moment before saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right now, we are being chased by her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence that followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seemingly pleased with it, the Captain continued what he had to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know how it came to this, but she had already entered a stabilization phase, and she’s strong accordingly. There was a light skirmish near Luang in the East today, and we are on the run.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not bother hiding the fact that he had been defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, anyone with a head on their shoulders would know why he had issued a summons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha, so that’s why you called a full assembly? You want us to help block that monster together?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With the forces gathered here, it’s not impossible…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is she alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the realistic questions from several members, the Captain shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Along with her will be Chester Landus, a Level 7 mage of the White Tower, and likewise the Level 7 mage Oscar Crusiang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One Level 8 and two Level 7s…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members who mentally ran the calculations each voiced their answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly do you want? A kill?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, killing is forbidden. It’s enough if you buy time until I cut the thread and escape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a time when the difficulty should be lowered, he instead demanded an even harder condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the attitude he showed in the process grated on several members’ nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After briefly putting their heads together to think, a few people spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We only stayed together because we needed each other anyway, not like we were in an employment contract or anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll triple the usual mission payment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the Captain’s attempt at persuasion, those already determined to leave scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Money only matters while my neck’s still attached. Not interested.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought you called us for some good news, but you’re just asking us to die together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be too hurt, Captain. If you expected loyalty among criminals, that’s what’s stupid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A series of groups left their farewells and exited the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their number was thirteen in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chzzk, chzzk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain stared fixedly at their retreating figures, then moved his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurt, you say. Fortunately, I don’t feel such an emotion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right? So we’ll—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With only his index and middle fingers raised, the Captain made a light gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a fierce gust of wind swept through the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be too hurt with me either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members who sensed it turned around in that instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A head burst like a watermelon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to react was a swordsman at the early stage of Level 7 who had been leaving with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Low-crying…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened as he lowered his stance as if it would touch the ground, following the opening form of a sword technique stolen years ago from a noble house he had annihilated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if expecting that exact movement, the Mad Fiend’s knee slammed into his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kraaagh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the screaming, now-unconscious swordsman behind, a Level 6 mage drew up his mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-You, vines of—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even while feeling fear, like a veteran mage he proceeded to complete his spell as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was his mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Habit is truly convenient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When magic is repeated through training, it inevitably becomes optimized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The method to complete the most powerful spell the fastest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that optimization, in other words, is a habit—a quirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Captain snapped his fingers, every spell the mage had been preparing vanished as if it were a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through that emptied space approached the Mad Fiend’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-Wait….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the mage’s startled eyes could fully widen—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mad Fiend’s grip plucked his head off like a grape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time it took until that point was roughly two seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two bodies that had lost their heads collapsed, scattering blood like fountains across the fanatics’ altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silence and terror that seized the entire space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that the victims had been weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ones who survived weren’t significantly stronger than the dead either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Survival of the fittest. Honestly, I’m more used to this method myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who had left the Violet Brigade’s nest had simply been given treatment befitting them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did those who had been about to leave swallow hard and look around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past few years, having gotten along fairly peacefully and never being attacked, they had forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That every single person present here was a criminal publicly declared by the Imperial Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They even know all our habits and quirks.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even if we fought a hundred times, the chances of us winning are…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As helplessness wrapped around them, the Captain spoke in a languid voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those who wish to leave the brigade may continue on their way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one left the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1980,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.790Z",1,"novelbin.me","1f7d5f8ff473965dfa188a53c0986cdcf882c0f4f7093c97dffe9bc0401e96fd","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-332","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-330",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]