[{"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-335":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},1334731,1778,"Chapter 335","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-335",335,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 335: The Violet Brigade (6)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just from a single person taking a step, everyone, as if by prior agreement, turned their eyes toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though they all knew who the true protagonist of this place was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t you hear me? Move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the appearance of Kaya Lockwood, the members flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those quick on the uptake hurriedly retreated, but wherever you go, it’s always the half-aware ones that cause trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the two Level-6s whose strength had been enhanced through the Sanctuary of Hierarchy Reversal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, even someone as infamous as Kaya Lockwood didn’t seem frightening to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If you think about it, her specialty is just hand-to-hand combat, isn’t it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Then aren’t we stronger right now? We’ve got specs on par with Level 8.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the true owner of this power—the Heavenly Sword, who had reached the very late stage of Level 8—was still a monster even while weakened,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>if the opponent was merely a woman at Level 7, with no special abilities and only martial skill to rely on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It really rubbed them the wrong way how she spoke informally like she was their superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, they exchanged looks and hardened their expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kaya Lockwood. Was that meant for us to hear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve just been watching from the back this whole time—what exactly are you bragging about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya quietly turned her neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each movement produced a cracking sound that soaked into the silence hanging over the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she stretched in order—shoulders, waist, knees, ankles—before looking ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You still haven’t moved?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You crazy bitch! There’s a limit to how much you can look down on people—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knee slammed into the face of the man shouting at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, the member was embedded in the wall at the speed of light, never to rise again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……I-is he dead?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His comrade had just been killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And by someone who was, at least officially, an ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The member wielding twin sickles barely managed to turn his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There she was—Kaya smiling refreshingly, as though relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See? This way is faster and easier. People never listen when you try being nice, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“M-monster….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. If people would just understand the first time you talk, it’d be so much better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya slowly reached out a hand, yet he couldn’t react at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—he didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His survival instincts screamed that resisting meant death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap, tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as she slapped his cheek in a disturbingly casual way, he couldn’t protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he wished for was for this moment to pass quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Modric.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Kaya’s mutter, a man watching from the back flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the man who had picked a fight with Oran earlier—the one carrying a black greatsword on his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’m listening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These two are your people, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what if they are?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take them and get lost to the back. I’ll spare your lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For something said to a fellow Level-7 swordsman, the tone was excessively humiliating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh… just because you’ve got some skill, you really talk like shit….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You just gonna stand there and listen to that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Modric’s companions showed their displeasure, Kaya grinned and looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So? Modric, you offended?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snapping back to his senses, he shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. I’m fine. If my comrades’ words bothered you, I apologize. I’ll make sure they’re more careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You call that—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forcibly clamped a hand over the mouth of the colleague trying to complain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People whispered that Oran Quill acted cocky because Kaya Lockwood backed him, but the truth was the exact opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She’s only holding herself back because he’s here. He’s basically her limiter.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Modric remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered what Kaya had been like before Oran appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, she hadn’t distinguished between ally and enemy depending on her mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If something annoyed her, she destroyed it. If necessary, she killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calling her a demon had not been an exaggeration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But after she got a junior… she changed.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She started showing mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave verbal warnings first whenever possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone could see she was trying to act like a “good senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he noticed that change, Modric altered his strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Instead of confronting Kaya, I started messing with Oran.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way, other members would think he stood shoulder to shoulder with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It worked well enough that he managed to form a pretty respectable faction within the brigade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that only held as long as she allowed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Right now, that line’s been crossed.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quick to read the situation, Modric swallowed his pride and bowed his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll take care of that one myself. If you need anything else, just say the word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t need it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. You’ll handle it yourself, as always.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sending endless encouragement and support toward Kaya, Modric led his comrades away to the rear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya snorted at the clean yet shameless retreat when someone approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she glanced sideways, she saw unpleasant eyes slit like a snake’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shall I assist you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I said I don’t need help. That includes you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Designer, one of the strongest here alongside herself, made an exaggerated gesture of wounded feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, what a shame. I was looking forward to working together with you again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you. I don’t turn my back to creeps like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receiving Kaya’s wary gaze, the Designer shrugged and stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I may, do you remember the Captain’s order?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain had repeatedly warned them tonight: no one should die if possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That included the Heavenly Sword, who had joined them abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya clicked her tongue lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t kill him, so relax.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s good to hear. If things seem too dangerous, I will intervene.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fair warning—don’t interfere. Unless you want to get hit too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even under her razor-sharp warning, the Designer only chuckled and retreated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya nudged the corpse at her feet aside and fixed her gaze on the Heavenly Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘An extremely late Level-8 swordsman… even weakened by the Sanctuary of Hierarchy Reversal, he’s still a pain.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her World Release, Allform Primordium, was a world designed to be used against the strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the sanctuary’s weakening effect, she couldn’t use it on him right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she did, she might actually end up sharing her own power with him instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well… doesn’t matter right now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was still someone who wouldn’t lose to anyone among Level 7s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Right now, at least.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword would not reach her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she kicked off the ground, her leg lashed out like a whip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time—flash!—the Heavenly Sword’s blade traced a fierce trajectory toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the sword that had taken countless Level-6s and Level-7s, even after losing power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her foot had already driven cleanly into his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even so…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes flickered toward his lower body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That strike should have shattered his balance completely, yet his legs stood rooted like ancient tree stumps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even weakened, his fundamentals are still monstrous. No wonder the others couldn’t handle him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang! Bam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like striking a heavy sandbag, Kaya found a rhythm and started pummeling him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword slashed sharply in return each time, but never enough to reach her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old man, block while you’re taking hits. Ah… maybe you can’t even hear me now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking irritated, Kaya offered a merciful warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it gets too hard, say so. Just drop your sword. I’ll stop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words—until he showed intent to stop, this wouldn’t end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fist drove into his abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his upper body lifted—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her spinning leg slammed down onto the back of his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hit the ground—then staggered back up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still enduring?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya frowned, reinforcing her fists and feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Showing pity now would only make things harder for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body slid across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t fall completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that, Kaya pressed forward mercilessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His left knee bent at a horrifying angle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ribs breaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed from his body with every hit, his breathing growing thinner and thinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seriously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was starting to feel sick of how stubborn he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why are you doing this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t it be easier for both sides if he just pretended he couldn’t win and collapsed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone here knew the fight was unfair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what was keeping him standing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you enduring, old man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words were light, but her movements heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her elbow struck his temple, her knee drove into his stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he staggered off balance, her leg sliced upward and smashed his jaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head snapped back violently—enough force to tear it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet he didn’t fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he simply couldn’t, he planted both feet into the ground again and gripped his sword tighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Shall we end this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clearly had no intention of giving up, so she would have to end it by force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aftereffects would probably keep him bedridden for months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drawing mana into her body, Kaya’s foot scraped the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explosive strike shot forward and smashed into his unguarded jaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword that had never left his hand finally fell to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s over.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His jaw was shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could endure that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Kaya lowered her hand, hiding her pity—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man still stood, his eyes burning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Sword thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why could he not fall?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer came quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just a little more.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a little more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since he realized that a sword was originally heavy, it felt as though something lay only one step ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enlightenment was like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something you might reach and yet miss forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something you never knew if you’d encounter again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mirage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Questions chained endlessly together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If something as trivial as a dungeon’s effect could make him this powerless, then why had he trained his entire life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had he swung his blade while everyone else slept?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had he picked up a sword at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—This swordsmanship was created to cut the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly were the “heavens” the first Sword Master spoke of?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no heavens in this dungeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a dark, suffocating black ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you enduring, old man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he felt a sense of incongruity was when the tattooed fighter gave that gentle warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Am I… enduring?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was not someone who fought to endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always been the one to cut down his opponent first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was how he had won all his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah. I am enduring.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that realization came another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why, now, could he not cut down his opponent and instead only endure?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he was weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then why am I weak?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the opponent was strong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he had been designated to be weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of it was due to the Sanctuary of Hierarchy Reversal—the order imposed by a dungeon that once worshiped an ancient evil god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then is the order of a mere dungeon greater than the sword I spent my life forging?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not accept that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it were true, he would never acknowledge it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If such an order existed, then he would reject it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…My swordsmanship was created to cut the heavens.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a ray of light appeared at the end of the endless dark tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To cut the heavens—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>to cut what exists yet does not exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Sword let out a dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already reached Level 7 and obtained a world where he swung a sword that could not be seen or held—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One Sword, All Things Severed — The Single Realm, a realm where all surrounding things were treated as blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I have already been wielding the unseen. What reason is there that I cannot cut the unseen?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Sword slowly extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His trembling fingers had reached their limit, holding not even a sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he wished to grasp, what he wished to cut, did not need to be visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be cut.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with a light slicing sound audible only to his own ears—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the order that had confined him was severed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2058,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.790Z",1,"novelbin.me","f99b4ff3fb5603bf49e391f5f74d43501d6ece15166d280ec5a54ee1d3913f84","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-336","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-334",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]