[{"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-47":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},1334828,1778,"Chapter 47","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-47",47,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 47: Variable (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>December, the month when the train called a year reaches its final station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night had brought a heavy snowfall, making the air chilly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, a grand party was being held in the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The festive atmosphere was palpable even at the tranquil Hoover family estate, several kilometers away from the city center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Pop! Boom, boom, boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of fireworks exploding over the forest of buildings in downtown Baran City reached even this far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How are the security cameras?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've disabled them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Omar, the head of Omar's Mercenary Office, glanced at his wristwatch upon hearing his subordinate's report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>10:00:23 PM\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The operation had begun perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have five hours. Steal the encrypted data within that time frame.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Baran City, where there was no concept of a feudal lord, even nobles were strictly forbidden from keeping private troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, they had to hire mercenaries whenever an armed conflict arose, just like now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mark Sweet had recruited as many as 152 mercenaries for this day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them were level 1 or 2, but there were thirty level 3 mercenaries and as many as ten level 4 mercenaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The problem was…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren't the only mercenaries hired for the job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Omar frowned as he turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Samuel, where are you going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The cameras are off, right? What are you hesitating for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a plan laid out, so I'd appreciate it if you followed it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah, acting like you're the leader. We'll be moving independently, just so you know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like it's been decided, so Jackson's Mercenary Office will also move on its own.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disorganization was apparent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem stemmed from hiring multiple mercenary offices simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, subordinates glared at the opposing mercenaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We were the ones who disabled the cameras. How dare they move ahead of us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boss, should we establish discipline first?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No, leave it be.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Omar let out a deep sigh and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had expected this from the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the forces were evenly matched, I would've stepped in, but the gap is too wide.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opposing side's force only consisted of four level 4 mercenaries and two mages from the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn't make proper hires because of the pressure Mark Sweet put on all the mercenary offices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that, the employer's daughter had put a bounty of 300,000 bels per mage, making this kind of competition inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boss, let's head out before it's too late. At this rate, we'll only be helping the others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yeah, let's go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mercenaries who infiltrated the Hoover estate were greeted by a snow-covered forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Move quietly to the mansion without making any noise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other mercenaries seemed to be thinking the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a hundred mercenaries sprinted silently through the dark forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only sounds were the wind blowing and the dry winter leaves crunching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, there was a click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mercenary named Bill, who thought he had stepped on a bug, instinctively turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sizzle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His ankle area started to burn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Huh? Huh?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the world tilted diagonally, his body fell forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of wondering why he fell, embarrassment hit him first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bill, blushing, hurriedly tried to stand up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaaahhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An indescribable pain shot up from his ankle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Bill realize his ankle had been severed, and he let out a scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was just the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My ankle! My ankle is gone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It hurts, it hurts so much...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dammit! There are traps here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mercenaries whose ankles were severed writhed in pain on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this up close made the others break into a cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they had taken just a few more steps, they would've been the ones lying there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This isn't good.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Morale is dropping even before the fight begins.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The quick-witted mercenary leaders promptly spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, watch your step as you move! If you do, there won't be any issues!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you step on a mine, wait for a comrade to disarm it. It's just a minor magical trap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's no need to rush. We have plenty of time. As long as we reach the mansion slowly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Jackson, the loudest mercenary leader, suddenly collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boss, boss?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A subordinate shined a flashlight on him, revealing a hole in his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's... dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the shock of the level 4 mercenary Jackson's death could set in, there was another click!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic mines hidden on the ground began to release wind blades in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it! Who's triggering these traps?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't lift your foot if you step on one! Aaargh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, no! These aren't going off because we stepped on them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mines, which hadn't been stepped on, were activating on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant the enemy could remotely detonate the traps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, the mercenary leaders shouted in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Run! Get out of this damn forest fast!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Move while staying behind cover! Otherwise, they’ll pinpoint our location... Argh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The continuous explosions of wind mines, coupled with sniper shots from a distance, threw the mercenaries into panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They sprinted toward the faint lights of the mansion without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Running recklessly like that in the forest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And looming over the heads of the fleeing mercenaries was none other than:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're practically begging to be killed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest warrior, Killian Lockwood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huff, huff.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 3 mercenary, Woody, crouched behind a large tree, covering his mouth with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was bitterly regretting accepting this job lured by the promise of big money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Damn it, where's the overwhelming advantage they talked about?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had believed the boasting mercenaries before the operation started.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when the battle began, it was the other way around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were getting killed one by one without even putting up a proper fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because there was a ghost in this forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaaahhhh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scream from nearby made Woody hold his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eerie, dying wails of those who perished chilled him to the bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nervously held his breath, rolling his eyes in fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phew!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after exhaling his held breath, he was still cautious, gripping his gun tightly and looking around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Did it leave? It must have, right?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had held his breath for at least a minute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely, it wouldn't still be lingering here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gaining a bit of courage, Woody slowly stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He planned to escape through the wall he had sneaked in from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip, drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a few drops of unknown liquid fell onto his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Water? Is the snow melting?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in this cold weather, snow wouldn't be melting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woody instinctively looked up and screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahhh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ghost was crouching on the bare tree branch above him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With red eyes glowing like a predator, the ghost casually glanced at the blood dripping from his glove and muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, don't worry. It's not my blood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who the hell would worry about that… Die, you ghost bastard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woody's machine gun spat fire, and the ghost didn’t even attempt to dodge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's one thing I particularly dislike.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ting-ting! Ting-ting-ting!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, there was no reason for him to dodge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bullets didn’t even penetrate the ghost's magically reinforced clothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And that’s the smell of gunpowder in the sacred forest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those were the last words Woody ever heard in his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, whose eyes were burning, closed them for a moment to take a break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a side effect of using the 『Thermal Vision』 spell to spot enemies hiding in the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Man, this thing eats up mana like crazy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The improvised long-range sniper magic,『Wind Sniping』, he had created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its effect was remarkable, but it consumed 5% of his mana each time he used it, which was the only drawback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, still…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a first combat deployment, its performance was satisfactory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two techniques, 『Wind Mine』 and 『Wind Sniping』, had immobilized as many as 67 enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Among them, three were Level 4 mercenaries.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, perched on a seemingly comfortable rock, smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Scan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, a bird's-eye view of the forest appeared before him, with the locations of the enemies gradually marked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This one's Killian, and those are the allied mercenaries.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They swept through enemies they encountered, who were exhausted and driven to fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, the enemies, reduced to around fifty, began to flee in the opposite direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It's over.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With only three Level 4 mercenaries remaining, the enemy forces were reduced to a third of their original size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought of regrouping and launching another attack probably didn’t even cross their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Oscar was thinking the battle ended more easily than expected and was about to stand up…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mercenaries who had managed to escape to the front gate suddenly started running toward the mansion, at twice their previous speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were they not mentally broken even after going through all that in the forest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were they really that desperate for money?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, that's not the problem here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given their exhaustion, it made no sense for them to run at that speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar furrowed his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted his gaze from the forest overview to the entrance of the estate far ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something unforeseen was lurking there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian Lockwood took a deep breath with his eyes closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just that alone gave him a wealth of information about the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The smell of gunpowder has stopped. They’ve all fled.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short yet long night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been chasing and fighting the enemies for over two hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Killian!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, so you two were here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two allied mercenaries who had been tightening the encirclement approached him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other two mercenaries were at the mansion, closely guarding Jake, so they weren't present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We did it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just four of us drove away more than 150 enemies. This will go down as a historic victory!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian could understand their excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he had expected a much tougher fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle would have been more challenging if Oscar hadn't initially overwhelmed the enemy with traps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian smirked, thinking the current atmosphere was quite good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That weapon of yours looks pretty decent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do- do you want it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Hmm. No, it's fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he had smiled, the mercenary pondered what might have gone wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sniff, sniff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian’s head turned as he smelled the acrid scent of gunpowder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Even after all that, they still haven’t learned their lesson?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? You really want this weapon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget the weapon. Prepare for battle. The enemies are coming back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian looked into the dark forest as the enemies approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grrr, grr…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Graaahhh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Groaning and screaming, they ran towards him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes were rolled back, showing only the whites, and drool was spilling from their mouths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did they take some kind of drug?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian grimaced and delivered a low kick to an incoming mercenary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kick shattered one of the mercenary’s knees and had enough force left to break the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kraaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".......?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after collapsing, the mercenary clawed at the ground, crawling towards him, eventually grabbing onto Killian's ankle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he tried to bite Killian's ankle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get it off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian kicked the mercenary's jaw, knocking him out, but the mercenary slowly continued crawling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian's face hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a technique that turned the target into a mindless berserker, incapable of anything but fighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only way to stop them was to give them eternal rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It's certain. It’s the same technique the traitor used on the chieftain.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unpleasant memories resurfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight of the forest warriors weeping blood as a group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night when he had to deliver a dishonorable death to the once-bravest warrior, the chieftain of the forest tribe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kraaaah! H-help me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's something wrong with these guys… Ahhh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Allied mercenaries called for reinforcements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Killian was about to step forward to assist them…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling, sinister energy emerged from behind him, halting his steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And contrasting with that, a cheerful voice held him in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s been a while. About four years, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a somewhat unfamiliar voice now, but it was etched clearly in his memory like a brand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian slowly turned around, glaring at the person with rage-filled eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Kaya Lockwood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There stood the worst traitor in the history of the forest, and Killian’s own sister, whom he hadn't seen in four years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2070,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.509Z",1,"novelbin.me","882f15ccf5b5b0c0061ab7b5523b42a42cf3899f6ff7196f7e1bb9a098471f37","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-286","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-285",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]