NOVEL WEB Chapter 145
As the floating island slowly descended after a day in Tehran, everyone’s eyes were glued to it, except for Hong Yu-ri. Even the long line of refugees couldn’t help but stare at the lowering mass.
“Kkyuu!”
With a fascinated flick of its tail like a propeller, the fairy, Perry, made Hong Yu-ri nod in response.
“Get ready to go up.”
With that, Hong Yu-ri slipped into her shadow. She tried to remain invisible and silent, but there was no guarantee she wouldn’t be spotted.
‘It’s not that I lack confidence…’
After all, it was a square. Perry, lost without Hong Yu-ri, started to whimper after she vanished. I had to come out and comfort her again. Moments later, as the floating island fully settled and cast a shadow over the city, stairs began to descend from it to the ground.
It wasn’t just us trying to enter the square; people began to line up near the stairs, and to my surprise, Hong Yu-ri stood at the front, arms crossed, waiting nonchalantly—ignoring everyone else in the line.
Not just cutting in line, but acting as if she was creating her own line. Surprisingly, instead of being angry, people seemed envious.
“Jinhong…”
There were even some that recognized Hong Yu-ri. Given her distinctive look as the girl in the spotlight, it was hard to miss her. As the wizards from the square descended slowly from the stairs, scanning the crowd, one of them locked eyes with Hong Yu-ri.
“…Ugh.”
As soon as their gaze hit her, they inhaled sharply and quickly turned away, pretending they hadn’t seen anything. With a mischievous smirk, she muttered, “What’s this—” before the wizard hastily redirected their attention.
“Welcome, Lady Jinhong! Please, come on in!”
“What about the procedures?”
“Just your party, please. But what’s that over there…?”
“Huh?”
“Oh, nothing.”
To my surprise, Hong Yu-ri was speaking fluent English. The wizard shouldn’t have been daft, but it was a little shocking. I couldn’t help but chuckle as Perry comforted the distraught wizard, who had taken a blow from the piercing gazes.
‘So her reputation precedes her even in the square, huh?’
Baek So-yul revealed her status, and the calm Hong Yu-ri confidently started to ascend the stairs first.
“Is it really okay? There are others here…”
“They’re just all weaklings, so let it be.”
I chuckled from within the shadows at her bluntness, and perhaps hearing me, Hong Yu-ri shot me a glare.
“Do you know the person standing at the front?”
“Nope. No clue.”
When she was asked how they let her in without fussing over procedures, Hong Yu-ri nonchalantly replied.
“They probably let me through because they know me.”
Her answer was characteristically impressive. By the time we reached the top of the stairs, I nodded at the sight of those below starting to ascend as well.
At last, we arrived at the floating island— my astonishment at the expansive sky plaza was overwhelming, as it resembled an oddly captivating city.
Then, in an instant, the floating island lifted away, disconnecting the stairs from the ground, and I tilted my head in confusion.
“Hey. You…”
Hong Yu-ri frowned and quickly looked around sharply, muttering under her breath.
“Damn it. I didn’t know this… Adjust yourself.”
With that, I resisted the pulling force of magic and the floating island slowly settled again. It seemed like it was drawing quite the load, indicating something was off.
In the commotion, wizards rushed out, and seeing the glowering Hong Yu-ri had them skittishly retreating. Thanks to that, we narrowly avoided detection, though it was a bit disheartening.
‘It’s not like she’s got a bad personality or anything…’
“What are you doing? Hurry up.”
Spurred by her urgency, I began strolling through the floating city after her. Before long, Hong Yu-ri started showcasing her magic in the central plaza.
‘Yeah. This was here.’
The wolf intuitively sensed the plaza, and I could see clearly.
[Insight (D) Lv.9 has reached maximum proficiency. Insight (D) Lv.9 → Insight (D) Lv.10]
[Insight (D) Lv.10 has reached maximum level. Insight (D) Lv.10 → Clairvoyance (C) Lv.1]
As her crimson magic radiated outward, the bizarre city gradually turned red. No, hidden spaces started to reveal themselves in sync with her power. The wolf saw four overlaying spaces—red, blue, yellow, and purple cities layering without clashing. It resembled a fantasy world, but the sight of them overlapping without colliding was captivatingly surreal.
With the red city fully unveiled— in the center of the plaza, Hong Yu-ri nodded, as if satisfied. I could sense the overlapping presences with detection, but at least they weren’t visible with the naked eye.
I didn’t know how one could overlap spaces like this, but clearly, this place belonged to Hong Yu-ri. It was undeniable that this was the Red Square, a domain wielding fire.
“You can go wherever you like later, but…”
Hong Yu-ri said, implying that being in the Red Square wasn’t a necessity, as she shared a calm gaze with Baek So-yul.
“For now, let’s stay here.”
—It was finally the moment we stepped into the square.
***
As the mansion doors opened, a spacious, clean interior revealed itself.
Even with detection, there was no presence inside the building. It indicated that a rather big building in the Red Square belonged to her. She must be quite something, not just a hunter but as a wizard.
“Make yourself at home. It’s not like anyone’s here.”
After that, Hong Yu-ri quickly tossed her backpack aside and told me to wait while she stepped out momentarily. She seemed a bit serious as she left the mansion, and I slipped out of the shadows.
‘Seems like I’m not getting caught after all.’
Given it’s the square, I anticipated that even with the brilliance directly coming here, finding me wouldn’t be easy. I maintained stealth while deactivating invisibility, but Baek So-yul still couldn’t spot me.
Unable to receive guidance to a room and looking confused about using the place at will, she appeared rather hesitant. After all, being told to use someone else’s house casually…
Clearly, Hong Yu-ri meant it kindly, but there’s a difference in etiquette, so it’s understandable she’d be reluctant.
I revealed myself, but Baek So-yul still failed to notice me. Perhaps she thought I had stayed with Hong Yu-ri. Transforming back into a puppy, I nudged her shoulder, and she jumped in surprise.
“Ah— there you are.”
Relaxing visibly, Baek So-yul exhaled as she picked me up.
“Why don’t you just stay as a puppy? No one’s here anyway…”
I shook my head at that. Who knew when someone might drop by, and with wizards, staying too relaxed isn’t wise. It’s best to be prepared from the start. Stealth is a precautionary measure.
I didn’t want to mess things up just from being careless. Not that Baek So-yul had any clue as to why I was in the square.
“Kkyukkyu!”
Perry, curious about the mansion’s interior, promptly flew around, and we followed closely behind.
“This is…”
A kitchen with a storeroom. Even a separate bathroom and shower. There were absurdly many rooms. The fridge looked like a disaster scene left unattended since the last time anyone left.
“…….”
I quickly shut the fridge door and began exploring other areas. After circling around, I understood the general layout of the building. It had three floors, but the path leading to the third floor was barred by iron bars. I could get in if I made up my mind, but it’d be rude. After dropping my bags in a suitable room on the second floor, Baek So-yul plopped down on the bed, seemingly exhausted.
And who could blame her? She just witnessed that chaotic scene.
It might be a lot for someone still a student like her.
At least it was fortunate she hadn’t seen it directly. If she had, her reaction might have been different.
‘Still… I want to learn.’
No, I shouldn’t downplay her determination with such words. She said that with resolute eyes, and I still remembered it clearly.
‘……’
I pondered deeply for a moment.
I could guess what she might have meant by that.
But still…
“Kkyu, kyu?!”
Suddenly, a loud bang at the mansion door startled Perry into the air, and Baek So-yul jumped up. Shifting my gaze to use insight revealed Hong Yu-ri casually looking around the first floor. It hadn’t taken her long to check the mansion, but she appeared back sooner than expected.
“You came back.”
With her prompt to come out, I nodded, and Baek So-yul naturally hugged me. During that, Perry flew towards me, but Baek So-yul showed the boldness to embrace her too.
“Kkyu…?”
Perry squirmed in confusion, but unfortunately, escaping Baek So-yul’s embrace was out of reach. She soon gave up and we went out together.
Meanwhile, as Hong Yu-ri climbed to the second floor, she donned a look of slight disbelief and chuckled.
“A caretaker?”
Glancing at the room we exited, she nodded her head.
“You can use your room however you like, but what about you?”
“Anywhere’s fine.”
It wasn’t like I needed rest anyway. Hong Yu-ri thought for a moment, resting her chin on her hand.
“… I’ll prepare a room just for you, so wait.”
With my indifference, I nodded, understanding that her comfort mattered. As she generously offered to prepare a room, there’s no need to decline. Just then, the grip around me tightened as if Perry was suffocating, and noticing that, Baek So-yul finally eased her hold.
“S-Sorry…”
With tears forming in her eyes, I felt like she may have gotten the wrong idea entirely.
“Kkyuu! Kkyukkyuu~!!”
Perry flew up, as if trying to tell me something, making Hong Yu-ri chuckle.
“You all seem to have fun. That’s enough, now change and come out.”
“Sure, then…”
“I’ve mentioned it, so come along. The old timer wanted to see you.”
With a tense expression, Baek So-yul nodded. Old timer… I couldn’t help but chuckle internally. Though she said that, it was almost certain we were about to meet the master of the Red Square.
With Baek So-yul gulping nervously, she nodded affirmatively.
Though I had some desire to follow along, considering I couldn’t guarantee 100% invisibility from the square master, it seemed sensible to wait quietly.
Soon, with Baek So-yul ready, she followed Hong Yu-ri out of the mansion while I let out a long yawn and began scouring for a temporary room to wait in until Hong Yu-ri prepared my room.