NOVEL WEB Chapter 146
“I thought for sure we’d meet the Red Square Master, but this is just a regular rundown house.”
‘…Is he just a humble guy?’
“Just so you know, keep your mouth shut if you can. And ignore the rudeness.”
“Ah… okay.”
When Master just barged in without knocking, I realized I was mistaken. Inside wasn’t shabby or normal at all. Instead, it was unexpectedly spacious and extravagant.
‘How is this possible…’
It looked like a palace hall. Marble walls decorated with dazzling ornaments and a chandelier that seemed to be made of platinum sparkled brightly. Then a voice that seemed to come from nowhere whispered in my ear, and I instinctively touched my ear in surprise.
“So, is that Aida?”
Even though I clearly heard the voice, I couldn’t pinpoint where it was coming from… how was this even possible?
“What are you doing? Hurry up!”
“Yes!”
Following Master up to the second floor, the space transformed again revealing what seemed to be a laboratory.
“Why didn’t you bring her from the start? She’s a pretty girl, isn’t she?”
A kind-looking old man was sitting in a rocking chair, but I felt an inexplicable discomfort I couldn’t explain until I realized what was going on.
‘Her mouth?’
The words spilling out didn’t match the movement of her lips. She wasn’t lacking in English. However, even though she was clearly speaking in English, I felt no discomfort in communication. Was there magic like this too?
“Right, she wouldn’t have done that… Who on earth did you bring here?”
“Who did I bring? Are you going senile? I just got mad seeing her stare at me!”
“…Tsk. I’ll go with that.”
After chatting with Master, he turned his gaze toward me.
“So, this girl is your student, huh?”
“Student, my foot. I don’t raise them… just taught her a bit.”
Yet he subtly checked my expressions, which was typical of Master. Everyone seemed hesitant, but actually, there was quite a…
‘Cute side to him.’
It might be cheeky, but sometimes I forget his age and think of him as my little brother…
“In-seok. That’s what a student is. Anyway, did you come because of this girl?”
His intense gaze felt like it was peeling away layers. The moment our eyes met, I instinctively took a step back.
“…She’s a talent, isn’t she? She has a good vibe.”
“Hah, so you’re going to raise a weed?”
That made me a bit embarrassed, but I felt a sense of pride. The one who slightly nodded at my words spoke again.
“Do you want to learn magic?”
There seemed to be something behind the question, but I nodded.
“Yes.”
It was definitely me he was looking at, but it felt like he was seeing something else entirely. As I swallowed hard and waited for an answer, he soon opened his droopy eyes.
“Well… I can’t read you.”
I tilted my head at his mumbling tone as if he found it ridiculous, but his expression softened again.
“Alright. Wait outside for a bit. Let’s think about which square to enter next time.”
“Ah, thank you…!”
He said nothing about himself and asked me to wait outside, and when I replied I understood, Master clicked his tongue disapprovingly as if he didn’t like it.
“Wait outside.”
***
“…What on earth did you bring?”
Unlike before, there was no kindness left on the old man’s face. The Master of the Red Square, Aster Arista Pablo, interrogated his own student.
With such a name as Square Master, a pressure that made anyone freeze was inevitable, but Hong Yu-ri scoffed as if it was nothing.
“What? Just a kid with a bit more magic than she should have.”
“That’s not just having a bit more, is it?”
It was ridiculous. The highest Sky Plaza, the Square, could float by absorbing the magic of every mage.
Whether she realized it or not, it meant that a considerable amount of that magic was flowing into her.
If that were the case, the island should have sunk. Just like an under-fueled airplane couldn’t fly.
But that didn’t happen. In fact, it was the opposite.
The floating island, having descended for supplies, soared up high due to excessive magic. At first, I thought she was just being reckless when her student, Hong Yu-ri, came by, but that wasn’t it.
“Neither that kid nor you. And I’ve just confirmed it.”
Strong light began to fill Aster’s eyes. The ominousness that even his top-tier emotion skill couldn’t pierce. The girl who had just left definitely held remnants of that…
“Yu-ri, what on earth are you thinking?”
To which Hong Yu-ri clicked her tongue. The mage wasn’t foolish, and the master stood at the pinnacle of that. Being one of the top of the ‘Five Squares’, coming to an intuitive conclusion with scant evidence was nothing for him.
Still, it seemed he hadn’t discovered Alpha, but he had caught on to something. The situation had twisted from the beginning…
Hong Yu-ri let out a long sigh.
‘If we can’t stop the disease and plague… at the very least…’
There shouldn’t be internal enemies. During her time as a hunter, she felt this painfully.
If Alpha hadn’t been there, these threats could have infiltrated every clan, and during such a critical time as the conquest of Neverland, what if someone’s blade was aimed from within?
What if everyone was painted with suspicion and could no longer trust each other?
‘…’
If that were to happen, it would be the end.
She knew all too well how easily internal enemies could sever ties and strike from behind.
Let alone if that person were one standing at the peak of the Square…
“…You.”
Aster’s hollow eyes filled with deep wisdom as they pierced through Hong Yu-ri.
However, that crimson gaze held no hesitation like before.
There was unease, but no doubt… Aster burst out laughing.
“You’ve grown. Perhaps making Dorothy the successor was a hasty decision.”
“Ha, I don’t need that position anyway?”
“I’ll pretend to know nothing. But…”
Aster’s gaze radiated a deeper red than Hong Yu-ri’s. In response, Hong Yu-ri nodded heavily.
“…I know.”
***
“Is it you?”
Baek So-yul, waiting in the hall, turned sharply at the voice that sounded like an accusation. There stood a small girl who appeared to be around the same age as Master.
The only difference was her race. And perhaps the fact that her hair was blonde? The girl, resting her chin on her hand, viewed her as if sizing her up, which didn’t feel pleasant at all.
“…Who are you?”
The girl lifted her chin haughtily, as if the question didn’t even warrant an answer, and continued with her own remarks.
“Hmph… not bad. Just barely passing?”
“…….”
“I wonder how long you’ll be able to stay in the Square, but, well~ do your best in the meantime. You might stick around after all?”
Baek So-yul didn’t say a word. The first reason was the lingering words of ‘ignore the rudeness’. And the second was because the one who said that had just stepped in front was Hong Yu-ri.
“Just barely passing? What a load of crap.”
“…You still have a dirty mouth, huh?”
“Shut up and get lost. You want me to smack you again?”
“Hong Yu-ri! You don’t know this, but the successor is me now! You think you’re still a contender with me?!”
The blonde girl shouted as red magical power erupted from her. Just looking at it made it hard to breathe, and Baek So-yul rubbed her neck to shake off the discomfort.
“What a nuisance.”
But there was no need for that, as Hong Yu-ri snapped her fingers and the magic dispersed.
“…!”
Surprised, the blonde girl’s eyes widened. Hong Yu-ri coldly remarked with a clear sneer.
“If you want to keep that pathetic position, you’d better leave immediately.”
“You… are you really trying me?!”
“You should’ve said that before laying a finger on my student.”
Neither side was willing to back down. Red magical power began to rise again, clashing violently. The hall’s walls crumbled and the chandelier began to sway. As her back hit the wall, Baek So-yul realized she was stepping back. And at that moment,
“Stop it.”
—As the voice resonated throughout the hall, the magic evaporated as if washed away. The twisted expression of the blonde girl and Hong Yu-ri, who had raised her chin with crossed arms, pierced each other’s gaze, but no more friction occurred.
With bloodied lips, Dorothy glared one last time and stepped into the room, causing Hong Yu-ri to nod.
“What’s up? Aren’t you coming?”
“Ah, yes!”
Despite the imminent situation, seeing Baek So-yul somehow look cheerful made Hong Yu-ri frown.
“What are you so excited about?”
***
“Master… what was that person earlier?”
“Dorothy A… what was it? I forgot. Just a rude brat.”
Hong Yu-ri scoffed, saying that was the right amount for that girl. Baek So-yul sensed a strange sentiment in that.
“She’s the successor of Red Square, right?”
“Looks that way.”
Though she acted completely unconcerned, Baek So-yul could tell there was a small tinge of regret in that statement. From the earlier conversation, it was inferred that they had fought over the successor position… once more realizing the girl in front of her was a formidable mage known as Crimson.
‘…Then what in the world did Master do?’
Did he get pushed out? No, it wasn’t that. Though she didn’t know for sure, it didn’t seem like he would be someone who could easily get pushed away. As she furrowed her brow, Hong Yu-ri slightly turned away.
“Just so you know, I threw it away because I didn’t need it? Other than Agail, that weirdo….”
“Of course. Master.”
“…….”
Hong Yu-ri, who was about to say something, clicked her tongue as if displeased. She tried to maintain an air of indifference, but the earlier fight had indeed left her feeling slightly pushed aside.
Wiping the blood that had flowed invisibly from her lips, Hong Yu-ri clenched her fist.
Her years of being a hunter had hindered her growth. It hadn’t been unhelpful, but while she was struggling with her work and duties, Dorothy had walked on a single path of magic, so it was natural she was ahead of herself.
It was natural, but—Hong Yu-ri’s personality couldn’t accept that fact quietly. Let alone with her pride taking a hit.
‘Damn it.’
Why did a difference exist—there were many reasons, but ultimately, she hadn’t possessed great power. The quality of time they had spent was different. The skill she had always longed for was now finally in Dorothy’s hands, which had split the two apart.
With that thought in mind, Hong Yu-ri quietly resolved herself.
If she couldn’t possess that overwhelming magic, then she had to move forward in another way.
She firmly resolved to suppress that girl before leaving, as that was her purpose for being here.