NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 148
After hearing a definite answer from Anela, time passed, and Baek So-yul had her second meeting with the master of the Red Square as promised.
He chuckled at the fact that she, a student, had already mastered the third verse and proceeded to conduct various aptitude tests on her. As a result, he gave her a choice.
“Think carefully. This is a seriously rare opportunity.”
With her chin resting on her hand, Hong Yu-ri pointed her fork at Baek So-yul, throwing down the gauntlet.
“It’s an exceptional case. Do you understand? The fact that you can choose a Square to enter is a privilege.”
“…Yes, I know.”
The choice—normally, one would enter the Square that matches their aptitude best. But even following talent down that path, very few achieve success. Being given a choice is proof that Baek So-yul’s talent and aptitude are exceptional. It seems the witch’s name wasn’t for nothing.
“Red handles fire, Yellow handles lightning.”
Furthermore, the Indigo controls water and ice, while the Purple deals with illusions. Each faction was basically sending her a love letter.
‘Four options…’
But it’s not all five Squares. Of course, it wasn’t surprising that the other factions didn’t extend offers. The very idea of factions was hard to grasp, as only the Square Master existed in this bizarre structure. The existence of that Square wasn’t even known to the public. Moreover…
“If possible…”
Baek So-yul looked at her master’s face, but Hong Yu-ri shook her head.
“You are making the choice. This opportunity won’t come again.”
“But if I go elsewhere, then I won’t be with you…”
At that, Hong Yu-ri’s gaze sharpened.
“Are you kidding? Do you think this is a playground?”
“…….”
“What did you say before you came in here?”
—I still want to learn. Reminding her of those words, Hong Yu-ri furrowed her brow.
“The decision is yours. There’s no turning back. Do you understand?”
“……Yes.”
“Think more. Use your head while you eat and sleep.”
Baek So-yul nodded, bowed, and went upstairs to the second floor, while Hong Yu-ri checked her watch.
…There’s still time left. She was quietly waiting for Anela to bring some information. After finishing her meal, Hong Yu-ri pushed the dishes into the sink and started drinking coffee.
“Tsk. When will you grow up…”
At that remark, I couldn’t help but chuckle, and a sharp glare shot back at me. While sipping my coffee, her hand suddenly caught my eye.
“Your hand. Looks like it’s almost healed.”
Her hand, resting on the table, appeared to be healed almost completely. The fingers weren’t fully formed, and the nails weren’t grown out, but from a distance or with gloves on, you wouldn’t be able to tell.
“A lot of time has passed.”
“Kyu~”
That statement struck a chord. I never imagined this would happen back then, sitting here, sipping coffee together.
Of course, there had been ups and downs on the way here, but I thought I had managed to shake off those old feelings nicely. The burdens in my heart had disappeared, and we could now talk without any hesitation. All in all, that’s a good thing. Nodding, the Wolf asked Hong Yu-ri.
“How’s the Dragon Blood?”
“……Still a long way off.”
At that response, the Wolf nodded. The Dragon Blood he had given. He didn’t think such a small amount would awaken it. If it had been that easy, he might have felt a bit unfair.
While the Wolf thought that way, Hong Yu-ri felt frustrated. Dragon Blood… The magic power flowing through the Wolf’s blood fascinated her, but she still didn’t grasp the hints. Asking for a method wouldn’t help either…
‘It wouldn’t be of any use in the first place.’
Unlike Alpha, who mindlessly devoured it, she was far from the same. Accepting Dragon Blood like Alpha would be unthinkable. Dragons were vastly superior beings compared to humans. If she carelessly accepted the blood of a dragon at the pinnacle of their kind, who knows what might happen? Thus, the quantity needed to be adjusted. Yes, that’s right, but…
‘It’s so frustrating.’
During her days in the Square, Hong Yu-ri had been continuously training.
But she still felt lost. The paths remained distant and obscured. It wasn’t just the Dragon Blood; even the massive magic power she had pursued felt far away. Despite longing for it all her life, she realized she was veering off course. With a bitter tone, Hong Yu-ri chastised herself.
‘But…’
If she felt this way, how did Alpha, who was merely a slime, manage to possess such massive magic power? The difference between monsters and humans? Or merely a difference in talent? Perhaps only certain people are destined to reach that height. And the truth is, I’m not one of them…
Shaking her head violently, Hong Yu-ri dismissed the unnecessary thoughts. Even so, she couldn’t just sit idle. She wasn’t the type to allow herself to fall behind. Regardless of whether she could or couldn’t, she had to continue somehow.
Rejuvenated in spirit, Hong Yu-ri stood up and pushed her chair in. She even felt the time spent sitting here was a waste.
At that moment, her brow furrowed at the absence of Alpha. Instead of Alpha, the door slammed open violently against the wall, revealing a panting mage. Hong Yu-ri’s forehead began to throb as she raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
“…What the hell?”
Yeah… there must definitely be a reason for this frantic rush, but her temperament was too fierce to consider that. At least it was fortunate that the mage shouted before his mouth could open, right?
“Th-There’s a plague! I’ve come to ask for help!”
“……What?”
***
Who wouldn’t get flustered hearing about the emergence of a plague? Diseases and plagues. Even dealing with the aftermath of those would be tough enough, but now they’ve shown themselves… At least it was a relief that it was just the plague that appeared.
“You made it.”
At Aster’s words, Hong Yu-ri quickly nodded. In the surrounding hall, it seemed like there were many mages, but that was a mistake.
‘As always…’
Internally, Hong Yu-ri sighed. Although it may seem like many had gathered, less than half were truly capable of providing assistance. It meant nothing had changed from then to now.
“Thank you for helping. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the front lines have collapsed.”
At those words, Hong Yu-ri nodded. Although she wasn’t sure how it had been contained, it was bizarre that the front lines were being maintained while the plague appeared. The sight of it advancing to Tehran, the capital of Iran, forced her to frown.
“Of course, you know we won’t be going down.”
“……Has the evacuation finished?”
When she asked if everyone who remained in Tehran had evacuated, Aster shook his head.
“Not a chance. But… it wouldn’t be a problem to say it’s effectively over.”
“So…”
“Exactly.”
Realizing things hadn’t changed, Hong Yu-ri couldn’t help but chuckle. Yes, none of them spoke it out loud, but everyone here knew. It wasn’t their first time. The soldiers on the ground were merely buying time. Those still left in the city were nothing but bait, unable to move.
—We won’t go down. That decision was harsh yet precise. Moreover, it was nothing new. It had always been this way. The reason they could stop the plague was exactly that.
Like always, what they could do was throw magic at the plague that has entered Tehran and its aftermath.
Right. The Squares had bought time like this until now.
And that was the reason humanity hadn’t yet fallen.
“We’ll lower the altitude of the Floating Island soon. Other Squares will start bombarding as well, so let’s hurry.”
With Aster leading the way, the mages followed him in line. Clenching her fist, Hong Yu-ri felt her heart beating a little louder than usual. Was she nervous after so long, or did she simply dislike having to do this again?
When she unconsciously placed her hand on her chest, an unwelcome voice sneered at her.
“Ha, you actually showed up without running away?”
Hong Yu-ri scoffed at Dorothy A… a name she couldn’t even recall.
“You take care of yourself, you crazy b***h.”
“You might need to learn about the hierarchy. I could teach you if you’re willing?”
“Get lost. Do you even think I’m still part of the Square?”
“…….”
Never one to respond to that remark, Dorothy’s mouth shut. Hong Yu-ri thought how nice it would be if she could just keep her mouth shut like that all the time as she ignored her and followed Aster. Of course, she intended to take that b***h down a peg before she left the Square, but that wasn’t the time for that. Hong Yu-ri promised herself to take care of that later.
***
When the word about the plague was announced, the Wolf saw it as a prime opportunity. —Given that those things had appeared, it was only logical that the Square would prepare for it. And that would likely include the Butterfly of Covenant as well.
If an opportunity hadn’t arisen, he would have waited for Anela in silence, but with this rare chance, he had to act.
In the highest plaza of the sky—there, using detection, the Wolf quietly awaited his time. He had tested his presence a few times within Hong Yu-ri’s mansion, but no mage ever noticed him.
Foot traffic increased, and perhaps due to the gravity of the situation, their pace quickened. As someone’s mana flared, the Wolf finally rose.
With a light purple mana spreading, he finally succeeded in entering the Purple Square, following the mages without them realizing his presence.
‘Got it.’
The only remaining issue was sneaking into the room of the Butterfly of Covenant without being caught. Using detection and smell, the Wolf sought out the lingering scent of Anela Morest and finally managed to find what he deemed to be the Butterfly’s mansion.
Despite being painted purple, the building felt strangely gray, like a hollow castle. Standing in front of the Butterfly’s residence, the Wolf quietly took a breath.