Hometown
I slipped through back alleys, dodging people, and gazed up at the sky. Thick storm clouds hung heavy, threatening rain any moment.
"Best to move after sunset."
At my words, Shasha plopped a large hat onto my head.
"With that hair, where'd you even think you could wander?"
"Yeah."
I replied bitterly, and Shasha shrugged her shoulders.
"Whatever, if people hate it, we go back to Foundation. The market wants us sticking around longer anyway."
"...Right."
I kicked at the ground and wrapped up my thoughts.
"No, if it's already out, better to clean it up quick."
I took off the hat and headed for the subway.
"...Market?"
"Let 'em curse if they want. I'm not ashamed, so no need to hide."
Lee Ju-hyeok, SEED's senior agent, clicked his tongue inwardly. Yoo Eunha emerged from the alley without even basic camouflage, strolling down the street. With the center of attention walking so openly, people's gazes naturally turned her way.
"Direct confrontation."
At Lee Ju-hyeok's displeased mutter, Yoo Yeon—on comms—replied excitedly.
"High-risk methods invite ambushes, Yoo Yeon."
Lee Ju-hyeok tensed, bracing for conflict, gripping his hand tight. Fortunately—or not—people just passed by, showing no reaction to Yoo Eunha.
"......"
It felt like walking on thin ice. Tension hung in the air like tightrope walking beside her.
In that moment of held breath, a hat-wearing boy nearby hurriedly shoved his hat on her.
The boy kept glancing around nervously, leading Yoo Eunha toward the subway entrance.
"Simple disguise, but it'll get spotted. Escort her safely to Iolde Tower."
At Lee Ju-hyeok's words, Yoo Yeon protested.
"I'm on Abyss duty today. You wanna swap?"
"Good."
Lee Ju-hyeok added cautiously.
"Be careful."
Yoo Yeon shook her head at Lee Ju-hyeok, already off comms and gone.
"Jeez~ What a hassle for one kid, tying up two 1st Army members~"
Yoo Yeon turned herself invisible and descended into the subway.
Upon arriving at Iolde Tower, a crowd was gathered near the entrance.
"...Can't even hide from here on."
"Yeah. But the tower's right there."
Yoo Eunha quietly removed her hat and stepped forward.
"If we're getting busted anyway, this ain't bad..."
I sensed the hesitant ether clump lingering behind me.
"SEED's got our back if trouble hits."
Even at my words, the ether lump didn't budge, feeling out of place.
Whatever.
The flashes erupted the moment I approached the crowd. Reporters, apparently—questions poured from everywhere.
"Is it true you're related to the exorcist?"
"Anything to say to the families of his victims?"
"To your fans..."
"Daughter of a serial killer..."
I ignored them, pushing forward. Then, ether stirred from somewhere. Definitely an ether cartridge detonating.
Out here?
As I reached for my cartridge, a sharp voice rang out.
6th Level Survival Magic
Ignis Shell
A thin barrier intercepted the incoming chantless spell.
"Damn it! Let go!"
A voice shouted, followed by gunfire.
Bang—
"Argh! Terrorist!"
"Attack!"
"Kyaaah!"
As reporters scattered in panic, Yoo Yeon narrowed her eyes with a sly smile, raising her pistol.
"......"
"Pardon~ Attacking a mage in Korea means instant disposal~ This is legal procedure."
Yoo Yeon kicked the mage with a hole in his head, grumbling as she brushed blood from her clothes.
"You just... killed someone?"
"Can't tell from looking? Hole in the head—how's he alive?"
Yoo Yeon giggled, holstering her gun.
"Know what? On-site kills for mage attackers became legal thanks to your dad?"
"......"
As my expression hardened, Yoo Yeon whispered in a fluster.
"I like your dad. Thanks to him clearing out trash, I made it to 1st Army."
"......"
Her utterly unconsoling words made her cough awkwardly.
"And you've been moping since the Abyss. No need to worry that much."
"?"
"People aren't that negative about you."
"After that attack...?"
"Well..."
As Yoo Yeon started to explain, Lee Sera, Kang Seo-hee, and Eun-byeol burst from the tower.
"Yoo Eunha!"
"Heard you got attacked! You okay?!"
"Which bastard messed with our tower lord?!"
Pink-haired Monica followed, heavily armed.
"Yo, tower lord kid. Three days is too much.... Know how much piled up at the tower?"
"......?"
As I stared in confusion, Eun-byeol hugged me tight.
"Missed you. We were all so worried."
"Ah, uh, yeah..."
Lee Sera said in a slightly flushed voice.
"Yay, Eunha's back, and her dad's the exorcist—now I can fangirl openly!"
"That doesn't seem related..."
"More importantly, tower work piled up!"
At their nonchalant words, I pointed at myself.
"Wasn't everyone freaking out that the exorcist's daughter is tower lord?"
Lee Ha-ryeong furrowed her brow sharply.
"What nonsense after all you've done!"
"?"
"People saw you working hard for others. So what if your parent's the exorcist."
"See? Exorcist has a decent rep."
At Lee Sera's words, Lee Ha-ryeong drew a firm line.
"No, not that. Anyway, no Korean's complaining about you being the exorcist's daughter."
"Really..."
Bewildered, I blinked, and Kang Seo-hee placed a hand on my shoulder.
"You've done so much for others. Running the Bundang training grounds costs a fortune."
"But..."
"Who'd complain about someone so passionate at your age."
Lee Ha-ryeong beamed.
"And this is your homeland! Of course it embraces you!"
"Homeland?"
I latched onto the odd word, and Yoo Yeon nearby nodded.
"So, continuing..."
"China and Japan kids are stirring crap. Made it so all Koreans are cheering you on."
Yoo Yeon glared at Lee Ha-ryeong for cutting in; Lee Ha-ryeong shot back a what're you gonna do look.
"Got beef with your senior?"
"...None. Yelling at the kid hurts me."
"This..."
Lee Ha-ryeong growled at Yoo Yeon once, then continued.
"China and Japan demanded extradition, claiming you're aiding terrorists. We refused, so they're pulling this."
"Hm..."
Lee Ha-ryeong scratched her head.
"Your dad stirred things up in Japan and China too, huh?"
Memories surfaced of the exorcist days—handling Japanese and Chinese mages.
"China's especially pissed, calling you the demon daughter who killed their hero."
"Oh, Zhao Lin? 'Hero' my ass—that trash killed like it was breakfast."
"Well, mages back then were all like that."
I clicked my tongue and looked up. Storm clouds blanketed the sky.
"Still... homeland, huh."
Recalling the burning cabin, I sank into thought.
"Yeah, love it or hate it, it's my hometown."
The land I was born and raised on, the nest to protect. That simple fact hit me suddenly, and I raised a trembling hand.
"So, anyway."
"Got any leftover cake? Pushed too hard these days—sugar's crashing."