Abyss Bubble and the Tuner
The world flipped in an instant, slamming us onto the barren ground with a crack.
"Argh!"
I'd hit headfirst, so I quickly scanned my surroundings. Cracked earth, purple mist, and an unsettling ether haze. No one else in sight.
"What in the world is this?"
Someone screamed at my words.
"Kyaaak? W-Why is there an Abyss Bubble?"
Next to me, red-haired Hong Jiyeon was trembling.
Crack—
I'd fallen headfirst onto the ground, rubbing my throbbing head. All I could see was the cracked earth and purple mist. The stadium's protective barrier had vanished without a trace, along with the audience and Monica.
"What in the world is this…."
Someone screamed at my words.
"W-Why is there an Abyss Bubble?!"
I glanced sideways to see Hong Jiyeon trembling as she looked around. Her teary eyes met mine.
"Hic…."
She looked ready to burst into tears any second, but swallowed them back in embarrassment.
"It's fine to cry, you know?"
Hong Jiyeon bit her lip and stood up.
"Sh-Shut up. I was just startled, that's all."
"Startled enough to stutter, it seems."
At my words, she clenched her fists and shook with anger. In her hands was a shattered staff.
Hong Jiyeon glared at the broken staff and yelled,
"Shut up! You! You're gonna pay for the repairs later!"
"…Is there a rule like that? My apologies."
Repair costs out of nowhere.
How much would that even be? I have no idea.
As I deflated, Jiyeon shook her head.
"Forget it. Who'd expect a gorilla to smash a staff made of super-alloy?"
"A gorilla? This lady is a paragon of grace and refinement."
Jiyeon giggled at my words.
"Ah, I feel a bit calmer now."
She stretched and extended a hand to me.
"Come on, let's get ready to head out. An Abyss Bubble this size? We can handle it ourselves."
I took her hand lightly—it was ice-cold and still trembling.
This kid's mustering her courage.
Just as I thought it was cute enough to tease her,
A new voice rang out.
"Sorry, but I never said I'd let you go."
Jiyeon and I turned toward the voice. There stood a boy with shining silver hair and striking yellow eyes.
"Hello, Noise?"
I glanced at Hong Jiyeon beside me.
"Noise? Did you have a nickname like that?"
"Nickname…?"
Hong Jiyeon frowned in confusion, so I recalled Monica's dictionary.
"Like a nickname… something like that."
"No? I've heard 'Pride of Busan' or 'Future of Haesin Tower,' but…."
"……."
The boy, annoyed, hurled magic at me.
1-level Projection
Ether Shot
I casually dodged the spell and glared at the boy.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"You, the blue-haired one. You're Noise."
"Me? I'm not a No clan member. I'm a Yu. Can't you read Korean?"
Sinister green orbs formed in the boy's hand.
"Haa, whatever…. You're dying today."
"You speak of murder so lightly."
As the boy and I stared each other down, Hong Jiyeon jumped between us.
"Wait! Kid, r-run! That guy's dangerous!"
Her words made my eyes widen. The boy drawled indifferently,
"Ah~ Redhead, you're useless, so I'll feed you to them."
With that, abyssal entities materialized behind him. Grotesque things made of rotting flesh and bone.
"Play with them for now."
"N-No way. They're all Grade 2 abyssal entities…."
I could see Jiyeon's legs shaking.
Grade 2 abyssal entities, huh….
"W-We gotta run. O-Otherwise, we'll d-die."
"Oh, is that so?"
I stepped forward calmly, and Jiyeon grabbed my wrist.
"B-Battle mages die even easier in real fights! I'll hold them off, so r-run!"
I patted her back.
"Calm yourself, child. I've never claimed to be a battle mage."
"What?"
A wave infused with mental power surged from my fingertips.
1-level Control
Wave of Stars
Inky waves sparkling with starlight swept away the manifested abyssal entities.
"What the…."
Hong Jiyeon stared at the magic and collapsed to her knees.
"A 1-level spell? That's impossible."
Grrraaah—
The entities rose, reeking of decay, only to be swept far away by the rough waves.
Whoosh—
Considering they were just Grade 2, the power was indeed absurd.
"Hm, not bad for a 1-level spell."
Hong Jiyeon's gaze turned to me.
"No way, am I dreaming?"
I stroked the head of the dazed, seated girl.
"Snap out of it, child. I just sent them flying. They'll be back."
Seeing her confusion, I offered my hand.
"Let's run. It's an Abyss Bubble anyway—the rescue team's coming soon."
"Ah, y-yeah!"
"We just need to buy time."
"Oh!"
Hope lit up Hong Jiyeon's face. This was an Abyss Bubble in the stadium, after all. Monica was probably on her way.
"Let's go."
"Y-Yes, got it."
*
"You okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
Hong Jiyeon blushed and nodded. We'd fled far from the silver-haired boy and the abyssal entities.
"Can you still do casting hold?"
At my question, she made a sad face.
"No…. That's all I had."
"Got it. Then it's time to prepare for battle."
I slowed to a stop, and she panicked.
"B-But wouldn't it be better to put more distance until the rescue team arrives…? Fighting all those abyssal entities…."
Jiyeon trembled anxiously. Her earlier bravado was gone; now she was politely addressing me like a good girl.
I smiled to reassure her.
"This is far enough. If the enemy's more mobile than us, running more just hurts us."
I patted her trembling head.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you."
"T-Teacher. I mean, uh…. Th-That…."
She fumbled her words, then hugged me tightly.
"I'll protect you, so don't worry."
Hugging a girl 20cm taller than me was a novel experience.
She has such fierce eyes and spirit, but she's still just 11.
"Brave for an 11-year-old. Most adults would be crying."
"I…. I'm…."
Jiyeon sniffled.
"I acted all confident, but when it mattered, I couldn't even help…."
"No, you helped plenty."
She gave me a complicated look.
"Even Isara wouldn't stay that calm in an Abyss."
I grinned at her loaded words.
"Keep this quiet, then. Don't let today's events leak out."
She steadied her shaking body and nodded.
"This body is a Mage Hun—"
"Noise, right."
A voice cut in; Jiyeon and I dropped flat.
2-level Projection
Dens Mortis
Whoosh—
Air tore as white fangs grazed past my head.
"Whoa~ You dodged that? Felt the ether flow first, huh? You're more impressive than I thought."
"Annoying leech. An ambush fails if the first strike misses."
"Heh~ That wasn't an ambush?"
The boy wagged a finger.
"What? Ambushes are for weaklings. Mages like me just crush with raw power."
"Seems that didn't work, fledgling. I'm still alive, aren't I?"
The boy swept back his bangs.
"I was gonna toy with you, but you're pissing me off."
"That's my line, you milk-scented brat."
"……."
The moment the taunt landed, massive ether gathered.
Hook, line, and sinker, you idiot.
The enraged boy prepared a huge spell, exposing the classic mage opening. I summoned my Morningstar dagger and initiated casting hold.
It flew like a shot, embedding in his right eye.
"……!"
Flesh tore as the dagger plunged deep—blade fully buried, surely piercing the frontal lobe.
"You mages always assume I'll wait for your cast…."
4-level Special
Mors Ossium
Sharp bones erupted from the ground. I twisted away from most, blocking the final spike aimed at my face with my left hand.
Crunch—
Agonizing pain as bone shattered; my face twisted.
"…Urk."
Fire burned in my left hand. Tears welled naturally from the pain.
"Tch, child's body."
I clicked my tongue and rolled away. The boy stroked the green bones around him.
"Hehe, these bones carry corpse poison. Your left hand will rot slowly, Noise."
I ignored the throbbing and widened the distance.
"That should've hit your brain. You're no human."
The silver-haired boy nodded and unbuttoned his shirt. A purple abyssal core pulsed where his heart should be.
Vrrr—
The core's signature hum.
"Ta-da~ Thought I was human? Surprise—abyssal entity~"
Jiyeon gaped.
"No way, a talking abyssal entity? Never seen one."
The boy replied,
"'Cause you're pathetic country bumpkins. Poor Asis on the universe's edge."
"Asis? Sounds like a shoe brand."
My bored remark enraged him.
"Enough! Useless idiots who don't even know the Four Founding Houses!"
3-level Control
Infernia
I dodged the slow green wave, but another surged from the flank. Not just a wave—it dominated space itself.
Same as Monica's Aqua Stream.
Thankfully familiar. I dodged the rear wave with shining eyes.
"Can't dodge forever~ Why not give up?"
I focused on the incoming green wave.
Galaxy Flow Special
Halt Order
The wave froze mid-flight.
Seizing the moment, I unleashed my pre-cast spell.
1-level Projection
Double Shot
Two starlit ether orbs rocketed toward the enemy.
"Huh? What?! The spell stopped?!"
He hastily withdrew his hand; the wave vanished.
"This is real!"
Ether gathered around the recovering boy, light flashing at his fingertips.
Magic incoming.
3-level Projection
Death Cutter
I gritted my teeth and touched the incoming bone blade.
Galaxy Flow Special
Reverse Flow
Sparks flew in a flash.
The pure white blade ricocheted, slicing the boy's neck.
Thud—
His head hit the ground with a dry sound. The severed mouth opened.
"Ah, so that's why…."