Alexandr Tarasov
The boy's eyes, which had rolled back as if dead, refocused and locked straight onto me.
"Ahh, now I get why they call you a Noise. Yeah... I can see why the Prism Board thinks that."
The boy was still utterly relaxed. Without a word, I unleashed my magic.
A full-power ether shot, massive in size, hurtled toward his core.
[1-level Projection]
Ether Shot
"Ow, hey! I was talking!"
The boy's body lifted into the air, head in hand. From his casual demeanor, he'd clearly anticipated the attack.
He slotted his head back onto his neck.
"Ta-da~ Back from the dead."
I spat at his pathetic magic trick.
"Ptooey."
"C'mon, blood-clot buddy. Hear me out."
"There is no greater folly than lending an ear to one's enemy."
The boy grinned wide.
"Couldn't agree more. But this one's worth hearing. You're the top Noise I've ever seen."
Sinister ether swirled around the floating boy.
"Which means I absolutely can't let you live. Honored to meet the strongest Noise."
"Honor my ass. Cringe."
"I am the Balancer, guardian of worlds."
His expression turned arrogant.
"Alexandr Tarasov. Nice knowing you, Noise."
I borrowed a line from Monica.
"Cool guy?"
A vein bulged on Alexandr's forehead—he was pissed.
"You're really annoying. Strong, a pain in the ass, full of variables."
"I'll take that as a compliment..."
Suddenly, a faint ether ripple nearby made me furrow my brow. It felt oddly familiar.
Rescue team? No... could be an abyssal entity.
I locked eyes with Hong Jiyeon once, then fired a secretly gathered ether shot.
[1-level Projection]
Ether Shot
A small, fast, intense ether shot targeted Alexandr's core.
"Hmph, you think I can't dodge that?"
He sidestepped my spell effortlessly. That's when Hong Jiyeon's magic unfolded.
[1-level Control]
Ether Control
The flying ether shot whipped around 180 degrees, aiming for his core again—at double the speed.
Bang! It pierced the air with a shriek.
Alexandr, caught off-guard in mid-air, couldn't block the surprise attack and crashed to the ground. It looked like a direct hit to the core.
"I-I got him for real!"
"Did we finish him?"
As I approached the fallen boy, I grabbed Hong Jiyeon and pulled back. A protective spell flickered at his core.
"Bastard."
Alexandr cracked his neck in annoyance.
"Ah... you're a real pain. I didn't wanna use this kinda magic..."
"Hey, kid. Got a question."
He looked up at me.
"...?"
His irritated face softened a bit.
"From all that 'Balancer' and 'Noise' talk, I guess I'm some kind of glitch in your world's system?"
As I laid out my theory, Alexandr's face lit up.
"No way, you figured it out yourself? Damn, you're one impressive Noise. Prism Board should've recruited you instead. Buncha desk-jockey fossils."
"Prism Board's your boss?"
Alexandr smirked.
"Heh heh, can't say more than that."
His yellow eyes gleamed with an ominous green hue.
"Anyway, bye, Noise."
"Arrogant prick."
As I focused for Reverse Flow, instinct screamed danger.
"...!"
"You're the arrogant one, Noise."
[5-level Special]
Declaratio Mortis
Nothing flew at me, but my body froze solid.
"...."
Instinct told me this was magic beyond reflection.
A sinister green aurora spread overhead. Beneath it loomed a colossal reaper.
I knew instinctively: this was death incarnate, the will of living demise.
Like Monica's water blob was mere water without will, this was the world's rule—void of malice.
A twisted, betrayed law of the universe poured down on me.
"Damn it..."
As the reaper's scythe swung for my neck—
"Kiddo!"
A familiar voice rang out.
Always too damn late...
I'd stalled with chit-chat, and still? A 7-level mage, late as hell.
A brilliant light bloomed above.
[7-level Survival]
Oh Star of Water, Protect Life!
A surging blue wave erupted from my body, resisting death.
The clash of dense ethers tossed me like a whirlwind. My body reeled.
At least maintain minimal protection...
In the raging ether vortex, I mustered my last strength for a simple casting hold.
Feeling the ethers solidify inside me, I blacked out.
*
When I came to, another unfamiliar ceiling greeted me.
"Where am I? Who am I?"
"Whoa, you really seven? Such a corny line~"
I turned to the familiar voice. On the bed beside me lay a red-haired girl—back to her haughty, spirited self, Hong Jiyeon.
"So, thou hast returned as well?"
Her face flushed beet red at my words.
"Hmph."
I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, we're alive. That's what matters."
"Duh, the Water Queen herself came to save us."
"Tch, even after thou stalled so long, she shows up right when we're about to die. Did ye catch the bastard?"
"Nah, he got away."
I clicked my tongue at her words.
"Tch, a 7-level mage letting the enemy escape? Pathetic."
Her eyes went wide.
"Hey, even for you, talking like that to a grand mage and senior like she's the sky?"
Her sharp gaze lasered me. I cracked first.
"She is my master. Gaze not so strangely."
"What?! Master? Monica Newell, the 7-level grand mage, is your master?!"
"Seems plenty already knew."
The internet community Monica showed me was buzzing with it—odd if she hadn't heard.
"Duh, I thought it was fake news. That rumor pops up two, three times a year."
Hong Jiyeon sat up, tossing off the blanket. Her lower body was wrapped in bandages too.
"...Wert thou hurt that badly?"
I'd fought the Balancer, yet she looked more banged up. I glanced between my healed left hand and her.
She blushed and yelled.
"This is from you! Bruises and even a bone crack!"
"Ah..."
"And you got 7-level healing from Monica!"
"So that's why my left hand's pristine."
I eyed her, bandaged head to toe, even limping a bit.
Guess I went overboard...
As I reflected, she sighed.
"But still! Who knew she was hiding that much power!"
"Mm..."
After the ether bubble magic, I'd even shown Reverse Flow. Her reaction was natural.
She looked a tad proud.
"I haven't told anyone about you yet."
"Huh?"
"Nothing about Prism Board or Balancers or whatever. They just know we got dragged into an Abyss bubble."
"...."
She even grabbed my hand.
"How'd you end up targeted by those psychos? Terrorists? Or Mage Hunters?"
She scratched her head, then continued.
"If you need help, just say. I owe you this time—next one's on me."
I nodded.
"My thanks, at least in spirit."
Hesitating a moment, she slyly brought up Haesin Tower.
"Or... how 'bout joining Haesin Tower?"
"Haesin Tower?"
"Even the North Sea Mage's one of ours? Water mages in Korea all got ties to Haesin."
"Mm... well..."
Flustered by the sudden scout, the door slid open—Monica appeared.
"Kiddo!"
"Monica!"
She rushed over and hugged me tight. I melted into her warm embrace, savoring it.
As we lingered, a cough came from behind.
"Ahem."
Hong Jiyeon, watching us, dashed out to greet someone else.
"Grandpa!"
"There, there."
Peeking from Monica's arms, I saw an old man standing there. Easily over sixty, yet built like a mountain—general material in old times.
"You the 1-level mage Yu Eunha?"
I nodded.
"Greetings. This unworthy apprentice mage is Yu Eunha."
The elder boomed a laugh, extending his hand.
"Hong Baekrim, lord of Haesin Tower."
I nodded. Even as a Mage Hunter, Lee Han the hero and Haesin's Hong Baekrim were famed as noble, just mages.
"I've long heard the name. Last pillar of Busan, southern stronghold. Frankly, I admired thee."
Hong Baekrim glanced approvingly at Monica.
"Heh heh, where'd you find this one?"
"Beats me, somehow became her master."
He placed a hand on my head, smiling kindly.
"Thanks for saving my granddaughter. She made it out alive because of you."
"Just did what was right. Seemed he was after me anyway. My apologies."
Hong Baekrim tilted his head.
"Talk like you've read a ton of wuxia? Or into historical dramas?"
My face heated up. Fifty years of this speech—hard habit to break.
"D-deeply inspired by wuxia novels."
His eyes sparkled.
"Ever read Master Taeyong's Adventures in the Jianghu?"
"How could I not read that masterpiece?"
"...."
For a moment, Hong Baekrim and I shared a silent look of understanding—the gaze of kindred spirits.
"To my office, then."
"Eh? Bringing an outsider to the lord's chamber...?"
A mage behind us gawked, glancing between us.
"The savior of my kin deserves a proper welcome."
Hong Baekrim winked at me. An old man's gesture, but I liked it.