Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: 15. School Star
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Mom had gone on her business trip, and my days alone began. Dad only came home in the evenings. I spent my days diligently. I'd wake up early for a jog, train, cook, and write my novel.
But there was something nagging at me. Whenever I went out to grocery shop or jog, I kept running into the same person.
Running into him... well, it was subtle. We hadn't spoken since that one time downtown.
But during my jogs, I'd glance back at some point and sense his mana around me. Red, intense mana at upper C-rank—impossible to mistake.
During jogs... okay, I'd felt it before, so I got that. But going downtown once or twice a day, why did his presence follow me three out of five times?
'No, it's nothing... um... maybe it's just coincidence...?'
It could be my nerves. Besides, why would that guy stalk me? We just saw each other around the neighborhood sometimes, our routines overlapped, and we'd talked once.
Still, something felt off, chilling.
That man gave me a bad vibe for some reason. It had gotten stronger since downtown. When he'd touched my hair, that cold sensation felt... familiar. Like I'd felt it somewhere...
'Hmm... probably just nerves.'
He'd moved in before vacation started. Our jogging routes had always been similar. I'd caught his eye from my window once. It could happen.
If he were stalking me, what? A stalker? Me, an 11-year-old? Ridiculous. What would he want?
I recalled him staring at me silently during a jog before turning away. My head spun with complicated thoughts, and I finally pulled away from the computer. I closed my novel draft. Right then, another virus warning popped up, and I groaned in frustration.
"Lately, it feels like more viruses are popping up..."
Feeling drained, I decided on a rare nap. Maybe a dream would lift my mood.
I pulled the blanket over me on the bed and slipped into dreamland quickly. One, two, three. Counting in my head, I entered the dream world.
Not my usual dreamscape, but straight into the dream corridor. I blinked at geometric patterns drawing and fading, black passages opening and closing. Looking around, I pouted sadly.
"Inha's far away, so her dreams are too..."
I walked forward step by step. The scenery whooshed by. Then, I froze.
A familiar door. The massive door loomed as if waiting. I hesitated. It stood there like an invitation to enter. But my heart raced with tension. It didn't feel like a good dream.
I reached for the knob, hesitating inwardly. Ominous. Familiar somehow. Unpleasant.
Click. The knob turned. I opened the door.
Creak...
I froze in place. The dream was familiar, alright.
An empty dream, no owner. It was daytime when I fell asleep, so that made sense. But chills ran down my spine.
This dream! The one that unsettled me before for no reason. Circuits everywhere, a huge monitor and desk ahead. Looking closer, several computer towers connected nearby.
Last time, I'd seen a video of myself inside that computer. Black overlay on it had made me nauseous.
"Ugh..."
Hate it, hate this place. I backed away.
But then, black tendrils rose from the floor, coiling around me.
"W-What?!"
The dream's owner was away, so it should be still.
Yet the circuits reacted, lunging at me. They wrapped around slowly. Creepy, like bugs crawling on skin—not itchy, but centipedes slithering.
"G-Gotta get out..."
But if the sensation felt familiar... was I imagining?
'Right, this feeling...!'
I flashed back to that man, our first talk after he moved nearby. When he'd touched my hair—exactly the same.
It tightened, squeezing my breath. Then, static crackled. Circuits wrapped my arms, legs, even face. Through them, the monitor flickered.
Soon, a clear image appeared. I gasped.
'......!'
My face. Me peering at the computer through the window. Goosebumps. Something vile rose in my throat.
"────!!!"
I jolted awake. Even after, I panted, disoriented.
"Hah... hah..."
I looked up. Curtains open, staring out the window—chills hit.
"......!"
I rushed to it. Not the curtains—I hadn't closed them.
The dream screen showed my profile from the computer, viewable only from below the window.
Slide, slam!
I flung it open, peering down frantically.
Nothing. No one below.
I collapsed there.
"Yeah... just imagining. Overthought it."
The dream's horror threatened to surge back, so I muttered reassuringly.
"Over... thought it."
Repeated it. The man was a false alarm too. Had to be.
Feeling better, I sighed deeply by the window.
"Haaaa..."
Exhausted. Slept but nightmare, stress building. Stomach ached.
But honestly, beyond the dream, he'd looked up here before, smiled when eyes met. Jogging, rarely direct eye contact—just mana lingering. Felt like stalking.
Recalling made my stomach hurt again.
'No, can't be, can't be.'
I bit my lip.
'Has to not be......'
Clutching aching stomach and pounding head, I left the room. Needed food to shake this.
♪♬♭♩♩~
Doorbell. I whirled, startled. Mom's name on screen. Joyfully answered.
[Hello, Eunha?]
"Mom!"
[Sorry, couldn't call yesterday. I'm losing it, swamped.]
She grumbled softly. Noisy voices nearby. No idea where.
[How's my Eunha? Dad? Eating well?]
Chatting, I opened the door, descended stairs.
"Yeah. You left side dishes, and I can cook. Made omelet rice this morning."
[Good girl.]
"Dad's eating fine. He came early yesterday, ate together."
[Oh?]
Mid-chat, the man crossed my mind. About to mention, someone called Mom.
[Mirae... it's time! ...Security on that side...!]
[What?! Got it! Coming!]
That voice—familiar?
'Jehyeon Brother...'
Shocked, before speaking, Mom panicked.
[Sorry, Eunha! Gotta go! Trip extending. Back Thursday, three days. Might not call tomorrow...]
"Huh? Mom, wait..."
[...-rae!]
[SORRY! Coming now! Eunha, sorry. Love you.]
Click. Hung up. Stunned, I sighed, brushing hair back.
Bit lip. Why so anxious? Mom back in three days.
'Wanted to consult about that guy following me...'
No big deal. Just a hunch. Harmless.
Nerves. What'd he do? Just neighbors. Probably lives alone, shops often, routines overlap. C-rank mage, adult, no reason to stalk...
'But that dream felt like his...'
Shoved hair back hard. Not yet. Wait. Mom soon. Tell then if sure.
Grimacing at new mail from 'Rex.' Started novel questions, now personal hobbies. Internet friends weird. Treat readers equal. Debating cutting contact.
Skipped reply, brushed hair. Window obsessed me. Nerves stressing.
Grumbling half-angry, to bookshelf. Grabbed fun recent reads randomly. Books best now! Comics, whatever.
Always. Books let me forget. Escape reality fine. Ignore pain, fill joy, heals. Escapism not all bad.
Skipped evening training, binged books. Comics by genre, novels, reimagined scenes with magic. Forgot stress reading nonstop.
Evening, Dad home. Relief oddly huge. Ate, then more binge.
Night deepened.
Eyes heavy, closed book. Yawned.
"Read enough, sleep now..."
Stood, stretched, habitually glanced window. Froze.
Shadow at first.
But vivid red mana through black night proved otherwise. Human mana unlike plants or objects. Totally different.
Thud.
Backed steps. Chair scraped. Checked time. Overreact? Really?
Red gaze pierced dark, toward me. Man seemed to smirk faintly in shadows. Turned, walked. I tracked breathless.
Overreact? Then why at 2:30 AM, right under my window? Watching? Peeking constantly...?
"......!"
Goosebumps everywhere. Icy slide down back. Clenched jaw, covered mouth.
Footsteps? Tiny ones heard while stalked.
Approaching behind.
Chills. Dream horror recalled. Him?
'Definitely him? That creepy watcher nearby.'
Slimy, gross. Closed curtains, locked doors/windows, burrowed under blanket head to toe. Couldn't sleep. Thought of him watching unknown terrified.
Didn't want sleep. Night endless.
Drowsy, shocked mind spun thoughts.
Really watching? Yes? No...?
'2 AM, window. Eyes met, smiled...'
Suspicion hardening to certainty. Curled under blanket, held breath.
Really? Stalking? Actual stalker? Why me? Crush from one talk? No, weird. Fourth grader, not stunning. One chat. Or other motive?
Terror flooded realizing stalked unknowingly. Stalker... stalker...
'Or magic discovered?'
More plausible than crush. No, hadn't used magic outside lately. Only inside. But showed Daeyeon uniform maybe. Teleport badge 'front gate' not 'inside.'
New anxiety. Gulped.
"Actual stalker, what first...? Report...?"
Head hurt. C-rank mage, high-rank mage laws apply. Privileges hard for state to touch. High ranks sometimes acquitted.
'Mom in three days, wait?'
Tell someone. Email master? No, Mom calls daily. Tomorrow no...
Suddenly, Jehyeon Brother's voice behind Mom's.
Realized now: all same work? Not just Auntie Seona, Mom, Jehyeon Brother. Friends' masters, Teacher Min, Teacher Junhwi, Eunhee Sister teamed with Jehyeon, Inho Brother—all involved?
Likely. All unreachable.
'What do? Tomorrow email Mom, Auntie Seona. No, talk Dad first...'
Eyes darted anxiously.
'What do. First time. Stalking real? Not imagining?'
Report needs consult. Sure. Closed eyes. No panic. Dad home. Mom soon. Tell both? Wait surer?
Dawn somehow. Fell asleep exhausted. Woke to dark space. Deep, black.
'Dream.'
Wandered blankly. Instinct drew somewhere. Black door blocked.
'This door...'
Blink, hazy vision sharpened slightly. Weird. Dream unclear. Senses dull. Realized late.
Fuzzy view showed black emotion. Chills despite numbness. Tried sidestep door blankly. It blocked again. Right—blocks. Left—blocks.
Ran forward. Dodge door. Call someone. Find who...? Who?
Reached for beyond blankly.
Boom!
Massive quake hit.
Eyes snapped open. Sat up, opened window. Crimson barrier enveloped house. Red-black to me only; closed sight, transparent.
Staring blankly skyward post-wake, snapped to. What? Sudden barrier? Panicked, clutched head. Below, red gaze. Window beyond, front gate, brown hair ponytail, red eyes gleaming, smirking man.
Slammed window shut panicked.
'Uh, so... uh...?'
Mind blank. Gripped desk fumbling. Trembling hand hit clock. Fell, shattered.
Crash!
Screen cracked, shards scattered. Crawled under bed, reached broken clock. Mind white.
'So......'
Grabbed nearby phone instinctively, opened door, out. Down stairs leaping. Why? Stopped midway, crouched, clutched head.
'That barrier? Man maybe stalker, so......'
Slowly, dully, dream recalled.
Odd. Dreams usually vivid real; now dull. Yes, in dream. Fled black door. Impossible. Quake as bypassing woke me.
Barrier deploying sound.
'Barrier, barrier. Red-black mana his surely...'
Gulped.
'So...... what?'
Thoughts wouldn't connect. Sat trembling, raised shaky hands. Slapped cheek hard.
Smack!
"Get it together. Get... it..."
He cast barrier. Why right on waking?
Eyes shut tight, pinched brow. Fingers cold despite summer.
Time passed, mind cleared slowly. Before sleep, debating stalker certainty, confused. Plan: consult Dad, police? Email unreachable Mom/Auntie Seona. Fretting stomach, late sleep. Bad but slept.
'Right, Dad left?'
Slept carefree in this? Crazy, Yoo Eunha. Clutched head, continued. Him barring house targets me surely.
'So what's barrier?'
Breath caught. Stomach burned. Stood trembling. Sudden, fear surged. Stumbled gripping rail. What first? Security check. Rushed down, tripped last step. Jaw/arm hurt, scrambled up, to storage.
'Kang' security system. Attacks intruders stepwise illegally. Relieved somewhat.
House B-level. Blocks B-rank mages. Checked mana left—plenty. But system odd. Ignored, infused mana.
Couldn't. Mana frozen inside.
"Huh...?"
Strained grunting. Usually effortless as breathing—stuck solid. Tiny leak, not spell-level.
Panicked, tried ambient mana. Still frozen. Ambient too. Why?
Chills, realized.
'Barrier!'
Shaky hand to mouth. Barrier! His blocks magic.
"C-Can't use magic...?"
Panicked, clutched head. Tears overflowed.
No magic. Instant despair blanked mind. Since five, magic always there. Daily, danger, always. Sudden loss—lost.
"Sob... what? What...?"
Couldn't accept. Stalker targeted. ? How process?
Goosebumps full body. Bent over, collapsed. Exhaled.
"Sob... huh? Run...? He... to me... what..."
Sat crying.
Sudden chaos incomprehensible. Knew possible stalker. Till last night, pondered response. Only secret follows before. Why escalate hours later?
Cried quietly unknowing long before rising.
'Okay. Fine. He's C-rank, can't break B-security.'
Eyes wide ahead.
'And three days, Mom comes. Tonight Dad maybe. Dad...'
Chills again.
'Dad come safe?'
Sudden thought. Unknown. Contact needed. Somehow.
No magic. Fumbled pajamas. Pocket, phone where?
Grabbed hair. Remembered taking from room. Spun panicked, spotted white on rail, looked up. Phone on stairs.
Snatched. Dropped clattering. Address book prone.
Known adults, top name—Auntie Seona. Dialed frantically. Busy signals repeated. Meaningless, knew unreachable, but obsessively till snapped to. Surveyed, deep breath.
Right. Calm. Unknown why barrier, why act now, but can't enter. C-rank can't pierce B-security normally.
Items have owner limits. B can't hold A-rank. Balance. House security exempt.
Right. First call Dad. Master, Auntie Seona, Teachers Junhwi/Min, Mom—all unreachable. Announced or mission-blocked. But calling others first because...
Bit lip. C-rank, high-rank laws. Police ignore minor. Minors protected, but strong mage. House barrier means force planned...?
Dad non-mage. Can't force solve. Might hurt. Bit lip hard. Only Dad/police callable.
'Two... really? Others... no, really...'
Fretful, 'ding-dong' alert. Intercom red blink.
Unthinkingly approached. Transmitter spat card.
Words on card:
『You noticed.』
Shaky hand dropped fluttering card. Burned midair. Ashes fell. Sighing shaky, clutched head.
"Calm, calm. Can't enter. Can't..."
Suppressed emotion, something hit, jumped up. Phone gripped, to parents' room. Booted computer. Internet, searched:
『Stalker countermeasures』
Posts flooded. Gulped, clicked. Skimmed types/behaviors, countermeasures.
『Beware owning types disrespecting personhood.
Don't reveal info early.
Reject suspicions firmly.
Consult others, don't solo.
Report police.』
Similar. Avoid weirdos, no numbers/addresses, police.
Who doesn't know? Talked once. Why this?
Grimaced, new search:
『High-rank mage stalker』
Posts. Clicked.
『Stalkers hard catch sans evidence, vague crime. Worst: threats, kidnap, assault/rape, murder. High-rank worse. Need solid proof jail. A-rank kills non-minor/mage=acquitted. Few counters. Police may backfire. Seek fellow high-rank help or hire mage guard.』
Face darkened. Bleaker read. Counter high-rank needs stronger? Food chain...
Tick-tock, zoned out time passed. Stomach hurt, mind numb. Snapped, typed. Email help high-ranks. Recipients: Mom, master, Teachers Junhwi/Min—four.
Wrote frantic: contact, consult, come home, weird guy circling, cast odd barrier.
Typing sped. Sent panting.
Desk collapse post-send. Flashed: window man, nightmare, frequent mana creepy, red eyes dark, anti-magic barrier house.
What wants? Psycho? Barrier point? Talk outside? Still there?
'Stalker sure. Why me unknown...'
Stay pretend absent till contact, wait. Magic or no, security makes inside safer.
Contact Dad: don't come, tell Mom. Outside him freer than trapped me.
'Huh? Goal trap me house...'
Clarified then confused again. Panicked up. Noticed monitor warning:
『Mail bounced.』
...What? Panicked. Bounced? Why?
"What, glitch? Internet cut?"
Phone unreachable special places. Internet not. Can't block send if they can't. House cut different alert.
Checked connection—fine. Resent from log. Bounced. Repeated. All bounced.
"What really. Email blocked too?"
Thought, browser closed sudden no reason.
"Ah, what. Virus?"
Scratching head, notepad popped desktop.
Frowned—what. Text etched auto, remote-controlled seeming.
『Why call others?
Just you and me.』
Chills before comprehension.
Yanked plug shocked. Why others? Just us...?
"Fuck... what?"
Phone quick, address book Dad. Simultaneous whiteout.
"Huh...?"
Eyes wide. White screen. What now.
What's happening? Panicked tapped. Lag? Home—no.
Odd characters English/numbers scrolled, blacked, home back. Spine chilled.
Mashed random. Apps, menu, phone, book. Fumbled closes, book—empty.
"W-What... why sudden... format... no..."
Recalled Dad's number frantic. No, not memorizer. Book type. Who memorizes? Only...
Inha's number auto-typed, paused. First familiar. Only memorized.
Hand shook. Don't want tell Inha. Shield weird knowledge young age. But via her adults? No, police first? Useless though...
Grimaced, about dial Inha—beep! Living room landline rang.
'House phone? Who?'
Startled out. Beeping loud, hesitated. Felt connect weird person. Checked caller: Dad!
Deep relief, tears held, answered. Voice immediate.
[Hello? Eunha?]
Felt ages since heard. Talked last night. Warmth eased. Voice choked long. Finally.
"Yeah..."
Situation weird anyway. Explain to Dad. But first he spoke.
[Um... sorry. Big issue work, can't home awhile. Mom gone, didn't expect me too... but days home impossible.]
"What?"
Panicked. Okay no home. Fine? No, not. Why today? Better not? But...
"Dad, um..."
[Sorry, Eunha. But daughter's mature... right? Few days endure?]
"Dad, I have something..."
What first? Suspicious strong mage around. Stalking feel. House barrier. Contact Mom/Auntie Seona. P-Police?
Computer weird sudden. No, him hacked? Book empty why? Phone hacked?
Held breath instant.
[Yeah?]
What first? Thoughts swirled white mind.
'Anyway contact someone. Tell Dad, police... no Mom Auntie...'
Head spun. Then...
[Nothing. Yeah. Got it, Dad. Know I'm mature.]
Voi-ce...
Drop.
Phone slipped hand clattered. Stared trembling eyes.
My voice just. Receiver still looped my/Dad voices unsaid.
[Yeah, that's it. Good girl.]
[Yeah. Fine. Work hard, Dad.]
[Thanks Eunha. Lock doors sleep. Call if issue. Love you.]
[Yeah Dad. See days later.]
[Yeah, later.]
Click────...
Hung helpless. Stared hand held phone moments ago. Palm shook. Icy unknown crept slow body. Reached phone slow. Ended call...
Heart pounded ominous. Pressed buttons slow, faster, found Dad book. Dialed.
Beep───!!
Ringing only ears. Horrified hurled phone. Bang! Loud. Panted long, snatched back shocked. ...No screen. Dead.
Quick phone. Texts two.
『From: Rex
Why keep contacting others?
Just us two.』
『From: Rex
Now really,
Just me?』
"What the hell!"
Yelled toward his spot. Opened sight. Barrier blocks magic, not special. Magic-born trait. Unrestricted.
Mana colors eyes. Him still. Even emotion hue. Black rippling gross.
Tremble head down text, spotted panicked. Sender 'Rex'?
Familiar nick. Echo known. Reader mail name.
'No way...'
Denied instant.
'No, right?'
Rex common nick whatever. So no. No...
'He read all novels. True fan.'
Sat limp. Tears plopped phone.
"Hng...!"
Swallowed groan. Book empty cut contacts. Sniffled, moved hand. Anyway contact anyone. Barrier, computer, landline, phone book—serious.
'Card too, toying me.'
One two, stripped actions, tightening noose. Dial showed Inha last. Held tears hard. Can't sob to Inha pathetic.
Tears stopped, dialed. Connecting tone. Slight relief. Fidgeted eternal seconds. Answered finally.
========== Afterword ==========
Fixed. Volume up, crammed... lol;
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Yes, everyone, thriller here.
But IRL, could you report/ tell parents immediately? This chapter obvious report, but prior alone?
Depends personality. Cautious/shy more. Misunderstanding? Hasn't done anything sure. Stalker victims hard catch sans direct harm. World similar.
Apathy everywhere... I'd fall too, honestly.
+++
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+No. Story flows same ㅍㄷ. Chapter branch just possibility tale. If Eunha skipped park stargazing alone, different outcome possible.