NOVEL NEXT Chapter 32: Episode 32
In the end, Eunsol went back with the slum residents to a new town. It was smaller than their last place, a cozy rural village with plenty of places to hide. But this place was teeming with wild monsters. At night, she had to struggle alone to fend them off.
And during the day…
"Kid! Where's that kid?"
"They say she controlled the zombies!"
"I can't use my leg because of that monster!"
She became a vessel for the adults' aimless rage. She tried to tell them she had controlled the zombies to protect them, but they refused to believe her. They knew, on some level, that what they had done to her was cruel. So they either convinced themselves she was getting revenge or simply chose to ignore the truth.
"Look at this little bitch. She used to cry her eyes out after one hit, but look at her glaring now."
"See? I told you she attacked us."
Eunsol was trapped in a dilapidated warehouse, trembling, as drunk men closed in, grinning. She was back in that horrific, endless cycle. But she thought to herself, 'This is all I have. I've never known a better life.'
"Let's start with a beating, our pretty little thing."
Just as a drunk's foot flew toward her face—
'Thwack!'
His foot bounced off something in midair.
"Huh? What the—"
"Pahaha! Still drunk?"
"No, there's something here!"
A transparent force field had materialized, shielding her.
"Found you."
At the unfamiliar voice from behind, the men's heads snapped around. The back door of the warehouse burst open, and I walked in, scratching my head.
'So, it came to this.'
Thanking myself for secretly placing a tracking rune on her, I looked at the girl. She was cowering, tears welling in her eyes, her body covered in fresh wounds, big and small. There was even a knife cut. Though she was trembling, she no longer avoided my gaze. I realized then that she had finally made up her mind.
"Hey, buddy. Don't go sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."
"This is our town's problem. We're grateful you saved us, but even a hunter can't butt into our affairs."
"…Bullshit."
'Fwoooosh!'
Countless brilliant magic circles materialized around me, and the men flinched back.
"You hid the fact that this child is a player from the Association, used her for personal gain, and on top of that, you're taking out your frustrations on her with child abuse? Real mature of you grown-ass bastards." I slowly raised my right arm. "If I were to get rid of a few tax-evading criminals right here, right now…"
"W-Wait!"
As the atmosphere turned deadly, the men's faces went white. My lips curled into a cold grin.
"No one would have anything to say about it, right?"
The magic circles blazed, unleashing a fierce barrage of fireballs and mana arrows.
'BOOM! KABOOM!'
The warehouse erupted in flames as arrows embedded themselves in the walls. The men scattered in terror, their agonized screams echoing through the chaos. I hadn't aimed, so some might have gotten hurt, but I figured they deserved it. Even as the warehouse burned and collapsed around us, I walked calmly toward the girl.
"Sorry I'm late."
She lifted her head, her expression on the verge of crumbling into tears, but she managed to squeeze out a reply. "…You're the first person to apologize for something like that, too."
"Is that so."
Her lips trembled. Finally, unable to hold it back any longer, she let out a heart-wrenching sob and threw herself into my arms. I silently held her, letting her cry.
"Come with me."
"…Where?"
"To a new home." I gently stroked her hair. "I'll teach you magic."
* * *
I brought Eunsol to the Magic Tower.
'Scurry. Scurry.'
Like a wary kitten in a strange house, she peeked out from the first-floor lobby, her eyes darting around.
"It's okay, Eunsol," I said, trying to soothe her, but she remained anxious. She refused to leave the circular lobby, as if it were her only safe space. Then again, the tower's unique, grand, and alien atmosphere could overwhelm even an adult on their first visit. For a child who was still emotionally fragile, it was surely terrifying.
"Tower Master, you have returned."
A cluster of light gathered in the air, and Ea appeared. At the sight of a stranger, Eunsol scurried back inside the lobby.
"She's shy."
"I see that."
"Suggestion: In situations like this, it is better to give her space to adapt on her own rather than approaching her suddenly."
I decided to take her advice. I lay down on the sofa, pretending to be busy with my phone, while Ea focused on eating a salad Seojin had bought. Once no one was paying attention to her, Eunsol finally peeked her head out and looked around more comfortably before turning to stare at us.
"…H-Hey, Yusin."
"What is it?" I replied, still tapping at my screen.
"Where is this place?"
"It's called the Magic Tower. It's where mages live."
Her eyes widened. "Then are you a mage, too?"
"Of course."
"Is that lady a mage, too?"
"I am a homunculus," Ea stated.
Eunsol tilted her head at the unfamiliar word. "Is a homunculus a bad person?"
"Correction. A homunculus is an artificial lifeform and thus does not fall under the category of 'person' to which you refer. Furthermore, regarding the question of whether a homunculus is bad, a re-evaluation of the question itself is deemed necessary. The disposition of a homunculus is largely dependent on the disposition and policies of its user rather than its own emotions, therefore—"
"Ea, stop." How was a child supposed to understand that?
"Oh! So since you're a good person, the homunculus lady must be a good person too!"
She understood perfectly. Still, Eunsol only chattered from inside the lobby, showing no intention of coming out. I had no choice but to use my secret weapon. I searched online and found a video.
'Ea, watch this video and register it in your data.'
-Affirmative. Viewing at 1,000x speed.
She closed her eyes for a moment.
-Viewing complete.
'Good. Now, transform into the Snow Queen from the video.'
She flinched.
-…Query.
'Query rejected. I want the full Snow Queen persona—voice, mannerisms, everything.'
She still looked utterly confused, but she reluctantly nodded.
-As the Tower Master commands.
A brilliant light burst from Ea's body. Her clothes changed first. She was suddenly in a white gown, a crown, and glass slippers, with iridescent fairy wings sprouting from her back.
"Hello! It's so nice to meet all you children!" Ea sang in a cheerful voice, leaping into the air. Her appearance, her voice—it was a perfect match for the character from the cartoon.
"It's the Snow Queen!" Eunsol's eyes shot open as she dashed out of the lobby.
"Oh my, what a good little child we have here."
"Fairy Queen! Over here!"
My god, it was shockingly effective. Eunsol, who had been so shy and wary, was out in the open, waving her hands. Ea flew through the air, scattering illusory snowflakes. Eunsol hopped and skipped through them, reaching out for the flakes she could never catch. The power of the famous children's program 'Purongpurong Pupipi' was truly something else. Nicknamed the 'president of children,' the show could instantly disarm any child.
"Hee hee hee! Queen! Queen!"
"Good children get a kiss from the Queen!"
'Smooch, smooch.'
After getting kisses on both cheeks, Eunsol was overjoyed and hugged Ea tightly, then returned the favor with kisses of her own.
'I'm the one who ordered this, but isn't she getting a little too into character?'
"Oh my, and we have another little friend here, don't we?"
Suddenly, Ea turned her gaze toward me and smiled meaningfully. She spread her fairy wings and flew over.
"A kiss from the Queen for our little friend, too!"
"Whoa! Whoa! Hold on!" I shouted in alarm, but Ea was faithfully following my orders to stay in character. Tossing back her silver, velvet-like hair, she boldly climbed onto my lap. As the moment arrived, I gulped.
"Kiss him! Kiss him!" Eunsol's chant sounded like it was in slow motion.
Ea pressed herself against me, wrapping her arms around my back. And slowly, very slowly, her light pink lips drew closer.
"Yusin! Ms. Ea! Hello! I'm here for work…?"
Bora's voice cut through the air.
A deep, awkward silence fell. Ea and I were frozen, unable to offer any excuse. Bora stared at us, her expression one of pure shock, before a slow, knowing smile spread across her face.
"Yusin? What kind of… scene did I just walk into?"
"No, it's not what you think—"
"Oh my god, Eunsol!" Bora spotted the little girl and gasped. "Y-you brought her here? But what are you doing in front of a child? Are you insane?!"
Bora shot me a cold glare, then turned to Ea. "Ms. Ea."
"Hello, hello! A new little friend has arrived! I am the Snow Queen—"
"Ms. Ea. Answer me properly."
"Understood."
'Why'd you give up the act so easily!'
"Would you care to explain what happened?"
"The Tower Master forced me to watch a strange video and then coerced me into imitating it."
Hey, if you put it like that, what does that make me? Now, Bora's eyes were filled with pure contempt.
"You creep."
"…Allow me a chance to defend myself."
"I'm so disappointed! I can respect your tastes, Yusin, but to do it in front of a child!"
'Woong!'
This time, Seojin appeared at the tower's entrance, still holding a laptop with one arm and typing furiously as he walked in.
"My apologies for being late, Tower Master. I was looking into the hunting ground outsourcing matter—" His voice died as he took in the scene.
'Clang!'
The laptop hit the floor. His legs gave out, and Seojin collapsed, staring up at Ea in her Snow Queen outfit with a mesmerized expression. Then he clenched both fists and let out a roar that shook the tower.
"Honestly, men are all the same…" Bora muttered, shaking her head in disgust.
"Oooooooh!"
'Stop it, you lunatic.' In utter defeat, I looked over at Eunsol. I had just managed to get her to come out, but she was once again hidden inside the lobby, trembling with fear.
…Time to start over from scratch.
* * *
We somehow managed to calm the rampaging Seojin. We all sat in a circle in the lobby while Bora held the anxious Eunsol tightly in her arms.
"Bora."
"Please don't talk to me."
She was completely ignoring me. Fearing things would stay awkward, I launched into my defense. "It was a misunderstanding, I swear. Don't you know 'Purongpurong Pupipi'? I was just having her imitate the Snow Queen from the show. You should have seen how much fun Eunsol was having."
Only then did Bora shoot me a sidelong glance. "You could have had Ms. Ea transform into Pupipi or one of the other characters. Why did it have to be the Snow Queen?"
'Sharp one.'
"Tower Master!" This time, Seojin spoke, his face flushed with excitement. "Thank you!"
"…For what?"
"I will pledge my very bones to this Magic Tower!"
I had a feeling his newfound loyalty had little to do with me.
"Let's just ignore that idiot," Bora said. "More importantly, what's the deal with Eunsol?"
I explained everything. When I described how Eunsol was being abused when I found her, Bora became genuinely furious.
"How could people like that exist? Hurting a child who saved their lives just because they were suspicious?"
"Tell me about it."
"…So, what are you going to do with her now?" When I remained silent with my arms crossed, Bora hugged Eunsol tighter. "You're not going to send her to some orphanage, are you? We're going to raise her, right? Right?"
Well, the welfare system was a mess these days; an orphanage probably wouldn't take her anyway.
"What do you want to do?" I asked Eunsol directly.
She glanced around furtively and lowered her head. "B-but…"
"But?"
"…I-I think I'll be a bother to you all."
"Don't worry about us. Tell us what you want."
Her eyes welled with tears, and she finally managed to choke out the words. "…Can I stay here?"
Bora let out a fierce cheer and squeezed Eunsol in a tight hug. Seojin smiled with satisfaction and adjusted his glasses.
"Welcome aboard."
"Okay! Yusin!" she chirped, running over to hug me.
I had been hoping she would join us. Her remote control ability was an unprecedentedly rare skill, not even registered in the Association's database. Combined with magic, it would undoubtedly create incredible synergy.
"Ah, wait a minute!" Bora's expression hardened slightly. "Who's going to look after Eunsol during the day? You and I have to go to the academy, and Seojin is always busy with work…"
"Do not worry." Ea snapped her fingers, and her Snow Queen outfit reappeared. "I will do my utmost to care for her. Hello, my little friends!"
"It's the Snow Queen!" Eunsol cried.
Yeah, Ea definitely liked that outfit.
* * *