NoveLight ™
In this world, the system of governance is not democracy.
Those who rule are not elected by voters but are superhumans wielding extraordinary powers, leading powerful factions.
It resembles the class-based society of old.
Governments fell long ago, and in their place rose these superhuman factions.
These factions settled in specific regions, claiming them as their own domains.
Superhumans dominate the ruling class, protecting common people from external threats like monsters, and in return, common people accept this superhuman-governed world for their survival.
The people and residents are ordinary folks in the region.
The kings and nobles are the superhumans of each faction.
These superhumans who form the domains hold power equivalent to that of kings and nobles.
Many regions have essentially become lawless zones, where the influence of the Association does not reach.
Lacking proper institutions, some areas have decayed into ruins or become living hells under the rule of oppressive factions.
The world as it stands today is maintained by the Association, which mediates to keep the influence of such factions in check.
‘The territory of the Guhwa family… felt rather prosperous.’
The Guhwa family is one of the most influential factions.
As proof of their power, the surrounding cities were developed, and the Guhwa family’s main estate was of an immensely grand scale.
Wide. Vast. Enormous.
These thoughts continuously came to mind as I stepped into the Guhwa family’s grounds.
Since we’d arrived at the mansion, it was only proper to first meet and greet the master of the house.
After the rather overwhelming welcome ceremony, we handed our luggage to the servants and followed Hong Yeonhwa into the mansion.
It took quite a while.
We walked along a red carpeted corridor for quite some time, yet hadn’t reached our destination.
The mansion was so vast and grand. I had likely passed over a hundred doors already, with no end in sight.
Frankly, calling it a “mansion” felt inadequate.
With this scale, “castle” would be more fitting, and considering its defensive installations, “fortress” would be even more accurate.
‘A fortress…’
The materials used to build this mansion were defensive by nature, and the magic installed on top was purely protective and defensive.
Considering the personnel constantly patrolling both the interior and exterior… calling it a fortress is indeed accurate.
Even the “Diamond Warrior” of the 11th round took considerable time to break through here.
Granted, he hadn’t reached his full strength then, but it was still a fortress that even he struggled to breach.
Right now, I wouldn’t even dream of attempting to break through.
“““Greetings, young miss!”””
As these thoughts passed through my mind.
Each servant we encountered in the corridor bowed deeply to Hong Yeonhwa.
Hong Yeonhwa casually acknowledged their greetings, her demeanor showing familiarity.
It gave me a strange feeling. A sudden awareness of Hong Yeonhwa’s status.
Normally, her down-to-earth attitude makes it easy to forget, but Hong Yeonhwa is the heir to the Guhwa family, destined to become one of the most powerful figures in this world.
With a single word, she could easily end someone’s life.
And here I was, walking by her side, feeling… secure.
In the past, her status would have filled me with fear and tension, but now, the warmth of her hand gave me a sense of stability and comfort.
Perhaps because this place was unfamiliar to me, I found Hong Yeonhwa’s presence by my side even more reassuring.
It’s truly a strange feeling. Something unimaginable in the past.
And then…
“““Greetings, young master.”””
‘.......’
As they bowed to Hong Yeonhwa, the servants also bowed to me, extending respectful greetings.
It wasn’t unusual for the mansion’s staff to show respect to guests… but something about the level of courtesy felt a bit excessive.
Perhaps because I’d never received such treatment before, I found it rather awkward.
After walking for a while, I arrived at the upper floors of the building, standing before an ornate door.
Even without using my Observation Power, I knew who was inside from Ariel and Hong Yeonhwa’s conversation.
“Lady Overseer, the young miss and the young master have arrived.”
At Ariel’s knock, a response came from within, and she opened the door, stepping aside.
Hong Yeonhwa entered through the open door without hesitation, and I followed her inside.
There, buried in a mountain of paperwork, was a woman.
Her black hair reached her shoulders, and her expression showed mild boredom as she examined documents. She looked up.
A pair of reddish-brown, inorganic eyes blinked once.
Overseer Choi Jiyeon.
She is betrothed to the head of the Guhwa family and is Hong Yeonhwa’s mother.
‘Sigh…’
I felt tension rise within me.
Was it because she was the Overseer? Yes, partly.
The influence of the Guhwa family is beyond question, and within it, Choi Jiyeon holds considerable power as the Overseer.
Like many here, she wouldn’t hesitate to end someone if needed.
But that wasn’t the only reason I felt tense.
More than that, it was because she was Hong Yeonhwa’s mother.
In my previous world, I’d never made friends, let alone met a friend’s parents.
Lacking such experiences, I couldn’t help but feel tense.
“Come in. You’ve arrived sooner than I expected. And…”
Choi Jiyeon rose from her seat.
Her gaze shifted from Hong Yeonhwa to me.
After studying me briefly, she gave a polite nod.
“Thank you for honoring us with your visit. I am Choi Jiyeon, Overseer of the Guhwa family, Lee Hayul.”
Her greeting was unexpectedly courteous.
I was taken aback and quickly bowed in return, waving my hand modestly.
[The pleasure is mine. Thank you for inviting me.] [I am Lee Hayul, Hong Yeonhwa’s friend.]
“Friend, is it…”
Choi Jiyeon glanced at Hong Yeonhwa.
There was something peculiar about her gaze, almost as if she were looking at something pitiable.
She seemed about to say something but then shook her head.
“…Never mind.”
“What? Why are you looking at me like that and then cutting yourself off?”
We soon seated ourselves around the table.
Choi Jiyeon sat across from us, while Hong Yeonhwa patted the seat beside her.
When I quickly took the seat, the sharp look in Choi Jiyeon’s eyes softened slightly.
“Is there a particular type of tea you enjoy?”
[No] [I’m not very knowledgeable about tea.]
“Then I’ll serve you the same tea as the young miss.”
Ariel soon brought over tea and some light snacks.
Both Choi Jiyeon and Hong Yeonhwa sipped their tea, prompting me to take a sip as well.
It was warm and soothing.
“First, allow me to offer my apologies.”
After moistening her throat with a sip of tea, Choi Jiyeon continued.
“It would be proper for the master of the house to welcome such an esteemed guest… but as the head of the family is currently absent, I, the Overseer, will attend to you in his place.”
[I’m grateful for the more than generous welcome.]
“What? Is Dad still in the African Rift?”
At this, Hong Yeonhwa tilted her head in curiosity.
“He entered earlier this year. It’s been months, and he’s still engaged in the subjugation?”
“The main subjugation ended some time ago, but certain complications have kept him from returning.”
“Oh… So the banquet will go on without him?”
“Most likely, yes.”
‘So he’s away.’
Listening to their conversation, I nodded to myself.
I hadn’t detected the head’s presence in the mansion or even in the surrounding grounds.
Even after extending my Observation range to the nearby city, I found nothing.
The current head of the Guhwa family is Hong Yeonhwa’s father, Hong Jinseon—a top-tier hero on the verge of becoming a Pioneer, according to the lore.
It had struck me as odd not to sense his presence, but it seems he’s away in the African Rift.
‘Complications?’
If he’s currently in the Rift, and unable to return due to certain circumstances…
‘Could it be that he’s found a tower?’
There are two towers within the African Rift.
One is an undiscovered, unconquered tower known only in secret.
In the 8th round, an attempt to conquer it was abandoned due to an invasion, but by the 11th round, repeated attempts finally succeeded.
Clearing that tower grants a wish ticket that allows one to make a wish within the tower’s limits.
The other… is the yet-to-be-invaded Tower of the Dead.
In the original story, the Tower of the Dead is discovered around this time.
Of course, its true nature isn’t revealed, so its existence remains hidden for now.
‘......’
The Tower of the Dead is the first to initiate an invasion and is situated in a particularly troublesome location.
It lies deep within the Rift, making it difficult to approach from our side.
Even once the invasion begins, it’s a problem.
As its name suggests, the Tower Lord of the Dead is a necromancer-type boss.
They raise both corpses and souls of the dead as an army.
And, unfortunately, the Rift is full of monsters they can use as an army when the invasion begins.
As a result, once the invasion starts, the African Rift essentially becomes the domain of the Tower Lord of the Dead.
“─Anyway, just keep that in mind. And… Lee Hayul?”
[Yes]
“There are many things I would like to discuss… but it would be rude to detain a guest who has just arrived. Ariel will guide you to your room. Ariel?”
“Yes, as instructed.”
“Please rest at your leisure, and when you feel prepared for the examination, let us know. Everything is ready, so you may begin whenever you’re comfortable.”
[Thank you for your hospitality.]
After I replied, Choi Jiyeon looked at me intently before offering a faint smile.
After Lee Hayul and Ariel exited, only two remained in the Overseer’s office.
“If his growth period was so difficult, it would be natural for him to grow twisted, but he’s such a polite and well-mannered young man.”
The Overseer, Choi Jiyeon, sipped her tea, her earlier smile now gone as she stared at the gently closing door.
Across from her, Hong Yeonhwa munched on her snacks in silence, sensing the atmosphere.
“So? Did you bring it up?”
Choi Jiyeon suddenly asked, as she finished her tea. Although there was no context, Hong Yeonhwa understood.
It was about the engagement.
She didn’t have much to say. Hong Yeonhwa mumbled, avoiding her mother’s direct gaze.
“…No.”
“Oh dear.”
A sigh escaped before Hong Yeonhwa could even fully respond, causing her to flinch, though she didn’t protest.
“You didn’t bring it up? Not a single word? In all that time?”
“Yes…”
“Oh, my…”
Choi Jiyeon drained the rest of her tea, as though to quench her frustration.
Unfortunately, tea isn’t very cooling.
When she glanced across the table, she saw Hong Yeonhwa sitting there, uncharacteristically withdrawn, with nothing to say.
Choi Jiyeon deliberated for a moment.
Normally, Hong Yeonhwa was bold and energetic, but when it came to this, she seemed utterly powerless.
She was inexperienced, grappling with tender, budding emotions…
‘Ah, young love… well, it is love after all. Hmm…’
In any case.
She’d expected Hong Yeonhwa to take the initiative, yet she’d returned without saying anything.
Choi Jiyeon realized that Hong Yeonhwa might need a little push.
“Yeonhwa.”
“Yes…”
“Will you just sit back and watch while someone else takes him?”
In a casual tone, as if asking if she’d had lunch, Choi Jiyeon’s words made Hong Yeonhwa jolt in her seat.
[Player Correction System: Affection Level]
Lee Hayul → Hong Yeonhwa
●●●●●●●●○○ (85▷86/100)
「?」 「Sense of Debt」 「Gratitude」 「Warmth」 「Security」
[The “Curse of a Beautiful Life” consumes vitality…]
[The Tower Lord of Harmony suppresses the “Curse of a Beautiful Life.”]
[Using points.]
[The Tower Lord of Harmony lets out a shriek.]