Chapter 112
Dungeon rewards weren’t just those given to the ones that survived?in a dungeon until it was cleared. There were also rewards that were given to those who had successfully cleared the conditions it presented! The condition could sometimes be a boss monster, sometimes a special mission. In this case, the condition was to pass the rock knight’s test.
Choi Yeonseung was the only one who passed the test. Likewise, he was the only one rewarded.
[You have been chosen as the successor of the ‘Goddess of Defeat and Sloth.’]
[You will now inherit her strength.]
“...What?”
***
-It’s been so long since I’ve last woken up, my successor. Don’t be flustered. I will teach you what you have to do to become a constellation.
The Goddess of Defeat and Sloth had awakened from a really long slumber to teach her successor how to become a constellation. Of course, being chosen as a successor didn’t mean a mortal could immediately use constellation powers. They would have to train for a very long time and learn slowly. However…
“I’m sorry, I’m already a constellation.”
-What? I must have misheard you.
The goddess doubted her ears.
Didn’t she hide the sanctuary inside a dungeon so that only mortals could enter? His claim was absolutely impossible unless a constellation shamelessly pretended to be a mortal to clear a dungeon. Could a constellation do that?
-That’s just impossible…
“That isn’t true.”
-......
The goddess looked at Choi Yeonseung as if finding it absurd. Why would he do that?
-How awful! How could you do such a thing?
The goddess looked at Choi Yeonseung with surprise. She was one of the first to be born among the constellations of the Abyss. In all her years, she had never met a constellation like Choi Yeonseung. Which constellation in the world would walk around pretending to be a mortal?
“... To deceive the other constellations.”
-You have a lot of ambition. However, considering the situation, aren’t you doing something really strange?
“I also find this strange. Do the constellations usually find a successor in this way to pass on their power?”
Constellations were eternal rulers. As immortal and ageless beings, they would never need a successor. Choi Yeonseung had never heard of a constellation looking for a successor, much less in this way.
-This is a rare case. There are very deep circumstances here.
“Can you tell me?”
-Of course.
The goddess’ explanation started a long, long time ago when she still had a kingdom so vast and powerful that it was considered one of the strongest in the Abyss...
‘She seems stronger than I thought.’
The strength of a constellation wasn’t necessarily proportional to age. However, those born first were often stronger. After all, they had more time to build up strength. Taking that into consideration, the Goddess of Defeat and Sloth was clearly a strong constellation. Such a constellation lost her strength and was sealed in the sanctuary.
What in the world happened?
-One day, I got tired of everything and sealed?myself.
“... Wait. I must have misheard you.”
Choi Yeonseung denied what he just heard, but it was true. The stronger her kingdom grew, the more the goddess found herself in an ironic situation. She wanted to experience defeat, but her kingdom triumphed over and over again. She wanted to be lazy, but she had more work to do. Any victory or power gained tired her out.
Eventually, the goddess gave up on her kingdom and sealed herself. The ultimate defeat and sloth where she didn’t have to win over anyone or do anything!
“... What type of crazy nonsense is this?”
Choi Yeonseung found it so absurd that he couldn’t speak properly. This constellation sealed herself because she found life a nuisance. Did that make sense?
-I want you to keep in mind that from my perspective, a constellation who pretends to be a mortal and intervenes with my plan is quite unusual.
“No...”
Choi Yeonseung had nothing to say. This was a strange thing by the standards of a constellation! The two constellations treated each other as if they were insane. The first one to speak was the Goddess of Defeat and Sloth.
-In any case, you have become my successor. I’m glad I don’t have to explain anything to you. If you were a mortal, I would’ve had to teach you how to feel and use the power of existence.
There was no need to teach him anything since he was a constellation. He could do well on his own!
-Realize your power and increase it. I am counting on you.
The goddess was very pleased. From that voice, Choi Yeonseung could be sure. The goddess had sealed herself and was seeking a successor to a constellation to completely escape her responsibilities.
“Wait. Wait.”
-What is it? I just want to go to sleep.
Choi Yeonseung had no intention of leaving the goddess alone just because she made him her successor. Did she just want to disappear? “There are many things I want to ask, so wait. You said I inherited your power, but my power of existence has hardly increased. What’s going on?
-I have minimal power of existence, so that is only natural.
‘So useless...’
He wasn’t expecting much, but he was a bit disappointed for not receiving a lot.
-Successor. It isn’t about the power of existence. It is your power that counts. If you work hard, won’t you be able to use more and more powers?
“Um...”
A constellation could produce powers related to themselves through training. Choi Yeonseung was the Undefeated Incarnation of Training and could create skills such as Mental Training. It was the same with the goddess. Choi Yeonseung inherited the power of the goddess and could develop skills related to defeat and sloth if he tried...
“... I am the Undefeated Incarnation of Training. Can I develop powers related to defeat and sloth?”
Choi Yeonseung became afraid that a strange constellation had been using him. Wasn’t he a victim of fraud, not a successor? It would be a complete turn of events if he gained powers related to defeat and sloth, only for his original powers to weaken.
-You are misunderstanding something, successor.
“...... ”
-Victory and defeat are two sides of the same coin. The same is true for training and sloth.
“What are you talking about?”
-For example, let’s say you fake a loss to deceive someone. Is this a defeat or a victory?
“......”
-Let’s say you take a long, long break to get stronger. Is this training or being lazy?
There was a strange, persuasive power in the goddess’ words. Only a constellation who was once the strongest could exude such confidence! Choi Yeonseung, who at first thought she was just a weak and strange constellation with little power of existence, was overwhelmed by her words.
-You are a young constellation, so you’re likely working hard to protect the attributes you have, which is why you act according to those traits. However, once time passes and you’ve fully understood the power you have, you won’t have to adjust yourself to that attribute anymore. You will become that attribute yourself. Even if a fire constellation were to use ice magic, that ice could just be defined as cold fire.
A realm of defining the attribute itself without being bound by it. That was what the goddess was talking about.
-Many constellations are busy building their power of existence, expanding their kingdoms, and waging wars, but realizing their own power is the most important factor.
Choi Yeonseung intuitively knew. The goddess’ words were true. She taught him the secret to power, which could never be priced.
[You have received an epiphany about the attributes you have as a constellation. The power of your existence has risen!]
[The skill ‘No Gate On the Path of Enlightenment’ has been acquired!]
Just as there were no gates on the main road, there were no fixed answers on the road to enlightenment. The saying he had heard a long time ago now formed the name of Choi Yeonseung’s skill.
[No Gate On the Path of Enlightenment.]
[Due to great enlightenment, you are no longer bound by the attributes you possess as a constellation.]
Choi Yeonseung expressed his heartfelt gratitude.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
-I’m also glad to see you realize it in a unique way.
The goddess nodded, seemingly pleased to see the young constellation learning.
-In the future, it is better for you to accept things broadly instead of binding yourself with your own thoughts. Can I go now?
“Hmm. Since I am the successor to your power, can I keep calling you?”
-... Of course, you can. However, you are so good that you won’t need to, right?
“No. I’ll call you if I have to.”
-......
The goddess realized that something had gone wrong.
A mortal would’ve said, ‘Thank you for choosing me, Constellation!’?However, Choi Yeonseung acted differently. Rather, he acted more like, ‘Can’t you sleep when you die? Don’t rest inside the seal. Answer me when I call. I have a lot to ask.’
He seemed very troublesome!
***
Choi Yeonseung grabbed the goddess and started to ask multiple questions. After all, as a young constellation, there was a lot he didn’t know.
Questions about whether the goddess knew any constellations who were strong in the past, who had a bad personality enough to?covet?Earth among those constellations, if she had any hidden slush funds or artifacts, what she could do to help him in combat, if she had any useful skills among the ones she originally had, and even guidance so he could acquire those…
The Goddess of Defeat and Sloth tried to cover her ears while crouching in the sanctuary. However, her successor just ignored her and kept speaking.
Answer me!
-... Successor. Why don’t we make a compromise? How about calling me just once a day?
“Why should I do that?”
-Successor. Even though you have inherited all my powers, I want you to keep in mind that I can still refuse to answer!
The goddess warned that she could go on strike.
Choi Yeonseung stung the goddess’ ears with a storm of ruthless questions, but the goddess could hold on without answering if she was determined.
“... Okay. I’ll make sure not to call you too many times in one day.”
-If possible, I would like it to be yearly.
“That is impossible. There is no other constellation as strong as you around.”
They were, fortunately, talking in the goddess’ sanctuary. If they were outside, the other constellations would’ve been enraged.
Who do you think you are?
-I wish you could call me a little bit less...
“I know, I know.”
Choi Yeonseung’s heart weakened slightly when he heard the goddess’ weak voice. In fact, he had already received enough from the goddess. He gained almost no power of existence, but he got the ability to develop new skills in defeat and sloth. Above all, the stereotype of how to be strong as a constellation was shattered. He should be free rather than obsessed!
‘Yes. I was already doing it.’
The Choi Yeonseung of the past would’ve devoted himself to martial arts with little time to breathe. However, Choi Yeonseung was trying several things that he would’ve never touched before, like cooking and magic.
He was feeling it instinctively. Training wasn’t such a narrow field! All things experienced in daily life could become training according to his enlightenment.
‘Be freer. More infinite.’
Choi Yeonseung clenched his fists. He could still become stronger.
[Your meeting with the ‘Goddess of Defeat and Sloth’ has ended.]
[You are now leaving the sanctuary and will return to Earth.]
-Don’t call me when you go back. Understood?
“That depends on the situation.”
-......
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