Chapter 222
‘Is she a household member of the ‘Six-Winged Angel Who Hunts Dragons’ constellation?’
Choi Yeonseung had forgotten that Han Seha was a household member of the Hound of Instinct and Liberation, but after all, if they were B-grade or higher, it wasn’t surprising that they were a household member of a constellation. A B-grade rank basically meant that the hunter was among the most talented hunters on Earth.
-It’s a bit unfair to see that the constellations who came first made their household.
Choi Yeonseung felt bitter. It didn’t really matter if random people belonged to a household, but it was a different story when the people around him became household members of a constellation. Of course, becoming a household member was such a rare opportunity that people considered it to be like winning the lottery. However, by becoming the household member of a constellation, one also became its pawn. Moreover, if a constellation was cunning and malicious, its household members were bound to have a hard time.
[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ shouts vehemently that all the constellations of the Abyss must be expelled from Earth!]
-Uh... I wasn’t thinking that, but it’s actually not a bad idea.
The goddess observed the conversation between the two constellations and thought of them as pitiful.
“What’s going on?”
“Hunter Choi Yeonseung, I have something to tell you.”
“Yeah, I figured that’s why you came here.”
Choi Yeonseung sighed and pointed toward the table. The hunters of the angel household sat at the table one by one.
“Tea? Coffee?”
“Coffee please.”
“I’m sorry. There’s no coffee.”
“......”
“......”
The hunters from each country drank the barley tea offered by Choi Yeonseung with very perplexed expressions.
‘It’s actually delicious?!’
They were quite surprised.
Slurp.
For a moment, all that could be heard was the sound of the hunters drinking the tea intently. Choi Yeonseung asked with a yawn, “When you come like this to see someone, shouldn’t you begin by stating what your business is?”
“...I-I’m sorry,” said Smolchenkov, a Russian hunter, clearing his throat slightly. He couldn’t believe he forgot about his mission due to some tea. “I’ve heard some things about you from Illaphael.”
“Illaphael... Ah.”
Illaphael. He was one of the most famous household members of the six-winged angel constellation. Thanks to his vicious fighting abilities, he was highly respected among the angel’s household members. He crossed paths with Choi Yeonseung during the Paris raid and...
“I’m sure you’ve heard some bad things. I will tell you in advance that Illaphael’s words are very exaggerated. There was a misunderstanding.”
Choi Yeonseung tried to defend himself from the start. Illaphael was too stern and arrogant to get along with Choi Yeonseung, so the latter led the hunters around him and conducted the raid in his own way. Choi Yeonseung saved his life, but angels have always been...
-They have no shame.
[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ agrees that they have no conscience.]
-...I wouldn’t be that harsh, but I suppose that’s more or less true.
Choi Yeonseung was defending himself mainly because of Han Sehui. He didn’t want his niece to think that he was a bad person.
-By the way, if she’s the household of a constellation, then it won’t really matter what you say, right?
-That damn angel… How dare he…?
-No, don’t get angry just yet...
The goddess of sloth was taken aback by Choi Yeonseung’s rare display of anger. Wasn’t it natural that people who worshiped a constellation didn’t listen to outsiders?
“Huh? Illaphael praised you.”
“Really?”
Choi Yeonseung was surprised. That proud angel praised Choi Yeonseung? What was the meaning behind that? Was it a trap?
-You shouldn’t assume that everything you don’t understand is a trap...
“How did he compliment me?”
“He said that you serve a different constellation, but you are nevertheless a spirit that pursues justice. He also said we can trust you when fighting together.”
“...Could it be that another enemy disguised themselves as Illaphael?”
“No!”
The hunters had a tense look as they heard Choi Yeonseung’s reply. There was no way that Illaphael would fall for such a trick.
“I understand. Well, did you come all the way here just to tell me that he complimented me?”
“Ah... Of course, we didn’t come here because of that. We wanted to ask you if you would move with us?”
“......?”
Choi Yeonseung was puzzled by the suggestion.
“I also have a master to serve. Moving with you?”
Both Choi Yeonseung and the angel constellation were participating in the monster wave bet, which essentially made them rivals, so why would they ask him to move together?
Smolchenkov shook his head. “Of course, I know that it’s a competition, Hunter Choi Yeonseung. However, it’s rare for a hunter to operate alone during a monster wave. Everyone sticks together with their allies.”
“!”
He was right. Just because the monster wave was a competition didn’t mean they couldn’t cooperate. Just as the berserker constellation extended a hand, the other constellations were preparing to secretly form alliances behind the scenes. Even if they didn’t win, they were more likely to hold back other constellations if they teamed up!
“It’s a bit hard for me to say this, but my master doesn’t make alliances with just anyone. Therefore, it’s clear that he values you.”
“Uh...”
Choi Yeonseung was grateful that the angel constellation thought highly of him, but Surtgal was still next to him.
The giant spoke to him with his eyes.
-You have to refuse!
“Yes, there’s no harm in joining forces.”
-Hunter Choi Yeonseung?!
Surtgal realized that something was strange. Hunter Choi Yeonseung was much more out of control than he had thought.
***
“Why did you do that?”
“What? Isn’t it a good thing to have many allies?”
“Do you not know how the angel constellation is? He isn’t one to compromise.”
The name ‘Six-Winged Angel Who Hunts Dragons’ was famous among the evil god constellations. An unyielding angel who never compromised! He was the most notorious one among the good god constellation, so there was no need to say more. From Surtgal’s perspective, it was absurd to team up with the household members of such a constellation.
“So don’t get caught.”
“...You’re saying that now?”
“Then what should I do?”
“......”
Hearing Choi Yeonseung proudly say it was none of his business, Surtgal almost shifted back to his giant form. He was no longer sure whether Choi Yeonseung was a human or an Abyssal demon.
“Don’t worry. There won’t be any problems as long as we don’t get caught.”
“And what are you going to do if we get caught?”
“If we get caught... You have to die.”
“......”
“Why are you asking such a self-evident question?”
Instead of getting angry, Surtgal actually admired his brazenness. Was this madness the reason his master valued this mortal highly? “I understand, but don’t forget, Hunter Choi Yeonseung. We need your master’s help to capture the second realm.”
“Got it.”
The household members of the angel constellation briefly explained their objective. Given that the monster wave was causing a lot of damage in both China and Japan, they first wanted to deal with the monsters that emerged on the coast of South Korea. After that, they wanted to assess the situation and choose between going to China or going to Japan!
“You won’t go to China or Japan right away?”
“We thought it would be too reckless to go straight away, given that we don’t know how many A-grade monsters are there.”
‘Indeed, that’s true.’
They didn’t confirm what the current situation was in China and Japan. None of the hunters wanted to be the first ones to go there.
“I think it’s going to be a fierce competition, Hunter Choi Yeonseung. I’m glad that you have agreed to join us.”
“...?”
Choi Yeonseung didn’t understand why there was a ‘fierce competition’ to kill the monsters that were swarming the coastal area. However, it soon became clear why this competition was fierce.
***
High-speed boats were moving haphazardly across the sea and huge ships could be seen moving heavily along the horizon.
That’s right. The hunters were sweeping the area surrounding the South Korean coast instead of going to China or Japan.
“They’re using magic detection on you! Let’s move back!”
“Go ahead and cast your magic before them! Stop the other hunters from killing the monster!”
Several clans argued and threatened each other. It was a problem that the Korean officials didn’t dare to intervene in. Interfering in the disputes between hunter clans could result in someone’s death! During this conflict, the hunters with the most esteemed reputation or those from the most prestigious clans were the ones to have an advantage. Few people dared to quarrel with the most successful hunters.
“Aren’t you from the Icarus clan?”
“Damn...”
Some of the hunters cursed under their breath and retreated when they saw the hunters from the Icarus clan step up and cast their magic. However, not all hunters were like that.
“Don’t let those Icarus bastards take the kills. Actively push them! Rush in and take away their monsters.”
“Won’t we get in trouble?”
“This is South Korea. No matter how much courage the Icarus bastards have, they won’t be able to make a case here.”
The Western Shields.
It was one of the largest clans in the United States, and was a clan close to the Parker family. Given that it was a large clan, they obviously had an A-grade hunter.
Gilbert Gerrity.
What was most surprising about him was the fact that he became an A-grade hunter as a healer. His overall style was to empower his allied hunters as much as he could rather than fight himself. With this style, Gerrity was essentially using the proud hunters like they were his own hands and legs.
“There are a lot of complaints about the backlog of artifacts from the Parker family this time. During times like this, they’ll be thankful if we do something for them.”
Gerrity spoke coarsely, and overall he looked more like a street thug than a healer.
“Go in.”
“Roger!”
As long as it was Gerrity’s order, the hunters obeyed unhesitantly, even though the opponents were formidable. All hunters of the Western Shields landed together on the island on which the hunters from Icarus had landed first.
***
“Is there something you want to say?”
Shake shake.
“......”
Even though he had never actually had a conversation with Han Seha, Choi Yeonseung had always assumed that Han Sehui would have a personality just like her. They were twins after all. However, Han Sehui’s personality was the exact opposite of Han Seha’s.
‘It’s crazy that she doesn’t speak!’
“Do you want to join the raid now?”
Shake shake.
“Do any of the hunters over there have any items that you want?”
Shake shake shake shake.
Han Sehui continued to shake her head with a blank face. He could tell that she definitely didn’t like the idea of getting involved.
“You have to participate in battles so you can collect achievements. Are you only going to fight when a stronger enemy appears?”
Nod nod.
Han Sehui nodded. Choi Yeonseung also nodded in understanding and walked away.
“Hunters, gather around for a moment.”
The moment Choi Yeonseung called them, the hunters from the Icarus clan gathered to see what was going on.
“I need the talented people among you.”
“......!”
Everyone was surprised by Choi Yeonseung’s words. At best, only D or C- grade monsters appeared around here. Were there any other monsters that were found?
“Hunter Choi Yeonseung. Give me a chance! I’ll show you something!”
“That was what I was going to say! Pick me!”
“Wait. We need to know what kind of skills you’re after. We have to know whether you need a tanker or a damage dealer!”
The hunters calmed down and straightened their postures. They listened in anticipation to what Choi Yeonseung was about to say.
“Thank you. Are there any hunters here with the ability to befriend people who don’t talk??”
“......”
“......”
The Icarus clan hunters were visibly disappointed by what Choi Yeonseung just said. Few hunters who were present were sociable individuals.
“Everyone has poor communication skills.”
‘Why does he need that?’
‘We just have to be good at killing monsters...’
The hunters inwardly complained about Choi Yeonseung’s request. It was a seemingly pointless ability.
“I will add communication training when we go back. For now, I will choose.”
“......?!”
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