Chapter 327
Choi Yeonseung controlled his expression as much as he could.
Negotiating with a constellation was like walking on a very thin tightrope. At the slightest mistake on Choi Yeonseung’s part, the explosion constellation could go back on his word.
Choi Yeonseung couldn’t let his guard down.
“If you have sworn an oath, you should play a fair game according to that oath. It’s not fair the way you’re playing now.”
[’Endless Linked Explosions’ protests that he kept his oath. If he had broken any rules, the oath would’ve been triggered…]
“That’s just a matter of semantics.”
[The ‘Six-Winged Angel Who Hunts Dragons’ agrees.]
[The ‘Arrogant Light Elf’ agrees.]
[The ‘Monk Pursuing Glory’ agrees.]
[The ‘Greedy Owner of the Treasure House’ agrees.]
[The ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ agrees...]
[...]
All the other constellations reacted instantly to the assertion of the explosion constellation, startling him. It wasn’t common for so many constellations to intervene.
Those guys… The explosion constellation gritted his teeth. It made sense for good god constellations to intervene, since they had always been hostile to him. However, it was very frustrating that the evil god constellations were also opposing him.
The evil god constellations were rather hypocritical: they didn’t actually think that what he had done was wrong, but they wanted to keep him in check because of how much attention he had gained lately.
Of course, the explosion constellation would always attack his adversaries when they least expected it, but now that he was the victim, he was terribly infuriated and offended.
‘...I didn’t expect the other constellations to help me, but I’m grateful that they did.’
Choi Yeonseung didn’t know what the constellations were currently interested in. He was grateful for their help, but it was also a bit absurd.
Adaquaniel whispered from the side, “As expected, you’re amazing. I can’t believe you anticipated that the other constellations would help you.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“You say that, but it definitely is a big deal...”
[’Endless Linked Explosions’ says that if this is the case, what type of test should he prepare? He declares to the constellations that humans are all selfish and that he wants a test tailored to them.]
Illaphael was rather grateful that the explosion constellation had interrupted the conversation between Choi Yeonseung and Adaquaniel. He really didn’t want to listen to that.
‘How is he going to answer? Constellations aren’t easy to persuade,’ Illaphael anxiously thought to himself. Even if they negotiated, would the explosion constellation just comply with whatever terms they decided on?
After all, hadn’t the explosion constellation gained a tremendous amount of power of existence after defeating the demon constellation?
However, Choi Yeonseung was already prepared.
“Take the test prepared by the Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood. This test is fair. In the vast space, the household members of the constellation and humans will clash in a battle of strength versus strength! What can be more fair than that?”
[The ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ is embarrassed.]
Despite being rather abashed at the sudden praise, the berserker constellation was actually pleased with Choi Yeonseung’s words.
Of course, from the perspective of the explosion constellation, this was utter nonsense.
The berserker constellation had designed such an idiotic test… It was certainly disadvantageous to the explosion constellation.
The berserker constellation had chosen such a method because he normally didn’t do a lot of thinking. All he cared for was blood and fighting.
However, when looking at his test in practice… Hadn't humans once exploited his weaknesses?
[’Endless Linked Explosions’ says he can’t accept this type of constellation battle.]
‘As expected, it didn’t work.’
Choi Yeonseung hadn’t had much hope for this idea.
Unlike the berserker constellation, the explosion constellation was quite cunning and always used his brain. After all, hadn’t he designed the Second Realm dungeon in a way to spread as much discord among humans as possible?
“Then how about a one-on-one duel where the household members fight against each other without any artifacts...?”
[The ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ shouts that such ridiculous and unfavorable rules can’t be tolerated!]
Everyone else agreed with the berserker constellation. That kind of test seemed too advantageous for the explosion constellation.
‘...Alright, nevermind… These constellations aren’t actually helpful.’
Choi Yeonseung felt bitter. He thought about accepting a battle that seemed unfavorable for him and then still finding a way to win, even if it meant raising suspicions in regard to his abilities.
However, given how the other constellations reacted, Choi Yeonseung couldn’t insist on it. He would look way too suspicious…
[’Endless Linked Explosions’ suggests selecting a few countries to let them in...]
“Alright, let’s think beyond the dungeons. How about searching for a holy relic...?”
[’Endless Linked Explosions’ refuses.]
The two parties were at a stalemate as neither of them were satisfied with the other’s proposal. The constellations who were watching were also intrigued and recommended their preferred method for the constellation battle.
They suggested pretty much everything: dueling, chess, tossing coins, stealing household members, and so on.
However, it still wasn’t enough to break the stalemate.
[The Storyteller Who Likes Gossip and Explanations suggests a method.]
[The people of Earth often compete to see who is stronger. Let’s see which one of you has the strongest household.]
“...”
[...]
The unexpected suggestion perplexed both Choi Yeonseung and the explosion constellation. They could’ve figured out each other’s weaknesses and strengths if either of them had objected to the suggestion.
However, given how straightforward the suggestion was, neither of them could learn anything about their adversary.
‘I don’t know who the household members of the explosion constellation are. Is there any way to find out? It’s likely that they’re from some country with bad security…’
The explosion constellation also pondered on this. The household members of the Undefeated Incarnation of Training were mostly unknown. Perhaps their master was hiding their identities. There was no way for the explosion constellation to find out who they were. With this in mind, this kind of constellation battle wasn’t completely in his favor, but…
The two constellations decided to yield one step at a time. In any case, both of them were confident they would win.
The battle itself seemed balanced: there were no clear one-sided advantages!
...In addition, the explosion constellation felt like he somehow had to get out of this mess.
[’Endless Linked Explosions’ says that if you lose, you should not only stop blocking this dungeon, but also help other hunters fight each other.]
“Fine, I accept.”
‘They’re going to fight among themselves even if I don’t do anything, so there is no need for me to act.’
Choi Yeonseung accepted the conditions of his adversary. He was certain he wouldn’t lose, but even if he did, the penalty wasn’t that bad. In addition, Choi Yeonseung sometimes actually wanted to let hunters from other countries fight each other.
-Try to keep your wits about you.
-I know.
***
“What strategy will the explosion constellation use?”
-Umm.
In fact, Choi Yeonseung had little interest in a six versus six battle among the hunters
In regards to that, ordinary people kept saying things like”‘National pride! World Cup! If you lose, just go to the Abyss and die!” However, Choi Yeonseung felt like hunters should be doing raids instead of fighting meaningless battles.
Putting that aside, the level of this particular clan battle was too high.
Talented people were doing this for a living, so the level had naturally risen. Choi Yeonseung had been trying to raise a Korean clan, but his opponents would definitely be strong.
-I think he’ll probably just buy a strong clan.
“That’s one of the ways to do it.”
The easiest way to go about this was bribing a strong clan.
Choi Yeonseung genuinely hadn’t thought about this method because he generally wasn’t interested in clan battles. Despite that, he had just found himself in a clan battle against a constellation.
Choi Yeonseung would do anything to win this.
‘Even if the explosion constellation buys a clan, I wonder if the hunters will actually obey him.’
In reality, it was actually quite difficult to get hunters to believe in a constellation. That was especially the case with evil god constellations like the explosion constellation. Despite that, Choi Yeonseung still had many disadvantages going into this battle.
Even though he had recently made a name for himself, many hunters would still doubt his abilities against a constellation.
‘This is going to be really tough, so I think the right strategy would be to reach out to some of the weaker clans and strengthen them.’
The goddess of sloth listened to Choi Yeonseung’s words and nodded. She thought his plan could work.
“The explosion constellation... Is he good at fighting battles like this?”
-I’m sure he’s much more experienced than you.
Generally speaking, constellations had much more experience in constellation battles than Choi Yeonseung.
-But in such battles, power is more important than experience, Successor. Your abilities shine in fights like this…
“Hunter Choi Yeonseung!”
“?”
Choi Yeonseung turned his head and saw a hunter from Dragon Industry rush over.
“We’ve received news that monsters have emerged in South Korea. It’s possible that it’s a monster wave…”
“...No… That fucking bastard!”
Choi Yeonseung cursed as soon as he heard the terrible news. It was clear as day that this was the explosion constellation’s doing.
***
-The citizens aren’t surprised by the sudden increase in the number of dungeons and are calmly adapting to the situation.
-Experts say that something happened in the former North Korea region...
-The KOSPI Index is rising. This is based on the expectation that items such as monster cores will be smoothly supplied thanks to this raid. Companies will make a leap forward…
The explosion constellation thought this was the key to interfere with Choi Yeonseung’s preparation for the clan battle: South Korea!
If a large number of monsters appeared in South Korea, Korean hunters like Choi Yeonseung would be stranded.
‘Even so, things will be different in South Korea.’
Choi Yeonseung was heading to South Korea, but he wasn’t too worried. South Korea was well prepared for dungeons and monster attacks. After all, hadn’t they withstood the last monster wave with minimum damage?
-Won’t there be a shortage of hunters?
-They’re easy to call.
-??
Perhaps the constellations thought South Korea would be in trouble because they didn’t know much about it, but Choi Yeonseung was different.
Choi Yeonseung asked Aine to publish some articles.
Aine immediately put pressure on the media to publish articles and spread the news.
-Among the monsters that have appeared in large numbers in South Korea, a very rare monster called the twin-legged white lizard has been discovered. This has surprised most monster enthusiasts.
-If I calculate the core of the monsters this time, roughly...
Whenever high-profile monsters appeared, all hunters and clans were eager to get their hands on the valuable treasures… And sure enough, after seeing the articles, clans lined up to provide humanitarian aid in no time.
The Korean government wasn’t going to steal the cores. If they went and killed the monsters, they would make a profit.
‘The urgent fire has been put out for now.’
Even though Choi Yeonseung had blocked the monster wave, the way the explosion constellation was going about this battle was quite nasty.
Choi Yeonseung immediately prepared to fight back.
***
“Welcome, demons!”
-???
-???
The demons were trembling with nervousness and fear as they entered their new realm. However, they were taken aback by Choi Yeonseong’s welcome.
They hadn’t expected him to welcome them so warmly.
-We’ve heard that around eighty percent of us will get fired. Is that true, Master?
“What? No. That’s ridiculous.”
-Looking at the companies of Earth, we’ve learnt that they usually restructure after a merger. We’re afraid that you will do the same thing...
“...I don’t know what you’ve observed on Earth, but I don’t intend to do that. I intend to fight the explosion constellation with you.”
At Choi Yeonseung’s words, the demons nodded with a hint of frustration. The most humiliating thing for the mortals of the Abyss was failing to protect their master.
When the explosion constellation invaded their realm, they failed to protect their master and were forced to flee.
They were ashamed of their failure.
“Yes. You guys...”
Choi Yeonseung looked behind the demons.
Their area consisted of huge skyscrapers reminiscent of a city center.
‘...I really can’t get used to it.’
Looking at this area, he couldn’t help feeling he was on Earth!
“...So what can you do?”
-We have the ability to recognize the desires of mortals and manipulate them into signing contracts, Master.
-The best of us can even steal souls. If you give me the chance, I would like to dedicate my soul to you!
In the midst of this, one of the demons raised his hand.
-Master. I have a question.
“What is it?”
-Why are you in human form...?
“I disguise myself as a human whenever necessary.”
-......
-.....
Choi Yeonseung’s words shocked and horrified the demons, leaving them speechless.
What did he mean by that??
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