Chapter 58: Test Of The Constellations (5)
After the Constellation Trial concluded,
the number of subsidiary Constellations, also known as sub-support Constellations, surged significantly.
This surge meant an increase in potential candidates for the main Constellation.
Originally, Kang-hoo only had the Master of Mobile Warfare and the Apostle of Justice as his sub-support Constellations.
But now, the Strategist of the Wilderness had joined them, rising to become the second-largest supporterafter the Dimension Plunderer.
In total, Kang-hoo had ten Constellations in the realm of sub-support.
To become a sub-support Constellation required substantial backing.
An experience buff of 235% is just insane.
Kang-hoo, not known for smiling often, couldnt contain his delight upon seeing his experience buff maxed out.
His showcase during the Constellation Trial had been a resounding success.
With minor supporters included, over 500 Constellations now knew of Kang-hoos existence.
[He's my contractor. Back off. Why are so many interested in my contracted Constellation?]
[Foolish woman. You're the one who escalated this. Now, it's my turn to nurture this fellow.]>
[Woman? Well said. Your origin is a trivial dimension, isn't it?]
Oh?
Kang-hoo, noting the names of the Constellations arguing with the Dimension Plunderer, looked on with interest.
The Strategist of the Wilderness was the one squabbling, the second-largest supporter, and seemingly another goddess like the Dimension Plunderer.
The stage was now set for a competition among the Constellations, spurring more investment in their contractors.
It seemed probable that the Dimension Plunderer would boost her support beyond the usual Constellation privileges.
Likewise, the Strategist of the Wilderness might also attempt to entice Kang-hoo with her own advantages.
Caught in the middle of this, Kang-hoo could only celebrate his fortuitous predicament.
If Jang Si-hwan could progress in this manner, Kang-hoo was confident he could emulate the protagonists path in the original story and master any required method acting.
Time to go.
His task here was complete.
After successfully finishing two Constellation Trials, the moment had come to depart and review his new privileges.
Parting was bittersweet, but he was certain that these Constellations would cross his path again.
Having made a lasting impression as Shin Kang-hoo, he knew more would observe him from the shadows.
[Main Constellation Dimension Plunderer]
[First, keep all acquired and future skills at maximum proficiency.]>
[Second, acquire the capacity to usurp boss skills.]
[Third, if you slay another hunter, you may claim their contract and the allegiance of their serving Constellation.]
[Fourth, teleport instantly to a predetermined location. This ability has a one-day cooldown.]
[Fifth, negate 99% of space-altering abilities within a 15-meter radius, excluding your own.]
It seems the Dimension Plunderers privileges heavily favor spatial manipulation, he mused.
[Have I not emphasized enough? I stand apart from the other Constellations.]
The first three privileges dont seem to match the name Dimension Plunderer, though, do they? he remarked with a hint of irony.
[Yet they are the foundation for overwhelming power, are they not?]
Kang-hoo acknowledged with a nod.
That was the very reason he had been eager to forge a contract with her the moment he awoke in this world.
To outshine the protagonist and claim the central role, he required such potent enablers for growth.
The fourth privilege appeared to be a clutch escape tool for critical situations, offering a means to vacate the battlefield without delay.
And crucially, it was not bound by distance.
Following the Constellation Trial, Kang-hoo scrutinized the finer points of his privileges.
[You may select a secure location. There is no cooldown or restriction on setting this place, permitting alterations or updates at any time.]
Everything was as he had anticipated.
He realized he could change his safe haven on a whim.
With this privilege, even if he were in the USA, he could return to Korea immediately, as long as he had set his save point somewhere in the country, like his home.
The fifth privilege was essentially a unilateral debuff, a passive type that was always active.
Of course, for hunters who didnt use spatial movement skills, this privilege would be ineffective.
But considering the hunters Kang-hoo often targeted, such as Jang Si-hwan or Chae Gwanhyeong, who relied on spatial movement skills in magic or swordsmanship, it was a different story.
Suppressing their spatial movement skills was like adding weights to their ankles.
It might not block physical movements enhanced by acceleration or leaping abilities. But it should definitely block skills like Blink.
Although it was 99% in theory, the effect felt like 100%.
This is truly rapid growth.
Kang-hoo bowed his head, smiling brightly where no one could see him.
Today marked a dramatic turning point in his growth.
A level 50 hunter unlocking up to the fifth Constellation privilege?
Such cases were rare in this world. Even Jang Si-hwan hadnt achieved this.
For Kang-hoo, carving a new path beyond the protagonist was exhilarating.
The destination for the mission given by Lee Ye-rin was near Pohang Station.
It was a place not heavily populated.
Yet, with its numerous dungeons, especially the open ones, it always attracted hunters.
For hunters, it was like a table laden with food, leading to incessant conflicts and battles.
The scale was too large for any one guild to monopolize, turning it into a battleground.
The battles were so frequent that even the Hunter Public Safety Bureau had withdrawn its nominal presence.
The message was clear: they didnt want to bother with it, leaving hunters to sort it out themselves.
As expected, the hunters went wild.
With zero chance of law enforcement intervention, there was nothing to fear.
Hmm.
Looking at the distant speck of KTX Pohang Station, Kang-hoo hummed thoughtfully.
He revisited a postponed thought.
First, about skills.
There would be no new basic skills until level 100.
Looking ahead, only levels 200, 400, and 800 remained.
The expectation for new basic skills had significantly diminished.
Many hunters faced stagnation in growth around level 100.
Without new skills, they became stuck with a similar repertoire.
Buying skill books was an option, but those specialized for their class were exorbitantly priced.
Skill books were rare, and powerful skills rarely entered the market.
They were often learned by the finder or sold to guildmates or acquaintances.
The key to defeating Cha So-hee was actually skills. Having many strategies means creating more variables.
Kang-hoo had always prioritized the importance of skills.
And he had more options to increase his skills than mere basic skill acquisition, like his unique ability to steal skills.
In the future, wherever I go, dungeons or regions, the top priority must always be acquiring skills.
He set his priorities straight.
Every location he visited had to consider skill acquisition. There was no time to waste.
Lee Ye-rin. Han Seo-yeon. Yun Sang-mi. An Yeong-ho. Jung Yuri.
Additionally, thoughts about the connections formed after escaping from the Cheongmyeong Detention Center resurfaced.
Lee Ye-rin.
She would be an important connection who would provide stable requests and act as an informant in the future.
She was also one of the people who would oppose The Thirteen Stars later on.
Currently, he had a strategic alliance with Jang Si-hwan, but a significant issue that could strain their relationship was likely to arise soon.
Han Seo-yeon. His ex-girlfriend.
He wanted to reserve judgment about her.
Considering she was currently affiliated with a satellite guild of the Jeonghwa Guild, the Haeohwa Guild, the outlook wasnt great.
If she felt a sense of mission or responsibility towards her guild, then there were even more elements that could lead to a fallout.
Yun Sang-mi.
She felt like strictly a business partner, but not someone he particularly wanted to take an interest in.
However, according to Lee Ye-rin, she had collected a lot of information from various regions through her long mercenary activities.
So, it was worth considering expanding my activities through her.
An Yeong-ho. That guy will be the one to expand my stage.
Kang-hoo was particularly interested in his connection with An Yeong-ho.
Their relationship was unilateral.
After all, An Yeong-ho owed his life to him, right?
Moreover, since he was too good to the point of being naive, there was a high chance hed become a generous tree.
He also harbored deep hostility towards the Jeonghwa Guild, so their perspectives aligned.
And Jung Yuri.
An unexpected connection, but one he was most looking forward to.
She harbored even greater resentment towards the Jeonghwa Guild, especially towards Chae Gwanhyeong, than An Yeong-ho.
At the same time, she was someone who showed a lot of goodwill and interest in Kang-hoo.
There was a lot of potential for them to work well together.
Just then,
Kang-hoo slowly turned his head toward the approach of someone.
He had deliberately walked to a secluded place for a walk, but someone was approaching.
In an unfamiliar place, he wouldnt normally expect to see a familiar face. So, he wasnt particularly interested in who it might be.
But when he saw the face, he recognized the person.
The Silent Judge, Jeon Se-hyeok.
He recognized him immediately, although they had never met in reality because he was a character extensively sculpted in the original work.
A scar ran from the end of the right corner of his mouth to below the eye.
And a special demon mask made to cover from the nose to the chin.
He looked exactly like Jeon Se-hyeok as described in the original work.
Of course, he wasnt wearing the mask now and had it hanging at his waist. He seemed not to feel the need to hide his scar.
Having created his character with illustrations, the image I had in mind matched his actual appearance.
Although it was his first time seeing him, it felt as if it wasnt.
His level was currently between 350 and 400, so he was definitely not an easy opponent.
Moreover, he ranked among the top 3 bounty hunters on Eclipses most-wanted list.
His nickname, the Silent Judge, was no coincidence.
He targeted only criminal organizations like Eclipse and judged their hunters by bringing them to their death.
Soon, Jeon Se-hyeok and Kang-hoo were within close distance.
Seeing Kang-hoos face, Jeon Se-hyeok said something completely unexpected.
You are Shin Kang-hoo, arent you?
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