Chapter 92: Level 100 (3)
The significance of a Main Constellation is exemplified by the Dimension Plunderer.
Firstly, it grants the contractor access to all the benefits associated with the constellation.
This explains why Kang-hoo can steal skills, maintain maximum proficiency in all skills, and take the constellations of hunters he defeats.
It also includes the ability to teleport instantly to a designated location.
What if the Dimension Plunderer were merely a general sub-support constellation instead of the Main Constellation?
Then, such privileges would be inaccessible. Enjoying these privileges is exclusive to the Main Constellation.
The contractor, that is, the contracted hunter, could change their Main Constellation at will.
The decision of which to choose as a replacement rested with the hunter.
While breaking a contract with a constellation was impossible, downgrading from a Main to a sub was permissible.
However, once a constellation was downgraded, reinstating its status was not possible.
This issue was not about emotional connections but a structural limitation within the hunters system.
Furthermore, a constellation downgraded from Main to sub could terminate the contract without any penalties.
For this reason, changing the Main Constellation was approached with caution and was not commonly done.
Of course, in the realm of skilled hunters, changes occurred frequently.
This is because constellations offering more abilities and privileges were constantly emerging, sparking competition.
And now,
Kang-hoo found himself in a situation akin to this.
Honestly, surpassing the benefits offered by the Dimension Plunderer is no easy task. She is undoubtedly an appealing constellation.
Kang-hoo had his reasons for selecting the Dimension Plunderer as his first and Main Constellation.
His decision was based on long-term direction and strategy, rather than being impulsive.
The Strategist of the Wasteland, despite competing with her, offers somewhat lesser privileges as a Main Constellation.
It specializes mainly in mental aspects, which dont synergize well with Kang-hoos job group.
The Catastrophe Darkness offers formidable power as its defining characteristic.
However, it requires the contractors vitality and an invisible type of spiritual energy in return.
Kang-hoo was concerned about this vague drain of power
Ultimately, the decision is his to make.
Thus, he didnt give a specific response. There was no need to solidify the position of the Dimension Plunderer here.
If theres a chance, the constellations will continue to vie for his favor.
The message left by the Strategist of the Wasteland was clear.
Contractor, I don't mind not being the first. I just want you to enjoy my benefits.
It was a groundbreaking statement.
He didnt seek the position of Main Constellation but offered his power for enjoyment.
Its akin to offering goods for free. From the recipients standpoint, theres absolutely no loss.
However, the question remains how the Dimension Plunderer would perceive this.
Then, the Catastrophe Darkness also shared its thoughts.
I desire a position befitting my status, and naturally, I cannot share a table with other inferior constellations.
But I covet you, the contractor. And I am a being that can offer you infinite power and glory.
A three-way battle, huh? Interesting.
Kang-hoo chuckled.
He thought that he should open a separate channel to talk with the Dimension Plunderer later.
If the offer from the Strategist of the Wasteland remains unchanged, theres no reason to refuse her generosity.
However, its crucial that the Dimension Plunderer, as the Main Constellation, does not take this emotionally.
Negotiation is his responsibility.
Then,
Vrrrr.
The smartphone vibrated.
It was Yun Sang-mi.
The number she took as compensation for Kang-hoos indebtedness from their last meeting at Club Hades.
Therefore, he was pleased to receive her call. She wasnt someone to contact him over trivial matters.
Yep.
Are you on a train?
Right.
I thought so. Youre speaking in a lower voice than usual, so I guessed you werent at home.
Whats up?
Ive got a dungeon license. Want to join me? We agreed to hang out together, remember?
It was a tempting offer.
He was in need of leveling up and had been searching for dungeons, even considering going as far as Busan.
If the dungeon she mentioned matched his level, it would also meet Kang-hoos requirements.
It was a timely offer in many ways.
After meeting with Ban Se-yeong and Jeon Se-hyuk, seeing her seemed like the perfect plan.
Would it be okay to contact you tomorrow or the day after?
Of course. Its not urgent. I didnt have any other partner in mind for this dungeon anyway.
Thats good to hear.
Why act so surprised? Youre good at this. I trust your abilities.
Just wait a bit, then.
Alright. Ill wait for your call.
Yep.
The call was short but beneficial.
He wasnt sure about the scale and rewards of the dungeon hed be exploring with Ban Se-yeong.
Even if he found himself slightly lacking in growth there, it felt like a solid backup plan had formed.
Busan Station, where he arrived, had seen the rain stop early on.
As expected of a hunters mecca second only to Seoul, the area around Busan Station was bustling with hunters.
It was crowded enough to truly understand the meaning of the phrase packed like sardines.
Looking at the guild and mercenary booths set up in front of the station, Seoul seemed almost modest by comparison.
And for good reason, since Seoul only allows for mercenary recruitment.
In Seoul, under the exclusive management of the Jeonghwa Guild, other guilds business activities are banned.
Of course, this is unofficial.
Officially, the Jeonghwa Guild claims to pursue coexistence with other guilds, but thats quickly proven to be nonsense within 3 seconds.
Too many people, even for a busy place.
Even considering the usual bustle, it was exceptionally crowded.
Particularly, there were many hunters wearing the insignias of the Jeonghwa Guild and the Haeohwa Guild.
Curious about the situation, he looked closer and saw that a major event was happening in front of the station.
It was a meeting between Hong Haechang, the master of the Haeohwa Guild, and Shin Tae-seok, the third-ranked hunter of the Jeonghwa Guild.
In the original story, Shin Tae-seok was the hunter who died in an explosion alongside An Yeong-ho, whom he tried to avenge. An irredeemable piece of trash.
Kang-hoo narrowed his eyes.
If Jang Si-hwan is likable trash and Chae Gwanhyeong is two-faced trash,
Then Shin Tae-seok is just trash in every visible aspect, beyond recycling.
Currently, Shin Tae-seok was in charge of the Jeonghwa Guilds dirty work.
Jang Si-hwan and Chae Gwanhyeong would usually give the orders, and Shin Tae-seok would carry them out.
Then,
Through the large display installed in front of Busan Station, the reason for their meeting today was revealed.
[Today, the Haeohwa Guild has resolved to engage in full-scale mutual exchanges with the Jeonghwa Guild.]
[The alliance between the undisputed top guilds in Busan and Seoul is expected to influence the domestic landscape in the future.]
Its changed.
The flow differed from the original story.
In the original, Jang Si-hwan almost despised the Haeohwa Guild.
Considering the traitor ending its possible that even thinking about it was a fantasy.
Kang-hoo considered the possibility that everything before the traitor ending in the original work was a dream.
That is, most of the content he wrote for the original work is Jang Si-hwans imagination in this world.
Then, the plausibility of the traitor ending aligns.
Right?
If the actions and movements of Jang Si-hwan, who believed himself to be justice incarnate in the original, werent real?
Then, Jang Si-hwans current preparations to become a villain are neatly explained.
Anyway, seeing the villains joining forces was not exactly a pleasant sight for Kang-hoo.
This meant the domestic landscape was about to become complicated, as the announcement on the display suggested, and not in a favorable manner.
Checking his smartphone, he found a message from Jeon Se-hyuk stating he had just arrived and was parking, so he would be slightly late.
As Kang-hoo waited for the two, he paid closer attention to the hunter-related news continuing on the display.
[The Jeonghwa Guild announced that as of 8 a.m. today, they would commence a purge in the Osan region.]
[It was revealed that the Pyeongjeong and Bastard guilds, involved in serious crimes such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and rape in Osan, are the targets of the purge.]
[These forces are known to include numerous wanted criminals and hunters under criminal suspicion.]
Thats quick.
Jang Si-hwans purge of the Osan region was also part of the original story.
The external pretext, of course, was spouting nonsense about purging for justice.
It was easy to package with the cooperation of the Hunter Public Safety Bureau.
Anyway.
The reason Jang Si-hwan coveted the Osan area was simple: it housed many valuable dungeons.
It was a place beneficial for guild development and contained many dungeons he personally wanted to conquer.
He thought it would eventually happen, but the timing was much earlier than in the original workmore than a year earlier.
Pyeongjeong and Bastard are not guilds that can be easily purged. Theyre adept at guerrilla warfare from the start.
Kang-hoo anticipated a prolonged purge by the Jeonghwa Guild in Osan, as it was in the original story.
Then,
The security around Gold Goblins Mine might be loosened. If I can just get in, it would be perfect.
Now, dungeons that were unapproachable due to the full-scale war between Pyeongjeong and Bastard might be within reach.
Gold Goblins Mine.
As the name suggests, its a place with a lot of loot to collect as rewards.
And its a dungeon with a special space that only Kang-hoo knows about, meaning theres a lot to gain.
Things are getting interesting.
Now, in some aspects, the timeline is moving faster than the original, or entirely different elements have started to emerge.
Of course, considering the overall flow of the story, its not something that would significantly impact it.
Still, the vast knowledge of the original work that Kang-hoo possesses is valuable information that can be used at any time.
Five minutes later.
Kang-hoo met Jeon Se-hyuk and Ban Se-yeong in the bustling area just outside Busan Station.
Jeon Se-hyuk wore a mask this time, different from when Kang-hoo last saw him.
With the mask covering his scars, only his refreshing eyes were visible, making him look much more handsome.
Ban Se-yeong, having taken off her specialized goggles worn inside dungeons and fully made up, looked quite beautiful. She could pass for a successful beauty creator.
Jeon Se-hyuk, who greeted Kang-hoo warmly, immediately pointed to a building near the station.
Shall we go?
Whats in the building?
Well, its my office, to be precise.
The entire building is his office. The top floor is essentially a penthouse.
Ban Se-yeong added the explanation in place of Jeon Se-hyuk.
A hunter using an entire building as personal space isnt strange. Its possible with enough money.
What complicated Kang-hoos thoughts, however, was the question Jeon Se-hyuk asked him afterward.
Do you know about the Kashimar Guild with Russian nationality?
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