D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 126
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 126
How much time had passed?
Dan Yibum surveyed his surroundings with a grave expression.
The moment Ulrim commanded him to disappear, he found himself trapped in this bizarre Dimensional Space.
A place so dark it seemed to have neither beginning nor end.
Through the hazy darkness, he could make out silhouettes that resembled some kind of alleyway.
When he focused harder, he sensed countless gazes fixed upon him—as if many were watching.
System windows that appeared to be messages from Constellations flickered past, but a blocking message appeared first.
[ This is a Dimensional Space pre-reserved by the Constellation of the Entangled Apocalypse’s Finalizer. ]
[ Access by other Constellations is prohibited during the rental period. ]
[ Remaining rental time: 172 years ]
When I first saw that number upon arrival, I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t even speak.
‘So I’m supposed to be trapped here for 172 years?’
Even a martial arts master with perfect circulation would die by the time they reached 172 years old.
“Constellation, are you listening? I acknowledge that I was somewhat hasty. If you would, please respond.”
But there was no chance that one who had decided to punish me would listen to such words.
I had no choice but to start walking.
In this place, I learned what it meant to be an ‘ordinary human.’
My skills were completely sealed away, and my physical recovery seemed identical to that of a normal person.
A mere brush against something incomprehensible caused blood to pour from the wound.
Though Ulrim’s power allowed it to heal quickly, this was my first time experiencing such trivial injuries and the pain that accompanied them.
Do all people live with bodies like this?
If ordinary people are this fragile, what about D-rank Hunters? B-rank Hunters? How much better are they?
With so much time ahead, I began contemplating things I normally wouldn’t give a second thought to.
‘Will Ulrim really keep me confined for 172 years? Can I even survive that long?’
At that moment, all I could see was Ulrim.
Ulrim showed no particular anger, merely snapping a finger with an utterly composed expression.
Before the snap even faded, I was thrown into this place.
Since Ulrim sometimes acts on impulse like this, it probably wasn’t something planned in advance.
‘Calling it an “obstruction” was perhaps too harsh.’
I had said it to distance myself, but it was not something to say before a god. I reflected on my words.
If I thought about it, the people of Touch One were never the type to be swayed by such remarks anyway.
Though calling them a guild assembled by a Constellation made them seem like a ragtag group, they continuously grew stronger as if to prove that choice was not a mistake.
Soon, they might even earn a place in a mid-sized guild.
In such circumstances, I couldn’t afford to become a burden that held them back.
I could go anywhere.
Though some unfavorable rumors had circulated, the Hunter world was ultimately governed by power—if I cleared just a few high-tier Dungeons, even Seok Geon-hyung wouldn’t have much to say.
‘If I said this, they’d obviously ask why I don’t just clear those Dungeons with Touch One, so I deliberately didn’t bring it up.’
They don’t understand.
A fallen high-rank Hunter’s position can be restored, but a guild’s lost honor cannot be picked up again.
Even just looking at Taemyeon, which collapsed helplessly despite holding Kim Gyuwun as a trump card, wasn’t that proof enough?
If Touch One were to crumble, everyone who came there with hope would fall into the abyss together.
‘Hunter Dan Yibum.’
He recalled Ha Gyuhyuk’s face as he called out to him and his neat voice.
A being who achieved miraculous growth from D-rank to A-rank.
The hope of lower-ranked hunters and someone like a miracle.
Perhaps when Touch One fell apart, only Ha Gyuhyuk and Kim Gyuwun, who had proven their abilities, would be able to preserve their positions and transfer to safer places.
Chae-ah would likely return to the Hunter Association that Jang Deuk-sung had left, if luck was on her side.
But what about the others?
They would find themselves without anywhere to go again.
“Sigh….”
But there was no way he could say such things in front of them.
He would face enormous backlash, and he wasn’t the kind of person who could explain away all those emotions and thoughts.
It was bothersome too.
Was the bothersome part the biggest reason?
Anyway.
Besides, the timing was a bit strange.
Some time had passed, but I still hadn’t properly confessed, and the feelings from being rejected lingered subtly in my heart.
Could Ulrim’s punishment be related to how I appeared back then?
I should have said something different.
At least it might have been better to speak honestly.
‘But what would have changed even if I had spoken honestly among so many people?’
When I was at Cynea, people said that whenever Dan Yibum opened his mouth, he was just putting on airs.
They said if I worried, I was unnecessarily meddlesome, and asked if I even saw them as people.
‘Of course I see you as people. That’s why I care so much, isn’t it?’
But perhaps what they wanted was a bond in a different context than what I thought.
I had to hear sarcasm almost daily, like a greeting, asking whether I even saw them as colleagues.
‘I see you as colleagues. That’s why I bring you into dungeons even when you’re not helpful, isn’t it?’
‘Are you saying right now that we’re useless?’
‘Objectively, clearing it alone is several times more efficient than protecting you while operating.’
The current duty of hunters is not to enter dungeons together, but to successfully conquer them.
If possible, it’s even better to minimize casualties and resolve it in a short period.
In that context, the people of Cynea didn’t understand reality.
They only spouted idealistic words about how any crisis could be solved if they joined forces.
In the end, after clearing while spending more time and effort than necessary, they would be happy saying ‘We did well!’
Saying things like ‘Dan Yibum, you worked hard!’
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
Just as I reached this point in my thoughts, a voice came from right nearby.
Reflexively, I swung my arm down to strike, but my wrist was caught in mid-air.
A powerful force that left me completely immobilized.
Dan Yibum stood frozen in place, as if overwhelmed by the moment.
The one who had seized his wrist regarded him with an expression of complete indifference.
“Ulrim.”
“Humans think far too many pointless thoughts when left alone.”
“How did you get here, and my wrist—”
“Just so you don’t get any ideas, even if I returned your original stats, I still couldn’t lose to you, so don’t even dream of it.”
Without a breeze, violet hair drifted slowly through the air.
Ulrim, speaking with perfect composure, released Dan Yibum’s wrist.
A subtle tingling sensation lingered on his wrist.
It had seemed like a gentle grip, yet even that alone produced such a sensation.
It struck me anew—I was not human.
“It couldn’t possibly be that 172 years have already passed—”
“Conditional special pardon.”
Ulrim answered tersely and turned to walk away, clearly having no intention of elaborating further.
All the countless stories Dan Yibum had conjured while left alone seemed to pale before Ulrim’s casual demeanor.
Because of that, I understood even less.
Wasn’t this the moment to be scolded?
For my rudeness, or the arrogance I’d been called out for until now.
“I’ve dealt with Seok Geon-hyung.”
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“Well, I’m not entirely certain, actually. As for how to handle things with the Guild Members, that’s something you’ll need to figure out yourself.”
My head spun dizzily.
Ulrim’s voice rang out with perfect calm.
“I have no desire to waste my time on those who won’t listen to words.”
“Are you giving up on me?”
“No. I never made an effort for you in the first place, and it was you who turned away from the stars that did make an effort for you.”
Never made an effort for me.
It was a truth that cut to the bone with its coldness.
Ulrim merely assisted me out of moral obligation.
Moral obligation?
No.
Simply lending a hand for a time, following the wishes of a benevolent client.
There was not a trace of concern in those indifferent eyes.
“Humans don’t change, and I know you well.”
Unless you experience it directly, you will never—truly never—learn.
“Instead of dealing with Seok Geon-hyung directly, I made a deal with his Constellation.”
Dozens, hundreds of eyes that were presumed to have been concealed by Ulrim suddenly fixed their gaze upon Dan Yibum in that instant.
The Constellation of the Entangled Apocalypse’s Finalizer had permitted other stars to witness him.
Countless stars examined him as if savoring the sight.
“Dan Yibum, from this moment forward, I temporarily strip you of your Hunter abilities.”
“….”
“So prove it to those stars you dared to turn away from. Show them what remains of you as a human if you strip away the alphabet.”
The human fell silent while the star laughed.
And the city of stars made its proclamation.
“If you can’t prove anything, you’ll become nothing but an ignorant fool who blindly believes in it and tears it apart on a whim.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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